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Who would like this book? This book has a little bit of mystery and suspense. I think it’s good for all ages.

Why? This book is mysterious in some parts, and it’s also suspenseful in other parts. A teenager called Mitty Blake has to do a biology paper on a disease. He chose to do his paper on small pox. Mitty has a friend named Derek who wants to try to figure out a murder that happened a long time ago. Mitty likes this one girl named Olivia. She is really smart. Mitty isn’t as smart as her. Mitty is in advanced biology just because he wanted a class with Olivia. Mitty was trying to act all smart so Olivia could notice him. During the weekends, Mitty’s family goes to their other house out of New York, out in the country. Mitty started his paper on small pox. He found an old book on all kinds of diseases. He looked up small pox. He found an envelope inside the book. The envelope wasn’t sealed. He opened it up. The stuff inside the envelope was small pox scabs. Mitty sneezed and the scabs got all over him. He touched his nose with his hands that had small pox scabs. He cleaned the scabs up and put them back in the envelope. The next day Mitty was at school and did more research on small pox. Mitty was afraid of getting small pox because he touched the small pox scabs and got it all over him. Does Mitty Blake get infected with this small pox disease? Well, I am not going to tell you. Read this book to find out if he does get small pox or if he doesn’t.

The details: 195 p. 2005   Submitted by Elsie
Click here for another review of Code Orange

Submitted by Tom U.

Who would like this book? I think anyone who likes a book with action and a little vampire romance should read this. Although most people say that it’s a girls’ book, it is actually for guys too.

Why?  This book is about a girl Bella who is seventeen and moves to a small town called Forks. While there she meets a guy called Edward who is absolutely perfect in every way possible. Later she starts dating him and finds out he’s a vampire but still dates him.
This book is terrific, and after the events I described it really picks up speed.

The details: 498 p. 2005  Submitted by Tom U.

Who would like this book? Readers who like the circus (especially elephants) and are interested in what life was like in the United States in the 1850s.

Why? The Floating Circus begins with twelve-year-old Owen watching out for his charming little brother Zachary in the Pittsburg orphanage where their destitute mother has left them. During the 1850s, orphans were sometimes placed with families in the West. When Owen overhears that his broken arm and rough ways might make it difficult for Zachary to find a good home, Owen jumps off the Orphan Train and eventually lands on the River Palace, a circus boat. Owen finds a new life working with the circus and also gets a surrogate father of sorts in Solomon, an elderly ex-slave. Zimmer tells the story through Owen, and this first person narration works well, drawing the reader into his emotions as he encounters exciting discoveries, makes bad decisions, and attempts to adapt to new situations. His coming-of-age adventures have many historical connections, making Owen’s story a good choice for readers who want to learn about Southern culture in the 1850s. In addition to the Orphan Train and slavery, Owen experiences yellow fever, the printing press, circus culture, and life in New Orleans. The Author’s Note gives some ideas for further research, though the suggestion to visit The Circus World Museum in Baraboo, Wisconsin is unrealistic for most readers. A bibliography or list of suggested websites would have been more helpful.

The details: 198 p. 2008

Who would like this book? Younger teens who are curious about Chinese traditions and what it would be like to move to the United States from Taiwan.

Why? Grace Lin bases The Year of the Dog on her own experiences of moving to the United States from Taiwan when she was a young girl. In this book, Pacy (her Chinese name) goes by Grace with her American friends. Her fifth grade year is also the Year of the Dog according to the Chinese calendar. Grace learns much about herself during this year of self-discovery and also has much luck. She has been the only Asian student in her school and is happy when Melody, from another Taiwanese family, comes to school. Together they have many fun, humorous adventures that are a fascinating combination of American and Chinese traditions. Interspersed into their experiences are timely stories from Grace’s mother that give more insight into Chinese culture. This book is a 2009 YRCA nominee in the Junior Division.

The details: 134 p. 2006

Review by Chance

Who would like this book? Recommended ages is 8 to 13.

Why? Who doesn’t like a book full of mystery, action, narcolepsy, and morse code? No one!  And with this book, that’s exactly what you’ll get! This book follows Reynie, Sticky , Kate, and Constance in their mission to save the world from a madman who plans to control everyone! Ledroptha Curtain plans to make the human race his personal servants, and it’s up to The Mysterious Benedict Society to stop him, and his crazy invention, the whisperer. But can they do it? Read it to find out.

The details: 485 p. 2007 Submitted by Chance

Review by Chance

Who would like this book? This book is for someone who is very fond of freaks, (like an ambidextrous person), carnivals, and the true meaning of V.F.D.

Why? Violet, Klaus, and Sunny have done the unthinkable! They have snuck into Count Olaf’s car trunk! Worse than that, they have disguised themselves as a two headed person, and Chabo, the wolf baby! If you are wondering why, you should most definitely read the book! With terrifying planks, and very carnivorous lions, this book is a great short read!

The details:286 p. 2002  Submitted by Chance

Review by Chance

Who would like this book? This Book is for all ages and, for someone who likes a good mystery!

Why? Book 8 in the Unfortunate Events series follows Violet, Klaus, and Sunny again into their poor adventure in the Heimlich Hospital. With murderous crowds, clever Villains, and enough rusty knives to make you shudder, this book is not for the faint of heart! Read the next chapter in The Baudelaire orphans lives, The Hostile Hospital, to see what dastardly plan Count Olaf has cooked up this time!

The details: 255 p. 2001

Review by Chance

Who would like this book? This book is for crow fanatics, people who love hot air balloons, and anyone who would like to read about poor orphans, who are chased repeatedly by an angry mob!

Why? This book follows Violet, Klaus, and Sunny on their quest to find V. F.D. So, what better place to start, than a town named V.F.D? However they soon realize that this is not the real V.F.D, but the mystery deepens, when they receive letters from Isadora Quagmire, from under the great crow tree. Will they save the Quagmires, or will they succumb to Olafs evil plan? Read to find out!

The details: 256 p. 2001  Review by Chance

Who would like this book?
Do you like wind-up toys? Silent movies? Old clocks? Graphic novels? Paris? If you answer “Yes” to any of these questions, read this book! This book has magical qualities and fascinating connections- it appeals to all ages.

Why? Hugo is a twelve-year-old orphan who lives in the walls of a Paris train station in the early part of the 20th century. Hugo has inherited his deceased father’s skill with intricate clocks and has set out to repair a mysterious automaton (a robot that is seated, ready to write a message). Hugo’s daily life involves maintaining the train station’s clocks (a job he inherited from his uncle, who has disappeared mysteriously) and stealing his food and the parts he needs for the automaton. The latter pursuit puts him in the bad graces of the grouchy keeper of the nearby toyshop. The shopkeeper and his impetuous goddaughter become intertwined with Hugo’s life, and the complications are riveting. As you read, pay attention for foreshadowing that hints at the amazing climax. The intersection of a well-told story with intricate illustrations is masterful, a creative breathtaking breakthrough into a new way to tell a story. Selznick has amazing timing in the choices for where he inserted the illustrations. This book held me spellbound. What’s more, there are lots of fantastic historical connections to silent films and automatons. Related websites:
The book’s opening images
The Maillardet automaton:
http://www.fi.edu/learn/sci-tech/automaton/automaton.php?cts=instrumentation
A video interview with the author:
http://www.amazon.com/Invention-Hugo-Cabret-Brian-Selznick/dp/0439813786

The details: 544 p. 2007

Who would like this book? Older readers (mature 7th grade and up) who want to read a significant book with personal, political, and literary themes. It is an adult book with teen appeal.

Why? On an island in the South Pacific called Bougainville in the early 1900s, political upheaval over mining claims creates a civil war that brings hardship to the natives. One of the native girls, Matilda, tells the story of what happens on the island. Her prose is beautiful (a detail that makes sense when you get to the end of the story), and her focus is on the one white man that remains on the island after the war starts. Mr. Watts, married to a mysterious native woman, takes it upon himself to become their teacher, using Dicken’s Great Expectations as the main text. The power of a story and of the imagination comes alive in this book. Be aware that a brutal war is the backdrop to the events of the novel and that some of these events are disturbing.  It’s not surprising that this book has one many awards, including the Alex Award (for adult books with teen appeal from the American Library Association) and the Commonwealth Writer’s Prize (53 countries!). I highly recommend this book. Now I need time to read Great Expectations!
The details: 272 p. 2006  A Sam review