Monday, April 30, 2018

Unearthed by Amie Kaufman & Megan Spooner


Think Indiana Jones series meets Star Wars series.  It's a great adventure with lots of twists and turns.  I'm getting this for my high school library.  Two opposite characters forced to unite and work together to solve clues.  Some baddies chasing after them.  It's a good read.  Enjoy.

A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini

It's a layer story with content that best suits adult reading.  Descriptively told and takes the reader on a journey through time and geography.  It's a good read.

Leaving Paradise Return to Paradise by Simone Elkeles

Fine for personal libraries.  There are some steamy scenes.  It's a good story but better for public and personal libraries. 

Assassin’s Creed Renaissance by Oliver Bowden

I can see why young boys and men would like this story.  Would I put it in the library? No.It's better for personal libraries.  FYI lots of F* bombs and some sexual innuendo.  Lots of adventure to entertain. 

Saturday, April 28, 2018

Fablehaven: DragonWatch by Brandon Mull

I have high school students who follow Brandon Mull and rightly so!  He can write a story.  Adventure and danger.  Also, Seth, the young brother always makes risky choices that makes me want to grab him and tell him to knock it off and think.  Okay it's a good story.  Enjoy.

Empress of a Thousand Skies Blood of a Thousand Stars by Rhoda Belleza


I recommend reading the first book first.  I didn't so I was a bit lost.  This is book 2.  It's fine for high school libraries.

The Dog Master A Novel of the First Dog by W Bruce Cameron

This is a book for adults since there is some mature content.  It's a hypothetical story of how man and wolves create a bond.  I found it not my favorite Cameron's book.  Lots of layers but at times felt muddled.

The Numair Chronicles Tempests and Slaughter by Tamora Pierce


If you love fantasy, LOR, Harry Potter, magic and adventure then you'll enjoy this story.  It's a good read and always a good edition to young adult libraries.  Enjoy.

The Traitor’s Game by Jennifer A. Nielsen


I love Jennifer A. Nielsen work.  She can create characters you will care for, she can create plots that make you turn the page.  Perfect for middle and high school libraries.  Enjoy.

For Everyone by Jason Reynolds


This is an inspirational creation to be shared with all.  I'm getting this for my library.  A must add.

Sunday, April 22, 2018

Thirteen Moons by Charles Frazier

I listened to the audio book and was impressed.  Not for high school unless very mature readers who love historical fiction.  If you enjoy historical fiction, you will enjoy this.  Again, audiobook very good. Enjoy.

Saturday, April 21, 2018

Poldark The Angry Tide by Winston Graham


I love the PBS series.  This is the next book after the last season.  Yikes now I know what's going to happen and I don't want to spoil the story line.  Oh my goodness, it's a good one.  It's like family soap opera.

Halo by Alexandra Adornetto


I liked this book.  It's not preachy but the story is good.  It's a blend of Angels and contemporary teens.  I think it's fine for high school libraries. 

Brooklyn Brujas Labyrinth Lost by Zoraida Cordova


This was a book that I saw at a Scholastic Book Fair.  I wasn't really impressed with the book.  It's okay and fine.  I think fine for personal libraries.

Rookie On Love edited by Tavi Gevinson


This is written by various authors about the topic of love.  All kinds of love.  With so many topics about love makes this an interesting read.  Some mature themes.  I don't think I'm getting this for my high school

Sunday, April 8, 2018

The Turtle of Oman by Naomi Shihab Nye

Very nice book and perfect for school libraries.  Also the audio book is good.  It's nice that different generations are featured in this story.  Also incorporated into the story is science information, cultural information and the natural curiosity of a boy who's about  to leave his home.  The family in this story is so welcoming and kind that you would want them for neighbors.   It's a nice glimpse in the world of the Middle East.  Enjoy.

Horizon A Warp In Time by Jude Watson


I like this series.  Different authors add their own book in the series to continue the story.  Think the TV show Lost with the TV show Survivor and Land of the Lost.  It's fine for any school library.  Enjoy.  Audio book also good.

Saturday, April 7, 2018

Love That Dog by Sharon Creech


You will need a hanky with this story.  It's perfect for any elementary school library.  It's the story of a boy and his dog and poetry on the surface.  But it's also the story of grief and loss of a loved pet.  It's a good book.  The audio book also very good plus a bonus of Walter Dean Meyers reading one of his poems. 

Tess of the Road by Rachel Hartman


I found this book extra special.  There are so many life layers in this book.  An angry hurt girl who has her reputation ruined because she was taken advantage of.  The destruction of a special creature.  A life on the road just living on the land and meeting interesting or dangerous people and creatures.  Freedom is a gift and a responsibility.  It's a good read and a good audio book.

Hamish Macbeth Death of an Honest Man by M. C. Beaton

March Book Three by John Lewis


This is an important series to add to any high school library.  It's told in a graphic novel style.  It's an excellent graphic novel that portrays history in the words of John Lewis,who talks about the past and what he experienced.  I'm getting for my high school library. 

Valiant The Defiant by Lesley Livingston

It's a good read and audio books.  Lots of plot twists.  Go back to the Roman times and read this story of political and power struggles.  Enjoy.

A Rebel of the Sands Hero At The Fall by Alwyn Hamilton

The audio book good.  Fine for high school.  Big time love interest, lots of danger and adventure.  A good fantasy set in an ancient desert world dashed with magic and an evil sultan.  Enjoy.

The Bone Witch The Heart Forger by Rin Chupeco


Fine for high school libraries.  Audio book also good. 

Boy Tales of Childhood by Roald Dahl

Oh this is such a charming book of the story of Roald Dahl.  Go back to the 1920's and see what life was like growing up.  It's a sweet story with boy antics and family love.  It's a short read and fine for any school library.  The audio book also good. 

Wednesday, April 4, 2018

The Chaos of Standing Still by Jessica Brody

I liked this book a lot.  There are a lot of layers to this story.  Told in Ryn's, short for Katheryn, viewpoint by alternating flashbacks and real time.  I can't imagine what it would be like to be trapped in a airport by a blizzard but the author does a good job of it.  It's a good read and I'm getting for my high school library.  Enjoy

City of Saints & Thieves by Natalie C Anderson


This book starts slow and that's fine.  Wait til you get to the end.  It's worth the read.  What I like is that the author worked with refugees and brought in their world of violence and life into the rest of the world.  Travel to the Congo and Kenya and solve a mystery as you read these pages.  Audio book also good.

Tuesday, April 3, 2018

Irena’s Children by Tilar J. Mazzeo


So getting this for my high school library.  A must read to understand the brave people who sacrificed so much to save the Jewish people of Warsaw, Poland.  That evil must be stopped.  That ordinary people make the difference.  It's the true account of events surrounded by one special woman, Irena.  It's an important read.  The audio book also very good.

Monday, April 2, 2018

And The Mountains Echoed by Khaled Hosseini

I listened to the audio book and it was a rich layered story that traveled through time and countries.  How these people's lives entwined make this an impressive collection of stories threaded together. 

Things We Have In Common by Tasha Kavanagh

This is one strange book.  Psychologically creepy.  Yasmin is not a healthy girl both physically and emotionally.  The story is told in her words and you see what she is thinking.  It's a creepy story and I would not add to the high school library.

Sunday, April 1, 2018

Dividing Eden Forbidden Fruit by Joelle Charbonneau


Its a novella from the Dividing Eden series and it's fine.  It gives a backstory of a brother and sister and the misfortune that they have.  Enjoy.

Austin Family Chronicles The Young Unicorns by Madeleine L’Engle


It's a good series and the audio book is also good.  I found this story a bit over the top but still entertaining.  Told in a few perspectives, new characters and various family members.  It is still fine for any library.  Over all it's a good read.