Charlie the Ranch Dog: Charlie Goes To The Doctor by Ree Drummond

Catch a Falling Star by Kim Culbertson

This is a great book to recommend for students looking for romance.  It was well written.  I'm looking forward to reading more of Kim Culbertson's books if this is an example.  Reminds me of Sarah Dessen.

Cleopatra in Space by Mike Maihack

It's fine.  A cute graphic novel for tweens.  Okay for any library.  Simple but fun.

Allegiant by Veronica Roth

I don't want to give any spoilers away.  If you are a fan of the Divergent series then here comes the conclusion of the story thread.  Fine for any library.  Should read the first two in order before getting to this story.

Dealing with Dragons by Patricia Wrede

Enjoy.  Strong female character.  Not a damsel in distress.

UnStrung by Neal Shusterman

This is part of the Unwind series.  It's a solid series about kids being harvested for body parts.  Trust me it's a good series.  And it's written with a solid plot and solid characters.  Unstrung is a small book that I read on my Kindle checked out from the public library.  If you are a fan of the series, add this book to your reading list.

BrotherBand Chronicles: The Outcasts by John Flanagan

If you like Lord of the Rings, The Hobbit and other adventure stories this is it.  No dragons, or wizards or magic but an icelandic survival with lots of adventure.  Everything about this story is well thought out.  It's a fun read.  Solid story with good character development, and a plot.  I'm looking forward to book 2.  It's a good story for any library.

The Book Thief by Markus Zasak

First, the writing of this book is amazing.  It is Death telling the story of Liesel and the people in her community.  The Nazi party, Air raids, book burning and learning to read.  Learning to care for other people.  It's about being a family, when you are not blood.  It's about protecting others.  It's an amazing story.  And the words are rich, the story takes on many layers.  Stay with this book.  Read it to the end. You'll thank me later.

THe FitzOsbornes At War By Michelle Cooper

This is a well crafted story and lovely to read.  I was reading this while also listening to The Book Thief, the German side of war.  Very powerful to read together.  You can see the research that it took to create this story.  Real people blended with fictional characters to create a life in London and the country side during World War II.  I would have high school seniors reading this one.  It's a good read. I would say at least read book 2 first so that the reader has prior knowledge of the family background and why they were exiled from their small kingdom and landed in England.

The Oathbreaker's Shadow by Amy McCulloch

This is an amazing story.  It's original.  The magic of the story is all new and different.  AN EXCELLENT READ.  Good for any library.  Takes place in a desert of Middle Eastern feel.  It's all made up and the culture created by the author is original.  I so look forward to her next book.  It's a great read!

Paranormalcy By Kiersten White

This is an easy book to read.  Easy story.  Fine for any library.  It has a little of everything.  I listened to the audio version and it was fine.  I liked the main character, Evie.  It was a good set up.  I look forward to reading book 2.

Quintana of Charyn by Melina Marchetta

This is worth the read!  Start with book 1 and work your way through this series.  Excellent writing, character development, plot line and inventing cultures.  Amazing book.  Well crafted. A good read.  There may be some adult content, nothing to be really concerned but just a heads up.    It's Lord of the Rings with out the dragons, It's the Hobbit on a journey.  It's Moses plodding along through the desert to get a home.  It's a good book!

The Book Of Shadows by Cate Tierman

Was not impressed with this book.  Story was laden with way to many details.  It was rather clumsy.  Some parts were strong.  Probably don't want this in a school library.  The context of the book was not well written.  The dialogue was weak.  Not on my list to add to a library.  My recommendations are there are other books out there that work better.  I'd skip this book.

The Princess Bride by William Goldman

This is just a fun read if you love romance and adventure, humor and intelligence.  Buttercup is our beautiful farm girl, who orders the hired hand around.  By the time she has figured out she loves him, he's off to make his fortune.  After some time, she hears he has died.  Heartbroken and also threatened, she ends up being engaged to a powerful evil man.  The adventure begins.  Enjoy, you'll thank me later.

The Land of Stories: A Grimm Warning by Chris Colfer

Chris Colfer does it again.  I look forward to book 4.  It just came out.  This is a great book for those who love fairytales.  It's a good read aloud to kids as a chapter book.  Probably want to make sure children have a background knowledge of European fairy tales ... the non-Disney version.  (Don't get me started on that subject)   Anyway,  this is a book that would be great to grace the shelves of elementary and maybe even middle school.  Enjoy!

No Rest for the Wiccan by Madelyn Alt

This is a fun mystery to read.  It's brain candy.  No spells just clearing out a pesky ghost while solving a murder mystery.  There's a love interest involved but it's all good.  Okay for high school students to read.

The Land of Stories: The Enchantress Returns by Chris Colfer

Another fun read.  You'll enjoy if you love fairytales.  Strong characters and great plot line.

Beyonders: A World Without Heroes By Brandon Mull

It's an adventure!   It's a good read.  I look forward to the next book.

Reboot by Amy Tintera

One of the better zombie books I've read.  Although there are no mention of zombies in the book.  These dead are not what we think of zombies.  They have "lives", eat, drink and does the dirty work of an evil organization guised to help humanity.  I actually liked the book.  You have to feel sympathy for the rebooted soldiers.  They have become slaves and prisoners as they work and believe the lies they are being fed.  I will look forward to reading the

The Land of Stories: The Wishing Spell by Chris Colfer

I have to say this was a fun read.  If you love fairy tales, this is the book for you.  It's Shrek meets Mother Goose.  A good read aloud to your younger children so you too will have a happy chuckle.  Fun dialog with light hearted banter.  It's a great fairy make over.  Highly recommend it.  Put this one on your shelves.

This Shattered World by Amie Kaufman & Meagan Spooner

Well crafted this story is.  It's set on a remote planet and it's science fiction genre.  The story continues to unfold.  And we do have a oh so brief scene with characters from the first book.  Solid characters, a believable problem and just good writing makes this story a good book 2.  A solid mystery to keep the story going.  It's a good read!

Froi of the Exiles by Melina Marchetta

First, I'm going to say this is an amazing book and well crafted.  I loved the book.  I'm going to say this though.  This book will not be for everyone.  It's about a young princess who is the last born when a curse has hit the country.  No child has been born after her.  She's been forced to endure be with many different last born males in an attempted to break the curse and become pregnant.  Her life is with out love and kindness.  She is looked at as a whore.  You really have to sympathize for her.  There is mature content in the sense of what she has to endure to survive.  Froi is the hero of this book.  The characters stay with you long after all the pages have been read.  I look forward to reading  book 3.  Again excellent book but there are some very strong subjects of fighting and abuse.  I just want to give a heads up.

Forgotten by Cat Patrick

I listened to the audio version of this book.  I thought the premise might be interesting.  It's not.
The title is perfect.  Just forget about it.  I don't like panning books, but trust me, you'll thank me later.  Use the time to read other choices.  I will still read Cat Patrick books, just was disappointed with the plot.  London is a lovely character and I liked her but the premise was to convoluted.  Sigh.  It was a good try just not successful.

Watership Down by Richard Adams

This is a classic book consider Young Adult but also adult as well.  It's about visions for the hope of the future.  Seeing problems that perhaps those entrenched in authority might have difficult facing.  It's about being warriors for not only protection but for fighting what you believe in.  Infused through out the story are endearing legends of rabbit folklore.  The characters are so strong and well thought out.  The plot is solid.  It's a rabbit's story about survival.  Well crafted.  An excellent read.

Eternal by Gillian Shields

I just dived in to this book not having read this first two in the series.  It's written so that you have the back ground of the story line and moves right on.  It's an interesting read.  Okay for any school library.

Lock and Key by Sarah Dessen

I love reading Sarah Dessen books.  Her stories just pull me in to them deeply.  This one's for adding to your library if you don't have already.  A good read.  A powerful read.  Good story line.  Strong characters.  Enjoy.

Hollow City by Ransom Riggs

Ransom Riggs has done it again.  Great story.  Enjoy!

Wonder by R. J. Palacio

This is an amazing book.  It could be read by all grades.  Good for helping students have a deeper insight on challenges in life when you don't fit in.  I also appreciate how the story honors the family members.  The oldest girl, Auggie's sister has learned also a lot in the school year.  You get many perspectives to tell this story.  Very smart.  Should be in every school library.

The FitzOsbrnes in Exile by Michelle Cooper

It's a treat to listen to this book.  The actress who reads it nails the character and voice.  It's a treat to be acquainted with this story.  A tiny island invaded by the Nazis.  Sophie's young brother is now the king in exile as their father has died in the first book.  Which I haven't read but do now wish to very much.  History is captured in the 1930's before the second war has broken out.  Politics and famous people, the American Kennedy's are mentioned.  The author has done her research.  And smartly has incorporated in the books so it's all natural and not forced.  Her dialogue works brilliantly for the time frame.  It rings true in this lovely fictional work.  You care for all characters even daft Aunt Charlotte who wants to marry off the girls.  If you like modern world history, this is a book to read.  There's a bit of a catch up if you haven't read the first book, just remember it's worth the read.  You'll thank me later.

Lockwood & Co by Jonathan Stroud

Okay this was a fun read.  I got to hear the audio version of the book, voice actor did an excellent job nailing accents and different character voices.   Story line was fun and adventures.  Highly entertaining read.  I look forward to reading book 2, The Whispering Skull.  Would be great in any library: Elementary for older kids, middle school and even high school.

Magyk by Angie Sage

This is a cool book.  I'm looking forward to reading the series.  It's The Hobbit meets Harry Potter.  A fun read for kids.  Would have in any children's library and high school library.  I know I put it as grades 9-12 but also I would add grades 4-8 as well.  Author's web page is a nice site to visit.  Enjoy.

The Ocean At the End of the Lane by Neil Gaiman

I listened to the audio version with Neil Gaiman, the author, reading his book.  Always a treat to hear him read.  This story is about fighting an evil monster and two children.  Lettie Hempstock may actually be the oldest 11 year old ever.  She may be 11 but she's really older then that and she shows great strength and compassion evil for the monster that has taken over her little friend's family.  There is magic in the story.  Not wizards and witches but an older magic from another world.

This story is written/crafted as a fine piece of literature.  If I had a fantasy dinner in which authors would be invited,  I would sit Neil Gaiman and Ray Bradbury together and just listen to them talk about what ever.

The Bride Wore Size 12 by Meg Cabot

What a fun  read the Heather Well's series is.  Snappy conversation, romance and mystery all wrapped up in this series.  Meg Cabot writes a solid story/mystery that entertains.  Enjoy, you'll thank me later.

The Red Queen by Victoria Aveyard

Politics, amazing powers and a caste system boils into to one epic story.  If you like Graceling by Kristen Shore and Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins and throw in The Selection by Kiera Cass then you have a power house story.

Rebellion against the silver bloods is impossible because of their special powers but there's a new special out there.  Mare has the ability to control electricity and she's a red blood.  She's not the only special red out there.

There's betrayal and romance.  It's a good story.  You'll thank me later.

Crimson Bound by Rosamund Hodge

This goes beyond the retelling of Red Ridding Hood.  One of the best modern literature tales that I've read this month, that and Shadow Scale.  Rosamund Hodge weaves words as if she's creating a beautiful tapestry.  The story plot construction, the characters and all the details are crafted together into a beautiful tale of love, betrayal, magic and political intrigue.

If you're a fan of Rosamund Hodge, read her other book, Cruel Beauty  the retelling of Beauty and the Beast.

Shadow Scale by Rachel Hartman

This is modern literature at it's finest in the genre of fantasy.  Oh the surprises!  If you love music, dragons, adventure and political intrigue this is the book for you.  Behavior manipulation,
This follows the book Seraphina  .  This series is a perfect Adult book also.

Quad by C. G. Watson

So sad that so many school shooting stories have inspired such a story.  But what a powerful story it is. Bullying, Cliques and mean behavior ends up causing one student to lose it and take a gun to school.  Various student's story is woven together with the events that take place on a fateful day.

A Confusion of Princes by Garth Nix

If you're into science fiction, this is one adventure you won't forget.  Khemri is just one of thousands of princes.  There's backstabbing and assassins, luckily, Khemri has been training all his technically enhanced life.  He can connect his mind with his team of people but when he's given an assignment where he has to disconnect and become a basic human, he learns to adapt.  This is one different sci-fi story.  Enjoy.

Gathering Darkness by Morgan Rhodes

This story just builds and builds.  Looking forward to when book 4 is published.  Read the series if you like Lord of the Rings, David Eddings series and Star Wars (but this isn't a sci-fi book)

Game of Thrones eat your heart out!

Size 12 And Ready to Rock by Meg Cabot

Enjoy humor, great characters, smart dialog?  This is the book for you.  Heather's back solving another murder and facing danger.  With a super cute fiancee to boot.  Enjoy.D 

Big Boned by Meg Cabot

I am so enjoying this series.  Again some adult situations, not for high school library.  Great reading, fun characters to like, super dialog that's fun to read.  Great mystery to get into.  Enjoy, you'll thank me later!

Size 14 Is Not Fat Either by Meg Cabot

I wouldn't put this in a high school library but for mature readers this is a very funny book.  (Some words and situations)  It's a great book, the dialog is snappy and entertaining.  The situation is cleverly crafted and the characters are likable.  I'm a fan.  Great summer reading.  Enjoy!  You'll thank me later.

Breaking Point by Alex Flinn

Charlie Goode is the ultimate manipulator.  Not an easy story to read but excellent.  If you've read Shattering Glass, it's right up with that story.  Well Done ALex Flinn!

Chronicles of the Red King:The Secret Kingdom by Jenny Nimmo

Read book 1 if you are a fan of the Charlie Bone series.  The audio book is also good.

Dear Bully edited by Megan Hall and Carrie Jones

So many personal stories about bullying.  The young years, elementary up to high school.  Bullying is out there and still continues.  The more we are aware of how it affects us, the more we can do to talk about it and with hope, change the way things are and make our world a safer place.

The Twice Lost by Sarah Porter

Lots of surprises in this story.  If you're a fan of this mermaid book then you'll enjoy this last book of the trilogy.  The mermaids are in trouble.  The ocean is in trouble.  The humans are in trouble.

Bait by Alex Sanchez

Looking at the author's background is very impressive.  It's obvious he has helped many people overcome difficult challenges in their lives.  I can't image how hard it must have written but I think about how this can help anyone reading this book either understand others or themselves.  It's a positive book about healing, facing the truth and being brave to share the truth no matter how scary it is to share the truth.

I am the Messenger By Markus Zusak

There are no vampires or zombies, no big romance, no soldiers.  It's about a 19 year old cab driver who hangs out with his friends.  He accidentally becomes a hero when he stops a bank robber.  Soon after he get's playing cards with strange mysterious messages.  He goes on a sleuthing journey and ends up helping people along the way.  Very well written.  Not for immature audience.  There are lots of layers to this book about finding oneself.  It is a good story.  Well crafted.  A bit strange but good.  I listened to it on audiobook.  The audiobook was voiced well and interesting.

Journey by Aaron Becker

This wordless picture book is worth being in any classroom, library or personal bookshelf.  It's about friendship, adventure and imagination.  Creatively done, it's the story of a girl who takes herself on a journey and the out come is beautiful.  Enjoy, you'll thank me later.

Neverwhere by Neil Gaiman

Oh just go down the rabbit hole with this one.  A lovely story: one part Dr. Who, one part Alice in Wonderland, one part modern, one part timelessness.  Enjoy every part of it.  I'm listening to the story on audiobook.  Worth listening to hear the rich voice of the reader.  Neil Gaiman knows how to wrangle words and covey a story to enfold you in to the story.  Oh just read the book!