No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency: Tea Time for the Traditionally Built by Alexander McCall Smith

The audio book is excellent.  The whole story is great.  I have been a fan since I have read the first book.  HBO had made a great show of the No 1 Ladies' Detective Agency.  I wish they had continued the story.  There were great actors such as Jill Scott and more and the filming was also great of a beautiful country in Africa.  It was a smart and entertaining story.  A story line of community around Precious and also how clever she is solving cases.  Enjoy.

Dead End in Norvelt by Jack Gantos

This is hilarious.  I can see why it won so many awards.  It's a coming of age story. Right up there with A Year Down Yonder.  Perfect for middle school libraries.  There are positive messages to racism of the time.  It's a good read and a good listen to.  Enjoy.

No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency: The Kalahari Typing School for Men by Alexander McCall Smith

This is a charming detective story set in Africa, Botswana.  I read the first one years ago.  Then HBO had a great series based on the stories starring Jill Scott who nailed it and a great cast all together.  I wish HBO had never ended the first season.  It was one of the best shows they had ever produced.

The audio book is also awesome.  You hear an authentic cadence to the story.  Enjoy.

Children of Eden by Joey Graceffa

It's a good series.  Think Matched meets Hunger Games and add Among the Hidden series and you've got another dystopian story.  It's good and I would get for my high school library.  Enjoy.

Top Ten by Katie Cotugno

I don't think I'll get it for my high school library.  Fine for public libraries.  There is sex and parties going on.  Bickering and relationship problems.  Not really that compelling.

Chrestomanci: The Lives of Christopher Chant by Diana Wynne Jones

I enjoy this series.  If you like Harry Potter then this is a good series to also enjoy.  It's magic, family dysfunction, a mentor, adventure and a baddie.  Fine for elementary, middle and high school.  Enjoy.

Chrestomanci: The Magicians of Caprona by Diana Wynne Jones

Every library should have the collection of Diana Wynne Jones on their shelves.  They are great stories.  I'm enjoying this series.  So far I've read two of the books.  They are filled with adventure, humor, danger and magic.  Enjoy.

Endurance: A Year in Space, A Lifetime of Discovery by Scot Kelly

I was able to hear Scott Kelly speak for Fresno's Town Hall this fall.  This is actually the third astronaut I've hear speak.  I remember the moon landings even though I was a wee little girl.  There's something about the exploration of space.  It is worth listening.  It's all the right stuff!  The audiobook also good.  Enjoy.

Vincent and Theo: The Van Gogh Brothers by Deborah Heiligman

Art is very important, as well as the artist's story.  Read the background of this famous man.  Then go online and look at his paintings.  If you can see his work in a museum that would even be better.  Years ago at the Getty in LA  I got to see a special exhibit of Vincent Van Gogh's work.  Amazing. I love the iris study but now I am also appreciating the sunflower series and of course the Starry Night art.  Oh great now I have the song in my head.  Audio book also good.  I'm getting this for my high school library.

The Secret Keepers by Trenton Lee Stewart

Perfect for middle school.  It's a mystery and magic and adventure.  Baddies and goodies and who can you really trust.  It's a good story.

Little Brother: Homeland by Cory Doctorow

OMG  a must read and I'm getting for my high school library.  The audiobook also very good.  It's so real and scary in the contemporary world.  Government conspiracy and technology.  SCARY.  It's a thriller.  Enjoy.  and think.

Fallen Isles: Before She Ignites by Jodi Meadows

It's when government hide things from it's people then it's a dangerous world and animals and natural resources become lost.  It's a good story.  Part fantasy and the fact that there are dragons is a good thing.  Mostly it's about surviving a horrible prison and a guard from hell.  And a once trusted mentor is really a baddie.  It's smart and a good read.  Yep, I'm getting this for my high school library.  Enjoy it's a good read.

Invictus by Ryan Graudin

Oh the audiobook and the story are both good.  It's science-fiction at it's best.  Fan of Dr. Who and Raiders of the Lost Arc?  Then you'll enjoy this story.  Will get for my high school library.

Far From the Tree by Robin Benway

Fantastic book and great audiobook.  A must in high school libraries.  Enjoy.  Family, foster, adopted and each sibling has their own story as they mesh with their found biological sibling.  It's a good story.

Echo by Pam Munoz Ryan

The audio book is fantastic with excerpts of music that connect the story to real sounds.  It's a good read and a good listen too.  Fine for any school library.  A bit of a fantasy and some touches of history so that young readers have a stronger connection to events in history.

Song of the Current: by Sarah Tolcser

It's a good read and it's a good audio book.  Good plot with good twists.  The girl is the hero and must make difficult choices.  Adventure and danger, mystery and romance makes this a good story.  Will get for my high school library.  Enjoy. Set in an alternate universe.  Enjoy.

Unearthly: Radiant by Cynthia Hand

It's a novella that gives a back story about Angela.  If you are a fan of the series, then you'll want to catch up with this short story.

Unearthly Boundless by Cynthia Hand

It's a good read.  Lot's of romance and danger in the world of angels and teens.

Agatha Raisin: Agatha Raisin and the Case of the Curious Curate by M. C. Beaton

Agatha Raisin Dishing the Dirt by M. C. Beaton

The audiobooks are a great series.  Enjoy this British who-done-it.  It's a great murder mystery.