Nerd Girls- Rise of the Dorkasaurus

Title: Nerd Girls- Rise of the Dorkasaurus

Author: Alan Sitomer

Level: J

Location: This books is due out in July 2011. The publisher supplied an advanced copy. Look for it to be purchased soon.

Maureen, better known as Mo, is not a popular girl in her school. When she finds out the threePees (You know them, the pretty, popular and perfect girls.) are planning a possibly fatal joke on the new girl she decides to intervene. The threePees plan to sit next to Alice, who seems to be allergic to everything, and eat peanut - butter and banana, sandwiches with mango marmalade on wheat. Then they'll film her reaction on a phone. Mo doesn't know what Alice's allergic reaction will be, but she puts a stop to it in a way that lands her on Youtube with more hits by the minute.

While her Youtube debut doesn't make her more popular she does find herself eating lunch with a grateful Alice and Beanpole Barbara, the school klutz. Alice, nicknamed Q by the group, decides they need to hit the threePees where it hurts, the school talent show. Figuring out their talent is a problem. Follow the girls as they put together their talent, face fears, and form their own group of friends.

Bottom Line: This is a humorous book every girl can relate to. After all who hasn't been teased about something in middle school, felt like a dork or faced the challenge of making friends. Find out the way these girls take on the popular girls and come out winners. Nerd Girls will have you smiling and turning pages.

Title: The Dead End- a Poison Apple book
Author: Mimi Mcoy
Level:
Location: J McCoy

Casey Slater and her best friend Jillian have plans for a great summer when Casey's parents announce they bought a summer house in New Hampshire. Casey is ok with a vacation away from the city until she finds out her parents plan on living in New Hampshire the entire summer!

Soon after school is out Casey's parents pack up the car and a rental van and off they go to Stillness, N.H. This town is appropriately named because there is nothing going on in Stillness. There isn't even a real grocery store. The house doesn't have ac and the power isn't working. Wouldn't you be thrilled.

Soon odd things happen in the house. Casey has some strange dreams. Then she starts reading the journal of Millicent Hughes, a girl her age, who once lived in the house. Millicent was also having strange dreams and experiencing odd things in the house. Casey tries to talk to her parents about it all, but they don't believe her and think it's just her bad attitude. When Millie's journal suddenly stops Casey has a bad feeling. Find out what happened to Millie and how she is connected to Casey. Will they have the same fate? Pick up this quick read to find out.

Bottom Line: A fairly quick, interesting read. It's spooky, kind of strange, without being scary or weirding you out. The story is believable and made me want to checkout more titles in the Poison Apple series. ( Which Indian River owns- This totally bites!,Miss Fortune,Now You See Me...)

Heart of Glass

Title: Heart of Glass: Book 3 in the Tales form the Five Kingdoms series

Author: Vivian French

Location: J French

Level: J chapter book

Heart of Glass is the third story in the Tales from the Five Kingdoms series. Vivian French made good on her promise that the bats would have more dialogue in this book. We even meet a new bat, Flo, who helps Gracie. There are some new characters in this book, mostly dwarves and trolls. Somehow Gracie has gone from dwarf-spotting with Marcus to being in a dwarf tunnel, where it isn't good to be a true heart.

The king of trolls wants a princess bride. The dwarves need the trolls' strength for mining more gold quickly. They have a deadline for the royal wedding crowns. They can figure out the princess part later. Will Prince Marcus be talked into doing something unprincely to save Gracie? Will Gubbble destroy everything in his path to get to Gracie? What's that old story about a Trueheart and a troll king?

Bottom Line: If you read any of the previous books in this series and liked them you should like Heart of Glass also. This is an fantasy, adventure story with princes, a good horse, talking animals and a princess, but it doesn't follow the Disney formula. There is no kiss and no happy ever after. The Troll king does not disappear forever. But with a True heart like Gracie involved things are bound to improve.

I could have lived with less of Marigold , whose character is just irritating to me. I did like the new bat Flo.

The Incorrigible Children of Ashton Place - the mysterious howling

Title: The Incorrigible Children of Ashton Place- the mysterious howling
Author: Maryrose Wood
Level: J
Location: J Wood M.








Have you ever watched someone's children who acted like animals? Well Penelope Lumley's charges really do. After being told she is old enough to leave Swansburne Academy for Poor Bright Females Penelope starts her first job (at 15) as a governess. She soon learns the three children were found living in the woods and act like wolves. Not only must she teach them how to dress and speak instead of bark, she must also have them ready to dance and socialize at Lady Constance's first Christmas party . Odd things happen. It seems someone is trying to lure the children into behaving in a way that would send Lady Constance running. Who is trying to sabotage Penelope's efforts with the children? Will she be fired before she can find out and will the children survive without her protection? It is clear Lady Constance has no clue about children and does not wish to form a relationship with them. Lord Ashton is away at his club quite frequently or hunting. (He and Mr. Aldo are the ones who found the children.) Although he does not attend the Christmas party he invites several of his hunting friends from the club. It is unclear exactly what he has been saying about the children to them. There are a few other characters who seem questionable and a few household staff who are Penelope's allies.



Bottom Line: I thought this was an enjoyable read and will pick up the next book to find out more answers to the background of the children and Penelope. I also want to learn if my hunches about who is causing trouble are correct. The book is set in a time when carriages are used, but don't let that turn you off. The language isn't old fashioned or hard to understand. There are just enough possible clues and new questions to keep me reading and the story moving along. You may think you have some of the answers! I felt for Penelope and shared her compassion for the children, who are really sweet kids. I too was trying to figure out the answers to the many questions that arise around the party.

Bag of Bones

Title: Bag Of Bones
Author: Vivian French
Level: J
Location: J French

Bag of Bones is the second book in the Tales from the Five Kingdoms series and it's another good story. I felt readers would need to read the first book Robe of Skulls to really know what is going on in this one since there really isn't any explanation for why things are the way they are or background on the characters. Something is brewing in this story. Deep magic isn't practiced in the Five Kingdoms, but a witch gets in that does try to practice deep magic. I say try because her spells don't always work the way she wants. Of course, this can only be trouble as the crones' loom begins to stain. There is a ball planned where Queen Bluebell is to announce her successor. The only problem is her only child ran away years ago.

Gracie,Gubble,Prince Marcus, Marlon and his nephew Alf are all part of the action again. I do wish Marlon had more lines. He was so funny in the first book, but has a smaller part in this second one. There are a few new characters which include an orphan named Loobly and some rats. Some of the rats are kind of funny. Once again it is very clear who the good and bad characters are. The deep magic witch will have you routing for the good guys even more than Lady Lamora did.

Bottom Line: Bag of Bones , the second of the Tales from the Five Kingdoms series,is another good read with likable characters you'll cheer for and characters you'll love to despise. It's humorous and has a twist on a classic fairy tale with a prince who would never fit into the Disney realm. I recommend it to both boys and girls. Even children who aren't reading chapter books yet can enjoy this story if it's read aloud.

Theodosia and the eyes of Horus

http://www.theodosiathrockmorton.com/blog/2009/10/

R.L Lafevers has been posting one chapter a month from the third book on this site. Use the side bar archive that lists months. She started in October. The new book doesn't come out until April so you can read the first five chapters this way. Plus she often gives away books. You could win one, I did! Ms. Lafevers even responds to comments herself. So check back to see her reply if you leave a comment.

The Kingdom of Fantasy

Title: Geronimo Stilton The Kingdom Of Fantasy

Author: Geronimo Stilton

Location: J Stilton

Level: J

In this new Geronimo series Geronimo travels through seven fantasy kingdoms in search of the Queen of the fairies, who needs his help. The format is like other Geronimo books; color pictures and colorful fonts of different sizes. Each Kingdom includes a map and a page with all the important information about it. A music box that came to Geronimo on the tail of a shooting star helps him enter each kingdom and provides something to aid his passing through that kingdom. Scribblehopper, a frog, is his guide. Of course, he runs into problems passing through each quickly and characters who want to stop him. He ends up telling a condensed version of a story in each Kingdom. The book includes secret codes to decipher, riddles and illusions.

Bottom Line: Fans of Geronimo Stilton will probably enjoy this book. I would have liked the map and kingdom information to have been at the beginning of the chapter about each as I feel it interrupts the flow, but this is a small annoyance. This book is longer than most of the Geronimo books, but there are plenty of pictures so it doesn't feel that long.

Odd and the Frost Giants

Title: Odd and the Frost Giants

Author: Neil Gaiman

Level: J

Location: J Gaiman

In this short read Odd, a Viking boy who's name means luck, just doesn't have any good luck. The story progresses quickly to the forest where Odd is lead by a fox to a bear he frees from a tree. These aren't any regular forest animals. They're Norse gods. Find out how they became animals and why they need Odd's help. How can a twelve year old boy with a bad leg defeat a Frost Giant?!

Bottom Line; A short, simple and to the point, quick adventure read. Good for boys and reluctant readers. No complaints about this one. Enjoy the artistry of Neil Gaiman.

The Magician's Elephant

Title: The Magician's Elephant

Author: Kate Dicamillo

Level: J

Location: J Dicamillo K.

I feel I must write this review with very little about the characters for if I describe them, I am likely to spoil your discovery of them. I will say that almost all of them are missing something and mention Leo Matienne, the policeman. When Leo first appears he is defending the elephant so I think the reader will know this a good, kind person. Pay attention to Leo if you want to try to figure out what is going to happen. The begining of the book is bit of a bummer, as in a downer, but I urge you to keep reading. There are moments of true understanding and the story does brighten.

Bottom Line: Kate Dicamillo is a master of story weaving. While I thought the book was well written I'm not sure who I would recommend it to. If you already have a love of reading books this one may be for you. Kate's books also appeal to adults so if you are an adult who loves children's stories this is a must read. How can an elephant, who can't even talk, play such a big part of the story? Well, it is a magician's elephant so shouldn't it be special. Many of the people in the story think it is. Find out how it brings them all together.

The Wyrm King

Title: The Wyrm King- Beyond Spiderwick book 3

Author: Tony Diterlizzi and Holly Black

Level: J

Location: J Diterlizzi T.

Diterlizzi and Black have redeemed themselves! For anyone who did not read my review of book 2 I'll just say I was disappointed and hoped this, the final book of the series, would be better. It is! There is plenty of action, interaction of characters, and a satisfying ending for both the book and the series.

Spoiler alert- if you have not read the other books in the series skip to the bottom line. Nick discovers that after all the effort to get the giants into the sea it wasn't such a good thing to do. His family is torn apart and he is thinking to put forth so much effort and fail again just isn't worth the trouble. The nixie's are back, though a bit more cooperative this time. Almost all of the characters from the previous books show up to help as they learn why the giants are needed. What could make them need fire- breathing giants? Read the book to find out.

Bottom Line: A satisfying book to end to the series. Nick, his brother, and Laurie are joined by the Grace siblings, and they receive help from an unexpected source. There will be plenty of action as you try to find out why it takes seven people to fix what is still a giant problem and just what a wrym king is.

Theodosia and the staff of Osiris

Title: Theodosia and the staff of Osiris
Author: R.L. La Fevers
Reading level: J
Location: J LaFevers

In Theodosia and the staff of Osiris, the second book of the series, Theodosia's father is having daily visits from the police because mummies from all the London museums keep showing up in the lobby of his museum (He's the head curator.)! As she tries to figure out what is causing the nightly mummy migration she just knows the Serpents of Chaos must be connected to it. How is she going to investigate, fix the problem to clear her father, find out what the Serpents of Chaos are up to and stop them when she has a new governess who doesn't let her have more than a minute to herself? Theodosia is very resourceful and finds some new unexpected ways to get help. Can she also help Will with his secret? There are spies all over the place. You may be surprised to find out which ones are spies for the good side and who is behind the Chaos scheme. There's even a secret society that think Theodosia is an Egyptian goddess!

Bottom Line: Whenever I picked up this book I had to keep my eye on the clock because even if I thought," I'll just finish the chapter", I would end up reading more. There is an Indiana Jones feel to this title. And like Indiana Jones, Theodosia often receives help from unexpected people and seems to have luck on her side. While there is plenty of adventure in this book the length and details keep me from recommending it for reluctant readers. I hope to see Theodosia again.

Suddenly Supernatural: School Spirit

Title: Suddenly Supernatural: School Spirit

Author: Elizabeth Cody Kimmel

Level: Juvenile

Location: J Kimmel

School Spirit is the first book in the Suddenly Supernatural series. In this book we meet Kat whose Mom is super cool, but a bit of an embarrassment to Kat. I know you're thinking my life would be sooo much better if my Mom was cool. But is your Mom a medium who has seances with weird noises coming out of the room and drops in temperature that make you shiver when you have the most popular girl from school over. And did you suddenly start seeing people who say haven't eaten a meal in awhile and wear clothes that are so far out of style because - oh yeah- they're dead.

Talking to people no one else can see doesn't exactly help you make friends in middle school or survive without taunting, but Kat makes friends with a new student, Jac, who has her own secret and Mom problems. Together they try to figure out what happened to the faded girl in the library and how they can help her.

Bottom Line: A fairly quick, likable, somewhat humorous, middle school read. This book should appeal to any girl who is trying to fit in and avoid embarrassing teasing. So that would be all girls tween or older and those who survived middle school. Look for more titles in the Suddenly Supernatural series this summer.

Beyond Spiderwick chronicles book 2: A giant problem

Title: A Giant Problem

Author: Tony Diterlizzi & Holly Black

Location: J Diterlizzi

Reading Level: juvenile

Nick Vargas and his stepsister Laurie are the main characters once again. Older brother Jules helps out some this time. You will need to have read book 1, Nixie's Song, before reading this book. There is no explanation to catch you up on what happened in book 1. Actually, having waited a while for the book to come in, it took me a couple pages to remember and figure out what was going on. If you are hoping for a connection to the Grace family you won't find it until the very end (as in the last page) when they are waiting to let the Vargas clan know what they found out about the giants.

The giants seem to be waking up in groups and are causing quite a bit of destruction as they fight for territory. Jack Noseeum isn't much help as he is almost blind, so the Vargas kids are on their own to figure out how to stop the giants. Mermaids and something like a hobgoblin are introduced in this book. The hobgoblin like creature is a bit of a let down since it doesn't help much or have the charisma of Hogsqueel(from the Spiderwick Chronicles). Taloa, the nixie in book 1, has taken off to look for her sisters herself. The mermaids are the only creatures who can help, but remember, fairies can't be trusted.

Bottom Line: A Giant Problem is ok. That's about all the enthusiasm I can muster for it. I didn't hate it, but I definitely felt a bit disappointed while reading it. It lacks something the other Spiderwick books had- just doesn't grab you. It may be that the characters just aren't developed enough to form a connection with the reader.The ending gives the reader an idea about the third book, The Wyrm King, and I can only hope the writers will discover what was missing in this one as the third book is suppose to be the last in this series that had a promising start.

Theodosia and the Serpents of Chaos

Title: Theodosia and the Serpents of chaos

Author: R. L. LaFevers

Location: J LaFevers

Reading level: Juvenile

The cover of this book claims it is a sure bet for Harry Potter fans. I have not read any Harry Potter books so I can't compare the two.

Theodosia spends most of her time at her parent's workplace, a museum. That may seem boring to you, but her parents are archeologists who bring back Egyptian objects found in pyramids. They never seem to be aware of the curses on some of these artifacts so it is up to Theodosia to try to remove the curse. She has a gift for knowing what is cursed and ancient books to help her. When her mother brings home her biggest discovery, the Heart of Egypt, it disappears before Theo has a chance to learn anything about it. Will her amulets be enough protection as she tries to find out what happened to the Heart of Egypt? How can she find it again, get it back, and remove the curse that came with it?

Bottom Line: A good read, with a smart, resourceful heroine who's brave enough to sleep in a sarcophagus. Enough action, suspense and magic to keep me reading each night without a break. Be aware that the story is set in England so a few words are a bit different from the ones we use here. It's pretty easy to figure out what they mean. If you like this one keep a look out for the next book to be coming out soon - Theodosia and the staff of Osiris- I know I will.

The Robe of Skulls

Title: The Robe of Skulls

Author: Vivian French

Location: J French

Reading Level: Juvenile

The cover of this book reminds me of Cruella from 101 Dalmations. Lady Lamorna is out to collect something too, but it's not puppies. She wants a new robe and will stop at nothing to get it. She has magic and helpers; a troll who has a problem with his head, and a beautiful girl who is not what she seems at first sight. This is a fast-moving fun book with a great cast of characters from the funny talking bat to the castle orge. They're all traveling about the Kingdom of Gorebreath trying to escape from or find another. You'll have to read it to find out why. Black and white pictures are scattered throughout the story. This isn't Disney's fairytale!

Bottom Line: Liked it, liked it, liked it. Lots of fun, quick moving, and short. Characters you want to see in a movie and repeat their lines back to a friend. In fact, I'm hoping this is made into an animated film.

Emmy and the Incredible Shrinking Rat

Title: Emmy and the Incredible Shrinking Rat

Author: Lynne Jonell

Location: J Jonell

Reading Level: juvenile

Guys don't let the title and cover fool you. This book has a boy character, Joe, who plays a big role also. It's the class rat that brings Emmy and Joe together to try and figure out just what is going on at the strange shop Emmy sees her nanny go into and why Emmy's nanny, Miss Barmy, has someone bring a chinchilla to step in the dough for the cookies she makes for Emmy's parents. How does a rat bring people together? Well this rat talks! Emmy thought she was the only one who could hear him until the day she hears Joe talking back to the rat.

Bottom Line: This was an enjoyable and relatively fast read. Good characters, with a nanny who seems sinister, but isn't too scary. You wouldn't want her in your house, but probably wouldn't run from her if you saw her in the street either. Everything comes together in the end. However, for those really paying attention, there is a hint about a possible second Emmy book in the future and I can't wait to read it!

Samuel Blink and the Forbidden Forest

Title: Samuel Blink and the Forbidden Forest

Author: Matt Haig

Location: J Haig

Reading Level: juvenile

Twelve year old Samuel and his sister Martha, who no longer speaks, are sent to live with an aunt they don't even remember, in a foreign country. It's all because of a freak accident involving his parents. Seems his uncle also had a bit of an accident. He went into the Forbidden Forest and never returned! Aunt Edna has been waiting for years for his return, but so far all that has come out of the forest is an elkhound, Ibsen. Of course the aunt forbids them to go in or even near the forest, but you know what happens when someone tells you to absolutely not do something. That's right, one of them runs into the forest! Find out why it is called the Forbidden Forest, who lives there, who ran in, and if anything can ever be normal again.

Bottom Line: A read for fantasy fans. I liked it. Trolls, witches,and other such creatures are key characters. The bad guy bites the dust and good prevails.