Heat by Mike Lupica

I am glad that this book was recommended to me by a student. I have wanted to read a book by Mike Lupica for awhile, but have never found the time. This is a cute story about a 12 year old super star baseball player (Michael), who is so good that some of the other coaches don't believe he is 12. This causes problems for Michael especially since he is keeping a very big secret. A secret that rip his family apart. This book grabbed me right from the beginning with a purse snatcher and an amazing throw! Any sports fan will like this book!

NORTH

This story was about a boy named Alvin (which made me think of Alvin and the Chipmunks) who decides it's time to go out into the world and explore on his own. I applauded this decision because Alvin's mother was treating him like a little boy and even having him walked to school by an adult! I did find the story of him making it all the way into northern Alaska a little unbelievable. I was looking for some more action packed adventure. Alvin kept talking about a polar bear, so I expected to read about a run in with a polar bear. I also wanted more of a homecoming with what the mother and grandmother thought of this runaway. Interesting book, but I was looking for more!

The boy who couldn't die

Well this just let's me know that there is a book out there for everyone. This book was about a boy scared of death and makes a deal with a voodoo witch to become "invincible". However, the moral of the story of course is be careful what you wish for. Everything has a price. I really like William Sleator (The Elevator, The Beasties), but had a hard time with the ending to this book. William Sleator is known for leaving his books open-ended, but I felt that this was an extreme. There was a lot of information given in the last page and then it just left you. Any one else have any thoughts?