The Lightening Thief by Rick Riordan

Wow, I can now understand why these books are so popular!  I loved this book.  I felt it had everything, mystery (who stole Zeus lightening bolt and more) and adventure (going on quests and fighting the gods).  I loved mythology when I was in school and I loved seeing it played out in our time.  This is a great story for boys and girls and the great thing is that there are 3 more books in the series (and I hope they are as good as the first).

EVER by Gail Carson Levine

I feel like I have been harsh on my "fantasy" books lately, but I just haven't found a winner yet.  I love Gail Carson Levine, but it took me a long time to get through EVER.  Ever is about two young lovers, Kenzi a mortal and Olus, the god of wind.  Kenzi is about to be sacrificed on the alter because her father made a promise to their god Adamt.  Olus does not want to see his love be sacrificed so he persuades her to try and become a god (no easy feat).  The chapters are very short and go back and forth between Olus and Kenzi.  My main concern with the book is keeping all the names straight and being able to switch speakers every chapter.  If you like fantasy with mythology then this book just might be for you!

Princess Ben By Catherine Gilbert Murdock

I did like this book (it has a fairy tale element to it).  Ben has to quickly learn how to become a princess/queen when her parents are killed suddenly by a "dragon" or so their enemies claim.  Yet, Ben has no desire to become queen and she hates the dance lessons, table manners, and sewing.  Finally she is banished to a tower room where she finds a portal that leads to a magic chamber.  Here Ben learns a few tricks and learns the art of becoming a true leader.  The magic in this book was fun, but I wished they spent more time explaining or using the magic.  The magic in the book just kind-of comes and goes and I felt that it should have been a larger part of the story.  I also did not appreciate the talk about Ben's weight...I never feel this should be part of a middle school story!  I liked the fantasy elements but felt the story could have come together better.

Sleeping Freshmen never lie By, David Lubar

Wow, loved this book.  This book made me laugh and reminisce about my high school days.  The main character has a journal "not a diary" where he likes to make lists of what to "Do" and "Not Do" at high school for his soon to be new baby brother.  He loves to make sure this new brother understands that he is a "Liquid goo" that is driving his mother mad and cutting into his social life.  This books hits all the classic "Cliques" at school and hits on some friend issues that every middle schooler and high schooler has experience.  A fun read!

Into the Woods by, Lyn Gardner

Into the Woods is a story surrounding the fairytale of the Pied Piper. The pied Piper's "Flute" has been passed down from generation to generation and has fallen into the young hands of Storm. Storm does not realize the power that she possesses. However, when an evil man tries to take the flute from her, storm and her two sisters start off on an adventure of a lifetime. This book takes you through different fairy tales like Hansel and Gretel and Jack and the beanstalk. Being a huge Fairytale lover I found the book to be lacking. Some of my favorite stories where altered and I got tired of chapter after chapter a different "major" event happening. I would love to have another perspective of this book, so pease read and let me know!

The Christopher Killer By, Alane Ferguson

This book is not for the weak hearted! If you are into mysteries and into forensic science then this is the book for you...if not well...you have been warned. This story is about a girl's (Cameryn) desire to be involved in forensic science. Her father is the town coroner and allows her to become his assistant. When a girl turns up dead and Cameryn knows who she is, it becomes a little more personal. This book does take you through an autopsy, however I felt it was not done in a gruesome way. I felt that it gave the reader an insight to what happens at an autopsy and how you can find clues and solve the case just by being observant. Putting those aspects aside I felt the plot worked itself out a little too neatly, and that the sub plot of her mother should have been cut or explored more.

The Girls by, Amy Goldman Koss

Ok, I believe that every girl should read this story. I read this book in just a couple of hours. It was 120 pages and a quick read. This story was about a group of girls (5) with one leader! Candace is the leader and whatever Candace wants...she gets. Whatever Candace thinks...she is right. Candace can do no wrong. So when Candace decides that she doesn't want Maya in the group anymore, everyone goes along, even if they don't understand. This book is told through the eyes of each of the 5 girls. Every chapter is a different girl sharing her part of the story. This book also takes place over one weekend. I enjoyed the book for the "eye opening" look into a group of girls who have sacrificed who they are, what they think and feel, just to be friends with another.

Shackleton's Stowaway by Victoria McKernan

This story is based off of the Oct. 26, 1914 Ernest Shackleton's exploration into the Antarctic. I was a little nervous to read this, just wondering if it would hold my attention, and it did. Around 28 men (and one stowaway) left with Shackleton in an exploration of crossing the Antarctic continent. Ice soon became their enemy as their ship "the endurance" became trapped in ice and eventually sank. 28 men without a ship and with no one looking for them must survive the cold, hunger, and killer whales to stay alive. With only 3 row boats the men divided into two groups. One group would try to go back to get help while the other two boats tried to find shelter. This is a story about true endurance...4 months in the antarctic....waiting...wondering. I had never heard of this true story and am glad that I was able to learn a part of history!

Just Listen by Sarah Dessen

I was very excited to be reading my first Sarah Dessen book! I feel like it has taken me forever to read a book by her. "Just Listen" was an interesting book that reminded me that everyone and every family has their own problems and sometimes we need to just sit back and listen! This story was about a girl named Annabel who is the youngest of three sisters. All of the sisters are models, yet each is fighting their own battle. Annabel has been shunned by her group of friends for an incident that happened over the summer. Only an outcast boy named Owen offers her a friendship and to just listen to her problems. Throughout the story Annabel's family becomes exposed (Mother depressed, sister has an eating disorder, etc.) and the reader is left to wonder about the people around them. How well do we know what others are going through? Maybe we all need to stop and just listen.

Epic by Connor Kostick

I will have to admit this was a bit of a stretch for me. This was a science fiction book about a world where you have to play in a video game to earn money and a place in the "real" world. If your character is killed in the game then in the "real" world you have lost all your fortune and have to start over with a new character. I found the concept interesting (playing in the video game of "Epic"), but must admit at times were confused with the language of the story being futuristic (but this is not my best genre). Towards the end of the story when the quest was at it's peak I could not put the book down. However, I then would have liked to have a different ending. I can see why this book is popular...it is creative, fun, and a good science fiction novel.

Avalon High by Meg Cabot

I really liked this book! I thought that this book was going to be more of a soap opera of a high school, but instead I was able to read a story along the lines of King Arthur. It seems that King Arthur has been reborn in Avalon High, home of the Excalibur. A. William Wagner is the popular quarterback with his trusty tackler, Lance, making sure that nobody sacks him. Guinevere also makes her appearance as Jenny the head cheerleader. The past seems to come to life as the same events surrounding King Arthur seem to be repeating in the high school of Avalon High.

Demon Keeper by, Royce Buckingham

If this book hadn't been recommended to me I am not sure I would have picked it out. On the cover it does not look like a book for me, but I actually enjoyed reading it. Nat is in charge of demons who live in his house. His only job is to feed them and make sure they don't get out. However, one night Nat leaves a window open and two mischievous boys enter the house to see what they can steal. Only one makes it out alive...and worst of all...they have let out the BEAST. The BEAST that is always hungry!!!! Now Nat must somehow bring the BEAST back (while not getting killed), and worry about his enemy the "thin man" who seems to be lurking around. I enjoyed the book, and give it 2 thumbs up....thanks for the recommendation.

P.S. Longer Letter Latter by Paula Danziger and Ann M. Martin

This book is done through letters. Two best friends (Elizabeth and Tara) are dealing with Tara's moving away by writing letters back and forth. Both girls are experiencing changes in friends, and family matters. Each girl needs the other to lean on to overcome the obstacles in their life. It was a fun book to read in a different format for me. I liked it and was surprised by Elizabeth's home life. It was not what I was expecting to be the problem or the solution. I have heard that there is a sequel and it is done through e-mails instead to one another. I hope you give this book a try!

The City of Ember by Jeanne DuPrau

The City of Ember is an interesting book. This book is about a town that was built underground (there is no explanation of why it was built underground, but my sources say the third book in the series let's you in on the secret). This town has never known blue sky, the moon, sun, grass, etc. Lately in their town of Ember things have started to shut down and break. The food supply is getting lower and they are starting to have more blackouts (their city is run on electricity, which no one understands). Lina and Doon decide that there has to be a way out of this town, there must be something else out there. These two teenagers embark on a journey to find a way out of their dying town. A very fast and fun read...I am even looking to read the sequel!

Black-eyed Susie by, Susan Shaw

If you liked reading "A Child Called It" you may just want to pick up this book. This book discusses a mom's abuse to her daughter. The book does not focus on the abuse (although you learn of some as you read along) but instead on Susie trying to recover at a mental hospital. Susie has made herself believe that if she does not eat, talk, or move that it will make her mother happy! This book has very small chapters and is a very fast read. As a reader I found myself cheering on Susie's recovering and hoping that other family members would step up and open their eyes to the truth of the mother.

Maxx Comedy by Gordon Korman

Maxx Comedy is about a student who thinks he is a stand up comedian and tries his hand at winning "The funniest kid in America" contest. He sends in his demo tape and is given an audition spot. Now the only problem is trying to practice in front of a willing audience and trying to make it to his audition on time. Trying to get to the audition turns out to be more funny then his comedy act. If you are looking for a light hearted quick book to read (no sadness, no huge adventure, no mystery) then Maxx Comedy has your name on it!

Nobody's Princess by, Esther Friesner

Wow if you like mythology then you will love this book. This book tells the story of Helen of Troy before the Trojan War. This book shows her growing up and off to her own adventures. She is a girl but does not enjoy doing "Womenly" tasks. She would rather be off fighting with swords against her brothers then stitching by the fire. This book has it all, weddings, war, adventures, and of course all the gods in Olympus. This book will suck you into the intriguing life of Helen. However, this book does not end it continues on to a sequel called "Nobody's Prize" which will not come out until April.

Beastly

Oh how I love fairy tales!!! This story is based off of the fairytale of Beauty and the Beast. It is set in New York and a private high school. Kyle is the type of kid that every girl would like to date. He is tall, blond, and beautiful! The only problem is Kyle is ugly on the inside. Kyle is constantly making fun of other students for their looks, until the day is makes fun of the wrong girl. This girl is a real true witch. She decides that Kyle's outsides should reflect his insides (ugly). So she turns him into a hideous beast! Not even his own father wants to be seen with him now. Kyle has 2 years to try and break the curse and the only way to do that is to get a girl to see past his hideous features and to love him for who he is, not what he looks like. This is easier said then done. This fairytale takes place now and has chat rooms and all...so don't miss it!

The Rag and Bone Shope by Robert Cormier

Wow, what an interesting book. I did not even know this author existed. This author has been banned from libraries for his negative description of adults in his book. This book dealt with a 16 year old boy named Jason. Jason was the new kid in town and did not have a lot of friends. He befriends a 12 year old girl next door. After an afternoon of putting together a puzzle and then returning home, Jason awakes to discover that the girl was murdered and he was the last one to see her alive. Jason wants to help the investigation, but what he doesn't know is that he is their prime suspect. Interrogator Trent is sent in especially to help Jason confess to the crime. However, Jason is innocent. Read to find out what happens. It is a quick read!

Freaky Green Eyes By, Joyce Carol Oates

Wow to this book. It was not what I expected. I felt like I really got an inside look to separated or divorce families. It is a world that not everyone can understand (and I must say that I do not). It was hard to read and comprehend how the dad could lie to his children to turn them against their mom. Then to see the kids in the book turn on their mom because of the lies the dad told. It really made me stop and think what some home life situations might be like at home. I would encourage anyone to read this book...boy or girl! I think it is great!