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.