Half a Chance

Half a Chance
by Cynthia Lord

Like her photographer father, Lucy enjoys viewing her world through a camera.   Shortly after the family moves to their new home on a New Hampshire lake, her father once again must leave for a photo shoot, but before he lives mentions that he will be judging a photography contest for children.   Lucy realizes that this contest may be her one chance to show her father that she can be a great photographer too, and decides to enter it anonymously.

Lucy gains the help of her new friend and neighbor, Nate, as she searches for the perfect scenes for her contest photos.    As the two new friends work together, they also must deal with the declining health of Nate's beloved grandmother as well as the jealousy of one of Nate's other friends.     Lucy faces a difficult choice when she takes what she feels is a perfect picture, but risks losing her friendship with Nate if she chooses to use it for the contest.   

Half a Chance is a wonderful realistic fiction story of friendship and family.    The book is full of touching moments and deals with many issues that readers will be able to relate to.     

Author's website: http://www.cynthialord.com

Zeus and the Thunderbolt of Doom

Zeus and the Thunderbolt of Doom (Heroes in Training)
by Joan Holub and Suzanne Williams
illustrated by Craig Phillips

 Hidden since birth, young Zeus is unaware of who is parents are.    After first being kidnapped by a group of giants, and then snatched by a flock of Harpies, the ten-year-old find himself brought to Greece where  he eventually faces Cronus, the King of the Titans.   Along the way, Zeus begins to realize that he may have some unique powers and, as he faces Cronus, he must use his powers to rescue others before he meets the same fate they did!

This series, which follows the lives of the Greek Gods and Goddesses as children, is a great choice for readers who enjoy mythology.    The books are relatively short (around a hundred pages), fast paced, and full of a lot of adventure, as well as many amusing moments!

Houseboat Mystery

Houseboat Mystery (Boxcar Children Graphic Novels)
by Gertrude Chandler Warner and Joeming Dunn
illustrated by Ben Dunn.

Taking a drive through the country, the Alden family come across a houseboat for rent.    After Grandfather agrees that the family can rent the houseboat, the Aldens prepare for a journey!    Their journey's start is almost interrupted when they almost get into an accident with a speeding car as they head home to pack for their houseboat adventure, but they are soon able to begin their exciting vacation.   However, it seems that they mysterious car they encountered keeps appearing everywhere they go, causing the family to be suspicious.  When a valuable vase gets stolen from an auction the family attends, they find themselves involved in the mystery and wonder if the suspicious car is somehow connected to the theft.   Will the Aldens be able to solve the mystery?

The Boxcar Children series was one of my favorites when I was in elementary school, so I was thrilled to see that a graphic novel version of this series is available!   Joeming Dunn's retelling of Gertrude Chandler Warner's story paired with great illustrations by Ben Dunn make this graphic novel a fun read.  I hope that those who find enjoy this book want to then read the original story, which I do have in the library!