Going Places

Going Places
by Peter & Paul Reynolds

It's time for the "Going Places" contest!   Just like the other kids in his class, Rafael gets a Going Places Kit to build the go-kart that he will race against his classmates.  Because all the kits are the same, he expects his neighbor Maya's finished go-kart to look just like his.  To his shock, he learns that Maya did not follow the directions on the kit, instead using her imagination and creativity to make a very different looking vehicle!   Inspired by Maya's unique creation, Rafael suggests they work together and combine their kits to make a vehicle unlike any of the ones their classmates are making!

Going Places is an excellent story about teamwork and creativity that will inspire readers to think outside the box!

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

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A Handful of Stars

A Handful of Stars 
by Cynthia Lord

When Lily's beloved blind dog, Lucky, escapes from her one day, she has no idea that a peanut butter sandwich and bag of chips is about to change her entire summer!   Due to the quick thinking (and lunch) of Salma, the daughter of blueberry harvesters who are spending their summer working in the quiet, small Maine town that Lily lives in, Lucky is caught.   Soon after, Salma and Lily meet up again and develop a friendship, bonding as they work together to help Lily save up money for a surgery that could restore Lucky's eyesight.

When Salma decides to enter the Blueberry Queen pageant, Lily worries about how the people of their small town, including her close friend and  the current Blueberry Queen Hannah, will react to having a migrant worker enter.   Will the small town be accepting of Salma entering the pageant and will the two friends be successful in raising the money they need to help Lily's dog?

Written by a Maine author and set in Maine, A Handful of Stars is a wonderful story about friendship, family, hope, and acceptance.   Readers who enjoyed other Cynthia Lord books, such as Touch Blue or Half a Chance,  will want to read this one!  

Author's website: http://www.cynthialord.com/handful-of-stars.html

A Boy and a Jaguar

A Boy and a Jaguar
by Alan Rabinowitz
illustrated by Catia Chien

Growing up, Alan Rabinowitz could not speak without stuttering.    Because of his stutter, he was put into a special class at school, making him feel like he was broken.    However, there were times when he didn’t stutter at all: when he was speaking to animals.  With animals, the words flowed easily and fluently.   His love of animals, including his ability to communicate easily around them, eventually brought him to Belize, where he realized the jaguars were at risk.    Determined to help protect the jaguars, Alan faced the challenge of speaking to a group of people in order to convince them that the jaguars needed to be saved.

This inspiring autobiography is an excellent book that shows readers how someone can overcome a challenge and make a difference in the world!

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The Blood Guard

The Blood Guard
by Carter Roy

Ronan should have known something was up with his family when their last house suspiciously burned down.   At the time, however, there was nothing unusual about his two very ordinary parents.  Sure, his mother kept him busy with gymnastics, judo, and other after-school activities, but even that never made him suspect that his mother was beyond ordinary.   At least, not until the day she picks him up unexpectedly and tells him some shocking news: his father has been kidnapped and she is a member of a secret society called the Blood Guard.  In a flash, Ronan's life changes and he finds himself on the run from a sinister group out to get information that only the Blood Guard knows.  

Full of suspense, action, and adventure, this series will be a great choice for fans of Percy Jackson or The Genius Files.   The story is very fast paced with many unexpected twists.   

Author's website: http://carterroybooks.com/

The Worst Class Trip Ever

The Worst Class Trip Ever
by Dave Barry

Wyatt's class trip to Washington, D.C. has gone from bad to disastrous!    A smelly hotel room and a directionally challenged teacher are the least of his problems after his best friend Matt gets kidnapped by two men who could possibly be terrorists with a plot to attack the White House.   Of course, if Matt hadn't accused the two men on the airplane of having a missile, maybe they wouldn't be in this mess at all!   Now Wyatt has to save his best friend and, possibly, also the White House!

This hilarious story had me laughing many times while I read it!    This story is an excellent combination of humor and action.  It's a great choice for anyone looking for a funny, school-themed story.

The Luck Uglies

The Luck Uglies
by Paul Durham
illustrated by Petur Antonsson

The village of Drowning is a dreary, strange place full of secrets that eleven-year-old Rye O'Chanter is determined to uncover.   Unfortunately, Drowning is also full of strict rules created by Earl Longchance to keep curious minds like Rye's from learning about the dark history of the village.  Despite these rules, Rye remains stubborn in her decision to learn more about the secrets of Drowning, especially after a scary encounter with a Bog Noblin, a dangerous creature that was supposed to be extinct.   Only one thing can chase away the Bog Noblins: the Luck Uglies, a secret society banished from Drowning years earlier.    In the midst of all the danger and excitement, Rye meets a strange man with a surprising connection to her and finds herself entangled in the secretive world of the Luck Uglies.

The first in a series, The Luck Uglies is an exciting, suspenseful fantasy full. adventure!   This is a fast paced story full of engaging characters, adventure and unexpected twists.  I'm looking forward to reading the next book in the series!

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

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The Stratford Zoo Midnight Revue Presents Macbeth

The Stratford Zoo Midnight Review Presents Macbeth
by Ian Lendler
illustrated by Zach Giallongo

What happens in a zoo at night after everyone goes home?  A performance of the Shakespeare play Macbeth, of course!  Why else would the animals look so tired during the day?  The latest production by the Midnight Revue is quite an entertaining one, as they perform the famous Shakespeare play, with the lion playing the lead role of the villain Macbeth.   The audience, made up of various zoo animals, make an entertaining addition to this graphic novel as they contribute entertaining comments throughout the performance.    Will the Shakespeare play be a hit with the zoo audience?

Full of hilarious characters, funny twists, and awesome illustrations, this graphic novel turns a Shakespeare classic into a wild zoo adventure!   A great choice for fans of graphic novels or anyone looking for a funny read!  Those who like this book will look forward to the Midnight Revue's next production: Romeo and Juliet!

Author's website: http://ianlendler.com/home
Illustrator's website: http://zackgiallongo.com/

Eddie Red Undercover

Eddie Red Undercover: Mystery on Museum Mile
by Marcia Wells
illustrated by Marcos Calo

Edmund Lonnrot has a unique talent: he has a photographic memory.   Combined with his other talent, drawing, Edmund is the perfect choice for an undercover assignment with the police.   Using the codename "Eddie Red", Edmund stakes out museums to help the NYPD catch a clever art thief.   However, what is supposed to be a safe assignment turns into a dangerous one as Eddie becomes more involved in the case.  

This exciting, fast-paced book is a great choice for fans of mystery and detective stories!   Those who enjoy this book (like I did) will be happy to know that there is a sequel where they can read more about Eddie Red's adventures!

Author's website: http://marciawellsauthor.com/

Upside Down in the Middle of Nowhere

Upside Down in the Middle of Nowhere
by Julie T. Lamana

Armani can't wait for her tenth birthday!   Unfortunately, her plans for a big party are ruined when a severe storm is predicted.   Despite the warnings about the storm, her family still has a small party for Armani's birthday.   Their celebration is cut short, however, when they learn that the storm, named Katrina, has grown into a major hurricane.    Realizing it is too late to leave New Orleans, the family must stay in their home through the terrible storm. 

Despite surviving the storm, Armani must deal with tragedy and danger as a result of Katrina.  In the days that follow, Armani and her siblings, separated from their parents, struggle to recover in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina while facing the possibility that their family may never be together again. 

As we approach the ten year anniversary of Hurricane Katrina, this story is a reminder of the tragic event.  Although a fiction book, the struggles that Armani and her family encountered represent what many lived through ten years ago.   This is an emotional story of fear, tragedy and, in the end, hope.  

Just Jake

Just Jake
by Jake Marcionette

Jake's used to being the awesome kid in school.  When his family moves from Florida to Maryland, he expects that his awesomeness will go with him to his new school.   Unfortunately,  after a rough first day at his new school, Jake feels less than awesome as he finds himself the target of the school bully.   As he struggles to climb up the popularity ladder at his new school, Jake continues to create his "Kid Cards".  Similar to baseball cards, Jake's homemade Kid Cards details and ranks many of the kids he encounters in his new school.   Unfortunately, despite having made a few friends, Jake still has not achieved his desired level of awesomeness and, when his Kid Cards end up in the wrong hands, faces losing the little popularity he has!

Full of many funny moments and entertaining "Kid Cards", this book will be a hit with fans of stories like Diary of a Wimpy Kid.  The best part about this book, to me, was that the author wrote this awesome story when he was twelve-years-old!

Author's website: http://justjake.com/index.html


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