John Flanagan!!!

Jim, Who Ran Away From His Nurse and Was Eaten by a Lion by Hilaire Belloc

The title pretty much gives you the whole story. Jim is well cared for, but runs away during a visit to the zoo and a lion eats him. The book is very well executed, with the text running through flaps and fold-outs very fluidly. The illustrations are adorable, appealing to modern sensibilities while retaining a stylistic feel appropriate for the time when kids commonly went on outings with nurses.

There is a warning on the cover stating: 'Contains a dangerous beast and a miserable end'. It should also mention graphic images, as the book do not cut away during the devouring of unfortunate Jim. It's a book I'd expect from Edward Gorey were he still around and writing. Quite delightful for those who can stomach it.

"Now just imaging how it feels when first your toes and then your heels, and then by gradual degrees your shins and ankles calves and knees are slowly eaten bit by bit. No wonder Jim detested it."

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by Scott

Hereville: How Mirka Got Her Sword by Barry Deutsch

"Yet another troll-fighting 11-year-old Orthodox Jewish girl" (tagline from the front cover).

Mirka lives in Hereville a small community of Orthodox Jews with her father, her step-mother and a gaggle of siblings. Most of her excitement in life is derived from finding ways to avoid doing her knitting, arguing with her step-mother and an irksome pig who keeps sneaking into the village and eating her homework. However, though Mirka's life seems quotidian her dreams are anything but. Mirka dreams of slaying a dragon. A dream that seems out of reach until she does a favor for a woman who turns out to be a witch. The witch gives Mirka instructions on where to find a magic sword and that's when Mirka's adventures really begin!

I love the way this book immersed me in a totally different culture. The book drops Yiddish phrases left and right (and fortunately translates them at the bottom the page), provides a loving description of Shabbos and even explains how you can tell which school girls are pious, popular or rebels just by looking at their nearly identical school uniforms. (click on the picture below). The book ends with a bang too! The way she fights the troll will certainly make you chuckle and maybe even burst out laughing. Give this one to feisty girls, fans of (Jewish) adventure stories and people who love to laugh grades 3 to 8.

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by Patrick

Jonathan Stroud Interview

The Amulet of Samarkand by Jonathan Stroud

Nathaniel is a 12 year old magician's apprentice, which means: he is being raised by a complete stranger, is forced to live in a small attic room and has the power to summon deadly demons of incredible power. Usually 12-year old magician's apprentices are content to summon small mites and minor imps- demons that are easily controlled. Nathaniel, however, is an ambitious one, so he summons the powerful and willful djinni, Bartimaeus. He then sends him on mission to steal an artifact from one of the most powerful magicians in England. What could go wrong? Oh did I mention that powerful magicians generally eat young apprentices for breakfast?

Nathaniel is a great character, but the real gem in this book is Bartimaeus the wise-cracking djinni. Bartimaeus is part shape-shifting action hero, part comedian and part celebrity insider for all of history (it's seems like he's met just about every important person who has ever lived). Combine Bartimaeus with an awesome magic filled adventure, conniving magicians and a deadly plot and you end up with one of the best fantasy stories that I've read in long time. Give this one to kids who love magic, adventure and good books grades 4+.

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Also check out this interview with author Jonathan Stroud!

by Patrick

The Legend of Holly Claus by Brittney Ryan

I picked up this book because I saw it was part of the Julie Andrews Collection, and it completely lives up to the elegance and refinement you'd expect of Julie Andrews.

A curse has been placed on The Land of Enchantment by the evil Herrikan, and now no one can enter or leave, not the spirits of the dead, or Santa Claus to make his yearly visits. But his daughter Holly has discovered that she has a part to play in removing the curse, and finds a way to a Victorian-esk New York where she spreads the joy and goodness you'd expect from a relative of Santa. She ultimately confronts Herrikhan and removes the curse.

With graceful and detailed illustrations to accompany the lyrical text, this is one of the best balances of image and word that I've come across. It feels like it's been around for generations, while at the same time being a refreshingly original Christmas story. The climax was a bit too cliche for my liking, but that did add to the sense of timelessness.

This is my favorite Christmas story, children would love hearing it read aloud.

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Also simplified into a picture book, [Holly Claus: the Christmas Princess] (still nice, but not nearly as good as the full version)

by Scott

The Pirate Cruncher by Jonny Duddle

One night outside a tavern where a crew of pirates are hanging out, a mysterious fiddler shows up with a song of treasure! The pirates muse over what their wealth could buy them during the voyage, and disregard the fiddler's warning about a monster. When they arrive at the island they find quite a surprise, and so will the reader!

This book has delightful illustrations, and fun text. It's a bit like a graphic novel with speech and thought bubbles attached to specific pirates, and the parrot (which seems to be the only member of the crew with common sense). The surprise ending is alluded to in the pictures for the observant reader, and even without it this would be a book worth recommending.

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by Scott

Un Lun Dun by China Mieville

There is another London, where the garbage left at the curb disappears to. Other things tend to seep between these worlds: ideas, pollution, and two girls who happen to be part of a prophesy. But things go rather awry, prophecies are falling apart, and quests are veering outside of expectations. An unexpected hero has to learn to think for herself to save Un Lun Dun.

The characters are pretty simple, the story is very rich, full of quirks Lewis Carroll would be proud of. There is more of a story through-line than Alice's Adventures though, and a more structured world that allows the reader to predict what might happen, and be surprised over and again when they don't go as planned. Though it lives in the YA section, it's completely appropriate for kids as young as 8. I'd take this book over Gaiman's Coraline any day.

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by Scott

The Fledging of Az Gabrielson by Jay Amory

Az is considered a freak by most of those who know him, because he has no wings. In a futuristic setting, where everyone lives in cities above the clouds, this is notable and it means that Az is the perfect candidate for a special job the government has in mind. Az is sent to the surface, where nothing is supposed to have survived, and discovers an entire civilization essentially working as slaves for the Airborn. Az has some very important decisions to make, as do those he encounters on the surface.

A fast paced adventure with enjoyable characters and a sprinkling of morality mixed in makes this the perfect book for those that have worked through the more popular series such as Harry Potter and Percy Jackson.

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by Scott

Disasters: Natural and man-made catastrophies through the centuries by Brenda Guiberson

A collection of tragic events throughout history, from smallpox to hurricane Katrine. The author also explores why each disaster was so bad, and how it might have been prevented. Includes a nice diversity in the subjects covered as well as illustrations including drawings, photographs, and maps.

Arranged chronologically, each chapter deals with one tragedy. Individuals involved with more than one event are cleverly interwoven which links the time line together. Typically the author uses an individual as a focus for each event, lending a more personal feel.

Not for light readers, but very insightful and compelling.

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by Scott

The Maze of Bones by Rick Riordan

What would happen if you discovered that your family was one of the most powerful in human history? What if you were told that the source of the family's power was hidden around the world, in the form of 39 clues. What if you were given the choice - take a million dollars and walk away... or get the first clue? If you're Dan and Amy Cahill, you take the clue - and begin a very dangerous race.

Wow money, mystery and danger, awesome isn't? The answer is yes, although with admittedly a few reservations. I really liked the adventure and all the traveling in the book. I'm trying not to spoil anything, but the "maze of bones" is a real place and it's awesome. I've been there and it made me want to go again so bad.

One thing that did bug me about the books were the really obscure clues that the kids instantly knew how to solve. Maybe it's just because I'm bad at that time of thing, but "Seek out Richard S" would never make me think of Richard Sanders of Poor Richard's Almanac.
This book will be a hit the adventure junkies out there though. Great book for grades 3 to 7.

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by Patrick

Nation by Terry Pratchett

"When much is taken, something is returned." Nation is the latest book by Terry Pratchett (best known for his adult sci-fi series Discworld). The book is set in an alternate universe South Pacific and follows 13 year old Mau as he copes with the aftereffects of a tsunami, which kills everyone else on his island. As weeks pass, refuges begin to arrive from the surrounding area, because Mau's island (though tiny) is one of the largest in the area and holds religious significance for the people of the area.

This book is part survival story and part coming of age story, it's about rebuilding a society and young love, it explores issues such as belief and the responsibilities of leadership. It also explores the possibilities of tree climbing octopuses and irreverent parrots "AWK - show us your drawers!", that is to say this book does it all. The only part I didn't enjoy was the last chapter (no worries no spoiler here) which suddenly jumps hundreds of years in the future and acts like this whole thing had been a story told to children by an old man. That would have been okay with me if the book had begun with the storyteller, or even if he had been referenced somewhere in the middle of the story. An unfortunate end to an otherwise great story. Offer this book to fans of survival and adventure stories grades 6+

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by Patrick

Found by Margaret Peterson Haddix

An unscheduled airplane arrives at an airport terminal, on board are 36 babies and no one else! Who are they? Where did they come from? No one knows. Now skip forward 13 years to suburban Ohio, Jonah had never thought much of being adopted, but when he starts getting creepy letters that say things like "you are one of the missing," he starts wondering about his past. His adoption records have always been sealed, but maybe its time to investigate a little bit of his own. You see where this is going? Down a one way to street to freakin' awesome that's where!

I loved this book start to finish. Some authors just flat out know how to write and Magaret Haddix is one of those authors, she could write a book about making toast and it would turn out awesome- with this kind of subject matter of course the book is great.

Give this book to Sci-Fi lovers grades 5 thru 9.

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by Patrick

Peak by Roland Smith

"My right ear and cheek were frozen to the terra cotta wall.
"To reach the top you must have resolve, muscles, skill, and...
"A FACE!"

Peak is the oddly named son of the world's most famous climber ("It could have been worse. My parents could have named me Glacier, or Abyss, or Crampon,") and a great climber in his own right. So great, in fact, that he starts climbing New York City skyscrapers and tagging them. When he gets busted tagging his sixth building, the judge threatens to throw the book at him (3 years jail time) to prevent copycats from endangering themselves. However, his lawyer and father come up w/ a plea bargain, Peak has to leave the country immediately to live w/ his father, Josh, (who he hasn't seen in 7 years) until all the media attention surrounding "spider-boy" (Peak) blows over.
Peak ends up in Tibet with his father on the slopes of Everest, but it turns out Peak's father has an ulterior motive, he wants to get Peak up the mountain making him the youngest climber up Everest and (hopefully) making his fathers climbing company rich.

This book was fast paced and exciting cover to cover. Life and death climbs, multiple visits from the Chinese military and yaks. Lots and lots of yaks. What more do you need? Give this one to adrenaline junkies Grades 6+

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by Patrick

Rapunzel's Revenge by Shannon Hale

It's Rapunzel, but set in the wild west and as a graphic novel.

Rapunzel spends her young life blissfully unaware of the world beyond the walls surrounding Mother Gothel's estate, until one day she decides to find out what's over the walls. Beyond is a rocky wasteland of dusty stone, smoky chimneys and sad times. Rapunzel also just happens to run into a worn down old miner who turns out to be her birth mother, (what are the chances?) who had been forced to give up Rapunzel at birth by Mother Gothel. Rapunzel, of course flips out and then Mother Gothels counter flips out and sends Rapunzel off to live in a tower made out of a tree (Mother Gothels has growth magic, which lets her wilt or grow vegetation at will). So Rapunzel lives in the tower for 4 years with nothing to do except grow her hair and play with it. Anyway, eventually she grows it long enough to turn into a giant lasso and she rescues herself. The rest of the Graphic Novel she goes around as some kind of cowgirl superhero fighting for good and trying to stop Mother Gothel's tyranny. Oh and she also meets Jack (the guy who climbed the beanstock) and he follows her around helping out.

The Graphic Novel was an interesting idea and the art was great (although i didn't care for the way Rapunzel's red braid looked like hot dog links), but it was somehow lacking. About half-way thru I started looking for excuses to stop reading "Gee, I really should vacuum right now" and "Hmm, I think I've got some dishes in the sink that I ought to wash." When washing the dishes starts sounding more appealing than reading, I know something is off with the book. However, I finished reading it and all in one sitting too. I wouldn't say this book was bad, but I would say this book was a disappointment, great potential with only fair execution.

For wild west enthusiasts grades 5-9.

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by Patrick

Brisingr by Christopher Paolina

Christopher De Paolini's third book in the Inheritance Cycle is a marked improvement from his last book Eldest, but ultimately suffers from the same flaws.

First let me start by saying Eragon was wonderful, the book pulled me in and left me wanting more. Eldest on the other hand was only satisfying because I was desperate to hear more about Eragon, the plot in Eldest was forgettable at best and groan worthy at worst (the whole Luke- I am your father rip-off, c'mon really?) Brisingr, also has some groan worthy surprises (don't worry I won't tell you what they are I'll let you suffer thru them on your own terms). Also, like Eldest the story seems to drag on without any clear direction at time (I cite the lenghty foray into dwarven politics as a shining example- and if you're wondering no nothing surprising happens feel free to skip those 100 pages if you like). However, the story had it's strong points as well. For example Eragon's character is pretty freakin' rad. I enjoyed all the battle sequences with him punching thru shields, leaping over walls and cleaving things in half. He also has a dragon and she's always blowing fire and eating things, that's pretty sweet too. *Mild spoiler alert, skip to end of paragraph to avoid* His new sword, also freakin' rad. It lights on fire whenever he says it's name (disappointingly it's name is fire) and it plays an integral role in the aforementioned cleaving things / enemies in half.

If Eldest had been the first book in the series, I wouldn't have read the next book, Brisingr however, is good enough it to pass the first book test and I would continue reading the series based on it's merits alone. Give Brisingr to fantasy buffs, dragon aficionados and people who like saying words like "oathbound," "shadeslayer," or "aye" grades 6+

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by Patrick

The Sorcerer of the North by John Flanagan

Will's a full Ranger now and just arriving in his new fief! At first it seems like things might be too quiet in the backwater he's landed in, but things start heating up quick. First, there's a Skandian raid and then not long after Will is off on a secret mission to the far North, where there have been rumors of an ancient sorcerer back for revenge.

This book packs in the action cover to cover: a ghostly warrior, a sorcerer, poison, a betrayal and- of course- lots of sneaking around in the woods. I loved this book from start to finish, my only gripe with it was its ending. Very little is resolved and it feels like there's a least a chapter (maybe 3 or 4) missing. Everything is resolved in the next book, but I still felt a little cheated at the end of this one. Despite this small misstep, The Sorcerer of the North definitely passes the first book test. In fact, this is one of my favorite books of the series. Give this one to adventure/ medieval enthusiasts grades 5-9.

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by Patrick

The Stuff of Legend: Book 1: The Dark by Mike Raicht and Brian Smith

I think something very like this book would have been the result if Pixar had put Neil Gaiman in charge of Toy Story. A collection of toys band together to go into the 'Dark' of the closet to rescue their kidnapped owner. In this alternate world they are no longer toys and must engage in battles and thwart traps in their attempt to track down their boy.

Book 1 seems to just establish the world and characters, quite well, and the illustrations by Charles Wilson are top notch. Due to the high level of violence and somewhat mature themes I would only recommend this to older children, or those with a particular penchant for dark themes.

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by Scott

The Doom Machine by Mark Teague

A race of Spider-like aliens have abducted some people from a small Midwestern town in the 50's, along with a device that will let the conquer the planet! Jack and Isadora have an adventure full of unexpected twists as they try to escape from the abductors, rescue the grown-ups and save the universe.

Reminiscent of Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy in tone, this is a fun space yarn with well developed characters and lots of adventure. It never gets to heavy and stays true to the intricate alternate world that is established. Beautifully illustrated in the same quirky style as the writing, Teague has achieved a wonderful blend of everything a good story needs.

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by Scott

The Cabinet of Wonders by Marie Rutkoski

The book opens with the return of Petra's father from the palace, where he has just completed a most beautiful clock with a hidden secret. But the power hungry Prince has kept the inventors eyes as well, which have unique properties of their own. Determined to restore her father's vision, Petra sets out to steal back the eyes, and meets a delightful assortment of characters in the process.

I imagine it was no easy feat to craft a world in which a gypsy boy possessing 'ghost fingers' that extend past his physical hands, and an old woman who cries tears of acid, co-exist harmoniously with our clever protagonist in a quasi-historical Prague, but the author does so seemingly without any effort at all. The story moves at a very nice pace, characters were easy to keep track of, and the quirks were nuanced in so well that I was left eager for the next book.

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by Scott