Malice by Chris Wooding

If you like graphic novels, this book is definitely for you!  Seth and Kady have heard about the world of Malice.  Some kids have talked about it - others have whispered about it - but no one's ever really been there.  Or have they?  When Luke disappears from his home, and then turns up as a character in the next issue of Malice, Seth and Kady begin to suspect that the rumors about Malice being a real place might not be just rumors after all.  Similar in format to The Invention of Hugo Cabret - but much, much scarier -  this novel is part text, part graphic.

Catching Fire

If Suzanne Collin's Hunger Games kept you on the edge of your seat, you'll definitely want to read the sequel.  After Katniss and Peeta win the Hunger Games, Katniss hopes to bring prosperity to her district and her family.   More than anything, she'd like to return to a private life far away from the prying eyes of the Capitol.  But those days are gone.  Katniss and Peeta have become famous not only for their victory but for their act of defiance.  As the Capitol unfolds its new plans for the Hunger Games winners, Katniss realizes the government has more control over her than ever before.  

When You Reach Me

Miranda found the first note in her library book as she was about to put it in her backpack. It didn’t make any sense. Something about someone coming to save a friend’s life. The closing line was “I will not be myself when I reach you.” And it wasn’t even signed. The next note wasn’t signed either, but it was addressed to Miranda. She found it in a bag of bakery rolls. So the note-sender knew where she went for lunch every day.   The third note seemed to predict the future with dates and events listed. Set in New York City, Miranda’s story unfolds quietly as she goes about her daily routine of school, hanging out with friends and family, avoiding bullies, and trying to solve the mystery of the notes. Who is trying to reach Miranda, and what does this person want her to do? When You Reach Me, the 2010 Newbery Award winner, is an amazing book.

A Curse Dark as Gold by Elizabeth Bunch

The legend of Rumplestiltskin comes alive again in this gripping family saga of the Millers of Stirwaters.  The hard-working Miller family has run the wollen mill which provides the village's livelihood for generations, barely managing to pay expenses and earn a living for the family.  The superstitions of the local folk hint at a curse on the mill which causes one disaster after another.  When Charlotte and her sister Rosellen inherit the mill after their father's death, they discover the mill was secretly mortgaged to a local bank, and only the late night miracle from a man who turns straw into gold can save them from closing the mill or selling out to competitors. 

Night Wings by Joseph Bruchac

"Suddenly something drops down with a whomp of wings that blot out the stars.  Two red eyes stare at me from the inhuman face of the one who guards this place."  It was only a dream, but it was a dream so powerful that Paul could not shake it from his memory.  He knew the story of Pmola, a winged creature who hid a treasure on the mountain, and his ancestor, the brave hunter,  whose live was spared by Pmola.  While Paul had great respect for his elders, he surely had a hard time believing such a story and such a creature was real.  But when modern treasure hunters kidnap him and his grandfather and force them to lead the way to Pmola's hidden treasure, Paul begins to believe that only the wisdom and the spirits of the ancients can save them. 

The Arrival

I just thought of this AMAZING book. It has no words, but it's not a comic book, it's art. It is called "The Arrival" by Shaun Tan. You can find it at the Bookloft. This is really a book you won't want to miss.
MSV

P. S. from Mrs. Kane - this is a very well-known graphic novel.  I will try to purchase it for our library.

Witness

I read a book called Witness by Karen Hesse. Witness is about the KKK. In this small town there are two people that are in the most danger. Leonora Sutter is a 12 year old African American. Esther is a 6 year old Jew. The KKK is coming soon and they must find somewhere for them to be safe. Meanwhile a couple is trying to decide if they should turn their store into a Klan store. This story is a very sweet, touching and realistic story, and I would recommend it to anyone.  MS

Secret of the Sirens

Well I just wanted to say that I think Secret of the Sirens is a wonderful book and I believe that poeple that like Percy Jackson will like this because it is very alike in many ways-  like the sirens are mythological creatures. M

Learning to Breathe

At the moment, I am reading a memoir by a woman named Alison Wright. The book is called Learning to Breathe. It is about a photographer who travels to Asia. Once, when she was there, her bus was hit by a truck. She was at the point of impact and didn't get medical care for 14 hours. But, with a miracle, she lived. This book is an amazing story about a woman who lived through death.
Thanks!
MSV

Daniel X Watch the Skies

Recently I have read the book Daniel X Watch the Skies by James Patterson. The book is very exciting, suspenseful, and interesting. The book is about a alien boy named Daniel X who is on a mission to destroy all the aliens on list consisting on 100 aliens. In Watch the Skies Daniel is on a mission to destroy number 5 with the help of his mom, dad, sister, and, friends. Daniel faces many challenges on his effort to destroy number 5 and I don't want to give away the ending so you'll have to read it yourself to find out how challenging this mission was.  IM