Review: The Scourge ✭✭✭✭

The Scourge by Jennifer A. Nielsen
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

The title of this thrilling adventure refers to the deadly plague that is gaining ground and taking victims in a fictional medieval land. The main character is a spunky girl named Ani who is suddenly snatched by government officials and tested for the disease. Although she has no symptoms, Ani tests positive for the disease and is taken away along with her friend Weevil, to quarantined Attic Island. This is a remote, desolate place where patients are treated more like prisoners as they wait out their death sentences. Find out if Ani will be able to save herself and others as she searches to find out exactly what is happening at this mysterious place.

This book is a great read for a middle grader who is taking a break from series books. The action/adventure is compelling and will keep your reader turning pages and wearing down their flashlight batteries late into the night! More mature readers that are interested in finding out more about plague might try the historical fiction book Fever by Laurie Halse Anderson.

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Review: The Assassin's Curse ✭✭✭✭✭

The Assassin's Curse by Kevin Sands
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This terrific series continues to deliver on adventure, suspense and excitement. In this story, Christopher, Tom and Sally travel to Paris undercover to discover who is trying to kill royal family members. The mystery is complex, the clues and codes are challenging, and the thrills are non-stop. This particular book in the series really reminded me of the Da Vinci Code by Dan Brown.

Young fans of Rick Riordan or John Flanagan books will love this series. The story ends in a cliffhanger; that is how I learned there was a book four in the series coming out in September! (I thought it was only a trilogy). Looking forward to Call of the Wraith.

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Review: A World Below ✮✮✮✮✮

A World Below by Wesley King
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Wesley King, the author of the Edgar award-winning OCDaniel (great title!) has written an intriguing story that blends adventure with elements of historical fiction, fantasy and social issues. Mr. Baker is a middle school teacher who plans a field trip with his class to the Carlsbad Caverns in New Mexico. Some students are excited, others not so much. But they mostly come prepared with snacks and walking shoes. This class group includes Eric and Silvia, two students who don't exactly stand out, but don't really fit in, either.

The suspense begins when an earthquake hits, and the cavern collapses, separating Mr. Baker, Eric and the rest of the group. Eric begins to search for a way out and things get really interesting when he discovers a colony of humans living in this bizarre underground ecosystem. Meanwhile, anxiety-ridden Silvia is trying to lead the other students as they forage through giant mushroom forests searching for the others. All of the trapped parties need to find out if the cave-dwellers are friends or foes and if they'll help them find a way to escape the caverns. A large variety of readers should enjoy this captivating story. For another "below the earth" adventure story, try the Newbery award-winning Hello, Universe by Erin Entrada Kelly.

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Review: The Blackthorn Key ✭✭✭✭✭

The Blackthorn Key by Kevin Sands
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Many glowing reviews have already been written for The Blackthorn Key. Wonderful authors such as Stuart Gibbs and Ingrid Law give high recommendations for this series. With a setting of 1600s London, the author Kevin Sands has created an endearing protagonist in Christopher Rowe, apprentice to Master Apothecary Benedict Blackthorn. The story starts out with Christopher convincing his trusty sidekick Tom, that his experiment concocting explosives will not end badly (it does). Humor continues throughout the story, yet there also moments of genuine sadness, such as when Master Blackthorn lashes out at Christopher in anger, then is suddenly murdered. Christoper, using codes left by his master, works to solve how and why a dangerous cult is murdering apothecaries one by one. The characters, setting, plot, human and attention to detail all come together to make this one of my favorite adventure series. I can't wait to read the next two books! Please recommend this series to your fourth grade and up reader who loves a thrilling, yet nuanced adventure.



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An Astonishing Survival Story ✮✮✮✮✮

Left for Dead, by Pete Nelson, is a thrilling non-fiction account of the sinking of the World War II warship (The Indianapolis), and the subsequent naval court-martial of the ship's captain. Amazingly, an 11-year old boy's history project more than 50 years later was the catalyst for revisiting the court-martial decision.

If you know of a mature young reader aged 12-up who is interested in World War II history, please recommend this book to them. Do prepare them by letting them know that the descriptions of the survivors clinging for life and avoiding the sharks in the ocean in the aftermath of the sinking are pretty gruesome. And finally, remind them that every year there are fewer and fewer survivors left to talk about this fascinating part of our history.

Children of Exile

This new series by Margaret Peterson Haddix begins with children getting on a plane to leave the people that have raised them (the "Freds") and return to their natural parents. At age 12, Rosi is the oldest child to be returned, and she is wondering why they now have to leave their beloved and peaceful Fredtown behind to go to a land of hardships and heartache that none of the children remember.

The Freds are not allowed to escort the children back, and the plane ride is a frightening glimpse into the children's new world of danger and disappointment. When Rosi and Bobo finally meet their parents, Rosi, in particular, is not exactly made to feel welcome. And what's up with the Dad's blindness and missing arm? Rosi decides to meet with another 12-year old boy, Edwe, who has suspicions of his own. Rosi then begins to realize that she and Bobo are in very real danger, and need to get away. Near the end of the book, Rosi learns more about the mysterious Freds, and the reasons they were taken away and returned.

Middle-grade fans of this author will read this book in no time. The story is an exciting one, full of surprises and twists. I felt the story got pretty far-fetched by the end, and I never really found myself rooting for Rosie. Also, the book does not have a tidy ending, and even though I know it's the start of a new series, I still think it's fair for the reader to expect a little more closure. Younger readers will be Googling the publication date of the next entry in the series.

Alex Rider is a Junior James Bond

What does Alex Rider have in common with James Bond? Well, he works for the British government; has really cool spy gadgets at his disposal; and gets to travel to exotic locations under assumed names. The difference between the two is that Alex Rider is fourteen years old, and is the main character in a thrilling spy series for kids by Anthony Horowitz. I literally read the second book in the series, Point Blank in one day. And I never finish a book in one day! Of course, it didn't hurt that I was on a plane for several hours.

The entire series has been updated with exciting new cover designs (see below). Interestingly, the newer cover image I grabbed from Goodreads has the title spelled Point Blanc. I understand that's the UK version, and Point Blanc is the location in the Swiss Alps where the remote private boy's school in the story is located. In this roller coaster ride of a story, Alex is called upon by his boss M16 to infiltrate an exclusive boy's school in the Swiss Alps. Some of the boys' prominent fathers have recently been murdered, and Alex's orders are to find out if there is a connection with the school. Sure enough, when Alex arrives he discovers a mad scientist with a nefarious (isn't that a great vocabulary word?) plot to take over the world with programmed clones. You might think this sounds really far-fetched, but the plot is really suspenseful and exciting.

If you can't get enough of Alex Rider, there are plenty of books in the series to keep you going. Also, Anthony Horowitz has written Alex Rider short stories that go along with his novels. They are available on his web site. Have fun reading these exciting stories!

http://www.anthonyhorowitz.com/extras/young-readers

A Thrilling Adventure on a Train

The Boundless by Kenneth Oppel

This story of the world's longest train (miles long!) winding through the Canadian Rockies has history, action, suspense and folklore all rolled into one great kid's book. I honestly don't think I've come across another book that feature Sasquatches and avalanches! I was aware of Mr. Oppel's Airborn series, but I never felt quite ready to tackle them. This story however, seemed a bit more manageable and the beautiful cover design had me hooked. As I'm writing this, I can't stop thinking about what a great word "boundless" is, as in "boundless energy" or "knows no bounds". Both phrases are well suited to this story.

Will Everett is an artistic young man whose father is a railroad manager. On the inaugural trip of the Boundless, Will inadvertently becomes the possessor of the key to the railway owner's funeral car. That makes him a target for some evil villains who will stop at nothing to get that key. 

Also on the train are the magnificent Maren, a beautiful tightrope walker; and Mr. Dorian, the ringmaster of the traveling Zircus Dante. Just to give you an idea of the size of this train, the circus has its own 80 cars including one elephant. Maren and Mr. Dorian help Will hide from the bad guys, but do they have their own secret agenda? Thrilling top-of-the-train chases and rescues are a big part of the traveling adventure. The action scenes make me think of the old silent movies where the heroine is tied to the train tracks and rescued just in time.

Kenneth Oppel makes the best use of social media. He has a blog that details The Boundless as well as the Zircus Dante. There are even photographs! On top of that, Will Everett has his own Pinterest page which offers an account of his travels.

High on my "want to read" list is Kenneth Oppel's latest book, The Nest. I've heard it's really creepy-scary good! Find out more about it on his blog.

The Dangerous, Yet Remote Life of a Lighthouse Keeper

Gifts from the Sea, by Natalie Kinsey-Warnock, is a captivating story about a girl named Aquila who lives with her father on a remote island off the coast of Maine in the mid 1800s. The life of a lighthouse keeper is not an easy one, and after the death of the mother, Aquila is forced to grow up quickly and help her father with the never-ending chores necessary for lighthouse keeping. One day, Aquila and her father's lives change dramatically as she discovers a surprising "gift from the sea" after a severe storm. Middle grade readers who enjoy this book can also try Escaping the Giant Wave by Peg Kehret, or Nory Ryan's Song by Patricia Giff. To learn more about the history and preservation of lighthouses, visit the website of the U.S. Lighthouse Society. There is a terrific "kid's corner" on the site featuring games and activities about lighthouses.

Storm Could Be Even Better Than SYLO

Storm, The Sylo Chronicles #2 by D.J. McHale, is just as much of a roller coaster ride as the first book in the series. Tucker and his friends have made it alive to the mainland, and the adventures continue in a thrilling cross-country adventure. There are surprises and twists at every turn, as Tucker tries to find the answers behind the debilitating and vengeful civil war between the U.S. Air Force and SYLO, a division of the U.S. Navy. Along the way, Tucker learns that he may not be able to trust anyone. This is a great series for students grades 6 and up.

Nutty for Squirrels

Squirrel lovers, rejoice! If you are nutty for Scaredy Squirrel, and chuckled over the fate of the poor squirrel in Flora and Ulysses, you have a new book to relish. Nuts to You (not to be confused with Lois Ehlert picture book) by Newbery award winning Lynne Rae Perkins is a warm, funny novel that follows the adventures of three squirrel buddies. One review of the book I read called it an "incredible journey" of squirrels. Ms. Perkins also illustrated the book, and there are illustrations on every page of the quirky characters. Wait until you find out what squirrels really think. This book will satisfy both young and old readers of adventure, animals and humor.

A Flashlight-Worthy Thriller

SYLO

by D.J. MacHale

Get out your flashlights...
This fast-paced suspense story will keep you reading all night. Tucker and his friends get caught up in a frightening mystery on their normally sleepy, quiet island off the coast of Maine. SYLO has invaded,and no one knows if they are here to help or harm? If the U.S. President sent them, does that mean that all is well? When all communication with the mainland is disrupted, Tucker and his friends plan a dangerous escape to get out their important message.

If you loved this book, try the Morpheus Road series by the same author, or Wake Up Missing by Kate Messner.