Scarum Fair

Tons of creepiness abounds in this book of poems that focuses on the Scarum Fair. Read about the attractions, the food, and the rides as the author teases, taunts and terrorizes her readers.

This would be a fun book to use for Halloween, but I would choose the poems ahead of time. Some a fairly dark and younger listeners/readers could freak out or have nightmares. :-)

I like how the book focuses on one setting, the fair, and provides lots of sensory language to make the reader feel like they are there.

Read with caution!

The Prophet of Yonwood

Ugh!  I should have quit while I was ahead. I was so involved in the Ember series that I dug into Book 3. Prior to reading I sensed it might have something to do with being a prequel. I was right, but, man, what a bummer.

This book was definitely a bit more mature than the previous two. Nickie and her aunt are headed to Yonwood to deal with their late uncle's home and belongings. It is modern day and the world is on the brink of war. Daily messages from the president inform the country of a countdown to conflict has everyone on edge. The residents of Yonwood turn to the town's prophet to protect themselves from harm. Her mumblings are unclear and the town's respected elders attempt to bring meaning to her words and pass the information along to all.

Spoiler Alert:  There is quite a bit of religious debate in the story. The prophet relaying God's word, people defying it or questioning it, and it could be an area to dodge with younger readers. 

Honestly, the final chapter (maybe the last two) pretty much fills you in on how and why Ember was created. There are a few clues sprinkled in for the sharp reader (Nickie's dad on a secret job and leaving her weird PSs in his postcards home), but not enough to warrant the full 300 pages for me.

Stormbreaker

Alex Rider's uncle, a susposed banker on a spy mission, ends up murdered due to a spray of bullets shot into his car. Alex's curiousity leads a secretive group to determine his resourcefulness is exactly what they need to get the intelligence they need to close the case.  Fourteen year old Alex becomes their newest spy!

Packed with action and suspense, this is a fast paced book. Alex is quick to pull himself out of dangerous situations and connect the few pieces his uncle left behind. 

This is also a movie! They did a pretty good job of it, too! I saw the movie prior to reading the book, which I consider a huge no-no, but definitely make sure you see it after you enjoy the book.

Hero

I loved this book! The Mike Lupica's always fly off the shelves soI have yet to enjoy one of his books. Unlike all the sports fiction he is known for, this one heads in a new direction.

Zach Harriman's dad was famous for being the go-to guy for our country. The president knew he was always the man for the job. On a mission, we see how talented he is is fighting of evil single-handedly and ability to be his own stunt man. The reader senses something is up as Zach returns home from school to learn his father has passed.  His search for answers leads to more questions when a mystery man appears and seems to know all too much about Zack and his dad.

This book is one that is hard to put down. You know many of the events are fake, but you believe every step of the way.

Under the Mambo Moon

Marisol's dad owns the music shop and she shares the stories of his customers and their favorite styles of Latin music.  The poetry book is lyrical and while you read it you cannot help but feel like dancing or singing along and build in your own accent.

Great choice for multiculturalism and communities/neighborhoods.

The People of Sparks

I rarely get to read Book 2 of anything as I'm so busy covering all the Books 1s out there. Ohhh, what an awesome follow up to City of Ember. Doon and Lina are out, the message they threw down to the others was located, and now the entire town has evacuated Ember.  The Emberites decend upon Sparks. After the initial surprise, the Sparks citizens decide to support their new friends with shelter, supplies and food. As the burden becomes more and more taxxing, resentment grows and groups form in a grass roots rebellion.

There are lots of embedded social studies lessons in here: supply and demand, communities, bartering/trade, and political issues that lead to conflict.  I thought the author did a clever job of painting civilization after war all but eliminated people.

Before reading this book to your class it would be interesting to have the kids make predictions of challenges or benefits to leaving Ember and see how their ideas match up with the author's.

Hamster Magic

Another Bluebonnet nominee for 2012. This is a short chapter book (like the length of a Judy Moody) about a young girl, Celia, who discovers a hamster in her basement. She talks to it and is stunned that in can talk back. It offers to grant her one wish, only it's misunderstood and she turns into a giant hamster. In an effort to resolve their problem, her siblings and her go into the magical forest to get help.

This will be part of a series called Magical Mix-Ups, but currently there are not others in the series.  It is written fairly simply and reminds me a little of the style from The Boxcar Children series. It seemed pretty predictable, but would be perfect for the younger side of our Bluebonnet readers.

A Storm Called Katrina

Louis and his family get displaced from their New Orleans home immediately following the hurricane. They follow many from the city to the Superdome for shelter. Louis' sole possession, his beloved horn, makes the watery trip across town.

This could be a quick book to pair with Play, Louis, Play as they both have characters named Louis, are set in New Orleans, involve an intense love for their horn, performing, struggles.

Back of the Bus

A fantastic perspective on the Rosa Parks situation that led to change. A boy playfully rolling his marble up and down the bus aisle as it travels through Montgomery, Alabama, takes notices of Rosa as the infamous incident takes place. Though young, he is able to zero in on verbal and nonverbal cues regarding the gravity of the situation.

I liked this book since it offers the spectator's perspective, and better yet, that of a child.