The Lightening Thief, by Rick Riordan

It appears that I am on a mythology kick. True! One of the interns I worked with last spring taught a unit on mythology associated with reading of The Odyssey. This book is probably appropriate for younger or less able readers than Michael Scott's Nicholas Flamel series. It is well written and more narrowly focused on Greek gods than Scott's work is. Overall I give it strong ratings. It would make an excellent companion piece to a class exploration of The Odyssey especially for students will reading difficulties. Many of the same quest episodes are paralleled in this book and would allow for discussion of Odysseus's (Ulysses) quests and their meanings.

I will be reading other books in the series. They have been very popular and I am eager to follow up on Riordan's treatment of the epic.

Rain Gods, by James Lee Burke (2009)

I am a reader of the collected works of James Lee Burke. This title is not a "Dave Robicheau" book, rather one set in Texas. Burke began expanding his cast of characters to Billy Bob Holland and this book features Billy Bob's cousin "Hackberry Holland." For some Burke fans the Texas books weren't terribly satisfying, but I have enjoyed them. This book, Rain Gods, is one that I am giving my strongest recommendation. Burke's descriptions of the physical and meteorological settings are wonderful. The plot and resolution (which I won't spoil) are compelling.

Hackberry with an anonomyous phone tip, finds a mass grave filled with Asian women. In bringing the parties responsible to justice Holland moves through a cast of characters and situations that keeps the reader going and ultimately is completely satisfying.

Four Stars!

The Secrets of the Immortal Nicholas Flamel, by Michael Scott

This entry covers two of the three books in the Nicholas Flamel series, The Magician (2008) and The Sorceress (2009). I was immediately caught up in the first book of this series, The Alchemyst. Of course I was eager to read the next in the series. The Magician is as engaging and captivating as The Alchemyst however, I was a bit disappointed in The Sorceress. This later book brings in too many historical characters (Shakespeare, Billy the Kid) and becomes more of a "Terminator" distruction book than a fantasy exploring the lives and actions of mythological characters in present day.

I doubt that most teens/adolescents who are fans of the series would immediately detect the difference in quality. But, I've seen in my own children (now adults) the ability to "sense" when a book is somehow "off." I hope that Scott's next book The Necromancer will return to the more character-based stories of the previous two books in the series.

To fully enjoy any of the books in this series readers will need to do some independent research of their own on the various gods, goddesses, and mythical creatures included in the readings. Scott introduces these from all cultures and time periods. It provides the opportunity for a broad overview of the various mythologies and religions of the world.

Scott is a prolific writer and has many books that have not yet been published in the US. I hope more of them become available as the popularity of this series increases.

Roadside Crosses, by Jeffery Deaver (2009)

This is a book I am going to bring to class today and recommend to teachers. Deaver is still exploring new literacies, the internet, and digital worlds. Roadside Crosses is a "Katherine Dance" book set in the Bay Area. It explores gaming culture and the dangers of the internet. Although Deaver portrays the dark side of the internet in this book and his most recent Lincoln Rhyme book I can't help but read a positive feeling about this new world we are all exploring as well.

There are some "contrived" plot twists and I considered the ultimate villain as a suspect from the beginning, but still the book was a compelling read. It also gave me some personal comfort in explorations of the difficulties of working within bureaucracies. Both this book and Michael Connely's recent novel The Scarecrow are going to stay in my home as reference sources.

Coraline, by Neil Gaiman, illustrated by Dave McKean (2002)

After reading The Graveyard Book and American Gods I had planned to read the complete works of Neil Gaiman. I found this book engaging, but not necessarily one that I find compelling enough to recommend to others.

The market for this book is probably upper elementary. It's marked as 9-12 years old with a Lexile score of 740 (approximately 5th grade). I need to check with some 5th graders about their reaction to the book. It has been made into a film just this year. I didn't hear much buzz about the movie--perhaps it wasn't much of a hit. But, I've been preoccupied with work so I may just have missed it.

I can understand why it may not have been a big favorite of parents and kids. I found the plot and characters too "dark" for kids in this age-range. I would be afraid that my child would have nightmares after reading or viewing this. Overall the message/theme of the book is positive, but the landscapes and tone are too dark for me to want to recommend to younger readers. I don't necessarily see middle school/junior high students being drawn to this. But, I may be mistaken.

I have 2 more Gaiman books on my stack. I began Anansi Boys but turned instead to a Jeffery Deaver book for my next read. We'll see if I return to reading Gaiman--after finishing Deaver I picked up Lisa Lutz, The Spellman Files, as something a bit lighter. I need some comedy and humor in my life right now.

Becka Cooper Book 2: Blood Hound, by Tamora Pierce

I have been a fan of Pierce's various series for a long time now. I particularly enjoyed her first book in the Beka Cooper series. Beka is a street kid who lives and works in the slums "the lower city" of the capital city of Tortal. (Yes this is fantasy fiction). In the first book we followed her as she worked through the apprenticeship and training to become a "dog" (police office) in the roughest area of the city. She is aided by her "powers" to hear the spirits of dead who are riding pigeons, communicate with "spinners" (dust devils), and her cat who is a magical creature--perhaps a god.

In the second book Beka is now a full fledged "dog" and in search of good working partners. The main plot of the book surrounds a counterfeiting ring. A sub theme in the book appears to be GLBT rights. Several of the secondary characters are homosexual or transgendered. There is also more explicit sexuality than has appeared in Pierce's previous books.

Sexual orientation issues are a leading cause of suicide in young adults. I believe it is important for teachers to be aware of books they can recommend to students who have need this opportunity to explore the challenges they are facing. The sexuality issues are all treated very tastefully. But, I think teachers who have been fans of the other Pierce series should read the entirety of this book before they recommend it to readers. It is for a more mature reader than the Circle of Magic, Protector of the Small, Immortals, or Song of the Lioness series.

Paper Towns, by John Green (2008)

I'd like to recommend this book to both of my semi-adult children. As with Looking for Alaska, Green has created a powerful portrait of the tensions and vulnerabilities of adolescents approaching early adulthood. In this novel, again with a male protagonist, plot tension is maintained throughout the book. I won't spoil the ending.

There are many opportunities for interdisciplinary extensions in this book: cartography, poetry (especially Whitman & Plath), music, Florida, and New York. I would recommend this for students 9th grade and above.

The Broken Window, by Jeffery Deaver (2009)

Deaver is, indeed, one of America's most gripping detective fiction writers. Although I had lots of work I should have been doing, I ended up sitting in the backyard today finishing the book. The digital world is appearing more and more frequently in fiction and in this book Deaver has wound it together with data mining and homeland security. At the end of the book he offers a list of organizations that are attempting to preserve privacy rights. I will probably be visiting them in the next few days.

Other than the mention of rapes (no graphic details) this book could be used as a classroom recommendation. I doubt that it would serve as a whole group read, except perhaps in a technology or business course.

Stardust, by Neil Gaiman

I am working my way through Neil Gaiman's works after beginning with The Graveyard Book. Stardust (1999) is relatively old. It did not captivate me as Graveyard had done. However, it is an enjoyable read. I think many fans of fantasy will enjoy it greatly. It follows the basic quest format. There is magic, magical creatures, and fantasy throughout the book. It's theme is classic and holds up well under Gaiman's treatment.

Although it is not a book that will be at the top of my "must read" list for kids, it is going to be in my list of recommended reads for fantasy and mythology fans.

The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman

I have been wanting to read this since it won the Newbery. At the time I'd heard interviews and reviews of the book and it sounded quite interesting. I picked it up this weekend to get me through a rough patch in life. I did a great job of it. This is a type of a book that needs to be protected--no spoilers here. But, as others reviewing it have said, it begins with a toddler being raised in a graveyard by ghosts....

I will be reading Gaiman's other works in short order. I just hope summer is long enough.

The Bride of Casa Dracula by Marta Acosta

I was hesitant to pick up this book after I discovered that the library classifies it a "romance." I don't really see myself as a romance reader. But, I'd read and enjoyed the first in the series and so I borrowed the 2nd from the library and bought this, the third. I don't regret it. Someone may think these are "romance" books but I think they are humor and modern gothic pieces.

Marta Acosta is a funny and engaging writer. She has a great sense of word play and keeps me laughing not only at language tricks but also at the foibles of her characters. I wouldn't go so far as to say they have great depth, but they are complex. Acosta also gives Latinas a strong voice and reality that I haven't run across in other fiction. I just wish that there was a little less sex in the book so that I could recommend it without hesitation to middle and high school girls.

I was a little disappointed in the "discussion guide for book clubs" at the end of the book. The questions seemed sort of silly. I'm glad I continued reading, the "conversation with Marta Acosta" is worth reading through the book club section.

Snow Crash by Neil Stephenson

My first Stephenson book was, what I have come to call, a reading accident. [I have reading accidents in which I pick up a book on a whim and find myself trapped into reading an author's collected works.] I picked up his book Cryptonomicon because I had seen a newer title, Anathem for sale at Costco. For a change I decided to read it order and bought Cryptonomicon in paperback.

So far it seems as if Stephenson is a somewhat challenging author. I would recommend his books to strong readers in high school or to adults. But, I definitely recommend him!

Snow Crash is science fiction including high-tech skateboarders, virtual worlds as a social phenomenon, and ethnic conflicts. As with Cryptonomicon it also makes connections to history and current events. It's a book that I will be happy to recommend to a relatively wide range of readers, including my college-aged son.

Inkspell and Inkdeath by Cornelia Funke

Funke's recognition as a fantasy writer is well deserved. I have greatly enjoyed the entire Inkheart trilogy. The series' exploration of the power and possibilities of the printed word especially speak to me as a reader and writer. At the present moment I am having to devote more time in my professional life to writing and publishing. Funke's side-story of the pleasures and frustrations of the author's craft speaks loudly to me. Her mirror worlds of fantasy will appeal to a wide range of readers and will secure her spot in children's and young adult literature.

All three books present a challenge to younger readers in their length alone. Yet, readers willing to take on the Harry Potter saga will be able to handle this series. I believe that the books are complex enough to engage a wide range of ages and readers. It encouraged me that the first book has already been accepted by the commercial film industry. It was the feature film on a flight I took to Ecuador this summer. I didn't really follow the film, but plan to view it at home soon.

Benny and Babe by Eoin Colfer

I am a fan of Colfer's work. His fantasies can appeal to almost any reader because they have an added layer of irony about the entire genre. Benny and Babe isn't a fantasy, rather realistic fiction set in contemporary Ireland. Overall I give this a very positive review--it addresses issues of male/female adolescent friendships, bullying, and general adolescent issues. Unfortunately for American readers there is also a lot of regional background knowledge assumed. It may be a good book to help students learn to read over cultural information they don't understand to get to the good "bits" of a book. It's a skill they can use in reading fiction that is written in unfamiliar registers (Swift, Shakespeare, Wharton, etc.). But, it probably isn't going to become a classic book or one included in the "canon" so I'd only recommend using it with students who are Colfer aficionados. Those students will need a bit of introduction to the book and a strategy for reading over the unfamiliar bits in the first chapter, "Culchie Hurling."

Having spent a lot of time on Puget Sound I enjoyed the setting of the book, a seashore town, and the fishing adventures of Benny and Babe . Readers from desert climates may not have the feel of the setting, but the stories of adolescent adventures and attempts to make some spending money through summer vacation may carry them through the book. Those who live in or have visited resort communities will appreciate the tensions between the townies and the vacationers. The life threatening adventure near the end of the book will grab almost any reader, but especial those who live or have visited the Pacific Coast of the US.

I doubt this book will have a wide readership because of the regional idiosyncrasies, but it is one I will recommend to a few selected readers ready for its challenges.

Demon Witch by Geoffrey Huntington

Book II of The Ravenscliff Series isn't quite as gripping as book I, but still a good read. A fantasy saga of the Order of Nightwing this book takes the reader through time to the Middle Ages and fills in some of the mysteries surrounding Devon March. Appropriate for teens, the book is very readable but not quite as elaborately developed as a Harry Potter book (of course it is much shorter as well--276 pages). The main character, Devon is in high school, has a trio of friends who are in on his secret, as well as a mentor who is in conflict with his aunt.

Preston & Childs

I've been on an extended read--the collected works of Lincoln Child & Douglas Preston. Most of the books have been very appropriate for high school readers. The most recent had one mild sex scene. I strongly recommend that teachers consider including the collected works of this author team. They both bring broad technical expertise and experiences that make the fiction rich and provides pathways to more detailed explorations of each topic. The books, and connections are listed below:

Relic,, Set in the New York City Museum of Natural History readers will not only learn about the Museum and its operations, but also the history of archeological explorations into South America. Although the "monster" is fanciful, the book shows how careful research is necessary for good fiction writing.

Reliquary,,
Cabinet of Curiosities,,
Still Life with Crows,,
Brimstone,,
Dance of Death,,
Wheel of Darkness,,
Book of the Dead,,

Mount Dragon, 1996. In his deep background Lee Child has worked as a techie. One of the things I'm finding as I read the collected works of Child and Preston is that both have had varied careers and use these wide ranging career experiences as jumping-off points for their work. Douglas Preston's brother, Richard Preston, has written two important science-fiction books The Demon in the Freezer, about smallpox, and The Hot Zone, about the Ebola virus. Mount Dragon has a similar theme, the researchers are attempting to find a vaccine for the flu virus. This book is more in the fiction based roughly on science, but is a good read. It also blends in some really interesting technology ideas that will get computer geeks engaged.

Riptide, 1998. Pirates and buried treasure! I had recently seen an episode on Bones about a pit that supposedly held pirate treasure, but was also booby-trapped. This book predates that show and is based on an actual site--Oak Island, Nova Scotia, Canada. It also explores much of the history of pirates and the British Colonial period. If you go to their website http://www.prestonchild.com/ you can research more about the real historical pirates and the science upon which they based many of the details of the adventure.

Thunderhead, 1999. Recently I attended an educational program at my local REI on canyoneering. The hour-long video made the slot canyon in which much of this book takes place come to life for me. When I use this book in a classroom I am going to begin with some video of these canyons. I have also had the good fortune to visit Mesa Verde and touring the cliff dwellings. The two create the background for this story the proposes a possible answer to the flight of the Anasazi Indians from their cliff dwellings. Douglas Preston has worked at the New York Museum of Natural History and knows much about archeology and archaeologists. He has lived in Santa Fe, New Mexico since 1986 and thus has much experience with the American Southwest. He has also worked as an anthropologist for The Laboratory of Anthropology in Santa Fe. If you want to get a feel for Pueblo Cultures, pot hunting (hunters), and the life style of the anthropologist this is a great place to begin.

The Ice Limit,,

Thriller ,,


About the Authors: (from Barnes & Noble)

Preston's first job was as a writer for the American Museum of Natural History in New York -- an eight year stint that led to the publication of his first book, Dinosaurs in the Attic and introduced him to his future writing partner, Lincoln Child, then working as an editor at St. Martin's Press. The two men bonded, as they worked closely together on the book. As the project neared completion, Preston treated Child to a private midnight tour of the museum, an excursion that proved fateful. As Preston tells it, "...in the darkened Hall of Late Dinosaurs, under a looming T. Rex, Child turned to [me] and said: 'This would make the perfect setting for a thriller!'" Their first collaborative effort, Relic, would not be published until 1995, by which time Preston had picked up stakes and moved to Santa Fe to pursue a full-time writing career.

In addition to writing novels (The Codex, Tyrannosaur Canyon) and nonfiction books on the American Southwest (Cities of Gold, Ribbons of Time), Preston has collaborated with Lincoln Child on several post-Relic thrillers. While not strictly a series, the books share characters and events, and the stories all take place in the same universe. The authors refer to this phenomenon as "The Preston-Child Pangea."

Preston divides his time between New Mexico and Maine, while Child lives in New Jersey -- a situation that necessitates a lot of long-distance communication. But their partnership (facilitated by phone, fax, and email) is remarkably productive and thoroughly egalitarian: They shape their plots through a series of discussions; Child sends an outline of a set of chapters; Preston writes the first draft of those chapters, which is subsequently rewritten by Child; and in this way the novel is edited back and forth until both authors are happy. They attribute the relatively seamless surface of their books to the fact that "[a]ll four hands have found their way into practically every sentence, at one time or another." (From Barnes & Noble website last accessed 3/12/09 http://search.barnesandnoble.com/Cemetery-Dance/Douglas-Preston/e/9781600242632/?itm=11#TABS)

Search of the Moon King's Daughter, by Linda Holeman

Set in Victorian England this novel explores the oppression of the working class during the industrial revolution. I read pretty extensively in this historical period and this tale seems to be well researched and authentic.

Emmaline, in her early teens, has to become the head of the household for her disabled, drug-addicted mother and younger deaf brother. It is the fairly "typical" Victorian tale of a poor but talented young girl (woman) who has to find her way in a world at time that is most hostile to her. It is sort of mid-way on the scale of Jane Eyre to Angela's Ashes.

There are adventures, and kind souls to counterbalance some of the grim realities of life. Emmaline fights hard to provide for her mother and brother, to find her brother after he is lost to the streets of London, and to return the family to some stable, healthy life.

The story is believable and well told. Holman has been recognized by several awards for the book including, YALSA Best Books for Young Adults, the McNally Robinson Book for Young People, Notable Books -> YALSA Best Books for Young Adults -> 2003" id="linkTeens->NotableBooks->YALSABestBooksforYoungAdults->2003"> and the Mr. Christie's Book Awardl.

Schooled, by Gordon Korman

I opened this at a particularly good time. My workplace is particularly crazy the last couple of weeks. I needed a reminder that there are multiple perspectives in any situation and that all have value.

This is a funny book, but also has social value for teens. The protagonist, Capricorn (Cap) Anderson, is the last flower child on the last "commune." His grandmother, Rain (Rachel Esther Rosenblatt), has held onto the principles of the commune long after everyone else has left. She and Cap keep the spirit alive and live happily--just the two of them--on the land. When Rain falls out of a tree and breaks her hip Cap becomes involved with the child protective services and public school.

As a complete "flower child," Cap has had no exposure to television, telephones, or even other people. He discovers that he really only knows one person, his grandmother. As a result of Rain's hospitalization Cap enters Claverage middle school. He is totally unprepared for anything in middle school (or actually is the modern world).

Korman's book lets us look at the issues we all deal with on a daily basis with new eyes. The journey with Cap into the 21st century is certainly worth the time. It will help everyone examine their own place in the world and choices made.

Middle school teachers tell me that their students are wild about this book. I give it 4 stars

Gossip Girl by Cecily von Ziegesar

I picked this up after reading a critical analysis of three series: Gossip Girl, The A List, and The Insiders (Glenn, 2008. Journal of Adolescent and Adult Literacy, 52:1). I hadn't heard of these series or the Gossip Girl television series.

Glenn doesn't look very favorably on these three series. They all take a look at the lives of the rich and privileged. I have a somewhat different take, at least on the first of the Gossip Girl books. I didn't read this as an endorsement of the privileged life style. I certainly didn't want to become one of the main characters. They seemed vulnerable to exactly the same pressures, anxieties, and social trap of any teen.

The book did portray more sex, drugs, and alcohol than I would expect of a YA novel. However, I didn't find the portrayal one that would attract me to those pursuits. Instead, for the most part the "bad" behaviors appeared to be just that--self destructive and unattractive.

Generally I didn't find the writing compelling. It is readable, but I am not going to run out and read the next title.