The Finisher by David Baldacci: This is fantasy, fully
packed with action, the first in a new series by Baldacci written for young
adults. The heroine, Vega Jane, and her mentally handicapped best friend Delph
conjure comparisons to Katniss and Peeta of the Hunger Games. They are in
constant danger, on the run, and at one point must even participate in a
village contest that takes place yearly in their home town Wormwood. As the
story unfolds, we begin to wonder where town’s people are disappearing to, and
are they protecting themselves from outside enemies or creating a prison for
themselves so they can’t ever leave. Monsters and magic will keep young readers
entertained to the last page. Although I had some trouble connecting to the
characters initially (this book reminds me of so many other fantasies
combined!), but by the end I was hooked!
The Island of Dr.
Libris by Chris
Grabstein: Grabsein is at it again as he creates a world where literary
characters actually come to life. Billy Gillfoyle has to spend the summer at a
recluse cabin in the woods by a lake. As Billy investigates the cottage he is
staying in, he finds a treasure, a bookcase loaded with classic children’s
tales such as Robinhood, Tom Sawyer, and Hercules. The problems begin when
Billy goes to investigate an island located in the middle of the lake and finds
that the characters from these books he has been reading while at the cottage
are coming to life on the island. Will he be able to get off the island? Will this summer end?
The Way Home Looks Now-
This is a touching story of a 12 year old Chinese American boy that loves
baseball and loves his family. But his family is grieving the loss of his older
brother and can’t seem to find their way back to living life. Can a simple
thing like little league baseball awaken the family and help them heal? Wendy
Wan-Long Shang weaves a wonderful story of loss, friendship, and hope all
centered around the Great American sport of baseball. Sports lovers will enjoy
this read –probably best suited for grades five and up.
Serafina and the Black Cloak- by Robert Beatty is an edge of
your seat, magic mystery! Set in the late 1800s at the famous Biltmore mansion in
North Carolina, twelve year old Serafina lives a hidden life in the basement of
the mansion with her father who runs all the “Modern” machines of the estate!
Children of the estate begin to mysteriously disappear and only Serafina and
her one and only friend Braeden Biltmore know that the man in a black cloak is
magically stealing away the souls of the missing. How can they stop this evil
being? Who will believe what they have seen? This is a suspenseful read, a
little scary possibly for younger readers because of the sorcery and death, but
definitely for intermediate and upper grade readers.