Jennifer Murdley's Toad

Jennifer Murdley's Toad by Bruce Coville

Jennifer Murdley is plain. It would be politically incorrect to call her ugly, but we could probably get away with calling her homely. And she is well aware of the fact. She would do just about anything to be pretty; at least she thinks she would. In the book, we find out if it is true.

We had a Jennifer Murdley in our grade school. Her name was even Jennifer. I don’t know if I realized it at the time, but physically, she had nothing going for her. I don’t do this to be mean. It’s the truth. She was short and stocky. She had no neck. Her eyes were small and beady. I cannot recall a color and that is something that I tend to remember. Her hair was short and a dark auburn. If there was a style, it would be called feathered. Her mouth was small and unremarkable. Her nose was the most memorable thing on her face. She wasn’t a brain and she wasn’t dumb. She was neither athletic nor musical. Everything about her was average. I wonder what, if anything, distinguished her from the herd for our teachers. And I wonder what she did that brought her joy, or if she was just trying to survive.

I can say this without guilt because I am far removed from that time. And I know for a fact how I felt myself back then. I felt unremarkable. I felt plain. I felt unpopular. Long, stringy, mousy brown hair. Plain old, unfascinating brown eyes. Freckles all over my nose. Quiet and shy. Didn’t want to be noticed or singled-out. Still trying to find my place in the pecking order. I was never the new kid, and it seemed like the new kids had it all.

I still remember the first time that someone outside of my family said something to the effect that I was pretty. It was in 8th grade. We were making pizzas to sell to raise money for a youth trip to Washington D.C. A high school junior that I knew well enough, came to me and said, “My older brother says you’re going to be a knock out when you get older.” I know I was flabbergasted and beet-red from nose to toes. And now I really wonder what happened before that and what happened after that because it still seems so surreal. Why would she have told me that. Why would a college man, or maybe even a graduate have reason to say that. I’m certain they don’t even remember the circumstances. We all still belong to the same church, so I could ask, but I’m sure I’m the only one who remembers. It was that important to me. That someone knew who I was and thought that I could be pretty.

This book was uncomfortable for me because it hit so close to home. We all want to belong and we’re all fighting for our right to exist. But it is also a fairy tale where the princess doesn’t take center stage and she doesn’t even win. It is the underdog who is the heroine and for once she takes center stage and has the courage to fight back.

In a world where some of the most popular books are called Uglies and Pretties, I wonder who will want to read about a Toad. It’s a sweet book about 5th graders, but I wonder if it is already too late for them to benefit from the wisdom of this book …

Fallout

Fallout by Ellen Hopkins

A mother was in with her brood the other day. Specifically, I was at the library and they were visiting. We were all discussing good series. She mentioned that she liked to read the books first before her children did, but that she had a hard time keeping up. She is busy and their reading is voracious and she has several children with varied tastes. Her number one complaint was that some series will start out innocently, but by the later books, they will become slightly offensive. For example, if you like Harry Potter and are not opposed to magic and kissing, you think you are fine. And then you read the last book and Ron is "effing" all over the placing. This would be comparable to "darning" or "goshing" everywhere only much less acceptable. Perhaps Rowling would have done better by having Ron say "freaking" or "frigging" or "frilling" instead.


I read Crank and Glass and although they cover serious topics that are sometimes hard for parents to discuss with their children, I did not find them overly graphic. I even suggested that they might be good books to read with your teen especially when covering the topics of drugs and sex. Even a good girl can crash. And. Boys will say the darndest things to get what they want.

Fallout completes the trilogy. Although I had the opportunity to read them one after the other, it would appear that the third book was long waited for. Perhaps here is an explanation. Fallout occurs 19 years after Glass and it follows the lives of Kristina's oldest three children. We no longer get to see Kristina's view point. We no longer identify with her or feel sorry for her. No, now we observe from the view points of Hunter, Autumn and Summer. We get to see the mother that they hate because she doesn't act like a mother should.

Hunter was born at the end of the first book and was later adopted by Kristina's parents, Hunter's grandparents. He has a good life. His mother/grandmother is a famous author and they are well-off. He is in college and he holds a job. He has never met his father although he is aware of the circumstances of his coming into existence – rape.

Autumn was conceived at the end of Glass. She is Trey's daughter. Her parents were married briefly. When they were both incarcerated, she was taken by her Aunt Cora, Trey's sister, and her grandfather, Trey and Cora's father. Autumn knows very little about her biological mother.

Summer is the product of yet another man. The very man that broke up Kristina and Trey. Summer has lived in various foster homes, but soon ends up yet again with her alcoholic, druggy father and one of his many live-in girlfriends. Summer has had some contact with her mother.

I cannot help but share. Kristina has two more sons born of a fourth man, an abusive man. During this book, the boys move in with Hunter and his "parents" while Kristina tries to break ties with their father, kinda, maybe, sorta.

For me, having three different viewpoints, while the book may not be any more graphic than the first two, I tend to find it more offensive on the whole. Sex, drugs and alcohol times three.

I get the point. Meth addiction affects everyone and generations of a family. It is far-reaching and ugly. But this book was too much, even for me.

My Side of the Mountain

My Side of the Mountain by Jean Craighead George

Here is a book that I should have read a long time ago. I knew this too. I am not saying this after the fact. It has been on my list forever. I just kept pushing it further and further down. Why is that?

The subject matter does not attract me. I am not the kind of girl who likes to camp out. I don't think of that as any kind of vacation. Not that I wouldn't enjoy it once I was out there roughing it, because I have. It's just not something I think about doing.

I checked out the trilogy copy as opposed to the individual titles. 600 pages of book is more daunting than three 200 page books. I even had to convince myself that I didn't have to read it straight through. I am a nut!

The cover is not all that exciting. It is the truth. It is just not colorful enough for me.
It received a Newbery Honor in 1960. I will leave it at that. I am not going to call it old.

I just wasn't chomping at the bit to read it. Everything else on my shelf looked more exciting. And I have not been reading as voraciously as I am accustomed to. I think I am getting tired.

Ms. George has refreshed me. Her book pleased me. The book soothed me. It sang a little song to my soul. And it gave me hope. I don't know if I can explain it.

Every child wants to run away. Some get as far as the street corner. Some can stay away as long as a day. The majority only imagine attempts.

Sam is different. He means what he says and he says what he means. He is prepared for the task. He has been educated for accomplishment. None of the adults believe him nor do they believe in him. Well, except for the librarian. I think some of us librarians must be children who never grew up. We don't want to. And we live vicariously through our books and the children who read and enjoy them.

Sam pays attention to details. He learns to distinguish between the different birds and animals. He recognizes the different poses of his falcon so he is alerted to danger and the different types of danger that await him. He remembers what he has seen, read, heard. He knows what plants he can eat and which parts to avoid.

Sam is an artist extraordinaire. He hunts, designing his own traps and baits. He fishes, developing the best ways and times and tools. He cooks, experimenting with the fruit of the land. He makes his own clothes, designing for comfort, functionality and warmth. He makes up songs. He keeps a journal. He is multitalented. He recognizes what needs to be done and then does it. Sam is a Liberal Arts Major!

My favorite part is that he is a good host. He welcomes others to his home. He provides for them. He serves them. He treats them like royalty, giving them the best he has. He gives up his own bed and tree to make room for them. He relishes the opportunity to give them his finest.

And the best part. He recognizes that he is lonely. He recognizes that he misses people. And he is willing to quit. I could learn from him. I never know when to quit. As if I must always prove myself even when I already have.

I think Sam was meant to teach me something. I'm missing out on life and beauty. I'm too wired. Too connected without be connected at all. It's time for a change. Don't think I can disappear for a year …

The Lost Hero

      The Lost Hero by Rick Riordan

      Talk about the dumbing down of a nation. Do we even edit anymore? I am not talking about misspelled words either. I am talking about missing words. Important words like helping verbs. Once upon a time, when I was in grade school, I remember a teacher explaining to the class how an author might "mark" their work to protect it until it had received its copyright. They would use a single error on a given page. We are not talking about a single error here. We are talking about so many errors, that I could not forgive them. Terrible, terrible editting! No book needs to be rushed to print so fast. I am embarrassed for them.

However, I loved the book anyway.

The missing words were quite jilting. Some people might have read right through them. It is certainly possible to be that inattentive. I happen to pay attention to detail. I am very detail-oriented. And it drove me mad. I’m mad. You’re mad. We’re all mad here.

But I loved the book anyway.

What fabulous ideas, Riordan has. I do not know if they are uniquely his. I do not believe I have read anything like this before. I am certainly not as well-versed in adult literature.

In the Percy Jackson and the Olympians series, demigods are born of the union between a Greek god – Zeus, Poseidon, Aphrodite – and a mortal. The Greek gods still live on Mount Olympus, but it has traveled with Democracy from Greece to America. They are well-educated and philosophical.

In the Heroes of Olympus series, a new kind of demigod is introduced. The newest hero is Jason and he turns out to be the son of a Roman god. But if you will remember, the Romans adored Greek culture and they took the Grecian gods and made them their own, but called them by Roman names – Jupiter, Neptune, Venus.

BUT THEY ARE STILL THE SAME GODS. The king of the gods is still Zeus/Jupiter. He is still the king of the sky. It is the same “person” only now they display some new characteristics. The Romans were soldiers. They built an empire. They assimilated the peoples from the surrounding countries including the Greeks. So the modern day Romanesque gods are a little more war-like. Yeah, just great!

Which leads to a problem. The Roman demigods and the Greek demigods, historically, do NOT get along. In fact, it is suggested that many if not all revolutions and civil wars can be attributed to their struggle.

So why were we not aware of this? The two “camps” have been separated for their own protection. Very, very cool. What’s better than one camp full of demigods lead by a centaur? Two camps full of demigods lead by unusual teachers.

Another idea that I simply relish: These gods are pretty amazing, bordering upon God-like. What do I mean? They are not God. Riordan does not make them out to be God. They are not perfect. They are not all-powerful. They are not all-knowing. They can be manipulated and used. They have tempers and conflicts. They play favorites.
BUT! They are gods all the same. They are too big for us to fathom. They cannot be contained. They can be many things all at once. They can be many places all at once. They can be both nurturing and destructive. And when they are in their full glory, they can kill you merely by their presence. I truly enjoyed Riordan’s descriptions of these gods and goddesses. They helped me to come to a better understanding of my God and a better appreciation of His Goodness and Mercy.

The Family Under the Bridge

The Family Under the Bridge Natalie Savage Carlson

First imagine that it's present day, present time Decatur.

Now imagine, a young mother of three children and a dog. She is a widow. She has been forced to take a job, but the wage is not sufficient to provide shelter for the family. Afraid that the authorities will take her children from her and split them up, she takes them out of school and moves them to live under the safety of a bridge over the river.

She must leave the children alone everyday while she works. It is up to the oldest daughter to maintain order. I'm guessing she is not yet ten. She cares for her younger brother, possibly eight. And her little sister, I'll say a young five-year-old. They have strict instructions to stay hidden under the bridge.

Now imagine a homeless man. He is the kind of man who chooses this life. It is his choice not to be bound by a job. His possessions amount to what he can carry in his grocery cart. I imagine him to look like a thin Santa Claus. You've seen them before. Long white/grey hair and beards. And he is on his way back to his winter dwelling. The bridge.

Of course he finds three young children have usurped his particular section of bridge. And he wants nothing to do with them. You see, children have a way of wrapping you around their little finger and the bum wants nothing to do with responsibility. Of course it's too late once he feeds them from his cart.

But help is on the way! Would you want your children befriending a homeless man while you're away at work? I didn't think so. The whole scenario is a bit scary really.

Welcome to a 1959 Newbery Honor winner. It is not the streets of Decatur, but the streets of Paris. It is not today, but the 50's. Still! What a strange story. Kind of "it takes a village" including the town bum. And the gypsies. And the dockworkers. And the nuns. Actually there are several helpful bums including a Santa Claus at a department store.

And what would these children like Santa Claus to bring them? A home. And not just any home. Preferably a little gypsy house on wheels. Of course, the brother would like nothing more than to live with the gypsies, stay out of school and travel with them to Provençe.

A sweet little, quick little read. A nice break from the current popular kids' fiction where you can automatically see the movie playing out in your head.

Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Ugly Truth

Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Ugly Truth by Jeff Kinney

I was only slightly embarrassed a couple of times by carrying this particular book around with me. But first, I was proud of myself. Mr. John, fellow DPL Children's blogger, welcome John, checked in this new book. He began to read the first few pages and proceeded to read the entire book in one 40-minute sitting. FIRST. And it was MY book. MY request. MY turn. Hrrumph! Oh, but wait. I was proud of myself because I didn't let it bother me. That's my story and I'm sticking with it.

See, I was actually quite pleased to hear that it was a quickie. Every once in a while, you need a break from the epic trilogies and Wimpy Kid has become my break. Of course, I didn't have 40 minutes of time all at one time in which to read MY copy. I had to do it in 2 sittings. And here is where the embarrassment comes in.

The first sitting – I was waiting outside of my daughter, Gabi's, dance class with my book as always. And in walks the triplets. Two boys and a girl. And one of the boys was sporting a brand new purple-covered Wimpy Kid. I'm guessing they are around 9 years old. I was faced with this fact – this child is my peer. We read the same books. I'm just a female and 30 years older.

The second sitting – I was at Guadalajara eating my dinner on break from the library. I went to pay my bill, armed with my purple book in hand. A lovely woman was standing at the checkout counter and remarked, "Oh! Well, then it must be good." Her son was reading it too. She didn't know if it was really a good choice for him or not. But seeing me read it, apparently made it okay for her child to read it. I believe I mumbled something along the lines of, "I'm a librarian. It's my job." As if I wouldn't read it otherwise. Would I? Hey, probably not. I am vindicated!

Nothing offensive here. As usual. Simple 5th-6th grade boy humor. Lovely.

One section had me laughing out loud. Okay, spewing chips and salsa and maybe some white cheese sauce. It was so true in my mind.

In this book, number five in the Wimpy Kid series, Greg's mom decides to head back to school. Improve herself. Do something for herself. And the men of the house, all four of them, are going to have to take on a little more of the responsibilities of running the household. They will have to pack their own lunches, make their own dinners and do the laundry.

Since mom is no longer around to help with homework, and big brother isn't exactly an academic type, it is up to Greg's dad to assist with his studies. Now mom was really great at helping Greg come up with the appropriate answers. Strike that. Make it – Greg's mom was really great at giving Greg all of the answers. But dad wants his son to learn something and really understand the mechanics behind the lessons.

Problem is – school isn't taught the same way it was taught years ago when dad was in junior high. The result? Dad takes about two hours to read Greg's textbook in order to teach his son the current, proper way to do the math problems. This really cuts into Greg's TV time!

But it gets worse! Dad is a lick-his-finger-to-turn-the-page page turner! It is extremely hard to figure in your head when you're trying desperately to remember all of the pages your father's saliva is stuck to! Ew, YUCK!

Welcome to my house. I'm not telling who's who.

Kids WILL buy this one and read it over and over and over and over again! I've already see the proof.

Halt's Peril

Halt's Peril by John Flanagan

Librarians and teachers can be your very best friends. They certainly have servant's hearts. They will go out of their way to help you. Often times, they will continue to help you long after you have given up.

During DPL's Summer Reading Program, we rely heavily upon volunteers. Our adult volunteers are primarily retired librarian's; school librarians; and teachers, both retired and working. They continue to come back every year, so I have to assume that they enjoy it at least as much as we do, if not more. And we couldn't do it without them.

When we get to sit at the Summer Reading desk with one our volunteers, one of our favorite conversations is … I know, big surprise … what the other is currently reading or what is new to recommend. Every once in a while, you will find someone with the same tastes in children's books. I found that someone in a Decatur Public School Kindergarten teacher.

When Marsha visits the library during the school year, it is almost like Christmas. She is guaranteed to brighten my day. Have you read? Yes. How about? No. Then you must. Have you listened to? No. You really should. It's priceless. Have you heard of the? Yes, it's one of my favorites. Do you think I'll like it? You won't be able to put it down. It's that good.

Some of you may have heard or realized that the DPL book budget is semi frozen. It is November and we have only spent just under 8% of our usual book budget in Children's. Usually, we order at least three and sometimes up to six copies of a book that is known to be popular. Right now, we are lucky if we own one copy. In some instances we do not own any.

Being a heavy reader, I can feel the pinch. I have to wait longer to get the books I want to read and have had to order them from other libraries. In the past, this was unheard of. Marsha and I had to wait months to get a copy of Ranger's Apprentice Book 8. So where am I going with this?

Recently, I arrived at work and went to my desk to unload my burden. And there, sitting all bright and shiny, upon my desk, was a copy of Ranger's Apprentice Book 9 with a note from Marsha. She just had to buy it. She could NOT wait. And she knew that I would be eager to read it as well. So take my time and enjoy. WOW. Like I said – Christmas.

Crazier still, she had asked her husband to do it for her. A week later she visited to make sure I had received it and inform me that I would need a box of tissues. Another week later she visited and I was excited to tell her that I was finally going to be able to start it – that – very – day! And now I am finished, and it is sitting on my desk waiting for her next visit.

Suffice it to say, one librarian and one teacher agree that this book is not only worth the read, it is worth the purchase. I certainly would not mind receiving the complete boxed set for Christmas some year. It would be my own personal copy that I would willingly share with everyone just like my Chronicles of Narnia. Hmmmm. Come to think of it, I've owned at least three, maybe four sets of those … where do they all go?

Chucaro: Wild Pony of the Pampa

Chucaro: Wild Pony of the Pampa by Francis Kalnay

Here is a Newbery Honor book from 1957. DPL no longer owns a copy, so I had to request it. In fact, now that I'm reading the books from the 50s, more and more of them will have to be requested. I am not looking forward to the books that are so old I have to interlibrary loan them. Somebody, please talk me out of my obsession to read everything on God's Great Earth!

People talk about a time when life was simpler and slower. Work was harder. Leisure time was perhaps non-existent. And I think this book reflects that. Today, books have to be full of action and adventure. They have to be enormous even if they don't really say a whole lot. Kids and myself devour them and quickly rush to the next … rush.

I find it so refreshing to sit down with a book that could technically be read in one one-hour sitting. This book has five to six important characters – tops! And really just two characters that you need to care about. There are maybe three or four settings, but one main one where all the action is. And it is NOT a vast "castle" with many rooms. It’s a corral on a ranch.

The book jacket will tell you that this story is about a boy and his horse. The boy, Pedrito, discovers a wild pony on the estate lands. The pony is a rare, pink color which of course makes the pony valuable in the boys mind. Pedrito is so intent on making the pony his own, that he asks the primary ranch-hand to lasso the pony for him. He doesn't want to miss the pony himself and chance the pony bolting off.

The conflict in the story arises when the Owner of the estate asks his Manager to acquire a pony for his son and the Manager thinks that the pink pony will make a fine present for the Owner's son. Not only is it an unusual color, but it is already tamed and the Manager cannot acquire such a specimen quickly. Now, the pony was on the estate lands, therefore it would belong to the Owner, however, the pony was captured and tamed specifically for Pedrito. Both parties will argue their claim to the pony that is called Chúcaro.

The argument is settled by allowing the Owner's son the opportunity to try to lasso Chúcaro himself.

Having read the story, I would disagree with the book jacket. This story is not so much about Pedrito and his beloved pony, Chúcaro. It is more about the ranch hand Juan who lassos the pony for him. He is made out to be the hero of the story.

Pedrito's mother is deceased. He is left with a depressed and alchoholic father who used to be a cowboy, but now chooses to drink when he is not sleeping and sleep when he is not drinking. And it is Juan who raises the boy. It is Juan who teaches Pedrito the ropes of being a ranch hand. And he does a fine job. Pedrito idolizes him.

Juan chooses to sleep outside under the stars, but he has a small shack where he keeps his valuables including a wanted poster, a postcard, a map and a picture of a waterfall. The wanted poster was a gift from the sheriff, for if anyone was to capture the criminal, it would be Juan. The poster is ten years old. The postcard was from a girl who didn't provide a return address so Juan couldn't reply even if he wanted to. The map is to plot his route to visit the actual waterfall. And the waterfall is the the paradise that he only dreams about.

What will it take to make Juan realize his dream … a boy and his pony.

Into the Gauntlet

Into the Gauntlet by Margaret Peterson Haddix

I was giddy with delight when I finally had Book 10 in my hand. Happy Dance! The end is near! And then Mr. John spoiled if for me entirely by discovering that the adventure will continue with not only The Black Book of Buried Secrets, but also Vespers Rising. Deflated.

This is where you all jump in and say, "But you don't have to read them all." Okay, double dog dare me and I might attempt to ignore them.

This, the 10th and semi-final book in the series, is written by one of my favorite children's authors, Margaret Peterson Haddix, author of the Among the Hidden series. While she is an excellent writer, this series is not her brainchild and therefore cannot compete with the library of her own original work.

I wonder if having multiple authors tackling individual installments of the series actually improved the series? A positive thought is that a child would read the series because they loved the Lightning Thief and therefore would pick anything by Rick Riordan up. And then they child might discover Gordon Korman or Jude Watson. On the other hand, no one author has the ability to put their personal mark on the series. I have a feeling that this prevented the characters being fleshed out in a more satisfying light.

One thing that I particularly like about the 10th book is that we got a better feel for the intentions more of the key players. Within a single chapter, we might get a glimpse of what Jonah, Ian, Hamilton or Alistair were thinking. I've always felt we as readers were better in tune with Amy and Dan because they are the main characters and that is as it should be. But I truly enjoyed finding out the more personal motivations behind some of the other characters.

On the other hand, there was one thing in particular that I didn't like about this installment. The book was significantly thicker than the previous volumes. It would see that there would be more meat to the story. Unfortunately, most of the book felt rushed. For instance, the gauntlet seemed to be broken and the players just ran from room to room. The characters could have been forced to work together to master the gauntlet. Instead, the characters were forced to work together through tragedy and were able to bypass the gauntlet.

The best part of this book is that it is finished. It took me forever to trudge my way through it. I just wasn’t on the edge of my seat to finish it. I finally had to sit myself down without a clock and read until I was done.

I don't want to spoil the series for anyone, so again, I'm left by saying "I told you so," and "I knew it," and "Didn't you see that coming?"

I'm excited for my next review. I finally got a chance to read something older. It's always a thrill to experience the way literature used to read!

ArchEnemy

ArchEnemy by Frank Beddor

This book is the third and final installment in a trilogy, but I have not reviewed the first two here. This is a good thing for you. Having read all three, I can prevent you from wasting your time.

Where to start? The trilogy is called The Looking Glass Wars and is also the title of the first book. The second book is called Seeing Red. The premise behind the series is that Alice and Wonderland are real, but Lewis Carol got the story wrong. I would describe the series best as Alice in Wonderland meets The Matrix.

Why did I gravitate to the book? You see that people collect things. You know someone who has a collection of sheep or birds or turtles or piano music. They mentioned at one time that they liked "sheep" and from that moment on they were gifted with sheep of every shape, size or color. Well, I love Alice. Always have and probably always will. I can identify with Alice one day and the Cheshire cat the next. And I have a collection of various editions of the book, various tea pots, Christmas ornaments and stuffed animals. They were even on display at the library recently. So of course, I hear of a new version of Alice and I own it.

Alice's Adventures in Quantumland is better reading. Seriously. I'm thinking of reading it again. I've got a copy if anyone would like to borrow it. Want to understand quarks? It's right here at my library desk.Lovely, it is.

Characters … you have Alyss Heart, the rightful Queen of Wondertropolis.To protect her, she is sent through the Pool of Tears to London where she is placed with the Liddells and meets Charles Dodgson. She tells the story of who she is and where she has come from to the Reverend Dodgson and he believes she has a fabulous imagination. Which, by the way, is true. However, while she is telling the truth, he believes it to be a story and decides to immortalize it in the now famous book. And he transforms a world at war into nonsensical fluff!

For instance, the White Rabbit is an anagram for Bibwit Harte, the longevous tutor for the royal family that happens to be very pale and have very long ears. The Mad Hatter is a spoof of Hatter Madigan, the Milliner. Consider him the best of an elite special forces group. Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dum are based upon General Doppelgänger, the General of the troops who happens to be able to split into Generals Doppel and Gänger seemingly to infinite numbers as needed to direct military actions. And the hookah-smoking caterpillar seems to be a right-on description of the Oracles of Wonderland who reveal the future to the Royal Family, but instead of one, there are six.

And then there is the most frightenly magnificent - The Cat who became the Cheshire Cat. Imagine a killing machine/assassin, a humanoid cat who can transform into an innocent looking kitten at a moment's notice. Oh, and The Cat has nine lives.

There was so much potential there. I enjoyed the first so much. Second was all right. This, the third, well, it fell flat. It took forever to read. Most of it was confusing. There wasn't a whole lot of Alyss and she's the main character! The villains became more clownish than anything. And the true scary characters could have come out of a Hellbound/Pinhead movie. Nightmares!

So, if you're a diehard like me, go ahead and try it, but there is so much better out there in the way of books. Maybe the movie will be fantastic. I here the author is really a screenplay writer …

City of Glass

City of Glass by Cassandra Clare

I don't normally do this, but the following passage resonated with me and I marked it:

“Oh, Clary,” Amatis said. “Don’t you see? There’s always something you can do. It’s just people like me who always tell themselves otherwise. I told myself there was nothing I could do about Luke. I told myself there was nothing I could do about Stephen leaving me. And I refuse even to attend the Clave’s meetings because I tell myself there’s nothing I can do to influence their decision, even when I hate what they do. But then when I do choose to do something – well, I can’t even do that one thing right.” Her eyes shone, hard and bright in the firelight. “Go to bed, Clary,” she finished. “And from now on, you can come and go as you please. I won’t do anything to stop you. After all, like you said, there’s nothing I can do.”

I'm really feeling this right now. Impotent is what I call it. And it calls to my attention that Amatis is an adult and Clary is the child. In children's literature, the children are always the characters willing to move forward, to invite change, to take the leap. And adults are inept or dead.

Am I inept or dead?

I guess I'm inept

I have to be careful about what I write or else I might say too much and spoil it.

Instead I will provide a couple of excerpts from my favorite scene. Here's number one:
Valentine: The Nephilim you created were a great race of men. For many years they valiantly battled to rid this planet of the demon taint. But they have failed due to weakness and corruption in their ranks. I intend to return them to their former glory-


Raziel: Glory? The Angel sounded faintly curious, as if the word were strange to him. Glory belongs to God alone.
If you have read the previous two books in this trilogy you will understand the premise. The Angel Raziel shared his blood with humans in order to make the Nephilim to fight the demons that invade our world. Throughout, the Nephilim, or Shadowhunters, have expressed doubt in there even being a God. Valentine in particular has always been jealous that the Downworlders; vampires, lycanthropes, fairies, and warlocks; are stronger in many ways than the Nephilim. Downworlders are humans infected by demon blood.

I was so excited for Raziel to not only acknowledge God, but also to give adoration where adoration is due. In addition it gave me a mini slap in the face. We say words like awesome and glorious with very little acknowledgement of the One and Only True Example of Awesome and Glorious.

Here's number two:
Raziel: God asked Abraham to sacrifice his son on an altar much like this one, to see who it was that Abraham loved more, Isaac or God. But no one asked you to sacrifice your son, Valentine.
I'm sorry, maybe it's inappropriate, but I just loved to see this. God's Word spoken as Truth in fiction. It's done so rarely in the secular world of literature. You can only talk about God in traditional Christian Fiction. OR if it is just a part of daily life thrown in, but not forced upon the reader.

I'll be done for today. I enjoyed the book. I have nothing additional to add beyond what I've mentioned about the series in the past reviews.

Glass

Glass by Ellen Hopkins

This is a 680 page book that I read in 2 days.

If it were written in prose rather than free verse, it might be more realistically a 340 page book.

Still, when the Caudill Nominees are out and I am reading fanatically to get them back on the shelf, I read about 100 pages a day on a fruitful day.

So whether or not this is good literature, I obviously couldn’t put it down

Glass is the second in a trilogy that began with Crank. I read Crank because it won the Abraham Lincoln Readers’ Choice Award that is geared toward High School kids.

I think we’ve established that I love lists and I tend to be obsessive in conquering them. I think we’ve also established that I like to complete series. I cannot leave them unfinished. I might miss something. Perhaps it is a chance for a bit of control on my part in a world where I have very little.

So I come to this review wondering how I should handle it. Did I enjoy the book? Yes. Was it frightening? Yes. Were there drugs? Of course. Sex? A lot implied, but not in graphic detail. Is this book useful? Yes. Will it be used in a useful manner? Probably not.

I imagine that a lot of kids will read it to live vicariously through the character of Kristina and her alter-ego Bree. It provides the chance to live the dangerous life of a “bad” girl without the conquences of said life. We read books to experience new adventures that maybe otherwise we could never achieve.

This is one of the reasons that I prefer Fantasy and Science Fiction. They tend to be otherworldly. I like to escape into a good book. Happy endings are optional. I dislike “contemporary realistic fiction” primarily because it is an ever possible reality.

In the last week, I watched Diane Sawyer present a news report on the growing epidemic of high school aged heroin addicts. The kids were buying Oxycontin to get high until the cost rose beyond their means. I read $80 per pill. Heroin dealers moved in and began to sell bags of heroine for $5.

I visited the ABC News website and found an article on a young mother of a four-year-old daughter, five-months pregnant and addicted to heroine. She’s fighting a seven-year addiction that began with prescription drugs.

I was never tempted. I feared the wrath of MOM. I was a good child. I was relatively dependable. Disappointments were rare. I might have pushed curfew a time or two. I might have dated the wrong boy. My world was basically safe.

I could have easily been Kristina. I was gullible and impressionable and I would have adored recognition of my existence. I was lucky that an opportunity never presented itself.

I still think that Crank is an opportunity to share a dangerous threat in a safe environment. Glass, perhaps deserves an older audience. It is not so much a continued downward spiral, as continued rock bottom.

There are reviewers who are afraid that these books glamorize meth-addiction. I think that these books are very readable and can even capture the attention of the reluctant readers who may be more in need of a safety net.

The Necromancer

The Necromancer: The Secrets of the Immortal Nicholas Flamel by Michael Scott

I had a patron come into the library, having finished this book, to tell me that I would not like it. Luckily, I managed to cut her off before she could go much further. I hate to be primed or given any spoiler info. Spoiler info includes, "You will probably need a tissue, I did." I'm that anal OR that much of a purist. You can decide. I hate going into anything with expectations. I love to be surprised. I hate to be disappointed. In this case, I was pleasantly surprised. Yes, really.

Number one. This addition to the series is much shorter – nearly half the size of the others. That actually helps. Perhaps there should have been more editting of the others. Perhaps they should have been broken down more. Perhaps the decision to present them according to strict titles was a mistake. I like the titles. They speak to something in my nature. But are they too rigid for creativity? Are they misleading? Do they drive the content too much? Case in point:

Artemis Fowl The Atlantis Complex. The publisher asked the author for headway on the next book. The author provided the publisher with the title. The publisher hired the illustrator to design the book cover. The cover was presented to the author. The cover shows Artemis in the water with Atlantis in the background. The author had never intended Atlantis to be visited in the book. It was merely the name of the mental illness affecting his main character. Hence a new direction for the story to be integrated. The cover was created without thought to the story line and therefor the story line was changed. Backwards? Ya' think?

Number two. The inevitable FINALLY happens! Spoiler alert. Josh finally goes over to the so-called darkside. It's been blatantly foreshadowed from the first book. About time. It's just not believable. All along, I have not bought into it. I will preface this argument by saying that he might have left Flamel for Dee under the "possession" of Mars Ultor. I cannot remember. But if this is the case, and I wish I could grab of copy the book, then there is no point for the building argument for Josh to desert Flamel.

I do not believe that Josh would turn to the darkside for three reasons. The first and primary reason is his twin sister Sophie. We have been led to believe that they are uniquely connected, like most twins would have us believe. They are relying upon each other during this incredible crisis of change in their life. If your sibling is the only one helping you keep your sanity, why on earth would you desert her?!?!?!?!

Reason two is that Flamel supposedly is not to be trusted. Ok, that's fine. He might not have been explicit in his plans, purposes or goals. But he is an adult, an immortal with the goal of saving the world with very little time in which to do it. Despite the size of theses books, by the time we reach this one, less than two weeks have occurred and all action-packed. It is not about intimate conversations and communications. It's about making sacrifices to save the world. Just another reason why have little tolerance for whiney Luke Skywalker – I mean Josh.

And reason three is that Dee smells bad when he uses magic – sulfur or rotten eggs. If that's not an indication to stay away from him, what is?

I am thrilled that this series seems to be coming to its conclusion! As always, it is the adults – the immortals – that are fun to follow. Favorite new character? Another twin!

Artemis Fowl: The Atlantis Complex

Artemis Fowl: The Atlantis Complex by Eoin Colfer

I'm going to preface this review by saying, I've become a little "mental" myself. I'm not really sure if it is clinical or imagined. But this book was all the more enjoyable, because I could relate to it.

Artemis Fowl, criminal mastermind, teen genious, is losing his mind. Sheer brilliance!

Artemis, a human, has somehow contracted a fairy psychosis – Atlantis Complex. Atlantis Complex is triggered in fairies by guilt – enormous loads of guilt. Symptoms include obsessive-compulsive disorder, paranoia and even multiple personality disorder. Artemis has plenty of guilt, but he'snot a fairy. HOWEVER, we all know that Artemis has one hand in the human world and the other in the fairy realm. Playing with fairy magic has finally backfired.

Artemis' OCD presents itself in an obsession with numbers. He is very comfortable and secure with 5s and any multiple thereof. 4s, however, are BAD. Didn't you know that the Chinese word for 4 sounds very similar to the Chinese word for death? Americans may be superstitious about 13, but 4 is much worse.

Artemis always responds in 5-word phrases. When he must give a presentation, he writes it and memorizes so that he is certain it contains enough words to form a multiple of 5. Interuptions and questions and any adlibbing create anxiety.

If there is to be a meeting, there must be exactly 5 people in attendance. It must start at a time ending in 5.

And all of this counting makes for very odd and stunted conversations. Not too mention, Artemis doesn't really sound like Artemis anymore.

Paranoia?Artemis cannot trust the very people he has learned to count upon. He sends Butler, his ever-present bodyguard, off on a wild goose chase to keep him away.

Multiple Personality Disorder? Let me introduce Orion, Artemis' alter-ego. Orion's favorite pasttime is professing his abounding love to LEP Captain Holly Short. How embarrassing, but offering much comic relief.

Artemis' downward spiral was quite enjoyable to watch, but that was where the enjoyment ended. This book was shorter than we've come to expect from the series and I'm glad. It took me awhile to muddle through it. It didn't advance the overall story. It was almost an aside to the main conversation.

Anybody watch the Star Trek spin off series a decade ago? I'm talking Next Generation, Voyager and Deep Space 9. I'll start off by saying I never really watched the original TV series. I've definitely watched all of the movies at least once. Next Generation was the first series I followed fanatically. Huge crush on Picard. Oops, I said too much … I liked Voyager just fine. I was still comfortable with traveling on a ship, through space, and meeting new people and going to new places. But DS9 was DIFFERENT. It was obviously a part of the franchise. It was great for cameo appearances. But it always felt stuck because you could never GO anywhere on a space station.

In a round about way, this is how Atlantis Complex read. I'd call it a companion novel. Not necessarily the 7th book in the series. Maybe it's quitting time.

Some thoughts and ideas were hard to follow. Some minor characters from previous books came back in minor ways. In the end, the great calamity was caused by an unusual love story. Is this what Artemis Fowl readers like? I think not.

The Red Pyramid

The Red Pyramid by Rick Riordan

I'm so glad that for once I wasn't a book snob.

I remember when The Lightning Thief first came out in 2005. Another of my favorite books, Wolf Brother by Michelle Paver, was also published in 2005. I became interested in both when I checked them in as new books to our collection. Both the covers and the jacket summaries caught my attention, but at the time I was very busy reading the Rebecca Caudill Nominees and the Newbery Honor winners.

It was soon made obvious that our avid readers LOVED The Lightning Thief. Boys were coming in droves asking for it. I made a mental note that I would need to read it when I finished my current reading project. But the Rebecca Caudill Nominees 2009 announcement changed my priorities in 2008. Both of these books were on the list and so they moved up on my reading list.

And I loved both! As soon as I had finished the new crop of Caudill nominees, I diverted myself to devouring the Percy Jackson and the Olympians series and the Chronicles of Ancient Darkness series. I read Book 2 of the first and then Book 2 of the second. Then I read Book 3 of the first followed by Book 3 of the second. And I had an extremely hard time determining which series I preferred because I found both to be excellent.

When The Lightning Thief hit the theaters and a new crop of reluctant readers began to find their way to the library to read the series, I finally made my choice. I chose Wolf Brother and probably because it didn't sell out to Hollywood. And also primarily because the series is not complete and so I have more to look forward to.

My jaw dropped when I heard that Rick Riordan was publishing a new series known as the Kane Chronicles. The request list skyrocketed as soon as the item record was added to the catalog database. And I refused to join the fandom. A little like a U2 fan dropping the band as soon as they made the Top 40 with the masses. "How dare the man ink another book to the blueprint of his first series to be launched on the energy of a media-fueled mania for the motion picture of the original piece!" BREATHE.

I discovered a second catalog record for The Red Pyramid with a much shorter waiting period. And I quietly requested it. I secreted it home. I placed it on a shelf eager to NOT rush into it. I started reading it with snobbish disdain.

(Anyone who knows me, knows that I rarely use strong language. When I do, it is when I am impassioned or at wits end.)

"Gosh Darn it! I LOVE it!"

It's not like Percy Jackson at all. I think it's better.

I appreciated that they flipped the personalities of the brother and sister. Sadie is the brave and reckless sibling. Carter is the mild-mannered, cautious brainiac. Hard for me to identify with the appropriate gender, but this would be a delightful change for many.

It is a brilliant move to introduce the Western Civilization to another culture's rich mythology. I've dabbled in many, but most of us Liberal Arts grads are only fluent in Greek and Roman.

I adored the biracial family and how it is a part of the mindset even if it is only a small part of the internal dialog.

Now if I can just get over myself and accept that Riordan is going to publish yet a another series concurrently with this one. But I suppose with the proceeds from a movie, he has the time on his hands. Already on the request list for The Last Hero: Heroes of Olympus.

City of Ashes

City of Ashes by Cassandra Clare

I might need an intervention. But I've discovered that I'm not alone in my obsession. There are actually other people out there, just like me, who feel compelled to finish all of the books in all of the series they have started. No matter how disappointed we are in the series. No matter how lackluster a series is. And no matter how much we tell ourselves that we are reading inferior literature, we simply cannot look away from the train wreck.

I began reading the Mortal Instruments trilogy because the first, City of Bones, won the Illinois Abraham Lincoln Award. I can definitely see why the teens like it. Vampires and werewolves and demons and love triangles are all very popular and not just right now, but they have been for a long time. When I was a teen, I had the works of Anne Rice including Interview With a Vampire. So in retrospect, I am glad there is a new resurgence of this genre specifically for the young adults. My mother probably shouldn't have encouraged my thirst for Rice's handiwork.

Having read this, the 2nd in the trilogy, I stumbled upon the fact that there are now two other trilogies in the works to be prequels, sequels, or maybe simply companions to this original work. And I have to ask myself, "are they worthy of my time?" And in two respects, yes - for a break and for a little fun.

I have talked to many teachers and librarians who fall back on acknowledged trash in order to give their minds a rest. Such novels require very little thought. I would consider it my dirty little secret, but many are quite willing to lay that info right out there.

Fun you ask? Why fun? I also discovered that Cassandra Clare got her start writing fan fiction for Harry Potter. She acknowledges that she borrowed extensive amounts of her work from various books and television series including Discworld, Harry, Buffy, The X-Files,and even fan fiction, while others would say that she definitely plagiarizes. Clare's reasoning is that it is all for fun and games. See how many lines you can recognize and from where.

If I look at her series from that light, I can accept and even tolerate it and my own decision to keep reading it. Because there is one thing I can agree upon concerning the Mortal Instruments.It is derivative. To explain this from my point of view, at times I can hear John Williams' Star Wars music playing in the background of my mind. So to continue reading these books, I will make a game out of how much I can find that's been lifted from elsewhere.

Now that I've cleared my conscience, here is the taboo. The main character, Clary, is madly in love with Jace and the feeling is returned, however, we found out in the last book that they are brother and sister. I don't have much of problem with this incestuous possibility because I get the feeling that they have been misinformed. I feel pretty strongly that they will turn out not to be related and therefore will be allowed to date much to their relief.

Alec, who was unable to hide the fact that he was gay in the first book has entered into a relationship with the High Warlock of Manhattan in the second book . But they both seem satisfied with keeping it quiet/secret around their family and friends.

Finally, and most importantly, this is demonology based upon myth and legend. And perhaps that is reason enough for me not to continue the series …

Mockingjay

Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins

Try this one on for size. Post-apocalyptic / Pre-apocalyptic literature. Yeah. Try to stay upbeat amidst that. Dare you to NOT become depressed. Add a healthy dose of songs in the Key of A Minor, some Skillet and Manafest on your iPod, and weed a bunch of books you cannot afford to replace after you leave your Kindergartner in tears at school. And I wonder why I'm anxious.

I gravitate to these kinds of books. They are the ones I get excited about. From the moment I read the reviews for The Hunger Games, I knew that I would be a part of the cult following. I was already a fan of Suzanne Collins and her prior series, Gregor the Overlander. I knew I would not be disappointed.

The conclusion to the trilogy left me in a sobbing heap in the Children's Department Office. Maybe some ideas are just TOO close to home.

When I was young, maybe 8, I used to be concerned that the Russians would invade the United States. I was convinced that they would show up in Decatur and kill us all as they traveled door to door with their swords. Yes, I said swords. Actually, more like scimitars in my mind. My main concern was always, who goes first? Do I watch my parents die? Do they watch me die? Can we be killed simultaneously? All that worry for nothing.

I also remember thinking, when I was younger, that we really needed something cataclysmic to happen in order to shake us out of our complacency. Now I would call it an inciting event. Thanks Don Miller. 9/11 is the idea, but on a much grander scale. Something that would stay with us longer than a few, several years.

What if we no longer had access to gas. Imagine, if I could no longer drive my children to school 20 minutes away from our home. Like a never ending snow day. Trapped in our houses with limited food stuffs. Could we survive?

Reality shows are our entertainment these days. But what if Survivor wasn't about verbal back-stabbing, but the real thing. 24 people placed on an island with limited weapons, food and shelter and no one was allowed to leave until only one remained standing - alive. And let's say that we choose not to kill our fellow contestants? The powers that be either force us to do it, or unleash demon beasts to do the work for us.

And what if we still persevere? Now we are on the authorities hit list. And what if the person we thought was the bad guy all along, well, they're still bad, but the alternative isn't any better … Government!!

If you need a hopeful book. If you need a feel good book. If you need a comforting book. Don't look here.

But, if you're anything like me. If The Giver, A Wrinkle in Time, The Scorpion House, The City of Ember, or First Light move you and push you to think in ways outside the Suburban box, this trilogy is a must.

Unfortunately, I so identified with the heroine, that I would have enjoyed curling up and and hiding for an extended vacation. Someone sick - please breathe on me. Or some cheerful person, please pass on something invigorating. Please and thank-you.

The Kings of Clonmel

The Kings of Clonmel by John Flanagan

The Ranger's Apprentice is one of my favorite series. Book 1, The Ruins of Gorlan, was a Caudill Nominee in 2008 and I've been hooked ever since. Book 9 is set to be released October 5 of this year. The author admits that he does not know how many volumes there will be in the series at this point. As long as he has more to add that will advance the characters, we have something to look forward to.

In book 8, Araluen is threatened again. Or rather, a neighboring country is being threatened and if that country falls, Araluen will be next.What is the threat? A cult! The followers of Alseiass move into a realm and practice their religion without trying to convert their neighbors. But when the villages are threatened by destructive thieves, the Followers of Alseiass offer prayers and protection in exchange for gold. They keep the brigands at bay until the gold runs out and then they move on to the next village. I'm sure you can guess who is in charge of the plunderers.

The leader, or prophet, of Alseiass is the charismatic Tennyson. He has been working in the country of Hibernia which is composed of six kingdoms. Tennyson has already claimed five of the six either by conquest or coercion. Clonmel is the sixth. The most famous Araluen Ranger, Halt, is from Clonmel and he has connections. His twin brother is the King.

Once again, Halt, Will and Horace set off to protect their homeland and lend assistance to the oppressed.

If you have read any of the other books in the series and enjoyed them. You will not be disappointed. Reading about Will and his trusted companions is like taking out your winter gloves in the fall. They mold quickly to your familiar hands.

I love these book and I need these books. They represent the ideals. The famous phrase "All for one and one for all" comes to mind. Will and Tug, Halt and Abelard, Horace and Kicker, all work together as a well-oiled machine for a common goal. They can finish each others thoughts as well as sentences. They would not leave each other unprotected. And they would gladly sacrifice themselves to save each other. If they say they will do something, they do. They are trustworthy and loyal. And if one doesn't show up at an appointed time in an appointed place, you can be sure something has gone terribly wrong. The bad guys are out for themselves. The good guys are out for something much bigger than themselves.

No wonder I would immerse myself in a book rather than join the living. We are selfish humans who have forgotten the grandest picture. We're all stuck in the lifeboat aiming to save ourselves by pushing the rest in the water. And ignoring the One Who Walks on the Water with outstretched hands.

Charlie Bone and the Red Knight

Charlie Bone and the Red Knight by Jenny Nimmo

I'm glad that the series is over. Am I disappointed in the series? A little. Did I enjoy the series? At the beginning. Will I recommend it? Not quickly.

When I have children who aren't quite ready for Harry Potter, yet long for a magical adventure, I suggest Charlie Bone. It looks like a big book - read: looks like a big kid book. Lines are double-spaced making the book appear twice as long as it is really.

My main concern with the series is that there was never a clear goal set that would denote the ending. So I was surprised to get number eight declaring that it was the end. It feels like she got tired and wanted to be done.

There were plenty of interesting characters. But there wasn't a lot of character development. There was a Red King that I was dying to meet, but never did. There was a Queen in the form of a horse that we met in one book but not again. The main character has the ability to travel through paintings and pictures. But he didn't use his abilities even once in this last book. The main character has a love interest in another world, and longs to see her again, but the longing is unrequited.

And what about the cats?!?! Aries, Leo and Sagitarius. They always appear when needed and then disappear. They belong with the Red King, but they are forever apart in this series.

Sorry, just couldn't get excited about this book. And I hate being unexcited by a book. Check out Jenny Nimmo's Chestnut Soldier series instead. It was republished with the success of her Charlie Bone books. It's a trilogy and the books are short. And they are different than our usual American fare. The author is Welsh.

Crank

Crank by Ellen Hopkins

I sometimes turn my nose up at Young Adult literature. Don't get me wrong. There are plenty of excellent titles down there. I've read them and loved them. But when I am reading the reviews from a magazine and a title is suggested for 9th-12th, I always try to find what makes it unsuitable for younger kids rather than accept that the reading level is that of a high schooler. What I mean by this is that I look for sex, drugs, and homosexuality. I might have to read several reviews to find it, but I usually succeed.

Yes, I'm a juvenile literature snob. Madeleine L'Engle is quoted as saying ''I never write for any age group in mind. ... When you underestimate your audience, you're cutting yourself off from your best work.'' She also said “You have to write whichever book it is that wants to be written. And then, if it’s going to be too difficult for grownups, you write it for children.” Successful children's books pull it off with out the taboo and sensationalistic.

So what does Crank have? 3 parts drugs, 2 parts sex, and a pinch of homosexuality. Add a tablespoon each of violence and rape. And now let me sell it.

This book is based upon a true story – the story of the author's daughter. This is a book written by the Mom hoping to help her family and save someone else's. Many of the characters ring true because they are based upon real people.

With over 500 pages of free verse, I devoured it in the course of two days. I could not put it down. I ate and read. I walked and read. I read in stolen moments and during commercials.

I was particularly impressed with the author's ability to narrate the book in the voice of her daughter. It could not have been easy to view herself and write about herself in her daughter's voice. It is not a pretty picture.

I would want to share with my daughter how very dangerous drugs are and how very quickly they can not only ruin, but run your life. Very hard to share without personal experience. The book does an incredible job of showing how a very normal, intelligent teenager can get caught in an unexpected downward spiral. It could have very easily been me … That's a frightening thought.

More frightening for me is how spot on the girls three "boyfriends" are. I've met them in high school and college. Multiple times, unfortunately. For me, they more than ring true. They are blaring horns. I would much rather share this book with my daughter so that the flags go up when she meets such young men, than for her to read this book later, like I did, and wonder why she wasn't warned.

It is so easy to identify with this young girl from a broken family. She is in need of love and since she isn't getting it at home, she goes in search of it. She finds a substitute who provides her with affirmations she's never been given before. And she follows the White Rabbit. But books aren't her escape. The Monster, drugs, is.

Not preachy. Horrible and Hopeful. Ugly and Beautiful. Educational. For when they won't listen to us.

Pentecost and the Chosen One

Pentecost and the Chosen One by W. J. Corbett

I was weeding books months and months ago and I found these two books that hadn’t been checked out in a really long time. The Song of Pentecost and its sequel Pentecost and the Chosen One are both by W. J. Corbett. If a book isn’t circulating, we try to find a redeeming quality. Perhaps it received a *starred review* once upon a time. Maybe it was an honoree, Newbery or Caudill. Maybe the story is much more attractive than its cover. Can we book talk it or sell it? Can we think of someone else who would enjoy it? Sometimes, we simply have to try it out for ourselves and that is what I did.

It was the word “Pentecost” that caught my eye. Pentecost looks and sounds important. In reality, it merely means “the fiftieth day” or “fifty-count”. In the books, Pentecost is not just a name, and certainly not a numbering system, it is the title of a mouse. The Pentecost Mouse is the leader of the harvest mice that live on Lickey Top Hill to be precise. The Pentecost Mouse of the first book led the family there. The Pentecost Mouse of the second book learned how to be a good leader and mediator on Lickey Top.

Upon reading the jacket summary, I was further intrigued. One of my favorite cartoon movies growing up was The Secret of NIMH which I later learned was based upon a Newbery Award winning book called Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH by Robert C. O’Brien. Excellent book AND movie if you’re shopping. (Secret crush on Justin. Yes, I know. A rat. But knight in shining armor no less.) Song of the Pentecost sounded similar. Encroaching humans force harvest mice to move. A brave mouse leads them. Predators like owls and foxes help or hinder along the way.

So I took them home thinking to save a couple of books.

Right off the bat, I realized that these books were from a different time and a different speech pattern. They were hard to get into. For instance, when I watch a British flick, it takes me at least 15 minutes or so to find my "footing". Actually the same thing can be said for talking to a 2 or 3-year-old. They can be very hard to understand until your brain has cataloged all of their quirks, lisps, misinterpretations. Most books, I can read 50-100 pages a night depending upon how big they are, size of text, etc.. The Pentecost books were requiring me to handle only about 25 pages a night. My mind just couldn’t find the rhythm.

The characters are SO complex. I can’t even explain their many facets. Some say one thing and mean entirely the opposite. Some say exactly what they are doing and why like their secret thoughts spoken out loud. A character might take a moment to narrate to the reader. Another character might switch allegiances multiple times in a heartbeat. And then there is the rare seven-legged cockle snorkel. Need I continue?

The cockle snorkel is the brains of the bunch. He is owl’s best friend. He is a sometimes conscience to many. Think Jiminy Cricket only untrustworthy. He is a messenger to the masses. He is the proverbial fly on the wall. AND he’s a double agent. Maybe triple. Perhaps quadruple. Every house needs a cockle snorkel to keep us on our toes or egg us on, either one. I think he’s my favorite character. In the second book, he takes on Destiny! And nearly gets eaten by a spider! The characters alone make this a series worthy to keep.

I believe there is a religious allegory to be had here. If I gave it enough time and effort, I could define it and write papers about it.

Unfortunately, I think the books will probably remain on the shelf, uncirculated, until the next librarian must decide if they’re worthy of the space they take up … and if I wrote papers concerning them, they would be lost in academic oblivion.

The Day That Elvis Came to Town

The Day That Elvis Came to Town by Jan Marino

How fitting that I review this title on the 33rd anniversary of the death of Elvis Presley.

Yet another Caudill Nominee from 1996, this book has been sitting on my shelf for months. There is always something better to grab. I think the cover dates it older than the 90s. The setting is the 60s and so maybe that is it.

Wanda lives in a large beautiful house with her mother and father. Wanda’s mother supplements her husband’s income by taking in boarders much to Wanda’s chagrin. But it is necessary, because Wanda’s father is known for drinking away the family’s money. It wouldn’t be so bad if Wanda’s own room wasn’t rented out. She has a lovely room in the attic where the most recent occupant was a spiteful Aunt.

The book starts with Wanda cleaning her attic room and changing her bed sheets for a new boarder, Mercedes Washington. The newcomer is a jazz singer with an ongoing gig in a nearby town. She is young, talented, glamorous, generous, and most of all – sparkling! She has plenty of her own costumes and costume jewelry. Mercedes enjoys sharing the sparkle. Wanda is thrilled to be on the receiving end. Even more exciting to Wanda than a life on stage is the fact that Mercedes attended Hume High School with Elvis Presley for two whole months. Wanda is convinced that Mercedes and Elvis have remained friends.

She needs this bit of fantasy in her life. Her mother believes her to be grown up enough to help around the house. And her mother uses her to keep an eye on her own father. Wanda has not missed this fact and she is ashamed to be her father’s keeper. When the going gets tough, Wanda retreats to her makeshift bedroom. A little screened in sunroom attached to her parents’ bedroom. It is like sleeping in a goldfish bowl. There is only a curtain on the glass door for privacy.

In this small sanctuary, Wanda can listen to her records, those small 45s, of Elvis and gaze at his poster, her dearest treasure. Sometimes she even pretends to dance with him. Momentarily she can escape to a place where her father not only promises to quit drinking, but carries his promise through.

Remember that spiteful Aunt? She may no longer live in the attic, but she still has a room in the house. She keeps her nose in everyone’s business and is sure to share it with passers-by. She happens to know Mercedes secret and reveals it to Wanda with vicious words. Part of the book is about Wanda coming to terms with whether or not Mercedes lied to her by withholding information.

Another portion of the book deals with Wanda’s father slowly earning the trust of his family again.

My favorite part of the book is Wanda’s father’s attempt to marry off the spiteful Aunt, his sister, to get her out of his house. What a family won’t do to keep the peace!

Storm Warning

Storm Warning by Linda Sue Park

Spoiler Alert
When the 39 Clues were first introduced, readers were misled to believe that each book would lead them on an adventure to find one of the 39. Soon after, it was announced that there were exactly ten books in the series. And we had a hard time accepting that. We had already read a few of the books, and indeed, each one led us on a wild goose chase for exactly one clue. So some of us, well at least I, had to acknowledge that the adventure wasn’t really about the 39 clues, but something bigger. Something bigger was at stake.

Several books back, I determined that the race was to bring the family back together.

Could I have been right?

Quite possibly.

Why did I think this?

Because the children began working together a little at a time. The evil children began to grow consciences. Tenuous trusts were created our of need. Strange loyalties were forged.

A recurring theme in children’s literature is the inability of the adults to work together both peacefully and intelligently. It is up to the children to lead the way.

The 39 Clues is about the Cahill Family. Centuries ago, a scientist, Gideon Cahill, discovered a serum to create a superhuman. The serum was broken down into smaller serums that when combined back together would make the ultimate superhuman serum. Each of the smaller serums was given to an heir of the family to protect.

And there the family tree collapsed due to treachery and betrayal among the siblings.

The Ekaterina branch of the Cahill Family was founded by Katherine Cahill. Their serum produced incredible scientists and inventors.

The Janus branch was founded by Jane Cahill. Their serum produced amazing artists.

The Lucian branch was founded by Luke Cahill and produced exceptional leaders and spies.

The Tomas branch was founded by Thomas Cahill and created extraordinary athletes and explorers.

But there is a little known branch called the Madrigals and it was founded by the unknown fifth Cahill child Madeleine. Madeleine was born after her father had died. Her mother instilled in her the desire to bring the branches of the family back together at all costs. More than half of all the Nobel Peace Prize winners are of the Madrigal branch.

In the last few books we have discovered that Amy and Dan are a part of the Madrigal branch following in their parents' footsteps. At first they believed this to be the worst possible identity. Madrigals were considered murderers. But things are not always what they seem.

In the ninth book, they have earned the right to work as Madrigal operatives. Their mission is to prevent the discovery of the 39 clues!

Finally some answers!

Only one book left!

Keys to the Demon Prison

Keys to the Demon Prison by Brandon Mull

I apologize for my absence. My girls and I were on vacation last week. And even though I took vacation time, I'm actually working an awful lot this week. And I'm exhausted. Can barely keep up with laundry and sleep, let alone a blog. And of course, I finished two or three books while on vacation, so I'm almost five books behind in reviews. A daunting task that I haven't been able to face. So instead, I've read more and obsessively.


The other problem is that I have gushed so much about Fablehaven I may be all gushed out. Or perhaps complete mush. I like the series so much that I've become possessive of my opinion. I hate conflict. Anyway …

The Fablehaven series is finally complete with book 5 and "Well Done!!" to the author. Even better, there is an author's note at the end that confirms he does not intend to write a book 6. Fablehaven is done. Not that he might not choose to write another series with some of the characters from Fablehaven. Apparently that thought has run through his head.

I'm about to offend. This series is better than Harry Potter. This series is better than The Lightning Thief. I am hoping it does not get purchased for the big screen. I WILL NOT watch it. I am learning to be bored with movies. Case in point: I fell asleep thrice during The City of Ember one of my favorite books. The industry ruined it for me. I returned it unfinished. I fell asleep during Where the Wild Things Are which started out much better than anticipated, but fell into the category of "how did a picture book become this?" I returned it unfinished.

When I read a book, I easily become one with the main character regardless of gender, age or ethnicity. I judge a book often by how seamlessly I become the protagonist. I've been Kendra through five books. It's even been hard to see the rare illustration of her because she doesn't have my long hair (from when I was her age.) I don't recognize my face in the illustrator's rendition of her. But in my mind, we blend together and I stutter.

The wonderful thing about Fablehaven is that I was able to identify with Seth as well. Mull writes both characters equally well. I felt defeated when Seth is tricked and all seems lost. Loving encouragement provided as needed when needed, lifted me back onto my feet and gave me the courage and energy and motivation to attempt the impossible. I mean Seth … Switching from one character in a chapter to the other in the next chapter was neither jarring nor jumpy. I was always excited to see the next move made by the next character.

Yes, I am Kendra. But that is because, between the two, I'm a female. I'm an older sister. I feel timid. I choose the safe path. I worry when others follow what I feel to be the wrong path. And I wish that I could do something important and heroic instead of stand on the sidelines.

This is a series I might just have to purchase. GASP!