The Line-Hall

Rachel lives with her mother on the Property.  Her mother works for Ms. Moore, a very stern, no-nonsense sort of women who raises orchids in her greenhouse.  They live in a futuristic time, the government has installed the Line-an uncrossable section of the National Border Defense system, an invisible barrier that encloses the entire country. The day the barrier was activated there were people caught on the other side. Ms. Moore's property it located right next to The Line and now someone is trying to make contact from the other side.  Who is it?  What do they want?    

Forge-Anderson

This exciting sequel to Chains is told from Curzon's point of view.  Following their escape Isabella and Curzon have a difference of opinion and part company.  The story picks up with Curzon saving a young soldier's life.  As a scrimmage breaks out around them the young soldier encourages Curzon to join him and his company, the Sixteenth Massachusetts in their fight against the British.  Curzon's hungry stomach convinces him to join because at least food is provided to the soldiers and it's been a long time since Curzon's had a hot meal.  Cruzon is assigned to Valley Forge where his past troubles soon catch up to him.  Although the life of a soldier isn't the easiest, it sure beats going back to where he is headed.

Slathbog's Gold- Forman

Fifteen-year-old Alex Taylor answers an advertisement for an adventurer in Mr. Clutter's bookshop window and is swept away to a faraway land where he is charged with trying to find the lair of the evil dragon Slathbog the Red and retrieving a legendary treasure. Alex meets king, oracles, trolls, elves, and drawfs on his adventure and now is reluctant to have his journey come to an end.  I was sad this book came to an end as well because I really love the characters.  Happily, I have learned that the sequel is due out very soon!

If you like the Harry Potter series or the Last Olympian series you are going to love the Adventurer's Wanted series. Highly Recommended!

The Shifter—Janice Hardy

Nya, a fifteen-year-old war orphan, is a Taker. Through her touch she can heal injuries, drawing the pain into her own body. Unlike other Takers, she can’t push the pain into the


enchanted metal used to store it. All she can do is shift it from person to person, a skill she must hide or risk being set to work as a human weapon. But when her sister mysteriously disappears, Nya must decide—how far will she go to save her? Her search reveals dangerous events and a bigger political game on her island home.



This is the first book in the Healing Wars Series. The second book, Blue Fire is available now with a third book due out this year.

If the Witness Lied—Caroline B. Cooney

Four orphaned children, having lost both of their parents in less than two years, are in for the fight of their lives. Nobody is going to turn the youngest family member, a mere two year old boy into a "freak show" and that is just what their "Aunt" Cheryl wants to do. Tris has had enough to bear in his short life…you see he has been blamed for the death of both of their parents. As a result this family has been shattered. The anniversary of their father’s death and "Aunt" Cheryl’s latest scheme brings the children back together and leads them to consider the possibility that the witness lied about the accident that led to their father’s untimely death.

Heist Society- Carter

Katarina (Kat) Bishop wants to leave the family business.  She is ready to start living the life of a "normal" teenager.  Just when she thinks she's made a clean break, she gets dragged back in and the stakes are higher than ever.  You see, Kat's family business is crime and her father has been accused of stealing several famous and very expensive paintings from an evil man.  If the paintings are not returned within two weeks her father's life is going to be in danger.  The problem is Kat's father claims he didn't do it.  How will Kat find the paintings, get them returned, and keep her father safe?  It is time to call for reinforcements.

This books is full of unexpected twists and turns.  It reminds me a little of the movies, "Ocean's Eleven" and "Casino Royale" because the characters don't fit our usual stereotypical criminals.  Oh and guys....don't let the cover fool you.  Just because there is a girl on the cover it doesn't mean it is a "girl" book.  Think Julia Roberts in "Ocean's Eleven" and who could forget all the fabulous Bond" girls. 

Double Eagle by Sneed B. Collard III

April 24, 1862


The Skink (a confederate ship) is asked to carry a very important cargo. Things are dangerous though because the Union has just taken over New Orleans. Under a new moon, the Skink sets out, delivers the box with unknown contents and then heads toward Havana where it encounters a Union warship and is sunk.

Summer 1973

Mike, 13, reluctantly boards a plane from California to Florida to spend the summer with his divorced father, who is a marine biologist. He is told after he lands that they will not be in Pensacola but on Shipwreck Island off the coast of Alabama while his father teaches an invertebrate zoology course. He feels stranded and neglected, thinking that the weeks will drag with little to keep him occupied. After a slow beginning, Mike's summer of 1973 becomes more and more exciting when he and a new friend begin to explore an old fort on the island. A salvage boat with a scary crew is lurking off shore looking for the Skink and her cargo. When the boys begin gathering information and asking questions, the crew becomes pushy, demanding and start making threats. Then the boys make an unexpected discovery, a Civil War gold coin, at the old Civil War fort. The boys are just beginning to unravel the mystery surrounding their find when a hurricane threatens and they discover that thieves are after their treasure. As the hurricane approaches and they strive to put all the clues in place, will they make it out alive and before the hurricane hits?

Invisible Lines-Amato

Trevor is of three children growing up in a poor, single-parent family.  Trevor and his younger brother just want to fit in among the students at their new school but their mother is currently unemployed and there is no money for anything new.  Trevor must rely on his intelligence, artistic ability, quick wit, and soccer skills to win friends.  Unfortunately, rich and popular Xander seems determined to cause him trouble.  When Trevor’s life starts to spiral out-of –control he manages to make things right with the support of a teacher, a couple of unexpected friends, and Charlie.  

This story is great for all of you interested in art.  Lots of Trevor's art is featured throughout the book.  It is also a great book for building tolerance and helping us to learn to judge the person not their situation.

Linger-Stiefvater

I posted Linger, the sequel to Shiver, here because once you start reading this series you'll want to know what happens between Sam and Grace. Grace, whose parents have pretty much allowed her to raise herself, now has to start answering to her parents. She resents this a lot because for whatever reason her parents no longer seem to approve of Sam. Well too bad. Nothing is going to come between them ......nothing!

There is a new wolf introduced in this book. The back story on Cole is that he was an out-of-control musician who was very self-destructive. He is running away from live in general but especially from a couple of personal relationships. Wait until you see how his story weaves in between Sam and Grace’s love story. It is pretty wild and gruesome at times.

Shiver- Stiefvater

For years Grace has watched the wolves that lurk behind her house each winter. She is inexplicably drawn to the yellow-eyed wolf. He feels like he somehow belongs to her.


Sam has lived two lives. During the winter, as a wolf, he watches over the girl he loves. In the summer, as a young man, he works at a small bookstore and thinks about Grace. What if they could actually be together? He doesn’t dare let his heart consider the possibility…..until now.

This unconventional love story demonstrates how through love all things are possible. People are willing to accept things they would have never considered before.

They Never Came Back- Cooney

A case of mistaken identity or is she really a long-lost cousin who either truly doesn't recognize him or is trying to hide in plain sight?  Tommy is sure she is Murielle, his cousin.  It's been a long time since he last saw her but this girl is a dead ringer for her.

Cathy Ferris signed up for an accelerated language course this summer.  Even though it means car-pooling with Spencer and his mom, Mrs. Tartaglia, she made the commitment and is working hard along with seven other Latin students.  How could Tommy have just walked up to her like that at lunch?  Now instead of worrying about tonight's homework assignments these super students will be researching the unsolved case of Murielle and her embezzling parents.  

Project Sweet Life- Hartinger

Dave, Curtis, and Victor are looking forward to summer vacation.  They are fifteen, the summer of the optional job. Right? Well, not according to their fathers who also happen to be good friends.  The boys get together in their "club house" to discuss their imposed summer situation where instead of coming up with employment opportunities they hatch a plan to make money without taking on summer jobs.  They call their plan "Project Sweet Life."  The boys are very creative when it comes to ideas for fake jobs and ideas for making money.

The book is a fun read.  While their schemes are pretty "out there" at times,  I had no problem with the fact that the young men really put twice the effort into their plan then they ever would have had to by simply going to work.  I also know they never would have learned the lessons they did along the way.  

The Two Towers

Book 2 of 3. This is the sequel to the fellowship of the ring. This book starts with Araagorn, Gimli, and Legolas chasing orcs to get Sam and Merry back. The book then goes in to the fight between Sauramon and Gondor. In the second half of the book, it tells the tales of Frodo and Sam.

Shattered - Baron

Cassie is a very gifted violinist.  She feels the music deep in her soul.  She knows this is what she was born to do. Her dreams are shattered one night when her father, in a fit of rage, throws her valuable violin and it breaks into pieces.  This is when the reader learns that this is not the first time her father has flown into a fit. Cassie is scared and angry.  She decides to run away.  It doesn't take her long to realize this was a big mistake.  We follow Cassie on her journey back to home, family, and forgiveness. 

Lawn Boy Returns-Paulsen

Gary Paulsen picks up right where Lawn Boy leaves off and continues this outrageous story of a young entrepreneur who is incredibly lucky.  Everything is going great the business has expanded, new business opportunities develop, even corporate sponsorship money starts to roll in. What's a twelve year old boy to do? Good thing he has hired only the best employees because their loyalty is the only thing that is going to help him out of his latest trouble.

Jane in Bloom-Lytton

Jane has always felt invisible in her family.  Her older sister, Lizzie seems to be the center of attention all the time.  Even on Jane's birthday, Lizzie got the extra attention because she was so fragile.  Lizzie suffers from anorexia, a horrible disease that impacts the whole family.  When something tragic happens to Lizzie, Jane realizes her family will never be the same again.  Will it be stronger or will it fall apart?  Jane is struggling as they try to work things out. 

Different Horror Books

This isn't a book. If you know of any good horror books please leave them under comments. This way you and others can find out about good books for this time of the year. :O

In too deep-Jude Watson

Amy and Dan go to Austrailia and follow Bob Troppo through out the Pacific islands. Along the way Amy finds out more about that mysterious fire so long ago. But they aren't the only ones in Austrailia. A lot of their family is there. Including, their uncle Shep, the Kabras and Irina.


This is a great book like all of the others.

Pop- Korman

Marcus Jordan had just moved to a new town and already he has been to the police station three times. His mother is not very happy with him. Well, what's a guy to do? He really hadn't done anything wrong except became friends with Charlie. Charlie was the prankster and only the best football player that Marcus had ever seen. Marcus learned more about taking a hit and making a tackle from Charlie then he had from any of his coaches.
Marcus shows up for high school football try-outs ready to play. He has been working on his passing game and thanks to Charlie he is no longer afraid of taking hits on the field. The only problem is that this high school team went undefeated and they have no intention of letting an outsider mess up their chance for a repeat this season. There is certainly no way that their number 1 quarterback is going to accept that Marcus wants to take his position away from him. When his girlfriend shows interest in Marcus the intensity grows and when he learns that Marcus knows Charlie...the war is on!

When the Whistle Blows- Slayton

Jimmy Cannon grew up in a small railroad town. Railroading was all his family knew. His father worked as a foreman for the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad as did many of the men from the community. It was the main source of income for most of the families in town. Jimmy's father didn't want Jimmy anywhere near the railroad but that is all he could think about.

The book follows Jimmy through six years of his life. He spends most of those years trying to figure out his father. Mr. Cannon was a hard man to get to know. He was a hardworking, rule following kind of guy but he had a side to him that was a complete mystery to Jimmy. As we follow Jimmy we learn that he is a young man who isn't afraid to get into a little mischief every now and again. Jimmy is a prankster, a hunter, a football player, and most of all a young man who admires his father.