Frindle

By Andrew Clements

Is Nick Allen a troublemaker? He really just likes to liven things up at school—and he’s always had plenty of great ideas. When Nick learns some interesting information about how words are created, suddenly he’s got the inspiration for his best plan ever…the frindle. Who says a pen has to be called a pen? Why not call it a frindle? Things begin innocently enough as Nick gets his friends to use the new word. Then other people in town start saying frindle. Soon the school is in an uproar, and Nick has become a local hero. His teacher wants Nick to put and end to all this nonsense, but the funny thing is frindle doesn’t belong to Nick anymore. The new word is spreading across the country, and there’s nothing Nick can do to stop it

I've heard about this book from each of my neices and nephews as they've read it for school. It was such a gem to read. Nick is the kid who has great ideas, the kind of kid other people look to as a leader. Reading his story of the 'word war' with his 5th grade teacher was entertaining and delightful. I'd recommend this to anybody who enjoys words and has a teacher than taught them something that lasted through their entire lives. I'll never look at a pen the same way again!

Shiver

By Maggie Stiefvater

Grace has spent years watching the wolves in the woods behind her house. One yellow-eyed wolf—her wolf – watches back. He feels deeply familiar to her, but she doesn’t know why.

Sam has lived two lives. As a wolf, he keeps the silent company of the girl he loves. And then, for a short time each year, he is human, never daring to talk to Grace…until now.

For Grace and Sam, love has always been kept at a distance. But once it’s spoken, it cannot be denied. Sam must fight to stay human—and Grace must fight to keep him--- even if it means taking on the scars of the past, the fragility of the present, and the impossibility of the future.

I had a deep gut feeling I'd regret reading this book. And this is the proof you should always listen to your gut. I wanted something romantic, and all I got was teenage lust and the stupidest plotline I've read to date. The more I get burned by garbage like this the more I inwardly curse Stephanie Myers for starting it. This book had nothing good to offer to anyone and I am abashed at having read it through. There is profanity, and a sex scene which I admit was fairly mild, but still inapropriate. If you can't tell, I have no love for this book and echo the sentiment of Dorothy Parker: "It is not a novel to be thrown aside lightly. It should be thrown aside with great force." The only thing I found remotely intriguing was the notion of the wolves. I gave this book all my patience and waited it out, and still found it lacking in every essential. Blech. Needless to say, I shall not be reading the 'breathtaking sequel'...I'd recommend it to those who enjoy the Twilight stuff though. And I hope you aren't offended by my rant. Just my opinion.

The Evolution of Thomas Hall

By Kieth Merrill

Thomas Hall is an artist with astonishing talent- and a vainglorious sense of self. Since his days as a child prodigy he has reveled in recognition and believed in his inevitable destiny. Chosen. Entitled. He presumes his artistic brilliance deserves a lavish life of independence, fast cars and drop-dead gorgeous women. Thomas Hall wants it all and more.
Destiny has other plans. When “Cass,” the woman from the Healing Place, walks into his life, nothing can ever be the same again.
Thomas finds himself faced with a challenge he could never have imagined, suspended between the snarling beasts of his fanciful imagination that belie the existence of God and the undaunted faith of a little girl named Christina. What he discovers about the child’s harrowing escape from death- and the impossibility of what happened at the bottom of the cliff- brings him face-to-face with the most frightening question of his life.

Do you believe in God? That's the question that everyone seems to be asking Thomas Hall lately. He doesn't get why it's so important, yet he is unnerved and desperately wants to keep living in agnostic bliss. An incredibly talented artist, Thomas is comissioned to paint the evolution of man at a science museum, and at the same time a mural depicting Jesus Christ for a children's wing in a hospital. Thomas has always put 100% of himself into his work, but has drifted toward fantasy and comercial art versus the higher art that everyone seems to think he capable of. This book follows Thomas' evolution from egotistical artist to a gentle gifted soul. This book was very very well written. There are a lot of references to pop-culture (Mr. Merrill is a movie producer) and the characters are all too believable as individuals. There was a lot of research done for this book. I particularly enjoyed how Thomas sees everyone as blocked off pieces of art with specific colors used in oil painting. Thomas' evolution is very personal and believable and touching. There was only 1 thing that truly makes me caution the reader. There are quite a few instances at the start where religious references are made in a crude and disrespectful way; particularly about Jesus Christ. There is also some swearing. I admit, I started skipping the tirades of the Darwin-loving scientist who hated all religious minded people. It was pretty aweful for anyone even slightly religious. Other than that, this book was very good and gives one warm-fuzzies at the end.

The Wednesday Wars

By Gary D. Schmidt

Holling Hoodhood is really in for it.
He’s just started seventh grade with Mrs. Baker, a teacher he knows is out to get him. Why else would she make him read Shakespeare…outside of class?
The year is 1967, and everyone has bigger things to worry about. There’s Vietnam for one thing, and then there’s the family business. As far as Holling’s father is concerned, nothing is more important than the family business. In fact, all the Hoodhoods must be on their best behavior at all times. The success of Hoodhoood and Associates depends on it. But how can Holling stay out of trouble when he has Mrs. Baker to contend with?

This book completely deserved the Newberry Honor it got. Holling's perspective and narration of events in this rather rough part of history along with his own personal tragedies and triumphs will leave you profoundly grateful and reminiscent of when you were a kid yourself and were certain that one teacher really really hated your guts. I felt for him at every disaster, every embarassment, and every tragedy. This coming-of-age book is sure to be shelved with the best of them; including Lowis Lowry's The Giver and Jerry Spinelli's Stargirl, with it's own unique voice. And oh boy if you know Shakespeare, you'll get an even bigger kick out of Holling's interpretations of Romeo and Juliet, The Tempest, Hamlet, Julius Ceaser, and Macbeth. You gotta love the honesty of kids before they learn tact! I especially loved the fact that Holling memorized Caliban's curses from The Tempest and started calling everyone he hated Shakespearian cuss words. :) Toads, beetles, bats! But this book is good!

The Tale of Despereaux

By Kate DiCamillo

This is the story of Despereaux Tilling, a mouse in love with music, stores, and a princess name Pea. It is also the story of a rat called Roscuro, who lives in darkness but covets a world filled with light. And it is the story of Miggery Sow, a slow-witted serving girl with a simple, impossible wish. These characters are about to embark on a journey that will lead them down into a horrible dungeon, up into a glittering castle, and ultimately, into each other’s lives. And what happens then? Reader, it is your destiny to find out.

First off, if you haven't read a book by Kate DiCamillo, repent! Her books are charming and endearing to readers of all ages. Some of her books include Because of Winn-Dixie, The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane, and The Elephant's Magician. This particular story was turned into a movie a few years ago, which was pretty mangled from the original book, so if you saw the movie and though, 'oh that was cute' but were otherwise unimpressed, you MUST read the book. This wonderful, powerful and ridiculous story will have you smiling and rooting for a little mouse who dares to be different and follow his heart...even if there is no such thing as happily ever after.

Rangers Apprentice 10: The Emperor of Nihon-Ja

By John Flanagan

In his brief time as an Araluen warrior, Horace has traveled the known world and fought countless bloody battles. All for his country, his king, and his friends. For all that is right.
When Horace travels to the exotic land of Nihon-Ja to study the senshi fighting technique, it isn’t long before he finds himself pulled into a battle that is no his- but one he knows in his heart he must wage. The Nihon-Ja emperor, a defender of the common man, has been forcibly dethroned, and only Horace, Will, and their Araluen friends, along with a group of untrained woodcutters and farmers, can restore the emperor to the throne.

So this is the final adventure of Will, Halt, and Horace. :( I actually read this one very slowly with that knowledge so I could make every last second count. And Mr. Flanagan still gets kudos from this fan. I did like the previous 2 books better than this last one, but it was still the characters I know and love, so I can't not enjoy reading it. This book follows Horace more closely than in any previous book as he takes up the fight to protect Shigeru, the empereror of Nihon-Ja (Japan) when one of his Senshi (Samurai) Lords rebells against his plan to give the common people more say in their lives. Of course, we get to see Will and Halt along with old friend Selethen. And not to mention the feuding girls Alyss and Evanlyn. A great end to a great adventure.

Want to know something awesome though? John Flanagan is writing a book entitled The Lost Tales of Araluen which will include stories to fill in gaps he left between books...so while this is the official end, this isn't the last we've heard from the Ranger Corps! And Mr. Flanagan is also starting a new book series titled Brotherband about a group of Skandian boys which I think were mentioned at a point in this last book. I'm happy to not have to leave the Araluen world completely. :)

Tennis Shoes and the Feathered Serpent

By Chris Heimerdinger

Join Jim Hawkins as he embarks upon his most difficult and perilous quest- a quest for survival against unseen enemies. A quest to solve the deepening mystery of the disappearance of his sister, Jennifer, and his old friend Garth Plimpton.
Jim, now the father of two teenage daughters and a ten-year-old son- all as stubborn and self-willed as he ever was! Must battle the forces of an old and secret adversary set on decimating every shred of his existence. Once again Jim must descend through the mysterious passages of Frost Cave and the Rainbow Room, only to emerge with his family in a land and time teetering on the brink of ultimate destruction. The time just prior to the Savior’s appearance in the new world.
The time of the Feathered Serpent.

This book in the Tennis Shoe Adventure Series is one of my favorites. Not only is there adventure (and in Utah of all places!) but there is a plethora of spiritual connotations and references to Jesus Christ and The Book of Mormon. This book is mainly for members of The Latter Day Saint Church, and it is a favorite among teens and adults alike. But I'd say if you are Christian and like adventure and a little time-travel to boot, you'll enjoy this as much as we (LDS) do. Join Jim Hawkins as he is framed for murder by an old enemy, and his daughter is kidnapped for nefarious ends and must attempt to save her or lose his whole family.