APRIL 25, 2008
Artemis Fowl: The Graphic Novel by Eoin Colfer and Andrew Donkin
The fairy world is in danger from a thirteen year-old genius, Artemis Fowl. Artemis has broken the fairy code, kidnapped a fairy, and has outsmarted the fairy police. The Fowl mansion is attacked by a savage troll, tunneled into by a crafty dwarf, and bio-bombed by the fairy Special Forces (LEP) while Artemis holds Captain Holly Short of the LEP hostage. Artemis puts not only his own life, but the life of his ill mother, his faithful bodyguard, and his bodyguard’s little sister in extreme danger to get rich from fairy gold.
Readers curious about Artemis Fowl and readers who love the series will enjoy this graphic novel version of the first book, Artemis Fowl.
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APRIL 22, 2008
Come in from the Cold by Marsha Qualey
Set in Minnesota in 1969, the first part of the book is told from Maud's point of view, a 17-year-old whose sister has been "underground" protesting the Vietnam war and recently blown herself up in a college laboratory. The second part of the book is told from Jeff's point of view, whose brother is killed in Vietnam. In his conservative town, Jeff protests the war in a non-violent manner. Maud and Jeff meet through one of these protests one year following their respective sibling's deaths and immediately find a connection. This fast-paced novel follows their relationship through the drugs and alcohol, the Kent State killings, and the country's apathy as they search for answers and find love. The surprise ending is completely appropriate for the time. This mature story is recommended for grades 8 and up and for teens interested in stories set during the Vietnam War. Qualey's book
Everybody's Daughter continues the story started here.
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APRIL 15, 2008
The Unmaking of Duncan Veerick by Betty Levin
Duncan Veerick is a quiet, unassuming 13 year old eighth grader. He likes rock climbing, hiking and playing trumpet. So, how did he end up getting involved with Mrs. Valentine, her dog Mo, and Astrid's (Mrs. Valentine's) shady nephew, Eddie Shoop? It all started one day, when Mrs. Valentine lost control of her dog, Mo, who ran out into the street. Duncan came to the rescue and Astrid is somewhat relieved that Duncan was able to catch Mo. Then, a short time later, Astrid, suffers a stroke. Duncan is to take care of her dog while she is in the hospital. When Astrid is well enough to come home, Duncan is still entrusted with the care of Mo. During this time of Astrid's recovery, Duncan gets to know Astrid. He has always thought of her as the "crazy junk lady," but he gets to know her. He learns that she was once a famous jazz singer in her day and that she loves the sound of the trumpet. She also has quite a memory for all the junk that is in her house. She likes to tell stories to Duncan about the days that she and her husband would buy and sell antinques and all kinds of junk. As this friendship is developing, enter in Astrid's nephew, Eddie Shoop. At first, he seems genuinely interested and concerned for his aunt's welfare. Then, things start disappearing. Astrid suspects some things, and gets Duncan to hide some of the treasures that really are valuable. These things include ivory, stone cut-outs and a mummy. Apparently, people used to sell and buy mummies. It is illegal to sell mummies, and Astrid wants the mummy hidden so that Eddie doesn't sell it on the black market. Duncan feels that he is helping Astrid, then the fire changes all that. Astrid has another stroke, and he is now the number one suspect. Will Duncan be charged with arson and theft? Will Eddie be caught? Read this book to find out. A good read and recommended for students in grades 6-9.
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APRIL 11, 2008
Keeping Corner by Kashmira Sheth
The setting is 1918 India. Gandhi has started a political movement and practices satyagraha, nonviolent protest, against the colonial powers and the caste system. Twelve year old Leela follows the traditions of her Brahman caste. She enjoys all the privileges of a Hindu belonging to the highest caste including wearing fine jewelry, colorful clothing, and participating in the many festive celebrations each year. She was engaged at two years old, married at nine, and now, at twelve, awaits her upcoming anu, the ceremony performed for a bride before she goes to live with her husband and his family forever. When her fiancé, Ramanlal, is bitten by a poisonous snake and dies, Leela’s life is forever changed. A Brahman widow must follow strict rules. Leela can no longer wear colorful clothing, she can no longer wear jewelry, she must shave off all of her beautiful long hair, and she cannot attend celebrations anymore. She must observe a full year of mourning where she may not leave her home. She may never remarry, and worst of all, widows are feared, despised, and shunned. Leela’s only hope is to get an education. During her year of mourning, called keeping corner, Leela’s teacher comes to privately tutor her. She is a very good student and hopes to go away to boarding school in the city, but first she must convince her parents. Her parents fear for her safety and fear breaking tradition. Leela wonders if Gandhi’s ideas can liberate her too.
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APRIL 3, 2008
Peak by Roland Smith
Peak Marcello faces spending the next three years in juvenile detention after being caught climbing a New York City skyscraper. Although fourteen-year-old Peak hasn’t seen or heard from his father in seven years, his father offers to take Peak to live with him in Thailand if the judge will drop the charges. Peak’s father, Joshua Woods, is a world renowned mountain climber and owns a climbing company that helps people to climb Mt. Everest. Joshua wants his son, Peak, to be the youngest person to ever summit Mt. Everest. Peak must summit before his fifteenth birthday to achieve this goal. Peak loves climbing but is angry with his father for trying to use him so his company will get the notoriety and the extra business the publicity of putting the youngest person on top of Mt. Everest. Peak learns a lot about his father and the culture of the Sherpas that help climbers summit the world’s highest peaks in the Himalayas. He realizes how much his step-father Rolf cares for him and how important family really is. Peak also discovers he has the inner strength to survive during this high action adventure.
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APRIL 1, 2008
Bearwalker by Joseph Bruchac
While Baron Braun is proud of his Mohawk heritage, he finds that his cultural differences, being the new kid at school, as well as his small size for an eighth grader make him the target of the school bully at Pioneer Middle School. Baron lives with his grandmother until his mother returns form her deployment to the Middle East with the army. His father went missing in Afghanistan a few years earlier. Baron dreads the class trip to Camp Chuckamuck in the Adirondacks even though he loves camping.
It turns out that Baron has more to worry about on the class trip than the class bully. The class trip quickly turns into a grizzly monster tale as the students and staff of Camp Chuckamuck become victims of greedy fake camp counselors and a bloodthirsty part bear, part human monster from the Mohawk Bear Clan legends. Baron must draw on what his elders have taught him to save himself and the others as he scrambles through the Adirondack wilderness to get outside help. He is attacked by bears and hunted by the bloodthirsty monster as he races against time to save the camp.
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