Mastepiece

Marvin is a beetle who lives in James’ house. Although the two do not know each other at the beginning of the novel, they become a set of unusual friends, boy and bug. James’ mother is a bit overbearing as is his stepfather. His father is an artist who gives James a pen and ink set for his birthday. This is how Marvin, the beetle, enters into James’ life. This turns into a mystery concerning missing art. Readers will learn more about a famous artist (Durer) and follow the unlikely pair of friends on an adventure.

Absolute Pressure

Absolute Pressure is an easy and suspenseful read. Ian spends his summers in Florida (Key West) with his uncle. His uncle has a dive (scuba diving) business, and Ian is a certified diver. From the beginning this book is filled with mystery and excitement as Ian almost dies when someone tampers with his dive equipment. Readers who love suspense will not be disappointed as they learn who tampered with the equipment and why they tampered with it. Ian even finds a little romance as the story unfolds.

Cherry Heaven

Cherry Heaven has a Lexile of 830 and proves to be a more difficult read. It is a futuristic story of two worlds (two societies?). People are separated because of their DNA. The prejudice separates these worlds. Luka (Bottle Seal 55) lives a horrible, ghost like life while Kat and Tanka live a better life. These stories mirror each other in events yet are opposite. It’s a complicated novel which comes together at the end. This is a novel for those who appreciate science fiction and a bit of mystery. The theme of intolerance is woven throughout the novel as these girls live their lives near the Hydro factory.

The Postcard

Jason is basically forced to go to Florida for his grandmother’s funeral even though he has never met his grandmother. He is sent with a directive from his mother to keep an eye on his father and make sure he doesn’t drink. As soon as he gets to Florida things get quite strange. The funeral if full of odd people, and he even gets strange phone calls. Of course his dad does drink. This conveniently leaves time for Jason to follow clues to a mystery with a girl from his grandmother’s neighborhood.

It may seem a bit strange, but it is a mystery in a mystery. The book, itself, is a mystery, but Jason also follows clues and reads letters (shown in the book) which are a mystery. Reading the letters and following the clues helps Jason solve the mystery of the letters helping with the mystery of the novel.

The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman

One can count one Neil Gaiman to come up with something weird and creepy. The Graveyard Book fits with his other books such as Coraline although I believe it is better than Coraline. As a baby Bod (Nobody) survives as his entire family is killed by Jack. He somehow escapes to a graveyard where is he is raised by its inhabitants who let him live in their tomb. The story takes Bad from a baby to a teen and follows his adventures as he lives in and sometimes leaves the graveyard. Jack, however, has been looking for Bod since he was an infant and appears to cause problems for Bod.

There are many heroes in this story, most very surprising so I can’t tell you who they are here.  I can say that very-scary Biology teacher, Mrs. Bunny Starch, takes her class, including good guys Nick and Marta, to the Black Vine Swamp and ends up disappearing very mysteriously.  While on the field trip, Nick is on the lookout for a panther, but then the trip is cut short by a wildfire of mysterious origin that scares them all back to the buses. And where is Duane Scrod, Jr., aka “Smoke,” whose last class interaction with Mrs. Starch ended badly!

So many great characters in this story, and lots of good side stories to keep you reading and wondering how it’s all going to turn out.  Hoot, Flush, Scat…what will come next?

The Disreputable History of Frankie Landau-Banks by E. Lockhart

This is an intelligent, funny, thought-provoking book for intelligent female adolescents. Frankie Landau-Banks, a tenth grader, has blossomed over the summer. She has gone from a geeky looking girl to a gorgeous teen and has gained the attention of Matthew, a popular senior. As the school year progresses, Frankie becomes more engaged with Matthew and his friends while keeping her best friend Trish. They all go to a high school boarding school which has its traditions. Without looking for trouble, Frankie has uncovered a secret boys group which Matt is involved. Trying to prove herself worthy of him and his group, Frankie pulls some incredible pranks.

This is an enjoyable read with wonderful vocabulary. Use context clues, but keep a dictionary handy. Read to learn more about relationships, friendships, and thoughtful pranks.

My guess is this book is recommended for ages 12 and up due to the evil content (death and destruction). Readers who enjoyed Harry Potter may be fascinated with this story of a boy who doesn’t have any friends until he attends the institute and gradually learns more about his family. The story is full of action and the plot becomes more and more intense as it unfolds. The sequel is called Genius Squad.

Diamonds in the Shadow by Caroline B. Cooney

Jared is not pleased when he learns his family will be hosting a refugee family from Africa since the church’s original plan did not work. To make matters worse, Jared will have to share a room. While this news is aggravating to Jared, his sister, Mopsy, is excited to share her room with Alake even though Alake doesn’t talk. Their family of four will share their home with the refugee family of four. Things are not as they seem, and the new family seems a bit off to Jared. As this story, mystery, unfolds we learn more about the refugee family and their former life in Africa. We also learn more about the true character of Jared.

Caroline B. Cooney is part of a church community who has welcomed many refugee families. Although her story is fictional, she does give some facts in her “A Note from the Author.” This book is a mystery full of tension. The title is a bit of foreshadowing.

Every Move by Peter McPhee

Emily is a high school girl living a fairly average life of going to school and working with her best friend at the coffee shop. When the neighborhood geek, Michael, becomes interested in her, she thinks it’s sweet and doesn’t want to hurt his feelings. Michael, on the other hand, wants to be more than “just friends.” What will happen when Emily starts dating another boy? How will Michael feel about her new relationship?

Every Move is probably best for mature audiences. The book is somewhat creepy and full of suspense. It does show the reality of being careful on the computer. Supposedly the book is “inspired by true events.”