VVMBookBlog

First there was Hoot, then Flush and now we have Scat!  Maybe because it’s been a couple years since Flush, but I think Scat is my favorite Carl Hiaasen book so far.  Again there’s an environmental scare–this time it’s a sighting of a very rare Florida panther in the Everglades.  And again there is the greedy business–this time an oil company wanting to drill an illegal oil pipeline on protected state property NEXT to their own oil-less property.

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.

Cadel Piggott is a genius, literally genius IQ. In elementary school, Cadell hacks into government computers and seems to have obsessions with causing havoc. Many of his acts seem evil. His family “hooks him up” with a psychiatrist who fosters some of the evil and destruction. Of course Cadell moves through school quickly and graduates at the age of fourteen. He then attends the Axis Institute where he builds his computer skills and takes classes such as forgery.

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.”