Blog Archives

Daughter of Smoke & Bone by Laini Taylor

10/28/2014

You may think that your family is weird, but Karou's isn't even human. She has a pretty normal life on the surface: she goes to art school, hangs out with friends, copes with a break-up. But those closest to her wonder why she has a habit of disappearing. They never suspect the truth--that she goes through secret doors to a workshop filled with monsters that send her all over the world collecting teeth. These are no baby teeth either. They are ripped from animals of all sorts and collecting them can be dangerous. Karou doesn't know how she came by this odd life, but she loves her monstrous family. Then an angel with wings of flames comes into her life and Karou finally begins to unravel the story of her dark past as she prepares to face an even more dangerous future.

The world-building in this series is phenomenal. Laini Taylor creates a unique and complex world that weaves together not only different countries but parallel universes. The creatures that live in this alternate universe are creative part animal part human hybrids. This series is a real page-turner so make sure that when you finish the first book you have the next one ready!

Daughter of Smoke & Bone by Laini Taylor

Erica's Picks
8th Grade
Tags: Dystopian, Fantasy, Romance,

Haroun and the Sea of Stories by Salman Rushdie

10/28/2014

Did you ever wonder where stories come from? Haroun’s father the storyteller says that he has a special tap into the Sea of Stories that he draws his inspiration from. So when he runs out of ideas, Haroun knows where he must go to fix things. After tricking a genie into helping him, Haroun embarks on a quest to save the Sea of Stories from the evil forces seeking to destroy it.

Haroun meets all kinds of fantastic creatures during his adventure from shadow warriors to floating gardeners. The book is full of witty wordplay and memorable lines. If you like classic fantasy adventures stories like The Wizard of Oz or Alice in Wonderland you’ll love Haroun and the Sea of Stories.

Haroun and the Sea of Stories by Salman Rushdie

Erica's Picks
4th - 6th Grade
Tags: Adventure, Fantasy, Humor, People of Color

Dodger by Terry Pratchett

10/24/2014

Dodger earned his nickname for his ability to dodge out of danger and he's stayed true to his name. He makes a living by finding coins, jewels, and other debris in the sewers of London. One night as he's coming out of a drain he sees a lady in distress and rushes to her aid. This sets off a chain of events that leads him to meeting Charles Dickens, getting a close shave from Sweeney Todd, and even attending a posh dinner party. But when an international assassin is hired to kill him, will he be able to dodge him too?

This book is chock full of interesting facts about Victorian London from Dickens and Disraeli to toshers and cockney rhyming slang. Dodger somehow finds himself rubbing elbows with a variety of famous and infamous people from the era as he woos a damsel in distress and finds his way out of the gutter.

Dodger by Terry Pratchett

Erica's Picks
7th - 8th
Tags: Adventure, Fast Paced, Historical Fiction, Humor, Retellings

The Thief by Megan Whalen Turner

10/24/2014

Gen is chained up in a dungeon with shackles chafing against his wrists as he slowly starves. But he isn't concerned. Gen is an experienced thief, which is what got him into prison and what will get him out. There isn't a prison that he can't steal himself out of and he knows he'll be free of this one soon...somehow. He isn't surprised when the King's Magus brings him out for a consultation. He has a job that only a thief can do. It will be dangerous and difficult and he may not make it out alive, but the Magus assures him that he will definitely die if he doesn't go along with it. So Gen agrees to go with the Magus and steal an ancient treasure from the Gods.

Gen is a cunning thief with a heart of gold and a sharp tongue. He takes pleasure in annoying the rest of the party throughout the novel, but when the going gets tough is quick to display his skill. The world-building and invented mythology is interesting and their adventures on the road keep the pace moving quickly.

The Thief by Megan Whalen Turner

Erica's Picks
5th - 8th
Tags: Adventure, Crime Caper, Fantasy, Mythology

The Vine Basket by Josanne La Valley

10/24/2014

Ever since her older brother left, Mehrigul has had to accompany her father to market which means no more school for her. She misses school, and she misses her brother even more. Then an American lady sees a vine basket she made and buys it for a lot of money. She promises to return in a month and buy any more baskets Mehrigul can make. Mehrigul thinks that this is her lucky break, but when the local authorities realize that she's no longer in school they threaten to take her away from her family and send her to work in a factory.

This book takes place among the Uyghur people in China. Mehrigul is an endearing character and a great heroine. She works so hard to achieve her goals that it is heartbreaking when she encounters setbacks. I enjoyed the descriptions of what it felt like to make the baskets with her own hands from the frustration when something wasn't working out to the pride she felt over the finished product.

The Vine Basket by Josanne La Valley

Erica's Picks
5th - 8th
Tags: Character Driven, Contemporary Fiction, Family Life, Issues Fiction, People of Color

The Gumazing Gum Girl! by Rhode Montijo

10/23/2014

Have you ever had gum stuck in your hair? How did you get it out? Gabby's mother uses peanut butter to do the trick, and warns Gabby to stop her constant chewing. But Gabby can't resist. She blows a giant bubble that touches the telephone wires and zaps her. This turns her into the gumazing gum girl! At first Gabby just wants to get out of the sticky situation, but she soon realizes that being gum girl has its advantages. Will Gabby save the day or will her bubble burst?

This quick read is packed full of laughs and classic superhero tropes. The illustrations are in black, white, and bubblegum-pink and show off gum girl's special powers and crime-fighting action scenes. An excellent early chapter book for fans of superheroes and humor.

The Gumazing Gum Girl! by Rhode Montijo

Erica's Picks
1st - 3rd Grade
Tags: Fantasy, Humor, People of Color, School Stories

To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before by Jenny Han

10/23/2014

What would you do if everyone you've ever had a crush on got a letter pouring out all your feelings for them? That is exactly what happens to Lara Jean. Every time she had a crush on a boy and she wanted to get over it she would sit down and write a letter. She'd pour her heart into it because no one else would ever see it. Or so she thought. Then one day her special hat box that held her letters is taken to the Goodwill by her father. Someone puts them in the mailbox, and suddenly a guy she had a crush on years ago comes up to her in PE asking her about a strange letter he just received. It gets worse. One of the guys she had a crush on is now her older sister's boyfriend.

I'm sure there are more mortifying situations than having to come face to face with everyone you've had a crush on, but I am hard-pressed to think of one. The romance this creates is certainly unconventional and always entertaining. What really sets this apart though is the interactions between the sisters. I'd give this to anyone looking for a realistic school story with a touch of romance.

To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before by Jenny Han

Erica's Picks
6th - 8th Grade
Tags: Character Driven, Contemporary Fiction, Family LIfe, People of Color, Romance, School Stories

How to Catch a Bogle by Catherine Jinks

10/23/2014

Bogles are good at hiding. The only hint of one might be that children keep disappearing. There are those as don't believe in bogles, but Birdie knows better. She's been a bogler's apprentice for quite some time and she's helped her master to catch many monsters. Bogles love children, so they make excellent bait. All Birdie has to do is stand in a circle of salt and sing. What could be simpler than that? It's a lot better than many of the other jobs orphans take. Except of course that a moment's hesitation or a stumble could mean that her apprenticeship will come to a swift and deadly end.

Birdie is strong-willed and independent as she fights to be recognized for the hero she is despite people constantly underestimating her. The other characters are fun to read about as well from the dodger-like Ned to the impressive Miss Eames. The bogle-catching episodes provide plenty of suspense while the bigger story provides a mystery to be solved. Jinks, as usual, finds ways to slip humor in throughout the story.

How to Catch a Bogle by Catherine Jinks

Erica's Picks
4th - 6th Grade
Tags: Fantasy, Historical Fiction, Horror, Humor, Mystery

The Adventures of Sir Gawain the True by Gerald Morris

10/23/2014

Have you ever imagined dressing up in a suit of armor, slaying dragons, and battling giants? If so, you'll love this story about Sir Gawain. The Green Knight shows up at the round table one night and offers anyone the chance to hit him with an axe if he will allow the Green Knight to do the same in one year and one day. Sir Gawain volunteers and beheads the Green Knight, but the Green Knight just picks his own head up and reminds Gawain to meet him again in a year. Should Sir Gawain keep his promise or should he use the year to run as far away as he can? What would you do?

Fans of King Arthur will enjoy this new version of the story told with a lot of humor and heart. There’s a lot of action as Sir Gawain battles his foes, but it also talks about why vows were so important in Sir Gawain's time and why Arthur valued manners in knights as much as their fighting skills. The pictures show the action and provide additional humor. A great book to read aloud or for students looking for an early chapter book to read themselves.

The Adventures of Sir Gawain the True by Gerald Morris

Erica's Picks
1st - 3rd Grade
Tags: Adventure, Fantasy, Historical Fiction, Humor, Retellings

Snarked by Roger Langridge

10/23/2014

The king has been missing for three months. Trouble is brewing and the king's trusted advisers are scheming villains. When Princess Scarlett discovers their evil plot, she decides to lead a rescue party to find her father. But the only men she can find to help are the infamous tricksters the Walrus and the Carpenter. Will the young queen, two con artists, and her baby brother Rusty be able to survive mad pirates, evil assassins, and a dreaded snark to save the king?

These comics are just plain fun. The nonsense world of Lewis Carroll is expanded in a most delightful way by Langridge. He clearly had as much fun writing and illustrating the comics as I did reading them and it shows in the humorous details and creative panel layouts. You'll get more of the jokes if you have a knowledge of Lewis Carroll, but even if you don't there's still plenty to entertain here. I'd give it to fans of nonsense and humor.

Snarked by Roger Langridge

Erica's Picks
2nd - 8th Grade
Tags: Animals, Comics, Fantasy, Humor, Retellings