Blog Archives

Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secret of the Universe by Benjamin Alire

11/6/2014

It is the summer of 1987 when Aristotle and Dante meet. They are 15 years old and existing in “the universe between boys and men.” This is a coming of age story about two boys who meet at a pool and form an unlikely and intense friendship. Both come from Mexican–American families with loving and involved parents. Ari is introverted and sensitive; he struggles with anger over losing his brother to unknown causes. Dante is self-assured and outgoing, comfortable with being in touch with all aspects of his self including his growing awareness that he is gay.
This book will take you on a journey where watching these two boys grow and look into their own and each others souls will touch your heart and make you want to find your own authentic self.

Tessa's Picks
6th-8th grade
Contemporary fiction, LGBTQ, friendship

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The Night Gardener by Jonathan Auxier

11/6/2014

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When Molly and her brother Kip enter sourwoods it is eerily silent and foreboding. Dire straits have forced them to accept work as servants at the manor house that stands within its confines. Approaching the crumbling mansion they notice a towering tree has intertwined its branches into and around the house. The inhabitants are not welcoming and the children soon find that the house is visited each night by a malevolent specter , the night gardener, who brings them bad dreams and steals their life force to feed the tree. As the humans grow pale and shadowy, the tree grants them their dearest wishes insuring that they never leave. Can the children break the spell and free them from the evil that has sent out roots to ensnare them all. A spooky tale from the masterful storyteller who brought us Peter Nibble and His Fantastic Eyes.

Tessa's Picks
4th-7th grade
Fantasy, horror, supernatural

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The Different Girl by Gordon Dahlquist

11/6/2014

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Veronika, Caroline, Isobel, and Eleanor have lived on a deserted island for as long as they can remember. The four girls do everything together and look identical except for their hair color. Irene and Robbert tell them that their parents all died in a plane crash and do their best to take care of them and provide them with an education. Despite their tragic circumstances they live a relatively happy and normal life. Or at least that's what they always believed. Then one day a very different girl appears on the island who makes them question everything.

The book is written from Veronika's perspective and her limited knowledge and her inability to see how unique her life is creates tension as little hints are dropped which left me constantly guessing and trying to extrapolate to figure out what was going on. It reminded me of psychological thrillers like The Twilight Zone. Veronika even talks in a way that is a bit off (read a bit of the beginning to see if you can get used to this style or not.)

The Different Girl by Gordon Dahlquist

Erica's Picks
6th - 8th Grade
Tags: Character Driven, Dystopian, People of Color, Science Fiction, Survivor

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After the End by Amy Plum

11/6/2014

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When World War III ravaged the world a small group managed to survive in the remote Alaskan wilderness. Juneau is one of the children of these survivors and has learned how to live off the land and tap into the heart of nature to work magic. When her tribe is taken while she's out hunting she ventures out of the safe zone for the first time and what she discovers shakes her to the very core: a whole city, completely untouched. Is everything she was ever told a lie? But her tribe is still missing and she must find them. Now she has to survive in an environment she is completely unprepared for in a world where she has no idea whom to trust.

This story is told in the alternating perspectives of Juneau and Miles, the son of a pharmaceutical exec who wants to find Juneau to unlock the secret of why the adults in her tribe never age. The pacing is quick and fans of Katniss will enjoy the capable Juneau. Fans of supernatural stories will enjoy Juneau’s nature-based magic and animal lovers will enjoy Juneau's pets (dogs and a bird.)

After the End by Amy Plum

Erica's Picks
7th & 8th Grade
Tags: Fast Paced, People of Color, Supernatural, Survivor

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Dangerous by Shannon Hale

11/6/2014

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When Maisie's father gave her the middle name 'Danger' he thought he was being funny. He didn't know how apt it would turn out to be. Maisie has wanted to go to astronaut camp ever since she was a little girl, so when she sees the contest on her cereal box she figures that it couldn't hurt to apply. She is shocked to win and even more so when she's selected to be part of an elite group that gets to visit the space elevator built by the eccentric genius who runs the camp. But what starts as a prize loses its luster when things go horribly wrong. All of their lives will be changed forever as they come to grips with new abilities and try to decide who, if anyone, they can trust.

Aliens, superheroes, cool gadgets, and epic fight scenes: this book has it all. The characters are diverse and resist easy categorization into good and evil. If you’re looking for a sci-fi thriller with a super hero angle, look no further.

Dangerous by Shannon Hale

Erica's Picks
7th -8th Grade
Tags: Family life, Fast Paced, Makers, People of Color, Romance, Science Fiction

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Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secret of the Universe by Benjamin Alire

The Night Gardener by Jonathan Auxier

The Different Girl by Gordon Dahlquist

After the End by Amy Plum

Dangerous by Shannon Hale

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