Reaching Through Time by Lurlene McDaniel-OPTIONAL

McDaniel, Lurlene, Reaching Through Time. Delacorte Press, 2011. Pgs. 228. Language: G, Violence: G, Sexual Content: PG

With only the memory of her name, Sarah finds herself under the care of Heath de Charon on his estate, but she keeps hearing voices in her head calling her back somewhere. When she nears a maze on her host’s land, she feels drawn to it and finds her voices in her head stronger. Will she ever get home? Will she remember who she is and figure out who the voices are?  After landing a job at Sandstone Mountain, Drake starts developing feeling s for his boss’ daughter. Soon, he’s asked to leaven when the girl falls mysteriously ill. Can Drake find out what is causing her illness? One hot summer day, Dylan meets Maura, a girl in distress. She claims she was just having trouble with the heat, but appears to be hiding something. Dylan starts to have feelings for her and starts dating her, but he, too, has secrets. Will they be able to open up and have a good relationship?

A slow-moving book. The stories are cute, but too short to truly enjoy them to their fullest. The characters are likable, but not that well-developed. Still, readers who like cutesy romances, Lurlene McDaniel books, and romantic mysteries might like this book. MS, HS. OPTIONAL. Reviewer; Kira M., Youth Services Librarian, WHI Public Library.

The Lunatic's Curse by F. E. Higgins - ADVISABLE

Higgins, F.E., The Lunatic’s Curse. Feiwel and Friends, 2010. Pgs. 336.

Language: G, Violence: PG, Mature Content: G

Rex and his father, Ambrose Grammaticus were really close until he got a new stepmother, Acantha. Before their marriage, Ambrose was working on some kind of submersible invention to take him under the river that separates the town from the local asylum. Over a couple weeks period after their marriage, his stepmother drives a wedge between Rex and his father. On the last night as a family, his father appears to go insane and is admitted to the asylum. Rex is sure that his stepmother and his father’s invention are somehow behind his father’s insanity. Now his stepmother is threatening to send him to a boarding school for delinquents. When his father escapes, he contacts his son and tells him to not look into Acantha’s treachery towards their family and to get out of town. To make matters worse, Acantha, the superintendant of the asylum, and the mayor are taking an aggressive approach against vagrants, beggars, and lunatics that is resulting in many people’s deaths. Will Rex honor his father’s request and leave town or will he figure out what’s really going on in town?

A great mystery for fantasy fans. The characters are mysterious and likable, even the villains. The plot is well-developed and suspenseful. Readers who like fantasy, mystery, horror, villains, and adventure will enjoy reading this book.

EL, MS. ADVISABLE. Reviewer: Kira M, Youth Services Librarian, WHI Public Library.

Fetching by Kiera Stewart

Stewart, Kiera, Fetching. Disney Hyperion, 2011. Pgs. 296. Language: G, Violence: PG, Sexual Content: PG

Olivia is certainly not one of the in-crowd. Her mother left and she is spending lots of time with her grandmother training dogs. One day, Olivia and her not-so-popular friends get an idea. They decide that the other students at her school can all be categorized and trained like dogs. Now they just have to master the art of being alpha dogs. Will they succeed?

A humorous, realistic fiction book for girls. The characters are entertaining and likable. The plot seems formulaic, but has a lot of fun dog puns that keep hold of the reader’s interest. Readers who like humor, realistic fiction, school stories, and friendship will enjoy reading this book. El (4-6), MS. OPTIONAL. Reviewer: Jessica Moody, Library Media Specialist, Olympus Jr. High.

The Way We Fall by Megan Crewe-ADVISABLE

Crewe, Megan, The Way We Fall. Hyperion, 2012. Pgs. 309. Language: PG-13 (22 swear, 5 “f”s).  Violence: PG-13, Sexual Content: G

16-year-old, Kaelyn starts by keeping a journal for her best friend, Leo, who is away at school. This journal becomes the reader’s insight into the desperate lives of those on an island, cut off from the world, trying to survive an epidemic that few survive. Will Kaelyn and her loved ones live? Will her dad find a cure as he is the island’s only microbiologist?

A gruesome, poignant story that leaves the readers wanting to know what happens to the characters. Filled with life, love , and survival readers who like realistic fiction, disease-related books, and survival stories might will enjoy reading this book. MS, HS. ADVISABLE. Reviewer: Jessica Moody, Library Media Specialist, Olympus Jr. High

The Year Money Grew on Trees by Aaron Hawkins-ADVISABLE

Hawkins, Aaron, The Year Money Grew on Trees. Houghton Miffflin Harcourt, 2011. 304. Language: G, Sexual Content: G, Violence: G

Jackson Jones is an industrious 14-year-old who is pressured into a contract with a senile older neighbor. His end of the deal was to get the abandoned apple orchard up and going. If he did-the orchard would be his. To pull off this impossible job, he enlists the help of his sisters and cousins. Will he succeed?

The characters are well-developed and grow. The plot is realistic and enjoyable. The writing style flows smoothly and the book is a relaxing read. Readers who like historical fiction, books with strong characters, and realistic fiction will enjoy reading this book. EL (4-6). ADVISABLE. Reviewer: Kira M, Youth Services Librarian, WHI Public Library.