Flipped by Wendelin Van Draanen

Amazon.com Review
Juli Baker devoutly believes in three things: the sanctity of trees (especially her beloved sycamore), the wholesomeness of the eggs she collects from her backyard flock of chickens, and that someday she will kiss Bryce Loski. Ever since she saw Bryce's baby blues back in second grade, Juli has been smitten. Unfortunately, Bryce has never felt the same. Frankly, he thinks Juli Baker is a little weird--after all, what kind of freak raises chickens and sits in trees for fun? Then, in eighth grade, everything changes. Bryce begins to see that Juli's unusual interests and pride in her family are, well, kind of cool. And Juli starts to think that maybe Bryce's brilliant blue eyes are as empty as the rest of Bryce seems to be. After all, what kind of jerk doesn't care about other people's feelings about chickens and trees? With Flipped, mystery author Wendelin Van Draanen has taken a break from her Sammy Keyes series, and the result is flipping fantastic. Bryce and Juli's rants and raves about each other ring so true that teen readers will quickly identify with at least one of these hilarious feuding egos, if not both. A perfect introduction to the adolescent war between the sexes. (Ages 12 to 14) --Jennifer Hubert --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

Joe received this book for Christmas this year. It made a fun read-aloud. We finished it quickly and wish it had more.

The Doll in McCalloway's Store

The Doll in McCalloway's Store by Kevin Krogh is the first novel by this LDS author.
Some interesting thoughts instore and glimpses of poetry. Focus is on finding faith and recognizing God in our lives.

The Willow Switch by Kevin Krogh ***

The Willow Switch by Kevin Krogh is his second book. The first one, I am currently reading is The Doll in McCallaway's Store. Kevin is not afraid to talk about indepth things close to his heart. To talk of faith, atheism, death, abuse, etc.
This book captured my fatigued attention more than the heavy backgrounded first novel for late night nursings. The story is of a young boy, abused by his "biological father" and his healing and love by another "father."
A book that was written with integrity about a topic obviously close to the author's heart yet with only references to vulgarity and violence.

Brisingr by Christopher Paolinin

Currently reading with Joe...Book three of the Inheritance "Cycle", not trilogy because there will be a book four now, apparently.

Curse of the Titans (Percy Jackson, book3)

The Titan's Curse (Percy Jackson and the Olympians, Book 3)

From School Library Journal
Grade 6-9–In this installment, Riordan continues to enliven ancient mythology with wit, contemporary staging, and teenage heroics. Percy Jackson is now 14, a bit older and wiser, yet still entangled with the Fates. Friends, monsters, dysfunctional gods, and the romantic stirrings of all things natural and mythological are encountered. His good friend, if oft-time rival, Annabeth (daughter of Athena) is missing, as is Artemis, goddess of the hunt. Joined by best buddy Grover-the-goat-boy and an argumentative array of accomplices, Percy sets off to fulfill, and hopefully foil, the foreboding prophecy of the Oracle. Plagued by ominous dreams, thwarted by hideous monsters, and challenged by conflicting partnerships, the search party's success hinges on unlikely unity. The droll pitch is teen-perfect, as when Apollo heats up the scene by arriving in his fire-red Maserati, wearing jeans, a sleeveless T-shirt, and loafers. 'Wow,' Thalia muttered, 'Apollo is hot.' 'He's the sun god,' I said. 'That's not what I meant.' Intricate prophecies and relationships are neatly braided into the adventurous plot. Teachers will cheer for Percy Jackson and the Olympians as they inspire students to embrace Greek mythology and score the ultimate Herculean challenge: getting kids to read. All in all, a winner of Olympic proportions and a surefire read-aloud.–Alison Follos, North Country School, Lake Placid, NY
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• Reading level: Ages 9-12
  
• Hardcover: 320 pages
• Publisher: Miramax (May 1, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1423101456
• ISBN-13: 978-1423101451

Rapunzels Revenge by Shannon Hale, etc.

• Reading level: Ages 9-12
  
• Hardcover: 144 pages
• Publisher: Bloomsbury USA Children's Books (August 5, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 159990070X

Product Description

Once upon a time, in a land you only think you know, lived a little girl and her mother . . . or the woman she thought was her mother.

Every day, when the little girl played in her pretty garden, she grew more curious about what lay on the other side of the garden wall . . . a rather enormous garden wall.

And every year, as she grew older, things seemed weirder and weirder, until the day she finally climbed to the top of the wall and looked over into the mines and desert beyond.

Newbery Honor-winning author Shannon Hale teams up with husband Dean Hale and brilliant artist Nathan Hale (no relation) to bring readers a swashbuckling and hilarious twist on the classic story as you’ve never seen it before. Watch as Rapunzel and her amazing hair team up with Jack (of beanstalk fame) to gallop around the wild and western landscape, changing lives, righting wrongs, and bringing joy to every soul they encounter.

Julie's take: I really like Shannon Hale's work, usually. This novel may be perfect for my eight year old daughter. It has some interesting twists upon an old tale. Similar to a hardbacked comic book...it was not like Hugo Cabret which actually used the pictures in a subtle way to tell the story. I found this book rather choppy...an interesting debut "graphic novel."

Battle of the Labyrinth (Percy Jackson, Book 4)

Battle of the Labyrinth (Percy Jackson, Book 4) by Rick Riordan
Once again, this is an enjoyable book as Percy heads towards sixteen (he is 15) and the fateful prophecy. I was a bit irked by the references to vegan/vegetarians in this book after the teens visit a cattle ranch of the gods.

Percy Jackson isn’t expecting freshman orientation to be any fun. But when a mysterious mortal acquaintance appears on campus, followed by demon cheerleaders, things quickly move from bad to worse. In this latest installment of the blockbuster series, time is running out as war between the Olympians and the evil Titan lord Kronos draws near. Even the safe haven of Camp Half-Blood grows more vulnerable by the minute as Kronos’s army prepares to invade its once impenetrable borders. To stop the invasion, Percy and his demigod friends must set out on a quest through the Labyrinth–a sprawling underground world with stunning surprises at every turn. Full of humor and heart-pounding action, this latest audiobook promises to be their most thrilling adventure yet. (Amazon comment)

• Reading level: Ages 9-12
  
• Hardcover: 368 pages
• Publisher: Hyperion Book CH (May 6, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1423101464
• ISBN-13: 978-1423101468