Outlaw

Stephen Davies' Outlaw is on the Texas Lone Star Reading List 2013-14. It is an action-packed adventure that will appeal to fans of Horowitz's Alex Rider series. Jake Knight has a gift - he can scale high walls without any help. Jake's parents and sister, Kas, live in Burkina Faso in West Africa where his father is a highly regarded British Ambassador. Jake finds himself having to return to his family when he is booted out of his British boarding school for too many infractions. The story goes back and forth between what is happening in Jake’s life and a masterful outlaw dubbed The Chameleon – the Robin Hood of the Sahara Desert. When Jake and Kas are kidnapped by ruthless henchman the story quickly picks up with twists and turns. I love the way Davies intertwines modern technology and warfare with the simple natural resources that exist for those in the harsh desert. Other young adult books by Davies include The Yellowcake Conspiracy and Hacking Timbuktu.

Small as an Elephant

Imagine being abandoned on a camping trip by your mother? To make matters worse, you cannot tell anyone in fear that they might take you away from your mother, because they would see her as being unfit. Eleven-year-old Jack Martel regrets having an argument with her the night before she left him all alone. He accepts the fact that his mom is just having one of her episodes - she isn't like other mothers, but she is all he has. He is now on a journey through Maine to find her and his way back home before anyone realizes what has happened. With very little supplies, Jack faces many trials along the way - extreme hunger and having no means of getting in touch with his mom. His only comfort is a small toy elephant that he carries with him...he and his mother shared a love of elephants. Those good memories keep Jack going. Read Small as an Elephant by Jennifer Richard Jacobson - the story of one young boy's determination to survive and save the only family he knows.

The Book of Wonders

The Book of Wonders is an exciting debut novel from author Jasmine Richards. The author transports the reader to an Arabian nights world packed with adventure. When thirteen-year-old Zardi and her friend, Rhidan, meet Sinbad the pirate they learn that Sinbad's mother, Sula, may know where Rhidan's family is. Rhidan with his unique silver hair, violet eyes, and magical silver amulet was found as a baby - never knowing why his parents abandoned him or where they came from. Zardi is devastated when her older sister is selected as the praisemaker - an unwed young girl kept for a season locked in a tower only to be released like an animal to be hunted down by the Sultan as part of his warped game. Zardi and Rhidan must go on a dangerous journey filled with deadly snakes, a hungry cyclops, and a metal warrior in order to release the magic djinni who may be able to save Zardi's sister before it is too late. All I can say is - "Wow" - couldn't put this one down! It is going on my 8th grade list in the fall.

Chomp

Carl Hiaasen, another favorite middle school author, went the adventure route with his newest middle grade read – Chomp. Wahoo (yes that is his real name) has been raised by an unconventional father, an experience animal wrangler named Mickey Cray. Mickey owns and protects different animals, reptiles, and birds. Wahoo has had to take on a lot of responsibility in caring for the animals because his father suffered a head injury from a mishap with a frozen iguana. When Wahoo’s mother a Chinese language teacher takes a job in China to help ease their financial burdens, Wahoo decides it is time for his Dad to get back to work. He accepts a high-paying job with a popular television reality show called Expedition Survival. The phony star, Derek Badger, is more than Wahoo bargained for. As if handling high-maintenance Derek Badger wasn’t enough, things become even more complicated when a young, abused girl named Tuna joins Wahoo and his father on their assignment. Will the trio survive the Everglades while Tuna’s gun-wielding father stays one step ahead of their every move, determined to bring his daughter home? Other great books by Hiaasen include Hoot, Flush, and Scat.

Take Me to the River

Will Hobbs knows how to take his readers into the harshest elements of nature and keep them on the edge of their seats. His most recent novel, Take Me to the River, is about cousins who decide to go ahead and travel down the Rio Grande by canoe and raft even though there is not an adult available to go on the adventure with them. Dylan and Rio are experienced paddlers, but do not anticipate the obstacles that will be in their way. Seeing six Black Hawk helicopters flying into Mexico should have been an indication that they needed to turn back. They are soon warned that Hurricane Dolly could be headed straight for them. The inclement weather is the least of their worries. Tensions between the drug cartel and peacekeepers of Mexico are at an all-time high and Americans have been warned to stay away from the Texas-Mexico border. What will happen when the boys, not wanting to miss an opportunity of a lifetime, stick with their original plans and head down the Rio Grande on a ten day boating adventure? Take Me to the River is on the Texas Lone Star Reading List 2012-13. Other great books by Will Hobbs include Go Big or Go Home, Crossing the Wire, Leaving Protection, Wild Man Island, Down the Yukon, Jason’s Gold, The Maze, Ghost Canoe, River Thunder, Far North, Kokopelli’s Flute, The Big Wander, Beardance, and Downriver. Click on the video below to hear from Will Hobbs.

The Red Pyramid

Rick Riordan’s The Red Pyramid, book one of the Kane Chronicles, is written in a style that is similar to his Percy Jackson and the Olympian series. The story is narrated by Carter and Sadie Kane, siblings who have spent years apart. When their mother died six years ago, their maternal grandparents fought to raise Sadie in London. Those six years Carter spent traveling all over the world with his father, an Egyptologist. At the beginning of the story, their father picks up Sadie for a visit and takes the two to the British Museum. Their father, Dr. Kane, destroys the Rosette Stone and in the process accidentally calls five dangerous Egyptian gods to life. As members of the House of Life, the kids and their Uncle Amos must find a way to stop the most evil god, Set, before he destroys the world. Egyptian gods took the form of various animals making the characters in this book extremely interesting. Will Carter and Sadie have the power to overcome the destructive gods and rescue their father? After reading this, I now know why my students kept recommending this book to me and others. Readers like thick books that take some time to read. All 516 pages of this book will keep your interest until the very end. I love the way Riordan draws the reader into the storyline from the very beginning of the book. Click on the trailer below to hear him describe The Kane Chronicles series.

Island of the Blue Dolphins

I love the conversations we have with our friends about books that have made lasting impressions in our lives. Island of the Blue Dolphins by Scott O’Dell was one of those special books that I was encouraged to read after a friend (teacher & future librarian) shared her enthusiasm for it. I was searching for a book that my middle school Book Talk Club members had not yet read and this was a perfect selection. This 1961 Newbery Medal Winner is based on a true story. An island located off the coast of California was inhabited by Indians in the early 1800s. A ship carrying Aleut hunters arrived on the island to hunt otter. The Aleut met with the Chief - father of Karana, Ramo, and Ulape – and agreed to share part of their kill with the Indians. When the Aleut did not fulfill their part of the bargain, the natives fought back. The Aleut hurriedly leave with all of the otter pelts and the results of the battle that ensued are tragic. The Indian community lost so many of their men including the Chief. After many months, the survivors decide to leave the island by way of a ship sent by one of their former islanders. When young Karana sees that her little brother is being left on the island after going back to get his spear, she leaps off the ship to be with him. The ship has to continue on its journey, because the seas are too rough to return to the island. When tragedy strikes, Karana is left all alone. This is a moving story about survival, perseverance, and human nature. I gave my friend a hard time when I reflected on the sad parts of this book – they were heart-wrenching, but I am so happy that I read this timeless tale. Take the time to read Lois Lowry’s connection to Scott O’Dell on Amazon. Also, read about what happened when Scott O’Dell’s family scattered his ashes off the coast of California. Both are wonderful stories!

Sharp Shot

Looking for an adventure novel with action, suspense, criminals, and heroes? Then Sharp Shot, the third book about the Chance twins, by Jack Higgins with Justin Richards is the book for you. The year is 1990; John Chance is on a mission with fellow British Special Forces to take out a nuclear site in Iraq. When one of his peers is seriously injured they must make a decision to leave things behind in order to save his life. Flash forward to present day…the Chance twins (Jade and Rich) are at home in England while their hardworking father, John Chance, is on another secret mission. An unexpected visitor arrives with his enemy shooting and right on his heels. Before the twins know it, they are swept up in a life or death situation linked to their father’s 1990 mission. What will the twins do to survive? Who can they trust? Each chapter will leave you eagerly anticipating the next. This is a great recommendation for Alex Rider fans looking for another thriller.

Turtle in Paradise

Turtle in Paradise, by Jennifer L. Holm, is a moving story set in 1935 in Key West, Florida. Readers will appreciate Holm’s writing style which is only enhanced by Turtle’s humorous narration and ability to handle even the most complex situations in life. Main character, Turtle, is raised by her single mother, who tells her very little about her father. Her mother works as a live-in maid, but jumps from job to job. Her most recent boss doesn’t want children living in her house; consequently, she sends Turtle to Key West to stay with her sister. Unfortunately, Turtle’s aunt was not expecting her. Her aunt already has a full house with three rambunctious boys and a dog. The storyline becomes even more interesting when Turtle volunteers to feed lunch to her cantankerous grandmother. While at her grandmother’s house, Turtle finds a map for Pirate Blacke Caesar’s treasure. Follow Turtle, her cousins, and their friends on their adventure to unearth the treasure. Will Turtle find other hidden gems on this journey? I hope you like this one as much as I did! This was just awarded a Newbery Honor Book award for 2011.

The Grimm Legacy

The Grimm Legacy, by Polly Shulman, reads like a movie. This adventure was highly recommended by a student who has read hundreds of books in my library. When Elizabeth’s mother passes away, her father remarries. She instantly has a new stepmother and stepsisters. Her father cannot pay for her ballet lessons or private school tuition, because he is paying for her stepsisters’ college tuition. Do you know a fairy tale like that? Elizabeth chooses to research the Grimm Brothers for a history project at her new public school. Her teacher recommends her for a new job as a page at the New-York Circulating Materials Repository – which houses the Grimm Collection. Patrons check out items rather than books at the Repository. The Grimm Collection contains magical items from each of the fairy tales. Things become strange! Items from the Collection are missing and others have been replaced by fakes. A large bird follows the pages once they leave work. Who is taking the items and why? How can Elizabeth prove she is not involved? What will happen when magic gets in the wrong hands? This book has the right combination of fantasy, romance, and fractured fairy tales to keep you reading! Readers may want to check out Shulman’s other book, Enthusiasm. Click on the book trailer below for more information.

The Shadow Project

Disclaimer – I had oral surgery this morning to extract a molar (remnants of a broken crown)…may not be as coherent as I would like. Advice to my students – brush, floss, read, repeat! I find it coincidental that a few of my students have been asking me for books about paranormal activity and I just finished this great book filled with it. The Shadow Project by Herbie Brennan is a spy thriller set in England. Danny, raised by his grandmother, is an intelligent boy involved in petty crimes. He happens to break into a house being occupied by The Shadow Project, a government espionage organization. The head of the institution sees that Danny has a natural gift for this project and bribes him to join forces with them. Opal, the beautiful daughter of the head official of MI6, has been training for these missions. Michael, a newcomer from Africa, has first-hand knowledge of the black magic they will face. The teens, using out of body telepathy, join forces to hunt down the notorious leader of a terrorist cell called the Sword of Wrath. They must face their biggest fears and evil djinns to be successful. This is a great recommendation for Alex Rider fans looking for another action-packed read. Click on the video below to hear from the author.