From the back cover: Why was Mrs. Olinski's sixth grade academic bowl team so successful? And why had Mrs. Olinski chosen them in the first place? Noah, Nadia, Ethan and Julian call themselves The Souls. Each has a story to tell, and within each of their stories is part of the answer. Listen to Noah's tale of life in Century Village, Nadia's story of turtle walks, Ethan's … [Read more...] about The View from Saturday by E. L. Konigsburg: A-
Books
Checkers by John Marsden: A-
From the back cover: Tonight before I started writing this, it was me confronting Jack. It was so real I could smell it. Suddenly, according to my imagination, I'd be on my feet, screaming, "Why didn't you leave us alone? Why did you have to drag us in? You're scum, filth. I hate you. Go away. You deserve everything, everything, you understand? Everything that you get. … [Read more...] about Checkers by John Marsden: A-
The Beekeeper’s Apprentice by Laurie R. King: C-
From the back of the book: What happens when Sherlock Holmes—a pompous, proper Victorian gentleman—takes an outspoken American woman as his apprentice? Edgar Award-winning author Laurie R. King reveals the answer in The Beekeeper's Apprentice, an absorbing novel steeped in exquisite understanding and charming intelligence. In 1914, a bold young American named Mary Russell … [Read more...] about The Beekeeper’s Apprentice by Laurie R. King: C-
Book of the Dead by Ashley McConnell: B+
From the back cover: Wes has been a compulsive reader since childhood. It's an addiction like any other—he craves books, loves them, can't live without them. So when his former colleague Adrian O'Flaherty comes to town and invites Wes along to a highly secret auction of rare occult books, Wes can't say no. What Wes doesn't know is that Adrian is looking for more than dusty … [Read more...] about Book of the Dead by Ashley McConnell: B+
The Queen of Attolia by Megan Whalen Turner: A-
From the front flap, edited for spoilers: When Eugenides outwitted the Queen of Attolia, she lost face. To restore her reputation and reassert her power, the Queen of Attolia will go to any length and accept any help that is offered... she will risk her country to execute the perfect revenge. Eugenides can steal anything. And he taunts the Queen of Attolia, moving through … [Read more...] about The Queen of Attolia by Megan Whalen Turner: A-