The Rithmatist by Brandon Sanderson

Joel attends a prestigious academy but he is a charity case (his father was a lowly chalkmaker and his mother cleans for the school).  He admires the rithmatists who can make chalklings come to life but didn't pass the test to become one.  The battle against the chalklings out in Nebrask is frightening as the chalklings are almost winning the battle
but it's never impacted his life- until now.  Students begin disappearing and chalklings appear to be the culprits.  The targets are rithmatists, but that's changing too.  Nothing is as it appears.  Joel doesn't trust the new teacher, but no one else seems to share his concerns.  Joel and his friend Melody decide they have to tackle this mystery with the help of their professor.  But it's a dangerous path they undertake.

This fantasy is written by well known author Brandon Sanderson.  It is very reminiscent (okay- wildly similar to) Harry Potter.  However, it is engaging with vivid characters.  Will Joel be able to become a rithmatist somehow?  Can they stop the chalklings?  Who is the villain?  Are the students alive?  The combination of fantasy, mystery and steampunk actually works well together.

Visit Brandon Sanderson's website

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I Am Malala: The Girl Who Stood Up for Education and Was Shot by the Taliban by Malala Yousafzai

This is the true story of an amazing young woman.  Her name is Malala Yousafzai and she has spent most of her life (she is 17) advocating for education. 

This is the story of Malala's long and challenging journey.  Her father had a school and believed very strongly that everyone should have an education.  Malala, her father and the rest of her family were threatened many times by the Taliban.  They took precautions and tried to be prudent, but they refused to give in to the Taliban or anyone else who tried to deny people's rights to an education.  Interviewed by television stations, writing a blog (under a pseudonym) and putting a public face on the need for women's education, Malala was very brave to be so vocal.  One day, gunmen boarded her school bus and asked for Malala by name.  She was shot in the head and was not expected to live.

The second half of the book is about her recovery and ongoing efforts to continue to advocate for education.  She has received recognition from the international community and has become an eloquent speaker at many events including at the United Nations.

The story is a little slow in some places with details about political issues in Pakistan and other areas, but overall it's a terrific biography of an amazing woman.

I raise my voice not so that I can shout but so those without a voice can be heard. Malala's organization


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Circle of Blood by Alane Ferguson

Cameron Mahoney's father is the coroner for a small town in Colorado.  Cameron helps her father out in all aspects of his work from the paperwork to the autopsies.  She frequently becomes embroiled in mysteries and in this third book of the forensic mystery series, Cameron's life becomes even more complicated by the return of her long-lost mother.  Cameron and her mother pick up a young woman hitchhiking and Cameron senses that there is something going on with the girl.  She is definitely hiding something and seems nervous.

Later on, the woman is found dead with a gun in her hand.  Was it a suicide?  Was Cameron's mother involved in some way?  Or is there something sinister happening?

This book is recommended for teens and adults who enjoy mysteries or forensics CSI type shows.   

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Cracked Up To Be by Courtney Summers

Parker Fadley went from being the girl who wanted everything to be perfect to the girl who wanted nothing to be perfect.  If anything is going well, she makes sure she ruins it.  She alienates friends, fails classes and gets caught drinking in school.  The question is why.  Why does she have to sabotage everything? 

New student Jake asks Parker for directions to class.  She is rude to him and won't help him.  When they meet again the next day, she is still nasty.  In spite of her behavior, he is intrigued by her.  He's curious about everything, and constantly questions Parker about different aspects of her life. 

Parker is also pushing ex-boyfriend Chris away too.  Chris clearly still loves her, so Parker sets him up with her enemy Becky.  Parker probably hates Becky more than anyone else at school.  Becky has terrific grades, good behavior and she is now the captain of the Cheerleading Squad.  Yes, Parker really hates Becky.

This book has lots of tension, some sexual situations and explicit language.  The tension of the characters who are drawn to and yet pushed away from Parker creates a strong story. 

Cracked Up To Be on Amazon

Rush for the Gold by John Feinstein

Rush for the Gold by John Feinstein.  Published by Alfred A. Knopf, 2012.

Stevie and Susan Carol are off on another adventure in this new mystery.  Fans of the teen sleuths will enjoy this newest offering, but the roles are a little different this time.  Stevie is still investigating and reporting, but Susan Carol is swimming competitively.  In fact, she is in the World Championships and she has to concentrate on her races rather than doing any detecting. 

Susan Carol loves swimming and she is even more excited to compete against the top swimmers in the world.  Unfortunately, she is quickly discovering that this level of athletic talent brings many people who want something from the athletes.  There are PR and marketing people who want to sign the athletes as clients.  There are also major companies who want the athletes to endorse products.  This all amounts serious sums of money.

Susan Carol is both excited and overwhelmed by all the attention.  She knows that her family can use the money for college for her and her siblings.  At the same time, she thinks her father is being misled about some of the proposals being presented to him.  She is angry and hurt by his unwillingness to listen to her concerns, particularly since much of the focus of the marketing is about her looks and she doesn’t want to be promoted as a sex symbol. 

Stevie is suspicious.  Is something illegal or at least shady is going on with the marketing and PR people or is this the way things are in the big leagues of professional athlete endorsements?  Even the reps for Susan Carol are unpleasant and are trying to interfere in their relationship. 

John Feinstein again delivers a book that will be popular with both athletes and teens that enjoy a good mystery.  The conflict is a little slow to develop, but it is worth the wait. 

Visit author John Feinstein’s website.

The Lost Crown by Sarah Miler

The Lost Crown by Sarah Miller.  Published by Atheneum Books for Young Readers, 2011.

Are you familiar with the story of the Russian princess Anastasia?  Probably.  However, much of your knowledge probably comes from movies and children’s stories.  The Lost Crown is both an engrossing story and an excellent addition to the historical fiction genre. 

This is the story of Tsar Nicholas II and his family.  It is told from the perspectives of the four daughters- Olga, Tatiana, Maria and Anastasia.  Initially, it may be difficult to separate the multiple narrators, but their personalities become distinct through the development of the novel.

The girls are depicted with different personalities, quirks and dreams.  At the beginning of the novel, they lead lives of privilege with numerous servants, social engagements, elaborate gowns and jewelry.    The turmoil in Russia causes drastic changes in the family’s lives. 

Royalty and other members of the aristocracy become targets of the revolutionaries, so the girls and their parents are moved.  Initially, it’s difficult for them to know if they are being protected or jailed but this becomes clear as their treatment worsens and they become more and more isolated from friends and other family members.  The bewilderment of the girls, who are a little naïve about the politics exploding around them, makes the tragic ending of the story even more affecting. 

Photos, facts in the author’s notes and an extensive bibliography, strengthen this historical fiction.  

Visit author Sarah Miller's website. 

Ashfall by Mike Mullin

Ashfall by Mike Mullin.  Published by Tanglewood Press, 2011. 

No one believed that there could be a global extermination of people similar to what happened to the dinosaurs.  But after a super volcano in Yellowstone Park erupts, life changed for everyone in the United States. 

Alex was home alone for the weekend.  His parents and sister left to visit his uncle after Alex had yet another argument with his mom.  He was enjoying having the house to himself.  No one to boss him around or nag at him- no one to tell him to stop playing video games. 

He ignored the weird rumbling noise.  He felt the house shake a little, but nothing major.  Then the power went out, the floor tilted and the walls started falling down.  Trapped beneath a desk and bookcase, he could smell something burning and knew he had to get out. 

Now,  Alex is trying to survive. No one has power and everyone is afraid.  Alex’s neighbors offer to help him and he goes home with them.  But everyone is terrified when the earthquakes continue along with unceasing, deafening noise.   They all know they can’t count on any help.  There are fires all over the neighborhood and the fire and police departments are overwhelmed.  

Alex realizes he has to try to get to his parents and sister on his uncle’s farm in Iowa.  With ash everywhere, he has to find inner resources and be creative and strong if he’s going to survive.   Along the way, he’ll experience terrible things but also find love.  

Visit author Mike Mullin's website.