Little Brother by Cory Doctorow

I am currently listening to this scary, techno-thriller that was lauded by Neil Gaiman. Actually, that was the reason that I decided to give it a listen. I'm not a huge Gaiman fan, but there's not a much more creepy book than his Coraline. Marcus is arrested immediately following the bombing of the Bay Bridge in San Francisco. He and his 3 friends are in the wrong place at the wrong time. Being a techno-geek, Marcus is immediately suspect and held for 6 days while his family fears he is dead. When he is finally released, he decides to retaliate against the Department of Homeland Security or DHS. One thing leads to another, and his life becomes more and more complicated with the threat of imminent arrest if he strays too far. I've not yet finished the book, but despite the techie jargon I'm finding it spell-binding and scarily realistic. Take a look, we have it in hard copy and audiobook. It's gotten outstanding reviews by the "real" critics. By the way, there is sexual content in this book that makes the book for mature teens.

Evolution, Me & Other Freaks of Nature by Robin Brande

Mena, a high school freshman, is harassed by her former church friends because she spoke up about their treatment of a supposedly gay student. Her parents business suffers due to her actions, and they are not pleased with her. Evolution vs Intelligent Design form the basis of a controversy in the high school, and Mena finds herself right in the middle of it. Mena's former friends confront her biology teacher. As tensions rise, Casey, Mena's lab partner, and his sister help Mena discover a way to embrace her new liberal ideas without giving up the religion in which she was raised. A great read, and a wonderful way to look at this controversy that arises so often in public schools.

Dairy Queen by Catherine Gilbert Murdock

I know, who wants to read a book with a cow on the cover, right? Don't be put off by the cover or the title. This is a book to wrap yourself around. Filled with cows, football, and a little romance, Diary Queen will rope you in. D.J. Schwenk, our heroine, spends her sophomore year working the family farm by herself while her father recovers from hip surgery. Her grades suffer as a result, and her chances of going to college look dim. Her family is a quiet, "don't talk" sort of family, and the results are disastrous. D.J. decides to try out for the football team, and her life explodes. Her best friend won't speak to her. Brian is out of her league. Her brother continues to be silent, and her father, who doesn't talk much anyway, is not speaking to her either. Read this book for a fresh look on life and look for the sequel The Off Season.

Skulduggery Pleasant by Derek Landy

I listened to this book while driving to and from work. If you have never listened to an audiobook, this is a great one to start with. Each new disk begins with eerie music. The narrator does a superb job of distinguishing the voices of the characters and getting just the right tone of voice in their conversations. Skulduggery is a walking, talking skeleton who befriends 12-year-old Stephanie and introduces her to the world of magic, secrets, and power. There is a bit of violence and rollicking good fun. Pick it up if you want a light read that will keep you entertained and absorbed.

Far North
by Will Hobbs

Another tale of survival full of action, adventure, daring and heartbreak. A trip by floatplane strands Gabe, his roommate Raymond and an old Dene Indian elder, Johnny Raven, in the frozen wilderness of the Canadian Northwest Territories when disaster strikes. They face extreme cold, starvation, injury, and wild animals as they struggle to survive the crushing winter weather. Fast-paced and never dull. Grades 6 to 9.

Reviewed by Mrs. Reinhart (10/2007)

Boston Jane: an Adventure

by Jennifer L. Holm

Jane Peck has enjoyed a relatively unconventional upbringing in the mid-1800s in Philadelphia until she attends Miss Hepplewhite's Young Ladies Academy to learn how to be a proper lady so she can impress her childhood idol, William Baldt. Her life changes when she turns sixteen and she receives a proposal from William who has left the East Coast for the Washington Territory. A long and trying journey by sea lands her on his doorstep, but he's not there. Quickly dubbed, Boston Jane, by the Chinook Indians, she learns that her finishing school education is no help at all and she must rely upon her own wits and intelligence. Jane emerges as a strong, self-reliant young woman who not only survives but thrives in the wilderness. An enjoyable tale written by an author with a gift for storytelling. Grades 6 to 9.

Reviewed by Mrs. Reinhart (10/2007)

Crossing the Wire

by Will Hobbs

Fifteen-year old Victor Flores lives in Mexico and has been supporting his family by growing corn. Faced with starvation, he has no choice but to leave his home and head to the United States to try to make money to feed his family. The trip is fraught with danger, thirst and hunger. Successive attempts to reach the north are met with failure as he treks over mountains, gets involved with drug traffickers, and faces near-death situations. Eventually, he makes it but he has paid a high price.

The author has once again created a tale of survival and adventure. He also addresses the controversial issue of illegal immigration that is so often in the news these days and puts a very human face on it. Action-packed and thought- provoking at the same time. Grades 6 to 9.

Reviewed by Mrs. Reinhart (10/2007)