Sibling Power is Always a Kick

The Red Pyramid by Rick Riordan

Riordan is at it again with his magic making and mythology! This enchanting tale features Carter and Sadie Kane a brother and sister duo with quite a bit of personality and style. When their dad Julius is swept up into a magical tomb and hidden away by an evil force called Set, Carter and Sadie must go on a journey to find him. Aided by Bast the cat goddess who seems to be their only friend the duo finds themselves in many different hilarious and treacherous situations. The bro/sis team are delightful and refreshing as they narrate each chapter switching off when one feels the other is not telling the story right. Riordan has a terrific knack for weaving mythology into the everyday world and The Red Pyramid is an enchanting mixture of Egyptology, magic, and humor. This book would be great for any book club or literature circle and would especially work well for students studying Egypt.

Freaks Can Be Fun

Hey What's up Mrs. Librarian Lady? I was thinking of reading some new books but was not sure cause there's so many out there. I'm in 8th grade right now and going to high school next fall so I was wondering if you know any good books that have anything to do with high school and meeting new people. I like the books that you read and recommend all the time!

Thanx a bunch

SweeteeBee

Hi there SweeteeBee!

I'm so glad you asked about new books because I know what you mean about there being so many out there! I try to read as much new stuff as possible just to stay in the loop. Right now I am reading the 3rd book in the "Forest of Hands and Teeth" series called "The Dark and Hollow Places" by Carrie Ryan and the 2nd book in the "Hush, Hush" series called "Crescendo" by Becca Fitzpatrick. I haven't finished them yet, but they are really really good! I also just finished "The Red Pyramid" by Rick Riordan and have to say that I love love this one! I'm waiting to get my hands on the next one. The book that I have in mind for you is Monster High by Lisi Harrison author of "The Clique" series. This is a really clever book that deals with high school issues in a freakish and fanciful way. I think you will really like this one and there is also a television show on Nickelodeon based on the novel too!

"Monster High" by Lisi Harrison

Melody Carver is no stranger to being an outcast because she used to be considered homely and ugly at her old school in California. Hopefully her new nose job will help her at her new school in Salem Oregon. On the flip side, being green and a descendant of Frankenstein make Frankie Stein have to seriously hide her differentness in order to not create a total mob against her. Both of these girls are striving to fit in with their new surroundings without giving away their deep-seated fears. Both Melody and Frankie try to make friends, but they still feel left out. Frankie has to deal with her family not wanting her to come out of the closet about her monster origins. After a wild night at the homecoming dance everyone will have to re-evaluate who’s hot and who’s not in this adorable tale. Harrison hits the mark by mixing monsters, ghouls, and freaks with the age- old problem of teenagers trying to fit in. The message is clear that whoever or whatever you are, it’s best to just be yourself no matter what.

Salem's Back in Town

Hi there to all of my readers!!

I just wanted to let everyone know about a cool new book I read. For those of you that love witches and would like an interesting viewpoint on the Salem Witch Trials this is the book for you!

Wicked Girls: A Novel of the Salem Witch Trials by Stephanie Hemphill 2010

I have always been entranced with the Salem Witch Trials so I am so glad that I found this terrific book! This story written in verse is based on the epic historical event that took place in Salem, Massachusetts throughout the year of 1692. Wicked Girls is very engaging and brings a stunning reality to the actual girls that accused many people of being witches in Salem during the 1600’s. This is a fictional account of what it might have been like for the girls that started the vicious lies and rumors about their friends and neighbors. The historical information on this subject is very easy to find in any history book or in the Salem museum. However, Hemphill gives a more personal look at how a handful of Puritan girls took hold of a town and used this fortune to their own advantage. The main girls in the book are Ann Putnam Jr. age 12, Mercy Lewis a servant girl age 17, Margaret Walcott age 17, Abigail Williams age 12, Elizabeth Hubbard age 17, and Susannah Sheldon age 18. Betty Parris age 8 was actually the first girl to experience what she called witches pinching and hitting her from inside an invisible world. Betty’s parents sent her away and that may have been when Abigail and Ann Jr. cooked up a plan to continue their wicked game. As they continued to cry witch, Mercy, Margaret, Elizabeth, and Susannah joined them as well. I found this book to be a truly amazing account of how that year in 1692 unfolded for the town of Salem. This book also gives the reader insight on how difficult it must have been to live in the rural area of Salem and how strict and narrow minded the Puritan townspeople really were.

Happy Reading to you all!

Mrs. Librarian Lady

Book Club Madness by Mrs. Librarian Lady

Book Club Madness by Mrs. Librarian Lady

The Stronger the Woman, The Better

Hello Mrs. Librarian Lady,

You have been talking about Women’s History Month for the last few weeks and I really like the books you talked about. I was wondering if you know of any fiction books that you could recommend to me? I really like fiction and would be interested in something that is kind of sweet or romantic too. I love all of the books that you have recommended to me so far, so I know that you help me with this one too!

Thanks,
LUnaCee

Hi there LUnaCee,

I’m so glad that you have been tuning in to see my Women’s History Month selections! Every year I can’t wait for March because I love talking about all of the great women that have done so many incredible things all over the world. I want to thank you for your compliment and for having so much confidence in me. I really like to read books and then talk about them with others. I have a few books that I think you will just adore. One is The Secret Life of Prince Charming by Deb Caletti, which will take you on a journey of a young woman’s search to find her inner strength and the other is Breaking Dawn by Stephanie Meyer, which features a very strong young woman named Bella who must fight to save and protect the people she loves. Hope you enjoy reading these books!

Happy reading to you!

Mrs. Librarian Lady


The Secret Life of Prince Charming by Deb Caletti

CCBC Choices Award Winner 2010, ABA IndieBound Spring Pick 2010

Review: Readers will be completely surprised by the unfolding of Quinn’s tale. Quinn has had it with all the annoying male figures in her life. She decides to contact her long lost half sister and after they speak on the phone they concoct a plan that their father will most likely never forgive them for. Quinn is really a breath of fresh air and her voice speaks from the heart. There is a myriad of women that voice their stories on the men they have known in their lives and how that affected them throughout their lives and in their current relationships. The women were all very strong and had endured many difficult hardships in their lives. This was very meaningful and offered a strong display of depth in Caletti’s characters. What was interesting is that all these women could be traced back to Quinn's father, who was the catalyst for the journey in this story. This is an excellent book for those who are romantic at heart and also for those who just love a happy ending.

I had never read anything by Deb Caletti before so I was very happily surprised by this novel. I was moved by her ability to weave a story so well. She added very lovable and enjoyable characters to the story. This book offers so much more than a story though. It’s an emotional journey that is multi-generational as well as multi-faceted. Caletti is a really gifted writer.



Breaking Dawn by Stephenie Meyer

Children’s Book of the Year Galaxy Award 2009

Review: In Breaking Dawn our beloved Bella finally is forced to make the most ultimate and final choice in her life. She and Edward are married in old world style with the help of her true friend Alice. While Bella and Edward are honeymooning Bella begins to feel very ill and their trip is cut short when she feels that there is something growing inside of her. The tension of the story grows as that something grows larger and larger itself. The chain of events from this point on lead up to the most amazing transformation I have ever seen in a character. Let’s just say that Bella becomes the main focus of the story and her drive to protect not only Edward and her family but any other vampires that support her family is truly incredible. Will Bella’s dream of spending an eternal life with Edward finally come true? I can’t tell you that! It’s up to you to read this book to draw the conclusions yourself.

I had heard a ton of negative reviews for this book, and after reading it I do not agree with those reviews. I think that Twilight fans will find all that they have been waiting for in this final installment of the series. There is a complete and solid ending and everyone in this story does end up happy and that's what I had really wanted for all of Twilight's wonderful characters. I have an idea and would like to do a booktalk on the whole Twilight series. That way I can talk about how Twilight begins and how Edward and Bella fall in love and move on through each book and pull out the key points of the story. Then really spotlight this book because it is probably the best one in the series and has the most exciting plot and action. And of course the Twilight book club is still going strong!!

A Soldier, a Saint and a Teenager

My daughter was working on a school project in recognition of Women's History Month last week and the person she chose to write about was Joan of Arc. I learned so many things about Joan and I have to say that she was just an amazing young woman. Joan of Arc was born to a peasant family in Domremy, France in the year 1412. She was very poor and had to work in the fields. When she was 12 she saw a bright light and heard the voices of angels talking to her. Joan lived during the Hundred Years War, which was a war between France and England. In 1429, when Joan was 17 the English were about to take over France. Her voices told her to help France. Charles VII gave Joan some troops to command and she cut her hair, dressed in armor like a boy, and carried a white banner with the fleur-de-lis.

In May of 1429, after many battles, Joan’s troops stopped the English from taking over France. In 1430, Joan was captured and sold to the English. She was sent to Rouen where she went on trial for being a witch. After 12 months in prison, the English court charged Joan with the crime of wearing a boy’s outfit. First they sentenced her to death, but she signed a letter saying that she had been wrong and it was changed to life in prison. One problem was that Joan would not give up her boys clothing, so she was sent to the Catholic Church court and was sentenced again to death. On May 30, 1431 Joan was burned at the stake in the Old Market Square at Rouen.

25 years after Joan’s death, King Charles VII had a second trial to clear her name, and she was pronounced innocent. Joan’s name was forever cleared of any wrongdoing. My daughter chose Joan of Arc for this project because she is still admired for her strength and bravery by many people. Her life was short, but she was very brave and stayed true to her country. She is a good example of a courageous young woman who tried to help others and had many challenges in her way and that is why she is still remembered even today. In 1920, Pope Benedict XV of the Roman Catholic Church blessed Joan and she became a saint. Joan of Arc’s traditional feast day is May 30th.

For those of you who love Joan of Arc you will be delighted to hear that the author Michael Scott has written a short story in an online digital format called the Death of Joan of Arc.

Joan of Arc was not burned at the stake in Rouen, France in 1431. She was rescued from certain death by Scathach the Warrior. The truth about that day is revealed in the last will and testament of William of York, and it will leave you wondering: does Joan of Arc still walk the earth? Michael Scott’s first-ever exclusive e-book short story delves into the world of the bestselling series The Secrets of the Immortal Nicholas Flamel and offers readers a never-before-seen lost story—the story of two warriors who would become sisters!

You can find this at Barnes & Noble's Web site and if you have a Nook you it only costs 99 cents! It's also offered on Amazon for Kindle as well.

Happy Reading to you all!!

March is Women's History Month!

In honor of Women's History Month Mrs. Librarian Lady is going to feature great women and books that either talk about great women or have strong female characters.

I have two books are that I would like to mention that are fictional, yet the main focal point of each book is Jane Austen's Pride & Prejudice. Austen is a well known English author whose work dates back to the early 1800's. Some her works include Emma, Sense & Sensibility, and Persuasion. With millions of fans, Austen is a woman that is highly thought of in the literary world. So let's all celebrate Women's History Month by singing the praises of Ms. Jane Austen!

Enthusiasm by Polly Shulman 2007

Enthusiasm is just adorable. The story begins with Julie Lefkowitz a kind of shy and quiet tall girl who has an off the hook friend Ashleigh who has some of the most insane and wild ideas a teenager could ever come up with. As it happens Julie has been love-struck by a handsome young stranger she has only seen a few times, but has never spoken to. One day Ashleigh decides her new craze is going to be Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen and she becomes obsessed with becoming Elizabeth Bennett and finding her own Mr. Darcy! This behavior completely describes why Ashleigh is the enthusiast in this story. Her whole life and of course her best friend Julie’s life must be turned upside down and filled with the language, dress, and mannerisms of Jane Austen’s novel which takes place in the late 17th century. Ashleigh’s latest enthusiastic plan involves crashing a boy’s private school dance and meeting her very own Mr. Darcy and dragging Julie along for the ride. Of all the things to happen, the girls end up meeting Grandison Parr who just happens to be Julie’s secret crush. And who do you think falls head over heels for Parr? The enthusiast sees Parr as a gentleman worthy of being Mr. Darcy indeed. This is Shulman’s first novel and a very good one. It has a solid storyline, believable characters and real life situations that many teenagers go through in their lives. Ashleigh’s schemes may be off the hook, but in the end her enthusiasm may be just the thing that Julie loves most about her. And let’s just say that Julie may end up with her very own Mr. Darcy thanks to Ashleigh.

Scones & Sensibility by Lindsay Eland 2010

Polly has such good intentions! With her head filled with romantic dreams of matchmaking, and her bicycle-basket filled with pastries from her parents' bakery, she embarks on a summer delivering parcels. Sometimes the parcels have been ordered--and sometimes they haven't! Polly delights in taking on the role of go-between for couples she wants to match up, pretending each has ordered treats for the other. The havoc that ensues is simply delicious, for Polly is so busy listening to her own ideas about what love should be that she fails, again and again, to listen to what people are telling her plain and simple. In the end, she learns that she's been leaving out an important ingredient in her recipe for love, namely reality. Humbled, but still believing in true love, she delivers a fresh perspective. This book is truly delightful. Polly has such a romantic soul and her story delivers a yummy bite of goodness for just about everyone!

To Zombie, or Not to Zombie, That is a Good Question Indeed

Hi Mrs. Librarian Lady,

All my friends LOVE zombies and they are really into playing video games where they get to either chase zombies or run from them. I’m not sure if I like zombies that much and don’t want to try those games yet. Do you know of a book that has zombies in it that I could read? Not too scary tho!

Signed,

??Zombiees??



Greetings ??Zombiees??

I feel your pain! I am not really a big zombie fan myself. There’s something creepy about the way they drag themselves around. Oh, and the thing that I hate the most is that they usually want to eat you too. I know of a book called The Forest of Hands and Teeth by Carrie Ryan that I would highly recommend for you to read if you are not sure about zombies. The story involves a futuristic world where humans become infected and turn into zombies. It’s not too scary and if I can read it and not be too scared then you can too! Let me know what you think because there is a companion book also by Carrie Ryan called The Dead Tossed Waves you might like as well.



Happy Reading and Good Luck with the Zombies!

Mrs. Librarian Lady



The Forest of Hands and Teeth by Carrie Ryan

Review: Mary lives in a nice little quiet village on the edge of a forest where nothing much happens except when someone gets bit by one of the infected dead zombies called the Unconsecrated that gather by the fences that surround the area. You may think that this sounds weird, but basically it’s all Mary has ever known. Her father has recently disappeared and turned up Unconsecrated, and her mother pretty much goes insane and gets herself bit in order to be with him outside the fences. Once someone is bit they become infected and then it is only a matter of time before they turn Unconsecrated as well. After losing her parents, Mary is in an awful state and even her own brother turns her away so goes to live with the Sisterhood who just happen to be the keepers of many deep dark secrets. In the meantime Travis, the guy that Mary has had a crush on for a long time ends mashing his leg and ends up convalescing at the chapel where she is staying with the sisters. The two become very close and have a strong connection that just may last forever. Unfortunately the Sisters have different plans for them and they decree that Mary must instead become betrothed to Travis’ brother Harry. Many things happen after this and there is a breach in the fences and the Unconsecrated swarm the village biting and eating lots of people. The only ones to make it out alive are Mary, Harry, Travis, her friend Cass, a little boy named Jacob, her new puppy Argos and her brother Jed. As they flee from their village, they leave behind the only world they have ever known. Mary always wonders what lies beyond the Forest of Hands and Teeth and would like to explore, but she is constantly being pursued by those annoying flesh eating zombies. This is an amazing apocalyptic tale that will have you on the edge of your seat and chewing your fingernails, well at least it did for me. Ryan’s writing is haunting and intense as she shows readers what life will be like when zombies take over the world dubbing it appropriately as The Return. I really enjoyed listening to this on disc and Vane Millon’s voice was perfect for Mary. Readers will enjoy this book because there is plenty of chasing and running and tons of action. Especially when Mary takes charge, that’s when some zombie heads start to roll!



You can also read this article at Examiner.com: To Zombie, or Not To Zombie, That is a Good Question Indeed - San Francisco young adult fiction | Examiner.com http://www.examiner.com/young-adult-fiction-in-san-francisco/to-zombie-or-not-to-zombie-that-is-a-good-question-indeed#ixzz1EtzdI3S6

No More Gossip!

This week's letter come from T.lo

Hey there Mrs. Librarian Lady!

My sister only reads "gossip" books such as the Beacon Street Girls and Lauren Myracle's books. I have encouraged her to read other books (SotINF, Eragon, Funke) but she refuses to read them.
Are there any books to prepare or segue her into middle school books from her current interests?

Hey T.lo!!

Thanks so much for writing to me! It is really nice of you to want to help your sister to read more interesting and complex books. The only thing I might say is that if she really enjoys reading “gossip” books, she may not be interested in reading other genres like fantasy, sci-fi, or horror. Some advice I might give your sister is to try reading some realistic fiction that deals with real life issues that are sort of like the “gossip” books. She could start with some that are easy to read and then move on to more complex books later. Here are a few of my favorite realistic books for tweens.

Happy reading to you!

Mrs. Librarian Lady

Messed Up by Janet Nichols Lynch (Holiday House, 2009)

R.D. is stuck in limbo in the San Joaquin Valley school system. He's repeating 8th grade again and is sick of seeing the same old stuff day after day, and being Mexican and Cheyenne doesn’t help either. Living in a gangland, he’s neutral, but there are those who wear red or blue and fight for no reason at all. R.D. lives with his grandmother's boyfriend Earl, who takes really good care of him while Grandma is off with her new boyfriend and his mom is in the State Pen. One thing is for sure, R.D. has got a great heart. He does do some messed up things, but he is just trying to get by in life and some how, some way, R.D. knows he will do great things. He figures out how to take care of himself, feed himself, and make money. R.D. is a great main character who brings to light the difficulties of growing up in hard times and in diverse communities. He also ends up making some great friends and deep connections. R.D. is a great example of a teen overcoming adversity. Even more inspiring is that Lynch ascends R.D. to reach the highest heights.

**ALA Quick Pick for Reluctant Young Adult Readers 2010

The Chosen One by Carol Lynch Williams (St. Martin’s Griffin, 2010).

13 year-old girl Kyra lives in a community of polygamists. She doesn’t know any other way of life, but she begins to learn that she lives a very different life than others outside her community. She has one dad, three mothers and twenty siblings. However, one day the head of their community called The Prophet comes to their house to speak to her dad. In a very distressful meeting Kyra finds out that she is to be married to her sixty year-old uncle. He already has six wives and she will be the seventh. Kyra is frantic and will do anything to not marry her uncle. Through Kyra’s rebellion it becomes clear that the community she lives in has a lot of secrets and a lot of control over their people. Kyra’s decisions evoke dire consequences and she is treated brutally, which paints quite a graphic picture of the Prophet and her community. Williams provides a bittersweet ending that shows that Kyra has been removed from the community and is safe, but the price she has to pay is quite dear. The Chosen One offers an intense view of polygamy and life in a closed community.

**ALA Best Books for Young Adults 2010

Haters by Alisa Valdes-Rodriguez (Hachette Audio, 2006)

Review: Pasquale Rumalda Quintana de Archuleta goes by just Paski. She’s content to live in Taos, New Mexico until her father makes her move to Southern California because his comic novels are going Hollywood. Paski's dad sees this as an amazing opportunity and Paski sees this as an end to her life. The kids at her new school come from wealthy families, drive expensive cars, drink and party like adults, and the Haters rules the school. Sticking to her strong Hispanic background Paski shows teens how to survive by being true to themselves and still making the best of situations over which they have little control.

This was a very enjoyable book. Paski is a bright and cheery character with a strong voice and will of her own. The father is somewhat annoying as he drifted from being too distant to being too clingy. Paski’s Hispanic grandmother is one of the best characters in the story as she was always giving out great advice and telling Paski to stay strong. The story also offered perfect examples of what cliques are like and how teens can deal with them.

You can also read this article on Examiner.com: No More Gossip! - San Francisco young adult fiction | Examiner.com http://www.examiner.com/young-adult-fiction-in-san-francisco/no-more-gossip#ixzz1DiwJd9mO

Crazyyy for Carrie Bradshaw

This week’s letter comes from ScribbleDitz

Dear Mrs. Librarian Lady,

I really like the show Sex and the City but I never get to watch it on T.V. and my mom doesn’t really like me watching it either. I like the show a lot and I really want to know more about the character Carrie Bradshaw. I want to be a writer and I was wondering how Carrie started her writing career and got a job writing for the New York Star.

Thanks!

ScribbleDitz



Hello ScribbleDitz!

I think that’s great that you like to write and have the goal of becoming a writer. That is very cool indeed! I haven’t seen many episodes of Sex and the City myself, but I do know that Carrie Bradshaw is a writer for the New York Star and she writes a column every week about something that is happening to her and her friends. That sounds like a very fun job to have! I have recently read the book "The Carrie Diaries" by Candace Bushnell and I think you will find it just as fascinating as I did because it tells the background story of a much younger Carrie Bradshaw before she ever lived in New York. You should read this book because I know you will love it!

Many happy readings,

Mrs. Librarian Lady

The Carrie Diaries by Candace Bushnell (Harper Audio, 2010)

Review: 17 year-old Carrie Bradshaw is quite a little spitfire. It’s the early 1980’s and she’s about to embark on her last year in high school and is trying to get into a summer writing program in New York. Times at Castlebury High are not always fun for Carrie, but she has a group of tight knit friends that keep her from going crazy. She finally lands the guy of her dreams, the ever gorgeous Sebastian Kydd only to lose him to her best friend Lalli because as Sebastian puts it, “she nicer to me.” Carrie seems to grow wings through her misery and starts to write about things that have a deep meaning not only to herself, but also for many others in her school. Struggling to grow up after her mother passed away when she was twelve, and dealing with obvious betrayal from boyfriends and best friends makes Carrie realize that there’s a great big world out there and she wants to not only live it, she wants to experience it in every kind of way. Bushnell creates the most believable characters in this coming of age tale that rushes at you with full force. Castlebury’s small town feeling is a great contrast with New York City’s hustle and bustle and Carrie’s determination to get there shines brightly on the pages of this glorious novel.

I really couldn’t get enough of young Carrie Bradshaw. I was never a big fan of the series Sex in the City, but I have to say that I enjoyed Candace Bushnell’s writing in this book. Carrie was sassy, fun and very smart. I liked that about her and wanted to keep reading to find out what she was going to do next. Also, Carrie seemed to always have good luck wherever she went and whatever she did. Even if her boyfriend cheated on her with her best friend, she still came out on top. Yay Carrie!

This would be an excellent book for a girl’s book club. It is set in the early 1980’s which seems to be coming back in style lately. I also think that teen girls can relate to Carrie because she is a young adult going through exactly the same thing that teenage girls are going through right now in 2011.


This letter is also featured on Examiner.com: Crazyyy for Carrie Bradshaw - San Francisco young adult fiction | Examiner.com http://www.examiner.com/young-adult-fiction-in-san-francisco/crazyyy-for-carrie-bradshaw#ixzz1D78ypecO

All Worked Up

This week's letter comes frim SmokeyRat

Hi Mrs. Librarian Lady,

I am really worried right now because my teacher just assigned a book report and I have to get a biography and read it. I have no idea who I want to read about and when I go to the library I get lost in all of those books. Can you please help me I think I am going to be in big trouble if I can't come up with something very soon.

Hi SmokeyRat,

Never fear, I always have a few book ideas up my sleeve. If you aren't sure who you would like to do a book report on I can give you a few ideas. Pick someone who you are interested in and that you think will be good to write about. I always like Barack Obama, Bill Gates, Jesse James and Elvis. They all have very interesting facts about their lives and some great pictures too. You should check out the high school picture of Barack Obama it's great!

Good luck and keep on reading!

Mrs. Librarian Lady

Charles and Emma: The Darwins’ Leap of Faith by Deborah Heiligman (Henry Holt Books, 2009)

Honors: YALSA Award for Excellence in Nonfiction for Young Adults 2010 Winner

Review: This biography covers the life of Charles Darwin whose revolutionary theory of evolution came to light in 1859 with his published manuscript The Origin of Species. His theory has been debatable by many and even today continues between the scientific world and religious affiliations. Charles and Emma shows that even in his personal life, Darwin had issues with conflict and unresolved issues with his marriage. The two might have even been considered to have been polar opposites with his scientific theories and her forced religious beliefs. This book gives a stimulating account of how Darwin dealt with his work and his personal life.

I was very interested to read this biography considering the long standing debate of Darwinism. The book was well written, organized and interesting. I never knew that Darwin struggled with many personal issues in his marriage. The book gave quite an engaging look into the historical background of his life and work.

The Great and Only Barnum: The Tremendous, Stupendous Life of Showman P. T. Barnum by Candace Fleming (Schwartz & Wade Books, 2009)

Honors: YALSA Award for Excellence in Nonfiction for Young Adults 2010 Finalist

Review: P.T. Barnum was a master at creating the most amazing and interesting circus sideshows. This biography traces his career from the beginning of his start up in Connecticut and follows him as he becomes the most famous circus presenter in history. Done in a photo memorabilia layout with text on the sides the book has an old fashioned feeling and is highly engaging and readable. This in depth look at Barnum also offers deep insight on how undeniably interesting the 19th century entertainment world really was.

This is a really interesting and amazing book. It is full of pictures and the life story of Barnum is captivating. I never knew that there was a miniature man only 39 inches tall and that there is a Barnum museum in Connecticut.

Pictures Tell the Story

This week's letter come from Trippin6

Hey there Mrs. Librarian Lady how are you doing?

I don't read a lot of books because I always feel like I have such a hard time choosing one that I will like. And then there usually seems to be too many pages and I get frustrated and put it down. The other day I saw someone with a cool book that looked like a comic book. They told me it was called a graphic novel. I think I would like to try reading one but I have no idea which is a good one. I know you read a lot of books and thought you might be able to help me with my problem. Do you know of any good graphic novels I might like?

Trippin6

Hi there Trippin6!

You have come to the right place to find a good graphic novel. I have been working on reading more graphic novels lately because they are so popular and really very cool too. Depending on what kind of story you like most graphic novels are not too long and are easily read in one day. If you are into anime or manga you can also find many Japanese graphic novels like Naruto, Inu Yasha, and others at your local library. Here are two graphic novels that I have read recently that I think you might like. I will post a few more later this week too!

Thanks for writing me and happy reading to you!

Mrs. Librarian Lady


Scott Pilgrim: Precious Little Life by Bryan Lee O’Malley (Oni Press, 2004)
Honors: Harvey Award Winner, 2007 (Humor), Graphic Album – Original, 2008, Independent Comic of the Year, 2006
Review: Scott Pilgrim has got the best life ever. He seems to have a charmed life. He’s got cool friends, a rockin band, a sympathetic roommate and even a much younger girlfriend named Knives Chau. One day when Scott sees Ramona Flowers in the library his world gets rocked and from that moment on he only has eyes for her. He thinks of ways to get Ramona to run into him and when they finally hang out she isn’t really that interested in him. It isn’t until she sees him playing with his band that she knows he’s really cool. All along Scott keeps getting these hilarious emails and notes from some guy named Matthew Patel who is trying to challenge him to a fight. O’Malley has created a very likeable character that really can do no wrong. This is the first volume of Scott’s adventures which turns out to be his first triumph against the first of Ramona’s seven evil ex-boyfriends. The graphics are uniquely stylish that convey characters with big eyes and excellent expressions. The graphics also capture the essence of young adults in their natural element with a bit of steam punk and rock and roll.
I wasn’t sure if I was going to like this book, but it turned out to be great. I really liked the relaxed feeling of Scott’s world and how everything seems to turn out well for him. Even if he has 7 evil ex’s to fight and Knives wants to kill him he is still relaxed and as cool as a cucumber. That is pretty funny stuff.

Pinocchio Vampire Slayer Volume 1 by Vane Jensen & Dusty Higgins (SLG Publishing, 2009)
Honors: ALA Great Graphic Novels for Teens, 2010
Review: This is not your good old Disney Pinocchio story, no it’s the edgy vampire hunting one. Pinocchio lives in a town filled with vampires and it is his job to get rid of them. He takes his job seriously, but suddenly his father Gepetto is taken by the vampires. Pinocchio loses it and goes on an all out war against vampires. This graphic novel is deep, dark, and dreary in colors, but the intensity of Pinocchio and his ability to be invincible against vampires is incredibly likeable. Full of humor and excitement this novel is sure to boost the career of a new vampire slaying hero.

I think this book is pretty cool and hilarious at the same time. The basic concept of taking a cute little puppet person like Pinocchio and turning him into a vampire slayer cracks me up. He is pretty cool in this role though. I like the fact that he is killing vampires with his wooden nose and that he has to lie in order to get his nose longer. A great twist on the classic tale.

Fairytales, Romance & Boys

Today's letter comes from Pity Princezz

Hi there Mrs. Librarian Lady!

I love a good romance book that has a fun plot with lots of cute boys in the mix! Sometimes I go for the Princess Diaries by Meg Cabot when I am looking for a book in the library but I would like to try something new in 2011. Do you know of a few good books that have romance, cute boys and are fairy tale like?

your friend,

Pity Princezz


Hello Hello Pity Princezz!

Well you know most of us girls just love a good romance and of course there has to be cute boys involved. I really love Meg Cabot too, she has so many great books and one of my favorite happens to be Avalon High which has just been made into a television show on the Disney Channel. If you are looking for some new books to read in 2011 I have a couple that I think you might just fall in love with. They are full of magic, romance and are definitely fairy tale worthy. Hope you like them as much as I do!

Happy Magical Reading!!

Mrs. Librarian Lady

My Fair Godmother by Janette Rallison (Walker & Company, 2009)

Review: Not having a date for the prom can be a grim experience! After her boyfriend dumps her for her older sister, sophomore Savannah Delano wishes she could find a true prince to take her to the prom. Enter Chrissy (Chrysanthemum) Everstar: Savannah’s gum-chewing, cell phone–carrying, pink haired, sun glass wearing Fair Godmother. The funny thing is she's only a Fair Godmother because she wasn't a very good student, only a fair one. When Savannah wishes that she could have a real princely guy take her to the prom, Chrissy sends her back to the Middle Ages, first as Cinderella, then as Snow White. Then when Savannah says she wants to find a princely guy in her own time, Chrissy sends Tristan, a boy in Savannah’s class, back to the Middle Ages to turn him into a prince. Savannah feels horrible about Tristan being sent back to the Middle Ages so she goes back to help him get back home to their time. Great laughs are in store after she kisses the Black Knight, runs from a maniac goat, and beats up some robbers. Finally Savannah and Tristan must team up to defeat a troll, a dragon, and the mysterious Black Knight. A trip through time to experience life as a medieval fairy tale character is a great twist especially when it's mixed with romance and comedy.

This story is a nice twist on the old Cinderella/Fairy Godmother tale. It offers up new ideas by adding into the mixture the element of time travel. With time the travel addition, the reader is able to imagine what a real Cinderella or Snow White would have had to live like. This additive is very delightful and makes this book an extremely fun read. The ditzy Fairy Godmother is really funny and adds quite a bit of humor into the storyline.

The Grimm Legacy by Polly Shulman (G.P. Putnam’s Sons, 2010)

Review: Elizabeth Rue gave up her shoes and has a real nose for magic. If that doesn't rhyme that's ok because there's plenty more rhymes in this magical mystery. Elizabeth is not so popular and mostly keeps to herself until her social studies professor recommends her as a page at the New York Circulating Material Repository downtown that let's borrowers check out magical objects for a short loan period. She is interested in the Grimm collection, which houses all of the magical objects that we've heard about in fairy tales. There is a dark side to working in the repository because there is a gigantic bird kidnapping pages and someone is stealing the magic from the objects in the Grimm collection. Elizabeth loves working at the repository and she gets to be very close to the gorgeous Marc Merritt, but at the same time take insults from Snow White's stepmother's mirror, which is truly not big on compliments. She has no idea who to trust and who is on her side like the elusive Aaron who just happens to show up unexpectedly almost all the time. And the cool things is that she has a real sense of smell that leads her to the magical objects she needs to help her save her friends. Shulman creates a magical world that is a step beyond the mundane and keeps the magic fresh by adding friendship, kindness, and love.

I absolutely love fairy tales and this book brought many of my favorite ones to life. I enjoyed reading this book, it keep you captivated all the way through. Elizabeth’s adventures are fun and captivating. Her friendship with Anjali, Marc, and Jaya is really nice and her uncertainty of Aaron offers an intense romance between the two. After reading this book I really wished there was such a thing as a magical material repository!

Unwind to the Future

In response to Jedi Bum's request for some action packed science fiction books I am posting a list of really cool futuristic sci fi novels that I have read. I think that anyone who enjoys reading interesting and intriguing books will enjoy these on my list.

Happy Reading to all of you out there!!

Mrs. Librarian Lady


If You Liked Unwind You Will Want To Read These:


Feed by M.T. Anderson

Titus never asks about his world, he is complacent in that the corporations control all streams of information, and of course he knows that kids learn to use the feed more efficiently in school where they are taught everything they need to know. But everything changes when he meets Violet and he travels to the moon for spring break and finds out someone might be hacking into everyone’s feeds.

The Diary of Pelly D. by L.J. Adlington

In a futuristic world, Tony V. finds an old diary in the ruins of City 5 he pockets it and begins to read. He reads about Pelly D. who was a normal girl, but later on becomes outcast of society for being Galrezi. Tony V. learns in a flash how Pelly’s beautiful life fades into sheer nothingness as she is treated horribly and moved to the slums.

The Compound by S.A. Bodeen

Eli has spent six years living in an underground bomb shelter since the nuclear war. The living conditions are stressful, the food supply is quickly declining, and his father is becoming increasingly irrational. Will Eli survive nine more years underground, or will he discover the shocking truth of his own fathers’ twisted plan?

Ender’s Game by Orson Scott Card

Ender Wiggin is a third, which means his parents were allowed to have him as a means to recruiting him in the military to fight the Bugger wars. Ender enters the academy at age six and is a captain by age twelve. He knows no other life, as he is programmed to kill the enemy no matter if it means killing all of the humanity within his self.

The Roar by Emma Clayton

Mika lives in a world where animals have the plague and are menacingly rabid. The government controls the population and people live in cramped slums with high walls in London. Mika believes his sister Ellie is still alive after she has been kidnapped and it’s up to him to break free from the mind control drugs, poisonous molds he’s being fed, and the hideous shock collars punishments he has endured in order to save his sister.

Maze Runner by James Dashner

Thomas has to learn how to survive in a strange new place where everything seems completely surreal. Somehow he must find a way to escape this creepy enclosed place that houses scary figures called the Grievers. There may be hope after all when he finds a comatose girl with a strange note.

Rash by Pete Hautman

16 year old Bo Marsten lives in a very different U.S.A. in 2076 where there are rules for just about anything you can think of. After he accidentally spreads a rash around at school, he is punished and sent to a penal colony. There, he plays football which is a very violent game, and it might just cost him his life.

The Giver by Lois Lowry

Jonah lives in an ideal world with an ideal house, perfect weather, no crime and no one is ever sick. When he turns twelve, he begins to question the reasons why everything in his world is so perfectly controlled. He may have to make alternative choices in order to gain control of his own life.

The Adoration of Jenna Fox by Mary Pearson

Jenna Fox seems like a normal teenager, so why do her parents treat her like she’s a china doll that could break at any moment? She also has strange dreams and memories like she used to be someone else. What Jenna discovers about herself could change all of mankind.

Life As We Knew It by Susan Beth Pfeffer

High school sophomore Miranda and her family are not worried about the latest news of a meteor that is headed straight toward the moon. However, afterwards the world has changed and the earth is reacting wildly with tsunamis and volcanoes erupting everywhere, plus there is suddenly a food and gas shortage. Life becomes a struggle just to stay alive, and at almost the point of starvation, Miranda does not know what the future holds for her.

Intense Sci Fi Action Rulezzz

Today’s letter comes from Jedi Bum

Hi Mrs. Librarian Lady,

I was thinking that I wanted to get a really good book this week but I really don’t know what to read. I like lots of different kinds of books and I think Science Fiction is really cool. I also like a lot of action and would like the main character to be a guy. Have you read any good books lately that sound like that? I hope you had a good New Year.

Thanks,

Jedi Bum


Hi There Jedi Bum! I have to say that your letter has got me thinking about some really good books that I have read recently. One that comes to mind is an action packed Sci Fi thriller called Unwind by Neil Shusterman. Unwind is an amazing story about a brave young man named Connor who literally has to go on the run and fight for his right to live. His world is a futuristic world that takes place after a Second Civil War, which happened between the pro-choice and pro-life forces in the United States. After the war the government came up with a declaration that allows parents to unwind their unwanted or difficult kids between the ages of thirteen and eighteen. Being an unwind means that their bodies are surgically taken apart and all the organs and tissue are used in other people. According to the law, the kids aren’t considered dead, they’re “living in a divided state.”

When Connor finds out that his parents have signed his unwind papers, he flees his home to find a safe place away from all of the horror. Setting out, he meets Risa who is an accomplished pianist that is scheduled to be unwound, and Lev who is a Tithe, a special token to the church so to speak. The three all have something to learn from each other and an incredible journey to unravel. The book follows these three across the United States as they travel together, split up, and meet again when their destinies cross in a Harvest Camp where they are slated to finally be unwound.

Shusterman has created an intense and realistic future world that will totally give you goose bumps. I guarantee that you'll be looking over your shoulder for several days after reading this book!

Happy Reading to you!!


Mrs. Librarian Lady

P.S. Jedi Bum, your letter has given me an idea. If you like Unwind then you will love reading more books just like it. So I will be posting book reviews all week with ideas for books that you can read after you read Unwind.

Vampire Lovers Unite!

Today's letter comes from Vampyre Lvr

Hey there Mrs. Librarian Lady! I really loved the Twilight series and have read and re-read them over lots of times. I'm starting to get a little bored with that and I want to read something new that has vampires and a couple in love like Edward and Bella in it. Can you help me find something good to read that I can sink my teeth into?

Signed, Vampyre Lvr

Hi Vamp Lvr! I'm so glad that you love the Twilight series, I love it quite a bit too! I think that vampires are really cool especially when they sparkle like the ones in Forks, Washington :) If you are looking for a good book try taking a bite out of this one!

Companions of the Night by Vivian Vande Velde (Magic Carpet Books, 2005)

High school student Kerry has a soft spot for underlings in need of help and just her luck, the one that she feels sorry for happens to be a vampire. After she saves the really good looking Ethan she finds out that he actually is a vampire but it's too late because her family is kidnapped and she has to join forces with Ethan. She is on a mission to unravel the mystery of their disappearance and find out who is wrecking havoc on her town.

This book is full of excitement and adventure and in the end you might just have a little soft spot for Ethan as well. There are definite similarities to the Bella and Edward relationship except that Ethan is much more mysterious and maybe a little hotter looking :O Vampire lovers will adore this fast-paced mystery novel and it will definitely leave them wanting more.

Happy Reading to you!!

Mrs. Librarian Lady

Secret Secret I have a Secret

Hey there Mrs. Librarian Lady this is from one of your readers. My name is L2theL and I like to read fantasy books. Can you tell me if there are any good books out there that are about dragons? I also really like books that are filled with action so I was wondering if you have read anything that you really like.

Hello L2theL!

You have come to the right place. I have a book in mind that I think you will really like. Read this review I wrote and then if it sounds like something you might like go down to the library and check it out! Thanks so much for writing me.

Keep up the good reading!

Mrs. Librarian Lady :)


Eon: Dragoneye Reborn by Alison Goodman (Penguin/Viking, 2008).

Eon has been through a series of bad events. His leg is mangled and he has many deep dark secrets. Eon’s master Brannon has been training him as an apprentice Dragoneye. When Eon tries out he finds he has much more power than anyone ever knew. Dragoneyes are the lucky twelve chosen to be the human link to the dragons of magic. Each year, the ascendant dragon chooses a new apprentice to be trained in this magic. The Dragoneye holds the power to keep the well being of the Empire. As Eon ascends into a royal state of court, he tries to hold on to his secret. However, when the evil Lord Ido seeks to destroy Eon things get pretty dangerous. Eon must turn to his new friends he has made to help him stay alive. With his secret dangling in the wind, his and their lives are all at stake. Fast-paced and full of exciting surprises, Goodman has gone beyond the normal fantasy book, as Eon’s world does not exist yet has many similarities of the world we know. Eon evokes the idea that the power of one’s own self worth can actually help them achieve a winning hand.

**ALA 2010 Best Books for Young Adults

Shazaaaaam!

This week's review is a good one! Anyone interested in the fantasy world that James Patterson has conjured up tune in for this book. It's a series too so the sequel should be coming out really soon.

Witch & Wizard by James Patterson

Teenage siblings Wisty and Wit Allgood never in their entire lives thought that they would be in such great danger. Unfortunately, the world has turned against anyone who shows any signs of having witch like qualities. Teens are disappearing left and right and Wisty and Wit and their parents are roused up in the middle of the night and berated for being a family of witches. At this point, the two need to think fast if they are going to survive the night. All rights have been taken away by the head regime, which no one really knows how they can do the unthinkable things they are doing. Patterson is at is again providing intense and exciting adventures very much like that of Maximum Ride and her winged counterparts. Wit and Wisty are an amazing brother and sister team and with their combined powers maybe they will be able to fight the New Order and bring back some kind of peace in the world. Patterson is sure to give readers more as the end of the book tells us “TO BE CONTINUED.”

Conjure up some spells

This week's review has quite a few twists and turns for those who like a good fantasy novel that has mystery and spell casting!

Hex Hall by Rachel Hawkins

Sophie Mercer discovered that she is a witch mostly by accident. She has been kicked out of several schools for spells gone awry, and is about to be in big trouble with the witch council if she doesn’t get a handle on her magic spells. Her mother who is a non- witch decides to send her to Hex Hall where she can be polished up into a good little witch. The only thing that gets better is her love life and that is probably somewhat questionable because the guy she likes might a mysterious creature out to get her. Her new roommate is a creepy vampire and there is some kind of scary mystery on girls that are being killed at the school. All of this, and a ghost who is calling Sophie into the night to train her, brings forth the truth that will scare all kinds of ghost lovers. Those who are especially faint at heart should beware! Hawkins has written divine characters and an interesting plot that will keep all readers highly engaged. The sequel to Hex Hall called Demonglass will be released in March 2011.

Monster High

This review is for those who are fun at heart and can smile at the things that make themselves unique human beings. Well, maybe some of the characters in this story are not quite humans. But, this story will definitely make you smile!

Melody Carver is no stranger to being an outcast because she used to be considered homely and ugly at her old school in California. Hopefully her new nose job will help her at her new school in Salem Oregon. On the flip side, being green and a descendant of Frankenstein makes Frankie Stein have to seriously hide her differentness in order to avoid angry mobs that want to kill her. Both of these girls are striving to fit in with their new surroundings without giving away their deep-seated fears. Both Melody and Frankie try to make friends, but they still feel left out. Frankie has to deal with her family not wanting her to come out of the closet about her monster origins. After a wild night at the homecoming dance everyone will have to re-evaluate who’s hot and who’s not in this adorable tale. Harrison hits the mark by mixing monsters, ghouls, and freaks with the age- old problem of teenagers trying to fit in. The message is clear that whoever or whatever you are, it’s best to just be yourself no matter what