x-tine's x-libris

Lost: Book 2 of The Magic Thief by Sarah Prineas

2009-09-16T15:58:00.000-07:00

From the book flap--because I am in the process of moving and am feeling a bit of a time crunch.

"Never mix fire with magic!

Conn may only be a wizard's apprentice, but even he knows it's dangerous to play with fire...especially around magic. His master, Nevery, warns him that it could all blow up in his face. Besides, they have bigger problems to deal with. There is evil afoot in the city of Wellmet, an evil that isn't human.

But Conn is drawn to the murmurs he hears every time he sets off an explosion--something is trying to talk to him, to warn him. When none of the wizards listen, Conn takes matters into his own hands. His quest to protect everything he loves brings him face-to-face with a powerful sorcerer-king and a treachery beyond even his vivid imagination."

--Again, I really loved this book. And I also enjoy how Conn just always tells the truth, he's very straightforward. Even when he knows that someone won't like his answer he tells them what he's going to do anyway. And even though he began as a gutterboy thief, he shows that he's much more than that. Definitely read book one first though!

The Angel's Game by Carlos Ruiz Zafon

2009-09-07T08:43:00.000-07:00

This post is actually written by my husband, because he actually does this as part of his job and is much better at it than me. I really enjoyed this book, but was having a tough time writing up a little review of it. So, here's the review:

"In Barcelona in the early '30's, the gothic violence of the penny dreadful fuels the public imagination. David Martin, a lowly employee at a Barcelona newspaper, becomes, through the benevolence oef a fellow journalist, the famed (but pseudonymous) author of the most popular novels in town.

What happens next could easily have been ripped from the plot of one of Martin's penny dreadfuls. Eerie houses, torrid romance, betrayal, and violence drive Martin toward madness. Is his mysterious benefactor a devil or an angel? Is the mystery he thinks he's uncovering real, or an illusion? Answers are hard to come by in this well-crafted fiction .

I certainly enjoyed the second novel I've read by Sr. Zafon. While his earlier novel was more traditional, he is certainly adept at using style and genre to illustrate something deeper."

--I, too, really enjoyed The Angel's Game. And highly recommend reading his earlier novel, The Shadow of the Wind, either before or after this one. I think that you could read these two in either order, but there are some things that show up in The Angel's Game that might make more sense if you read Shadow first. They're not in a series, exactly, more novels that are linked in small and subtle ways, but it's fun to see it when the links show up. I read somewhere that Zafon hopes to write at least two more novels that are connected to The Angel's Game and The Shadow of the Wind, and I'm excited to see how they turn out. The other incredible thing to me is that Zafon's novels are written in Spanish and translated into English. He has an amazing translator. I think that the way the books are written, the way Zafon uses words, is another part of why I enjoy them so much. These are not children's or young adult books, though, nor fantasy, definitely not my usual choice. They're kind of magical realism, and there's definitely something going on here just under the surface that's not really explained.

Need by Carrie Jones

2009-08-31T07:14:00.000-07:00

Things just haven't been the same for Zara White since her step-father died. And to top it off, some strange guy she's never seen before suddenly begins to stalk Zara. So her mom sends Zara to stay with her grandma in Maine for a change of scenery. The theory is that it will be good for her and snap her out of her melancholy.

With the move to Maine also comes adjusting to a new school. Zara quickly finds a few friends, and some enemies, at the school. And both are, well, more than they seem. Unfortunately, the freaky stalker has followed Zara to Maine, and stranger still he leaves a trail of gold dust in his wake... Can Zara figure out this stalker's Need and what is really happening in her new small town in Maine before it's too late?

--Need was a fun, quick read. But I should probably tell you that it's fun as in one of those Twilight, Wicked Lovely kind of books. It's dark, a little suspenseful, and Carrie Jones does a good job of creating that by setting it in a small town, in the late fall, early winter in Maine. Surrounded of course, by woods. I can't really say much more about what you'll find here without giving too much away, but I'd recommend this book especially to girls, young adults though, and to those who like a little romance, a little suspense, and a little of what made Twilight so popular. Oh, and it looks like it's going to turn into a series. I promise I don't try to find just books that are part of a series! It does help when trying to find something to read, and there are an awful lot of really good ones out there right now. But I find that I'm getting a little series-weary. I promise that it is something I've been thinking about lately, but Sharon over at Shermeree's Musings said it first on a recent post. It kind of struck a chord with me and I decided I'd just throw in a little mention of that here as well. Probably means that it's time to read a few books that don't fall into the fantasy, sci-fi, children, young adult category. Hm, we'll see what we can do.

Revenge of the Witch by Joseph Delaney

2009-08-29T08:03:00.000-07:00

From the inside book flap (because somehow it says it better than I can):

"Capturing Witches

Binding Boggarts

Driving Away Ghosts

For years, Old Gregory has been the Spook for the county, ridding the local villages of evil. Now his time is coming to an end. But who will take over for him? Twenty-nine apprentices have tried--some floundered, some fled, some failed to stay alive.

Only Thomas Ward is left. He's the last hope; the last apprentice.

Can Thomas succeed? Will he learn the difference between a benign witch and a malevolent one? Does the Spook's warning against girls with pointy shoes include Alice? And what will happen if Thomas accidentally frees Mother Malkin, the most evil witch in the county...?"

--Wow, I totally loved this book! It's a little dark, a little creepy, and full of all those wonderful things about witches and boggarts that make October such a fabulous month. And that part about Alice with the pointy shoes? Also loved that. Alice is an interesting character that Thomas meets, and it's definitely too soon to tell how she's going to turn out. Spooks have a very important, but lonely job. They make sure that the dead don't bother the living. They also have to deal with witches, who are extremely tricky, and even worse after they die. Thomas is apprenticed to the current Spook to see if he has what it takes to take over one day. Something tells me that Thomas has more than what it takes, and I'm interested in finding out more about that too. I suspect it's something to do with his mom. Revenge of the Witch is book one in The Last Apprentice series, and I know, another series, but this is one I'm really excited about. I'd recommend this book to kids who enjoy good vs. evil, some magic thrown in, and also stories with a little touch of the dark in it.

The Burning Bridge by John Flanagan

2009-08-25T07:13:00.000-07:00

This is the second book in the Ranger's Apprentice series, and King Duncan is preparing for battle against Lord Morgarath. Will and Horace, meanwhile, are sent on a special mission with the Ranger Gilan to the neighboring land of Celtica to seek support in the coming battle. However, when they get there, they are surprised to discover most of the villages are empty--the people have been slain or taken as prisoners of Morgarath. Gilan rides on ahead of Will and Horace to take this news to King Duncan as quickly as possible. Will and Horace are to follow behind.

What is Morgarath planning? Will and Horace soon discover a surprising truth about the impending battle that could have a huge impact on King Duncan's army and their success. But there is no time for delivering this message; it is up to Will and Horace to save the King's army!

--The Ranger's Apprentice series is really exciting, and continues to be a great read, especially for those who love fantasy and/or adventure. In The Burning Bridge Will takes on a leadership role, which is a little daunting at first, but he rises to the challenge. (Link to my review of book one, The Ruins of Gorlan.)

Watcher in the Woods by Robert Liparulo

2009-08-18T07:12:00.000-07:00

Watcher in the Woods, book 2 of The Dreamhouse Kings series, starts right where the first one left off. The King family is desperate to find their mom, who disappeared through one of the doors in the house that lead to other worlds. They decide they need a plan, a systematic way to track mom down through all the possible worlds the house leads to. At the same time, David, Xander, and Toria have to deal with the first day of school and pretend that everything is normal.

But NOTHING is normal. The Kings must find their mom before another one of them disappears.

And to make matters worse, a Mr. Taksidian shows up, and he'll stop at nothing to take the house away from the Kings. He's definitely up to something, and knows more than he's saying about the house.

In Watcher in the Woods, the mystery of the Kings' house deepens and time feels like it's running out!

--I'm really liking this series. It's suspenseful, different, and cool. I also really like the fact that, as someone commented on my review of book one, House of Dark Shadows, this is a family that really cares for each other, works on maintaining family ties, and the father is really involved in his children's lives. I suspect the mom would be too, but she's stuck in some time warp, time continuum thing (and I apologize, I've returned the book and forgotten the names of the parents!). And as mentioned, book two starts to get really interesting. There are hints at future answers about the house, even maybe the person who took mom. There's definitely a lot more going on here than first meets the eye and it will be exciting to read more and find out what happens!

The Magic Thief by Sarah Prineas

2009-08-11T18:47:00.000-07:00

Meet Conn.

Conn is a pick-pocket in the magical city of Wellmet.

And Conn, well, Conn should be dead right now. He just stole a locus magicalicus from the wizard Nevery.

A locus magicalicus you ask? It's a stone used to focus magic and work spells. Each wizard has one, meant just for him, and this one should have killed Conn the moment he touched it. This has Nevery wondering about Conn. He agrees to take Conn as a wizard's apprentice, but on the condition that in one month's time Conn find his own locus magicalicus. In the meantime, Nevery is in Wellmet to try to discover why the city's magic is weakening.

Conn is having a hard time finding his locus magicalicus, not to mention the fact that he has to go to school. Conn has his own theory about what is happening to the magic in Wellmet, and he must save the magic before it is too late!

--I really enjoyed this book. It does take a few pages to get used to the writing style, but I found myself drawn in and racing to finish the book in no time at all. The story is interesting, different, and Conn is a smart, interesting character. I also loved that not only is Nevery teaching him how to be a wizard, but Conn also has something to teach Nevery, and that was fun to read about, too. I have to confess to being a mystery geek when I was a kid, and there are some fun coded messages from Conn at the end of each chapter to decode. I would have loved that as a kid, and still found it kind of fun now. This book ends with kind of a cliff-hanger, so I'm glad to see that book 2 is already out. It'll have to go on my hold list soon!

Dragon Spear by Jessica Day George

2009-07-29T02:29:00.000-07:00

In Dragon Spear, Creel's third adventure, she and Prince Luka have finally started their plans for their wedding. But first, they travel to the Far Isles to visit their friends Velida and Shardas, Queen and King of the dragons.

The Far Isles are beautiful and the dragons are quite happy there...that is until Velika is kidnapped--by dragons! These dragons are from a land previously unknown to Prince Luka, Creel and Shardas, and worse, they keep human slaves. It's up to Creel and Shardas to outwit the new dragons and save Velika.

--I really enjoyed the stories about Creel and Shardas. This third story about their adventures is just as much fun as the first two, and I really liked the way that Creel helps solve the problems they encounter with the other dragons. It's nice to read a story where the bad guys aren't all bad, or destroyed.

Playing with Fire by Derek Landy

2009-07-22T07:28:00.000-07:00

Playing with Fire is the second adventure for Skulduggery Pleasant and Valkyrie Cain, formerly known as Stephanie Edgley. And joining them again are their friends Tanith Low and China Sorrows.

This time they're battling Baron Vengeous and his cronies, including someone who can disappear through the ground. They're trying to bring the Grotesquery back to life. What is the Grotesquery? It's a fearsome, nearly indestructible creature formed from bits of other fearsome beasts. And when the Grotesquery comes back, so will the Facelss Ones, who will bring about the end of the world.

It seems that Skulduggery, Valkyrie and their friends are all that's left to stand up to Baron Vengeous. Hopefully, that will be enough!

--This is another fun, non-stop adventure featuring everyone's favorite skeleton and Valkyrie Cain, who is stronger both physically and magically. I really enjoy the way the characters play off each other with their jokes and one-liners. If you liked the first Skulduggery Pleasant, you should definitely read this one too! Click here to see my review of Skulduggery Pleasant.

The Ruins of Gorlan by John Flanagan

2009-07-15T07:27:00.000-07:00

It's Choosing Day, perhaps the most important day in fifteen-year- old Will's life. He's a ward of Castle Redmont, and each year on Choosing Day the fifteen-year-old wards, or orphans, at the castle find out what profession they will apprentice to.

Will has always fancied joining Battleschool and becoming a knight. The trouble is, he's always been small for his age. He watches as his friends are assigned their apprenticeships: Horace to Battleschool, Jenny as a cook in the kitchens, Alyss to the Diplomatic Service, and George to the legal profession. And then it's Will's turn. He is indeed too small for Battleschool, and suddenly he fears he may very well end up a farmhand. And then Will and the Baron notice the mysterious Ranger Halt, who suggests that Will become his apprentice.

Will, a Ranger? He had never even considered becoming a Ranger. Still, it's better than being a farmhand. Learning to be a Ranger is hard work, but Will is good at it. And it's a good thing, too, because Morgarath, Lord of the Mountains of Rain and Night, is gathering his forces, including the dreaded Wargals, for a battle against King Duncan. Will is going to need every ounce of courage and skill he has as the stakes get higher and Morgarath begins to put his plans into action.

--The Ruins of Gorlan is book one in the Ranger's Apprentice series, and a number of our children's librarians had recommended it to me. I finally read this book and loved it! Then promptly began reading book 2. The action is great, but it's also not non-stop like so many other books coming out lately. There's also plenty of moments of Will learning to be a Ranger, learning who he is and where his place is in his world. With some nice humor mixed in. This is a fantasy novel, but it doesn't have any magic. It feels more like a children's version of Lord of the Rings, and also reminded me of some of the books I read as a kid, like Lloyd Alexander's Chronicles of Prydain. I'd recommend this to children and young adults who enjoy fantasy adventures like Lord of the Rings.

Pride & Prejudice & Zombies

2009-07-08T14:26:00.000-07:00

Well, what can I say? I'm a big fan of Pride and Prejudice, and so I just had to read this version, Pride and Prejudice and Zombies by Jane Austen and Seth Grahame-Smith. But you won't find my review here because I was invited to be a guest blogger/reviewer over at The World's Strongest Librarian. So check out Josh's site, and read my review here: http://worldsstrongestlibrarian.com/2757/book-review-pride-and-prejudice-and-zombies/#more-2757

Dragon Flight by Jessica Day George

2009-06-21T08:13:00.000-07:00

The Dragon Wars are over, and Creel and Marta are hard at work in their dress shop creating beautiful dresses, including Marta's wedding dress. However, Creel misses her friend Prince Luka who is in Citatie gathering information on the land for his father, the King of Feravel. She eagerly awaits each letter from him, but the latest brings alarming news! It seems that Citatie has an enormous dragon army, and they are on their way to destroy Feravel. Because Creel has more experience with dragons than anyone else in Feravel, she is soon on her way to join Luka in Citatie to try to find a way to stop the dragon army. And as a bonus, she'll be asble to see Luka again, the only person who has captured her heart. But are Luka, Creel, Tobin, Marta and a few of their dragon friends enought to stop an army of hundreds of dragons?

--This sequel to Dragon Slippers is just as much fun as the first one. In it I was really happy to learn the fate of some of Creel's dragon friends from the first book. And happily, there is a third book, just released, that I am now reading! It is perhaps not as crucial to read book 1 before this one, but it is certainly more fun to read Dragon Slippers before Dragon Flight. I don't even mind the bits of romance in these books!

Wildwood Dancing by Juliet Marillier

2009-06-15T08:01:00.000-07:00

Five adventurous sisters...

Four dark creatures...

Three magical gifts...

Two forbidden lovers...

One enchanted frog...

Cross the threshold into the Wildwood, and enter a land of magic, daring, betrayal...and true love.

--I included the above from the back of the book because after reading it, well, it just sort of describes the feel and mentions the main parts of the story. Which I really liked. The book claims to be a version of the 12 dancing princesses, and I can kind of see it, but didn't really end up thinking about that so much while reading.

Wildwood Dancing won the Beehive Book Award in the Young Adult category this year, which is the main reason I picked it up. The story takes place in Transylvania, another reason it intrigued me. Jena and her sisters have a secret portal to the Other Kingdom, but only at Full Moon each month. There they dance with dwarves and other even stranger creatures all night, and have developed a friendship with the Queen of the Wildwood. But one Full Moon, the Night People are also there, a frightening group of people about which there are strange stories involving people being bitten on the neck and found dead. (Not quite vampires, exactly, but still...) And Jena's older sister Tatiana has the misfortune of falling in love with one of the Night People.

Wildwood Dancing turned out to be an enjoyable story. I forgot to mention Jena's "pet" Gogu, a frog who talks, but only Jena can hear him. Theirs is an interesting relationship, and he never really talks about where he comes from or why he can talk, or why he seems jealous of other men showing attention to Jena. (And yes, sort of obvious, but still fun.) I really liked the author's writing style, she creates a great atmosphere and feel to the book. And it felt great to be reading a fantasy story that wasn't all about the adventure or action. I know, it'll sound kind of goofy, but it's the kind of story that reminds me of all the great fantasy stories I was discovering as a teen when I began to really enjoy the genre.

House of Dark Shadows by Robert Liparulo

2009-06-09T07:54:00.000-07:00

How would you feel if you saw someone strange and menacing walking in the shadowy halls of your house in the middle of the night?

Xander King knows. In fact, he knew there was something wrong with their new house, stuck out in the middle of nowhere, from the moment he first saw it. Xander's first clue was when he noticed that sounds in the house came from the wrong direction. His mom could be in the room to his right and her voice would sound like it was coming from the room to his left. And don't forget the story of the previous owner of the house: the father in the family killed his wife and two kids! And then Xander and his little brother David discover that the house is full of strange portals to other lands, other times, portals to some dangerous situations.

So how do you explain the strange, scary person wandering the halls in the dead of night? How did he get in? How did he disappear? And what does he want?

--Boy, I really liked this book. It's suspenseful, a little spooky, and really intriguing. It's also the first in a series, and I had to request that our Children's book buyer at work order the next ones, because let's face it, I prefer to check out books rather than purchase them. I'd probably recommend this book for younger teens, or older kids who can handle a little bit of scary/spooky mixed in with their book.

The Last Olympian by Rick Riordan

2009-06-02T19:44:00.000-07:00

This much anticipated finale to the Percy Jackson series is finally available and fans will not be disappointed. I'll keep it short so I don't give anything away.

It's finally down to the wire: Percy and his friends must defend Mount Olympus against Kronos because the rest of the gods have left it defenseless in order to go fight other Titans. And as the battle rages on, the prophecy regarding Percy's 16th birthday begins to be fulfilled. Is Percy the hero of the prophecy? Will he save Mount Olympus? Will he make the right choice?

Well, I'm not going to tell you, but I will say that I really enjoyed this book! It has the most action of any of the Percy Jackson books, it practically starts right out with it. Even though Percy is the primary character here, I think that Nico is a close second on my favorite character list. If Mr. Riordan ever writes anything else about Percy's world, I hope I get to see Nico again. And at the end when everything is wrapped up and the prophecy is fulfilled, well, it's very satisfying and not quite what I had predicted would happen. Which is a good thing. I really like what Rick Riordan did with the prophecy. Oh, and make sure you read the other books first!

The Invention of Hugo Cabret by Brian Selznick

2009-05-29T08:42:00.000-07:00

From the inside flap:

Orphan, clock keeper, and thief, Hugo lives in the walls of a busy Paris train station, where his survival depends on secrets and anonymity. But when his world suddenly interlocks-like the gears of the clocks he keeps-with an eccentric, bookish girl and a bitter old man who runs a toy booth in the train station, Hugo's undercover life and his most precious secret are put in jeopardy. A cryptic drawing, a treasured notebook, a stolen key, a mechanical man, and a hidden message from Hugo's dead father form the backbone of this intricate, tender, and spell-binding mystery.

--This is a truly innovative children's novel. I have to confess to being quite reluctant to read this book. I don't always enjoy books whose story progresses through pictures, but it really works in this book. It's a unique combination of words and pictures, almost film-like. They combine to make a really compelling story. I found myself wondering almost constantly what was going to happen next. Would everything be OK? I also wound up really enjoying the drawings. They did a great job of telling the story visually. Highly recommend this book.

A Homemade Life by Molly Wizenberg

2009-05-23T08:36:00.000-07:00

Molly Wizenberg, creator of the blog Orangette, writes about her life and food, and how they can be so connected. She talks about some of her first experiences with food and how it led her to her love for cooking. A Homemade Life is a collection of short essays about different times in her life and at the end of each is a recipe connected to the story.

--I mostly enjoyed reading through her book, a memoir with recipes, though I don't know, sometimes these things make me feel uncomfortable, kind of like at times too much information is shared. I'm not really certain why, it is after all a memoir, and kind of the point of some blogs. But, Molly's writing style is very approachable, and many of her stories/essays are fun to read. Not to mention some tasty recipes. I also decided that I like her father's belief that her family ate better than people did at most restaurants. Not because their food was better or tasted better. No, it was something more than that. The food and meals they shared meant togetherness, being together, eating together, coming together, cooking and sharing. Definitely something I would like to achieve in my home.

A Year Down Yonder by Richard Peck

2009-05-18T08:31:00.000-07:00

In this sequel to A Long Way From Chicago, it's just Mary Alice visiting Grandma Dowdel. Only this time it's for a year. Her parents are having some financial difficulties, her father lost his job and it's right in the middle of the Great Depression. And Joey is out west working fo rthe Civilian Conservation Corps. So Mary Alice goes to spend a year with Grandma. This is another fun book full of stories of Grandma Dowdel and some of the adventures Mary Alice has with her. As always, Grandma Dowdel is unpredictable, but hilarious.

I really enjoyed this book, but for me, I thought that A Long Way From Chicago was just a little more fun. However, once I'd read the first book, I had to read A Year Down Yonder. Another book with Grandma Dowdel? How could I resist? And really, you won't regret reading this one. I think my favorite story involved an artist renting a room from Grandma, the snake, and the young woman from town that the artist was painting. Nude. And that's all I'll say, except that it was hilarious!

A Long Way From Chicago by Richard Peck

2009-05-12T08:18:00.000-07:00

When Joey and Mary Alice Dowdel's parents first sent them to visit their Grandma Dowdel for a whole week one summer, they were convinced their parents just wanted a vacation without them. And they certainly weren't looking forward to staying with Grandma Dowdel in her small town so far from Chicago. Grandma Dowdel's town was divided by the train tracks, there was nothing to do and the privy was outside! But, it turns out, summers with Grandma Dowdel were more than a little interesting. For example, one summer, they helped Grandma Dowdel steal some catfish right out from under the sheriff's nose. And don't forget the time with the ghost on the train tracks, and the ride in an airplane at the fair, and... Well, it's not long before Joey and Mary Alice begin to look forward to their weeklong visits each summer. And yes, Grandma Dowdel may live a Long Way From Chicago, but for Joey and Mary Alice, it's well worth the trip.

--I had been given this book nearly a year ago, and thought, hm, OK, I don't know this author, never heard of the book, maybe I'll read it someday. And then well, sort of forgot about it. But one day another blog I recently found gave it a great review, and I figured I'd better read this book. And I wish I had read it much sooner. This is a great book! Grandma Dowdel is absolutely hilarious! She's a genius, and the way she keeps the town on its toes is so much fun to read about. Another bonus for me is the fact that the stories take place in the early 1930's. I don't know what it was really like to be alive at that time, but this book made me feel like I was experiencing a little of what it might have been like. And I have to confess, there are some things about life conveyed by this book that I would like to recapture now. The connectedness that people had with each other. They helped each other out, had community events and were involved in one another's lives. And things were somewhat simpler, harder in some ways, yet simpler, too. Don't get me wrong, I love the technological and medical advances we have now, but sometimes I think we forget to stop doing all the things we have to do, all at once, and take a little time to appreciate others, the world, and just exist.

Puddlejumpers by Mark Jean & Christopher C. Carlson

2009-05-05T20:07:00.000-07:00

Ernie Banks (no, not that Ernie Banks) is a thirteen-year-old orphan at the Lakeside Home for Boys. He's considered quite the trouble-maker, and one of his actics goes just a little too far. Luckily, instead of being sent to juvie, Ernie's headed to Russ Frazier's working farm for three weeks. Maybe that will straighten him out.

Ernie soon befriends, somewhat reluctantly at first, Joey. She tells him about Russ' son Shawn, who disappeared without a trace while still a baby. Ernie is drawn into the mystery of the missing baby, and decides that he's going to figure out what happened to Shawn.

The clues that Ernie and Joey uncover lead them into dark and dangerous secrets, and the underground world of the tiny people called Puddlejumpers. Ernie knows he's getting close to solving the mystery of Shawn's disappearance, but can he also help save the Puddlejumpers from their mortal enemies? How is Shawn connected to the Puddlejumpers, and even more important, it seems that somehow Ernie is connected to all this, too. Can Ernie and Joey solve these mysteries? As always, read and find out!

--It took me a little while to really feel interested in this story, but I was glad I stuck with it because it turns into an interesting and exciting tale. There are a lot of twists and turns to this tale, with a satisfying ending that ties it all together.

2009 Beehive Book Award Winners

2009-04-29T19:21:00.000-07:00

I thought I'd post the list of this year's Beehive Book Award winners, for 2009. I read several of the nominees, but hadn't made it to most of these yet. I have read The Candy Shop War and thoroughly enjoyed it. We all know what I'll be checking out tomorrow!

The Candy Shop War by Brandon Mull, Children's Fiction.

If I Built a Car by Chris Van Dusen, Picture Books.

The Dangerous Book for Boys by Conn and Hal Iggulden, Informational.

Dogku by Andrew Clements, Poetry.

Wildwood Dancing by Juliet Marillier, Young Adult.

Congratulations to the winners! And for a list of next year's nominees, check out the Children's Literature Association of Utah website.

Half Magic by Edward Eager

2009-04-25T07:00:00.000-07:00

Half Magic was probably my first introduction to books about magic. And I loved it! I was probably in 4th or 5th grade at the time, and the book had already been around for a while then! I just found it on my shelf and thought I'd read it again for fun, and it's still a really fun story. Half Magic is full of humor and fun adventures, including an adventure involving Lancelot, jousting, and Merlin.

Half Magic is about four children, Jane, Mark, Katharine, and Martha who are having the most boring summer imaginable. But that all changes when Jane finds a nickel shining on the sidewalk. Jane soon learns it's not a nickel at all, and suddenly the four children are having the best, most exciting and adventurous summer ever. For you see, the strange coin grants wishes, but by halves, so you have to be careful how you make your wishes. They learn that lesson quickly, when Mark makes a wish to be on a desert island. Do they end up on a desert, or an island? And will they get back home when the coin gets lost in the sand? Luckily, you don't need to know fractions to read this book, though you might need to learn in a hurry if you ever find a strange coin stuck in a crack in the sidewalk!

Dragon Slippers by Jessica Day George

2009-04-22T07:47:00.000-07:00

When Creel's aunt sacrifices her to the local dragon, Creel has to think fast to find a way out of the dragon's cave. She strikes up a bargain to win her freedom. And out of that bargain, she wins an item from the dragon's hoard. Creel learns that dragons do not hoard piles of gold, dragons hoard all kind of things. Even dogs! This dragon collects, well, shoes. Creel picks out a fine blue pair of slippers and is on her way to the King's city to seek her fortune. Along the way she meets adventure and danger in the form of another dragon, a spoiled foreign princess, and a prince. And everything seems tied in to those blue slippers. For you see, Creel's new shoes aren't just shoes, they're Dragon Slippers.

--I absolutely enjoyed this book. It's been a long time since I read a real dragon book, and this one does not disappoint. I really enjoyed the dragons in this book, some have really great personalities. And Creel is a strong female character, who isn't afraid to stand up for herself, and I also really enjoyed that. I would highly recommend this book, probably especially for girls. Oh, and it was a Beehive Book Award nominee this year.

Fablehaven: Secrets of the Dragon Sanctuary by Brandon Mull

2009-04-19T08:42:00.000-07:00

I'm not going to say too much about this book, I don't want to give anything away. I will say that each book in the Fablehaven series seems to get better and better.

This time around, the action takes us to a Dragon Sanctuary. And it's Action with a capital A. The magical creatures there are quite amazing, and don't forget dangerous. In fact, I'd say it's just about the most dangerous place Kendra and Seth have encountered so far.

This book also reminds Kendra and Seth to be careful who you trust. We also see Vanessa again. Even though she turned out to be a "bad guy," I've always still liked her, and it was fun to see her again. Now, I've probably gone on too long. Get out there and read it already! You won't regret it! (But make sure you've read books 1-3 first.)

Way Down Deep by Ruth White

2009-04-16T07:15:00.000-07:00

One fine summer morning, a 2 or 3 year old red-haired girl shows up on the steps of the courthouse in Way Down Deep, West Virginia. No one can figure out where she's from, or who her family is. All they manage to learn is her name, Ruby, and they call her Ruby June. Miss Arbutus, owner of the local boardinghouse called The Roost, takes her in. And they are very happy together.

Ruby June grows up quite happy, helping out at The Roost, running errands with her red wagon, and the townspeople love her. She even has a pet goat named Jethro, who jumps up on his woodpile (where he has a better view) and watches for her to come home from school everyday. Sometimes, when someone parks their car a little too close to the woodpile, he jumps up on their car for an even better view of the town.

When Ruby is twelve, the Reeder family moves to Way Down Deep, and it turns out they have clues to Ruby's identity and past. But Ruby is uncertain she wants to learn about her identity. Will she have to leave Miss Arbutus and Jethro? Will she have the courage to solve her own mystery and find out where she belongs? And could it be she truly belongs in Way Down Deep?

--This is a really very charming story, and I loved it. Plus, how could you not love a story with a goat who has lots of personality and is named Jethro? The book is well-written, heartwarming, and all about a girl with lots of love and the courage to find out who she is. I'd recommend this book to kids, probably especially girls, and I think adults would enjoy it too.