The Selection by Kiera Cass

Rating: Clean

Audience: Ninth grade and above. There is no sex in the book, but America (the protagonist and narrator) makes it clear that the only reason she and her secret boyfriend haven't gone that far is because it is illegal and if she became pregnant they would both be thrown in prison.

Plot: America Singer is in one of the lower castes in Illea (what used to be North America), and her greatest dilemma is trying to decide how to break it to her parents that she has been secretly dating a boy from a lower caste for the last two years.  But when both her family and her boyfriend encourage her to apply for "the Selection"--a televised contest where women from all over the nation are selected to compete for the hand of the Crown Prince--her world is turned upside down.

What makes it great?

Despite the fact that this plot has been pieced together from existing novels and reality TV, I really really enjoyed this book.

The obvious reason for this is that I just love the prince. Maybe if Prince Maxon was on "the Bachelor," I'd actually watch the show! Now, as with every good love triangle, you're allowed to pick your favorite, but Maxon is the obvious winner here! He's adorably awkward and you just can't help but love him.  

It's a light book, a "beach book," the kind you can read in a day and feel all giddy for a few days afterward. It is actually part of a trilogy, and I am really excited to read "The Elite" and "The One" as soon as I can get copies. 

Entwined by Heather Dixon

Rating: Cleanest

Audience: Fifth grade and up. Anyone who enjoys fairy tale adaptations will enjoy this book but I think it is geared toward middle school-aged girls, because it is actually kind of scary.

Plot: After their mother's death, Princess Azalea and her eleven younger sisters are forced into a year of mourning and solitude. They are not allowed to dance or leave their ancient castle home. Their father (whom they address as Sir and refer to as The King) insists that they keep to the rules, but Azalea decides that her sisters need to dance as a way of dealing with their grief. The princesses discover a secret passageway which leads to the silver pavilion of "the Keeper," who is both a dashing and sinister host.  However, as the year of mourning comes to an end, Azalea realizes that she has become entwined in the Keeper's secret world, and that the only way to escape with her family is to let him out as well. Now throw in some romance for the three eldest sisters, a war, an ancient blood-oath, dancing, politics, an enchanted silver tea set, and a father-daughter relationship in need a little work, and you've got a great read!

What makes it great?

My favorite part of the book was probably the relationship between The King and his daughters.  If you took out all the magic and the romance and the politics you'd still have a sweet story about a dad struggling to meet the needs of twelve crazy girls who just want their mother.  Of course, it's a lot more fun to read WITH all the magic and romance and politics, but Azalea's family is the heart of this story.

Also, I just started following Heather Dixon's blog and she is hilarious! She draws comics about her life that are WAY funnier than anything in the newspaper. Check it out for more info on her upcoming books.

Castle Waiting by Linda Medley

Rating: Cleaner

Audience:  Though it was shelved in the JF section of the library, I would say eighth grade and up. Lady Jane's husband (not present in the book) is physically abusive and she is pregnant with another man's child.  I also just think that a lot of the wit would be lost on younger children.

Premise: After Sleeping Beauty woke up and got married and lived happily ever after, her castle and kingdom sort of just went to rot.  Her three ladies in waiting still live in the castle as old women and invite anyone who is looking for a refuge from the world to come live there as well.

Plot: The book is made up of a bunch of anecdotes (I believe each story was originally published separately in comic book form) from the different characters that live in the castle.  There is a pregnant noblewoman on the run, a bird-faced castle steward, a handsome talking horse, and my favorite: a bearded nun with a host of great stories from her circus days.

What makes it great?

Medieval fantasy setting, wit and humor on every page, and great illustrations.  I recommend this collection to anyone who 1. likes graphic novels 2. wants to like graphic novels 3. enjoys humorous fairy tale adaptations 4. LOVES THE STRANGE AND BIZARRE.

There is also a second volume (Castle Waiting Vol. 2) which is also very entertaining, though I prefer the first volume.

The Mark of Athena by Rick Riordan

Book #3 of the Heroes of Olympus series
Read #1 The Lost Hero
and #2 The Son of Neptune

Rating: Cleaner

Audience: Fourth grade and up. As always, it depends on the child.  There is a good dose of violence, and the complexity of the myths can be hard to follow.

Plot: Percy, Annabeth, Piper, Leo, Jason, Hazel, and Frank leave Camp Jupiter in a hurry after a happy reunion, an awkward banquet, and the accidental start of a civil war between the Greeks and Romans. (Only Rick Riordan can stick all of that in the first few chapters!) Their flying ship is damaged, and they know they have to figure out the rest of the prophecy before the two camps destroy each other.  The plot is super complex and I don't want to accidentally give any spoilers so I'm going to leave it at that for now...

Favorite parts:

1. Any moment between Annabeth and Percy, but especially their hilarious reunion scene

2. The chapter where they visit my home turf at the Great Salt Lake.

Warning: This book has a killer cliff-hanger ending, so be prepared to go out and buy book four as soon as you finish book three.  I'm so excited!!!

Scarlet by Marissa Meyer

Rating: Cleaner

Audience: Eighth grade and up. Some of the earliest versions of Little Red Riding Hood focused on the sensual, carnal nature of the Wolf and the danger of traveling alone with strange men, so it's no surprise that the romance in "Scarlet" is a bit more passionate than in "Cinder."  This book is also a bit more violent. However, there is no sex or nudity, so I still give it a double thumbs up!

Plot: Book two in Marissa Meyer's "Lunar Chronicles" is just as exciting as the first! The Story centers on Scarlet Benoit (a.k.a. Little Red Riding Hood), who is on a quest to find her abducted grandmother with a mysterious street-fighter called "Wolf."  Scarlet's story is it is intertwined with Cinder's where we left her last: breaking out of prison and starting a life on the run. Eventually, our two heroines meet in the middle of the war they have unknowingly been a part of, and they have to work together to survive.

What makes it great?

Scarlet is fiery, brave, opinionated, and just as admirable a heroine as Cinder. I really like Wolf too.  If you want a better understanding of Wolf's character/history, go read The Queen's Army, after you read Scarlet.  It is only a few chapters long and the e-book is free on Amazon. "Little Red Riding Hood" has never been one of my favorite stories, but I really liked the way Meyer worked the fairy tale allusions into the story.

My favorite part of this book, however, is that several of the chapters are told from Kai's perspective as he is trying to find Cinder.  I liked Kai in the first book, of course, but he really won me over in this one.

I am getting really excited for the third book, Cress,to be released this coming February and for book four, Winter, to come out in 2015.

Cinder by Marissa Meyer

Rating: Cleaner/Cleanest

Audience: Seventh/eighth grade and up.  Younger readers could definitely enjoy this book, but the target age is more middle school.  Cinder's romance with the prince is very clean and I don't remember seeing any sexual innuendos. (Book 2, Scarlet, is a little more mature.) Like all dystopian novels, there are some alarming societal problems: plague, violent discrimination, etc. Just something to be aware of.

Audio book recommendation: Maybe. I stopped listening to the audio book after thirty seconds because I didn't like the readers voice.  However, when I was living in China and didn't have any English reading materials, I went back to listening to it on my iPod.  I got so sucked into the story that I didn't care about the narrators voice anymore and even came to like it, but I still would recommend reading instead of listening to this one.

The Plot: As you can probably tell from the cover and title, it's a fairy tale adaptation (my favorite), but it's set in the future after World War IV in the city of New Beijing.  The heroine, Cinder, is a cyborg.  Her metal hand and leg automatically make her a lesser citizen, but she holds her own by being sassy, sarcastic, and the best mechanic in the city.  The world is experiencing a horrible plague, to which the emperor himself falls ill, and the emperor's son, Prince Kai, is trying desperately to save his people while avoiding a diplomatic marriage with the manipulative Lunar Queen.  In the middle of it all is a teenage cyborg mechanic who is more important to the fate of the world than she could have ever guessed.

What makes it great?

This book is just fresh! We get a lot of dystopian America books, but dystopian China is new. The characters are great as well. Cinder is tough and spunky.  Kai is loveable. Iko, Cinder's android best friend, is adorable . . .

This is a great book for taking on vacation, reading at home or on the go--the plot is full of interesting twists but isn't so deep that you have to strain your brain to understand.  It is just a fun, exciting read and I think it will be a great series.

The Host by Stephenie Meyer

Rating: Clean

Audience:  High school. While not as graphic as Breaking Dawn (there are no sex scenes), the theme of physical passion is pretty prevalent.  One of the main conflicts is that Wanderer (the alien soul) and Melanie (her host body) are in love with the same man because they share the same body and their shared memories and physical yearnings are too strong to ignore.  I didn't like that the relationships in the book were so based on physical attraction (there is a lot of "he kissed me and my whole body was on fire" kind of stuff), but by the end I was satisfied that everyone loved who they loved for the right reasons.  There is also a lot of violence, as one might expect from a world-take-over-rebel-resistance-love-triangles-up-the-wazoo kind of book, so just be aware of that before you read.

The Plot:  Tiny creatures called "Souls" have taken over the planet earth (as well as many other planets) by inserting themselves into human bodies who became their unwilling "hosts."  Wanderer, a soul who has lived in many hosts on various planets is tasked with living in the body of a rebel woman named Melanie to sift through her memories and find the hiding place of Melanie's younger brother Jamie and Jared, the man she loves. However, Melanie is stronger than most hosts and her consciousness stays in the back of Wanderer's head, fighting Wanderer and desperately trying to protect her family. But of course, she can't hold out forever, and soon Wanderer and Melanie are grudgingly working together to protect their families and find their places in the world.

What makes it great?

First of all, it's a page turner. Second, the psychology is cool--the whole idea of two minds in one body is really interesting.  Third, there are some great over-arching themes and a lot of depth.  I have to admit, from reading the jacket cover I was expecting "I'm an alien, and he's a human who is in love with my body but not with me, and life stinks" to be the main crisis.  While that is one of the problems, Wanderer is also trying to keep herself alive, gain the trust of humans while not betraying her own race,  learn to love and be loved with a whole new range of emotions, and reconcile her perception of the universe with that of her host.  I can't promise that you will love this book, and it still doesn't make my list of all time favorites, but if you are refusing to give it a try because you aren't a big fan of Twilight then clear your mind of current opinions and give it an objective read because I can honestly say that it is worth reading.

The Son of Neptune by Rick Riordan

Book #2 of the Heroes of Olympus series

 

Read book #1 The Lost Hero
and book #3 The Mark of Athena

Rating: Cleaner

Audience: Fourth grade and up. As always, it depends on the child.  There is a good dose of violence, and the complexity of the myths can be hard to follow.

Plot: The book opens with Percy being chased across the country by monsters, which we learn he has been doing for months after waking up with no memory (sound familiar?) and receiving training from Lupa the wolf.  With a little help from Juno (a.k.a. the Roman version of Hera), he makes it to camp Jupiter and gives his new camp-mates a lasting first impression. Classic Percy! He befriends the camp's misfits, Frank Zhang and Hazel Levesque, and the three are sent on a quest to Alaska to free Thanatos, the god of death.

What makes it great?

Book two was awesome because we get to see Percy again!  I mean, it was fun hanging out with Jason for a while, but I missed Percy, and if you were already a Percy Jackson fan before you started reading this new series, I bet you miss him too.

Frank and Hazel really make this book.  They are great.  In the first Percy Jackson series, Rick Riordan  made Percy a defender of all the demigods forgotten and ignored by their godly parents. What I love about this second series is that Riordan himself is championing a new set of under-dogs: the children of the gods we all hate.  In the first book we met Piper, daughter of Aphrodite, and in this book Hazel is the daughter of Pluto (Hades) and Frank is the son of Mars (Ares).  It's still hard to like the gods themselves (though we do see some redeeming qualities), but their kids can be really wonderful.

Princess Academy: Palace of Stone by Shannon Hale

Rating:  Cleaner 

Audience:  Fifth grade and up (it is just a wee bit scary).  I was really stressed out about this rebellion.  Have recently watched the new Les Miserables movie and cried over the ending of Suzanne Collins' "Mockingjay," seeing the stirrings of another revolution just made me fret over which of my favorite characters are going to have to die. Luckily, however, I underestimated Miri's skill as a diplomat. What a relief!

Plot:  (If you haven't read the first one yet, skip this because it contains spoilers) Miri and a few other Princess Academy graduates (including Frid, who is definitely my favorite) go to the capital to attend Britta's wedding and live in the royal palace for a year as ladies of the princess. Miri also has the opportunity to attend the university there, and Peder comes to capital to start an apprenticeship with a stone carver.  However, Miri finds her new city on the brink of chaos as the common people plot to overthrow the king and his exorbitant tributes.  Miri acts as a spy on behalf of Mount Eskel, but choosing a side is difficult as Miri tries to right the wrongs of the aristocracy without betraying her best friend. 

What makes it great?

"Princess Academy" has always been my favorite of Shannon Hale's books and I was really excited when I saw that she had written a sequel. I was also apprehensive. Why? Because sequels are a scary business. If a book is the first in a planned series the later books usually turn out well, but stand-alone novels that later have sequels . . . it can go either way.

However, this really was one of the best sequels I have ever read, and it managed to be very different from the first book while still including all the Mt. Eskel pride and folklore that I loved.  If you liked "Princess Academy" then I highly recommend you read "Palace of Stone," but get on a library waiting list ASAP because it took a long time--though it was certainly worth the wait. 

Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte

 

Rating: Clean

Audience: Jane Eyre is pretty dark, so I'd probably say ninth grade and up.  There is some foul language. Nothing racy happens, though Jane does have to turn down an offer to become Mr. Rochester's mistress.

Plot: After a miserable childhood, orphan Jane Eyre takes up a post as a governess at Thornfield Hall.  The master of the hall, Mr. Rochester, intrigues Jane, but things are not always what they seem, and Mr. Rochester has a secretive past that will compromise their relationship . . .

What makes it great?

From the description above, Jane Eyre sounds like a soap opera, but it isn't just about the drama.  The best part of the book is how boss-awesome Jane is as she gains her independence, keeps her integrity, and transcends the boundaries placed on her by gender and social class.  Now that's more like it!

It also has just the right amount of creepiness to thrill you without actually freaking you out, so if you are wimp like me, it is perfect.

P.S. If you aren't going to read it because you hated Wuthering Heights, don't worry, I hate Wuthering Heights too.  Jane is a heroine you will like and her story actually has a happy ending. 

The Lost Hero by Rick Riordan

Book 1 of the Heroes of Olympus series

Read book 2: The Son of Neptune
and book 3: The Mark of Athena

Rating: Cleaner

Audience: Fourth grade and up. As always, it depends on the child. There is a good dose of violence and the complexity of the myths can be hard to follow.

Plot: This is a separate series from Percy Jackson and the Olympians but it's the same world, with some of the same characters and places.  Percy and Annabeth come back in later books, but this book is about three new demigods: Leo, Piper, and Jason.  All three are found at a school in the desert for juvenile delinquents, and taken to Camp Half Blood, where they are almost immediately sent off on a quest to rescue the goddess Hera, who is imprisoned by a new threat to Olympus.  The main twist of the series is that the Olympian gods have two main personalities/forms--Greek and Roman, and Jason, who is suffering from hard-core amnesia, recognizes all the gods by their Roman names. If that isn't weird enough, he already has a sweet weapon and battle reflexes, though he has no idea where he got them.

What makes it great?

This book was awesome--I loved it! If you liked the Percy Jackson books, I can almost guarantee that you'll like this one too.  It has the same funny, adventure-packed writing, and all sorts of great plot twists.  I don't suggest reading this series if you haven't read the Percy Jackson series yet;  Riordan gives you all the background you need to at least understand the story, but you'll get so much more out of it if you've read the first series.

Elephant Run

Rating: Clean/Cleaner

Audience: There are some war horrors (like beatings and be-headings), so I'd say sixth grade and up.  The target audience is middle school, but I enjoyed it and my grandma (who lived in Cambodia for a few years) loved it, so there is no cap on the upper end of the age range.

Plot:  Nick Freestone is sent to Burma (Myanmar) to live on his father's Teak Plantation after his mother's London apartment in WWII.  His parents, who are divorced, both think he will be safer in Burma, but it isn't long before the Japanese invade and Nick's father is sent to a prison camp.  Nick spends some time as a prisoner in his own home, and eventually breaks out with a girl named Mya,an old monk named Hilltop, and a couple elephants to find his father and get safely out of Burma.

What makes it great?

1. elephants 2. WWII historical fiction from Southeast Asia perspective 3. secret passageways 4. Sargent Sonjii.

If any of those things intrigue you, I can guarantee that you will like it.  If you still need convincing, let me tell you that it is exciting and a page turner and you will come away satisfied.  I like reading war books that highlight on the humanity of both sides, and I think this book really did that.  The characters are a mixture of Japanese, Burmese, and British, and there are good and bad on every side.  I don't really care which of these teasers convinces you to read it, but I hope that one of them does, because I think this is one that everyone should read, if only just to learn about a part of the world that we usually don't focus on when we talk about WWII.

Airman

Rating: Cleaner

Audience: My whole family enjoyed this one, but it is a little dark and there is some violence. I would recommend fifth grade and up.

Audio book recommendation: Yes! Loved it.  The narrator does all the accents and voices.

Plot: Conor Brokehart is born in a hot air balloon and has always felt a connection to the air. He lives with his parents on the island nation of Great Saltee off the Irish Coast, where he befriends Princess Isabella and works with with the great inventor, Victor, to build the first working flying machine. But when he is convicted of a crime he did not commit, he is sent to work the underwater diamond mines on the prison island Little Saltee.  Now he must invent for himself a new identity as "the airman" to escape the island and save his family, his home, and the princess from the evil Bonvilain.

What makes it great?

The Saltee Islands are a real place but the story is fantastical and high-adventure, which is why it's fun to read. Conor is smart and resourceful and survives prison by giving the main thug advice on hair gel.  That's just awesome! Also, there is just something about the desire to fly that I think we can all relate to. 

Frankenstein

Mary Shelley's masterpiece was my first summer reading assignment for school, and I may have complained about the assignments and the time I gave up out of my summer, but I can also say that since then I have read it at least twice just for fun.  It's a great book, and a perfect read for Halloween.  It is definitely dark, but I read it the summer after eighth grade, so anywhere from that age up (maybe a little younger) should be good.  Give it a try!

Common Misconceptions:  

1. Frankenstein is not a big green monster with an affinity for purple. That's the Incredible Hulk, people. Frankenstein is actually the scientist, not the monster. The creature never gets a name, never wears purple as far as I remember, and doesn't have so much as a green thumb. 

2. Everybody thinks that Frankenstein's monster is a dumb brute, but he's really not.  He is very intelligent, and starts out very innocent and kind.  

3. Igor.  What the heck is an Igor?  There certainly isn't a hunchbacked assistant in the book, though I must say...these misconceptions sure make for good cinema.

A clip from "Young Frankenstein"

The Graveyard Book

This is another random book my family listened to on a road trip.  (A word about our audio books:  Mom almost always picks them out at the library because the rest of us are too busy)  So, when she pulled out "The Graveyard Book", we were hesitant...

It turned out to be a great read, or I suppose in our case, a great listen.  We were intrigued by the story and curious about what would happen to Bod and his ghostly friends and relatives.

The story:  Bod (short for Nobody) Owens has been raised from infancy in a graveyard.  The ghosts and other inhabitants of the graveyard all help raise him, but he is especially watched over by the Owens ghosts and his mysterious guardian, Silas.  Bod has a very happy childhood, learning how to fade and sleeping in a tomb, and even making friends with one human girl who comes to do grave rubbings, but when the murderer who killed his parents comes back for Bod, he'll need all his friends and his ghostly skills to escape.

A word of Caution:  obviously, it's kind of dark, what with murder and all.  Neil Gaiman also wrote "Coraline", and while the book is not nearly as messed up as the movie, Gaiman is clearly not afraid of getting creepy.  That being said, however, this book isn't as dark as you might think.  The graveyard aspect is not sinister at all.  The ghosts who live there truly love Bod and try to raise him right.  It's really sweet, actually.

This book is slightly sinister, teaches a good lesson about love, and is really weird--I know it's a crazy combination, but that is also why it works.  Check it out. I don't think you will regret it.

Wildwood Dancing

Fairy tale adaptions are my favorite.  But, while it is hard to go wrong with a fairy tale adaption, the best ones are the ones that still keep you guessing even when you should know how it ends.  "Wildwood Dancing" by Juliet Marillier is a prime example.

The fairtytale:  This story comes mainly from "The Twelve Dancing Princesses" which happens to be on one of my favorite stories, but also incorporates elements from "the Princess and the Frog" and a couple vampires. That's right, I said vampires.  (Audible Gasp). I know what you are thinking, but I am not betraying my own creed here.  The story takes place in the mountains of Transylvania, and the vampires are the stuff of very old Transylvanian legend--they aren't even called vampires, rather "night people", and, no, they do not sparkle in the sunlight).   This is a beautiful and magical tale, but it is also really interesting, because we don't often get to hear the folktales of Transylvania, or experience what life there may have once been like.

The Story:  Jena and her four sisters live in an old castle in the wildwood, and when they were very young they found a portal which led to a magical world paralleling their own.  Every full moon for years they have gone dancing in this magic realm, but when their father leaves for a warmer climate to predict his frail health, their world shifts.  Their power-hungry cousin is determined to control the lives of the sisters, as well as destroy the magical folk of the wildwood.  Of course, this is when the night people show up as well, and bring with them a whole host of other trials for Jena and her sisters.  Here is an excellent fan-made book trailer that may present the story better than I can:

Isn't that just beautiful?  The trailer does a nice job of highlighting the huge part true love plays in the story, and if you can't already guess, that is my favorite part! I love stories where the conflict can really only be solved by love--they are just so satisfying.  Anyway, this is another story that I don't think has gotten nearly as much attention as it deserves.  It is thrilling, enchanting, and I keep re-reading it, so please take my advice and give this one a try.

Age group:  I recommend this book for junior high and high-school aged folks


Just so you know, there is also a sequl: "Cybele's Secret", which is about Paula, the fourth sister.  I like the first one better, but I really enjoyed this one too, and it is fun because Paula explores the exotic world of Istanbul.  (I've also heard that Marillier may be writing a third book about the youngest sister, Stela.  If this ever happens, I will alert you all immediately).

  (P.S.  This concludes Jo's Top Five Favorite Love Stories.  I hope you have enjoyed the list, and will give them a try.  Thanks for reading!)

 

The Witch of Blackbird Pond

When someone asks me what my favorite book is, I give them that look.  Yeah, you know the look.  The look that says "Well, first tell me which is better, the pancake or the waffle?"
Even if you don't love to read, you probably have that same look when someone asks you your favorite movie, or favorite dessert, or favorite child...(at least I should hope you have that look).
But, if the question of my favorite book is on one of those little getting-to-know-you coloring pages, and there is only one line in which to explain all this inner conflict, I give up and simply write "The Witch of Blackbird Pond".

The Story:  Kit Tyler has always lived an enchanted life in the West Indies, but when her grandfather dies, she makes the journey to Connecticut colony to live with Puritan relatives she has never met.  Kit doesn't fit in with rigid Puritan culture, but she learns from her mistakes and makes friends with various other outcasts--including Hannah Tupper, the rumored witch who lives in the meadows.  When hard times hit the town, however, Hannah and Kit are the first to be blamed, and Kit must find a way to remain in the life she has come to love.

Why I love it: Well...I really like historical fiction, and this book features a lot of things that actually happened in Connecticut's history...the characters are really well developed, and loved imagining myself in their places...Kit is really awesome....but let's me honest.  This is my "favorite book" because of the love story in it.  Nat Eaton is the Dmitri of the book world: he's a little infuriating but you just can't help but fall for him.  And it isn't just Nat and Kit that get to have some fun.  Kit's cousins Mercy and Judith are thrown into the mix, and it looks like everyone is going to end up with the wrong person, and even though you know it will turn out right, you still don't breathe easy until it does. It's like a colonial Pride and Prejudice.

Age Group:  I remember a bunch of girls I knew reading this in fourth grade, but I didn't read it until junior high.  I honestly think it is a great book for any age: elementary, junior high, high school, infinity and beyond.

These is My Words: the Diary of Sarah Agnes Prine

This book is neat because, while it is fictional, the author, Nancy E. Turner, was inspired to write in by the legacy of her great-grandmother, Sarah Prine, who was a real frontier woman and lived a similar life to Sarah's in the book. 

 

Why I love it:  First of all, I love the character of Sarah.  She is strong and determined, she has a love of learning and a love of life, she is loyal and brave, she's got a shot like Annie Oakley...and yet I think any person (regardless of time period or situation) can relate to her doubts and fears.

Second, this book is inspirational and emotional, and it paints a vivid picture of the rough and beautiful Arizona territory in the 1800s.  In other words, it is a satisfying read.  I learned a lot, felt a lot, and it made me think.

And last, this is just a wonderful love story.  Sarah experiences a lot of heartache throughout her life, but when she does find love it is real and beautiful in all its ups and downs.  It is the love-story component that I think makes this book so timeless.

I'm not going to tell you what happens, because I want you to experience it for yourselves.  Please don't let the lack of selling and enticing on my part convince that this book isn't worth your time, because it is! Most the books I promote on this site are pretty well known, but this is one that very few people have read (at least that I have talked to) but is loved by everyone who has.

Disclaimer: This book is not for a younger-than-high-school audience. While I wouldn't consider it "dirty" it does address mature subjects like rape and murder, and you should be aware of that before you start.  That being said, this is one of the best books I've read.  Sarah's world is rough, but she is strong, and makes a good life out of a lot of horrible trials.

I can't recommend this novel strongly enough. Please go read it right now. 

The Blue Sword

In retrospect, I should have titled this segment "Harry and her Home-girls" to match up with last weeks Harry's homeboys theme, but that would imply that Harry is the leader of this group of awesome book heroines, and while she is a leader...

she is a very reluctant one. 

Upon becoming an orphan, Harry Crewe is sent to the Desert land of Damar where her brother is stationed with the Homeland army.  She falls in love with the wildness of the desert, but is restrained to much of the same activities she had at home: taking tea with the army wives and daughters, riding gentle ponies, etc.  

But there is magic in the hills of the desert--an ancient magic that can be very painful for the bearers--and Harry, though she doesn't know it, possesses a strong gift of her own.  Corlath, king of the mysterious Hillfolk, cannot ignore the demands of his own gift, and kidnaps Harry from her home in the dead of night.
Though it is first unclear to both Harry and Corlath what her destiny might be and why she has been chosen, she is trained as a warrior and leaves her old life behind her forever as the Hillfolk prepare for war with the inhuman armies of the North. 

 

Why I love it: As you can probably tell, this is an adventure novel.  Robin Mckinley is a master of storytelling, and the writing in this book (and all her books) is beautiful and exciting.  The land of Damar is an imaginary place, with a new culture and language, but Harry's world parallels the Victorian-era British empire, so it is easy to mentally imagine the social problems in the conquered land. But what is so cool is that Harry rises above both her own social constraints and the divide between the two cultures. Harry is a foreigner and a girl, but that doesn't stop her from having an incredible adventure and changing the fate of two very different peoples.

Why you will love it too:  this book is the perfect blend between adventure, magic, and romance. Harry is insecure, but stubborn and strong deep down, and really finds her inner-awesomeness in this book.  Corlath is confindent and stubborn and strong, but finds his humility.  Now throw in some incredible war-horses, a hidden city, an ancient magic, and a battle scene, and you have "The Blue Sword".

Sadly, no Youtube special today.  I'm truly surprised that this one isn't a movie already, but maybe it is better this way.   If you like this book, there is a prequel, "The Hero and the Crown", but I didn't like the romance aspect of it very much.

I recommend this book for girls (especially, but boys may like it as well) in junior high or high school.  I think elementary school is a little young to appreciate it, and Harry has to train for a long time to become a warrior, so that takes some fast reading and perseverance.  For anything older though, this is a really great story and one that I have read again and again. Enjoy!

Artemis Fowl

And finally...the troublemaker...the bad boy...every group needs a criminal mastermind, and for "Harry's Homeboys" that kid is Artemis Fowl.

The best thing about Artemis Fowl is that he doesn't start out as a "good guy". I guess the official term is probably "anti-hero" but even though he is cold, cynical, and doesn't appear to care about anyone, you can't help but like him.  Throughout the series, he thaws out and becomes a real hero.  Ironically, however, it isn't humans that help Artemis find his humanity--it's fairies.

Yes, that's right, fairies. Tough, combat-boot wearing, armed and dangerous, magical flying fairies.  The whole adventure starts when Artemis kidnaps a fairy and holds her for ransom in order to rebuild his family fortune.  Artemis is always two steps ahead, but this time he has seriously underestimated his enemy...

If you haven't read the Artemis Fowl series, it's about time to start.  Eoin Colfer is a great writer (I'll spotlight his stand-alone book "Airman" another day), and Artemis' story is exciting, complex, and will keep you turning pages through all eight books.

Here are their titles:

#1 Artemis Fowl
#2 Artemis Fowl: The Arctic Incident
#3 Artemis Fowl: The Eternity Code
#4 Artemis Fowl: The Opal Deception
#5 Artemis Fowl: The Lost Colony
#6 Artemis Fowl: The Time Paradox
#7 Artemis Fowl: The Atlantis Complex
#8 Artemis Fowl: The Last Guardian

Oh, and one more thing...This is an awesome song I found on Youtube:  "Call Me Artemis Fowl". I don't know how well it really matches up with the style of the books, but it's just so dang catchy!  I was reading the comments below and this one made me laugh: Ha ha "I never started this" we all know that's a lie--well said "Julia May", well said.