Nancy Yi Fan, 12, tells the story of how two warring bird tribes put aside their differences to fight for peace. The book starts as former allies, the cardinals and the bluejays, battle over territory and supplies. Meanwhile, in Fortress Glooming, the evil hawk Turnatt plots to enslave all birds and force them to finish constructing his fortress.

Divided, the cardinals and bluejays will be easy targets for Turnatt’s squadron of crows and ravens. But when the woodbirds learn of Turnatt’s plans, they unite. A bloody battle ensues. The woodbirds fight off Turnatt’s army, but just barely. They decide to call on the mythical Swordbird for help.

This fast-paced tale will draw in fans of Brian Jacques and the Warriors series with its realistic animal characters and action. Themes of peace and freedom play an important role in this story written in response to the terrorist attacks of September 11th. An amazing effort for such a young author. I’m sure we’ll see a lot more from Fan in the future.

DweebMeter: 3/5

Links

Official Swordbird Website

SwordbirdFan Blog

Swordbird on Wikipedia

When Holling Hoodhood starts seventh grade, he knows two things for sure. First, he is the son who will one day inherit Hoodhood and Associates (his father’s architecture firm). Second, his new teacher, Mrs. Baker, hates his guts. He first discovers this fact on Wednesday, when the Jewish and Catholic students leave for religious study, and Holling, the only Presbyterian, must stay behind with Mrs. Baker. Mrs. Baker tortures him with meaningless chores each Wednesday, until one day, she comes up with a new punishment. She forces him to read Shakespeare.

Through reading and performing Shakespeare, Holling learns two things. First, he can choose to be more than the son who will one day inherit Hoodhood and Associates. Second, Mrs. Baker probably doesn’t hate him.

The political and social unrest of the Vietnam era bubble under the surface of this strongly felt coming-of-age novel. Schmidt peppers his deeply funny story with poignant moments of loss, growth and missed chances. Even if some plot twists seem too good to be true (like when Holling gets to play with the Yankees), Holling brings a unique, believable voice that will speak to young and not-so-young readers alike. A beautifully crafted novel about finding hope and strength even in the most uncertain of times.

After reading this book, I understand why many people were shocked when Good Masters! Sweet Ladies! beat out The Wednesday Wars for the 2008 Newbery Medal. I enjoyed the winning book, but there’s no doubt in my mind, The Wednesday Wars should have won.

Audiobook Note: Joel Johnstone’s narration fits Holling perfectly. He sounds age appropriate, and does a great job of tackling both the funny and serious moments.

DweebMeter: 4.5/5

Links

NY Times Review

Review from the Reading Zone

Nat has more important things to worry about than girls. Two months ago he took over as a full-time demonkeeper. Now, his days consist of watering alive-dead plants, taming demon lamps and appeasing bickering masks. His three minions, Nik, Flappy and Pernicious, do more harm than good, and the Beast in the basement is constantly trying to escape and satiate its nagging hunger.

When Nat meets Sandy, a teen library assistant, he knows he should turn and run. But Sandy is persistent, and cute, and so Nat agrees to go on a date. What could go wrong?

***SPOILERS***

It ends up, a lot. The mysterious Thin Man closes in on Nat’s house, where he plans to usurp Nat and use the demons for his evil purposes. Meanwhile, street kids Richie and Gus break into Nat’s house and unwittingly free the Beast from his basement prison.

Gore and action ensue. Reluctant readers will devour this fast-paced and deliciously monstrous tale. Flat characters will keep this one off of the award lists, but who cares? This book is too much fun!

DweebMeter: 3/5

Links

Demonkeeper.com - Royce Buckingham’s Official Website

Review from CurledUpKids.com

Review from OMS Book Blog

In book 4, Percy Jackson (son of Poseidon) kicks off a new school year by battling the cheerleading squad, who turn out to be empousai (servants of Hecate). This time, he gets some help from an old friend, Rachel Elizabeth Dare, a mortal who can see through the Mist.

After his disastrous freshman orientation, Percy and Annabeth (daughter of Athena) return to Camp Half Blood to prepare for the impending war against the Titan lord Kronos and his allies. Percy finds two new faces at camp, Quintus (the new sword instructor) and Mrs. O’Leary (his hellhound pet). The Council of Cloven Elders decides that Grover, Percy’s best friend (also a satyr), has one week to find the god Pan or they will revoke his searcher’s license. And Percy reunites with his cyclops brother, Tyson.

***SPOILERS***

The story takes a turn when Percy and Annabeth discover an entrance into the Labyrinth (the massive underground maze created by Daedalus) in the center of Camp Half Blood. They come to believe that Kronos’ army (led by former camper Luke) will try to infiltrate the camp through the Labyrinth.

Annabeth (an expert in architecture–magical and nonmagical) gets her first quest: to go into the heart of the Labyrinth and take Ariadne’s string from Daedalus’ workshop before Luke and his cronies can find it. The next day, Annabeth, Percy, Tyson and Grover set off on a perilous quest underground, but not before Percy gets a strange Iris message. In the message, he sees Nico (son of Hades) raise the dead to find a way to get his sister back (his sister died to save Percy in book 3). Nico learns that he can exchange a soul for a soul, and Percy is certain that Nico plans to kill him and exhange his soul for that of his sister.

***SPOILERS***

Once in the Labyrinth, Percy and his friends must overcome Janus (the two-faced god of choices), Kampe (an ancient monster with a belt of living animals), flesh-eating horses, a squinx, a classroom of telekhines (sea demons), two dracaenae (snake women), a few giants and a whole lot more.

In between battles, they meet a few friendly faces, like Briares (one of the ancient Hundred-Handed Ones) and Calypso (a beautiful girl forced to live alone on an island because of her father’s transgressions). Grover finds the god Pan, but not in the way he had hoped. And Nico realizes that he must put aside his anger and work with Percy to fight the Titans.

The crew finds Daedalus’ workshop, but learns that Daedalus (who turns out to be someone they know) has already given Ariadne’s string to Luke. On the way back to camp, Percy takes a detour and discovers a horrible truth about Luke’s connection to Kronos. The Titan lord has been ressurected in Luke’s body, and the scythe (his weapon that can sever the soul from the body) has been reforged.

***SPOILERS***

With the help of Rachel Elizabeth Dare, Percy barely escapes Kronos. As soon as they can, Percy, Grover, Annabeth, Tyson and Nico return to Camp Half Blood to prepare for the imminent battle against the Titans. The campers are ready to fight, but their numbers are too few to go up against Kronos’ massive army. An onslaught of monsters rips through the camp. This battle is like nothing Percy has ever experienced before. Campers die. Things look grim, until they get a little help from two reluctant fighters: Briares, the Hundred-Handed One, and Grover. Briares destroys Kampe in a shower of stones, and Grover unleashes the sound of pure panic (a gift given to him by Pan), which causes the monsters to flee. Daedalus also returns and sacrifices himself to destroy the Labyrinth and close up the entrance into Camp Half Blood.

After the battle, Dionysus (former head of Camp Half Blood) returns, and, in a rare kind act, convinces the Council of Cloven Elders that the god Pan really is dead and Grover should not be exiled. Grover finds a new calling (and grows up a lot). He sets out to convince his fellow satyrs that it is up to them to rebuild the wild places.

With Kronos’ army momentarily at bay, Percy still has to deal with his personal turmoil. After everything that happened with Rachel Elizabeth Dare and Luke, his relationship with Annabeth has never been more complicated. They barely talk for the rest of the summer, and part without resolving their issues.

Percy goes home where his mom and her boyfriend, Paul Blofis, celebrate his fifteenth birthday. Percy can’t help but worry about the prophecy he received years ago stating that he would either save or destroy the world on his sixteenth birthday. His thoughts are interrupted when a surprise guest pops in, Percy’s father, Poseidon. Percy tells his father everything that happened, and Poseidon tells Percy about the old sea gods who are threatening his underwater realm. Poseidon gives Percy a sand dollar, which he says will come in handy later.

The books ends when Nico shows up at Percy’s place and offers to tell him how to beat Luke. Of course, if readers want to know exactly what Nico means, they’ll have to stick around for book 5!

Once again, Riordan’s fast-paced action, relatable characters and ingenius melding of Greek mythology and contemporary fiction make this book a great pick for reluctant readers (or ANY readers!). Book 4 may just be the best yet. It introduces interesting new characters and adds new dimensions to a few old characters. The Grover and Pan storyline finishes up a subplot started in book one, and inspires readers to bring back the wild places in their own neighborhoods. Overall, an awesome ride. If you haven’t read any of the Percy Jackson and the Olympians books yet, now is the time.

DweebMeter: 4.5/5

RickRiordan.com

When Julie, 12, discovers that her mother has been taken by the Wild Wood (the essence of fairy tales), she embarks on a perilous journey to free her (and the entire town) from repeating the same fairy tales over and over again. Once inside the Wild, Julie must avoid entering into a story (and having her memories erased) long enough to make a plan. She gets help from her “brother” (Puss in Boots), her mom’s friend Cindy (Cinderella) and a host of other fairy tale characters. In the end, she learns important truths about her past and comes up with a strategy to defeat the Wild Wood.

Durst has conceived of a unique fantasy villain in the Wild, and this fractured fairy tale provides a fair dose of fun, adventure and humor. However, bland characters and plot inconsistencies outweigh the positives. Overall, unique premise, poor execution.

DweebMeter: 2/5

Sarah Beth Durst’s Website

Edgar often escapes his work in the fig grove to climb the cliffs that separate his home, Tabletop, from the privileged land above, the Highlands. By coincidence, Edgar finds a hidden item in the cliffs, a book, but he cannot read what’s written inside (since no one in Tabletop can read). Edgar makes the perilous climb into the Highlands to find someone who can read the book. The trip violates the laws of Atherton, but luckily, when Edgar makes it to the Highlands, he meets a boy his own age, Samuel, who is sympathetic to his plight.

In the Book of Secret Things, the boys uncover part of the horrible truth about Atherton, i.e. that their world was created by scientists. Before they can finish the book, however, one of the leaders of Atherton steals it, and Edgar is forced to flee to Tabletop.

During this time, strange rumblings have created fear throughout Atherton. Soon, Edgar learns that the land of Atherton (shaped like a layer cake) is moving, and the Highlands (the top layer) are crashing into Tabletop.

War threatens to break out between the workers of Tabletop and the rulers of the Highlands. However, when it becomes clear that both of these lands are crashing down into the mysterious Flatlands below, the two groups must join forces to fight a new enemy.

This unique science fiction tale tackles issues as diverse as social class dynamics, environmentalism and the search for identity. A relatable protagonist and fast pace will draw in reluctant readers. However, sections in which the narrator directly addresses the audience pull readers out of the story. Overall, a promising start to a new series (better than the Land of Elyon), but with an abrupt ending that will leave most readers shouting, “What the heck!?!”

DweebMeter: 3/5

Audiobook Note: Jonathan Davis does a great job on all of the voices. The music, crazy robotic voices and movie clips work. Altogether, a good title to pick up on audiobook.

Links

AthertonSeries.com

PatrickCarman.com

In this unique autobiography, Peter Sis describes the frustration and fear of growing up in Communist Czechoslovakia during the Cold War. Pages of historical notes and journal entries separate this from typical picture books for younger readers. Teens will identify with the theme of rebellion that permeates the story, culminating as a young Sis flies his bicycle over the wall to freedom.

DweebMeter: 3/5

www.PeterSis.com

Chrissie, 15, hates her new life in L.A. She’s an outcast at school, and her mother is too busy with her new boyfriend to care about her problems. By coincidence, she stumbles upon a sign advertising psychic readings. Inside, she meets Yvonne and Karen, both also outcasts, who introduce her to their own brand of magic and ask her to join their coven. Although practical Chrissie is skeptical about the girls’ beliefs, she soon finds strength in her new friendships.

Spells bring the girls together, but a boy threatens to tear them apart. It’s up to Chrissie to reunite Yvonne and Karen and repair their damaged coven.

The first person present narrative alternates between the three main characters (Chrissie, Yvonne and Karen) and one minor character (Jimmie). Readers, especially those interested in witchcraft/Wicca, will find it easy to relate to the girls’ search for belonging. However, too many viewpoint characters and underdeveloped plot threads make this a cute, but unremarkable read.

DweebMeter: 2.5/5

Links

KellyEaston.com

In a time when most faeries have forgotten the old ways (and the old evils), little Magpie Windwitch and her band of crows travel the world hunting devils. Much has changed since the Dawn Days when faeries held their greatest power. The seven Djinn (the creators of the world) have gone to sleep, tired of the world they dreamed. Mannies (i.e. humans) have come into the world to plunder and destroy. Magpie is the only thing that stands between the world and the devils, but when she meets a devil she cannot slay, can an already failing world survive?

Once readers enter this sweeping fantasy world, they will never want to leave. Taylor has crafted a verse steeped in faerie tradition while, at the same time, incorporating her unique vision. Relatable characters, a fast pace and plenty of action make this book a good choice for reluctant readers (despite its length–400 and some change). The author’s manipulation of language and dialects brings added authenticity. The numerous subplots weave together seamlessly. Overall, a surprisingly good fantasy–a must read.

DweebMeter: 5/5

Links

LainiTaylor.com

Review from BlogCritics.org

Review from FantasyBookSpot.com

Review from KidsRead.com

For Vlad, middle school sucks. Not only does he have to deal with normal problems like bullies, girls and grades, but he also has to worry about blood cravings and fangs that tend to come out at the most inconvenient moments. Vlad lives with Nelly, a nurse, after his mother (a human) and father (a vampire) were killed in a house fire. With the help of Nelly and his best friend Henry (also a human), Vlad does a pretty good job of fitting in, but things change when a strange new teacher comes to his school.

Through a series of coincidences, Vlad begins to uncover secrets about his father’s past. He finds out that there is a thriving vampire society based at a place called Elysia. Further, he learns that the vampire council had been tracking his father before his death and planned to punish him for breaking vampire code and having a romantic relationship with a human. He begins to suspect that the council (aided by his new teacher) killed his parents and that he may be next.

This story is a nice (if not entirely unique) combination of high school drama and fantasy. A weak plot and mediocre characterization may scare off some readers, but vampire lovers will probably stick around until the last bite. Though far from perfect, this short book may pack just the right combination of bloody fantasy and real life issues to draw in some reluctant readers.

DweebMeter: 2.5/5

Random Sidenote: Okay, I know I’m not Miss Sensitivity, but Vlad cries way too much!

P.S. The sequel, Ninth Grade Slays, came out on April 17, 2008.

Links

HeatherBrewer.com

Review from MyShelf.com

Finally, check out this cool anime book trailer for Eighth Grade Bites: