Vibes by Amy Kathleen Ryan

Reading Level: Young Adult
(4 out of 5)

Kristi Carmichael can read minds. It's not always easy either. Sometimes peoples thoughts can be very hurtful. Kristi has been through a lot in the past two years. Her best friend ditched her when high school started, her father left for Africa, and her mother and her don't get along. Her best friend is Minnie Mouse, her cat, that she has to keep locked up in her bedroom because her mother is allergic and doesn't even know she has a cat.

Kristi goes to a hippie type high school called Journeys. She takes classes such as Explorations of Nature (biology in disguise), The Language of the Universe (math), Story as Cultural Artifact (English), and they have a contemplation room. At school her only friend seems to be Jacob but the new kid Mallory seems interesting, but Kristi can't help having a crush on her ex-best friends brother Gusty (who is totally hot). When Gusty and Kristi have to work together on a project she is both excited and fearful. Gusty is always thinking she's sick.

This was a fun read with some laugh out loud moments. I shook my head a little when reading about the school. It just doesn't seem possible that a school like that would be real but it might be fun. This is Ms. Ryan's second book and to learn more about her you can go to her website: http://www.amykathleenryan.com/

Graceling by Kristin Cashore

Reading Level: Young Adult
(4 out of 5)


Kristin Cashore has created a world with seven kingdoms. Each kingdom is ran by a King. Katsa lives under the command of her Uncle Randa, King of the Middluns. In this world some people are born with a Grace. A Grace is an extraordinary skill such as cooking, archery, reading the weather, or killing. Each Graced person has two different colored eyes. Katsa was Graced with killing and her Uncle uses her to punish and torture anyone who displeases him. Then Katsa meets Prince Po of Lienid. Prince Po is Graced with combat skills but there is more to him then meets the eye. Katsa and Po soon learn about a terrible secret that lies hidden far away, a secret that could destroy all seven kingdoms with words alone, and they set out on a journey to save humankind.


This is Ms. Cashores first young adult novel and I thoroughly enjoyed it. A prequel to Graceling called Fire will be out next year and she is currently working on the 3rd book that will be a sequel to both books. To learn more about the author: http://www.kristincashore.blogspot.com/

The Lightning Thief

5 out of 5
Book Lovers

The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan is not only a 2008-2009 Young Hoosier nominee, it is also this year's pick for the Northwest Indiana Books to Bridge the Region event. Normally, I'm not a big fan of the books that are chosen for events such as this, but the Lightning Thief really caught my attention from the beginning.

Percy Jackson has been to numerous schools; never attending one for more than a year at a time. Strange things and weird teachers always seem to interfere in his attempt to be a good student.

During summer break, Percy learns he is the son of Poseidon, Greek god of the sea. He is also a new member at Camp Half Blood, a training camp for demi-gods (sons and daughters of Greek gods). While at camp Percy learns about a quest he must accept: seek out the thief who stole Zeus's lightning bolt.

Percy accepts the quest and begins the journey with two friends, Grover and Annabeth. Along the way, monsters, gods and other obstacles naturally get in the way.

Author Rick Riordan creates a mythical world in this series. There are four other titles in Riordan's Olympian Series and a fifth and final book forthcoming. All four books, The Lightning Thief, Sea of Monsters, Titan's Curse and Battle of the Labyrinth are sure to keeps adults and teens entertained. The last book is due out in May 2009.

Mom For Mayor

Young Hoosier Book Award nominee for the school year 2008 -2009, Mom for Mayor by Nancy Edwards introduces the intermediate grade child to politics and elections.

When Eric sees the “For Sale” signs at the neighborhood park and baseball field, he decides that he must do something to save his favorite park. To make matters worse it is know it all Caitlyn’s uncle, the mayor, who is responsible.

So, fifth grade student Eric, and his best friend Jonathan set out to get Eric’s mom elected mayor. Eric and Jonathan are so busy getting petitions signed and printing up posters that they forget to inform the candidate. Eventually Eric’s mother decides to follow through with Eric’s plan and run for city council. Even though Eric’s primary goal is to save the park, he begins to realize that politics, politicians, and local issues are more complicated then they first appear.

In an authors note, Nancy Edwards explains that the election process in Mom for Mayor reflects the City Council elections in her hometown in Michigan. The public votes for seven city council members, the top vote-getter is then chosen by the council to be mayor. This entertaining Young Hoosier nominee for children grades 4 – 6 will bring attention to local elections and encourage those that have political ambitions.

M. Churley

Lake Station-New Chicago Branch

Island of Lost Girls by Jennifer McMahon

Looking for a new author and a good mystery that is a fast read? Try Island of Lost Girls by Jennifer McMahon.

While filling up her car on her way to a job interview Rhonda Farr sees a person dressed up in a rabbit suit, kidnap a little girl out of a parked car in front of the service station. Rhonda is so shocked to see rabbit that she does nothing to stop the crime at the time.

Rhonda feels guilty over doing nothing to stop the kidnapping. She tries to help the police with the investigation. When Pat, the owner of the service station, sets up a search center hotline for little Ernie Rhonda volunteers to answer phones from people claiming to have seem the missing child.

Rhonda discovers things she does not want to believe about her close childhood friend Peter, who the police suspect is involved in the kidnapping. In the end Rhonda has to deal with her feelings from the past, present, and possibly future feelings for all family members and friends.

L. Phillips

Lake Station-New Chicago Branch

Promise of the Wolves by Dorothy Hearst

Reading Level: Adult
(4 out of 5) WHAT IS THE PROMISE OF THE WOLF?

Never consort with humans. Never kill a human unprovoked. Never allow a mixed-blood wolf to live. At least that’s what the wolves of the Wide Valley believe. Until a young wolf dares to break the rules—and forever alters the relationship between wolves and the humans who share their world. Born of a forbidden mixed-blood litter and an outcast after her mother is banished, Kaala is determined to earn a place in the Swift River pack. But her world is turned upside down when she saves a human girl from drowning. Risking expulsion from their pack and banishment from the Wide Valley, Kaala and her young packmates begin to hunt with the humans and thus discover the long-hidden bond between the two clans. But when war between wolves and humans threatens, Kaala learns the lies behind the wolf’s promise. Lies that force her to choose between safety for herself and her friends and the survival of her pack—and perhaps of all wolf- and humankind (taken from http://www.dorthyhearst.com/).

I actually put this book on hold thinking it was about werewolves. When I received the book and read the synopsis I realized I had been mistaken. At first I didn't know if I wanted to read a book about wolves, but I started reading the first page and then the next and so on until the book was finished. I really enjoyed this book. The emotions and everyday turmoil that wolves go through, people go through. Kaala is not accepted by her pack but she is determined to earn respect. She fights from a early age for her survival. She wants to follow the rules but by breaking them she learns more and more. What she learns is that not everything is what it seems.

Undercover by Beth Kephart

Reading Level: Young Adult

(3 out of 5)

Elisa has a way with words. When the boys at her school need help wooing a girl they come to Elisa for her poetry. Elisa is like a modern day Cyrano de Bergerac. She sits on the sidelines discretely watching the world go by. Then one day Theo asks for Elisa's help. He likes Lila and not to long after Elisa likes Theo. Along with that her parents are having some problems of there own. So Elisa finds solace at a pond near her house. When the pond freezes over she teaches herself how to skate and she starts to come alive. Elisa doesn't want to be invisible anymore and you watch Elisa come out of her shell.

I liked this book but I didn't really enjoy the ending. Ms. Kephart left it to unfinished for me. I want to know if x, y, z happens with a, b, c. I'm not sure that make sense but I don't want to give the story away.