Doll Bones, by Holly Black

Make-believe is an ever-adapting game of the mind that continually morphs and grows, however, there comes a point, which no one can pinpoint exactly, when a child has grown too much to play this game any longer... or so parents think. Zach's Dad thinks he has reached this time in his life. As a new Middle School student, he feels he should focus on other games (real games), like basketball. When Zach continues to create the fantastical world of pirates, mermaids, and thieves that is ruled by the Great Queen, and even china doll that is forever imprisoned in the china cabinet, his Dad decides to take matters into his own hands. He collects his figures and places them in the trash, thinking his son will easily move on, but he is crushed and left angry, depressed and unsure of how to break the horrible news to his make-believe playmates, Poppy and Alice.

In the end, all he decides to lie to his friends and act as if he truly no longer wants to play with them. With such an abrupt end to their game, both girls are left in disbelief and it seems their friendship has ended as well. However, Poppy is relentless in telling them that she has been visited by a girl in her dreams that insists the Queen be buried in her empty grave in order for her to find rest.

As a ploy to get her to leave it alone, Zach and Alice finally agree to take part in the expedition. From the beginning everything that can go wrong does and things get creepier by the moment. The doll seems to be more than a doll, ghosts become believable, and all start to wonder if their lives have turned into a horrible game.

Despite, the dark aura of Doll Bones, it was one of the bright lights of my summer reads. Holly Black captures the uncertainty of transitioning from child to teenager, the numbing idea of the reality of ghosts, and the strength of childhood friendships. 

Bad Unicorn, by Platte F. Clark

With books, comes knowledge, and knowledge can be a dangerous thing. This is exactly why Max Spencer is in grave danger the moment he cracks the spine of The Codex of Infinite Knowability: a book full magic beyond belief. Max is keenly aware of the danger he faces since it is made clear in the copyright warning. However, the prospect of the world being taken over by squirrels and terrible lashings from the Tree of Woe aren't enough to keep him from reading on.

In a last ditch effort to put an end to Max's curiosity, Princess the Destroyer is sent to gobble Max up. Of course, Princess is a unicorn, but not just any unicorn, she is a unicorn with an insatiable appetite and a knack for hunting all living things. While Princess is the brawn, a crooked sorcerer and his master are the brains behind this plan and have promised princess a buffet of humans in Texas if she comes through.

There is more riding on Max's shoulders than just his life; make that the lives of all people. With such dire straights, it's hard to imagine there would be much room for humor, but Bad Unicorn is plum full of outrageous animals and unworldly circumstances that make this first book in what is set to be a trilogy a fantastical giggle-fest that you must pick up. 

Howdy

My first thought was to explain the contents of my blog, however, on second thought, I want to tell you about who inspired my blog: kids. The students I see five days (sometimes more) out of the week are the reason I have started publishing my book reviews, mainly for grades 5-12. Many will hear similar summaries during book talks or book recommendations when they visit my library, but few (though, I'm striving for more) will ever actually take a peak at my posts. So, this is for all of the other librarians, teachers, and book lovers out there that I don't have the pleasure of seeing every day.

When I'm not reading fiction with a dash of non-fiction, my nose can be found in a graphic novel. This is a flowering obsession of mine that I also blog about at Graphically Comic.

By: Kody Wilson

How fast do you read?

Source: Staples eReader Department

This is an awesome way to quickly find out how quick you are at reading. My first go put me at 494, but you better believe I'll give it another try! 

Potterwookiee: The Creature From My Closet, by Obert Skye

Liking cooking, books, and girls(!) is a deadly combination for a Middle School boy, Rob. A Potterwookiee can only make things worse. Of course, a Potterwookiee is a combination of Harry Potter and Chewbacca that has emerged from Rob's closet with the intention of ruining or improving his life...it has yet to be seen. The sketches throughout the book portray the Potterwookiee as looking like a miniature big foot with a scarf and glasses.

Potterwookiee turns out to help more than hurt as Rob navigates entering a cooking competition, dealing with bullies, and trying to figure out the oddities of the opposite sex. The drawings take up as much of the page as the words, similar to Kinney's style, but this approach along with the issues presented are easy for kids to relate to and make the book go by in no time. 

Infinity Ring: Divide and Conquer (Bk.2), by Carrie Ryan

Vikings attacking Paris! Why didn't I learn about this in school?!? Ryan delivers, yet again, with this thriller relaying the events of November 24/25, 885 when Paris fell to the Vikings, as seen through the eyes of Dak, Sera, and Riq who are time travelers given the task of preserving history. The trio is given various codes to crack in order to know where to be and who to meet in order to complete their mission. However, they weren't counting on Dak being captured and forced to work for the Vikings as Sera and Riq chip in to aid the Parisians in defending their city. 

The large stature and heathen like dress of the Vikings is detailed along with information about the discussions between monks and the invaders that led to the Treaty of Sainte-Ckaur-sur-Epte. A dash of romance is thrown into the mix, as Sera forms a connection with a fellow historian from 885. Wonderfully researched and craftily told to ensure that there is hardly time to blink, Ryan leave's her readers begging for the next historical foray.

Kizzy Ann Stamps, by Jeri Watts

Summer is coming to a close and Kizzy Ann Stamps is getting ready to start a new school year, but there are more difficulties on the horizon for her than getting school supplies and waking up early, she is going to a new school due to integration. Her former teacher, Mrs. Warren, challenged the students to write to their new teacher, Miss Anderson, so Kizzy Ann writes the first letter that leads to many more leading up to the start of school when her new teacher gives her a journal to continue to record her thoughts. 

Another constant in Kizzy Ann's life is her border collie, Shag, who doesn't look at her differently due to a scar on her cheek; a result of a farming accident involving a neighbor boy, Frank Charles. He and his father are nothing but mean to Kizzy Ann, which makes it all the more surprising when Frank Charles begins to follow her around to see her training Shag with the help of Mr. McKenna. The training is in preparation for a sheep herding competition that there is no certainty she will be allowed to enter due to the color of her skin.

The training provides a much needed distraction from the uncertainty among the students, despite having such a wonderful teacher. Kizzy Ann's brother is in High School and is not so lucky. He has to deal with teachers who refuse to teach the students of color, claiming that just because they were forced to take black students doesn't mean they have to teach them. He's also frustrated with being forced, along with the other black boys, to be on the JV team without the chance to make Varsity. 

Watts does a remarkable job of combining historical events with the endearing tale of a girl trying to get her footing in a world that is constantly shifting underfoot and a dog that she can always steady in her love and dedication.