The One Where the Kid Nearly Jumps to His Death and Lands in California

The One Where the Kid Nearly Jumps to His Death and Lands in California by Mary Hershey is a great story about a 13 year old boy Alastair Hudson who is spending his summer in the last place he would ever want to, in California with his dad. To be more precise in his dad's new wife's huge house right on the beach. Alastair has hated his dad since an accident 5 years ago left him without one of his legs and his dad left home.

When Alastair arrives in California he gets a crush on a teen soap star, learns to swim in the ocean, and trys to torment his dad as much as possible. In the end Alastair and his dad have to face what happened 5 years ago and try to move on. This a great story with dark humor and real life appeal. Be sure to check out this 2009-2010 Truman Nominee.

Into the Wild

Did you ever wonder where your favorite fairy tale characters went once you stopped reading about them or outgrew them? They are still in the wild. Sarah Beth Durst's book, "Into the Wild" tells the story of Julie an average teenager. She just happens to keep the Wild under her bed. Why? Well Julie's mom is Rapunzel and she's the caretaker for the wild. Rapunzel and many of the other characters in classic fairty tales escaped about 500 years ago and live in our world. Unfortunately they won't be out for long. Someone makes a wish and everyone ends up going into the wild. This is a great adventure story especially if you love a good fairy tale.

Eigth Grade Bites

So says the title of the first of The Chronicles of Vladimir Tod series by Heather Brewer. One of the 2009-2010 Truman nominees, Eighth Grade Bites won't replace Twilight as a teen favorite but it might join the list. Vlad lives the life of every other average eighth grader except his snacks aren't cookies, they're slightly heated packs of raw meat or juice boxes filled with Type O+ (Vlad's favorite). The Chronicles of Vladimir Tod is a new take on the teenage vampire tale and a good one. Vlad is just starting to figure out there is more to being a vampire than his "snacks" and controlling his best friend's mind. The second installment in the series, Ninth Grade Slays, is already available at the Carver Library so you won't have to wait long and coming soon is the third installment Tenth Grade Bleeds. Update: If you like freebies from your favorite authors check out Heather Brewer's website http://www.heatherbrewer.com/. Under Minion Bling you can get some cool stuff like buttons with the Vampire Smiley face sent to you for free or under Contests you can enter to win T-shirts and Hoodies like Vlad wears on the covers.

Carpe Diem

Vassar Spore has plans and goals, she's not into living in the moment at all. When a relative blackmails her equally goal orientated parents into sending her on a backpacking trip through Southeast Asia, Vassar has no idea how her life will change. All her plans and goals for the summer and her senior year seem to be in jeopardy. Will Vassar survive the trip and still be valedictorian or will she learn to live in the moment? Carpe Diem by Autumn Cornwell is a 2009-2010 Truman Nominee. Check out this adventure/romance/coming of age story. After all you want to know what makes up an Asian Cowboy right?

2009 Mark Twain and Truman Award Books

After spending two days with the state library association, I have some news to pass on to you Mark Twain and Truman readers.

The 2009 Mark Twain Award went to Rick Riordan for Sea of Monsters. Mr. Riordan was at the conference to accept the 2008 Mark Twain Award for The Lightening Thief, and seemed surprised and pleased to be accepting as he put it his "Twin Twain". This is the first time this Missouri award has been given to an author for two consecutive years. A handful of other authors have won multiple times but never consecutively.

Runners up were Million Dollar Putt in second place and Rules in third.

For you older readers this is the first year for a new award for middle school age students. The 2009 Truman Award winner was Life As We Knew It by Susan Beth Pfeffer. This same book took second place in the high school award race so maybe we'll get to see the author next year at the conference.

Runners up were Runaway in second place and Rash in third.

Stay tuned for more reviews if the 2009-2010 Truman nominees and other great books on this blog.

Looking for a good mystery or maybe two?

Try out this new series my Lisa McMann. The series starts with Wake which is now available in the Carver Library. Wake is the account of Janie Hannagan's junior year in high school. Janie's not your average junior though, she can see your dreams, really she dreams them with you. Wake has mystery, some romance and little sci-fi twist with the dreamcatcher gift Janie has that will keep you reading. I would recommend this mostly for an older reader since it's a little more high school in content. Once you read Wake if you want more the sequel Fade will be arriving soon.

Atherton House of Power

Carmin Patrick's new series Atherton introduces readers to the satellite world of Atherton. The first book, House of Power, tells us about Edgar from the grove. Edgar is a climber and he's trying to climb up Atherton. This is only possible because Atherton isn't like earth. Instead of being round Atherton is more like a three layer cake, with each layer getting smaller. Edgar lives in the grove (the second layer) and his climb up the side of Atherton will change everything in his life. Edgar learns more than he expected about Atherton from his climb up and later from his climb down. Atherton is changing and the people living on it are going to have to change too. The series continues with Rivers of Fire and the soon to be out Dark Planet. House of Power is a 2009-2010 Truman Nominee