14-year old Sig didn't know what to expect when he found his father's body in the middle of the lake between their home and the nearest town. But when his sister and stepmother leave to go get help, he didn't anticipate a stranger showing up at their door.
Wolff isn't just a stranger--he's a terrifying giant stranger. He appears to know the family quite well, and demands Sig hand over his share of the gold his father stole. Sig has no idea what gold--they've lived in poverty their whole lives. Wolff is serious about his demand and threatens to kill both Sig and Anna if they don't hand over the gold immediately. Sig knows there's a gun in the store room, but can he get to it before Wolff makes good on his threat?
A great book for reluctant readers. This is historical fiction, but the chapters are pretty small, and something is always going on. The chapters flip from 1910 (present day) back 10 years to 1899 and 1900, and the Alaskan Gold Rush. You get both sides of the story, and there's a twist that is set up nicely through the book.
Monday, June 28, 2010
Wednesday, June 23, 2010
Stolen by Lucy Christopher
Ty has been watching Gemma for the past six years. He's watched over her, left her gifts, and kept his eye on everything around her. But Gemma doesn't know that. Not until it's too late.
Gemma wakes up to find she's no longer at the Bangkok airport where she met Ty, but the middle of the outback in Australia. And Ty has no intention of ever letting her go. Escape seems impossible, especially since there are no signs of civilization any where. And that's only the beginning. What can she do but go along with what Ty wants? At least until she can figure out a way to escape.
I really enjoyed reading this story. It's told from Gemma's point of view, but she's writing to Ty, explaining to him how she felt about being abducted and held hostage. The ending does come with a little twist, and I ended up actually liking Ty. There are a few inconsistencies with the story, but on the whole, it was interesting. There's not a lot of action--but some--but the story is written well enough to hold your attention.
Thursday, June 17, 2010
Jekel Loves Hyde by Beth Fantaskey
Jill Jekel can't believe her father is dead. At the funeral, Tristan Hyde seems to be the only one who really understands her pain. But before she realizes it, Tristan also disappears.
Then Jill finds out her dad spent her college fund and stole from the college he worked for. Jill hopes she can win a chemistry contest and scholarship to replace the money her dad took. To do that, she and Tristan pair up to recreate her ancestor's experiments. Tristan has his own demons and his own reasons to help Jill win the contest--the solution to the beast that lies within.
Told in alternating voices, the premise of the story is interesting. It's a love story, with chemistry and action thrown in for good measure. Jill and Tristan are full characters, but many of the adults don't seem fully fleshed out. They are mostly background noise as the story focuses on Jill and Tristan. An interesting twist on a love story, and The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde.
Then Jill finds out her dad spent her college fund and stole from the college he worked for. Jill hopes she can win a chemistry contest and scholarship to replace the money her dad took. To do that, she and Tristan pair up to recreate her ancestor's experiments. Tristan has his own demons and his own reasons to help Jill win the contest--the solution to the beast that lies within.
Told in alternating voices, the premise of the story is interesting. It's a love story, with chemistry and action thrown in for good measure. Jill and Tristan are full characters, but many of the adults don't seem fully fleshed out. They are mostly background noise as the story focuses on Jill and Tristan. An interesting twist on a love story, and The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde.
Thirteen Days to Midnight by Patrick Carman
Jacob's been in and out of the foster care system most of his life--until he stumbles into Mr. Fielding, who takes him in. They get along well together until a car accident kills Mr. Fielding.
But Jacob has a secret. Right before the crash, Mr. Fielding whispered "You are indestructible" to Jacob, which saved his life. Jacob's not sure, but he thinks he can't die. And when he accidentally writes the same phrase on Olivia's cast, he puts both their souls in danger.
The story seems a little odd, and it is. There is a lot of suspension of disbelief here, but the story itself is interesting and engrossing. Most of the book is spent trying to see the limits to this "power" of Jacob's, with Olivia getting more and more obsessed with it. When Jacob and his best friend realize they shouldn't have been playing with the idea, it's almost too late to save Olivia. Lots of action and suspense. You just have to ignore some of the most implausible ideas.
But Jacob has a secret. Right before the crash, Mr. Fielding whispered "You are indestructible" to Jacob, which saved his life. Jacob's not sure, but he thinks he can't die. And when he accidentally writes the same phrase on Olivia's cast, he puts both their souls in danger.
The story seems a little odd, and it is. There is a lot of suspension of disbelief here, but the story itself is interesting and engrossing. Most of the book is spent trying to see the limits to this "power" of Jacob's, with Olivia getting more and more obsessed with it. When Jacob and his best friend realize they shouldn't have been playing with the idea, it's almost too late to save Olivia. Lots of action and suspense. You just have to ignore some of the most implausible ideas.
Secret Saturdays by Torrey MalDonado
Justin and his best friend Sean are tight. Justin's sure they know everything about each other, so when he catches Sean lying about his weekends, Justin doesn't know what to do. Now Sean is skipping class, avoiding homework, and hanging with some of the older guys in the neighborhood.
Justin decides he has to figure out what's going on, so he, Kyle, and Vanessa work up a plan. Meanwhile, Sean, who's never had to use his fists to fight, gets suspended for fighting. Now it's more important than ever they figure out what's going on.
A great and simple story. Told from Justin's point of view, but the story really focuses on Sean and their friendship. It's rare to find a well-written book about friendship between two guys living in the projects in New York and surviving without gangs.
Justin decides he has to figure out what's going on, so he, Kyle, and Vanessa work up a plan. Meanwhile, Sean, who's never had to use his fists to fight, gets suspended for fighting. Now it's more important than ever they figure out what's going on.
A great and simple story. Told from Justin's point of view, but the story really focuses on Sean and their friendship. It's rare to find a well-written book about friendship between two guys living in the projects in New York and surviving without gangs.
Wereling by Steve Feasey
What would you do if you woke up one morning and everything you owned was ripped to pieces? That's the dilemma Trey wakes to one morning. Everything he owns is ripped apart and the window is almost pulled completely out of the wall.
Enter Trey's long lost "uncle", Lucien, who says he has all the answers. But answers Trey doesn't want to hear--not at first. Trey is the last known natural-born werewolf. As such, his life is in danger. Before he knows it, Trey is on an adventure of his lifetime, as Lucien's daughter is kidnapped and Trey must learn how to control the beast within, before it destroys everything he's ever known.
The first book in a new series, judging from the ending. There are a few inconsistencies throughout the story, but it doesn't detract from the overall plot. Lots of action, fighting, and background to make the book interesting, as long as you can ignore some of the holes. Hopefully they'll be explained in the next book.
Enter Trey's long lost "uncle", Lucien, who says he has all the answers. But answers Trey doesn't want to hear--not at first. Trey is the last known natural-born werewolf. As such, his life is in danger. Before he knows it, Trey is on an adventure of his lifetime, as Lucien's daughter is kidnapped and Trey must learn how to control the beast within, before it destroys everything he's ever known.
The first book in a new series, judging from the ending. There are a few inconsistencies throughout the story, but it doesn't detract from the overall plot. Lots of action, fighting, and background to make the book interesting, as long as you can ignore some of the holes. Hopefully they'll be explained in the next book.
Boys, Bears, and a Serious Pair of Hiking Boots by Abby McDonald
To Jenna, environmentalism is everything. She spends her time organizing protests and writing senators. Her best friend, Olivia, or Livvy, is just as passionate.
After her parents throw a wrench into her summer plans, she heads off for Canada instead of Florida, to spend some time with her godmother.
Canada isn't quite what she expected. The town is tiny, the house her godmother lives in is being renovated, the stepdaughter is horrid, and Jenna's vegetarianism and conservation attitude doesn't fit with the locals. And just maybe, it doesn't really fit with Jenna.
The story is solid, a good chick-lit romance. A few inconsistencies that are distracting, but the story keeps you hooked. A light-hearted and fun read.
After her parents throw a wrench into her summer plans, she heads off for Canada instead of Florida, to spend some time with her godmother.
Canada isn't quite what she expected. The town is tiny, the house her godmother lives in is being renovated, the stepdaughter is horrid, and Jenna's vegetarianism and conservation attitude doesn't fit with the locals. And just maybe, it doesn't really fit with Jenna.
The story is solid, a good chick-lit romance. A few inconsistencies that are distracting, but the story keeps you hooked. A light-hearted and fun read.
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