Vampire Rising

Vampire Rising by Jason Henderson

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


Jason Henderson agreed to do a Skype visit for our school in January. I was excited to read one of his books in preparation for the visit. Vampire Rising turned out to be a perfect middle school read. The story is about Alex Van Helsing, who finds out he is part of a famous family of vampire fighters. Because of a fight and strange experiences at his school at home, his father decides to send him to Glenarvon Academy in Switzerland. He begins to have strange sensations and experiences after arriving at this school. He discovers he has abilities to detect vampires. He also discovers that the school he is attending is close to a vampire stronghold. His abilities are necessary to help the Polidorium fight the vampires. The book is filled with action that should attract middle school boys, but also be exciting for girls.



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Wait Till Helen Comes

Wait Till Helen Comes: A Ghost Story by Mary Downing Hahn

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


A lot of students seem to gravitate to this book: spooky cover, spooky title, and a truly scary ghost story. It's been around since 1986, but the story is pretty timeless. Michael and Molly move with their mother, step-father, and his daughter to an old church in the country. The parents feel it has the makings of a perfect home for the family. Of course, there is a graveyard behind the church. There is also considerable tension between the step-daughter, Heather, who resents her father's love for her new mother, and her new family. Heather is younger than Michael and Molly and does everything she can to make them look bad to her father. She hates to share his attention. Heather also finds a friend in a ghost, Helen, a young girl who is buried in the graveyard behind their house. Molly is able to see the ghost, but everyone else thinks Molly is just so afraid of ghosts that she imagines the whole thing. Scary things happen in the book, which makes it a great read for Halloween and perfect for middle school.



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Everlost

Everlost by Neal Shusterman

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


I totally missed this book when it came out in 2006. With Neal Shusterman's recent visit to our Sandy Library, I became curious about this book--especially since it is supposed to be turned into a movie this year. And, I'm glad I did. I think it will be the first book choice for Friends of the Library group this year. Since Nick and Allie are the two main characters that we follow through the book, there is buy in for both boys and girls. The story is unique. Nick and Allie are in a terrible automobile accident, and they don't survive. They are now trapped in a kind of "in between" existence called Everlost. The rules of existence in Everlost are different from those of the living world. As Nick and Allie struggle to keep their identities and find their way in this new world, they run into some exciting characters such as Mary Queen of Snots, who has become sort of the "queen mother" for all the children in Everlost, and the McGill, the monster who terrorizes them all. Although the first in a trilogy (Skinjacker Trilogy), the book can stand alone. Great middle school and above read.



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A World Without Heroes

A World Without Heroes by Brandon Mull

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


I listened to the audio of this book, and I was thoroughly entertained. The story is not terribly unique: a young boy is destined to be the hero and save the world. But, the characters and the situations they find themselves in are totally unique. The book has appeal to both boys and girls as the quest to overthrow the evil Maldor is shared by Jason and Rachel. The two have entered entered the country of Lyrian in another world by secret portals of Earth. They join together to find the syllables of a magical word, which is said to have the ability to conquer the ruler,Maldor. The world of the Lyrians is treacherous at best, and they face opposition at every turn. Fortunately, they find friends such as the displacer (one whose body parts can detach as needed), who help them get out of serious jams. The question, of course, is whether or not they can ever return to Earth, or whether they are destined to be the heroes of the country of the Lyrians. The book is the first in the trilogy, so there are some unanswered questions at the end.



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