False Prince

The False Prince by Jennifer A. Nielsen

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


The False Prince by Utah author Jennifer A. Nielsen, is one that will appeal to both boys and girls.  The premise of the story is that Connor, a nobleman of the king's court, has decided on a plan to bring back the lost and presumed dead son of the king to take over the throne.  The object is to avoid a division in the country.  He finds four orphan boys that resemble the son with the hope that he can train one of them well enough to impersonate the lost prince.  Sage, one of the boys chosen, is defiant and hard to manage, but knows as the other boys do, that if he is not chosen, he will be killed.  As the story unfolds, we find each boy vying for the title with varying degrees of success in pleasing Conner.  There is definitely treachery involved as more and more of the plot is revealed.  Although, first in a series, the book stands alone with an open but satisfying conclusion. 



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The Secret of the Yellow Death

The Secret of the Yellow Death: A True Story of Medical Sleuthing by Suzanne Jurmain

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


Although I have heard about the Walter Reed Medical Center all of my life, I didn't really know anything about Walter Reed.  This book really gave a good picture of who this man was as he dedicated himself to finding a cure for yellow fever. In 1900 yellow fever was a serious threat, and no one knew the cause.  Reed and a team of medical doctors went to Cuba, where yellow fever was rampant, to try to isolate the cause.  Jurmain, the author, combed primary sources in order to gather this fascinating account.  It is hard not to wince when reading about how the men slept in the clothes and bedding of those who suffered with yellow fever in order to eliminate contagion from contaminated environment as a cause. The Cuban physician Carlos Finlay's idea that mosquitoes caused yellow fever ended up being the cause, but what a price the doctors paid in order to scientifically prove the idea.  They deliberately exposed themselves to infected mosquitoes and battled the disease that had killed so many people.  The book leaves the reader with a real respect for the doctors who sacrificed so much for the good of all.  Truly a fascinating read for middle and high school readers. 



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Who Could That Be At This Hour?

Who Could That Be At This Hour? by Lemony Snicket

My rating: 2 of 5 stars


This book, written in typical Lemony Snicket style, left more questions unanswered than it answered.  I still am not sure whether the boy (Snicket) in the story was with his real parents when he left them  to become the apprentice to S. Theodora Markson as she investigates a case in a town called Stain'd-by-the-Sea.  I'm not sure sure how he ever got connected with S. Theodora Markson, or why.  I'm not sure why the "Bombinating Beast" that they were trying to restore to its owner was so important.  And, that is just the beginning of questions that I had as I read this story.  I realize it is the beginning of a series, but I felt like I missed the first in the series somehow.  Certainly, not my favorite Snicket book.



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Legend

Legend by Marie Lu

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


Although another dystopian novel, Lu creates an engaging new story, largely because her characters are so likeable.  In this country of the future, which involves California and surrounding areas, there is an oppressive government in total control of the people.  June, is a child of the government.  She is brilliant and talented, scoring a perfect score on the government trials, tests that all children have to take.  Day, on the other hand, is from the slums.  He has developed a reputation as a terrible foe to government.  Family situations drive the two together. June thinks that Day has killed her brother, so she is determined find him and destroy him. Day is trying to get a plague medicine to save his brother.  Their paths cross, and in spite of themselves, they are attracted to each other. The non-stop action, as well as a little romance should keep middle and high school boys and girls thoroughly engaged with this novel. 



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As Easy as Falling off the Face of the Earth

As Easy as Falling Off the Face of the Earth by Lynne Rae Perkins

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


This gentle read by Lynne Rae Perkins was quietly entertaining. It was certainly a break from the dystopian stories that are a major part of YA literature these days. The story is about sixteen-year-old Ry on a train to summer camp.  While on the train, he opens the latest letter from the director of the summer camp, and finds out the camp is canceled, has gone out of business.  When the train stops, he steps off the train to call his grandfather to let him know what happened, and as luck would have it, the train leaves without him.  And, unfortunately, his grandfather doesn't answer the phone.  His parents are on a vacation in the Caribbean, and he can't reach them either.  He hikes into the nearest town, losing his boot on the way.  When he gets to the town he meets a man named Del.  Del definitely "marches to the beat of a different drummer," but he is kind.  He offers to drive Ry back to his home in Wisconsin.  Of course, it can't be that easy.  One calamity happens after another, as we follow Ry and Del in search of his parents.  Not an edge of your seat page turner, but certainly an enjoyable book.   



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