The Selection

The Selection by Kiera Cass
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This book made me feel like I was fifteen again, trying to figure out with the heroine, America Singer, which boy to like.  Predictable and not terribly original, I was pulled into the book immediately, and I think my older middle school girls will be too.  The story is kind of a fairy tale/American idol type story that takes place in a futuristic United States that has become a monarchy.  35 girls are selected, one from each province, to go to the capital to try to win the heart of Prince Maxon.  America Singer is chosen, but she doesn't really want to go. She has a secret love, Aspen, who is in a lower caste than she is in this caste regulated society, and she only hopes to someday marry him.  But, she is selected, and of course seems to be the favorite of Prince Maxom.  You know this is number one in the series, so expect a lack of resolution to her dilemma, but if you are like me, you will definitely be lining up for volume 2.


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Paladin Prophecy

The Paladin Prophecy by Mark Frost

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


Will West has spent his entire life up to fifteen years trying to follow a set of rules outlined by his dad.  One of those rules is “Don’t draw attention to yourself.” So, although he knew he was a fast runner, and exceptionally smart, he tried to “fly under the radar,” and not let anyone know about his abilities.  Then on a fluke, he does exceptionally well on a national test without really trying that hard, and as a result he is offered complete tuition to an exclusive school back east.  This happens just in time, because he soon finds out his parents have been kidnapped, and some men in black sedans are after him.  His only place to escape to is the exclusive school.  Just like in all of the super hero novels, Will is roommates and friends with others with special abilities, abilities that really come into play as they have to confront monsters from the “never-was” and human “monsters” from the school.  Of course, they are all part of an ancient prophecy in which Will is instrumental in “saving the world.”  There is strong action and lots of often over the top fantasy, but it should appeal to middle readers of this genre.  And you know there will be a sequel.



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Jackaby

Jackaby by William   Ritter

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


Jackaby, by William Ritter, was one of those books that somewhat seamlessly blend fantasy with reality; so many do not.  I think that is what gave this book the edge over other current titles.  Jackaby, an eccentric paranormal detective, is able to solve mysteries that regular detectives cannot because he is able to see into the paranormal world.  Abigail Rook becomes his assistant when she finds herself without money and few skills in New Fiddleham and answers his ad for employment.  Being an assistant to Jackaby, a witty colorful character with an ugly hat, is not without risk.  In fact, a former assistant is now a duck, but Abigail loves adventure and soon finds herself in the middle of a serial murder case. Jackaby is convinced the murderer is a paranormal.   It is easy to love the witty Jackaby.  I truly expect a sequel.  For read alikes, read The Screaming Staircase by Jonathan Stroud, a similar story line.



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The Rithmatist

The Rithmatist by Brandon Sanderson

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


The book The Rithmatist has received such good reviews, that I felt it might be worth my time, but I have to admit, the subject did not really appeal to me.  It is about a boy named Joel whose greatest desire is to be a Rithmatist.  Rithmatists are defenders of the American Isles, and they defend the Isles by creating strategic chalk drawings that will ultimately defend them from the wild chalklings of Nebrask. Joel has a scholarship to the Armedius Academy, where they train Rithmatists.  He has missed his opportunity to become a Rithmatist, or at least he thinks he has.  When Rithmatist students start disappearing from the academy, Joel is recruited by his professor, Dr. Fitch, to help solve the mystery.   It is the mystery combined with the intriguing detail of the chalk defenses, and the light romance with Melody, a Rithmatist, that makes this story a fun read.   Definitely worth my time. 



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The Mark of the Dragonfly

The Mark of the Dragonfly by Jaleigh Johnson

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


This book should become a favorite in the middle school crowd.  It is about a resourceful girl named Piper, who lives in Scrap Town # 16. The residents of Scrap Towns barely make a living from gathering objects that have fallen from the sky during meteor showers.  Piper's father died not too long ago, and she is left on her own trying to survive in the Scrap Town.  During one meteor shower, she finds an injured girl, Anna. with the "mark of the dragonfly" on her arm.  She rescues her and restores her to health.  Then a frightening man comes looking for Anna.  When Piper sees how afraid Anna is of the man, even though Anna seems to have no memory, she and Anna escape and board the 401 train out of town. They are headed to Dragonfly territory, which is the likely home of Anna.  The author does an interesting job of world building as the girls discover magical talents,in a world combining steampunk with mythical creatures. There is action, adventure, and even a little romance, as the girls make their way on the 401.  Who could ask for more?



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The Chosen One

The Chosen One by Carol Lynch Williams

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


I missed reading this when it was on the Beehive Award list in 2012, but I'm glad I didn't miss this altogether.  It is the story of Kyra, who is part of a polygamist community.  Her father has 3 wives and she is one of twenty children.  Life is routine until she discovers the bookmobile, which parks at the edge of the community.  Reading opens a new world.  She also discovers Joshua, one of the teenage boys living in the community.  Both discoveries leave her very conflicted because they are against the rules of the compound.  When the prophet of the community announces that she is to marry her sixty-year-old uncle, Kyra feels she must leave.  It is hard not to be impressed with the natural voice of Kyra as she confronts her fears of destroying everything for her family if she leaves, and the marriage to her cruel uncle if she stays.  Emotionally moving.



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Cress

Cress by Marissa Meyer
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Many times I skip reading all of the books in a series because there are so many books that I should read, but I am glad I did not do that this time.  I have enjoyed the Lunar Chronicles series, but I think I enjoyed Cress even more than the other two.  Perhaps because I was so thoroughly invested in the characters by this time.  Cress, like the other books in the series is a takeoff on a fairy tale. In this case, it is Rapunzel, only the tower is an orbiting satellite. She is finally rescued by Cinder and friends, but ends up with Carswell Thorne, the prisoner who escaped with Cinder as she plummets to earth in the satellite.  All of the characters: Cinder, Wolf, Cress, and Thorne join together to stop queen Lavana's marriage to emperor Kai.  Scarlet has been taken to Luna, so she has problems of her own. The book is a real page-turner from beginning to end.  For some reason, I thought this was the last in the series, but I am delighted to find out Meyer has two more scheduled to appear in 2015.


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