Bayou Dogs By Tony Abbott

After the cliffhanger ending of CITY OF THE DEAD, I was excited about reading more about Derek in BAYOU DOGS. The story starts off right where the previous book ends, so it's helpful to have already read COTD. There's plenty of action, spooky spirits returning from the dead and suspense to please. Unfortunately, I didn't find it nearly as gripping as the previous book. It seemed to devolve into a ghost story that's not as original as I'd hoped. Warning, this installment ends with another cliffhanger and many questions still unanswered, and the reader will definitely want to find the next volume in the series. I give it a C, Optional.

The Tail of Emily Windsnap by Liz Kessler

Cute story of a girl that discovers a secret about her past and goes on a search for her missing father. I really enjoyed reading this one and wished I'd found it when my daughter was a bit younger. Interest for it will probably be no older than 6th or maybe 7th grade, but an excellent story for the intermediate grades (like 4th or 5th). I will be reading more in this series, if for nothing more than my private pleasure.

My rating: B, Recommended.

Perfect Chemistry by Simone Elkeles

I liked this story about two kids from different sides of town who fall in love. While on the surface, their two lives seem to be worlds apart, they turn out to have a ton in common. I wish the Spanish phrases had been easier to figure out in context, but it really fit with the story. (Some, I had to go translate!) It's a bit too mature for middle school -- some issues in this novel are just a bit more than most sixth graders are ready to confront. I think this would be a good fit for many teens, including some relutant readers. My rating: B, Recommended.