The Haunting of Gabriel Ashe by Dan Poblocki

This is not my typical genre of choice, but being on the Texas Lone Star list for this year, I thought I should read it.

While I'm not completely satisfied with how the story is resolved, I like how the haunting develops and the story behind the monster. With extremely short chapters (sometime just a couple of pages), even reluctant readers will find this story appealing. It also has an extra plus in having a creepy cover! B rating.

The Great Greene Heist by Varian Johnson

Jackson Greene, known for pulling some of the biggest cons at Maplewood Middle School, swears he's given up all pranks, heists and schemes forever, especially after the Mid-Day PDA caused him so many troubles. When Jackson discovers that bully Keith Sinclair plans to bribe his way into the student council presidency, he knows that he'll have to come out of retirement and pull off the "Great Greene Heist."

With the hero and his pals teaming up to win one against the school bully, this reminds me of The Fourth Stall by Chris Rylander. While not quite as memorable as Rylander's story, THE GREAT GREENE HEIST still entertains and will find a following. B- rating.