Bride of the Water God, Volume 2 by Mi-Kyung Yun

Bride of the Water God, Volume 2 by Mi-Kyung Yun

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


In the previous volume, Soah married the water god Habaek. Now, she must learn to live with him. She still feels uneasy about her new husband and the other gods, especially when Mui outrageously flirts with her. When Soah hears that Habaek and Mui are the same person, she seeks a way to discover if this is true.

Nothing much happens in this second volume of the series, but wow, that artwork is just spectacular! I just wish the story could give me a reason to continue with the series, but unfortunately, I doubt I could stay interested long enough to see if something FINALLY does happen. C- rating. (It would have been D+, but the illustrations bumped it up!)

Things That Go Bump in the Night by Patrick Carman

Things That Go Bump in the Night by Patrick Carman

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


Things That Go Bump in the Night is advertised as stories that one can listen, read, or watch in 15 minutes or less. As a follow-up to the success of Skeleton Creek and the other books in the series, Patrick Carman uses video to supplement the stories. Each short story begins with an audio introduction of about a minute, then the short story in print, and concludes with a video ending. The audios and videos are accessible via a web page with a password printed in the book. The web page indicated that they are also available via an app that I didn't try.

While reading, I was reminded of the type of spooky stories told around the campfire. The urban legend type of story of which you've heard hundreds of different variations. The stories aren't gory per se, but the implication of gore is there. Some will find the videos frightening while others will view them as stupid or silly.

As with any short story collection, some are more successful than others. Some were just plain dumb, some were creepy, and some downright scary. I'm sure it'd depend on one's phobias as to which story was the favorite. I enjoyed "Mr. Mason's Jars." In that story, Mr. Mason is an 8th-grade science teacher that no one likes. He's weird, very strict in class, and has extremely bad breath. When a new student starts acting up in class, Mr. Mason invites him to come by after school and see what is in his collection of mason jars. Everyone knows that any student that goes to see Mr. Mason after school leaves with a completely different personality. In the story/video, we find out exactly what is IN those jars and what happens to the students.

Overall, it's a decent read. At first, the concept of listening to an introduction, reading the story, and watching a video is cool, but after a while, it got old. I hated having to put the book down, go to the computer to watch/listen, and then go back to the book. I wish there were a better way?? C rating.

Violet on the Runway by Melissa C. Walker

Violet On The Runway by Melissa C. Walker

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


Violet is discovered by a model agent while working at the local movie theater in Chapel Hill, NC. A self-described wallflower, Violet is excited about the possibilities, but scared that this is just a joke. She's invited to New York for a weekend for a makeover and go-sees. She doesn't think it'll amount to much and is totally surprised when she books some shows for NY Fashion Week. Deciding to graduate early and move to New York City to model in the spring of what would be her senior year of high school, Violet learns that modeling is not all glamour and fun.

I almost put this one down in the middle. When Violet chose to be buddy-buddy with the popular girls at her high school, instead of backing up her two friends, I wanted to yell, "How could you?!" at her. But thinking on it, I'm sure there are many girls that would do exactly the same thing. Is it right? Of course not. Is it something that would happen? Sure. I knew then and there that something would happen to Violet in New York that would cause her to come home with her tail between her legs, begging her old friends for forgiveness. They, in turn, would forgive her in a heartbeat and everything would end up perfectly! Voila! Just like many other books or TV movies. I'd seen (or read) it all before.

But that's not what happened. Violet does choose to go to New York over her friends at home. (You knew that just by looking at the cover!) Things aren't perfect in New York, but she doesn't hit rock bottom. I like that she's disillusioned about life as a model, but becomes more realistic. As Violet learns how others treat models at a photo shoot (like they're not human), she knows that she must learn to deal with the pain it causes or become like some of the more seasoned models. Yes, you will read about the mean models who try to trick you, the models with eating disorders, and the ones with drug habits. But does Violet become one of them? Uh, not exactly. She's no angel, but I wouldn't say she's completely a mean girl either.

I know many a teen girl that dream of being discovered like Violet. It seems like a fairy tale come true. With Violet on the Runway, we get a glimpse of the reality that all may not be perfect in the modeling world. C rating.

Thoughts on Olive's Ocean by Kevin Henkes

Martha wasn't really friends with Olive. Sure, they were in the same class at school, but they never really talked or anything. Martha hadn't thought much about Olive even after a tragic accident takes Olive's life. But when Olive's mother brings Martha a page out of Olive's journal written about Martha, suddenly Martha can't stop thinking about Olive even while on a family vacation in Florida.

Having heard lots of wonderful things about this story, I guess I expected too much. I thought it was predictable and tried to hard to be sentimental. Maybe I had my expectations set way too high, but I really didn't like it as much as I wanted to like it. C rating.

Thoughts on Lincoln's Flying Spies: Thaddeus Lowe and the Civil War Balloon Corps by Gail Jarrow

Having never heard of the Civil War Balloon Corps, I was curious to read this title. Thaddeus Lowe petitioned Abraham Lincoln and the various Generals of the Army of the Potomac to hire him (and his balloons) to scout and identify the position and numbers of the Confederate Army. Jarrow tells of the trials and triumphs of Lowe's quest -- which generals supported and which didn't.

I enjoyed the various photographs and illustrations in the book, but I just wish there had been a little bit of color. I know the photographs had to be black and white, but I think some color could have been included somewhere! There is a great deal of information presented to the reader, and some may find it difficult to comprehend it all. I found the story, while a fascinating subject, dully written. I doubt if any, except the avid Civil War buff will bother to read it. Still, it could be useful for use with a research project on this topic. C+ rating.

Thoughts on Room One: A Mystery or Two by Andrew Clements

Ted lives in a small, rural town in western Nebraska, where his school consists of five students and he is the only 6th grader. He aspires to one day write mysteries, so he's always on the lookout for one to investigate. And he just found one. Someone was looking out the window at the Anderson's abandoned farmhouse. No one should be there. As he investigates, he learns that a girl, April, and her brother and mom are living there. As he gets to know April, he learns that her father was killed in Iraq. As he helps this family, Ted leads his town in adopting this family to give the town a new identity and possibly to prosperity again.

This isn't my favorite Clements story, mainly because of a disappointing climax and conclusion. I doubt the ending will appeal to many, because it leaves the answers to the reader's imagination. C rating.

The Baptism by Shelia P. Moses

Readers follow along as Leon weaves a story about the time when he and his twin brother, Luke, are now twelve and old enough to be baptized. This is a coming-of-age tradition is his community, and one that Leon isn't sure he's ready for. In his matter-of-fact voice, the reader learns of the racial prejudice Leon and his family live with daily, and the many injustices African-Americans faced. For me, it's difficult to fathom having to live with the fact that your father was murdered and nothing done to seek justice simply because the victim was black or, knowing that the white man who owns the land you sharecrop is a half-brother of your mom, a relationship that is never acknowledged publicly.

This isn't a book I would recommend for the average middle school reader, frankly because I don't know that they would fully grasp the difficulties of this life. I think it would be an excellent story to use as a starting point for discussions about the life of African Americans and the importance of the civil rights movement.

Because it's a story where there's no great conflict or mystery to grab the reader's attention at the start, I'm not sure how many 11-13 year olds would be drawn to The Baptism. I do think it's one I'll recommend some teachers use as a read-aloud to lead to discussions. C+ rating.

Goal! : The Fire and Fury of Soccer's Greatest Moment by Mark Stewart and Mike Kennedy

This informational book gives a brief history of soccer, how it developed, and some of the best players of the game. Filled with plenty of pictures, the reader can read about some of the most memorable games and goals. I would recommend this only for fans of the sport, because as a novice to the sport, I found the descriptions of game-winning goals and world-famous players repetitive and boring. I'm sure true fans would enjoy reading every detail, though. C+ rating.

The Past is Gone by James Valentine (TimeJumpers #1)

The Past Is Gone by James Valentine

Just when Jules finally gets up his nerve to ask Gen on a date, Theo pops in to their life. He literally pops into Gen's room out of nowhere. He's a time-jumper from the future and is mistakenly sent to Mil 3, which is our present day. Apparently in the future, time-travel is common place, but the jumpers are invisible to the people of the current time. Only, something has malfunctioned in Theo's jump and he's visible. Jules and Gen work with Theo to try and return him to his own time.

Okay, not a bad start to a trilogy. I really found the description of the jumps and life in the future fascinating. The story is fairly predictable, but it's still fun to read. Of course, you have the evil person from the future who wants to keep something about the time jumper machine a secret. No one knows much about this yet, so we're left with a cliff-hanger and a tease of the next novel. Of course, I want to get the next one to find out what happens. C+ rating.

The Fire Within by Chris d'Lacey (Last Dragon Chronicles #1)

The Fire Within by Chris d'Lacey


When David, a college student, rents a room from Liz and her daughter, Lucy, he soon discovers something odd about the dragon statues that Liz creates. Are they real or is it just his imagination?

This book was nothing like I expected. The dragons really don't come into the story until almost the very end, but I can see many possibilities for the books in the rest of the series. I hope I'm right. It's a very quick read -- only took a couple of hours to finish. I think this is the type of story to appeal to both boys and girls, really anyone that's a fan of fantasy and those who say 'What if?' C rating.

Yu-Gi-Oh! Zexal, Vol. 1 by Kazuki Takahashi

Yu-Gi-Oh! Zexal, Vol. 1 by Kazuki Takahashi

Yuma Tsukumo is determined to be the champion dueler. Unfortunately, he's just awful at it. During one duel, he somehow summons Astral, a "ghost dueler" only he can see. Yuma and Astral team up to win several duels.

I didn't enjoy this manga at all. I just don't *get* the Yu-Gi-Oh card duels, so this made no sense to me. I'm sure for those who play the card game, this series will be fun to read. Otherwise, just skip it. C rating.

Black Water by D.J. MacHale (Pendragon #5)

Black Water by D.J. MacHale

In the fifth installment of the Pendragon series, Bobby is getting used to his role as Lead Traveler when his latest confrontation with Saint Dane leads him to Eelong. The "intelligent" race on Eelong are described as giant cats who can walk upright, as well as on all fours. Humans, known as Gars on Eelong, are relegated to the role of a pet/servant, sort of like dogs are used here. Bobby has to adjust to the different society as well as help foil Saint Dane's attempt to poison all the inhabitants of Eelong. The only way to save everyone on Eelong is to use the antidote developed on Cloral, another territory. Knowing that travelers aren't supposed to bring anything from one territory to another, Bobby must decide whether saving Eelong is worth breaking this rule. Will it cause more chaos and land Bobby right into Saint Dane's hands?

Okay, I admit it. I really like this series. I put off reading it for a while, because I just figured it was one of those forgettable series where every book was the same plot over and over. While there's some of that here -- Bobby chases after Saint Dane and tries to stop his latest evil plan -- there's actually more here. Here, Bobby is starting to have an ethical dilemma. Should he save these people or are they supposed to die? When should he step in? I think this is something that will be explored in the later stories and will really allow his character to mature. I'll read the next one, mainly because I do want to know if this is the direction the series takes. C Rating.

Peanut by Ayun Halliday & Paul Hoppe

Sadie has left all of her friends behind and moved to a new town and school. At a new school, she knows that she can reinvent herself if she wants and become a new person. She does just that -- by inventing an allergy to peanuts. She goes so far as the order a medical alert bracelet off the Internet to add realism to her charade. She makes new friends and even finds a boyfriend, who all believe her story. As with all lies, this one grows bigger and bigger until it causes rifts in her relationship with her mother and her friends. When she eats a muffin suspected of containing peanuts, chaos erupts and her deception is uncovered.

The story would be perfect for a middle grade, but several events make me hesitant to recommend it for that age group. I don't think upper middle school or high school students would find the story as appealing as fifth through seventh graders. I wish the mentions of her friend's intimacy with her boyfriend had been left out. It didn't have anything really to do with the story and would be a reason not to highly recommend to fifth graders to read. I think the scariness of moving to a new place and having to make new friends is a very real fear and I'm sure many wonder if they should take the opportunity to remake themselves. This cautionary tale allows the reader to imagine what could happen if one were to undertake such an elaborate hoax.

I did enjoy the graphic format and its illustrations. Loved how Sadie was featured in her red top, while other characters were monotone. It sure allowed the reader to focus on the main character and then take a second look to see what might be in the background.

As I said before I really think this story would appeal to middle school students who fear starting over in a new place and making new friends. There's a lot to like here and would be another book to give to fans of Raina Telgemeier's SMILE. C+ Rating.

Reading Last Week (Nov 26 - Dec 2)

Well, last week, I read three books that have been on my TBR list for quite some time. It's nice to be able to cross them off, even if I wasn't that impressed with most of them.

 

The Land of the Silver Apples

by Nancy Farmer

THE CHILDREN FROM THE SEA OF TROLLS BRAVE THEIR WORST NIGHTMARES -- UNDERGROUND.

Jack is amazed to have caused an earthquake. He is thirteen, after all, and only a bard-in-training. But his sister, Lucy, has been stolen by the Lady of the Lake; stolen a second time in her young life, as he learns to his terror. Caught between belief in the old gods and Christianity (790 AD, Britain), Jack calls upon his ash wood staff to subdue a passel of unruly monks, and, for his daring, ends up in a knucker hole. It is unforgettable -- for the boy and for readers -- as are the magical reappearance of the berserker Thorgil from a burial by moss; new characters Pega, a slave girl from Jack's village, and the eager-to-marry-her Bugaboo (a hobgoblin king); kelpies; yarthkins; and elves (not the enchanted sprites one would expect but the fallen angels of legend). Rarely does a sequel enlarge so brilliantly the world of the first story. Look for the conclusion in The Islands of the Blessed in 2009.

Having loved The Sea of Trolls, I was expecting a lot from this one. I guess I expected too much, for it didn't live up to my wishes. All the ingredients were there -- an epic quest with magical creatures like hobgoblins and elves -- but I don't think the story was well-developed. Too many times, I couldn't get a clear description of characters and settings in my mind, and I'm not sure if it was just overload or what. I found myself going back to reread a section to clear things up. This is a long book ( almost 500 pages), so one would have to be committed to keep with it. I'd only recommend to those wanting fantasies with an epic quest, and then only to those willing to muddle through such a long book. Rating = C.

 

The Ghost Road

 by Tony Abbott

Could the road to the afterlife be a two-way street? Derek can't claim to be a normal fourteen-year-old anymore. Not after what he discovered at the Red House. His role in the war against the dead is more pivotal --- and more terrifying --- than he could have imagined. And so it all comes down to this. The Rift between the worlds of the living and the dead has to be closed . . . forever. It seems like an impossible task. And it rests squarely on the shoulders of a slightly overweight, not especially brave kid named Derek Stone. If Derek is ever going to become a hero, now's the time.

I had to finish this series, just to see how things ended with Derek.What started as a promising horror series ended up predictable fare.I will say it's a quick read, but I honestly was to the point of not caring how it ended. I believe the intended audience (middle grades) will be more impressed with the story and probably find it scarier. This is one to show those that can't get enough horror in their reading diets, I suppose. I give it a C.

 

The Doll in the Garden

by Mary Downing Hahn

When Ashley discovers a turn-of-the-century doll it is just the first of several puzzling events that lead her through the hedge and into a twilight past where she meets Louise, an ailing child whose beloved doll has mysteriously disappeared.

This is my favorite book of the week. Several student have been after me for years to read some of Hahn's "ghost stories", so here's to them. A time-travel/ghost story about a lost doll and guilt over loss. It's one that's truly not scary, but is suspenseful. The conclusion is a happy one where all is resolved, but not in a let's-tie-up-all-loose-ends-in-one-paragraph way. I can definitely see why so many middle grades readers love Hahn. The Doll in the Garden was spooky and mysterious, but not frightening. A B book for me.

 

Last Week's Reading (9/3-9/9)

Last week, I didn't have much time for reading and only completed three of the five I had pulled. Two were great and the other one was just so-so.

Wish by Joseph Monninger

Bee’s brother, Tommy, knows everything there is to know about sharks. He also knows that his life will be cut short by cystic fibrosis. And so does Bee.
 
That’s why she wants to make his wish-foundation-sponsored trip to swim with a great white shark an unforgettable memory.
 
But wishes don’t always come true. At least, not as expected. Only when Bee takes Tommy to meet a famous shark attack survivor and hard-core surfer does Tommy have the chance to live one day to the fullest.
 
And in the sun-kissed ocean off a California beach, Bee discovers that she has a few secret wishes of her own. . . .

I was disappointed with Wish, for it took way too long for the story to develop. The story started off well, with Bee traveling with her mom and her brother to California for his "wish" trip to dive to see sharks. I was still with the story until they get to California -- that's when I got bored. See, I thought the story was actually about the shark dive. Nope. It's really not. It's what happens AFTER that's important. I wish there was a way to speed up the first part with the dive, for it's really just backstory. Maybe it would have kept me interested and I wouldn't have to force myself to pick it up to get to the good parts. I think there were a lot of good story ideas that were thrown together and didn't mesh well. I liked Bee and Tommy. I really wanted to care about them, but in the end, I really didn't. C rating.

The Fourth Stall by Chris Rylander

Do you need something? Mac can get it for you. It's what he does—he and his best friend and business manager, Vince. Their methods might sometimes run afoul of the law, or at least the school code of conduct, but if you have a problem, if no one else can help, and if you can pay him, Mac is on your side. His office is located in the East Wing boys' bathroom, fourth stall from the high window. And business is booming.

Or at least it was, until one particular Monday. It starts with a third grader in need of protection. And before this ordeal is over, it's going to involve a legendary high school crime boss named Staples, an intramural gambling ring, a graffiti ninja, the nine most dangerous bullies in school, and the first Chicago Cubs World Series game in almost seventy years. And that's just the beginning. Mac and Vince soon realize that the trouble with solving everyone else's problems is that there's no one left to solve yours.

Just the premise of this book will get you wanting to read it. What's not to like with a story about a guy that runs his business from the fourth stall in the boy's bathroom at school? Awesome. I can't say I was surprised about anything that happened, for I had my suspicions about the snitch as well as what was going on with Mac's best friend, Vince. But, even though I knew who did it, I still wanted to know how it all worked out. I noticed that there are two sequels. Must purchase them. Great fun! B+ rating.

Belly Up by Stuart Gibbs

Twelve-year-old Theodore “Teddy” Roosevelt Fitzroy has murder on his hands and trouble on his tail. He believes that Henry, the hippopotamus at the brand-new FunJungle, has been murdered. The zoo’s top brass claim the hippo went belly up the natural way, but Teddy and his feisty friend Summer McCraken have other ideas. Could the culprit be FunJungle’s animal-hating head of operations? Or is it FunJungle’s owner—Summer’s dad—a man who is much more concerned about money than animal welfare? The deeper Teddy and Summer dig, the more danger they’re in—because when it comes to hippo homicide, the truth can’t be caged!

Gibbs is a genius -- a mystery set in a zoo where the star attraction, a nasty hippo, is murdered. Who would have thought that would make for such a funny and entertaining story? I loved this story and found it difficult to put down. If I'd have had the time, I would have finished in one sitting. You can tell this story is meant to be funny, just look at the cover. What I really liked was how the humor is over the top, but at the same time not hit me over the head obvious. It's more where you take a step back from the story and you realize that all the characters are really caricatures, each with his own silly foible. Being from Texas, I generally hate it when the stereotypical Texan is used as a character. I could forgive it here, because I could tell it was all in jest. The mystery is good, and I think it'll keep the reader guessing until the end. Loved it! B+ rating.

Last Week's Reading

Last week was the first week of the new school year, so my reading time has definitely been cut down. Even though I don't get to spend the whole day reading, I did manage to finish seven books. (Granted, that included my reading time over this holiday weekend.) I'm trying to read some of the newer books for the library, some advanced copies of books to be published later this year or early next year, and get to some older books that I've always wanted to read.

I'll start with one of my favorites of the week --
The Iron King by Julie Kagawa

Meghan Chase has a secret destiny; one she could never have imagined.

Something has always felt slightly off in Meghan's life, ever since her father disappeared before her eyes when she was six. She has never quite fit in at school or at home.

When a dark stranger begins watching her from afar, and her prankster best friend becomes strangely protective of her, Meghan senses that everything she's known is about to change.

But she could never have guessed the truth - that she is the daughter of a mythical faerie king and is a pawn in a deadly war. Now Meghan will learn just how far she'll go to save someone she cares about, to stop a mysterious evil no faerie creature dare face; and to find love with a young prince who might rather see her dead than let her touch his icy heart.

I've been hearing about this series for a while, but I hadn't read any of them until this past week. Wow! I was impressed with this one. This is one for those readers who love faeries. I totally got into the story of Meghan and her introduction to the faerie world of her father. It does contain a love triangle, but I wouldn't categorize this book as a romance. For me, it seemed more like a fantasy-adventure. I do like Kagawa's take on the faerie world and the "Iron King," but I can't believe it's another series that I'll have to finish to find out what happens. ::Sigh::  I gave it a 'B' -- not perfect, but lots of fun for the reader. 

One of the graphic novels I read this week was a cute one for younger readers -
Batula by Steven Seagle and illustrated by Marco Cinello

Livingston is a peaceful fruit bat whose life changes when he is bitten by a vampire and transformed into a vampire bat! As Batula - an avenging creature of the night - Livingston develops a taste for adventure and a need to prove that no matter what he looks like on the outside, he's still the same bat on the inside.

Told with beautiful, colored illustrations and a small amount of text, this graphic novel will be popular for younger readers. Those that love superheroes will especially love it. I gave it a 'C+' -- I just wanted a bit more to the story and not as simplistic. It'll be popular anyway.

The Vampire Diaries : The Awakening and The Struggle by L.J. Smith

Elena: the golden girl, the leader, the one who can have any boy she wants. 

Stefan: brooding and mysterious, he seems to be the only one who can resist Elena, even as he struggles to protect her from the horrors that haunt his past. 

Damon: sexy, dangerous, and driven by an urge for revenge against Stefan, the brother who betrayed him. Determined to have Elena, he'd kill to possess her. 

Collected here in one volume for the first time, volumes one and two of The Vampire Diaries, the tale of two vampire brothers and the beautiful girl torn between them.

I honestly didn't expect much when I started this, and that's about what I got. It's predictable, and frankly, boring at points. I'm *over* the vampire books and was just curious to find out if this series had anything to make it special. Not really. I thought it very average and bland, a 'C.'

Dark Matter, Volume 1 by Joseph Mallozzi and Paul Mullie

A derelict ship floats in space, its troubled crew awakened from stasis with no memories of who they are or how they got on board. Their search for answers triggers the vessel's deadly security system: a relentless android bent on their destruction. Facing threats at every turn, they have to work together to survive a voyage charged with vengeance, redemption, betrayals, and hidden secrets best left unknown.

Science-fiction veterans Joseph Mallozzi and Paul Mullie, best known for their work on television's Stargate franchise and the new Transporter: The Series, create a new and exciting universe!

* By Stargate series writers Joseph Mallozzi and Paul Mullie!

* Classic science fiction for fans of Aliens, Stargate, and 2001: A Space Odyssey.

I received this egalley from Dark Horse Comics via Netgalley and I'm glad I gave it a chance. It's a great story, and I love the mystery. I know it's a bit violent but for the world of comics, I'd say it's rather tame. C+ Rating.

This book has a fabulous cover, which is probably why it's popular. I doubt I'll need to sell it to patrons, the cover will do it.

Paranormalcy by Kiersten White

Weird as it is working for the International Paranormal Containment Agency, Evie’s always thought of herself as normal. Sure, her best friend is a mermaid, her ex-boyfriend is a faerie, she's falling for a shape-shifter, and she's the only person who can see through paranormals' glamours, but still. Normal.

Only now paranormals are dying, and Evie's dreams are filled with haunting voices and mysterious prophecies. She soon realizes that there may be a link between her abilities and the sudden rash of deaths. Not only that, but she may very well be at the center of a dark faerie prophecy promising destruction to all paranormal creatures.

Another book that had faeries in it this week! I had to consciously forget the faerie world of The Iron King once I realized it too featured faeries and a faerie prophecy. I probably shouldn't have read them so close together. Other than that... Super book. I really liked Evie and a world filled with paranormals. Silly humans -- we just blindly go about our business daily without realizing that we live and work with paranormals all around us. Ha! What a fun concept! For Evie to be a teen with the normal wants and desires while being this agent collecting vampires or werewolves was such a cool idea. I'm not sure how much boys will like this book, after all Evie spends a great deal of time obsessing over fashion, especially if it's the color pink, and a television teen drama. I really liked this one too, a 'B' read.

Notes from an Accidental Band Geek by Erin Dionne

Elsie Wyatt is a born French horn player, just like her father and her grandfather before her. In order to qualify for the prestigious summer music camp of her dreams, she must expand her musical horizons and join - gasp! - the marching band. There are no French horns in marching band (what the heck is a mellophone??), but there are some cute boys. And marching band is very different from orchestra: they march, they chant, they . . . cluck? Elsie is not so sure she'll survive, but the new friends she's making and the actual fun she's having will force her to question her dad's expectations and her own musical priorities.

I was sure hoping "Band Geek" was going to be as much fun as Dionne's The Total Tragedy of a Girl Named Hamlet, and I wasn't disappointed. I'll be honest here. I'm NOT musical, I wasn't in band in high school, I took piano lessons until third grade when my piano teacher told me I'd never really play, because my hands are small. (Yes they are. My 8-year-old nephew has larger hands than I.) It didn't really matter, because I could still relate to Elsie. The outsider with few friends who wants desperately to fit in. "Band Geek" is funny, it's inspiring, and yes, it's romantic. I sure hope that others have as much fun reading it as I did. A 'B+' rating.

And the last book I finished earlier today was another graphic novel -- 

Curses! Foiled Again by Jane Yolen, illustrated by Mike Cavallaro

Aliera Carstairs is back. This time she's got her cousin—and best friend—Caroline in tow, and the stakes are higher than ever. The realm of Seelie, the fairy kingdom of which Aliera is the hereditary defender, is under attack, and only Aliera and Caroline can set things right. Caroline, fragile and wheelchair-bound, may seem like more of a liability than an asset, but Aliera knows there's more to her quiet cousin than meets the eye. Curses! Foiled Again is Jane Yolen at her best, reunited with her partner in crime, the fabulously talented illustrator Mike Cavallaro.

This is the sequel to Foiled which won't be out until later this year. I received an egalley of it via Netgalley. I thoroughly enjoyed it and I can't wait for the book to be published to put it in the hands of my students. I think they will *love* it! The story is another exciting adventure, and the illustrations fit the story perfectly! Well done! A B+ rating.

Dust Girl by Sarah Zettel (American Fairy #1)

Plenty of suspense and drama surrounded Callie, a teen from the Dust Bowl era in Kansas. When her mother disappears, Callie discovers that her father is a fairy prince and she is the heir to the fairy throne. Suddenly, she's thrust into the middle of a feud between the Midnight People and the Seelies, not knowing what is real and what is illusion. She teams up with Jack, a boy traveling the rails to California, in order to find both her parents and discover what is exactly the truth.

I really, really liked the first 3/4 of the book. I could most clearly visualize the Kansas of the Dust Bowl era, with the dried up fields, the dust storms, the despair of the people and even the subtle commentary on the racism common in this time. I was certainly intrigued with the mystery of Callie's heritage and where on Earth her parents had disappeared. That said, once Callie and Jack get to Kansas City, I was less than enamored, and I certainly found the ending less than satisfactory. I realize that this is the first of a trilogy, but I like to have a few things wrapped up. I don't like it when I have more questions than answers at the end of a book. Here, I just finished the last page with a huge question mark? Huh? That was it? We still don't know the least bit about Callie's parents -- we know what Callie suspects -- but we don't KNOW anything. And the last part with the train (No specifics here, so I don't give spoilers.) ... I know the purpose of that in giving Callie a choice with her future and let Jack have some closure, but it was just plain strange for me. Possibly this is a book that could be salvaged when the trilogy is complete. If the reader could immediately continue Callie's story, maybe the end of book one wouldn't be as weak as I now see it. That's something only time will tell. C+ rating.

P.S. I'd highly recommend putting the suggested playlist (located after the author's note at the end of the book) on while reading the story. It does wonders for putting you into the mood of the era!

Zombie Winter by Jason Strange

Kane and his friends at Ravens Pass Middle School just want winter to end. They are tired of the snow, the cold and the boredom. When the new lunch lady, Ms. Garrity, offers everyone free hot chocolate at lunch, the whole school can't wait for lunchtime. Everyone that is, except Kane. He's allergic to chocolate. When Kane and his friends arrive at the cafeteria, they discover the place is crazy. Everyone is in a frenzy for the treat! People have blank looks in their eyes and chocolate stains around their mouths and down their chins. Kane decides he'll skip the craziness and head for the library instead. When he gets to the library, he discovers three students attacking Mr. Theodore, the librarian. The students have turned into zombies! He must escape the school and the hordes of zombie students and then figure out a way to defeat them!

This high interest story is perfect for reluctant readers, for who doesn't want to read a book with a creepy zombie in a red hoodie on the cover? It'll easy snag the reader's attention and he'll zoom through the action. It's not a perfect story, though. I had way too many questions about some plot holes and the ending was conveniently simple. Maybe a bit rushed, in my opinion. C rating.

Book Read: Tenth Grade Bleeds by Heather Brewer (Chronicles of Vladimire Tod #3)

In the third installment of the Chronicles of Vladimir Tod, Vlad is now a sophomore and recovering from being staked by Joss (and his betrayal). When Vlad can't reach his Uncle Otis via telepathy, he's disappointed and feeling even more alone. The threat from D'Ablo is still very real, although Vlad doesn't seem to notice for a while.

I liked how Vlad dealt with many of the same issues other teens have to face -- insecurity in his friendships, girl trouble, school work. Even though he's a vampire, he's still very much a "normal" teen in the way he thinks and acts. I will admit that I thought the first book was just an average read, but the second book was excellent. I love the story of Vlad being the Pravus and how Joss was a slayer, but I don't think this third book held up to the promise of the second. I wasn't surprised at all with what happened. In fact, I probably could have told you most everything even before reading the book. I hope the final two books in the series will have some more surprises or I will definitely be disappointed. Only a C rating from me.

Book Read: The Shadowing: Hunted by Adam Slater

Horror is probably my least favorite genre. I just don't enjoy reading the gruesome tales -- psychological thrillers, yes please, but not the blood and gore. So, I knew before I even started it that The Shadowing: Hunted would probably not be my favorite.

I think that fans of the horror genre will probably love this one. There's a creature that's attacking teens and gouging out their eyes and eating them. That one fact alone will probably have many wanting to read it. I think the explanation of the creature/demon isn't fully explained and maybe that's on purpose. I can tell there will be more books in the series and maybe the reader will learn more in later volumes. Oh well. I can probably chalk up my indifference in the fact that I'm not a fan. C rating.