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.

Middle School: The Worst Years of My Life by James Patterson

Rafe has lots of changes in his life right now. First of all, he's now in sixth grade and starting middle school. Next, his mother has recently become engaged to a man Rafe doesn't like. To top it off, his stepdad-to-be is unemployed, lounging around the house all day, leaving Rafe's mom to work double shifts at a diner in order to make ends meet. With his home life all crazy, we shouldn't be surprised when Rafe decides to get more attention at school. Unfortunately, Rafe decides the way to get this attention is by breaking ALL of the school rules this year. In his game, (which he calls Project R.A.F.E.) Rafe gets points for breaking the rules and extra points for the way he breaks them.

One of my students brought me his personal copy of this book in order for me to read. He told me it was one of his favorites, and couldn't wait to hear what I thought. Well, I liked it much more than I thought I would. I couldn't help making comparisons to Jeff Kinney's Diary of a Wimpy Kid series. (How could you not with the combination of the comics and story set in middle school?) What made this book unique was Rafe's backstory, most of which we don't learn until close to the end. I hated it when I realized that Rafe really didn't have any friends at school, and I hated it that it took me so long to figure that out. I did like the way some sensitive topics were handled. Without giving spoilers, I'll just say there was no high-handed or preachiness way of dealing with these issues. We didn't learn a lesson or suddenly have a grand revelation by any of the characters here. It's something that could be discussed for those identifying, but others would probably just read without realizing the significance.

I can see the attraction of this book for middle school students, especially reluctant readers. The format will be appealing with all the illustrations, but it's not too juvenile for sixth, seventh, or eighth graders to fell uncomfortable about carrying around. It'll be perfect for those students looking for Wimpy Kid or Big Nate read-alikes. While I don't think this story is "the best ever," I do believe it's one of those books that will find many huge fans in middle school. Especially reluctant readers. And boys. B- rating.

Thoughts on Invisible by Marni Bates

Jane Smith has never wanted to be anything but invisible at her school. Her sister was super popular, a notable, and Jane knows she can't compete. When her two best friends suddenly achieve popularity, she's left behind wondering if being invisible is exactly what she wants after all.

Not having read the first book in the series, Awkward, I wondered if I'd be able to catch up with the plot and characters or would I be lost? At times I wished I would have first met Mackenzie in her story, for in Invisible I didn't like her at all. She's supposed to be Jane's best friend, but I was rooting for Jane to dump her! Maybe knowing her background, I would have liked her more in Invisible. Other than that, I was able to catch up with the history of the characters fairly well, but I will still probably go back and read the first one.

I like how Jane isn't popular even within her small group of friends, at the beginning of the book. She's not the leader of her small group, nor does she have the admiration of the adults in her life (with the exception of her boss). She's just an average girl that finally has things go her way after some terrible lows. I think many will see themselves in Jane, especially where as their friends start to have new friends and interests they are also left behind and seemingly forgotten. While the chances of having a mistake being talked about on national entertainment shows are extremely slim, many teens will relate to having friends mad at them for something almost beyond their control. Yes, Jane has some terrible things happen to her, but I loved seeing her grow into a new person not afraid on confrontation and speaking up.

The story itself is one I think many fans of romantic comedies will love. There's a love interest here that develops through the book, but with just enough of a twist to keep you guessing to the end. I personally can't wait to recommend it to my Meg Cabot fans. B- rating.

Book Read: Party Princess by Meg Cabot (Princess Diaries #7)

I'm a huge Meg Cabot fan and usually love love her books, but this one just fell flat. I'm not sure if Mia's adventures are just growing old or maybe it was my reading mood, but I was just annoyed by Mia in this whole book. Sure, she's self-absorbed. What teen isn't? She's been self-absorbed in previous installments of the Princess Diaries series, but here I just became annoyed with her. I haven't completely given up on the series--I will read the last three--but I'm just not as excited about them. C rating.

The Total Tragedy of a Girl Named Hamlet by Erin Dionne

Hamlet Kennedy just wants to fit in. Eighth grade is hard enough without being in the spotlight, but thanks to a genius little sister and her Shakespearean professor parents that's exactly where she finds herself. Okay, it's weird enough having to live with a name like Hamlet, but how would you like to have a class with your seven-year-old sister? When Hamlet's English and History teachers decide to do a 'Salute to Shakespeare' unit, Hamlet just knows her parents will parade through her school in period costumes and embarrass her further.

The Total Tragedy of a Girl Named Hamlet is all about fitting in, or rather, not standing out. Many a middle school student spends three years trying to be just like everyone else. For Hamlet, there's no way she can do it. Having her little sister in the same school, much less the same class is a major reason. I loved how she desperately tries to seem like her neighbor, while knowing that there's no way she can. Her cringe of embarrassment at having her classmates actually see her mother's odd dress is exactly how many eighth graders feel about their parents. Most parents aren't as exaggeratedly embarrassing as Hamlet's, but I know most middle schoolers feel exactly the same way as Hamlet about their own parents. How Hamlet resolves her feelings and eventually embraces her uniqueness will have readers cheering.

A fun read about the highs and lows of being in middle school, The Total Tragedy of a Girl Named Hamlet will be a must read for anyone who dreams of just fitting in. I give it a B+.

Cloaked in Red by Vivian Vande Velde

When I pick up a Vivian Vande Velde book, I know I'm going to be reading something that takes a unique view on a familiar theme, plot or idea. Cloaked in Red is no exception, being a collection of short stories, all based on the traditional fairy tale of Little Red Riding Hood. I loved the subtle (and sometimes not so subtle) humor and jokes written into the stories, primarily related to the traditional Little Red Riding Hood tale or other fairy tales or even the Grimm brothers. If the reader isn't familiar with these stories, some of that humor may be lost on them. Most of the stories in this collection are extremely short and that's probably my biggest complaint. I wanted more. More details, more descriptions, more background, more story. I know, these are short stories based on a short fairy tale, but I've become so spoiled with all the novels published recently based on fairy tales.

While I love a couple of these stories, overall it's just average fare. That's why I give this story collection a C. I'd recommend this only to those that love reading retold fairy tales.

The Steps by Rachel Cohn

Annabel is going to visit her dad over Christmas vacation in Australia and finally meet her steps. Feeling left out and missing her dad over the two years he's been gone, Annabel begins her trip with the idea that she will convince her dad to return to NYC with her. During her stay, Annabel's jealousy slowly turns to friendship and more with her new extended family.

Ideally suited for middle grades readers, I'd recommend it for grades 5 and 6 especially. The Steps portrays the difficulty kids experience when their parents remarry and suddenly people with nothing in common are thrown together as siblings. I found this a solid story, filled with funny episodes in order to make for an entertaining read. Some of the pop references are dated, which may cause some readers to dislike the book. (References to the movie Titanic and the Friends TV show.) My grade? A 'B.'

Does My Head Look Big in This? by Randa Abdel-Fattah

Amal, an Australian teen of Palestinian descent, decides to wear the hijab (the Muslim head scarf) at the end of her winter break. She's just a normal teenager, embarrassed by her father's behavior and disagreeing with her mother over the state of her bedroom. After donning the hijab, Amal learns to deal with the odd stares and questions from classmates and friends with lots of humor.

I could tell just by the title, Does My Head Look Big in This?, this story is told with lots of humor. Amal's first person narrative gives a spotlight to her humor, where I could imagine her as a typical teen adjusting to the changes in her life. Although I don't know much about the Muslim culture, I didn't feel lost, because the author used Amal to explain the differences. By using a humorous tone in this novel, the author was able to explore some of the conflicts a young Muslim must face in today's world without changing the feel of the novel.

I think this will appeal to many teen girls, whether they are Muslim or not. Anyone who has to deal with making an important decision and standing up for it will feel camaraderie with Amal, for this story is more about growing up than growing up Muslim. Most enjoyable story -- a 'B' grade from me.

Diary of a Wimpy Kid by Jeff Kinney

I held out for a very long time, before reading any of the Wimpy Kid books. I wasn't sure I was going to like them, no matter how much kids raved about them. I finally broke down and decided to read the first one, just to "see." I sure was curious as to why these books appeal to all kids, boys or girls, high or low ability. Well, it didn't take me long to understand.

Diary of a Wimpy Kid is a super fast read, and I finished it in one sitting. Not only is it easy to read, but the story keeps your interest and you hate to put it down. The illustrations on each page enhance the story, so that each are integral to the action. I felt like you couldn't have one without the other.  Honestly, I was feeling Greg's pain, even though I'm not a boy and not in sixth grade. I think everyone can understand the feelings of uncertainty Greg faces starting middle school and looking for a way to make himself stand out from the others and at the same time fit in.

Excellent story, written in the ideal format (a combination of journal and comic), Diary of a Wimpy Kid deserves all the raves and attention. Now, I must read more about Greg, but finding these books on the shelf may be the hardest part. I give it a B+.

The Clue of the Linoleum Lederhosen by M.T. Anderson

I've wanted to read The Clue of the Linoleum Lederhosen for a long time. It's been so long since I put it on my TBR list, that I can't remember the exact reason why I put it there. Possibly, I read a great review or received a recommendation from a student. Anyway, I was eager to delve into the story and looking forward to a funny, entertaining story.

Three friends, Lily, Jasper and Katie, travel to a ski lodge for a vacation. What's so unusual about the trio is that each stars in his or her own series of children's books. When they arrive at the resort lodge, they discover that other stars of children's book series are also guests there. When the Hooper Quints are kidnapped, a priceless necklace is stolen, and some of the lodge's mounted animal heads go missing, the friends determine to solve each of the mysteries.

The Clue of the Linoleum Lederhosen missed meeting my expectations by a long shot. What I thought was an hilarious premise ended up just a stupid story. I honestly don't think young readers today would understand much less appreciate the references and homage to children's book series of the 1920s, 30s, and 40s. Even I, who at least could recognize the references, really didn't 'get' it. I just kept wishing for the end of the story to get there as fast as possible, so I could be done. This is one I won't be recommending, a 'D' grade from me.

The Brain Finds a Leg by Martin Chatterton

You have to admit the cover of this book is going to grab your attention. Besides the bright blue and yellow colors, the picture of a brain at the top with the menacing crocodile at the bottom makes you take a second look. Also, the title --The Brain Finds a Leg -- gets your brain wondering what exactly the title means.

The Brain is actually Theo Brain, the new kid in school. The Brain believes he is the world's greatest detective and recruits Sheldon as his (somewhat reluctant) partner. Together, they try to solve the mystery behind a missing surfer, strange behavior by some of the local wildlife, and a severed leg they find in the woods. What ensues is a crazy farce that includes a teacher in disguise, a toothpaste company, a brother framed for murder, and a genius machine.

When I started reading The Brain Finds a Leg, I didn't really like the character of The Brain. He seemed too pushy, too much of a know-it-all, but then I slowly began to see that that's what he is SUPPOSED to be. Eventually, I came around to liking him just a bit. The wild clues and the crazy ways The Brain and Sheldon go about unraveling the mystery can be bit over-the-top at times. Some readers will be charmed by that, while others will become annoyed and frustrated. Overall, I genuinely liked the story and will give the sequel a try. I give it a C.

The Bridesmaid by Hailey Abbott

I read The Bridesmaid about five years ago and remembered it as a sweet romance with some funny moments. The library's copy was lost, so when I replaced it, I decided to do a reread.

Abby and her sister, Carol, promised each other as children to never get married. Falling in love was okay, but no wedding. You see, they grew up watching many a bride turn into a Bridezilla through their parents' wedding planning and reception hall business. When Carol comes home from college and announces she's engaged to get married, Abby feels betrayed and wants nothing to do with the wedding planning. Abby watches with disgust as her sister turns into one of those screaming, crazy Bridezillas and her parents argue over planning every aspect of the wedding. No one seems to understand Abby's feelings, including her two best friends and Noah, the son of the cake decorator and her crush.

The Bridesmaid was every bit as good as I remembered. Funny scenes give way to moments of angst as the reader gets caught up in Abby's emotions. The romance that develops between Abby and Noah is sweet and I like how they don't let their tiff blow up to a huge misunderstanding. Less drama is better. (Especially since it's not needed with all the wedding drama in the background.) The story is capped off with an expected, but still humorous, ending to the farce.

Romance fans will be delighted with The Bridesmaid, an entertaining romp. Rated a 'B', super cute!

Party Games by Whitney Lyles

The Simon Romantic Comedies have been either a hit or miss for me. Some, I've adored and recommended over and over and others I want to just hide away. I've been wanting to read Whitney Lyles' Party Games ever since hearing that she wrote it. You see, I absolutely adored her Always the Bridesmaid, written for adults.

I'm a bit picky when reading teen romances. I want the characters to be three dimensional -- please no cardboard people. I want the story to be sweet and romantic and it MUST have a happy ending. Party Games almost fulfilled all of these requirements. Sara is refreshingly smart, funny, and level-headed. She works for her mom's party planning business, and seems more than capable in carrying out many of the job duties. Although surrounded by the trappings of the rich, she really doesn't seem obsessed with having everything and being materialistic. She is realistic in that she knows she'll have to save up for things she wants, such as a car. The love interest is a member of an up-and-coming band that seems more focused on the music than on the attentions of female fans. The real reason I'm not completely over the top for Party Games? You see, it does have one of those annoyingly spoiled secondary characters who always get what they want. She does have some redeeming moments, but I was way over her by then.

Overall a fun, light-hearted story that will be a hit for romance readers.  I give this one a B.

Princess of Gossip by Sabrina Bryan and Julia DeVillers

I picked up Princess of Gossip to read because I liked the cover and I thought it might be a cute story. (And I liked Julia DeVillers' How My Private, Personal Journal Became a Bestseller.) Avery has just moved to southern California from Ohio and becomes embroiled in the world of celebrities and their publicity events after starting a fan page for a new musician. Okay, complete fluff and totally unbelievable, but fun to read in parts. I really liked the idea of how the friends created a second life type world for fans of the singer. I thought the climax and ending was a bit rushed and Avery really didn't get into as much trouble as I would have anticipated, but overall just what I expected -- a cute story. There's nothing special about it, but not a total waste of time either. I give it a 'C' -- Optional.