Title: The Wondrous Journals of Dr. Wendell Wellington Wiggins

Author: Lesley M. M. Blume

Target: Grades 3 and up

Series: No

Posted by Ford

What this book is about:

Have you ever heard of a Mirrored Pigradillo? How about a Two-Headed Mammoth Buffalo? Or a Amazonian Umbrella Fish? These are just a sample of the ancient (and unfortunately fictitious) creatures unearthed by (also fictitious) Dr. Wendell Wellington Wiggins. Dr. Wiggins is a paleozoologist (surprisingly, a real branch of science), which means that he studies extremely ancient animals. 

These are the journals of his journey around the world, from Brazil to the North Pole, and of the unique ancient life forms found there. Along his journey, he is accompanied by a fruit bat/alpaca hybrid, a monkey with discipline issues, a bear named Davy Crockett, and the voice of Mother Wiggins, who is intent on staying in his head everywhere he goes.

Why I like this book: 
Each ancient animal has a well thought up history behind it. Almost every chapter details the finding of a new animal and there are 34 animals in total. One very interesting and engaging feature is that there is a moral of some kind taught by the extinction of each  animal. For example, the Bunny Fluffs were so light, that one gust of wind would send them flying for miles. As a result they lived underground. However, when their home became overcrowded, none would go to the surface for fear of being blown away. They all stayed underground and died as a result. This goes to show that taking no risk is the worst risk of all. 

Each lesson is clever and I enjoyed guessing what each one would be as I read a chapter. This is a book that someone of any age can enjoy and I strongly recommend it to all.

You will like this book if you enjoy:
Books about dinosaurs or mythical creatures
The Spiderwick Chronicles

Title:       Big Bad Ironclad

Author:    Nathan Hale

Target:     Grades 4-7

Series:      Yes

Posted by Will

What this book is about:

Big Bad Ironclad is a graphic novel about Nathan Hale.  Hale is a spy during the Revolutionary war and is about to be hung.  He can see the future so he avoids the hanging by telling the hangman stories about the history of the United States.  The story in this book is about the first ironclads in the civil war, warships covered in iron plates to better withstand attacks. The North builds the Monitor and the South builds the Virginia, two almost unstoppable ironclads.  Who will be able to win the battle of the two ironclads?  Read the book to find out.

Why I liked this book:

I liked this book because it is funny and has lots of action.  Even though it is a true story, there are a few made up conversations that make the book really humorous and a little silly.  There are also many battles in the ocean which adds action and excitement.  I hope you enjoy the book as much as I did!

You will like this book if you enjoy:

Origami Yoda

Fake Mustache

Title: Atherton: The House of Power

Author: Patrick Carman

Target: Grades 4-8

Series: Yes

Posted by Ford

What this book is about: 

In the land of Atherton there are three levels. At the top are the highlands. The people here rule over all of Atherton. They are philosophers and government leaders.  They also control the only water supply in Atherton. In the middle is the tabletop. This is where the working class of Atherton lives. They send food to the highlands in exchange for a constant water supply. At the bottom are the flatlands. These are desolate wastelands considered uninhabitable by the people of Atherton. The main character of the story is a boy named Ethan, who works in a fig orchard on the tabletop. He has flashbacks of his father leaving him something in the cliff between the tabletop and the highlands. He is an expert climber and searches for this item every day. One day he finally finds it, a book. Unfortunately, no one on the tabletop can read, so he sneaks up into the highlands to find someone who can. He finds Samuel, a boy whose father has died from mysterious circumstances. They realize that the highlands are sinking into the tabletop, and that there are growing tensions between the two areas. They must get answers about what is happening.

Why I like this book: 

The author does a great job designing the world of Atherton. It is well thought out and original. The premise is interesting as well. I don’t want to spoil anything, so I will leave some of this a mystery to you. The author leaves you with a desire to get your questions answered about the storyline, as well as the main characters’.

You will like this book if you enjoy:

Maze Runner

City of Embers