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

Title:         Ranger's Apprentice

Author:     John Flanagan

Target:      Grades 4 - 6

Series:       Yes

Posted by Will

What this book is about:
In the medieval times, an orphaned boy, Will, lives as the ward at Castle Redmont.  Wards are chosen to apprentice with craftsmen and soldiers, and Will is getting worried that he will not be chosen by the battle school master Sir Rodney.  When choosing day arrives, Will’s worst fears come true when none of the masters select him.  However, a mysterious ranger named Halt, suddenly appears.  Will is to become a ranger’s apprentice and learn all the skills the rangers know, until he becomes one himself.  Rangers are silent protectors of the kingdom and there is a large battle brewing against Morgarath, who tried to take over the kingdom years before. Morgarath had unleashed the Kalkara, beasts beyond imagination.  The rangers must stop these beasts.  How they will do it?  Read the book to find out.

Why I like this book:
I liked this book because of the never ending action.  Even during the slowest parts, it’s exciting!  The story starts with a lot of suspense and stays that way until the very end.  Another reason I liked this book is because of the main character, Will.  Will seemed like a nice kid, always trying his best.  And of course, any character named Will has to be cool. 

You will like this book if you enjoy:
The False Prince

Title: Bomb 

Author: Steve Sheinkin

Target: Grades 7 and up

Series: No

Posted by Ford

What this book is about: 

During World War II, while the Axis was taking over Europe, and America was entering the war, there was a second battle being fought: The Nuclear War. In 1938, a German scientist named Otto Hahn discovered that uranium atoms could be split, releasing a large amount of energy, something earlier deemed impossible. So much energy was released, that scientists reasoned a bomb could be made using the technology. Because this happened at the beginning of World War II, three countries, Germany, America, and the Soviet Union, all competed to see who could make an atomic bomb first. Each country would use trickery, lies, and deceit to aid in production. The conflict reached from the rugged mountains of Norway to top-secret military bunkers in the United States. Factories were raided, tests were conducted, and spies were captured. This is a great historical novel about an overlooked war, that may have decided the fate of the world.

Why I liked this book: 

This book does a great job of making historical information interesting. For instance, a team of Norwegian soldiers infiltrates a German heavy water plant. You can feel the tension knowing that the people were actually there, sneaking through the air ducts and blowing up generators. This experience makes learning about the events much more exciting than it otherwise would have. The author also explains the science in the book well. The information about nuclear fission and uranium is complicated, but the writer makes it easy to understand. Its inclusion doesn't impair the reader and makes for a better story.

You will like this book if you enjoy:

Books about WWII

Title:       The Bartimaeus Trilogy: The Amulet of Samarkand

Author:    Jonathan Stroud

Target:     Grades 6 and up

Series:      Yes

Posted by Ford

What this book is about: 
The Amulet of Samarkand is told from two perspectives. The third person perspective follows the apprentice magician Nathaniel, who meddles in powers beyond his understanding. It chronicles his life from the start of his apprenticeship, how he was humiliated by a powerful magician, to how he came to require the assistance of the djinn Bartimaeus, who is the other main character in the story. The first person perspective is Bartimaeus’ account of the events, which gives you a unique perspective on the story.

Both accounts explore the world of magicians and the various things they use and the creatures they summon. There is tension between Bartimaeus and Nathaniel because Bartimaeus is forced to oblige to whatever Nathaniel wants, and Nathaniel has some dangerous requests. But together, they discover a plot of treason against the government, and must work together in an attempt to stop it.

Why I like this book:
As I mentioned before, the fact that one part of the story is told in first person, and another in third, gives you an interesting perspective. I found that when Bartimaeus and Nathaniel conflicted, I sympathized more with Bartimaeus, because of his first person perspective. His sections felt more personal and I understood his views more clearly than Nathaniel’s. I would have to assume that this is intended, as the author does a very good job of it.

During the Bartimaeus sections, the author includes subtitles which often feature witty and amusing remarks that are worth your time to read, so don’t skip over them!  This is a cleverly written book that I strongly recommend.

You will like this book if you enjoy:
Harry Potter
Lord of the Rings

Title:         The Kid Who Ran for President

Author:      Dan Gutman

Target:      4th-6th grade

Series:      There are two books

Posted by Will

What this book is about:

Twelve year old Judson Moon is running for President of the United States. It’s all a joke to Judson.  But his best friend Lenny is serious and will do whatever he can to make Judson win.  Once Judson collects the two thousand signatures he needs to be on the ballot in Wisconsin, his house is surround by reporters, he is on the news and has letters pouring in from across the country.  Then he is invited to a debate with the two other candidates, President White and Senator Dunn.  Can Judson really get enough votes to become president of the United States?

Why I like this book:

I like this book because it was funny.  I laughed practically every other page!  Judson was always himself and joked around (even in important situations.)  If Judson was serious, I never would have laughed at all.  He was such a great character.  Who knew a kid could run for president?  Overall this was a great book. =)      

You will like this book if you enjoy:

Genius Files

The Homework Machine