Day 28: 45 Days of Summer

The Giver by Lois Lowry

Well, I'm not going to say too much about this book, other than you must read it!

And if you've already read it, then you should read the companion novels and the "sequel" (Son) immediately.

All of these books are incredible, and I've been lobbying for The Giver to become an all-grade read for my 6th graders.

It's a "classic" (I actually hate that word to describe books), that everyone should read at some point in their life. And now you really need to read it because the movie will be coming out next week.

I will be honest that I don't know how I feel about the movie because the trailers I've seen don't seem to be in line with how I remember the tone of the book. 

If you've read the book and you see the movie, let me know what you think!

Top 10 Books at Evergreen This Week

The library catalog system "tracks" top titles for our library, and it is something that I enjoy looking at quite frequently to see what's "hot." Of course, I use the term "track" loosely, because I haven't quite figured out the formula it uses. For example, I think that it should take number of holds on the book into account, but it doesn't.

Regardless, I thought that I would share the Top 10 books in our Evergreen Library this week. Now, if you are a student and click on the "Top 10" in the library catalog, this list is for the past 30 days. I can actually pull up reports to change the time frame that it uses when calculating titles. It's actually interesting to note that this changes the titles quite a bit, and takes into account suddenly popular titles vs. titles that sustain popularity.

So, for the last 7 days, the top books at Evergreen were:

1. Jedi Academy by Jeffrey Brown. TOTALLY surprising, and completely due to the fact that I ordered two additional copies this week and I booktalked this to 6th grade classes a lot recently. It flew off the shelves.

2. Adoration of Jenna Fox by Mary Pearson. Love this book and while it is always popular, the reason it hit number 2 is that it's a top choice for our 8th grade Sci-Fi unit which just started this week. All 9 copies FLEW off the shelves yesterday.

3. & 4. Catching Fire and The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins. Not a shocker with the movie coming out next week.

5. House of Hades by Rick Riordan. Again, not a shocker. Riordan's books are always popular with my students, and the hold list continues to grow every day, even though we have multiple copies and students are reading it fast. If the system factored holds into the calculation, this book would be number one without any competition.

6. Insurgent by Veronica Roth. I actually can't figure out why this book is so much higher in the top ten than Divergent, because students are always asking me for Divergent and with all the movie buzz, I would have thought that all the recent recruits to the series would have pushed the first one into the lead.

7. Matched by Ally Condie. Again, not a surprise considering the Sci-Fi unit. This is always a popular series at Evergreen.

8. Wimpy Kid #8: Hard Luck. It's kind of fitting that this book is 8th on the list...but also surprising. The only reason that this is so low on the list in my opinion (I expected it to be 2 or 3) is that many of my kids must have purchased their own copies from their local bookstore.

9. Swim the Fly by Don Calame. Always popular at Evergreen, this is falling down the top 10 charts as the 8th grade Humor unit is ending.

10. Divergent by Veronica Roth. Barely made it into the top 10 this week. But long-term, this one is always in the top. And deservedly so!

So, what does this tell us? 
I'm sad that there's not a non-fiction title among the top 10. Something I will continue to work on.
Series are HOT at Evergreen. I often joke that if I call it a series, they will read it.
Dystopian is not dead yet, at least in my neck of the woods.

What are your top titles?

Review: Planet Thieves (Krokos)

Title: Planet Thieves
Author: Krokos
Genre: Fiction, Science Fiction, Space Travels, Aliens, War
Pages: 253
Rating: 3 out of 5 stars
Ages: 5th-8th grades

I am the first person to say that the outer space/alien science fiction genre is NOT my thing. So, when I find a book in what I call the Star Wars/Star Trek genre that I really enjoy, I know that most of my students will like it also, especially those that already are fans of the genre.

From the publisher:
Two weeks ago, thirteen-year-old Mason Stark and seventeen of his fellow cadets from the Academy for Earth Space Command boarded the SS Egypt . The trip was supposed to be a short routine voyage to log their required spacetime for summer quarter.But routine goes out the airlock when they're attacked by the Tremist, an alien race who have been at war with humanity for the last sixty years.With the captain and crew dead, injured, or taken prisoner, Mason and the cadets are all that's left to warn the ESC. And soon they find out exactly why the Tremist chose this ship to attack: the Egypt is carrying a weapon that could change the war forever.Now Mason will have to lead the cadets in a daring assault to take back the ship, rescue the survivors, and recover the weapon. Before there isn't a war left to fight.

I discovered this author through another of his series starters, "False Memory" (which I loved and am anxiously awaiting the sequel to next month). This book is fast-paced with a sense of adventure that will keep the pages turning. I'm not sure that there was anything surprising in this book, but it was a good ride and time well spent. I can see that there will likely be a sequel, and rumor has it that the movie rights have already been snapped up! 

Trailer Tuesday: Eve and Adam (Grant/Applegate)

Action, suspense, and sci-fi combine in this new title by two popular authors: Michael Grant (author of the Gone series), and Katherine Applegate (author of The One and Only Ivan and the Animorphs series).

Definitely series possibilities, but I don't know if it will be a series. A very interesting premise that will have you talking. Check out "Eve and Adam" soon! 

Trailer Tuesday: Legend & Prodigy (Lu)

Today is the day that I have been waiting for since I first picked up Legend by Marie Lu. The sequel, Prodigy, has been released!

Now, to be honest, I read an advanced copy of Prodigy before today. But I wanted to share the excitement with you so I thought that I'd use today's Trailer Tuesday to introduce you to both books. If you haven't read them yet, run right now and check them out from the library! You will not regret being introduced to June and Day.

Trailer Tuesday: Breathe (Crossan)

This week's Trailer Tuesday is more of an author interview. Sarah Crossan, author of Breathe, tells us where she got her inspiration for the book...and some good advice for wannabe writers out there!

If you are a fan of dystopian/sci-fi books and you haven't read Breathe yet, I highly recommend it (and not just because her inspiration for the story was a trip she made to Washington). 

In this post-apocalyptic world, there is a shortage of air, and the government controls who gets to breathe it. I enjoyed that this story is told from the alternating perspectives of the three main characters, and that it leaves room for the story to continue (in a planned trilogy). Great, suspenseful writing.

Trailer Tuesday: What's Left of Me (Zhang)

While I've been away from school, I have been reading, but chemotherapy has kept me from posting reviews. So, for the next several Tuesdays, I thought that I would use Trailer Tuesday to get you excited about a book that I enjoyed, but haven't mentioned here yet.

This first one is for the first book in a new series: What's Left of Me from The Hybrid Chronicles by Kat Zhang. 

Eva and Addie are sisters that share the same body. Over time, one of them was supposed to settle and the other would become the dominant one. Except Eva won't settle...and only Addie knows that she still exists.

A unique and intriguing sci-fi story! I can't wait for the next book in the series...

Holiday Gift Ideas: Son (Lowry)

Title: Son
Author: Lowry
Genre: Fiction, Dystopian, Science Fiction, Mothers, Adventure
Pages: 393
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

There are legions of fans of Lowry's "The Giver" (as well as it's companion novels, "Gathering Blue" and "Messenger"). Her latest title in the "series" is a legitimate sequel or conclusion to the wildly popular Giver, and will have fans clamoring to find the answers to questions left very much unanswered.

They called her Water Claire. When she washed up on their shore, no one knew that she came from a society where emotions and colors didn't exist. That she had become a Vessel at age thirteen. That she had carried a Product at age fourteen. That it had been stolen from her body. Claire had a son. But what became of him she never knew. What was his name? Was he even alive? She was supposed to forget him, but that was impossible. Now Claire will stop at nothing to find her child. 

And readers will realize that they know her child. Her son is baby Gabe, the baby Jonas formed a bond with in The Giver. The baby scheduled to be "released." 

Now, I'll have to admit that one of the things that is most appealing to me about The Giver is the fact that the ending is so open to interpretation. I have always loved that there were no concrete answers. I was slightly sad to be handed a book with an ending...but then, I couldn't resist it. It is haunting, ordered, intriguing, and so well written that you cannot help but be drawn into Claire's quest. A completely satisfying conclusion to the story that you will not want to miss.

Holiday Gift Ideas: Assault (Falkner)

Title: The Assault
Author: Falkner
Genre: Fiction, Science Fiction, Aliens, War, Spies, Action
Pages: 288
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Now, you must understand that I do not typically read straight up science fiction, the kinds with aliens, weapons, and intergalactic wars. But a middle school librarian friend recommended it, so I figured I should read it. And I am so glad that I did.

This is a terrific book for sci-fi fans of both genders, and the start of the author's new Recon Team Angel series. The fast-paced, page-turning action is non-stop. The characters are well-drawn and believable, and the story is movie-worthy. There is nothing missing from this one.

I found this fan-made book trailer that does a pretty good job explaining the book for you, so I'm going to let it do the talking. I'll just say that I am anxiously awaiting the second installment of this series!

Student Book Review: Witch & Wizard (Patterson)

Another of our Student Book Reviews. This review comes to you from a 6th grader at Evergreen!

Title: Witch and Wizard
Author: Patterson
Genre: Fiction, Fantasy, Sci-Fi, Adventure, Mystery
Pages: 314
Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

From the publisher:
A sister and brother, along with thousands of young people, have been kidnapped and either thrown in prison or turned up missing after accusations of witchcraft were made against them, and the ruling regime will do anything in order to suppress life and liberty, music and books.

From the student:
"Whit and Wisteria Allgood live a perfectly normal life...until now. When their neighbor accuses them of witchcraft, some members of the New Order throw them in jail. Could this witchcraft thing be a mistake or more than that?

I read this book because the book sounded interesting and had a good summary. Someone else would want to read this book because it has a cool cover and title.

I gave this book 5/5 stars because it had such a good plot, I couldn't put it down! It was full of adventure and plenty of romance for a wonderful story.

Fans of Harry Potter or Maximum Ride would also like this book, which is the first book in a series."

To be honest, I haven't read this series by James Patterson. But this review makes me think I should put it on my list to read soon!

Review: Deadly Pink (Vande Velde)

Title: Deadly Pink
Author: Vande Velde
Genre: Fiction, Fantasy, Games/Gaming, Family, Sisters, Adventure, Science Fiction
Pages: 276
Rating: 3 1/2 out of 5 stars


Fourteen-year-old Grace has just been summoned from high school to rescue her older sister Emily from a virtual reality game. Turns out, the brilliant, popular, friendly older sister who has been away at college hasn't been honest about her new life. When Emily refuses to leave the virtual reality game world that she created, Grace is asked to go into the game and convince her to come out. A task that turns out to be much harder than it should be.

Grace's humor, wit, and sarcasm resonated with me, and will with teen readers as well. Fans of gaming will appreciate the action and hilarious characters that populate the sweet little princess game gone horribly awry. Fans of fantasy, gaming, and sci-fi will truly enjoy this and should also check out the author's other companion titles, "User Unfriendly" and "Heir Apparent."

Even if you are not a fan of video games, this is an adventure story with heart, and has Grace trying everything she can think of to understand and save her much beloved sister.

Review: False Memory (Krokos)

Title: False Memory
Author: Dan Krokos
Genre: Science Fiction, Fiction, Adventure
Pages: 327
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

17-year-old Miranda wakes up alone on a park bench with no memory about who she is or where she is from. In her panic, she releases an energy that creates terror and death in those around her. She knows that she's causing it, but she doesn't know why, or how to stop it.

And then she runs into Peter, who claims to know her, and know why she's causing this terror. But can she trust him?

In a publishing world where dystopian has taken over the genre, it is nice to see a straight up science fiction title. Miranda discovers that she is one of four (or are there more?) genetically altered teens who have been engineered to cause destruction by a mysterious company who wants to use them to rule the world.

This is non-stop action and adventure, with a little mystery thrown in. Loved the premise, and that is what makes this book so unique and will definitely be popular with fans of many genres.

Review: Flip (Bedford)

Title: Flip
Author: Bedford
Genre: Fiction, Science Fiction, Supernatural, Identity
Pages: 272
Rating: 3 1/2 out of 5 stars

One night, 14-year-old Alex goes to bed. He wakes up the next morning to find himself in the wrong bedroom, in an unfamiliar house, in a different part of the country, and six months have disappeared. The family at the breakfast table are total strangers. And when he looks in the mirror, another boy's face stares back at him.  A boy named Flip. Unless Alex finds out what's happened and how to get back to his own life,  he may be trapped forever inside a body that belongs to someone else.

I think that this book is a completely original concept that will appeal to teens of both genders. Who hasn't secretly wished that they belonged to another family? Alex suddenly ends up part of a new family and he must figure out what has happened and how to get back to his real family. It is so intriguing to follow Alex/Flip on this journey, and you will constantly be wondering how this book will end. (No, I'm not going to tell you!)

This is a perfect book for those looking for a page-turner this summer. It is a mix of drama, thriller, tension, and sci-fi that will leave you wanting to talk about it with someone as soon as you are finished. Have you read it yet? What did you think? I can't wait until I get the chance to find out what my students think about this one.

Review: Empty (Weyn)

Title: Empty
Author: Weyn
Genre: Fiction, Dystopian, Science Fiction
Pages: 183
Rating: 2 1/2 out of 5 stars

In a not-so-distant future, the U.S. is at war with Venezuela over dwindling oil reserves, and global warming has created a super-hurricane causing destruction up and down the East Coast. In the gloom that is the end of the world, several teens are trying their best simply to survive. Gasoline is scarce, electricity comes and goes, and there is very little food to be had in the wake of the storm.

Gwen, abandoned by her mother years ago, is trying to evade authorities looking for her brother, who was selling black-market gasoline; rich-girl Niki, whose father lost his job, has never had to face adversity in her life; and Tom, an all-around hero who lost his father to an illness, complete the love triangle. In the wake of the storm these teens, along with several other classmates, have found a secret hide-out that just might provide a way to survive the crisis.  But will they tell anyone?

I reviewed this book for Booklist, but I had actually read it before I was assigned the review.  It is not my favorite example of the genre.  Even though the characters and dialogue are sometimes routine, the realistic and thought-provoking scenario is packaged into a speedy read.  Given the popularity of dystopian fiction, it should find an audience.  In fact, our one library copy is currently checked out, and my two advance copies have been borrowed by students that heard me talk about it.  It does have it's market...and I think the short length is is selling point.

Can't wait to hear what these students have to say about the book!

Student Review: Airhead (Cabot)

Title: Airhead

Author: Meg Cabot
Genre: Science Fiction
Pages: 337
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars


The science fiction book Airhead, by Meg Cabot, describes the drama and turmoil 16 year old video game loving tomboy Em Watts is thrown into when she wakes up not as herself, but as world famous supermodel Nikki Howard. At the grand opening of the Stark Megastore, where Em, her best friend Christopher, and Frida, her little sister, are, a giant flat screen TV dangling from the ceiling comes loose and falls on Em. She wakes up a month later and discovers that she is in Nikki Howard’s body. Apparently, when the TV fell on Em, her body was completely crushed, but her brain was fine. At that exact moment, though, Nikki Howard, who was a huge representative of Stark, had a brain aneurysm, which caused her to become brain-dead. Because she was such a huge representative of Stark, the company, who also had a medical lab and hospital, took Em’s brain and put it inside Nikki Howard’s body. Now Em must learn to act and behave like Nikki did, hanging out with Nikki’s friends and boyfriend, going to her modeling shoots, living in her loft. She is not allowed to tell anyone who she really is, or else her parents will be sued for two million dollars. But she discovers that not everything is as it seems to be.


I chose this book because it sounded very different from what I usually enjoy reading, and I love fashion and modeling. Some characters that I thought were very interesting were Frida, who is her little sister. Frida is almost the exact opposite of Em. She is very social and loves fashion, and she has lots of friends. Through this experience Frida and Em become closer, and Frida learns that she shouldn’t always take things for granted. I think the theme of this book is don’t judge a book by it’s cover, because in this book Em discovers that everyone thinks that Nikki is a total airhead just because she models for a living, so she has to really prove to everyone that she isn’t just some ditzy, gorgeous girl who poses in outfits for a living.


I loved this book because the characters were very interesting and there are a lot of plot twists and the author makes something sounding very fake seem very real. I recommend this book to teenage girls because there is a little romance and it is told from a girl’s point of view.


This book really made me think, what would I do if I woke up as someone else and was stuck like that forever?
--Helena, 8th grade

Great review!  I love this book and, of course, anything written by the author.  I must confess that I have not read the sequels (Being Nikki and Runaway), though I keep meaning to.  So many books, so little time...

Student Review: Catching Fire (Collins)

Title: Catching Fire

Author: Suzanne Collins
Genre: Science Fiction (Fiction, Dystopian, Adventure)
Pages: 391
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars


Catching Fire tells the action-filled, sci-fi story of Katniss Everdeen, an 18 year old girl who was forced into a fight to the death called, The Hunger Games. This book takes place in the future where there is a Capital that rules over 12 surrounding Districts. This book is the sequel to The Hunger Games, a book where Katniss and a boy named Peeta are picked from District 12 to compete in the Hunger Games. In the end, Peeta and Katniss are the only ones alive, and should have to kill each other. But neither one wants to kill the other, so they both decide to eat these poisonous berries that will kill both of them. But instead they are both allowed to live, but people in the district see them disobeying the Capital. So uprisings begin in the Districts. Catching Fire tells you what happens when the Districts rebel, and how Katniss is punished for her actions.


I picked this book because I had read the Hunger Games and I thought it was an amazing book. The theme of this book is to stand up for what you believe in. Don’t let others treat you unfairly. My favorite character was a man named Cinna. Cinna is Katniss’s clothing designer for the Hunger Games. Cinna was a great friend to Katniss throughout her whole experience, and always helped her in tough situations. He had an amazing personality, and one action in particular that occurred during Catching Fire made him my favorite character (but I can’t tell you what that was without giving away the story).


I thought this book was amazing. It had great description of characters, and by the end you could predict what the characters would do in certain situations. The only thing I did not like was that the settings were very vague and not clearly described. I think almost any reader will enjoy this amazing read, but especially those who enjoy a bit of sci-fi and a lot of action.


This book has an amazing theme, which to me was stand up for what you believe in. Do you think that if you were Katniss, and these cruel and unfair people were living near your home, you would want to rebel, or would you cower to this great and powerful force? Read the book to see how Katniss reacts to the sudden twists, and shocking secrets that will forever change her life.
--Trent, 8th grade

Yeah!  I love this book, too!

Now What???

The question I currently get asked the most is, "What do I read now?"  Usually said by a student, often in a "woe-is-me" voice.  However, grown-up friends, neighbors, and teachers have also been known to ask this question, usually via Facebook, typically without the whine.

The reason for this desperation? "The Hunger Games" trilogy, concluding with the recently released "Mockingjay," has ended. After waiting so long for book three, for most people it has now come and gone...and left everyone wanting more books to read!  As a librarian, I am very excited when a series can spark interest in other books, not just the series itself.  "Yeah!" to Suzanne Collins for giving us such a story.

So, whether you LOVED "Mockingjay," are sad to see it end, or were greatly disappointed by it, never fear...there are more books for you,  I promise!  Dystopian fiction for teens is a HUGE genre (especially now), that will not let you down. 

Here are my suggestions (in no particular order) of "What to Read Next:"

(1) Ship Breaker by Paolo Bacigalupi.  Okay, though I promised no order to this list, there is a reason that I mentioned it first.  I LOVE IT!  And so do many others, based on all the starred reviews it has received.  Nailer is on a scavenger crew tearing up old hulks of ships, living day to day in a not-so-distant future U.S., until a rich girl and her gleaming ship run ashore in a storm on the beach and his life gets more dangerous.  See my review here.

(2) Incarceron by Catherine Fisher.  Another new book, first in a series, that you will definitely enjoy.  Trapped in the massive prison world of Incarceron, Finn searches for his true identity; outside, Claudia searches for the truth about Incarceron and its warden, her father.  My review is posted here.  Book 2, "Sapphique," releases in December 2010.

(3) Maze Runner by James Dashner.  Again, another first in a series.  (The second book, "Scorch Trials" will actually be released 10/12/10).  This is "The Hunger Games" meets "Lost."  Click here for my earlier review.

(4) Numbers by Rachel Ward.  What if you could look into people's eyes and see the date they were going to die?  Jem can, and now she is on the run because of it.  Here is my earlier post on this book.  An excellent cover, by the way!

(5) Leviathan by Scott Westerfeld.  World War I as never seen before.  This is certainly not the history that you studied!   In an alternate 1914 Europe, fifteen-year-old Austrian Prince Alek, is on the run from the Clanker Powers who are attempting to take over the globe using mechanical machinery.  Alek forms an uneasy alliance with Deryn, who disguises herself as a boy to join the British Air Service, learning to fly genetically-engineered beasts. A sequel is on the way--"Behemoth," 10/5/10.

(6) Life as We Knew It by Susan Pfeffer.  What if it really is the end of life on Earth as we know it?  How will you survive?  This is one of the top choices each year for the 8th grade Survival Unit.  Two books follow in the series.

(7) Feed by M.T. Anderson. In a future where most people have computer implants in their heads to control their environment, a boy meets an unusual girl who is in serious trouble.

(8) Unwind by Neal Schusterman. Set in a future U.S. in which abortions are outlawed but parents have the option of signing over their 13- to 17-year-olds to be used as organ donors, three teens embark upon a cross-country journey in order to escape.

(9) The Adoration of Jenna Fox by Mary Pearson. In the not-too-distant future, when biotechnological advances have made synthetic bodies and brains possible but illegal, a seventeen-year-old girl, recovering from a serious accident and suffering from memory lapses, learns a startling secret about her existence.  Though this is a few years old, I just finished listening to the audio.  Definitely recommend this book.

(10) The Giver by Lois Lowry.  The standard by which all Dystopian novels should be judged, this classic won the Newbery Medal in 1994.   Given his lifetime assignment at the Ceremony of Twelve, Jonas becomes the receiver of memories shared by only one other in his community and discovers the terrible truth about the society in which he lives.  Two other books, "Messenger" and "Gathering Blue," follow.

Other books that should not be missed:
The Diary of Pelly D. by L.J. Adlington
Exodus by Julie Bertagna
The Compound by S.A. Bodeen
The Gardener by S.A. Bodeen
The White Mountains by John Christopher
Little Brother by Cory Doctorow
City of Ember by Jeanne DuPrau
Tomorrow Code by Brian Falkner
The Other Side of the Island by Allegra Goodman
Gone by Michael Grant
Among the Hidden by Margaret Peterson Haddix
Enemy by Charlie Higson
Tomorrow, When the War Began by John Marsden
Declaration by Gemma Malley
A Small Free Kiss in the Dark by Glenda Millard
The Knife of Never Letting Go by Patrick Ness
Birthmarked by Caragh M. O'Brien
Airborn by Kenneth Oppel
Epitaph Road by David Patneaude
Fever Crumb by Philip Reeves
Uglies by Scott Westerfeld
Bar Code Rebellion by Suzanne Weyn

Suggestions?  Omissions? Other recommendatons?  What do you think?  This might become my own version of a "Tuesday Top 10," though clearly I couldn't stop at just 10!

Review: Ship Breaker (Bacigalupi)

Title: Ship Breaker
Author: Bacigalupi
Genre: Fiction, Dystopian, Survival, Adventure, Science Fiction
Pages: 323
Rating: 4 1/2 out of 5

In a not-so-distant future America, grounded oil tankers are broken down for parts in the Gulf Coast region.  Nailer, a teenage boy who works for a crew that scavenges for copper wiring, hopes to make his quota and live to see another day.  One day, he discovers a clipper ship that wrecked during a hurricane, and its lone survivor--a beautiful girl (Nita) from a powerful family.  Nailer must make an important decision: strip the ship and kill the girl for "parts" or rescue her and hope she can lead him to a better life. 

Most of you know that I am a fan of dystopian or alternate future books.  Honestly, though, this book originally got lost in my pile of Best Fiction (BFYA) nominees and I did not read it in time to put on my summer reading suggestions.  Let's just say, now I wish I had!  This is a book NOT to be missed.  The world building (setting) immediately pulls you in.  I can close my eyes and picture exactly what Nailer sees when he is climbing through grounded oil tankers looking for copper wire.  It is a bleak existance that he lives, trying to survive with a harsh boss and a drug-addicted, abusive father.

It is not hard to imagine this future America considering all that is going on right now in the Gulf with the BP oil spill.  Perhaps this believability is what draws you into this novel.  More likely, it is the AMAZING writing.  The characters are well-drawn, even the villains.  I feel like I know Nailer and Nita, that I have become part of their world and their lives.  There is so much to think about in this futuristic book, and much for discussion.  The fast-paced action and remarkable characters will keep you turning the pages of this darkly compelling book...that will stay with you long after you read it.

On a side note, this is one of the books that I loaned to the neighbor kids this week for their boating vacation.  I am eagerly awaiting their review...even their mom wanted to read it based on the book summary!  If you would like to be next in line to read it, comment here and I will send it to you when they return it.  

Review: The Gardener (Bodeen)

Title: The Gardener
Author: Bodeen
Genre: Science Fiction, Experiments, Adventure
Pages: 240
Rating: 3 out of 5 stars

The only thing that Mason knows about his father is the DVD he has of a man reading a children's book, but the man's face is never shown.  One day Mason decides to play this DVD to a group of comatose teens at the nursing home where his mom works...miraculously, one of the teens responds.  A beautiful girl with a mysterious past.  Before he knows it, he has helped the girl escape the nursing home, and they are on the run.

Through the course of their escape/adventure, Mason learns that the girl is part of some crazy genetic science experiment to turn teenagers into autotrophs--organisms that do not need food or water to survive, but can make their own nutrients from the sun.  Will Mason be able to save the girl from "The Gardener"?

This is the newest book from the author of "The Compound," which is an Evergreen Award Nominee book for 2011.  Mason is not your typical teen; he is quiet and shy, but also wants to save people.  And "the girl," as we know her for most of the story, is so mysterious that you want to learn all about her. There is plenty of action and creepiness to keep you turning the page!