Review: Sequels/Series That you Love

For today's Book A Day, in honor of the 4th I thought I would highlight 4 books!

These are all sequels or next-in-series titles that you will enjoy (but you have to check out the first book if you haven't already)!



Outpost by Aguirre, the sequel to Enclave (book 3 coming this fall). I really like this dark, gritty dystopian series. Terrific for fans of The Hunger Games, and maybe those that aren't squeamish.




Formerly Shark Girl by Bingham, sequel to the VERY popular (at Evergreen) Shark Girl. Find out what happens next for the girl that survives a shark attack.



P.K. Pinkerton and the Petrified Man by Lawrence. Another sequel. This is another good mystery for the 5th-8th grade reader. A great gunslinging, shoot-'em-up, action-packed western.




Perfect Scoundrels by Carter. I LOVE ALLY CARTER AND EVERYTHING SHE WRITES. This is the 3rd book in her Heist Society series. Please, please, someone make these into movies!

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.

Review: Sphinx's Queen (Friesner)

Title: Sphinx's Queen
Author: Friesner
Genre: Fiction, Historical Fiction, Ancient Egypt, Adventure, Runaways
Pages: 368
Rating: 3 1/2 stars out of 5

This book is a sequel and picks up where "Sphinx’s Princess" left off.  Nefertiti is escaping Thebes with her secret love Prince Amenophis and her slave girl Nara.  The three are sailing to Dendera to reunite with Nefertiti’s family, hoping they can save Nefertiti from the charges of treason against her.  The villainous crown-prince Thutmouse, Nefertiti’s betrothed, relentlessly pursues the trio. 

While hiding out along the banks of the Nile, Nefertiti ponders how to prove her innocence and this leads to an eventual showdown with Thutmouse and his evil mother, the queen.  Nefertiti, based on the mysterious Egyptian queen, is still the same strong-willed, independent girl from the first novel. 

Fans of Egyptian mythology, adventure stories, and princesses who determine their own fate will enjoy this.  However, having not read the first book yet, I can tell you that this sequel does not stand alone.  So take my advice, read the first book first.  It will be worth it so that you will completely appreciate the story.  I know, I know...always read the first book first.  I tell my students all the time, but I just didn't follow my own advice this time.  

Review: Lawn Boy Returns (Paulsen)

Title: Lawn Boy Returns
Author: Paulsen
Pages: 112!
Genre: Fiction, Humor
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

This is the sequel to Paulsen's "Lawn Boy" (published in 2007), and it is just as funny as the first. What do you do when your summer lawn-mowing business ends up making you almost half a million dollars? Buy a prize-fighter of course. Fans of Gary Paulsen will not want to miss this QUICK read.