My name is River

by Wendy Dunham

River Starling is adopted by her grandmother, and goes through a hard time trying to figure out who she is without a real sense of family. She moves from Pennsylvania to Virginia and that's turns out to be a very emotional thing too experience. She does find a real blessing of a best friend in a brave and very smart William Whippoorwill. She learns a lot from him about the beauty of the natural world, especially birds. William’s uncle Jay is very important to the story, his family is put back together because of relationship between River and William. William likes to be called Billy to only so many people. This story of a best friend changing this little girl's life is wonderful and inspiring. How Billy always believes in hope and love even when the bully he faces is very strong. The birding place is what the best friends built for school project and it became so much more than that. It became an inspiration to the community and a safe haven for River knowing that Billy is always watching her back and keeping her out of trouble. Billy’s strength might just keep River going, and his courage too just let the bullies never bother him and just pray for the bullies.

Dana F.

Disgusting Plants

By: Connie Colwell Miller

580 MIL                                                                                                 Genre: Nonfiction

Usually when people think of a plant they think of bright and beautiful flowers that gleam in the sunlight but the sad truth is that plants can be pretty revolting. On a scale of sorta disgusting to really disgusting most of the plants listed in this book would make you think twice about eating or coming close to any type of plant. A poison hemlock is a very beautiful flower and often mistaken for parsley but with one bite of this plant it could potentially paralyze your muscles and even cause death. With real-life photos and facts about these creepy plants you'll be sure to freak out. If you dare to read more about these Disgusting Plants then pick up a copy at your local library.

Miller, Connie Colwell. Disgusting Plants. Mankato, MN: Capstone, 2007. Print.

Keanna M.

Relics of NantharaSecrets Revealed

Nick G. Giannaras

“Time to see what your up to,” Azin said with a mischievous grin. Sneaking up to the corner of the alleyway with his back against the wall, Azin kept his head lowered and turned a casual glance into the shadowed passage where he spied three shadowy figures conversing in the dark. He followed the two men and then a third figure he didn’t recognize.

Courtar is a young and naïve cleric who is a follower of Sovereign, the obvious Lord of the era. He comes across many strangers along the way of his journey. E’Umae a female Abeni mage who was deemed an outcast and banned from her studies at her schola.

What kind of profession does Azin do? How many figures were in the alley? Do you think Azin was spotted? What time of day did the incident occur? What do you think will happen next?

Elisabeth G.

Are you there God, it's me Margaret

by: Judy Blume

In Are you there God, it's me Margaret we get to know Margaret at the time in her life when she is moving from New York to New Jersey. This is also the same time she is ready to start the sixth grade. The story tells about Margaret’s move and adjustment to a new school, new home and meeting new friends. Along with adventures of becoming her own person, and fitting in with other girls in her school. She and her friends are experiencing puberty and they tell each other everything. She has a crush on an older boy, she doesn’t think anyone will understand or that her closest friend will approve of him.

Margaret’s grandparents play a role in how she decides her religion as well. They will not accept any other religion but their own, and Margaret doesn’t let those opinions affect her judgment. She always has a tendency to pray to God on her own where no one can hear her. Friends of hers go to church, but her parents and she never do. Her father was and his family are avidly Jewish, but her mother was and her family are Christian. Her journey into middle school would have been hard enough without having to go through a big life decision, granted she’ll probably change it when she gets older. She does a lot of thinking in the story and comes to the conclusion of her religion. She also takes her sixth grade year to explore her religion and what everything means to her.

Dana F.

City of Bones

by:  Cassandra Clare

F CLA Genre: Horror/Suspense

“ My name is not ‘little girl,’” Clary interrupted. “And I have no idea what you’re talking about.” Don’t you? Said a voice in the back of her head. You saw that boy vanish into thin air. Jace isn’t crazy--- you just wish he was. “I don’t believe in--- in demons, or whatever you--”

Clary Fray is a fifteen year old girl, she has redish- brown hair and light brown eyes. She is very talented in art, but she is about to find out that she is no ordinary fifteen year old. Then there is Jace. He is tall with long blonde hair and bright blue eyes, and is covered in runes.

Will Clary ever find out why she could see the sight she did? Does she find out why she is drawing the same thing over and over? Who does she meet and how do they help her? Will she find the answer she is looking for? What do you think happens next? Does Jace fall for Clary?

Elisabeth G.

Ghosts and Poltergeists

by: David West

G 133.1 WES                                                                            Genre: Graphic Mystery

Since the beginning of time people often question whether or not ghosts are real. In Ghosts and Poltergeists the author tells many detailed stories including real life photos that will leave the reader asking themselves, “Do ghosts really exist?” or  “Is this just my imagination running wild?” Between the graphics and facts provided it is uncertain whether or not this is real. Ghosts and Poltergeists provides the readers with information about falsified ghost stories that took place during the early 1800’s. The author includes three supernatural stories involving poltergeists, haunted houses and ghosts in general that will be sure to leave you frightened and wondering if these stories are true. Along with a glossary to define keywords used in the text there are also additional websites provided in the back that allow readers to research more information on this eerie topic.

Keanna M.

UnEnchanted (An Unfortunate Fairy Tale, Book 1 )

by Chanda Hahn

F Hah                                                                                                                  Genre: Fantasy

If all things could be explained then why is life so hard. For Mina Grimm life is about to get a whole lot harder and a lot more complicated. It all starts when she saved Brody Carmichael’s life; well, after almost killing him that is. Mina has always had streaks of bad luck in her life and her mom doesn't help with it. It almost seems that every time her mom see’s that bad luck has hit, they run for the hills. But Mina is persistent to know why they keep on running and as she confronts her mother. Her mother tells her that they were trying to outrun something and that something was what killed Mina’s father, The Grimm Curse. “It’s ancient, it’s old, and it’s powerful. Some say it’s God, others say it’s fate” (Hahn  54). Will Mina Grimm fight against the curse or will she take it on full heartedly?

Shauncey T.

13 Reasons Why

by Jay Asher

F ASH Genre: Realistic Fiction

“No one knows for certain how much impact they have on the lives of other people. Oftentimes, we have no clue. Yet we push it just the same.”

Nothing seemed to make Clay’s day any better. Especially after he found the box that held his former classmate and crushes suicide “notes” in it. He listens to every tape carefully, trying to make sense of them but will he actually ever understand the 13 reasons why?  

Katrina M.

Red Queen

by Victoria Aveyard                                                                                                                                         

F Ave                                                                                                                         Genre: Fiction

Have you ever wanted to live in a world with gods even angels? Lots of people say yes and lots say they don't even exist or do they? Will you ever know? Do the stars have gods in them or is it just a empty space? You tell me is this just a typical just day or will this be the best day of her life; the day of gods and angels.

Dale C.

UnEnchanted ( An Unfortunate Fairy Tale Book 1 )

By Chanda Hahn

F Hah                                                                                                                  Genre: Fiction

If all things could be explained then why is life so hard. For Mina Grime life is about to get a whole lot harder and a lot more complicated . It all starts when she saved Brody Carmichael’s life well, after almost killing him that is. Mina has always had streaks of bad luck in her life and her mom doesn't help with it. It almost seems that every time her mom see’s that bad luck has hit, they run for the hills. But Mina is persistent to know why they keep on running and as she confronts her mother. Her mother tells her that they were trying to outrun something and that something was what killed Mina’s father, The Grimm Curse. “ It’s ancient, it’s old, and it’s powerful. Some say it’s God, others say it’s fate” ( Hahn  54). Will Mina Grimm fight against the curse or will she take it on full heartedly?

Shauncey T.