The Lost Hero, by Rick Riordan

Rick Riordan’s The Lost Hero is a fantastic book that fans of the Percy Jackson series will absolutely love!  This is the first book of the Heroes of Olympus series, and many characters and themes pick up where the last series left off.  New demi-gods are introduced, Percy has gone missing from Camp Half-Blood, and once again a great prophecy will lead new heroes being saviors of mankind or the world will end as we know it. 

If you enjoyed the Percy Jackson and the Olympians series, you’ll love this book.  You may also enjoy the Kane Chronicles, which is another popular series from this author.  To learn more about this or other of Rick Riordan’s books, check out his web site loaded with information at http://www.rickriordan.com/home.aspx.

 

Out of My Mind, by Sharon Draper

Out of My Mind, by Sharon Draper, was an insightful and heartwarming story, for the most part.  First of all, I really enjoy this writer's style - tons of cleaver descriptions, crafty details, great word choice and phrasing.  I could visualize perfectly what the main character was seeing, feeling, and wanted to express - this was super appropriate in displaying the intelligence of the character, as Melody is in a wheelchair with cerebral palsy and an inability to speak her thoughts, yet she has a photographic memory and is waaaaaaay smarter than most everyone around her.

Generally, kids might not be interested in reading a book like this because the main character is a girl in a wheelchair that has a serious disability. Melody can't speak clearly, she needs assistance living (eating, going to the bathroom, changing clothes, etc.), and she doesn't seem to fit in their world.  The thing is, though, is that there are definitely people out there disabled just like Melody. Reading Out of My Mind made me feel more empathetic and caring for people with disabilities.

All in all, I really enjoyed this book.  I'm not sure that I loved all of the events and how the storyline unraveled; parts seemed far-fetched and I disliked how Melody was often treated, but that's life!  Not everything goes the way you want it to go, even in fiction. 

If you were at all interested in Wonder, then this book is one you should definitely consider reading.  You might also enjoy reading Rules or Freak the Mighty.  If you find yourself looking for a new book, consider Out of My Mind and enjoy!

Empty, by Suzanne Weyn

Eventually the world will run out of oil, right?  What happens when it does?  Empty is a story that takes place in the not-so-distant future at a time when oil supplies around the world are starting to dwindle.  Gas prices soar until the supply eventually dries up.  With no gas, food can't be trucked into town.  Society itself starts to crumble.  People break out in violence as the world they once knew completely changes.  Life gets pretty crazy, and it's understandable.

I enjoyed this book, for the most part.  The chapters move fairly quick, and each chapter takes on a different character's perspective - which I do usually like.  The "end of the world, but not really" theme is one that I also like reading often, where I am left really rooting for the characters and humankind to fight and survive - there's enough of that in this book which kept me entertained and wanting to see what happened next.

Overall, there is a lot to like about this story.  The small town setting and the futuristic timing works.  Characters are "okay," but not overly strong.  In rooting for humankind, though, the characters themselves aren't as important to the story.  What drives this story is the plot, and it's totally plausible. 

Oil is a non-renewable source of energy.  It's bound to run out sooner or later.  What happenes when it does?  Will we be prepared, or not?  Gas, food, electricity, transportation, plastic, products...oil.  To get an idea of how the world might react to life without oil, read and enjoy Empty.

Wonder, by R.J. Palacio

Wonder, by R.J. Palacio, was a great story.  Kids love the book.  It sends a positive message and opens a lot of eyes at the same time.  It's a wonder there aren't more books like it. :)

Three Times Lucky, by Sheila Turnage

Three Times Lucky, by Sheila Turnage, was a cute book that students read for literature circles.  The story is a mystery that takes place in a small hick town in North Carolina.  There's a girl who was separated from her mother when she was just a baby, there's a murder in the town where everyone is a suspect, and an unsolved bank robbery that happened a few years back.  More appropriately, this book should be named "Three Times UNlucky," but the book was very enjoyable and I'm lucky to have read it!

Rules, by Cynthia Lord

Rules, by Cynthia Lord, was a real eye-opening and heart-warming book.  I loved it.  If you liked Wonder, then for sure you'll like this one too.

Notes from the Midnight Driver, by Jordan Sonnenblick

Notes from the Midnight Driver, by Jordan Sonnenblick, was an awesome book that my students read for literature circles.  I read this book a few years back, but it was great reliving the story with new readers once again.  With Jordan Sonnenblick coming to our school next year, this is definitely one to consider reading beforehand.