Dragon Rider

Dragon Rider by, Cornelia Funke. ISBN-13: 978-0439456951

The dragons can sense the arrival of humans into their fair valley, but only Firedrake is brave and strong enough to make the journey to search for a new resting place... a place known only in legends as the Rim of Heaven. Firedrake is accompanied by a hungry brownie named Sorrel, a boy named Ben who he meets along the way, and a homunculus named Twigleg with a dark secret. Together they must strive to find the hidden liar of the dragons, nestled in the Rim of Heaven, before they are discovered by the evil Nettlebrand-- an enormous gold dragon-eating dragon-like creature who rules the water. Our heroes are facing great obstacles, but along the way they will discover their place in the world.

This delightful story is a joy to read. It is exciting and full of adventure, but it also contains rich characters that are fun to follow. Mystical creatures and humans work together and create strong bonds between them. The characters are honest and trustworthy heroes that live according to their strong consciences. Of all of the multitude of dragon books available right now, this is one of best. Readers who enjoy Dragon Slippers will appreciate this wonderful story. Cornelia Funke is a gifted and talented writer and all of her books are worth a good read!

Zoobreak

Zoobreak by, Gordon Kormon. ISBN-13: 978-0545124997

The man with the plan, Griffin Bing, teams up with his friends for another exciting adventure in this humorous sequel to Swindle. This time, the kids set out to rescue Savannah's pet monkey from a grimy, floating zoo. The kids tackle one problem after another in their heroic attempt to save the monkey. As expected, they end up way over their heads in a messy situation that even Griffin Bing will have a hard time fixing.

The Death Collector

The Death Collector by, Justin Richards. ISBN-13:978-0-439-02278-1

This riveting story begins with Albert Wilkes returning to his home four days after his own funeral. From the first sentence to the last, readers will be engrossed with this story--part horror, part mystery and completely entertaining. The three heroes, George, Liz, and Eddie are drawn into an exciting adventure, full of action and plot twists, that leads to their battling an evil villain and a dinosaur-like creature who has been roaming the streets of London.

Sent

Sent by, Margaret Peterson Haddix. ISBN-13: 978-1-4424-0767-1

Continuing where she left off in book one of the Missing Series, Found, four children, Katherine, her adopted brother Jonah, their neighbor, Chip, and their new friend, Alexander have been sent back in time to fix history and make it right again. The boys had recently learned they were each famous people from history who had been stolen out of their own time, causing dire consequences for future generations. The children, who land in fifteenth century England, are told that Chip is actually Edward V and that Alexander is his brother, Richard. Their mission is vague and their futuristic guide, JB, is far less helpful than the children hope. Haddix uses this story to examine the unsolved history of what might have happened to prevent Edward V from making it to his coronation. There are castles, armor, and war, as well as an intriguing glance into a place in history, which most are unfamiliar with--including our heroes. While the first book, Found, was mysterious and easy for kids to relate to, the sequel feels like it was written more to tell the story of Edward V and Richard. Haddix had created likable characters that allowed kids to read autobiographically, but by transporting them to fifteenth century England, she has switched genres completely--from a sci-fi story set in the modern era to historical fiction with a couple of futuristic gadgets. There is an interesting discussion regarding science and religion, but many readers will gloss over that. The story moves slowly and the action doesn't really heat up until the end. Although by that point, it is so exciting that readers will be racing for the next book in the Missing series to find out where Katherine and Jonah end up next. Hopefully, before she writes it, Haddix can tap back into the heart of what made Found so appealing.

Chasing Vermeer

Chasing Vermeer by, Blue Balliett. ISBN-13: 978-0439372947

This mystery is enough to keep even the brightest minds puzzling through the gripping story. Neither Calder Pillay nor Petra Andalee really fit in at school. Though they are in the same class, it is not until an incident in a museum closet that the two come together in a powerful friendship that might just be able to out-solve the FBI. Calder and Petra work together to figure out what has happened to a stolen Vermeer painting. The burglar, like Balliett herself, uses the theft to bring the art world into the public eye. Balliett speaks through her thief, who publishes letters in the newspaper, encouraging the mass public to delve into the art world and try their own hands at playing the critic. This book, like From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler, is a marvellous mystery that lures young minds into the world of art. The protagonists are believable and easy to relate to; the other characters are shrouded in just enough mystery to make readers suspicious of them all. Balliett emphasizes a theme of connections--and the fact that a string of coincidences may play a part in unravelling a greater truth. The story, which took her five years to write, is loaded with tidbits that have fascinated the author throughout her life. This, and Balliett's setting the book in her hometown, Hyde Park, Chicago, gives the book a personal feel that helps to draw readers into her world. Balliett has teamed up with Brett Helquist, who has created detailed illustrations complete with their own mystery. Chasing Vermeer, loaded with puzzles, codes, clues, danger and suspense will entertain the mind of the reader long after they have finished the book.

Falling In

Falling In by, Frances O'Roark Dowell ISBN-13: 978-1416950325

Isabelle Bean is an unlikely heroine. Friendless and eccentric, she questions reality in a way that drives everyone around her absolutely crazy. One fateful day, Isabelle, who was distracted by a strange buzzing sound under her school, was sent to the principal's office. There, she falls down a magic hole, which leads Isabelle into a fairy tale world that feels much more like home than the world Isabelle had always known. The children Isabelle meets in this new land are escaping to secret camps in order to hide from the evil Witch of the Woods, but Isabelle finds the idea of witches exciting and desperately wants to meet one. Isabelle befriends a girl named Hen and tricks her into accompanying Isabelle to the witch's house. Isabelle, who has always known how it feels to be different, learns that even wicked witches are not always what they seem. Isabelle may be an outsider in both worlds, but she learns a lot about growing into the kind of person she was always meant to be. This enchanting story offers children a chance for philosophical speculation as Isabelle lures readers into the journey of her own personal growth. She speaks directly to readers, which helps them to relate to Isabelle's evolution from misfit to heroine. Isabelle demonstrates how challenging it is to balance one's sense of creative freedom with the need to be socially accepted. Falling In is a fairy tale about growing up.

The Supernaturalist

The Supernaturalist by, Eoin Colfer ISBN-13: 978-0786851492

Cosmo Hill is determined to stay alive. He knows that staying in the Clarissa Frayne Institute for Parentally Challenged Boys will mean certain death. Thus begins an epic sci-fi adventure set in the future. Eoin Colfer, of Artemis Fowl fame, has written a book that is truly fascinating and unique. Cosmo escapes the orphanage, but nearly dies in the process. As he lay on the roof, a small blue creature with sparks charging down its' veins, clings to Cosmo, pulling energy from his dying body. He is rescued by a team of supernaturalists, whom Cosmo joins up with to save the city from these unusual blue parasites. Cosmo and his friends struggle with their secret mission in a series of well-developed twists and turns, which make it impossible to guess what will happen next. The characters in the story are well-conceived-- each bizarre and unique with their own internal struggles and history. Their action packed adventures are fast-paced and extremely dangerous. With shootings, car races, space travel, and a whole hoard of villains, this book will draw in many reluctant readers. The futuristic setting and its' bizarre technology can get a bit challenging for some readers to comprehend, but sci-fi fans will be hanging on every word. The ending leaves open the possibility for a sequel, but in this six years since The Supernaturalist was written, the sequel has not yet come. Colfer will have to work hard to create a story that is as gripping as the first.