Demonglass by Rachel Hawkins

This is a continuation of Hex Hall.  After discovering her powers, and what kind of trouble they can get her in, Sophie decides to go through the Removal.  This will make her normal, and she won't have to worry about using her powers for evil.  Before she goes through the process, her father wishes to talk with her about doing this.  However conversations stop when The Eye begins looking for Sophie in London.

Continue the saga, and (spoiler) it looks like there is another book on the way.  If you haven't read Hex Hall, check out my blog review and my shelfari for information about Rachel Hawkins and her books.

Witch and Wizard by James Patterson and Gabrielle Charbonnet

So whart are some of the worst things about being a witch or wizard?

1.  Not knowing that you are one until you are older.

2.  Not knowing your special powers.

3.  Not being able to use them whenever you want.

4.  Living during the time of the New Order.

These are just a few of the things that happen in this action pack story of Whit and Wisty.  They are abducted from the beds at night and accused of being a witch and wizard.  But are they really.  During the time of the New Order, their world has turned upside down and they need to work together to turn it back. 

To learn more about this and other books by James Patterson, be sire tp check out his site at:

http://www.jamespatterson.com/books_wiz.php

First Lines::

It's overwhelming. A city's worth of angry faces staring at me like I'm a wicked criminal--which, I promise you, I'm not.

Thirteenth Child by Patricia C. Wrede

This is the first book in a trilogy.  Yes that means more are coming.  What lead me to this book, is that I had read Patricia Wrede another series of books called the Enchanted Forest--As I liked to call them the Talking with Dragon books!  (Another must Read--fantasy, princess, dragons, enchanted homes, enchanted forests, and oh! knights in shining armor.  Anyway...

This books not only has a 13th child (who must be unlucky--however, she does change this perception by the end of the book) has a twin that is a seventh son of the seventh son (how lucky can you get!).  They become part of the western expansion movement.  Of all places, this place is quite similar to our own western expansion--with magic.  Can the western frontier really survive without the protective spells of the magicians?  Read this and find out.  Yes, I'll be buying the sequel soon--

If you want to learn more about Patricia C. Wrede and her other books, she has a webpage at:

http://www.pcwrede.com/

Currently sitting on my desk to read--Wich and Wizard and World's End
For a former mystery lover, I would have to say my students have really influenced my reading habits this year.  However, I will be including a variety of other books (even some that are not part of series.)

I Am Number Four by Pittacus Lore

If a movie is based on a book, my friend prefers to read the book first--There is some logic to this--You get the whole story and not just a part.  Unfortunately the movie is never better than the book according to me anyway.  The movie lacks plot, or the character I envisioned is not the same as the movie makers vision, or I think that my imagination is better....whatever the case, I've read the book first. 
I Am Number Four, like all of the others I've read before it....is a heart thumping experience that doesn't end.  Yes folks, here's the spoiler, there will be another book to follow as well as another movie.  I'm not jumping in to see the movie just yet.  I'm kind of cheap, I'll wait for it to show at the dollar show, or come on television or netflix.  I would like to see what the special effect folks do with the powers and the monsters...

By the way the book will be on the shelf soon.

Favorite quote from the book:
From Henri to John Smith
 "It's the last thing to go.  When you have lost hope, you have lost everything.  And when you think all is lost, when all is dire and bleak, there is always hope."

One other quote:  "Those things that are most obvious are the very things that we're most likely to overlook."

So who is Pittacus Lore?????

House of Dark Shadows by Robert Liparulo

House of Dark Shadows

For those of you who like the scary...You have to read this!

For those of you who like adventure... You have to read this!

For those of you who like the unexpected.. You have to read this!

For those of you who like a Murder Myster,

You have to read this!

Recommended to me by another student..I started to read this book, and then I couldn't put it down.  I started talking to characters about not "opening the  door." 

I had my thoughts  about the family moving into such a house.

I believe that the house does have a personality!

So what can I say...good plot, good characters, good setting, it's almost Haloween...

Great Book!
My advice: Becareful when you open the next door!

Who has the next book???

Check out the websitehttp://dreamhousekings.com/



Coming Soon (Sept 24th) to a Screen Near You!

The Guardians of Ga'Hoole

by

Kathryn Lasky

O.k. so I'm a little behind the times.  The series is already up to book number 16, and I just finished #1.  I came across this book when I saw a video game commercial for Wii.  I thought interesting, I'll check out the book.  Then on my desk is an article about it coming to the movies.  Of course, there is a website with pictures, videos, and games to go with the book.  You can also check out the movie trailer if you haven't seen it yet.

http://www.scholastic.com/gahoole/books.htm

Found by Margaret Peterson Haddix

Found

 The Missing:Book 1

by Margaret Peterson Haddix

So what would you do if you found out you were adopted?

What would you do if you received a letter stating that you were one of the missing? (Missing what?)

What would you do if you were trapped in a cave?

This fast paced story will have you reading until the early hours of the morning -- (O.k. I couldn't put the book down!)

For those of you who already enjoy many of the Haddix books, you may want to add this to your list.  It's a mystery, adventure, and even a fantasy, all rolled into one.

To find other books by Margaret Peterson Haddix check out her website:

http://www.haddixbooks.com/home.html

Wolven

by Di Toft

Ever since Twighlight has hit the shelves, vampire books have been the rave for teen readers.  Have we forgotten the werewolf?  Not quite Di Toft has written a story about Nat Carver who has gotten himself a dog.  But is it?  This dog is a shape shifter that belongs to an elite group of wolves that once help to protect the Kings of England.  Read Nat's adventure from dog show to an experimental lab in the depths of the forest.

I give this book a 2 thumbs up!!

Enchanted Glassy by Diana Wynne Jones

Ms. Jones is an author from England.  All of her books are fantasies that deal with magic.  In this story, Professor Andrew Hope has inherited his grandfather home and duties.  When he begins taking over the manor, his grandfather's employees are not sure if this "Man in his own world." will be able to handle the duties that his grandfather has also passed down.  With monster size vegetables, weredogs, and giants, Andrew and his newest responsibility Aiden try to keep the community from being taken over by Mr. O. Brown.

If you like this book, you may want to try the other books by Diana Wynne Jones.  Check her website out:

 http://www.dianawynnejones.com/

Rick Riordan Fans

I've decided to start my summer with an award winning author Ric Riordan.  Have you finished with Percy Jackson and the Greek Gods? I've heard that the movie wasn't very good if you had read the books.  Mr. Riordan has started a new series with his new book the Red Pyramid.  Now we mix the mortal world with the world of pharoes and magicians of Ancient Egypt. The story is told by two narrators, Carter and Sadie who are brother and sister.  The mystery revolves around the death of their parents and the ending of the world as we know it. 

OMG! you've go to see the website--it has a book trailer (like the movie trailers you see in theaters), it has a special game that if you solve it you can mee the author or win a gift package.  It has character cards to help you keep track of the good guys versus the bad...It looks like lots of fun.  Check it out for yourself. 
                                                     http://www.thekanechronicles.com/

Spring Break Reading

What a week. Lots of things going on, however, I did start and finished the book Dormia. Alphonso has in his position a plant-a very special plant. Alphonso has skills, amazing skills only when he is sleeping. Alphonso, using his special skills must get this special plant to the main city of Dormia. If he doesn't he could kill the last remaining citizens of Dormia. But he could also kill himself in the process.

This is a fast-pace, adventurous fantasy that many will enjoy.

I found the website very interesting and helpful, so you may want to refer to it while you are reading the book. There is additional information about the authors as well.

The World of Dormia: www.worldofdormia.com