March Books
Incredible Journey by Sheila Burnford
New York : Bantam Books, 1962.
Listened the audio book read by Megan Follows (Anne of Green Gables). The Incredible Journey is the story of three friends, two dogs and a siamese cat, who travel across the Canadian wilderness together. They overcome several perilous obstacles to arrive home. Suspenseful and at times heartbreaking, this a great story for animal lovers.
Freaks: Alive on the Inside by Annette Curtis Klause
New York : Margaret K. McElderry Books, 2006.
Abel is the only normal person at Faeryland, a freak show in Maryland at the end of the 19th century. He ventures off to find his fortune and romance but instead finds himself to be the only ally to a group of young freaks. Abel must find the strength in himself to help those in need and the courage to love a mysterious lady.
Gregor the Overlander by Suzanne Collins
New York, N.Y. : Scholastic Press, c2003.
Gregor follows his small sister, Boots, down a portal to the Underland. The Underlanders tell him he is the Warrior of an old prophecy and he must save the Underland and his father. I wonderful adventure.
The Hook-Up Artist by Tucker Shaw
New York : HarperCollins, [2006].
A love triangle, Selena, and the Hottest Guy Ever all make this a fun but interesting read.
Small Steps by Louis Sachar
New York : Delacorte Press, 2006.
A sequel to Holes but not nearly as good. Armpit, a minor character in Holes, is trying to make his life over after Camp Green Lake but his old friend X-Ray is making that a challenge. Armpit finds insight through a neigbor who brightens his life and a friend in a pop star.
The Day of Tears by Julius Lester
New York : Jump at the Sun/Hyperion Books for Children, c2005.
The Day of Tears is when the most slaves where ever sold in a single day. Through the characters we see the pain of being stripped from your family and those you love without being able to say goodbye. Through the characters, which are researched by Lester and written with seering accuracy, we learn about this horrible day which changed the lives of so many.
Looking for Alaska by John Green
New York : Dutton Books, c2005.
This year's Printz Award winner. Written with poise and beauty, it tells of Miles' first year at Culver Creek Prep School. Miles knows a lot of last words and struggles to find meaning in many of them and is caught up in a life of a dangerous and impulsive young girl, named Alaska. A great book that doesn't leave you when you put it down.
Avalon High by Meg Cabot
New York : HarperCollinsPublishers, c2006.
Camelot meets Saved by the Bell. Ellie moves with her parents to Annapolis and begins her Junior year at Avalon High. She is quickly intrigued by Will and is swept away in a whirlwind of events equal to the adventures of King Arthur and Sir Lancelot. The beautiful poem "The Lady of Shallot" is the cornerstone of this fascinating novel.
Permanent Rose by Hilary McKay
New York : Margaret K. McElderry Books, c2005.
The third installment in McKay's wonderful series of books about the Casson Family. The incomparable Rose takes center stage in this one. Rose's good friend Tom has gone back to America and, missing him terribly, she takes drastic measures to see him again. Saffron is looking for her real father while Cadmium begins to doubts her engagement to Michael. Simply wonderful, fun and entertaining books. Caddy ever After comes out in June 2006.