Moon Over Manifest by Clare Vanderpool

Twelve-year-old Abilene Tucker has been left by her father in Manifest, Kansas under the care of an old friend named Shady, as he works on the railroads in 1936. Abilene finds the town curious, but boring...until she finds a cigar box, filled with mementos and letters. Who is this spy called Rattler? Who are the letters from? What is the significance of these objects? And, why did her father leave her here and what is his relationship with these people? The mystery is what drives this story that is told in two time periods, Abilene's present, and the period of the mystery person's box, World War I.

Honestly, I didn't enjoy the book's start. It was a too sweet, rural America, historical fiction. Then the story grew on me and I realized the simple apple pie I was reading was far more complex than it first appeared. This is a story that you savor slowly; one that gets more interesting as it develops, and brings a huge reward at the end.
Reed Reads Score: 4

I Am Number Four by Pittacus Lore

The peaceful planet Lorien is attacked by vicious Mogadorians. The planet will soon be destroyed, but before total annihilation, nine young Gardes, each accompanied by a guardian adult, their Cepan, are blasted into space. The Gardes will travel light-years to a planet called Earth, where they will disperse, and, with their Cepan, will develop their powers so they can defeat the Mogadorians and return to their home planet. A special protection is placed upon the nine Gardes. Each are numbered, and can only be destroyed, if killed in numerical order. The Mogadorians have followed them to Earth with the intention to kill the Loriens and then complete their mission by destroying Earth. One, two, and three have been killed. Now it is number four's turn. Number four, John, with his Cepan, Henri, have currently settled in a rural Ohio town, where he will meet his first love, Sarah, an arch-enemy, Mark, and a nerdy friend, Sam. Little do they understand, and little do they know...they are about to fight the battle for their lives.
Strong plot moves this story forward in this thrilling science-fiction. I am looking forward to reading the soon to be released sequel,  I Am Six.
Reed Reads Score: 3.5

Wildwood Dancing by Juliet Mariller

Have you ever heard of the twelve dancing princesses? Once upon a time, there were twelve princesses, regular ordinary princesses. The only thing weird about all of them was that every morning, their father would find broken shoes. Yet, they hadn't made any noise in the night or left their bedrooms. What was happening? 
The princesses were going to a different world, a world where they danced every night. Wildwood Dancing is somewhat like that. Every full moon, Jena and her three sisters cross into a fairy world, existing parallel to their own. These little crossovers go on through out Jena's childhood. Suddenly, when she turns 17, her world is turned upside down. Her father far away on business, becomes fatally ill. Her nosy cousin is trying to kill everything magical, as well as woo her, and take over her life. Her older sister, Tatianna, has fallen in love with a sort- of soul-less human. A vampire is trying to make her his victim. And, there is much more. To set everything right, Jena and her frog Gogu must journey farther then they ever have into the magical world and into their own past. I really enjoyed this book and have read it over and over again. There's much detail and it is enchanting. It's not your average fairy tale book. It takes place in Transylvannia and is very cultural. It's not stereotypical at. Unlike most books with fairies, they don't make them out to be perfect. Also, the villain is not who you think it is. Altogether, this book is wonderful. And for those who were wondering, there is a sequel with Jena's sister, Cybele's Secret. 
Reed Reads Score: 4.5

I Am The Messenger by Markus Zusak

First it was The Book Thief, and now I am the Messinger. Markus Zusak has quickly become my favorite author. I had a very deep, personal connection to Messenger. The writing is extraordinary, but more than that, its message is one that will make you look deep into yourself. "...sometimes people are beautiful. Not in looks. Not in what they say. Just in what they are." It is a message that simply says you can be more, you can make a difference; it doesn't take much, the little things count.
The story centers around 19 year-old Ed Kennedy. A slacker whose life centers around driving a cab, playing cards with his three friends Ritchie, Marv, the love of his life, Audrey, and living with his smelly companion, his dog Doorman. Ed's life takes a turn when he and Marv are caught in a bank robbery, and Ed by happenstance becomes a hero by catching the robber. A few days later, a playing card, the ace of diamonds, appears in his mailbox with three addresses written on it. What is he to do? Who is behind this? Why Ed? Each story, the colorful cast of characters, and your connection to Ed will mesmerize, surprise, humor, and touch you in ways you will not expect. Mature content, violence, and language make this (sadly) a read for mature readers.
Reed Reads Score: 5

Shooting Kabul by N.H. Senzai

Eleven year old Fadi's family is escaping the turmoil of the Taliban in Afghanistan. In the chaos of their escape, Fadi's younger sister, Miriam, is left behind. This nightmare torments each member of the family, as each blames themselves for the loss of Miriam. Emigrating to San Francisco, Fadi's family tries to adjust to life in America, while continuing their search for Miriam. Fadi sees an opportunity, when the grand prize to a photography contest is a trip to India. He will join the photo club at school, win the prize, and find his sister. All does not go smoothly, when the attack on the World Trade Center, creates tension and bullies take revenge on Fadi.
      The story is simply told, providing background information needed to understand the situation. I would have enjoyed more depth to the story, perhaps including Miriam's experience to parallel Fadi's.  It is still a decent read, and I enjoyed the warmth and affection between Fadi, his parents, older sister, and extended family... a testament to the strength of family.

Read Reads Score: 3.5

Morpheus Road: The Light by D.J. MacHale

Marshall Seaver is a 16 year old geek who's summer plans with his best friend Coop are destroyed when Coop gets in trouble and is sent away for the summer. Marshall's mom was recently killed in an earthquake while doing a photo shoot in eastern Europe. Traveling the world, she often sent Marshall "stuff" from her travels. One was a mysterious glass ball, for which Marshall was clueless as to its purpose. One evening, after a heated argument with his father, Marshall throws the ball against his bedroom wall. It bursts into pieces, sending a blood like liquid all over. Moments later the liquid disappears, and strange things start happening. His friend Coop mysteriously disappears, strange patterns appear out of nowhere, and he gets a horrifying visit from a character that Marshall created in his art class named Gravedigger. This is the beginning of Marshall Seaver's nightmare, one in which he tries to find his friend Coop, while being hunted by forces with powers beyond his imagination.
          I'm not a fan of horror, nor does anything I read really scare me, BUT The Light, first in the Morpheus Road series is really creepy, and will send a chill to those that scare easily. It is a wild roller coaster ride of continuous mysterious events that will leave you exhausted.

Reed Read's Score: 4 

Wonderland by Tommy Kovac, Illustrated by Sonny Liew

Wonderland is a graphic novel that spins the original story off from a minor character named Mary Ann. Mary Ann is the white rabbit's house maid who is at first confused for Alice. In this telling, she is off to work, but late so she attempts a short-cut, landing her in the court of the Queen of Hearts. From here chaos ensues, leading Mary Ann to many of the familiar Wonderland characters; Cheshire Cat, Mad Hatter, and even a reciting of Jabberwocky. I have never read the original, and it was obvious to me that much of the humor is lost as a result. I think readers and fans of Lewis Carroll's original will enjoy it, but others may find it confusing. It is rare that I read a graphic novel (the other being Amulet), so it was difficult for me to adjust to the format, so I can lose myself in the story. The illustrations are highly stylized and add depth to the story.
Reed Reads Score: 3

The Book Thief by Markus Zusak

It took me three years to read this book. It called to me, but it was too long. Didn't have the time. A month ago my daughter read it. She told me a bit about it, said it was a bit unusual and disconcerting for her. I finished my last book, had nothing around to read, so I picked it up. I've just finished it and write this with tears. This is one of the most brilliantly written books I have ever read. Period. It is a story, narrated by Death, of a little German girl, growing up in Nazi Germany. She finds life in words, and in the people around her who are both heroic and demonic. Not really a holocaust story. Not really a WWII story. This is a human story told from the German side, one we rarely read. Not all students will be ready for this book in middle school, but it is one that all of you should eventually read.
Reed Reads Score: 5

Deadline by Chris Crutcher

Eighteen-year-old Ben Wolfe is entering his senior year in high school. At his annual physical, it is discovered that he has an aggressive blood disease and has less than a year to live. He declines treatment, choosing to live as "normal" a last year as he can. Ben decides that he will keep his condition a secret and orders the doctor not to tell anyone. He determines that he will live his senior year fully by going out for football, dating one of the most attractive girls, challenging his teachers, and befriending the town drunk. He is close to his brother, has a loving father, a coach that is supportive, but his mom is manic/depressive and often isolated. In his dreams he talks to Hey-Soos for support and clarity. Things go extremely well for Ben, but he is constantly questioning his decision to keep his condition from those he loves the most. If you have read Crutcher before, you will be familiar with the sports/family/relationship theme, and of course, there is a therapist to help Ben sort things out. An interesting read, but not as good as Whale Talk or Staying Fat for Sarah Burns. Crutcher doesn't sugar coat the situation. For mature readers because of content and language.
Reed Reads Score: 4

I,Q: Independence Hall by Roland Smith

Spies, intrigue, false identities and unexpected twists & turns...this is a fun spy/mystery novel. It has all the elements of a Mission Impossible, spy vs. spy thriller, with techno-gadgets, disguises, car chases, and double agents. The story centers around Q (Quest) and his step-sister Angela, as they become entangled in a search by competing spy agencies for Malak, Angela's thought to be dead mother, who is now believed to be part of a terrorist cell. Clues unfold slowly at first, but the pace quickens as the story moves forward. The ending is satisfying, but leaves you wanting more as it leads you into the next novel in the series; I, Q: The White House.
Reed Reads Score: 4

Bruiser by Neal Shusterman

Tennyson hates, Brewster,  the boy his twin sister, Bronte, is interested in. Tennyson tries to break them up by intervening on a date, infuriating his sister. Tennyson follows Bruiser home, and sees Bruiser's younger brother about to be beaten by their cruel uncle. Seeing that Bruiser is not doing anything to stop him, Tennyson steps in. Little does Tennyson know that this noble act will create a strong and unusual friendship. A friendship that will change his and his family's life, as Bruiser is no ordinary teenager. The book will bring tears and joy, anger and warmth. The story begs the question...If someone could take all your pain, would you let them? A must read.
Read Reads Score: 5

Last Summer of the Death Warriors by Francisco X. Stork

Revenge can consume every aspect of one's life. Pancho wants revenge for his sister's murder, DQ wants revenge for his abandonment, but together they find redemption. Pancho is surrounded by death; that  of his mother, father, and now sister. He is placed in an orphanage where DQ, a wheelchair bound, terminal cancer patient, has "selected" Pancho to be his caretaker. At first motivated by payment for his troubles, a friendship soon binds the two. Pancho is determined to avenge the death of his sister, whom he believes was murdered. DQ is coming to terms with his illness, preparing for his death, and dealing with a mother, who long ago abandoned him, and has now come back into his life to help save his life. The effect of their relationship upon each other is what makes the story rich, moving, and real. Probably best for mature readers because of the subject matter and some language.
Reed Reads Score: 5

King of the Screwups by K.L. Going

Liam Geller has screwed up for the last time. A popular, fantastic looking, athletic, perfectly dressed guy, Liam is kicked out of his house by his successful CEO father to live with his grandparents. Knowing his grandparents will be no different than his father, Liam has his supermodel mother arrange for him to live with his father's brother Pete. Pete and his father haven't spoken in years because Aunt Pete (what Liam calls him) is a gay, cross-dressing Glam rocker, living in a trailer in small town Pineville. Liam decides that to make his father proud, he is going to use this opportunity in a new school to reinvent himself as a nerdy, academic, unpopular guy. Everything he does backfires and no matter what he tries to do to be unpopular, it makes him more so. Aunt Pete's band members and best friends become important to Liam; Orlando, Liam's English teacher, Dino, the cop, and Eddie, the owner of a clothing store. Liam is a screwup. And you will love him. You will love him because you understand his potential, and that the pain inflicted by his father is controlling his life. Aunt Pete becomes the central figure he needs in his life. While the root of this story is not light, Going does a fantastic job of keeping the humor in between tense, heart wrenching  and tender moments. For mature readers (eighth  grade) based on content.
Reed Reads Score: 4.5

Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins

The third and final installment to the Hunger Games trilogy does not disappoint. Katniss is now holed up in District 13's underground community. Gale, Katniss' mother, and sister Primm have made it to District 13 as well, but Peeta is a captive of the Capitol. The remainder of District 12 has been firebombed and destroyed. Katniss must fulfill her revenge upon the Capitol, and kill President Snow. She enters into a deal with Coin, the leader of District 13, to provide immunity to all Hunger Game victors, as well as the privilege to kill Snow in exchange for becoming the Mockingjay - the symbol and motivation of the rebellion. What ensues is a roller coaster of a story that is totally unpredictable and will leave you breathless. Many will ask "...is it Peeta, Gale or neither?"
Reed Reads Score: 5

Fever Crumb by Philip Reeve

Here is an apocalyptic world where society is in a dark age. Technology, both the knowledge and use of it have regressed. We are in London, no longer a thriving metropolis, but in ruins created by riots and a lack of government. We meet Fever, a fourteen year old girl, the daughter of Dr. Crumb, and the only female admitted to the Order, a society of engineers. Their world is closed from the outside, and ruled by what is logic and reason. Fever has been called to assist an archeologist in the outer world, as he tries to uncover some of the mysteries of an earlier world and the technology that existed then. As she leaves the protection of the Order, she discovers a world that she finds difficult to understand. While she tries to make sense of this world, she starts recalling memories that can't possibly belong to her. To whom do these memories belong? She is pursued, but why? What is it about her past that haunts her? This is science fiction at its best, and now occupies the top of my list with Ender's Game.
Reed Reads Score: 5

Green Witch by Alice Hoffman

An apocalypse beyond imagination...the loss of her family, the destruction of society, and the absence of everything she knew and loved hurled Green into a dark depression. Now, in this long awaited sequel to Green Angel, a year has passed since the disaster that destroyed Green's world. Her garden magically grows, and she becomes somewhat of a guiding force for the small village that remains. Yet her memories, and the loss of true love still haunt her. She ventures away from home to collect the stories of the women that have been branded as witches, and along the way she learns the truth, and discovers what really happened to her one true love. This is a quick, enjoyable read, and an absolute must for the readers of Green Angel.
Reed Reads Score: 4

Shakespeare Makes the Playoffs by Ron Koertge

Baseball is central to Kevin, a first baseman, who plays the game hard and is helping to bring his team to the playoffs. He has to balance this with his disinterested girlfriend Mira, his newest "friend" Amy, and his father, who is just starting a relationship after his wife passed away. In the end, it comes down to a tied game, the last inning, the final out...
An easy read, all told in 170 pages, perfect for the reluctant reader, and a great way to teach poetry. POETRY???
Pantoums, tankas, sestinas, couplets, blank verse...forms of poetry that sound foreign are what make up this novel in verse. Kevin's nickname is Shakespeare, given for his writing skills that were introduced in Shakespeare Bats Cleanup, to which this novel is a sequel. Kevin picks up his writing again, only this time he writes with Amy, a girl he meets at a poetry reading. Sending emails back and forth, experimenting with different writing forms, and sharing their teen angst make up much of the novel. A fun read, and a great way to hook an unsuspecting reader into poetry and the forms it takes.
Read Reads Score: 3.5

Countdown by Deborah Wiles

Life in the sixties was wild and scary. Everyone lived in fear of communists and atomic bombs. But more than a period of fear, this was a time where our way of life was changing. This is a novel about 11-year-old Franny Chapman. She feels invisible to her family, friends and teachers. She lives in constant fear of never seeing tomorrow from a nuclear attack. She fights with her best friend. She has a crush on the boy down the street. Big sister Jo Ellen is mysteriously gone, and little brother Drew is Mr. Perfect. The Cuban Missile Crisis has created near panic in everyone. How will Franny's world come together? How will she survive? While the story is beautifully written, the story is enriched by pictures, music lyrics, speeches, advertising, maps, and short biographies that bring the period to life. This is especially important to young readers, not familiar with the period. The book is unique in its format, approach and design, but the novel is just good ol' fashioned story telling. Yes, I loved this book.
Reed Reads Score: 5

Griff Carver, Hallway Patrol by Jim Krieg

Joe Friday? Columbo? Monk? These detectives have met their match! Meet seventh grader, Griff Carver, a super-sleuth that has taken the responsibility of hallway patrol at his new school; Rampart Middle School. Griff makes new friends and enemies as he patrols the hallways and keeping his eyes and ears open, discovers a hall pass counterfeit ring that supports one nasty, politically powerful ring leader. With support of Tommy Rodriguez, and reporter Verity King (does he get the girl?), Griff takes on the investigation of his career. This is a funny parody of classic detective heroes. As I was reading it, I felt like I was hearing Joe Friday in Dragnet (sorry kids, you'll have to search that one on the Internet, or catch an episode on some classic TV station). Some references may be beyond most middle school student's realm of reference, but it will be just as fun.
Read Reads Score: 3.5

She's So Dead to Us by Kieran Scott

Ally Ryan, an athletically gifted 15 year old, has moved back to her hometown after a year's absence. Originally part of the rich elite, called the "Cresties", she is now a "Norm" and hated by her former friends. Her father, an investment banker, who lost his own as well as the fortunes of Ally's friends, moved Ally and her mother out of their mansion and then abandon them. Ally and her mom move back, now living in a condo. Allie visits her old house where she discovers a gorgeous jock, Jake, living in her old room. The chemistry between them is immediate, but strained, because his group of friends are those that hate Ally. Told in alternating voices between Ally and Jake, the story and romance between them is one of the difficulties of being a teen and standing up to or succumbing to peer pressure. While not my favorite genre, the book is readable, and some of the pranks Ally's friends pull are downright cruel. The ending is a cliffhanger, ensuring a sequel. For mature readers because of strong language that is part of typical teen dialogue.
Reed Reads Score: 3.5