Septimus Heap Series

This is a great series full of magic and fantasy. It's called The Septimus Heap Series by Angie Sage. It's in the form chapters going from different points of view by character. In the first book, we discover Jenna's big secret and we find Septimus who supposedly died as a baby. Is this true or not? Marcia, the extra ordinary wizard, is a highly respected lady who always and I mean always wears purple. Silas Heap the father of all the Heap boys and Jenna dislikes her greatly. One cold night, the night his baby Septimus dies, he finds Jenna, alone in the snow needing a family. Who is this girl? Nevertheless she is only a baby and Silas and Sarah take her in. Ten or eleven years later, Jenna Marcia and some of the the other Heaps embark on a great journey to keep Jenna safe and along the way they find some unexpected surprises, and meet the friendly little creature, Boggart. Once you start reading it you just don't want to stop. Here's the good thing. There are six books in the whole series, so you can just keep on reading. My advice after you've read all of them, either re-read them or read/re-read the Harry Potter Series. :)     

A Look Back In History

I'm sure a lot of you have heard about Nancy Drew, but I think you have all over looked Trixie Belden. Trixie Belden is the better (in my opinion), cooler and older Nancy Drew. The Trixie Belden series is all about mysteries that The Bob Whites Of The Glen (or BWG's for short) solve. Full of exciting chapters. If you ever get the chance to read one, go for it. The first one is The Secret Of Mansion.    

Dead End In Norvelt

This is a great book for ages eight and up. Dead End In Norvelt is about a boy named Jack, who has a bit of a problem. When his father is away on an errand, he decides to go look at his father's military guns, which his father has gone out of his way to tell him not to touch them more than a million times. Well, Jack is just too tempted. Let me tell you what the result is, Jack is grounded for the entire summer, which has just begun. His mother, sorry for him, says one thing... "to get out of this house you could go work for that lady who writes obituaries." If you read it you'll find out how that goes. Did I ever mention that Jack also has other problems. Ever get so excited you feel like you're going to pee your pants? Well, if jack even felt  twinge of excitement, his nose would start bleeding, he wouldn't wet his pants, he'd simply just have a big nose bleed. This is not a good thing while messing around with the gun. Jack, even with all his problems, finds a mystery while helping with the obituaries. THe one big question... Why are all the old people dying all of a sudden... even when some were as healthy as can be. Find out by reading Dead End In Norvelt by Jack Gantos.    

Maine State Book Award Nominees You Should Read

These are some great Maine State Book Award nominees you should read:

Dead End In Norvelt By Jack Gantos 

With A Name Like Love By Tess Hilmo

Small As An Elephant By Jennifer Jacobson

The Aviary By Kathleen O'Dell

The Running Dream By Wedelin Van Draanen 

Charlie Joe Jackson's Guide To NOT Reading By Tom Greenwald

Bluefish By Pat Schmatz

The Great Wall Of Lucy Wu By Wendy Wan Long

For more, go to this link to the Maine State Book Award Site: 

http://msba.umeedu.maine.edu/ 

      

Balloons For Isabel

Balloons For Isabelle is for, well anybody who likes "feel good" stories. It's by Deborah Underwood ans she did a GREAT job with it. It's about a porcupine name Isabel who wants a balloon for graduation, but if you've ever seen a porcupine... well  you wouldn't want to give them a balloon. Isabel must find a way to cover her quills as well as the other porcupines. Will she do it? Read this book to find out!!!  

Bluefish

A bluefish is a fish that is dumb, and Travis believs he is one. Travis has a problem. He can't seem to figure it out though. His dog Rosco has run off, his only friend gone... or did he run off? Travis can't figure it out. His grampa likes to drink and Travis is doing the best to make him stop it, but will he find success? Everything seems to change on the first day of his at his new high school. He meets Mr. McQueen who seems to want an answer so badly he'll fight anyone for it. He finally finds out Travis's secret and so does another girl who is reading The Book Thief. Something is about Travis is changing and you can read to find out. Pat Schmatz did a wonderful job on Bluefish and you should REALLY consider reading it. An age eight or nine and up book.