Publisher: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers
Check Library Catalog Pub Date: 4/22/2008
ISBN: 9781416954170
ISBN-10: 1416954171

This story grabs you from the start, when a brand-new airline gate agent sees an airplane appear out of nowhere at her gate. When she goes onto it to investigate, she finds no pilots, no flight attendants, in fact no adults at all—just a plane full of babies. Thirteen years later, two adopted boys start receiving mysterious notes (“You are one of the missing.” “Beware, they’re coming back to get you!”). A page-turner of an adventure story, the first in a new series called “The Missing.”

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Publisher: Clarion Books
Check Library Catalog Pub Date: 3/18/2008
ISBN: 9780618897438
ISBN-10: 0618897437

A very different kind of adventure story, this one takes place in 1940, in Dover, England. It also begins with a grabber—14-year-old Alec takes a boat out in the channel, against his father’s orders, and his young cousin drowns when a storm suddenly comes up. Despite his guilt, Alec still wants to become a sailor, and he also wants to help the British war effort. History buffs will realize that this will bring him into the action at Dunkirk. Good, solid historical fiction.

First Chapter  

Publisher: Doubleday
Check Library Catalog Pub Date: 10/4/2005
ISBN: 9780385507967
ISBN-10: 0385507968

This is a true adventure tale, about a 1914 expedition in the Amazon jungle. After he lost his bid for a third term as president, Teddy Roosevelt headed off for South America, where he took on the challenge of helping to map an unexplored tributary of the Amazon River. Deadly insects, fish, parasites, and Indians complicated the trip, but somehow Roosevelt managed to write nearly every day, as did other members of the expedition, leaving a fascinating history of an area that is still relatively unexplored today. Another real page-turner.

First Chapter  

Publisher: St. Martin's Press
Check Library Catalog Pub Date: 5/13/2008
ISBN: 9780312372651
ISBN-10: 0312372655

 don’t often read celebrity autobiographies, but I was given this one to review, and I had a great time with it. William Shatner, known as Captain James T. Kirk, Denny Crane from “Boston Legal”, the Priceline spokesman, and many other television roles, takes a self-deprecating look at his long career. Starting with the Montreal Children’s Theatre and the Canadian rep, he has worked constantly for over sixty years, rarely turning down a job offer. Over those years, he clearly learned to laugh at himself, which makes this book an entertaining read, as he talks about hundreds of TV shows and movies from the sublime to the ridiculous, his four wives, his three daughters, his horses, his love of risk-taking, his eternal quest for financial security, and lots of people, famous and otherwise, that he met along the way.

First Chapter  

Publisher: Bantam Books
Check Library Catalog Pub Date: 10/1/2000
ISBN: 9780553580488
ISBN-10: 0553580485

If you’re looking for a quirky take on Christmas this year, try this collection of stories by Hugo and Nebula award-winning science fiction writer Connie Willis. Willis has a deep abiding love for the screwball comedy, which comes out in the title story, about an office romance and a debate about which is the best Christmas movie: “It’s a Wonderful Life” or “Miracle on 34^th Street.” All of the stories have a science fiction and/or fantasy twist to them, but non-SF/F readers will probably enjoy them as well.

First Chapter  

 

Publisher: Harmony Books
Check Library Catalog Pub Date: 9/4/2007
ISBN: 9780307353405
ISBN-10: 0307353400

Released from a German prison in the Channel Islands on the condition he become a spy for the Nazis, Eddie Chapman ends up being one of the most successful double agents of World War II, completely eluding detection by his German handlers. An exciting story of duplicity and intrigue.

First Chapter  Table of Contents  

Publisher: North Point Press
Check Library Catalog Pub Date: 11/13/2007
ISBN: 9780865476905
ISBN-10: 086547690X

In a fascinating look at our attitudes toward cleanliness and bathing over the past 2000 years, the author examines personal hygiene as a social construct that changes with the times, just like our taste in music and art. In the end, she makes the intriguing argument that the coming global environmental crisis—and ensuing water shortages—will necessitate a change in our current obsession with personal cleanliness.

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Publisher: Crown Publishers
Check Library Catalog Pub Date: 6/10/2008
ISBN: 9780307352897
ISBN-10: 0307352897

How would you react in a crisis? Reading this book might give you a better understanding of what your instincts might be in a life or death situation, and whether those instincts will help you or harm you. A gripping book that includes both the psychology of disaster response and survivor accounts of major disasters.

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Publisher: Penguin Group USA
Check Library Catalog Pub Date: 2/26/2008
ISBN: 9780143113256
ISBN-10: 0143113259

Thirteenth century European power politics brought to life in this tale of four sisters who became queens of some of the most powerful states in medieval Europe. Accompanying a husband on crusade, standing by his side during uprisings and revolts, this readable and enjoyable popular history shows the very real power that was possible for strong and wily medieval women.

Publisher: Bfs Entertainment/Multimedia
Check Library Catalog Pub Date: 1/24/2006
UPC: 00066805307430

Nobody does gentle, subtle and profound better than the British and this film is a perfect example. Acting giants Harrison and Hiller are perfectly cast and matched as the “young” lovers trying to recapture their youthful romance—fifty years later

 

Publisher: Annick Press
Check Library Catalog Pub Date: 6/1/1985
ISBN: 9780920303115
ISBN-10: 0920303110

Mortimer does not want to go to sleep.  His singing brings different people to his bedroom to try to get him to fall asleep.  Will the police be able to convince him?

Publisher: Free Press
Check Library Catalog Pub Date: 10/10/2007
ISBN: 9781416550051
ISBN-10: 1416550054

Author Judith Viorst regales us with a new, true Alexander story.  This one takes place after her son is grown and he and his wife and three children stay with her and her husband while their house is remodeled.  Hilarity abounds as Ms. Viorst deals with fears for the survival of her velvet couch and her need for order but as time goes on she finds that she is happy to share her showers, office, bed and jewelry with her granddaughter Olivia and in the end it was a Wonderful, Marvelous, Excellent, Terrific Ninety Days

First Chapter  

Publisher: Greenwillow Books
Check Library Catalog Pub Date: 6/1/2008
ISBN: 9780061477959
ISBN-10: 0061477958

Over-protected Charmain is sent to look after her Great Uncle William’s cottage while the elves cure him of a serious illness.  Charmain looks forward to the time alone to read but events don’t unfold as she expected.  Great Uncle William is a wizard and people are still seeking his help.  A new apprentice has shown up.  The local kobolds are angry, a terrifying lubbock is roaming around and Charmain has just been offered the job of her dreams.  Things could only become more complicated if Wizard Howl showed up.

First Chapter  

Publisher: Dial Books
Check Library Catalog Pub Date: 9/18/2008
ISBN: 9780803730021
ISBN-10: 0803730020

“Are you going to Scarborough Fair?

Parsley, sage, rosemary and thyme

Remember me to one who lives there

She must be a true love of mine”

 

Lucy Scarborough’s normal world is turned upside down when she discovers that the song her homeless and unbalanced mother taught her is actually the retelling of the family curse.   Lucy finds herself pregnant with only a few months to unravel the riddles of the song or she will go mad like her mother.  Unlike all the women before her, Lucy has her foster parents and her longtime friend Zach to support her and help her break the Elfin Knights cruel curse.

Publisher: Aladdin Paperbacks
Check Library Catalog Pub Date: 2/1/1997
ISBN: 9780689812361
ISBN-10: 0689812361

When the children of Jessie’s village sicken with diphtheria, her mother sends her to find Mr. Neeley and medicine.  Life outside of Clifton is even stranger than Jessie could have ever imagined.  It is not just a different city.  Although Jessie believes that it is 1840 outside of Clifton it is 1996.  Can Jessie find her way through this unfamiliar world to save her friends and family?

 

Publisher: Simon Pulse
Check Library Catalog Pub Date: 6/3/2008
ISBN: 9781416958680
ISBN-10: 1416958681

Serena is starting a new school again, and being deaf she never fits in. When the popular girls want to use her lip reading skills as a way to spread gossip, she is torn between wanting to fit in and doing the right thing. Things get even more complicated when Miller, a rebel at her high school, and Serena quickly fall in love. This lighthearted story is a great teen read, encompassing all things teen love, gossip, cliques and boys.

First Chapter  

Publisher: Little, Brown and Co.
Check Library Catalog Pub Date: 8/1/2008
ISBN: 9780316113571
ISBN-10: 0316113573

Charlotte is used to falling behind the shadows, but never being completely invisible. That’s what happens her senior year when she dies after choking on a gummy bear. What she doesn’t expect is that an entire world of ghosts are living at her high school. Charlotte realizes she can even occupy the bodies of her old high school classmates, which she does because she is still in love with her crush. Great book presentation and style really make Ghostgirl stand out.

Publisher: Random House
Check Library Catalog Pub Date: 9/23/2008
ISBN: 9780375845666
ISBN-10: 0375845666

Sixteen-year-old Nick was never the serious relationship type, but when he meets Sasha he can’t help but fall in love. He is heartbroken when he breaks up with her, and even more so when he finds out she is pregnant. This combined with his parents divorce sends him into a tailspin. I Know It’s Over is a great portrayal of how serious teen relationships can be, and I love that it is told from the boys point of view.

First Chapter  

Publisher: Henry Holt
Check Library Catalog Pub Date: 6/24/2008
ISBN: 9780805088335
ISBN-10: 0805088334

Kate has always been an inquisitive girl, which eventually got her in serious trouble. She was obsessed with Green Oaks, the local mall and spent hours people watching and taking notes. She disappeared one night with no clues, and a local man is suspected of being involved. Jump ahead 20 years and Lisa, the suspects sister and Kurt a security guard at Green Oaks notice a girl on the security screen that looks just like Kate. What Was Lost will keep you guessing until the last minute, could Kate still be alive 20 years later?

First Chapter  

Publisher: Viz
Check Library Catalog Pub Date: 9/2/2008
ISBN: 9781421519340
ISBN-10: 1421519348

Just imagine if your true love was captured by pirates right before your eyes! That is what happened to Armeria, and she has vowed to spend her days finding that pirate and hoping her true love is still alive. She gets her wish and finds the pirate, but he may not be the same as she remembers. This one volume manga combines both great storytelling and artwork from the author of the popular Vampire Knight series.

 

Publisher: Villard
Check Library Catalog Pub Date: 4/29/2008
ISBN: 9780345499561
ISBN-10: 0345499565

This book is for high school aged and adult readers. If you have read the first book by Dumas, Funny in Farsi, you will enjoy her sequel.  Dumas once again shares universally hilarious and touching stories of being Iranian American, a mother, and having a husband who does not understand the idiosyncrasies of the parents-in-laws. 

First Chapter  Table of Contents  

Publisher: Da Capo Press
Check Library Catalog Pub Date: 3/24/2008
ISBN: 9780786720910
ISBN-10: 0786720913

This book is for college and adult readers.  Here is another book that shares all the odd experiences one can have while working as librarian.  This is the second book that has come out based on accounts from a Southern California public library.  The author strikes a wry and sarcastic tone at times, but the book will share all the inside stories of everything that goes on at a library.

Publisher: HarperTrophy
Check Library Catalog Pub Date: 3/1/2003
ISBN: 9780064409599
ISBN-10: 0064409597

A boy in an English grammar (elementary) school doesn’t understand why his teacher likes poetry so much and why the students have to write their own poetry.  Little by little, he begins to write his own poetry, drawing from his own experiences, and begins to realize that poetry can express different feelings, and it can be shared with others.  This book tells the story through the boy’s poetry and shares the real poems that inspired him and his teacher.  If you enjoy this book, also read the sequel, Hate that Cat.

Publisher: Puffin Books
Check Library Catalog Pub Date: 9/1/2007
ISBN: 9781435211278
ISBN-10: 1435211278

With the help of her veterinarian grandmother and the other volunteers at the Wild at Heart Animal Clinic, eleven-year-old Maggie rescues sick puppies from an illegal puppy mill.

Publisher: Simon and Schuster Books for Young Readers
Check Library Catalog Pub Date: 4/1/1993
ISBN: 9780671796136
ISBN-10: 0671796135

Sid the cat plays the pet of six different owners on Aristotle Street so that he can get six dinners every night.