Flora and Ulysses by Kate DiCamillo

AR Level 4.2

It begins, as the best superhero stories do, with a tragic accident that has unexpected consequences.

The squirrel never saw the vacuum cleaner coming, but self-described cynic Flora Belle Buckman, who has read every issue of the comic book Terrible Things Can Happen to You!, is the just the right person to step in and save him. What neither can predict is that Ulysses (the squirrel) has been born anew, with powers of strength, flight, and misspelled poetry—and that Flora will be changed too, as she discovers the possibility of hope and the promise of a capacious heart.

From #1 New York Times best-selling author Kate DiCamillo comes a laugh-out-loud story filled with eccentric, endearing characters and featuring an exciting new format—a novel interspersed with comic-style graphic sequences and full-page illustrations, all rendered in black-and-white by artist K. G. 

Campbell.

2014-2015

The Titan's Curse by Rick Riordan

AR Book 4.2

Dark Water Rising by Marian Hale

“As exciting as the best action and disaster

 movies. . . . Exciting, tear jerking, and life

 affirming, this is historical fiction at its

best.”—Kirkus Reviews, Starred Review

Breaking Stalin's Nose by Eugene Velchin

During Stalin's reign, from 1923 to 1953, Joseph Stalin ensured his absolute power by waging war against the Russian people.  Stalin's State Security executed, imprisoned, or exiled over twenty million people.  Not a single person, whether it be a government official, war hero, worker, teacher, or homemaker, could be certain he or she would not be arrested.

Compelling book!  Took me 30 minutes to read.

AR 4.6

Liar and Spy by Rebecca Stead

2014-2015

Book Trailer

AR Level - 3.8

The Battle of the Labyrinth by Rick Riordan

AR -  Book Level 4.1
Beginning fourth grade level

In "The Battle of the Labyrinth", Percy and three friends set off on a quest through the treacherous labyrinth, in search of the inventor Daedalus, hoping that he will help them to defeat the army being assembled by Luke, son of Hermes. The thing is - Luke is just the messenger, and the evil he's about to unleash can bring down Olympus itself.

Although still clueless about girls and relationships, Percy starts developing and unleashing his powers, and surprises even himself when he attempts to repeat Hercules' great stable cleansing project. Other demi-gods also come into their own in book four, and a mortal girl proves to be just the ticket, and in the nick of time too. In a related sub-story, the search for Pan reaches an exhilarating climax.

Packed with monsters of all persuasions, gods and demi-gods, rescues, battles and side trips to Alcatraz and Mount St. Helens, this is by far the most exciting book of the series so far.

Amazingly imaginative, thrilling and funny, this series by Rick Riordan continues to be a front runner in children's fiction, and I recommend it without reservation.