Saturday, October 2, 2010

Cover-Up: Mystery at the Super Bowl
by John Feinstein

Cover-Up: Mystery at the Super Bowl
John Feinstein
YA Fiction
Grades 5 and up

In the third installment of Susan Carole and Stevie’s life as teenage journalists, Cover-Up takes them to report at the Super Bowl. Life has been hectic for the two now fourteen year olds since their last adventure at the US Open. They have been made TV stars as co-hosts of a kids sports show on USTV. Given their background with getting into trouble time will only tell what they will uncover next time.

While the ideal of two kids once again happening upon the biggest scandal is a bit tiresome, this is still a fast paced read. This would be a great read for the reluctant readers including girls with Susan Carole as a strong female role in a normally male driven profession. Unlike the past, the two are not placed in danger as they think ahead to keep themselves out of hot water.

Extras
by Scott Westerfeld

Extras
Scott Westerfeld
Grades 7 and up
YA Fiction

Extras picks up three years after Tally and company ended the “mind rain.” Free to make decisions, it’s easy to see with freedom come consequences and responsibilities for everyone. The cities are rapidly expanding—even scrapping metal from the “Rusties” old civilizations. The city government officials had to figure out a way for the work to still be done around the cities, prompting a merit based system of earning valuables or surgeries. Things are not as “easy” as they used to be or so it seems.

Fame is what is most important in Aya’s world. Everyone has been giving a “feed” and a face rank--the higher the number; the more people are accessing your feed and discussing you.  While going undercover with a group know as the Sly Girls, she is set to blow their cover of their secret group. However, while mag-lev surfing she has stumbled across an even bigger story. With the help of her brother Hiro and friend Ren, she puts together a story that seems to point at one thing—the end of the world. Does she have it correct or are things not what them seem again in their world?

Those familiar with the previous three books would probably agree this is more of a companion novel. Tally, Shay, David and Fautso all make an appearance staring about half way through the novel. After reading it I could see parallels in the current characters relating back to previous characters. I would not hesitate to assume this book was not originally planned but an answer to demand for another book. While it is decent, I would not say it is really up to the caliber as the other three are at in my humble opinion.

The Mysterious Edge of the Heroic World
by E. L. Konigsburg

The Mysterious Edge of the Heroic World
E. L. Konigsburg
Grades 5 and up

The Mysterious Edge starts with introducing the reader to Amadeo Kaplan, a recent transplant to St. Malo, Florida from New York City. Starting sixth grade, Amadeo has a dream—he does not want to be a sports, music or rock star but he wants to discover something, anything, that no on knows has been lost until he uncovers the buried treasure. Shortly after beginning school, Amadeo meets William Wilcox also a sixth grader. William Wilcox is the sort of person everyone knows about but is not the “popular” kid in school but he is not the bully either. Everyone thinks there is a story there, but no one knows what it is. William’s mother has been hired by Amadeo’s neighbor to liquidate her estate so she can move to a retirement community.

A second storyline begins with Peter Vanderwaal. Peter is Amadeo’s godfather and is the art director for Sheboygan Art Center. He is preparing for an important art exhibit about Degenerate Art. Degenerate Art is Hitler’s term for anything he deemed inappropriate during World War II. Mostly modern art, but also works done by Jewish artists, he had them banned, confiscated and displayed for everyone to see why they should not appreciate the art. While preparing for the exhibit, Peter’s father passes away. His mother gives him a metal box belonging to his father. At his mother’s insistence, he reluctantly takes it only to discover it is what he believes to be the beginning pages of his father’s memoir.

Eventually the two storylines come together, leaving the reader in disbelieve, shock and finally satisfied. What the reader might not know at the beginning is the story takes a turn into the hallowing face of World War II and the Holocaust, opening the readers eyes to another aspect of World War II not as well know.

I have been digesting this book for the last couple days trying to put my finger around it. You know the two storylines would eventually come together so I spent the first part trying to figure out how that was going to happen. I also have to admit I had a hard time with Mrs. Zender’s character. I still cannot tell if I liked or hated her. While she leaves a sour taste in my mouth at the end, I could also see the positive if not the good, in her. I liked that this novel approached the World War II and the Holocaust from another side than traditionally told. While we have all undoubtedly read a story surrounding Jewish persecution, this one has some about Jews being persecuted but mainly discusses Homosexuals persecution. It also told the story of Degenerate Art, which I have never read about.

**Possible Red Flags** Homosexuality is mentioned in this book. It is told through the eyes of Peter’s father who at the time, did not even realize his brother was indeed homosexual. It also alludes to Mrs. Wilson being abused by her husband though never directly mentions it so it may pass right over readers heads.

The Secrets of Priest’s Grotto
by Peter Lane Taylor
with Christos Nicola

The Secrets of Priest’s Grotto
Peter Lane Taylor with Christos Nicola
Grades 5 and up

A Holocaust survival story set in Ukraine; The Secret of Priest’s Grotto tells the story of one group prevails against the Nazi regime during World War II. Ester Stremer, the matriarch of the family, decide as a family they need to go into hiding in a local cave. Discovered once, some taken captive with a few escaping back to their group, they make a risky decision to try to go into hiding into an underground labyrinth referred to as Priest’s Grotto.

Blending first hand accounts from survivors of Priest’s Grotto with the expedition team who went to Ukraine to go down into Priest’s Grotto to see how the 38 occupants lived, sleep and ate, the story unfolds so the reader can read first hand accounts of actual survivors and also see pictures of what it truly looks like down in Priest’s Grotto.

Defiance
by Valerie Hobbs

Defiance
Valerie Hobbs
Grades 4 and up

Toby has a secret. A big secret. On summer vacation, Toby and his mother have gone to spend it in a cabin out in the country. Toby's father tries to drive up on the weekends. Toby is supposed to be recovering from cancer and resting up to start sixth grade in the fall. By chance one morning, Toby meets Blossom and feels connected to her instantly despite her being a cow. Intent on telling Blossom’s owner they should be taking better care of her, he meets Pearl—a feisty, independent older woman living by herself in her crumbling home. An unlikely friendship forms between Toby and Pearl. Pearl teaches Toby about poetry and bestows life’s wisdom upon him while he helps her out around the house and barn milking Blossom. Helping to heal each other, the two learn life is not worth giving up on despite whatever is dealt your way.

I was initial unsure about this book as I was anticipating a sad story. To be honest, the cover also is not that appealing to me. This is definitely a case of not to judge the book by its cover (at least for me). It actually turned out to be a good read to me. I felt Toby was on point and believable as an 11-year-old dealing with cancer. I enjoyed the poetry sprinkled throughout. Since it was not what I was initially expecting, I was pleasantly surprised at the end. It was a pretty fast read for me so it might be a good one to refer to those dragging their heels for an assignment. Talking points include the characterization of Toby and Pearl, poetry references and meanings, dealing with a major illness and the impact on Toby as well as his parents.

Regarding the Fountain
by Kate Klise

Regarding the Fountain
Kate Klise
Grades 3-6

Told completely in correspondence, Regarding the Fountain is the tale of how something as simple as a drinking fountain can quickly catapult into something extreme. The principle of Dry Creek Middle School tries to commission Florence Waters to give an estimate for a new drinking fountain—a simple one. What is unleashed is a fury of imaginative requests from an aquarium to chocolate milk shakes request by Sam N.’s fifth grade class (since their class is the one next to the drinking fountain).

Included in the tale of the fountain is the mystery surrounding the town’s history and the creek that has dried up prompting the town to change its name from Spring Creek to Dry Creek. Told, or should I say written, from the viewpoint of the principle, the administrative assistant, Florence Waters, Sam N. and his fifth grade class, the school board president, the head of the water company and more is the outrageous tale and mystery regarding the fountain and the town of Dry Creek itself.

This is a fun, fast read. It seemed a bit outrageous at times but it is completely the point. To a young reader, I can understand why they would enjoy it because who, after all, has not let their imagination run wild when thinking about reinventing something as “ordinary” as a drinking fountain. As Kerry pointed out to me, make sure you pay close attention to the all the names. They have something in common.

Specials
by Scott Westerfeld

Specials
Scott Westerfeld
Grades 8 and up
YA Fiction
Series: Uglies Series, Book Three

In the final installment of the Uglies Trilogy, the story picks up after Tally has had the surgeries and training required to become a Special Circumstances elite member. Tally enjoys the icy clarity she feels and views the world but part of her still holds onto Zane, the New Smoke and David. Ultimately, Tally will have to decide what is more important—doing what she is told and forced to do or deciding what is important to her than acting.

After the way the second book ended, I really wanted to know how the story would come to an end. I have to say, I am quite please overall. I am happy the way the story wraps up though I was initially unsure if I still like Tally. The progression of Tally’s character over the trilogy is quite amazing. The growth and change of her is evident over the trilogy—some of it is forced upon her and some of it is her growing and changing through the circumstances surrounding her and the trials she goes through. The consequences of decisions and your resulting actions and war would all make great discussion topics specific to this book. Over the whole trilogy, the common themes would include identity, sense of self, friendship, deception and betrayal and Utopian vs. Dystopian society.

Pretties
by Scott Westerfeld

Pretties
Scott Westerfeld
Grades 8 and up
YA Fiction
Series: Uglies Series, Book Two

After the cliffhanger in the Uglies, Pretties picks up after Tally has had the surgery to become a Pretty. She joins the ranks of New Pretty Town hooking up with Shay, Peris and a group called the Crims. Wanting desperately to fit in with the Crims, Tally tries to act as “bubbly” as possible despite nagging thoughts about David and the New Smoke. When someone from the past comes to remind her of a forgotten promise, Tally is once again thrown into action against the Special Circumstance office. With initial pushing from Zane, a member of the Crim group, Tally remembers what is happening in her society and begins to make a stand against conformity. Will Tally succeed in changing her society or will Special Circumstances crush her resistance once again?

The second book in the Uglies Trilogy did not disappoint me. Shorter than the first at 370 pages, the bulk of the book is Tally and Zane’s motions to break free of the New Pretty Town and Special Circumstances grips. There is a bit more romance though nothing explicit except a reference to a conversation Peris had with Tally after she became a Pretty regarding sex. Zane and Tally do have a romance and find kissing helps make them feel more “bubbly” and mentioning of them spending the night together since the visit from someone from Tally’s past though it is left up to the reader’s imagination to infer as they wish. The ending left me mad as heck and eagerly anticipating the third and final installment of the trilogy.

Uglies
by Scott Westerfeld

Uglies
Scott Westerfeld
Grades 7 and up
YA Fiction
Series: Uglies Series, Book One

Set on Earth, far into the future, we meet Tally. Tally is almost 16 and yearns to become pretty. In her society, age determines where you live your life. As a Little, you stay with your parents in Crumblyville. When you get older, you go and stay in Uglyville to attend school and learn about becoming a Pretty. The day of your sixteenth birthday, you go across the river to New Pretty Town where you have a long operation to become the ideal standard of what is pretty. Despite some early grumblings of becoming a Pretty as Tally was growing up, she has been looking forward to the surgery ever since her best friend, Peris has the surgery. Everyone has to have the surgery—right?

In a chance meeting, Tally is introduced to Shay, another Ugly about to turn 16. Shay does not want to become a Pretty. Tally cannot believe what she is hearing—she thought everyone has to and wants to become a Pretty. Shay opens her eyes to some troubling realities about the perfect world she thought she lives in. When Shay runs away, Tally is forced to go after her and bring her back or she will never become a Pretty. When she finally finds Shay, her world starts to crumble around her and she is forced to question everything she has been taught, believes and want she wants with her life. Tally has to make a decision that will change the course of her life forever.

This book griped me from the very beginning. Everyone goes through a time in their lives where they yearn to fit in or be somebody. The characters are well developed and easily relatable despite it being set in a completely different time period. As a reader, you are forced to examine our own society (known as the Rusties in the books) and our dependence on oil, the environmental destruction taking place today, what your beliefs are and what you are willing to give up, if anything, in order to fit in. The Uglies would make a wonderful discussion book with older readers who would get the complexities of the story and the themes of the Utopian versus Dystopian societies, giving up the freedoms of self-expression and thought and what you believe is right and wrong.

Starred Review by SLJ
2006 ALA Best Book for Young Adults

A Friendship for Today
by Particia McKissack

A Friendship for Today
Particia McKissack
Grades 4-6

Rosemary Patterson is about to make history—she is among the few African American students who will be attending Robertson Elementary School with the white children of Kirkland Missouri. The year is 1954 and the Supreme Court has just passed the “Separate is Not Equal” decision. The schools are forced to integrate. Rosemary does not understand what a big deal it is—to her, her school is just fine and if the white kids want to attend school with the “colored kids” than they can make room at her school. While this assuming to her parents and others, realistically everything is not fine. Thus, Rosemary is about to be introduced to a new world whether she is ready or not. As the school year progresses, Rosemary must overcome many challenges including: her best friend being diagnosed with polio, her parent’s failing marriage, jealousy and discrimination. Through it all an unlikely friendship forms between Rosemary and Grace—a self-proclaimed hater of colored people. Can Rosemary rise above everything that she faces or will it be too much for a young girl to handle?

This is a wonderfully written, poignant coming of age novel set during a turbulent time in American history. Rosemary is a well-rounded character whom you become attached to as you are reading. I ended up cheering for her, willing her to overcome the obstacles she faces. Readers will be able to relate to her because the underlying themes of friendship transcending boundaries (both visible and invisible), feeling like an outsider, tolerance and acceptance are core to the story.

One thing that has perplexed me since finishing the book is why it is not marked as historical fiction. As Laura and I were discussing, to be historical fiction the setting needs to be vital to the story. Doing further digging, I pulled Zena Sutherland’s Children and Books to investigate more. A vital question posed is “does the author intend to create a vivid picture of another historical period and is that picture vital to the telling of the story?” Upon reflection, I would say yes and no. If you focus on the themes, than the themes in the novel are universal to transcend any genre or time setting. However, the setting does play a vital role in understanding all the changes happening to Rosemary and America in general. It is woven and integrated into the story. Would this story be equally as powerful in another time period? I would say probably so. Does it add to the tension and the richness of the story? Yes. If you care to read the book, I would be interesting in discussing your thoughts on the questions posed above. Incidentally, Scholastic has it marked as historical fiction.

Starred review by SLJ

Sea of Monsters
by Rick Riordan

Sea of Monsters
Rick Riordan
Grades 5 and up
Series: Percy Jackson and the Olympians

Percy, who we met in The Lighting Thief, is just trying to survive seventh grade without a catastrophe. Along the way he befriends Tyson (an outcast at school). He manages to succeed until the last day of school where a dodge ball game almost turns deadly, blowing up the school’s gym. Percy, Tyson and Annabelle, who comes to their rescue, dashes off to Camp Half-Blood to figure out what has been happening at their beloved camp.

Once there, they learn Thalia’s tree has been poisoned, Chiron has had to resign and has been replaced by Tantalus and monsters can invade the camp for the first time. Meanwhile, Percy has been having dreams about Grover—his best friend (who happens to be a Satyr)is in danger. Percy, Annabelle and Tyson set off on a forbidden quest to not only help Grover but to recover the Golden Fleece to save Thalia’s tree.

I was enthralled by the first book so I have eagerly been awaiting the second book. It did not let me down. I really enjoyed the weaving of mythological events with present day times. If you have not read the first book, The Sea of Monsters does a nice job of recapping the main highlights from the first book. I also like how it builds upon themes/events raised during the first book. Overall, this is a great read all around.

Sand Dollar Summer
by Kimberly K. Jones

Sand Dollar Summer
Kimberly K. Jones
Grades 5 and up

Annalise, Lise, is a tenacious twelve, almost thirteen-year-old. Her world revolves around her friends and family. It is just her mother and younger brother Free. They form a close bond, balancing each other out. Her brother is extremely bright but does not speak. Their mother and Lise are sure he will speak when he is ready.

In a single moment life as Lise knows it is forever changed. After their mother’s car accident, their mother decides they will retreat to Maine, her childhood home, for her to recover. Lise is not happy with the decision because it ruins her plans for the summer. Lise does not like the ocean. It is too cold, its loud, the waves rough and you never know what lies beneath the surface. She is completely unhappy, unwilling to change. Enter Ben into her life. Ben, a member of the Passamaquoddy Native American tribe, and Lise become friends. A hurricane is approaching Fiddle Beach and everyone evacuates but Ben whom Lise daringly tries to rescue during the climax of the story.

This story is a coming of age sorts of story. Through first person narrative, the story comes alive through Lise’s eyes. I enjoyed the use of symbolism and metaphors throughout the novel. While it seemed a tad predictable, it still was interesting enough to keep me reading. I think Lise’s character is a very believable character. The story is retrospective, so it may help ease younger readers Lise will be okay despite her battling the hurricane to try to save Ben.

Julia’s Kitchen
by Brenda Ferber

Julia’s Kitchen
Brenda Ferber
Grades 5 and up

Cara Segal was your average, happy 11-year-old. She loves to scrapbook, hang out with her best friend Marlee and bake with her mother. But then tragedy hits her family—their home caught on fire and her mother and younger sister lost their lives in the fire. Cara and her father go into shock, just passing through their lives. She tries to get her father to open up and tell her what happened that early morning but it is too hard for him. Throughout the novel, Cara is also battling her faith. She cannot understand why God did not protect her family. Will Cara and her father be able to put their lives back together and move on or will they remain stuck in the past growing apart each day that passes?

This story immediately sucked me in and kept me reading. The story begins with the fire and then tells the painful story of trying to put their lives back together. One theme that continually pops up is religion or faith in God—Judaism in particular. There is a glossary at the end to help those who are not Jewish understand what the words mezuzah, challah, keriah among others. Even those who are not Jewish will find the questioning of faith/God after a tragedy relatable. Overall, this is a good but sad read. At the ending of the book, you are left with a feeling of contentment knowing the family will be okay.

Olive's Ocean
by Kevin Henkes

Olive's Ocean
Kevin Henkes
Grades 5-8

The story begins with 12 years old Martha preparing to leave on a family vacation to visit her grandmother, Godbee. The day before they are to leave she is given a page from a journal from a mother of one of her classmates who had died by getting hit by a car. After reading the journal page Martha is amazed at the similarities between the two girls. From that point on her summer is destined to change. Her family goes to the beach to visit with her grandmother but she cannot forget Olive. While at Godbee's, she begins to change through explorations of her thoughts and feelings, her expanding relationship with her grandmother and through circumstances revolving around boys and a near drowning accident.

This is a thought provoking novel. It makes you question how you treat others and whether or not you should examine relationships in your life and give others who you may have written off as “weird” another chance to get to know them. It may be slow going for some because it could come off as too complex of a novel or not a "fun" read. I think if they can stick with the book, it could be well worth the effort. We did this book for Novel Thoughts and it received mixed reactions. Some of the girls liked it but it did not sit well with the boys. Overall, I think the writing was well done and the story was compelling enough to make me want to finish the book.

Something Upstairs
by Avi

Something Upstairs
Avi
Grades 4-7

Kenny has just received devastating news—he is moving cross country to Rhode Island from California. Upon moving to his new house, he notices a strange stain on the floor of his attic bedroom. What comes out of that stain will lead him on a hunt for a murder and a fight to get back to his own time period.

This book is a fast read at just 120 pages. The story takes place during present day as well as during 1800. Part ghost story, part historical novel and part mystery it kept me reading until the end trying to figure out what was going to happen. This book should appeal to both boys and girls.

Gossamer
by Lois Lowry

Gossamer
Lois Lowry
Grades 5-7

This is a story centered on dream givers--one dream giver in particular--Littlest One. Littlest One is the newest dream giver working with on mentor, Fastidious than with Thin Elderly. While working with these two mentors she learns how to pick up fragments of memories humans leave in objects. Thin Elderly also teaches her how to bestow dreams from the fragments she has collected. As Littlest One gains in her abilities a special boy named John comes to live in the house she is assigned. John has faced many hardships in his short life already. Can Littlest One work her magic through dreams to help begin to heal John? Is she strong enough to help him survive a full scale attack against John by the Sinisteeds--the nightmare givers?
When I first started reading this book I had trouble staying focused on it. It is a mild paced book at the beginning with pockets of intrigue and action dispersed throughout. The ending wants you to believe everything is going to be okay for John in the long run. Lois Lowry also touches upon abuse both physical and emotional abuse that can strike families. She brings it up in a non-threatening but realistic way which could help lead to discussions about it. I also like the subtle play of good versus evil in the book. Overall, I have to say I like the book. I wasn't too sure at first but as I kept going it started to grow on me.

Speak
by Laurie Halse Anderson

Speak
Laurie Halse Anderson
Grades 7 and up
YA Fiction

Speak introduces us to Melinda. Melinda is entering her freshman year of high school a very different girl than she left eighth grade. Melinda finds herself becoming mute—almost—because she only speaks when she absolutely has to. She was a bright student but now she is getting Ds and Fs in high school in all but art. Her friends no longer speak to her. In fact, no one speaks to her but a transfer student named Heather and her biology lab partner. Is everyone shunning her because she called the police at a big end-of-the-summer bash? What readers do not know is why Melinda called the police. Does Melinda have enough courage and strength to stand up for herself to the students, faculty and her parents? Most of all, can she stand up to the person who ultimately caused her withdrawing from the outside world?

I found this to be a very powerful, thought-provoking novel. You know something has happened to Melinda and she slowly reveals what has happened to her. This book is not a light book to read. It delves into the mind of someone who is severely depressed, misunderstood, has been attacked and raped and at one point contemplates suicide. That being said, I think readers would latch onto some aspect of the novel—whether it is the turmoil of the main character, the cliques in high school, being an outcast or different, the melancholy or the strength it takes to overcome adversity—the book can pull at a reader in many directions. I would not recommend this book as a book for the advance readers from our section. Though they may be able to read it, I do not know if the emotional aspect of the book would be appropriate for younger, advanced readers.

Up a Road Slowly
by Irene Hunt

Up a Road Slowly
Irene Hunt
Grades 5-7

This is a coming-of-age novel that follows a girl named Julie. We first meet Julie when she is seven and recovering from the same sickness that took her mother’s life. It is decided she and her brother should go live with their aunt out in the country. The story follows her as she adjusts to a different lifestyle with her aunt. We read and watch as she grows from a young girl coping with changes in her life, to a bright adolescent and finally to a mature woman of seventeen. She learns to cope with feelings of betrayal when her older sister marries, a classmate dying, her father remarrying, a broken heart and finding what she believes is her true love.

I enjoyed reading this book. I thought the story progressed nicely and did not seem rushed or drawn out despite covering 10 years in the main character’s life in 183 pages. This would make a great discussion book or for a book report. They could discuss her different lifestyles when she is with her aunt and when she visits her father in town; the differences between the time period she grows up in versus what they are growing up in; the pressures she feels both from doing well in school, fitting in socially and standing up for what she knows is right and wrong.

This is a Newbery Award Winner from 1967.

All American Girl
by Meg Cabot

All American Girl
Meg Cabot
Grades 6 and up
YA Fiction

From the author of the Princess Diaries, comes a story about your average sophomore named Samantha. She is the middle child. Her older sister is popular, gets good grades and gets along with their parents (most of the time). Her younger sister is a genius and goes to a special school to take advance classes. Sam is not popular, struggles in her German class and does not get along with her parents. When she gets in trouble her punishment is to take art classes. Through the classes she grows both as an artist and a person. In the meantime, she saves the President of the United States life, stands up to Him for something she believes in and realizes sometimes the best things in life are right in front of you.

I thought this was a laugh-out-loud good book. This book would be great for our younger readers who would like to start reading longer books and/or young adult books. It would also be a great book for reluctant readers. It is a great, easy, relaxing read.

Catalyst
by Laurie Halse Anderson

Catalyst
Laurie Halse Anderson
Grades 6 and up

From the author of Speak and Fever 1793 comes Catalyst. In this novel, the focus of it is Kate Malone, a senior who is anxiously waiting to hear if she got into the only college she applied to—MIT. A Type-A personality, Kate runs her family’s household since her mother passed away. She cooks, cleans, does laundry, maintains her father’s schedule, hands out medications when it is time and takes care of her brother. All this while maintaining a high GPA, being a National Science Fair winner and a star athlete. When she gets her rejection letter, it acts as a catalyst and she begins a downward spiral and a period of self-examination. In the midst of all this, their next door neighbors’ house burns down. The two children, Teri and Mikey, come to stay with the family. Despite what Teri has done to Kate in the past, she is drawn to her. When the unthinkable happens, it shakes everyone to the core and forces Kate to rethink everything in her life.

With the two parts of Kate, referred to as “Good Kate” and “Bad Kate,” readers will find something to latch onto in this book. The story can be slow going if the reader is not interested in character development, the heart of this novel. If they enjoy such stories, than this could be a good possibility for them to try out.

Side note: this is set in the same town as Speak.The main character from Speak, Melinda, makes a few appearances but is not a huge presence in this novel.

Last Shot
by John Feinstein

Last Shot
John Feinstein
Grades 6 and up

Set during the Final Four part of the NCAA Basketball Tournament, Feinstein weaves a tale of mystery and suspense surrounding one of the nation’s top college basketball stars. Eight grade aspiring journalist Steven Thomas and Susan Carol Anderson find themselves with a dream assignment—covering the Final Four games after winning a national contest. While searching for a story to write for their hometown papers, they accidentally overhear a blackmail threat involving Minnesota State’s star player. This sets them on an adventure to save the player and the final game of the tournament.

This is a sport story but it would appeal to even those who are less than enthusiastic about sports (or just basketball if they are like me). I found I could get into the story despite having it surrounding the NCAA basketball tournament. Those who follow college basketball and/or sports will find references to “real” people throughout the story. I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a mystery. Female readers will also find parts to relate to involving relationships and Susan Carol is an interesting character. There is some violence (a gun pulled out, being tied up and being hit) so anyone skiddish about such things might not like the ending though it is fairly mild.

Vanishing Act
by John Feinstein

Vanishing Act
John Feinstein
Grades 6 and up

From the author of The Last Shot, comes the next mystery surrounding Steve Thomas and Susan Carol Anderson, the inspiring journalists introduced to us in Last Shot. After covering and solving the mystery surrounding the NCAA Final Four Tournament, Susan Carol and Stevie move onto the US Open. Once again, they are thrust into a mystery surrounding a well-known tennis star from Russia. The Russian star is kidnapped in front of thousands of people but no one knows what happened to her. Will Stevie and Susan Carol be able to solve her disappearance when things just do not seem right or, will they be forced to accept what everyone else believes?

This book would appeal to those who like and those who do not like tennis. Thos who normally do not follow tennis will be able to follow the story without getting caught up in the details surrounding the matches. There is a bit more violence directed at Stevie (he gets punched in the stomach and ends up with a concussion) as oppose to what happened in Last Shot (held hostage at gun point). Still it is not too violent to where it throws the whole story out of sync. There are surprises along the way to help keep the reader reading. There is light romance involving Stevie and Susan Carol (flirting and a shared kiss at the end of the book) but not enough to where it is a main feature of the story.  Overall, I say this is a good read for those who like sports or wants a light suspense/mystery read. It may be a good book for those reluctant boy readers we have come in who need a book for a project for school.