Endangered by Eliot Schrefer

Youth Fiction - 3.5 stars

Endangered is a compelling tale of Sophie, a young American girl visiting her mother at her bonobo sanctuary in Africa. After her mother leaves for a release site, revolution breaks out and the sanctuary is attacked by roving bands of militant rebels. Sophie and the bonobos must hide in the jungle and travel to find her mother. Together, they will fight to keep safe, to eat, and to survive.

Megan and I read this 2012 National Book Award Finalist for Young People's Literature in her Montford Book Club before the end of the last school year. In the book, Schrefer asks readers to ponder what safety means to them, the importance of sacrificing to help others, and what strengthens family relationships. We really enjoyed the book, and it was an eye-opener for Megan, who had never read about Africa's revolutionary culture. She also enjoyed reading about the bonobos and their almost human interactions. I highly recommend it for the teen crowd.

The False Prince by Jennifer A. Nielsen

Youth Fiction - 3.5 stars

Choose to lie, or you will most certainly die. This is the introduction the reader gets to, Conner, a nobleman who devises a cunning plan to find an impersonator of the king's long-lost son, Jaron, and install him as a puppet prince. Four orphans are recruited to compete for the role, including a defiant boy named Sage. Sage knows that Conner's motives are less then honorable, but he must be chosen to play the prince or he will be killed. 

As Sage moves from a rundown orphanage to Conner's palace, treachery and deceit unfold, until finally, a truth is revealed that, may prove more dangerous than all of the lies.

Megan and I read this incredible Game of Thrones for middle-schoolers for her school book club, and we were both impressed with the storyline, with the character development, and with the integrity of the main character. We both highly recommend it!

When You Reach Me by Rebecca Stead

Youth fiction - 4.5 stars

May's Mother-Daughter Book Club book was a short, but somewhat deep novel about friendship and support set in 1970s New York City. While her mother is prepping to be a contestant on The $20,000 Pyramid, Miranda begins receiving a series of mysterious notes. While she doesn't immediately make sense of them, they are clues that her favorite book, A Wrinkle in Time, may not be entirely far-fetched. She meets a series of friends, all the while trying to figure out why one friend has left her. the story comes together in the end, and Stead closes it up with a super happy ending.

That's all I'm giving away! One of Megan's book club selections was A Wrinkle in Time, and without reading it, this book would have been a little obscure. Overall, we really enjoyed it, and I would recommend it to middle schoolers looking for something a little deeper.

Boys are Dogs by Leslie Margolis

Youth fiction - 2.5 stars

April's Mother-Daughter Book Club selection was so bubble-gum/pop, I could not give it more than a 2.5. The story of Annabelle, a sixth-grader who comes home from summer camp to find that her mother has moved in with her boyfriend, Ted (or Dweeble), which causes Annabelle to leave her all-girls school and enter the world of the public middle school. She also gets a new puppy, complete with dog training book. Annabelle learns from the book how to talk so a dog will listen, and tries out her new techniques on some of the boys who torment her. She learns that self-confidence is essential when dealing with both. There is a lesson, but this book is in no way deep, and was definitely not my favorite selection.

Maximum Ride by James Patterson

Youth fiction - 3 stars

Our March Mother-Daughter Book Club pick was the first in a series about human genetic experiments trying to discover the secrets of their origins while simultaneously trying to stay alive and out of the lab. Maximum Ride delivers a good story that is definitely for the early teen crowd. It's a light "beach read" kind of book, with little character development, but a lot of action and angst. I enjoyed reading it, as did Megan because of the action, but I don't think I'll go on with the series. I've seen a lot better from James Patterson.

Stargirl by Jerry Spinelli

Youth Fiction - 4.5 stars

Another mother/daughter book club selection, Stargirl is the enchanting story of a free-spirited newcomer to a small Arizona high school. Stargirl is told from the point of view of Leo, director of Hot Seat, the school's talk show. Leo becomes the love interest of Star Girl, but her free-spirited ways, at first accepted by the other students, soon become a source of contention between them. To show her love, Stargirl gives up her free-spirited ways and becomes "normal," but her reputation with the other students is beyond repair. She only has one true friend who likes that she is not like everyone else, and is angry when she changes to please Leo.

This sweet story about the price of popularity, the meanness and exclusiveness of high school, and the challenge of first love is probably one of the book club selections that Megan most identifies with. We both loved it. It is a quick read, but so provocative and insightful.

Fairest by Gail Carson Levine

Youth Fiction - 3 stars

From the author of Ella Enchanted, Fairest is the reworking of the classic tale of Snow White and the Seven Dwarves by the Borthers Grimm (one of my favorite fairy tales).  In the story, Aza is a large orphan girl taken in by innkeepers in the Kingdom of Ayortha, neighbor kingdom to Frell. Aza embarks on a journey that brings her to the castle where she meets the new queen and Prince Ijori. A story of love, self awareness and choosing between right and wrong, Fairest is full of references to the original story. Megan really enjoyed the book, and it is perfect for the tween crowd, especially if they love fantasy/fairy tales. I think the moms in the book club thought it a little too silly. What we do for our daughters!

Number the Stars by Lois Lowry

Youth Fiction - 5 stars

One of our Mother/Daughter book club selections, Number the Stars is the story of Danes and the Jews in Copenhagen Denmark in 1943. As the Nazis increased their presence in Denmark, rationing and relocation became realities for the people. An underground resistence movement also existed that focused on the protection and removal of Jews from Denmark to Sweden. This book, told from the perspective of 10 year-old Annamarie Johansen, touches on these very real subjects in a way that children can understand but not be truly saddened. It is one of the few holocaust books that I could say that about. I know Megan will enjoy reading this book, and I can't wait for the conversations that will come from it.

From the Mixed Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler by E.L. Konigsburg

Youth Fiction - 4 stars

This book club selection for the 6th grade crowd was very provocative. Claudia and Jamie, a brother and sister pair, run away from their home in Greenwich and travel to city to hide out for a little while in order to come back "different." Although their journey does not take them far, it is full of mystery and adventure. Written in 1967, the references to prices for items and travel make me yearn for those times, as does reference to a time when two children could travel the streets of New York safely.  I really enjoyed the book, as did Megan, and we can't wait for the next Mother/Daughter book club meeting to discuss it!

The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane by Kate DiCamillo

Youth Fiction - 5 stars

This is a beautiful story of a porcelain rabbit named Edward Tulane and the adventures that happen to him in his short life. At first, Edward is loved, but he isn't really attached. As the story unfolds, however, Edward encounters love like he's never seen, and he begins to feel for those who love him. When he meets a 100 year-old doll, she explains to him what life is about for dolls (a category into which he refuses to place himself), and he hopes for the first time. This is such a sweet story, but beware. This story will make your children never want to give up another doll!

The Name Of This Book Is Secret by Pseudonymous Bosch

Youth Fiction - 4 stars

I have to say that I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It is the story of Cass, a survivalist with a curious streak, and Max Ernest, a talkative but un-funny young boy with a big heart. In their desire to solve a mystery, they uncover an even larger conspiracy that involves a quest for eternal youth. Because it is filled with humor, intrigue, and imagination, I'd recommend this book to any young reader, or old reader for that matter.

The Mother Daughter Book Club by Heather Vogel Frederick

Youth Fiction - 3.5 stars

The thing I love about good youth fiction is that you can finish the books in a short amount of time. This book was no exception (I finished it in one day, amidst my regular schedule), and it was entertaining to boot! A story about four unlikely "friends," it is also a reflection of the book they're reading in the book club, one of my favorites - Little Women. The realistic portrayal of the meanness of middle school girls was at times a little too close for comfort, but the setting, and the humor throughout made me able to grin and bear it. A must-read for the 6th grader in all of us.

Did I Ever Tell You How Lucky You Are? by Dr. Seuss

Youth Fiction - 5 stars

In honor of Dr. Seuss' birthday...

I absolutely love this book. Much like Oh, The Places You'll Go, this book is a lengthy work of inspirational creative writing. Beyond the inspiration, Did I Ever Tell You How Lucky You Are? teaches something very important, perspective. I think this is something kids need in the midst of epidemics of excess and self pity. Nothing brings you out of feeling sorry for yourself faster than thinking of someone who has it worse than you. This book teaches that in a fun way, without the downer that comes with thinking of the starving and destitute ("There are starving kids in Africa that would love to eat that" - ring any bells?)  I highly recommend for the tween and teen crowds, and I've enjoyed it as a reminder into adulthood.

The White Giraffe by Lauren St. John

Youth Fiction - 3.5 stars

Because this is the next book club meeting book, and some folks haven't read it yet, I'll refrain from saying too much. However, this is a wonderful adventure story that both Megan and I really enjoyed. Part tragedy, part mystical adventure, part story of unlikely friendship, it is the story of Martine, a young girl who moves from London after the death of her parents to South Africa. There she has dangerous and wonderful adventures, and learns of a family legacy that she never dreamed she had. The only complaint Megan had was that she never could picture what Martine looked like. I'll have to agree that the detailed descriptions of main characters were missing (reason for the 3.5 stars), but it was a lovely story altogether.

Elijah of Buxton by Christopher Paul Curtis

Youth Fiction - 5 stars

I am so glad that our book club picked this book. It was the most profound children's book I think I've ever read. In this Newberry Medal winner, Elijah is the first child born in a freed former slave community of Buxton, near Toronto. In the book, a short history of the community is presented, but more importantly at the forefront is a realistic view of how African Americans of the time viewed slavery and its legacy attitudes. Megan and I both loved the book, and its provocative content provided many discussion topics. I highly recommend this book to anyone.

The Westing Game by Ellen Raskin

Youth Fiction - 3 stars

For our Halloween book club meeting, Megan and I read The Westing Game, a sort of murder mystery using clues and character development to tell the story. Megan loved this book and read it in two nights. It took me much longer to get through it, partly due to a lack of spare time, and partly because of the way the book is written. It skips around a bit, and you have to piece things together, including chapters. Overall, it was a good read, and it teaches some good lessons. The best part of reading the book was the meeting with all of the great Chinese food. Awesome, Susan!

Every Soul a Star by Wendy Mass

Youth Fiction - 4 stars

This book was Megan's summer reading choice. I decided to read it, and I loved it. The story of an unlikely group of friends brought together at the Moon Shadow camp ground to ultimately view a total solar eclipse (the descriptions of this are amazing). The main characters, Ally, Bree and Jack, all have something to overcome in the story, and their journeys all come together at the end. The real beauty of the story is the character development. At the end, you truly know the characters and care about them.

A Wrinkle in Time, by Madeleine L'Engle



Youth Fiction - 5 stars

The ulltimate starter book for science fiction fans, A Wrinkle in Time chronicles the adventures of Meg, Charles Wallace, and Cal in their quest to find Meg's father who has disappeared into another dimension. I won't give too much away, but let's just say that this is one of George's favorite children's books, and now Megan's favorite. I loved reading it because the issues Ms. L'Engle presents are very adult issues, but because of the way that she writes them into the book, children can understand a bit of them. They even take their own perspective into account, and the issue changes into something that the individual reader can relate to. AWESOME!!!

School of Fear by Gitty Daneshvari

Youth Fiction - 3 stars

Cute is the best word I can think of to describe this book. Full of pop language, and definitely geared toward the middle school/late elementary school crowd, School of Fear is an easy read for the adults, but still interesting. It includes factual tidbits about different phobias, a plot that keeps the reader interested, and some really awesome character development. It also gives some good life advice, albeit in a funny and unconventional storyline.  Makes me want to be a children's book editor when I grow up!

The City of Ember by Jeanne DuPrau

Youth Fiction - 4 stars

I love this book. I finished it on our trip to Austin, and it was just really enjoyable and very provocative. It is the story of Lina, a 12-year-old girl who lives in Ember and has been given her first job assignment after school has ended. This sci-fi tale of adventure and friendship is a good read for upper elementary to middle schoolers (although I think adults will enjoy it more as a commentary on society). I can't wait for Megan to finish it so we can discuss!