The Ruby in the Smoke by Philip Pullman

Pullman, Philip. The Ruby in the Smoke. New York: Random House Children's Books, 2008 (reprint). 256 pages $7.99 ISBN 9780375845161

Plot Summary: After losing her father at sea, Sally Lockhart decides to find out what really happened to him after receiving a mysterious letter. She becomes entangled in murder, theft, and opium addicts all leading back to her father. Sally befriends photographer Frederick, his sister Rosa, and their shop assistant Trembler. As she lives with them she helps create a successful photography business all while solving the mysteries her father left her with.

Critical Evaluation: This was a very mysterious book, and not at all what I expected. I thought Pullman did a great job revealing bits of information at a time to keep the reader glued to the pages. This is completely different than The Golden Compass, but maybe more appealing to a wider audience than the fantasy of The Golden Compass.

Reader's Annotation: After the death of her father, Sally Lockhart becomes involved in a string of mysteries surrounding his death and a large ruby.

Author Bio: Philip Pullman is most famous for the His Dark Materials series. He has published several books for children and young adults and will be releasing a book on Jesus in the near future. He is known for his criticism of organized religion, namely Christianity. As a child, Pullman moved from England to Zimbabwe to Australia and finally to North Wales. He went to Exeter College in Oxford for English. He has been a teacher most of his adult life, and balanced his teaching and lecturing with writing books.

Genre: Mystery, Historical Fiction

Curriculum Ties: This could be paired with a Victorian history study.

Booktalking Ideas: Talk about Sally and her adventures throughout London in search of answers about The Seven Blessing, a mysterious missing ruby and the death of her father.

Reading Level/Interest Age: 12 and up

Challenges: There is mention of drug use.

Reason for including: I like Pullman's His Dark Materials series so I wanted to give this series a try as well.

The Case of the Missing Marquess: An Enola Holmes Mystery

Springer, Nancy. The Case of the Missing Marquess: An Enola Holmes Mystery.

Plot Summary: Enola Holmes doesn't understand why her mother gave her the name that spells "alone" backwards, but it seems like a self-fulfilling prophesy. The day of her fourteenth birthday, her mother never came back. She did however leave a few presents with Mrs. Lane the housekeeper to give to Enola should she not arrive home in time. Enola first assumes these presents, an illustrated book of cyphers and a book on the language of flowers, are trivial. But when faced with the prospect of being sent to boarding school by her older brothers Mycroft and Sherlock Holmes she digs deeper into why her mother left. She finds many mysteries surrounding her mother's behavior, the secret finances, the disapperance, and decides to give the book of cyphers some thought. Using the language of flowers as her reference, Enola finds many things she did not expect. Armed with her new knowledge and hidden treasures, Enola sets off to London in search of her mother. Along the way, she becomes involved in another mystery, that of young Lord Tukesberry.

Critical Evaluation: This book was a great short read. Having not read a juvenile mystery, or any mystery for that matter, since the days of Encyclopedia Brown, I thought this book was quite refreshing. Although most suited for girls due to the mention of so many "unmentionables," boys may be drawn to the mystery and action of the story. Enola is certainly no typical Victorian lady. The narrative flows smoothly, with excellent descriptions of her surroundings and how deductive process.

Reader's Annotation: Enola Holmes, the mistake of the family, is tired of living in the shadow of her older brothers Mycroft and the famous Sherlock Holmes. After the disappearance of her mother, she sets off on an adventure to London to solve her own mystery.

Author Bio: Nancy Springer is the author of 45 books, including juvenile (tween/teen) and adult. She has written two novels set in the time of Camelot: I am Mordred and I am Morgan Le Fay. Springer has also created a five book series about the daughter of Robin Hood, Rowan Hood. Her newest series, The Enola Holmes series, follows the detective work of Sherlock Holmes' younger sister. In 1995 and 1996, Springer won The Edgar Allen Poe award for Toughing It and Looking for Jamie Bridger, respectively.

Genre: Mystery, Historical Fiction

Curriculum Ties: This would make a good Language Arts book selection.

Booktalking Ideas: The prologue of The Case of the Missing Marquess is very mysterious and certainly captured my attention. A good way to pique the interest of potential readers would be to read the prologue in the most engaging storytelling manner.

Reading Level/Interest Age: Grades 4-7, ages 10 and up.

Challenges: There is a lot of talk about undergarments, however it is done in a modest way.

Reason for including: I saw The Case of the Cryptic Crinolines in the new juvenile section at the library. I was going to read that one, but decided I should start from the beginning of the series. I can't bring myself to pick up a series in the middle.

http://us.penguingroup.com/nf/Author/AuthorPage/0,,1000015705,00.html

Totally Spies Wii Game

Totally Spies. Redmond, WA: Valcon Games, 2009. $19.99 UPC 853333001479

Plot Summary: Based on the French TV show and graphic novel series Totally Spies! the game follows cute spies Sam, Clover and Alex on their mission to defeat Mandy and The Boss. It follows a story by chapter, and allows the players to attempt to defeat Mandy on multiple game boards that lead to arcade games. Through out the game, players are able to get new outfits and put on fashion shows.

Critical Evaluation: I must admit I was very disappointed with this game. It made no sense. However, if I hadn't been playing alone and knew the background story it might have been more fun. The activities are those of high school aged girls, but definitely geared toward tween age girls. I find this to be very confusing.

Reader's Annotation: Help spies Sam, Clover and Alex defeat their enemy Mandy by battling her across the game board.

Author Bio: N/A

Genre: Manga

Curriculum Ties: None.

Booktalking Ideas: Talk about the graphic novel/Manga series and tie it into a game night.

Reading Level/Interest Age: Ages 7-12

Challenges: The situations are definitely geared toward high school age girls, but is marketed and aimed at tween girls.

Reason for including: I thought it looked like a Manga style video game, which would definitely appeal to many tween girls.

Libyrinth by Pearl North

North, Pearl. Libyrinth.

Plot Summary: Haly is a Libyrarian and is in charge of of protecting the ancient books housed in the Libyrinth. She has a secret: books speak to her. The Eradicants hate the written word and force Haly out of her home. As a prisoner she learns more about her enemies and realize they aren't as evil as she once thought. It is up to her to forge peace between the Librarians and the Eradicants before it is too late.

Critical Evaluation: This was a very interesting look into what our world could come to with the advancement of technology and move away from books. It is a compelling story, and keeps the reader engaged the whole time. She includes quotes from books that give extra meaning to both the original quotes and to what is happening in the story.

Reader's Annotation: Haly can hear books. Imprisoned for her abilities, she is faced with the responsibility of reconciling two warring factions, the Libryrarians and the Eradicants.

Author Bio: Not much is available about Pearl North, except that it is a pseudonym. However, Anne Harris lives just outside Detroit, MI and is the author of several fantasy and sci-fi novels for adults.

Genre: Science Fiction

Curriculum Ties: None.

Booktalking Ideas: Talk about how the world could end up as a place without books and have them imagine what that would be like.

Reading Level/Interest Age: 11 and up

Challenges: None.

Reason for including: I found the imagined future where books are rare to be not as science fiction as it may seem. It seemed like it would be thought provoking and would appeal to tweens.

The Capture by Kathryn Lasky

Lasky, Kathryn. The Capture. New York: Scholastic, Inc., 2003. 226 pages $5.99 ISBN 9780439405577

Plot Summary: After being pushed out of the nest by his older brother, barn owl Soren is rescued by other owls and taken to St. Aggies, a school for orphaned owls. There he meets Gylfie and the two become friends. Soon the two owls learn what the school is hiding. It is actually a training camp to raise an army of owls!

Critical Evaluation: As an owl lover I thought this book was genius. It is definitely an easy read for tweens but the story will keep them engaged. I am interested in the rest of the series, to see where the story goes and if the writing becomes more challenging.

Reader's Annotation: St. Aggie's school for orphaned owls is hiding a secret, and Soren and Gylfie are determined to find out what it is.

Author Bio: Kathryn Lasky grew up in the suburbs of Indianapolis, Indiana and also knew she wanted to be a writer. She graduated from the University of Michigan with a degree in English. She wrote for a fashion magazine briefly and then became a teacher. She married Chris Knight, a National Geographic photographer and documentary filmmaker. After their marriage the couple sailed across the Atlantic on a thirty foot boot that was a gift from her parents. They have two children Max and Meribah. Kathryn is the author of several adult, children and non-fiction titles. Currently Kathryn and Chris live in Cambridge, MA.

Genre: Fantasy

Curriculum Ties: None.

Booktalking Ideas: Talk about the living habits of owls, then read the first chapter of the book and discuss the detail Kathryn used to keep her characters true to their natures.

Reading Level/Interest Age: Ages 8 to 12, Grades 3-6

Challenges: None.

Reason for including: I love owls and when I found out there was a series centered on an owl world I had to read it. The book was cute and worth a read.

Sky High

Mitchell, Mike, director. Sky High. Burbank, CA: Walt Disney Pictures, 2005. 100 minutes. $14.99 ISBN 0788860275

Plot Summary: Will Stronghold is the song of two of the greatest superheros Commander and Jetstream, also known as Steve and Josie Stronghold. The time has come for Will and his best friend Layla, also daughter of a superhero, to start high school at Sky High. Sky High is the high school for superhero children, where you're labeled either a hero or sidekick. Will struggles with his lack of a super power until suddenly he has super human strength. Then he is forced to choose between his best friends who are sidekicks, and being popular as a hero.

Critical Evaluation: This movie was pretty silly, for lack of a better word. I enjoyed the film for that reason. The idea that superheros have a special high school to go to is interesting and believable. It is a classic good versus evil story, it just centers on teens with super powers. It is a movie that all tweens can relate to, even without the super powers.

Reader's Annotation: Being a superhero doesn't make high school any easier, it just makes it more complicated. Will Stronghold learns that being a popular hero isn't everything.

Author Bio: Kurt Russell and Kelly Preston are established actors, both starring in several movies and TV shows over the years. Michael Angarano was already a successful young star before starring in Sky High, with roles in Lords of Dogtown, Almost Famous and Seabiscuit. He recently starred in The Forbidden Kingdom and Gentlemen Broncos. Danielle Panabaker has starred in a few Disney and Lifetime movies but is currently breaking out into the horror movie genre and even a role as a girl working a local Renaissance Faire.

Genre: Science Fiction

Curriculum Ties: None

Booktalking Ideas: Talk about what superpowers they would want and if they'd rather be a hero or sidekick. Lead into the synopsis of the movie, and how it is like a comic book on film.

Reading Level/Interest Age: ages 12 and up

Challenges: Some parents may have issues with the love/dating topics.

Reason for including: This is a fun movie and stars a few young actors I've been following throughout their careers. Almost every teen loves some sort of superhero story and this is a movie they all can relate to in some way.

The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis, Narrated by Michael York

Lewis, C.S. The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe. Narrated by Michael York. 4 hours. $27.59 ISBN 9780060826482

Plot Summary: Lucy, Edmund, Susan and Peter Pevensie find the magical world of Narnia through a wardrobe in a room of their guardian's estate. Each sibling must make difficult decisions and work together if they're going to stay alive and help the creatures of Narnia defeat the evil White Witch. Not all the siblings want what is better for Narnia and turn to the White Witch with disastrous results.

Critical Evaluation: This audio book is a great listen thanks to Michael York's unique voice. He gives each character their own personality and leads the listener on the Pevensies' exciting journey through Narnia. The book itself is a classic. Narnia is an extraordinary world (even more apparent in the other books), and the reader just gets absorbed in the world and with the characters.

Reader's Annotation: Listen as Michael York reads the story of the Pevensie children and their adventure in Narnia.

Author Bio: C.S. Lewis is most famous for his Chronicles of Narnia series, which have been turned into BBC films as well as Disney films. He was born in Belfast, Ireland November 29, 1898 as Clive Staples Lewis. He served in WWI for the British Army from 1916-1918 when he was discharged and went to Oxford to study Greek and Latin literature, philosophy, ancient history and English. He became friends with J.R.R. Tolkien, Charles Williams and Owen Barfield and called their little discussion group the "Inklings." As a teen, Lewis became an athiest and then very interested in Celtic Paganism until the age of 29 when he considered himself a theist. At 33, Lewis converted to Christianity and later wrote extensively on theology.
Michael York is a very popular British actor starring in several TV shows and movies since the 1960s. His most recognized roles are as D'Artagnan in The Three Musketeers (1973), Logan in Logan's Run (1976), and most recently as Basil Exposition in Austin Powers (1999).

Genre: Fantasy

Curriculum Ties: The Chronicles of Narnia books are great books to read for Language Arts or English classes.

Booktalking Ideas: Talk about when you can listen to audio books (doing chores, in the car, etc.) and why it "counts as reading." Let them listen to a clip of the audio book.

Reading Level/Interest Age: Ages 9 and up (or all ages), Grades 4 and up

Challenges: None.

Reason for including: I am a firm believer in listening to audio books. They're all I listen to in the car. The whole Chronicles of Narnia series is a great listen, but I thought Michael York was great.