The Book Thief ****

By Markus Zusak
Historical Fiction

LANGUAGE ***
DEATH ** 1/2
VIOLENCE **
PERIL ***

Wow - I cried my eyes out while reading this...and I NEVER cry when I'm reading! It was a very interesting story with a very interesting perspective - I loved it. *There is language, however and parents, you might want to read it before your child does.

Liesel lives in Nazi Germany during the WW2. Stricken with grief she is sent to live with foster parents where she learns the beauty of an accordian and good friendship. The story is told from the perspective of Death himself. Join Death as he tells Liesel's story and about her career as the Book Thief. Very beautifully written and touching to the heart :)

The Count of Monte Cristo

By Alexandre Dumas
509 pages

DEATH ***
PERIL **
VIOLENCE ***
LANGUAGE **
ROMANTIC AFFAIRS **

VERY exciting. I though it was going to be boring, but I finished it in 2 days because I couldn't put it down! It was WAY better than the movie, and I really enjoyed it. A murder mystery, love story, vengeance, cunning, amazing book. It is a required high school novel

Edmond Dantes is a lowly sailor, with a father who loves him and a beautiful fiance. When everything finally seems to be falling in line for once in his life, he is framed and sent to Chateau d'If , a horrible prison, where he stays there for 14 years. He wants nothing more than revenge on his enemies and his loved ones back...can he do it?

The Hunger Games *****

By Suzanne Collins
Sci-Fi
374 pages

VIOLENCE ***
ROMANTIC AFFAIRS ***
MYTHICAL/SUPERNATURAL CREATURES ***
DEATH ***
PERIL ***

I am in love with this book! It was an action packed with survival, romance, peril, and twists at every turn...I couldn't put it down! *Note: There is a lot of death and gets a little descriptive with the wounds and gore, but it won't be too bad for those 13 +.

Katniss Everdeen lives in a time of Darkness. District 12, her hometown, has been struck by a slowly consuming famine. Once a year, the cruel Capitol forces each district to offer two teenagers between the age 12-18 to participate in The Hunger Games, a barbaric 'game show' where they trap the tributes in a large arena and they must fight to the death. Whoever survives gets ever-lasting glory and wealth. When Katniss volunteers herself in her sisters place, her life is changed forever as she tries to survive the horrid Hunger Games.

The Twits ****

By Roald Dahl
Fiction

VIOLENCE *

One of the funniest book I've ever read! Meet Mr. and Mrs. Twit; the two most hideous, cruel, disgusting couple you'll ever meet. Mr. Twit has a nasty beard (beards are the worst), and Mrs. Twit has an glass eye that she likes to pop on and out of her head (gross!). Join them as they pull pranks on each other, train their circus monkeys, and make bird pies.

A Day of Tears *****

By Julius Lester
Historical Fiction
171 pages

DEATH ***
VIOLENCE ***
PERIL ***
ROMANTIC AFFAIRS **

Such a good book! It was very deep...it really hit the problem of slavery head-on. I really liked it.
Emma is a slave. Her whole life, she has worked at the Pierce Butler plantation, taking care of the Master's daughters and working in the kitchen with mama. When the Master foolishly gambles away his fortune, he sells his slaves. Can little Sarah stop her daddy from selling her beloved Emma?

Airman *****

By Eoin Colfer
Sci-Fi

DEATH ***
VIOLENCE ***
PERIL ****
ROMANTIC AFFAIRS **
LANGUAGE **
GUNS ***

Wow...what a amazing book! This is the same author who wrote the Artemis Fowl series. It is a exciting adventure of courage and wits. I really enjoyed it! It does get a little descriptive with violence and death, and there is some mild language, but it is not too bad for readers around 14 years of age.
Connor Broekhart was born to fly. Literally. He was born in a balloon. His mother is a beautiful scientist, and his father a dashing war hero. He lives on the island of Great Saltee, just off the Ireland coast. His life is blissful. He brainstorms and builds flying machines with his adored tutor, and plays with the beautiful Princess Isabella. But his luck takes a turn for the worst when he is framed for a crime he did not do, and is sent to Little Saltee, a diamond quarry prison on a wretched island. Will Connor ever take flight?

Fairest *****

By Gail Carson Levine
Fantasy

VIOLENCE ***
DEATH **
PERIL ***
ROMANTIC AFFAIRS ***

This is a really sweet book. It's very clean, and really good!
Aza is ugly. She is big-boned, pale as chalk. Her eyes are too blue, and her lips are too red. Abandoned in a Inn room as a baby, she has never known her true parents, or where she came from. Villagers whisper that she is half-ogre. When Aza is invited to the King's wedding, she offered the opportunity to serve the new Queen, Ivy. There she meets the charming Prince. When she is falsely accused, can Aza use her looks as a advantage to save herself from treachery?

Inkheart (Book 1) *****

By Cornelia Funke
Fantasy

DEATH **
PERIL ***
VIOLENCE ***
GUNS **
LANGUAGE ** (MILD)

A very exciting, action-packed series. This is one of the best, well-writen childrens book I have ever read. There is language, but it is quite mild.
Mo has a special gift. When he reads, certain items or characters from the books come to life. Literally. They are plucked from their world, and brought directly to ours. When Mo accidently brings three unpleasent characters to his living room, his life becomes a daring chase in order to survive. With help from his daughter, Meggie, can they ever find a way to put a stop to this madness?