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Who Could That Be at This Hour? by Lemony Snicket

How excited (a word here meaning, "jumping up and down while trying to stay steady enough to read a book") am I about this!?

If you have forgotten what it's like to read a Lemony Snicket novel, Who Could That Be at This Hour? is here to remind you. A new novel set in the same universe of  The Series of Unfortunate Events not only means new mysteries and new characters, but also new insights into old questions (and naturally, new questions about old insights). This book concerns the adventures of a young Lemony Snicket who, geared with "an unusual education" and a natural curiosity, begins solving the mysteries of a town called Stain'd-by-the-Sea.  In typical Snicket fashion, the narrative is charming, playful, and bittersweet, weaving witty humor with tones of anticipated sorrow.  As in The Series of Unfortunate Events, the narrator is Snicket himself and his simple language but elegant (and at times somewhat profound) ideas, make this another remarkable novel. 

P.S. You may have guessed that the answer to the first question is "very." In that case, you would be correct and I suspect you too could have a very successful future with an "unusual education" in a town called Stain'd-by-the-Sea. (Ages 9+)

Reviewed by Kelly, Books Inc. Laurel Village

Out Of My Mind by Sharon Draper

The incredible story of Melody, a delightful and very intelligent fifth grader trapped inside an uncontrollable body and unable to speak because of cerebral palsy, at first left me feeling sorry for her but I quickly realized that’s not the point of this heartfelt story. Melody is strong, loving and extremely smart! The last thing she needs is for someone to take pity on her, she just wants to be heard, and when she gets a computer that finally lets her speak she’s able to surprise everyone around her, especially her classmates, with just how bright she is. Having the ability to speak now comes with a new set of challenges as she is transitioned into a regular classroom. You will find yourself cheering Melody on as she grows and struggles with changing how people view her and the disappointments she faces along the way.  Ages 10+


Reviewd by Melanie from Books Inc. Berkeley

What's Left Of Me by Kat Zhang

 

This new author is young - not as young as Paolini of Eragon fame, but she's barely in her second year of college, and this book has been brewing in her head since she was twelve. What's Left of Me is the beginning of another young adult series called the Hybrid Chronicles, taking place in an alternate version of present-day Earth. The people in this universe are all born with two souls housed in the same body. Essentially, by the time a person is past their toddler years, a "dominant soul" is expected to take over the body, while the "recessive soul" fades away entirely. Children who don't completely merge are seen as hybrids, and are dangerous for reasons that aren't fully explained in this breakout novel; the main characters are actually two souls, Addie and Eva, both conscious in the shared body. Once again you've got teens on the run from the government, but as readers uncover the horrible medical and political secrets kept from the public, things get more intense than expected. Addie and Eva communicate through a form of thought/speak reminiscent of the familiars from Pullman's Dark Materials series and Applegate's Animorph series. Because it's two people in one body, it's like reading about a person with multiple personalities, except it's happening at the same time and while a girl is going through the tough teenage years. Seriously, characters in young adult novels have it beyond rough. Ages 13+

Reviewd by Robbin from Compass Books (Our Airport Store)

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