Ninth Ward by Jewell Rhodes

Rhodes, J. (2010). Ninth Ward. New York: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers. 

Summary

12-year-old Lanesha is an avid student who dreams of becoming an engineer and building bridges for those who need them. Lanesha can also communicate with the dead, including the spirit of her mother who died after giving birth to Lanesha. Lanesha's caretaker, Mama Ya-Ya is a healer and can predict the future. When Mama Ya-Ya senses a large storm coming towards their city of New Orleans, both Lanesha and Mama Ya-Ya must trust their gifts and close bond in order to survive Hurricane Katrina. 

Review

Wow! The dynamics of the characters, settings, magical elements, and foreboding disaster will capture even the most reluctant readers! Readers already know the terrible outcome of Hurricane Katrina but with the clever and honest writing, readers will truly believe this story of magic and heart. Readers who only saw the disastrous Hurricane Katrina on television will be able to live through this disaster in a suspenseful and haunting way. 

Genre

Fiction

Readers Age/Interest Level

9-13 years/ Tween

Similar Books

Moon over Manifest- Clare Vanderpool

One Crazy Summer Day- Rita Williams Garcia

I Survived Hurricane Katrina, 2005- Lauren Tarshis
Awards

2010 Coretta Scott King Author Honor Award

Selected as one of the best books of 2010 by School Library Journal

2010 Parents Choice Foundation Gold Award

2010 Al Roker “Today Show” Book Club Selection

2011 Brown Bookshelf 28 Days Later selection

Readers Annotation

Lanesha can see spirits and Mama Ya-Ya can predict the future and together they must trust their special gifts and incredible bond to survive the nearing disaster of Hurricane Katrina. 

Pendragon: The Merchant of Death by D.J MacHale

MacHale, D.J(2002). Pendrahon: the merchant of death. New York: Alladin Publishing. 

Summary

The story takes place in the Denduron territory which, other than having three moons, is exactly like Earth. This book is the first in the series and has two different subplots, one is Bobby's adventures in Denduron and the other is on Second Earth where Bobby's friends, Mark and Courtney, live and they communicate with each other through Bobby's journals. 

The story begins when Bobby Pendragon is taken by his uncle Press to an abandoned subway station where he discovers that he, like his uncle, is a traveler with the ability to travel through space and time. At the station, Bobby is taken to a world called Denduron where evil Saint Dane is starting a war between the ruling Bedoowan and the enslaved Milago miners. As soon as they arrive, Bobby is captured and scheduled to be executed. 

Review

Soooooooo, great! This book is easy to read, very fast paced, and readers will fall in love with Bobby and the other strong characters introduced in this book. Fans of Harry Potter and Charlie Bone will love this series and will finish wanting more. 

Genre

Fantasy

Readers Age/Interest Level

10-13 years/Tween

Similar Books

Artemis Fowl series by Eoin Coifer

Harry Potter series- J.K Rowling

Charlie Bone series by Jenny Nimmo
Characters

Robert "Bobby" Pendragon - The main character of the story, a 14-year-old boy from Second Earth. He doesn't want to be part of his destiny as traveler but he has to accept it for all the territories. Especially Second Earth. Bobby always seems to mess things up but he is brave and has smart thinking. Bobby is very brave throughout the whole book.

Saint Dane - The villain of the story, an evil Traveler capable of shape-shifting. His goal is to bring chaos to Halla and re-build it for himself. Halla is everything that separates good from evil. It is very common of Saint Dane to make himself in a important position so he can create war and chaos on the inside feeding information and causing wars in all the territories.

Press Tilton - Bobby's uncle. A very experienced Traveler, who helps Bobby learn as he becomes one. He is one of the older generation of Travelers, so he is able to answer most of Bobby's questions. Later, he told Bobby that he was not his real, blood-related uncle. All the Milago look up to him and he will always fight for the good of things.

Mark Dimond - Bobby's best friend from Second Earth; described as a science nerd, long black hair that "always looks as if it should be washed", and extremely intelligent. He is the one Bobby sends all his records to while he is in other territories. He teams up with Courtney to help their friend.

Courtney Chetwynde - Another of Bobby's friends from Earth and his love life; described as doing pretty well academically with the exception of math, and is amazing at sports. She is Bobby's friend, girlfriend, and wife. She teams up with Mark Dimond.

Loor - The traveler from Zadaa. She is described as an extremely attractive warrior. Loor travels to Denduron with her adoptive mother to help stop Saint Dane. She shuns Bobby because of her mothers death, but later makes up with him. She is very mean to Bobby but when he does a heroic act at the end, Bobby is forgiven

Readers Annotation

Not a great family reunion.....

Charlie Bone and the Time Twister by Jenny Nimmo

Nimmo, J. (2002). Charlie Bone: the time twister. New York: Orchard Publishing. 

Summary

Charlie discovers new dimensions of his magical powers as he helps Henry Yewbeam, a magically transported relative from 1916, escape from the Red King's wrath. Just as in the first book, Charlie can hear voices in paintings and now he has discovered that he can enter them as well. Old characters are present as well as new ones like the jealous Ezekiel who uses the time twister to his evil advantage,

Review

I started reading this series after finishing the Potter books but it is still not doing much for me. The story and characters are eerily familiar to the Harry Potter series but always seems to fall a little short. Even re reading this book for the second time, I am still more confused then ever. 

Genre

Fantasy

Reading Age/Interest Level

10-13 years/Tween

Similar Books

Charlie Bone series by Jenny Nimmo

Keys to the Kingdom- Garth Nix

Bartimaeus Trilogy- Jonathan Stroud
Characters

Charlie Bone: Descended from the Yewbeams and a Welsh magician that was friends with the red king, Charlie can hear voices of people in photographs or go into photographs.

Manfred Bloor: A student at Bloor's Academy, he is a hypnotizer.

Asa Pike: A student at Bloor's, Asa can change into a beast at dusk.

Billy Raven: Also a student, Billy can understand and talk to animals.

Lysander Sage: A student, he can call on his spirit ancestors.

Emma Tolly: Until recently, her name had been Emilia Moon. Emma can become a bird. She turns into a fictional bird called the tollroc and saves Olivia and Henry. She has a crush on Tancerd Torrson.

Fidelio Gunn: An unendowed student, although he is the lead violinist at Bloor's and a good friend of Charlie.

Olivia Vertigo: An unendowed student at Bloor's, she's in drama and is one of Charlie's friends.

Tancred Torsson: A student, he can make, bring, or change the weather.

Paton Yewbeam: A power-booster, he is the only Yewbeam that favors Charlie.

Mr. and Mrs. Onimous: Together, they run the Pet's Cafe on Frog Street. Their 5-year-old niece, Una, is endowed.

Cook: The friendly cook at Bloor's Academy who helps Henry when he was at Bloor's after the Time Twister stopped.

Henry: Charlie's unendowed great-great uncle. Henry is transported forward in time by his cousin, Ezekiel Bloor.

James:Charlie's unendowed great grandfather. Brother of Henry and Daphne, who died of diphtheria.

Readers Annotation

Just when Charlie is trying to live with his newly discovered magical powers, he is thrown for a loop when a simple marble can change destiny. 

The Gift by James Patterson


Patterson, J. (2010). The Gift. New York: Little Brown and Company.
Summary
This book picks up where the book Witch and Wizard leaves off and Whit manages to save his captured sister before her execution. Now Whit and Wisty Allgood are running away from "The one who is the one" and using their recently discovered magical powers to find and join the rebel forces at the same time of running from the brutal government who are chasing them.
Review
I have always been a fan of Patterson and was pleased that he started writing for tweens and teens. Although this book gets readers off to a great start, there are weird holes in the storyline and characters that make absolutely no sense. Some of the instances in this book are a bit ugly and extreme and are better suited for his adult novels. I think I will still give this another shot, but it is definitely better for the older tweens and teens.
Genre
Fantasy
Reading Age/Interest Level
12-18/ Older Tween/Teen
Similar Books
Witch and Wizard series by James Patterson
Maximum Ride series by James Patterson
Daniel X: Demons and Druids by James Patterson
Readers Annotation
Whit and Wisty barley escaped with their lives from the forces of the totalitarian regime, New Order, and they must join forces to save those that share the same magical abilities and secrets. 

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1- the movie

Heyman, D. (Producer) and Yates, D. (Director). (2010). Harry potter and the deathly hallows [Motion Picture]. United States: Warner Brothers Pictures.
Summary
Voldemort has taken over the Ministry of Magic and his power and hatred for Harry Potter is growing. Along with the rest of the Order of the Phoenix, Harry, Ron, and Hermione decide to finish Dumbledore's work and find the rest of the Horcruxes and destroy them in order to finally defeat the Dark Lord. Throughout this movie friendship, love, heroism, and trust play huge parts in the relationships from all of the characters and the  secret history of Dumbledore and Voldemort is revealed.
Review
Who waited in line for 8 hours to see this morning?!!? I did, I did! I would be lying to say that I am completely bias towards this series but honestly, this movie was a perfect representation of the first part of the book. The movie creators did little to stray from the true story and it was exciting to see everything come to life. Viewers will not be disappointed from this fast paced adventure and will be sad that it is almost over.
Genre
Motion Picture
Interest Level
Tween-Adult
Similar Movies
The Harry Potter movies
Percy Jackson and the Olympians: The Lightening Thief
Annotation
Voldemort's power and hatred for Harry Potter has grown and alliances are weakened. Will Harry Potter destroy himself in the process of destroying the most evil?

17 Again: Movie

Steers, B. & Shankman, A. (2009). 17 again. United States: New Line Cinema. 

Summary

 At 17, Mike has his whole future to look forward to. He has a great girlfriend, and is the star of the basketball team; and a sure scholarship in the works at tonight’s big game. Everything changes when Scarlett, his girlfriend, tells him that she is pregnant. Twenty years, later Mike regrets his decision to blow the scholarship ride, and he blames Scarlett for his life. As Mike is wallowing in his own self pity, he is met by a strange janitor who mysteriously gives him the chance to re-do his choice; by making him 17 again at the same school where his teenage son and daughter attend. 

Review

Zac Efron is great at playing a quirky heartthrob teens as well as a believable adult. Other characters move this movie along in a hilarious manner and you can't help but wish that maybe you were given another chance to relive high school. It is a heartwarming movie that surprised viewers with its honesty and hilarity. 

Genre

Movie

Interest Level

Tween-Adults

Similar Movies

Charlie St. Cloud

High School Musical

Big

Annotation

Mike O'Donnell blames his current sucky life on a crucial decision that he made when he was 17 and he wishes he could turn back time. Now he has a chance, but all he wants is his old life. 

Sorcerer's Apprentice: The Movie

Bruckheimer, J. & Turteltaub, J. (2010). The sorcerer's apprentice [Motion Picture]. United States: Walt Disney Studios. 

Summary

In 740 A.D Maxim Horvath is an apprentice of Merlin but betrays him along with the evil sorcerer Morgana. As Morgana delivers a fatal blow to Merlin, Merlin's other apprentices, Balthazar and Veronica try to save Merlin and defeat Morgana and Maxim. Phew. Oh yeah, Veronica's body is overtaken by Morgana's soul and in order to save the real Veronica, Balthazar imprisons the two in a Grimhold, which is in the form of a nesting doll. It is up to Balthazar to find the next Prime Sorcerer. Got it? It gets easier to understand. 

Jump to present day and Balthazar has located Dave who is the next Prime Sorcerer, the only problem is that Dave wants nothing to do with his destiny. Will Balthazar be able to convince Dave to take on this task, or will humanity be destroyed by Morgana and Maxim?

Review

How could this not be entertaining? This movie has adventure, mystery, mythology, and even romance. Fans of the book will be pleased to see that this movie follows closely and does not leave out important parts like so many other movies from books do. Tweens can relate to Dave who is a quirky, impressionable, and genuine human being who is just trying to survive the typical drama of growing up. 

Genre

Movie

Interest Level

Tweens-Adults

Similar Movies

Cirque du Freak

Harry Potter movies

Percy Jackson and the Lightening Thief

Annotation

Dave Stuler is just trying to grow up in a world that for whatever reason, doesn't cut him a break. Now, he is up against a whole new battle when it is discovered that he is not only a sorcerer, but thee Prime sorcerer that is chosen to save the world. 

The Ring of Five by Eoin Mcnamee

McNamee, E. (2010). Ring of Five. New York: Wendy Lamb Books. 

Plot

Danny Caulfield thought his odd features such as elvish shaped ears, sharp chin, and triangular face were the result of a botched operation. Just when his life couldn't get any worse, his parents have decided to send him to Heston Oaks boarding school. Before he even has a chance to voice his concern, a black taxi pulls up to his house and the mysterious drive takes him on a journey that will forever change his perception on real life. Danny is thrown into a world of magic, devious arts, and spy kits and fellow students who have gold tipped wings and other amazing special powers. As he is trying to fit in, he is shocked to find out that he has the marks of everyones worst enemy, the Cherbs, and Danny is the final piece to their taking over of the Upper World. 

Review

I am a sucker for Harry Potter like books. Give me an orphan who turns his terrible life and becomes the absolute force for saving humanity, I am hooked! I was a little nervous as to whether this book would be a sad take on the Potter or Lightening Thief series but I was blown away by the mass differences and dark nature to Danny. He has been destined to be bad and he must now battle (literally) with himself in order to save mankind. This is a fantastic book to hook reluctant readers and I can see this being another bestselling series. 

Genre

Fantasy

Reading Level/Interest Level

5th-8th grade/Tweens

Similar Books

Harry Potter series- J.K Rowling

Percy Jackson series- Rick Riordan

Children on the Read King series- Jenny Nimmo

Readers Annotation

When Danny is given another chance at life, he would never have imagined that this would mean he would have to forgo everything good that he has ever believed in. As part of the Ring of Five he is destined to take over the Upper World and destroy everything in their way. Will Danny have the strength and be able to fight against his own destiny and save humanity and himself?

Scumble by Ingrid Law

Law, I. (2010). Scumble. New York: Dial Publishing. 

Summary

This story continues the tradition of savvy gifts to those of the Beaumont family who turn 13. Now, Ledger Kale's 13th birthday arrives and it seems his savvy gift  is a knack for destruction. He can dismantle and destroy stuff without touching them and he is having a hard time controlling it until he visits his Uncle Autry's ranch in Wyoming. While there, he learns to tame and control his gift in order to do good instead of bad. In Scumble, Ledger must struggle with budding reporter Sarah Jean Cabot as she looks to expose the family's secrets and her father who is trying to foreclose on the family's ranch. 

Review

Again, author Ingrid Law writes a fast paced fantasy story for tweens. This book is a great story about growing up, honesty, friendship. and doing good for those around us. Fans of other fantasy books will not be disappointed. The descriptions of the savvy gifts of family members are hilarious, especially Ledge's levitating cousins. 

Genre

Fantasy

Reading Age/Interest Level

9-12 years/Tween

Similar Books

Cosmic- Frank Cottrell Boyce

(PREQUEL) Savvy- Ingrid Law

Readers Annotation

You thought you had a strange family! The Beaumonts have the ability to levitate, travel in time, create weather from their emotions, but their hardest feat is trying to fit in the normal world that surrounds them. 

Savvy by Ingrid Law

Law, I. (2010). Savvy. New York: Puffin Publishing.

Summary

The Beaumonts are a unique family. When a family member turns 13 they inherit a special gift, a savvy gift. Great Aunt Jules can go back 20 minutes in time whenever she sneezes, 14 year old Fish can create storms from his emotions, and oldest child Rocket can create electricity and illuminate a dark room just by entering it. He can also shock his siblings, which is something he loves. Now Mibs (short for Mississippi) is about to turn 13 and everyone is excited to see what savvy she will inherit...but then, something bad happens, real bad. Her father was involved in a very bad car accident which turns everything upside down and forces the family to take matters and fate into their own hands in order to save the Beaumont family. 

Review

What a great book! Yet another reason to stop judging books by their genre labels! This is a great book for tweens because it talks about following your heart and to stop depending on others for all the answers. The ending of this book is believable, not at all sappy, and is great for both boys and girls. 

Genre

Fantasy

Reading Level/Interest Level

9-12 years/Tween

Similar Books

(SEQUEL) Scumble- Ingrid Law

Waiting for Normal- Leslie Connor

The Search for WondLa- Tony DiTerlizzi

Readers Annotation

Most kids who turn 13 want CD's or a new video game, but not the Beaumont family.