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. 

The Forge- Laurie Halse Anderson

Anderson, L. (2010). Forge. New York: Antheneum.
Summary
Fifteen year old Curzon Smith, freed from slavery during the Revolutionary War by stubborn Miss Isabel Finch, is stuck in another ordeal when he ends up saving the life of a young Patriot in 1777 after battling the British and won. Because of this he is made a member of the 16th regiment of the Continental Army and spends the winter with them. Readers are given first hand accounts of the grueling winter of 1777-1778 and the lack of food, supplies, and hope among the soldiers. Then, if by fate or by very bad luck, both Curzon and Isabel are captured and must devise a plan of escape.
Review
Readers of Speak or Wintergirls will be pleasantly surprised at Anderson's second historical fiction book. Forge is a great account of one's search for freedom, both for their fellow man and for themselves. This book can either be read after Chains, or it can be read as a stand alone novel.
Genre
Historical Fiction
Readers Age/Interest Level
13-18 years/Tween-Teen
Similar Books
(PREQUEL) Chains- Laurie Halse Anderson
Moon Over Manifest- Clare Vanderpool
Woods Runner- Gary Paulsen
Awards

• Junior Library Guild Selection
• Kirkus Best Book for Teens: Historical Novels 2010
• The Horn Book Fanfare List Best Book of 2010
• YALSA 2011 Best Books for Young Adults
• Readers Annotation
• Just as Curzan escapes his physical prison, he is forced into another as he has to keep is true identity a secret in order to survive. 

Theodore Boone: Kid Lawyer by John Grisham

Grisham, J. (2010). Theodore boone: kid lawyer. New York: Dutton Children's Book.
Summary
Theodore Boone grew up surrounded by lawyers and the judicial system so it is only natural that he gets wrapped up in the biggest trial of the towns history. It starts out with Boone getting a pass for his entire government class to sit in the audience at the murder trial of Mr. Duffy who is accused of murdering his wife. When a witness comes forward and tells Theodore that he was witness to the murder but is scared to come forward, it is up to Theodore to save the life of Mr. Duffy and the humanity of the town.
Review
As a huuuuge fan of Grisham and I was super excited when I ordered this book for my library. It is my goal in library life to find a plethora of books for boys and this is a great addition. Theodore Boone is a kid lawyer who even has a side business offering legal advice to his peers and family. He is stuck in the middle of keeping a secret and saving the life of a convicted man and readers will struggle along with his as he tries to make the right decision. This is a fast read and filled with drama and mystery.
Genre
Mystery
Interest Age/Interest Level
9-12 years/ Tween
Similar Books
Theodore Boone: The Abduction- John Grisham
Encyclopedia Brown series by Donald Sobol
The Hardy Brothers Undercover series- Franklin Dixon
Characters

Theodore "Theo" Boone: The protagonist. He is an 8th-grader in a small town public school and is highly gifted in the law. Both his parents are lawyers and he is friendly with everyone at the Courthouse, it being his favorite place to hang out.
Marcella Boone: One half of the law firm of Boone & Boone and occupying the ground-floor office. Theodore's mother is a lawyers specializing in family cases and children law.

Woods Boone: The other half of Boone & Boone, occupying the upper floor of the building and doing nothing but real-estate law and deeds and conveyancing.
Ike Boone: The uncle of Theo and a former lawyer.Theo comes to his uncle for advice.
His Honor Judge Henry Gantry: The criminal judge. He is well respected and takes a particular interest in involving the community as part of building a legitimate judicial system.

Julio Pena: Attends the same school as Theo. His family are migrants from El Salvador who are very poor and are being helped out by the Boone family.
Roberto "Bobby" Escobar: The "phantom" witness, as described by Judge Gantry. He has crucial evidence that led the Duffy trial to a mistrial.
Mr. Peter "Pete" Duffy: The defendant on the stand, accused of murdering his wife. It is claimed he did it to get money from her life-insurance policy valued at $1 million and because his secretary was his mistress. He is accused of strangling his wife, and the crime was conducted very neatly, leaving almost no direct evidence.

April Finnemore: Theo's closest friend and confidante. Her parents are undergoing a divorce and battling it in the Family Court. Theo gives her lots of advice on how to handle the proceedings into which she is being thrown. They communicate on instant messenger.

Annotation
It was only destiny that Theodore Boone had a murder trial fall in his lap.

Al Capone Does My Shirts- Gennifer Choldenko

Choldenko, G. (2004). Al capone does my shirts. United States: Putnam Publications.

Summary

12-year old Moose Flanagan moves with his family from Santa Monica to Alcatraz Island in 1935. His father has been hired as an electrician at the famous prison and his mom is eager to send his autistic sister to a special school in San Francisco. When that plan fails, Moose is upset that he now has to live on an island with no friends, no baseball, and now has to take care of his sister. Things start to look up when he befriends the mischievous warden's daughter and together they get in harmless trouble and Moose starts to be ok with living in such an abnormal place. 

Review

There is something about Alcatraz that I love..the history, the mystery, and the stories from people who have lived on this island are fascinating. Even though tweens may not be familiar with the famous Al Capone they will enjoy this story about friendship, family, and hardcore prisoners...lol. 

Genre

Historical Fiction

Reading Level/Interest Age

9-12 years old/ Tween

Similar Books

Al Capone Shines My Shoes- Gennifer Choldenko

Small Steps- Louis Sachar

Bud not Budd- Christopher Curtis
Awards
Newbery Honor
NYPL's 100 Titles for Reading and Sharing
School Library Journal Best Book of the Year
Publishers Weekly Best Book 2004
ALA Best Book for Young Adults 2005
ALA Notable Book 2005
New York Public Library Best Book for Teen Age 2005

Annotation

Things could not get any worse for too tall Moose Flanaghan. He is uprooted from his friends, home, and school and forced to live on Alcatraz Island which is home to the country's worse criminals. How can things possibly get better?