I, Q: Independence Hall by Roland Smith

I, Q: Independence Hall

Author: Roland Smith

Publisher: Sleeping Bear Press

4 out of 5 stars

Q’s life has never been what you or I might call normal. From living on a small boat in California, to living on a tour bus, well, an expensive new motor coach to be exact, and traveling the USA for a year! This is just one of many examples of how Q’s (short for Quest) life changed dramatically when his mom remarried. Now, let’s rewind a bit, shall we? Thirteen-year-old Q used to live with his mom, Blaze, on a small boat, just the two of them. His mom was divorced and singing was her passion. But all of that changed when she met Roger Tucker. He loves to sing and write songs as well, and has a fifteen-year-old daughter named Angela. Soon after they met, Roger and Blaze formed a band called Match. Somewhere along the way they fell in love. And that’s when they decided to get married, right as one of their songs was about to go platinum. 

I Am Number Four by Pittacus Lore

I Am Number Four

Author: Pittacus Lore

Publisher: Harper Collins

4½ out of 5 stars

From Earth it would look like any other distant point of light out of millions. But if you were actually there, it would look like something you have never seen before. I am talking about the planet Lorien. Lorien is one of the eighteen life-sustaining planets, which also includes Earth. Lorien is a beautiful, far-away place that has lush jungles and rivers, and blue and green sweeping across the landscape. Lorien wasn’t always like this. They had problems like we do now, with the environment and global warming. But they solved this and cut down their usage of natural resources so they could survive. However, another one of their problems is the Mogadorians. And this one isn’t as easily solved. The Mogadorians are from the life-sustaining planet Mogadore. The Mogadorians also started to run into the same problems that Lorien had, and that Earth has now. Instead of fixing it, they decided to raid Lorien’s resources as their solution. Which is exactly why Number Four is here, on Earth, now. 

Uglies by Scott Westerfeld

Uglies

Author: Scott Westerfeld

 

Publisher: Simon Pulse

5 out of 5 stars

In our world, Tally Youngblood would be a young, attractive girl who’s just about to turn sixteen. Sure her right side isn’t that pretty, and she has a wide nose and frizzy hair, but doesn’t everyone have some minor flaws? However, Tally lives in the future, where all of this could make a big difference. They have hoverboards, interface rings, walls that can talk, and much more. But despite all of this, nothing can change the fact that Tally is considered ugly. She’s one of the many uglies out there waiting for their turn to become pretty. All of them just itching to be a pretty and live in New Pretty Town so they can party all night and sleep all day. They will all get their chance when they turn sixteen. That is when you get the operation.

The Printer's Devil by Paul Bajoria

The Printer's Devil

Author: Paul Bajoria

Publisher: Little, Brown and Company

3½ out of 5 stars

Being a printer’s assistant is tough work. It is not a job for the fainthearted. You have to stay up all night finishing posters, causing you to be dreadfully tired the next day. You must run around delivering bills to numerous customers, and you always seem to have a smudge of ink on your face. Not to mention that your nickname is “The Printer’s Devil.” But there are benefits to being a printer’s assistant. It’s not that the pay is great or that you get to learn how to work a press. No, no, no. For Mog Winter, the highest form of payment in his job is information. And being the printer’s assistant that he is, Mog happens to get tons of it.

Pillage by Obert Skye

Pillage

Author: Obert Skye

Publisher: Shadow Mountain Publishing

4 out of 5 stars

Beck Phillips’ life isn’t really going as planned at the moment. He is an only child, fifteen and three-quarters years-old, who lives with his mother Francine. However, Beck’s mother isn’t what we would call, “normal.” She is unbalanced, and Beck sometimes has to take care of her. Sometimes she hides behind buildings, and once even locked him out of their apartment for two days straight, thinking he was someone else. But Beck still loves her. At the moment, Beck thinks he will be in a heap of trouble once he gets out of the mess he’s in. Surprisingly, the principal doesn’t punish him. He soon finds out this is because…his mother has just died. 

Eon Dragoneye Reborn by Alison Goodman

Eon Dragoneye Reborn

Author: Alison Goodman

Publisher: Viking Press Publishing

4½ out of 5 stars

Eon has a secret. Not one of those little ones that you share with friends and giggle over. No, this is a big secret. One that could change history, but if found out, could get Eon and many others killed. Well here it goes…Eon is a girl. Now, you might be thinking, ok so what. Why is this is a big deal? How could Eon get killed for it? Well, let me tell you why. Eon has been in training for four years to become a Dragoneye apprentice. She has been practicing the art of Dragon Magic, which women are forbidden to practice. If anyone finds out who Eon really is, it would spell the end of her.

The Bartimaeus Trilogy: The Amulet of Samarkand by Jonathan Stroud

The Bartimaeus Trilogy:

The Amulet of Samarkand

Author: Jonathan Stroud

Publisher: Hyperion Books

4 out of 5 stars

Nathaniel is one of the most powerful magicians in London. He can summon magical entities, create scrying glasses, and even control potent beings. But I forgot to mention one little detail, Nathaniel is only twelve years old. Nathaniel lives in an alternate London, where magicians preside over the commoners and rule the government. Nathaniel was introduced to this world when he was only six years old. His parents traded him in for a large sum of money, so he could have the opportunity to become a magician’s apprentice. Basically, they abandoned him, and by doing so, forced him into a life of study and discipline. But Nathaniel was a good little boy. He studied diligently, followed commands, and listened to his master with the utmost attention and respect. Except that is, until one unfortunate day. 

The Shadow Thieves by Anne Ursu

The Shadow Thieves

Author: Anne Ursu
 

Publisher: Atheneum Books

3 out of 5 stars

Once upon a time there was a girl named Charlotte Mielswetzki. I know, the name is a bit hard to pronounce. Charlotte would just tell you to say it this way, Meals-wet-ski. Charlotte is just a normal thirteen-year-old girl, who thinks that life isn’t going so well at the moment. Her best friend has just moved away and school is as boring as ever. On top of that, her mom wants her to be more out there and “try new things.” She’s a redhead, who always seems to be a bit grumpy. However, things are about to start looking up for her. She just found a kitten, and her cousin, Zachary Miller, is going to come over from London and live with her and her family. Well, that’s not too bad.