William Sleator

I regret to announce that YA author William Sleator  died suddenly in Thailand, at age 66.  Bill was one of the handful of writers who solidified the newly-created YA field in the early 1970s.  His writing career lasted 41 years, and his 1974 book, HOUSE OF STAIRS, was named one of the 100 Best Books of the 20th Century by the New York Times,   His last book, THE PHANTOM LIMB, will be published this fall.  Bill made  kids--boys especially--want to read.  Early in his career, Bill supported himself as a rehearsal pianist for the Boston Ballet.  He was able to give up that job in 1986 and write full time.  Bill loved meeting with his audience and was a frequent presenter at libraries and schools. Bill traveled extensively and divided his time between Boston, Massachusetts and rural Thailand.

--Stephen Weiner, Director, Maynard Public Library

More Summer Reading Book Reviews

Sammy Keyes and the Hotel Thief

by Wendelin Van Draanen

Sammy Keyes is a seventh grader who is in the wrong place at the wrong time. She is in her Grandmother’s apartment, which she is not allowed in because it is for senior citizens always, when she sees a burglary take place with her binoculars. The only problem is she thinks the burglar saw her. To make matters worse she waved at him! Later that day she sees a bunch of police cars outside the scene of the crime, The Heavenly Hotel, and stops inside. She tells the police what she knows, but they don’t believe her. They ask for her address, but since she is not allowed to live where she does, she gives the address of her rich friend, Marissa. Throughout the book Sammy, with the help of Marissa, tracks down clues. By the end of the book they’ve found the thief and are able to help the police catch him. Review by Daniel

 

Death by Bikini

by Linda Gerber

This book is told through the eyes of a young teenage girl named Aphra Connolly. Aphra lives with her father at a quiet island resort. The location of the island makes the resort attractive to a lot of fake-namers (people hiding secrets, celebrities, you name it) so Aphra doesn’t find it strange when a family comes to the resort. What she does find strange is when her father doesn’t tell her the family’s name so she can check them into the hotel or search information on them. She also finds it weird that her father is putting them up in room 40 even though it is under construction. Aphra just assumes it’s just a famous family that is going to a lot of trouble to act like they’re not there, to be invisible. They are until Adam Smith, the only child of the mysterious family, saves Aphra from a tidal wave. Since there aren’t any other kids her age, Aphra befriends the boy. He seems sweet and kind and is good-looking – nothing out of the ordinary. Or so she thinks until the body of a young woman staying at the resort is found dead at the beach. Her bikini straps are tied tightly around her neck. Everyone thinks it was the water that did it, just an innocent drowning accident. Aphra, on the other hand, has other ideas. Does the murder (as Aphra presumes) have something to do with the Smith family? If so, does that mean the killer is still lurking around the resort? Since her father will not tell her anything about the Smiths Aphra decides it is up to her to discover the truth about the Smiths and the murder. She can tell no one of her plan. As she sets out for the truth, Aphra learns that when it comes to murder, you can trust no one. Review by Olivia

 

The Emperor of Nihon-Ja (Ranger's Apprentice Series #10)

by John Flanagan

The Emperor of Nihon-ja is the final book in the Ranger’s Apprentice series. The story begins when the characters Will, Halt, and Alyss are in the land of Toscana negotiating a peace treaty between Toscana and Arrida. They decide, though, to depart for Nihon-ja to find their friend Horace who went there in the previous book. They set out on the journey on their friend’s new ship, Wolfwill. When the friends get there, they find out that a clan has rebelled against the Emperor of Nihon-ja Shigeru. They also learn that Horace has stayed to help the Emperor and is currently in Ran-koshi, a fortress. With some help, Will and his friends go and find him. They learn that Horace and Emperor Shigeru have enlisted the help of Kikori, which are timber workmen. With the snows protecting them, they have some time to train the Kikori against the rebelling warriors, but will it be enough? I would recommend this book to anyone who has read books 1 through 9 mostly because it is the final book. Overall I think this is not the best book in the series because the main characters are not in much danger. The majority of the book is planning a war and that, at times, can be rather boring. At the end of the planning phase, though, there is a battle, and that is quite interesting to read. In addition, it has a very nice and romantic ending. I think the series wraps up very nicely in the final chapter. Review by Derek

More Summer Reading Book Reviews!

The Maze of Bones by Rick Riordan

This is the first book in the 39 Clues series. Dan and Amy Cahill must go to extremes to find the 39 clues and be the most powerful, influential human beings on the planet. With nasty relatives, though, and many betrayals, they don’t know what to do. This story will make you want to learn more about history. I would recommend this story to anyone who likes history and mystery. This was a very interesting book. Review by Sylvia

 

 

 

From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler by E.L. Konigsburg

This book is exciting, especially the way Claudia surprises her brother with a trip. She asked her brother to run away with her to the Museum of Fine Arts in New York City. She found that home was “unfair” and that “nobody loved her.” At the museum they solved the mysteries of the exciting new sculpture Angel that everyone wants to see. Before that’s solved, though, Claudia wants to learn everything there is to learn. How will her brother manage? Review by Hallie

 

The Best School Year Ever by Barbara Robinson

Beth is a fifth grader at Woodrow Wilson Elementary. Her teacher assigns her class a project to come up with compliments for all their classmates. They also have to come up with extra compliments for one person and lucky Beth picks Imogine Herdman. Imogine is one of six Herdmans at the Woodrow Wilson School. They claw, spit, bite, steal, and do just about every bad thing you can name. They even stole Beth’s best friend’s little brother, scribbled on his bald head, and charged people to look at him. The Herdmans do many other insane things, but also do a few unnoticed good deeds. Imogine gets a boy named Eugene’s head out when it is stuck in the bike rack. She also gives baby Howard her old blanket when he loses his. This helps Beth come up with couple of nice compliments for Imogine and it makes Imogine very happy. Review by Daniel

New Historical Fiction

Out of Shadows by Jason Wallace

Twelve-year-old Robert Jacklin comes face-to-face with bigotry, racism, and brutality when he is uprooted from England and moves to Zimbabwe with his family. Robert is enrolled in one of the country "s most elite boys " boarding schools. Newly integrated, the school is a microcosm of the horrible problems faced by the struggling new country in the wake of a bloody civil war. The white boys want their old country back and torment the black Africans. Robert must make careful alliances. His decision to join the ranks of the more powerful white boys has a devastating effect on his conscience and emerging manhood.

Novel in Verse

Exposed by Kimberly Marcus

Sixteen-year-old Liz is Photogirl--sharp, focused, and confident in what she sees through her camera lens. Suddenly, as the aftershocks from a startling accusation rip through Liz's world, everything she thought she knew about photography, family, friendship, and herself shifts out of focus.

Just In: The Sequel to Wings

Illusions by Aprilynne Pike

"I don't do patrols, I don't go hunting, I just stick close to you. You live your life. I'll keep you safe," Tamani said, sweeping a lock of hair from her face. "Or die trying."  Laurel hasn't seen Tamani since she begged him to let her go last year. Though her heart still aches, Laurel is confident that David was the right choice.  But just as life returns to normal, Laurel realizes that a hidden enemy lies in wait. Once again, Laurel must turn to Tamani to protect and guide her, for the danger that now threatens Avalon is one that no faerie thought would ever be possible. And for the first time, Laurel cannot be sure that her side will prevail.

New Science Fiction Books

Angel: A Maximum Ride Novel by James Patterson

In the seventh book in the bestselling series, evil scientists are still trying to convince Max that she needs to save the world, this time by providing the genetic link in speeding up the pace of evolution. Worse, they're trying to convince her that her perfect mate is Dylan, the newest addition to the flock. The problem is that, despite herself, Max is starting to believe it.

Ruby Red by Kerstin Gier

Sixteen-year-old Gwen lives with her extended--and eccentric--family in London. The time-traveling gene that runs through the female half of her family supposedly has skipped over her. So it comes as a surprise when Gwen starts taking sudden leaps into the past.

New Realistic Fiction

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She Loves You, She Loves You Not… by Julie Anne Peters

Seventeen-year-old Alyssa had family, friends, and, most important, her girlfriend Sarah. But once cut off from those she loves, she moves hundreds of miles away to live with the biological mother she barely knows. As Alyssa struggles to forget her past and come to terms with her future, will she be able to build a new life and believe in love again?

Miles from Ordinary by Carol Lynch Williams

Thirteen-year-old Lacey wakes to a beautiful summer morning excited to begin her new job at the library, just as her mother is supposed to start work at the grocery store. Lacey hopes that her mother’s ghosts have finally been laid to rest; after all, she seems so much better these days, and they really do need the money. But as the hours tick by and memories come flooding back, a day full of hope spins terrifyingly out of control....

The Queen of Water: A Novel Based on a True Story by Laura Resau and Maria Virginia Farinango

Born in an Andean village in Ecuador, Virginia lives with her large family in a small, earthen-walled dwelling. In her village of ind genas, it is not uncommon to work in the fields all day, even as a child, or to be called a longa tonta-stupid Indian-by members of the ruling class of mestizos, or Spanish descendants. When seven-year-old Virginia is taken from her village to be a servant to a mestizo couple, she has no idea what the future holds.

Summer Reading Book Reviews

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Desires of the Dead (Body Finder Series #2) by Kimberly Derting

Violet Ambross has a special talent: when somebody or something has died Violet can sense it. Until they are buried properly, vibrations, echoes, colors and more call to Violet. Chelsea, her best friend, and Jay, her boyfriend, are both supportive in different ways. Jay knows about her talent and helps her whenever he can. Chelsea doesn’t know, but knows when to be there for her. Mike and Megan are brother and sister and are new to Violet’s school. Mike is instantly best friends with Jay and dating Chelsea. He invites Jay, Chelsea, Violet and Claire (another friend) up to his cabin. Megan has a crush on Jay, though, and secretly hates Violet. She leaves hurtful notes and phone calls to try and scare her into breaking up with Jay. Nothing works, but Violet knows it’s Megan. When everyone is at the cabin, Violet gets a very strong echo/vibration. It pulls her out of the cabin and she starts digging to try and find a body underground. Someone comes up behind her with a gun. Who will save her? Review by Caitlin

 

Little Blog on the Prairie by Cathleen Davitt Bell

When Genevieve Walsh finds out that her mom signed her family up for a camp out in the Wyoming wilderness, she doesn’t know what to expect. Especially when she discovers that this isn’t going to be an ordinary summer vacation. First of all, there’s no TV or internet and she’s not allowed to bring her new phone. The night before they leave, though, Genevieve can’t resist the urge to bring her phone with her so she can text her friends all about life on the 1890 style camp frontier. When the Walsh family arrives at the camp, most of the people are actually pretending its 1890 and to survive, they must act like it too. This means that they have to wear old-fashioned clothes, live in a one room cabin, and unlike a regular vacation where they would get to relax and take a break, this is quite the opposite. They actually have to do more work than they do at home. They have to grow their own crops although they have no experience, make their own recipes and cook their own food with barely any ingredients, and milk a cow. All through the summer, Genevieve texts her friends about how hard it is to live at a camp frontier. They find her information so interesting that they turn it into a very popular blog with 500,000 readers! When the owners of the camp find out that she’s brought a phone when the rule is no technology, how will she be able to convince them that it was for a good reason? Read “Little Blog on the Prairie” to find out what happens next. Review by Nataniah

 

101 Ways to Bug Your Parents by Lee Wardlaw

This book is very addictive because the plot is always changing. First it’s about a 5^th grade boy inventor names Steve “Sneeze” Wyatt, who has big ideas for his creations. He brings a lot of his inventions to school with him to test them out. Most of his inventions, however, are failures. That doesn’t stop him from creating new ones. His glow-in-the-dark toilet seat ended up giving his teacher a glow-in-the-dark backside for a little bit. No matter what, though, his best and only friend “Hiccup” Denardo never leaves his side. When Sneeze is all excited about going to the Invention Convention his parents tell him that they can’t afford to go. He has to go because he received a letter that says a major professional inventor would like to release the “Nice Alarm,” one of Sneeze’s inventions. His parents send him to a summer writing class instead. Sneeze is so annoyed with them he starts to bug them. So he makes a book that has 101 ways to bug your parents in his writing class. He plans to sell the book to many people to raise enough money to go to the convention with an adult friend of his. Will all go according to plan? Or will everything go haywire? I would recommend this book to anyone ages 10-13.

Review by Brian