Story Thieves

Students, kids, and life-long readers,

If you could enter any story or book that you have read, and change a part of that story what would you do?  Inform a character of a poor choice they are about to make, or let them know who not to trust, or maybe even stop a favorite character from dying.

The main character Owen has a chance to do just that as he catches his classmate Bethany climbing out of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory book. Bethany tries to elude Owen, but he is hooked on the possibility to enter books, and to stop the death of a beloved character - think Dumbledore in Harry Potter.  Owen intentions are hidden from Bethany who has her own agenda  - trying to find her lost father that suddenly disappeared one day.  Transporting in and out of books is not an easy task and there is danger that lurks throughout - for Owen and Bethany - and the for safety of the series and the world.

I very much enjoyed this book with small connections to other series and I couldn't stop thinking about what series/book I would jump into if I have the opportunity.  Right now, there are two more books to this series and I am eager to read them to see what is next for Owen and Bethany.

AUTHOR: James Riley

GENRE: Fantasy

GRADE LEVEL: 5-8

The Testing

Kids, students, and life-long readers,

Another dystopian, sci-fi, thriller hits the bookshelves with The Testing by Joelle Charbonneau.  The United States and much of the world has been decimated by the Seven-Year War and the use of atomic bombs.  Our main character Cia has been raised on an outskirts colony near the Great Lakes. Every year top level candidates from around the country are brought together to take part in the Testing, and only the strongest can make it through to attend the University to possibly become leaders of the Commonwealth.

Cia is excited as she is chosen to attend along with a life-long friend Tomas, but before she leaves, her father warns her that the Testing is not all that it seems and she should, "Trust no one!"  Cia meets many new characters as she tries to make her way through all four levels of testing, but not everyone will pass.  The last test is a journey through the destroyed section of the Midwest where there are no rules, and only the strongest will survive.  Throughout this book, Cia will continue to second guess and struggle with trust and betrayal.

There are many plot items quite similar to Hunger Games, Divergent, and Maze Runner.  If you are able to look past this, it will hold your attention and leave you guessing to the very end of who is there to help Cia and who is her enemy?

AUTHOR: Joelle Charbonneau

GENRE: Sci-Fi Dystopian Thriller

GRADE LEVEL:  7-8