New Dear America Book Review

Dear America: A City Tossed and Broken: The Diary of Minnie Bonner, San Francisco, California 1906 by Judy Blundell

"I discovered a change at that moment, diary. If you see enough destruction, if you feel helpless in the face of it, if you've been terrified enough times, there does come a moment when you cannot bear one more thing to be lost. I was tired of being afraid." - Minnie Bonner

It is the spring of 1906. The tavern which has been in her mother's family for generations was lost due to a horrible gamble made by Minnie's father. Now, Minnie is being sent away from her home in Philadelphia to San Francisco to work as a lady’s maid of the new owners of the tavern. It is not the way she imagined her life would be, answering to the arrogant and fickle Mrs. Sump, as well as her daydreamer of a daughter Lilly.

Days after their arrival in San Francisco, a horrible earthquake devastates the city, including the brand-new Sump mansion. Shaken and alone, Minnie finds herself among the thousands of homeless residents of San Francisco. She must rely on the kindness of strangers as well as make decisions that challenge her morals in A City Tossed and Broken.

Read Chapter 1. 

Let us know what you think of this new addition to the Dear America series in the Comments!

—Elysse, STACKS Writer

Dragon Run Book Review

Dragon Run by Patrick Matthews

Testing Day doesn’t go as 12-year-old Al Pilgrommor expects. Born into a wealthy family, he expects to follow in his successful father's footsteps. Of course, that all depends on the rank number Al receives at the testing. On a scale of one to seven, Al scores a zero, and the number is permanently tattooed on the back of his neck. Not good.

Now, instead of celebrating with his friends and family, Al needs to run away from the Cullers, men who hunt down zeroes . . . and put them to death. Left with a little bit of money and a sword he barely knows how to use, Al must use his wits to evade these ruthless assassins.

Surrounded by enemies, Al doesn’t know whom to trust. But as he meets other outcasts, he begins to suspect that he is a pawn in a larger game — and that he might have the power to tip the scales in a high-stakes struggle between man and dragon. Could the fate of the world rest in his hands? Can a zero become a hero?

This gripping book is a must-read for all fantasy and magic lovers. Filled with adventure, humor, and loveable characters, I could not put this book down! You cannot help but root for Al as he travels throughout the land, and while you’re reading, it feels like you are along for the ride.

Don’t you want to read this book? Let us know what you think in the Comments.

—Elysse, STACKS Writer

Artemis Fowl Graphic Novel Review

Artemis Fowl Graphic Novel Review

A couple days after reading and reviewing Artemis Fowl, I was walking through the book store when I saw a graphic novel version of that same book. “Preposterous!” I thought (with a British accent). “Downright farcical. The cheek! To turn Artemis Fowl into a comic. . . well!” OK, I didn't think that at all; that was pretty much my Artemis Fowl impression. Terrible, I know.

As it happens, I'm actually a big fan of graphic novels. Artemis Fowl is a very visual book, with lots of descriptions of the fairy world, Artemis's enormous manor, and crazy fairy inventions tearing Artemis's manor apart, so I couldn't resist the urge to pick up the comic and see that world come to life.

I'm not sure if the graphic novel version quite lives up to the (admittedly high) standard of the book, but pretty much everything is there – all the characters, all the plot points, all the sweet action and gadgets and magic and mayhem. I had small quibbles with the way some characters were drawn, but that's inevitable, I suppose. Personally, I pictured Foaly and Mulch much more like traditional Centaurs and Dwarves, and Artemis kind of like Malfoy from the Harry Potter movies . . . but again, that's personal taste, and I shouldn't complain about the art. In general, it was colorful, vibrant, creative, and well-executed.

— Jack, STACKS Writer

Summer Challenge: Clash of the Titles

Summer Challenge: Clash of the Titles

As you know, summer reading is AWESOME because you get to read whatever you want as much as you want. You don't have to do homework or write book reports, and you don't have to get up for school in the morning, so if your parents let you, you can read in bed until way late! Ah, I remember those summer days and nights of endless reading . . . 

The Scholastic Summer Challenge is kicking off this week, so you can put all that reading to good use. Log your reading minutes and you will reach reading milestones, have a chance to win prizes, and possibly help break the world reading record.

This week's milestone is The Coliseum. It is the ancient Roman stadium where gladiators used to fight for glory and honor. . . and their lives. We are not going to ask you to engage in hand-to-hand combat, obviously. But you can relive the glory of Ancient Rome by voting for your faves in the Clash of the Titles game. 2 books face off cover to cover, and YOU get to pick the winner.

Vote now! And may the best book win!

— Sonja, STACKS Staffer

The 39 Clues Cahill Files

The 39 Clues: Cahill Files

As a relatively new clue hunter, I've spent a lot of time reading up on Amy and Dan's adventures. So it didn't take me long to realize that they are ALL THAT. Here are a few reasons why I can't get enough of the Cahills:

When they miss school, it's because they're saving the world. I don't know about you, but I remember spending most of my sick days watching bad TV, trying to fall asleep, and just waiting to feel better. Every now and then, I'd get a burst of energy and make my way to the kitchen for a snack. And sometimes (maybe), I'd do homework. All in all, I think we can agree that I've just described a less than thrilling Monday. But when Amy and Dan take the day off, they're out fighting Vespers, traveling the world, and hunting for capital-C Clues. So yeah, while I was watching America's Funniest Home Videos with a fever of 101, Dan was escaping a deadly yakuza in Japan...NOT fair!

Even when they hate each other, they, you know, love each other. Like all siblings, Amy and Dan may resist the urge to smack each other every chance they get, but they're always looking out for the other. And after their grandmother, Grace, leaves them to embark on the Clue hunt, they realize just how important family truly is. Even through the hiccups—like, for instance, their own relatives' attempts to KILL them--Amy and Dan never lose faith in family. And take it from me (the annoying little sister to two brothers) when I say that’s admirable.

Girl power. Have you ever played that game in which you have to pick the cartoon character that best resembles your personality? It can take a while to find your perfect TV match, but that’s half the fun of it. Long ago, after much deliberation, I chose Kimpossible, the ultimate symbol of girl power . . . UNTIL, that is, Amy Cahill rocked the world with her awesome moves and no-fuss style. Over the course of The 39 Clues, Amy transforms from this shy and frightened kid into the charismatic, brave leader of the Cahills. She voluntarily (VOLUNTARILY!) undergoes INTENSE physical and mental training and leads her entire family through the worst of times—all with a flick of her hair and words that leave boys drooling. Sorry, guys, but Amy’s my homegirl.

For all these reasons and more, I’m beyond excited for the newest Cahill Files book in hardcover. I’m pretty old-fashioned when it comes to e-readers, so I can’t wait to get my hands on SPYMASTERS. It’s a collection of THREE previously published e-book adventures that explore the secret lives and histories of Cahill members you might be surprised you already know . . . And if these people paved the way for Amy and Dan, then I’m game.

Click here for an explosive excerpt.
Find out more about the Cahill Files.

Leave a Comment tellling us why YOU love the Cahills.

—Vanessa, Scholastic Staffer

The Loser List

The Loser List

While it's never true, most of us feel like a loser at one point or another. For Danny Shine, the main character in The Loser List series by H.N. Kowitt, it's when he discovers his name on a "geek list" in the girls' bathroom.

But in Book #3: Jinx of the Loser, he feels like more than a loser; he feels like a jinx, too! After being in the wrong place at the wrong time – when the baseball team loses the big game and then when the roller coaster breaks down at a school trip to the amusement park – Danny just can't catch a break.

Play the brand-new Loser List Cafeteria Showdown game.

Have you ever done anything that made you feel like a jinx? Let us know in the Comments! 

--Vanessa, Scholastic Staffer

The 39 Clues Guess the Book Trivia Quiz Answers

The 39 Clues Guess the Book Trivia Quiz Answers

Last week, I challenged you to figure out the book titles from just the itty-bitty pieces of these 39 Clues covers. Did you get them all? Read on for the answers.

1. The 39 Clues: Cahills vs. Vespers Book #5: Trust No One by Linda Sue Park
   Read Chapter 1.
2. The 39 Clues: Unstoppable Book #1: Nowhere to Run by Jude Watson
   OK, this was kind of a trick because the book is not out yet, but it is the first book in the brand new 39 Clues series Unstoppable! Look for it to come out in October, 2013.
3. The 39 Clues Book #1: The Maze of Bones
   The book that started it all, written by Percy Jackson author, Rick Riordan. . . 
4. The 39 Clues: Cahills vs.Vespers Book #6: Day of Doom by David Baldacci
   This is the 6th and final book in the Cahills vs. Vespers series. Read Chapter 1.
5. The 39 Clues: Cahills vs. Vespers Book #2: A King's Ransom by Jude Watson
   Read Chapter 1.

Did you get them all? If you did, including Unstoppable, then you are a 39 Clues superfan and legend!

— Sonja, STACKS Staffer

April Books of the Month

April Books of the Month

The Books of the Month series continues! Here's how it works. You write the titles of the books you are reading right now, and I make a word cloud out of all your recommendations. Remember, the more votes a title gets, the bigger the print. Now, prepare yourselves for a shocking upset! This is first month that Percy Jackson did not make the top 3! This month's winner is Harry Potter by, like, a mile, with The Hunger Games (for ages 12 and up) in second place, and Dork Diaries in third. Take a look.

Keep the Comments coming for next month's Book Wordle! Leave a Comment with the title of the book you are reading right now, and I will make a new word cloud of all our reads for the whole month. 

— Sonja, STACKS Staffer

Inkheart Readalikes

Inkheart Readalikes

You know when you find an amazing book, and you never want it to end? How do you find another book to read after that? Our answer: Readalikes to the rescue! We hope our Readalikes will rescue you from the what-to-read-next question, and help you find lots of new amazing books.

Today's Readalikes are for the Inkheart series by Cornelia Funke. These books follow Meggie on an amazing adventure as she discovers that her father has the ability to bring story characters (good and evil) into our world just by reading them out loud!

The 39 Clues Guess the Book Trivia Quiz

The 39 Clues Guess the Book Trivia Quiz

For today's Tuesday Trivia Quiz, your challenge is to figure out the book titles from just the itty-bitty pieces of their covers shown below.

Here's a hint: Fans of The 39 Clues should have no trouble recognizing most of these book covers. 

Leave your answers in the Comments, and make sure to come back next week to check your answers.

— Sonja, STACKS Staffer

Whatever After Name the Book

Whatever After: YOU Name the Book

Have you ever wanted to name a book? Well, now's your chance! Sarah Mlynowski, the author of the Whatever After series, wants YOU to pick the title for the fifth book in the series!

If you haven't read Whatever After, the books are about a girl named Abby who gets transported into fairy tales through her basement mirror. The only problem is, she accidentally changes the way the stories come out! She and her brother have to fix everything in order for the characters to have their happy endings.  

Learn more about the Whatever After series, and play the Dress-Up Game!

In Book #5, Abby and her brother visit the story of Rapunzel. Click on one of the choices below, and the title with the most votes will officially be the name of the fifth Whatever After book! How cool would it be to know that your vote helped decide the title of a published book?!?

UPDATE: The poll is now closed. Thank you to everyone who voted. The winning title is BAD HAIR DAY!

Infestation Book review

Infestation by Timothy J. Bradley

You'll never look at bugs the same way again after reading this gruesome tale!

Andy Greenwood is what you'd called a "troubled youth." After a string of naughty behavior (including running away from FOUR foster homes, and setting a car on fire), Andy is sent to the Reclamation School for Boys. It's that, or he has to spend time in a juvenile detention center.

Turns out, the Reclamation School is worse than any prison he could imagine. Stuck in the middle of the Arizona desert in an ant-infested building without air-conditioning, Andy is surrounded by hundreds of other boys who are always looking to pick a fight. But after an earthquake, Andy discovers it isn't just bullies he has to look out for. There are giant mutant bugs that are eating the students and adults! In order to survive, the boys must put their fighting aside and band together. 

This story will make your heart pound as the boys race to escape this prison. Full of action, mystery, and gore, anyone who loves a thrill will enjoy this book. Let us know what you think in the Comments section!

—Elysse, STACKS Writer