- Michael Ames
- Jul 25, 2017
On the Hill of Dust in the lonely mountains of Mexico, Teo’s life is isolated and uneventful. Everything changes when Esma, Queen of Lightning and the Gypsy caravan roll into town. Teo is drawn to Esma’s vibrant energy. He is even more intrigued when the fortune teller proclaims Teo and Esma ‘friends for life’ even though a friendship between the two cultures is forbidden. That fateful summer creates a bond between Teo and Esma powerful enough to to overcome prejudice, danger, distance, and time.
The Lightning Queen is a beautifully written tale of friendship and coming of age with a hint of mystery. Resau’s descriptions and characters bring the Romani and Mixteco Indian cultures to life. Young readers can relate to Teo and Esma’s friendship while learning about their unique cultures and life experiences. This book is one of my new favorites for middle grade and tween readers.
Recommended ages--10 and up
- Michael Ames
- Jul 24, 2017
As she approaches her eighteenth birthday, Lady Truthful Newington is about to inherit her family heirloom--a heart-shaped emerald that bestows magical powers. When the emerald disappears, Truthful disguises herself as a boy and joins the search. She joins forces with Major Harnett who offers to help look for the emerald, but they find themselves involved with an evil sorceress and more danger than they expected. Through their adventures, both Truthful and Major Harnett learn that things are often different than they originally appear.
Garth Nix, well-known for his fantasy novels, takes a refreshing diversion into the world of regency romance and creates my favorite Garth Nix novel yet. He combines the styles of Georgette Heyer and Jane Austen and throws in his own touch of magic. With marvelous characters and a fun story, Newt’s Emerald will entertain both teen and adult readers.
Recommended ages--12 and up
- Michael Ames
- Jul 21, 2017
Bridge, Emily, and Tabitha have been best friends forever with only one best friend rule--No Fighting. But life in seventh grade brings lots of changes--new friends, new interests, and new conflicts. Will these girls make it through the struggles of seventh grade and still hold to their one rule? In the meantime, their struggles weave in and out with the story of an unnamed high school girl fighting against the pain of betrayal and broken friendships.
With her usual hint of mystery, Rebecca Stead creates a wonderful story of friendships and coming of age that middle grade readers, tweens, and teens can all appreciate. Her characters are unique and endearing, but each with something to which readers can relate. Goodbye Stranger is a realistic yet hopeful look at life during the tween years.
Recommended ages--10 and up