Linda Ashman
Children's Book Author

Sir Michael Sevenson, a man of noble blood, leaves home and the promise of being a steward to follow a profession centuries out of date: a Knight Errant. Going on adventures with the man he redeemed of a crime (aka his "squire," Fisk), the two make a terrible mistake. As a result, they are put in the position of having to track down a murderess, apologize to a liege lord, and when finished, Sir Michael will have to go back home to the job he left a year ago: being his brother's steward.

If he fails in any part of the quest, Sir Michael will have the tattoos of an unredeemed man on his wrists, and will never have any respect or help again.

As you follow the two through many an awkward, or nail-biting predicament, the surprises keep coming. Hilari Bell weaves two great stories, keeping you guessing, laughing, and enjoying the whole time.

RATING: 4.5 out of 5: two outstanding books.

In this trilogy, Djinni (or spirit, or demon) Bartimaeus is summoned by a London magician named Nathaniel, also known as John Mandrake. As Bartimaeus carries out the orders that Nathaniel gives him, the two find multiple plots, fight rebelling "commoners" and keep readers at the edge of their seat. The longer the two stay together, the more you learn about Bartimaeus' past, the more trusting the two get (even though they often get in fights). In the final book, Nathaniel and his friend Kitty put the ultimate amount of trust in Bartimaeus, and Nathaniel gives Bartimaeus one final gift, that was given to Bartimaeus thousands of years before.

This was a trilogy that I simply could not put down. The books were very well written, and were laugh-out-loud funny, with thrilling action that seemingly never ceased, and back-stabbing friends and government. This is a series that is as good as any, and will keep readers wanting more, and finding themselves sad when they read the end of the third book, with the great series coming to an end.

RATING: 5 out of 5. Great series!

After winning the 74th annual Hunger Games, Katniss is prepared to go on her victory tour through the districts and the Capitol. On the morning the tour begins, she gets an unexpected visit from President Snow. And the news he brings to her is terrible.

Katniss will have to portray herself as someone whom she is not if she is to save her loved ones. She and Peeta take desperate measures, but they aren't able to pull it off, and they have endangered all the people around them. And, to top it off, The Hunger Games are coming, and they are going to be different from before.

Every 25 years since the districts rebelled, there has been a Quarter Quell for The Hunger Games, each one signifying the Capitols power. Each Quarter Quell changes the Games a little bit. And now, after two Quarter Quells, the third is looming, and the way the Games will be played is being announced.

President Snow bringing the news, from CATCHING FIRE: "On the twenty-fifth anniversary, as a reminder to the rebels that their children were dying because of their choice to initiate violence, every district was made to hold an election and vote on the tributes who would represent it . . . On the fiftieth anniversary, as a reminder that two rebels died for each Capitol citizen, every district was required to send twice as many tributes . . . And now our third Quarter Quell . . . "

Suzanne Collins writes a book that is just as good, surprising, scary and PERFECT as THE HUNGER GAMES. This series will be loved by anyone and everyone who reads it. It surpasses even the biggest hits of our time. This is the next great series, and will soon become a classic. It has produced my two favorite books, and I eagerly anticipate the third.


RATING: Again, off the scale. About 200 out of 5.

In the country of Panem is a capital surrounded by 12, once 13, districts. Many years ago, the districts rebelled against the capital, but were hopelessly outmatched. As punishment, the Hunger Games were formed. Gruesome games where tributes have a tiny chance of survival. It is a fight to the death, where the only way to survive is to win. For the other 23 contestants to die.

PRESENT DAY

It is reaping day, the day when the names are drawn for the 24 tributes going to the Hunger Games. There will be 2, a boy and a girl, from each district. As you get older, your name gets put in more and more times. From 12-the first year of eligibility- you are entered once into the pot of names from your district, to 18- the last year you could be sent to the games- when you are entered 7 times. That is, unless you are in a family that needs food. The kind of family that Katniss Everdeen lives in.

If you are in a family like that, you can have your name entered extra times, so you can get an extra ration of grain and oil. You can enter your name as many times as you want, and for each extra time you enter your name, you get another ration. Katniss, who is now 16, has entered her name 3 extra times each year, and since entries are accumulated, her name is entered twenty times, and her sister, now 12, is only entered once. As the time for the reaping comes and the name for the girls is drawn, Katniss prays that it will not be her. And it isn't. It is her sister.

Katniss volunteers to take her sister's place, and she is sent of to the Capitol to participate in the games. But she holds a special tie to the boy tribute from district 12.

Katniss does well, but can she survive a double-crossing from the gamemakers?

Suzanne Collins writes a book that will be loved by every person who reads it. She keeps you at the edge of your seat, and has surprises waiting around every corner. THE HUNGER GAMES is likely to become a favorite book of anyone who reads it. It sure is mine.

RATING: Off the scale. Somewhere around a 200 out of 5.

Note: After reading THE HUNGER GAMES, read CATCHING FIRE, book two in the series.

Jonas is about to turn twelve, and receive his assignment in the community (an assignment is like a job in the community [which is like a town], except that they are chosen for you). His parents assure him that it will be OK, but when the ceremony comes, it definitely is NOT. When it is his turn to get his assignment, he is skipped over and doesn't get one until after everyone else. His assignment is very rare, so rare that only one person can have it at a time. The last time it was given, everything went wrong.

Jonas is the new receiver of memory. He is told his training is going to be very painful, and it proves true. Jonas is to be trained by the Giver (the current receiver of memory). As Jonas goes through his training, he learns some terrible things, from what the Giver shows him. And when he sees a "release" for the first time, he knows that things need to change. Jonas and the Giver form a plan, but when a baby that his family has been taking care of is scheduled for release, he has to speed up the plan, and execute it that night.

Lois Lowry's book is great. It is realistic, and that is what makes it so scary. This book is something that all family members should read. THE GIVER is very good, and makes you appreciate the way that we live. A book that will be read and loved for many years to come.

RATING: 6 out of 5. Exceptional.

Calder, Petra and Tommy's latest adventure begins with a trip to the art museum. The Alexander Calder exhibit is there, with many of his famous mobiles. In one room is something called The Calder Game, and it sets off many ideas in the three kids' heads.

Calder is going to England with his dad, and is allowed to explore. One day after Calder's dad is pulling up, he sees Calder talking with a stranger. The following day, Calder is going to a maze. When his dad gets home, he finds a note from Calder saying that he was asked to do something important. But Calder doesn't come back-he's disappeared.

Calder's father calls his wife, and as she is leaving to go to England, she falls and can't go. So instead, Petra, Tommy and their friend Mrs. Sharpe go. When Tommy and Petra arrive at the maze to search for Calder, it seems as though he has disappeared from the face of the earth-in fact, he has!

Blue Balliett writes a masterpiece, the third of the series that began with CHASING VERMEER. THE CALDER GAME is a book most every age can enjoy. A mystery that is definitely worth reading.

RATING: 4.5 out of 5.

Artemis' mother is terribly sick, and when Artemis uses magic to try to heal her, it only gets worse. So Artemis calls one of his fairy friends, Holly Short. But he needs more. Artemis needs No. 1--the very powerful demon warlock.

With the help of Foaly the centaur, they find out that Artemis' mother has an illness that is not curable--almost. There was an outbreak of it in the fairy world, and Opal Koboi was able to find a cure. With the Silky Sifaka Lemur. And now, Angeline Fowl's only chance of surviving is that lemur. Oh, one problem- the lemur is extinct, the last one sold to a group called The Extinctionists eight years earlier. By none other than the ten year old Artemis for money so he could try to find his then-lost father.

Artemis needs No. 1 to cast a time spell, so he can save the lemur from his younger self, but Foaly will not allow Holly to go with Artemis. Artemis lies, to try to get Holly to go with him. It works but he regrets having to tell the lie which made Holly come along.

In their adventure to eight years earlier, the plan goes awry, and Artemis can't seem to remember anything. The younger Artemis captures the team of two, and when they thought that it would go easy they need the help of a younger Mulch Diggums. They get the lemur back, but Butler gets something else.

Eoin Colfer's series is outstanding, incredible, enjoyable and very fun to read. Artemis' adventures and plans make for great reads. THE TIME PARADOX, along with all the other books in the series, are books that when you finish you just want to go back to the beginning, and enjoy it again. THE TIME PARADOX is another success from Eoin Colfer.


RATING: 5 OUT OF 5-PERFECT!

Artemis Fowl is a twelve year old criminal mastermind. When he hatches a plan to get gold, he and Butler (his servant) travel across continents in search of a vital part of his plan. What he needs is The Book, a fairy book. A bible of sorts.

When he finally finds it, there is no stopping Artemis. Everything he planned works. But eventually he will make a mistake. And will he really be able to complete the most important part? Does he know enough about fairies to outsmart them, and get out alive?

From page one, Eoin Colfer keeps you turning the pages. You stay on the edge of your seat as this gripping tale unfolds. A book that seems completely real, ARTEMIS FOWL keeps you guessing page after page. A book generations will enjoy. In my opinion, one of the best fairy tales ever written.

After reading this book, read THE ARCTIC INCIDENT, the next book in the series.


RATING: 5 out of 5. A must read!!

Percy and his friend Annabeth are in the woods, playing a camp game. When they suddenly need to hide, they go into a rock cluster...and the two fall down a hole into a mysterious new place. Annabeth finds the mark of Daedalus, and the friends are able to get back to Camp Half-Blood, but the camp is terrified. Annabeth and Percy had been in the Labyrinth.

The camp is so scared because their enemy, Luke, could get right into camp. And they wouldn't have to cross the magical borders that protect the camp from monsters. The huge army could just pop up, out of the ground-if they can find the entrance. Percy, Annabeth, Grover and Tyson journey into the Labyrinth to try to make sure that Luke's army can't.

Riordan out does himself again. This book is suspenseful, funny, and a great read for all ages. This series just gets better and better, and many fans will be sad when they finish the last book. This series lets you enjoy each book and also learn about Greek mythology.

RATING: 5 out of 5. This series is INCREDIBLE!!!

After 9th grader Jack Perdu has a serious accident, he needs to go to see a doctor in New York. Before he leaves, he makes a new friend at the subway station- a girl Jack's age named Euri. Euri offers to show Jack around the station before he leaves on his train, and he follows her.

As they go down in to the subway station's secret places, Jack notices something weird about Euri. As they venture ever deeper towards the heart of the station, he learns more about the mysterious girl. And he learns that she might be able to help find Jack's dead mother. But time for the two is running out.

Katherine Marsh locks you in from page one. She keeps you on the edge of your seat wondering if Jack and Euri will ever leave the station alive. A very good read for everyone who is into suspense. All said, this book is a bright star in every library, and will be enjoyed for many years to come.

RATING: 5 out of 5.

When Percy Jackson and some of his half-blood friends get an emergency call to a school from his best friend Grover, they find out that there are two half-bloods at the school...and a monster. The monster is a Manticore--a dangerous creature who uses its tail to throw poisonous spikes. When the half-bloods that Grover found disappear, Percy goes to look for them. And he finds them, too. Except they're with the Manticore.

Percy tries to fight the monster, but is overpowered and needs help from his friends. He contacts them, and they come, but they aren't alone. The Hunters of Artemis also show up. Together they are able to keep the monster at bay. But when Artemis leaves on a mission and gets captured, the Oracle at camp gives a quest to Zoe Nightshade, a very important hunter. As Percy joins the quest, he journeys through many places, and searches for Artemis. But he also goes along on the quest for another reason.

Can everything end well??

Riordan does it again, crafting yet another incredible book. As Percy journeys, you get many laughs, and find yourself flipping page after page, so caught up in the great plot. Another must-read by Rick Riordan.

RATING:5 OUT OF 5--THIS SERIES IS A FORCE TO BE RECKONED WITH IN THE BOOK WORLD!!!!

Junior lives on the Spokane Indian Reservation. He went to school there, also. That is, until he nailed his teacher with a book. That prompted his teacher to visit Junior. There, he persuaded Junior to go to a school in a nearby town. With WHITE kids. When Junior tells Rowdy, his best friend, about his decision Rowdy instantly hates him. And Junior loses the only person who stands up for him--his only friend.

At his new school, Junior makes some friends. He also makes the basketball team. His team's first game is back at the reservation where most people hate Junior. They don't try to hide it at the game. By the time the game ends, Junior has had three stitches, and a concussion--courtesy of Rowdy. But still more tragedy is in store for Junior and his family.

Sherman Alexie's book is both sad and funny. It won the NATIONAL BOOK AWARD, and is well deserving of the honor. This story gives you a first-hand look at the sadness that a poor Indian must live with, and deserves every honor and every bit of praise it has gotten. All said, it is one of the best books I have read.

Rating:5 out of 5--A near perfect book.



WARNING!!!!!!!!!! THIS BOOK HAS SOME LANGUAGE THAT MAY BE OFFENSIVE.

Percy is one day away from finishing his 7th grade year. There have been no monster attacks, and he hasn't gotten expelled. Yet. When his mom tells him bad news about Camp Half-Blood, and some new kids come to school, it all changes. Percy is forced to go to camp, even though it isn't safe for him.

When he arrives at camp, it is in horrible condition. There is only one thing he can do to save it. Travel into a Cyclops' lair, and steal the golden fleece. Did I mention that the lair is in the Sea of Monsters? Surprises come, and the only thing Percy can do is try to stay alive. Will this leave him enough time????

Riordan again writes an incredible book--the perfect follow-up to THE LIGHTNING THIEF. A riveting plot and great characters lead to yet another fantastic read. This book is another page turner. Riordan has crafted a series that gives even Harry Potter a run for its money.

Rating: 5 out of 5. WELL DONE.

Bud does not know who his dad is, but Bud has one clue that might help him find his dad. He has the posters that his mom left him. On the posters is the famous band, Herman E. Calloway and the Dusky Devastators of the Depression.

Bud sets off, in search of Herman E. Calloway, and the fun begins. This book is full of adventure, with many good parts along the way. With each turn of the road, a new twist comes, and then a twist that is impossible to see comes, and surprises everyone.

Christopher Paul Curtis' novel is true to life, and it is book well worth reading. As Bud searches across Michigan for the band, you can't help but feel sorry for the boy who lost his mother.

This book won the Newbery Medal.

Rating: 4.5 out of 5.

This is the last book in one of the best series that I have ever read. The action doesn't stop until the series has come to a great end.

In the book, it is the final battle. While the gods are all away fighting a monster, Kronos attacks, leaving Percy and his friends from Camp Half-Blood to defend Mount Olympus. One of Percy's friends, Nico--the son of Hades--has an idea.

The idea might kill Percy, but if he agrees to do it, he would become virtually indestructible.

This book engages you from the start, and doesn't let you put it down until you have come to the end of another classic. It has everything that a series ending book should have. It is satisfying, and doesn't leave any questions unanswered. I look for many more great books from Rick Riordan.

Rating: 5 out of 5.

Avery has super powers. He can fly. He has super strength. There's only one problem. He can't tell anyone.

When a strange woman contacts Avery, and says she can make him better, the best he can be, Avery doesn't know what to do. At Avery's new school, there are two people that seem to be super. Just like him. When one of the two people invites Avery to a party, where there will be other people with super powers, Avery is amazed.

Avery learns things, and can only wonder if the stuff he hears is true.

Dull Boy is laugh-out-loud funny, and a great book for older readers.

Rating: 5 out of 5.


WARNING!!!!!!!!!! THIS BOOK HAS SOME LANGUAGE THAT MAY BE OFFENSIVE.

In the sequel to THE NAME OF THIS BOOK IS SECRET, Max-Ernest and Cass begin work with the Terces Society. Their first meeting with the society goes wrong, and they are captured by the evil people from the Midnight Sun. While being held prisoner, the two kids find a very important ball. They find a way to escape, and waiting for them is Owen, a member of the Terces Society.

The two get their first Terces mission and go off in search of a creature that might not exist.

Pseudonymous Bosch's sequel is every bit as good as the first book in the series. IF YOU'RE READING THIS, IT'S TOO LATE is gripping and beautifully crafted. The mysteriousness once was annoying, but you come to appreciate it, and soon you find yourself trying to figure out who everyone is and where they all live. The two books are a very promising start to the series, and Pseudonymous Bosch has finished writing a third book.

Rating: 5 out of 5. WHAT A MYSTERY!!!

This book begins with Will Burrows, his friend, Chester, and his brother, Cal, going deeper into the earth searching for Will's father. While they go deeper underground, Will and Cal's mom, who is trying to escape the Styx (the evil leaders of the underground world), is above ground. When Will's mother gets captured, the Styx falsely inform her that Will has killed her brother. When she agrees to hunt down Will and kill him, only bad things can happen.

The sequel to TUNNELS was disappointing. The book seemed very rushed, the amount of detail was uneven, and action was limited. The book was mostly setting up 90 pages of very small action. In a few parts the book was very jumpy and a bit confusing and the style of narration changed in the middle for a few pages. DEEPER had a few interesting and exciting parts, but mostly it was slow and didn't hold your interest.

TUNNELS was an incredible book and its sequel failed to live up to the hype. But, if you liked TUNNELS you should read DEEPER, and when it comes out, FREE FALL. You probably won't be satisfied with DEEPER, but at least you'll know the end to what was a very promising series.

RATING : 3 out of 5.

Max-Ernest and Cassandra are the two main characters in this novel. Cassandra's 2 Grandpas, Larry and Wayne, own an antiques shop. One day, a symphony of smells is brought to their shop from the house of a dead magician, and Cassandra and Max-Ernest can't resist. What they find is a mystery.

This novel from Pseudonymous Bosch is very funny and gripping. The writing is one of a kind. The author keeps you waiting for the answer to the mystery about the magician's life to be revealed, and when it isn't, you want the sequel.

The sequel to this book is IF YOU'RE READING THIS, IT'S TOO LATE.

Rating 4.5 out of 5.

Will Burrows loves archeological digs. His dad does also. As they are about to discover something incredible, Dr. Burrows is gone. Vanished right out of thin air. As Will and his friend Chester go looking for Will's dad, they discover something great. Something that would shock London and every other city in the world.

Roderick Gordon and Brian William's debut novel is action-packed and exciting. They keep you riveted from page one. This book is exciting and a shocking cliff-hanger makes you want the sequel as much as you've ever wanted anything before.

The sequel DEEPER is coming in March 2009 and is a must-read when it comes out.

Rating: 5 out of 5. WOW!!!!

Meet Percy Jackson, a kid who has bad things happen to him constantly, especially on field trips. The Saratoga Battlefield: He accidentally blew up a school bus with a Revolutionary War cannon; Marine World shark pool: Percy accidentally hits the wrong lever and his class takes a bath. And on the latest field trip: His pre-algebra teacher attacks him. That's how he finds out he's a "half blood".

He goes to Camp Half-Blood: a safe place for people like him--a son of a Greek god and a mortal. When Zeus's symbol of power gets stolen, he is chosen to confront the suspect: Hades.

Rick Riordan keeps you reading and excited the whole way. A laugh out loud book, it makes you want to learn more about all the gods and goddesses. When this book is finished, you will be very sad until you read the next three books. A thrilling, action packed series-starter that makes you want more. One of the best books I have ever read, I think this book will never run out of good laughs even if you read it 5 or 6 times.

Rating: 5 out of 5 (I would give it a 30 but the rating system only goes up to 5).