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Thursday, October 18, 2018

The Sword of Summer: Magnus Chase and the Gods of Asgard 1 By Rick Riordan

Interest Level: 5-8
Reading Level: 4.9
Lexile: 630L
Genre: Fantasy

Magnus Chase has always been a troubled kid. Since his mother's mysterious death, he's lived alone on the streets of Boston, surviving by his wits, keeping one step ahead of the police and the truant officers. One day, he's tracked down by an uncle he barely knows-a man his mother claimed was dangerous. Uncle Randolph tells him an unbelievable secret: Magnus is the son of a Norse god and that the gods of Asgard are preparing for war. Magnus begins a quest to prevent Ragnarok. When an attack by fire giants forces him to choose between his own safety and the lives of hundreds of innocents, Magnus makes a fatal decision. But can the son of god die.


J.K. Rowling is often given credit for making it alright for adults to read young adult fiction. Rick Riordan's "Lightning Thief" came out seven years after "Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone". This book, the first book in the Magnus Chase and the Gods of Asgard series, joins Riordan's Percy Jackson & the Olympians, The Heroes of Olympus, The Kane Chronicles, and The Trials of Apollo series to dethrone Rowling.  I highly recommend this book for middle school students and up.

Monday, October 8, 2018

Batgirl Robin Year One by Scott Beatty

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Interest Level: YA
Reading Level: NR
Lexile: NR
Genre: Science Fiction

This book was originally published in single magazine form in "Batgirl: Year One 1-9", "Robin: Year One 1-4". Dick Grayson jumps into the thick of it as Robin. The Boy Wonder for the first time patrols the night by Batman's side. In his earliest adventures, Robin learns very quickly that what he thought would be fun is actually a matter of life and death. Barbara Gordon's transforms from average citizen into costumed super-heroine Batgirl.

I am not a huge graphic novel fan. I read them. I enjoy them. However, I miss the word play of a novel. I enjoy creating the pictures in my head using the words of the author. I love Batgirl. She is a librarian like me. I liked reading about how Barbara Gordon became Batgirl.  I recommend this book.

Monday, October 1, 2018

The Seventh Most Important Thing by Shelley Pearsall

Interest Level: 5-8 
Reading Level: 5.1
Lexile: 760L
Genre: Historical Fiction

Set in 1963, Arthur Owens gets in trouble with the law when he throws a brick at the neighborhood Junk Man's head and injures him. The judge gives Arthur 120 hours of community service working with the Junk Man. 

This story is based on the real life and work of James Hampton. I enjoyed this book. I really wanted Arthur to get his act together. I was routing for him the whole way. I would recommend it to students.