Peeps by Scott Westerfield

Peeps
by Scott Westerfield
Razorbill, NY 2006


Cal went to New York City to have a normal college experience. But one night after too many Bahamalamadingdongs his life changes forever. Now, if he even kisses a girl he passes on a parasite that turns his crush into a blood craving, flesh eating, rat loving, monster. Cal isn’t a monster, he’s a carrier, and he has to track down all of his ex-girlfriends before they go on murderous rampages throughout the city. The parasite gives Call super human strength and reflexes and will pretty much let him live forever, but the downside is that he can’t ever have a relationship again, or can he? The coolest part of this book is that every other chapter describes real life creepy crawly parasites and informs you that you that even when you think you're alone, you're definitely not.


Bottom Line:
Great twist on the whole vampire thing; major gross out factor; addictive; there's a sequel called The Last Days

Bronx Masquerade, by Nikki Grimes

Bronx Masquerade

by Nikki Grimes

Penguin Group, NY 2002

When Mr. Ward asks Wesley “Bad Boy” Boone to share his poem about Langston Hughes with his class he finds that other students are interested in sharing poetry too. What starts out as a few minutes one Friday a month becomes a weekly poetry reading that other students sneak in to hear. Each chapter provides a different student’s point of view, followed by one of their poems. The poems, rather than demonstrating the classmates differences, highlight their similarities, dreams for the future, and desire to fit in with one another. 

The brief one- to three-page chapters followed by each character's poems move the reader quickly through the story while Tyrone’s commentary ties the differing viewpoints together. Each student has their own set of issues and the open mike poetry reading experience gives them the confidence to work through the problems with the help of their classmates.  I was impressed with the way the author was able to craft poetry that reflected each of the teen’s unique situations and personalities while demonstrating their similarities.

Bottom Line:
Fast read, Great poetry; Anyone interested in an open mike in the library?

The Killer's Cousin, by Nancy Werlin

The Killer’s Cousin
by Nancy Werlin

Dial Books, NY 1998


David missed his senior year in high school and needs to go to stay with his aunt, uncle and cousin in Cambridge, Massachusetts in order to complete it. He gets to stay in their attic apartment and basically come and go as he pleases. Sounds like a pretty great senior year, right? Well, not really. David missed his senior year because he was going through a nationally publicized trial in which he was accused of murdering his girlfriend. He was acquitted, but his picture appeared on television and newspapers across the country and now his face is easily recognized. Circumstances in Cambridge present more barriers to his “fresh start.” First of all, his aunt and uncle don’t talk to one another, they communicate through David’s eleven-year-old cousin, Lily. Second, David may not be the only occupant of the attic apartment. There is a strange humming sound that occasionally accompanies the appearance of the ghost of Lily’s deceased older sister Kathy. Third, Lily appears to be somewhat of a sociopath. All David wants is a fresh start, but to get one he may need to confront major family secrets and his own past. It seems so clear at the beginning, but as the story unfolds the reader begins to wonder who the “killer’s cousin” really is.

     The Prologue, hinting at David’s past, hooked me from the very start. His story from the beginning seemed a familiar one; one that we’ve seen played out in newspapers and Today Show interviews of the accused and acquitted. Lily is excellently portrayed as an aggressively meddlesome character - the little sister from hell.  I am a big fan of ghost stories and while I wished that there were some more supernatural elements to the story it has a nice creepiness level as it is. As an avid mystery reader I was impressed at how Werlin kept the reader guessing until the end.


Bottom Line:
You won't know the truth until the end; set in Cambridge; great mystery

The Lost City of Z, by David Grann

The Lost City of Z: A Tale of Deadly Obsession in the Amazon
by David Grann
Vintage Books, NY, 2009

"Then he woke up to find what looked like worms in his knee and arm. He peered closer. They were maggots growing inside him. He counted fifty around his elbow alone... Some worms died from the poison and started to rot inside him. Others grew as long as an inch and occasionally poked their heads from his body, like a periscope on a submarine." (p. 134-135)

Before maps, GPS, and street signs, groups of men ventured into the most unwelcoming of climates to explore and chart the wilderness. Some returned with tales of amazing sites, and gained fame and fortune. Others never made it back home. The Story of Z is the tale of the latter. British explorer Percy Fawcett dedicated his life to searching for a fabled civilization believed to reside deep in the Amazonian Jungle. This is the fantastic true account of Fawcett's many journeys, including the one from which he never returned. Readers learn that few are immune from the dream of Z as the author sets out on his own mission discover what happened to Percy Fawcett. But the jungle the author encounters is very different from the one Fawcett attempted to conquer. As the author travels through part of the jungle where Fawcett was once separated from his group in dense foliage, he sees perpetual plains. He notes that in just five months in 2007 over 2700 square miles of jungle were cleared - an area the size of Delaware. Like Fawcett, this jungle might one day disappear. This story keeps you guessing until the end and wondering, what if?

Bottom Line:
Excellent read; page turner; super gross out scenes; I think I might want to be an explorer.

Calling All Judy Moody Fans

If you’re like me, you love Judy Moody. Judy’s spunky personality, dramatic flair, and astounding ability to get into and out of sticky situations always keeps me reading. One of my favorite things about Judy Moody is that she takes everything at face value. Her mood ring turns black? Well then she must be in a bad mood. Her substitute teacher installs an “attitude tent” in the classroom? Well, then Judy must find out what attitude she should adopt so she can go camping.

Judy Moody books suit many readers, especially those transitioning from Early Reader books to Chapter Books. If you like the Judy Moody books, here are a few series and book recommendations that I think you will enjoy.

Brown, J. Flat Stanley (series)

A bulletin board fell on Stanley Lambchop one day and made him flat as a pancake. But, life goes on. Stanley’s adventures are chronicled in this funny series.

Clements, A. Jake Drake (series)

In this series, fourth-grader Jake Drake looks back on challenging, embarrassing, and exciting events in his earlier school years. 


English, K. Nikki & Deja (series)

Nikki and Deja are best friends. They do everything together. One of their favorite things is to sit on Nikki's front porch and discuss what's happening on their block. This series explores their friendship and its ups and downs.

Greenburg, D. The Zack Files (series)

Ten-year-old Zack has a knack for getting himself into weird situations. Take for instance the time he attempted to rid his apartment of a rude eight-year-old poltergeist who communicates by spelling out words with peanut M&Ms.

Look, L. Ruby Lu (series)

Ruby Lu loves her family. In this funny series we follow the eight-year-old as she welcomes her cousin from China, puts on a magic show, wraps her little brother in reflective tape and more!

McDonald, M. Stink (series)

This series is all about Judy Moody’s little brother Stink, and just like his sister, he will keep you laughing as he tackles all sorts of challenges.

Park, B. Junie B. Jones (series)

Junie has more disasters than any student I know. But she is always able to rebound from them with a smile.

Pennypacker, S. Clementine (series)

Clementine is a busy third-grader. She has a hard time sitting still and paying attention, which gets her into some sticky situations. This series details Clemenine’s adventures in and out of school.

Salisbury, G. Calvin Coconut (series)

It’s really fun to grow up in Hawaii, just ask Calvin Coconut! But sometimes too much fun can get you into trouble, and Calvin Coconut must surf his way out of sticky situations.

Weinman Sharmat, M. Nate the Great (series)

Nate the Great is a detective. Readers will enjoy solving mysteries along with him as he helps his friends and family find lost recipes, catch garbage burglars, and locate missing gifts.


[originally posted by the author on the What's Up in the Library blog by Lawrence School Library]

Outside of a dog...

"Outside of a dog, a book is a man's best friend. Inside of a dog it's too dark to read."  - Groucho Marx