Voyagers Book 1: Project Alpha

By: D.J. MacHale

After a year of testing, only eight 12-year-olds remain.  Four of them will be chosen for a

journey in outer space to retrieve a fuel source to save the world.  Dash wants desperately to be one of the four, but he knows he is up against some serious competition.  The challenges and tests get more difficult.  But, Dash and his friends also realize that there are many unanswered questions.

Mrs. Senechal says:
I was honored to receive an "Advanced Reader Copy"!  I think my students will love this book, the first in the series.  There is lots of action and suspense and some amazing futuristic tools, vehicles, and gadgets.  There are also codes to break and the ability to participate online!  Fans of the 39 Clues series will really like this series, too.

Fish

By: Gregory Mone

When Fish tries to retrieve a bag of stolen coins that he was supposed to deliver, he never

suspects it will land him a job on a pirate ship!  While trying to get the coins back, Fish also makes friends and enemies aboard the ship.  Soon, he and his friends are trying to figure out if these coins reveal a mysterious treasure and they have to stop a mutiny at the same time.

Mrs. Senechal says:
This story really draws you in!  The author does an excellent job of creating lots of interesting characters - good guys and bad guys.  I liked trying to figure out the mystery right along with the characters.  You'll also enjoy the excitement and humor throughout the book.

The Scorch Trials & The Death Cure

By: James Dashner 

Every time Thomas thinks it's "over" a new challenge is thrown at him.  In these two

books, from The Maze Runner series, Thomas continues to fight for his life at every turn.  But, now, he doesn't know who to trust.  Is WICKED bad or good? Which events are real and which were set up as another test to see what he will do?  Thomas, Newt, Minho, and Teresa continue to battle for survival, meet new friends, and confront more obstacles.


Mrs. Senechal says:
 This series is full of the action and suspense I love!  At each turn, I was right with the characters trying to determine who they should trust and what they should do.  The characters also have to make a lot of tough decisions, and as a reader, I like to imagine what I would have done in that situation.  As with the first book, I recommend this series to those junior high age and older.

Loot

By: Jude Watson

March was raised by his father, Alfie, a master thief.  While trying to complete a heist his

dad falls to his death.  He has a few words for March, and it's over.  March is amazed to find out he has a twin sister!  Even more amazing, they realize their dad has left them clues to a treasure worth millions.  But, they quickly find that Alfie's former partner, their mom's sister, and a TV reporter are all after the treasure as well!


Mrs. Senechal says:
I love a story where the usual bad guys, in this case thieves, are actually the good guys!  The author creates unique and interesting characters and keeps the suspense high.  There were many unexpected twists and turns throughout the story.  Watson is one of the authors of The 39 Clues series, and this book was just as exciting!

The Name of this Book is Secret

By: Pseudonymous Bosch

If you choose to read this book, you will know secrets that could put you in danger.  But, if

you are brave enough, you will become part of the team trying to protect the secret from many enemies.  Cass and Max-Ernest find out quickly that trying to solve a magicians codes will lead to great adventures and great dangers.  Their adventure begins by finding the "Symphony of Spells" and leads to spying, kidnapping, and more!

Mrs. Senechal says:
Thanks to Nick, Ella, and Will for encouraging me to read this book!  The mystery will draw you in to the story from the beginning!  The author does a great job of telling you just enough information to make you more curious about what will happen next.  I will definitely continue reading the series!

The Spy Princess

By: Sherwood Smith

Lilah, niece of the King, has noticed the anger of the townspeople, but her father tells her

they are peasants and she should ignore them.  Instead, Lilah dresses like a peasant boy, sneaks out, and makes friends with the kids in town.  While she loves her new friends, she also finds out that they hate her family!  Before too long, Lilah has become a spy for the revolutionaries, but she is too bold and gets caught.  However, Lilah finds an ally in her brother, and together they make plans to make things right in the kingdom.

Mrs. Senechal says:
Even though the book's title includes the word "princess" there are plenty of boy characters and lots of action and adventure - this is a book boys and girls will like.  The author weaves medieval settings and characters with a bit of magic to keep the story really fun.  I also liked how the author had characters  with many different perspectives on how to solve the problems - just like problem-solving in real life - there often are many possible solutions.  When I read the author's note at the end, I found it especially cool that the author began writing this story when she was 8!

The Heroes of Olympus Series: Books 1-4

By: Rick Riordan

This series follows Riordan's Percy Jackson & the Olympians series.  The author introduces many new characters but weaves their stories to include the main characters from the original series.  One of the biggest challenges is that a Roman group of demigods is discovered - and they consider the Greek demigods their enemies.  However, to save the world, these two groups will be forced to work together and trust each other.

Mrs. Senechal says:
I almost enjoyed this series more then the first!  I love all the new characters, and I continue to learn a lot about both Greek and Roman mythology.  In typical Riordan style, there is plenty of action and suspense.  There is one book left in this series - to be released in October 2014 - and I can't wait to read it!

The 39 Clues: Unstoppable: Book 1: Nowhere to Run

By: Jude Watson

Dan and Amy Cahill have traveled the world to find their family's secret and protect it from being used by many villains.  They thought they had finally found peace, but a new villain has stolen the secret serum and has made Dan and Amy the target of a terrible media smear campaign.  Once again, Dan and Amy find themselves trying to solve a mystery while running from their enemies.

Mrs. Senechal says:
I continue to love this series!  This new twist in the 39 Clues plot is definitely exciting.  I like that some of my favorite characters are back and many new characters keep the story interesting.  You will like this book if you like action, adventure, mystery, and suspense.  I'm looking forward to each upcoming book!

The 39Clues: Cahills v. Vespers, Book 6 - Day of Doom

By: David Baldacci

This book ends the Cahills v. Vespers series of The 39 Clues.  Amy and Dan have desperately traveled the globe trying to meet the demands of the evil "Vesper One" who is holding members of their family as hostages.  Now, Amy and Dan must stop him from using his Doomsday Device which could destroy the entire world.

Mrs. Senechal says:
I really liked how this book tied together many different aspects of the series.  The author did a great job of bringing back characters from previous books.  And, as I would expect, the story was filled with non-stop action and suspense!  There were some surprises, but I thought the end was very fitting.

The 39 Clues: Cahills v. Vespers, Books 4-5

Book 4 by Roland Smith
Book 5 by Linda Sue Park

Amy and Dan continue to do the bidding of Vesper One, but only because he holds seven members of their family hostage.  At least they have added Atticus and Jake to their team.  Unfortunately, there is still trouble at every turn, and each time they think they have accomplished something, Amy and Dan are met with a new challenge.

Mrs. Senechal says:
I've been holding off reading these books because every time I finish one, I can't wait to read the one that follows.  So, with a snow day following a weekend, I thoroughly enjoyed reading these two!  As you can expect from this series, the suspense and adventure never slow down.  I love the detail that goes into each historical item or new city they visit.  And now, Book 6 - here I come!

Fablehaven

By: Brandon Mull


Kendra and Seth's parents are dropping them off at their grandparents' while they go on a cruise.  Kendra and Seth are not excited especially when they arrive and their grandfather gives them stern rules to follow.  It doesn't take long before the two children realize that their grandparents live on a secret preserve for magical creatures called Fablehaven.  And, quickly, Seth's curiosity gets them in trouble.  Suddenly, spending a few weeks with their grandparents is a wild adventure!


Mrs. Senechal says:
At first, this seemed like a typical fantasy, but I soon found myself not wanting to put this book down!  The challenges and adventures that Kendra and Seth face are exciting!  There are some scary moments in this book, and the evil magical creatures do everything they can to take over Fablehaven.  However, I really enjoyed the author's descriptions and have already started book #2 in the series!  Special thanks to Chance for suggesting this series.

Raiders' Ransom

By: Emily Diamond


Set several hundred years in the future, this story tells what life is like after "the Collapse".  Lilly and her seacat fish the waters near what used to be London until raiders attack their village and kidnap the Prime Minister's daughter.  While attempting a daring rescue, Lilly meets Zeph, the raider chief's son.  As Lilly struggles to free the Prime Minister's daughter, Zeph tries to prove his worth as a raider warrior.  Throughout the story, the two have to decide whether they are friends or enemies.


Mrs. Senechal says:
It was fascinating to think of life in the future where many people view computer technology as evil.  I also loved how the author wove together the stories of two very different characters.  The story was exciting and suspenseful!  This book does contain some rough descriptions, and some students may find parts of the story too vivid.  In my opinion, it is a better choice for students in sixth grade and above.

The 39 Clues (series)

By: Riordan, Korman, Lerangis, Watson, Carman, Park, and Haddix

The 39 Clues is a series of 10 books.  Nine of the books are currently available, and the tenth book will be in stores on August 31, 2010.  Besides an exciting part to the story, each book contains 6 clue cards which readers can use to try to help solve the mystery by going to http://www.the39clues.com/.

The books follow Amy and Dan, two orphans raised by a grouchy great-aunt and a series of nannies, but loved greatly by their grandmother, Grace.  But when Grace passes away, instead of an inheritance, Amy and Dan, set out on the hunt for the 39 Clues which are said to lead to an amazing and powerful treasure.  Unfortunately, the other members of the family are on the hunt as well, and they will stop at nothing to beat each other to the final prize.  Amy and Dan quickly find themselves using all their wits to escape fires, capture, and deceit while trying to get to the clues before anyone else.

Mrs. Senechal Says:
I am currently reading book 5 in the series, and every book so far has been fantastic!  I love the constant action and suspense.  It's also interesting to read about so many countries and famous people from history.  The adventure in this book reminds me a bit of the National Treasure movies.  I'm looking forward to reading the entire series - glad book 10 comes out soon!

Swindle

By: Gordon Korman
Sixth-grader, Griffin Bing, is known as "the man with the plan".  He loves to create and execute a perfectly planned idea.  Griffin is also bothered by the lack of credit the adults in his community give to kids.  So, when a local antique dealer swindles him out of a valuable Babe Ruth baseball card he discovered, Griffin decides to devise the ultimate plan - and steal back the baseball card!

Mrs. Senechal says:
As you know, I have read an enjoyed many books by Gordon Korman.  Swindle is another great book with lots of suspense and action!  I appreciated how Griffin liked to make careful plans and that he used his friends' individual talents to create a team to carry out his grand scheme.  I also like that Griffin and his friends experience real problems as they attempt to complete the plan.  Thanks for encouraging me to read this one, Mackenzie!

Stormbreaker

By: Anthony Horowitz
Alex Rider is only 14 when his uncle (and only living relative) dies in a car accident.  Suddenly, Alex finds out that his uncle was actually a James-Bond-like spy, and his employers want Alex to take his place!  With only a few weeks of training, Alex is sent to infiltrate a millionaire's computer manufacturing compound.  Alex must find out if there is a secret plot in the millionaire's plan to give away free computers.

Mrs. Senechal says:
If you like spy movies and nonstop action, then this book is for you.  It seemed as if Alex was barely escaping a life-threatening situation every few pages!  I like the excitement of imagining a 14-year-old as a super-spy.  There were a few times when some of the narrow escapes were hard to believe, but I definitely enjoyed the book.  Thanks for the book suggestion, Peyton!

The Last Olympian

By: Rick Riordan

In this, the fifth and final book of the Percy Jackson series, Percy and his friends find themselves in their most difficult battle yet. Instead of just fulfilling quests or defending themselves against monsters, the fate of all the gods lies with them. In New York City, Percy, Annabeth, Grover, and Thalia must keep the Titan forces away from Olympus (secretly situated above The Empire State Building). Each of the young heroes will be forced to make difficult decisions and make some incredible sacrifices if they are to succeed.

Mrs. Senechal says:

In an earlier post, I share how much I loved the first four books in this series, and the fifth book does not disappoint! The action starts in the first chapter, and the suspense lasts until the last chapter of the book. I liked how the author tied together pieces from the previous books, and how he developed the characters throughout the series. This is one of the most exciting book series I've read in awhile! Start with the first book, and you'll be hooked for all five!