The Blackthorn Key

By: Kevin Sands

Christopher grew up in an orphanage in London in the 1660's.  While this was difficult, it was safer than being on the street.  He often worked in the kitchen and had a real knack

for cooking.  When members of the apothecary's guild visited, one apothecary noticed Christopher's skills and suggested he pursue joining their guild.  This was a big honor - Christopher studied diligently and was accepted.  He began an apprenticeship with Master Blackthorn.  Christopher was treated well, learned the recipes, codes, and secrets of an apothecary, and made friends.  All was going well until apothecaries around the city were being murdered.

Mrs. Senechal says:
This book will be available to the public in September of 2015.  It was fun to preview a book!  This story is filled with suspense and mystery.  The author creates a variety of great characters who draw you into the story.  I love the historical information about what it would have been like to be an apprentice or an apothecary at that time.  The mystery takes many unexpected turns.  Also, this will be a series!

The Missing: Books 1-3

By: Margaret Peterson Haddix

Jonah has always known he was adopted.  His parents love he and his sister very much!  One summer, he receives a strange message in the mail: You are one of the missing.  Jonah, his

sister, Katherine, and new neighbor, Chip, laugh it off as a silly junior high prank.  But the Chip also receives the same message.  This causes an argument with his parents through which he finds out he is also adopted.  Within days, the FBI, vanishing janitors, lists of witnesses and survivors make them realize something very strange is going on.  The friends agree to figure this mystery out together, but they have no idea what they will uncover next!

Mrs. Senechal says:
Wow!  This series starts with a bang - I actually read Book 1 in one day!  While this is a science fiction series, there is also a lot of historical fiction mixed in.  The imaginative futuristic technology is exciting and thinking about how one tiny thing could cause a huge change in history will keep you reading.  So far, there are four more books in this series, and I fully intend to read them all!

The Chronicles of Egg: Deadweather and Sunrise

By: Geoff Rodkey

Egbert has grown up on the dirty, sweltering, pirating island of Deadweather.  His father, a

former pirate who now runs a farm with workers who were also former pirates, and a sister and brother who constantly pick on him.  One day, Egbert's father surprises the family with a boat trip to the nearby island of Sunrise - Egbert is thrilled!  Sunrise is beautiful and full of rich people and wonderful places.  While there, they meet the Pembroke family, including Millicent who catches Egbert's eye.  But, this meeting leads to the loss of Egbert's family and people trying to kill Egbert!

Mrs. Senechal says:
This was a fun adventurous story with great twists on the typical pirate tale - the action will certainly keep you turning the pages.  I enjoyed the characters and the relationships that grew throughout the story.  The author also created some great fictional settings with the two islands of Deadweather and Sunrise.  I definitely will be reading the other books in the series!

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.

The School for Good and Evil: A World without Princes (Book #2)

By: Soman Chainani

Agatha and Sophie returned home, leave The School for Good and Evil behind them.  But,

Agatha finds herself wishing that her "happily ever after" included Tedros, the prince who could have been hers.  Little does she know that this secret wish could reopen her fairy tale and instantly change everyone's lives.  Now Agatha and Sophie must decide if they should trust each other, their friends, their professors, the new Dean, or the boys!

Mrs. Senechal says:
This was a great sequel - I was surprised by so many things!  The author makes it difficult to figure out who is good and who is evil.  Just when you think you have a character figured out they do something unexpected and the plot twists in a new way.  Once again, the ending left me waiting for book #3 (due out in July of 2015)!

Schooled

By: Gordon Korman

Capricorn "Cap" Anderson has lived with his grandmother, Rain, on a community farm.

 But, when Rain falls, breaking her hip, Cap is forced to live with a foster family during her recovery.  This also requires him to attend the public middle school - up until this point, Cap had been homeschooled.  It is not the academics that cause him trouble, it's the students.  Cap doesn't know anything about football, dances, or popularity.  His fellow 8th grade classmates think Cap will make the perfect, ridiculous class president, and they are completely surprised how it turns out.

Mrs. Senechal says:

I have attended private and public schools and was even homeschooled for one year.  All forms of education have their advantages, but the transition between them can be challenging.  I loved seeing Cap's innocence in so many areas - it makes me wish that no student would have to worry about popularity or bullies.  I also appreciate how Cap sticks to his beliefs and shows how honesty, patience, and kindness can change the culture around you! 

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!