From "Grim" to Great

TITLE: Knightley Academy

AUTHOR: Violet Haberdasher

REVIEWED BY: JPL TeenLink

BRIEF SUMMARY: Henry Grim is a servant boy at the Midsummer School until he passes the elite Knightley Academy exam, a test that every Midsummer boy has mysteriously failed the past five years. Henry suddenly finds himself one of the first commoners studying at the Academy, alongside the cleverest and bravest -- and most arrogant -- young aristocrats in the country. But someone isn't too happy about Henry, and two other commoners, who have been let into the prestigious school. And that someone is out to sabotage the three from becoming full-fledged Knights of the Realm -- the goal of every student at the Academy. As Henry and the two other boys try to ward off their classmates' attempts to thwart their paths, they soon uncover a conspiracy that violates the Hundred Years' Peace treaty -- and could lead to war! Can Henry manage to save his school and country from their enemies -- and continue to study at the Academy?

WHY I PICKED IT UP: One review I read described it as "Lemony Snicket meets Harry Potter." Although there is no magic in this book, Knightley Academy and Hogwarts do seem to share some similarities, and yes, the narrator is a bit Snicket-ish. (Is that even a word?) 

WHY I FINISHED IT: Although the book did drag in a few places, the story kept me interested, Henry and his friends are great fun, and the ending was a bit of a surprise. Theobold Archer is truly a villain in the Draco Malfoy mold -- one you simply love to hate.

WHO I'D GIVE IT TO: Anyone who likes stories about underdogs. And yes, I would recommend it to the Harry Potter and Lemony Snicket fans, albeit with a warning not to expect magic. (Or a series of unfortunate events, for that matter; one or two unfortunate events, yes -- but not a series.). Still, it's a good read, and there's a sequel, The Secret Prince, if you want more.

ADDITIONAL NOTES: If "Violet Haberdasher" sounds just a bit too British to be true, that's because she is... Violet is really American-born videoblogger Robyn Schneider!

See you at the library!

Rock On, Honorable Ones!

TITLE: Perry's Killer Playlist 

AUTHOR: Joe Schreiber

REVIEWED BY: JPL TeenLink

BRIEF SUMMARY: When Perry ends up in Venice on a European tour with his band Inchworm, he can’t resist a visit to Harry’s Bar, where Gobi told him she’d meet him someday. The last time he saw Gobi, five people were assassinated one crazy night in New York City. Well... Gobi shows up, and once again Perry is roped into a wild, nonstop thrill ride with a body count. Double crossings, kidnappings, CIA agents, arms dealers, boat chases in Venetian canals, and a shootout in the middle of a Santa Claus convention ensue.

WHY I PICKED IT UP: It's the sequel to Au Revoir, Crazy European Chick. I had to read it.

WHY I FINISHED IT: Once again, the book started with a bang and never let up. It was great to see Perry and Gobi again, and Joe Schreiber did a great job joining the two stories seamlessly.

WHO I'D GIVE IT TO: Anyone who likes action/adventure stories. People with a good sense of humor. Anyone who liked Au Revoir, Crazy European Chick and wanted more.

ADDITIONAL NOTES: Like the first book, this one comes with a PG-13 level language warning, and a handful of sexual references (not explicit). Gobi is still an assassin, and people still die in violent ways. Definitely aimed at the older YA reader.

See you at the library!

Hey, where's Perry?

TITLE: Au Revoir, Crazy European Chick

AUTHOR: Joe Schreiber

REVIEWED BY: JPL TeenLink

BRIEF SUMMARY: What if the quiet, mousy, mild-mannered foreign exchange student that your family took in turned out to be a cold-blooded assassin?

WHY I PICKED IT UP: Seriously. How can you resist a title like that?

WHY I FINISHED IT: The book started with a bang and never let up until the end. The characters of Perry and Gobi were so well drawn that you connect with them immediately. Yes, Gobi is a trained assassin, but Schreiber takes such great pains to create a fully-realized character that you can't help but love her. This is a very cinematic novel, and I was already trying to cast the characters while reading it.

WHO I'D GIVE IT TO: Anyone who likes action/adventure stories. People with a good sense of humor. The book description on Amazon calls this "Ferris Bueller meets La Femme Nikita", and that's a fair comparison.

ADDITIONAL NOTES: PG-13 level language warning, and a handful of sexual references, although nothing explicit. Also, given that Gobi is an assassin, people do die, often in violent ways. Gobi's back story may be a bit upsetting for some. Definitely aimed at the older YA reader. Still, I would not hesitate to recommend this book to anyone I felt was mature enough to handle it.

See you at the library!

A "Super"-exciting, action-packed read...

Today, we have a guest review from reader Brittany Nicole. Thanks, Brittany!


TITLE: Super Human

AUTHOR: Michael Carroll

REVIEWED BY: Brittany Nicole

BRIEF SUMMARY: Super Human is about a group of teens fighting to save the world with their powers from an evil superhuman, who was taken from the past and put here to rule the world.

WHY I PICKED IT UP: I like action books and the cover looked really good.

WHY I FINISHED IT: Because every page was filled with more action and I couldn't put it down

WHO I'D GIVE IT TO: My friends.


Sounds like a great read!

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See you at the library!