Lucky Breaks by Susan Patron

Lucky returns in this sequel to Newbery winner The Higher Power of Lucky. This time she has a new friend, Paloma, who comes visiting Hard Pan with her geologist uncle. While Lucky is still friends with Miles and Lincoln, she loves having a girlfriend who she can laugh with till their sides hurt. Of course, Lucky stays true to form from the first book and there is an adventure and a crisis to be overcome, and she has to deal with her relationship with Lincoln becoming different as they grow older. Lucky continues to grow, as does Lincoln, and their friendship faces the changes that come with impending adolescence. Patron's characterization is just as strong as in the first book, and Paloma and Lucky's newfound friendship is delightful to read about. A strong follow-up, and highly recommended for ages 9 to 12.

(And yes, there is another mention of poor Roy and his snake-bitten scrotum. I wonder if Patron put it in there just to make a point. I hope so.)

Savvy - Ingrid Law

Mississippi Beaumont, or Mibs, isn't a typical twelve year old. She's got a brother who can make lightning strike, a brother who can cause hurricanes, a mom who's just perfect, and Mibs is about to turn thirteen and find out what her secret talent (or her Savvy) is. When her dad is in an awful car crash the day before her birthday she stows away on a big pink bus along with her storm-causing brother Fish, her silent brother Samson, and the local preacher's kids to try to get to her Poppa and save him. Along the way she and her band of mischief-makers learn a lot about themselves and their relationships with each other.

The most striking thing about this novel is the voice. Mibs and her brothers have to learn to "scumble their savvies" and Law describes Mibs' Grandpa as such: "When Grandpa wasn't a grandpa and was just instead a small-fry, hobbledehoy boy blowing out thirteen dripping candles on a lopsided cake, his savvy hit him hard and sudden...and the entire state of Idaho got made. At least, that's the way Grandpa Bomba always told the story." The relationships between Mibs and her brothers, as well as between the Beaumont siblings and their newfound friends are authentic and well-formed. Savvy is an extremely enjoyable read, and is a fine pick for a 2009 Newbery Honor. Highly recommended for ages 9 to 12.

The Red Necklace

Paris, 1789. The populace is stewing and revolution against the king and aristocracy is brewing. Against this backdrop, we find the heroes and heroine of Sally Gardner's The Red Necklace. At the story's open, Yann Margoza is fourteen and has the remarkable ability to throw his voice and read minds. Even more amazing is the ability of Tetu, his adopted guardian, who can move items without ever touching them. When Yann, Tetu, and the magician they work with are called to the grand estate of a cruel marquis they are pulled into a terrifying race against an evil Count and the outbreak of revolutionary violence to try to save an innocent young girl.

This wonderful story is just itching to be made into a movie. With the follies of the aristocracy, the fantastic elements of Yann and Tetu's talents, the suspense of outrunning the Count (who may be the devil himself), and plenty of young love thrown in, this novel is highly entertaining. Highly recommended for fans of both fantasy and historical fiction. Grades 9 and up.

What I Saw and How I Lied

I had a lot of things on my to-do list yesterday, and none of them happened. I blame this on Judy Blundell. I woke up with the kids, started reading What I Saw and How I Lied, and didn't stop reading until I finished the book last night.

When Evie's stepfather Joe Spooner returns from WWII, everything seems to be great. He owns three appliance stores in Queens, he and her mom Bev are happy together, and Evie can't wait to turn 16. Then one night, Joe packs the family up for an impromptu vacation to Palm Beach, Florida. While there, a handsome young ex-soldier named Peter appears and befriends the Spooner family. But friendship isn't all that Evie is interested in, and an undercurrent of tension runs between Joe and Peter. Soon everything Evie knows about her mother and Joe is called into question, and she must decide what is most important to her.

Part coming-of-age, part historical fiction, and part crime drama, this 2008 National Book Award winner for young people's literature has something for everyone. The pacing of this novel is superb from beginning to end, and the characterization is excellent, from main players to supporting members of the novel. Highly recommended for ages 14 and up.

Living Dead Girl

Fair warning - this book isn't for the faint of heart. Alice was abducted when she was 10 and has been held captive for the last five years. Now fifteen, she keeps waiting for Ray, her captor, to kill her and find a new victim. After all, that's what he did to the last Alice. But Ray has something far worse in mind. Dark and disturbing, this slim novel will grab you and not let go. Author Elizabeth Scott explores the mind of the victim and relentlessly details her harsh existence. Highly recommended for older teens.