What Should I Read? Book Talks and More

The Friendship Matchmaker by Randa Abdel-Fattah This funny book is about a middle school girl, Lana, who matches kids together for friendships.  I don't think this is a "thing" because I do work at a middle school, but it makes for a good read.  Lana has rules for who and how she will match.  One of the rules is that she can match two friends or four friends, but never odd numbers because someone will always be left out.  Lana doesn't seem to have friends of her own, after all she is very busy writing manuals for middle school kids which include social rules for all situations, such as "Rules for the School Bus." Lana takes on a very difficult friendship project, and readers will hope that she finds a friend for herself. I enjoyed this book! Genre:  Humor, School Stories

Night Wings by Joseph Bruchac Paul's parents have both gone off to war, as is a tradition in their family since his ancestors decided to never fight against America again.  He is staying with his grandfather who has taught Paul his Abenaki ancestors' stories.  When his grandfather is kidnapped, the bad guys force Paul into a dangerous situation on top of the mountain which includes confronting a legendary monster.  He has the wisdom of his ancestors and all the survival skills his grandfather taught him, hopefully it will be enough to get them out of this terrible situation. This is a very good story.  Joesph Bruchac does a wonderful job incorporating Native American stories into his stories.  He's so awesome! MS

Twice Upon a Time Series by Wendy Mass Wendy Mass retells three fairy tales.  Beauty and the Beast:   The Only One who Didn't Run Away   by  Wendy Mass You know the story--boy gets turned into a beast until someone falls in love with him.  That girl is Beauty and she is tired of not living up to her name. She is a very smart girl who is trying to make a little money for her family.  Her father, a book seller, has run into bad fortune.  Her sister tries but she's really only interested in having pretty dresses and getting married.  The beast's family is cursed.  He is a terrifying beast, and his family has been made invisible.  They must work together to help the Beast find love before time is up and they remain cursed forever. Rapunzel : the One with all the Hair Rapunzel was stolen from home on her 12th birthday by an evil witch and kept in a high tower.  This book is told in two perspectives by Benjamin and Rapunzel.  Benjamin is destined to be king one