What Should I Read? Book Talks and More

Sleeping Freshmen Never Lie by David Lubar So much is going on for Scott right now.  He is starting high school and his parents announce he will be a big brother.  Scott wishes that his big brother had told him what to expect in high school, so he starts a journal to make sure his little brother or sister will not have all the nasty surprises that he lives through.  Scott is a good student, it's all the other stuff he finds confusing--mainly sports, friends, and girls.  He gets involved in many activities because he thinks his crush is going to do those activities and he will spend time with her, only to find out that she does not get involved in the student election, marching band, the play, or the school newspaper.  But Scott is involved!  This funny story is told in the first person through journal entries.  5 of 5 stars for David Lubar's humorous realistic fiction.

Story Tim e by Edward Bloor Something sketchy AND creepy is going on at the magnet school for gifted and talented students that  George and Kate have just been assigned to.  Not only are the people who run the school dishonest, they seem to have a strange, supernatural power over some students and staff at the school.  They brag that their school has the highest scores in the nation, but kids definitely are not enjoying school there, not even a little bit.  George and Kate find it unpleasant and unsafe.  Strange things happen during story time--strange like possession!  Kate and George try to uncover what is going on so they can keep themselves and the other students safe.  I like this fantasy book written by Edward Bloor, but I did find it confusing at times and a little preachy.  Two of five stars.

The Last Apprentice Series by Joseph Delaney The first book in the series, Revenge of the Witch , introduces Thomas Ward.  Tom is a 13 year old seventh son of a seventh son.  That makes him sensitive to supernatural stuff.  At thirteen, he is apprenticed to an employer to learn a trade.  One brother stayed home to run the farm and the others went to learn a trade like blacksmith or masonry. Thomas becomes apprentice to the local Spook.  The Spook is the person in the county who deals with the supernatural--witches, ghosts, boggarts and worse.  Tom enters his apprenticeship and after several weeks of training, Mr Gregory, the Spook, is away and business and Tom must face a dangerous boggart on his own.  It was just such a creature that killed the last Spook's apprentice! There are 13 books in this series!