The Chameleon Wore Chartreuse: A Chet Gecko Mystery by Bruce Hale JFIC Mystery

Meet 4th grader Chet Gecko, amateur private eye of his elementary school. When he's not eating bugs, he's solving crime. Told in the style of a old detective movie, Chet whips out many funny one liners and word plays (I heard they are even funnier on the book on tape which you can check out in our CD collection). With his partner, a mocking bird with a knack for mimicry, Chet must discover why Shirley's tough first grade brother disappeared before the big football game. A very cheesy mystery (the rat sisters might like that) for fourth grade and up.

Food for thought: If you could pick any animal to be a good detective based on their talents, what would it be?

Frindle by Andrew Clements JFIC Realistic Fiction

"Who says dog means the things that go woof and wags its tail? Who says so?" asked Nicholas Allen, a fifth grade student trying to stall his language arts teacher from giving a homework assignment. "You do" she replied. Little did Mrs. Granger know that she was empowering Nicholas to do just that. He decided to use the word "frindle" rather than pen, which created a world wide phenomenon. Nicholas is a bright, creative class clown who learns to stand up for what he believes in. This book is a light hearted read compared to Avi's "I Know This Much Is True" but thematically they share the same emphasis on words. Good for grades 4 and up. I also recommend it from the summer reading lists.

Food for Thought: Where do you think sayings like "It's cool", "wicked smart" or "Whatever" come from?

Skulduggery Pleasant by Derek Landy JFIC Fantasy

No bones about it, this book was AWESOME! If you like magic, action adventure, comedy and mystery this book is for you. Stephanie Edgerly has recently come into an inheritance from her uncle the writer. When she begins to take an interest in his rather odd friend, Skulduggery, she learns about a whole magical world that is going on around her. Stephanie must decide whether she wants to go back to her normal twelve year old life, or help Skulduggery as his partner detective. Skulduggery was a great character. Did I mention he is a living skeleton that can shoot fire? COOL! He's tough, smart, rebellious, and funny just like Stephanie. It is a great book for 5th grade and up.

Food for thought: If given the chance for a life of danger, magic and monsters, would you take it?

Skellig by David Almond JFIC Fantasy

When Michael moves into his new home, he cannot help but find himself attracted to the run down garage. He finds a grumpy creature inside with a taste for Chinese food. Michael thinks he is a figment of his imagination until his neighbor Mina can see him too. Who/what is this creature? How can they help him? He becomes a wonderful symbol of the power of faith and hope that Michael has for his sick baby sister. I thought this was a wonderful heartwarming story with a touch of mystery. Good for grades 5 and up.

Food for thought: What do you think Skellig was?

Bunnicula by James Howe JFIC Mystery

Harold the dog and Chester the cat lead a normal life with the Monroe family until they find a bunny at the movie theatre. When the family brings it home, Chester finds that the bunny is very odd. He sleeps during the day and has fangs. Also, something strange has been happening to the vegetables in the kitchen. Chester is sure that it is the rabbit's fault. Harold and Chester aren't your ordinary pets. Chester loves to read and Harold is talked to like one of the family. The story is told from Harold's perspective, the kind loyal dog of the house. This is a great read for Halloween. If you like this story, there are many others in the series like Howliday Inn and Nighty Nightmare.

Food for Thought: Did you find any similarities between humans and the way Chester and Harold act?

Weird Stuff by Richard Tulloch JFIC

Brian Hobble leads an ordinary middle school life until weird stuff starts happening. First he becomes a superstar on the soccer team when usually no one ever notices him on the field, then his hero Lancelot Cummins picks him to be in a Special Interest Writing Group when he usually can't write more than a paragraph. Could it be the mysterious pink pen he borrowed from the class nerd? or is he just lucky?
I liked Brian as a person. He's very funny and talented even though he doesn't seem it know it himself. His cartoons scattered throughout the book are realistic and comical as he tries to understand the people and events around him.

Good for grade 4 and up.

Food for Thought: Did you ever do something that you thought you wouldn't be talent at, but you ended up surprising yourself?

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows by J.K Rowling JFIC

I can't rave enough about this book. As a librarian, it was wonderful to see so many people enthusiastically reading! It sold 8.5 million copies in the first day. Did you know that people have been reading this series for 10 years? That might be older than some people reading this blog right now!

Book 7 reveals some truths about Dumbeldore, Snape, and the Horocruxes. Before I read it, I thought I had everything figured out. Rowling definately threw in some twists and turns that I did not see coming. The book dragged for me because I wanted to read the ending so badly. There are some humorous instances, but beware this is the darkest and most violent Harry Potter book.

Food for Thought: Were you satisfied with the ending?