One Crazy Summer

Once Crazy Summer by Rita Williams-Garcia tells the story of three sisters going from their home in Brooklyn to Oakland, California the summer of 1968.

Cecile left the girls with their father to be raised and went off by herself to join the civil rights movement. Her youngest daughter has no memory of her mother.

Delphine, the oldest sister, is used to taking care of younger Vonetta and Fern. Which is good since, when they arrive in Oakland, it becomes apparent that Cecile has no talent for parenting. The girls are sent to a day camp for Black Panther children.


Williams-Garcia's book is a look at a pivotal time in the history of our country. At the beginning of the book, the girls consider themselves Negros, but by the end they have embraced the term Black - taking the first step to claiming the power each of them have inside.

Williams-Garcia, Rita. (2010). One Crazy Summer. New York: Amistad.

Incarceron (Incarceron #1)

Incarceron by Catherine Fisher is a haunting look at a society that created the ultimate prison.

Claudia, daughter of the Warden of Incarceron, lives a world where protocols require all citizens to live in a medieval time period. Anything not of the correct period will lead to punishment. So instead of keeping up with the possible technology and science - that could likely cure any disease and create hover boards - people travel by horse-drawn carriage.

Claudia is to marry the Queen's son and become the next Queen of the entire Outside realm. She is trapped into a life where her father has gotten to decide her future.

Finn lives inside Incarceron. He has no memory of his past. He may have been born in the prison or created by the prison which recycles all things. But he has visions or memories of another place. Could he have been born Outside?

As Finn tries to find a way out of Incarceron, Claudia tries to find out more about the prison. She is still not sure where it is located. Her father spends his time between the castle estate they live in and at the court of the Queen. There are rumors that Incarceron is underground or even on another world.

Through two separate paths, Claudia and Finn will risk all to change the worlds they live in.

Catherine Fisher has created a fascinating world of history and future in this science-fiction fantasy. It is not clear if this is the first in a series, but I hope so! There are so many possibilities that could come out of this new dystopian world. This book is a great addition to awesome YA fantasy fiction with strong female protagonists like Uglies, Sabriel, or The Naming.

Fisher, Catherine. (2010). Incarceron. New York: Dial Books.

Starcross (Larklight #2)

Starcross is the second book in the Larklight series by Philip Reeve and illustrated by David Wyatt.

Firstly, Philip Reeve is as mad as Jasper Fforde! The each have more imagination than some whole cities.

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Now that Larklight is safe from the menace in the first book, Mrs. Mumbly is having some interior decorating updated. The house is so noisy that when an invitation comes to visit the hotel Starcross, the Mumbly jump at the chance.

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Starcross boasts the finest sea-bathing in the Asteroid Belt. The fact that there are no seas in the Asteroid Belt should be the first clue that something is amiss.

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The Mumblys will be faced with French spies, Yankee rebels, man-eating starfish, and sinister top hats before the book is complete.

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If you need a fun read, read the Larklight series! It is pure awesomeness.

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Reeve, Philip. (2007). Starcross. New York: Bloomsbury.

Dead Shot (Sniper #2)

Dead Shot is the second Sniper book by Jack Coughlin with Donald A. Davis.

Kyle Swanson was the the USMC's best sniper. Now that he is dead - officially buried in Arlington National Cemetery - he is free to undertake black ops assignments. He is a part of a super secret group that works directly for the president in counter terrorism.

A deadly gas explosion tests a new bio terrorism weapon that poisons everyone who gets near it. It is a gas that is heavy and will not be spread far by wind and so can be controlled in the right environments.

Kyle and his team is sent to Iraq to check out a suspected chemical weapons plant and follow the trail of the poison as well as the assassin-sniper known as Juba. Possibly the best sniper in the world - unless Kyle is the best sniper in the world. Before the book ends the two will face off in a deadly battle for survival.

Coughlin, a retired sniper himself, captures the techniques and stress of battle situations with a character that readers will follow on all of his future assignments.

Coughlin, Jack. (2009). Dead Shot. New York: St. Martin's Press.

A Fine Passion (Bastion Club #4)

A Fine Passion is the fourth book in the Bastion Club series by Stephanie Laurens.

Jack Warenfleet, Baron of Minchinbury, left London to get away from the social season, the ton, and the tricks they play to get people to marry. His in town affairs are settled and he hasn't seen his childhood home in seven years.

As he turns onto the last lane on the way home, he encounters an overturned carriage and a woman trying to calm the horses so that they do not crush the man trapped underneath it.

Soon he finds out that this same woman, Lady Clarice Altwood, has taken over his role as overseer of the community of which he is the baron.

This fourth book follows the same patterns as the previous volumes - there is a mystery which puts Lady Clarice in danger and Warenfleet feels protective and has the background to help. Laurens has created an interesting set of characters set in historical England.

Laurens, Stephanie. (2005). A Fine Passion. New York: Avon Books.

Nathan Fox: Dangerous Time (Nathan Fox #1)

Nathan Fox: Dangerous Times by L. Brittney is an adventurous historical fiction novel about a young spy.

Nathan Fox and his sister Marie live in London. They are supported by thirteen-year old Nathan's work in the theater. His fellow actor, and their good friend, Will Shakespeare, live in the same boarding house.

When Nathan is recruited by Britian's spymaster Sir Francis Walsingham he thinks his live will be full of danger and excitement. But first he must spend some time training.

Nathan's first assignment is to be in Venice. He and his partner, John Pearce, will deliver a message to one of England's allies. But his assignment will not be as easy as it sounds - before it is done he will meet a famous pirate, fight a gang, participate in a sea battle, save the life of a famous general named Othello, and more.

Brittney has created an accessible and exciting novel that introduces historical facts combined with danger and intrigue. Nathan Fox is an historical version of Alex Rider.

Brittney, L. (2007). Nathan Fox: Dangerous Times. New York: Feiwel and Friends.

Igraine the Brave

Igraine the Brave, written and illustrated by Cornelia Funke and translated into English by Anthea Bell, is the story of a young girl who wants to become a knight.

Igraine is about to turn twelve. She does not want to follow her brother and parents in the study of magic - she wants to wear armor, ride a great horse, and carry a sword.

While creating her birthday present, her parents misspeak a spell - and the result has turned them into pigs. Now is Ingraine's chance to prove her courage. She must find a giant with red hair for the correction spell.

Funke has created a lovable character in Igraine. The book is a great adventure in finding ones path.

Funke, Cornelia. (2006). Igraine the Brave. New York: Chicken House.

Larklight (Larklight #1)

Larklight: A Rousing Tale of Dauntless Pluck in the Farthest Reaches of Space by Philip Reeve, and illustrated by David Wyatt, is the first book in the Larklight series.

Art and Myrtle Mumby live with their father at Larklight - a house that floats behind the moon. Their father is a scientist who studies the creatures who swim through space.

When a notice comes that a gentleman will be visiting Larklight, Myrtle is excited about having company. Few visitors come and the Mumbly's rarely leave the house. But the guest is no gentleman - he is a giant spider who has come to attack Larklight.

Fleeing in an escape pod, Art and Myrtle begin an adventure that will take them to the far reaches of the universe and bring them face to face with every type of creature imaginable.

Reeve could be compared to some the most creative science fiction writers of all time, like Jules Verne, or he could be compared to the wacky and creative thinking of Jasper Fforde. Read this book - it has adventure, history (though a bit altered), pirates, romance, and more.

Reeve, Philip. David Wyatt, Illustrator. (2006). Larklight. New York: Bloomsbury

Kill Zone (Sniper #1)

Kill Zone by Jack Coughlin with Donald A. Davis is the first book a series about a U.S. Marine sniper.

Kyle Swanson is one of the top snipers in any of the branches of the U.S. military. Recalled from a working vacation where he is testing a new sniper rifle, he is sent with a group of Recon Force Marines to rescue a General who has been kidnapped.

Before the rescue mission even hits the ground there are problems. Swanson ends up being the only man alive after a helicopter crash. With no immediate way out of the desert he decides to go after the general himself.

Going against a group he thinks are terrorists, he is surprised to see someone with white skin. Could the people who kidnapped the general be mercenaries? And hired by whom?

Combining political intrigue and corruption with nail-biting military action, Coughlin and Davis have created a series that reader will follow wherever it leads.

Coughlin, Jack and Donald A. Davis. (2007). Kill Zone: A Sniper Novel. New York: St. Martin's Press.

A Gentleman's Honor (Bastion Club #2)

A Gentleman's Honor by Stephanie Laurens is the second book in the Bastion Club series.

In the year 1816, Alicia Carrington, her sister Adriana, and her three younger brothers move to London for the season to find Adriana a suitable husband. Alicia, being a widow, will play the role as chaperone - hoping that as a widow she will be left out of the matchmaking schemes.

When Anthony Blake, Viscount of Torrington, sees Alicia he does not care that she is a widow. She is the woman for him and nothing, including social rules, will keep him from winning her heart.

Laurens has created a fun series of historical romances set in the haut ton of early London. Each bachelor in the series tries to keep the hooks of mothers, aunts and sisters out of their decision-making process.

Laurens, Stephanie. (2003). A Gentleman's Honor. New York: Avon Books.

H.M.S. Unseen (Arnold Morgan #3)

H.M.S. Unseen by Patrick Robinson is his third book featuring Arnold Morgan, former Navy Admiral now U.S. National Security Advisor.

Eilat One is Iraq's top assassin. He has created such havoc for the United States in the name of Islam that he should be a national hero in Iran. At the beginning of the book he is presented with his country's highest award. And that same night, two other assassins are sent to kill him.

When the Concorde disappears mid-Atlantic, air traffic control reports it but the wreckage is in 3-miles deep ocean. Before the black box can be found another supersonic plane joins it.

Admiral Morgan fears that the assassin who attacked a U.S. Battle Carrier Group may not be as dead as Mossad said he was. The evidence of such intricate planning and daring can only be one man. Unfortunately, before Morgan can find any proof, another plane is shot down - this one carrying some of the top U.S. officials.

Robinson creates a story with twists and turns that can be addicting to readers. His descriptions of military and political story lines is fascinating. His characterization is great and his suspense does not let readers off the hook until the final page.

Robinson, Patrick. (1999). H.M.S. Unseen. New York: HarperCollins Publishing.

The Lady Chosen (Bastion Club #1)

The Lady Chosen by Stephanie Laurens is the first book in the Bastion Club series following the prequel to the series.
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Tristan Wemyss is the new Earl of Trentham. Due to his inheritance of the title, one which he never expected, he has left the army where he was a spy working in France and returned to England. Due to battles like Waterloo, many soldiers and spies are finding themselves with new titles.

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A few of the newly retired who worked under the same spy master have decided to create a club, called the Bastion Club. The purpose of the club is to help them deal with society - specifically the ton - who would have them married to eligible young women before they knew what hit them.

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Trentham is part of the club but he has a different situation: if he does not marry within one year of his inheritance, he will keep both homes and the responsibility to take care of 14 older family members, but all of his money will be donated to charity.

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Enter the neighbor to the newly created club, Lenora Carling. When Trentham hears of attempted burglaries and threats against her, he vows to protect her from the unknown threat.

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Laurens's Bastion Club novels are fun reads set in the early 1800s England. They each feature aspects of a Regency Romance, but with characters who do not necessarily follow the typical of society's upper elements.

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Laurens, Stephanie. (2003). The Lady Chosen. New York: Avon Books.

Kingston by Starlight

Kingston by Starlight by Christopher John Farley is a fictionalized account of the famous Irish pirate Anne Bonny and her shipmates Calico Jack and Read.

Anne Bonny, one of the most famous female pirates, joined a privateer ship disguised as a man named Bonn. She sailed under Captain Jack Rackman, known as Calico Jack. Their ship was infamous in the waters around Jamaica.

Beautifully written, Farley creates a story where gender is fluid, mystery and adventure reign, and Bonn's life unfolds as a heroic man and a passionate woman intent to live life to the fullest in spite of the societal norms of the day. Kingston by Starlight is an excellent pirate story as well as a tender account of the path of one's heart.

This book reminds me some of the writing of Anne-Marie MacDonnald and the stories of Ellen Kushner.

Farley, Christopher John. (2005). Kingston by Starlight. New York: Three Rivers Press.

Boneshaker (Clockwork Century #1)

Boneshaker by Cherie Priest is a steampunk, zombie thriller that will delight readers of horror and science fiction.

Set in a slightly altered 1880 Seattle, Boneshaker follows the story of a mother and son who have been greatly effected by recent events. Sixteen years ago, inventor Levi Blue created a tunnel boring machine called the bone-shaking drill engine. It not only dug tunnels effectively, it collapsed most of downtown Seattle. And it opened a hole in the earth that released a blight that killed everyone who inhaled it - only to turn most of them into rotters who now plague the city.

Immediately a wall was built to keep the heavy gas in the downtown area. All who could escape to the outskirts did. But there are still people who live in the walled area.

Briar Wilkes, who dropped her married last name of Blue for safety, never told her son much about his father. Now that Zeke is 15, he has a plan to go to the old city and find something that can clear his father's name - or at least tell him more about the man.

Once Briar finds Zeke gone, she tracks him to the old city where they both have to face rotters, poisonous blight gas, gang-like territories, and a mad inventor who has taken over the city like a crime lord. Briar must find Zeke before their gas masks give out; and then, find a way out of the city.

Priest has created a believable world that feels both historic and futuristic, a true steampunk adventure. Though I am not a huge fan of zombies, this book was well worth the time. Priest is currently working on a book set in the same time period called Clementine. Boneshaker has been nominated for both the Nebula and the Hugo Awards.

Priest, Cherie. (2010). Boneshaker. New York: Tom Doherty Associates.

The Pirate's Son

The Pirate's Son by Geraldine McCaughrean is a pirate story that is every pirate fan's dream and nightmare.

Nathan Gull spends most of his time in class day dreaming about pirates. He has the books about them memorized. But when his father dies and he is kicked out of school for not being able to afford the tuition, Nathan hesitates to accept the offer of a classmate - the son of a famous pirate - to accompany him to his home in Madagascar.

Soon, Nathan and his sister Maud find themselves living in a small village in Madagascar. Tamo, the pirate's son, knows the language and customs from his childhood; Maud is learning quickly; and Nathan is having trouble being away from his Christian society.

When a notorious pirate lands at the village and plans to build his fortress, the three youngsters must pretend to be rival pirates to keep the village from being plundered.

McCaughrean is known for her intense novels like The White Darkness. She can capture the feeling of any location and make you want to either move there or run screaming from the place.

McCaughrean, Geraldine. (1996). The Pirate's Son. New York: Scholastic Press.

Robinson Crusoe

Robinson Crusoe by Daniel Defoe is one of the original adventure books. Written in 1719 it still holds its own with high sea adventure tales of today.

Crusoe, being told by his father that the best life to have is one of the lower of the upper class, cannot content himself with sitting idly by in a life in the country. He must make an effort to explore the world.

On his first trip aboard a ship, a storm hits and the ship is sunk. But does he take this as a hint that maybe a seafaring life is not for him? Nope. He sets sail again. In his further voyages he is captured as a slave, escapes, buys land but realizes he is living the life his father suggested, sails again and is marooned on an island for 28 (!) years.

Defoe writes in a matter of fact way that makes the story both remarkable and commonplace. And somehow he makes Crusoe's life on a tropical island sound like the perfect life (if only a new box of books would appear every few months).

Defoe, Daniel. (2003). Robinson Crusoe. New York: Barnes and Noble Classics.

The Fifth Servant

The Fifth Servant by Kenneth Wishnia takes place in Prague in 1592, depicting the tension between the Catholic church and the Protestants - and the Jews caught in the middle.

Benyamin ben-Akiva, a newly arrived scholar from Poland, is the fifth servant for the Jewish community. He is in charge of calling men to prayer and helping keep peace in the ghetto.

Shortly after he arrives he is tasked with the most important case of his life - a young Christian girl is killed and the Christians are claiming blood libel, that the Jews killed her for her blood to be added to the Passover matzo. The fact that even the Catholic church, still in the heat of the inquisition, has ruled that Jews are forbidden by the Torah from consuming blood, does little to help.

ben-Akiva has three days to find the killer of the whole ghetto will be punished - that most likely trigger a pogrom killing most of Prague's Jews.

Wishnia has written a compelling historical mystery which includes much Jewish law. Fans of Maggie Anton's books (Joheved, Miriam, and Rachel) will find similarities in the amount of Talmud and Mishnah included in the story.

Wishnia, Kenneth. (2010). The Fifth Servant. New York: William Morrow.

Treasure Island

Treasure Island by Robert Louis Stevenson is one of the original pirate adventures. Originally published in 1883, it was written for Stevenson - one chapter per day - for his stepson.

Jim Hawkins lives at the Admiral Benbow inn in southern England. When a salty old sailor moves into the inn his life is in for a change. The sailor pays him to keep an eye out for a man with one leg. Though the one-legged man does not show up - others come looking for the old sailor.

Soon Jim finds himself assigned as a cabin boy on a ship that has set sail for Treasure Island to seek buried treasure.

Stevenson has written many books - most of which have become classics that are still read today, including The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde and Kidnapped.

Stevenson, Robert Louis. (2001). Treasure Island. New York: The Modern Library.

Once a Spy

Once a Spy by Huffington Post columnist Keith Thomson is an espionage novel with a twist.

Drummond Clark is a spy. He has been a spy most of his life and, as such, has many secrets that cannot fall into the wrong hands. Now he is developing Alzheimer's and is becoming a potential sieve of information. His own agency is following him to make sure he is not becoming a danger.

According to his son, Charlie Clark, Drummond is an appliance salesman who is the dullest human he has ever met. Anyone who would miss his son's birthday for a wash machine expo cannot be a good dad.

When Charlie is called to collect his father from a senior center he wandered into, Charlie thinks the men following them work for the bookie he owes money to for gambling on horse races. But during one of his father's lucid moments he learns that the boring appliance salesman is awfully adept at hot wiring a needed get-away car.

Once a Spy combines the action-packed story of a super spy novel with the chance for a son and his father to get to know each other after 30 years of lies (provided they are not killed by the CIA assassins who are after them), plus a wrench thrown in called Alzheimer's. It is a perfect balance of suspense and substance that will thrill readers of many genres. I will be scanning the Huffington Post headlines until his next book is written!

Thomson, Keith. (2010). Once a Spy. New York: Doubleday.

The Burnt Houes (Decker & Lazarus #16)

The Burnt House by Faye Kellerman is the sixteenth book in her series about police officer Peter Decker and his (now) wife Rina Lazarus. The series is excellent for any fans of mystery or for readers who would like to read / learn more about Judaism.
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In the first book, The Ritual Bath, Decker is introduced to the world of Orthodox Judaism and the woman with whom he will spend the rest of his life. The series goes on from there advancing both their relationship and Decker's immersion into Judaism.
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In The Burnt House, Decker finds himself with a huge disaster on his hands. An airplane carrying 47 passengers crashes into an LA apartment building. Along with the obvious problems, it seems that one of the reported victims of the crash cannot be confirmed to have been on the plane.
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During the recovery an extra body is found that is not the missing woman but likely someone who was murdered in or near the apartment building. Decker and his coworkers, including recurring characters Marge Dunn and Scott Oliver, will be tasked with solving one murder and one possible missing person case who may have more in common than they first think.
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Here is a list of the series so far:
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1. The Ritual Bath
2. Sacred and Profane
3. Milk and Honey
4. Day of Atonement
5. False Prophet
6. Grievous Sin
7. Sanctuary
8. Justice
9. Prayers for the Dead
10. Serpent's Tooth
11. Jupiter's Bones
12. Stalker
13. The Forgotten
14. Stone Kiss
15. Street Dreams
16. The Burnt House
17. The Mercedes Coffin, aka A Cold Case
18. Blindman's Bluff
19. Hangman
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Kellerman, Faye. (2007). The Burnt House. New York: William Morrow.

Circumference of Darkness

Circumference of Darkness (titled Maximum Impact in the UK) by Jack Henderson is a thrill ride of terrorists, hackers, and political corruption.

After the 9/11 terrorist attacks, Jeannie Reese of DARPA is authorized by the US government to release the ultimate spyware on the Internet - IRIN will catalog all information (net, phone, video) and hunt the people who planned the attack. But when her program begins to track people high up in the government, she is shut out of the process.

With the help of her assistant, her Marine bodyguard, and the publisher of a long-standing underground hacker magazine, she must track down the one man whose computer skills match her own. A man only known by Phr33k.

If Jeannie and Phr33k combine their efforts the US may survive the second wave of attacks planned by an international group of terrorists.

Henderson, Jack. (2007). Circumference of Darkness. New York: Bantam Books.

Vampirates: Black Heart (Vampirates #4)

Black Heart is the fourth book in the Vampirates series by Justin Somper.

Twins Grace and Connor Tempest are completely caught up in the world of pirates and vampirates, but on opposite sides. Grace lives among the vampirates. Connor has joined her at Sanctuary, a place where vampirates go to recover or take a break from live at sea. But Connor is not comfortable there. Though he has the chance to meet his mother's spirit and find out about his past, he must leave.

Newly appointed Captain Cheng Li is about to launch her first ship and Connor is ready to sign up to sail with her. But her first assignment from the pirate federation is to hunt down the vampirates and destroy them. Connor, as the only pirate to have met an actual vampirate, knows that they are not all bad - but will he be able to convince the federation before Grace's life is endangered?

Somper has created a fantasy world that should appeal to a wide audience; it does, after all, have vampires and pirates! What more could you ask for in a YA series?

Somper, Justin. (2008). Vampirates: Black Heart. New York: Little Brown & Co.

Captain Jack's Woman (Bastion Club prequel)

Captain Jack's Woman by Stephanie Laurens is the prequel to her Bastion Club series.

Kathryn "Kit" Cranmer has spent the six years since her grandmother's death in London. She was under the impression that her grandfather had sent her away. In reality her aunts tricked her into going to London to find a husband with whom they could share her future inheritance. But now she is back at Cranmer Hall with her grandfather and determined never to get married.

Kit has always been a bit wild. Her grandparents raised her and let her get away with a lot. Since her return she has taken to dressing as a boy and sneaking her horse out at night to go riding. Soon she is the head of a small band of smugglers bringing in rum and lace, but a rival gang wants to absorb them into one large gang.

Captain Jack, the head of the larger gang, knows right away that Kit is a woman. But he thinks she is a illegitimate grandchild of Lord Cranmer - and therefore, fair game. Before he can find out the truth he crosses a line that will link himself to Kit for life.

Laurens is a prolific historical romance writer. Captain Jack's Woman is entertaining, sexy, and a great read while on the beach during a vacation.

Laurens, Stephanie. (1997). Captain Jack's Woman. New York: Avon.