How to Raise and Keep a Dragon by John Topsell

If dragons were really real, this would be the book for the would be owner. It has everything from the different types of dragons to care, housing, and feeding of your pet. A chapter on training is a must read since you need to keep him/her under control and if it is a flying dragon, being able to go out for a ride. Also included is instructions on how to show your dragon at the dragon show and what the judges look for to have Best-in-Show. It is found in the 398 section in the library with the rest of the dragon information books. If you love that Disney movie that came out in March 2010, you will love this book.

Babe Ruth (Up Close M.V.P) by Wilborn Hampton

You never know what book will change your life. While this Babe Ruth biography was not the one, another one was for EML. I was 10 years old when I read it and didn't have a great home life. But reading what the Babe went through, I know I could make it through mine with ease. It gave me an anchor when I needed it. He lived his life his way, looked out for the kids, and enjoyed getting paid for playing a game. He set his records not using steriods, but eating and drinking too much. My big questions have always been, was he a better pitcher or a better hitter. This is for the reader who loves baseball and the reader who's life is not easy. Both will find a hero they need.

Our Eleanor by Candance Fleming

Written in a scrapbook format, this book brings to life a lady who did change the world by just trying to be herself. An unhappy childhood lead to a not-that-happy adulthood that would have brought most of us to being a drain on society, not a person who sets out to make the world a better place. If she was alive today, talk show hosts who be doing anything to get her on their show, if she would spill her guts. She wouldn't and didn't, but after her death, we now get the read the juicy parts. She was once the most powerful woman in this country and how she got to that point did make a few enemies but most strong indepent women usually do. Would you be willing to do the same?

Chidren of the Great Depression by Russell Freedman

Any book by Russell Freedman I have read has been interesting, educational, but most of all a quick read. Filled with pictures from the time and stories of how children and young adults survived, both the good and bad sides of the worst economic crisis are included. (Yes, dear readers what is happening now is not the worst economic crisis ever.) While most of the time the struggle to survive kept families busy, there was still time for play and entertainment. Some of the entertainment was different from today - only radio and movies, but some of our favorite pastimes are still the same. If you don't believe me, read the book to find out.

The Mysterious Benedict Society by Trenton Lee Stewart

Mysterious Mr. Benedict is looking for children, orphans in fact, to send undercover to the Learning Institute for the Very Enlightened, a school that the only rule is there is NO rules. Ads placed in papers for gifted students bring many, but only a few finally pass the tests he gave. It seems that the whole world is in the middle of terrible problems and upsets, and some how the institute is involved. If his spies fail, no one will miss them if they are orphans will they? You get to take the tests along with the characters. See if you can pass them. EML didn't and we all know how smart librarians are. Dangers are every where and the upsets are too close to what is happening in our world now. Maybe this is not that fictional? What if.....

This Place has no Atmosphere, by Paula Danziger

Set in 2057, Aurora's parents just found a new way to ruin her life, they are going to the moon to be part of colony of 750 people who hope to make the moon a new home. She is a freshman and has finally got into the "in" crowd. She decides that if she ruins their life, maybe she can stay with her grandmother. Please don't do to your parents what Aurora tries on hers. Finally, it is agreed if she doesn't like it, she can come back to live with her grandmother, who talks about the olden days of the early 2000. How long can she make a year last and who will give up first, her or her parents? If you have ever had to move, you will relate to all the problems that Aurora has, even those she has caused herself. Are we really going to live in shopping malls and have classes in ESP?

The Night Room by E.M. Goldman

What high schooler wouldn't want to go forward in time to see what his/her 10 year reunion is like? Who makes good and who gets what is coming to them? But when someone is not at the reunion, could this computer simulation really be a cover for an upcoming murder? Can it be stopped or is the future set in stone? Almost every type of student at your school will have someone just like them in the night room - whether you are the jock, brain, popular, or out cast. Who has it in them to survive when survivial is all you can do.

The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams

Please, please, please don't judge this book by the movie. Movies are always never as good as the book and that movie version was one of the worst ever. From the 1970's, this book has been loved by readers who like weird humor, sick jokes, and adventure. Even my teenage brothers couldn't stop reading it. Earth has been destroyed to make way for a by-pass and Arthur Dent is saved by his space alien friend. When they hook up with the ex-president of the Universe who has a stolen space ship, life will never be the same. This is the first book of a trilogy, which has 5 books in it, go figure. If you like British humor, all the better.

Shooting the Moon by Frances O'Roark Dowell

Why does Jamie's brother send letters to her parents, but rolls of film to her to develop? Doesn't he know she wants to know what is really going on in Vietnam? Both have grown up in the army since their father is a Colonel. But as she developes the films, it is clear that the old saying that a picture is worth a thousand words has new meaning. What is her brother trying to tell her that even soldiers can't really put in words? How will that help her when his tour of duty is cut short by the worst news a family can hear? Can she help another soldier from ending up like her brother?

It's Like This, Cat by Emily Neville

I finally read this to find out why it kept getting stolen from the libraries I worked at. What I found was one of the best Newbery Award winners I have ever read. It was ground breaking in 1963 to have a real life teen that thought his dad didn't know everything and got involved with a "criminal". While it was realistic when it was written, it is a wonderful trip through a New York City that doesn't exist anymore. Written in a boy's point of view, the adventures of getting a cat, a girlfriend, and enjoying the freedom of wandering a city will relate to any reader who wished for a time where parents knew that kids just needed to get away and live their lives without adult supervision.

Criss Cross by Lynne Rae Perkins

Sometimes a little confusing at first, this is a story of interconnections we make with others and those that are just missed that would have been life changing. A group of small town teens live their normal lives that end up effecting each other in both small and big ways. Set in the 1960's, many of the events could happen in any small town, not just northern Michigan, today. From the dreamer of big dreams ,to the slacker trying to find the easy way out, to old person whose life is saved and changed, almost every reader will find a character who is just like them.

Ask Me No Questions by Marina Budhos

What about the other side of the illegal immigrate problem in American? What is it like to live everyday wondering if this will be the day you are found out and taken from the only life you have ever known, even if the only thing you want to do is to be a good citizen? Nadira's family is torn apart when in panic her father, who has over stayed a visa, tries to go to Canada and is detained. Her and her older sister go back to Queens while her mother stays close to her imprisoned father. As their world falls apart, a little research finds the key that they need to clear their father, but will anyone listen to them. A must read for those who don't understand the human side of this question and need a reality check.

The Story of a Seagull and the Cat who Taught Her to Fly, by Luis Sepulveda

A dying mother's last act was asking a cat to watch over her egg, not to eat the baby and finally to teach it to fly. Most cats would say yes and then when the mother was gone, eat the bird, but Zobra is a honorable cat. How does a cat teach a bird to fly? This case involves a set of encyclopedias among other things including keeping his friends from eating the bird while all try to make a dying mother's wish come true. Can two different beings really learn to love each other? If they can, maybe we all can too.

Jeremy Fink and the Meaning of Life by Wendy Mass

Jeremy likes his world his way and small. When he gets a 13th birthday present from his late father, he has to go out into the larger world if he wants to open the mysterious box that needs 4 keys. He has to find the special keys that fit and with his friend Lizzy, the search is on. Inside the box is his father's answer to the question what is the meaning of life. How much trouble can you get in during this search and what causes the police to be called is only part of the problems that happen to Jeremy and Lizzie. What would you do to find out what your late father wanted you to know? I had to get 3 copies to keep up with demand for this book.

The Mailbox by Audrey Shafer

Gabe is 12 and has finally found a home with his Uncle Vernon, who is a gruff loner that takes in Gabe because he is family and that is what family does. After Gabe's first day in 6th grade, he comes home to find his uncle dead. Not knowing what to do and not wanting to go back into foster care, he goes to school the next day. When he returns, his uncle's body is gone and there is a note in the mailbox. Whoever took the body and is sending the notes, helps Gabe live alone, but how long can Gabe keep the nosey adults at bay? What happens when Gabe is found out? Flash backs tell how both Gabe and his Uncle change each other for the better. I can't keep this one in once the students at my junior high finds out about it.

Waiting for Normal by Leslie Connor

Addie's life has never been easy. Her real dad died and her mom's behavior is not like most parents. When her mom and step-dad gets a divorce, she wants to live with him and her younger half- siblings, but goes to live with her mom. It is hard to be the only adult when you are 12. There will be a time in your life when you must answer this question: do try to save your parent or do you have to save yourself. For all those who have a hard home life, you will find hope in this story. For those who don't, you will love how Addie finds family is the strangest places.

Theodore Roosevlet and the Rise of Modern America by Albert Marrin

The youngest man to ever be president, he was the last person many Republicans wanted to be president that is why he was put in the job of vice president to kill his political career. But when Mckinley was fell by an assassin's bullet, he became president. Larger than life, he used his new job to change the way many Americans lived, worked, and even vacationed. From a sickly childhood, to the wild west time, and travels all over the world, he didn't let anything or anyone stand in his way. If you have half the life, he had and even enjoy it half as much, you will die happy. Just don't try some of the things at school and you will be fine.

Weird Michigan, Weird Ohio, Weird Indiana

If you like short stories about weird, interesting, and may be scary people, place, or things, this is the series for you. I have been to, lived near, or have seen something in every book. In Weird Ohio, I have even met a person who use to drive the most famous dead guy in Sabina around when he was in college. (I went to the same college years afterward.) If you don't like one story, just go to the next and I know you will find something you will enjoy.

Inside Monster Garage by Ken Vose

When some of my students told me that they didn't know we had this book, I knew I had to add this to the blog. While the show has gone off the air, it might come back with new episodes or even in reruns. This is a behind the scene look at many of the great episodes. Loaded with pictures and Jesse wisdom, it is a fan's dream. I always wanted Jesse to build a book mobile for teenagers out a a "beverage" truck, but never got the nerve to email the suggestion. If you are reading this Jesse, if you build it , they will come and check books out of it. I know they will if you let me stock with what they want to read.

Purple Death; The Mysterious Flu of 1918 by David Getz

You need to remember that modern medicine has come a long way since 1918 and this was the last of the true great epidemics that hit the world. Growing up my late grandmother told me of this flu, but none of the history books had anything about it. Everyone wanted to forget about it, but the medical community worried about what if it returns. If you want to understand why the adults seem be going off the deep end these days, just read this book.