#5 -- Empty

This was a great book that really made me think about the world we live in and really appreciate all the luxuries we have today. The book takes place 10 years in the future. The oil reserves have dried up and oil is at a premium (to the tune of $80 a gallon). Electricity is out much of the time. Batteries can't be found in stores. People must rely on their feet as transportation and their minds as entertainment. The book focuses on a group of teenagers and how they deal with all of these hardships. 

This book is appropriate for 5th grade and up and would appeal to everyone, even adults. It really made me think and is a great discussion starter!  Good thing it is my choice for the very first WMS Book Club meeting!!!

#4 -- The Rules of Survival

This is a book with a very deep, almost haunting story. It deals with a boy's fight to keep his family together and survive even when his mother is doing anything in her power to take them down a very dark path. Matt's rules are simple...survive in order to tell the story. You will have to read to see how he survives. 

This book is not for everyone. There are elements of abuse discussed, so please use caution when reading. I would recommend this for 8th grade and up and only for mature readers. 

#3 -- Uncommon Criminals (Heist Society #2)

This is #2 in the Heist Society series. The teens have been hired to steal back an emerald that was originally stolen many years ago. They accomplish this feat quickly and easily, but did they steal it for the right person?  They set out to steal it again to get it to its real owner. 

I think this book may be even better than the first. It was a very quick read (even at 300 pages). I thoroughly enjoyed this book and recommend it to all girls who like adventure and page-turning action. 

#2 -- Heist Society

This is Book One in a series by Ally Carter (who also wrote the Gallagher Girls series). It was a good, suspenseful read which reminded me of the movie "The Thomas Crown Affair" since it was based on a group of art thieves. In the book, the heist was planned by a group of teenagers who were trying to save the life, and prove the innocence of, one of their parents. They had to steal artwork to keep it out of the hands of the bad guys. I won't go into how they planned to accomplish that, so you will have to read the book yourself to find out!!

Overall it was a good, quick read and good for 5th - 8th graders.  I plan to read the second book of the series soon!!

#1 -- Beautiful Creatures

This is #1 in a four book series and a popular movie that has just come out on DVD. The book is a good read for anyone who enjoys the Mortal Instruments series or other paranormal books. The whole book revolves around the fight between good and evil, and a teenage girl's struggle to stay on the "good" side when the "bad" side is tugging so hard at her. There are elements of magic and witchcraft in this books, so if that is not your thing then you may want to pass.  Overall I enjoyed the book even though it was a long read. Allow yourself plenty of time to read it. 

40 Book Challenge...Let the Madness Begin!

We are going to begin a 40 book challenge at WMS this year. Students will be challenged to read 40 books that are 100 pages or more by the end of the school year. Books will only count if the AR test is passed and signed off on by a teacher.  Come by the library for a 40 Book Challenge log form!!

I am going to be taking part in the 40 book challenge also!  On this blog I will list and review my 40 books read.  Hopefully you can get some great recommendations and ideas of new books that might interest you.  Let's get this reading madness started!!