Don't Stay Out After Dark!!!

Glass Houses by Rachel Caine has everything a young girl could possibly want out of a book. There are vampires, cute boys, romance, and even a ghost. I'm kinda a wimp when it comes to scary movies, and I have to be honest - I was scared when I closed this book - yeah... I know it's silly!

--Claire is a smart, nice girl who has entered college at the age of 16. She immediately gets on the bad side of the dangerous Monica and her group the "Monickettes." These are the mean, pretty, popular girls who pick on the underdog, but in this story they aren't just cruel, they are also murderous. What was Claire's crime? She corrected Monica on her history, and as a result made her look dumb (shocking!) in front of cute boys. Claire soon finds that Monica might actually kill her. Claire winds up at the Glass House looking for a safe place to live. Micheal, Shane, and Eve decide to let Claire stay. Her arrival brings chaos and turbulence into the house and forces everyone to deal with the vampire problem in Morganville. The romance that creeps up between Shane and Claire is both sweet and exciting. Shane had been on Monica's bad side ever since he turned her down in high school. His falling for Claire is poetic justice.

--The supernatural elements of Glass Houses appeal to young people, the romance appeals to girls, and because it is easy to read, it would also be a good recommendation for a reluctant reader. I turned page after page until I finished this book in one sitting. I immediately wanted to start reading the sequel, but I can't because I have 30 other books I need to read!

This book is on the TAYSHAS reading list.

Finding Nobody

Nobody Owens wasn't meant to die on the day when Jack came to murder him and his family. For someone like Jack, killing a toddler should be easy, but as fate would have it, the toddler decides to go out for an adventure when he is awakened in the night. Jack follows his scent to the graveyard, but is unable to find the little boy. This old graveyard is full of old ghosts, who decide to protect the boy. Between Mr. and Mrs. Owens, a married couple who never had children, and the enigmatic Silas, Nobody Owens (Bod for short) is raised in the graveyard, and that is where the story begins.


Bod is given the run of the graveyard. He is taught tricks, such as fading, dreamwalking, and creating fear in people. Bod does not abuse these gifts and is a likeable character. He is obiedient, but also curious and adventursome. He is thoughtful, sensitive, brave, and noble. When Bod stands up to the bullies at school, and they begin to get what they deserve, I felt like whooping outloud.


The supernatural elements in this story are unique. In a time when YA literature is dominated by stories of vampires and witches, The Graveyard Book is refreshingly different. The dark quality of graveyard appeals to the YA audience, but it is the character of Bod, watching him grow up, make mistakes, and ultimately find peace and optimism that makes this book truly good. I only hope there is a sequel, I'd like to see what adventures and experiences Bod's future holds.


This book won the Newbery Medal.

Frogs are cute

Nic Bishop’s Frogs takes the reader all over the world to look at the different types of frogs he has studied and beautifully photographed. This adventure is both informative and fascinating. Frogs is a great book for a young boy 5-8 years-old (even my 2 year old was captivated by the bright pictures). It is filled with fun and interesting facts about frogs. For instance, some frogs are only as big as your pinky nail, while others are as big as a newborn baby! He sorts out the differences between frogs and toads and explains why frogs are called amphibians. Several pictures reveal frogs in their habitat, some in motion, others developing, and a few devouring prey. My favorite is the red-eye tree frog – what amazing colors!

Frogs is a 2009-2010 Texas Bluebonnet Book and is on the ALSC Notable Children's Book list.