Book Review- Lee Child- Tripwire

Lee Child- Tripwire (Jove Books 2009) 4.5 Stars

Jack Reacher is continuing to wander the United States, enjoying being just a part of the crowd. Out of nowhere comes a private detective asking around for a Jack Reacher and suddenly Jack Reacher is being sought by a couple of thugs who killed the private detective. Now Reacher needs to find out just where the detective came from and why the man’s client wants him. The answer will shock him and send him spiralling into a dangerous mystery that will reunite him with many old acquaintances from his past. Danger lurks around every corner, will Reacher be tough enough to find the answers and survive?

Once again I find myself impressed by Child’s writing skill. His Reacher series never fails to impress. Tripwire is no different, it takes hold of your attention from the beginning and does not let go. Your mind must work fast in order to keep up with all the information Reacher must dig up and process. Everything does not always add up to what Reacher figures it should leading to some great twists and unexpected turns of events. I enjoyed how this novel deepened Reacher’s character as we found out more of his past as an army MP. We get to see some of his old acquaintances and even a role model/teacher. We even learn a little more about his family life growing up. I love the action that we get to see in the book, reading about Reacher’s incredible skill from years of MP self-defence training creates some great movie scenes in my head. This novel took Reacher all over the world and took the reader even more places, which was fun. The villain was creepy and odd, his desperation led to some wicked actions, adding to the suspense. Tripwire is a nail-biter. Of course there were a few scenes that I may have done differently, but that happens in every work of fiction does it not?

I recommend Tripwire to any Child fans, or anyone looking for a good thriller/mystery with lots of great action.

For more of my book reviews check out my website, www.tonypeters.webs.com

Tony Peters

Kids on a Case: The Case of the Ten Grand Kidnapping

http://authortonypeters.blogspot.com/

Book Review- Jeffery Deaver- Garden of Beasts

Jeffery Deaver- Garden of Beasts (Pocket Star Books 2005) 4.5 Stars

It’s 1936 and Germany is trying to hide the fact that they are rearming. Paul Schumann is an assassin for hire and has just been caught by the government. He is given two choices either he does one last assassination, this time for the government, or he will be in line for the electric chair. Acting like a freelance sports journalist coming to Berlin for the Olympics, Schumann has been told to locate and eliminate Reinhard Ernst, the man responsible for the German rearmament and Hitler’s power. Hitler’s men are everywhere and he must avoid detection, but staying out of trouble in paranoid Germany is not an easy task. While being hunting by Germany’s best investigators, he must accomplish his mission, or die a horrible death.

The introduction to Garden of Beasts was interesting as we see the main character being taken captive, which is an odd way to start the book, but it made it much more interesting. This intro set the stage for all the following events to fall into place. It was a key scene in the nail-biting plot that the reader’s view. We see the main character grow form a heartless assassin into a man who really is deeper and more considerate than we are originally led to believe, Paul Schumann surprises himself at times. He was an incredibly deep character with many different sides. One thing I did find a little out of character was the budding romance. It just did not really fit into Paul Schumann’s profile in my opinion. I loved all the twists involved in this book as it left me never knowing just what was coming next. It was a job well-done from an amazingly talented author, who clearly did his research on this one. I enjoyed all the details I was learning about a time period I find to be very interesting. I especially loved the fact that I found out what Tiergarten actually means (Garden of Beasts).

I recommend Garden of Beasts to Deaver fans, thriller readers, and anyone who loves the World War eras.

For more of my reviews check out my website, www.tonypeters.webs.com

Tony Peters

Kids on a Case: The Case of the Ten Grand Kidnapping

www.eloquentbooks.com/kidsonacase.html

Book Review- Rudyard Kipling- Captains Courageous

Rudyard Kipling- Captains Courageous (Moby Books 1983) 4 Stars

Harvey Cheyne is rich, spoiled, and as a teenager he is getting everything he wants, at least until he goes overboard while traveling on an ocean liner off the coast of Newfoundland. Now he finds himself on a fishing vessel and his father’s money means nothing. Harvey must learn the ropes of sailing and fishing to earn his passage on the four month fishing trip. Dan Troop, son of the courageous fishing Captain Disko Troop, teaches Harvey how to sail and fish, making them a pair of unlikely friends. Harvey will learn how to be a man and live his life without being a spoiled brat.

Captains Courageous is Rudyard Kipling’s classic tale of the rich learning to live like a normal hardworking citizen. At first I think I was along with everyone else in despising this impudent little brat, Harvey Cheyne, but as I watched him grow throughout the book I developed respect for him. He is able to overcome his trouble by pitching in and learning to work like all the others on the ship. Dan Troop is a wonderful young lad who befriends Harvey and I liked his character the most in the book, although I could not help but to like Disko Troop, and the ship’s cook. So many amazing characters created by one of the best writer’s of all times. The plot is not overly deep, but was wonderfully crafted into an interesting tale. I felt that throughout the story I learned many things about sailing on a fishing vessel, not enough to try it myself, but enough to keep me reading. The ending was one that was a little boring, but happy nonetheless. I may have liked to of seen a little bit more excitement in parts, something to make the reader bite their nails, but maybe that is just me.

I recommend this children’s version to parents looking for a good clean read for their kids, and the adult version to those looking for a good sailing adventure.

For more of my reviews check out my website, www.tonypeters.webs.com

Tony Peters

Kids on a Case: The Case of the Ten Grand Kidnapping

www.eloquentbooks.com/kidsonacase.html

Book Review- Brent W. Jeffs- Lost Boy

Brent W. Jeffs- Lost Boy (Broadway Books 2009) 5 Stars

Normally I would do my own summary of the book, but in this case I think that the author is the best person to summarize this portion of his life. Jeffs is the nephew of Warren Jeffs, the imprisoned leader of the FLDS. The son of a prominent family in the church, Brent could have grown up to have multiple wives of his own and significant power in the 10,000-strong community. But he knew that behind the group’s pious public image—women in chaste dresses carrying babies on their hips—lay a much darker reality. So he walked away, and was the first to file a sexual-abuse lawsuit against his uncle. Now Brent shares his courageous story and that of many other young men who have become “lost boys” when they leave the FLDS, either by choice or by expulsion. Brent experienced firsthand the absolute power that church leaders wield—the kind of power that corrupts and perverts those who will do anything to maintain it. Once young men no longer belong to the church, they are cast out into a world for which they are utterly unprepared. More often than not, they succumb to the temptations of alcohol and other drugs. Tragically, Brent lost two of his brothers in this struggle, one to suicide, the other to overdose. In this book he shows that lost boys can triumph and that abuse and trauma can be overcome, and he hopes that readers will be inspired to help former FLDS members find their way in the world.

What an amazing memoir. Lost Boy is Brent Jeffs’ story growing up, from his most early memories to the most recent. He is brutally honest, even when it may make him appear in a negative manner. I respect the author greatly after reading this as I appreciated his honesty. I enjoyed some of his stories as they were humorous at times, other stories I did not enjoy so much (especially the ones of his being sexually abused) as they were very hard to make it through. I definitely felt very angry at times that such terrible things could happen to so many children. It was very educational though and I loved the fact that I learned so much about a religion that seems foreign to me as we do not have any FLDS compounds around my town, we do have other religious groups that can be very strict, but none that practice polygamy. I love to be able to learn new things when I read so it was very good. Now all of the news stories I heard make just a little more sense, as I could never get a proper grasp on what was happening through the media. This is a great book for anyone looking to learn about FLDS culture, or wishing to learn about how power can corrupt when abused, or given to one person. Religious texts should never be used out of context as it is so dangerous when in the wrong hands. A good speaker can make anything seem like it is backed by their religion, just look at what is happening to our world. The same is the case when someone declares themselves a prophet and then takes control of many putting in place their own restrictions, this is a dangerous power for anyone to have. Lost Boys was an eye opener for me and I will definitely watch for these things more closely.

Lost Boys is a great book for anyone looking to learn about FLDS culture, or wishing to learn about how power can corrupt when abused, or given to one person.

For more of my reviews check out my website, www.tonypeters.webs.com

Tony Peters

Kids on a Case: The Case of the Ten Grand Kidnapping

http://authortonypeters.blogspot.com/

Book Review- John Grisham- Playing for Pizza

John Grisham- Playing for Pizza (Dell 2008) 3.5 Stars

As Rick Dockery finds his NFL career crumbling before his eyes, his agent knows that he must find a new job for the quarterback. Playing for the Browns he is brought in at the end of the final game in the AFC Championship and he manages to blow a 17-point lead for the team. Now no professional team will have him and Browns fans are threatening his life. Suddenly his agent tells him that the only team that will have him is the Mighty Panthers in Parma, Italy. With this job he will be one of only a few Americans on the team and he will be the starting quarterback. Rick Dockery accepts the job and really doesn’t understand just what he is getting himself into.

The introductory pages in Playing for Pizza are kind of humorous, although sad at the same time, as we see Rick’s career fall apart and him screw up quite severely in his final NFL game. Then we see him flee the country under a cloud of shame to a beautiful Italian landscape. I enjoyed hearing about the amazing Italian food. This book made me so hungry at so many different points. I also enjoyed reading about the Italians landscape. It made me want to hop on a plane and pay Italy a visit. The plot in this novel was not overly deep and at times I found it was lost in Grisham’s habit of including many unnecessary details, but in the end it came through to provide a pretty good final couple of chapters. We find our character, who has seemed kind of shallow and self-absorbed before this, end up discovering a great life lesson, that there is more to life than worldly possessions and money. I did find that the novel got to be a little slow and tedious at times, but may have enjoyed it more if I was a major football fan or someone who had been to Italy.

I recommend Playing for Pizza to football fans and lovers of Italian culture.

For more of my reviews check out my website, www.tonypeters.webs.com

Tony Peters

Kids on a Case: The Case of the Ten Grand Kidnapping

http://authortonypeters.blogspot.com/

Book Review- Eric Wilson- The Inuk Mountie Adventure

Eric Wilson- The Inuk Mountie Adventure (HarperCollins 1996) 4 Stars

With Canada considering joining with the United States, companies are looking to change the course of rivers so that they will run Canadian water into the States. The Prime Minister of Canada seems to be backing this one hundred percent and he has the public eating out of his hand. However a micro-cassette may change all of this if it comes to light. Tom Austen is on a school trip up north to Gjoa Haven and Tom hears that the cassette may be near by. While participating in cultural events and learning many useful things form his Mountie host, Tom Austen hunts for the cassette chasing his suspects on foot and snowmobile. Meanwhile he finds out that he may have more to learn about life than he had thought, and the Inuit people may be just the ones to teach him.

The Inuk Moutnie Adventure is my favourite book that I have read by Eric Wilson so far. I enjoyed the amount of growth of character we saw in Tom Austen and his friend Dietmar. They seemed to be learning so much from the Inuit people and this may just teach our children about cultural acceptance, which is an important lesson. Meanwhile the case was a very intriguing one with some ideas that were quite different from your usual mystery novel. It had action components and yet we saw Tom Austen scrounging for information and coming up with leads that he thought went one direction only to find out that he was completely wrong. Eric Wilson had some good twists, not all of them were unpredictable, but for the intended age group they were very well done. I would have liked the ending to come as more of a surprise, but again for the intended age group it would have come as more of a surprise. I enjoyed hearing about the far north as it does get a lot of attention in very many books or movies. This made the information more interesting and I found that I learned a fair bit from this book.

I recommend The Inuk Moutnie Adventure to middle readers who like mystery.

For more of my reviews check out my website, www.tonypeters.webs.com

Tony Peters

Kids on a Case: The Case of the Ten Grand Kidnapping

www.eloquentbooks.com/kidsonacase.html

Book Review- John S. Daniels- The Crossing

John S. Daniels- The Crossing (Signet Books 1969) 3.75 Stars

When Mark Kelton’s parents decided to sell what they had and move across the country to buy a ranch, they had no idea just what would happen. With his parents now murdered and the money stolen, Mark finds himself all alone with not a clue how he will survive. Along comes Bronc to save the boy and help him survive in the west. Bronc taught him how to be a cowboy who could survive on his own. Mark had to learn fast if he was going to find his parents’ killer and find make a fresh start in life. He would back down for no man and would have to learn that some of life’s lessons come at a high price.

The Crossing is a classic western. The introduction throws the reader into the midst of the murder of Mark Kelton’s parents. It drew me in and I was curious to see just how he was not only going to survive, but how his friendship with Bronc was going to develop. Moving right along we see Mark turn from a weak, blubbering boy, into a tough, hard-nosed man. I was a little disappointed in his naivety though, as everyone around him could see the truth and yet he would not believe it, although this happens to all of us. I loved the characters in this book as they seemed to be well-though out and were quite interesting. The women were all tough in this book, although I was a little disappointed in their characters. The plot was again not overly deep, but was deeper than I would have thought when looking at its short length. It had enough action to keep the reader interested and yet it wasn’t the main focus. Overall I was impressed by Daniels’ style of writing.

I recommend The Crossing to anyone who loves a good western.

For more of my reviews check out my website, www.tonypeters.webs.com

Tony Peters

Kids on a Case: The Case of the Ten Grand Kidnapping

eloquentbooks.com/kidsonacase.html

Book Review- James Patterson- The Murder of King Tut

James Patterson & Martin Dugard- The Murder of King Tut (Little, Brown and Company 2009) 2.75 Stars

Very little is known about King Tut. He became the ruler of Egypt when he was but nine years old, and this led to upheaval amongst his advisers. Although he seemed fairly successful on the outside, he somehow died at a young age and his name was mysteriously removed from Egyptian history. No one knows just how he died, but many suspect foul play.

Years in the future Howard Carter is trying to discover the location of King Tut’s tomb. It is the kind of mission that could make or break his career. He will become the laughing stock of many before finally discovering the location, only to find that it was not quite as he had expected it.

In the present James Patterson and Michael Dugard are scrounging for clues to come up with their own theory on this Boy King’s death. In their opinion it is a story of one of the greatest betrayals known to man.

I won this book in an online contest. It was one that I wanted to read, but wasn’t sure if I wanted to buy it, I am kind of glad I did not pay for it. The story kept jumping between three different time periods, the time of King Tut, the time of Howard Carter, and the present (featuring James Patterson himself). It was kind of like he wrote three different short stories and then combined them into one and separated them into breaks to make them seem more intriguing. I found it a little annoying and felt like he was trying to make it seem more intriguing then it really was. To be honest most of the book was kind of dry and boring. I only enjoyed the last third of the book. In the end it all boils down to a theory on the death, which for all we know has true parts to it, no one can possibly know for sure. There did not seem to really be a point in putting the present into the book as it just slowed down the plot, it may have been less annoying if it was just jumping between two time periods, not likely, but it may have helped me focus. Without the ending coming through to make it seem more interesting my rating would have been a two. As you can see I was not overly impressed by this nonfiction thriller, but I encourage you to pick up a copy from your local library and formulate your own opinion on the matter.

For more of my reviews check out my website, www.tonypeters.webs.com

Tony Peters

Kids on a Case: The Case of the Ten Grand Kidnapping

eloquentbook.com/kidsonacase.html

Book Review- Rick Mofina- No Way Back

Rick Mofina- No Way Back (Pinnacle Books 2003) 4 Stars

When a jewellery store heist goes wrong Ann Reed finds herself being held hostage by the fleeing criminals who just happen to be psychopathic killers. A cop is murdered in the getaway and now reporter Tom Reed has been given the assignment of a lifetime, he gets to cover career-making story. Tom is hoping that this will be his last story and when he finds out that his wife is the hostage the story becomes personal. Tom will soon discover that he knows one of the men who took his wife, through a story in a crime series he sent the man back to prison and caused the suicide of the man’s wife. Now the man has taken Tom’s wife and intends to set up a trap to teach Tom a brutal lesson.

Canadian author Rick Mofina writes a nail-biting thriller. At first I was not sure what I thought of this novel, but once I got into it I could not put it down. The introduction is good as it draws the reader in and starts with an action scene that makes the reader wonder what they have gotten themselves into. Am I going to end up with nightmares of being held hostage by a psychotic killer? Then it slows down a bit to let us get to know Tom Reed and his background, first knowing him as a reporter and family man who wants to get out of the dark and dangerous stories business. Quickly we learn that his reporting of dangerous stories is an addiction, and as you read on you wonder if this story is going to be the cure for his addiction. We also see him getting a taste of his own medicine as he comes face-to-face with reporters who mirror his aggressive style as they chase after him for interviews. The situation becomes more tense as it goes on, letting know important details on the criminals who are responsible for the heist/hostage taking. The ending was fairly good, although I was somehow hoping for a little bit more.

I recommend No Way Back to anyone who loves a good thriller.

For more of my reviews check out my website, www.tonypeters.webs.com

Tony Peters

Kids on a Case: The Case of the Ten Grand Kidnapping

www.eloquentbooks.com/kidsonacase.html

Book Review- Louis L’Amour- Radigan

Louis L’Amour- Radigan (Bantam Books 1969) 3.75 Stars

After working through harsh conditions to build his ranch, Tom Radigan now finds himself in danger of losing what he has fought so hard to build. Angelina Foley comes from seemingly nowhere claiming to have a deed to the ranch land that he has settled on. Fighting the claim will take grit and determination. She intends to force him off of the land using the gunmen she has hired, but Tom Radigan and his friend John Child do not intend to be run off. The fight is on and knowing the lay of the land may be just the advantage he needs, what with winter approaching fast. He is digging in and the only way he will lose the ranch is if he is no longer breathing.

Radigan is a top-notch western by one of the greatest western writers of all time. Louis L’Amour packs a punch as the plot unwinds with a beautiful woman threatening to take away this tough rancher’s land. You know that the fight is on after the introduction starts off with a man trying to gun down Radigan and failing miserably. After the introduction the author does not fail to produce as we see action mixed with thickening plot. I may have liked to see a little bit more length to the book, which would have helped in developing the plot/storyline a bit more, but a lot of westerns lack in this department so I won’t hold it against him. It also would have been nice for the falling in love bit to be left out as this seems to be a bit of a redundant theme in westerns, leaving it out would have set it apart from other westerns, but again I won’t hold it against Louis L’Amour. The characters were not deep, but were interesting enough to keep the reader intrigued. As many of my main readers know I love the western setting and that time period so as you can guess I loved this part of the book.

I recommend Radigan to western readers and Louis L’Amour fans.

For more of my reviews check out my website, www.tonypeters.webs.com

Tony Peters

Kids on a Case: The Case of the Ten Grand Kidnapping

www.eloquentbooks.com/kidsonacase.html

Book List 2009 and My Book Awards

Book Awards 2009

Best Mystery/Thriller: Michael Connelly- 9 Dragons

Runner Up: Lee Child- Killing Floor

Honourable Mention: Jeffery Deaver- A Maiden’s Grave

Best Children’s/Middle Reader: Mildred D. Taylor- Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry

Runner Up: Judy Blume- Superfudge

Honourable Mention: Andrew Clements- Frindle

Best Miscellaneous Read: John Grisham- A Painted House

Runner Up: James Lecesne- Absolute Brightness

Honourable Mention: Tony Earley- The Blue Star

Favourite Book of 2009: John Grisham- A Painted House

Runner Up: Michael Connelly- 9 Dragons

Honourable Mention: Kristin Cashore- Graceling

Best Little Known Author: Roger Haller

Runner Up: Lincoln Park

Honourable Mention: Quinton R. Wall, Milam McGraw Propst, and Michael Phelps

Worst Book Read in 2009: Andrew J. Fenady- The Rebel: Johnny Yuma

Runner Up: Don Pendleton- The Executioner: Death Warrant

Dishonourable Mention: James Patterson & Howard Roughan- You’ve Been Warned

Book List 2009

Total Books Read: 154

Mystery (23)

Eileen Dreyer- With a Vengeance (St. Martin’s Press 2003) 3 Stars

Brad Geagley- Year of the Hyenas (Simon & Schuster 2005) 4 Stars

Michael Palmer- The First Patient (St. Martin’s Press 2008) 4.25 Stars

Michael Connelly- City of Bones (Little, Brown and Company 2002) 5 Stars

Sue Grafton- “P” Is for Peril (G.P. Putnam’s Sons 2001) 4 Stars

Dean James- Faked to Death (Kensington 2003) 3 Stars

Valerie Wolzien- An Anniversary to Die For (Ballantine Publishing 2002) 3.25 Stars

Mary Higgins Clark- All Through the Night (Simon & Schuster 1998) 2.5 Stars

Michael Connelly- The Black Echo (Warner Books 2002) 4.25 Stars

Agatha Christie- Ten Little Indians (also known as: And Then There Were None) (Pocket Books 1966) 3.75 Stars

Mary Higgins Clark- Where Are You Now? (Simon & Schuster 2008) 3 Stars

Andrew Pepper- The Last Days of Newgate (Weidenfeld & Nicolson 2006) 3.75 Stars

Laurence Klavan- The Cutting Room (Ballantine Books 2004) 3.25 Stars

Michael Connelly- Angels Flight (Warner Books 2000) 4.75 Stars

Michael Connelly- The Last Coyote (Little, Brown and Company 2007) 3.75 Stars

Sue Grafton- “Q” is for Quarry (G. P. Putnam's Sons 2002) 3.75 Stars

Patricia Cornwell- Body of Evidence (Avon Books 1992) 3.25 Stars

James Lee Burke- In the Moon of Red Ponies (Pocket Books 2005) 3.5 Stars

Jeffery Deaver- The Empty Chair (Pocket Books 2005) 3.75 Stars

Michael Connelly- The Black Ice (St. Martin’s Press 1994) 4.25 Stars

James David Jordan- Double Cross (B&H Publishing 2009) 3.25 Stars

Michael Connelly- 9 Dragons (Little, Brown and Company 2009) 5 Stars

Hugh Pentecost- Murder Goes Round and Round (Dodd, Mead & Company 1988) 3.5 Stars

Thriller (46)

James Patterson- Double Cross (Audiobook- Unabridged) (Little, Brown and Company 2007) 4.5 Stars

Gayle Lynds- The Coil (St. Martin’s Press 2004) 4 Stars

Carl Hiaasen- Skin Tight (Audio Book- Abridged) (Random House 1992) 3 Stars

James Patterson & Howard Roughan- Honeymoon (Little, Brown and Company 2005) 2.75 Stars

Randy Wayne White- Tampa Burn (G.P. Putnam’s Sons 2004) 2.5 Stars

James Patterson- Along Came A Spider (Warner Books 2001) 4.5 Stars

C. J. Box- Blue Heaven (Minotaur Books 2008) 3.25 Stars

Brian McGrory- The Nominee (Atria Books 2002) 3.5 Stars

Brian McGrory- Dead Line (Atria Books 2004) 4.25 Stars

James Patterson- Kiss the Girls (Warner Books 1997) 4.75 Stars

Harlan Coben- Tell No One (Delacorte Press 2001) 4.5 Stars

Michael Connelly- Void Moon (Warner Books 2001) 4.75 Stars

James Patterson- Jack & Jill (Warner Books 1997) 4.25 Stars

Joseph Finder- Company Man (St. Martin’s Press 2005) 4 Stars

Iris Johansen- No One to Trust (Bantam Books 2002) 3.5 Stars

Michael Pennington- Zhena (ebook) (Hearts on Fire Books 2009) 3.5 Stars

Joseph Finder- Paranoia (Audio Book-Unabridged) (St. Martin’s Press 2004) 3.5 Stars

Jeffery Deaver- A Maiden’s Grave (Signet 1996) 4.75 Stars

James Patterson & Howard Roughan- You’ve Been Warned (Vision 2008) 2.5 Stars

Catherine Coulter- Double Take (G.P. Putnam’s Sons 2007) 3 Stars

Lee Child- Killing Floor (Jove Books 1998) 4.75 Stars

Jeffery Deaver- The Cold Moon (Simon & Schuster 2006) 3.75 Stars

James Patterson- Cat & Mouse (Warner Books 1998) 4 Stars

Robert Crais- The Watchman (Simon & Schuster 2007) 3.25 Stars

Marcus Wynne- Warrior in the Shadows (Forge 2002) 4.25 Stars

Lee Child- Die Trying (Jove 2005) 4 Stars

Jeffery Deaver- Hard News (Bantam Books 2001) 3.5 Stars

Steven James- The Pawn (Revell 2007) 4.75 Stars

James Patterson- Pop Goes the Weasel (Warner Books 2000) 3.75 Stars

Michael Crichton- Airframe (Ballantine Book 1997) 3.25 Stars

Steven James- The Rook (Revell 2008) 3.5 Stars

James Patterson- Roses Are Red (Little, Brown and Company 2000) 3 Stars

Phillip L. Davidson- Dreamer (iUniverse 2009) 3 Stars

John Grisham- The Client (Island Books 1994) 4.75 Stars

Robert Crais- L.A. Requiem (Ballantine Books 2000) 3.75 Stars

Harlan Coben- One False Move (Dell Publishing 1999) 4.75 Stars

James Patterson- Violets Are Blue (Little, Brown and Company 2001) 3.5 Stars

Joseph Finder- High Crimes (Avon Books 2002) 4 Stars

Jeffery Deaver- Death of a Blue Movie Star (Bantam Books 2000) 3.25 Stars

Tess Gerritsen- Bloodstream (Pocket Books 1999) 3.25 Stars

James Patterson- Four Blind Mice (Warner Books 2003) 3.25 Stars

Jeffery Deaver- The Vanished Man (Pocket Books 2004) 4.25 Stars

Lisa Jackson- Deep Freeze (Zebra 2005) 3.25 Stars

Robert Crais- Hostage (Ballantine Books 2005) 3.25 Stars

Tess Gerritsen- Vanish (Ballantine Books 2006) 4 Stars

Harlan Coben- Darkest Fear (Dell Publishing 2001) 4 Stars

Western (12)

Andrew J. Fenady- The Rebel: Johnny Yuma (Dorchester Publishing Co., Inc. 1998) 2 Stars

Louis L’Amour- The Empty Land (Bantam Books 2006) 3.5 Stars

David Thompson- Wilderness: Iron Warrior/Wolf Pack (Leisure Books 2000) 3 Stars

Ralph W. Cotton- Justice (Signet 1999) 3.75 Stars

Fred Grove- Man on a Horse (Leisure Books 2000) 2.75 Stars

Louis L’Amour- Silver Canyon (Bantam Books 1972) 4 Stars

Ralph Compton- The Goodnight Trail (St. Martin’s Press 1992) 4 Stars

Dusty Richards- Servant of the Law (St. Martin’s Press 2000) 3 Stars

Louis L’Amour- Callaghen (Bantam Books 1972) 3.5 Stars

Ray Hogan- Solitude’s Lawman (Doubleday 1988) 2.75 Stars

Ray Hogan- The Peace Keeper (Doubleday 1978) 3.5 Stars

Ralph Compton- The Western Trail (St. Martin’s Press 1992) 3.5 Stars

Drama (17)

John Grisham- A Time to Kill (Island Books 1992) 4.75 Stars

Randy Singer- Directed Verdict (WaterBrook Press 2002) 4.5 Stars

Sandra Benitez- The Weight of All Things (Hyperion 2000) 4.75 Stars

John Grisham- The Street Lawyer (Doubleday 1998) 3.25 Stars

David Ellis- Jury of One (Putnam 2004) 3.75 Stars

Leif Enger- Peace Like A River (Atlantic Monthly Press 2000) 5 Stars

John Grisham- A Painted House (Doubleday 2002) 5 Stars

Joanna Scott- Make Believe (Little, Brown and Company 2001) 3 Stars

R. L. Saunders- Blind Pig (Xlibris 2000) 3.25 Stars

Michael Phelps- The Execution of Justice (Blue Line Publishing House 2008) 3.75 Stars

John Grisham- The Last Juror (Dell Publishing 2004) 3.5 Stars

David Baldacci- Wish You Well (Warner Books 2000) 4 Stars

John Grisham- The Chamber (Island Books 1994) 3.25 Stars

Thomas H. Cook- Red Leaves (Harcourt Books 2005) 4 Stars

James W. Huston- Secret Justice (HarperCollins 2003) 3.5 Stars

Jeffrey Archer- A Prisoner of Birth (St. Martin’s Press 2008) 3.5 Stars

John Grisham- The Partner (Island Books 1998) 3.5 Stars

Adventure (2)

Robert James Glider- Golden Conspiracy (Book Surge 2009) 3.5 Stars

Don Pendleton- The Executioner: Death Warrant (Worldwide Library 1994) 2.25 Stars

Science Fiction (3)

Douglas Niles- War of the Worlds: New Millennium (Tom Doherty Associates, LLC 2005) 3.5 Stars

Ken Goddard- First Evidence (Bantam 2000) 2.75 Stars

Michael Crichton- Jurassic Park (Ballantine Books 1991) 3.5 Stars

Contemporary Fiction (1)

Lincoln Park- Handle Time (4465 Press 2008) 4.25 Stars

Historical Fiction (5)

Roger Haller- Guardian of the One (Cowboy Logic Press 2008) 4.5 Stars

Mildred D. Taylor- Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry (Penguin Books USA Inc. 1976) 5 Stars (Fit into both this category and middle reader)

Marty Crisp- White Star: A Dog on the Titanic (Scholastic Inc. 2004) 5 Stars (Fit into both this category and middle reader)

Tony Earley- The Blue Star (Little, Brown and Company 2009) 4 Stars

Larry V. Williams- Cock of the Walk: The Toughest Man on the River (Strategic Book Publishing 2009) 3.25 Stars

Children’s (4)

Bob Phillips- Nutty Good Clean Jokes for Kids! (Harvest House Publishers 1995) 3.75 Stars

Wendy Cheyette Lewison- Buzz Said the Bee (Scholastic, Cartwheel Books 1992) 3 Stars

Gail Herman- Mr. Magorium’s Wonder Emporium: A Little Magic (Scholastic Inc. 2007) 4 Stars

Paula Shene- Mandy the Alpha Dog (Publish America 2009) 3 Stars

Middle Reader (32)

Tony Peters- Kids on a Case: The Case of the Ten Grand Kidnapping (Eloquent Books 2008)

Louis Sachar- There’s A Boy in the Girls’ Bathroom (Scholastic Inc. 1997) 3 Stars

Beverly Cleary- Beezus and Ramona (Scholastic Inc. 2007) 3.5 Stars

Andrew Clements- Frindle (Scholastic Inc. 2003) 4.25 Stars

Ron Roy- A to Z Mysteries: The Runaway Racehorse (Scholastic Inc. 2003) 2 Stars

John Peterson- The Littles (Scholastic Inc. 1967) 3.5 Stars

Beverly Cleary- Ramona and Her Father (Scholastic Inc. 1998) 3.75 Stars

James Howe- Tales From the House of Bunnicula: It Came from Beneath the Bed! (Scholastic Inc. 2003) 3 Stars

Judy Blume- Double Fudge (Scholastic Inc. 2003) 4.5 Stars

Avi- The Secret School (Scholastic Inc. 2002) 4 Stars

Katherine Paterson- Bridge to Terabithia (HarperTeen 2005) 3.75 Stars

Eric Wilson- The Case of the Golden Boy (HarperCollins 2003) 4.25 Stars

Eric Wilson – Disneyland Hostage (HarperCollins 2003) 3.75 Stars

Judy Blume- Superfudge (Dell Publishing 1981) 5 Stars

Judy Blume- Fudge-A-Mania (Dell Publishing 1991) 4.5 Stars

Lynne Reid Banks- The Indian in the Cupboard (Avon Camelot 1982) 3.5 Stars

Lynne Reid Banks- The Return of the Indian (Weekly Reader Books 1986) 3 Stars

Beverly Cleary- Ramona Quimby, Age 8 (Avon Books 1992) 3.5 Stars

Beverly Cleary- Ramona Forever (William Morrow and Company 1984) 3.5 Stars

Beverly Cleary- Ramona’s World (HarperCollins 1999) 3.25 Stars

Eric Wilson- Murder on the Canadian (HarperCollins 2003) 3.5 Stars

Aal Christiansen- Submarine Killer (Spitfire Books 1967) 3.75 Stars

Charles Dickens- Oliver Twist (Baronet Books) 4 Stars

Mark Twain- The Prince and the Pauper (Baronet Books) 3.75 Stars

Eric Wilson- Spirit in the Rainforest (HarperCollins 2003) 3.5 Stars

Judy Blume- Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing (Yearling Books 1981) 4 Stars

H.G. Wells- The Time Machine (Moby Books 1983) 3.5 Stars

Gordon Korman- On The Run: The Fugitive Factor (Scholastic Inc. 2005) 3.5 Stars

Eric Wilson- Code Red at the Supermall (Collins Publishers 1994) 3.5 Stars

Milam McGraw Propst- The Adventures of Ociee Nash Series (Bell Bridge Books 2009) 3.75 Stars

Gordon Korman- Island: Shipwreck (Scholastic 2001) 3.5 Stars

Eric Wilson- Vancouver Nightmare (HarperCollins 2000) 3.75 Stars

YA (7)

James Lecesne- Absolute Brightness (HaperTeen 2008) 5 Stars

Kristin Cashore- Graceling (Harcourt, Inc. 2008) 4.25 Stars

M. T. Anderson- The Game of Sunken Places (Scholastic Inc. 2004) 3.5 Stars

Arthur Slade- Dust (HarperCanada 2001) 3 Stars

Robert Louis Stevenson- Treasure Island (Western Publishing Company 1971) 4.5 Stars

Major Charles Gilson- Raja Dick (Oxford University Press 1934) 3.25 Stars

Quinton R. Wall- The Seed of Hope (The Pragmatic Programmers 2009) 4 Stars

Comics (2)

Jim Davis- The Twelfth Garfield Fat Cat 3-Pack (Ballantine Books 2001) 4.5 Stars

Jim Davis- Garfield Takes the Cake: His Fifth Book (Ballantine Books 1982) 3.75 Stars

Religious (1)

Arnie Armstrong and Amy Hancock- The Lord Has Spoken (Self Published 2007) 3 Stars

Poetry (4)

Rosemary Regina Challoner Wilkinson- Blessing of Poetry (stand@rt Publishing House 2002) 4 Stars

Matthew Cooperman- Surge (Kent State University Press 1999) 4.25 Stars

Diane Gilliam Fisher- Recipe for Blackberry Cake (Kent State University Press 1999) 3 Stars

Martina Reisz Newberry- Perhaps You Could Breathe For Me (Xlibris 2009) 3.75 Stars

Short Story (2)

Ernest Hemingway- The Hills of Kilimanjaro (Simon & Schuster Audio 2009) 2.75 Stars

Sahara Berns- Guardian of Desire (Eternal Press 2009)

Non-Fiction (2)

Bill Manville- Writing to Get Published Student Handbook (http://www.writers.com/manville.html) 4.5 Stars

Maggie Stevens- Parent Fix (Anomaly Publishing 2008) 4.25 Stars

Romance (1)

Erica Abeel- Conscience Point (Unbridled Books 2009) 3.5 Stars