Rook by Sharon Cameron

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Rook

by Sharon Cameron

A rook is a crow, a black bird known for its cleverness.  A rook is also a term for a swindler or a cheat.  It is also a pawn in the strategic game of chess.  In Cameron's latest novel, it is all of the above.

It is hundreds of years after the demise of the world as we know it.  Technology killed the people of the 'Time Before' and now the world is forced to live without.  No electricity, no machines, no internet.  Paris has fallen in on itself and now people live in the bottom and up the sides of the City of Light.  Governed by a sadistic ruler, those who do not comply are sent to the guillotine.  The prison is stained with the blood of innocents, but lately, there have been secret missions to free these prisoners.  Known as the Rook, someone has been sneaking prisoners out, right under the noses of the guards leaving only a red streaked feather behind.

Sophie has seen plenty of heartache in her young life, but none so much as the prospect of marrying Rene Hasard, a dashing "daughter stealer", arranged by her father to save their family estate and their family honor.  Sophie is willing to make the sacrifice to save her family, but her fiance is not all that he seems.  How much is Sophie willing to sacrifice not just for her family, but for the lives of all the innocent people being sent to their deaths in the Sunken City?

Cameron has written a complex and faced-paced novel that will leave you breathless.  Once you think you have it all figured out, she will lead you onto a different path.  I could not put this book down, every chapter ended with a cliffhanger, and I found myself saying, "one more chapter" until I was finished!  I enjoyed the characters, the story and found it refreshing that it didn't end as a set up for a series, it was just over, although I would love to read about Sophie and Rene's further adventures!  

I would recommend this book for middle school and high school libraries and for anyone who loves a good story.  And now I'm off to bury a Diet Coke bottle in the backyard!  Enjoy!

Dangerous Jobs: Special Forces Operator by Chris Bowman

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Dangerous Jobs:  Special Forces Operator 

by Chris Bowman

Special Forces Operator is one in the series of Dangerous Jobs.  This book is perfect for a reluctant reader or an ELL student.  The book is loaded with pictures of the Special Forces Operators in all aspects of their job.  There is also a glossary, an index and a list for further reading.

Some interesting facts that I learned about this division of the Armed Forces is that all individuals who enter the Special Forces must learn another language, and that they typically don't wear a uniform, even while performing their duties.

Although this book screams "boys", I think that girls would learn something from it as well.  With women in the Marines competing for jobs that have typically been held by men, this is a timely book that will appeal to a broad range of middle school students.

Get the Scoop on Animal Puke by Dawn Cusick

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Get the Scoop on Animal Puke

by Dawn Cusick

This book is sure to get the attention of all reluctant readers in your library!  From bees to jackals to caterpillars, Cusick explains why animals puke, why some don't and everything in between.

With engaging pictures, a glossary and two indexes, lovers of nonfiction will not be able to put this book down.  Anyone who is interested in gross things will love this book!  I loved this book!

Did you know that hyenas vomit the indigestible portions of the animals that they eat?  And then they roll around in it to disguise their smell from prey!  The things you learn when you read! 

Infected by Sophie Littlefield

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Infected

by Sophie Littlefield

Carina has lost the only family that she's known, her mother and her uncle. Both were working on a secret project for the government when they died.  Finding a secret code in a ring that her mother left for her, she begins to suspect that her family's deaths might not have been accidents.  When she and her boyfriend Tanner become infected with a virus that makes them stronger, faster and smarter, she's sure their deaths were not accidents.  The only problem - the virus will kill them if they don't take the antidote within 24 hours of infection.

Trusting no one but her boyfriend Tanner, the pair must race to find how they were infected and get to the antidote before it's too late.