Up And Running: The Inspiring True Story of a Boy's Struggle to Survive and Triumph by Mark Patinkin

There's nothing more refreshing than reading a true story told well.

That's exactly what you get when you read "Up and Running."
Andrew was only six years old when he came down with the disease - setting in within twelve hours, shutting down his vital organs, covering him with purple and black boils and sores, and eventually causing both of his legs to be amputated. The astounding part is not just that he survived, but that he never stopped fighting.

I never thought I could imagine a fraction of what it would be like to see someone you love suddenly fall ill with a life-threatening disease like bacterial meningitis, and fight to recover and begin a new life. But after reading Mark Patinkin's telling of that very story, I feel like I was there every step of the way: standing over young Andrew's hospital bed with the doctors, worrying and fretting next to his parents Rebecca and Scott, praying alongside his family members and friends.

The book is told simply and honestly. It doesn't heroify Andrew - more than he deserves - or his family: at times they do lose faith, get angry, and want to quit. And the book doesn't sugar-coat the seriousness of the illness. At times I was more than disgusted to be reading some of the descriptions of his condition, surguries, or painful physical therapy sessions. And many times I laughed out loud at the pure kid-ness of Andrew's personality and some of the things he said. This was the truth of the situation. This was real, and it feels like it happened not to a distant person in a far-off place, but to your neighbor, your playmate, your friend.

I would recommend this book even if you think you're not the biggest fan of non-fiction. "Up and Running" reads like a story; but it's even more powerful because it's a true one.

Reviewed by Beckie Sheffield for Flamingnet Book Reviews

Midshipwizard Halcyon Blithe by James M. Ward

In Midshipwizard Halcyon Blithe, the sixteen-year-old protagonist, Halcyon, is a tall, white-haired Arcanian midshipwizard on his marine tour of duty. Before he enters his touring sea dragon ship, the Sanguine, Halcyon Blithe places a good-weather spell on himself to ensure that good weather will smile upon him on his first tour. As expected, the weather is beautiful and the seas are calm. But Halcyon can’t hold the bad weather off forever. It seems that a storm has been building up behind Halcyon’s spell. When it finally breaks through the spell, the seas and the weather rage. Halcyon’s living sea dragon ship is tossed and thrown about on the rough waves. Captain Olden asks Halcyon to check the dragon’s heart chamber, to make sure no seawater has touched the heart. Just as Halcyon enters the heart chamber, he sees an officer run out of the other entrance. Halcyon studies the dragon’s heart and finds that blast-gel—a gel that is used as gunpowder—has been rubbed all over the dragon’s hot, beating heart. He knows that the heart could explode in seconds, killing the dragon that keeps the ship afloat! What should Halcyon do? Who is the saboteur of the ship? Will Halcyon be punished for his well-meaning fair-weather spell that has brought such woe and pain to the sea dragon and its crew? Read Midshipwizard Halcyon Blithe to find out!

I really liked Midshipwizard Halcyon Blithe. I think that it could have used less profane language, but then again, it is a story with sailors in it! The best part of the book was when Halcyon learned that he could talk to sea dragons, which helps him form a bond with his ship. Since this is a sea-adventure book, I would recommend it to anyone who liked Treasure Island or who enjoys stories of adventure and peril in general and at sea.

Rating (0 - 10 scale): 8
Reviewer Age: 11
Reviewer City, State and Country: Saugerties, NY USA

Tofu and T. Rex by Greg Leitich Smith

A present-day Texas school district has a troublemaker on its hands. Fredrika Murchison-Kowalski, or Freddie for short, is a vegan and believes strongly in liberating animals, but she goes too far when she nearly burns down the school’s football stadium trying to liberate the bull mascot. She is quickly shipped back to her native Chicago where she must live with her grandfather and her cousin Hans-Peter. They live in a traditional Eastern European neighborhood with lots of sausage, pets, and fur. On top of that her grandfather, or Opa, owns a deli/butcher shop where Freddie is forced to work. She is re-admitted into the prestigious Peshtigo School of Chicago. Her cousin desperately wants to get into the school because of its wonderful paleontology program. The vegan and the carnivore must learn to live in harmony to achieve both their goals.

The book was good and it presented two good arguments. I couldn’t decide which I agreed with since I am a vegetarian but I am not a vegan. I also saw the culture involved with the meats eaten by the Polish. The book was written in a light, moving style and it did not dwell on any one thing for too long. I enjoyed the two points of view of both characters and some of the hilarity of Freddie’s activism. It was a bit simple and not really too developed but it contained some really funny parts and some very true arguments. If you enjoy both giggles and gasping, you’ll like this book. From being chased by bees to the emancipation of frogs to an accidental severing, this book certainly earns a ‘funny mark’.

Rating (0 - 10 scale): 7
Reviewer Age: 12
Reviewer City, State and Country: Greencastle, PA USA

The World of Eldaterra, The Dragon Conspiracy by P. R. Moredun

The time is 1895. Chief Professor Corrik is working on a case that involves the murders of pregnant women. Can he handle the truth, and is he brave enough to stop the culprit? The time is 1910. Eldaterra is in trouble. Portals between the Old World and the New World only open on rare occasions, and even then, few people can see them. While James is walking on the beach, he sees a strange arch; one that he is sure wasn’t there before. When he steps through, he is taken to another world- the Old World, Eldaterra. As James soon finds out, he is the only one capable of saving Eldaterra- if he chooses to help, he could save a world, which would involve extreme danger. If he chooses to return home, the enemy will almost certainly kill him just because they know that he can see the portal. With the help of a brave dog that can talk, a large bear that can also talk, and two dwarf brothers whose goal in life is to either die in their attempt to help James and become legends, or live in the attempt to help James and become heroes. Can James stop the evil that began 15 years ago and prevent the destruction of Eldaterra, before time runs out?

The World of Eldaterra, The Dragon Conspiracy is amazing. While the reader is trying to figure out one mystery that occurred in 1895, another adventure is unfolding in 1910. Are there links between the two? Page after page, The Dragon Conspiracy reveals new facts and new problems, new lies and new dangers. P. R. Moredun has created a fantasy world that is enveloped in mystery.

Rating (0 - 10 scale): 10
Reviewer Age: 13
Reviewer City, State and Country: Chambersburg, PA USA

The World of Eldaterra, The Dragon Conspiracy by P. R. Moredun

The time is 1895. Chief Professor Corrik is working on a case that involves the murders of pregnant women. Can he handle the truth, and is he brave enough to stop the culprit? The time is 1910. Eldaterra is in trouble. Portals between the Old World and the New World only open on rare occasions, and even then, few people can see them. While James is walking on the beach, he sees a strange arch; one that he is sure wasn’t there before. When he steps through, he is taken to another world- the Old World, Eldaterra. As James soon finds out, he is the only one capable of saving Eldaterra- if he chooses to help, he could save a world, which would involve extreme danger. If he chooses to return home, the enemy will almost certainly kill him just because they know that he can see the portal. With the help of a brave dog that can talk, a large bear that can also talk, and two dwarf brothers whose goal in life is to either die in their attempt to help James and become legends, or live in the attempt to help James and become heroes. Can James stop the evil that began 15 years ago and prevent the destruction of Eldaterra, before time runs out?

The World of Eldaterra, The Dragon Conspiracy is amazing. While the reader is trying to figure out one mystery that occurred in 1895, another adventure is unfolding in 1910. Are there links between the two? Page after page, The Dragon Conspiracy reveals new facts and new problems, new lies, and new dangers. P. R. Moredun has created a fantasy world that is enveloped in mystery.

Rating (0 - 10 scale): 10
Reviewer Age: 13
Reviewer City, State and Country: Chambersburg, PA USA

Exile by Grace Garendish

Banoo Yasmine was exiled from her homeland and is now needing a loan from Grace's queen, so she can try to rebuild her wealth. In return for the loan Banoo gave the queen the most precious treasure of all, The Heart of Kings. When people find out that that jewel is the fake one, people go every trying find it. The next day it is found in Grace's good friends laundry bins, Ellie the laundry maid. Now Ellie must go and find the true thief.

This was a great book. The author had a great style of writing that moved fast. The book kept me reading and was a great mystery. Every time I thought I knew who did it, it turned out I was wrong. The book had every part of a good story in it.

Rating (0 - 10 scale): 8
Reviewer Age: 11
Reviewer City, State and Country: Lutherville, Maryland USA

Mocassin Thunder

Joy Harjo, Sherman Alexie, Cynthia Leitich, Richard Van Camp, Linda Hogan, Joseph Bruchac, Louise Erdich, Greg Sarris, Lee Francis, and Susan Powers invite readers to understand today’s Indian through these intriguing stories. Middle and high school students will recognize the experiences of growing up, facing peer pressure, and coming to terms with individual identity. In “How to Get to the Planet Venus” Joy Harjo’s heroine travels from the safe arms of the man in the moon as a child to reaching Planet Venus as an almost responsible young woman. Alexie Sherman shows how a family’s stories can change to fit history. “A Real-Live Blond Cherokee and His Equally Annoyed Soul Mate” wins a prize for a title that tells almost all of the story while encouraging readers to examine stereotypes of appearance. Kevin Garner in “The Last Snow of the Virgin Mary” walks a thin line between his ambition to become a teacher and his drug addiction until one side wins. The grandma in “Crow” exhibits far more generosity of spirit than the well-dressed, limo-riding woman who tries to coerce the sell of the house and everything else. Maybe money isn’t the answer to life’s troubles. For the heroine of Susan Power’s “Drum Kiss” the leap from wishing for C.S. Lewis’s kingdom of Narnia in the back of a wardrobe to an understanding of her tribe’s animal stories brings real friends and reemergence of self-acceptance. Together these stories give life to memorable characters.

Moccasin Thunder is a welcomed addition to short story collections and offers an introduction to respected writers whose other works will be equally inviting. I hardily recommend this book for middle and high school students who want to read of other adolescents’ travels toward adulthood.

Rating (0 - 10 scale): 9
Reviewer Age: 58
Reviewer City, State and Country: Timonium, MD US

Confessions of a Boyfriend Stealer

Confessions Of A Boyfreind Stealer is the online diary of Genesis Bell, sixteen and half year-old ex-best friend to CJ Thompson and Tasha Dombrowski and aspiring television producer. Normally known as one of The Terribles, when caught 'stealing' her best friend's boyfriends, things change. No longer a Terrible, Genesis sets about setting the record straight, in the form of an online blog. Genesis, the more reserved, less fiery and in-your-face friend of the three, was always the one how kept things in control; she kept secrets, mended broken hearts (the hearts of the boys her friends so heartlessly dumped, not her friends who didn't need or want any sympathy) and was the nice one. In this book she learns more about herself and comes several steps closer to her dream of producing documentries and reality shows; when she films the party of the year.

This book, although aimed for an older audience; the scenes being a little unsuitable for anyone under 13, is likely to entertain the younger more. The plot is very ambitous and hard to believe at times, while the writing can be patching is some places and the characters pretty shallow; never the less this book was enjoyable and easy to read into spare moment. While the book screams of a sequal (the blog of Genesis's ex best friend CJ, which is mentioned on the first page), I believe that when the time comes I will read it. If you feel like an easy read, something that isn't serious and won't have you pondering about the meaning of life, then this is the book for you - sweet, spunky, you can not help cheering Genesis on, nor cringing at her stupidity at times.

Rating (0 - 10 scale): 6
Reviewer Age: 15
Reviewer City, State and Country: Bristol, England

The Fire Thief by Terry Deary

This book begins with Prometheus (yes the Greek Titan) escaping his bonds of captivity. Then he flies two million years into the future (around 1858) trying to escape the fury of the gods. In this future he meets a boy and his uncle. Jim, the boy, is an orphan that Edward, the uncle, adopted. They are actors (and thieves) whom befriend Prometheus. Will Prometheus be able to escape the wrath of the gods? Will Jim and Edward be able to help him? Find out by reading Fire Thief.

I found this book highly entertaining. It had many, many funny parts in it. The footnotes at the bottom of the pages made it even more hilarious*. I also enjoyed how the two stories (Ancient Greece and Eden City 1858) were combined together. It was a fairly easy-to-read book and isn’t very big, so I think you should take a few hours and read Fire Thief. Anyone who needs a good laugh should read this book.

*Things like this would be at the bottom of the pages, except that they would have something funny written on them.

Rating (0 - 10 scale): 9
Reviewer Age: 12
Reviewer City, State and Country: Denair, California United States

I am Alive and You are Dead A Journey into the Mind of Philip K. Dick

This book was a fascinating read about an author named Philip K. Dick who was a very uncommon breed. Carrere takes the reader through the journey of this man’s life from the infant death of his twin sister, to the multiple marriages he experienced, to his upsetting lonely death. Throughout all of this, the reader learns of how involved the human brain can truly be, especially in the case of Philip K. Dick.

Although I had never read any of Philip K. Dick’s work before, Emanuel Carrere’s depiction of his life was quite interesting. However, in Carrere’s book, there was some confusion between the descriptions of Dick‘s actual life, and the parts which were only the autobiographical aspects that he had written about in his own novels. The “journey into the mind of Philip K. Dick” was a fascinating journey to take, and without giving too much away, I do not think that any regular person really knows someone of Philip’s character. Perhaps there are some aspects of his enigmatic mind that each one of us holds, but the intricacy that was described in Carrere’s creative way held a hazy difference between the reality and the imaginary. Perhaps these two things can be easily confused, as they seem to have been by Dick, in my opinion. Either way, Carrere wrote an impressive memoir that showed all of the details of Philip K. Dick’s life, when really picked through, and I can assume that the other authors who have written about him could not have done nearly as good of a job.

Rating (0 - 10 scale): 8
Reviewer Age: 16
Reviewer City, State and Country: Towson, Maryland USA