The Lightning Thief (Percy Jackson and the Olympians, #1) by Rick Riordan

Amber's Comments: Trouble always seems to find Percy Jackson. Almost every year, he gets kicked out of another boarding school. This time, he's almost made it through a whole year at Yancy Academy. Though he struggles with ADHD and dyslexia, he does manage to do well in his Greek and Roman Mythology course with his favorite teacher. When a field trip with his class ends when his math teacher turns into a monster, Percy is sure something is very wrong.

He soon finds out that he is Poseidon's son. His mother sends him to Camp Half-Blood, a summer camp for demigods, where he learns more about his powers and how to fight. It soon seems that the gods are growing very angry, and the only way to stop the fighting is for Percy to undertake a very dangerous quest.

I really loved The Lightning Thief (check status at GPL). I enjoy reading Greek Mythology and this book was a wonderful blend real Greek myths, fantasy and interesting characters. The action and pacing of the book is excellent as well.

Escape from Andersonville by Gene Hackman and Daniel Lenihan

Ellen's Comments: I wanted to read another Hackman/Lenihan book, but I wasn't sure I wanted to read this one -my great-grandfather was a prisoner at Andersonville. I was relieved that only about 40 pages at the beginning chronicle the horrific prison conditions. The remainder of the book relates the mission undertaken by Captain Nathan Parker to rescue the soldiers of the Michigan 5th-his command.

Passing himself off as a sergeant, rather than an officer, so that he could stay with his men, Parker maintains discipline, and thus morale, amidst the indescribable conditions. A plan is hatched to get one of the group out, who will then seek aid. Parker is chosen as the most likely to gain a hearing with superiors. Impossibly, the escape plan works, and he begins his arduous mission.

He heads for Vicksbutg, now under Union control. Along the way he encounters Marcel LaFarge, an ex-soldier of the Confederacy court - martialled for lapses in leadership. LaFarge has become a nefarious character, smuggling and otherwise profiteering. When Parker's attempts fail to prod the Union leadership to arrange a prisoner exchange or mount a rescue for the soldiers in Andersonville, he forms an unholy alliance with LaFarge and a group of cutthroats, brigands and other neer-do-wells to do the job himself.

Camaraderie and hardships as they return across the South harden Parker, soften LaFarge, and provide glimpses of life in the South during the War, as well as danger, bloodshed, infighting, and frustration. It's not a pretty story. No war story can have a truly happy ending, but the road to redemption is a worthy journey. Check status at GPL.

And make sure to check out Ellen's comments on another one of Gene Hackman and Daniel Lenihan's books, Wake of the Perdido Star.

Wake of the Perdido Star by Gene Hackman & Daniel Lenihan

Ellen's Comments: Gene Hackman is a super actor—witness two Oscars and a string of great movies. But who’d have thought he could write a rip-roaring sea story? Hackman has teamed with Daniel Lenihan, an acclaimed underwater archeologist, for Wake of the Perdido Star. Together they craft a swash-buckling tale of sailing ships and pirates, hurricanes and shipwreck, diving bells, uncharted islands and tribal wars.

In 1805, 17-year-old Jack O’Reilly and his parents, an Irish gunsmith and a Cuban émigré, leave New England, under political duress, to reclaim his mother’s inheritance, a sugar cane plantation near Havana. It has been left in the care of Count de Silva, a family friend. On an outing to inspect the property, Jack’s parents are murdered and he is left for dead.
Jack manages to make his way back to the Perdido Star and, with his new friend Paul le Maire, joins the crew. He learns to sail and fight, but also learns the value of true friendships forged through shared perils and victories. His and others’ resourcefulness repeatedly saves them from certain death. Always under the surface and motivating his survival is Jack’s determination to return to Cuba and avenge his parents’ deaths by destroying the Count.

I’m heading back to the Library for the second Hackman-Lenihan book! Check Status at GPL

The Death Collector by Justin Richards

Emily's Comments: The Department of Unclassified Artefacts at the British Museum has enlisted the help of an engineer, actress, and pick-pocket to solve a mystery involving murder and intrigue in Victorian London. It is a race against time, deadly henchmen, and a nightmarish monster roaming the London streets to stop the dasterdly plans of a power hungry industrialist and his plans to take over the world. The story is a mixture of adventure, mystery, and science fiction. It’s Sherlock Holmes meets Jurassic Park, and it’s sure to be a fun read! Check Status at GPL

13 Little Blue Envelopes by Maureen Johnson

Emily's Comments: Have you ever dreamed of backpacking through Europe, no plan, no schedule, no camera, just you and an adventure? Ginny Blackstone receives 13 envelopes in the mail from her deceased Aunt Peg with the instructions to pack a bare minimum and board a plane to London. Each letter includes a specific assignment, and only after completing the task can the next letter be opened. Aunt Peg sends Ginny all over Europe teaching her to live, love, and forgive along the way. This is a great book! It is sweet without being sappy, fast paced without being fluffy, and keeps you on the edge of your seat as you travel with Ginny to complete each task and eagerly wait for her to open the next letter. Teens and adults alike will enjoy this adventure! Check Status at GPL

Life of Pi by Yann Martel

Cheryl's Comments: Someone in my book club warned me "don't let the first 100 pages discourageyou - it gets really good after that!" With that ominous warning, I began toread. The Life of Pi is the story of a young Indian boy growing up the sonof zookeepers in Pondicherry India. He is a thinker, observer, philosopher, zoologist, and a seeker of truth. When he is 16, his parents decide to leave an increasingly unstable political situation in India and join relatives in Canada. They board a freight ship to move themselves to a new home in Canada and the animals to new zoos scattered across the American continent. On page116, life is completely changed for Pi as he finds himself the sole human survivor of the sunken freight ship and even worse, his companions on the lifeboat are wild animals including a Bengal Tiger. It is a fantastical tale . . . even a tall tale, but it kept me reading.

The end of the story changed my perception of the book completely and at first I was very frustrated with what the author had done. But it's like being in the bright sun with very dark sunglasses on - you are comfortable and can see well enough. Take off your sunglasses and the sun becomes unbearably bright, even painful. But once your eyes adjust to your new perspective you begin to see details you were unable to see before. The author rips off our sunglasses at the end of the book and for a moment it is disorienting. Just as my friend warned me about the beginning of the book, I must warn you of its end. Be prepared to shift your perspective, for all is not as it seems. There is meaning in this tall tale if you are willing to find it. Check Status

Raise the Titanic by Clive Cussler

Kendra's Thoughts: This Dirk Pitt adventure is set in the late 1980's aboard the Titanic. Raise the Titanic begins when the President of the United States decides to start and finance a think tank of scientists known as Meta Section in the hopes of accomplishing goals never before thought possible. The planning is complete for the Sicilian Project, which will create a weapon like no other, all that remains is the need for rare element byzaniam to make it all work. The only byzaniam left on the planet was sunk with the Titanic back in 1912. Dirk Pitt must figure out how to raise the ship and retrieve the byzanium. He must do so without being killed by the Russians who have taken an interest in the project. The story is filled with plot twists and unexpected complications. If you like nonstop action, a little military jargon and plot twists - this could be a fun, quick read for you! Check Status