We all know that librarians aren't really evil, but this book is just too fun to make me hold that slanderous title against it!

Alcatraz Smedry has been a foster kid for as long as he can remember, and his tendency to break everything around him means that foster parents lose patience pretty quickly, and it's up to stuffy case worker Ms. Fletcher to pawn him off on one temporary home after another. On his 13th birthday, Alcatraz gets a mysterious package, and that's just the beginning of an adventure that changes his world. Not only does he discover that he has a grandfather (Leavenworth Smedry), but also cousins (Sing Sing and Quentin- yes, all the names of prisons, but as the book explains, that's the Evil Librarians' fault).

Alcatraz also learns that the world he has lived in is not the USA as he always learned, but a part of Hushland, the territories controlled by the Evil Librarians. The Smedry family, it turns out, is legendary in the other parts of the world (the "Free Kingdoms") for their special talents (like breaking things, tripping, and arriving late) and their ability to use special glasses to see and do things others can't: Alcatraz comes from a famous line of Oculators. Now it's up to him and his new-found family to put evil in its place and bring the truth to the controlled people of Hushland.

The book starts off with a note from Alcatraz, supposedly written later in life, trying to set the record straight and explain that he's not the great hero people make him out to be. The narrative, filled with exciting cliff hangers, strange magic, parallel worlds, wacky humor and dry wit keeps readers wondering what's real, and more importantly, what's next. ~Tegan

I have read most of Sharon Creech's books for middle readers and was a little puzzled when I picked up The Castle Corona, her newest book. First of all, it has color illustrations by David Diaz reminiscent of illuminated manuscripts. And second, from page one I could tell it is intended for a younger reader than usual (perfect for readers 8 and up). And finally, it is a fairy tale; not a contemporary novel about real-life sticky situations. But, once properly oriented, I thoroughly enjoyed the book.

Pia and Enzio are brother and sister who are orphans and are living with a master who expects a lot of work with very little reward; neither food, clothing nor praise. They spend their days doing chores and daydreaming about life in the Castle Corona where King Guido and his family live.

As we see more and more frequently, a second storyline is also introduced as we are learn about the real lives of the Royal Family: King Guido who frankly doesn't seem too bright: his Queen, Gabriella, who we learn is more wily than her husband but also has a tender heart; Prince Giovanni who prefers poetry to his princely duties; Princess Fabrizia who is lovely and selfish; and the spare Prince, Vito, who dreams of duels.

Through fairytale-worthy events, the lives of the peasant children and the Royals intertwine with satisfying results and an ending which qualifies for a "happily ever after" but also includes a Sharon Creech-like message. ~Patti

Click is a novel for middle readers in which each of ten chapters is written by a different author. I was intrigued by this premise and by the great list of contributors: David Almond, Eoin Colfer, Roddy Doyle, Deborah Ellis, Nick Hornby, Margo Lanagan, Gregory Maguire, Ruth Ozeki, Linda Sue Park, and Tim Wynne-Jones. I was a little doubtful, however, that the book would actually read like a novel as opposed to a bunch of short stories forced together. In the end, I was pleasantly surprised by the group's ability to produce a cohesive and touching story despite the uniqueness of their own writing styles and voices.

Parks starts off the novel with the death of George Keane Henschler, or Gee as he is commonly known. His death deeply affects his granddaughter Maggie, who was very close to him and loved to hear stories about his adventures as a photojournalist. On his passing, Gee leaves Maggie a puzzle box with seven compartments, each containing a sea shell from a different continent. He instructs her to "throw them all back," thus setting a road map for Maggie's life adventures. In the chapters that follow, the other authors take a part of the first story and go their own direction with it. One, for example, chooses to write about Maggie's troubled teenage brother Jason, another about where the box originated from. Several of the chapters give us insight into Gee's life, particularly the people he meets and the photos he takes.

While some chapters are more enjoyable than others, Click is a satisfying read as a whole. In addition to being fun and interesting, Click is benefiting Amnesty International. All profits from sales of the book will be donated to the human rights organization. ~Torrie

The cruelty and complexities of the Cultural Revolution in China come alive through the voice of 9-year-old Ling in Ying Chang Compestine's young adult novel Revolution is Not a Dinner Party. Ling lives a comfortable life with her loving father and stern mother. Her father is a western trained surgeon who teaches Ling English and dreams of America and freedom. Her mother is a traditional Chinese doctor. As the Cultural Revolution takes hold their life and the lives of those around them change. Comrade Li, the officer assigned to her father's hospital moves into their apartment, close friends disappear, children denounce their parents and food becomes scarce. Ling is bullied and taunted by her classmates who are all members of the Red Guard for being "bourgeois" and finally her father is arrested. Ling's spirited sense of justice and love of family propels her into actions that both protect and threaten their well-being and freedom. Four years later when Chairman Mao dies Ling's father is released from prison and the family is joyfully reunited. Ling's spirit and charm combined with her fathers' wisdom and love make this often painful story an inspiring read. A good choice for a mother/daughter book club. ~Anne