Gregor the Overlander

Title
Gregor the Overlander

Library Link

Gregor
the Overlander
Collins, Suzanne.New York : Scholastic Press, c2003.Year:
c2003Format: BOOK

10 Second Review
Gregor and his little sister find a hole in the laundry room that leads to an entire world below the surface. Talking rats, bats, bugs and pasty humans squabble over territory and some view Gregor as an answer to prophesy. Gregor just wants to go home.

This is great series that is fun to read. While easy to read it is still complicated and intriguing enough for more advanced readers.

Notes
Fans of Harry Potter will likely enjoy this series.

Learning CurveLow: Good for new readers.

Reading Order
Gregor the Overlander
Gregor and the Prophecy of Bane
Gregor and the Curse of the Warmbloods
Gregor and the Marks of Secret
Gregor and the Code of Claw

Spider-Man: Reign

Title
Spider-Man: Reign

Library Link

Spider-Man.
Andrews,
Kaare.New York : Marvel Comics, c2008.Year: c2008Format: BOOK

10 Second Review
Set in the future, the city has outlawed superheroes and provides protection in exchange for freedom. Peter Parker receives a visit from a surprising supporter who encourages him to suit up once more.

While essentially a Spider-man version of Frank Millers 'Dark Knight' this is an excellent book.

Well written and chock full of Spidey villains, this will be enjoyed by any True Believer.

Notes
Try to spot Kingpin.

Learning Curve
Moderate: Those new to Spider-man might be confused.

Reading Order
N/a

The Sparrow

Title
The Sparrow

Library Link

The
sparrow
Russell, Mary Doria, 1950-New York : Villard Books, c1996.Year:
c1996Format: BOOK

10 Second Review
The first signs of alien intelligence reach Earth in the form of music.

When a young priest hears this music he believes it is God's will that he journey to this new world. God's hand seems to be at work as unlikely resources and events transpire and give this priest the opportunity to fulfill his dream.

What he finds on this planet will shatter his body and faith.

This is a shocking and gripping novel that will have a wide appeal.
Many interesting topics are explored but this book is not for the emotionally squeamish.

Notes
This book deals with very adult themes and may be inappropriate for young readers.

Learning Curve
Moderate: The complexity of this book may confuse some readers.

Reading Order
The Sparrow
Children of God

Superman Escape from Bizarro World

Title
Superman Escape from Bizarro World

Library Link

Escape
from Bizarro world
New York : DC Comics ; London : Diamond [distributor],
c2008.Year: c2008Format: BOOK

10 Second Review
Superman follows Pa Kent's kidnapper to a strange, square planet.

New fans will likely enjoy this exploration of an unusual Superman staple but more seasoned fans will likely find this redundant.

Notes
Includes some Bizarro comics from the 60's

Learning Curve
Low to Moderate: Bizarro might confuse new readers.

Reading Order
N/a

Ender's Game

Title
Ender's Game

Library Link

Ender's
game
Card, Orson Scott.New York : Tor, 2006.Year: 2006Format: BOOK

10 Second Review
A young boy is taken from his family and sent to a secret military training academy. The trainers seem to be experimenting on the boys. What purpose could justify this inhumane treatment?

You haven't read this?? You should.
An excellent novel worth reading again and again.

Notes
Received both the Hugo and Nebula Awards

Learning CurveLow: Might be a little confusing for those new to sci-fi.

Reading Order
Ender's Game
Speaker for the Dead
Xenocide

Kimmie66

Title
Kimmie66

Library Link

Kimmie66
Kimmie 66Alexovich, Aaron.New York : Minx, c2007.Year: c2007Format: BOOK

10 Second Review
What if your best friend committed suicide?
And what if that friend was still active online?!?
How can you really know anyone online?

This is a terrific story told in graphic novel format.
Excellent illustrations and a gripping story make this a must read.

Notes
Should have wide appeal from girls to gamers and reluctant readers.

Learning Curve
Low: Good for new readers

Reading Order
N/a

Dr Futurity

Title
Dr Futurity

Library Link

Dr.
Futurity
Doctor FuturityDick, Philip K.New York : Vintage, 2005.Year:
2005Format: BOOK

10 Second Review
A physician finds himself in the far future and assumes he will be able to adapt because of his healing skills.

He is wrong. This future society prefers death to any ailment or injury. Strangely, the doctor begins to agree with them.

A solid story that succeeds in presenting some novel and interesting concepts.
A good intro for those that may be new to science fiction.

Notes
One of this author's most 'main stream' novels.

Learning Curve
Low: Good for new readers.

Reading Order
N/a

Perhapanauts: Second Changes

Title
Perhapanauts

Library Link
http://catalog.houstonlibrary.org/search~S1
Available at Lakewood Public Library
Dark Horse, May 2007, by T. Dezago

10 Second Review
Bigfoot, a ghost and a chupacabra investigate unusual events with the help of psychics and government weapontry.

An interesting and well illustrated book. It doesn't quite feel mature yet but still worth reading.

Notes
Fans of Hellboy will likely enjoy this series.

Learning Curve
Low: Good for new readers

Reading Order
N/a

Little Brother

Title
Little Brother

Library Link

Little
brother
Doctorow, Cory.New York, NY : Tor Teen, 2008.Year: 2008Format:
BOOK

10 Second Review
After a devastating terrorist attack the government starts using electronic methods to locate potential criminals. Many innocent people get caught in this web and some students decide to fight back.

This is a gripping novel that pits an oppressive government against tech savvy kids.

This book will make the reader paranoid about using the Web.

And you should be.

Notes
A good way to introduce the importance of protecting personal information on the Internet.

Learning Curve
Moderate: Readers will little Internet experience might be confused.

Reading OrderN/a

Cities of the Fantastic

Title
Cities of the Fantastic

Library Link

The
invisible frontier
Schuiten, François.New York : NBM, c2002.Year:
c2002Format: BOOK

10 Second Review
A young mapmaker is promoted to a prestigious position in a remote location and finds himself caught between truth and politics.

Expansive illustrations make this a good choice however the story may leave some unsatisfied. Reminiscent of Heavy Metal magazine.

Notes
Other books of this nature would have a Parental Advisory label.

Learning Curve
Low: Good for new readers

Reading Order
Cities of the Fantastic: The Invisible Frontier Vol 1
Cities of the Fantastic: The Invisible Frontier Vol 2

Ripley's Believe it or not! Encyclopedia of the Bizarre…

Title
Ripley's Believe it or not! Encyclopedia of the Bizarre…

Library Link

Ripley's
believe it or not! encyclopedia of the bizarre, amazing, strange, inexplicable,
weird, and all true!
Ripley's believe it or not!Mooney, Julie.New York :
Black Dog & Leventhal : Distributed by Workman Pub. Co., c2002.Year:
c2002Format: BOOK

10 Second Review
Boasts 6000 real oddities, facts and records.
Chock full of images, drawings and strange facts.
This is a fun, colorful book.

Some samples include snake-killing snails, birth-marks on the eye, giant lakes of baking soda and Tibetan skull bowls.

Notes
Some of the material is dated but still interesting.

Learning Curve
Low: Good for new readers.

Reading Order
N/a

DC: The New Frontier

Title
DC: The New Frontier

Library Link
DC,

New frontier volume 2Cooke, Darwyn.New York : DC Comics, c2005.Year:
c2005Format: BOOK

10 Second Review
See your favorite DC superheroes as they first join forces to fight a terrible menace. A menace that even manages to knock out Big Blue.

Set in post World War II, this book has a convincing nostalgic feel complete with exceptional art. There are two books in this series but they don't necessarily need to be read in order.

Notes
A good introduction for those new to comics or DC characters.

Learning Curve
Low: Good for new readers

Reading Order
DC: The New Frontier Vol 1
DC: The New Frontier Vol 2

The 48 Laws of Power

Title
The 48 Laws of Power

Library Link
The 48 laws of power

Forty-eight laws of powerGreene, Robert.New York : Viking; Penguin Books, 1998,
2000.Year: 2000Format: BOOK

10 Second Review
The back cover describes this book as "Amoral, cunning, ruthless, and instructive…distills three thousand years of the history of power into 48 well explicated laws."

In other words, what would Napoleon do? Or Ghandi. Or anyone else that was successful in manipulating power.

There are two good reasons to read this book.
Find out how to play the power game.
Find out how you're being played.

NotesSome of the historical stories have questionable accuracy.

Learning Curve
Moderate: Read this book like reference material not a novel.

Reading Order
N/a