Money for Teens

Title
Money for Teens

Library Link
The complete idiot's guide to money for teens / by Susan Shelly.
Shelly, Susan.
Indianapolis, IN : Alpha Books, c2001.

10 Second Review
From the libraries summary:
"Teens are spending record amounts of money and receiving bigger allowances from their families, but most are clueless about how to handle or save money, responsibly use ATMs, credit cards and checking accounts. This guide can help add it all up so teens can get set for solid financial futures."

Good information but the book may be too dense to appeal to the target audience.

Notes
Readers don't need to read this book front to back.

Learning Curve
Moderate: Might overwhelm younger readers.

Reading Order
N/a

Superman Shazam First Thunder

Title
Superman Shazam First Thunder

Library Link

http://catalog.houstonlibrary.org/search~S1
Available
at Lakewood Public Library
DC Comics, 2006, by Judd Winick

10 Second Review
An investigation into a curious string of museum robberies leads Superman to Captain Marvel's hometown. Lex Luthor and Dr. Sivana also find reason to team up.

Good art with a fairly simple story of the first meeting between Big Blue and the Big Red Cheese.
Strangely, Captain Marvel doesn't seem to show up much in the DC universe even though he is essentially Superman's equal.

This book should have wide appeal for comic fans.

Notes
Who is Spec?

Learning Curve
Low: Good for new readers

Reading Order
N/a

The Bartimaeus Trilogy: The Amulet of Samarkand

Title
The Bartimaeus Trilogy: The Amulet of Samarkand

Library Link

The
Amulet of Samarkand / by Jonathan Stroud
Stroud,
Jonathan.
New York : Hyperion Books For Children, c2003.
1st ed.

10 Second Review
A young man is sold to the government so that he may learn the ways of magic. This is world ruled by magicians and many resent that domination...including the summoned demons that do most of the work.

This is a fun book to read and will be compared to the Harry Potter series.
However, while this book is more fun the wizards are not nearly so nice.

Notes
Regular footnotes add an interesting element.

Learning Curve
Low: Good for new readers

Reading Order
The Amulet of Samarkand
The Golem's Eye
Ptolemy's Gate

Superman and Batman versus Aliens and Predator

Title
Superman and Batman versus Aliens and Predator

Library Link

http://catalog.houstonlibrary.org/search~S1
Available
at Lakewood Public Library
DC Comics, 2007, by Mark Schultz

10 Second Review
Batman and Superman investigate separate events that lead them to a strange discovery in a South American volcano.

A simple yet fun story that veers a bit off the DC path to include some of the most popular sci-fi figures. An easy read with exceptional art, this book should have wide appeal.

Notes
Art by Ariel Olivetti

Learning Curve
Low: Good for new readers

Reading Order
N/a

Awakening

Title
Awakening

Library Link

The
awakening / Kelley Armstrong
Armstrong,
Kelley.
New York : HarperCollinsPublishers, c2009.
1st ed.

10 Second Review
Chloe continues to get a grasp on her new powers while struggling to understand her new friends and old enemies.

Lots of questions are answered and there is some strong character development but not much really happens in this novel.

Notes
Series website: http://www.chloesaunders.com/

Learning CurveLow: If read in order

Reading Order
Summoning
Awakening

Batman Snow

Title
Batman Snow

Library Link

Batman
: snow / J.H. Williams III, Dan Curtis Johnson, story ; Dan Curtis Johnson,
script & dialogue ; Seth Fisher, art ; Dave Stewart, colors ; Phil Balsman,
letterer
Johnson,
D. Curtis.

10 Second Review
Batman actually listens to Alfred and recruits some help in tracking down a local gangster that leads to Mr. Freeze.

Excellent art (Seth Fisher) and a good writing tell a story from Batman's early days and gives some background on one of the more dangerous Bat-villians.

Notes
The team dynamics of this story are fairly unique and provide interesting reading.

Learning Curve
Low: Good for new readers.

Reading Order
Occurs prior to Dick Grayson joining Batman

Urban Legends

Title
Urban Legends

Library Link

Urban
legends : the as-complete-as-one-could-be guide to modern myths / N.E. Genge
Genge,
Ngaire.
New York : Three Rivers Press, c2000.
1st ed.

10 Second Review
According to the back cover 'Urban Legends relates more than 300 of the most enticing, macabre, and unforgettable tales.'

Have you heard the one about…
- A secret message typed on computer processors?
- Michael Jackson's hidden phone number?
- Who is the Gerber baby?
- Dumb criminals
- Gross things in fast food

Notes
Fun reading even if most stories aren't true.

Learning Curve
Low: Good for new readers

Reading Order
N/a

Justice Society

Title
Justice Society

Library Link

Justice
Society / writers, Paul Levitz, Gerry Conway ; pencillers, Joe Staton, Keith
Giffen, Wally Wood, Ric Estrada ; inkers, Wally Wood, Bob Layton
Levitz,
Paul.

10 Second Review
Several unrelated stories of the Justice Society from the 1970's.
Watch Flash, Dr. Mid-Nite, Wildcat, Power Girl and others battle Nazi's, Vulcan and Solomon Grundy.

While the art may seem dated, the stories are fun and more readable than many older comics.
A good introduction to the Justice Society.

Notes
Superman lends a hand.

Learning Curve
Low: Good for new readers.

Reading Order
N/a

The Roar

Title
The Roar

Library Link

The
roar / Emma Clayton
Clayton,
Emma.
New York : Chicken House, c2009.
1st American ed.

10 Second Review
Industrial waste made the worlds animals attack humans so a massive walled city was build for protection. Now the city is getting overcrowded and children are being targeted for a secret mission.

This is a good read with excellent character development.
Some will be unsatisfied with the fairly abrupt ending but most readers will identify with the stories characters.

Notes
A good choice for 'Hunger Game' fans

Learning Curve
Low: Good for new readers.

Reading Order
N/a