Original Sin by Beth McMullan-4.5 stars

McMullan, Beth, Original Sin. Hyperion, 2011. Pgs. 304.


Lucy Hamilton is a fantastic multi-tasker. Code-named, Sally Sin, she’s a former spy. She’s been trying to cut it as a mother while keeping her past a secret from her husband, Will. Her past, however, has come back to bite her in the form of her former boss, Simon Still. He needs her help to bring down the Blind Monk, an arms smuggler, and Ian Blackford, a former spy turned traitor/Weapons of Mass Destruction dealer believed to be involved. Unfortunately, Blackford also has a habit of kidnapping Sally on missions. Now she’ll have to juggle and her spy duties. Soon Simon wants her to break into a scientist named Albert Malcolm’s lab and see what he’s really up to and may entail purposely getting Blackford to kidnap her. Can Sally bring down the Blind Monk and Ian Blackford before it’s too late? Will she be able to keep her identity a secret from her husband or will he find out?

Although the long jumps into her past are a little confusing at first, readers will enjoy the humor mixed in with the action and mystery. The characters are likable, even the villains. The plot is intriguing and has some fun plot twists. Readers who like spy novels will enjoy reading this book.

4.5 stars, Adult

Till Death Do Us Bark by Kate Klise-4.5 stars

Klise, Kate, Till Death Do Us Bark. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2011.


Seymour is still living with Olice C. Spence and Igantius B. Grumply for a while now and couldn't be happier. When a dog named Secret follows Seymour home, he hopes to the big golden retriever a part of his new home. His guardians, however, aren't so thrilled with the idea of having a dog. As a compromise, they agree to let him keep the dog, but only if Seymour does everything he can to find the owners. Soon he discovers that the dog belonged to the recently deceased Noah Breth. His children have come into town to claim their inheritance and all of their father's property, which might include Secret. The two are horrible people and are only into themselves. To top it all off, Secret is in the heart of the mystery of what happened to all of Noah's legacy and wealth. Can Seymour find a way to keep Secret?


A fun, short read for fans of humor and ghost stories. The story is well-developed, but simple enough to keep its younger readers interested. The illustrations are detailed, entertaining, and add a lot to the text. Readers who liked the first 2 books in the series and like a little adventure in their lives will enjoy reading this book.

Grades 2 to 4, 4.5 stars

The Fifth Specter by T.S. Welti-4 stars

Welti, T.S., The Fifth Specter. pgs. 349. Create Space, 2011. 

Parker Chance is a 13-year-old about to leave his oppressive past behind and start an adventure to a new life. Parker enters Stonyford Hollow for the first time so does the reader. Parker with his new friends, Norah and Lucas embark on a dangerous mystery concerning the disappearances of Parker and Norah’s moms. Something dark is going on in Stonyford Hollow and it’s up to the trio to find out. Can the three find the missing moms and solve their dark mystery?

 The description in this book are amazing. The characters are well-developed, likable, and more interesting as the story moves forward at a good pace. Although the readers may see elements from Harry Potter, X-Men, Holes, and Michael Vey, the book is extremely entertaining. Readers who like any of the above series or who like fantasy, science fiction, adventure, and mystery will enjoy reading this book and will want the next book.  

MS, HS. 4 stars

The Limit by Kristen Landon-4.5 stars

Landon, Kristen, The Limit. Aladdin, 2010. Pgs. 291.

When his family goes over their debt limit, Matt is sent to live at a government workhouse to pay off the debt. When he gets there, however, he discovers that everyone is getting sick and disappearing. As he dives in to the inner workings of the government and their debt rehabilitation facilities (workhouses), he discovers some dangerous secrets that could cause his death. Only problem is, he can’t reach the outside world. To make matters worse, his kid sister has been sucked into it as well and is sick.  Will he find a way to expose the workhouses for what they are? Will he ever escape? Will he save his sister?

The characters are likable and entertaining.  The plot is suspenseful, fast-paced, and unique. If you like science fiction, mystery, and dystopian-type fiction you'll enjoy reading this book.

Grades 5 to 9. 4.5 stars.

Big Bouffant by Katie Hosford-4.5 stars

Hosford, Katie, Big Bouffant. Carolrhoda Books, 2011.

When Annabelle starts second grade, everyon'e hair looks the smae with braids and ponytails. Tired of looking like everyone else, Annabelle tries to mix things up. At first her mom doesn't want to help her make a bouffant, she eventually agrees. When Annabelle goes to school, however, girls make fun of her hairdo. Will she continue to be herself amongst the jeers and sneers?

A cute picture book with great pictures. Although kids might not know what a bouffant is, the pictures do a good job of depicting that for the reader.The story's fun and the text is easy enough to follow. Young children and readers who like stories about hair will enjoy reading this book.

Pre-K through 3. 4.5 stars.

I Love Him to Pieces by Evonne Tsang-5 stars

Tsang, Evonne, I Love Him to Pieces. Lerner Publishing Group, 2011.

Dicey finds true love with nerd boy, Jack, but it may have been doomed from the beginning. When a zombie apocalypse starts and Jack gets bitten, will Dicey find a way to get him cured and save everyone else from a zombie-infested future?


A cute romance with a lot of action. The characters are entertaining. The plot moves quickly and keeps the reader's attention. Readers who like zombies, romance, action, and end of the world scenarios will love reading this book.

Grades 5 to 9.  5 stars.

Variant by Robison Wells-5 stars

Wells, Robison, Variant. HarperTeen, 2011.

Benson Fisher is a foster kid with no hope of a future past high school. When he hears of a scholarship opportunity at Maxfield Academy that could lead to bigger and greater things, he jumps at the opportunity. When he gets to the academy, however, he discovers nothing is what he thought it would be. There are no teachers, the school is surrounded by a razor-sharp fence, and breaking the rules can mean death. A sinister man by the name of “Iceman” monitors everything through the video cameras around the school and dishes out award points and punishments/detentions as he sees fit and changes the rules daily. Get a punishment and you’ll never be seen again. With factions forming to survive and no way out, can Benson figure out a way to escape? A great suspense thriller for fans of Hunger Games and Maze Runner. The characters are complex and likable. The bad guy is mysterious and an intriguing unknown. With slowly unfolding secrets about the school and death on the line, this book can’t help but keep you on the edge of your seat. But, be warned, you’ll wish that sequel was coming out tomorrow instead of in October.

Grades 7 and up. 5 stars