What harm can come from opening a book? While Blake, a young boy spending time at Oxford with his mother and sister, is in the library he stumbles across a blank book. Now why would a library have a blank book on its shelf? As Blake is pondering this, the book starts to shake, as if alive and words appear that only he can see. Thus begins the mystery of Endymion Spring. A story that transports the reader between the 15th century and the 21st century, it is a must read for those that love mysteries, history and magic.

Reviewed by Angela A., Cornelius Branch

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Leela was married when she was nine years old. Now she waits for the day of her anu when she will go to live in the home of her husband. She will wear a bright sari with bangles of glass on her wrists, her hair will be oiled and perfumed and everyone will celebrate. But the day does not come. Her husband Ramanlal is killed and Leela is a widow at the age of twelve. Her head must be shaved; she can wear only a coarse cloth known as a chidri and is shunned by all. And for one whole year she must stay inside her home “keeping corner.” Around her the world changes but will Leela ever have a life beyond being a widow?

Reviewed by Courtney A., South County Regional

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How would you teach an unruly deaf and blind child to recognize language and to respond to discipline? At 20 years old, Annie Sullivan faced such a task when she was asked to teach Helen Keller. Annie had to overcome her own insecurities to make the journey to Helen’s home and begin such a daunting task. But, despite facing resistance from Helen’s parents over her methods for disciplining Helen, Annie persevered because she knew that if she could find a way to make Helen see the connection between letters, words, and objects, she would be able to give her a whole new world. Told from Annie’s point of view, Sarah Miller offers a fascinating look into the early days of Helen Keller’s education.

Reviewed by Christine B., South County Regional

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This is a good biography of Annie Sullivan, narrated by herself. I recommend it.
-Ariadne, charlotte, nc

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Estrella takes comfort in the definites of her life: her mothers wisdom, her best friend Catalina – so like a sister to her in many ways and Estrella’s inability to ever do anything to please her grandmother. It’s when these definites start to crumble that she discovers how fragile life can be. She feels “forbidden” feelings for Catalina’s cousin, Andres and this escalates her family’s undoing. Hoffman is a powerful storyteller that uses words to create vivid pictures in your mind. A moving tale of faith, family, and the power of jealousy, pair this book with Jane Yolen's Devil’s Arithmetic or Lois Lowry’s Number the Stars for an incredible adventure.

Reviewed by Julie S., South County Regional

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Set in post World War II Massachusetts, this book tells the story of a boy and how standing up for what you believe in can change your life. Standing up for the underdog has never been Bobby Murphy’s thing, but then he starts a basketball team, explores his feelings for his long-time friend Joanie and saves his teacher, Miss Delaney, from an evil man. With no coach and no school support Bobby becomes the coach, scouting out the other teams. When Miss Delaney comes to school with bruises on her face Bobby knows it was the man. Read this book to find out if the team makes it to the state finals, if Bobby and his friends save the teacher, and if Joanie becomes more than just a friend.

Reviewed by Sherry J., Sugar Creek Branch

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Most people are familiar with John Wilkes Booth and his contribution to American history but not many know about his niece, Edwina Booth. Thanks to her uncle, she feels smothered by critical stares yet she must also endure admiration from her father, Edwin Booth’s admirers. He is an internationally known actor. She wants desperately to carve out a life of her own and she always assumed she’d marry an artist like her father. But when her fiancé suffers a nervous breakdown, Edwina must make some tough choices. How can Edwina avoid the horrible consequences her uncle, her stepmother and even her aunt have made? Should she listen to her heart? How will her father cope if she makes the wrong choice?

Reviewed by Julie S., South County Regional

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15-Year-Old Amari has been stolen from her village and thrown into slavery. She is both raped and tortured. Finally, she decides to run away from the South Carolina plantation where she lives. Will she make it safely to Fort Moses, Florida, a safe haven for slaves? Read and find out!

Reviewed by Ben, Cookeville, TN

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This book was fabulous. The author is just phenomenal. I was really pulled in emotionally and it gave me a whole new understanding of slavery and what it did to all those innocent people. Susan M. Draper created beautiful life-like characters and real life situations that could be understood. I give nothing but praise to this book!
-Erica, Portland, ME

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Rose was an orphan that lived in New York City and then moved to Ontario. She was sent to live with a family that she had never met. The house that she moved to had a root cellar in it and she went there to be alone. The root cellar that Rose found brought her back to the 1860's where she became involved with Susan and her brother, Will. Susan and Will grow up and Will fails to come back from the Civil War. Susan and Rose must travel to Washington D.C. to rescue him. Rose must learn to function in both time periods and, to her amazement, the previously unloved girl finds love in each period. As you keep on reading the book, you learn a great deal about the Civil War.

Reviewed by Tabbie, New York

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A beautifully written story that weaves together two sisters’ experiences when one sister travels with their mother, father, and siblings to Canada after being forced to leave their home country of Scotland. The other sister stays behind to tend to their grandmother. Set in the 1800’s, it’s hard to believe the limitations in communications compared to modern day. Neither sister could read; there was no email or airplanes. It’s painful to realize that these sisters may never talk to each other again. Through poetry, Frost reveals each sister’s story and braids them through differing chapters. The sisters wonder what the other is doing, experience first love, and face many struggles. A warm, heartfelt story of family and love.

Reviewed by Julie S., South County Regional

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Can you get rid of a ghost by traveling back in time and haunting the past? After moving into a house built in 1789, Kenny Huldorf finds a strange stain in the attic room that is going to be his bedroom. During his first night in the house, he comes face to face with a ghost. As the spirit communicates with Kenny, it takes him back in time to experience a world of inequality, and Kenny must make a decision between helping his new friend or being trapped in the distant past. Something Upstairs by Avi is an ingenious spin on the classic ghost story. A fantastic historical thriller from the very first page, this book will keep you guessing until the very end.

Reviewed by Rene K., Mountain Island Branch

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Reader's comments about this book

This book was so good. I love this book!!
-Marketta Skye Redell, Butler, KY

I love this book. My teacher read it to me. It's so good!
-Chelsea, Michigan

Even though this book was short, it was a great book!
-Kendall, Michigan

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