Tesla and his legend

Tesla's Attic, Bk 1 of The Accelerati Trilogy
by Neal Shusterman, Eric Elfman
2014 by Disney-Hyperion

Pitch-perfect for a middle school read.  The authors have nailed the engaging plot line, the humorous situations, and the reality of middle school dialog in this fun story.  Nick and his family need to heal from the loss of their mother and wife, and where better than in the musty, dusty, and dangerous home of Great Aunt Gertrude?

What's different about this book
Maybe I've been reading too much high school teen angst, but this fun and compelling read was a pleasure.  I had appreciated Shusterman's older young-adult writing, so I wasn't surprised by the deft writing in this tale.  But the humor and the spot-on crafting of adventure were perfect for the middle-grade readers:  enjoyable characterization (without too much drama) of some sympathetic protagonists, who are surely more mature than most middle school students.  The suspense and the sophistication of the obstacles in the story made this a book I looked forward to escaping in.

What I'll do now that I've read it
I am already book-talking this to my school patrons, both students and teachers.  We'll have a lot of fun with this book.  I'm looking forward to more intrigue and more adventures with the mystical engines in Tesla's Attic.  And just what do the Accelerati want from those engines??

* * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Maybe Chet's best

Paw and Order: A Chet and Bernie Mystery
Spencer Quinn
Atria Books

New releases in Quinn's exceptional private eye series are rare and treasured.  This newest release may be the best yet.

What's different about this book
All the analogies to Robert Parker's Spenser series have already been made, but the quality of this set-up, a self-aware and narrating canine, is exceptional, as were Parker's novels.  As is Chet himself.  And yes, Bernie his human is also great.  In this seventh episode, Quinn manages to hinge the story to the novel just past, and yet move the plot forward with all the major characters and situations still in place.  I like the shift of scenery, once again out of Arizona and this time in Washington.  And the engagement and quality of the story line continues to build.  

I particularly liked that the usual Chet-separated-from-Bernie episode was shortened (I don't like Chet in danger or away from Bernie), and I particularly like that he was rescued by someone who perhaps has an even better sense of Chet's value than Bernie himself.  Great development.

What I'll do now that I've read it
This is definitely an item to own and share --  I'm placing it into the appropriate library collections and talking it up to my friends and family and patrons.  What's not to like about a Private Eye dog who always gets the better of the felines around?

* * * * * * * * * * * *

As Red as Blood (Bk 1, The Snow White Trilogy)
by Salla Simukka, translated by Owen Witesman
Published by Skyscape, 2014

This young adult mystery suspense is set in contemporary Finland, in the world of high school, where things get unexpectedly dangerous.  Billed as a YA Girl with the dragon tattoo, I was expecting great things.  

What's different about this book
After Larsson's thrilling work, we are all cued for murder and mystery in a frigid setting.  The twist of a high school heroine who, with her own code of ethics, must confront a grievous wrong is an excellent start to a good read.  While lacking Larsson's deft writing and skillful plotting, this offers a good read.

What I'll do now that I've read it 
At some point, my teen libraries will probably get copies, and I'll have this title in the mental treasury to share when the right student asks for something of this nature.  Good enough to recommend and purchase.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

One of Reacher's best

Personal: A Jack Reacher Novel
by Lee Child
Random House Publishing Group - Bantam Dell

The Reacher series is the best out there for readers who enjoy contemporary, realistic suspense fiction.  This book may be the best in the series. And this review will fail to communicate just how good a read it is.

What's different about this book
If the reader isn't familiar with the Jack Reacher persona, this story (19th in the series) will be a great introduction.  If the reader has read all of the Reacher novels (or only some), this will be a great follow-up.  The story line and character development extend our understanding of who Reacher is and how he rolls.  It makes for such a great, fun read!  By the end of the book, we are more aware than ever of just how smart he is, how strategically he understands situations and people, and how fun it is to read this series.  There are many series where, by #19, we are left wanting more.

What I'll do now that I've read it
For libraries where I influence purchases, and for my friends who savor an engaging read, copies will be made available.  I am excited to be able to share this with my friends and patrons, both those who already know Reacher and Lee Childs, and those who have yet to experience the pleasure.  

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *