Facing the Hunchback of Notre Dame

Recommended grades 4-7.  L.L. Sampson borrows much from Lemony Snicket in the opening novel to her series, The Enchanted Attic.  Facing the Hunchback of Notre Dame (Zonderkidz, 2012) has a tangential, well-read narrator, near-orphans with adult hobbies and interests, and enough literary allusions to keep kids jumping to Wikipedia.  The series follows twins Ophelia and Linus who discover a magical laboratory kept by a former tenant in their aunt and uncle's attic.  This laboratory has the power to bring fictional characters into the present day reality, or to transport a reader into their favorite story.  The nefarious mad scientist Cato uses the lab to rob fictional words of their precious treasures.  The story is funny, the dialogue (too?) witty, and the references to classical novels thorough enough for young readers to get a sense of the allusions without tromping through French literature.  Fans of Lemony Snicket will enjoy the series, while waiting for the original to continue his craft; Samson does not add to Snicket's style.  Recommended, ***

Demigods Ride Again

Recommended grades 6-8.  Rick Riordan revives Camp Half-Blood, the boot camp for the mortal children of Greek gods featured in the best-selling Percy Jackson Series.  In The Lost Hero (Hyperion, 2010), Riordan introduces us to three new heroes destined to save the gods, and all of humanity.  Lovers of Percy Jackson will equally enjoy this new adventure, even though their favorite hero is missing for the adventure-packed 500+ pages.  Rick Riordan has a talent for bringing ancient myths to life- this time he introduces Medea, King Minos, and many other classic Greek characters.  Riordan stays true to the mythic characters, while having fun with his young demigods.  Highly recommended, ****.

Catching Fire

Recommended grades 6-9.  In the sequel to her bestselling novel, Hunger Games, Suzanne Collins brings us back to Katniss Everdeen's home in dystopic District 12.  Though Katniss has survived the deathly reality show she was forced to participate in in the first book, she is not out of the woods yet.  The second installment of Katniss's journey is every bit as exciting as the first, with romance soaring higher than ever and political intrigue waiting around every deadly corner.  Katniss continues to be a character to admire, and though she does not always stay ahead of her opponents she uses her skills, intelligence, and allies to pull through.  The audiobook performed by Carolyn McCormick leaves something to be desired. McCormick reads Katniss's voice a little stiffly, and as a result it could be harder for readers to connect.  Overall, Collin's second contribution to the Hunger Games trilogy is at least as strong, if not stronger, than the first.  Highly recommended, ****