Amazing Journeys: Following in History's Footsteps by Ian Young

As part of the "High Five" series honoring past achievements, this book charts the historical adventures of five groups of people and discusses modern information gleaned from replicating their voyages: Marco Polo's trip to China from Italy in the 12th century; Hillary's ascent to Everest in 1953; Sir Francis Drake's trip around the globe in the Golden Hinde in the 17th century; Louis & Clark's transcontinental explorations from 1803-1806; and Amelia Earhart's attempt at circumnavigating the globe in 1937. Each rendition follows up each historical event with what we know today from courageous people following in the historical footsteps. From dispelling Polo's assertion that he went to Peking because he never mentioned the Great Wall, to honoring Amelia Earhart's ill-fated voyage, to attempting to answer whether Hillary was preceded by Mallory & Levine ten years earlier; all of these tales put up-to-date spins on all of them, bringing them into the present.

Merit: History & modern research bring the past alive.
Share: Read aloud.
Appeal: Adventurous tales, colorful photography and updated information attempting to answer some of history's most vexing questions.

Choose Your Own Adventure: Mystery of the Maya by R. A. Montgomery

One of the many publications of the Create Your Own Adventure series. In this issue, you are to pursue a good friend to the Yucatan peninsula after you've been informed that he's gone missing. Depending on your choices as you read in the book (do you take a potion that zaps your back to the sixth century, or do you go on to the ancient Chichen Itza where your friend was last seen?), you are guided to various and sundry adventures where you can learn more about Mayan civilization or the modern corruption of the Mexican Police Force.

Merit: Highly entertaining and somewhat educational with respect to the target adventure scenarios.
Share: Reading groups who can discuss their various adventure experiences in the book.
Appeal: Mostly boys in the 9-14 year age group due to adventure and, depending on the decisions made, the story can be quite quick.

Secrets of Nicholas Flamel Series (4 books so far) by Michael Scott

This series (which will eventually encompass 6 books) follows the exploits of two twins, Josh & Sophie Newman, who, as it develops, are endowed with unique auras--the metaphysical field that surrounds all sentient beings. They also discover that a couple they have known for over a year are none other than Nicholas and Perenelle Flamel, the immortal alchemist and his wife, who are both living in their seven-hundredth century. Unfortunately, they aren't the only immortals populating the Earth. Dr. John Dee, who served on the staff of Queen Elizabeth the first in the seventeenth century, is also still alive and has ambitions of ruling the planet with the aid of hidden and incarcerated beasts from the worlds nightmare and mythical past.

The story, though already in its fourth book, has progressed only a week in story time as Nicholas & Perenelle age rapidly due to having been unable to prepare the potion off of the Philosopher's Stone (renamed the Sorcerer's Stone by Harry Potter's American publishers) after the Book of Abraham, which is partially stolen by Dee in the first book. Unlike some other fantasy series, though, Josh & Sophie must contend with their own abilities almost as much as those of their foes, which introduces an interesting new twist to the series: which side should they be on? Can we really judge the trees by the fruit that they bare? An interesting twist which will no doubt keep readers wondering right up to the last chapter of the last book.

Books: 1) The Alchemyst; 2) The Magician; 3) The Sorceress; 4) The Necromancer; 5) The Warlock [due out 2011] and 6) The Enchantress [due out 2012].

Merit: Introduction to several historical characters and their environs. Easy style for any reader from 12 on.
Share: Read aloud excerpts. Book club.
Appeal: Plenty of exciting adventures with many exciting historical figures.

Stargirl by Jerry Spinelli

Stargirl is a self-confident outsider who couldn't care less what people think of her or her eccentric family. All is well until a boy, Leo, falls for her and cajoles her into trying out being more normal. At first the transformation appears to be a huge success as her entire school follows her along with her endeavors to build enthusiasm for the school football team. But all is not well in the land of Stargirl & Leo must decide haw he wants it with Stargirl: real or comfortable.

Merit: Easy to read with wonderfully strange characters and the challenge to what all of us define as "normal."
Share: Read aloud. Book list.
Appeal: A wonderful book that appeals to the oddball in all of us. You go, Stargirl!

Treasure Island by Robert Louis Stevenson

Stevenson's classic tale of pirates and the open sea first published in 1883. We follow the escapades of Jim Hawkins, a young boy who works at the inn with his mother, trying to make ends meet after the death of his father. One day, on old seaman wanders into the Admiral Benbow and soon draws a collection of other colorful characters in pursuit of him, along with Long John Silver, a one-legged sea salt who appears to be a nothing more offensive than a cook. Jim is recruited by the local magistrate to come along on a voyage to seek the treasure marked on a map of a distant Pacific Island. Jim reluctantly leaves his mother to see the world and experience adventure. He gets more than he bargains for when the crew mutinies and Jim finds himself barricaded in a small hut with the ship's captain and doctor.

Merit: Classic tale. The benchmark for action & adventure for the next 100 years.
Share: Mostly appealing to boys. Read aloud over time. Book list.
Appeal: Pirates on the high seas. Nuff said. Not as challenging as some of Stevenson's other books.

forever… by Judy Blume

Ms. Blume's foray into adolescent sexual exploration. Kath is a girl who finds herself attracted to Michael in more ways than one. The two of them dance around the idea of intercourse, him experienced, her not. The tale is written as first person from Kath's viewpoint. The author is fair in her portrayal of the confusion about the physical aspects and certainty of her emotional voyage. Kath is nice, but nurses a nasty side that come through without being over-the-top. We like her, but wouldn't mind being able to tell her, "Chill!" from time-to-time.

Merit: Accurate descriptions of sexual encounter without being tawdry. Good depiction of adolescent angst.
Share: Book club. Summer reading list for 14+.
Appeal: Empathetic yet believable characters, who are, by turn, delightful and spiteful.

Johnny Tremain by Esther Forbes

The classic Newbery winner from 1944. It details the trials and tribulations of a young boy living during the turbulent years immediately preceding the American Revolutionary War. He's an orphan who is eventually indentured to the silversmith Paul Revere. He injures his hand in a smelting accident and must find ways to be useful to his comrades with his handicap. Loaded with patriotic indignity with the perceived injustice of the British occupation, this story provides insight into the times as well as the trials of a young man growing up with National pains as well as his own.

Merit: Newbery winner. Tolerable length and writing style for early readers.
Share: Read aloud over time.
Appeal: Empathetic characters. Exciting activities and times based on factual events like the Boston Tea Party.