Webster Bible Church and Webster Christian School Library Blog

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While the king goes to war, his three children and a few trusted caregivers/protectors take refuge in a hidden fortress. Unfortunately, it soon becomes clear that there is a traitor in their midst. Escape is not possible from their ice-locked location, and so they must endure the Nordic winter and hope that the King rescues them before it is too late.

I chose to read this book because it won the Edgar Allan Poe Award this year, and the exciting front cover image added to my anticipation. Perhaps because I expected so much, I was a bit disappointed.

While the characters were well-developed, I found the action slow and the story overly moralized. The author, Matthew Kirby, is a school psychologist. It felt to me like the points he wanted to make for his audience drove the story.

Nonetheless, others may disagree with my sentiment. On the positive side, there is no  inappropriate content or swearing, although the Norse folklore can be quite dark at times with haunting from the undead.

Appropriate for middle school readers.

Awards/Lists: Best Fiction for Young Adults, 2012; Children’s Books of the Year, 2012; Edgar Allan Poe Award, 2012.

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Most of us have heard the name Benedict Arnold, often used to describe a traitor. What did the man do to deserve such a reputation?

With engrossing narrative and riveting descriptions, Steve Sheinkin gives a full biography of the brilliant and brave yet violent and self-absorbed Benedict Arnold. How could the same man who heroically saved the American cause in Saratoga stoop so low as to jeopardize West Point and General George Washington?

Boys in particular who are looking for good “war stories” should enjoy this book. Note: Some swearing (pp.26-36).

Awards/Lists: Boston Globe – Horn Book Award for Nonfiction, 2011.

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When her eighteen-year-old mute brother is accused of murdering Coach Johnson, sixteen-year-old Hope works to find the real killer with the help of her two friends, T.J. and Chase.

This is a complex story with many suspects, interwoven subplots, and even a love triangle. While there is no swearing or explicit sexual content, still the story is serious and for older readers because of Hope’s mother who is abusive, promiscuous, and alcoholic. Hope talks about attending church, and in one scene, a church member that meets Hope is public tells her that people at church are praying for her.

Dandi Daley Mackall writes prolifically for readers ranging from elementary level through adult. A variety of Christian publishers have put out her books including Tyndale, Zonderkidz, Standard, Concordia, David C. Cook and Thomas Nelson among others. She has also worked with such notable publishers as Harcourt and Bloomsbury.

One of her books, Eva Underground, is very popular with our high school students and is included on our  9th-10th grade suggested reading list at Webster Christian School. I will recommend this book to high school students who enjoy a good mystery.

Awards/Lists: Edgar Allan Poe Award for Best Young Adult Novel, 2012.

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Accused of helping to rob a drugstore, 16-year-old Steve Harmon narrates his experiences while living in the Manhattan Detention Center and going on trial for murder.

Steve has been learning about film-making in school, so he decides to relate his trial in movie format complete with credits, camera angles, voice overs, etc. He talks about what it’s like in the Detention Center and his memories of life back in the neighborhood in hand-written journal entries.

Walter Dean Myers has done us a great service by writing this novel. Although the settings are a city neighborhood and Detention Center, he does not include swearing or overly-graphic details–making it accessible to many more readers. Steve’s story is a tacit warning of how quickly someone’s life can drastically change and spin out of control. It’s not preachy or tidy, but it makes the intended impression.

Recommended for grades 9 and up.

Awards/Lists: Michael L. Printz Award, 2000; National Book Award Finalist, 1999; Coretta Scott King Honor Book, 2000; Best Books for Young Adults, 2000.