Two Minute Drill

Chris Conlan and Scott Parry don’t seem like they have anything in common. Scott, the new kid at school, is the smartest one in his class, and he is finding it hard to fit in. He also loves football, but, as he says, football doesn’t love him. He is very clumsy, and he has a secret. Popular Chris is the star quarterback of the team. He also has a secret.
When Chris rescues Scott from bullying football players, they become friends—and learn each other’s secrets. Can they now work together to solve both their sports and school problems? by Mackin Booktalk

This was one of my favorites. I couldn't put the book down. I love the game of football, and this has football and more; friendship, bullying, and proving that you have what it takes to be a star in a new town!

The Hound of Rowan

While visiting an art museum, twelve-year-old Max McDaniels sees a vision of a mysterious tapestry. He learns that he is of the “old blood”—he carries the “old magic” inside him. Max becomes a student at Rowan Academy, an exclusive boarding school for children with abilities like his. He discovers a new world of magical creatures and new surprises. However, not everything is perfect, and Max’s resentment of the bully Alex soon earns him an enemy.
Even worse, Max also learns about the fight against Astaroth, an evil being determined to dominate the world. Astaroth and his minions are causing the disappearances of priceless artwork and of gifted children…like Max. Someone at the academy is secretly on Astaroth’s side and is betraying the students. Max will have to pick a side in this ancient struggle between good and evil. But if he decides to fight against evil, will he be the next victim? by Mackin Book Talk
If you like Harry Potter, you will like this book.

Surprises According to Humphrey

Humphrey the hamster still lives in Mrs. Brisbane’s classroom, and there are a lot of surprises in store for him—some exciting, but others not so good. Some of the students, including Raise-Your-Hand-Heidi, Don’t-Complain-Mandy, and Sit-Still-Seth, are still having problems, and Humphrey is happy to help them find solutions.
He is very excited when I-Heard-That-Kirk brings in a surprise for him: a hamster ball! Now he can see everything that goes on outside his cage. He also discovers some of the frightening things, like Sweetums, a cat with pointed teeth. Then Humphrey finds out that Mrs. Brisbane has the biggest problem of all. How will he be able to help her? by Mackin

We had a science teacher at Vogel that had a hamster as a class pet. The hamster would roll around the classroom in the ball. Sometimes he would cross the hall and come into my room!! He was always a pleasant surprise. Cute book that is a fast read.

Piper Reed: Navy Brat

Nine-year-old Piper is not having an easy time. She is the middle child in her family, she is dyslexic, and she is a Navy brat. She is not happy when her father announces that once again he is being transferred to a new Navy base. Piper has moved more times than she can remember and she is tired of having to make new friends again. This time they are moving from
California to Florida, where her father will have to leave on ship duty for six months. And to make it all worse—school has already started. by Mackin Book Talk

I really enjoyed this book. It is a fast read and reminded me of every time that I moved to a new state. I can remember living in Miami and watching the Blue Angels flying over our community. We would stand in awe of the pilots and their bravery.

Maybelle in the Soup

Maybelle the cockroach lives under the refrigerator at the Peabody house. She knows she should keep out of sight, but she is so tired of eating food off the floor. When some Very Important Guests arrive for dinner, Maybelle sneaks onto the table for a taste of some of the delicious soup…and ends up having a big adventure! by: Mackin Book Talk

This is a very short story that is full of SMALL adventure. The main character, Maybelle, is a little whiny, and it is hard to get past the fact that she is a COCKROACH!!!

Savvy

Mississippi Beaumont ("Mibs" for short) simply cannot wait for her 13th birthday. In the Beaumont family, 13 is when family members get their "savvy," or unworldly power. For Mibs's older brother Fish, it's control over the elements, and for her mother it's the ability to do everything perfectly. Unfortunately, Mibs's excitement is cut short when her father is injured in a car accident. Convinced that her new powers will be able to save her Poppa, she and some new friends climb aboard a bus carrying pink bibles on her birthday, in the hopes of getting to the hospital. Instead they find themselves headed in the wrong direction with the cops looking for them. Mibs's real savvy isn't what she expected, and neither are her traveling companions.

I had a hard time putting this book down. It was a fast read and full of adventure. While I was reading it, I kept asking myself, "What would I want my Savvy to be?"

Alvin Ho: Allergic to Girls, School, and other Scary Things

ALVIN HO IS an Asian American second grader who is afraid of everything—elevators, tunnels, girls, and, most of all, school. He’s so afraid of school that, while he’s there, he never, ever, says a word. But at home he’s a very loud superhero named Firecracker Man, a brother to Calvin and Anibelly, and a gentleman-in-training, so he can be just like his dad.

I liked Alvin Ho. He is a kid that is NOT afraid to be a gentleman!! A lot of kids have two personalities; the one at school and the one at home!! Alvin needs a way to merge his two personalities to become the perfect kid.