The Emerald Atlas

The Emerald Atlas by John Stephens

Kate, Michael and Emma have suffered through ten years odious orphanage "care" ; now they have slipped into the care of the eccentric, distrubingly mysterious Dr. Pym. While exploring their new home, the children discover a magical green book. With that discovery, a decade of tedium dissolves into cascades of dangerous time travel adventures and struggles with a beautiful witch and deciededly less attractive zombielike Schreechers.

This is next on my to read stack. Can't wait, have students telling me about it.
In the mean time here's an interview with John Stephens and the book trailer.

New Title

Backtracked by Pedro de Alcantara

Here's another title that is new to the Lakie collection. I haven't had a chance to read it yet, but will try to put it in my to be read stack.

Here's the summary:
Tommy Latrella is haunted by the ghost of his older brother, Jimmy who died a hero on 9/11. Unable to live up to his family's expectations, Tommy rebels and becomes a graffiti artist. He rides the subway fro his home in Brooklyn to the farthest points in the Bronx, tagging surfaces all over New York City. But when he plays a dangerous prank in the Times Square station, the cavernous heart of the city's transit system, the subway turns on him and hurls him back in time.

There's also a book trailer.
Have a look.

Archer's quest

Archer's quest by Linda Sue Park

From the back cover -Twelve-year-old Kevin, a Korean American math whiz, is shocked beyond belief when a young man carrying a bow and arrows crash-lands in his bedroom. And that's jsut the beginning. The man, called Skillful Archer, claims to be a legendary ruler from ancient Korea. While Kevin tries to explain contemporary life to the man he nicknames Archie, Archie teaches Kevin how to focus his thoughts in an attempt to help the young ruler return to his kingdom. There's not a moment to lose as Kevin uses Korean history and folktales, math, and the Chinese zodiac to help his friend travel back through time. If Archie can't get home before the Year of Tiger ends, history will be forever changed.

I enjoyed this time-travel story, and how Kevin presented realistic questions about how and why the crazy event happened and mostly how to get the Archer back in time before his parents get home. I also liked the part of the book where Kevin gets the Archer to be less serious by saying "in the outhouse" after reading the fortunes from their fortune cookies. The Archer imparts practical knowledge and also gives Kevin reasons to see himself in a new light.

"to contribute to a great mission. The most ordinary among us have it within ourselves to be extraordinary, should we so choose."

Read On.

When you reach me

When You Reach Me by Rebecca Stead

Another great read, Yeah! I'm on a roll lately with book after book that I love.

This book even started with a quote that would resonate throughout - "The most beautiful experience we can have is the mysterious." Albert Einstein ~ A mix of realistic fiction, mystery and science fiction doesn't always combine to make a great book but I assure you this book ends up being pure yumminess. I enjoyed the chapter headings which are based on the $20,000 pyramid game. This one will be one to add to your TBR shelf - for sure.

From the back cover:

By sixth grade, Miranda and her best friend Sal, know how to navigate their New York City neighborhood. They know where it's safe to go, like the local grocery store, and they know who to avoid. Like the crazy guy on the corner.

But thing start to unravel. Sal gets punched by a new kid for what seems like no reason, and he shuts Miranda out of his life. The apartment ky that Miranda's mom keeps hidden for emergencies is stolen. And then a mysterious note arrives, scrawled on a tiny slip of paper:

I am coming to save your friend's life, and my own. I ask two favors. First, you must write me a letter.

The notes keep coming, and Miranda slowly realizes that whoever is leaving them knows things no one should know. Each message brings her closer to believing that only she can prevent a tragic death. Until the final note makes her think she's too late.

Read On