Brain Jack by Brian Falkner

Sam Wilson is a teenage hacker with the skills to hack ANY system.  He knows the internet and programming better than anyone else, and he has no problem with playing around with servers and networks to get what he wants.  And right now he wants a Neuro, a device that will allow him to interact with the internet by using his brain waves.  So what if he has to take down major communications in the eastern U.S. to make it happen?  Honestly, he's a little proud of himself.

Life is good until Homeland Security shows up.  Sam's just a kid; he doesn't want to go to jail!  He thinks that's the worst of his problems until something even worse threatens him, the nation, and the world! 

If you are looking for a thrilling adventure that will keep you hooked from page one, then Brain Jack is the book for you!  This book is non-stop action and adventure that will keep you in suspense until the very end.

Graphic Novels Survey

Click on the link below to participate in the library's graphic novels survey!  Now is your chance to let me know which graphic novels you want in the library!  Participating in the survey will enter you in a drawing to win the September issue of Shonen Jump! 

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Cool Down in the Library!

Payback Time by Carl Deuker

Mitch True dreams of becoming a famous reporter.  He wants to uncover secrets, report the facts, and change the world with his investigative reporting. 

So far senior year isn't going as planned.  He didn't get elected to be the editor of the school paper.  Instead it's Ashley, one of the worst writers on the staff.  To make things worse, she's assigned Mitch the sports column!  He is furious to be denied serious news in favor of sports.

But things aren't all bad.  Mitch soon finds that his photographer will be Kimi, a cute and smart girl.  Together they discover something strange going on with the football team.  There's a new guy named Angel who is on of the best players Mitch has ever seen, but he's obviously holding back on the field, and the coach seems to hiding something, too.

As Kimi and Mitch dig into this mystery, things get more dangerous by the minute, and the facts just won't add up.  Will Kimi and Mitch solve the mystery, become famous, and get accepted to exclusive colleges, or will they destroy themselves and others? 

P.S.  Deuker does a great job describing the football and volleyball games Mitch attends.  If you're a sports fan, you'll love this one, but the mystery is so good the rest of us can enjoy it, too!

Check out Carl Deuker's website for more information about the author and his books:  Carl Deuker's Official Website.

The Total Tragedy of a Girl Named Hamlet by Erin Dionne

So far, 8th grade has been a total tragedy for Hamlet Kennedy.  Let's count the ways:

1.  Her name is Hamlet, and you can imagine what kind of jokes that leads to.
2.  Her parents are Shakespeare obsessed!  They even dress and speak like rejects from the 17th century.
3.  Now, Shakespeare is making an appearance in her middle school!
4.  Her seven year old sister, Dezzie, is a super genius who will be attending art classes at Hamlet's middle school, so she can get into college.
5.  Hamlet is barely passing pre algebra.
6.  The boy she likes doesn't know she's alive, and the one she doesn't may have a crush on her.
7.  The meanest girls in school are determined to torment Hamlet in every way they can.

Hamlet just wants to be a normal girl who goes unnoticed, but life doesn't seem to want to work out that way.  If things get any worse, she's sure she won't survive this tragedy!

Last Summer of the Death Warriors by Francisco X. Stork

Pancho is grieving and angry over the death of his sister, Rosa, when he arrives at St. Anthony's, a group home for boys.  He doesn't want to get involved with anyone.  He just wants revenge for Rosa's death, and he then he will be prepared to accept the consequences.  At St. Anthony's he meets D.Q, a boy who is struggling with his own problems and refuses to leave Pancho alone. 

D.Q. convinces Pancho to come to the city with him for his cancer treatments.  He promises Pancho that if he will just stay with him during the treatments and recovery, he can sneak away and take care of his own plans.  Pancho agrees, but the more time he spends with D.Q. and his friends, the more he begins to question himself. 

Who will Pancho decide to become?  Will he continue on his path of anger and destruction, or will he choose another road? 

I loved this book!  It is a great discussion on what it means to be your own person and choose your own destiny.  (8th grade)

The Case of the Case of Mistaken Identity by Mac Barnett

Steve Brixton loves a good mystery and one day hopes to be a detective.  He is a keen observer and is confident in his detecting skills.  He's even smarter than his mom's new boyfriend.

But one day he is mistaken for a real detective by a group of secret agents who believe he is working for a the criminal mastermind, Mr. E.  Steve has his best friend, his mind, and knowledge of mystery novels to help him survive and uncover the truth to crack this case!  Will he clear his name and catch the criminal, or will he become another victim of Mr. E and his evil plots?  Read the book to find out!

This book has humor, illustrations, and mystery!

P.S.  If you liked The Case of the Case of Mistaken Identity, it's your lucky day!  This is the first book in a new series written by Mac Barnett and illustrated by Adam Rex.

P.P.S.  Notice there is a good review on the cover by Jeff Kinney, author of the Wimpy Kid series!

Watch the video below to discover who the secret agents are and some of their top secret secrets!