Ninja Sarah's Top 5 Books of 2009

Top 5 Books of 2009

5. Flygril by Sherri L. Smith
Even though I reviewed this book previously, I think it has been overlooked by a lot of readers. This book really plucked my heartstrings. It inspired me to really focus on my dreams. And anybody who likes historical fiction should definitely pick this one up.







4. Found by Margaret Peterson Haddix
(SOME SPOILERS BEWARE)
While this may be for younger readers, I thought the concept was absolutely fascinating. Not only does the main character have to deal with being adopted, but he doesn't even know from when he was taken. Ms. Haddix really threw me for a loop when I discovered the kids were taken from various times in history. Ya know how little girls (and some big ones too) always seem to want to be princesses. Well, in Found, the little girl just might be a princess. I think this series will really touch anyone who has had dreams of being discovered as the long lost whatever.


3. Leviathan by Scott Westerfeld
Ever since reading The Midnighters series several years ago, I have been enthralled with this writer. Leviathan is his latest contribution to the literary scene and I am just as enthralled with this one as his previous works. It is also my first introduction to steampunk (which I am glad to say I will be looking for more). The world he creates is very similar to our own past, but rich with new scientific and biological discoveries following various what ifs. Like, what if Darwin was not only a biologist but a geneticist? I was so disappointed when I got to the end and discovered there were 3 more books in the series not even written!! All I can say is, "Mr. Westerfeld, please write faster." :)



2. Prospero Lost by L. Jagi Lamplighter
As with one of Ninja Amy's books, this book is in the adult collection at our library. However, I think this could really appeal to teens who are "strongly encouraged" to read classics for school. Prospero Lost is a continuation of Shakespeare's "The Tempest". And when I say continuation, I mean it, right up to current times. Miranda, daughter of Prospero, runs Prospero Inc., a company which mellows out the more mythical aspects of the world, like the fire salamandars who are responsible for volcano eruptions, for humans to be able to follow scientific and social progress. At the beginning Miranda discovers a note left by her father Prospero saying he realeased the "three shadowed ones" and to warn her siblings scattered throughout the world. When Miranda attempts to contact her father, he is nowhere to be found. The book follows Miranda as she searches for the locations of her brothers and sisters she has not talked to for years.



1. Percy Jackson and the Olympians by Rick Riordan
Yes, I did just list 5 books for my number one slot. And, no, I don't think this is unreasonable. Percy Jackson and the Olympians is just plain awesome. Half way through the first book, I reserved the next 4. I finished all five books in one week! Yes, they are that good. So good, in fact, there is a movie coming out in February based on the first book, The Lightning Thief. And there is an actual summer camp based on the books called, Camp Half-Blood. So, even if action, romance, mystery, and mythical Greek gods are not your cup of tea, Rick Riordan and Percy Jackson just might change your mind.

The Ninja Reviews...Leviathan by Scott Westerfeld

Leviathan by Scott Westerfeld is a soaring steampunk novel set during the beginnings of World War I. While reading this novel, I recommend forgetting most of what you might have learned in school about the Great War and let Westerfeld lead you on a high-flying journey through his unique world.

In Leviathan, the world is separated into two categories, Clankers and Darwinists. The book begins with two separate storylines, following Deryn Sharp, a Darwinist, and Alek, a Clanker.

Deryn is a Darwinist girl who wants to follow in her father's footsteps and take to the skies. However, to do so she must pass herself off a a boy to enter the service.

Alek is the son of Clanker royalty, though disowned by the Austrian Emperor, his grandfather, because of his mother's less than royal blood. After killing his parents in a successful attempt to start a war, those same people are now after him to destroy the line completely and with his grandfather well into his eighties bring the whole question of the survival of the Hapsburg Empire into jeopardy.

Clankers are those countries who rely on technology and oil to build machines, very similar to what you see today. Darwinists have taken a new route fabricating new species to not only fly their ships, but be the ship itself, create lizards to relay messages on military vessels, and so much more.

Can these two unlikely friends avoid revealing their secrets and possibly forestall more bloodshed?

I enjoyed this book immensely. It moved quickly and kept the reader guessing. Which makes sense since this is apparently book one of four. Now, I'm going to have a long wait for the rest of them.

Though this book isn't on our shelves yet, you can reserve it by clicking on the book cover above.


While waiting for the next in the series, check out Westerfeld's other books.

Uglies

Midnighters

Peeps

Author videos - Suzanne Collins, Scott Westerfeld

Last night I received an email from Borders Media that had a really cool link to a video of a group discussion with Suzanne Collins, author of The Hunger Games and the just released sequel, Catching Fire.


This video is AWESOME!! I learned things I didn't know, like how the books are based on a Greek myth. And she talks about the movie they're going to make. Whoo-hoo!


And Melissa from the Southwest branch sent me a link to the video book trailer for Scott Westerfeld's upcoming Steampunk book called Leviathan. Thanks, Melissa. You're awesome!