Syren – Angie Sage

In this fifth book in the Magykal series, Septimus ends up on a captivatingly beautiful island, one of seven set in a sparkling sea. He’s stranded there with his badly injured dragon, Spit Fyre, along with Jenna and Beetle. There are some strange things about the island, including a Magykal girl named Syrah, a cat-shaped lighthouse that has lost its Light, and an eerie presence that sings to Septimus—can he escape the persistent call?

Trouble is also brewing for Lucy and Wolf Boy, who have become entangled with some nefarious sailors at sea, and for Milo Banda, Jenna’s father, who is harboring a mysterious treasure chest in his ship’s hold.

Queste: Book 4 – Angie Sage

There’s trouble at the Castle, and it’s all because Merrin Meredith has returned with Darke plans for Septimus. More trouble awaits Septimus and Jenna in the form of Tertius Fume, the ghost of the very first Chief Hermetic Scribe, who is determined to send Septimus on a deadly Queste. But Septimus and Jenna have other plans—they are headed for the mysterious House of Foryx, a place where all Time meets and the place where they fervently hope they will be able to find Nicko and Snorri, who were trapped back in time in physik. But how will Septimus escape the Queste?

This is book four in the series and this is one that you definitely need to read the other books first, start with Magyk.  This series started out really strong, but I did not like the third and fourth books as much.  (Let me know what you think…)  Septimus is still a good character, I just think the plot gets a little too complicated.     – Jessica, Teen Librarian

Physik: Septimus Heap, Book 3 – Angie Sage

When Silas Heap un-Seals a forgotten room in the Palace, he releases the ghost of a Queen who lived five hundred years earlier. Queen Etheldredda is as awful in death as she was in life, and she’s still up to no good. Her diabolical plan to give herself everlasting life requires Jenna’s compliance, Septimus’s disappearance, and the talents of her son, Marcellus Pye, a famous Alchemist and Physician. And if Queen Etheldredda’s plot involves Jenna and Septimus, then it will surely involve Nicko, Alther Mella, Marcia Overstrand, Beetle, Stanley, Sarah, Silas, Spit Fyre, and Aunt Zelda.

This book did not read as well for me as the first two did.  Though Queen Etheldredda is a worthy opponent (she’s quite creepy), the plot seemed too confusing or unbelievable sometimes.  I do love Spit Fyre, Stanley, Alther Mella and most of the other characters, though, and that kept me going.  Let me know what you think.     – Jessica, Teen Librarian

Magyk: Septimus Heap, Book 1 – Angie Sage

The seventh son of the seventh son, aptly named Septimus Heap, is stolen the night he is born by a midwife who pronounces him dead. That same night, the baby’s father, Silas Heap, comes across a bundle in the snow containing a new born girl with violet eyes. The Heaps take this helpless newborn into their home, name her Jenna, and raise her as their own. But who is this mysterious baby girl, and what really happened to their beloved son Septimus?

I really liked this book.  It’s similar to Harry Potter in some ways, but has it’s own unique flavor.  Septimus and Jenna are both really good characters, and the other Heap children, all boys, are funny!  Just wait until you read about the purple python shoes, too!    – Jessica, Teen Librarian

Flyte: Septimus Heap, Book 2 – Angie Sage

It’s been a year since Septimus Heap discovered his real family and true calling to be a wizard. As Apprentice to Extra Ordinary Wizard Marcia Overstrand, he is learning the fine arts of Conjurations, Charms, and other Magyk, while Jenna is adapting to life as the Princess and enjoying the freedom of the Castle.

But there is something sinister at work. Marcia is constantly trailed by a menacing Darke Shadow, and Septimus’s brother Simon seems bent on a revenge no one understands. Why is the Darke Magyk still lingering?

I love Marcia, she cracks me up.  I thought this was a good book continuing the series.  The idea of a Flyte charm is really cool.  Try this if you like magic and mayhem.    – Jessica, Teen Librarian

The Four Dorothy’s (Drama!) – Paul Ruditis

Every performance needs a little scandal and . . .

DRAMA!

Spawned from Hollywood’s A-list glitterati, nearly every student at the exclusive Orion Academy is a singer, dancer, model, or actor — with the ego to match. So how do you fit so many budding stars into one school musical?

Multi-cast, of course. It’s a Wizard of Oz like no other: four Dorothys, two Scarecrows, two Glindas, et cetera, et cetera, et cetera. Every “star” gets a moment in the spotlight.

Meanwhile, Bryan Stark, narrator extraordinaire, needs to shed some light on a more scandalous plot. Dorothys are mysteriously dropping out of the show, one after the other. If Bryan doesn’t figure out why, there may be no one left to click her heels by opening night. . . .

This was one of the funniest books I have read in a long time.  Not everyone in Hollywood was meant to be a star – butr that doesn’t stop them from trying.  Drama, drama, drama…..  – Leila, Teen Clerk

The Tales of Beedle the Bard – J.K. Rowling

The Tales of Beedle the Bard, a Wizarding classic, first came to Muggle readers’ attention in the book known as Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows.  Now, thanks to Hermione Granger’s new translation from the ancient runes, we present this stunning edition with an introduction, notes, and illustrations by J. K. Rowling, and extensive commentary by Albus Dumbledore. Never before have Muggles been privy to these richly imaginative tales: “The Wizard and the Hopping Pot,” “The Fountain of Fair Fortune,” “The Warlock’s Hairy Heart,” “Babbitty Rabbitty and Her Cackling Stump,” and of course, “The Tale of the Three Brothers.” But not only are they the equal of fairy tales we now know and love, reading them gives new insight into the world of Harry Potter.

For Harry Potter fans left weeping because the series ended, here is a gift for you!  These wizard “fairy tales” are wonderful and will let you back into that world, even if only for a short while.  Even if you haven’t read the Harry Potter series, you can just read these short tales and enjoy a little whimsy in your day.  They will make you smile.  – Jessica, Teen Librarian

How I Live Now – Meg Rosoff

“Every war has turning points and every person too.”

Fifteen-year-old Daisy is sent from Manhattan to England to visit her aunt and cousins she’s never met: three boys near her age, and their little sister. Her aunt goes away on business soon after Daisy arrives. The next day bombs go off as London is attacked and occupied by an unnamed enemy.

As power fails, and systems fail, the farm becomes more isolated. Despite the war, it’s a kind of Eden, with no adults in charge and no rules, a place where Daisy’s uncanny bond with her cousins grows into something rare and extraordinary. But the war is everywhere, and Daisy and her cousins must lead each other into a world that is unknown in the scariest, most elemental way.

A riveting and powerful story. War is a scary prospect, and the idea of having an occupation (soldiers tromping around the countryside) is almost unbelievable, but Daisy and her cousins must survive without adult supervision in this scary new world.  Very well written and highly recommended for high school readers.      – Jessica, Teen Librarian