Recommends to Jessie (June)

Patterson, James. The Angel Experiment [Maximum Ride 1]
2005, YA, Fantasy

Maximum Ride and her “family” are genetically engineered and spliced with birds. They can fly. They escaped from the laboratory that was experimenting on them and have been running ever since. Max is leader of their family and they also have other “gifts.” Basically they don’t know why they are the way they are or why they’re important. But the laboratory wants them back. Erasers, wolf-men, are sent to retrieve Maximum Ride and the others. The head wolf-man has a grudge against Max, making the fights all the more interesting. It’s very fast paced and the chapters are crazy short. Also the author is probably the most popular author in America right now. I have to re-shelve his books daily, it’s kind of ridiculous! Angel and Fang are my favorite characters- you’ll find out why when you read it.

Sensel, Joni. The Farwalker's Quest [Farwalker 1]
2009, YA, Fantasy, Dystopian

Ariel and Zeke live in a world that is the remnant of civilization, except there is a little magic in the world. Everyone is one of twelve trades. Ariel wants to be a Healtouch, like her mom, and Zeke wants to be a Tree Singer, like his dad. They are preparing for the Namingfest when a relic from the old days, a telling dart, finds Ariel and Zeke. This dart brings strangers into their sleepy little village and as always, strangers bring trouble. One of my favorite parts was learning about twelve different trades. Everyone is called to one. That’s what a Farwalker is, a calling. There hasn’t been a Farwalker in a long time and the villages are all losing contact, which means they are losing information and returning to the Dark Ages. Ariel is fascinated with bicycles and yet she’s never seen one. While I was looking this one up for you on Amazon I found out there’s a sequel that just came out! (This was also the book I was reading in Florida, I think you read the first chapter.)

Riordan, Rick. The Red Pyramid [Kane Chronicles 1]
2010, YA, Fantasy.

I saved the best (and newest- published May 4th!) for last. I just read this book a couple weeks ago and it was awesome. Carter and Sadie are brother and sister but they have grown up separately, Carter with their archaelogist father and Sadie with their British grandparents. They get to see each other twice a year and this year their father takes them to a museum where he -accidentally- awakens the ancient Egyptians gods. Carter and Sadie must then set out on a quest to save their father and stop the god that has wants to destroy the world. Along the way they discover a secret society that has been containing the powers of the gods for centuries. It is difficult to tell who his a friend and who is a foe in this book. I liked learning about all the different gods and how they interact with the world and humans. Plus- supergodly powers, which is always cool.