The Genius Files: Never Say Genius by Dan Gutman

This second book in the Genius Files series follows Coke and Pepsi McDonald from their ill-fated meeting with the evil Dr. Herman Warsaw at the House on the Rock in Wisconsin, to their destination, Washington D. C., for their Aunt Judy’s wedding. Of course, with their mother, author of the “Amazing But True” web magazine, planning the route, this leg of the journey includes stops at the first ever MacDonald’s restaurant, a Hoover museum (it’s not the one in Iowa),  the world’s largest collection of outhouses, as well as some more normal venues, like Wrigley Field for a Cubs game, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, and Center Point Amusement Park – famous for its variety of roller coasters.

What a great trip, right? Well, not if you’re looking over your shoulder everywhere you go, trying to figure out who’s trying to kill you and where they will turn up next. And those secret codes that turn up every few days – even inside the shell of a soft-boiled egg – are a little unsettling, too.

Of course, once Coke and Pep decide to clue mom and dad in on the Genius Files project, their parents just laugh and attribute all the stories to the twins’ vivid imaginations. No help from the grown-ups on this trip.

But you’ll be happy to know that they make it to Washington D. C. and to Aunt Judy’s wedding, which provides them with maybe the biggest surprise of their journey – and the jumping-off point for Book 3. They do have to travel back to California, you know.

 I love the Genius Files books because they are goofy, have an element of mystery, and contain some interesting bits of information that are true and amazing. I also like Dan Gutman’s style of writing, like he’s sitting right next to you telling you the story, talking directly to the reader. If you haven’t read the first book in this series (The Genius Files: Mission Unstoppable) well, I think you should. In fact, it’s one of the books we selected to give away as a summer reading prize. If you have read it, are reading it, or selected it for your reading prize, I suggest you get your name on the hold list for the second book. It’s brand new and will be in big demand after people read the first book.

And, these are the perfect books for “staycations” because you can travel right along with the McDonald family and even track their travels using websites included. And you don’t have to spend hours on the road in a motor home!

AR Level 4.8
AR Points 7

Out in Left Field by Don Lemna

Out In Left Field was a great book.  The main character is Donald and he loves to play baseball and hockey.  Donald has a lot of bad luck with his sports and works hard to get better.  I would recommend this to book to boys and girls 10 and older because it is a little scary and the vocabulary is difficult. 

by Joseph, fourth-grade reader




AR Level 5.3
AR Points 8

Theodore Boone, the Accused by John Grisham

Theodore Boone, 13-year-old son of two lawyers and an aspiring lawyer himself, finds himself on the wrong side of the law when stolen electronic tablets from a local break-in are discovered in his school locker. Theo knows he didn't do it, but the evidence is overwhelming, including his Minnesota Twins cap that was found at the scene of the crime. The police believe they have their boy; Theo's parents believe the legal system works correctly and they patiently wait for things to sort themselves out; Theo envisions life in and after a juvenile detention center and decides the only way to avoid that is to point the police toward the real culprits. The problem is, Theo has no idea who would want to set him up. Theo's uncle Ike, a disbarred hippie-type lawyer, isn't too worried about bending a few rules, and helps Theo arrive at a list of possible suspects. Oh, and while Theo is serving a school suspension for fighting, he takes time to defend a spitting llama and its owner in animal court. It's the quirky elements like that, along with interesting and well-defined characters, and a mystery so tightly written that you won't have it figured out right away, that make Grisham's Theodore Boone series fun reads for everyone -- even his adult fans. This is the third Theodore Boone book but you don't have to read the first to enjoy the others. 

AR Level 5.7
AR Points 9

Inside Out and Back Again by Thanhha Lai

Inside Out and Back Again is about a Vietnamese girl named Ha. She lives in Saigon and loves life. She loves the market, her family and her very own papaya tree. But, when war invades Saigon, Ha's family is forced to flee. Her bumpy boat ride is not a good start for Ha in the new land. She will live in the state Alabama. She and her family are forced to fit in, and sometimes that's not always easy. This is a touching story every kid should read.
by Tyler,  fifth grader.

Note: This book won the National Book Award for Young People's Literature and was named a Newbery Honor book in 2012.




AR Level 4.8
AR Points 2

Cracker! The Best Dog in Viet Nam By Cynthia Kadohata

Cracker was a very lively and suspenseful book about Cracker, an extremely loyal and stubborn dog who turns out to be a scout dog in the Vietnam War. The book starts out having Cracker with Willie, a boy who has just moved in to an apartment in Chicago that doesn’t allow pets. So, Willie has to give Cracker up to the terrors of the Vietnam War. While in Vietnam, Cracker meets Rick, her handler, who is an affectionate person that sneaks hot dogs (called wieners in the book) to Cracker. Cracker and Rick have many good times and many bad times so, if you want to know more about the adventures of Cracker and Rick, read this book!!!

by Doug, fifth-grade reader

Note: This book is available through the Indianola Public Library as an online audiobook. It is recommended for readers age 10 and above.

AR Level 4.9

AR Points 9

The Son of Neptune by Rick Riordan

The Son of Neptune is about these three kids named Hazel, Frank and Percy Jackson. Hazel is supposed to be dead. Frank is a klutz. Percy can't remember anything . . . except for a girl named Annabeth. This book is sure to leave you reading. It's full of suspense. I would recommend this book to everyone, especially to kids who love Harry Potter and The Hunger Games.

Tyler, a fifth grade reader
Note: This is the sequel to The Lost Hero, the first book in the "Heroes of Olympus" series. Five books are planned for this series, a spin-off of the "Percy Jackson and the Olympians" series. If you loved the Percy Jackson books, you'll love this new series, too.

AR Level 4.7
AR Points 17

Dead End in Norvelt by Jack Gantos

Dead End in Norvelt is about a boy named Jack with nose problems. The problem with his nose is that whenever he gets too excited or scared about something his nose starts gushing blood. One day he is messing with his dad’s World War II souvenirs and using his dad’s Japanese binoculars to watch a war movie. His mom gets mad at him because he isn’t allowed to watch war movies because it will make his nose bleed. Another crazy act gets him grounded for the summer by his mom who thinks he’s been shot. A couple of days later, his mom makes him start helping his neighbor, Miss Volker, to write obituaries for all of the people who have been dying in Norvelt. He learns a lot about the lives of the people who have lived in his town.

This is a really funny story about a boy growing up and the many unexpected things that happen to him during the summer. This book is the 2012 Newbery Medal winner and you should read it!

Liam, fourth-grader reader

AR Level 5.7

AR Points 12