Everlost Series by Neal Shusterman

This is a strange and interesting series. Everlost is a world between life and death where only children get stuck. The natural laws are different than on Earth. It is filled with those who manipulate for power. The children must figure out the truth and learn how to move on.

Caution: mild violence

**** middle school and up

The Candyshop War by Brandon Mull

Exciting, funny, full of imagination and magic. If you liked Artemis Fowl, you will like this book.

Caution: mild violence

***** everyone

The Lacuna by Barbara Kingsolver

Barbara Kingsolver is one of my all time favorite authors. This book is written in a very different voice from her other books. This was hard for me, and I almost didn't get past the first 30 pages. I stuck it out, and am so glad that I did. With her usual flare for mixing interesting facts with fiction, a Lacuna is a missing piece, I learned many historical events and pieced together parts of my missing historical knowledge. A story teaches me best and this is a wonderful deep story.

Caution: language, sexuality, and violence

**** adult

Escape by Carolyn Jessop with Laura Palmer

An interesting autobiography about growing up and living in the polygamous FLDS community of Colorado City. Amazing what goes on in your own backyard that you aren't aware of. Education is vitally important. Take away education and it is easier to take away free will.

Caution: sexuality and domestic violence

**** adult

Girlwood by Claire Dean

Sometimes you have to create your own magic. This is a book about Girl Empowerment. How to find the beauty when all possible things go wrong.

Caution: drug use, sexuality

*** middle school and up