Benjamin Pratt & the Keepers of the School: We The Children—Book 1

by Andrew Clements

Andrew Clements author of Frindle, A Week in the Woods, and numerous other good books is now writing a series about sixth graders: Benjamin Pratt and his friend Jill Acton. Benjamin arrives at school one morning to find the aging janitor, Mr. Keane, in need of medical help. Before Ben knows it Mr. Keane entrusts him with a gold coin that has an inscription written on both sides—basically it says “. . . Defend It. Duncan Oakes 1783.” The school was built in 1783 and at the present time it has been mysteriously sold and will be replaced by an amusement park. A great deal of money (thirty million dollars) has changed hands and now Ben finds himself the new defender of the school. Ben and his friend Jill are determined to find the truth and save the school. However, the powerful developers are determined to keep this from happening. Ben and Jill will discover how dangerous a little knowledge can be. You can discover more about the Benjamin Pratt & the Keepers of the School series, visit www.keepersoftheschool.com (YA/YAM ages 7-12 for boys or girls)

As the title indicates, this story is about Celeste, art, inspiration, and the meaning of home. The time period is 1821 at Oakley Plantation located a short distance from New Orleans. The story is not only about Celeste and her quest for making a home, but you will get a glimpse into life and time of James John Audubon (1785-1851) and how he went about painting portraits of beautiful birds of North America. The story also includes Audubon’s 13-year-old assistant, Joseph Mason and his relationship with Celeste. This is a very charming and entertaining read. (Young Adult Middle)

This is about Isabel—a shape-shifter. Isabel knows that she exists to protect the king, but for the longest time she cannot remember her past or why she should protect the king. She must survive the dangers of court, learn about her past by learning about her magic legend and keep the young king alive even if it means her own end. I hope you read and enjoy. I found it difficult to put this one down. (Teen, ages 12 and up)

If you have enjoyed fairy stories or ever wanted to be a fairy, this a good book for you. Laurel has been home schooled for the first 10 years of education, when all of a sudden, her parents decided that they would move to a small town and Laurel should attend a public school. The first day of class Laurel meets David, and they become close friends. Shortly thereafter, a bump appears on Laurel’s back. You guessed it, it’s the making of fairy wings. Come enjoy the adventure and learn how Laurel copes with the realization of being a fairy. Enjoy Book 2–Spells! (Teen, Ages 12 and up)

If you are looking for romance and mystery, read The Body Finder.  Violet Ambrose discovered at a very early age that she had a very special talent – she could find dead bodies, at least those that were murdered.  She can sense the echoes that the victim leaves behind and the imprints left on the killer.  During Violet’s junior year, a serial killer is loose in her hometown and she is maybe the only person to stop him.  An intense read.

(Teen, ages 12 and up)

According to the author, “The Dreamer is a work of fiction based on the events of Pablo Neruda’s childhood.”  Pablo Neruda (1904 – 1973) received the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1971 and is considered one of the most widely read poets of the 20th century.

In this story, Neftali Reyes (Pablo Neruda) is a young boy who has a vivid imagination, daydreams, hears voices, and loves to read.  He is easily distracted and can spend hours observing and investigating everything.  This is all well and good unless you have a father that has high aspirations for his young son and is a very no-nonsense man.  The father wants his son to be a doctor or dentist and finds Neftali’s writings and daydreams to be an embarrassment to the family.  Neftali is a very persistent  young boy and lets nothing stand in his way of achieving his goals in spite of being bullied and called stupid.

(Young Adult Middle/Young Adult, ages 9 – 12)

This is the story of Anastasia Romanov, a member of Russia’s last imperial family about to be torn apart by the violence of revolution. When the Bolsheviks take control, Anastasia and her family are exiled to Siberia while their future is being decided by rebels. Through the introduction of Sasha, a young guard, Anastasia quickly falls in love and the story becomes historical fiction. Sasha makes a very interesting version of what might have been.

Interesting historical facts:
1. Young Alexis (the brother) suffered from the hereditary debilitating bleeding disorder known as hemophilia. Alexis is one of the best known cases of this rare blood disorder marked by the lack of blood clotting factors in boys.
2. Even though the royal family had a number of pets, Joy, a spaniel, was the only pet known to survive the tragedy and be taken to England to live out her life.

(Teen, ages 12 and up)

A Mary Quinn Mystery, this is Book One of The Agency trilogy.

Twelve year old orphan Mary Quinn was sentenced to hang for house thieving, but an unusual set of circumstances took her from the gallows to a private school for girls. After five years of hard work at the school, Mary finds herself being invited to join an investigative agency and then from there to being a lady’s companion in a rich merchant’s home in London where everyone has a secret. This one was hard to put down, I look forward to Book Two in the trilogy. (Teen, ages 12 and up)

Berlin, 1932: In many ways Gabriella Schramm lives a charmed, carefree life. She loves her sister, Ulla. She loves her new literature teacher. She loves her family’s summer lake house, next door to Albert Einstein’s. And most of all Gaby loves books.
But soon she begins losing all these things, one by one, as Hitler climbs to power. People Gaby thought she could trust turn out to be Nazis. Many of her friends are fleeing or, worse, being taken away. And there’s something troubling about Ulla’s boyfriend that Gaby can’t quite figure out. As always, she turns to her books for comfort—but now even those are in jeopardy of disappearing. How can Gaby say good-bye to the way of life that she loves?
Newbery Honor winner and master of historical fiction Kathryn Lasky once again brings the past to life with this searing portrait of a nation on the brink of war, seen through the eyes of a thirteen-year-old girl. (Ages 12 and up)

Read about other books by Kathryn Lasky on our blog.