River Readers

This is an intense story which has very sad parts. I loved listening to it because I caught all kinds things I missed when I read it and things that aren't in the movie. Jim Dale is so amazing to listen to that I am eagerly making my way through the series!

"We are a family on a journey to a place called wonderful" is the motto of Deza Malone's family. Deza is the smartest girl in her class in Gary, Indiana, singled out by teachers for a special path in life. But the Great Depression hit Gary hard, and there are no jobs for black men. When her beloved father leaves to find work, Deza, Mother, and her older brother Jimmie go in search of him, and end up in a Hooverville outside Flint, Michigan.

Having survived a close shave in England, where she was falsely accused of spying for the French, Delilah has set out with her companion Selim for more agreeable adventures in central Asia. But when she stumbles on an artifact that may be a clue about the location of the legendary third pillar of Hercules, Delilah and Selim are drawn back to Europe on an Indiana-Jones-style archeological caper that pits her against a ruthless enemy . . . and forces her to team up with the most unlikely partner of all time: her sworn enemy, Jason Merrick, the man who framed her for espionage!

Binti is a master harmonizer of her people who is on her way to Oomza University on another world. She is the first of her people to leave their land and carries with her the traditions of her home. After first being ostracized for being different from her fellow travelers, she soon makes friends and even starts falling in love with a boy. That all comes to a halt when the ship is attacked by alien terrorists who kill everyone on board except Binti. It seems that the things that set her apart from her fellow travelers are the exact things that save her life. 

To prove herself as a great chef, a young woman sets up a restaurant as the sole human in a city full of monsters.

Ramona was only five years old when Hurricane Katrina changed her life forever.

Daughter of immortals.

Princess Diana longs to prove herself to her legendary warrior sisters. But when the opportunity finally comes, she throws away her chance at glory and breaks Amazon law—risking exile—to save a mortal. Diana will soon learn that she has rescued no ordinary girl, and that with this single brave act, she may have doomed the world.

Daughter of death.

Deacon Locke really wants to go to prom. He's missed all of his other school dances and now he's a senior with only one high school dance left. Unfortunately, Deacon is a bit awkward around girls, even those he's been friends with for a long time. The only girl Deacon considers asking winds up with a date before Deacon gets the chance to ask, so he comes up with what seems like an ideal solution to the problem: invite his grandmother, Jean, to prom. It's perfect; she missed her own prom since her date, Deacon's late grandfather, was en route to serve in Vietnam at the time.

Her story is a phenomenon. Her life is a disaster.

In the real world, Eliza Mirk is shy, weird, and friendless. Online, she’s LadyConstellation, the anonymous creator of the wildly popular webcomic Monstrous Sea. Eliza can’t imagine enjoying the real world as much as she loves the online one, and she has no desire to try.

Scarlett Hart, orphaned daughter of two legendary monster hunters, is determined to carry on in her parents’ footsteps—even if the Royal Academy for the Pursuit and Eradication of Zoological Eccentricities says she’s too young to fight perilous horrors. But whether it's creepy mummies or a horrid hound, Scarlett won’t back down, and with the help of her loyal butler and a lot of monster-mashing gadgets, she’s on the case.

I wasn't familiar with any stories about Cleopatra's children, so this was quite interesting. I can't imagine what Selene went through just trying to survive. It would be bad enough to lose both of your parents to suicide, but to lose your siblings, including a twin, would be almost to bare. I may have to see if I can find any more about her life.

This Delilah Dirk was even better than the last two. I really liked the connections to mythology. Double-crosses and action are rampart and laughter as well. She is a true adventurer!

This was a fun and quick read. I have gotten quite attached to our pirate theme this year and this was a great way to finish. The idea of Hook having a daughter makes me laugh since that would mean some female had to find him attractive! Can't wait to read the second book.

Captain Hook's feisty daughter hits the high seas to avenge her father's death at the jaws of the Neverland crocodile in Heidi Schulz's spirited middle-grade debut.

A year in the life of Sunny. Sunny starts middle school with her best friend. They might not have exactly the same interests anymore but they still get along pretty well. Sunny misses her Gramps who lives in Florida, but gets to talk to him on the phone and he comes to visit once a year. Sunny really misses her brother Dale who has been sent to boarding school. Dale is a troubled kid who hangs out with the wrong crowd. He is mad and the world and Sunny isn't sure how to deal with him. She does make a new friend in her new neighbor who teaches her to twirl flags. 

Malika is a African warrior queen who has united her kingdom. Yet she still has battles to fight. The Ming Dynasty from China has come to Africa to take over. Malika has aligned herself with her neighboring country of Atala and its king Bass, who just happens to be her secret husband. She faces opposition from her counselors, but prevails in battle.