The Cipher by John Ford

This book is like a spider web. It has so many threads woven together to create this fast paced, surprising mystery. Robert Smylie Jr., aka Smiles, is surrounded by math geniuses. His dad runs a company that used data encryption to keep online data safe. His neighbor Ben has found a code that will ruin his father's company. Smiles thinks he can save his dad's company and keep Ben safe but Smiles can't imagine the new secrets that come out to change everything.

Mrs. Cejda's Fall Break Reading EXTRAVAGANZA!!

4 free days!  During our break,  I sat and enjoyed the beauty of fall with these 4 books!  Each one kept me reading so I just finished one after the other.

Tombquest Book 3: Valley of Kings: the adventure continues for Alex, Ren and Luke as they search for Alex's mom and the Book of Lost Spells.  They continue to fight the Death Walkers and this time get to meet the superstar of Egyptian culture...King Tut.  I love this series.  I haven't played the online game, but Michael Northrop does a great job of keeping the story fresh and exciting with each installment.

The Fourteenth Goldfish: this was NOT what I was expecting.  This little story had the unexpected surprise of some science fiction.  11 year old Ellie hates change, that is why her parents kept replacing her goldfish when they died.  She is definitely NOT ready for the change that shows up in the form of a crabby, bossy teenage boy, ESPECIALLY when that boy turns out to be her grandfather!!  This was a very funny, entertaining story.

Courage for Beginners: a while back I blogged about another book by this author called "Sure Signs of Crazy." The mother in that story also had a mental illness.  This story is about Mysti.  Her mother has agoraphobia, fear of leaving the house.  She never goes anywhere. This is usually ok because they have their dad to do the running around, but then dad gets hurt and has been hospitalized.  This is Mysti's story of being stronger then she ever thought possible.

TOOK by Mary Downing Hahn:  OH, MY Goodness, this was suspenseful.  Mary Downing Hahn likes to write Ghost stories and this one definitely didn't disappoint.  Daniel and his family move to rural West Virginia.  The town does not welcome them with open arms.  What is worse is they live in a house where mystery surrounds the 50 year old disappearance of a young girl.  Now Daniel's sister, Erica, is in danger of the same fate.  I love folk tales and urban legends and this story has that same feel.

Dangerous by Shannon Hale

This book was so intriguing.  Maisie Danger Brown is chosen to go to a  NASA-like summer camp.  Little does she know that this camp will change her life forever AND she will be expected to save the world from certain destruction!!  I found this book intriguing because the author keeps you guessing about who really are the "bad guys."  Maisie is never sure who she can trust.

The Fallen by Charlie Higson

I was worried about reading this because it is book #5 in the series.  But that proved not to be a problem.  It takes place seconds after the events in the first book end and is taking place at the same time as events in book #4.  It gives you enough information about both the characters and what is going on for you to enjoy the story.  In this series the world has succumbed to a deadly sickness that turns adults in to cannabalistic zombie like creatures intent on eating the children.  This story focuses on a group of kids that make their way to the Museum of Natural History in London hoping it will be a safe place.  Do NOT read this book if you are not a fan of blood and gore.  There is a lot of that in here.

Broken by C.J. Lyons

The front of this page says it is "an intense page-turner." Boy, are they right about that!  I love medical mysteries and this one was fantastic.  All Scarlet wants is to have a normal high school life. Because of a rare medical condition Scarlet has never been to school.  After much negotiation, her dad and step mother agree to let her try high school for a week.  Poor Scarlet lives through teasing, making friends, loosing friends and delving into her own medical history which holds secrets she couldn't even imagine all in this one week.  FANTASTIC READ.  

Outside In by Sarah Ellis

What an interesting little book.  At first, I didn't know what to make of this book. You jump right into the middle of Lynn's life with her flighty, unreliable mother who has just driven her live in boyfriend away.  It just takes a bit to figure out that that is what is going on, but if you keep reading through the mild confusion you will be well rewarded with a great story about friendship.  Through an odd series of events, Lynn meets Blossom.  Blossom and her "family" live off the grid in an unnamed Canadian city.  I loved the developing story of their friendship and how far a heart felt apology goes in making things right.

The Witch's Guide to Cooking With Children by Keith McGowan

What a cute modern re-telling of Hansel and Gretel. Unlike the original Hansel and Gretel, the witch doesn't just prey on children that get lost in the woods, she depends on parents to bring them to her.  If parents are tired of their whining, misbehaving kids they just bring them to her to eat and problem solved.  Its like Pizza Hut delivery only with children!