School's Out !

We have fast approached the hallowed part of any childs life...the last day of school. For you parents it means entertaining them, for the kids it means freedom. Family vacations, trips to National wonders and amusement parks are I'm sure in order. But how can you keep them entertained in the meantime? Well, I love to read, and I'm frequently asked for ideas on books or authors. I went to the local library and stole a handfull of their free brochures, and this blog is for your kids. I thought I would leave you with some ideas on books they may (or may not) enjoy reading.

The most recent popular series of books have been hands down, the Twilight series. I read them, and they are not half bad. I know most of you have read them, salivate at the prospects of being one with Edward, and are dancing in one spot even now waiting the next movie release. Well, these books are along that same genre. These books contain vampires, werewolves, and other paranormal beings. They come highly recommended by the Salt Lake County Library ( I know, whoop-de-doo).

Thirsty by M.T. Anderson...A teen struggling to be normal finds himself turning into a vampire

Shattered Mirror by Amelia Atwater-Rhodes...A 17 year old girl, descending from a long line of vampire-hunting witches pursues an ancient bloodsucker.

Bloodline by Kate Cary...A 19 year old returning from WWI is haunted by dreams...and not those from the war.

Blue Bloods by Melissa De La Cruz... A 15 year old girl finds herself craving raw meat..a death at the school proves vampires may indeed exist.

The Historian by Elizabeth Kostova... The story of a young woman who finds she may be a direct descendant of Vlad the Imapler.

Werewolf Rising by R.L. LaFever... A 13 year old boy learns he is a werewolf and is being hunted by fanatics bent on his demise.

Vampire High by Douglass Rees... Cody finds his new school is stranger than any he has known..including his new friend, a wolf that shows him around.

Those are just a few of the titles listed. There are in fact many more. I have a complete list, or you may pop into your local library for one. Next though I thought I would throw out some more books. The following list is all teen romance (yuck).

Summer Boys by Hailey Abbott... Three cousins look for romance and hot guys while vacationing in Maine.

24 girls in 7 days by Alex Bradley... Dozens (at least two anyway) respond to an ad for a prom date.

Angus, thongs and full-frontal snogging by Louise Rennison...a teenage version of the popular Bridget Jones.

A Countess Below Stairs by Eva Ibbotson...Anna flees England to escape the Russians, hiding her aristocratic background, she falls for her employer.

Once Upon a Marigold by Jean Ferris...a young man, raised by a troll, meets an unhappy princess and foils the Kings dastardly plot.

Boy Proof by Cecil Castalucci...Victoria hides behind the identities of movie characters until a new boy shows her there is more to life than movies.

Now finally, we come to some serious reading. These books are all historical in nature.

Tiger, Tiger by Lynn Reid Banks... Two tiger cubs are taken to Rome. One fights in the Coliseum while the other becomes a pet for the Emperor's daughter.

Blood Red Horse by K.M. Grant... Will and his horse answer the call of King Richard to go on a Crusade.

Mary, Bloody Mary by Carolyn Meyer... A look into the life of Mary Tudor's troubled childhood as daughter of King Henry VIII

Surprising Cecilia by Susan and Denise Gonzales...Set in the Great Depression, Cecilia finds high school in New Mexico much to her liking.

Code Talker by Joseph Bruchac... During World War II, Ned joins the army as a Navajo code talker..this book was made into a movie called Wind Talkers.

Well, that gives you some ideas anway. There are a few different genres, and some good reads listed. I have read some of these myself, and I wouldn't put them here if I didn't think them worthy. I hope your kids enjoy their well earned break, and I hope they don't drive you to the madhouse. Mark Twain once said "A man who does not read good books holds no advantage over the man who cannot read". I agree with that, and my wish is to see more young people picking up books and putting down the video controllers and the cell phones. Thank you again for reading, and try and keep your sanity...even if it means cleaning dog hair off a boat. Until next time....

Brandon