Across the Library

Title: Shadow Weaver Author: MarcyKate Connolly Rating: 4 stars This dark tale of friendship, magic, and secrets was enchanting. The main focus is a young girl who can control and speak to shadows. Her parents do not approve of her magic, and soon, she is on the run from those who want to take her magic. She meets new people who her shadow warns her against telling about her secrets, but she finds they have some magic of their own. The story of magic weaves into one of true friendship.  This is the first book in a duology.

Title: The Wizards of Once Author: Cressida Cowell My Rating: 4 stars A wizard boy without magic.  A warrior girl with a secret magical object.  The two meet and fight off witches, thought to have been extinct. Will they save the day and manage to stay out of trouble? Xar and Wish are a pretty cute team up, though Xar can be a little annoying and selfish.  He does have a little bit of character growth by the end, but not much.  Wish is the true star of the team.  She is much more likeable.  The story is told by an unnamed narrator, though he/she tells you it is a character in the book.  My guess is the bird on the cover or the sprite named Squeezjoos,  but I'm still not certain. Overall, this middle grade novel is a fun magical adventure romp and the illustrations add to the exciting tale.

Title:  The Dreadful Tale of Prosper Redding Author:  Alexandra Bracken Cover: I love everything about this cover. I love the colors. I love the fox and his expression. I love the use of font size for certain words in the title. The cover is very appealing to me. Review: This middle-grade novel is about a twelve (almost thirteen) year old boy, Prosper Redding, who doesn't really fit in with with extended family or at school. His family is known for being wealthy, successful, and important. It was one of Proper's distant relative's who founded the town of Redhood, where the family still lives. Just two weeks before his thirteenth birthday, Prosper finds out that his ancestor made a contract with a demon, or fiend, and that that fiend now lives inside of him. This sends Prosper on a path to trying to get rid of the fiend, all while communicating with him and trying not to let the fiend control his body. Nevermind that he has to ignore the fiend's request to make a...