Do you need your Harry Potter fix?

There is life after HP7!

Are you still grieving over the end to the Harry Potter series? Don't despair. Great reading options are out there. Check out the following websites for more HP and gang info, AND suggestions for meeting that fantasy reading need.

http://www.bcplonline.org/kidspage/kids_harrypotter.html#ifyoulike

http://harrypotterfanfiction.com/

Don't forget our online database Novelist at http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?authtype=uid&profile=novelist for more information about books like Harry Potter. (Go to the library for passwords.)

Koyal dark, mango sweet

by Kashmira Sheth

The youngest of three sisters, Jeeta lives in the Indian city of Mumbai. Jeeta's mother is as old fashioned and traditional as they come, and has nothing on her mind except arranging suitable marriages for her daughters. Through a new friend at school, Jeeta meets the boy of her dreams, and learns what it might be like to want more for herself than an early marriage to a man she barely knows. Much of this book is about the tension Jeeta feels between the old ways of her parents, and her desire for independence, an education, and a marriage based on love. This book is a fascinating look at the everyday lives of teenagers in another culture.

Review by Mrs. Sams

SHATTERED MIRROR

By Amelia Atwater-Rhodes

Another one of this teenaged author's vampire stories, Shattered Mirror features Sarah Tigress Vida, vampire hunter and youngest daughter of Dominique Vida, matriarch of one of the most powerful families of witches. A witch of power herself, Sarah recognizes two vampires, a brother and sister, in the new school she has just entered, but finds herself strangely attracted to them rather than repulsed. Her growing friendship with the two gets her into trouble with her mother, and when she learns that their third sibling is Nikolas, one of the most dangerous vampires alive, her life becomes even more complicated. Sarah foolishly breaks all the rules of her family by continuing her friendship with vampires and by attempting to confront Nikolas all alone. When her mother disciplines her by suppressing her witch's power, Sarah finds herself nearly helpless when she confronts Nikolas again, but she knows her life is about to change forever and feels she has nothing to lose.

Shattered Mirror is a quick read and a great story for you vampire lovers out there.

Review by Mrs. Sams

Heroes

by Robert Cormier

Francis Cassavant is eighteen years old and has come home from World War II with his face blown off. He fell on a granade to save his comrades, and has received a silver star for bravery. But the last thing Francis feels is brave. And all he wants to do is find and kill Larry LaSalle, an old friend and another silver star recipient. This story examines the true nature of heroism. One man performs an act of bravery for the wrong motivation. The other man performs an act of bravery, but has an ugly secret in his past. Caught in the middle is a girl who has lost her innocence.

This is a great, quick read, hard to put down.

Review by Mrs. Sams

The Kite Runner

by Khaled Hosseini

Afghanistan prior to the Russian invasion was a pleasant country, especially for those of the upper classes. The Kite Runner is the story of Amir, a boy of privilege, and his best friend and servant, Hassan. In a series of flashbacks, Amir tells the story of how he betrayed Hassan, living with the guilt for years. When Russa invades his country, Amir and his father move to the United States and make a new life. Amir marries an Afghan girl "with a past," and soon thereafter, his father dies. Through an old friend, Amir learns that Hassan is dead and that he has a son. In an act of redemption, Amir travels to Afghanistan which has now been overtaken by the Taliban, and searches for his old friend's son.

In terrifying and sometimes brutal scenes, this is a story that cannot be forgotten, and cannot leave a reader unchanged. In light of the current political situation, with thousands of American troops serving in Afghanistan, The Kite Runner is a timely and significant story. Reviewed by Mrs. Sams

Twilight

by Stephenie Meyer

Very ordinary Bella has moved to Forks, Washington to live with her dad. She starts school at the local high school with the usual trepidation, but finds herself fascinated by a group of students who are loners and not like anyone she's ever met before. She is especially attracted to Edward, who is so handsome, he's beautiful, but she can't understand why he seems to be repulsed by her. What did Bella ever do to him? It's not long before Bella learns the truth about Edward and his family, and what she learns drastically changes her life, and Edward's, forever.

What an incredible read! Don't miss this book and its sequal, New Moon.

--review by Mrs. Sams