Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children
by Ransom Riggs
Review by Rachel Icaza, Librarian, Rincon Valley

Jacob has always been close to his grandfather, a tough-as-nails man who was the only member of his family to have survived the Jewish Holocaust at the time of World War II.  Jacob grew up listening to his grandfather's tales of a wonderful island off the coast of Wales where a group of very peculiar children lived under the care of a wise old bird.  Grandfather's stories are proven true by a group of old photographs depicting a girl who could hover off the ground and a boy invisible until he put on clothes.  When his grandfather is attacked in a violent and mysterious way, Jacob is the one to find his grandfather in his last dying breaths.  The message his grandfather gives him sends Jacob on an adventure to find the Welsh island and the home where Grandfather found peace, friendship, and love after the horrors of war.

Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children is a book unlike any other.  Inspired by amazing vintage photographs (all un-touched by technology), this story kept me guessing until the very end.  I especially enjoyed the voice of the main character, Jacob.  He feels like a real person, with a hilarious sense of humor and the same fears and doubts about himself that many of us feel.  Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children is Ransom Riggs first book of fiction.  I can't wait for more books like this.

The Name of the Star by Maureen Johnson
Review by Rachel, Rincon Valley & Central, Librarian

Rory grew up in Louisiana among some rather eccentric relatives (Cousin Diane reads auras to foretell the future and Uncle Will survived Hurricane Katrina only to keep 8 freezers full of emergency food in his upstairs bedroom).  Rory and her parents are the only "normal" people they know.  That is until Rory finds herself attending a boarding school in London.  The beginning of the school year marks the anniversary of the famous Jack the Ripper killings of 1888.  As Rory tries to adjust to life in England, London is rocked by a series of Ripper-style murders.  Rippermania overtakes modern day London.  The police have few leads and no witnesses, save one – Rory saw the man believed to be the Ripper copycat.  The problem is that no one else saw him.  Why was Rory the only one to see the killer?  And what does he plan to do next?

The Name of the Star is a modern thriller that traces the streets of an ancient city on the trail of an elusive killer.  Maureen Johnson writes an entertaining, edge-of-your-seat caper.  After reading this book, you'll be dying to visit London.  Just be sure to take some of Maureen Johnson's other great books (13 Little Blue Envelopes, Suite Scarlett) with you on the long plane ride.

 Cryer's Cross by Lisa McMann
Review by Tiffany, Librarian, Rincon Valley & Sebastopol

Imagine living in a town so small that all the high schoolers are in the same classroom, all day with the same teacher.  Now imagine being in that town and having one of the girls disappear without a trace.  That's how this story opens.

Kendall, a senior in a small Montana town, didn't know Tiffany Quinn  that well.  But when Tiffany goes missing, Kendall becomes curious.  Kendall, who battles with obsessive compulsive disorder, becomes even more concerned when her best friend, Nico, disappears without a trace, as well.  What is happening to this small little town?  Is she next?

Why I picked it up:  I've heard a lot of buzz about this title, so I was curious about it.  Also, I read Wake, which is written by the same author, and thought it was a good concept.  While I didn't like Wake that well, I thought the author had potential and I wanted to see if this book was better. 

Why I finished it:  I was glued to the pages from start to finish.  It was a gripping story and I had to know what happened to Tiffany and Nico. 

I'd give it to:  Anyone who enjoys suspense.  Fans of Gail Giles will enjoy Cryer's Cross. 

Shift by Jennifer Bradbury
Review by Tiffany, Librarian, Rincon Valley & Sebastopol

Christopher and his best friend, Win, decide to take a bike trip across the country the summer after they graduate high school.  They are on the open road for several weeks when Win disappears.  Christopher is angry and confused but goes home to start his freshman year in college.  He is at college for a couple of weeks when he discovers that Win's parents are so desperate to find him that they send a FBI agent to question Christopher.  Christopher decides its time to find out what happened to Win or his family will pay the consequences for Win's disappearance. 
Why I picked it up:  When it first came out I read several good reviews about it.  One day I found myself without a book and decided to browse the shelves.  I was in a mood for a fast paced, good mystery and that is what I found.
Why I finished it:  The book started off good, right away I wanted to know what happened on the cross-country bike trip and Win.  The chapters switch from past to present, which kept me hooked.
I'd give it to:  Anyone who enjoys a fast paced mystery book, with a little bit of adventure.