An interesting look at four presidents, focusing on their relationship with slavery. Due to the nature of the amount of material we have about slavery, I would say the focus is far more on the presidents. I think it is up to you to decide whether that makes this book good, or bad, or changes the way you feel about it at all. I am okay with it. I wish their had been more information, but I recognize the limitations of what we have.

I think one of my favorite things about this book is how Fleming talked about First Nations material. She explained why she used each term, and owns any mistakes. To me, that is the best way you can work with it.

I didn't know much about Buffalo Bill to begin with, and I admit that Western stories aren't always my favorite. I did enjoy this one more than I thought I would. Fleming works to explain what we know to be true about Bill, and what is perhaps myth. I also liked that she laid out his flaws, and his complicated relationships. For me, this one is a winner.

It was okay. I like his Star Wars series much more. I found this one to be confusing at times. I think if it were presented as a series of vignettes, I would have liked it more. Instead, I just found myself sort of wondering what the point was. It was clear he did a lot of research, and I did like that part. I think it may have been a case of the wrong reader for the book.

I really enjoyed this one. All the local kids play at an old abandoned house, which is suddenly bought by a man named Dr. Fell. Gail, Jerry, and Nancy meet him, and notice that he seems a bit sinister. But he builds a fantastic playground that captivates the minds of all of their friends. Soon, kids start getting hurt and disappear into the house, only to return healed and saying "Dr. Fell is a wonderful man." Can the kids figure out what he's up to without him noticing?

I didn't get into it right away, but once the playground appeared, I was hooked. The purple prose may turn off some kids, so it's a little weird in that it has a large vocabulary but is aimed at younger readers. However, the language is almost always translated, so that will help. I really liked it.

Twins are born. Rather than sacrifice one as they are supposed to when a parent is an Other, the girl is kept hidden in the attic. For all anyone knows, she does not exist. Her kind are hunted, called monsters. But when a simple switcharoo causes all kinds of problems, will this Redwing soar?

I enjoyed this one. At times, I found the mythology and the action a bit confusing, but it was nice to read something different (where a volcano factors in heavily.) I'm looking forward to reading other books by Rule.

Pixie Piper is in 5th grade, and although she loves poetry, she's starting to think that maybe it isn't super cool. While at a Renaissance Fair with her family, a woman gives her a fortune about her life saying that she is a "goose girl" and is destined to rhyme. She is not happy with it. Her mother tells her later that night that they are descendants of Mother Goose. Pixie refuses to believe it, but things start happening that make her think it might be true. This book also deals with changing friendships as puberty begins, as well as a slightly mean girl. There is also a toilet museum for slight potty humor.

Quicksilver is 12, and her only companion is her dog, Fox. There is a boy, Sly Boots, who sometimes lets her stay in his attic if it gets too cold. If you're alone, no one can hurt you. But an old lady with a scraggly dog wanders into town, seeming to be a witch, even though the Wolf King has outlawed witchcraft for years. Can Quicksilver let the woman change her life?

I loved this one so much. It has heart, it has complex plots about good and evil and the nature of truth, and what friendship is.

Lucy is the story about a dog, a girl, and a father, and the story lines interweave in a beautiful fashion.

Kyle is running away from the September 11 attacks, knowing his father is running toward them. He sees a girl, covered in ash, on the Brooklyn Bridge, and brings her home. She doesn't remember her name, just bits and pieces about her life. As they live through the days following the attack and taking care of his Uncle Matt, Kyle is smitten further and further. This can't last forever though. What will happen when she remembers who she is?

I have been loving this story, told from both Kyle and the girl's point of view. Each is clearly delineated by a change in font. It's also a good reminder of what New York City was like at that time, and for those who had family in the towers and involved in the clean-up.

This is an adorable piece of magical realism about a girl named Emmaline May, who sees winged horses in the mirrors of Briar Hall, the mansion-turned-hospital where she lives. She has what she calls the "stillwaters" (what we would today call tuberculosis) and lives with other kids that have the same during WWII. There are nuns there trying to keep the children alive and happy, and a one-armed man named Jack who is a caretaker. Em's closest friend is a girl named Anna, who is also the most ill. She lies in bed all the time. One day, Em finds one of the winged horses hiding in the garden and finds a note from the Horse Lord asking her to take care of it.

I think the beauty of this story is that you can choose to read it two different ways--you can give into the magic or stay with the mundane. I really enjoyed it, and think that it's a great story for horse lovers young and old.