River Rats by Caroline Stevermer

Imagine if the world as we know it came to an end. Would you be able to survive?

The River Rats are a group of kids who survived the end of society, the illnesses, the natural disasters. Now they are a family of survivors, traveling the muddy, toxic Mississippi River in an old steamboat. They deliver messages to others up and down the river, and play music when it suits them. Their music fits their world: harsh, acid washed, loud and brash rock. Most of the time, they steer clear of trouble. Until the day a stowaway comes on board. The man was being chased and actually dove into the poisonous river to avoid capture. The Rats took him in, but now they are the ones being chased. The river will become deadly if they can't escape.

Spelldown by Karen Luddy

This was a book that gained, then lost, then gained my attention. I couldn't stay with it straight through, but I was glad that I picked it back up and didn't quit because the ending is very good.
Karlene comes from a family that is struggling to keep it all together. On the surface everything looks good: her mother is always without a hair out of place, her sister has married a up and coming man. But Daddy has started drinking again, and it won't be long before things start to fall apart. But Karlene has great friends to rely on. Her new Latin teacher is encouraging and gives Karlene the support she needs to achieve her dream: to become the national spelling bee champion. There is also love on the way, if Billy Ray can ever figure out how to make the first move.

Favorite Series

One of my favorite series for young adults is Gerald Morris's Squire's Tale series. The series follows knights in King Arthur's court. All of the stories are based on actual Arthurian legends.
The series begins with The Squire's Tale, the story of Terence, who was raised by a hermit in the forest until one day a knight, Gawain, appears in the forest. The two seem predestined to travel together to Camelot. From there, they set off on a quest which allows Gawain to become The Maiden's Knight and Terence to find out who his parents were.

This is my first time

I am excited about starting a new feature on the KMS Media Center Website, Cinnamon's Booktalk Blog. I will place information about new books that I recommend on this blog. You can also contribute your own reading suggestions. Tell me what you are reading.

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