How to Train Your Dragon by Hiccup Horrendous Haddock III; Translated From the Old Norse by Cressida Cowell

3.5/5

I am no longer a teen librarian. I am now a youth librarian. I still read a lot of YA lit but now I also read many books targeted toward younger children. How to Train Your Dragon is one of those (It's the first book I selected for a new 4-6 grade book club).

Hiccup Horrendous Haddock III is a ten year old member of an ancient viking tribe. To become a warrior, he must train a dragon to do his bidding - no small feat when you are, as Hiccup points out, not a natural hero. Clearly aimed at boys but with just enough appeal to keep girls reading too, the book is filled with clever references, disgusting names, inappropriate bodily functions, gross foods, and poor hygiene. Luckily there is quite a bit of love, cleverness, adventure, loyalty and humor to balance everything out quite nicely.

Hiccup learns that it takes more than muscles to make a hero, yelling is not always the best way to solve a problem - even if you are a viking, and friendship goes a long way. Overall, this is an excellent read for 4th grade plus, especially for male reluctant readers. I should probably add that the Disney movie of the same name veers drastically from this plot but that shouldn't deter anyone from either the book or the film.

If I Stay by Gayle Forman

3.5/5

This was an interesting book told from the point of view of Mia, a teenager who has none of the issues that plague many female characters in YA novels. Her parents are happily married, she loves her little brother and her self esteem is healthy. Her boyfriend's only flaw is that he is successfully following his dream. Her own dreams are about to come true after a stellar cello audition for Juilliard. All of this is a refreshing change from the typical dysfunction found in the genre.

Of course, happiness does not make for a very compelling story. So this book centers around idea of what happens when such a perfect life is shattered. When her family is in a horrific car accident, Mia must decide whether she wants to live or die as a result of her injuries. She narrates both the past and present as she watches doctors attempt to save her life and her friends rally around her hospital bed. Her out-of-body experiences reveal how such an accident has rippling effects on the loved ones left behind. How can Mia possibly choose a life that her parents and beloved baby brother have left? How can she face the uncertainty of death and leave behind the loved ones already overwhelmed with grief? Is the choice really even hers to make? The answers are compelling and believable.