Revenge of the Witch: Last Apprentice Series Bk. 1

By Joseph Delaney 
Grades 5+
Thomas, seventh son of a seventh son, is apprenticed to the local Spook, whose job is to fight evil spirits and witches, he expects a life of danger. However, the boy doesn't realize just how soon he'll face a powerful enemy alone, as Mother Malkin escapes her confinement while the Spook is away. Thomas is forced to use his wits, and the help of his enigmatic new friend, Alice, to fight the evil witch. And defeating her is only the start of the boy's problems. 

Delaney's characters are clearly presented and have realistic depth, and Thomas's mother and Alice stand out for their strong words and actions. The protagonist's voice is clear, and his conflicts over his actions ring true.

I was not expecting to like this book but once I started reading it, I didn't want to put it down. I stayed up  to finish the book. This was a fantastic first person horror story that is scary and gory but not too scary and gory. 

A fantastic read.


1.  The Last Apprentice: Revenge of the Witch
2.  Curse of the Bane
3.  Night of the Soul Stealer
4.  Attack of the Fiend
5. Wrath of the Bloodeye
6. Clash of the Demons
7. The Spook's Nightmare (2010)
8. The Spook's Destiny (2011)

Teen Read Week

We're celebrating Teen Read Week right now (Oct. 17 through Oct 23) at all the Warren County Public Library branches, and encouraging teens to "read like a rock star." Anytime this week that you check out a book at one of our branches you will get a rock-star fun band. We will also be giving away some freebies at all of our Wii Guitar Hero Jam sessions this week.

Guitar Hero Jam Sessions:

Main, Oct. 18, 6 p.m.

Graham, Oct. 21, 3:30 p.m.

Kirby, Oct. 22, 3:30 p.m.

39 Clues: Maze of Bones Bk 1

By Rick Riordan
Ages 9+
The story starts when Grace Cahill dies and scatters cryptic clues to a mysterious fortune around the globe. Lead-off hitter Riordan (The Lightning Thief) mixes just the right proportions of suspense, peril and puzzles in a fast-paced read (Riordan mapped the narrative arc for the series, but other high-profile authors have written books in the series). 


Likable orphans Amy and Dan Cahill have moxie (plus Dan can memorize numbers instantly) and frailties (Amy hates crowds). As the siblings compete with less honorable members of the Cahill clan, all distantly related to Benjamin Franklin, to win the fortune by collecting all 39 clues (only two are found in this first book), they learn about their dead parents, each other and world history. 


While waiting for the next book you can go online and play to get more clues and to have more fun: www.the39clues.com.


Here are the books so far!

1. Maze Of Bones (2008) by Rick Riordan
2. One False Note (2008) by Gordon Korman
3. The Sword Thief (2009) by Peter Lerangis
4. Beyond the Grave (2009) by Jude Watson
5. The Black Circle (2009) by Patrick Carman
6. In Too Deep (2009) by Jude Watson
7. The Viper's Nest (2010) by Peter Lerangis
8. The Emperor's Code (2010) by Gordon Korman
9. Storm Warning (2010) by Linda Sue Park
10. Into The Gauntlet (2010) by Margaret Peterson Haddix

(HINT: The books are found on the shelf under JFic Thir for 39 Clues. )

Coraline Four Different Way

by Neil Gaiman

Ages 9+

Coraline is one of those properties that has been excellent in any form that it has been made available to be consumed. Whether it is the original juvenile book, audio book, graphic novel, or movie, all forms of the material have all been well received. It may be because Neil Gaiman's original book is so strong and unique that no matter what medium it is adapted into the story still shines through.

Coraline Jones has just moved into a new flat and cannot wait to explore her new area, but on a rainy day when she is not allowed to play outside she makes a discovery in a little hidden door. With warnings from both neighbors and their pets to stay away from this door, Coraline cannot resist the temptation of a new place to explore. At first the Other World with her Other parents seem great but soon Coraline will realize that their is something dark behind all the perceived sweetness.

Neil Gaiman, using Alice in Wonderland as inspiration, creates a fun and eerie novella that can be enjoyed by child and adult a like. I first read Coraline just shortly after it was released because I had loved Neil Gaiman's comic series Sandman and his other adult novels. When I head a movie was being made by Henry Selik (Nightmare Before Christmas), I went ahead and checked out the graphic novel that was illustrated by P. Craig Russell to brush up on the story and I love graphic novels anyways so I was curious as to how well it was adapted. The graphic novel version is the most realistic visually you will experience the book. Coraline looks older here than in the movie or original illustation of the book cover. Because of the realistic look of the illustrations this version may be the best for teen readers as I also found it to be the most creepy when the Other world starts to lose its solidity.

Gaiman chose himself to read for the audio book, and his voice adds a dark, crisp tone to the retelling. There is some odd and not very good music that plays at times but it is not often enough to ruin the whole experience but I still wish it wasn't there. If you are taking a trip this October this would serve as a fun and seasonal listen.

Coraline was also adapted into a stop-motion film and released in 3D in 2009. The film adaption concentrates more on isolating Coraline and making her feel unwanted in the real world rather than portraying her as a more curious child as they do in the book. They also introduce a young eccentric boy who is a relative of the landlord. They did this so there wouldn't be scenes with Coraline talking to herself. The movie's strongest trait is the gorgeous visuals of Henry Selik and some scenes really pop especially the intricate mouse circus of Mr. Bobo.

The book won the 2003 Hugo Award and Nebulla Award for Best Novella along with the Bram Stoker Award for Best Work for Young Readers. The movie was nominated for Best Animated Feature at the Academy Awards.