Perfect by Natasha Friend

Isabelle has an eating disorder. She eats huge amounts of food and forces herself to throw up. Her mom sends her to a support group, where she encounters the most popular girl in school—Ashley. Isabelle can't believe that perfect Ashley has any problems, but she does. When they become friends it is a dream come true for Isabelle. Unfortunately, the two friends continue their binging and vomiting together. As you read the book you realize that Isabelle does what she does because she is dealing with death and with a family that isn't moving on with life. And you see how Isabelle tries to help herself while Ashley isn't quite at that same point yet. I think girls will really like this book, especially those who like to read books about people with problems. It is definitely not as good as Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson or Cut by Patricia McCormick or Freaky Green Eyes by Joyce Carol Oates, all books with a lot more depth and plot twists, but readers will probably enjoy it.

The Alphabet of Dreams by Susan Fletcher

This book has an unusuall setting for a book written for young people. Mitra and her brother Babak live in Persia more than two thousand years ago. They have been separated from their noble family and have been living as beggars and thieves for two years. When Babak begins having prophetic dreams, Mitra (who lives her life disguised as a boy), decides to sell his dreams to make money. When Babak himself is sold to a Magus named Melchior, they begin a journey that will change their lives. Melchior teams up with two other wise Magi and following Babak's dreams, they head off to find a new king. As you can probably guess, these three men are the Wise Men and they are looking for the baby Jesus. But this isn't really a story about those wise men—it's about Mitra growing up and realizing that she needs to give up her dreams of finding her family and take good care of her brother (whose health is poor). This is a book that really gets you inside the heart and mind of another character, and you want to finish the book because Mitra and her brother are like your own good friends.

Silverfin: Young James Bond Book 1 by Charlie Higson

Fans of Alex Rider don't have all that many good spy books to turn to, so they will definitely want to try this one. Guys at OMS have found it and are asking for it all the time. I thought it started out a little slowly, but picked up speed and ended up having an excellent villain with a suitable evil plan to take over the world. Young James Bond is kind of quiet and insecure, and is bullied at school by George Hellebore and his nasty friends. During the holidays in Scotland James finds himself near the Hellebore estate, where a local boy recently disappeared. James and a friend decide to search for him. What they find is a bizarre lake teeming with huge killer eels, and a dungeon with genetically modified pigs and people, and the evil lord Hellebore who wants to do some experiments on James before he kills him. Several times we think young James will be dead any minute, but he always overcomes the danger. There is already one sequel out called Blood Fever, and more to come. Great for kids who like action and spy books.

Ark Angel by Anthony Horowitz

I don't usually read every book in a series, but I am hooked on the Alex Rider books. Actually I listen to them in my car and I love the British actor who does the reading. And last year I got to take some OMS students to see Anthony Horowitz in person, and he was funny and charming and someone I would love to be friends with. So I read all his books. Ark Angel was much like the other Alex Rider books, but I have to admit I don't think it was as good as Eagle Strike or Scorpia. This time Alex gets involved with eco-terrorists who try to kidnap the son of a billionaire who is building the world's first space hotel. Of course, Alex is almost killed several times before Nikolei Drevin is disposed of. Fans of Alex Rider will have to read this book. I'm not going to tell you what happens at the end, but I'm wondering if anyone else thinks Alex's final mission is a little too far-fetched, even for Alex Rider.

Listening for Lions by Gloria Whelan

This book is about an orphaned girl who grew up in Africa and longs to return to bring back the hospital her missionary parents used to run. Rachel loves Africa—the people, the animals, and the beautiful land. When her parents die of influenza (it is the early 1900s), the scheming Prichard family pretends Rachel is their daughter and sends her to England to butter up their dying grandfather. Rachel, who is sweet and good, wins over the grandfather and manages to get rid of the Prichards. But Rachel still dreams of returning to her beloved hospital in Africa. As you read this book you know that Rachel will succeed, but nevertheless it is fun to read about her journey to adulthood.

Gossamer by Lois Lowry

Lois Lowry has written a few amazing books (Number the Stars and The Giver are my favorites), so I had to read her newest book, Gossamer. This one is different—it's almost like a fable or a fairy tale or maybe a TV Christmas special. It's about dreamgivers, who inhabit human houses and bestow good dreams on people. And it's about the dreamgivers who go bad and bring nightmares. And it's about an abused and troubled boy who acts tough and mean, but is hurting inside and needs protection from the nightmares that come every night. This is a nice book that will make you feel good when you're done. I think kids from fourth grade on up would enjoy this book, especially kids with a little imagination.