Tanglewreck

By Jeannette Winterson
Rating: 4 stars
Reviewed by Noelle

For a story all about Time, this book doesn't waste any. In our world (it seems to be present day), a phenomenom is happening. We have created a rift in Time, and things called Time Tornadoes have appeared, which whisk things away from our time or into our time from other periods and places. Silver is an 11 year old girl living with her selfish, unfriendly aunt in Tanglewreck, the ancestral home that is 500 years old. Her parents and sister disappeared in a Time Tornado a year ago while on a journey to London with something called the Timekeeper. Now, an evil man named Abel Darkwater wants the Timekeeper, and he thinks Silver knows where it is. She doesn't, but with the help of some people called the Throwbacks who live underground, Silver finds that she is part of a prophecy about the destiny of Time and the clock called the Timekeeper, and she must go on a quest to find it. Silver's quest will take her backwards and forwards through Time, where she must outwit Abel Darkwater and the mysterious Regalia Mason to fulfill the destiny of the Timekeeper. This book is full of mysterious happenings, fascinating ideas about time, and a nonstop plot which will keep readers glued to its pages. It is a big bite of science fiction, but it is worth it just to think about all the possible realities existing at the same time...until you make a decision, like reading this book! Although a few strands of plot are left hanging, readers will be satisfied with the conclusion and wondering if another piece of the story is waiting in the future.

Spacer and Rat

By Margaret Bechard
Rating: 4 stars
Reviewed by Noelle

If you enjoy scifi and a fast-paced tale, you will want to sink your teeth into this story! Jack is a "spacer"--someone who has spent his entire life out in space; in his case, the space station Freedom. He's been apprenticed to a pub and finally his dream of getting off the station and to a new assignment in a different section of the universe has been granted. Six weeks, and he is off into the Black. Complications set in when he first meets a "rat"--the term for a kid who has been ditched at the station by his or her parents. Rats are from Earth, which is in a decline. This rat's name is Kit, and she's toting a 'bot (robot) that her father managed to make self-aware before his death--a practice that is strictly forbidden. However, certain people know about Waldo the bot's existence and are willing to go to great lengths to get ahold of him. Jack finds himself drawn into the drama of trying to help get Kit and Waldo to their intended destination safely. The action is nonstop and it is exciting stuff. Jack also finds his beliefs challenged as he deals with Kit and Waldo, and his character growth is refreshing and believable. The story is littered with references to science fiction stories and authors: a ship named Ursula K LeGuin, a restaurant called the Douglas Adams Eatery. It adds to the fun for those who are scifi afficianados. Overall, an entertaining read that is difficult to put down!

House of Stairs

By William Sleator
Rating: 4 stars
Reviewed by Noelle

Sometime in the future, 5 orphans from 5 different places are blindfolded and inexplicably left in a giant building full of nothing but white staircases and a few random landings. The stairs lead up to nowhere and down to nowhere. Slowly, the five 16 year olds find each other. Lola, Peter, Oliver, Blossom and Abigail are all mystified as to why they are in this place with no food and no way out. But then a machine dispenses food pellets when Blossom sticks her tongue out at it and soon the machine is conditioning all of them in an elaborate sort of dance which if they perform correctly, will result in food. But then the machine begins to want more from them than just dancing. Only Lola and Peter realize that they are going to have to resist the horrible things the machine wants them to do...but are they ready to starve to do it? This book is a real page turner, filled with psychological twists and turns and five very different characters. Readers will want to finish this book in one sitting and may be surprised at the ending. A classic mix of science fiction and psychological thriller.

Infernal Devices

By Philip Reeve
Rating: 4 stars
Reviewed by Noelle

This is book 3 in the projected 4 book series, The Hungry City Chronicles. You will definitely want to read the first 2 books in the series, Mortal Engines and Predator's Gold to understand the full storyline and backgrounds of the main characters who reappear for this third installment. In the future, there was a 60 Minute War that devastated the earth. Many remaining cities became towering moving machines, running on wheels. Bigger cities chase and "eat" smaller ones--consuming their resources and people for their own gain. Some cities are anti-tractionist--normal, land-locked places as we know them now. A war has been raging the past 14 years--the Green Storm versus the Anti-Tractionists--trying to dominate the planet. Our heroes, Hester Shaw and Tom Natsworthy, are married with a 15 year old daughter named Wren, living in land-locked Anchorage-in-Vineland, retired and recovering from their many adventures. Wren lives a sheltered life and is eager for adventure. When some Lost Boys (underwater burglars) appear, looking for someone to help them steal something called the Tin Book, Wren is easily pulled in as an accomplice. But things go wrong, and Wren ends up a captive. Tom and Hester embark on a mission to find and rescue Wren. The journeys of all three will include the floating city of Brighton, the demise of the Lost Boys, a tangle with the Green Storm, and the return of some long gone enemies--Pennyroyal and Stalker Grike, to name but two. Secrets will be revealed, new friendships made and betrayed, and fate will take a hand. The story is involving, bleak, terrible, wonderful and visionary. Anyone who loves a great, detailed, in depth story in an incredible future world will want to pick up this series. Thumbs up!

The Giver

By Lois Lowry
1994 Newbery Award Winner
Rating: 5 stars
Reviewed by Noelle

Jonah's world is perfect. Noone ever goes hungry. Everyone obeys the rules. Every family has 2 children, one boy and one girl. But Jonah is worried. Once a child turns the age of 12, the Elders decide what profession they are going to be apprenticed into. It is the biggest ceremony of his life, and Jonah isn't sure what job will be selected for him and if he will like the Elders' decision. Then Jonah is chosen to be the next Receiver of the Memories; the person who will hold the memories and history of the people so others will not be burdened by the weight of that knowledge. The Giver is the one who holds the memories now and will be "giving" them to Jonah. Jonah is hesitant about his new role, but as he becomes involved with the Giver, he begins to see that the world he has always known isn't quite as perfect as he thought. And then Jonah realizes he might have to risk everything to change it. This is a fascinating story about creating a perfect world and what we might have to give up to live there and whether or not it would be worthwhile. Readers will be drawn into Jonah's life and may even be shocked at his decisions by the story's end. An all-around great story that will set you to thinking. The Giver has two companion novels you might also like to read, Gathering Blue and Messenger.

Enchantress From the Stars

By Sylvia Engdahl
Newbery Honor Award
Rating: 5 stars
Reviewed by Noelle

Georyn is a woodcutter's son who yearns for wisdom. He sets out with his brothers to try and slay a dragon that has been terrorizing the other side of the Enchanted Forest. If they succeed in this quest from which no one has yet returned, the brothers will receive whatever they desire from the king. But enroute to the dragon, they come upon an Enchantress who they instantly recognize as being from another world. The Enchantress keeps Georyn and his brother Terwyn to teach them how to defeat the dragon. What Georyn doesn't know is this dragon is just a machine, brought to his planet by the Empire, a more advanced race that is looking to colonize Andrecia and dispose of the "natives" on the planet. He also doesn't know that the Enchantress whom he begins to adore is a member of an even more advanced race who are there on Andrecia as field agents, attempting to stop the Empire from taking over an inhabited planet. Elana is just learning to become an agent, but she knows that they cannot directly intervene with these "Youngling" races--they must try to give the Andrecians something that will cause the Empire to back off. But as she trains Georyn and his brother in the method they think might work, Elana finds herself drawn to Georyn more and more. When Georyn is finally ready to face the "dragon," Elana disobeys orders and goes with him. Her choice will lead to disaster for herself and for the quest...or does it? Fans of any of the Star Trek television series will find much to like here, as will anyone who enjoys science fiction, fantasy and moral dilemmas. For however advanced our societies may get, magic and miracles may still exist. A fantastic story that mixes the viewpoints of three characters and makes the reader really think about what we are doing on our own world, nevermind what we could do in outer space. Readers will never guess how it will all end!

Aliens Ate My Homework

By Bruce Coville
Rating: 4 stars
Reviewed by Karen

Rod Allbright is working on his Science Fair project - a papier mache volcano - when a minature spaceship crashes through his window and lands right in his vat of papier mache! Inside is a crew of aliens searching for the intergalactic criminal, BKR, charged with the crime of cruelty. Reluctantly, Rod is deputized and becomes part of their team searching for BKR who happens to be Rod's archenemy and school bully, Billy Becker. Their secret mission to bring BKR to justice turns into a series of hilarious adventures with ray guns, androids, rocket packs and wacky aliens. Plenty of humor and action keep the story moving. Kids will also enjoy the illustrations.