ANOTHER WORLD

Things change from day to day. But very rarely do they change SO much that you leave the world as you know it and go on an adventure in realms unknown. That's what happens to Arthur Penhaligon in the first book of The Keys to the Kingdom series entitled MISTER MONDAY by Garth Nix. On the brink of death due to asthma attack, Arthur is introduced to a world so strange, dark and weird, he saves himself with a mere curiosity for what might happen next. And a special key he is given by an odd, pale man in a wheelchair. Mister Monday himself! An exciting journey through many layers of other worlds, some dark, dreary caves, or jungles full of dinosaurs, with not a lot of hope. For those too old for Lemony Snicket's books, this is a great series kick-off for grades 6 and up.

WHO IS CESAR CHAVEZ?

HARVESTING HOPE: THE STORY OF CESAR CHAVEZ written by Kathleen Krull and illustrated by Yuyi Morales is a beautifully illustrated, very wordy picture book about the life of Cesar Chavez, starting from when he was a very young boy enjoying life with his family in Arizona. The text does a good job of retelling Chavez’s history, and appeals to audiences of all ages. There are a lot of good vocabulary-building terms, and readers will come away with more than a story of Cesar Chavez's life. The illustrations were given the Pura Belpre honor, and the beautiful artwork incorporates hand-made stamps and computer generated cut-outs. The scenes are realistic and the colors have deep earth tones. Not all picture books are for small children, and this title is perfect for 3rd grade and up.

A SCARY GHOST STORY

If you liked the movies The Others or The Sixth Sense, then this is the book for you. Breathe: A Ghost Story by Cliff McNish.

Jack is still recovering from his most recent asthma attack and the loss of his father when his mother moves them to an old farm house. Jack loves things with a history, just touching them allows him to see glimpses of the past of the previous owners.

But there are also spirits trapped in this house. A malevolent spirit of a dead mother who wants him, a child to love and one who will love her back. She wants a child to replace her dead daughter.

A good scare for readers in 5th grade and older.