Well, if you noticed my bookshelf, you saw that I was waiting to read 2 new sequels that came out in May. The first was Gregor and the Code of Claw by Suzanne Collins. To read Gregor’s adventures you have to be okay reading about giant rats, bats and cockroaches. It’s not as bad as it sounds. Like many fantasy series right now, the kids are heroic and there are adults out to make life difficult for them. The second sequel was The Titan’s Curse by Rick Riordan. This series (Percy & the Olympians) weaves a lot of Greek mythology into the story.It really makes me reach back to access my seventh and eighth grade knowledge (which is largely gone so I’m glad they explain things in the book.) Again, heroic kids, mean adults. I know several of you read one or both of these books. Tell us what you thought. I think the Gregor book was supposed to be the last one in the series but I bet there could be another one. I think Percy will have more mythical adventures. Would you rather be with Gregor or Percy on an adventure? Why?

We talked about Junie B. Jones earlier but what are your favorite realistic fiction books or series? Remember that realistic fiction doesn’t have any talking animals or magic, and the characters seem as if they could be in our school or neighborhood right now. I have been reading so much fantasy and historical fiction lately that I need some good recommendations for realistic fiction. Two of my all-time favorites are Harriet the Spy (before there was a movie) and A Bridge to Terabithia (again, before the movie). I also enjoyed Frindle by Andrew Clements. What is your favorite?