Fullmetal Alchemist by Hiromu Arakawa

Edward and Alphonse Elric are alchemists that made the mistake of breaking one of alchemy's biggest laws: resurrecting the dead. As a result they are stuck in half-human bodies of metal. They are searching for the philosopher's stone in hopes that it will help them regain their original bodies. In their search, they stop in a town that is under the power of a corrupt religious official. The townspeople believe that he can perform miracles but the alchemists quickly discover that his "miraculous powers" are nothing more than alchemy. The religious leader has a ring that appears to be the philosopher's stone, but when the brothers reveal him as a fraud to the townspeople the ring breaks in the scuffle and it becomes obvious that the stone is a fake.

Along they travel, and the brothers find themselves in a mining town were another corrupt official is taxing people to the point where they don't have enough food to eat and can hardly afford their homes and businesses. Using alchemy the brothers trick the official into trading the deeds over for huge sums of gold. The alchemists make a deal to trade the deeds over to the townspeople before the corrupt official notices that the gold has changed back into rock.

The alchemists then find themselves on a train being held hostage and they use alchemy and their quick wit to outsmart the gunmen and take control of the train.

This series contains violent action and some inappropriate language. It is intended to be read by teens 8th grade and up. Due to the scenes of intense action this title appeals mainly to boys.

Genre: Fantasy/Manga

Arakawa, H. (2002). Fullmetal alchemist. San Francisco, CA: Viz.

Strega Nona by Tomie dePaola

Strega Nona, which means "Grandma Witch" is a little old lady with the magic touch. All the townspeople come to see her to cure their problem whether they be a headache or lack of a husband.

Being that Strega Nina is pretty old she posts a sign in the town square asking for someone to help her out around her house. Big Anthony answers the ad and she asks him to keep the house, tend the garden, feed and milk the goat and fetch water for which she will pay three coins and provide a place to sleep and food to eat. She also warns him to never touch her pasta pot. Everything seems to be working out just fine until Big Anthony witnesses the magic of the pasta pot.

Big Anthony overhears Strega Nona singing a song to make the pasta pot bubble up with pasta and then she sings another song to make it stop. She also blows three kisses, but Big Anthony didn't see this for he had already run toward town to tell the townsfolk. Of course, nobody in town believes him so when Strega Nona leaves to call on a friend of hers Big Anthony sings the sings the song to the magic pot and it bubbles to life full of delicious pasta. Big Anthony invites all of the townsfolk and they all feast until they have their fill and then Big Anthony sings the song to make the pasta stop, only he didn't blow three kisses and the pasta just keeps flowing!

The pasta fills Strega Nona's house and cascades down the hills heading for town. The towsnfolk rush to build barracades to protect themselves from the pasta, but luckily Strega Nona arrives back in town just in time. She delivers the solution and punishment for Big Anthony: he must eat all of the pasta!

This is a perfect tale for storytime!

Genre: Folktale/Fairy Tale/Picture Book

dePaola, T. (1975). Strega nona. New York: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers.

Wish (story and art by Clamp; translator Ray Yashimoto) English translation by Jamie S. Rich

Wish is the story of good versus evil that plays out on Earth. One night Dr. Shuichiro Kudo rescues angel Kohaku from a crow sent from the devil. So begins the debt of gratitude that Kohaku must repay. The problem lies in the fact that the dreamy doctor has no need for wishes because he has everything he needs. Kohaku sticks around and tries to help Shuichiro out around the house but she messes things up more than she helps. She may be an angel, but she's a clumsy one.

In confidence one night Kohaku reveals that she is also on Earth looking for one of the angel masters from Heaven, a woman who is also her mentor and is very dear to her. Time is running out to find her as there are strict rules about how long angels can remain on Earth. Meanwhile, beings from the underworld are conspiring against the angels.

Madam Hisui, the master angel, turns up while Kohaku and Koryu, a being from the underworld are about to battle and announces that she can no longer return to heaven because she has fallen for the son of Satan and the pair have consummated their affair. Book 1 ends with kind Dr. Kudo offering to house the lovers so that God will not be aware of the love affair.

This book contains some inappropriate language and sexual innuendos. It is intended for teen readers 8th grade and up. Although it is thoroughly entertaining this particular title appeals mainly to teen girls.

Genre: Fantasy/Manga

Rich, J. S. (2002). Wish. Los Angeles, CA: Tokyopop.

My Dog May Be a Genius by Jack Prelutsky, illustrated by James Stevenson

Jack Prelutsky is the nation's first Children's Poet Laureate and has written more than 50 books that contain verse and wordplay. Kids who enjoy Shel Silverstein and/or Roald Dahl will love Prelutsky's poems that rhyme and are accompanied with illustrations.

Reluctant readers should enjoy the nonsense of these poems and independent reades will welcome this step up from Mother Goose rhymes. Topics in this book include animals (both real and mythical), grumpy characters, silly situations, food, homework, hobbies, seasons, the library, family members, ect.

This book contains an index to titles and an index to first lines to aid readers in finding poems. A list of selected titles by Prelutsky can also be found at the back of this book. This book would work well in storytime or in programming. I recommend "Sandwich Stan," it's both funny and inventive!

Genre: Nonfiction

Prelutsky, J. (2008). My dog may be a genius. New York: Greenwillow Books.

My Dog

Venom by Marilyn Singer

A look at venom in all its different carriers! This book includes spiders, insects, snakes, frogs and toads, birds, marine animals, worms, jellyfish, ect. Vivid pictures accompany informative text that outlines how to avoid getting hurt by any dose of venom and what to do if you accidentally get bitten or stung. Many pages feature fun quizzes in the margins to test your knowledge about these creatures. A bibliography as well as a webliography are contained at the back of this book. A large glossary defines terminology found throughout the text. This book can be read like a magazine, either for its sections that interest you or from cover to cover. A great resource for homework or personal interest. 4th graders and up will enjoy this book for its information and pictures.

Genre: Nonfiction

Singer, M. (2007). Venom. Plain City, OH: Darby Creek Publishing.

The Agony of Alice by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor

Alice McKinley is in 6th grade and lives with her older brother Lester who is in college and her father who manages a music store. Alice fears she is growing backward because she never fails to embarrass herself. She sets her hopes on becoming Miss Cole's adopted daughter because she's sure that with a mother figure in her life she'd start growing forward instead of backward. Alice doesn't end up in Miss Cole's class though, she ends up in Mrs. Plotkin's class. Readers journey through Alice's school year as she shops for jeans and ends up opening the wrong fitting room door only to find a boy in his underpants to the Halloween parade where she plays the part of the horse's rear to Patrick to her first train ride. Through it all she confides in her journal and comes to confide in Mrs. Plotkin as well, finding the mother she wanted in an unlikely place.

Genre: Realistic Fiction-Controversial

Naylor, P. R. (1985). The agony of Alice. New York: Atheneum.