What We’re Reading

Percy Jackson & the Olympians, Book One: The Lightning Thief | Rick Riordan

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Percy Jackson hasn’t had the easiest time of it. No father, evil step-father, loving mother who he’s always parted from, new school every year… Then his math teacher turns into an evil monster, who he kills when his Latin teacher throws him a pen that morphs into a sword, and he really knows something’s different about him.

There’s not a lot more to say, without giving away most of the plot, but let’s just say that the peaceful trip to shore Percy and his mother plan turns anything but, and the ensuing adventure of trying to reach Half-Blood Hill is just the beginning.

Fantasy or adventure fan? You’re sure to fall in love with this series!

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The Order of the Poison Oak | Brent Hartinger

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After the year he’s had, Russel Middlebrook can’t wait for summer. When his best friend brings up the idea of working at a Camp together, this seems even better. No school, and no one, aside from his two best friends, who knows he’s gay.

Of course, the first thing that happens once they arrive at Camp is that Russel gets a major crush on one of the other counselors, and tries desperately to hide it, while secretly hoping he has a chance. The next thing that happens is they find out that the first couple of weeks their visitors will be burn survivors. And for all that they get sensitivity training, Russel still isn’t sure how to handle them.

In the end, some good advice from a fellow counselor saves the day, and he earns the respect of his campers. But loses it again when he fails to stand up for them on a Field Trip. Still–he has a plan.

In the middle of the night, he sneaks out with his kids, takes them into the woods, and embellishes on an earlier story he had told them about Rainbow Crow. Thus is born the Order of the Poison Oak.

All in all, summer doesn’t go exactly how Russel had planned. Including getting away to somewhere where no one would know about him. Apparently, he’s a little more transparent than he’d like. But he learns a lot, about himself and others, and heads back home a little more ready to face another year.

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