Flying Jenny by Theasa Tuohy

Genre: Adult, Historical Fiction
Source: I purchased a copy

I love historical fiction. One thing that will make me love a book of this genre is when the story has so many details that I read with a pad and pen. I need to look some of this information up to find out if it is truth or just told so well it feels like truth. The story is set during the 1920's.  Women have had the vote for a while. Now they have stepped out  to try to find their place in the world. We find two women stepping into a world that is dominated by me. Jenny is a pilot who loves the freedom of flying for the fun of it. Women have begun to step into the pilot's seat for different types of challenges, endurance and speed challenges as well as stunt flying.  Laura is a reporter in New York. Due to her bohemian background, she has had to find her own way in the world since she was a small child. She meets Jenny while covering a story where a pilot is going to fly under the major bridges in New York City. That is when Laura realizes the pilot is a woman.  There worlds collide in many ways.  I felt more like I was reading a biography than a historical fiction book.  The whole thing was so well written I felt like I was a third character in the book just observing.  I had not heard of this author before. I will definitely look for more by them.  A very interesting book that I would recommend.

Tormented by Susan Clayton-Goldner

Genre:  Adult, Murder, Mystery
Source:  I received a copy to facilitate my review. The opinions expressed here are my own.

This is a murder mystery of the highest caliber.   Father Anthony has been devoted to serving God and his church until he meets Rita Wittier. He tries everything to stay faithful to his vows.  He finally tells Rita how he feels about her. Rita is found dead by her daughter. When police first suggest it was a suicide her daughter is sure it isn’t. She is so sure that she convinces Father Anthony how much her mom loved her and that she would never kill herself.  The problem is Father Anthony is now one of the suspects along with several of Rita's family member. This story is so full of secrets that carry the story along.

Susan Clayton-Goldner has done it once again. She has created a storyline and characters that you really care about. She has put so many twists in it that I didn’t figure it out on my own.  I love when an author keeps me second guessing until the end.  This is the third book I have read by this author.  I highly recommend it as well as her other books. If you are looking for an author who can write and keep you on the edge of your seat then you have found her.

The Peeves by Michael Van Waes

Genre:  Middle Grade, Science Fiction

Source:  I received a copy to facilitate my review. The opinions expressed here are my own.

This is one of the best books I have read this year.  It was such a fun book to read. Steven is a young boy who has panic attacks. His parents have tried just about everything to help him. His parents have divorced and Steven who is nicknamed Slim  is now at a new school. He discovers that the kid who bullied  him at his old school is now at this school.  When this former bully finds something that hits Steven in the back of the head. He has a major panic attack. Both parents are called to the school. They argue about who has to take Steven and his sister. When Steven's former bully flings something  that hits Steven in the back of the head he has a panic attack. Both parents are called to the school. They argue about who has to take Steven and his sister.  They find themselves at their father's job. Their father works in a lab. While waiting for their father, Steven's sister,  managed to steal her father's security card. This leads to the disaster that sets things in motion. They hear his fathers boss talking with a scientist about the new medicine. It hasn't been tested on humans yet.  When Steven accidentally bumps into the scientist spilling the contents of a beaker all over himself, he sets things into motion.  Unfortunately the PVC drug has a nasty side effect Every time Steven sneezes he lets loose a creature he calls a peeve. Now they have learned what it is. No one else can see them. Is the whole town going crazy? Can Steven find a solution before it is too late?  I read this in class one day since we had sustained silent reading. I talked about it to my students the day after I had read it. It has been checked out ever since. The students are standing in line to check it out the day it comes in.  I can't wait to buy a few copies for my students and a copy for my granddaughter. This is a perfect book for those reluctant readers in your class.