fell

When Santa Fell To Earth
$6.99
A 2006 U.S. release, When Santa Fell to Earth is a less than traditional tale told in Funkesque style. The Great Christmas Council, consisting of hundreds of Santas, goes bad under the leadership of Gerold Geronimus Goblynch. After turning all but one of the reindeer into salami, the money-hungry, tradition-crushing Goblynch unjustly bars Niklas Goodfellow from working as a Santa.

Niklas (who is the last true Santa), two pint-sized angels, and a drawerful of hilariously grumpy elves, find themselves stranded on Earth when their invisible, marzipan-loving reindeer panics in a storm.

"Terrified, Twinklestar reared up, broke his reins, and bolted down toward Earth. Niklas Goodfellow's reindeerless caravan swayed from side to side like a boat on a churning sea. Then it toppled forward into the swirling clouds, Niklas tumbled out of bed, hitting his head on the leg of a chair, and rolled helter-skelter under a table" (Page 2).

With Goblynch's band of giant, evil Nutcrackers in hot pursuit and the threat of being turned into a chocolate Santa looming large, the clan joins forces with two neighborhood kids to set Christmas right.

The poetic style, dazzling imagery and timeless themes Funke is famous for are certainly present in this book, and exquisite pencil drawings by Paul Howard brilliantly complement the richness of her writing. The main question that weighs in my mind is whether a middle grader will buy into the concept of Santa. If so, this book is sure to please.

It's also important to keep in mind that When Santa Fell to Earth is not part of the Inkheart trilogy. With far less sub-plotting, emotion and conflict, this book is shorter and simpler in every way. That's not to say it's less in anyway. It's simply for the youngest end of the 9 to 12-year old range.

Emma-Jean Lazarus Fell Out of a Tree
$6.99
Emma Jean will not cry, like other middle school girls, "because it's not a logical way to express because one's opposition to the seventh-grade science curriculum." But, she will make you laugh and break your heart as she tries act as a problem solver for her friends, providing what seem to be logical answers to their emotional problems. Always quirky and strangely empathetic, Emma Jean will win over young readers and adults alike.
-- Reviewed by Michelle Delisle

Fire Bringer
$8.99
This is an excellent, full of action book my daughter says. She could read nonstop. Reccommended for all ages. One of the best books.

How Rome Fell: Death of a Superpower
$32.50
So many historians treat history like a cadaver, it's dead, dead, dead. By Dr. Goldsworthy revives the patient and treats us to stories about our past that are relevant, alive and well. I thoroughly enjoyed having his as a guest on my show and I can't wait until his novel comes out! For those of you suffering from historical post-traumatic stress disorder Dr. Goldsworthy's book will cure what ails you. Carpe Diem!