2061 Odyssey Three by Arthur C. Clarke

2061 Odyssey Three by Arthur C. Clarke picks up where 2001 A Space Odyssey and 2010 Odyssey Two left off. Arthur C. Clarke continues to explore humanity’s desire to explore and understand the universe around them. The story is divided between two different spaceships. One of the spaceships is called Universe, which attempts to land and explore Halley’s Comet as it crosses through our solar system. The other spaceship, called Galaxy, crash lands on Europa, which revolves around Lucifer, a sun that once used to be the planet Jupiter (the transition of Jupiter to a second sun is the plot for 2010 Odyssey Two). Humankind has been warned by an alien race not to land on Europa. In order to help the crashed ship Galaxy, Universe is dispatched to help. What will happen to the crew of the Galaxy crash landing on an unfriendly and unexplored planet and will spaceship Universe arrive in time to save the crew of the Galaxy? These questions are second to how we, as humans, have a desire to learn and survive despite obstacles that are beyond our control.

Although this is the third novel in the series, the novel is a standalone story. It would help to have read 2001 and 2010 prior to this to understand the references to the alien race, which takes the shape of a Black Monolith and other references to characters. Like many of Arthur C. Clarke’s books, the events are created to provide a backdrop to discuss the important sociological and ethical issues that individuals and mankind as a whole must deal with in order to progress as a society. Clarke includes an accurate account of science in astrophysics and biology. Despite this novel being written in 1987, the science holds up today and is not so much science fiction as science fact now. Overall, a solid read for science fiction.

Reviewed by Mr. Jourden

Fever 1793 by Laurie Halse Anderson

Now that I've finished reading Fever 1793 by Laurie Halse Anderson, I have accomplished my goal. I set a personal goal to read the three books that won Ms. Anderson the 2009 Margaret A. Edwards Award for her lasting contribution to teen writing. The other winning titles were Catalyst and Speak. Fever 1793 is the only one that is a historical fiction.

Set in Philadelphia in 1793, it chronicles the yellow fever epidemic through the eyes of 10 year old Mattie. At the time, Philadelphia was our largest city, a port city, and our nation's capital. Doctors did not know how best to eradicate the deadly sickness, people lived in fear and those who could, fled the city to less populated areas. As I read I was making personal connections to the H1N1 swine flu that is afflicting people now. I learned that this flu pandemic is no where near the seriousness of yellow fever. We also have medical advances and means to quickly educate people that help to control the spread of H1N1.

If you're a fan of history, and if you've never known about the yellow fever epidemic you may enjoy this book. If you're like me and history is not your favorite subject, you'll appreciate how easy it is to learn a bit of U.S. history through the eyes of a young child gravely affected by the yellow fever. Give it a try!

Reviewed by Mrs. Boehm