Bomb: The Race to Build and Steal the World's Most Dangerous Weapon by Steve Sheinkin

Scientists are brilliant. They are geniuses. The scientists who mess around with atoms and radioactive material are also risk takers. Bomb: The Race to Build and Steal the World's Most Dangerous Weapon by Steve Sheinkin is a thriller and based entirely on fact. It is the story of the atomic bomb.

Considering that the world still lives under the threat of an atomic bomb in the hands of terrorist nations, you'll find it amazing that it was in 1938 Germany, that scientists happened upon the discovery that a Uranium atom would split in two when placed near radioactive material. That brilliant German scientist knew his discovery had international implications - for good or evil.

The events unfold with all the intrigue of a James Bond, Agent 007, spy thriller as World War II was beginning. In the United States, a team of the best minds across multiple disciplines of science were assembled to secretly develop an atomic bomb. They gathered in a quickly assembled laboratory in Los Alamos, New Mexico. They were acutely aware that the bomb they created could be used against our enemies. There were also keenly concerned that those same enemies could be developing a similar bomb.

The author, Sheinkin, does a masterful job writing this book so it is easily understood yet full of intrigue. It's worth noting that Bomb: The Race to Build and Steal the World's Most Dangerous Weapon has won him several awards including the coveted 2013 YALSA Award for Excellence in Non-fiction for Young Adults. Kudos to Steve Sheinkin!

Reviewed by Mrs. Boehm

Num8ers by Rachel Ward

Psychic Powers - Terrorism - Misfits - Fugitives - Romance - Gritty - Foster Child - Riveting - Thriller: All elements to be found in Num8ers by Rachel Ward.

Jem and Spider, are fifteen year old classmates who become friends because they each need a friend. They are both on the fringe in their school, not easily liked by others. Although Jem has kept her psychic power to herself, she is withdrawn from making connections to people because when she looks them in the eye, she sees a date. 12152010 - 3242034 - 6122051. Can you tell what these number combinations are? Look closely for a pattern. They are dates - the date in which the person she is looking at will die. Yes, Jem knows the date of death for everyone she meets. What a burden! Even as she connects with Spider and their friendship becomes a relationship, she knows the exact date that he will die.

While in London, the story's setting, Jem and Spider visit London's Eye Ferris wheel. She notices that several people in the crowd have the same date of death - that day. She tries to make sense of that when suddenly she knows that she and Spider must leave immediately. Within moments, a terrorist attack happens and people are killed. Security cameras reveal two teens fleeing the scene just before the explosion so the police are hot on their trail. Jem and Spider's adventure begins as they avoid capture by the police heading into the countryside. With little food, no shelter, stolen cars, and a wad of cash Spider has stolen, the pair plan their new life.

The thrills will keep you on the edge of your seat. The love will warm your heart. The ending will surprise you. This is a 5 star read so find a copy and enjoy!

Reviewed by Mrs. Boehm

The Interrogation of Gabriel James by Charlie Price

You can feel the tension, cut it with a knife. Gabriel James is in a police interrogation room being questioned. For what? He's not sure. Or maybe he does know. All he knows at that moment, is that he'll tell the truth. The officers tell him he's not a suspect, just a witness. Can he trust them? If he slips up and misstates what he saw, will they consider him a suspect? The Interrogation of Gabriel James by Charlie Price is a mystery thriller that will keep you reading.

Charlie Price, the author, delivers this story by alternating Gabriel's questioning with flashbacks to the crime. He reveals the details slowly which adds to the suspense. Two teens are dead, there have been drug deals going down, and hate crimes toward a new student. Are these events related? Do they lead to the ultimate killing? Even Gabriel is trying to make sense of it; to fit the pieces of the puzzle together.

This fast paced, suspenseful story will hook the mystery readers out there. Find a copy at your library soon.

Reviewed by Mrs. Boehm

Miles From Ordinary by Carol Lynch Williams

You've got that right! The title speaks volumes. Miles From Ordinary by Carol Lynch Williams reveals a home life that truly IS NOT ordinary. Young Lacey, 13 years old, is trying to keep the life she shares with her Momma together. At her young age, she can barely cope with the troubles her Momma encounters.

From the first page you will feel like you are peeking into a place you have no business knowing. This is a suspenseful story that will keep you on the edge of your seat. You'll feel sorry for Lacey and her teasing at school, lack of friends, and missing her Aunt Linda. You'll cheer her on as she finds a way out of this life and her dreams that Momma can hold down a simple job at a Winn-Dixie grocery store. When a nice looking young man from her school and neighborhood befriends her, you'll know how important his friendship can be to her survival. You'll be swept along with this story trying to make sense of Momma, Lacey, and Aunt Linda's situation.

Lacey loves her mentally ill mother yet resents her, too. She's angry at her Aunt Linda for moving away leaving Lacey alone with Momma. She's desperate to have an ordinary life with friends she can bring into their home and a job she can enjoy. All of this will unfold slowly and darkly as you peek into Lacey's life.

Reviewed by Mrs. Boehm

Identical by Ellen Hopkins

Would you like to judge a book by its cover? This would be a good one. Identical by Ellen Hopkins has a cover image that represents the story in an interesting way. Interspersed throughout the book are pages that are reflective like this cover. On the left hand page are a few select words set apart from the verse on the page. On its opposite right hand page the same words appear in reflection. Each page is the voice of one sister then the other and they are twins. Twins with a sad, serious secret. I imagine the cover image as secretive as well. The reflection of IDENTICAL fades away secretly. Now, let me tell you about the twin sisters.

Raeanne and Kaeleigh are high school identical twin sisters each very much different from the other. Their parents are aloof and high-achieving adults. One, their mother, a candidate for the United States Congress and their father a judge. Their mother is so very busy working on her campaign that they rarely see her. We learn early in the story that their family began to crumble the night of an auto accident. All are in denial, all blame the others, all have serious issues, and all share deep secrets. However, even our author Ellen Hopkins keeps a secret from us, her readers. She craftily writes of Raeanne and Kaeleigh using their voices to tell the story - first one, then the other. Ms. Hopkins keeps a secret about the accident that would explain many of the family problems clearly. She lets Kaeleigh eventually tell us the truth and all secrets are revealed, even some long held by Grandma. This is a gripping story with many chilling scenes. You will be surprised when Kaeleigh shares the ultimate secret.

Reviewed by Mrs. Boehm

Breathe My Name by R. A. Nelson

Hey! How is your summer reading going? I've had trouble finding a great book to sink my teeth into, until now. I've had many books home from the library that I'd start but just couldn't finish. I've been reading other things - e-newsletters, blogs, professional journals, magazines, newspapers, and my RSS feed articles. Listening to talk radio and podcasts. Watching TV - love The Closer starring Kyra Sedgwick on TNT! That's not a surprise who know how much I enjoy reading mystery detective stories with a woman as the main character. I'm learning and enjoying many things but the right book had not come along. Until...

Breathe My Name by R. A. Nelson. We first meet Shine as she plays in Fireless with her sisters Tan, Ninny and their Momma. Momma is teaching them about spiders and fear. Momma's eyes - they can be scary too. Baby sister Suddle is fast asleep. Eleven years later Shine realizes her Momma as a spider lurking during the night. We soon learn that Shine is actually Frances, an 18 year old girl with a very troubled past and frequent nightmares. You will be drawn into the suspence of this story as well as the tenderness with her boyfriend, Nix, and loving adoptive parents. Frances must reach back into her past in order to move forward with her life. You see, she is the only surviving child of a tragedy - Momma had smothered her three younger sisters in a fit of madness! This book was difficult to put down. The chapters alternate between Shine's story and Frances' reality. You'll wonder what ever happened that tragic day and where Momma and Daddy are now.

If you've read a good book this summer, please share it with me. Write a review and I'll post it on our BHS Reads blog. Let's keep reading!

Reveiwed by Mrs. Boehm