The Trials of Apollo by Rick Riordan

I found this book on my local Target shelf and almost lost my mind. The same reaction that my husbands middle school students had when he mentioned that a new Riordan book was out. Somehow this gem escaped the notice of many fans. A fact that Hyperion books should definitely be called out on the carpet for.

Riordan returns to a fast pace of action and teen confusion in this story with a twist. Focused this time on the gods perspective, readers get an insight into Apollo as he is turned into a mortal teenage boy...with acne. Riordan lets us into the thoughts and feelings of the Gods.

Riordan does an excellent job letting us see the pain of the Gods, why they would act arrogantly, and how time can feel differently when 70 years ago feels like only a year or two. He also gets us, and Apollo, thinking about how being a mortal can effect our ability to accomplish tasks with traits such as courage, perseverance, and hope.

Vanishing Act by John Feinstein

While I have never been a fan of sports, a fact that everyone who knows me can believe wholeheartedly, I found this book about the US Tennis Open great! I know nothing about tennis, yet the writing let me learn as I read, letting me into the world of sports while not leaving me completely in the dark. Which is where I typically reside.

This fun mystery is the second in a sports series staring a middle school boy who wants to grow up to be a sports reporter. While adults will need to suspend belief for the idea that two middle schoolers would be interested in print media, let alone know what a newspaper is, children will have no problem getting behind the young writers and their passions. Feinstein writes a great mystery with surprises, interesting characters, and great adventure. Boys and girls will have fun following the male protagonist in his investigation into a missing tennis player.