Mogo, The Third Warthog by Donna Jo Napoli

It's time for Mogo, a warthog and his two brothers to go out into the world and find a house of their own. Sound familiar? This time the folk tale takes place in the savanna with three warthogs, Mathani and Kebiro and Mogo who have been pushed out by their mother to make room for new piglets set to arrive soon. Mogo, the runt and is brothers who taunt and tease him soon find out that their world centers around mere survival. His brothers don't always want to take his advice but it is his quick yet cautious thinking that keeps him alive. The big bad wolf comes in the form of wild dogs, cheetahs, and lions. Mogo must also deal with his mother not wanting him around anymore, loneliness and being afraid much of the time. To make life more bearable, Mogo befriends a baboon and giraffes as he strives to overcome each conundrum (his favorite word). The reader can learn a great deal about the animals as the story is laden with facts about the animals of the savanna.

Audience: 3-6th graders

Comments: This story was like an episode of Animal Kingdom with The Three Little Pigs folk tale thrown in to make it a story. The verdict is still not in as to whether the facts overshadow the story. Children who won't mind a fact heavy story that does not forgo the harsh realities of living in the savanna will like this book.

The Crossroads by Chris Grabenstein

There is a flashing red light at the intersection of County Route 13 which crosses Connecticut State Highway 31. And at one corner stands a gigantic oak tree. Years ago a tragic accident killing 41 people occurred involving a greyhound bus, a police officer, and a speeding Thunderbird. The Thunderbird crashed into the oak and for years it has harbored the spirit of Clint Eberhaut. When lightning strikes and splits the tree, it releases Clint's evil spirit. He begins to go about town taking care of some unfinished business. Zach, age 11, is part of that business as Clint plans to kill him because Zach's grandfather the sheriff at the time accidentally killed his son. Zach, his father, and stepmother Judy move into a new house in which the oak can be seen from their backyard. As Zach and family encounter people and ghosts in the town and at the crossroads, we learn how their lives are all intertwined in the mystery behind the tragic accident. Short chapters with lots of action and an interesting friendship with a neighbor boy named Davy help move this ghostly story along.

Ages: 11 and up

Comments: At first I had trouble keeping the characters straight as far as their relation to each other and whether or not they were a ghost. This ghost story is somewhat dark with adult situations. Recommend this one to older juniors and teens.

BONECHILLER by graham mcnamee

Summary: Danny and his father constantly move to escape the pain and loss after the death of a mother and wife. His father takes a job managing cottages in a marina in a small remote town Harvest Cove in Ontario, Canada. When the coldest of winters settle in there, a centuries old nightmare, a ravenous roaming monster comes alive. It taunts its chosen prey until it sucks out their spirit and soul. Danny and friend Howie are its latest victims. Once bitten, you become ill, and it is only a matter of time before you succumb and go to the monster. Danny, Howie, Pike (Howie's brother) and Ash (Danny's love interest) join together to destroy the monster.

Comments: I felt the interactions, reactions, and actions of the individualized teen characters were true even in their unrelenting determination to rid the town of the monster. I had no problem believing in the existence of this monster.

I'm glad the author included some Native American folklore. The stories about Windigos told by Ash's father adds more chill, mystery, and depth to the monster.

Danny has another monster, another nightmare that he must face. He has to come to grips with the death of his mother from a brain tumor. This story hit close to home for me as my mother died from the aftermath of a brain tumor. I got a little teary-eyed at times reading this book. It is nice to see his father heal a bit too.

I will definitely recommend this to horror fans. It is fast-paced, with short chapters, and lots of intense action.

Audience: I would say older teens. SLJ says grades 9 and up.