A Norwegian spy in WWII

Did you know that during World War II, the Nazis invaded Norway?  It's true, and you'll learn about how some Norwegians reacted to the invasion in Shadow on the Mountain by Margi Preus.  Espen is 14, and life is rough as the Nazis place more and more restrictions on the lives of him and his friends, even taking over their beloved soccer team.  Espen joins the resistance movement: first, delivering illegal newspapers; then, passing messages; and finally, becoming a spy.  Two of his classmates join up with the Nazis, and soon Espen is real danger, trying to escape to Sweden by skiing through the mountains.  Will he make it?   The book includes a helpful map and glossary, and it's based on the real-life adventures of Norwegian Erling Storrusten.  

If you like the Wimpy Kid...

...you probably like books that are funny, and you can't much goofier than NERDS: National Espionage, Rescue, and Defense Society by Michael Buckley.  With code names like Wheezer, Gluestick, and Pufferfish, a group of six 5th graders has been trained as spies, getting "upgrades" to their weaknesses.  Who knew that asthma inhalers and braces could help save the world from the evil Dr. Jigsaw?  The pace is quick, the action is totally absurd, the occasional illustrations are fun, and the reader has to pass several security clearances - but don't worry, your thumbprint, spit, or money will work just fine!  The first in a series that has its own web site (http://www.abramsbooks.com/nerds/), the fifth title is coming out in August.

The action doesn't stop!

I thought the movie was great, and the book was, too: Stormbreaker by Anthony Horowitz. Alex Rider is 14 and learns that the uncle who has been raising him was killed in a car accident because he wasn't wearing his seat belt. Not believing the reason, Alex finds the car and sees that it's filled with bullet holes. He learns that his uncle was actually a spy, and Alex is soon asked to join Britain's MI6 intelligence agency to continue his uncle's mission. He soon discovers a plan that will kill every school child in England...can Alex stop it before it's too late? Trained and given some pretty cool gadgets, Alex is like a young James Bond. The plot is a bit crazy - would a teenager really be in situations like that? - but the non-stop action and chapter-ending cliffhangers make for a fun, action-packed story. If you like it, check out the other books in the Alex Rider Adventure series.

An important part of history

A person can be chained both physically and spiritually, as eloquently described in Chains by Laurie Halse Anderson.  Isabel is a 13-year-old slave during the time of the American Revolution.  She and her little sister Ruth are sold to a merciless couple, the Locktons, in New York.  The Locktons are fierce Loyalists, which means they support the British.  A young rebel (that's someone who was on the American side of the war) encourages Isabel to be a spy, because "They'll say things in front of you they won't say in front of the white servants.  'Cause you don't count." After hearing of a plot to kill George Washington, Isabel tells the rebels, but doesn't get her desired reward - a chance at freedom.  The details of day-to-day life, slavery, attitudes, and the war of 1776 were both heart-breaking and mesmerizing.  Look for the sequel, Forge, scheduled to be released in October 2010.