A Soldier's Secret: The Incredible True Story of Sarah Edmonds.

Moss, Marissa.  A Soldier's Secret:  The Incredible True Story of Sarah Edmonds, A Civil War Hero.  2012.  Amulet Books, and imprint of Abrams Books, New York.

ISBN: 978-1-4197-0427-7.  Hardcover, $16.95.

Book Talk:
Masquerading as a boy, Sarah tried desperately to enlist in the Civil War and help her country win the war.  Unfortunately, since she looks to young to enlist (no beard, voice hasn't changed), she has been continuously turned down as a recruit.  Months before the Battle of Bull Run, she finds a recruiter who will let her sign the paperwork to become a nurse as Frank Thompson of Company F, Second Michigan Volunteer Infantry of the Army of the Potomac.

Living the life of an army recruit in a military on the march against an enemy, and sharing a tent with a man, Sarah quickly realizes that keeping up the ruse of being a man is going to be more difficult than she had ever imagined.

How long can Sarah continue to masquerade as a man?  Will she be discovered?

Based upon the real-life adventure of Sarah Emma Edmonds, who masqueraded as Frank Thompson and served the Unions Army as a soldier, a nurse, and a spy during the Civil War.

Author's Web Site:
http://www.marissamoss.com/

Stanley, Diane.  The Cup and The Crown.  2012.  Harper Collins, New York.

ISBN: 978-0-06-196321-6.  Hardcover, $16.99.

Book Talk:
Molly has visions of a beautiful goblet.  Made of silver, and gilded with gold, she believes this loving cup was created by her Grandfather, a gifted Silver Smith who lived in a country far removed from where Molly lives now.  But, what of the boy she sees in the vision who holds the cup?  This boy looks just like a boy vision of Molly.  But, who is he, and why is he holding the cup?

Molly is sent on a quest by the King of Westria to find a Loving Cup created by her grandfather which will forever bind him to his one true love.  The powerful magic contained within this loving cup will protect the love of the king and queen, and all of their children for generations to come.

When Molly ventures to Faers-Wigan to find the home of her murdered grandfather, she discovers that her grandfather came to Faers-Wigan from another place, a mystical place not marked on any map, nor spoken of in any legend.

Undeterred, Molly takes off to find this mysterious city that her grandfather left behind.  Knowing only that Harrowsgode lies to the North, in a valley surrounded by mountains, Molly and her friends are led by a raven into this mysterious city.

When Molly finds Harrowsgode, she discovers a land that is cut off from the outside world, removed from all contact with others.  Since the people of Harrowsgode keep no army, they fear that any outsider will tell of the riches of the city and bring people in to attack them and steal their wealth.

With the arrival of Molly and her friends, the council finds themselves facing an unprecedented situation.  Here is a young woman of great power, who is obviously one of their own, and her four friends, outsiders who must never be allowed to return to the outside world where they can tell tales of the riches of Harrowsgode.  Molly finds herself imprisoned within the city, and her friends sentenced to death.

Can Molly use the gifts she has only now discovered, as well as her intelligence and quick wit to save herself and her friends?

Author's Web Site:
http://dianestanley.com/

Dragon Run

Matthews, Patrick.  Dragon Run.  2013.

Hardcover, $16.99,  ISBN: 978-0-545-45068-3.

Book Talk:
Come to a world where mortals were created by dragons to gather magic for them.  Since time immemorial, the mortals have been branded according to their worth to the dragons.  Every person is branded with a number, from 1-7, that denotes their value to the dragons.  A high number means that lucky person will be able to own land, and handle magic directly.  The lower your number, the lower your place in society, with 1's being the lowest value.  Any person with a one becomes an outcast, and struggles to find work, housing, and food.

Al is twelve years old, and he is going to his testing day.  Today, he will learn what his number is.  He will discover what kind of life he will be able to live, and he will begin his apprenticeship when the day is finished.  Al is hoping to be a 3, or even a 4.  He will be able to own land, and continue to farm with his parents.

Before the day is over, Al finds himself shunned by society.  His parents have disowned him, claiming that they had found him and raised him as their own.  Even worse, the Cullers have set out to find him, determined to "thin the herd" and eliminate the useless mortal (and his family) who is incapable of gathering magic for the dragons.

As Al runs for his life, he finds himself swept into an adventure much older than him.  Brave enough to stand up to the Magisters, brave enough to fight the Cullers, Al is the one person who can change the course of history and stop the tyranny of the dragons.  But, with the mark of a zero on him, Al is a hunted teenager, constantly on the run from his enemies, as well as his friends.

As Al runs for his life, he discovers the mysterious feather society - but has he found them in time to save the world, or to doom it?

Author's Web Site:
http://www.pat-matthews.com/

Reviewer's Note:
Dragon Run marks the first YA Book I have read since January, when I sat down and vowed to finish my Master's Degree.  What a fantastic return to the world of Young Adult literature this has been!  Mr. Matthews weaves a tale full of unexpected plot twists and turns, and tells a story with a character that is compelling and delightful.  I enjoyed reading this book!  I started it in the parking lot while waiting for one of my children to get out of an activity, continued to read it at a science fair while children and activities swirled around me, and finished it late last night.  Truly, the book is a page turner.

Dragon Run is Mr. Matthew's first published novel.  I hope he publishes many more books.  He is a gifted storyteller!