The Legend of Sleepy Hollow by Washington Irving

The Legend of Sleepy Hollow by Washington Irving is a fun story appropriate for all ages, especially enjoyable when one has a good grasp of vocabulary, about a derpy fellow named Ichabod Crane who is a bit of a gold digger and aiming higher than he can realistically reach.

He is a teacher in Sleepy Hollow, New York in the early days of the U.S., teaching in a tiny one room school house. Aside from having an almost crippling fear of ghosts and monsters, thanks to his believing in books like Cotton Mathers's The History of New England Witchcraft, he gets by well enough. Until he develops a crush on Katrina Van Tassel. And her money. Brom Bones who already was interested in Katrina, won't have any of it, though. And what happens after a Halloween party where stories about the Headless Horseman of Sleepy Hollow, is anyone's guess. But Ichabod Crane doesn't have a very good night after starting on his way home. This is a fun story, and adults and children will enjoy it.

The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton

The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton is a well-written coming of age story about a young man named Ponyboy Curtis. He lives with his two older brothers. The oldest, Darry, is taking care of the younger two since their parents died in a car accident. They live on the poorer side of town, but get by and have the support of their group of friends, Steve, Two-Bit, Dally, and Johnny.

Ponyboy and Johnny are close, being the youngest two, and one night, after helping out a couple of girls from the rich side of town after Dally was rude to them, get in trouble with the girls' boyfriends. When the boys try to dunk Ponyboy under the water of a fountain, Johnny, certain they're trying to drown him, does what he feels he has to do, to save his friend's life. This begins a difficult and uncertain journey for the two friends. It's a great book about growing up, friendship, and struggling to make your way in the world.

Fablehaven: Rise of the Shadow Plague by Brandon Mull

Fablehaven: Rise of the Shadow Plague by Brandon Mull is the third book in the exciting series. A strange plague is turning the creatures of fablehaven in wicked creatures. Even creatures who are normally benign and helpful are turning evil!

Will Kendra and Seth find out what is causing the plague, and will they be able to save Fablehaven and its creatures, or will evil take over Fablehaven once and for all? And is the Sphinx a good guy or bad? This book is great for both kids and adults. I really enjoyed it!