Bolt, PG

"I took my 7-year-old granddaughter to see 'Bolt,’ and I think I enjoyed it as much as she did. It’s an animated movie about a dog named Bolt who believes he’s a superhero because he plays one on television. His owner is a little girl named Penny who plays his on-screen companion. John Travolta and Miley Cyrus are the voices of Bolt and Penny. The story involves Bolt’s accidental escape from the studio trailer, a cross-country trip to get back to Penny and Bolt’s realization that he’s no superhero! This movie is exciting and funny at times, but also has a good message that love for one another is more important than fame or money."

Wanted, R

"The lead character, Wesley, is trying to find out who he is and what his life’s purpose is, but working a dead-end job and leading a not-so-exciting life doesn’t help his cause. One day he meets a woman named Fox -- she tells Wesley that his father was killed while working for a group called the Fraternity, a thousand-year-old secret society of assassins. Fox introduces Wesley to the group’s leader, Sloan, who invites Wesley to follow in his father’s footsteps as an assassin and target the ex-assassin who killed Wesley’s father! Does he join? If you want to find out, you have to watch the movie! This action/thriller is definitely worth recommending to everyone."

Bride Wars, PG

"Ever wondered just how evil a woman can be to get her way? Well, you can catch a glimpse into that world by watching the movie 'Bride Wars.’ But don’t be scared; the movie is filled with just as much humor as it is with malice. Anne Hathaway and Kate Hudson bring to life two friends closer than sisters who put their bond to the test as they face the ultimate challenge: getting married. Laughter, friendship, and yes ... even vengeance fill the movie, but at the end I was left with a heartwarming feeling that actually made me cry."

The Glass Castle, by Jeannette Walls

"This is an amazing autobiography that will keep the reader spellbound from the first page. The Walls are a family of six with well-educated parents and four active, intelligent children; however, they are far from a typical American family. Their lives are ones of near-starvation, poverty and ingenuity. As Jeannette Walls shares her memories of a vagabond childhood, her storytelling ability keeps a person interested in the truly stranger-than-fiction family. The reality that such conditions still persist in present-day America is startling. This story is a wonderful testament to the power of the human spirit to triumph over extreme conditions and the ability for people to become productive successful adults."

The Story of Edgar Sawtelle, by David Wroblewski

"'The Story of Edgar Sawtelle’ is a poignant story about a very unusual boy. Growing up in remote, northern Wisconsin, Edgar’s family raises and trains a select breed of dogs. Edgar is born mute but can communicate beautifully with his dogs, and with a special one in particular. This is a contemporary retelling of 'Hamlet,’ with remarkable strokes of brilliance interwoven in the story. The reader, after finishing this intriguing, coming-of-age tale, will find herself thinking about these remarkable characters for days, weeks and months. You will loan this one to everyone you know!"

Sail, by James Patterson and Howard Roughan

"This book is about a wealthy doctor and her family. The family’s going on a sailing trip for the summer, but they run into several problems because someone has put a hit out on the entire family. During the trip the family comes together and, as the story unfolds, lots of secrets are revealed. Overall, this was a great book, and I would recommend it to anyone who likes a good mystery."