The Silver Dream/Neil Gaiman and Michael Reaves/240 pgs./Neil Gaiman challenge

This is called the sequel to Gaiman and Reaves' The Silver Dream, but by the ending it's obvious there is at least one book coming. Also, according to the cover of the book, the story was conceived by Gaiman and Reaves, but was actually written by Michael and Mallory Reaves. Putting all of that aside, The Silver Dream picks up where Interworld leaves off. Joey Harker is a Walker--he can "walk" between dimensions. Originally from Earth (as we know it), Joey is now part of InterWorld, an "organization" whose goal is to keep the universe in balance. A new "person" enters the story line--Acacia Jones--whose true purpose isn't revealed until closer to the book's end. This is science fiction, action, and suspense all rolled into one. Middle -schoolers should find this very entertaining!

InterWorld/Neil Gaiman & Michael Reaves/239 pgs./May Challenge

Joey Harker, a high school sophomore, stumbles into an alternate world; in fact, he discovers that there are multiple earths with different properties. There are also different versions of himself coming from these alternate worlds. He comes to discover that some of these worlds are ruled by magic, and others by science--and the worlds are at war with each other! In order to keep the balance of power among the worlds even, Joey, and a team of his alternates, must battle the evil Lord Dogknife and Lady Indigo. It has action and suspense--very enjoyable!

Stronger, Jeff Bauman, 244 pages,

Jeff Bauman was waiting for his girlfriend Erin to cross the finish line at the Boston Marathon in 2013.  He stares at a young man and gets a bad feeling.  Moments later the man is gone, but his back pack is still there.  Before Jeff can react, his life is forever changed.  Jeff delivers a very upbeat account of his life after the Boston Marathon bombing.  This book was a fairly quick read from Jeff's point of view, without medical or forensic jargon.

Into the Dream / William Sleator / 127 pages

This is an old juvenile fiction book from 1979.  It is still relevant and interesting.  Two children are having the same scary dream and slowly come to realize that there is a deeper meaning that they need to discover.  A ufo is involved as well as the proverbial "men in black" or government men.  It is short, neat, well-written book that progresses toward the end without a lot of extraneous "stuff" thrown in to make it longer.  A good book for reluctant reader that doesn't want a tome.