Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows by J.K. Rowling, 2007 Arthur A. Levine Books

     In the final book of the series, Harry is back at Privet Drive and preparing to leave as the Dursleys go into hiding. The Order of the Phoenix arrives to transport Harry to safety beginning a battle with Voldemort and his Death Eaters.
     With losses to their list of allies, Harry, Ron, and Hermione begin travelling the countryside looking for Voldemort's horcruxes. After a meeting with the new Minister of Magic, Rufus Scrimgeour, to receive their inheritance from Dumbledore and a Weasley wedding the trio flee to complete their quest.
     Death Eaters follow and the friends finally find temporary sanctuary in Harry's house, left to him by Sirius: Number 12 Grimmauld Place. There Harry, Ron, and Hermione discover Sirius's brother had stolen a locket-horcrux from Voldemort and left a fake one in its place. The house-elf Kreacher tells Harry that Mundungus Fletcher recently stole the horcrux and lost it to Dolores Umbridge.
     Harry, Ron, and Hermione infiltrate the Ministry to steal the locket back and bring a Death Eater within the protective magics of Grimmauld Place. On the run in forests around Britain Harry continues to have visions of Voldemort. Eavesdropping on a group of goblins helps him realize the Sword of Gryffindor (which Harry had inherited from Dumbledore, but the Minister had refused him) could destroy horcruxes.
     The search for the Sword of Gryffindor frustrates the three friends and Ron loses patience, abandoning Harry and Hermione. Hermione is hurt by Ron's abandonment and suggests they search out Bathilda Bagshot in Godric's Hollow with the hope she will give them the Sword. Bathilda, unfortunately, has been killed and her body inhabited by Nagini, Voldemort's snake. Harry and Hermione barely escape her attack and Harry's wand is destroyed.
     While on watch a doe patronus appears to Harry and leads him to the Sword of Gryffindor at the bottom of a pond. The locket horcrux attempts to strangle Harry, but Ron reappears and saves his best friend, using the Sword to destroy the horcrux. Hermione, again takes the lead and directs her friends to Luna Lovegood's father for an explanation of a symbol she found in Dumbledore's book. Luna's father betrays the trio in hopes of getting his imprisoned daughter back from the Ministry, but first he tells them the story of the Deathly Hallows -- three magical items which can stave off death.
     Captured during their escape, Harry, Ron, and Hermione are taken to Malfoy Manor where Bellatrix interrogates Hermione about the Sword of Gryffindor. They are rescued, along with Luna, Ollivander the wandmaker, and the goblin Griphook, by Dobby the Free House-elf. Bellatrix's behavior indicates something of interest in her vault at Gringotts and the trio finds Hufflepuff's cup, another horcrux.
     The final horcrux leads Harry, Ron, and Hermione back to Hogwarts where they infiltrate the borders through Dumbledore's brother. Aberforth connects the trio with Neville Longbottom who has taken over Dumbledore's Army and been training in the Room of Requirement. Harry enlists the D.A.'s help in finding the final horcrux, they indicate Ravenclaw's Diadem missing for decades.
     While Harry searches, Hogwarts prepares for Voldemort's arrival. With the destruction of Voldemort at hand a massive battle wages over the school, but Harry must sacrifice himself before victory is at hand.
     The conclusion of Harry's seven-year battle with the being who attempted to kill him as an infant is elaborate and the final book in the series illustrates the qualities which allow Harry to survive to adulthood. This novel is aimed at older readers, high school-aged and adults with rampant violence as in any war. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows ties many of the loose ends together, ending the saga. Readers who enjoyed the Harry Potter series to this point will find many of their questions answered, and those who enjoy fantasy will enjoy the Harry Potter series.

Percy Jackson and the Last Olympian

Percy Jackson and the Last Olympian by Rick Riordan, 2009 Hyperion

     In the last of Percy's adventures against Kronos the battle for Olympus has moved to New York City. Chiron shares with Percy the prophecy which has driven the Olympians and the son of Poseidon understands the role he is to play in the battle ahead.
     Percy and Nico di Angelo, son of Hades, travel to the Underworld for a chance to make Percy indestructible. The campers of Camp Half-Blood (without the Ares cabin) join the forces of Olympus with Percy Jackson at their head and the battle wages on.
     Elizabeth Dare, a mortal Percy, Annabeth, and Grover met at the Hoover Dam, appears and reveals Percy is not the hero of the great prophecy. She doesn't know who it is, but promises to help as best she can. She explains a monster brought by the Titans can only be defeated by a child of Ares--heralding the arrival of the Ares cabin.
     As Kronos inhabits Luke Castellan's body he must fight Luke himself to maintain the semi-mortal form. When Annabeth shocks Luke back to his normal self the demi-gods have a chance to defeat the Titan. Percy's decision to allow Luke to destroy the vessel Kronos has stolen from him has the power to turn the tide for or against the demigods and Olympians, and only he can make the decision.
     With the final battle Percy and his closest friends lose companions, friends, and great warriors. They face insurmountable odds in the hope they can maintain the world they've come to protect. Percy learns to respect the forces around him and recognize that he can share the burden and glory of his responsibilities. Intermediate through high school readers can enjoy Percy's adventures, as well as readers of all ages.

Ascendant

Ascendant by Diana Peterfreund, HarperTeen 2010

     After she has accepted her role as a Hunter, Astrid Llewelyn continues to live in Rome and hunt unicorns. Fully trained and enjoying life when her boyfriend decides to leave Rome and go back to school in New York, and when Cornelia's Unicorn powers suddenly and slowly fade away.
     Cornelia decides to return to England and hopes to figure why her power is fading. Astrid goes with her, but they are side-tracked in Paris when Astrid comes up against a corporation trying to figure out the magic of unicorns. The corporation gives Astrid the chance to apply her talents to finding the Remedy--a cure for any illness. Her ex-boyfriend is staying with the company and creates tension between Astrid and Giovanni, her current boyfriend.
   When the bond Astrid forms with the unicorn herd on company land begins to prevent her from killing the unicorns Astrid becomes concerned with the mission placed before her. The comfort of working with a pharmaceutical company and the isolation from her friends and family changes Astrid into someone she doesn't recognize.
     When an encounter with a rogue unicorn nearly kills Astrid, her world turns upside down. The unicorns become more than just her life's work. How will Astrid handle her life depending on the magic of the unicorns?
      The transition from reluctant hunter to diligent caretaker is characterized by a significant change in Astrid's personal outlook. Ideas of chastity and the personal right of choice are addressed with the mythology of unicorns. High school readers and those who enjoy Young Adult fiction will enjoy Ascendant.

The Wells Bequest

The Wells Bequest by Polly Shulman, 2013 Nancy Paulsen Books

   Leo Novikov is just goofing around with his video game controller when suddenly a miniature version of himself appears in his bedroom. The six-inch Leo suggests H. G. Wells's Time Machine and the girl with him rambles about a strange contraption belonging to Nikola Tesla. Before normal-sized Leo can figure out the encounter, they're gone.
     The strange vision has Leo questioning his sanity, but when he meets Jaya Rao at the New York Circulating Material Repository she believes his strange and impossible story. Leo is plunged into a world of impossible things, none as amazing as a full-sized version of H. G. Wells's time machine.
     Soon enough the strange and impossible produce an evil scientist intent on destroying New York City if he doesn't get what he wants. Leo and Jaya travel through time and space to save the world as they know it. Throughout their adventures Leo becomes more confident in his place within the world, and his ability to affect change on his role in the world.
     Leo and his fascination with science drives the plot and is relatable to readers who enjoy science fiction. Written at a fourth grade level, The Wells Bequest is enjoyable for readers of all ages.

Revolutionary War on Wednesday

Revolutionary War on Wednesday by Mary Pope Osborne, 2000 Random House Books

     Morgan le Fay has sent Jack and Annie to the Revolutionary War for an ingredient in her spell: something to send. The siblings find themselves in December 1776 in George Washington's camp as the Continental Army plans to cross the Delaware River.
     When the weather turns sour the General is hesitant to put his people in danger with an uncertain crossing. Jack and Annie have their own part in helping the Continental Army with their Christmas Eve push toward success in the Revolutionary War.
     The Magic Tree House series examines moments in history and different cultures. In easily accessible language, Revolutionary War on Wednesday is written for early readers.