The Mostly True Adventures of Homer P. Figg by Rodman Philbrick

Homer and his older brother Harold are orphans living on their uncle's farm in Maine during the Civil War. Harold is tricked into joining the Union Army and Homer wants to rescue him from military service. Since their uncle is a hard task master both boys would love to run away and have a life of their own. What follows is an adventure in running away, encountering outlaws and other nefarious characters. Fortunately help comes along from a Quaker farmer active in the Underground Railroad and a naiive clergyman who accompanies Homer on his quest to save Harold. The fun of the adventure is Homer's ability to reinvent the truth and tell tales or lies as needed to escape various situations. The book is a very satisfying and humorous read. You also get a first person account of what life was like during the Civil War.

Revolver by Marcus Sedgwick

Life is difficult and often unexpected in 1910 frontier Alaska.  Sig's father dies, accidentally frozen to death when he attempts to cross a thawing lake.  Fourteen year old Sig is left to guard the corpse while his step mother and sister travel to the distant town for help. Sig's grief and loneliness is soon interrupted by a violent mysterious stranger who claims that Sig's father owes him a fortune in gold. Sig knows nothing about any fortune, but he does know that there is a loaded Colt revolver hidden in the cabin. If only he could get to it -- then again, Sig's only fired the gun once in his life, and never thought his life might depend on aiming it at another human being, no matter how terrifying the circumstances.

This is a taut, tightly written novel of suspense with the added pressure of the forbidden frozen Alaskan landscape. Give yourself lots of time -this is a hard one to put down!

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Crispin: the end of time by Avi

This is the final book in the trilogy which began with Crispin, the Cross of Lead. Crispin and Troth are in rural France. They are lost and do not speak French. Some helpful villagers lead them to a convent where Troth feels more at home than she has ever felt before. Crispin reluctantly leaves her behind to search for the country of Iceland where Bear had told them they would find a land of freedom. He finds a way when he meets a company of musicians and thieves. However he must escape from them to pursue his dream of reaching Iceland. If you have read the first two books you will want to finish the journey. If you missed the first two books, the story will still satisfy your sense of adventure in a dangerous and exciting land.

Incarceron by Catherine Fisher

Finn is a prisoner in one of the worst prisons imaginable, Incarceron, a dilapidated wasteland where no one leaves --ever.  No matter, Finn is sure he came from Outside, and is determined to somehow return there.  Claudia lives Outside, but her life isn't so easy either.  She's a pawn in a complicated game of political intrigue involving arranged marriages, secret alliances, lies and half-truths.  They'll need each other to solve their problems, but what they need more is to understand Incarceron.  It's more and less than they think it is, and time is running out for both of them. 
Incarceron is the first of a two book series, and sure to be a popular with fans of The Hunger Games, The Maze Runner or anyone who appreciates well-written, complex, action adventures.  The sequel Sapphique is due out in December 2010, but the good news is that Fisher has several other excellent fantasy series available.
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The Red Pyramid by Rick Riordan

The latest and greatest from Rick Riordan (author of the Percy Jackson series) doesn't disappoint. True, it's a bit long and provides the reader with tons of information about Ancient Egypt and 21st century siblings Carter and Sadie Kane, but Riordan's thrilling new series starts off with a bang!

Carter and Sadie Kane see each other only twice a year. Older brother, Carter lives (or rather travels) with his father an archeologist specializing in Egyptian artifacts who drags Carter around to different dig sites. Sadie has been living in London with her grandparents since her mother mysteriously died several years ago.

On one of their rare family outings they travel with their father to the British Museum where strange things begin to happen and Carter and Sadie are thrust into a world they never knew existed. With help from a few new friends, the siblings must work together to complete a dangerous journey and uncover the mysteries of their family's ancient history.

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