Blue Exorcist, Vol. 19

Kato, Kazue. Blue Exorcist, Vol. 19. 2016. 186p. ISBN 9781421593333. Available in the graphic novels section of the library.

Following the discovery of Section 13 in Blue Exorcist, Vol. 18, Lewin Lightning and his apprentice Bon pursue a separate investigation into the secretive Section 13 and its connection to the devastating "Blue Night" event that happened 16 years ago. Lightning's relentless pursuit of the truth leads him and Bon into the depths of the academy, where they discover hidden chambers and long-forgotten secrets. These revelations expose a dark history and unveil the true extent of the demonic influence plaguing the world, hinting at a looming catastrophe that could plunge humanity into an abyss of darkness.

Meanwhile, Mephisto Pheles, the academy's seemingly benevolent chairman, manipulates events from behind the scenes, releasing his powerful brother Amaimon, the King of Earth, to sow discord and advance his own mysterious objectives. This act throws the academy into disarray, forcing the students to confront increasingly dangerous demonic threats while grappling with the unsettling realization that their supposed ally may be their greatest adversary.

Finally, Shuri announces she will not take the cram exam, and she tells her friends she will be hosting a Christmas party to celebrate the end of their semester and everyone is assigned a task!

The story continues in Blue Exorcist, Vol. 20.

Diary of a Wimpy Kid, Vol. 11: Double Down

Kinney, Jeff. Diary of a Wimpy Kid, Vol. 11: Double Down. 2016. 224p. ISBN 9781419725456. Available at FIC KIN on the library shelves.

Greg Heffley is feeling the squeeze from his mom, who is determined to get him to explore interests beyond his beloved video games. She's pushing him to find some other talent or hobby. When Greg stumbles upon an old video camera in the basement, a lightbulb goes off. He thinks making movies could be his ticket to proving he's got serious skills, and maybe even become famous and rich while he's at it.

Enlisting his trusty sidekick, Rowley, Greg dives headfirst into a plan to create a scary movie masterpiece. They start filming, dreaming of the fame and fortune that surely await them. However, the question lingers: is Greg's all-in approach to filmmaking a stroke of genius that will finally impress his mom and the world? Or is this ambitious project just going to create a whole new set of hilarious and likely disastrous problems for him?

Blue Exorcist, Vol. 18

Kato, Kazue. Blue Exorcist, Vol. 18. 2016. 186p. ISBN 9781421593333. Available in the graphic novels section of the library.

When Rin and Yukio discovered Shura's past in Blue Exorcist, Vol. 17, they did everything they could to save her from a fate she has expected her whole life. But as she sinks into the lake, dragged by the demon snake Hachirotaro, Shura decides she wants to live. In tandem with Rin, Yukio, and Shima, Shura manage to defeat the demon, which feels straight in the arms of the Illuminati.

Back at True Cross Academy, Yukio wonders if he has feelings for Shura. Okumura and Rin likewise attempt to maneuver their emotions and feelings for the other as Amaimon, the evil demon brother of Sir Pheles, returns to school, having promised to behave.  Lightning pushes Bon deep into an investigation of the Illuminati, trying to locate more information on the secretive group. But these are secrets for a reason ...

The story continues in Blue Exorcist, Vol. 19.

Blue Exorcist, Vol. 17

Kato, Kazue. Blue Exorcist, Vol. 17. 2016. 186p. ISBN 9781421593333. Available in the graphic novels section of the library.

Shura Kirigakure has trained Rin and his classmates to become official Exwires. Despite her unorthodox methods and her skimpy outfits, Shura is one of the True Cross' most effective demon slayers. But now she is missing. Fearing she is in danger, Mephistopheles sends Rin and his brother Yukio to Shura's hometown province of Aomori, in the north, to locate their instructor and bring her back. 

Rin thinks this is the perfect opportunity to talk with Yukio and figure out what is happening. In Blue Exorcist, Vol. 16, Yukio decided to put himself in harm's way to activate a latent power that dwells in him, but he has been unable to do so. He can't confess to Rin that he's worried he is slowly being possessed.

Their search in Aomori soon lead them to Shura, who has returned to the Dragon God, with whom she made a pact to deliver a child before her 30th birthday. Shura doesn't want kids, and she wants out of this arrangement, so she willingly allows the Dragon God to attack her, before being rescued by Rin and Yukio. She shares her story with them, explaining how she got here.

Returning to the temple, Rin and Yukio convince the Dragon God to let Shura go, but the Dragon God has a change of heart, and drags Shura with him to the depths of the lake. As she sinks to the bottom, Shura realizes she wants to live ...

The story continues in Blue Exorcist, Vol. 18.

Blue Exorcist, Vol. 16

Kato, Kazue. Blue Exorcist, Vol. 16. 2016. 218p. ISBN 9781421590417. Available in the graphic novels section of the library.

Following the revelation that Shima was a double, or maybe triple agent in Blue Exorcist, Vol. 15, he has rejoined the Knights and the students at True Cross Academy. Following their battle with the Illuminati and recovering from her injuries, Shura suggests the whole crew take a trip to the baths to relax. With the girls and the boys separated, Shima decides he's going to spy on the girls. Rin wants nothing to do with that plan, but in the process of stopping Shima, the wall separating the two genders collapses, revealing the boys in all of their glory!

Yukio continues to struggle with his secret, a strange fire present in his eyes and a presence that saved him when his life was threatened. Seeking to recreate the circumstances that released whatever possesses him, Yukio puts himself into bad situations, hoping to face enough danger. 

Meanwhile, the leaders of the Knights of the True Cross meet in the Vatican, and they determine that the training of the new Exwires should be sped up to ensure they are available when the conflict with the Illuminati gets worse. Lewin Light, master of lightning, is thus sent to Japan to help train the Exwires. And Bon is determined to become his apprentice ...

The story continues in Blue Exorcist, Vol. 17.

Blue Exorcist, Vol. 15

Kato, Kazue. Blue Exorcist, Vol. 15. 2016. 202p. ISBN 9781421585079. Available in the graphic novels section of the library. 

With Professor Gedoin's defeat in Blue Exorcist, Vol. 14, the first battle between the Knights of the True Cross and the Illuminati is won by the Knights thanks to the efforts of the Exwires. But the revelation that Shima was a traitor continues to haunt Rin and the rest of the students at True Cross Academy, who believed Shima to be their friend. When Shima returns to the Academy, everyone is shocked. An interrogation by Mephistopheles and Lightning reveals that Shima was a deep plant inside the Illuminati, sent there by the Knights as a double agent. But now the Illuminati has sent him back, so that he can continue to spy for them. Bon, Rin, and the rest of the Exwires are now entirely confused. Is Shima a double agent, a triple agent, or what? Can they trust him at all?

The story continues in Blue Exorcist, Vol. 16.

Blue Exorcist, Vol. 14

Kato, Kazue. Blue Exorcist, Vol. 14. 2015. 202p. ISBN 9781421582634. Available in the graphic novels section of the library. 

Finding themselves trapped underneath Dream Town Inari following Blue Exorcist, Vol. 13, the Exwires are fighting for their lives. Professor Gedoin's desire to earn Lucifer's recognition and find immortality by injecting Izumo with the nine-tails fox, despite the fact that there is only a 0.08% chance she might survive the procedure. Rin, Shemi and the others escape their cages, and regroup, only to have additional zombie-like monsters, people who first came to Dream Town Inari and were experimented on, charge and attack them. They are too late, however, as Izumi agrees to participate in the ritual. 

Despite her strength, Izumi is not able to hold on to the fox, but her mother, who is herself badly hurt, takes control of the demon and absorbs it again, much to Gedoin's chagrin. Meanwhile, working together, the Exwires defeat all of the obstacles in their way, forcing Gedoin to summon a demon to take over his body. Izumi has not said her last word, however, and she summons Uke and Mike to come to her help, and both of them do so, and together the Exwires successfully defeat Gedoin ...

The story continues in Blue Exorcist, Vol. 15.

Blue Exorcist, Vol. 13

Kato, Kazue. Blue Exorcist, Vol. 13. 2014. 202p. ISBN 9781421575360. Available in the graphic novels section of the library. 

With Izumo in the Illuminati's hands following Blue Exorcist, Vol. 12, the Exwires have decided to infiltrate that evil organization's lair. Breaching into it, they soon run into atypical zombies. Professor Gedoin, the mad scientist working for the Illuminati, has created zombies that do not die after they are dispatched the usual way. Looking for a serum that will save Lord Lucifer's life, Gedoin has been conducting experimentation on unwilling subjects. Those that survived became his army of zombies.

Izumo, meanwhile, attempts to escape so she can protect her younger sister, but she is recaptured by the traitor Shima, who brings her back to Gedoin. Despite the fact that there is only a 0.08% chance Izumo is a match for the demon that inhabits her mother, with Izumo's mother Tamamo dying, Gedoin makes the decision to transfer the demon now, regardless of the low chances of success.

Rin and the other Exwires have been divided by a clever trap designed by Gedoin, and they must all combat these new zombies by themselves. Can they all devise strategies to escape their confinement? And what of Sheimi, who is unconscious as a zombie shambles towards her?

The story continues in Blue Exorcist, Vol. 14.

Blue Exorcist, Vol. 12

Kato, Kazue. Blue Exorcist, Vol. 12. 2014. 202p. ISBN 9781421575360. Available in the graphic novels section of the library. 

With the Illuminati on the move in Blue Exorcist, Vol. 11, everyone is feeling on edge. Fortunately, it is time to celebrate the True Cross Academy festival. As the exwires prepare themselves for a great evening of fun and entertainment, a spy has infiltrated the organization, and one of their own is in danger. 

Snared by the Illuminati, Izumo finds herself in the basement of one of the organization's buildings, confronted by an evil doctor and ... her very own mother. Izumi's backstory as a child is explored, and the path she took to end up at the True Cross Academy was an eventful one. But now, what could this evil scientist want with her?

With one of their own in the clutches of the Illuminati, Rin and the other exwires pledge themselves to Mephisto. They will find and rescue Izumo!

The story continues in Blue Exorcist, Vol. 13.

Blue Exorcist, Vol. 11

Kato, Kazue. Blue Exorcist, Vol. 11. 2013. 210p. ISBN 9781421558868. Available in the graphic novels section of the library. 

Having been entrusted with investigating the Seven School Mysteries in Blue Exorcist, Vol. 10, Yukio leads his brother Rin and the Exwires as they take on the demons and other ghosts that plague True Cross Academy. Yukio remains still plagued with his own doubts about whether he himself is infected by demonic powers as he observes his brother gaining more control over his own abilities.

Meanwhile, the Illuminate's plan progresses along, as demonic chaos spreads throughout the land. Their man-made Gehenna Gate all but insures that Assiah will be consumed by destruction, unless the Vatican manages to stop them in their tracks. But when revelations indicate there is a spy in the Japan branch, at True Cross Academy, all eyes turn back to Japan...

The story continues in Blue Exorcist, Vol. 12.

Blue Exorcist, Vol. 10

Kato, Kazue. Blue Exorcist, Vol. 10. 2013. 192p. ISBN 9781421558868. Available in the graphic novels section of the library. 

The Impure King was defeated in Blue Exorcist, Vol. 9, but Rin's brother Yukio continues to feel tainted. If his brother Rin is the spawn of Satan, what does that make Yukio? Worried about his situation, he refuses to meet with the True Cross Academy doctor for an evaluation. The rest of the exwire students have returned to their daily routine, attending classes. Rin meets a student maned Godaiin who can also see demons when most of the other students can't. Rin tries to help him, and Mephisto Pheles proposes a deal where Rin and his friends will remove seven demons from True Cross Academy in exchange for a potion that will prevent Godaiin seeing the demons, Rin heartily agrees.

Meanwhile, across the world in the deserts of Arabia, another demon similar to the Impure King has risen, and the Church now confronts the very clear threat that a secretive group called the Illuminate has been conspiring to awaken powerful evil forces that will consume the world and at last turn it into a demon playground. 

Tasked with removing demons from campus, Rin and his friends begin this afterschool activity with minimal supervision....

The story continues in Blue Exorcist, Vol. 11.

Blue Exorcist, Vol. 9

Kato, Kazue. Blue Exorcist, Vol. 9. 2013. 192p. ISBN 9781421554778. Available in the graphic novels section of the library. 

Following the deployment of all exorcists in Kyoto in Blue Exorcist, Vol. 8, the battle against the Impure King concludes as Rin finally realizes that in order to win he must acknowledge that he is in fact the son of Satan, and call on the powers that come with that filial link. Using the Koma sword he was finally able to pull out of its scabbard, Rin defeats the Impure King, and saves his friends from ruin. Injured individuals are taken back to the temple and the inn, where they are nursed back to health. Yukio's confrontation with Saburota Todo triggered something inside him, and he no longer trust his older brother Rin to do the right thing. 

Rin and his friends get to enjoy a day of sightseeing in Kyoto, before being dispatched to a nearby beach. A Kraken has been spotted, and the exorcists prepare countermeasures to defeat it. Meanwhile, Shura remains suspicious of Mephisto Pheles and his motives behind pushing Rin to exploit his powers. What plan is the president of the Exorcism Cram School working towards?

The story continues in Blue Exorcist, Vol. 10.

Blue Exorcist, Vol. 8

Kato, Kazue. Blue Exorcist, Vol. 8. 2012. 200p. ISBN 9781421550848. Available in the graphic novels section of the library. 

With the Impure King's massive body threatening to destroy Kyoto, Rin and Ryuji found themselves heading to the spore sacks, where the creature's heart is located, in Blue Exorcist, Vol. 7. With the exorcists fighting against the spreading of the Impure King, Ryuji calls on the temple's phoenix to erect a protective sphere that will safeguard the city, for the time being.

Yukio confronts Todo, he who revived the Impure King after stealing both eyes. Todo's demonic powers speed up his recovery, and Yukio is outclassed in strength and speed. He is still cunning, however, and manages to create a trap that ensnares Todo, but he eventually breaks free. Meanwhile, Shiemi gets over her fears of inadequacy when Izumo is immobilized by the Impure King, and she summons her own ally to help her.

With Ryuji holding the barrier, it is up to Rin and his cat familar Kuro to fulfill the mission of the Myodha temple and protect the world from the Impure King. Can he successful reach deep within himself and reconnect with his demonic powers?

This Was Our Pact

Andrews, Ryan. This Was Our Pact. 2019. 330p. ISBN 9781250196958. Available in the graphic novels section of the library.

Every year, during the night of the Autumn Equinox, Ben's town celebrates by holding a festival and releasing lit lanterns down the river. Ben has always wondered what happens to the lanterns as they fade from view. After releasing them, the adults return home, but this year Ben and his friends have made a pact to follow them and find out if the legend that they eventually drift into the Milky Way are true. The boys' pact is simple. No one will turn back for home, and no one will quit.

As soon as the lanterns are released, the boys ride their bikes by the road that follows the river. Ben is soon chased by Nathaniel, a boy who's a little strange and who's often picked on by the other boys. Ben likes Nathaniel, but he doesn't want to be marked as different so he doesn't defend him when the other boys make wisecracks at him.

But one by one the boys peel off, violating the pack. Soon only Ben and Nathaniel stand before the bridge over the river, the furthest they have ever ridden. Deciding to abide by the pact, Ben and Nathaniel cross the bridge, and enter a land populated by strange people, a talking bear looking for his fishing spot, and the enlightened ones coming over to visit. With the help of magical beings along the way, the boys will discover that friendship can be forged in the unlikeliest of circumstances.

Whimsically illustrated with rich blues, This Was Our Pact defies categorization. Readers who enjoy magic on the light side will appreciate the voyage that Ben and Nathaniel are embarked on, while they might wish that a friendly bear could join them to share some of their adventures.

Blue Exorcist, Vol. 7

Kato, Kazue. Blue Exorcist, Vol. 7. 2012. 1922p. ISBN 9781421542621. Available in the graphic novels section of the library. 

In Blue Exorcist, Vol. 6, Mamushi, a member of the Myodha sect, stole the right eye of the Impure King. Now chased by all exorcists, Mamushi finds Todo, who had taken the left eye of the Impure King, only to realize that Todo's plan is vastly different than hers. Instead of undermining the sect, Todo wishes to free the Impure King from his prison under the abandoned temple guarded by the sect. Betrayed, Mamushi escapes and manages to warn the exorcists about the coming catastrophe.

Meanwhile, Rin is still in prison, awaiting judgment and possible execution for defiling a direct order not to use his demonic powers. Reading through a letter sent to him by Tatsuma, head monk of the sect, Rin discovers valuable information about Father Fujimoto, the man who raised Rin and his brother Yukio, along with the role that Fujimoto played in acquiring the famous Koma sword. 

With the Impure King now on the loose, Rin is released by Shura, and is equipped with the Koma sword. However, it appears that he cannot pull it out of its scabbard. Has Rin lost his demonic abilities?

The story continues in Blue Exorcist, Vol. 8.

Brian's Winter

 Paulsen, Gary. Brian's Winter. Book 3 of Brian's Saga. 1996. 144p. ISBN 9780440227199.

What if, in Hatchet, Brian had in fact not been rescued by the end of the summer? What if he had to spend the winter in the wilderness? In Brian's Winter, this is exactly what happens. As summer days slowly go by, Brian at first does not notice that the days are getting shorter and the temperature cooler. But one morning, when he wakes up shivering and able to see his breath, he suddenly realizes he will have to content with the unforgiving winter without any cold gear.

His first order of business is to make his shelter as weatherproof as possible. With too much of a draft, he will need significantly more firewood than if he uses mud to seal all the cracks. Then there's the question of clothing. His t-shirt, pants, and sneakers will not be enough to survive the drop in temperature. He will need to salvage furs, and sew his own clothing with rabbit and deer pelts to resist the below freezing weather. Finally, he will need food. Lots and lots of food. With the lake freezing, Brian is not able to fish, so he must quickly find a new source of food. Using his ingenuity and his creativity, Brian builds arrows and a better bow, able to take down bigger game. Which is a good thing, because the wolves are sniffing on the border of his land, and bears don't care about borders at all. 

With night getting longer, Brian abandons all hopes of rescue, and instead focuses on surviving a winter in the wilderness. Will the lessons learned during the summer in Hatchet be enough for him to make it through?

Blue Exorcist, Vol. 6

Kato, Kazue. Blue Exorcist, Vol. 6. 2012. 192200p. ISBN 9781421541747. Available in the graphic novels section of the library. 

Following the theft of the left Eye of the Impure King in Blue Exorcist, Vol 5, the whole of True Cross Academy and its exorcists are on high alert for an attempt on the right Eye, but none of them suspect that this attempt will come from inside their own rank. Mamushi, an exorcist, seizes the right Eye and reunites it with the Left, causing some destruction as she escapes.

Tatsuma, Suguro's father, seems to be assisting Mamushi, and he refuses to defend himself, causing Suguro to renounce his father. Rin is not so sure that the holy man is in league with Mamushi, however, and a letter from him reveals information about his adoptive father and about Rin himself.

At the same time school continues, and Rin must spend his summer cramming information into his head so he can pass the Exorcist exam. Tasked to follow his brother to observe him stopping a demon train, Rin and Shemi decide they can't let innocent spirits die, and they join the fight despite express orders not to do so ...

The story continues in Blue Exorcist, Vol. 7.

Blue Exorcist, Vol. 5

Kato, Kazue. Blue Exorcist, Vol. 5. 2011. 192p. ISBN 9781421540764. Available in the graphic novels section of the library. 

A scandal rocks the True Cross Academy when it is revealed that the Right Eye of the Impure King, an artifact harvested by Knights of the True Cross hundreds of years ago, has been stolen right out of a fortified vault by a skilled agent. With threats made against the Left Eye, students of the Academy are partnered with certified exorcists to prevent the Left Eye from being stolen. Rin and his friends are sent to Kyoto. Suguro and the rest of the students are concerned that Rin could go off again, and unease remain between them all.

At the temple, Rin discovers that Suguro's father is not really involved into defending his own temple, and seems to not have any leadership sense. The clans that support the temple are divided amongst themselves, and are seeking new leadership. With the exwires there, and the Left Eye at stake, can Rin manage to mend enough fences to block the planned theft of this artifact?

The story continues in Blue Exorcist, Vol. 6.

Diary of a Wimpy Kid, Vol. 10: Old School

Kinney, Jeff. Diary of a Wimpy Kid, Vol. 10: Old School. 2015. 217p. ISBN  978-1-48986459-8. Available at FIC KIN on the library shelves.

Just when Greg thought life couldn't get any more complicated, his mother is leading an initiative to turn the town into a voluntary unplugged zone to get people off their phones and computers and talking to one another again, just like in the olden days. To Greg that just sounds silly, especially since the good old days seem like anything but good. With his father on his case to become more responsible, Greg and Rowley start a lemonade stand business, but can't quite pull it off, so they turn to the water business, and get the great idea to head down to the park during unplugged weekend to sell their wares, only to be drafted in the effort to clean up the park.

Things go for bad to worse for Greg as he runs away with a juvenile delinquent, and ends up having to go to camp to escape his father's wrath that the family car ended up in the ditch. Of course, what could be a better place for a serial killer than camp? All the kids can talk about is Silas Scratch, the kid snatcher who haunts the woods around the camp. Speaking of camp, who's idea of fun is it to go to a farm all week long and do farm chores? Greg's pretty sure this is free labor for the farmer, and not a character builder exercise for the middle schoolers. And just when Greg thinks he's hit bottom, his father shows up to chaperone the remaining days at camp...

Diary of a Wimpy Kid, Vol 9: The Long Haul

 Kinney, Jeff. Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Long Haul. Vol 9 of the series. 2015. 240p. ISBN 9781419711893. Available at FIC KIN on the library shelves.

The Heffleys are heading on a family trip! Greg's mother came up with the brilliant idea to go on a vacation together, but everything that can go wrong will. First, the family struggles with limiting their luggage, and Greg soon finds himself stuck in the rear seat with all of the luggage. Greg's dad had bought a boat once that never worked, so he uses the boat and its trailer to haul more luggage. 

In the van Greg's mother attempts to lighten the atmosphere by playing games, but only Manny is interested. At a county fair, Manny wins a pig, and the farmer is insistent they take it, so the family now has a pet aboard the van. Traveling with a pig is no easy feat, however, and things like gas station bathrooms soon become an ordeal. With a nemesis family traveling on the same circuit, what could possibly go wrong?

Enjoy a family trip like no other as the Heffleys travel across the country, looking for things to do in a trip that will be as bad as it will be memorable!