CUT, PASTE, KILL by Marshall Karp

Two Los Angeles police detectives are called to investigate a murder.  A woman was stabbed with a pair of scissors, and a scrapbook of her life was left at the murder scene.  Lomax and Biggs, the two detectives, soon discover that the murder victim was driving drunk and responsible for the death of a young boy--an event that the scrapbook documents thoroughly.  Lomax and Biggs also soon discover that two other murders also had scrapbooks left at the murder scenes, and the murder victims were anything but innocent.

This book, while no great tome,  is a fun read.  Lomax and Biggs are likable, often spouting funny smart remarks.  The ending gives a nice, satisfying twist. 

Animoto (www.animoto.com) is an online video creator that is free for educators.  Here's a little video about the book: 

THE CARDTURNER by Louis Sachar

Alton Richards' summer is looking bleak.  No job and his ex-girlfriend is dating his best friend.  His parents are worried about money and make Alton work for his wealthy uncle who is a world-class Bridge player but is now blind.  Alton's job is to go with his uncle to Bridge tournaments, telling him the cards in his hand and the cards that are played on every trick, and deal for him.  At first Alton's hates the job and the insults he must endure at his uncle's expense.  But then he begins to understand and enjoy the game.  He even enters a Bridge tournament with a girl he meets through his uncle.

The relationships that develop between Alton, his uncle, and his cousin are effective.  He is distant from his parents with good reason.  I especially enjoyed the sections on Bridge and have decided I want to learn to play the game!

THE RELUCTANT FUNDAMENTALIST by Mohsin Hamid

At a cafe table in Lahore, a Pakistani man named Changez is telling a mysterious American stranger about his time living in the U.S.  Changez was living the immigrant dream--top of his class at Princeton, dream job with a firm on Wall Street, dating Erica, a beautiful girl from one of the wealthiest families in NYC.  But things begin to go wrong after September 11, 2001, when people begin to look at Changez differently.   Erica can no longer deal with grief from her past, and Changez struggles with his identities as an American and a Pakistani.

Changez is one of the most intriguing characters I've come across in a long time.  The author's decision to begin and end every chapter with Changez talking to the American stranger works well, reminding us where Changez has ended up.  The ending is unexpected and powerful.  It would be a wonderful companion to THE GREAT GATSBY.