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Behind the Door and other titles in the \"HIP\" series are highly recommended in all middle school classrooms as they are a remarkable resource both for striving and ordinary readers. As a middle school teacher, I personally find it a challenge to motivate reluctant readers. However \"HIP\" series novels are an inspiring way to encourage students to read and to increase confidence in their reading ability and development. Then I heard a voice from somewhere over my head. \"We want you, too, Jamal. Your friends are with us. Now we want you.\" I screamed. I ran back to the exit door, trying to get out, but it didn't work. There was no handle, and there was nothing to hold onto. The door didn't budge. And then I got freezing cold, just like the basement all around me. The ghouls came closer. I could see their breath, white in the air. I could see their teeth, their sharp pointy teeth, getting closer to me. I pulled back. I tried to put one arm up to hold them back, but it was hopeless. I was trapped against the door. The ghouls kept coming at me. It was dark, pitch dark, and all I could see was their teeth.

In The Secret Journey of Pauline Siddhartha, [Pauline Carelli-Bloom] is sent to London, England, to visit her trendy grandmother, Daphne. Not only is London the most enticing city filled with museums, galleries and gardens, but Pauline meets Nigel Sirvananda, an awe-inspiring spiritual teacher, who helps Pauline seek enlightenment, among other things. Fascinated by the most handsome guru she has ever met, Pauline finds herself on a journey towards Nirvana, the highest stage of understanding and peace, or so she thinks. When she returns to her hometown of Ghent, ON, Pauline cannot understand her friend's disinterest in her path to spiritual truth. She is also disappointed in her boyfriend Yoshis' remoteness and dispassion towards her. It is through her search for peace and enlightenment that Pauline finds her life filled with turmoil and grief. The teenage years appear to be the most difficult years, and everything seems to be going wrong.

\"I was a laker captain for forty years, [Jack Gordon], what do you think?\" replied the Captain. \"There're two things you got to worry about at sea: storms and fire. Both hit right out of the blue; you never know they're coming. And when they hit, the captain is responsible for what happens. You can't run, and you can't panic. The lives of your crew and your passengers depend on you. I know all you boys are good sailors. You're comfortable in the water, and that's good. But don't ever disrespect the lake. It's bigger and stronger than you'll ever be.\" \"You're right, Jack, the other kids listen to you,\" Captain [Clapp] replied seriously. \"And that's a problem. A captain can't act without thinking, and you do. You're more likely to lead your friends into danger than out of it. You've got guts, but you have some growing up to do. Don't be talking to me about being a captain until you do.\"

I'm afraid this week will be just as bad as that week at camp. I have to go to a new school tomorrow - Prairie View Elementary. My old school, Lone Tree, closed down. And to make it a thousand times worse, Judy goes to Prairie View. If I was spunky I wouldn't even mind. If she picked on me, maybe I'd just bash her over the head like Anne did to Gilbert Blythe. Ha! Wouldn't she be surprised. 'Course, Mennonites aren't supposed to do stuff like that. We're supposed to be peaceful every single minute and never ever fight. Why was I born Mennonite? One of those why-of-things questions. I wonder about the why of things when I am with Grandmother Oak. Why was I born here on a small American farm where there is plenty to eat, and some other kid was born in Africa and is starving? Why was I born a girl and not a boy? Or why was I born at all? And why am I living now, in 1955, instead of a hundred years ago, or a hundred years from now? I wonder stuff like that. I wonder if other kids think about such things.

As a typical teenager, Pauline is faced with insecurity and confusion. Summer is quickly coming to an end, and Pauline is nervous about going into eighth grade in a new school. To make matters worse, her best friend, Genevieve, is moving to Toronto. Although Toronto may only be two hours away from Ghent, ON, Pauline feels that it may as well be on the other side of the planet. Alone and confused, Pauline feels that nothing else could go wrong. Believe it or not, things do. Pauline's newly divorced parents are dating other people and Pauline is not certain she is fond of them. While struggling through her emotional suffering, Pauline is confronted with one more quandary. She meets a charming new boy at school and forgets all about her trustworthy boyfriend, [Yoshi]. What is Pauline going to do? Should she tell Yoshi that her heart desires another boy? Pauline's mysterious adventures are enough to drive any teenager into a frenzy!

[Torrie], the oldest thing of the Wild Forest, is always yearning for an adventure. After hearing rumors about the mysterious disappearance of Prince Liasis, Torrie's burning itch for a stimulating adventure increases. He soon encounters Wren, a young, lame and restless peddler who is searching for something more in life than just selling beautiful ornaments made from odd scraps. Wren and Torrie instantly become friends and realize that something must be done to save the prince. The kingdom of High Morroway is hastily accusing Rookfeather, the mysterious wandering minstrel and close friend of Queen Demansia, of the kidnapping. There is also talk that Queen Demansia, Prince Liasis' stepmother, may also be involved in the conspiracy. Wren and Torrie know that they must act quickly.

A stone gargoyle, a kind-hearted lady and a shiny silver spoon form the foundation of a unique friendship based on hope and trust. When Mrs Goodhearth moves into the Great House, the gargoyle is curious about the delicate and graceful creature who sits on the upstairs balcony every morning.

My Childhood Under Fire: A Sarajevo Diary, by Nadja Halilbegovich, is reviewed.

Gold Rush Orphan, by Sandy Frances Duncan, is reviewed.

Not only do the kids from the town of Mars have to put up with alien jokes, the Mars Health Food Stars hockey team started off as the town joke. However, the team turned things around and became the Cinderella story of hockey. That was until their losing streak. Lucky pennies, rabbit's feet and other superstitious habits could no longer help the Stars. Twelve-year-old Gazette sports reporter, Clarence 'Chipmunk' Adelman knows that something must be done. After researching the statistics, Chipmunk realizes that the Mars' hockey team may still have a chance of getting into the playoffs. If they can finish the regular season with three straight wins, they might have a chance for the number eighth playoff spot. However, this isn't as easy as it sounds. The Oiler's newest hotshot player, Steve Stapleton, has helped the team become undefeated, and the Stars will need to beat them in order to remain in the playoffs...