March Break is here! Ahead of you stretches a week of sleeping in, video games and great books!

Sorry, did somebody say books?

Yeah! After you've been kicked out of bed and your hands can't grip that game pad any longer, why not grab one of these "read-in-a-week" books and settle in for high adventure and disgusting laughs. They cost less than $10.00, can be found in any bookstore, are under 200 pages and, best of all, you won't have to do a book report on them!

When the Night Eats the Moon
Author: Joanne Findon

13 year old Holly knew that playing the flute would take her places but she wasn't betting on Stonehenge in the year 700 BCE! Now she's been mistaken for a great warrior who will go against the history books and lead the Iron Age people to victory against the rampaging Celts. Will Holly side with her Iron Age friends and forever change history? Joanne Findon packs a lot into this unpredictable time-travel story. Crisp writing, realistic characters and a nicely layered plot makes this Canadian novel a great quick read for anyone who's looking for a heroine that puts brains before brawn.

Unbearable
Author: Paul Jennings

Any book that starts out with somebody licking a dirty fly swatter definitely earns a place on my bookshelf. Jennings, with dozens of titles to his credit, is the undisputed king of twisted tales in his native Australia. "Unbearable" is only one in his series of "Un-" books. So, if you have trouble finding it, don't worry because each installment is filled with short stories that leave you unsure whether you want to laugh or throw up. If you like your stories short, slimy, and sick, then enter the world of Paul Jennings. Be careful, however, once you open the book, life (and squashed bugs) will never look the same.

A Darker Magic
Author: Michael Bedard

Things get weird for Emily when a mysterious magic show returns to her town, filling her with nightmares and teaming her up with Ms. Potts, her teacher who has seen the dark magic before and knows its deadly price of admission. First published in 1986, Michael Bedard's haunting tale is rich with imagery and will have you checking over your shoulder with every spooky page.

The Way to Schenectady
Author: Richard Scrimger

Smarties Prize winning author Richard Scrimger gives us more reasons to chuckle as he looks at little brothers, cranky grandmothers and family trips. The annual Peeler family summer road trip takes a humorous detour as Jane and her 10 year old brother Bill sneak a penniless old man on board to get him to his brother's memorial on time. There's not a lot of room to hide in a mini-van and Scrimger's sharp eye provides for lots of laughs in this heart warming tale about the importance of family and good in-car ventilation.

Reads for the Road

If you're travelling anywhere this March Break, books on tape are a great idea for those who'd rather look out the window while hearing a great story. It's hard to find newer books on tape but there are some classics out there that deserve to be heard.

How to Eat Fried Worms
Author: Thomas Rockwell
Publisher: Bantam Double Day Audio Publishing

Billy wants a mini-bike and wants one bad, but will he eat 15 worms in 15 days to get it? Jay O Sanders (remember him from Rosanne?) reads this hilarious classic story about facing your fears and living up to your word. (There's also a great recipe for a Worm & Ketchup Sandwich).

Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing
Author: Judy Blume
Publisher: The Listening Library Inc.

Judy Blume reads her timeless tale of brotherly rivalry and the trials of being a fourth grader. From missing turtles to bullies named Sheila, this is one story that will have everyone laughing regardless of what grade they're in.

The Watsons Go to Birmingham -1963
Author: Christopher Paul Curtis
Publisher: Bantam Double Day Audio Publishing

Join Star Trek's Lavar Burton as he reads Newberry Award winner Christopher Paul Curtis' debut novel. Kenny Watson and his family head south and experience American history first hand. A funny, intelligent and poignant look at life in the Sixties that will educate as it entertains.