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The People of Sparks by Jeanne DuPrau
In The People of Sparks, Lina and Doon have made it to the top, and their message was found, bringing the 400 townsfolk to make it to the surface, and when they arrive at the town of Sparks, the leaders can’t tell what to do with them. The town was barely functioning and taking another half of their population is crazy. How would they survive? The strange visitors are weaklings, barely strong enough to stand in the sun. They’re a burden to the village. Will the two groups survive? Will the Emberites or the Sparks be the first to revolt? What is the Great Weapon? Ember is to Spark is to Flame is to Inferno is to Death…
BOOKMAN 10-31-16
In The People of Sparks, Lina and Doon have made it to the top, and their message was found, bringing the 400 townsfolk to make it to the surface, and when they arrive at the town of Sparks, the leaders can’t tell what to do with them. The town was barely functioning and taking another half of their population is crazy. How would they survive? The strange visitors are weaklings, barely strong enough to stand in the sun. They’re a burden to the village. Will the two groups survive? Will the Emberites or the Sparks be the first to revolt? What is the Great Weapon? Ember is to Spark is to Flame is to Inferno is to Death…
BOOKMAN 10-31-16
Counting by 7s by Holly Goldberg Sloan
In Counting by 7s, Willow Chance lives a normal life tending her garden, going to very high level classes, and meeting with a sweaty individual who hordes random objects and lazily categorizes his subjects. When Dell meets Willow, his entire system stops. He doesn’t know how to deal with her. To make it worse, her parents just got in a car crash and now he stuck in a legal nightmare. No more system, No more Willow, No more Life. Maybe they can get through, maybe, if they calm down, they can find out how to untangle the mess upon them. If they count by 7s, they’ll be alright…
BOOKMAN 10-31-16
In Counting by 7s, Willow Chance lives a normal life tending her garden, going to very high level classes, and meeting with a sweaty individual who hordes random objects and lazily categorizes his subjects. When Dell meets Willow, his entire system stops. He doesn’t know how to deal with her. To make it worse, her parents just got in a car crash and now he stuck in a legal nightmare. No more system, No more Willow, No more Life. Maybe they can get through, maybe, if they calm down, they can find out how to untangle the mess upon them. If they count by 7s, they’ll be alright…
BOOKMAN 10-31-16
J. K. Rowling: The Wizard Behind Harry Potter by Marc Shapiro
In J. K. Rowling: The Wizard Behind Harry Potter, Marc illustrates a vivid picture of Rowling’s life and recounts her entire life story with quotes from the books and Rowling herself. Written before the first/second Harry Potter movie was made, it tells about how Rowling came to making Harry Potter, before and after, and the miracles and tragedies of Rowling's life. The story is true and the struggle is real as Rowling tries to stay on top of life, and ends up soaring above it like Hedwig on her daily mail delivery…
BOOKMAN 10-31-16
In J. K. Rowling: The Wizard Behind Harry Potter, Marc illustrates a vivid picture of Rowling’s life and recounts her entire life story with quotes from the books and Rowling herself. Written before the first/second Harry Potter movie was made, it tells about how Rowling came to making Harry Potter, before and after, and the miracles and tragedies of Rowling's life. The story is true and the struggle is real as Rowling tries to stay on top of life, and ends up soaring above it like Hedwig on her daily mail delivery…
BOOKMAN 10-31-16
Unbroken By Laura Hillenbrand
In Unbroken, Louis Zamperini is the upcoming champion of track in the 1936 Olympics, but his life completely changes as he is forced to join the army. Choosing the air force, Zamp becomes excellent, going with his crew in the B-24 Airplane, Superman, and fighting the Nazi party. Zamperini goes into serious situations like crashing planes, being stranded on the ocean, and encountering The Bird… His journeys are rough, and it doesn’t look hopeful. Read the book that inspires and draws a perfect story.
BOOKMAN 9-8-16
In Unbroken, Louis Zamperini is the upcoming champion of track in the 1936 Olympics, but his life completely changes as he is forced to join the army. Choosing the air force, Zamp becomes excellent, going with his crew in the B-24 Airplane, Superman, and fighting the Nazi party. Zamperini goes into serious situations like crashing planes, being stranded on the ocean, and encountering The Bird… His journeys are rough, and it doesn’t look hopeful. Read the book that inspires and draws a perfect story.
BOOKMAN 9-8-16
Pokemon Adventures 1-4 by Hidenori Kusaka and Mato
In Pokemon Adventures 1-4, Red battles with his Poliwhirl, Pikachu and Bulbasaur, battling other trainers and Gym Leaders, guardians at each city that test those who are up to the challenge. Red’s rival, Blue, is a smart alek who intends to beat Red every way possible. Divided, they constantly meet and experience trainers, fixing mysterious problems occurring around the cities. The question is, who’s causing them? Is it Team Rocket, the nefarious Gang that steals pokemon and wants to control the world? Or is it the Legendary Pokemon, Mythical creatures that contain power unimaginable. Red, now the Pokemon Champion, has gone missing, supposedly by The Elite Four, Trainers who are ruthless and cold. Will balance be restored? Will Red be found? Pika has the answers...
-BOOKMAN 9-8-16
In Pokemon Adventures 1-4, Red battles with his Poliwhirl, Pikachu and Bulbasaur, battling other trainers and Gym Leaders, guardians at each city that test those who are up to the challenge. Red’s rival, Blue, is a smart alek who intends to beat Red every way possible. Divided, they constantly meet and experience trainers, fixing mysterious problems occurring around the cities. The question is, who’s causing them? Is it Team Rocket, the nefarious Gang that steals pokemon and wants to control the world? Or is it the Legendary Pokemon, Mythical creatures that contain power unimaginable. Red, now the Pokemon Champion, has gone missing, supposedly by The Elite Four, Trainers who are ruthless and cold. Will balance be restored? Will Red be found? Pika has the answers...
-BOOKMAN 9-8-16
Copper Sun by Sharon Draper
In Copper Sun, Amari lives in her tribe, with her playful brother and scolding mother she loves, she wants to weave cloth like her father, but she isn’t allowed. She has a happy life until the White men came. They were peaceful and traded, but shot her joyous brother through the heart. Her mother motionless on a rock, and her father face down in the dirt. The men take her and make her work, clean, rot, and do horrible things. She has no privacy, no guidance, and can’t speak the English Language. She is a tool, that can easily be thrown away. Polly, an indentured servant, tolerates her in the New World, and they work together, overcoming the harshness of forced Labor.
-BOOKMAN 9-8-16
In Copper Sun, Amari lives in her tribe, with her playful brother and scolding mother she loves, she wants to weave cloth like her father, but she isn’t allowed. She has a happy life until the White men came. They were peaceful and traded, but shot her joyous brother through the heart. Her mother motionless on a rock, and her father face down in the dirt. The men take her and make her work, clean, rot, and do horrible things. She has no privacy, no guidance, and can’t speak the English Language. She is a tool, that can easily be thrown away. Polly, an indentured servant, tolerates her in the New World, and they work together, overcoming the harshness of forced Labor.
-BOOKMAN 9-8-16
Delirium by Lauren Oliver
I recently finished a wonderful book called Delirium. Delirium takes place in the future, when love is considered a disease and you’re cured from possibly getting it in your late teenage years. Magdalena (usually called Lena) Haloway is excited to get cured. Though that doesn’t stay the same forever. Lena is faced with hard tests that could change everything, forever. This gripping read will be sure to please students who enjoy dystopian or/and romance books. This book most definitely receives 5 stars because I didn’t know what would happen next, and it was so hard to put down.
5 Stars
Submitted by Olivia Edens Date submitted 11.11.15
I recently finished a wonderful book called Delirium. Delirium takes place in the future, when love is considered a disease and you’re cured from possibly getting it in your late teenage years. Magdalena (usually called Lena) Haloway is excited to get cured. Though that doesn’t stay the same forever. Lena is faced with hard tests that could change everything, forever. This gripping read will be sure to please students who enjoy dystopian or/and romance books. This book most definitely receives 5 stars because I didn’t know what would happen next, and it was so hard to put down.
5 Stars
Submitted by Olivia Edens Date submitted 11.11.15
November Blues by Sharon Draper
November is Josh’s girlfriend and when she finds out that she has a shocking connection to Josh she doesn't know what to do. She doesn't know who to tell or how to handle this. She turns to her friends who help her along the way and they get through it with a happy ending. I recommend this book to everyone.
5 Stars
Mahek Agrawal 9/12/2015
November is Josh’s girlfriend and when she finds out that she has a shocking connection to Josh she doesn't know what to do. She doesn't know who to tell or how to handle this. She turns to her friends who help her along the way and they get through it with a happy ending. I recommend this book to everyone.
5 Stars
Mahek Agrawal 9/12/2015
The Battle of Jericho by Sharon Draper
Jericho is a high school student who wants to be in the Warrior of Distinction club. He’s enjoying life with his cousin Josh who is like a brother to him. Jericho is excited when he’s invited to the initiation for the Warriors of Distinction, but as he learns more about the clubs he starts to wonder if he’s making the right choices. The Battle of Jericho is a great book with a twist at the end and you can’t put it down. It makes you think about tough decisions and it shows the consequences of bad ones. I would recommend this book to anyone that loves action packed books.
5 Stars
Mahek Agrawal 9/12/2015
Jericho is a high school student who wants to be in the Warrior of Distinction club. He’s enjoying life with his cousin Josh who is like a brother to him. Jericho is excited when he’s invited to the initiation for the Warriors of Distinction, but as he learns more about the clubs he starts to wonder if he’s making the right choices. The Battle of Jericho is a great book with a twist at the end and you can’t put it down. It makes you think about tough decisions and it shows the consequences of bad ones. I would recommend this book to anyone that loves action packed books.
5 Stars
Mahek Agrawal 9/12/2015
Twerp by Mark Goldblatt
Twerp is an interesting tale of a young boy growing up in the 70’s. Julian is almost 12 years old. He enjoys spending time with his four friends. In his book, you will learn about his corrupt dating life. Julian is also the fastest running in his school, however when a student moves in and proves to be a threat, Julian must defend his record. The moral of this book is to stand up for yourself during your teen years. I would give this book an 8 out of 10!
Lydia Cope 9.15
Twerp is an interesting tale of a young boy growing up in the 70’s. Julian is almost 12 years old. He enjoys spending time with his four friends. In his book, you will learn about his corrupt dating life. Julian is also the fastest running in his school, however when a student moves in and proves to be a threat, Julian must defend his record. The moral of this book is to stand up for yourself during your teen years. I would give this book an 8 out of 10!
Lydia Cope 9.15
A Summer of Sundays by Lindsay Eland
A Summer of Sundays is a great realistic fiction book because it shows the way life is for kids of big families and how to be seen. Sunday the main character in the book A Summer of Sundays is the middle child and gets left out or left behind places. She's been left out of many different things but the last straw is when they leave her for four hours at a gas station, on the way to vacation. Luckily they drove the wrong way and had to stop to refill the car with gas. When the rest of them got back into the car Sunday joined and they never knew that they have left her behind. I gave this book a 5 stars because it always kept my attention and I never wanted to put it down!!! It had made me upset at the end, and I personally think it should have a sequel. Overall, if you like books that are possible situations in life then you are in luck and this book is for you!
Submitted By: Kaylee Hoagland Date Submitted: September 15
A Summer of Sundays is a great realistic fiction book because it shows the way life is for kids of big families and how to be seen. Sunday the main character in the book A Summer of Sundays is the middle child and gets left out or left behind places. She's been left out of many different things but the last straw is when they leave her for four hours at a gas station, on the way to vacation. Luckily they drove the wrong way and had to stop to refill the car with gas. When the rest of them got back into the car Sunday joined and they never knew that they have left her behind. I gave this book a 5 stars because it always kept my attention and I never wanted to put it down!!! It had made me upset at the end, and I personally think it should have a sequel. Overall, if you like books that are possible situations in life then you are in luck and this book is for you!
Submitted By: Kaylee Hoagland Date Submitted: September 15
Eleanor and Park by Rainbow Rowell
Rainbow Rowell’s novel Eleanor and Park is a simple, heartwarming story of adolescent love that can be appealing to both young people and adults. Eleanor is a new girl in school whose chance encounter with Park on the bus to school one morning inadvertently sparks an adorable relationship. Park is a seemingly quiet teenage boy whose interests in comic books and 80’s alternative music catch the attention of Eleanor, who from the beginning is perceived as “different”, based on her unconventional fashion choices and unfavorable family status. Over time the two of them begin to open up to one another, and soon their friendship evolves into something more. However, the two of them continually try to contend with their own issues of insecurity and adolescent awkwardness, which ultimately presents obstacles in their relationship. The title characters are primarily the reason why I love this book. As a reader, I generally tend to enjoy books that contain well-developed, relatable characters as opposed rather than stories containing an emphasis on plot. Rowell does a fantastic job of making the reader feel sympathetic toward them as individuals-giving them unique personal conflicts-and as a couple awkwardly trying to express their feelings for one another. Their story is written in a unique style that allows the reader to experience the feelings and perspectives of shared moments from both characters. Anyone who’s familiar with the anguish associated with teenage relationships and self-acceptance will enjoy this book. I enjoyed it thoroughly, and I believe others with a heart and a sense of humor will too.
Submitted by: Mr. Solis September 13, 2015
Rainbow Rowell’s novel Eleanor and Park is a simple, heartwarming story of adolescent love that can be appealing to both young people and adults. Eleanor is a new girl in school whose chance encounter with Park on the bus to school one morning inadvertently sparks an adorable relationship. Park is a seemingly quiet teenage boy whose interests in comic books and 80’s alternative music catch the attention of Eleanor, who from the beginning is perceived as “different”, based on her unconventional fashion choices and unfavorable family status. Over time the two of them begin to open up to one another, and soon their friendship evolves into something more. However, the two of them continually try to contend with their own issues of insecurity and adolescent awkwardness, which ultimately presents obstacles in their relationship. The title characters are primarily the reason why I love this book. As a reader, I generally tend to enjoy books that contain well-developed, relatable characters as opposed rather than stories containing an emphasis on plot. Rowell does a fantastic job of making the reader feel sympathetic toward them as individuals-giving them unique personal conflicts-and as a couple awkwardly trying to express their feelings for one another. Their story is written in a unique style that allows the reader to experience the feelings and perspectives of shared moments from both characters. Anyone who’s familiar with the anguish associated with teenage relationships and self-acceptance will enjoy this book. I enjoyed it thoroughly, and I believe others with a heart and a sense of humor will too.
Submitted by: Mr. Solis September 13, 2015
Copper Sun by Sharon Draper
At first I thought this book was going to be like any other book about slavery in America. But when I started reading it took a whole other turn. It keeps you wanting to read and makes you feel for the people who were victims of slavery. It also shows the point of view of an indentured servant.With this view I saw the book in two different point of views, which was interesting to see how some rationalized slavery. With all these elements I thought this was a great book to read and would recommend this to anyone who likes to read about history.
Submitted by Joseph Deer. 9/1/15
At first I thought this book was going to be like any other book about slavery in America. But when I started reading it took a whole other turn. It keeps you wanting to read and makes you feel for the people who were victims of slavery. It also shows the point of view of an indentured servant.With this view I saw the book in two different point of views, which was interesting to see how some rationalized slavery. With all these elements I thought this was a great book to read and would recommend this to anyone who likes to read about history.
Submitted by Joseph Deer. 9/1/15
The Running Dream by Wendelin Van Draanen
I thought that The Running Dream was an amazing book and it was super inspirational to people of any kind at any age. Six-teen year old Jessica loves to start a good morning by going on a run, which she has a passion for, with her wonderful dog, Sherlock. The wind through her hair and her muscles tugging makes her feel so alive. But one day her and her track team are on a bus and someone hits them, the bus flips over and Jessica is terribly injured. Poor Jessica loses a leg. She is not so sure how to fight through life without a leg, a million questions are racing through her head like; What will people say? How will I ever go back to school? But this is where her most beloved friend, Fiona, comes into the picture and pushes her through life. Jessica would not be any where but in bed today if it weren't for Fiona. I really recommend this book to any kind of reader.
Submitted by: Ava Patterson Date Submitted: September 4th, 2015
I thought that The Running Dream was an amazing book and it was super inspirational to people of any kind at any age. Six-teen year old Jessica loves to start a good morning by going on a run, which she has a passion for, with her wonderful dog, Sherlock. The wind through her hair and her muscles tugging makes her feel so alive. But one day her and her track team are on a bus and someone hits them, the bus flips over and Jessica is terribly injured. Poor Jessica loses a leg. She is not so sure how to fight through life without a leg, a million questions are racing through her head like; What will people say? How will I ever go back to school? But this is where her most beloved friend, Fiona, comes into the picture and pushes her through life. Jessica would not be any where but in bed today if it weren't for Fiona. I really recommend this book to any kind of reader.
Submitted by: Ava Patterson Date Submitted: September 4th, 2015
Cinder By Melissa Myer
16 year old Cinder is a cyborg. This book is a sci-fi twist on the classic tale, Cinderella. Cinder has an evil step sister and stepmother, just like Cinderella. However, in this book the main character does have one nice step sister. When an epidemic spreads, Cinder’s sister passes away and all fingers point to Cinder as the cause of death so now she has to be a test dummy to cure the epidemic. Although the original Cinderella is graceful and simple, this Cinder is the best mechanic in New Beijing! Even when Cinder is a test dummy, she is falling for a prince while he is falling for her; all while an evil queen is in the way. Although I don’t like sci-fi; I’d still give this book a 2 out of 5.
Lydia Cope 9/4/015
16 year old Cinder is a cyborg. This book is a sci-fi twist on the classic tale, Cinderella. Cinder has an evil step sister and stepmother, just like Cinderella. However, in this book the main character does have one nice step sister. When an epidemic spreads, Cinder’s sister passes away and all fingers point to Cinder as the cause of death so now she has to be a test dummy to cure the epidemic. Although the original Cinderella is graceful and simple, this Cinder is the best mechanic in New Beijing! Even when Cinder is a test dummy, she is falling for a prince while he is falling for her; all while an evil queen is in the way. Although I don’t like sci-fi; I’d still give this book a 2 out of 5.
Lydia Cope 9/4/015
A Long Way from Chicago by Richard Peck
11 year old Joe has to go down to grandma's every summer with his sister Mary Alice. Unlike most grandmas who bake cookies and knit, she is a little unique. She lives in a small town in the country, and privacy is a necessity to her. While the depression is going on they scramble to get by. I enjoyed this book because of the grandma’s different actions such as threatening to shoot some kids, stealing a boat and showing some major acts of kindness. Read this book!
Lydia Cope 9-4-15
11 year old Joe has to go down to grandma's every summer with his sister Mary Alice. Unlike most grandmas who bake cookies and knit, she is a little unique. She lives in a small town in the country, and privacy is a necessity to her. While the depression is going on they scramble to get by. I enjoyed this book because of the grandma’s different actions such as threatening to shoot some kids, stealing a boat and showing some major acts of kindness. Read this book!
Lydia Cope 9-4-15
Twerp by Mark Goldblatt
I loved this book because it was a diary about a boy named Julian who made a bad mistake. Julian is a very fast runner, a great student, and a kind person overall, but when Lonnie (his best friend) comes around he loses his straight thinking and caves in to do something he knows he is not to do. He writes a love letter for Lonnie and Jillian the girl he wrote it to, thinks he likes her and gets all mushy gushy over it! He made one very bad mistake against one person who needs special help named Danley Dimmel but, his real name is Stanley. But all’s well that ends well right but, after a suspension for a week everything changes including writing a diary to explain what happened to Stanley (Danely). I gave this book 5 stars because I enjoyed the funny humor and would recommend this to anyone who likes a humorous book!
Submitted By: Kaylee Hoagland Date Submitted: August 27, 2015
I loved this book because it was a diary about a boy named Julian who made a bad mistake. Julian is a very fast runner, a great student, and a kind person overall, but when Lonnie (his best friend) comes around he loses his straight thinking and caves in to do something he knows he is not to do. He writes a love letter for Lonnie and Jillian the girl he wrote it to, thinks he likes her and gets all mushy gushy over it! He made one very bad mistake against one person who needs special help named Danley Dimmel but, his real name is Stanley. But all’s well that ends well right but, after a suspension for a week everything changes including writing a diary to explain what happened to Stanley (Danely). I gave this book 5 stars because I enjoyed the funny humor and would recommend this to anyone who likes a humorous book!
Submitted By: Kaylee Hoagland Date Submitted: August 27, 2015
The Giver by Lois Lowry
I really thought I would not enjoy this book because it is a dystopian fiction novel, but I thoroughly enjoyed it. The main character Jonas lives in a perfect world with no rain, sleet, snow,or ice. There's no hunger, pain,or hardship. Everyone has exactly what they need at all times. Each person is assigned a task\job when they turn to a twelve, a bike at nine, and a spouse when they apply for one, along with two children, one boy and one girl. This book is a great book and I recommend it to anyone who likes a quick but good read. I rated this a 4 stars because I didn’t like the ending, but if you're like me you’ll continue the series to find out what happens to Jonas and his family, life, and future!
Submitted By: Kaylee Hoagland August 27, 2015
I really thought I would not enjoy this book because it is a dystopian fiction novel, but I thoroughly enjoyed it. The main character Jonas lives in a perfect world with no rain, sleet, snow,or ice. There's no hunger, pain,or hardship. Everyone has exactly what they need at all times. Each person is assigned a task\job when they turn to a twelve, a bike at nine, and a spouse when they apply for one, along with two children, one boy and one girl. This book is a great book and I recommend it to anyone who likes a quick but good read. I rated this a 4 stars because I didn’t like the ending, but if you're like me you’ll continue the series to find out what happens to Jonas and his family, life, and future!
Submitted By: Kaylee Hoagland August 27, 2015
Code by Kathy and Brendan Reichs
Code is the third book in the Virals series and it’s amazing! When Tory goes geocaching with Hi and her other friends, they find a cache with a message from the Gamemaster. Though, this cache is no game. There is a threat hidden somewhere and one wrong move could put the whole town in danger. Tory and her friends must complete each challenge without telling anyone and doing it all correctly in order to stop the threat. This series is amazing and I would recommend it to anyone who enjoys mysteries, dystopian novels (even though it isn’t dystopian it seems like it), suspense, and does not mind cliffhangers at the end of chapters. Just remember to read Virals and Seizure first because they are the first books in this gripping series!
I rate this book/series five stars because I can’t put them down. Seriously. It’s really hard.
Submitted by Olivia Edens August 31, 2015
Code is the third book in the Virals series and it’s amazing! When Tory goes geocaching with Hi and her other friends, they find a cache with a message from the Gamemaster. Though, this cache is no game. There is a threat hidden somewhere and one wrong move could put the whole town in danger. Tory and her friends must complete each challenge without telling anyone and doing it all correctly in order to stop the threat. This series is amazing and I would recommend it to anyone who enjoys mysteries, dystopian novels (even though it isn’t dystopian it seems like it), suspense, and does not mind cliffhangers at the end of chapters. Just remember to read Virals and Seizure first because they are the first books in this gripping series!
I rate this book/series five stars because I can’t put them down. Seriously. It’s really hard.
Submitted by Olivia Edens August 31, 2015
Foul Trouble by John Feinstein
I assumed that I would not enjoy this book, since sports are not a big deal to me. I am happy to say that I was wrong. Terrell Jamerson is the top-rated high school basketball player in the country and the hot recruit as the next big thing in college basketball. Danny Wilcox is not only his point guard, but also his voice of reason and loyal friend. Together they make way through their senior year of high school basketball and the recruiting frenzy. Terrell has to learn who he can trust as he is confronted with crooked sports agents, fake friends, and the promise of money and fame. The issues raised about the pressures placed upon student athletes and the behind the scenes corruption in college sports make this more than just a good sports book; it is also a gripping read.
Submitted by Mrs. Kern 8/24/2015
I assumed that I would not enjoy this book, since sports are not a big deal to me. I am happy to say that I was wrong. Terrell Jamerson is the top-rated high school basketball player in the country and the hot recruit as the next big thing in college basketball. Danny Wilcox is not only his point guard, but also his voice of reason and loyal friend. Together they make way through their senior year of high school basketball and the recruiting frenzy. Terrell has to learn who he can trust as he is confronted with crooked sports agents, fake friends, and the promise of money and fame. The issues raised about the pressures placed upon student athletes and the behind the scenes corruption in college sports make this more than just a good sports book; it is also a gripping read.
Submitted by Mrs. Kern 8/24/2015
Sunrise by Mike Mullin
I just finished Sunrise, the final installment in the Ashfall trilogy by Mike Mullin, and I loved it. Alex and Darla work to build a community that will survive in the aftermath of the Yellowstone supervolcano eruption. This gripping adventure lives up to the level of action that I expect after having read the first two books.
Submitted by Mrs. Kern
I just finished Sunrise, the final installment in the Ashfall trilogy by Mike Mullin, and I loved it. Alex and Darla work to build a community that will survive in the aftermath of the Yellowstone supervolcano eruption. This gripping adventure lives up to the level of action that I expect after having read the first two books.
Submitted by Mrs. Kern
Cinder by Marissa Meyer
Scarlet by Marissa Meyer
Cress by Marissa Meyer
A forbidden romance. A deadly plague. Earth's fate hinges on one girl . . . This is not the fairy tale you remember. But it's one you won't forget.
Marissa Meyer, the author of the incredible new series The Lunar Chronicles, talks about her first book, Cinder, and about what influenced her to write the series. You can also find out more about the next three books in the series, Scarlett, Cress and Winter. (From Puffin Books)
Submitted by Mrs. Kern
Click on the book cover to watch an interview with the author.
Scarlet by Marissa Meyer
Cress by Marissa Meyer
A forbidden romance. A deadly plague. Earth's fate hinges on one girl . . . This is not the fairy tale you remember. But it's one you won't forget.
Marissa Meyer, the author of the incredible new series The Lunar Chronicles, talks about her first book, Cinder, and about what influenced her to write the series. You can also find out more about the next three books in the series, Scarlett, Cress and Winter. (From Puffin Books)
Submitted by Mrs. Kern
Click on the book cover to watch an interview with the author.
Panic by Sharon Draper
As rehearsals begin for the ballet version of Peter Pan, the teenaged members of an Ohio dance troupe lose their focus when one of their own goes missing. (from Destiny)
Click on the book cover to watch an interview with the author.
As rehearsals begin for the ballet version of Peter Pan, the teenaged members of an Ohio dance troupe lose their focus when one of their own goes missing. (from Destiny)
Click on the book cover to watch an interview with the author.
The Raven Boys (book 1) by Maggie Stiefvater
The Dream Thieves (book 2) by Maggie Stiefvater
Now that the ley lines around Cabeswater are awake, magic is swirling around Blue and The Raven boys and Ronan Lynch's ability to pull objects from his dreams is almost out of control but worst of all, the mysterious Gray Man is stalking the Lynch family, looking for something called the Greywaren. (From Destiny)
Click on the book cover to view a video book trailer for book 1 in the series.
The Dream Thieves (book 2) by Maggie Stiefvater
Now that the ley lines around Cabeswater are awake, magic is swirling around Blue and The Raven boys and Ronan Lynch's ability to pull objects from his dreams is almost out of control but worst of all, the mysterious Gray Man is stalking the Lynch family, looking for something called the Greywaren. (From Destiny)
Click on the book cover to view a video book trailer for book 1 in the series.
Unwholly by Neal Shusterman
Book 2 in the Unwind Series
Thanks to Connor, Lev, and Risa, and their high-profile revolt at Happy Jack Harvest Camp, people can no longer turn a blind eye to unwinding. Ridding society of troublesome teens and, in the same stroke, providing much-needed tissues for transplant might be convenient, but its morality has finally been brought into question. However, unwinding has become big business, and there are powerful political and corporate interests that want to see it not only continue, but expand, allowing the unwinding of prisoners and the impoverished. Cam is a teen who does not exist. He is made entirely out of the parts of other unwinds. Cam, a 21st century Frankenstein, struggles with a search for identity and meaning, as well as the concept of his own soul, if indeed a rewound being can have one. When a sadistic bounty hunter who takes "trophies" from the unwinds he captures starts to pursue Connor, Risa and Lev, Cam finds his fate inextricably bound with theirs. (from Destiny)
Click on the book cover to view a video book trailer.
Book 2 in the Unwind Series
Thanks to Connor, Lev, and Risa, and their high-profile revolt at Happy Jack Harvest Camp, people can no longer turn a blind eye to unwinding. Ridding society of troublesome teens and, in the same stroke, providing much-needed tissues for transplant might be convenient, but its morality has finally been brought into question. However, unwinding has become big business, and there are powerful political and corporate interests that want to see it not only continue, but expand, allowing the unwinding of prisoners and the impoverished. Cam is a teen who does not exist. He is made entirely out of the parts of other unwinds. Cam, a 21st century Frankenstein, struggles with a search for identity and meaning, as well as the concept of his own soul, if indeed a rewound being can have one. When a sadistic bounty hunter who takes "trophies" from the unwinds he captures starts to pursue Connor, Risa and Lev, Cam finds his fate inextricably bound with theirs. (from Destiny)
Click on the book cover to view a video book trailer.
United We Spy by Ally Carter
The final book in the best-selling Gallagher Girl Series
"Cammie Morgan and her friends finally know why the terrorist organization called the Circle of Cavan has been hunting her. Now the spy girls and Zach must track down the Circle's elite members to stop them before they implement a master plan that will change Cammie--and her country--forever"--Provided by publisher.
Click on the book cover to view a video book trailer.
The final book in the best-selling Gallagher Girl Series
"Cammie Morgan and her friends finally know why the terrorist organization called the Circle of Cavan has been hunting her. Now the spy girls and Zach must track down the Circle's elite members to stop them before they implement a master plan that will change Cammie--and her country--forever"--Provided by publisher.
Click on the book cover to view a video book trailer.
ALA Youth Media Awards 2014
Check out these links for book lists for 2014 award-winning books.
Check out these links for book lists for 2014 award-winning books.
Flora & Ulysses by Kate DiCamillo
Winner of the 2014 Newbery Medal
A 2013 Parents' Choice Award Winner for Fiction
It begins, as the best superhero stories do, with a tragic accident that has unexpected consequences. The squirrel never saw the vacuum cleaner coming, but self-described cynic Flora Belle Buckman, who has read every issue of the comic book Terrible Things Can Happen to You!, is the just the right person to step in and save him. What neither can predict is that Ulysses (the squirrel) has been born anew, with powers of strength, flight, and misspelled poetry — and that Flora will be changed too, as she discovers the possibility of hope and the promise of a capacious heart. (excerpt from Barnes and Noble. com)
Winner of the 2014 Newbery Medal
A 2013 Parents' Choice Award Winner for Fiction
It begins, as the best superhero stories do, with a tragic accident that has unexpected consequences. The squirrel never saw the vacuum cleaner coming, but self-described cynic Flora Belle Buckman, who has read every issue of the comic book Terrible Things Can Happen to You!, is the just the right person to step in and save him. What neither can predict is that Ulysses (the squirrel) has been born anew, with powers of strength, flight, and misspelled poetry — and that Flora will be changed too, as she discovers the possibility of hope and the promise of a capacious heart. (excerpt from Barnes and Noble. com)
The Nazi Hunters by Neal Bascomb
2014 YALSA Award for Excellence in Nonfiction for Young Adults
A thrilling spy mission, a moving Holocaust story, and a first-class work of narrative nonfiction.
In 1945, at the end of World War II, Adolf Eichmann, the head of operations for the Nazis' Final Solution, walked into the mountains of Germany and vanished from view. Sixteen years later, an elite team of spies captured him at a bus stop in Argentina and smuggled him to Israel, resulting in one of the century's most important trials -- one that cemented the Holocaust in the public imagination.
THE NAZI HUNTERS is the thrilling and fascinating story of what happened between these two events.
(excerpt from Barnes and Noble. com)
2014 YALSA Award for Excellence in Nonfiction for Young Adults
A thrilling spy mission, a moving Holocaust story, and a first-class work of narrative nonfiction.
In 1945, at the end of World War II, Adolf Eichmann, the head of operations for the Nazis' Final Solution, walked into the mountains of Germany and vanished from view. Sixteen years later, an elite team of spies captured him at a bus stop in Argentina and smuggled him to Israel, resulting in one of the century's most important trials -- one that cemented the Holocaust in the public imagination.
THE NAZI HUNTERS is the thrilling and fascinating story of what happened between these two events.
(excerpt from Barnes and Noble. com)
Swagger by Carl Deuker
When high school senior Jonas moves to Seattle, he is glad to meet Levi, a nice, soft-spoken guy and fellow basketball player. Suspense builds like a slow drumbeat as readers start to smell a rat in Ryan Hartwell, a charismatic basketball coach and sexual predator. When Levi reluctantly tells Jonas that Hartwell abused him, Jonas has to decide whether he should risk his future career to report the coach. Pitch-perfect basketball plays, well-developed characters, and fine storytelling make this psychological sports novel a slam dunk.
(excerpt from Barnes and Noble. com)
When high school senior Jonas moves to Seattle, he is glad to meet Levi, a nice, soft-spoken guy and fellow basketball player. Suspense builds like a slow drumbeat as readers start to smell a rat in Ryan Hartwell, a charismatic basketball coach and sexual predator. When Levi reluctantly tells Jonas that Hartwell abused him, Jonas has to decide whether he should risk his future career to report the coach. Pitch-perfect basketball plays, well-developed characters, and fine storytelling make this psychological sports novel a slam dunk.
(excerpt from Barnes and Noble. com)
QB1 by Mike Lupica
Jake Cullen is a freshman quarterback playing high school football in the high-pressure land of Friday Night Lights (Texas). He is also the brother of Wyatt Cullen, who quarterbacked his team to the Texas State Championship last season--not to mention the son of former NFL quarterback and local legend, Troy Cullen. To be a Cullen in Texas is to be royalty . . . and a quarterback. All of which leaves 14-year-old Jake in a Texas-sized shadow, a tall order for any boy, especially one who's merely a freshman.
While his teammates assume the starting job will be handed to Jake on a silver platter, the truth is that he has to fight for every snap and every ounce of respect. Jake may be a Cullen and he may play quarterback, but he is not his brother or his father. Being a good teammate comes naturally to Jake; being a winner and a celebrity does not. He's just like every other boy--awkward around a pretty girl, in awe of his famous family, and desperate to simultaneously blend in and cast his own shadow.
Inspired by the real-life Manning family of quarterbacks (father Archie, Super Bowl-winning sons Peyton and Eli) and set amid the football-crazy culture of Texas immortalized in Friday Night Lights. (excerpt from Barnes and Noble. com)
"This is a wonderful book by a great writer. All football fathers and sons will enjoy it."--Archie Manning
Jake Cullen is a freshman quarterback playing high school football in the high-pressure land of Friday Night Lights (Texas). He is also the brother of Wyatt Cullen, who quarterbacked his team to the Texas State Championship last season--not to mention the son of former NFL quarterback and local legend, Troy Cullen. To be a Cullen in Texas is to be royalty . . . and a quarterback. All of which leaves 14-year-old Jake in a Texas-sized shadow, a tall order for any boy, especially one who's merely a freshman.
While his teammates assume the starting job will be handed to Jake on a silver platter, the truth is that he has to fight for every snap and every ounce of respect. Jake may be a Cullen and he may play quarterback, but he is not his brother or his father. Being a good teammate comes naturally to Jake; being a winner and a celebrity does not. He's just like every other boy--awkward around a pretty girl, in awe of his famous family, and desperate to simultaneously blend in and cast his own shadow.
Inspired by the real-life Manning family of quarterbacks (father Archie, Super Bowl-winning sons Peyton and Eli) and set amid the football-crazy culture of Texas immortalized in Friday Night Lights. (excerpt from Barnes and Noble. com)
"This is a wonderful book by a great writer. All football fathers and sons will enjoy it."--Archie Manning
The Moon and More by Sarah Dessen
Luke is the perfect boyfriend: handsome, kind, fun. He and Emaline have been together all through high school in Colby, the beach town where they both grew up. But now, in the summer before college, Emaline wonders if perfect is good enough.
Enter Theo, a super-ambitious outsider, a New Yorker assisting on a documentary film about a reclusive local artist. Theo's sophisticated, exciting, and, best of all, he thinks Emaline is much too smart for Colby.
Emaline's mostly-absentee father, too, thinks Emaline should have a bigger life, and he's convinced that an Ivy League education is the only route to realizing her potential. Emaline is attracted to the bright future that Theo and her father promise. But she also clings to the deep roots of her loving mother, stepfather, and sisters. Can she ignore the pull of the happily familiar world of Colby?
Emaline wants the moon and more, but how can she balance where she comes from with where she's going?
(excerpt from Barnes and Noble. com)
Click on the book cover to view a video book trailer.
Luke is the perfect boyfriend: handsome, kind, fun. He and Emaline have been together all through high school in Colby, the beach town where they both grew up. But now, in the summer before college, Emaline wonders if perfect is good enough.
Enter Theo, a super-ambitious outsider, a New Yorker assisting on a documentary film about a reclusive local artist. Theo's sophisticated, exciting, and, best of all, he thinks Emaline is much too smart for Colby.
Emaline's mostly-absentee father, too, thinks Emaline should have a bigger life, and he's convinced that an Ivy League education is the only route to realizing her potential. Emaline is attracted to the bright future that Theo and her father promise. But she also clings to the deep roots of her loving mother, stepfather, and sisters. Can she ignore the pull of the happily familiar world of Colby?
Emaline wants the moon and more, but how can she balance where she comes from with where she's going?
(excerpt from Barnes and Noble. com)
Click on the book cover to view a video book trailer.
UnSouled by Neal Shusterman
The story that began with Unwind continues.
Connor and Lev are on the run after the destruction of the Graveyard, the last safe haven for AWOL Unwinds. But for the first time, they’re not just running away from something. This time, they’re running toward answers, in the form of a woman Proactive Citizenry has tried to erase from history itself. If they can find her, and learn why the shadowy figures behind unwinding are so afraid of her, they may discover the key to bringing down unwinding forever.
Cam, the rewound boy, is plotting to take down the organization that created him. Because he knows that if he can bring Proactive Citizenry to its knees, it will show Risa how he truly feels about her. And without Risa, Cam is having trouble remembering what it feels like to be human. (excerpt from Barnes and Noble. com)
The story that began with Unwind continues.
Connor and Lev are on the run after the destruction of the Graveyard, the last safe haven for AWOL Unwinds. But for the first time, they’re not just running away from something. This time, they’re running toward answers, in the form of a woman Proactive Citizenry has tried to erase from history itself. If they can find her, and learn why the shadowy figures behind unwinding are so afraid of her, they may discover the key to bringing down unwinding forever.
Cam, the rewound boy, is plotting to take down the organization that created him. Because he knows that if he can bring Proactive Citizenry to its knees, it will show Risa how he truly feels about her. And without Risa, Cam is having trouble remembering what it feels like to be human. (excerpt from Barnes and Noble. com)
The Wishing Spell by Chris Colfer
Overview Alex and Conner Bailey's world is about to change, in this fast-paced adventure that uniquely combines our modern day world with the enchanting realm of classic fairytales.
The Land of Stories tells the tale of twins Alex and Conner. Through the mysterious powers of a cherished book of stories, they leave their world behind and find themselves in a foreign land full of wonder and magic where they come face-to-face with the fairy tale characters they grew up reading about.
But after a series of encounters with witches, wolves, goblins, and trolls alike, getting back home is going to be harder than they thought. (excerpt from Barnes and Noble. com)
Click on the book cover to view a video interview with the author.
Overview Alex and Conner Bailey's world is about to change, in this fast-paced adventure that uniquely combines our modern day world with the enchanting realm of classic fairytales.
The Land of Stories tells the tale of twins Alex and Conner. Through the mysterious powers of a cherished book of stories, they leave their world behind and find themselves in a foreign land full of wonder and magic where they come face-to-face with the fairy tale characters they grew up reading about.
But after a series of encounters with witches, wolves, goblins, and trolls alike, getting back home is going to be harder than they thought. (excerpt from Barnes and Noble. com)
Click on the book cover to view a video interview with the author.
Allegiant by Veronica Roth
Here it is! The final installment of Veronica Roth's Divergent trilogy.
Click on the book cover to view a movie trailer for the 1st book in the Divergent series.
Here it is! The final installment of Veronica Roth's Divergent trilogy.
Click on the book cover to view a movie trailer for the 1st book in the Divergent series.
Hard Luck by Jeff Kinney
Greg Heffley's on a losing streak. His best friend, Rowley Jefferson, has ditched him, and finding new friends in middle school is proving to be a tough task. To change his fortunes, Greg decides to take a leap of faith and turn his decisions over to chance. Will a roll of the dice turn things around, or is Greg's life destined to be just another hard-luck story?
(excerpt from Barnes and Noble. com)
Click on the book cover to view a video book trailer.
Prisoners in the Palace by Michaela MacColl
Drama, gossip, intrigue, romance, action,and, yes, even humor-this historical fiction novel by Michaela MacColl has it all. Elizabeth Hastings is a protagonist who works as a maid at Kensington Palace in London for the young Princess Victoria in the early 1800s. As the princess's maid, Elizabeth The supporting cast of characters is great. Elizabeth is a teen who is determined to make her way following the unexpected death of her her parents. I could not put this book down.
Michael Vey by Richard Paul Evans
To everyone at Meridian High School, fourteen-year-old Michael Vey is nothing special, just the kid who has Tourette’s syndrome. But in truth, Michael is extremely special—he has electric powers. Michael thinks he is unique until he discovers that a cheerleader named Taylor has the same mysterious powers. With the help of Michael’s friend, Ostin, the three of them set out to discover how Michael and Taylor ended up with their abilities, and their investigation soon brings them to the attention of a powerful group who wants to control the electric teens—and through them, the world.
Click on the book cover to view a video book trailer.
from Amazon.com
Click on the book cover to view a video book trailer.
from Amazon.com
Between Shades of Grey by Ruta Sepetys
Fifteen-year-old Lina is a Lithuanian girl living an ordinary life--until Soviet officers invade her home and tear her family apart. Separated from her father and forced onto a crowded train, Lina, her mother, and her young brother make their way to a Siberian work camp, where they are forced to fight for their lives. Lina finds solace in her art, documenting these events by drawing. Risking everything, she imbeds clues in her drawings of their location and secretly passes them along, hoping her drawings will make their way to her father's prison camp. But will strength, love, and hope be enough for Lina and her family to survive?
from Amazon.com
Click on the book cover to view a video interview with the author.
from Amazon.com
Click on the book cover to view a video interview with the author.
The Fall of Five by Pitticus Lore
August 27, 2013
The Fall of Five is the fourth novel in the New York Times bestselling I Am Number Four series by Pittacus Lore. The Garde are finally reunited, but do they have what it takes to win the war against the Mogadorians?
John Smith—Number Four—thought that things would change once the Garde found one another. They would stop running. They would fight the Mogadorians. And they would win.
But he was wrong.
*From Amazon.com
Click on the book cover to view a video book trailer.
John Smith—Number Four—thought that things would change once the Garde found one another. They would stop running. They would fight the Mogadorians. And they would win.
But he was wrong.
*From Amazon.com
Click on the book cover to view a video book trailer.
Department 19: Battle Lines by Will Hill
August 29, 2013
Secret government unit Department 19 is recovering from evil vampire Valeri Rusmanov's deadly attack on their base. The Department’s newest member, teenage operator Jamie Carpenter, is tasked with training up a new squad, as his friends and colleagues desperately search for ways to try to stop what is coming.
The timing couldn’t be worse for a coordinated, global attack on a number of maximum security prisons and hospitals—with the already-dangerous inmates now on the loose and turned into vampires. One of the escapees has a deep connection to one of the darkest moments in the history of Department 19 and embarks on a quest that threatens to expose the existence of vampires to the public. And with each day that passes, the regenerated Dracula gets stronger, bringing Zero Hour closer.
In this third installment of the epic Department 19 series, Will Hill delivers higher—and sharper—stakes than ever before.
*from Amazon.com
The timing couldn’t be worse for a coordinated, global attack on a number of maximum security prisons and hospitals—with the already-dangerous inmates now on the loose and turned into vampires. One of the escapees has a deep connection to one of the darkest moments in the history of Department 19 and embarks on a quest that threatens to expose the existence of vampires to the public. And with each day that passes, the regenerated Dracula gets stronger, bringing Zero Hour closer.
In this third installment of the epic Department 19 series, Will Hill delivers higher—and sharper—stakes than ever before.
*from Amazon.com
The Running Dream by Wendelin Van Draanen
Jessica thinks her life is over when she loses a leg in a car accident. She's not comforted by the news that she'll be able to walk with the help of a prosthetic leg. Who cares about walking when you live to run?
As she struggles to cope with crutches and a first cyborg-like prosthetic, Jessica feels oddly both in the spotlight and invisible. People who don't know what to say, act like she's not there. Which she could handle better if she weren't now keenly aware that she'd done the same thing herself to a girl with CP named Rosa. A girl who is going to tutor her through all the math she's missed. A girl who sees right into the heart of her.
Click on the book cover to view a video book trailer.
As she struggles to cope with crutches and a first cyborg-like prosthetic, Jessica feels oddly both in the spotlight and invisible. People who don't know what to say, act like she's not there. Which she could handle better if she weren't now keenly aware that she'd done the same thing herself to a girl with CP named Rosa. A girl who is going to tutor her through all the math she's missed. A girl who sees right into the heart of her.
Click on the book cover to view a video book trailer.
Okay For Now by Gary D. Schmidt
September 7, 2012
Other teachers read this book last year and told me it was a really great book. I decided to see for myself. I started the book in May of last spring, and just couldn't make it work for me. I put it back on the shelf in the library and forgot about it. Then this fall, while I was straightening up the "S" section, I saw it sitting there. So, I pulled it off of the shelve and started again. Once again, I got sidetracked by books like Unwholly and The Rise of Nine. After the latter, I decided to make myself read this book once and for all. After reading two chapters, I couldn't figure out why in the world I put it down in the first place.
What a mix of humor and heartbreak. This book makes me laugh and feel so sad in the course of a very few paragraphs. The main character, Doug, has such a unique voice. And his ability to tell stories is like no other.
What a mix of humor and heartbreak. This book makes me laugh and feel so sad in the course of a very few paragraphs. The main character, Doug, has such a unique voice. And his ability to tell stories is like no other.
The Rise of Nine by Pittacus Lore
September 2, 2012
Hail, hail, the gang's almost all here! Installment #3 of the Lorien Legacies is here. We were introduced to #4 and #6 in I Am Number 4. Then in The Power Of Six, we met #7, #9, and #10. In this book, we get a look at #8. But still no #5. But that's okay. We still have more sequels to come.
Once again, we are taken to the battles between the Lorien Guarde and the Mogadorians. But now, the US government has entered the fight, and it has aligned itself with the Mogs (Whaaaa?!).
No disappointment with this part of the series. It's action-packed and full of emerging legacies. Write on, Pittacus Lore!
Once again, we are taken to the battles between the Lorien Guarde and the Mogadorians. But now, the US government has entered the fight, and it has aligned itself with the Mogs (Whaaaa?!).
No disappointment with this part of the series. It's action-packed and full of emerging legacies. Write on, Pittacus Lore!
The Raft by S. A. Bodeen
August 26, 2012
During a Skye with author, Stephanie Bodeen, she told us briefly about The Raft. I thought it sounded like a snooze. But it really wasn't. In fact, I really liked it. It was exciting from beginning to end, and it was short enough to appeal to students who don't like to spend a lot of time reading. Chapters are short and there was plenty of action.
When a commuter/cargo plane goes down in the Pacific Ocean, a 15-year-old passenger, and the co-pilot are the only two survivors left afloat on a life raft. This is their survival story. I learned a lot about the ocean and chances for survival in a situation like this.
Note: the only weird part for me involved the co-pilot who wasn't at all what he seemed to be. About 2/3 of the way through the novel, we learn his fate and that's when I started scratching my head a little. Oh well...
When a commuter/cargo plane goes down in the Pacific Ocean, a 15-year-old passenger, and the co-pilot are the only two survivors left afloat on a life raft. This is their survival story. I learned a lot about the ocean and chances for survival in a situation like this.
Note: the only weird part for me involved the co-pilot who wasn't at all what he seemed to be. About 2/3 of the way through the novel, we learn his fate and that's when I started scratching my head a little. Oh well...
Keep Holding On by Susane Colasanti
August 25, 2012
On a video interview, Susane Colasanti said that she wrote this book to help students know that life will get better if they can just "Keep Holding On." I enjoyed this book, even though I'll have to admit that I was never, not one time, ever bullied in high school. In fact, I didn't know anyone who was. I know the problem exists, and I would hope that the examples in this book don't really go on, but since she based this on her own high school memories, I suppose it does.
This is a "feel good" novel, and I think many readers will like the storyline. Because the girl in the book is bullied, and her life did get better, because she chose to hold on. This is a very quick, easy read with enough going on to hold readers' interest.
This is a "feel good" novel, and I think many readers will like the storyline. Because the girl in the book is bullied, and her life did get better, because she chose to hold on. This is a very quick, easy read with enough going on to hold readers' interest.
The Body Finder by Kimberly Derting
August 18, 2012
This book was recommended to me by a student a couple of years ago, and again at the beginning of the school year. I was prepared to be underwhelmed after reading the description. I was very pleasantly surprised to find that this was a pretty good mystery. And I am always looking for good mysteries, because they are often requested. There are only so many times I can recommend the books of Caroline Cooney and Lois Duncan. I am so glad that I have something new.
The main character of this book has the ability to find the bodies of both animals and people who have been killed in some way. In addition to that, she can somehow see or hear the "echo" of the person responsible for those deaths. It makes for a very interesting premise, especially when young people she knows begin to disappear. Then the hunt is on for the killer.
At the same time, there is a budding relationship between the characters in the book, which will please those who like a little romance mixed in with the intrigue.
Was this book perfect? No. Was it entertaining? Yes. Would I recommend it? Absolutely. In fact, I've got the sequel on my shelf just waiting for me to finish my current book. I'm planning to like it, as well.
The main character of this book has the ability to find the bodies of both animals and people who have been killed in some way. In addition to that, she can somehow see or hear the "echo" of the person responsible for those deaths. It makes for a very interesting premise, especially when young people she knows begin to disappear. Then the hunt is on for the killer.
At the same time, there is a budding relationship between the characters in the book, which will please those who like a little romance mixed in with the intrigue.
Was this book perfect? No. Was it entertaining? Yes. Would I recommend it? Absolutely. In fact, I've got the sequel on my shelf just waiting for me to finish my current book. I'm planning to like it, as well.
The Fault in Our Stars by John Green
January 22, 2012
I am a 54-year-old Nerdfighter and very proud of that. I wish I could put into words how I loved TFIOS (The Fault in Our Stars). I have no adequate phrases or clauses to convey the absolute beauty and awesomeness of this book. The characters, the dialogue, the themes, the plot, all are too big and wonderful for my limited vocabulary. I laughed, I cried, but most of all, I thought. This book grabbed my attention and my heart over a week ago, and it still hasn't let go.
To tell any part of this story would spoil so much of the experience. Just let it suffice to say that this is a book about relationships. Most of the teen characters in this book have or have had cancer. The two main characters are engaging personalities, tragic figures, and kooky teenagers. I have never loved a character as quickly as I loved Augustus Waters.
This book isn't for everyone. Moreover, everyone will not believe the book is for them. However, this book should be loved by everyone. I can't imagine a person who would be bold enough to say that he/she didn't care for the book and its characters.
DFTBA, everyone.
To tell any part of this story would spoil so much of the experience. Just let it suffice to say that this is a book about relationships. Most of the teen characters in this book have or have had cancer. The two main characters are engaging personalities, tragic figures, and kooky teenagers. I have never loved a character as quickly as I loved Augustus Waters.
This book isn't for everyone. Moreover, everyone will not believe the book is for them. However, this book should be loved by everyone. I can't imagine a person who would be bold enough to say that he/she didn't care for the book and its characters.
DFTBA, everyone.
Ashfall by Mike Mullin
This book left me speechless. It was one of the best action/adventure/survival novels ever! I loved every minute of this, and the scary part was that it actually could happen. This is the first part of a trilogy written by Indiana's own, Mike Mullin. I was lucky enough to read the second novel, Ashen Winter, before it was published, and it was even more intense than this one.
The book poses the situation of what might happen if the supervolcano under Yellowstone National Park were to erupt. The story is set in Iowa, which is east of the park, but still feels the effects.
Alex is 15 years old when the volano erupts. His parents are away and he's home alone. The description of the sounds, sights, and panic that occurs is very realistic, as all electricity is cut off. All of the comforts we have grown accustomed to are gone. How does a boy who knows very little about survival make his way 30+ miles on foot to find his parents?
The book contains a few mature elements, but all in all, this one would appeal to anyone who likes true science fiction.
Click on the book cover to view a video book trailer.
The book poses the situation of what might happen if the supervolcano under Yellowstone National Park were to erupt. The story is set in Iowa, which is east of the park, but still feels the effects.
Alex is 15 years old when the volano erupts. His parents are away and he's home alone. The description of the sounds, sights, and panic that occurs is very realistic, as all electricity is cut off. All of the comforts we have grown accustomed to are gone. How does a boy who knows very little about survival make his way 30+ miles on foot to find his parents?
The book contains a few mature elements, but all in all, this one would appeal to anyone who likes true science fiction.
Click on the book cover to view a video book trailer.
Au Revoir, Crazy European Chick by Joe Schreiber
October 29, 2011
Okay, this weird, wild, and wonderful book was just what I needed to get back on a reading streak. Nonstop action and snappy, clever dialogue make this novel extremely readable and one that takes very little time out of a busy schedule. It reads like a movie and visualizing everything that happens is an easy task. I honestly picked it up because it was thinner than the others I brought home with me this weekend. What a nice change of pace it proved to be.
Perry and his family host a foreign exchange student named Gobi. Gobi turns out to be the opposite of what Perry had hoped for. She's not attractive, not friendly, and she's just, plain weird. She doesn't even try to fit in at the high school, and Perry becomes the butt of many jokes about his strange house guest. He takes in all in stride...until Gobi wants to go to the prom, and Perry's parents inform him that he WILL be taking her, even though his band has an important gig booked for the same night.
The book gets very interesting when prom night becomes a living nightmare, and Gobi transforms into a completely different person. Perry finds that he's just a pawn in a very wild and dangerous scheme that Gobi has planned down to the last detail.
I really liked this book from start to finish, and I found myself disappointed when it came to an end. Despite the violent plot, the book is entertaining and keeps the reader on the edge of his/her seat. And even the final pages are expertly crafted to leave the reader feeling very good about Perry's self-awareness and self-confidence. They make you feel that perhaps this adventure isn't really over, but instead for Perry, it is only the beginning.
Perry and his family host a foreign exchange student named Gobi. Gobi turns out to be the opposite of what Perry had hoped for. She's not attractive, not friendly, and she's just, plain weird. She doesn't even try to fit in at the high school, and Perry becomes the butt of many jokes about his strange house guest. He takes in all in stride...until Gobi wants to go to the prom, and Perry's parents inform him that he WILL be taking her, even though his band has an important gig booked for the same night.
The book gets very interesting when prom night becomes a living nightmare, and Gobi transforms into a completely different person. Perry finds that he's just a pawn in a very wild and dangerous scheme that Gobi has planned down to the last detail.
I really liked this book from start to finish, and I found myself disappointed when it came to an end. Despite the violent plot, the book is entertaining and keeps the reader on the edge of his/her seat. And even the final pages are expertly crafted to leave the reader feeling very good about Perry's self-awareness and self-confidence. They make you feel that perhaps this adventure isn't really over, but instead for Perry, it is only the beginning.
Dreamland Social Club By Tara Altebrando
I have an unexplainable interest in Coney Island. I've always had it. I've never been there. I've never even wanted to go there. But I am fascinated with reading about the fabled amusement park. When I saw the title of the book, I already knew--if the title accurately indicated that this book was, indeed, about Coney Island--that I was going to love this book. I was correct.
Jane and her brother, Marcus, inherit a house from their grandfather, and the house is right in the heart of Coney Island. The intent is for Jane, Marcus, and their father to clean out the house and then sell it. They planned to live there a maximum of one year. Jane and Marcus enroll in high school there, and they are immediately surrounded by the history of the dying place once called "America's playground."
Altebrando brings in some of the old glory stories of Coney Island, as well as the more unseemly sides of the almost defunct amusement park. For instance, Jane learns that her grandfather, himself, was part a the sideshow attraction that featured premature babies in incubators. When the display caught fire, her grandfather was one of the only "preemies" to survive, and he was even known as Preemie instead of his proper name. The preemie sideshow really did exist.
As Jane goes through the items in the house, and when she befriends some "freaks" of the area, I was transported back in time to things I had read about Coney Island, as well as the continuing movements to revitatlize the beach and amusement parks. Altebrando adequately reports the disputes over land ownership and arguments regarding economic red tape that go along with the efforts to bring back the area to its once brilliant era.
But back to the story. Jane's mother died years before, and when she goes to the high school, she sees a yearbook that shows that her mother was the founder of the Dreamland Social Club at school. Jane's quest to learn more about her mother, as well as this mysterious club, takes her to areas of the park which are no longer accessibly--unless you have keys that were hidden in a special mermaid doll found in the closet of Jane's mother's former bedroom!
I loved this book. I loved that I could tell how much Altebrando truly loves Coney Island, and how she, like me, is mesmerized by the folklore that surrounds the entire inception of the park. You can't read this book without wanting to explore just how Coney Island came to be, and without visualizing the millions of people who either visited or made Coney what it was: America's Playground.
Jane and her brother, Marcus, inherit a house from their grandfather, and the house is right in the heart of Coney Island. The intent is for Jane, Marcus, and their father to clean out the house and then sell it. They planned to live there a maximum of one year. Jane and Marcus enroll in high school there, and they are immediately surrounded by the history of the dying place once called "America's playground."
Altebrando brings in some of the old glory stories of Coney Island, as well as the more unseemly sides of the almost defunct amusement park. For instance, Jane learns that her grandfather, himself, was part a the sideshow attraction that featured premature babies in incubators. When the display caught fire, her grandfather was one of the only "preemies" to survive, and he was even known as Preemie instead of his proper name. The preemie sideshow really did exist.
As Jane goes through the items in the house, and when she befriends some "freaks" of the area, I was transported back in time to things I had read about Coney Island, as well as the continuing movements to revitatlize the beach and amusement parks. Altebrando adequately reports the disputes over land ownership and arguments regarding economic red tape that go along with the efforts to bring back the area to its once brilliant era.
But back to the story. Jane's mother died years before, and when she goes to the high school, she sees a yearbook that shows that her mother was the founder of the Dreamland Social Club at school. Jane's quest to learn more about her mother, as well as this mysterious club, takes her to areas of the park which are no longer accessibly--unless you have keys that were hidden in a special mermaid doll found in the closet of Jane's mother's former bedroom!
I loved this book. I loved that I could tell how much Altebrando truly loves Coney Island, and how she, like me, is mesmerized by the folklore that surrounds the entire inception of the park. You can't read this book without wanting to explore just how Coney Island came to be, and without visualizing the millions of people who either visited or made Coney what it was: America's Playground.
Before I Fall by Lauren Oliver
Combine elements of the movies Groundhog Day and The Butterfly Effect, the book The Lovely Bones, and maybe even a little Christmas Carol (sort of), and you'll have something similar to Before I Fall. I really loved this book. Samantha has great friends, popularity, and a boyfriend that other girls whisper and swoon over. When she attends a party, has too much to drink, and gets in a car with her friends, who have also had too much to drink, she gets in an accident and is killed. End of story, right? Not hardly.
Just after she drifts away, she is awakened by the irritating beep of her alarm, and she realizes that she's going to relive her last day...over and over. She gets an all new perspective of her happy, seemingly perfect life, and she doesn't like what she sees. Unlike the rest of us, Sam gets the opportunity to do things and undo things that have shaped her life as she knows it.
I think we all have friends who we love to be around, but we also find ourselves wincing and shuddering at some of the things they do and say. We wish they would be who we want them to be and not 100% who they are. We question why we are friends and why we don't say anything when we disagree with them. We wish we had the opportunity to see how to fix things and the time to go back and do things differently. I saw many of my own weird friends in these characters, and I have a newfound love for those awkward moments and maybe even a new understanding of why I didn't try a little harder to do what I thought was right, instead of just going along with everything.
This, too, is for a more mature, experienced reader. It's a lengthy novel and those who crave action will tired of the repeated plotlines. But for those who like to see all sides of a story and how much one little detail can impact lives and situations, try Before I Fall. I thought it was well-written and well-crafted.
Just after she drifts away, she is awakened by the irritating beep of her alarm, and she realizes that she's going to relive her last day...over and over. She gets an all new perspective of her happy, seemingly perfect life, and she doesn't like what she sees. Unlike the rest of us, Sam gets the opportunity to do things and undo things that have shaped her life as she knows it.
I think we all have friends who we love to be around, but we also find ourselves wincing and shuddering at some of the things they do and say. We wish they would be who we want them to be and not 100% who they are. We question why we are friends and why we don't say anything when we disagree with them. We wish we had the opportunity to see how to fix things and the time to go back and do things differently. I saw many of my own weird friends in these characters, and I have a newfound love for those awkward moments and maybe even a new understanding of why I didn't try a little harder to do what I thought was right, instead of just going along with everything.
This, too, is for a more mature, experienced reader. It's a lengthy novel and those who crave action will tired of the repeated plotlines. But for those who like to see all sides of a story and how much one little detail can impact lives and situations, try Before I Fall. I thought it was well-written and well-crafted.
Stupid Fast by Geoff Herbach
September 23, 2011
What a quirky, weird, funny book. I loved this book from page 1. It was so fresh and funny that I found myself laughing really loud and I had a very hard time finding a stopping place, because every time I thought I should stop, I wouldn't want to. Like The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian, I found myself torn between hilarity and sympathy. The main character's stream of thought or consciousness made for such funny passages, while his entire life was just about fallling apart. But isn't that the way true life is? Nothing is entirely black or entirely white. It's the gray areas that always make life--and stories--interesting.
Felton Reinstein (a funny name from the get-go) has had a growth spurt that has changed his life from flying completely off of the high school radar scene to a hot prospect for Division I colleges and universities. You see, Felton now runs very fast. In fact, he is stupid fast. Felton has a lot of trouble dealing with his new friendships and his new abilities. His foray into high school's social life brought back memories of my own attempts to dress, act, and stumble just the right way (I didn't).
I can't really say why, but this book reminded me of Napoleon Dynamite. The dialogue is so weird and wonderful between Felton and his brother, Felton and his mother, and Felton and his girlfriend that I found myself wanting to memorize those passages as one would memorize favorite lines from a movie script.
This is probably for more mature readers. I'm not sure if this would resound with young people as effectively as it does for those of us who have lived through those awkward years.
Felton Reinstein (a funny name from the get-go) has had a growth spurt that has changed his life from flying completely off of the high school radar scene to a hot prospect for Division I colleges and universities. You see, Felton now runs very fast. In fact, he is stupid fast. Felton has a lot of trouble dealing with his new friendships and his new abilities. His foray into high school's social life brought back memories of my own attempts to dress, act, and stumble just the right way (I didn't).
I can't really say why, but this book reminded me of Napoleon Dynamite. The dialogue is so weird and wonderful between Felton and his brother, Felton and his mother, and Felton and his girlfriend that I found myself wanting to memorize those passages as one would memorize favorite lines from a movie script.
This is probably for more mature readers. I'm not sure if this would resound with young people as effectively as it does for those of us who have lived through those awkward years.
Along for the Ride by Sarah Dessen
September 4, 2011
True, this isn't Dessen's newest book. I waited a while before picking up this one. Reading this novel was like getting together with an old friend. I had almost forgotten what I loved so much about her writing, but I fell back into the easy pacing and laid back plot that I enjoy so much.
This is the story of Auden, who just graduated from high school, after spending nearly all of her teenage years studying and trying to be the daughter her parents expect her to be. Her parents have divorced, her dad has remarried and just become a father again. Auden decides to take the last summer before college and spend it with her dad's new family. She learns a lot about people, but mostly she learns a lot about herself, her family, and the life that she's been missing, by closing herself off from others and playing it safe.
One character, in particular, opens her eyes to how she judges people too harshly. Maggie works in Auden's step-mother's clothing store, and Auden has already determined that Maggie is a "girly" girl and can't possibly be her intellectual equal. She, of course, is wrong, and Maggie turns out to be more like Auden than any other person in her life. Then there is "the boy," Eli. Of course, there is a boy. Isn't there always? But this relationship isn't your typical teen romance. There is more to it than that. Eli helps Auden in her quest to experience things that most high school kids do.
The characters in the book are wonderful, believable, and likeable. Unlike other authors, Dessen doesn't always think it's necessary to have a bully, a snob, or some other unsightly creature included in her storylines. Her characters are always vulnerable and flawed, but possess inner goodness that always comes through. Dessen has a way of teaching a lesson to her readers without preaching. And I like that a lot.
This is the story of Auden, who just graduated from high school, after spending nearly all of her teenage years studying and trying to be the daughter her parents expect her to be. Her parents have divorced, her dad has remarried and just become a father again. Auden decides to take the last summer before college and spend it with her dad's new family. She learns a lot about people, but mostly she learns a lot about herself, her family, and the life that she's been missing, by closing herself off from others and playing it safe.
One character, in particular, opens her eyes to how she judges people too harshly. Maggie works in Auden's step-mother's clothing store, and Auden has already determined that Maggie is a "girly" girl and can't possibly be her intellectual equal. She, of course, is wrong, and Maggie turns out to be more like Auden than any other person in her life. Then there is "the boy," Eli. Of course, there is a boy. Isn't there always? But this relationship isn't your typical teen romance. There is more to it than that. Eli helps Auden in her quest to experience things that most high school kids do.
The characters in the book are wonderful, believable, and likeable. Unlike other authors, Dessen doesn't always think it's necessary to have a bully, a snob, or some other unsightly creature included in her storylines. Her characters are always vulnerable and flawed, but possess inner goodness that always comes through. Dessen has a way of teaching a lesson to her readers without preaching. And I like that a lot.
Divergent by Veronica Roth
September 2, 2011
It seems like every other book on the YA shelf these days has a dystopian theme. I suppose we can attribute the popularity of this genre to the success of The Hunger Games. While I like the genre and I find it thought-provoking and interesting, I am not seeing much that I think is very original. That is, except for Divergent by Veronica Roth.
The main character, Triss, is another strong female lead, who goes against the wishes of her family and joins a "faction" which is both daring and dangerous. She desires to be a Dauntless. Her initiation is brutal, but she does have an expert trainer in the mysterious, Four, who is more than adequate as the male heart-throb. She is leery of him, because he keeps so much of himself hidden from her and everyone else, but she finds herself being drawn to him just the same.
This book is full of action, romance, and governmental corruption. For those who can't get enough of books like The Hunger Games, Divergent is a nice fit. For someone looking for a good story, it fits that bill, as well. I'm still willing to keep reading this type of literature; however, I'll have to admit I'm looking forward to a good story that is based in realistic fiction.
The main character, Triss, is another strong female lead, who goes against the wishes of her family and joins a "faction" which is both daring and dangerous. She desires to be a Dauntless. Her initiation is brutal, but she does have an expert trainer in the mysterious, Four, who is more than adequate as the male heart-throb. She is leery of him, because he keeps so much of himself hidden from her and everyone else, but she finds herself being drawn to him just the same.
This book is full of action, romance, and governmental corruption. For those who can't get enough of books like The Hunger Games, Divergent is a nice fit. For someone looking for a good story, it fits that bill, as well. I'm still willing to keep reading this type of literature; however, I'll have to admit I'm looking forward to a good story that is based in realistic fiction.
The Power of Six by Pittacus Lore
August 28, 2011
I know others are going to find some plot faults and some holes in logic, but why? It's just too much fun to read a novel like this to be so nit-picky about stuff like that. This follow-up to I Am Number Four opens with the reader's introduction to Number Seven, a.k.a., Marina, who is holed up in a convent/orphanage in Spain. Her Cepan has decided not to train her and not to fight the good fight for Lorien, as she is supposed to do. A very frustrated Marina is getting restless as her legacies begin to appear, and she has no one to coach her on just how to use them. The other girls in the orphanage are mean to her and she is desperate to start doing what she was sent to Earth to do: fight the Mogadorians.
Cut back to the good old U.S., where fast and furious, Six, is on the run with John (Four), Bernie Kosar, and Sam in tow. Their attempts to fly under the radar are thwarted time and time again, as they run into Mogadorians at every other turn. At the turns they avoid Mogardorians, they encounter various law enforcement agencies, which are more annoying that confining.
The book continues to flip back and forth between stories, when finally the two stories and all of the characters merge. The pace is fast and the action is plentiful. An obvious love triangle (or should I say obvious "triangles") is forming much to the confusion of John, who thought that Loriens fell in love for life. The emerging triangles involve the obvious Sarah/John/Six, and the not-so-obvious John/Six/Sam. But at this point it's all in good fun, but could sometime turn ugly, if John doesn't figure out his feelings for Sarah. The dialogue is snappy and sarcastic, and even in the middle of the most stressful situations, there are moments of humor.
This is a great second novel in the series, and it makes me wish that the third installment wasn't so far away. Can't imagine anyone not liking this.
Cut back to the good old U.S., where fast and furious, Six, is on the run with John (Four), Bernie Kosar, and Sam in tow. Their attempts to fly under the radar are thwarted time and time again, as they run into Mogadorians at every other turn. At the turns they avoid Mogardorians, they encounter various law enforcement agencies, which are more annoying that confining.
The book continues to flip back and forth between stories, when finally the two stories and all of the characters merge. The pace is fast and the action is plentiful. An obvious love triangle (or should I say obvious "triangles") is forming much to the confusion of John, who thought that Loriens fell in love for life. The emerging triangles involve the obvious Sarah/John/Six, and the not-so-obvious John/Six/Sam. But at this point it's all in good fun, but could sometime turn ugly, if John doesn't figure out his feelings for Sarah. The dialogue is snappy and sarcastic, and even in the middle of the most stressful situations, there are moments of humor.
This is a great second novel in the series, and it makes me wish that the third installment wasn't so far away. Can't imagine anyone not liking this.
August 15, 2011
City of Fallen Angels by Cassandra Clare
As anxious as I was for this book to come out, you would think I would have been one of the first to have read it. Instead, I waited until this summer, when I wouldn't have any distractions, and I could read it on my own terms. After finishing it, I have come to the conclusion that Cassandra Clare has broken the usual young adult author mold. The Mortal Instruments Series does not seem to be losing steam with each new installment. Instead, it is gathering it.
I was one of the few people who actually labored through the first book, City of Bones. I didn't think I would get through it, because to me the first half was a little slow to get going. Just past that halfway point, I was caught up in it. Then things really picked up in City of Ashes and again in City of Glass.
In City of Fallen Angels, the whole cast is back, with Alec being the most noticeably absent character. [Thank goodness, he does make an appearance at the end. I like Alec a lot.] In addition to the characters, the expected action is back, too.
Jace and Clary, of course, are in love. However, Jace is dealing with some pretty scary nightmares that involve him harming, possibly even killing, Clary (what's that all about?). Because of these weird feelings and dreams, Jace distances himself from Clary until he can figure out what's going on inside his head. Clary, on the other hand, feels sad and lonely and questions their relationship--in her own mind.
Meanwhile, Simon is working hard at being normal, even though he's a vampire--with the Mark of Cain on his forehead. Poor guy is hungry (thirsty?) and destined to be alone forever, but is currently juggling two girlfriends, Maiya and Isabelle. If/When they find out about each other... Add an evil force trying to recruit him to make a stand--or so we think--against the Shadowhunters, and you've got an intruiging story.
Look for more powerful demons, new friends, romance, and plenty of action in this continuing saga of good vs. evil. Loved it.
I was one of the few people who actually labored through the first book, City of Bones. I didn't think I would get through it, because to me the first half was a little slow to get going. Just past that halfway point, I was caught up in it. Then things really picked up in City of Ashes and again in City of Glass.
In City of Fallen Angels, the whole cast is back, with Alec being the most noticeably absent character. [Thank goodness, he does make an appearance at the end. I like Alec a lot.] In addition to the characters, the expected action is back, too.
Jace and Clary, of course, are in love. However, Jace is dealing with some pretty scary nightmares that involve him harming, possibly even killing, Clary (what's that all about?). Because of these weird feelings and dreams, Jace distances himself from Clary until he can figure out what's going on inside his head. Clary, on the other hand, feels sad and lonely and questions their relationship--in her own mind.
Meanwhile, Simon is working hard at being normal, even though he's a vampire--with the Mark of Cain on his forehead. Poor guy is hungry (thirsty?) and destined to be alone forever, but is currently juggling two girlfriends, Maiya and Isabelle. If/When they find out about each other... Add an evil force trying to recruit him to make a stand--or so we think--against the Shadowhunters, and you've got an intruiging story.
Look for more powerful demons, new friends, romance, and plenty of action in this continuing saga of good vs. evil. Loved it.