Crutcher, Chris. STAYING FAT FOR SARAH BYRNES. Wow, wow, wow. This novel really displays Crutcher's talent as a storyteller. He weaves together the past and the present so skillfully. Plus, this is a meaningful tale about friendship and much more. I can't even go into a summary without going on and on. There's too much to say. I was really moved.
Haddix, Margaret Peterson. AMONG THE HIDDEN. This group of books has been out a while, and I finally got the chance to read them. The premise is a futuristic society where it is illegal to have a third child, for population reasons. The story is told from a third-child's point of view, Luke. He is hidden in his house because if he is found, he will be killed. He sees a shadow in the house near him and wonders if there are other third-children out there. Risking his life, he takes a chance to meet this other child.
Haddix, Margaret Peterson. AMONG THE IMPOSTERS. The sequel: Luke is able to get out of hiding with a fake ID and is sent to a boarding school under the new assumed identity. There he meets other third-children. They are working on plans to challenge these laws, but danger lurks around every corner.
Haddix, Margaret Peterson. AMONG THE BETRAYED. This is not a direct sequel but a companion novel: from another characters point of view, Nina. I’m sure it's great, but I wanted to continue to read about Luke. So, I went to "BARONS"
Haddix, Margaret Peterson. AMONG THE BARONS. Luke must leave the school and go live with a Baron family. Why? He soon learns of several different plots against him and others. Who does he believe??
Haddix, Margaret Peterson. DON’T YOU DARE READ THIS, MRS. DUNPHREY. A lot is packed into this short 128 pg book. At first Tish was reluctant to keep the journal required by her teacher. Then, she decides, oh well, the teacher said she wouldn't read it if I didn't want her to. The journal becomes an important "friend" and she begins writing down everything she can't tell anyone else. This is a wonderful, meaningful book. I won't soon forget Tish and her family.
Westerfeld, Scott. UGLIES (1) I had seen this novel many times, and the premise always intrigued me. Finally, I got to read it. It was much more than I expected.. In this futuristic society, everyone has plastic surgery at sixteen to conform to an “ideal” standard of beauty. The society assumes that if everyone is "pretty" than no one needs to pay attention to outward appearances anymore. Before you have your operation you are an “ugly” (hence the title). Then after you have it you are called a “new pretty.” Anyway, a character named Shay decides she likes her face the way it is and doesn't want to have it operated on. She and a group of others are rebelling against this mandatory policy. Many other secrets are found out about this “ideal” society. Very suspenseful!!!
Westerfeld, Scott. PRETTIES (2) I had to read the sequel instantly! The sequel was just as good as the original. I'm really attached to the characters now. I can't say much more about this one without giving away events in the first one. But you'll want to read it if you liked UGLIES.
Westerfeld, Scott. SPECIALS (3) Due out in May 2006. Can't wait for this one to come out!!
Westerfeld, Scott. THE MIDNIGHTERS#1. THE SECRET HOUR. Jessica moves to the small town of Bixby and soon realizes there is a secret hour every night at midnight. She and a few others, who were born at the stroke of midnight, are able to move about in the secret hour. Everyone else is frozen. This is a very cool action-packed, part science fiction, part horror story.
Westerfeld, Scott. THE MIDNIGHTERS #2. TOUCHING DARKNESS. It gets even better with part 2. Secrets are revealed, and it is just as suspenseful and action packed as the first. The minute it ended, I wanted to read the sequel, but yikes, it isn't out yet!
(I’m really getting into Scott Westerfeld!)
Westerfeld, Scott. THE MIDNIGHTERS #3. BLUE NOON Due out in March 2006. Can't wait for this one to come out!
Trueman, Terry. STUCK IN NEUTRAL. Wow! Imagine remembering everything you've ever seen or heard. But, you can't communicate in any way. Your family doesn't know you are smart. They aren't sure your brain even works. That is 14-year-old Shawn's situation. Now, he finds out people are wondering if he even deserves to live. I wasn't able to put this one down! This is a book you'll never forget!! Suspenseful and thought provoking.
Trueman, Terry. CRUISE CONTROL. The companion novel to STUCK IN NEUTRAL. This is the same story but from Shawn's brother's point of view, Paul. Paul is a great athlete and student. He has everything. He struggles with the fact that his life seems so great, but his brother seems to have nothing. He also deals with his disrespect for his father, who deserted the family. It was awesome to read the story from this point of view.
Cormier, Robert. THE CHOCOLATE WAR. I finally got to read this classic. After reading I AM THE CHEESE (unusual, freaky, excellent book) several years ago, I've been wanting to read more from Cormier. THE CHOCOLATE WAR is set at an all boy's private school called Trinity. There is a secret society, the Vigils, that assigns tortuous tasks to boys to carry out, whether they want to or not. Jerry Renault unwittingly stands up to the group. However, the Vigils, don't take kindly to people disobeying them. This is a chilling, haunting book. I highly recommend it!
Friday, December 23, 2005
Wednesday, November 23, 2005
BAUER, STAHLER, APPELT, TSUDA
Bauer, Joan. BEST FOOT FORWARD. This is a continuation to RULES OF THE ROAD. After her summer with Mrs. Gladstone, Jenna is back home working at the store. She is helping with the merger of Gladstone shoes and The Shoe Warehouse. A thief, caught stealing in the store, is hired by Mrs. Gladstone to work in the store. Much to Jenna's dismay, she is assigned to “turn him around.” Also, Mrs. Gladstone's son is working on his own embezzlement plans. Jenna comes to the rescue as she did in RULES OF THE ROAD. This is just a good as the original. The relationship between Mrs. Gladstone & Jenna really makes this a heart-warming read.
Bauer, Joan. STAND TALL. Sam has always been called Tree. He's only in middle school, but he is 6 foot 3 inches tall. Even though he is tall, he isn't good at sports, like his older brothers. He doesn't fit in at school. He gets teased for his height. Plus, since his parent's divorce, things aren't right at home either. However, with the help of his grandfather and a new girl at school, perhaps things will start looking up.
**Other good ones by Joan Bauer STICKS, RULES OF THE ROAD, and the Newbery Honor book HOPE WAS HERE.
Stahler, David. TRUESIGHT. In the town of Harmony all the citizens are born blind on purpose. The settlement was founded on the premise that blindness removes all the shallowness of the world and leaves only purity. In fact, Seers are considered evil. So when Jacob slowly begins to see he is nervous about telling someone. Even worse than carrying his own secret, Jacob starts seeing numerous crimes in the community. He finally must tell someone and confides in his best friend. What will his friend do? Will Jacob continue to “see” while everyone else is blind? The back of the book mentions that this will be a trilogy. I hope so, since the ending left me wanting more.
Appelt, Kathi. POEMS FROM HOMEROOM. This collection of poems includes all types of teenage emotions and happenings. Each is insightful in its own way. A boy acts completely wild to get the attention of a girl. Two kids find cyberlove. An athlete endures the pressure of having a father who is the coach. Also, there is also a nice tribute in acrostics to seven young stars who died too soon (Jim Morrison, Jimi Hendrix, Kurt Cobain and four others). The second half of the book is a handbook for writers. Appelt reveals the motivation behind each poem and gives a listing of ideas on the same subject. If you like writing or poetry even a little bit, this is for you!
Tsuda, Masami. KARE KANO: HIS AND HER CIRCUMSTANCES, VOL 1. (MANGA) Yukino Miyazawa is admired for her perfect grades, appearance, and popularity. She loves being adored for all that she is able to accomplish. Until a rival named Arima Aoiichior arrives and becomes class leader. She does everything she can to outdo him. They meet and she is polite to him. Later, he stops by her house to drop off a CD, and he sees the “true” Yukino. He doesn't mention anything to her. Several days later, he blackmails her. He threatens to tell everyone that she is a fake, unless she becomes his homework slave. What will she do to get out of this? Continue to work for him or give up her secret? This manga was very readable. Although, it was still difficult to tell who was talking sometimes, or if some text bubbles were thoughts rather than speech. But, I enjoyed the way the author put text in strange places on the page. Plus there were little areas of commentary about the page, but it was unclear who was saying it. Overall, it was shallow, but cute.
Bauer, Joan. STAND TALL. Sam has always been called Tree. He's only in middle school, but he is 6 foot 3 inches tall. Even though he is tall, he isn't good at sports, like his older brothers. He doesn't fit in at school. He gets teased for his height. Plus, since his parent's divorce, things aren't right at home either. However, with the help of his grandfather and a new girl at school, perhaps things will start looking up.
**Other good ones by Joan Bauer STICKS, RULES OF THE ROAD, and the Newbery Honor book HOPE WAS HERE.
Stahler, David. TRUESIGHT. In the town of Harmony all the citizens are born blind on purpose. The settlement was founded on the premise that blindness removes all the shallowness of the world and leaves only purity. In fact, Seers are considered evil. So when Jacob slowly begins to see he is nervous about telling someone. Even worse than carrying his own secret, Jacob starts seeing numerous crimes in the community. He finally must tell someone and confides in his best friend. What will his friend do? Will Jacob continue to “see” while everyone else is blind? The back of the book mentions that this will be a trilogy. I hope so, since the ending left me wanting more.
Appelt, Kathi. POEMS FROM HOMEROOM. This collection of poems includes all types of teenage emotions and happenings. Each is insightful in its own way. A boy acts completely wild to get the attention of a girl. Two kids find cyberlove. An athlete endures the pressure of having a father who is the coach. Also, there is also a nice tribute in acrostics to seven young stars who died too soon (Jim Morrison, Jimi Hendrix, Kurt Cobain and four others). The second half of the book is a handbook for writers. Appelt reveals the motivation behind each poem and gives a listing of ideas on the same subject. If you like writing or poetry even a little bit, this is for you!
Tsuda, Masami. KARE KANO: HIS AND HER CIRCUMSTANCES, VOL 1. (MANGA) Yukino Miyazawa is admired for her perfect grades, appearance, and popularity. She loves being adored for all that she is able to accomplish. Until a rival named Arima Aoiichior arrives and becomes class leader. She does everything she can to outdo him. They meet and she is polite to him. Later, he stops by her house to drop off a CD, and he sees the “true” Yukino. He doesn't mention anything to her. Several days later, he blackmails her. He threatens to tell everyone that she is a fake, unless she becomes his homework slave. What will she do to get out of this? Continue to work for him or give up her secret? This manga was very readable. Although, it was still difficult to tell who was talking sometimes, or if some text bubbles were thoughts rather than speech. But, I enjoyed the way the author put text in strange places on the page. Plus there were little areas of commentary about the page, but it was unclear who was saying it. Overall, it was shallow, but cute.
Sunday, October 30, 2005
ROSOFF, CABOT, WESTERFELD, KORMAN, KOERTGE, CRUTCHER
Rosoff, Meg. HOW I LIVE NOW. Wow, what an amazing book. Daisy has been shipped off to live with her family in England. They live on a farm, and her cousins are all very interesting. The kids end up taking care of themselves because the aunt is out of town. Then World War 3 breaks out and they remain on their own. That is until someone finds out and comes to get them. They are split up. Daisy and her 9-year-old cousin Piper end up taking care of themselves for months. All the while, they are worrying about the rest of their family. A fascinating book!
Cabot, Meg/Carroll Jenny. SHADOWLAND-THE MEDIATOR BOOK 1. Suze has a unique talent of communicating with the dead. She helps them to cross over. Usually they have one last thing to take care of. She's just move to California from New York to live with her new family. Shortly after she finds out that she is accepted to her school because a girl, Heather, has just died. She killed herself over her boyfriend. Well, this girl is not happy that Suze is there to “take her place.” So Suze's normal mediating duties don't really work on Heather. What will she do? This is a funny, entertaining novel! Plus, there are several more in the series.
Westerfeld, Scott. SO YESTERDAY. As I told you in class, this is one of the coolest books I’ve read in a long time. This is a hot new author with many other good ones out now, including the MIDNIGHTERS series.
Korman, Gordon. SON OF THE MOB: HOLLYWOOD HUSTLE. You don’t have to have read the original SON OF THE MOB to enjoy this sequel, but it helps. It's just as funny as the original and surprisingly touching.
Koertge, Ron. MARGAUX WITH AN X. If you love language, you'll love Margaux and her vocabulary. If you read Koertge's STONER & SPAZ, you'll like this unusual paring of two seemingly opposites who find each other. Nice read.
Crutcher, Chris THE SLEDDING HILL. Wow, I can't say enough about this one. What if you finally really liked a book you were reading in English class, but all of a sudden it was banned from the school. What would you do? What would I do as a teacher...hmmm, good question.
Cabot, Meg/Carroll Jenny. SHADOWLAND-THE MEDIATOR BOOK 1. Suze has a unique talent of communicating with the dead. She helps them to cross over. Usually they have one last thing to take care of. She's just move to California from New York to live with her new family. Shortly after she finds out that she is accepted to her school because a girl, Heather, has just died. She killed herself over her boyfriend. Well, this girl is not happy that Suze is there to “take her place.” So Suze's normal mediating duties don't really work on Heather. What will she do? This is a funny, entertaining novel! Plus, there are several more in the series.
Westerfeld, Scott. SO YESTERDAY. As I told you in class, this is one of the coolest books I’ve read in a long time. This is a hot new author with many other good ones out now, including the MIDNIGHTERS series.
Korman, Gordon. SON OF THE MOB: HOLLYWOOD HUSTLE. You don’t have to have read the original SON OF THE MOB to enjoy this sequel, but it helps. It's just as funny as the original and surprisingly touching.
Koertge, Ron. MARGAUX WITH AN X. If you love language, you'll love Margaux and her vocabulary. If you read Koertge's STONER & SPAZ, you'll like this unusual paring of two seemingly opposites who find each other. Nice read.
Crutcher, Chris THE SLEDDING HILL. Wow, I can't say enough about this one. What if you finally really liked a book you were reading in English class, but all of a sudden it was banned from the school. What would you do? What would I do as a teacher...hmmm, good question.
Friday, September 23, 2005
ZEVIN, ANDERSON, KONIGSBURG, MYERS, KORMAN
Zevin, Gabrielle. ELSEWHERE. A fascinating view on what it could be like after death. One of the interesting occurrences is how dogs can talk & certain people can understand them naturally, while others must learn to speak “canine.”
Anderson, Janet. THE LAST TREASURE. A family has one last treasure to find that was hidden by their patriarch over a hundred years ago. One boy is determined to find it. This is a treasure hunt you won't soon forget.
Konigsburg, E.L. THE OUTCASTS OF SCHUYLER PLACE. This family has an intriguing piece of original artwork in their own backyard. The community has enjoyed it for over forty-years. Now some fancy-pants property owners want to tear it down. Will they win the fight?
Myers, Walter Dean. MONSTER. A boy has been accused of murder, but he didn't do it. The trial changes his life. Will he survive? Even if he's proven innocent, he's already been irreversibly changed. I didn't want it to end.
Korman, Gordon. NO MORE DEAD DOGS. This has been out quite a while, but I’ve just gotten the chance to read it. Hilarious!! A nice quick, good-time read!
Anderson, Janet. THE LAST TREASURE. A family has one last treasure to find that was hidden by their patriarch over a hundred years ago. One boy is determined to find it. This is a treasure hunt you won't soon forget.
Konigsburg, E.L. THE OUTCASTS OF SCHUYLER PLACE. This family has an intriguing piece of original artwork in their own backyard. The community has enjoyed it for over forty-years. Now some fancy-pants property owners want to tear it down. Will they win the fight?
Myers, Walter Dean. MONSTER. A boy has been accused of murder, but he didn't do it. The trial changes his life. Will he survive? Even if he's proven innocent, he's already been irreversibly changed. I didn't want it to end.
Korman, Gordon. NO MORE DEAD DOGS. This has been out quite a while, but I’ve just gotten the chance to read it. Hilarious!! A nice quick, good-time read!
Sunday, August 28, 2005
BAUER, CROWE, FAMA, ROWLING
Bauer, Joan. RULES OF THE ROAD. Bauer is an awesome author. This is a highly enjoyable tale. Jenna has just earned her driver's license, and she's offered a job over the summer driving her boss across country. It ends up being a summer she'll never forget.Alvarez, Julia. Before we were free Sometimes we forget how good we have it here. Read this to see what it would be like to live under a dictatorship. It isn't pretty. Would you be a part of the rebels who want to fight?
Crowe, Chris. MISSISSIPPI TRIAL, 1955. A fictionalized account of what happened to Emmett Till, a Chicago boy who went to visit his relatives in Mississippi in 1955. He is beaten to death for supposedly whistling at a white girl.
Crowe, Chris. GETTING AWAY WITH MURDER. The non-fiction account of the above book, with actual court photos, family pictures, and a detailed account of events. Moving and disturbing.
Fama, Elizabeth. OVERBOARD. An amazing tale of survival. Could you survive in the middle of the ocean for several days? (me-I don't know how long I could doggie-paddle)
Rowling, J.K. HARRY POTTER AND THE HALF BLOOD PRINCE. This might be the best one yet! Hated the ending, but perhaps it didn't really happen? Although, it made sense…We'll see.
Crowe, Chris. MISSISSIPPI TRIAL, 1955. A fictionalized account of what happened to Emmett Till, a Chicago boy who went to visit his relatives in Mississippi in 1955. He is beaten to death for supposedly whistling at a white girl.
Crowe, Chris. GETTING AWAY WITH MURDER. The non-fiction account of the above book, with actual court photos, family pictures, and a detailed account of events. Moving and disturbing.
Fama, Elizabeth. OVERBOARD. An amazing tale of survival. Could you survive in the middle of the ocean for several days? (me-I don't know how long I could doggie-paddle)
Rowling, J.K. HARRY POTTER AND THE HALF BLOOD PRINCE. This might be the best one yet! Hated the ending, but perhaps it didn't really happen? Although, it made sense…We'll see.
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