The Brain Finds a Leg by Martin Chatterton

Something strange is going on in Australia.  The whales as well as other animals are acting strange--my favorite is the alligator (Mavis) who believes he's a dog.  Then there is the murder of the famous surfer.  Sheldon McGlone is asked by Theophilus Nero Hercule sherlock ... the name goes on for ever (better known as the Brain) to help solve the murder. 

For my friends that like some gun action, there is a scene where Sheldon runs.....(Oh wait, that will give the ending a way)

"Life Is What It Is." Shark Girl by Kelly Bingham

What I like about Shark Girl is that you get to the heart of someone's feelings about themselves. Jane has suffered through a tragedy, and you get her view of what has and is happening to her.  Her view of how she is adjusting to her new life.

I also like the fact that the story is made up of short passages and poetry--not chapters.  It makes the book  move faster.

Warning:  it is can be a tear jerker.

The Missouri Truman Award Winner for 2009-2010 School Year

AND THE WINNER IS...

The Chronicles of Vladimir Todd

2nd Place

Cracker: The Best Dog in Vietnam

3rd Place

Carpe Diem

If you have a chance, pick one of these up for the summer!

If you are a person who chooses a book by it's cover--and you didn't read Carpe Diem, I would suggest covering the cover and reading the inside only!

Carpe Diem by Autumn Cornwell

This was one of the lasts books for me to read on the Truman Award Nominee list. What a shame, it was probably one of the funniest stories that I have ever read. And for my girls who ask for love stories, I think that you would like this one.

So why didn't I read it first--the cover, while very appropriate for the story itself, scares off the boys, and gets disapproving nods from parents of middle schoolers. In fact one parent, during a school walk through didn't approve of the cover. "Why would you put a book with that cover-on the shelf for 7th and 8th graders?" hmmm.... (Notice that it is not on the blog???? I really tried to add the cover of the book...and the blog won't let me....hmmmm....)

The beginning of the story can be a little hard to get into....genius girls, high vocabulary, and "loving school" so much that they want to exceed high school with 5.3 grade point averages?????
It gets very interesting when the girl with the plan, goes to Malaysia to visit an artistic grandmother who just doesn't fit into anyone's plan...

I highly recommend the book--yes it is probably more of a "girl" book. I think that it would be cool if Ms. Cornwell were to do a sequel with Hank's side of the story.

Check out Autumn Cornwell's web-page for more information about the author and what inspired her to write Carpe Diem: www.autumncornwell.com