Demonglass by Rachel Hawkins

This is a continuation of Hex Hall.  After discovering her powers, and what kind of trouble they can get her in, Sophie decides to go through the Removal.  This will make her normal, and she won't have to worry about using her powers for evil.  Before she goes through the process, her father wishes to talk with her about doing this.  However conversations stop when The Eye begins looking for Sophie in London.

Continue the saga, and (spoiler) it looks like there is another book on the way.  If you haven't read Hex Hall, check out my blog review and my shelfari for information about Rachel Hawkins and her books.

The Absolute Value of Mike by Kathryn Erskine

No this is not a math book.  It is about the relationships that Mike has with his father, Moo, Pop, and other quirky characters.  I think the book (see chapter 2 about Moo and Tyrone) is funny and very realistic.

Check out this website for more information:

http://www.kathrynerskine.com/

Yes! I'm Still reading

The school year is going at a racing speed.  It looks like I haven't ready anything since August.  But I have, I just need to remember to blog immediately after I read.  My other challenge has been starting a book, and then recommending it to students.  Today I have an older title by an awesome, well-known, author Gary Paulson. 

Not knowing anything about the book--I randomly picked it off the shelf.  O.k. maybe not randomly, I was looking for something short.  All of the other books I've been reading have been over 300 pages.  I needed something short to get me going.  Anyway, enough about me.

I thought that the book would be funny.  There are a few funny parts, but not like I expected. This books is about relationships.  How to start one, how to keep one going, and how to live with the good and bad things that tend to happen. The main character, Finn, gets a new neighbor, Johanna who is dealing with breast cancer.  Finn, Matthew (friend), and Dylan (the dog with the notes) help Johanna deal with her cancer.  Johanna helps them to discover themselves, especially Finn, who doesn't like talking with others.

Best Advice from the book:  Keep a Journal--Each day write the best thing that happened to you on that day.

First Line:  Sometimes having company is not all that it is cracked up to be.

Favorite Quote:  The truth always reveals itself, and usually in mysterious ways.

To Learn More about Gary Paulsen:  http://www.garypaulsen.com/

POP by Gordon Korman

Truman Nominee 2011-2012

What would you do if a middle-aged man decided to play football with you in the park?  Had Marcus ever heard of "Stranger Danger?" 

Mark has just moved to town.  He is a football player, and he is looking to improve his game so that he could make the team.  He sets his own practice field up in Three Alarm Park.  Before long he has attracked the attention of Charlie Popovich.  There is something about Charlie that isn't quite right.  But Charlie begins showing Marcus the "in's and out's" of playing the game.

What Marcus has discovered is that Charlie is sometimes living in the past, reliving his good ole football days, and his days as a prankster.  Suddenly Marcus is pulled into his activities, and finds himself in trouble.  Can he really "tell" on a man who is well loved by the town?

For information on Gordon Korman and his other books,

Check out his website @

http://www.gordonkorman.com/



Invisible Lines by Mary Amato

Mark Twain Nominee

2011-2012

Opening lines:  If there's one thing I'm good at it's making people laugh because when I'm standing up I'm what you call a stand-up comedian, and when I'm sitting down, I'm just plain funny.

Invisible lines, these are the lines that we sometimes trip up us in life. Trevor has a sense of humor and he neeeds it for all of the things that seem to be going wrong in life.  His mother has just moved him and his brother and sister into an apartment building where crime is just away of life. And everyone is a victim.  Trevor doesn't want to be apart of that, he wants to make a name for himself.  The only place to do this is at school where he crosses that invisible to participate in a gifted class (he has never been there before) and the world of the rich and famous. 


Read the book and look for those invisible lines.

Great Art Work, Fun Fungi Facts, a Feel Good Type of Book!
Mrs. Amato's website:  http://www.maryamato.com/about-me

Do you like to write books, check out Mrs. Amato's 3 min. video on the writing process.

Middle School: The Worst Years of My Life by James Patterson

By James Patterson--Children's Choice Author of the Year

I have to admit--James Patterson is also one of my favorite authors.  The stories are good, there is always alot of action, a good twist to the story, and believable characters.  Oh, and the chapters are usually two to three pages for those who read in short spurts.  If you want to feel you have accomplished alot of reading, you are on Chapter 10 before you know it.

Back to this story--One of the best graphic novels that I have seen.  The drawings are great!  The story is funny, and I think the "Diary of a Wimpy Kid" fans will love the book as well.

Warning:  The stunts pulled in this book will get you in trouble!  Please do not do them at school!!!

Rafe is out to make school interesting this year--His goal is to break every rule in the  HVMS Student Code Book.  The outcome--You'll Just have to read the book!!!



Jane In Bloom by Deborah Lytton

Truman Nominee 2011-2012

For those of you who like to cry through a book, this one may be for you.  The book begins with Jane losing her sister to an eating disorder.  But that isn't all that she seems to lose.  This is a well written book, a first person narrative told from Jane's observations and feelings.  This is a book worth reading.

First Line: 

"I open my eyes."

Running Dream by Wendelin Van Draanen

I laughed and I cried.  This is an very good realist fiction book about a disability.  Rather than me tell you about the book, I think that this time, I'll let the author tell  you.  Click the link below!


From the Author's Mouth

Author's Website

Bull Rider by Suzanne Morgan Williams

Truman Nominee 2011-2012

In this story, Cam's brother, Ben comes home from Iraq.  Once the High School Champion Rider, Ben badly hurt, and will no longer be able to ride the Bulls.  Cam is trying his best to keep up Ben's Spirits and willingness to move on.  Will Cam be able to do that?

 

The Last Thing I Remeber by Andrew Klavan

Truman Nominee 2011-2012

I normally have a picture of the book cover--unfortunately  it is not working...Is this a conspiracy? 

Are the homelanders watching this site?

"Suddenly I woke up, strapped to a chair."

Why is Charlie West here being tortured?  What is going on--he just had the best day of his life.  He is great at Karate and he has a new girlfriend.  Her number is written on his arm....wait where did it go?  This is one of those fast paced, action packed adventures that leaves your heart pumping and your mind thinking..."How is he going to get away this time?"

The Cupcake Queen by Heather Hepler

Truman Nominee 2011-2012

    Yum! Yum!  What could be more fun than living on a beach, designing your own cupcakes, and meeting a cute guy.  Nothing!  Unless your parents are getting divorce, your working for your mother, and the cute guy is sitting with your biggest enemy.  You think you have problems?  Travel through Hog's Hollow with Penny and her friends.



A Farwalker's Quest by Joni Sensel

Truman Nominee 2011-2012

  From Fool to one of the most valuable folks around--A Farwalker, and she is the only one left alive.  So what can a farwalker do that someone else can't.  It seems that Ariel has many talents--She has a bead that will help her light the darkest corners of a cave.  She has the skills of a healtouch.  She has the courage to move forward in danger.  She has power when she needs it.  She has the skills communicate with the dead (o.k. so far just one dead person).  When she can't do something she has friends that can help help.  What else do you need for a journey.

I found myself with her, every step of the way.  From the time she began her Naming Test, to being kidnapped for a dart.  I mean a telling dart with secret message.  It is this message that tends to bring the Finder's looking for her.  They are not coming to help her out!

Witch and Wizard by James Patterson and Gabrielle Charbonnet

So whart are some of the worst things about being a witch or wizard?

1.  Not knowing that you are one until you are older.

2.  Not knowing your special powers.

3.  Not being able to use them whenever you want.

4.  Living during the time of the New Order.

These are just a few of the things that happen in this action pack story of Whit and Wisty.  They are abducted from the beds at night and accused of being a witch and wizard.  But are they really.  During the time of the New Order, their world has turned upside down and they need to work together to turn it back. 

To learn more about this and other books by James Patterson, be sire tp check out his site at:

http://www.jamespatterson.com/books_wiz.php

First Lines::

It's overwhelming. A city's worth of angry faces staring at me like I'm a wicked criminal--which, I promise you, I'm not.

If The Witness Lied by Caroline B. Cooney

So what would happen if the witness lied?  Take one family, 2 tragedies, and one evil baby and you have ....  a television reality show.  

 After the funeral of their father, the three teens deal with the tragedy in their own way.  One stays nome to take care of the younger brother.  A sister takes off to private college, and another runs off to live with her God parents.  One year later, the three realize that family is more than the individuals that make it up.  They also begin questioning if their little brother (2-years-old) could have really killed their father.

If you like mysteries, this would be the book for you!

Don't foget to check out the book trailer::

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P5emBl-EkBs

Thirteenth Child by Patricia C. Wrede

This is the first book in a trilogy.  Yes that means more are coming.  What lead me to this book, is that I had read Patricia Wrede another series of books called the Enchanted Forest--As I liked to call them the Talking with Dragon books!  (Another must Read--fantasy, princess, dragons, enchanted homes, enchanted forests, and oh! knights in shining armor.  Anyway...

This books not only has a 13th child (who must be unlucky--however, she does change this perception by the end of the book) has a twin that is a seventh son of the seventh son (how lucky can you get!).  They become part of the western expansion movement.  Of all places, this place is quite similar to our own western expansion--with magic.  Can the western frontier really survive without the protective spells of the magicians?  Read this and find out.  Yes, I'll be buying the sequel soon--

If you want to learn more about Patricia C. Wrede and her other books, she has a webpage at:

http://www.pcwrede.com/

Currently sitting on my desk to read--Wich and Wizard and World's End
For a former mystery lover, I would have to say my students have really influenced my reading habits this year.  However, I will be including a variety of other books (even some that are not part of series.)

I Am Number Four by Pittacus Lore

If a movie is based on a book, my friend prefers to read the book first--There is some logic to this--You get the whole story and not just a part.  Unfortunately the movie is never better than the book according to me anyway.  The movie lacks plot, or the character I envisioned is not the same as the movie makers vision, or I think that my imagination is better....whatever the case, I've read the book first. 
I Am Number Four, like all of the others I've read before it....is a heart thumping experience that doesn't end.  Yes folks, here's the spoiler, there will be another book to follow as well as another movie.  I'm not jumping in to see the movie just yet.  I'm kind of cheap, I'll wait for it to show at the dollar show, or come on television or netflix.  I would like to see what the special effect folks do with the powers and the monsters...

By the way the book will be on the shelf soon.

Favorite quote from the book:
From Henri to John Smith
 "It's the last thing to go.  When you have lost hope, you have lost everything.  And when you think all is lost, when all is dire and bleak, there is always hope."

One other quote:  "Those things that are most obvious are the very things that we're most likely to overlook."

So who is Pittacus Lore?????

Hex Hall by Rachel Hawkins

So where do vamps, shapeshifters, and witches go when they misuse their powers or are discovered by humans?  Try Hex Hall.  Sophie Meyers has no clue as to her true powers.  When she tries using her powers for good, her friend acuses her of being a witch.  Suddenly she is wisked away to Hex Hall where she must learn to control her powers, and learn to defend herself against those who choose to rid the world of "monsters."   The story is woven with humor, suspense, and romance.  It's almost a Harry Potter type book, except the stairways do not move when you are using them.

Scorch Trials by James Dashner

So I read the first, and now I have just completed the second--this for the heavy duty survivalist readers, If the griever's were not enough in the mazerunners, we have Cranks and other creatures to get through to end the experiement.  Is there an end to the experiment itself?  The author describes the book with bits of terror sprinkled through out.  I think it's somewhere between "sprinkle" and a "down pour" of terror.

I really need another Spring Break to relax--For those who like the Hunger Games series, and other survival type books, this one is for you.

To the students who like to have a little "blood and guts" you will also enjoy this book--

For those who want one more book--Yes, there is another book. 

My question.  How much more can they take?

Don't forget to check out the author site for book trailers, a game, and blog.

http://www.jamesdashner.com/

So according to my Shelfari (The bookshelf on the side of the blog)

If you enjoy reading, and would like to keep track of what you read, Shelfari has done a great job for me.  What I found recently, is that it tells you how many books you read last year--and let's you know if you are ahead or behind for this year.

Well my Shelfari only has the teen and young adult books that I read (ocassionally I fit in an adult book or two).  Anyway I had read 32 books last year.  For this year 3.  Now you can do the math--how many books did I read a month last year, and how many books will I need to read by March 31st, to catch up for this year??

If you are a student at Hardin Middle School--stop by the library, and let me know the answer.  If you are right, I'll have a small prize!  I'll let you round up on the answer.

Maze Runner by James Dasner

How would you feel if you were added to a new community, and not by choice.  Your memory has been erased, yet there is something there in your mind...How would you like to have the ability to talk to a friend through telepathy.

This is an action packed story that will keep you going.  The best part (maybe for some) is that it leads right into a sequel.

Available in your school library.

Author Website:

http://jamesdashner.blogspot.com/2009/02/maze-runner-trilogy.html

Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins

I've talked to several students about the book Hunger Games and Catching Fire.  Many believe that Catching Fire is better.  Catching Fire begins when Katniss and Peeta return to Victory Village.  The Cruelty of this game comes from the Quell Games.  These games happen every 25 years.  These games are much like the Hunger Games, except the game makers change the rules.  The Cruelest thing about this game is that the past Victors must play the games--We have teens and adults playing against each other.  I don't want to share any surprises, but I believe that my heart was pumping! And of course the story doesn't end on the last page...there are many unanswered questions.  So guess what?  That's right!  I need to get my hands on Mockingjay!

See you in District 12 or is it 13?

Wow! Where has the time gone? Books that I have over the Winter Holidays.

     

Al Capone Shines My Shoes--The Alcatraz kids are into another adventure...there problems with friendships, problems with families, and an escape...join in the adventures, and "How much is Al Capone really involved?"

From convicts to kid lawyers the next book is Theodore Boone: Kid Lawyer.  Theo is the child of two lawyers, and his favorite past-time is watching court cases.  The kids in his school seek his help with anything from doggie jail, to divorce cases, to murder.  If you want to get an idea of how court cases really work, you will want to give this book a try.

The last book is the Ghost of Crutchfield Hall.  Is it possible to come back to life?  That is the main question in this book.  A good story, a different twists with ghosts, and likeable characters (well, not all of them), make this a good story.