Spring Break Reading

It's a Two for One Day

Some Books to Add to your Reading List!

For the "It's Gotta Have Action" readers:

I suggest

Two German youth who have no family to lose, find themselves recruited by the English to retrieve a "special" package and bring it back to England.  The package can stop the war?  You will just have to read the book to find out.

Why is it a fast-paced action fiction?  It's author is a screenwriter!

Book Two

Who Wouldn't Want Super Powers?

 

Can you stop a bus with just a glare?  Or make the prize basketball player of the other team miss a basket?  Would you like be able to get people do what you want them to?

Jax Opus learns that he has these powers.  Not has Jax learned about these powers, but Dr. Elias Mako, Founder and Director of Sentia Institute has learned about his special powers as well.  Dr. Elias Mako, who has devoted his life to New York City education and is an inspiration to every single one us (be careful of this phrase), has some plans for Jax.  Jax must decide how to use the special powers he now has.

 

Check out Gordon Korman's video about the book here.

 

 

http://video.scholastic.com/services/player/bcpid75580074001?bckey=AQ~~,AAAAAFv844g~,BASb5BU03X_l9AdwGvsCRhRAI3eFS6eT&bctid=2513635673001

 

 

Stealing Air

 

 

Wish  you could fly?  Take of into the blue skies with the wind blowing through your hair.  That experience of feeling free, and no one can touch you?

 

That is what Brian wants.  However, life comes crashing down when, his parents move him to Iowa.  Now he has to start life over in a small town with a big bully.

 

Join Brian and his nerdy friend Max, Alex the "wheeler dealer," and Wendy (the new love of his life?).

 

Need more information?

 

 

Trent Reedy's link: http://www.trentreedy.com/book-sa.html

Scholastic Interview with Mr. Reedy: http://www.scholastic.com/teachers/article/qa-trent-reedy-about-stealing-air

What We Found in the Sofa, and How it Saved the World

 

It almost sounds like a challenge question on a test. 

"While sitting on a couch, you find a domino, a crayon, and a two headed coin.  Taking these three items only, you have to save the world.  How would you do it?"

 

Fiona, Freak, and River find the sofa sitting at their bus stop. After exploring the couch they find crayon.  Who knew that a "Zucchini" crayon would get them into so much trouble, or that the couch would have traveling abilities (save your dust bunnies).

 

This story is science fiction, adventure, mystery, and ghost story all rolled up in one.  It has an evil villain who wishes to rule the world.  By the way, he is from Indorsia.

 

If you are looking for something fun to read--give this a try.  If you want to read more about the book check out this site:

 

http://www.indorsia.com/blog.html

 

This is Henry Clarks's first novel.  It looks like he has another book coming out soon!

In Front of God and Everybody: Confessions of April Grace

  Just finished this book.    It is the summer of 1986, and life changes in this little town in the Ozarks. Many may say that if you live in a small town, nothing happens.  But not April Grace!  In her own light-hearted humorous way April Grace tells you about the new neighbors and the mystery of  Grace's grandma's new boy friend. 

 

Book Website:  http://aprilgrace.kdmccrite.com/talk-with-april-grace/

Don't forget to check out the book trailer!

 

Marie Antoninette:"Madam Deficit"

     Marie Antoinette by Liz Hockinson

     I don't like non-fiction.  Did I mention that before?  Anyway, when looking at books, I sometimes judge them by the cover.  This looks pretty elementary.  But look carefully, not many elementary books have blood stains and a guillotine on the cover.  When you open to the middle of the book, there are lots of pictures!  So I pulled it from the shelf and was carried back in history to France, where I learned about a queen that I have heard mentioned on a TV show.  Don't just hate it when someone is mentioned and you don't know who it is?

As the biography unfolds, modern pictures, old paintings and other artifacts tell what life was like during Marie's time. I highly recommend this book. 

AR reading level 6.8  

P.S.  I will have Cleopatra, , Mary Tudor and the other Thinking Girl's Treasury of Dastardly Dames on my next purchase list!

Wow! It has been a Year!!!!

I can't believe it!  I haven't fallen off the edge of the world!  But I have been reading, just not the writing part.  I guess that it is time to do that again.

Let's start with what I'm reading now, and then I will start adding my Summer of 2013 list of books.

Kennedy's Last Days 

            When Mr. Harrigan saw this on the shelf, he said that I really needed to read this.  I'll admit, I'm not a non-fiction fan, and I'm definitely not into politics.  However, I've always been interested in the Kennedy assassination.  So, I just had to read it.    

            This book is made for students in the middle grades, and it explains  everything that was happening at that time and how they connected together.  This book has everything--black and white photos, Primary Documents (try reading the hand written notes on the inside back cover), timelines, quotes, life in the 1960's, etc.  If you are interested in more information Mr. O'Reilly has other resources for you to peruse (read carefully)!

            I hope to finish it this weekend, and it will be available soon!

Girl Stolen by April Henry

Taken from the newspaper headlines, this is a fictional about sixteen year old Cheyenne's kidnapping.  Griffin only wanted to make his father proud by stealing a car. So when he finds out that Cheyenne is in the backseat why doesn't he just throw her out?  Well of course she could identify him to the police, but then he finds out that she is blind.  Being kidnapped is bad enough, but dealing with it in darkness is scarier...Cheyenne is blind.

To find out about this book and other's check-out April Henry's website,

After Ever After

What is life really like for Jeffrey?  The book  starts with his graduation, but shares his life as a cancer survivor.  The book portrays a teenage boy's life (school, family, and girlfriends).  To tell you the truth, I don't if there are other books out there about teenage cancer survivor's, but this book gives you a good idea about how life is for them.  From being the center of fundraisers, to being treated differently because of their illness, to adapting to changes.  Yes, it might even make you cry.

Author Website:  http://www.jordansonnenblick.com/

I read that this book is a companion to  Drums, Girls and Dangerous Pie.  You may want to check this book out as well!

Belly Up by Stuart Gibbs

I wish that I were like Teddy.  Living in Africa, enjoying life in the wild.  I think that I would also enjoy living in a theme park.  Teddy helps the animals fight back against the humans that annoy them.  Case and point, in FunJungle a family of humans are throwing things at the monkeys, who in turn have started rebelling by throwing back water balloons.  However, Large Marge (security   guard) believes that it is Teddy who is causing all of the park's problems.  However, as the cuffs are slapped to his wrist, Large Marge is called to Hippo River, where Henry the Hippo mascot is laying Belly-Up.

To find out more about Stuart Gibbs, check out his website at stuartgibbs.com.

So Where Have I Been?

I've been here all the time, just kind of lost in internet space.  So here we go with a fresh look at some new books that I have been reading.

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?"