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?"

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!

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?????

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/

House of Dark Shadows by Robert Liparulo

House of Dark Shadows

For those of you who like the scary...You have to read this!

For those of you who like adventure... You have to read this!

For those of you who like the unexpected.. You have to read this!

For those of you who like a Murder Myster,

You have to read this!

Recommended to me by another student..I started to read this book, and then I couldn't put it down.  I started talking to characters about not "opening the  door." 

I had my thoughts  about the family moving into such a house.

I believe that the house does have a personality!

So what can I say...good plot, good characters, good setting, it's almost Haloween...

Great Book!
My advice: Becareful when you open the next door!

Who has the next book???

Check out the websitehttp://dreamhousekings.com/



Coming Soon (Sept 24th) to a Screen Near You!

The Guardians of Ga'Hoole

by

Kathryn Lasky

O.k. so I'm a little behind the times.  The series is already up to book number 16, and I just finished #1.  I came across this book when I saw a video game commercial for Wii.  I thought interesting, I'll check out the book.  Then on my desk is an article about it coming to the movies.  Of course, there is a website with pictures, videos, and games to go with the book.  You can also check out the movie trailer if you haven't seen it yet.

http://www.scholastic.com/gahoole/books.htm

The Graveyard by Neil Gaiman

ScarY????  Yes and No.  However for my middle school friend that wanted a murder that started the book, here it is!  As Bod's parents were killed, he had slipped from his crib, went down the stairs ( 3 or 5 flights), out the door, up the hill and into the graveyard.  He is granted full use of the graveyard from his friends and new family--the Owens.  So what is it like to live among the dead?  find out in this award winning book!

Don't forget to check out the Book Trailer

Found by Margaret Peterson Haddix

Found

 The Missing:Book 1

by Margaret Peterson Haddix

So what would you do if you found out you were adopted?

What would you do if you received a letter stating that you were one of the missing? (Missing what?)

What would you do if you were trapped in a cave?

This fast paced story will have you reading until the early hours of the morning -- (O.k. I couldn't put the book down!)

For those of you who already enjoy many of the Haddix books, you may want to add this to your list.  It's a mystery, adventure, and even a fantasy, all rolled into one.

To find other books by Margaret Peterson Haddix check out her website:

http://www.haddixbooks.com/home.html

What do a curse, a murder, and a snowboard have in common?

You will enjoy reading Tor's adventure as he tries to solve this curse that could  ruin his life.

Snowboarding anyone?

Rick Riordan Fans

I've decided to start my summer with an award winning author Ric Riordan.  Have you finished with Percy Jackson and the Greek Gods? I've heard that the movie wasn't very good if you had read the books.  Mr. Riordan has started a new series with his new book the Red Pyramid.  Now we mix the mortal world with the world of pharoes and magicians of Ancient Egypt. The story is told by two narrators, Carter and Sadie who are brother and sister.  The mystery revolves around the death of their parents and the ending of the world as we know it. 

OMG! you've go to see the website--it has a book trailer (like the movie trailers you see in theaters), it has a special game that if you solve it you can mee the author or win a gift package.  It has character cards to help you keep track of the good guys versus the bad...It looks like lots of fun.  Check it out for yourself. 
                                                     http://www.thekanechronicles.com/

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

Spring Break Reading

What a week. Lots of things going on, however, I did start and finished the book Dormia. Alphonso has in his position a plant-a very special plant. Alphonso has skills, amazing skills only when he is sleeping. Alphonso, using his special skills must get this special plant to the main city of Dormia. If he doesn't he could kill the last remaining citizens of Dormia. But he could also kill himself in the process.

This is a fast-pace, adventurous fantasy that many will enjoy.

I found the website very interesting and helpful, so you may want to refer to it while you are reading the book. There is additional information about the authors as well.

The World of Dormia: www.worldofdormia.com