Time Travel Challenge

Frozen In Time

by

Ali Sparkes

This fall, I will be offering a couple of book challenges to my 7th and 8th grade classes.  More will be said about the challenges in the fall.  One book could fit in a couple of the challenges would be this one (Time travel challenge, Reading Around the World, or Reader's Choice).

Frozen in time takes place in 2010 in London.  Two of the characters, Freddy and Polly's story actually begins in 1956.  Imagine how life can change in 54 years.  The mystery is ... who did this to them, where is the father, is he still alive, and will they be able to make the survive after 54 years in a tank.

This book is a little challenging due to the fact that it is written by a British author, but I think that you will enjoy the story.

Challenge:  Interview someone about 50 years older than you, and find out about some of the differences in music, television, past-times, manners, roles of girls and boys! 

Check out Ms. Sparkes website:

http://www.alisparkes.com/

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/

Deep and Dark and Dangerous by Mary Downing Hahn

Mark Twain Winner for 2009-2010

Although we no longer participate in the Mark Twain Award nominees, I still keep several of the books on the shelf.  So as I was leaving the library Friday, I decided to take this home to read.  (She is one of my favorite ghost story writers.)  And like many of the other books that I have read of hers, this one fits it's title.  I could not put this one down. 

In this book, two moms are suffering for things in the past, and their two daughters try to discover the secrets.

I don't want to spoil the story, so I will say no more!  :)

Don't forget to check out her website: http://www.marydowninghahnbooks.com/

Oh no!  There are books on the list that I haven't read. Well I guess I know what I'll be doing for the summer.

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