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.