As I was sitting in the doctor's office this afternoon, I pulled out my kindle to pass the time. I picked out one of the freebies I downloaded recently to read. I finished it after I got home, with my ankle in a boot and elevated. :(
This was a typical Christian romance. It was a quick, easy read, but nothing really new in this genre. The best part is the recipes at the end of the book for many of the Greek delicacies that are mentioned throughout the book--can't wait to try them...make that, have my dad make them and me eat them!!
Paula's childhood was anything but stable. But once she and her mother moved to Tarpon Springs at the beginning of middle school, she found stability in the family of her new best friend, Steph Papadopoulos. During high school, Paula dated Steph's cousin, Nick, but when she went off to college, Nick left for the Air Force and they lost touch. It is now ten years later and Nick is home on an extended leave. He never forgot about Paula and is determined to prove to her that they should be together for keeps.
Not the next great classic, but a good story...the characters and relationships were believable--reminded me a bit of the movie My Big, Fat, Greek Wedding! Some of the resolutions were somewhat contrived or arrived at a little too quickly to be believable, but overall, not too bad.
Since my foot will be in an air cast for much of the next week and a half, I'm hoping to get more reading done than originally planned for my spring break....we shall see if that comes to fruition.
Happy Reading!
Friday, March 30, 2012
Monday, March 26, 2012
#17--The Road by Cormac McCarthy
When I posted this picture on Facebook, several friends commented on one title in particular, today's read. I decided to start with The Road since it was coming highly recommended. I started Sunday afternoon and got a little over 1/3 of the way into it before I had to put it down and walk away for a little bit. I finished it today after school and several hours later, I'm still not sure exactly what I think of it.
The story takes place in the future after a post-apocalyptic event--that is never really defined--but most of humanity is gone, food and water are scarce--if not impossible to get, the world is covered in ash, and a man and his son (who I'm guessing is around 8-10 years old) are struggling to survive, with the ultimate goal to get to the coast. The story is very harsh and stark. One of my complaints is that there are no quotation marks anywhere in the book--and it is often difficult to keep track of who is talking. I've only read two other books (that I can think of) that utilize the no quotes style, and I didn't really care for either of those books, so maybe it is a style issue I'm having here. There were also no chapter markers, other than ellipses (...) in between paragraphs, so that also threw me off a little as well.
Some of the descriptions of were graphic, yet stark in their word pictures. This is definitely an adult book due to these images. This book was made into a movie starring Viggo Mortensen in 2008, but I haven't seen it in order to comment. I would be curious to see how it compared and how some of the events were portrayed. It may have to go into my Netflix cue...
I do think I need to digest this one for a little longer before finally determining whether or not I like it.
Happy Reading!
Saturday, March 24, 2012
#16--The Scrapbook Riddle by S.D. Brown
Jessica thinks her summer has been ruined! Jess and her mom have traveled to the home of her Grandma (Gram) and Great-grandma (Grandma Charlotte) on the opposite side of the state--and there is no TV available, let alone cable, and she isn't allowed to call her best friend because of the long-distance charges! How will she ever survive the summer without anyone to hang out with?
When they arrive, Gram is in the hospital and Grandma Charlotte is acting very confused and there is a strange man, Mr. Thomas, and his nephew, Josh, living on the third floor of the house. The man is creepy and acting somewhat suspicious to Jessica's way of thinking, and his rude nephew isn't much better.
Grandma Charlotte has a scrapbook that she looks at because it reminds her of her father, who died soon after the Crash of 1929. He sent her a letter for her birthday that year with a riddle that she refers to as the riddle of the Liberty Lady and died before he could explain the clues in the poem. Jess takes it upon herself to solve the riddle, in hopes that it will lead to the great treasure that has been rumored to be in the family for decades, but no one has ever found. In the meantime, Jess befriends Josh and discovers that he isn't really Mr. Thomas's nephew--Mr. Thomas is blackmailing Josh into helping him swindle Jess's grandmothers.
Will Jess and Josh be able to find the treasure and prove that Mr. Thomas is up to no good?
This was another freebie on my kindle--and a very quick read. It was good and I didn't guess everything by the end, but it was a somewhat stock mystery.
Happy Reading!
When they arrive, Gram is in the hospital and Grandma Charlotte is acting very confused and there is a strange man, Mr. Thomas, and his nephew, Josh, living on the third floor of the house. The man is creepy and acting somewhat suspicious to Jessica's way of thinking, and his rude nephew isn't much better.
Grandma Charlotte has a scrapbook that she looks at because it reminds her of her father, who died soon after the Crash of 1929. He sent her a letter for her birthday that year with a riddle that she refers to as the riddle of the Liberty Lady and died before he could explain the clues in the poem. Jess takes it upon herself to solve the riddle, in hopes that it will lead to the great treasure that has been rumored to be in the family for decades, but no one has ever found. In the meantime, Jess befriends Josh and discovers that he isn't really Mr. Thomas's nephew--Mr. Thomas is blackmailing Josh into helping him swindle Jess's grandmothers.
Will Jess and Josh be able to find the treasure and prove that Mr. Thomas is up to no good?
This was another freebie on my kindle--and a very quick read. It was good and I didn't guess everything by the end, but it was a somewhat stock mystery.
Happy Reading!
#15--Connie Cobbler: Toy Detective by James DeSalvo
What do you get when you cross Strawberry Shortcake, Babes in Toyland, and a noir detective story? Today's story, for sure.
The main character, Connie Cobbler, is a former TV star--she and four friends had a show called Connie Cobbler and the Pastry Pals. When there was an accident on set and one of her friends and co-stars died, Connie left the world and fame behind forever....and became a private detective. She takes on cases in her hometown, Toy Town. Brenda Bombshell has come to Connie and asked her to find her lost dog, Foo-foo, who was wearing a very expensive diamond collar when he was dog-napped. This case leads Connie on to an even bigger case--one where it looks like someone wants Connie out of the picture, for good!
I downloaded this story for free on my kindle. It was a cute, fun story, but I don't think I would have paid for it. It is available in paperback and it would be a cute addition to an elementary library.
Happy Reading!
The main character, Connie Cobbler, is a former TV star--she and four friends had a show called Connie Cobbler and the Pastry Pals. When there was an accident on set and one of her friends and co-stars died, Connie left the world and fame behind forever....and became a private detective. She takes on cases in her hometown, Toy Town. Brenda Bombshell has come to Connie and asked her to find her lost dog, Foo-foo, who was wearing a very expensive diamond collar when he was dog-napped. This case leads Connie on to an even bigger case--one where it looks like someone wants Connie out of the picture, for good!
I downloaded this story for free on my kindle. It was a cute, fun story, but I don't think I would have paid for it. It is available in paperback and it would be a cute addition to an elementary library.
Happy Reading!
Saturday, March 17, 2012
#14--A Gift of Two Silver Pistols by Nan Coleman
Happy St. Patty's Day!! I don't know what the weather was like in your neck of the woods, but here it has been more like a late May day than the middle of March....but I'm definitely not complaining!!
This afternoon, in an effort to get outside and enjoy the beautiful weather, I grabbed a chair and my kindle and headed out for some sunshine! I recently downloaded a bunch of books for free onto my kindle, so I started with the one at the top of the list...today's book. As I've demonstrated through a number of the books that I have thus far chosen to read, I'm a sucker for history, whether it is fiction or nonfiction.
My first year as a librarian, I grabbed a book off the shelf that intrigued me...The Year of the Hangman by Gary Blackwood--about what life would have been like in the American colonies immediately after the Revolutionary War if we had lost. It was a very interesting idea to me, and I have often wondered how things would have been different if certain events had been different: how different would the world be if Abraham Lincoln had not been assassinated? if the Titanic hadn't sunk or the Hindenburg exploded? it the Archduke Ferdinand had not been assassinated? And the questions go on.
In today's book, Ainsley is 13 in 2011 and loves visiting her grandparents at their home in Charlottesville, VA, near the site where Thomas Jefferson grew up and near his home of Monticello. Her grandfather has told her stories of her famous relative, Jack Jouett, who rode in the middle of the night on June 3, 1781, to warn Thomas Jefferson that British commander, Banastre Tarleton, was on his way to arrest as many important traitors to the crown as he could, including Jefferson specifically. (An important side note--Ainsley's Uncle Myles is a professional ghost hunter.)
On the night of June 3, the anniversary of Jack's ride, Ainsley decides that she wants to try to see a ghost for herself, and she wants to see Jack Jouett. So, with some of her uncle's ghost-hunting equipment, she camps out down by the river where she and Uncle Myles have guessed that Jack crossed the river on his famous ride. Not only does she get her wish and sees Jack, but he also sees her...and that sets a different set of events into motion. With Ainsley in tow, Jack does not get to Monticello in time to warn Jefferson, who is then captured, along with Patrick Henry and Benjamin Harrison. The men will be hanged for treason, as soon as Tarleton can get the gallows built.
Ainsley and Jack (the only one who can see Ainsley), with the help of a local tavern owner, Barbara (who can also see Ainsley), they come up with a plan to help the prisoners and attempt to put time and history back in their proper places.
After doing some research about Jack Jouett, I discovered that he has been called "The Paul Revere of the South," and some have even claimed that his ride was more crucial than Revere's because of the stakes involved if Jeffereson, Henry and Harrison, major leaders of the revolution, are captured. (Thanks wikipedia!) As a result of his heroics, the Virginia state legislature awarded Jack Jouett two silver pistols and a sword-hence the title of the book. This fact wasn't mentioned until the very end of the epilogue, which makes me question the title...there has to be a better title for this story out there, one that will make sense much earlier in the story.
Overall, it was a quick easy read that I enjoyed. It is currently available in kindle format as well as in paperback...this title may be finding its way to the shelves of my school in the near future....
Happy Reading!!
This afternoon, in an effort to get outside and enjoy the beautiful weather, I grabbed a chair and my kindle and headed out for some sunshine! I recently downloaded a bunch of books for free onto my kindle, so I started with the one at the top of the list...today's book. As I've demonstrated through a number of the books that I have thus far chosen to read, I'm a sucker for history, whether it is fiction or nonfiction.
My first year as a librarian, I grabbed a book off the shelf that intrigued me...The Year of the Hangman by Gary Blackwood--about what life would have been like in the American colonies immediately after the Revolutionary War if we had lost. It was a very interesting idea to me, and I have often wondered how things would have been different if certain events had been different: how different would the world be if Abraham Lincoln had not been assassinated? if the Titanic hadn't sunk or the Hindenburg exploded? it the Archduke Ferdinand had not been assassinated? And the questions go on.
In today's book, Ainsley is 13 in 2011 and loves visiting her grandparents at their home in Charlottesville, VA, near the site where Thomas Jefferson grew up and near his home of Monticello. Her grandfather has told her stories of her famous relative, Jack Jouett, who rode in the middle of the night on June 3, 1781, to warn Thomas Jefferson that British commander, Banastre Tarleton, was on his way to arrest as many important traitors to the crown as he could, including Jefferson specifically. (An important side note--Ainsley's Uncle Myles is a professional ghost hunter.)
On the night of June 3, the anniversary of Jack's ride, Ainsley decides that she wants to try to see a ghost for herself, and she wants to see Jack Jouett. So, with some of her uncle's ghost-hunting equipment, she camps out down by the river where she and Uncle Myles have guessed that Jack crossed the river on his famous ride. Not only does she get her wish and sees Jack, but he also sees her...and that sets a different set of events into motion. With Ainsley in tow, Jack does not get to Monticello in time to warn Jefferson, who is then captured, along with Patrick Henry and Benjamin Harrison. The men will be hanged for treason, as soon as Tarleton can get the gallows built.
Ainsley and Jack (the only one who can see Ainsley), with the help of a local tavern owner, Barbara (who can also see Ainsley), they come up with a plan to help the prisoners and attempt to put time and history back in their proper places.
After doing some research about Jack Jouett, I discovered that he has been called "The Paul Revere of the South," and some have even claimed that his ride was more crucial than Revere's because of the stakes involved if Jeffereson, Henry and Harrison, major leaders of the revolution, are captured. (Thanks wikipedia!) As a result of his heroics, the Virginia state legislature awarded Jack Jouett two silver pistols and a sword-hence the title of the book. This fact wasn't mentioned until the very end of the epilogue, which makes me question the title...there has to be a better title for this story out there, one that will make sense much earlier in the story.
Overall, it was a quick easy read that I enjoyed. It is currently available in kindle format as well as in paperback...this title may be finding its way to the shelves of my school in the near future....
Happy Reading!!
Thursday, March 15, 2012
#13--Almost by Anne Eliot
So, I stayed up way too late, on a school night, to finish this book. I simply could not put it down, no matter how hard I tried (I didn't try too awfully hard, it was too good).
I came across this book as a free book for my kindle--it is not currently available in print, but hopefully it will be someday, because I would love to add it to my collection at school.
The story is told from two different points of view--Jess and Gray. As a freshman in high school, Jess Jordan was almost raped at a senior party--a party and an event she doesn't remember--and this has changed her world significantly. Now, three years later, she survives on Red Bull and naps during the day because if she sleeps at night, she has nightmares about the night of the party. Her coping mechanisms have made her shun all friends and extra-curricular activities. However, if her parents are going to let her go to college, she has to demonstrate that she is "making progress" toward normalcy. In order to attain normalcy, Jess applies for an internship at geekstuff.com. Not only will this look good on her resume, but it will also get her out of her room and around other people--one of the requirements of "normal".
What she doesn't count on is that there is someone else applying for the same internship--a really hot guy from her school, Gray Porter. While waiting for their interviews, Gray comes across a list Jess's sister made about how to be normal: 1) Make at least two friends your own age, 2) Go places besides your room, 3) Get a boyfriend, and 4) Make sure Mom and Dad notice numbers one through three.
In an effort to land the internship and appear normal to her parents, Jess makes a deal with Gray--she will do the internship for free so he get get the paid position to apply toward college, and pay him, to be her boyfriend for the summer--fulfilling the first three items on the checklist at once. She doesn't count on falling for Gray.
But Gray has secrets of his own--a secret that drives him to protect Jess....
Can't say any more or it would give it away.....
The ending was somewhat rushed, and a little formulaic, but overall, I really liked this book. As I was reading it, it reminded me a little of Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson, Quad by Carrie Watson, and Hate List by Jennifer Brown--each in their own way. Really wishing it was in print so I could include it in my next order of books for school!
If you have an ereader, there are several websites available where you can get daily or weekly offers for free or reduced books. Here are a few of them....
http://bookbub.com/deals/
http://youngedition.pixelofink.com/
http://www.pixelofink.com/
I'm sure there are many others out there as well.
Happy Reading!
I came across this book as a free book for my kindle--it is not currently available in print, but hopefully it will be someday, because I would love to add it to my collection at school.
The story is told from two different points of view--Jess and Gray. As a freshman in high school, Jess Jordan was almost raped at a senior party--a party and an event she doesn't remember--and this has changed her world significantly. Now, three years later, she survives on Red Bull and naps during the day because if she sleeps at night, she has nightmares about the night of the party. Her coping mechanisms have made her shun all friends and extra-curricular activities. However, if her parents are going to let her go to college, she has to demonstrate that she is "making progress" toward normalcy. In order to attain normalcy, Jess applies for an internship at geekstuff.com. Not only will this look good on her resume, but it will also get her out of her room and around other people--one of the requirements of "normal".
What she doesn't count on is that there is someone else applying for the same internship--a really hot guy from her school, Gray Porter. While waiting for their interviews, Gray comes across a list Jess's sister made about how to be normal: 1) Make at least two friends your own age, 2) Go places besides your room, 3) Get a boyfriend, and 4) Make sure Mom and Dad notice numbers one through three.
In an effort to land the internship and appear normal to her parents, Jess makes a deal with Gray--she will do the internship for free so he get get the paid position to apply toward college, and pay him, to be her boyfriend for the summer--fulfilling the first three items on the checklist at once. She doesn't count on falling for Gray.
But Gray has secrets of his own--a secret that drives him to protect Jess....
Can't say any more or it would give it away.....
The ending was somewhat rushed, and a little formulaic, but overall, I really liked this book. As I was reading it, it reminded me a little of Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson, Quad by Carrie Watson, and Hate List by Jennifer Brown--each in their own way. Really wishing it was in print so I could include it in my next order of books for school!
If you have an ereader, there are several websites available where you can get daily or weekly offers for free or reduced books. Here are a few of them....
http://bookbub.com/deals/
http://youngedition.pixelofink.com/
http://www.pixelofink.com/
I'm sure there are many others out there as well.
Happy Reading!
Tuesday, March 13, 2012
#12--A Mango-Shaped Space by Wendy Mass
Today's book was chosen by my students for me to read. Wendy Mass was my school's visiting author last year and my students really enjoy her books--one of which came out as a movie last fall--Jeremy Fink and the Meaning of Life.
Mia appears normal, but she's been hiding something for as long as she can remember--sounds, numbers and words all have colors. As a child, she thought everyone saw colors, but in 3rd grade she found out that she was a "freak" in the eyes of her classmates.
As she enters 8th grade, Mia is terrified of taking Spanish and pre-algebra...because the Spanish words don't have the same color as the corresponding word in English, so it is difficult for her to connect the words, and pre-algebra is difficult because "Normally an x is a shiny maroon color, like a ripe cherry. But here an x has to stand for an unknown number. But I can't make myself assign the x any other color than maroon, and there are no maroon-colored numbers. Without the color, I don't know how to proceed."
After she fails two math quizes, Mia has to come clean with her parents about what is going on. Fortunately, they are eventually able to find a diagnosis--synesthesia, a mingling of the senses--and Mia finds ways to work around her gift.
Makes me wonder what having this ability would be like--and what color my name would be....
I really enjoyed this title and I will read more by Wendy Mass in the future.
Happy Reading!!
Mia appears normal, but she's been hiding something for as long as she can remember--sounds, numbers and words all have colors. As a child, she thought everyone saw colors, but in 3rd grade she found out that she was a "freak" in the eyes of her classmates.
As she enters 8th grade, Mia is terrified of taking Spanish and pre-algebra...because the Spanish words don't have the same color as the corresponding word in English, so it is difficult for her to connect the words, and pre-algebra is difficult because "Normally an x is a shiny maroon color, like a ripe cherry. But here an x has to stand for an unknown number. But I can't make myself assign the x any other color than maroon, and there are no maroon-colored numbers. Without the color, I don't know how to proceed."
After she fails two math quizes, Mia has to come clean with her parents about what is going on. Fortunately, they are eventually able to find a diagnosis--synesthesia, a mingling of the senses--and Mia finds ways to work around her gift.
Makes me wonder what having this ability would be like--and what color my name would be....
I really enjoyed this title and I will read more by Wendy Mass in the future.
Happy Reading!!
Sunday, February 26, 2012
#11--Incarceron by Catherine Fisher
It is a good thing I'm ahead of schedule, since it has been two weeks since my last post. I knew this time of the year was going to be hectic this year, but didn't realize just how crazy.
One of the PE teachers at my school is a self-proclaimed "non-reader." Over the years I have handed him a few books to try out, some have been hits and others have been misses. This year, I think we have found his niche....sci-fi/fantasy with a little post-apocalyptic/dystopian thrown in for a little extra something. He flew through the entire Hunger Games series in about two weeks and came in the library looking for something else. It just so happened that Incarceron had just been checked in and I offered it to him, telling him that it was about a prison that was alive. He jumped on it and within a few days, was back asking for the sequel Sapphique--which he finished in a few days as well. When he found out I hadn't read Incarceron yet, he informed me that I had to read and after I did, he wanted to talk about it. I started it last weekend and he and I had a brief conversation during the week, but he didn't want to give anything away. Well, I finished it last night and I can't wait to talk to him about it this week!!
Many years ago, the king decreed that there would be no more progress--life would actually regress back to roughly the middle ages in dress, technology, science, medicine, etc. All prisoners would also be shipped to a new prison called Incarceron with wise leaders, called Sapients, in order to create a perfect society. What wasn't planned for was the eventual overthrowing of the system by the prison itself. It began to generate life from those who died inside it as well as think and react of its own volition.
Finn, a prisoner in Incarceron, believes that he came from Outside--he doesn't remember anything before waking up in a cell three years prior. Claudia, the daughter of the Warden of Incarceron, is pledged to be married to Caspar, the crown prince--a boorish oaf who she can't stand. Her father has been grooming her for this position her entire life. Claudia and Finn are both desperate to find an escape--Finn from Incarceron and Claudia from her arranged marriage.
I won't say any more, for fear of giving away the good stuff!! This is definitely a must-read if you like fantasy/dystopian fiction!!
Happy Reading!!
One of the PE teachers at my school is a self-proclaimed "non-reader." Over the years I have handed him a few books to try out, some have been hits and others have been misses. This year, I think we have found his niche....sci-fi/fantasy with a little post-apocalyptic/dystopian thrown in for a little extra something. He flew through the entire Hunger Games series in about two weeks and came in the library looking for something else. It just so happened that Incarceron had just been checked in and I offered it to him, telling him that it was about a prison that was alive. He jumped on it and within a few days, was back asking for the sequel Sapphique--which he finished in a few days as well. When he found out I hadn't read Incarceron yet, he informed me that I had to read and after I did, he wanted to talk about it. I started it last weekend and he and I had a brief conversation during the week, but he didn't want to give anything away. Well, I finished it last night and I can't wait to talk to him about it this week!!
Many years ago, the king decreed that there would be no more progress--life would actually regress back to roughly the middle ages in dress, technology, science, medicine, etc. All prisoners would also be shipped to a new prison called Incarceron with wise leaders, called Sapients, in order to create a perfect society. What wasn't planned for was the eventual overthrowing of the system by the prison itself. It began to generate life from those who died inside it as well as think and react of its own volition.
Finn, a prisoner in Incarceron, believes that he came from Outside--he doesn't remember anything before waking up in a cell three years prior. Claudia, the daughter of the Warden of Incarceron, is pledged to be married to Caspar, the crown prince--a boorish oaf who she can't stand. Her father has been grooming her for this position her entire life. Claudia and Finn are both desperate to find an escape--Finn from Incarceron and Claudia from her arranged marriage.
I won't say any more, for fear of giving away the good stuff!! This is definitely a must-read if you like fantasy/dystopian fiction!!
Happy Reading!!
Sunday, February 12, 2012
#10--Vulture's Wake by Kirsty Murray
I often booktalk books for my students in an effort to entice them to read something maybe a little different than they would normally. Because of the large number of booktalks I end up doing over the course of the year, I do not have time to read them all before I tell my students about them. Today's book is one that I have been telling my students about since we got it last year. It alwasy sounded interesting, but just never had the chance to pick it up myself. After several of my students raved about it, I decided that it was my turn to read it.
Callum is a boy in a world where females are extinct....or are they. He meets Bo after he has run away from his kidnappers, when she finds him during her daily hunt for food. Bo and Callum are on a mission to get across the dangerous continent and to the "safe" city of Vulture's Gate, and away from the Outstationers who are out for Callum's blood. When they finally arrive at Vulture's Gate, nothing is like Callum remembers it and they must both fight for survival.
This is a post-apocalyptic novel set roughly 40 years in the future. Not only is it a great story, that is screaming for a sequel, but it is also a commentary of sorts on the world and humans' treatment of it. I finished it late last night and I'm still mulling it over in my mind...how can we improve things now so we don't end up like Callum and Bo.....
This title was previously published as Vulture's Gate, in case the story sounds a little familiar to some of you.
Happy Reading!
Callum is a boy in a world where females are extinct....or are they. He meets Bo after he has run away from his kidnappers, when she finds him during her daily hunt for food. Bo and Callum are on a mission to get across the dangerous continent and to the "safe" city of Vulture's Gate, and away from the Outstationers who are out for Callum's blood. When they finally arrive at Vulture's Gate, nothing is like Callum remembers it and they must both fight for survival.
This is a post-apocalyptic novel set roughly 40 years in the future. Not only is it a great story, that is screaming for a sequel, but it is also a commentary of sorts on the world and humans' treatment of it. I finished it late last night and I'm still mulling it over in my mind...how can we improve things now so we don't end up like Callum and Bo.....
This title was previously published as Vulture's Gate, in case the story sounds a little familiar to some of you.
Happy Reading!
Saturday, February 4, 2012
#9--Talking Bones: The Science of Forensic Anthropology--Peggy Thomas
Currently, one of my favorite TV shows is Bones, which is about a forensic anthropologist who works with the FBI to solve murders. While forensic science completely fascinates me, I know I would never have the stomach to do it in real life, so I get my kicks vicariously!
I happened to pick up today's book as it came into the circulation desk yesterday morning. It sounded interesting, and I needed something to read at lunch. It was a relatively quick read, and very interesting. It gives a basic outline of what forensic anthropology is and how it came to be. Some of the cases discussed were intriguing and made me want to learn a little more about them. This title was published in 1995, so I'm sure that much of the technology has changed in the 17 years since it came out, but the basics and history are still the same. It is geared to a middle/high school audience, but doesn't talk down to the reader. Overall, not too shabby!
Now I'm in the mood for some Bones.
Happy Reading!
I happened to pick up today's book as it came into the circulation desk yesterday morning. It sounded interesting, and I needed something to read at lunch. It was a relatively quick read, and very interesting. It gives a basic outline of what forensic anthropology is and how it came to be. Some of the cases discussed were intriguing and made me want to learn a little more about them. This title was published in 1995, so I'm sure that much of the technology has changed in the 17 years since it came out, but the basics and history are still the same. It is geared to a middle/high school audience, but doesn't talk down to the reader. Overall, not too shabby!
Now I'm in the mood for some Bones.
Happy Reading!
Monday, January 30, 2012
#8--Dead End in Norvelt--Jack Gantos
I happened to pick up a newspaper today from last week and was flipping through it when I noticed an article announcing the 2012 Newbery and Caldecott winners. The Newbery Award had been given to Jack Gantos for his book, Dead End in Norvelt. I knew we had a few copies of this book because I had purchased them after attending a conference on new young adult literature in the fall. I quickly went to the stacks and grabbed one of the copies off the shelf to bring home with me.
This story is part fiction and part nonfiction....and I would love to know exactly where the line is drawn! The main character, Jack Gantos, has started off his summer vacation grounded for life! His prospects aren't looking good for an early release when his father makes him mow down his mother's corn field...which makes his mom clamp down even further in his punishment. He is only allowed out of his room to do chores, use the bathroom, possibly eat meals with his family, and to help his neighbor Miss Volker write obituaries for the town paper. The town of Norvelt was named for First Lady, Eleanor Roosevelt, because of her interest in the town--it was created out of the Great Depression as a way for the unemployed miners to get "a hand-up instead of a hand-out." There were 250 original families in Norvelt and Miss Volker has vowed to write the obituaries for all the old-timers and be the last one standing--she is also the medical examiner, a post she was given by Mrs. Roosevelt and one she takes very seriously.
Jack has a "tiny problem"--his nose squirts blood anytime he gets startled, spooked or over-excited. Add to this, Miss Volker has arthritis so bad that she has to warm up her hands in hot parafin wax so they work--the first time Jack sees this creates a rather amusing scene, as he believes she is melting her body parts off to be eaten. And his best friend is a girl--who is the daughter of the local undertaker, and enjoys torturing Jack with stories of dead bodies and other gross things. Oh, and these's also someone buying up the old houses in Norvelt and moving them to West Virginia, and even the possibility of a murder investigation too.
All in all, I really enjoyed this book, and I will be sharing it with students in the very near future.
I looked up Norvelt, PA, and discovered that the town actually exists in Westmoreland County, southeast of Pittsburgh, PA. It also looks like much of the historical facts offered up by Miss Volker to Jack as they write obituaries and Jack learns to drive her car (very under-age), are pretty acurate....which makes me wonder even more how much of the rest of this story is fact and how much of it is fiction!!
Happy Reading!
This story is part fiction and part nonfiction....and I would love to know exactly where the line is drawn! The main character, Jack Gantos, has started off his summer vacation grounded for life! His prospects aren't looking good for an early release when his father makes him mow down his mother's corn field...which makes his mom clamp down even further in his punishment. He is only allowed out of his room to do chores, use the bathroom, possibly eat meals with his family, and to help his neighbor Miss Volker write obituaries for the town paper. The town of Norvelt was named for First Lady, Eleanor Roosevelt, because of her interest in the town--it was created out of the Great Depression as a way for the unemployed miners to get "a hand-up instead of a hand-out." There were 250 original families in Norvelt and Miss Volker has vowed to write the obituaries for all the old-timers and be the last one standing--she is also the medical examiner, a post she was given by Mrs. Roosevelt and one she takes very seriously.
Jack has a "tiny problem"--his nose squirts blood anytime he gets startled, spooked or over-excited. Add to this, Miss Volker has arthritis so bad that she has to warm up her hands in hot parafin wax so they work--the first time Jack sees this creates a rather amusing scene, as he believes she is melting her body parts off to be eaten. And his best friend is a girl--who is the daughter of the local undertaker, and enjoys torturing Jack with stories of dead bodies and other gross things. Oh, and these's also someone buying up the old houses in Norvelt and moving them to West Virginia, and even the possibility of a murder investigation too.
All in all, I really enjoyed this book, and I will be sharing it with students in the very near future.
I looked up Norvelt, PA, and discovered that the town actually exists in Westmoreland County, southeast of Pittsburgh, PA. It also looks like much of the historical facts offered up by Miss Volker to Jack as they write obituaries and Jack learns to drive her car (very under-age), are pretty acurate....which makes me wonder even more how much of the rest of this story is fact and how much of it is fiction!!
Happy Reading!
Sunday, January 29, 2012
#7--The Himmler Brothers: A German Family History--Katrin Himmler
Last year while on spring break, I got the chance to visit my cousin in Portland, OR, and he took me to a librarian's nirvana....Powell's Books. Now, I have to admit, I find bookstores overwhelming. I think a lot of it has to do with their organization--they aren't set up the same way a library is, so I have no idea where to start. To say Powell's was overwhelming is a gross understatement, but it was an awesome way to spend four hours!! Unfortunately, my luggage and my wallet couldn't handle all the titles I found that interested me, so I had to limit myself to three, but I also came across many titles that I do want to read sometime in the future. One of the titles I did purchase was today's post. As I've mentioned in previous posts, World War II and the Holocaust fascinate me. Today's book was no exception.
I can't imagine what it would have been like to grow up with the last name of Himmler in post-war Germany. It couldn't have been easy. The author, Katrin Himmler, is the great-niece of Heinrich Himmler, the head of Hitler's SS and the chief perpetrator of the Holocaust.
I've been racking by brain all afternoon trying to come up with an American equivalent, but, with the exception of our best-known traitor, Bennedict Arnold, I couldn't come up with an equal, and Bennedict wasn't anywhere near to being on the same level as Himmler.
I found it interesting to learn about Himmler's family, growing up and what happened to them after the war. It can't have been easy for the author to delve into the research of her own terrible family history, especially when family stories painted a much different picture of Heinrich and his two brothers, Gebhard and Ernst (the author's grandfather). The book takes the reader from the birth of the oldest Himmler son, Gebhard, in 1898 through to how Katrin came to write the book and some brief information about her marriage to a Jewish Israeli. She wrote the book for their son.
This book was difficult to get through for three reasons. 1) The translation from the German sometimes didn't come out in the best English, which required that some sentences/passages be re-read for understanding. 2) There needed to be a cast of characters so that it is easier to keep track of everyone and their relationships to one another. I found myself confused at times as to who was who. 3) A timeline of events would also have been helpful as each chapter covered a span of time and they often overlapped, depending on the subject of the chapter. It was also frustrating when a day and month would be given and I'd have to back-track to the beginning of the paragraph to confirm what year was being referred to.
Overall, it was an interesting, if difficult, read. It is always good to view history through a lens that you didn't experience/learn about. So, if you're a history buff, I would recommend it, but otherwise, not so sure.
Happy Reading!!
I can't imagine what it would have been like to grow up with the last name of Himmler in post-war Germany. It couldn't have been easy. The author, Katrin Himmler, is the great-niece of Heinrich Himmler, the head of Hitler's SS and the chief perpetrator of the Holocaust.
I've been racking by brain all afternoon trying to come up with an American equivalent, but, with the exception of our best-known traitor, Bennedict Arnold, I couldn't come up with an equal, and Bennedict wasn't anywhere near to being on the same level as Himmler.
I found it interesting to learn about Himmler's family, growing up and what happened to them after the war. It can't have been easy for the author to delve into the research of her own terrible family history, especially when family stories painted a much different picture of Heinrich and his two brothers, Gebhard and Ernst (the author's grandfather). The book takes the reader from the birth of the oldest Himmler son, Gebhard, in 1898 through to how Katrin came to write the book and some brief information about her marriage to a Jewish Israeli. She wrote the book for their son.
This book was difficult to get through for three reasons. 1) The translation from the German sometimes didn't come out in the best English, which required that some sentences/passages be re-read for understanding. 2) There needed to be a cast of characters so that it is easier to keep track of everyone and their relationships to one another. I found myself confused at times as to who was who. 3) A timeline of events would also have been helpful as each chapter covered a span of time and they often overlapped, depending on the subject of the chapter. It was also frustrating when a day and month would be given and I'd have to back-track to the beginning of the paragraph to confirm what year was being referred to.
Overall, it was an interesting, if difficult, read. It is always good to view history through a lens that you didn't experience/learn about. So, if you're a history buff, I would recommend it, but otherwise, not so sure.
Happy Reading!!
Monday, January 23, 2012
#6--Zen and the Art of Faking It by Jordan Sonnenblick
So, this time around, I read a book that my students picked for me. I created a survey for them to fill out and it ended up being a tie--Zen vs. Eragon. I went with Zen because the author, Jordan Sonnenblick, is coming to our school this spring and I hadn't read Zen yet. I'm sure at some point I'll get to Eragon, but for now, it will have to wait.
San Lee has attended more schools and had more identities than he can keep track of anymore. The latest move has him and his mom moving to Pennsylvania from Texas--in the middle of winter. On his first day of 8th grade in PA, San tries to decide what his identity will be this time around: goth, skater, prep, jock, emo, a Bible-thumper? Almost by accident, San becomes known as Buddha Boy or Zen master. The deception starts to take on a life of its own and San finds himself in over his head--and eating a nasty vegetable wrap instead of juicy hamburger. San is also Chinese--most assume his family emigrated from China and that is where he gets all of his knowlege about Zen Buddhism--but he is, in fact, adopted, and never tells anyone this. So when his mom shows up and she is most definitely NOT Asian, the walls come a'tumbling down.
I liked this book, but it was not my favorite of Sonnenblick's.....some of his other books include Drums, Girls, and Dangerous Pie; After Ever After; and Notes from the Midnight Driver (where I got my inspiration for the title of this blog).
Happy Reading!
San Lee has attended more schools and had more identities than he can keep track of anymore. The latest move has him and his mom moving to Pennsylvania from Texas--in the middle of winter. On his first day of 8th grade in PA, San tries to decide what his identity will be this time around: goth, skater, prep, jock, emo, a Bible-thumper? Almost by accident, San becomes known as Buddha Boy or Zen master. The deception starts to take on a life of its own and San finds himself in over his head--and eating a nasty vegetable wrap instead of juicy hamburger. San is also Chinese--most assume his family emigrated from China and that is where he gets all of his knowlege about Zen Buddhism--but he is, in fact, adopted, and never tells anyone this. So when his mom shows up and she is most definitely NOT Asian, the walls come a'tumbling down.
I liked this book, but it was not my favorite of Sonnenblick's.....some of his other books include Drums, Girls, and Dangerous Pie; After Ever After; and Notes from the Midnight Driver (where I got my inspiration for the title of this blog).
Happy Reading!
Thursday, January 19, 2012
#5--A Conspiracy of Decency: The Rescue of the Danish Jews During World War II by Emmy E. Werner
When I was a senior in high school I had the opportunity to hear Thomas Keneally speak at Mount Union College when I was there for a visitation day. For those of you unfamiliar with his name, Keneally is the author of Schindler's List. Up until that point, I knew about the Holocaust, but I don't think I had given it too much thought outside of history class. Mr. Keneally made events and people come alive during his presentation and made me want to learn more about the people and the time. After that, I made a more concerted effort to learn about this period of our world's history.
As a freshman in college I had the privilege to travel to the Holocaust Museum in Washington, D.C., as part of an educational trip I took with several of my classmates. We had a few hours to spend in the museum. While it was emotionally draining, I found that I could have easily spent the entire week there, absorbing everything. The following year I took a Holocaust literature class as one of my English electives. I found this class fascinating while also taxing. The more I read about this time period, the more interested I became. Which brings me to today's book. My mom picked it up for me at the local library's semi-annual book sale this fall because she knew it would interest me, and she was right.
During 1943, Hitler had decided it was time to take care of the "Jewish problem" in Denmark. A German named Georg F. Duckwitz learned of the plan and warned the Jews of the impending action. Almost the entire Jewish population of Denmark was saved by their fellow Danes and the Swedes who gave them asylum. When many of them returned to Denmark after the war, they found that their homes, belongings, and even pets, had been taken care of. This book tells the story of many of the rescuers and those they helped, based on first-hand accounts.
I had learned somewhere along the way that Denmark was an anomaly during World War II in this respect, but I had never gotten the full story, until now.
If you are interested in this time period, or reading about heroic acts, this was a fascinating read. There is also quite a bit of literature available, written by those who lived it, if you want to check out something new. I'd suggest heading to your local library for more information.
Happy reading!
As a freshman in college I had the privilege to travel to the Holocaust Museum in Washington, D.C., as part of an educational trip I took with several of my classmates. We had a few hours to spend in the museum. While it was emotionally draining, I found that I could have easily spent the entire week there, absorbing everything. The following year I took a Holocaust literature class as one of my English electives. I found this class fascinating while also taxing. The more I read about this time period, the more interested I became. Which brings me to today's book. My mom picked it up for me at the local library's semi-annual book sale this fall because she knew it would interest me, and she was right.
During 1943, Hitler had decided it was time to take care of the "Jewish problem" in Denmark. A German named Georg F. Duckwitz learned of the plan and warned the Jews of the impending action. Almost the entire Jewish population of Denmark was saved by their fellow Danes and the Swedes who gave them asylum. When many of them returned to Denmark after the war, they found that their homes, belongings, and even pets, had been taken care of. This book tells the story of many of the rescuers and those they helped, based on first-hand accounts.
I had learned somewhere along the way that Denmark was an anomaly during World War II in this respect, but I had never gotten the full story, until now.
If you are interested in this time period, or reading about heroic acts, this was a fascinating read. There is also quite a bit of literature available, written by those who lived it, if you want to check out something new. I'd suggest heading to your local library for more information.
Happy reading!
Monday, January 16, 2012
#4--The Name of the Star by Maureen Johnson
There is something about Jack the Ripper that fascinates many....and I am one of the many. At least, I am ever since I took a trip to London with some friends a few years ago and we took a "Jack the Ripper" tour on our last night in Jolly Olde England.
When today's book arrived in the library a few months ago and I was cataloging it for my students, it sparked my interest because of the Ripper connection....and so I knew eventually that I would read it.
Rory Deveaux is from Louisiana and spending the year at a boarding school in London. The day she arrives seems like just your average day, but something is off. There has been a murder in the Whitechapel section of London--where the famed Ripper murders occurred during late 1888--and the media are in a tizzy. When a second murder occurs on September 8--the same day Annie Chapman was murdered in 1888,a woman named Fiona Chapman, and murdered in the same manner that Annie Chapman had been--the tizzy becomes a full-fledged frenzy. Everyone is concerned that the "double event" of September 30 is coming up. In the meantime, Rory is seeing people out and about that no one else sees, including who she believes is the murderer, the Ripper.
Why can Rory see these people but no one else can? Will her parents ship her back to Louisiana before the end of the year because of the danger? What is going to happen if the police can't capture this new Ripper?
And the big question I want to know the answer to....will there be a sequel?!?!
For further reading on Jack the Ripper, you may want to check out The Ripper and the Royals by Melvyn Fairlough. I read this one after coming back from England, at the recommendation of our Ripper tour guide. It is a heavy but fascinating read.
Happy reading!
When today's book arrived in the library a few months ago and I was cataloging it for my students, it sparked my interest because of the Ripper connection....and so I knew eventually that I would read it.
Rory Deveaux is from Louisiana and spending the year at a boarding school in London. The day she arrives seems like just your average day, but something is off. There has been a murder in the Whitechapel section of London--where the famed Ripper murders occurred during late 1888--and the media are in a tizzy. When a second murder occurs on September 8--the same day Annie Chapman was murdered in 1888,a woman named Fiona Chapman, and murdered in the same manner that Annie Chapman had been--the tizzy becomes a full-fledged frenzy. Everyone is concerned that the "double event" of September 30 is coming up. In the meantime, Rory is seeing people out and about that no one else sees, including who she believes is the murderer, the Ripper.
Why can Rory see these people but no one else can? Will her parents ship her back to Louisiana before the end of the year because of the danger? What is going to happen if the police can't capture this new Ripper?
And the big question I want to know the answer to....will there be a sequel?!?!
For further reading on Jack the Ripper, you may want to check out The Ripper and the Royals by Melvyn Fairlough. I read this one after coming back from England, at the recommendation of our Ripper tour guide. It is a heavy but fascinating read.
Happy reading!
Monday, January 9, 2012
#3--Food, Girls, and Other Things I Can't Have by Allen Zadoff
I have a confession to make. I have a problem. I have a really bad habit of buying books (whether physical books or ebooks) and then not reading them. I have way too many books in my house that I have never read. So, I guess it is a good thing that I'm doing this challenge....time to read the books that are in piles all around my house.
Today's book was purchased several years ago (yes, that was years) with the intent to preview it for school....and I'm just now getting around to reading it....
Andy is the fat kid in his school....no, make that the second fattest kid at school. The day before the first day of school, Andy meets the girl of his dreams, April....never dreaming that she would be at his school the next day. He decides that in order to get the girl, he needs to impress her by doing something manly and heroic--he goes out for the football team. Andy knows very little about football, and hasn't exactly been a star athlete, ever. And with his asthma, there is no way his mom will let him play. Andy finds a way around these obstacles, but in the meantime, almost loses his best friend and himself along the way. Will he get the girl? How will he handle the changes to his social status? Better than Ronald Miller did in the classic 80s movie Can't Buy Me Love, which Food, Girls, and Other Things I Can't Have reminds me of.
There are some funny scenes that made me laugh out loud as well as some deep-thinker scenes since Andy never really gives up his inner-geek.
I have a feeling that this one will be making its way to the shelf at school sometime in the near future....
Happy reading!
Today's book was purchased several years ago (yes, that was years) with the intent to preview it for school....and I'm just now getting around to reading it....
Andy is the fat kid in his school....no, make that the second fattest kid at school. The day before the first day of school, Andy meets the girl of his dreams, April....never dreaming that she would be at his school the next day. He decides that in order to get the girl, he needs to impress her by doing something manly and heroic--he goes out for the football team. Andy knows very little about football, and hasn't exactly been a star athlete, ever. And with his asthma, there is no way his mom will let him play. Andy finds a way around these obstacles, but in the meantime, almost loses his best friend and himself along the way. Will he get the girl? How will he handle the changes to his social status? Better than Ronald Miller did in the classic 80s movie Can't Buy Me Love, which Food, Girls, and Other Things I Can't Have reminds me of.
There are some funny scenes that made me laugh out loud as well as some deep-thinker scenes since Andy never really gives up his inner-geek.
I have a feeling that this one will be making its way to the shelf at school sometime in the near future....
Happy reading!
Sunday, January 8, 2012
#2--Heaven is For Real by Todd Burpo with Lynn Vincent
I picked this one up awhile back and simply put it on my shelf with the intent to read it sometime. Decided I needed a quick easy read today and this was perfect. It is the story of Colton Burpo's trip to heaven. Colton was almost four years old when his appendix burst and he had to have emergency surgery. It was during this surgery that he visited heaven and got to sit on Jesus' lap. Several months later he tells his parents that the hospital where he had his surgery is where the angels sang to him. He asked them to sing "We Will, We Will Rock You," but they declined. :) It took several years for Colton's story to unfold and here it is. There were some points that I gigled when I was reading and others when I was sniffling away the tears. If you want more information about Colton, his family, or his story, you can check out their website www.heavenisforreal.net
Happy Reading!
Happy Reading!
Thursday, January 5, 2012
#1--The Help by Kathryn Stockett
I've been wanting to read The Help ever since the book club at school read it last year. Finally got a copy of it from my friend RuthAnn a few months ago and decided that it was high time I read it--since it seemed like everyone around me had read it (including my dad) and I hate going to see a movie for a book I haven't read yet. I picked it up Monday after school and finished it Tuesday night, after midnight--couldn't put it down, even for sleep.
The characters and relationships seemed so believable and authentic. I would like to think I would have had the guts like Skeeter, had I lived in Mississippi during the early 1960s, but I'll never know for sure. Having never read anything from the point of view from the help, this was an eye-opener.
If you are one of the individuals waiting for the Cliffs Notes version to come out, don't wait....it was worth every single word!!
Happy Reading!
The characters and relationships seemed so believable and authentic. I would like to think I would have had the guts like Skeeter, had I lived in Mississippi during the early 1960s, but I'll never know for sure. Having never read anything from the point of view from the help, this was an eye-opener.
If you are one of the individuals waiting for the Cliffs Notes version to come out, don't wait....it was worth every single word!!
Happy Reading!
Wednesday, January 4, 2012
And so we begin
Two years ago I challenged myself to read an average of a book a week for the entire year. I was successful in that endeavor, so this year, I wanted to up the ante, so to speak and get others involved in the process, namely, my students. You see, I'm a middle school librarian who is always looking for ways to get my students hooked on reading. So, the idea is that one week of every month, my students will have a say in what I read for that week. The other weeks, I will fill with books that I have stacked in many rooms around my house, many of which were lent by friends and family and have been collecting dust for many a moon, as well as recommendations. The only rules are 1) a re-read doesn't count, 2) if my students recommend it, it must come from the library, 3) I reserve the right to not finish a book--and it won't count toward the total goal of 52, and 4) if one of my Langauge Arts teachers would accept it on a student's reading log, it is fair game.
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