#15--Bomb: The Race to Build--and Steal--the World's Most Dangerous Weapon by Steve Sheinkin

The two months since my last post have flown by...I've been planning an August wedding (we got engaged on Easter, so we have a quick turn-around!) and have finally found time to read again with most of the planning taken care of at this point.  :)

After several people praised Bomb, I had to pick it up and give it a go.  It had several things going for it that made me want to read it (other than all the recommendations I received)....it is about history, it is about spies, and it is about advanced science that is accessible to my level of science--which means, it is accessible to a middle school science student. :)  (I find science fascinating, yet rather intimidating, so for nuclear fission to be made accessible to me is awesome!!)

The book opens in May of 1950 with two FBI agents arriving at Harry Gold's home in Philadelphia to search it for evidence of spying for the Soviets.  Gold finally admits to spying and says he needs to tell the whole story.  The story continues with how Harry (as well as others) got pulled into spying for the Soviets. 

In 1938 a German chemist named Otto Hahn discovered that he could cause uranium atoms to split, physicists around the world began to experiment with this new phenomenon.  Albert Einstein wrote a letter to President Roosevelt in 1939, encouraging him to begin funding research on building a bomb with this new knowledge, as Hitler and the Germans were certainly working toward that same end.  Should Hitler attain this powerful weapon first, the war would be over and Germany would be the victors. 

Once the United States began their research in earnest, Robert Oppenheimer was named the director of the Manhattan Project (the name for the American's bomb project).  Oppenheimer began to recruit top scientists from across the country, many who were European Jews who had escaped Hitler's massacre.  Once the top secret research was started, not only were the Germans trying to get their hands on the information that the Americans had, but Stalin and the KGB were even more insistent on getting the information.  So much so that the KGB was actually able to find individuals working on the Manhattan Project who were supportive of Russia and Communism and willing to give highly classified information over to the Soviets.

When President Truman dropped the bomb on Hiroshima, Stalin was furious that the American's had beat him.  By August 29, 1949, the Russians had their first successful atomic bomb, which ignited the Cold War. 

While I knew some of the details about the Manhattan Project and the dropping of the bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki.  However, I did not know most of the details of the race between Germany, Russian and the United States to be the first to build an atomic weapon, and even less of the spying that went on to accomplish it.  I had heard of several of the big names: Robert Oppenheimer, the Rosenbergs, and Moe Berg, but beyond those names, everyone else was a new character to me who was fascinating to learn about.

This book is definitely going to go into my book talk rotation for nonfiction for next year!!

Happy Reading!!

#14--The Duff (Designated Ugly Fat Friend)--Kody Keplinger

When I was at the YA Lit conference in Phoenix in January, the Phoenix Book Company was there with some books for sale.  I picked up a few titles and this was one of them.  I was intrigued by the title--and the fact that it was almost 50% off didn't hurt either!

Bianca, a high school senior, is our protagonist.  The story opens with her at a local club for teenagers, The Nest.  The only reason she is there is because her two best friends, Casey and Jessica, have dragged her there, again.  She is talking to Joe, the bartender, when Wesley Rush, the school "man-slut" approaches her as a way to hopefully get the attention of her more desirable friends. He has nicknamed her "The Duff--Designated Ugly Fat Friend" and she promptly throws her Cherry Coke in his face.  Unfortunately life at home is unraveling.  Her mother, who travels A LOT for her job as an inspirational speaker has had divorce papers delivered to Bianca's dad, an on-the-wagon alcoholic, from afar.     

As an escape from reality, Bianca and Wesley start having an enemies-with-benefits relationship that quickly escalates to them meeting up several times a week for a tryst.  Wesley's family is just as dysfunctional as Bianca's, maybe even more so.  His family is very wealthy and his parents spend much of their time traveling.  His younger sister lives with their grandmother--who despises Wesley, so much of the time, he is in his huge mansion of a home alone.  In the meantime, Bianca's father falls off the wagon when he realizes that the divorce papers are for real and goes on a drinking binge for several weeks.  Bianca doesn't feel like she can confide in anyone about this, so Casey and Jessica feel even more out of touch with her--they also don't know about her relationship with Wesley either.  However, Wesley has witnessed the destruction Bianca's father is leaving in his wake and protects her from his rage.  By the time Bianca discovers that she has feelings for Wesley, she has determined that she has to end their relationship because he could never love a "Duff".

This book was written by an 18-year-old....and it was somewhat obvious.  About halfway through, I was rather disgusted with the language used, unnecessarily most of the time, and the lessons that were being taught to high schoolers about making light of sex and how free they were with it.  I don't have my head in the sand....I know high school kids have sex.  However, it is not something I condone and I didn't like how this book made light of two teenagers jumping in the sack on a regular basis.  I almost put the book down, but decided that I wanted to see how it ended.  In the end, after Bianca tries, unsuccessfully, to move on from Wesley, they both solve some of their family issues and they end up back together.  I'm not sure how realistic this is....it tied itself up a little too neatly at the end, for all the mess that they made throughout the book.

This title will definitely NOT be going on the shelves of my library--and I think I will be giving my copy away.    On to happier reading this week, I hope!

Happy Reading!!

#13--Curveball: The Year I Lost My Grip--Jordan Sonnenblick

I may have mentioned in the past that Jordan Sonnenblick has been a visiting author at my school....and we have been lucky enough to have him come TWICE!!

Curveball is his latest title to come out and it has been very popular with my students, so, since my goal was to read at least two books last week by previously visiting authors, I grabbed this one off one of my many stacks of unread books around my house.

At the end of his 8th grade year, star pitcher, Peter Friedman has a career-ending injury in his elbow.  After spending the summer in physical therapy after surgery, Peter isn't sure what his freshman year will be like since he is no longer an athlete.  His best friend, and pitching partner, AJ doesn't believe that Peter won't be back on the diamond come spring.  And he is working hard to get Peter back into peak physical condition, no matter what it takes.  Peter can't bring himself to tell AJ the truth--that he can never throw a ball again.

Fortunately, Peter also has photography--the passion that he and his grandfather, a professional photographer, both share.  When his grandfather realizes that he is beginning to suffer from signs of Alzheimer's, he gives Peter all of his high-grade camera equipment.  Peter has signed up for a photography class as one of his electives, and when he proves, on the first day, that he knows quite a bit about photography, the instructor sends him over to the advanced class....and within minutes, another cute freshman joins him...the only two freshmen in the class.  Peter and Angelika get paired together to work on projects, and Peter really likes her, but Angelika isn't interested in dating someone who can't be honest with those he cares about--Peter hasn't told AJ the truth, and he also hasn't told his parents what is going on with his grandfather.

One of the things that I really like about Sonnenblick is that he brings back main characters from other books as peripheral characters.  If you hadn't read his other books, the characters wouldn't necessarily jump out at you, but they are nice surprises every time it happens.  This time around, San and Emily from Zen and the Art of Faking It make an appearance, and it was nice to see them again, a little bit older in this outing.

This book made me both laugh and tear up, which Sonnenblick tends to do--and is the mark of a great book, in my mind.

Happy Reading!!!

#12--Heaven Looks A Lot Like the Mall--Wendy Mass

Each year our PTO sponsors a visit from an author.  And each year, I buy as many of the author's books as I can get my hands on--for the express purpose to have them signed....and to hopefully read, someday.  Several years ago Wendy Mass was our visiting author, and I bought all of her books that were out at that time...and there were quite a few of them.  In an effort to get through more of our past authors, I decided to read two past authors' books last week.  Heaven Looks A Lot Like a Mall was the first one I picked up.

I wasn't completely sure what to expect of it, but the description sounded somewhat intriguing.....Tessa, a 16-year-old, has an accident in gym class that puts her in a coma.  While in the coma, Tessa has an experience, a la It's a Wonderful Life and A Christmas Carol where she is shown events from her past in an effort to help her change her ways.  All of the events take place at the local mall where her parents both work and where Tessa has spent much of her life growing up.  The story is told in verse....which I'm not usually opposed to, but other than the fact that this was a very quick read because of the verse, I don't really think it added to the plot.

Tessa is not a likable character....I found very little about her to be redeeming.  At the end of the story, it was obvious that Tessa had regrets, but I'm not sure how she will change and whether or not the changes will be believable...or if she will revert to her old ways of lying and conniving.

Overall, it was a quick read, but I'm not in love with this book.  I'm sure I have some students who would like it, but I would have a hard time selling it.  Of the Wendy Mass books I've read thus far, A Mango-Shaped Space is still my favorite.

Happy Reading!!

#11-Ten by Gretchen McNeil

OMG!!!  (This is not a phrase I use, if at all, so that is momentous in and of itself.)  I often lose track of time when I'm reading a good book.  But today I was almost late to school for meetings because I was so sucked into this book!!!  We got Ten a week or two ago and it immediately caught my attention when I was cataloging it because it sounded like a remake of Agatha Christie's And Then There Were None (also known as Ten Little Indians), just with a modern twist and teenagers as the victims.  I love a good Agatha Christie story and And Then There Were None is my favorite....partly because I was in the play version in high school and partly because it was the first Christie I ever read.  I often tell my students who are looking for a good mystery that I've never been able to figure out who did it in an Agatha Christie book until she is explaining it to the audience....and I challenge them to try to figure it out before the end if they can.  So far, no one has been able to do it, but I'm still waiting for someone to be able to do it.

Anyway, back to Ten.  I read the first chapter last week and then life got in the way.  I was able to pick it up and read the next ten chapters over the weekend but had other things going on and wasn't able to get beyond that.  So, today after school and before having to get back for meetings, I decided to sit down and work on it.  I read more than 200 pages in less than 2 hours....that is how good this book is!!  Because I knew the Christie story, I had an idea that there was a pattern to the murders (in Christie's novel, the murders are based on the children's rhyme, Ten Little Indians--hence the original name of the book), but it took a little while before I was able to put the pieces together.  I also knew that the killer would be someone from within the group.  I did not figure out who the killer was or why he/she was bent on revenge until the end....just like a Christie!!

I refuse to say any more about this book as I don't want to give anything else away.  But you have to read this book!!!!

Happy Reading!!!

The original poem used in Agatha Christie's book and play.....

Ten little Indian boys went out to dine;

One choked his little self and then there were nine.

Nine little Indian boys sat up very late;

One overslept himself and then there were eight.

Eight little Indian boys travelling in Devon;

One said he'd stay there and then there were seven.

Seven little Indian boys chopping up sticks;

One chopped himself in halves and then there were six.

Six little Indian boys playing with a hive;

A bumblebee stung one and then there were five.

Five little Indian boys going in for law;

One got in Chancery and then there were four.

Four little Indian boys going out to sea;

A red herring swallowed one and then there were three.

Three little Indian boys walking in the zoo;

A big bear hugged one and then there were two.

Two Little Indian boys playing in the sun;

One got all frizzled up and then there was one.

One little Indian boy left all alone;

He went out and hanged himself and then there were none.

#10--The Hunger Pains: A Parody by The Harvard Lampoon

One of my students had asked me several months ago if I had heard of this title, and I hadn't.  So, last week, he handed it to me to read.  I breezed through it pretty quickly last night.  The Hunger Pains is a parody of the original Hunger Games, hopefully a pretty obvious connection :). 

All of the characters have been given new names, sometimes similar sounding and sometimes not.  Katniss Everdeen becomes Kantkiss Neverclean, Gale becomes Carol (since they are both girl names), etc.  Kantkiss is pretty much the opposite of Katniss, except that she is still a tomboyish hunter, but she is pretty dumb and clueless about lots of things.  Kantkiss is still from District 12, but their specialty is no longer mining---it is telemarketing.  The other 11 districts also have specialties that are much different than the originals. 

The biggest kick I got out of it was that the people of the Capital (where California used to be) speak with an accent that "used to be called Jamaican," so Effu (Effie) has a Jamaican accent, yet Cinnabon, Kantkiss's stylist, doesn't have a Jamaican accent.  Cinnabon is never very prepared with her costumes and comes up with ridiculously pathetic costumes that Kantkiss loves. 

Anything from the original that could have been made fun of has been....and even some things you wouldn't have thought to make fun of too!  Overall, the parody was funny (but not necessarily kid-appropriate), but poorly written.  I'm glad that I had the opportunity to read it, but this is not a title I will be revisiting. 

Happy Reading!!

#9--Little White Duck: A Childhood in China by Na Liu and Andres Vera Martinez

Every once in a while I come across a book that I just have to read, for whatever reason.  This was one of those books.  The cover intrigued me; and I also couldn't tell for sure whether or not it should be included in the collection as fiction or nonfiction.  And the fact that it was told in beautiful pictures drew me in even further.

The author, Na Liu, tells stories about growing up in China during the time period immediately after Chairman Mao died (1976-1980).  The artwork, done by her husband, is gorgeous, especially the pictures that are meant to look like Chinese propaganda from the time period.  I felt like I was in China during this time period and it was brought to life for me.  The story is broken up into several chapters that tell a continuous story.  I would love to know more about Liu's life between the time period portrayed in this book and when she emmigrated to the US in 1999 as you don't often find stories of this time and place, written for children or teens. 

I must say that I'm pretty excited to get this title on the shelf soon!

Happy Reading!!

#8--The Captive Prince (Three Thieves, Book 3) by Scott Chandler

While I was cataloging books last night, I came across this graphic novel.  This is the third book in the series....for some reason, we do not have the first one.  :(  I read through it to try to determine what genre sticker I should be putting on it and I think I will be looking into trying to find the first one to add to our collection. 

The story opens with the three thieves, Fisk, Dessa, and Topper, on the run from Queen's Dragons (I'm guessing something big happened in book 2).  Dessa comes across a young man who has been kidnapped and she rescues him from his captors.  It is later revealed that Paladin (the young man), is actually the crown prince.  When Paladin's father discovers that Paladin is safe and who rescued him, he invites the three thieves back to the palace for a celebration.  And the story continues in predictable fashion.... 

Despite it's predictable nature, there were a few new elements to this story that I'm curious enough about to go back and read the first two books and will be looking for the next book in the series to come out.

Happy Reading!!

#6 and #7 Love Hina 1 and 2 by Ken Akamatsu

I will admit that I rarely stray from reading the printed word into graphic novels, especially if those said graphic novels are manga or anime (I'm still not exactly sure what the distinction between the two is, but I know there are people who can explain it!).  In an effort to broaden my horizons, I was handed the first two books of the Love Hina series. 

The story follows Keitaro Urashima, a second year ronin (a student who didn't pass the college entrance exam) and his escapades.  Keitaro has been kicked out of his parents' house because he failed his entrance exams to Tokyo University for the second time.  Fortunately, his grandmother owns Hinata House, a lodge.  What Keitaro doesn't know is that Hinata House has been turned into a girls dorm--a lodging house exclusively for girls.  His aunt has been taking care of the house, but he soon finds out that his grandmother has left Hinata House to him while she is traveling and he is the new landlord.  Keitaro could have been admitted to another university, however, as a child he made a promise to the girl of his dreams that they would go to TU together.  Unfortunately, Keitaro can't remember her name, or even what she looks like. 

While trying to study for the entrance exams again, he also has to fulfill his landlord duties as well....while the girls are trying to run him off.  Can he keep his mind on his studies and off the girls?  Especially the one tutoring him?

These books have also been turned into a cartoon.  So, I'm curious as to how it turned out....as well as how the rest of the story turns out, as there are 14 total books in the series.....

Happy Reading!!

#5--Tears of the Tiger by Sharon Draper

I'm a little behind on my postings....I actually read this one closer to the beginning of the year.  At the beginning of the story Andy and his friends Rob, BJ and Tyrone, go out after the big basketball game to celebrate.  Three of the boys, Rob, Andy and Tyrone, get drunk and on their way home, Andy, who was driving, wrecks the car.  Andy, BJ and Tyrone are able to get out, but Rob does not, and he is declared dead at the scene.  The rest of the story takes place over the course of the remainder of the school year and is told through homework assignments, letters, and conversations.  Andy does not handle his guilt or depression well after the accident and the adults around him are no help.  His parents keep telling him to put the "unfortunate incident" behind him and to "be a man."  Andy is able to convince his school counselor, as well as the outside help he is getting, that he is fine.  In the meantime, his grades are falling, he is skipping school, and the only one to really see how he is handling everything is his girlfriend Keisha, who is starting to fray at the edges as well with having to deal with Andy and his mood swings. 

While I don't agree with how Andy handled things, I was more upset with how the adults in his life treated him.  This was a very easy read and I think it would resonate with some students.  There is a positive message to come out of the tragic happenings of the story, that I hope those who read it can catch on to as well.

Happy Reading!!

#4--Hate That Cat by Sharon Creech

I spent several hours yesterday after school cataloging books for my library.  Most of the books were ones that we specifically ordered, but some of the books were donated by students, and this one was one that a student had donated.  I wasn't familiar with the title, although we have a number of Sharon Creech's books in our library.  There wasn't much of a description and I try to avoid books about main characters who are younger than my students (7th grade).  So, I quickly read through this book this morning, trying to determine whether or not I would be putting it into the library collection.  Because the story, what there is of one, is told in poems, it made for a very quick read. 

The gist of the story is that Jack's teacher, who he had last year, expects them to write poems (and lots of them).  She uses several famous poems (by poets like Edgar Allan Poe, Walter Dean Myers, William Carlos Williams, Alfred Lord Tennyson,  and T.S. Eliot) to teach her students.  Jack then uses these poems to inspire his own poems.  Through the poems, Jack tells his teacher how much he dislikes cats and how much he misses his dog.  The poems take place over the course of the school year and by the end of the year, Jack has changed his mind about cats....to the point that his parents got him a black kitten for Christmas.  We also find out that Jack's mom is deaf and he wonders if she can hear onomatopoeia words and other similar.  Or does she just have silence, like a silent movie? 

There wasn't much meat to this story, as far as I'm concerned and I was not able to determine how old the protagonist is....the storyline indicates somewhere in elementary school, but some of the words used in the poems Jack "writes" indicate that he is more like in middle school....so I think I'm going to pass on putting this title in the library. 

Happy Reading!!

#3 Shelter by Harlan Coben

I spent a long weekend this January in Phoenix, AZ.  I was there to attend a conference for work about what is new in YA literature.  I've been going to this conference annually since I started working as a librarian and I look forward to it every year.  The presenter is Patti Tjomsland and she is amazing!  I have actually travelled from PA to FL, VA, and now AZ to see her present!

My mom went with me and we made a girls' weekend out of it.  We spent some time hiking and just relaxing.  One of the places we went to was Tempe Marketplace, a beautiful open-air mall that had live music each night of the weekend.  We actually ended up at the Marketplace twice because the day we tried to go to the Phoenix Botanical Gardens there was a marathon and every road we tried to take was blocked for the race, so we gave up and headed to the Marketplace, simply because we knew we could get there!  We both grabbed a book to sit by one of the fantastic fireplaces situated throughout....

 



At several different junctures, Mom needed to get up and move around....while I sat glued to my seat to finish this story!  Mickey has witnessed his father's death and since his mom has been sent to rehab after spiraling down after her husband's death....and now Mickey is living with his Uncle Myron, much to his chagrin and dismay.  Right before school starts, Mickey goes to a meeting at his new school for all new students.  There he meets Ashley, who he quickly falls for.  They spend the next few weeks getting to know each other, until the day Ashley just disappears.  Being tired of losing so many people in his life, Mickey isn't about to let her go that quickly.  He goes to great lengths to find out what has happened to Ashley.  There are all kinds of twists and turns in this story that I didn't see coming.  There is a second book in this series, Seconds Away, and I can't wait to read it!!  Fortunately, my library has a copy of the second title.....but it is checked out, so it may be a while before I get the chance to read it.  But read it, I will!

Happy Reading!!!

#2 Leap Day by Wendy Mass

Imagine only celebrating your real birthday once every four years....that is what Leapers do.  Leapers are those special few people who are born on February 29.  Josie Taylor is one of those special few, and today is her 4th birthday...but she is actually turning 16.  The story takes place over the course of Josie's birthday and is told from a number of different points of view.  It follows Josie and her friends and family from the beginning of the day to an end-of-the-day celebration at the lake where one of her friends tells her a big secret.  The author gives insight as to the future of some of the characters and what they will be like, but not fore everyone.  If you're going to explore the future of several minor characters, why not do it for all? 

Wendy Mass was our visiting author several years ago and this is the second of her books that I've read.  I am rather ambivalent toward this title, but really liked the other title I read, A Mango-Shaped Space. 

Happy Reading!!

#1 The End of Your Life Book Club by Will Schwalbe

My school has a teacher book club and the goal is to meet once a month, over a meal at various area restaurants, to discuss the book of the month.  I rarely am able to go; and it is even more rare that I would actually get a copy of the book and read it.  I'm not 100% sure what month Schwalbe's book actually was supposed to be read in (it was within the past two months, I think :) ), but I actually purchased a copy and started reading it almost as soon as it arrived.  A number of things kept me from finishing it as quickly as I would have liked, but I was so eager to read it that I even worked on it standing in line at Lowes waiting for the paint I had ordered to be done....probably not something seen everyday in our Lowes!  :)

Will Schwalbe's mother, Mary Ann, was diagnosed in late autumn of 2007 with late stage pancreatic cancer--which is almost always fatal, and usually in six months or less.  Will, his brother, sister, and father, all made regular visits with Mary Ann to the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center throughout the course of her treatments there, for a miraculous twenty-two months.  One day, early-on, while they were waiting for the doctor, Will and his mother started discussing what they were reading--a question they had often asked each other over the years.  During Mary Ann's battle with cancer she and Will read and discussed many books (many of which I have never heard of, but hope to acquaint myself with someday). 

While you know how this book is going to end, in Mary Ann's death, it is about so much more than that.  It is about the fight to live, the journey, and the importance of family and friends.  One of  Mary Ann's classmates at Radcliffe was the author John Updike and one of my favorite quotes in the whole book is when Mary Ann is telling Will about her favorite story from Updike's posthumously published collection, My Father's Tears: And Other Stories:
      

The list of our deceased classmates on the back of the program grows longer; the class beauties have gone to fat or bony-cronehood; the sports stars and non-athletes alike move about with the aid of pacemakers and plastic knees, retired and taking up space at an age when most of our fathers were considerately dead....But we don't see ourselves that way, as lame and old.  We see kindergarten children--the same round fresh faces, the same cup ears and long-lashed eyes.  We hear the gleeful shrieking during elementary-school recess and the seductive saxophones and muted trumpets of the locally bred swing bands that serenaded the blue-lit gymnasium during high-school dances.  (Schwalbe, 295)
 

This was very poignant for me as my grandfather, who loved to read, passed away right before Christmas.  He lived his life right up to the end, and had a child-like joy in living.  He did not view himself (most of the time) as a 93-year-old, but as someone with wonder and excitement and curiosity as a child might have.  I am fortunate that I have several friends that I can say I have known for more than 30 years (I guess that makes me old, at least in the eyes of my students), and to me, I still often picture them as they were when we were in kindergarten, or sixth grade, or as graduating seniors. 

As I was reading The End of Your Life Book Club I kept thinking that I'm going to have to go back through and underline or highlight all of the titles and authors names (and I hate writing in books, so this was going to be a struggle for me) so I would have a list to work on (not that I don't have plenty to read already).  However, imagine my delight in finding an alphabetical listing in the back of the book of all the authors and works mentioned throughout the book. 

This is a book that will stay with me for a long time.  I don't typically buy our book club books, but I'm very glad I took the plunge on this one, as I think I will find myself coming back to it again and again in the future.

On to the next adventure!

Happy Reading!!

2012 Wrap-Up

Unfortunately I didn't meet my goal this year of reading 52 books.  However, I do plan to keep the same goal for 2013, and falling only 8 books short isn't so bad.  I'm almost finished with The End of Your Life Book Club by Will Schwalbe and I'm hoping to post that soon.  It is rather fitting that this is the book I'm starting out 2013 with because we recently celebrated my grandfather's life with a wonderful memorial service and he was a voracious reader.  Even though he may not have read many of the titles mentioned in this book, he read many things over the course of his 93 years that I may never get to (like many of the titles Schwalbe mentions).

Looking forward to many more books in 2013!

Happy Reading!!

#44--Why I Fight by J. Adams Oaks

I try to balance out my reading so that I read books that boys will like as well as books girls/both genders would like, which is why I picked up today's post...more than a month ago.  I finally finished it last night, simply because I forced myself to finish it.  I started out hopeful that it would be a good read, but after about a week of trying to plow through it (and it isn't a book big enough to warrant plowing-through), I put it down and read several other books in the meantime. 

After years of neglect by his parents, 12-year-old Wyatt finally has enough and when his shifty uncle comes to town, Wyatt eagerly joins Uncle Spade on the road.  Spade is a traveling salesman of sorts--he'll sell just about anything, and it doesn't matter if it's legal or not.  Eventually, as Wyatt gets bigger, Spade decides that Wyatt should train as a fighter--it will be easy money for Spade and he figures it will keep Wyatt out of trouble at the same time (not that Wyatt was ever a trouble maker).  Spade's only rule is "never fight for free."  After 6 years on the road with Spade, Wyatt finally has enough (he hasn't gone to school all this time because of all the traveling they did) and goes off to find his parents to confront them about how they treated him. 

Overall, it wasn't a bad story.  My biggest problem with it is the structure....anytime there is dialog, it is difficult to know and keep track of exactly who is saying what....

I've discovered that anytime I read a book where it is set up in this way (no names attached to dialog), I struggle with the book.  I wonder how I would have reacted to this story if it had a traditional structure to it....  Oh well....another book is on the horizon....

Happy Reading!!

#43--Ungifted by Gordon Korman

Gordon Korman makes me laugh.  Everything I've read of his has, at some point, made me laugh out loud....sometimes even to the point of a snort :).  I grabbed this title off the new books pile last week and as soon as I finished The Fault in Our Stars, I picked up Ungifted, looking for a good laugh after a sobering, cancer-kid book.  And it didn't disappoint!  I found myself giggling through much of the first 100 pages yesterday and today there were even more giggles as I finished it.

Donovan Curtis is not known for thinking through his actions, which is what put him in detention in the first place.  Having been sent to the principal's office for a spitball incident with his two best friends, the Daniels, the PA microphone was too much of a temptation and he broadcast to the entire school "Our fans are great; our team is nifty!  We're going to get blown out by fifty!"  Not the best idea in the world on the day of the big game.  After sitting through much of detention, the Daniels help Donovan sneak out of the last ten minutes when the teacher leaves the room.  As he is running for freedom, he suddenly has the unstoppable urge to smack the statue of Atlas on the butt with a large branch....which snaps the single corroded bolt holding the earth on Atlas's shoulders, and sends it careening for the gym, where the big game is taking place.

As the globe is on a collision course, there isn't much Donovan can do to stop it.  Unfortunately for Donovan, the district Superintendent, Dr. Schultz, happened to be at the game and he caught Donovan, who he proceeds to haul off to his office for interrogation.  Fortunately for Donovan, Dr. Schultz is called back to the scene of the crime and he sends Donovan home for the night.  Little does Donovan know that Dr. Schultz has accidentally included Donovan's name on the list of students being recommended for the Academy of Scholastic Distinction. 

When Donovan gets the letter saying that he is being sent to ASD, he sees it as a golden opportunity to keep a low profile and out of Dr. Schultz line of sight.  It is apparent early on to his teachers and his fellow students that Donovan is not actually gifted, and no one is really sure why or how he came to be at ASD.  Over the course of the next month, Donovan makes friends and works hard at keeping his cover.  But what will happen when Dr. Schultz finds out where Donovan is hiding out? 

This story is told in alternating chapters between several different characters--something that Korman is rather adept at.  I typically enjoy seeing the same story from different angles from within the story itself. 

This title will definitely be added to the book talk rotation and I think that a few more copies will be making their way to the shelves in the library as well.

Happy Reading!!

#42--The Fault in Our Stars by John Green

 

 

Much like books with dogs as the main characters, books about kids with cancer can really only end one way....and The Fault in Our Stars follows that credo, just not in the way I expected.  My brother-in-law gave me John Green's The Fault in Our Stars several months ago and when I finally picked it up last week, I couldn't put it down (unfortunately life got in the way and forced me to set it down several times). 

 

Hazel has been terminal since she was diagnosed with cancer at the age of 13, but thanks to a miracle drug, Phalanxifor, she has had an additional three years she wasn't expecting to get.  Her mom, fearing that Hazel is depressed and without friends, forces her to go to Support Group--Hazel would much rather be watching America's Next Top Model (heck, she'd rather be doing a lot of things) than attending Support Group.  But at this particular meeting she meets Augustus Waters. 

 

Augustus and Hazel fall in love over the course of the story, as they are of the few who really gets what the other is going through.  One of Hazel's passions is the the book An Imperial Affliction by Peter Van Houten, an American recluse living in Amsterdam.  Augustus manages arrange for his "wish," provided by The Genie Foundation, to be used to take Hazel to Amsterdam to meet Mr. Van Houten.  This meeting does not go the way either of them had envisioned....all Hazel wants is to know what happened to the characters in the story after it abruptly ended.  I'll leave it at that....don't want to give away the end to all those who haven't picked this up yet--which I highly recommend that you do!

 

I found myself both laughing and tearing up at different points in this story.  And this one is definitely going on my wish list for the library!!

 

Happy Reading!!

#41--Megan Meade's Guide to the McGowan Boys by Kate Brian

When I ordered this book for the library last spring, it intrigued me, so I was rather excited to see it come back in last Tuesday when I was looking for a quick easy read.  It was a good escapist read for the middle of the week.  :)

Megan Meade is an army brat; she has lived all over the world, and she's tired of it.  She has finally found her place on the varsity soccer team at her latest school in Texas and even has a best friend.  When her parents come home and announce they are moving....to South Korea, Megan puts her foot down.  There is no way she is moving.  Her parents give her the option of going to live in Boston with her father's friend from med school, John McGowan, who, along with his wife, Regina, have seven boys....yes, seven.  Megan remembers them from the last time she saw them, about 9 years ago, and cringes.  But decides that living with seven boys has to be better than moving to South Korea, so she takes the plunge.

Fortunately (or unfortunately, however you want to look at it), the McGowan boys Megan remembers are all grown up--and they look like they could have stepped out of an Abercrombie ad.  Megan has to deal with the antics of the younger boys and her attraction for one of the older boys--who happens to be dating her competition on the soccer team!

Over the course of the first few weeks in Boston, Megan makes the soccer team, is able to pull Miller (the McGowan son who has Asperger's) out of his shell, makes friends (and enemies), gets grounded for the first time ever, and even saves the butt of one of her new "brothers".

Some of the timing in the book make the events a little unbelievable (like being able to befriend Miller in a matter of days), but overall, it was a cute, quick read.  There were even a few times when I found myself quietly giggling to myself.

Happy Reading!!

#40--Borderline by Allan Stratton

The weather today when I left school was wet, dreary, and downright miserable.  Which made me want to curl up with a good book.

Sami Sabiri is first-generation Iranian-American.  His father fled his homeland as a child and grew up in Canada.  Sami's dad is strict and has high expectations for his son.  Expectations that Sami doesn't find all that easy to live up to.  He is the only Muslim student at his private school, which he refers to as Academy Hell because of the bullying he goes through at the hands of Eddy, a football player with a father who covers a multitude of sins with his checkbook.

Sami's dad has invited him on a trip to Toronto that will be combined with a business trip, a nice father-son getaway.  But at the last minute, he has to cancel the plans for Sami to join him.  Not only does this make Sami mad, but it also makes him suspicious that maybe his dad is having an affair. 

Several nights after his father returns from Toronto, Sami is webcam-chatting with his two best friends, Marty and Andy (who lives across the street).  Andy reports to Sami that there are people dressed in black, with dogs, outside Sami's house.  Sami goes to investigate, thinking that Eddy and his cronies have actually followed through with their threats toward him.  Instead, the FBI bursts into the house and hauls Dr. Sabiri out of the house in handcuffs and separates Sami and his mom for hours, questioning them, and destroys their house and much of their belongings.

It takes a while for the Sabiris and their lawyer to find out where Dr. Sabiri is being held and what the charges are.  In the meantime, the arrest of a research director (Dr. Sabiri) at a lab that stores anthrax, smallpox, and other viruses and linked to an alleged terrorist group, the Brotherhood of Martyrs, is all over the news.  The only person linked to the terrorist cell who was not arrested was the alleged leader, Tariq Hasan.  Despite their strained relationship, Sami takes it upon himself to try to prove his father's innocence, at any cost.

This story had me hooked from the very beginning and I couldn't wait to see how it ended.  There were a few surprises in store that I didn't see coming, which is always a refreshing change.  This is definitely going on my list of recommendations for my students.  It is a ripped-from-the-headlines story that will hopefully make them think.

Happy Reading!!!