2006log

24 Girls in 7 Days

Alex Bradley

What a hoot! This is a terrific picture of what it might be like to be a reasonably attractive, interesting and available high school boy who just doesn't have a date for the prom. When his possibly well-meaning friends take out an ad in the school website personal section, the dates start coming out of the woodwork - leading to some unusual and interesting situations. I will be recommending this to many of our 8th grade boys and girls. The title alone should be a terrific selling point!

The Tipping Point

Malcolm Gladwell

This is absolutely one of the most fascinating books I've ever read! Non-fiction is not usually my first choice, but this one interested me and I'm sure glad I had a chance to read it. It is difficult to explain the concept - even though the author does a wonderful job of making everything very clear through pertinent examples and a conversational style. Basically, the book attempts to explain why certain ideas, trends, diseases, etc... reach a critical point and then "tip" over into epidemic proportions and why others don't. OK - it may not sound that interesting the way I explained it - but trust me - probably the best non-fiction book I've ever read!

Flush

Carl Hiaasen

This is Carl Hiaasen's second book for young adults, and, like Hoot, it deals with protecting Florida's increasingly endangered ecosystems. I actually listened to this book on cd travelling back and forth to school and I recommend experiencing it this way. (We now have quite a large collection of audio cds in the media center.) I like the way Mr. Hiaasen can get his point across about protecting the environment without beating the reader over the head with it. The characters are quirky and interesting and the action kept me interested.

Technically, It's Not My Fault

John Grandits

This book of concrete poems follows the exploits of Robert, a middle-schooler who likes baseball, skateboarding, video games, and farting. Just your typical 11-yr-old boy! I loved the way the structure of the poems really brought the meaning to life. Sometimes concrete poems are overly simplistic and boring - the poem taking second place to the structure on the page. But that isn't the case with this collection. My favorite one is where Robert takes his sister's math homework, wraps it around a firecracker and lights it sending algebraic symbols all over the night sky!

Spinning Through the Universe

Helen Frost

Another book of poetry. This one looks into the lives of the students in Mrs. Williams' fifth grade class. We find out about the students' relationships, problems and dreams and see why they are so special to their teacher. One of the coolest things about this book was the information at the end explaining the forms of the various poems used. I didn't even realize that many of the poems were acrostics until I read the explanation at the end. This revelation sent me back through the book looking for the messages that I had missed.

The Earth, My Butt, and Other Big, Round Things

Carolyn Mackler

This book has been challenged in Carroll County and was removed from the library shelves by the superintendent. (Only to be returned after a very vocal protest from parents and students!) Of course, I wanted to read it to find out whether it should be kept in our media center. The book's main character is a high school girl who is dealing with issues related to her weight, problems with the "popular group" at school, and a family that is in denial about quite a few problems of their own. I thought it was an excellent book with really powerful messages that could be very helpful to our students. There are several passages that describe Virginia's first experiences with the opposite sex that are probably the sections that disturbed the superintendent of Carroll County. I can understand his concerns, but I really think the message of the book is so important that it overshadows any concerns. I wonder how 6th graders might react to these passages - I'm not sure if all our 6th graders are ready for those parts. But, I hate to remove a great book because some kids might not be ready. At this point, I'm honestly not sure if I will keep it in our media center or not. I've asked a few other people to read it and give me their opinions.

Boris

Cynthia Rylant

As a newly minted "cat person," I found this novel in poems very touching. Ms Rylant reveals her feelings for one special feline through a series of poems that really capture what it is like to live with a cat full of personality. Although it really seems to be written for adults, I think many cat-loving kids would enjoy it too. It even brought a couple of tears to my eyes. (But then, I am a sentimental fool.)

What I Believe

Norma Fox Mazer

This novel in poetry tells the story of Vicki, an average middle school girl whose life is suddenly turned upside down when her father loses his job. The family struggles with financial worries and Vicki tries to find ways to keep anyone from knowing what is going on. I really liked this personal story and found Vicki's feelings and actions very believable.

Westing Game

Ellen Raskin

I read this book several years ago and just re-read it so I could discuss it with Ryan. Even though it is a mystery, it was still enjoyable for me the second time around because I couldn't remember any of the clues or even who the "killer" was. This book is full of twisting, turning fun complete with clues, suspects - everything a good mystery needs. I would recommend this book to people who enjoyed Chasing Vermeer! (and vice versa)

Graphic Library History Series

The Adventures of Marco Polo by Roger Smally

Harriet Tubman and the Underground Railroad by Michael Martin

The Sinking of the Titanic by Matt Doeden

These graphic novels give a quick overview of various events from history. Graphic novels are so popular right now, that I hope these books will find their way into the hands of students who may not be familiar with the historical events. They are helpful for giving a very quick look at the event or person, but they don't give enough details for a full understanding. I enjoyed reading them though, just because I was able to learn a few facts very quickly. The end of the book offers links to websites that have more information. I would hope that students take advantage of the chance to delve a little deeper into the topics that interested them.

Sidekicks 5: The Brotherhood of Rotten Babysitters

Dan Danko

I love this series about the brave and hilarious sidekicks of the League of Big Justice. Dan Danko has created some really funny characters with ridiculous super powers who get into the most outrageous situations that make me just want to keep reading each new installment.

4th of July

James Patterson

We don't have this book in the media center.

This is the fourth book in a series about a group of women who work together to solve murder mysteries. The main character is police detective Lindsay Boxer. Her best friends are a medical examiner, a reporter, and, in this book, a lawyer. These women meet and share their evidence and theories in order to solve the mysteries. They are interesting stories - not necessarily great literature - but a fun read. They do include adult situations and themes - which is why we do not have copies in the media center.

Keesha's House

Helen Frost

We don't have this book in the media center.

Unfortunately, this book is recommended for 9th grade and up - so I don't have a copy in our media center. It is a wonderfully written novel in poems about various high school students who are dealing with some very serious problems. Keesha is the common link between them. She is a determined and insightful girl who has had to find a safe place to live and who is anxious to offer the same safety to other kids who need it. By the time I was finished reading, I felt like these were kids I knew and I wanted to find out what happens to them next. Even though it is recommended for high schoolers, I believe mature middle school students would benefit from reading this fantastic book.

The Book Without Words

Avi

This is another book I listened to on my way back and forth from work. Sometimes I love Avi's books and sometimes they leave me a little cold. This one had a few intriguing moments, but overall I found it a little boring. It takes place in the Middle Ages and involves alchemy, magic, and coming back from the dead. You would think that would make a very interesting book! Most of the action takes place inside one house over the course of a couple of days, and I just kept wishing something would happen other than the characters discussing what they should do next. The talking raven, Odo, and the apprentice Damian have a few humorous scenes - but the story didn't hold my attention like The True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle or Midnight Magic did.

Where the Red Fern Grows

Wilson Rawls

I just re-read this book so that I could talk about it with Ryan as he was reading it for class. Even though it was written many, many years ago - this is still a terrific story of a boy and his dogs. My husband remembers it being one of his favorite books when he was younger - and I'm sure kids still love it today. Even though I knew what was going to happen - I still cried at the end. I know Gordon Korman doesn't like "dead dog" books - but this one is a classic!

Totally Joe

James Howe

I read The Misfits several years ago and loved it - especially the character of Joe. So, when our order of over $6,000 in new books came in - this was the first one I chose to read! I really liked the format Howe used - the entire book is an "alphbiography" of Joe's life. Each chapter covers one letter of the alphabet as Joe provides insights into his life, relationships, issues, etc.... The fact that Joe is gay and struggling with coming out to his family and the world makes this book even more special.

Troy Thompson's Excellent Poetry Book

Gary Crew

This is probably the most fun poetry book I've ever read. The author has created a situation where you feel like you are reading Troy's poetry notebook that has been read and graded by his English teacher. Along with seeing the teacher's assignment sheets, we get to see Troy's poetry - rough drafts and final copies, his artwork, and his grades and teacher's comments! It all adds up to a really cool poetry book where we get a peek at a little slice of one teenaged boy's life through his attempts at writing poems.

Acceleration

Graham McNamee

Wow! Talk about a page turner! When 17-year-old Duncan discovers the journal of a serial killer he takes it to the police. When the police dismiss it as the ravings of a crazy person, Duncan decides to try and track down the killer himself. With the help of his two best friends, Duncan dives deeper and deeper into a dangerous manhunt hoping to prevent a death - at least partly to help alleviate his lingering guilt over not being able to rescue a drowning girl several months earlier. I couldn't put it down!

So You Want To Be A Wizard

Diane Duane

Ryan and I listened to this one on our way to and from school. It is about two kids who find a special book that teaches you to be a wizard. They learn how to do spells and are sent on a mission to save the Book of Night with Moon from the evil force who has taken it. Ryan really liked it. I wasn't so impressed, but it might have been the voice of the person reading that turned me off. I thought it moved a little too slowly. This is the first book in a rather long series. We are listening to one of the other books now and I think I like it better!

Healthy Sexuality

Kristen Kemp

This is a pretty straightforward book for middle school kids about puberty, sexuality, and reproduction. I thought the author did an excellent job of explaining things in easy to understand terms and with a great deal of respect and truth. I would recommend it to any middle school student who has questions about these issues.

Whales on Stilts

M.T. Anderson

This book was very funny! I had the opportunity to listen to a cd of the author reading the first couple of chapters several months ago and it made me laugh out loud. I've been waiting for the book ever since. It is really sort of a silly kind of humor, but that's the kind I like. The plot revolves around a girl whose father works in an abandonded warehouse for an evil scientist who is trying to outfit whales with stilts so they can come up on land and take over the world! Except none of the workers at the plant understand what is going on. It reminds me a little of a Lemony Snickett book - but with a slightly sillier style. I'm hoping this is the first of a series!

Leonard Da Vinci

Kathleen Krull

What an interesting biography of one of the most famous geniuses of all history! I have heard bits and pieces about Leonardo throughout my life, but this book did an excellent job of pulling it all together in a quick and interesting summary. I'm not a huge biography fan, but I like short works that give me an overall picture of a famous person without delving into every single detail of their life and times. Kathleen Krull is becoming my favorite biographer - I read everyone of her Lives of ... series as well.

Two Little Girls in Blue

Mary Higgins Clark

I"ve been a Mary Higgins Clark fan for a long time. This book is good - but not my favorite of her works. It is about a pair of twin girls who are kidnapped and held for ransom. The original plan is to return the girls unharmed as soon as the ransom is paid. Unfortunately for the parents, and the girls, unstable Angie, one of the kidnappers, decides she would like to keep one of the girls as her own daughter. The most interesting aspect of the story was the way the twins try to communicate with each other telepathically while they are separated. I think twin telepathy is a really interesting subject and it was fun to read about it in a fictional setting.

The Sword that Cut the Burning Grass

Dorothy and Thomas Hoobler

This is the 4th book in an excellent series about Seikei - a boy from Japan during the time of the samurai. In this installment, the emperor of Japan has decided that he no longer wants to perform his duties. Seikei is sent to find the emperor, a young boy about his own age, and convince him to return to his post for the good of his country. As usual, Seikei's task is never as easy as it sounds at the beginning, and he finds himself chased by an assortment of dangerous characters and accused of crimes himself. This is a terrific series for people who like action and adventure in their mysteries. I've enjoyed each and every book in the set and recommend them highly!

The Fashion Disaster That Changed My Life

Lauren Myracle

Alli has hoped that 7th grade will be her "break out" year! She has spent a lot of time thinking about how great it would be to be noticed by the popular crowd. Unfortunately, she has a "fashion disaster" on the very first day of school when a pair of her mom's underwear (which had gotten stuck in her pant's leg during the laundry) falls out in the middle of class. Surprisingly, while this is a terribly embarrassing event, it actually is the catalyst for Alli's entry to the "in" group at her school. The book takes a really interesting look at the culture of the "in" kids vs. the "out" kids in a typical middle school. I'm 41 years old, but I can still remember some of how it felt to be an "out" kid. I think this is a terrific book for all middle schoolers (maybe girls especially) because it explores that struggle to fit in and shine. I especially loved the character of Megan - she would be someone I'd like to be friends with!

Flavor of the Week

Tucker Shaw

This book made me hungry! And I loved it! Several students told me this was a great book - I finally had time to read it and I agree wholeheartedly. Cyril is an overweight teen who loves to cook and is in love with Rose who happens to be his best friend. Besides being a terrific story, this book includes delicious sounding recipes at the end of every chapter. I hope to try some of them this summer when I finally have time to cook.

Kira Kira

Cynthia Kadohata

(Last year's Newbery Medal winner) I really liked this story about a family of Japanese Americans trying to make ends meet in 1951 Georgia. Times are very tough for the family and they get even tougher when oldest daughter Lynn becomes very ill. I especially liked the relationship between the narrator - Katie and her older sister. It reminded me of my relationship with my younger sister.

The Excellent 11: Qualities Teachers and Parents Use to Motivate, Inspire, and Educate Children

Ron Clark

Ron Clark won a Disney teaching award several years ago and this is his second book of classroom strategies and his philosophy of teaching. I think I read it before - because it seemed very familiar - but I still found it inspiring and full of great ideas. I plan to recommend it to all of our teachers.