LeBrisary

New fantasy series: The Crowfield Curse

2012-02-09T17:37:00.002-06:00

The Crowfield Curse by Pat Walsh is #1 in a new series. Part historical fiction part fantasy this first installment is atmospheric, dark, rich in detail and gripping. Set in 1387 England, 14 year old orphan William Paynel is trying to manage a life as a servant at Crowfield Abbey. At the very bottom of the pecking order, William is still grateful to have a roof over his head and meals, even meager ones. While taking care of the monks' pigs he encounters a strange creature caught in a trap. With little fear he saves the creature and from that point on his life takes some wild and frightening turns that involve very old secrets, a very long feud and possibly a dead angel.
Readers will drawn into the amazing secret world of the forest, the hard life at the abbey in middle ages Britain and William himself, who is more than even he knows.

Lisa Yee's Junior High students

2012-02-09T17:13:00.000-06:00

So Totally Emily Ebers by Lisa Yee is one part of a four part group of books that is not so much a series as individual stories about the same group of students at same middle school.

Emily has just moved to California with her mom after her parents' divorce. In a series of letters to her dad, you will experience Emily's various wants and needs missing her dad, missing her friends, making new friends, not understanding her mom and trying to cope with junior high school. Emily is funny, bright, creative, prone to drama and sometimes confident and sometimes not. The letters eventually turn in to diary entries as she does not hear from her dad very much and begins to better understand both her parents. Emily is well worth getting to know.

Other characters from the three other stories appear in each installment and will prompt most readers to want to continue to get to know each of them better: Sanford Wong, Millicent Min and Marley Sandelski.

They are also people worth meeting through their own stories.

Another Caudill and a new Clements

2011-11-12T16:09:00.001-06:00

Flygirl by Sherri Smith is one of the historical fiction titles from this year's Caudill nominees. Many of our students purchased this title at the Book Fair and they will not be disappointed. Louisiana native, Ida Mae Jones has inherited her father's love of flying. It's World War II and she wants to do her part by joining the WASPs. Only one problem: Ida Mae is African American and there is no room for her in the WASPs. Ida Mae is also so fair in complexion that she can "pass" and she decides to do just that. The rest of the story enfolds with Ida Mae heading for training, meeting other women pilots, making lasting friends and connections. Back at home her family is torn by her decision, her brother is missing in the war in the Pacific and her friendships are strained. Readers will experience many little known facts about the WASPs and women's roles in the military as well as African American life in the 1940's. Flygirl is full of aviation action, thoughtful personal exchanges and a unique part of American history. Do not pass up the excellent afterword by the author.

Andrew Clement continues his winning ways with realistic school set fiction. His latest entry is Trouble-Maker. Meet Clayton Hensley, 6th grader, who's file in the Principal's office is several inches thick dating back to first grade. More than the average cut-up, Clayton has made a career of causing trouble of varying degrees his entire school life. Clayton's older brother comes home early in the story from a month stay in the county jail. A tough love discussion from the older brother he idolizes, sets Clayton on the path to redemption. Or does it? Clayton soon realizes that changing your ways and changing your reputation are not so quickly achieved. Engaging, believable characters will draw any reader along to see how Clayton manages his last year in elementary school.

Another Baseball Caudill 2011

2011-09-25T13:14:00.001-05:00

MJ Auch's One-Handed Catch will appeal to many readers even non-baseball fans. Set right after WW II in a small town in New York, 6th grader Norm Schmidt loves playing baseball and drawing. His life takes a huge unexpected turn when he loses his left hand while working in his dad's grocery store. You would think that this would be a sad story but quite the contrary. Norm's story, based on true events that happened to the author's husband, is a realistic, funny journey that you will take with Norm and his friends Leon and Carl. There is plenty about baseball, drawing, life at school, scouting and family. You will learn a lot about post-war America but many of Norm's feelings and experiences will ring true for you today. You will cheer Norm's determination. You will relate to his frustrations and then understanding about his mom, his dad and his sister, and ultimately about himself.

Gary Paulsen's Caudill 2011 will thrill his fans

2011-09-05T14:56:00.000-05:00

There are a lot of Gary Paulsen fans out there. You are use to his wonderful style and ability to get you right into the story no matter the setting or the characters, or the genre. With Woods Runner you will be transported to the American Revolution where 13 year old Samuel lives in wilderness Pennsylvania. The war seems very distant and unimportant to teenage Samuel until his parents are attacked and kidnapped by British and Iroquois soldiers. Samuel's life is turned upside down but his natural tracking abilities and love of his family drive him to risk everything to find them. Unlikely friends and alliances develop over the course of his journey that brings him to British occupied New York city. Fast paced, rich in detail, and gripping action will keep you turning pages while experiencing war through the eyes of this young boy. Each chapter is separated by short informational pieces about aspects of the Revolution most history classes fail to mention. Do not skip them or Gary Paulsen's brief author's note at the beginning of the novel that explains why he included them. If you are not yet a Gary Paulsen fan now is your chance to change that. This book is available in the LTC in paper and at the Winnetka Library in paper, ebook, audio CD and podcast.

Another two great Caudill choices!

2011-08-14T16:22:00.007-05:00

Various peoples' lives converge in this modern day story of transitions. Aging Aggie Duncan can't keep her Sleepy Time Motel now that her husband Harold is gone. As she realizes that she must sell her little motel in the Smoky Mountains, she and her cat Ugly welcome several families who decide to stay at Sleepy Time. Willow and her dad Clyde who wants to buy the motel; Loretta and her mom and dad looking to find Loretta's birth mother's travels; and Kirby and his mom who is dropping him off at his "last chance" boarding school. Soon, every one's lives are overlapping and affecting each other in ways they did not expect. You will find yourself cheering for everyone in this quiet but satisfying story of family, friendship, loss and new beginnings. Greetings from Nowhere is by Barbara O'Connor.

Knuckle balls are like butterflies. Just ask 8th grader Molly whose ability to throw one lands her a spot on her school's boys baseball team. A great sports novel needs great sports scenes, language and emotion so you feel you are there with the players. A great sports novel also needs a great story with realistic scenes, language and emotion so you feel you are there with the characters. Not many sports novels do this successfully especially with girls as main characters but The Girl Who Threw Butterflies by Mick Cochrane does. Girl or boy, baseball fan or not, this is a story for everyone.

2 more Caudills for your consideration!

2011-07-29T15:32:00.006-05:00

What if Ignatius is your name, you have 4 much bigger brothers and your nickname is Brother? What if you are left with your grandparents on your family's ranch while your dad goes to Iraq to lead soldiers in battle? You are in charge and you are 12! Beautifully written you will feel like you are in Oregon on this vast cattle ranch seeing the stars, feeling the weather and smelling the fresh open air. Brother is determined to show everyone he can do this even though ranching has never been his calling. This is a story of outdoor action, family faith and the realism of the impact of war on a community. Heart of a Shepherd is Roxanne Parry's first novel.

In 1977, Matt Pin has been living with his adoptive family in the US after being airlifted out of Vietnam at the end of the war. Matt loves his family, is a great pitcher and now is playing the piano but all is not well. Matt cannot forget his past. He remembers his mom and his little brother back in Vietnam. He is haunted by sounds, smells and guilt. He is struggling to make sense of his life, old and new. His piano teacher with his parents approval decide to have him visit Vietnam vets at a local community center who meet to support one another.
Told in free verse you will hear all the voices of Matt's life including his own a he tries to cope during this unique time in our history. You will be amazed at the richness of the images and depth of emotion told with few words. A beautifully threaded story about healing any reader will long remember. All the Broken Pieces is by Ann Burg.

Caudill 2012 - Powerless by Matthew Cody

2011-07-20T12:17:00.003-05:00

I am going to kick-off this year's Caudill nominees with a modern fantasy! Powerless is a story about being the "new kid" in junior high but just not any junior high! Meet Daniel Corrigan who had to move from Philadelphia to small town Noble's Green because his grandmother is very ill. It doesn't take long for Daniel to decide that something is up in this town with the kids under the age of 13! A big Sherlock Holmes fan, Daniel puts his detecting abilities to work. Why is Noble's Green called The Safest Town on Earth? What happened years ago when a meteor struck the orphanage in town? Did it have some lasting effect on the children who survived? How do you explain the near tragic accidents that don't quite happen somehow? Daniel soon learns about the secret but that's just the beginning of what is really going on. A deft combination of fantasy, realism, action and mystery, this thought provoking story of friendship, bravery and fitting in will keep you involved right to the end of the story!

If you liked Hunger Games try Divergent!

2011-07-19T14:14:00.006-05:00

Set in post apocalyptic Chicago, society in and around the city has been segregated into 5 factions. Each faction delivers important structure and resources to the city inhabitants. Beatrice Prior, like all 16 year olds, will need to choose the faction she plans on staying with her entire life based on the results of a grueling virtual test. Usually the test results are clear and make the choice relatively easy, unless you are "divergent"! This revelation, a dark secret that Beatrice is told to never mention to anyone for fear for her and her family's lives, drives her decision to leave her family's faction and join a seemingly opposite one. You will experience heart stopping, risk taking action set in Chicago full of intrigue, romance, betrayal, battles virtual and real - your typical teenage day, right? What faction would you choose?
And, of course it's a trilogy. "Insurgent" is slated for Spring 2012. Veronica Roth, the 22 year old author, wrote this book while a senior at Northwestern! She majored in English. A great choice for northshore readers.
And, the movie rights have been signed, too!

The 39 Clues series continues!

2011-07-11T09:14:00.002-05:00

Just when you thought Dan and Amy were done running for those clues and their lives, here they are again! This time around four of your favorite authors team up to write this 11th entry (you can consider this the introduction to Series 2). You will travel back in time to three separate key moments in the history of the Cahill family. How the family split into its various factions will fascinate you. The last fourth of the book will bring you back to Dan and Amy with all the high speed, page turning adventure you have come to expect. Of course now that the Vespers are clearly the new nemesis, you know there are more installments coming! August 30th Book 1 of Cahills vs Vespers: The Medusa Plot

BOOK FAIR AT THE BOOK STALL APRIL 18-20TH

2011-04-13T16:30:00.003-05:00

Mrs. Balyiet is done with her terrific book talks! All those books are now in the LTC on display for you to come see. If you are not going to make it to the Book Stall next week be sure to come by and consider some of these great titles. There are hard cover and paperback books available.
If you do plan to come to the Book Stall I will see you there after school. You have the entire store to consider and there will be help if you need it!

Two great choices!

2011-04-13T16:11:00.002-05:00

Shakespeare Makes the Playoffs by Ron Koertge is the sequel to Shakespeare Bats Cleanup. If you like poetry, baseball and realistic fiction both these books are for you. I feel that they are gender free meaning boys or girls will enjoy these books. In Playoff main character Kevin Boland is in 8th grade and really enjoying life including playing baseball, having a cute girlfriend and still writing a lot of poetry ( a skill he developed in the first book). Then along comes Amy. In ways you would not expect and told in prose poetry you will laugh, sigh and ponder right along with Kevin while he navigates baseball season, and his friends. Kevin's relationship with his dad continues to be a wonderful part of the story as well. It is always good to see great dad characters show up in realistic fiction!
Sorry but no cover art for the next book.
Bystander by James Preller is also modern realistic fiction but this time the topic is much darker. 13 year old Eric is the new kid in town. He quickly meets Griffin and his band of friends who make it clear that they are in charge of a lot of what goes on at the junior high. Eric is befriended by Griffin but soon begins to regret the decision. At first he is a bystander to Griffin's cruel behaviors but being new he is not sure what to do or who to trust. Before long Eric realizes that if you go against the flow with Griffin you will soon become the next target.
This bullying story rings completely true. As tensions rise and more questions about Griffin's behavior trouble Eric, the story careens along faster and faster. You will want to know what is Eric going to do and how will it all end.

Guest reviewers Will D. and Phillip E. on The Hunger Games Trilogy

2011-02-03T20:51:00.004-06:00

Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins is the second book in the Hunger Games trilogy. She has a lot of other books and book series like The Underland Chronicles. This novel is an action packed book that brings you into the futuristic world of what used to be called North America, but is now called Panem. The main character in Catching Fire is a girl named Katniss. She narrates through out the novel and keeps the story very exciting. This is an amazing novel and I recommend it to anyone at any age. This is the kind of story that will keep you turning the pages no matter how late it is at night.
From Will D.

I would rate Mocking Jay a seven out of a possible ten points because it had some good action, but the story line was more difficult to follow compared to the first book in the trilogy, Hunger Games. I also did not like it as well as the second book in the trilogy, Catching Fire. This book was more explanatory instead of the action-packed first two books. It also seemed the author was more trying to wrap up the series instead of write a good story line. I definitely recommend the first book in the trilogy. The second and third books in the series were okay, although I enjoyed the second more than the third. In all three she did a great job developing the characters so I had a very strong connection with them.
From Phillip E.

Sachar new one is about a card game?! It's great!

2011-01-23T14:25:00.003-06:00

Only Louis Sachar could write a boy's novel about the game of Bridge and make it work. This is one you have to go with. Start and keep going. Let the voice of the main character, Alton, take you on this emotional, humorous trip. Told in the first person, Alton, is charged with becoming his blind uncle's "cardturner". His uncle is a champion level Bridge player and to continue to play he needs to have the cards read to him. Alton, pressed into service by his mom because his uncle is rich, accepts the job but not for the reasons his mom has in mind. There's lots about Bridge here but Alton is nice enough to tell you when to skip parts but you may not want to. Add to the adventure a dual love story, impersonating dead people, channeling and manipulation of various sorts and you have the makings of great read.The pace is slower but the pay off is worth it. If you liked Stanley Yelnats, you'll want to know Alton.

Guest reviewer Ella H is back with a graphic novel!

2010-12-28T16:06:00.003-06:00

From 35,000 feet our guest reviewer lets us know about this new graphic novel in the LTC:

I wanted to let you know that I just finished Ghostopolis. I'm on the 9 hour flight to Ohau so I have plenty of spare time. It is a pretty fast read but I still liked it a lot. The book is about a boy named Garth who is zapped back to the afterlife when a ghost hunter named Frank Gallows sends a skeleton horse back. This happens because Garth is trapped under the horse's rib cage. In the afterlife Garth meets his grandfather and they travel through the world of Ghostopolis in search of a way for Garth to get back home. This is just the beginning though. Soon after Garth disappears a rescue team is sent after him and Frank and his ex, who is a ghost, named Claire also go to rescue him. The novel is full of action and adventure, and is sure to keep the reader turning pages.

Forge (Pt 2 of Seeds of America)- Laurie Anderson

2010-12-28T15:21:00.006-06:00

Chains, which is a 2011 Caudill nominee, reviewed on lebrisary in May 2009, was an amazing view of the American Revolution in New York City told through the eyes of young teen Isabel Gardener. As a slave in colonial America Isabel transports the reader to a new interpretation of freedom. In part 2 of the series, Isabel's friend and accomplice, Curzon Smith, also a young teen slave, takes the reader to another famous time during the Revolution: the winter at Valley Forge. Forge is predominantly Curzon's story. Told in short, detailed chapters, the reader will experience the cold, deprivation and hardships of what so many endured waiting to fight the British in the spring. Curzon's strong will and bright mind as well as his sense of justice are well developed. His spirited character drives the compelling tale of freedom. Famous figures from our history pepper the story and add to the authentic ring of this historical fiction. Be sure to read the quotes of real people that head each chapter as well as the questions and answers at the end of the book. All add to the richness of this story. Laurie Anderson brings history alive. You don't want to miss it! Part 3 - Ashes will complete the trilogy.

Rick Riordan's New Series - The Kane Chronicles #1

2010-11-21T13:50:00.003-06:00

The Red Pyramid by Rick Riordan is the first installment in his new series The Kane Chronicles. Following in the steps of his enormously popular Percy Jackson and the Olympians series, this new series takes the reader into the world of ancient Egypt. Told as though the book was the transcript of a digital recording made by Carter Kane (14 years old) and his sister Sadie Kane (12 years old), the chapters switch back and forth between the two telling the story of their experience. It all starts with them being reunited after six years of living apart. In short order an explosion at the British Museum causes the disappearance of their father, world renowned Egyptologist Julius Kane. From this point on the siblings are on a non-stop roller coaster of an adventure. This time instead of Greek gods, its the Egyptian gods that are battling it out. As the young heroes try to find their dad, they begin to discover their real link to the ancient House of Life and their role in a race to stop the most of dangerous of the ancient gods. Fast paced action, loads of mythological creatures and a good dose of humor will keep any reader turning pages.

Caudill 2010- Yellow Star

2010-10-11T12:21:00.005-05:00

Yellow Star by Jennifer Roy is another Holocaust story based on real people among this year's Caudill nominees. Jennifer Roy listened to her Aunt Sylvia's (aka Syvia) stories of surviving the Lodz ghetto during the Nazi occupation of Poland. She decided to write the story from the point of view of her aunt who was one of only 12 children to survive and four years old when her journey began. Told in free verse, this fast paced historical fiction manages to balance the tension, fear and uncertainty of those horrible times by telling the story through Syvia's youthful hope and optimism. The Holocaust is never an easy story to tell and Syvia's is another part you may not have heard a lot about. Be sure to read the introduction and the appendix because they both extend the true history of the story in ways you will appreciate.

Caudills filled with Nature

2010-09-06T21:12:00.005-05:00

Diamond Willow by Helen Frost is an unusual adventure story because it has two styles of narrative: Concrete free verse and short chapters. Concrete poetry is poetry that has a significant shape that relates to the content of the poem. In this case the free verse poems are shaped liked the diamond shapes that appear in the bark of the diamond willow tree branches. The story is about 12 year old Willow who is a young musher and helps her father with the family sled dogs. While Willow is worrying about her life at school and making friends, she makes some bad decisions that result in a serious injury to her favorite dog. Willow is a brave and resourceful young person. In the face of this tragedy she is determined to make things right. In the process, she discovers parts of her life she never knew about, challenges her own parents have faced and the real meaning of friendships both human and canine. A great read for anyone who likes adventure and dogs. This one flies like a dog team on new snow.

If snow and cold are not for you, come join three bothers on a sailing adventure sure to leave you on the edge of your seat. Personal tragedy sets the stage for 15 year old Ben, 11 year old Dylan and 5 year old Gerry. The boys' father over come with the accidental loss of his wife and the boys' mom, decides to take them all on a sailing adventure through the Bahamas for an entire year. Each boy must learn to handle not only their nautical duties but their own grief as well the increasingly erratic behavior of their dad. Soon the boys find themselves completely alone on board their small vessel battling a huge storm, lost at sea and then castaway on a deserted island. Told from the point of view of Ben the oldest, you will come to understand his strong feelings about his father and his younger brothers, boys you will learn to admire. The Great Wide Sea by M.H. Herlong is a modern survival story full of intense action, emotions and plenty of sailing.

Caudill 2010 - two more great reads!!

2010-08-17T16:58:00.005-05:00

A Friendship for Today by Patricia McKissack and Scarlett by Cathy Cassidy are both about young girls with important issues going on in their lives. Both stories are fast paced with a real strong sense of setting, one in 1954 St. Louis and one in modern 2009 rural Ireland.
Scarlett, 13, has been sent to live with her dad in Ireland having been kicked out of yet another school in England. Her mother is at the end of her rope and hopes that this change may make a difference in her rebellious, angry daughter. But why is Scarlett so mad? Maybe she has very good reasons. Living with her dad and his new family will force Scarlett to confront not only her own feelings but those of others including the mysterious boy on a black horse that she meets near her dad's home.
Rosemary, 11, is an only child who is about to be the first African-American student at a new school in her area. JJ, her best friend, was supposed to go with her but he is now battling Polio instead. Rosemary's story follows her first full year in Robertson Elementary. She is not only faced with the challenges of integration but she also has plenty of things going on at home: her parents are not getting along and it is only getting worse.

Any reader will have plenty of action, up and downs, twists and turns to carry them through to the end of both of these realistic stories.

Caudill entry: 11 Birthdays

2010-08-09T16:33:00.004-05:00

If you ever watched the movie "Groundhog Day" then you will have a better understanding of 11 Birthdays by Wendy Mass. This realistic comedy-fantasy tells the tale of two very close friends, Amanda and Leo. Born on the same day, at the same hospital, Amanda and Leo end up celebrating their birthdays together for ten years. Now about to turn 11, they have not spoken for a year due to an unfortunate incident at their last birthday party. Told from Amanda's point of view in the first person, the reader will experience some very strange goings-on as Amanda wakes everyday to discover that it is the Friday morning of her birthday, over and over again. She tries to understand what is happening to her and in the process discovers that she is not alone experiencing this time warp issue. Adventure, disasters, confusion, detective work, friendship and family issues abound as an old legend of her town turns out to be more than just ancient history. A great read for anyone looking for well drawn realistic middle-schoolers stuck in a time rut.

Caudill entry: The Boy Who Dared

2010-08-05T12:20:00.006-05:00

The Boy Who Dared by Susan Bartoletti, is a powerful story based on the true experiences of Helmuth Hubener, a young Mormon German growing to manhood in Nazi Germany. Helmut is 17 in October of 1942. He is in Plotzensee Prison awaiting execution for high treason and plotting against the state. Through memories told in the third person, Helmuth tells his story. He grew up with his mom, two half brothers and his grandparents. Extremely bright and bold, he begins to question the Nazi regime and Hitler after becoming a Hitler Youth. Through his eyes the reader will see how the Nazis came to power. The reader will gain understanding as to how regular citizens were lied to and bullied in order to restrict freedoms and to gain control over them. When Helmut gets his hands on a real radio he begins to hear German broadcasts from England about the war. This information is Helmut's tipping point. He must act to get the truth out. He hatches a bold and dangerous plan. Helmut's bravery and strong moral compass will carry the reader through this difficult but important journey. Don't miss the author's notes at the end about Helmut's friends, family and the memorial for him in Berlin.

Caudill entry: Trouble by Gary Schmidt

2010-08-01T12:07:00.006-05:00

Trouble by Gary Schmidt is set in present day Massachusetts and Maine. Much darker and more serious than his previous books (Wednesday Wars and Lizzie Bright and the Buckminster Boy), this book explores themes as varied as family, friendship, refugees, car accidents, grief, the power of love and redemption. 14 year old Henry Smith's family dates back to the 1600's. Henry's "father always said that if you build your house far enough away from Trouble, then Trouble will never find you". Henry has grown wealthy and privileged. His older brother, Franklin, is the "perfect son", accomplished scholar athlete destined for greatness. His older sister, Louisa, equally accomplished lives with Henry in the shadow of this brother. A terrible car accident, plunges the family into a turmoil that sets young Henry on a course that will change them all forever. Early in the story, Henry saves a drowning dog that he keeps. Her high spirits and zest for life will prove an important part of Henry's personal growth. Coupled with "Black Dog" as she gets named is the welcome comic relief of Henry's best friend, Sanborn. Both these characters buoy Henry and the reader along through a richly written adventure not soon forgotten.

2 Caudills for 2010 - Found and Notes from...

2010-07-05T13:47:00.005-05:00

Found by Margaret Haddix is the first in a series (The Missing) that already has a real fan following. Non-stop action with cliff hanger endings to the chapters will keep you turning pages. An airplane carrying 36 infants mysteriously appears at an airport. Jump 13 years later and a group of teenagers begin to receive cryptic messages full of foreboding. Boy and girl main characters make this a fast-paced read for any science fiction/fantasy fan out there. If you liked Haddix' Shadow Children, you will definitely like this series.

Notes from the Midnight Driver by Jordan Sonnenblick is the second post. You already know how much I like this author, so it won't come as any surprise when I tell you that this is another sure thing in the reading dept. Alex Gregory gets himself in some very deep trouble at the beginning of this story. Told as a flashback, in the first person (a Sonnenblick specialty), you will follow Alex' personal journey of soul searching community service. That community service takes the form of 100 hours spent with the very unique Solomon Lewis at the nursing home where he lives. You will not only enjoy getting to know these two people but also Alex' friend Laurie, his mom and dad and various supporting characters who all add to an amazing experience. As you might have come to expect, Sonnenblick will take you on an important ride while making you laugh, cry and turn pages.

It's Caudill 2011 time!!

2010-06-27T15:26:00.006-05:00

Many of this year's nominees have already been reviewed here on LeBrisary. If you would like to read reviews of the following titles here are the posts you need to go to on the home page, lower left hand side.

The Hunger Games was reviewed in Feb. 2009

Chains was reviewed in May 2009 (look for 1776)

Scat was reviewed in July 2009 (look for Hoot)

Waiting for Normal was reviewed in May 2009

More of this year's nominees will be reviewed all summer so keep looking here for information. You can also go to http://www.rcyrba.org

Under the menu called 2011 Award look for Resources. It is the best list and has hyperlinks of all sorts as well as cover art to help you pick titles you will really enjoy!!

Latest 39 Clues entry is worth the wait!!

2010-05-09T17:07:00.005-05:00

Gordon Korman is back again with installment #8 of 10 of the 39 Clues and really delivers with non-stop action. The Emperor's Code takes Amy and Dan, our entrepid brother/sister duo, to China. No sooner do they arrive that a huge argument results in their separating and then not being able to reconnect for a variety of incredible mishaps. Dan actually ends up with his rock star relative Jonah and begins to see another side of this young man. Amy, distraught and frantic, makes every effort to find her brother in several remote locations of China including the Great Wall. More clues are uncovered as the siblings end up on a collision course on Mount Everest!! Gordon Korman adds a nice touch to the general mystery by clues throughout the novel that when jotted down leave you with three very interesting sentences. Don't miss #8 - it is one of the best in the series so far (of course I am biased because I like Gordon Korman so much!)

oh.my.gods and goddess boot camp by Childs

2010-04-18T20:29:00.006-05:00

If you can imagine Percy Jackson mixed up with the southern California high school scene, you can get a sense of Tera Childs' two part series. Phoebe Castro, happy high school senior, pretty, unpretentious, serious athletic runner, is sure she has a cross country scholarship to USC all wrapped up until her widowed mom surprises her with an engagement and a move to Greece. The surprises just keep coming when Phoebe finds out that her soon to be step-father is the head master for a high school for the descendants of the Greek gods, complete with special powers. Adjusting takes on a whole new meaning for Phoebe as she leaves behind her dreams, best friends and senior year. New friendships, new step-sister, new country, new school, new romance - could it get any tougher for Phoebe? Yes, it will. In this fast paced, realistic fantasy full of believable characters and emotions, you will experience Phoebe's ups and downs, laughs and tears as she navigates a whole new world with help from her California pals, her mom and some unlikely allies. (Looks set up for Part 3 BTW)

Jordan Sonnenblick does it again!!

2010-04-03T13:29:00.003-05:00

There I was trying to make my way through Cosmic which is by the same author as Millions and should have been just flying along but I wasn't. There across the room sat Jordan Sonnenblick's new novel, the sequel to Drums, Girls and Dangerous Pie, saying "Read me!! No, read me, now!!" like some young Labrador with a tennis ball. Well, Mr. Sonnenblick did it again. I could not put this book down until I finished it.

DGADP was mostly Steven's story and now seven plot years later we get Jeff's story. Told in the classic Sonnenblick first person narrative, the reader will travel through Jeff's 8th grade year in his head.

It wasn't enough to survive cancer as a seven year old now Jeff has to survive being a survivor. With his best friend Tad, a two time cancer survivor himself, and Lindsey the new girl from LA, Jeff has loads to contend with not the least of which is passing the new all or nothing state standardized test that could keep him out of high school. A fast paced blend of narrative, IM's and emails, Jeff's realistic voice will carry you through an important story full of laughs and some tears. This is realistic/contemporary fiction at its best. A genderless story for anyone looking for a well written novel. If you have not read DGADP you might want to do that since it really adds to the whole experience but it's not absolutely required.

State Results for 2010 Caudill!

2010-03-14T14:37:00.006-05:00

Congratulations again to all the students (4th-8th) who qualified to vote and all the teachers who supported their students in this year's program. This is Sears School's 22nd year of participation through the LTC.

The results are in for the state on the 2010 Rebecca Caudill Award.

The 2010 winner: All the Lovely Bad Ones by Mary Downing Hahn

2nd Place Someone Named Eva by Joan Wolf

3rd Place Elephant Run by Roland Smith (our 1st place winner)

For additional details see the Caudill link on the LTC web page of the school website or go directly to http://www.rcyrba.org

The total voting results for each title at Sears and for the state are posted in the LTC on the Caudill wall across from the circulation desk.

2010 Caudill Award Results

2010-03-07T19:41:00.004-06:00

The in-school results are now in. Congratulations to all our 4th - 8th graders who qualified to vote!!

In first place: Elephant Run by Roland Smith

In second place: Shark Girl by Kelly Bingham

In third place: Crossing the Wire by Will Hobbs

All votes are recorded online. Every vote counts. We will have the state results very soon so stay tuned.

You can also see the results and additional information on the Caudill link on the LTC webpage of the school website. http://www.kenilworth38.org

Hunger Games Fans!! New Flash!!

2010-02-14T12:15:00.005-06:00

Great News for all our Hunger Games fans (myself included)! The third and final installment (see cover art to the left) Mockingjay is due in bookstores on August 24th, 2010. The LTC will plan to have three copies ready for checkout in the fall. No early release copies will be made available to keep the plot from leaking out ahead of the book. This happened with the final Harry Potter book as well.

In addition, and some of us have talked about this already in the LTC, the film version of Book 1 The Hunger Games has a 2011 release date and currently in development. I will keep you posted if I hear, see, read anything else.

PS The film is being produced by the same people who made The Diary of a Wimpy Kid film due out in April - Nina Jacobson of Lionsgate Films.

2010 Newbery winner - When You Reach Me

2010-02-07T15:06:00.003-06:00

When You Reach Me by Rebecca Stead (author of Caudill nominee First Light) is this year's Newbery winner. Set in 1979 NYC, 12 year old Miranda and her best friend Sal know their way around their neighborhood, where it is safe and where it is not. Miranda's hard working paralegal mom is getting ready to be a contestant on the $20,000 Pyramid. Cryptic notes written on very small pieces of paper begin to appear in Miranda's things. It is clear that the person writing them knows a lot about Miranda and needs her help to save a friend of hers' life. Miranda's favorite book is Wrinkle in Time, and as she rereads that time travel story, it becomes clear that the messages may be coming from the future. The setting of this evenly paced fantasy adventure keep many of our modern conveniences out of the plot (computers, cell phones, the Internet). Because of that Miranda's experiences have a timeless quality. The connections with Wrinkle in Time (1963 Newbery winner), will captivate and intrigue fans of that story but prior reading of that story is not necessary to the enjoyment of this tale of friendship, family and personal growth.

This one is for Jurassic Park fans!

2010-01-18T19:31:00.003-06:00

If Jurassic Park appeals to you because you love realistic science fiction and dinosaurs, then you will fly through Z. Rex by Steve Cole. Teenager Adam is trying to locate his missing scientist dad when a real live tyrannosaurus shows up in his life and turns it upside down in more ways than one. The story quickly moves location from southwestern US to Scotland, UK as Adam befriends the very dangerous, destructive and talented Z, as he calls the dinosaur. Fast paced action has both boy and dinosaur being ruthlessly pursued by various people who seem to want to stop them at any cost. Adam has a hard time telling friend from foe but soon realizes that the highly intelligent dinosaur is no fluke of nature and that his dad had something to do with its development.

This is Part 1 of a series called The Hunting, so stay tuned for Part 2 as the action story will continue.

Kick things off with KiKi Strike!

2010-01-03T13:32:00.002-06:00

KiKi Strike Inside The Shadow City by Kirsten Miller is the first in a series about KiKi and the group of friends she turns into the team called The Irregulars. If you liked the Molly Moon, or Percy Jackson or Alex Rider or Maximum Ride series, you will really enjoy KiKi. All the elements are in place for a non-stop reading roller coaster adventure: modern setting (NYC), mystery (who is Kiki anyway), suspense (so many interesting coincidences or are they?), smart, talented, edgy good characters, really evil but believable bad characters and in case that wasn't enough there are unique, surprising how-to lists at the end of some chapters including some wonderful details about the hidden parts of NYC. You may have to go along with some of the fantastical sides of this story about the underground city below New York and the quietly dangerous KiKi herself but if you like your stories sharp, fast and adventurous, this one is for you. Don't miss the website http://www.kikistrike.com

Richard Peck's latest is fantastic: Grandma Dowdel is back!

2010-01-01T14:20:00.004-06:00

A Season of Gifts by Richard Peck covers August - December of 1958 in rural Illinois. Like its predecessors "A Long Way from Chicago" and "A Year Down Yonder" ( Newbery Honor and Newbery Award winners respectively) Mrs. Dowdel plays a crucial role in the lives of these realistic fiction characters. Characters like Mrs. Dowdel take on a life of their own, staying with readers long after the book is finished. Mr. Peck gives his readers a third encounter with this larger-than-life person. 12 year old Bob Barnhart retells the months in his life when his minister dad, his mom and two sisters moved to a small rural town in Illinois. It does not take long for the irrepressible and astute Mrs. Dowdel to come into Bob's life. As the laugh out load story zips along, Bob will slowly come to understand the wisdom and power that is Grandma Dowdel as will the rest of his family and probably you, the reader. One not to miss!

If you liked the first Al Capone story you will really like the second one!

2010-01-01T13:17:00.004-06:00

Al Capone Shines My Shoes by Gennifer Choldenko, is the second story about Moose Flanagan and his friends living on Alcatraz Island when it was a prison in the 1930's. Picking up where the last story left off, Moose is worried that his connection to the gangster prisoner Al Capone may come back to haunt him and his sister, who now attends a special school for autistic children. This time around the none stop action centers around friendships, secret notes and meeting places, crushes, baseball and some very dangerous criminals who will stop at nothing to get off that island. Sophisticated plot elements, realistic characters young and old, and plenty of suspense will keep the pages turning.

Kick Off the New Year with some great reads!! Start with Slob!

2010-01-01T11:42:00.005-06:00

Slob by Ellen Potter centers around Owen Birnbaum, inventor and bully magnet at his private school in NYC. Nothing is quite what it seems in this fast paced, humorous/serious story. Owen needs to see into the past to figure out the details of a crucial event in his and his sister's lives. As things go from bad to worse at school, Owen turns to various unusual friends in the city to help him with his invention, and finds some new friends where he least expected them. Slob, like the title, will surprise you in many ways and you will not be disappointed.

Guest blogger Jeffrey M. recommends Wednesday Wars

2010-01-01T11:40:00.003-06:00

Wednesday Wars by Gary Schmidt is a great book that takes place in the 1968 United States, during the time of the Vietnam War. Holling Hoodhood, a seventh grade boy, is not excited to spend every Wednesday afternoon with his teacher, Mrs. Baker. Everybody in his town is either Jewish or Catholic, but he is neither. So on Wednesdays while everyone else went to Religious Ed, Holling would stay with Mrs. Baker in the classroom, reading Shakespeare. The book portrays many things that happened during the 1960s including the assassinations of Martin Luther King Junior and Bobby Kennedy, the Vietnam War, and of course, movements to stop the war. It is a great book which is also very funny and portrays the adventures of Holling with his friends Doug, Danny, Mai Thi, ad Meryl Lee. Their adventures include camping out in the wilderness, running in cross country, and catching Mrs. Baker’s pet rats who have escaped and were originally given to Mrs. Baker by her husband, who is fighting in the Vietnam War. This book is an easy read, too! If you are looking for a book filled with comedy and lots of exciting situations, then I would recommend this book to you.

39 Clues - #6 is in the LTC!

2009-11-15T12:01:00.005-06:00

For all the 39 Clues fans at school, if you did not buy a copy at the Book Fair, #6 is in the LTC.

In Too Deep takes our brother and sister team to Australia and Indonesia. More odd things about their guardian Nellie begin to make Amy and Dan nervous but don't stop them from finding a long lost cousin who really helps them out. Fast paced as ever, with more twists and turns, our duo realizes that the advice "don't trust anyone" given to them in book #1 is truer than ever. You will be shocked at who turns out to be on their side as alliances continue to shift in pursuit of those clues. Hint: read the picture clues carefully and do look at the cover. We still don't know which of the four houses of Cahill Dan and Amy belong to but their focus shifts dramatically when new evidence of their parents' deaths come to light.

#7 arrives Feb. 2, 2010!

Two reviews from our second guest blogger - Ella H.!

2009-10-21T15:38:00.004-05:00

Flygirl by Sherri Smith: This book starts a mile up in the air and doesn't stop climbing (the main character is a pilot). I love really good books, and this one is one of my favorites. If you are tired of princesses and magic, but absolutely dislike non-fiction , try this. Sherri L. Smith does a fabulous job of writing realistic fiction set during World War II. This is definitely one of my recommendations.

The Maximum Ride Series: Hurry up, the train is leaving! Or should I say flight!? James Patterson is one of my favorite authors and his Maximum Ride series are at the top of my list. These are the kind of books you won't want to put down. This series is packed with adventure, suspense, risk taking and maybe some romance. Whenever I read a book in this series I always feel like I'm flying along with the characters (they have real wings!) Don't miss this adventure!

Our First Guest Blog - by Sophie K.

2009-10-16T08:19:00.001-05:00

The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate by Jacqueline Kelly is set in the turn of the century, 1899. Calpurnia Virginia Tate, aka Callie Vee II, tells the story. Callie is raised in a wealthy family with six brothers. She discovers that her grandfather is a great scientist, and soon realizes that she would rather be the next Marie Curie than a proper housewife. This exciting book set in Texas, tells you everything an 11 year old would think in 1899 - from wondering if the world really will end when the 20th century starts, to discovering a species of plant. Once you pick this book up, you'll never put it down, and you'll realize how much times have changed!

Caudills 2010 - adventure story

2009-10-04T18:06:00.005-05:00

Will Hobbs, writer of over 20 adventure stories, brings you a modern, fast paced piece of gritty realism with "Crossing the Wire". Be prepared to experience 15 year old Victor Flores' attempts to better the life of his family in rural Mexico. Set in 2004, Victor comes to the conclusion that only in the United States will he be able to find paid work that will permit his family from falling into complete poverty. Armed only with his intelligence, faith and good intentions, he sets off to attempt to cross the border into Arizona without the help of "Coyotes". "Coyotes" are the smugglers who make a business of smuggling people over the border for very high prices. Danger meets Victor at every turn but he never gives up, as help comes from unexpected places. You can learn more about Will Hobbs and his great novels at http://www.willhobbsauthor.com

Coming Soon-Yippee!!

2009-09-20T12:24:00.005-05:00

As orientation in the LTC continues, we are hoping to bring you guest bloggers/podcasters to LeBrisary. 5th - 8th graders are being invited to submit reviews as blogs or podcasts to LeBrisary to spread the word on great reads!!

A great Caudill choice!

2009-09-20T12:08:00.004-05:00

Home of the Brave by Katherine Applegate (of Animorphs fame) does an incredible job of bringing you an insider view of a modern outsider. 5th grader Kek is a Sudanese refugee who arrives in Minnesota in winter to live with his aunt and his high school age cousin. Written in free verse, Kek tells his story of trying to adjust to a world very far from his native Africa. Having witnessed the death of his father and brother and separated from his mom in a refugee camp escaping the local violence, Kek is determined to learn his mother's fate. His first year, in Minn. is punctuated by failures and victories as he learns English, attends school and makes friends. One of these new friends turns out to be an older woman farmer and her cow that live on the outskirts of his town. They affect each others lives in ways they never expected. This story is full of wonderful images and words that will carry you along on Kek's journey of discovery. You may develop a whole new appreciation of cows. One not to miss!!

Historical Fiction - Caudill nominee

2009-08-22T13:56:00.003-05:00

Don't let the illustrations and modest page count fool you. Michael Morpurgo's The Mozart Question is a serious, thoughtful story that will stay with you long after the book is closed. Set today, the story follows a young reporter who is sent to interview a brilliant, world famous violinist notorious for being difficult with reporters. Her candid, fresh approach to him gets him to open up about his up bringing. He decides to tell her about why he has never played the music of Mozart. The story flashes back to his own childhood and then backs up again to his young parents when they were prisoners in a Nazi concentration camp. Michael Foreman's beautiful water colors will transport you so take the time to look at them carefully. Be sure to read the author's note at the end as well. It will help you understand his motivation and inspiration to write this powerful short story.

Two more Caudills for all readers

2009-08-08T13:52:00.006-05:00

A Crooked Kind of Perfect by Linda Urban c2007 is set today in a suburban setting. Witty, determined 5th grader Zoe Elias really wants to learn to play the piano more than anything. She is convinced that she could become a world famous concert pianist. She ends up with the Perfectone D-60, an organ! In short chapters, Zoe takes her readers along as she navigates her year learning to play the organ. Her friends take some unexpected turns (such as unlikely guy Wheeler Diggs) as do her mom, a workaholic accountant and her dad, who takes endless classes from the Living Room University. Every character in the book rings true. You will get to know and care about these people and their triumphs, big and small. This is realistic fiction that works for any reader.

Someone Named Eva by Joan Wolf c2007 is historical fiction set during World War II in Czechoslovakia, Poland and Germany. In 1942, eleven year old Milada's life is changed forever when Nazi soldiers invade her small village of Lidice. Based on real events, Milada's story traces her being separated from her family, sent to a strange school in Poland for nearly two years, and then adopted by a German Nazi officer's family in Furstenburg. Forced to learn and speak only German, taught only the Nazi way of life, Milada/Eva struggles to hold onto her real self and memories of her family. Told from Milada/Eva's point of view, you will experience this little known piece of the war's history through the eyes of someone near your age. Be sure to read the author's note at the end of the book. Joan Wolf gives the background of the real events and what has happened since including the memorial museum and garden that now exist on the site of the old Lidice village in the Czech Republic.

Two more Caudills-One for Junior High and one for elementary

2009-08-04T19:44:00.011-05:00

Shark Girl by Kelly Bingham is set today in southern California. Jane Arrowood, 15, tells her story of surviving a shark attack that leaves her without her right arm and elbow. Told in prose, the story of her relationships with her mom, her brother, her friends, the various hospital workers and one young fellow amputee carry you into her transformed world. Jane is a gifted artist before the attack. How do you cope when what defines you is no longer your talent but a horrific accident?

The White Giraffe by Lauren St. John is set in modern day South Africa. 11 year old Martine Allen is orphaned in a fire and must move from England to be with her maternal grandmother who runs a game preserve in South Africa. Martine tries to fit in at her new school and understand her seemingly cold and strict grandmother. Soon after arriving, Martine hears about the legend of a white giraffe. She is determined to find it. As she begins to put bits of information together, she also begins to realize that the animals on the preserve are in grave danger especially, the white giraffe. The fast paced story mixes suspence with a bit of supernatural while giving the reader wonderful descriptions of the animals, landscapes, foods and climate of South Africa. You will feel like you are right there with Martine and the white giraffe in the South African night.

And now a Caudill ghost story!!

2009-07-20T20:50:00.004-05:00

Nothing like a good ghost story set during the summer! All The Lovely Bad Ones by Mary Hahn ( a great ghost story writer!) is about Travis and Corey, a brother and sister sent to spend the summer at their grandmother's Vermont bed and breakfast inn at Fox Hill. Well, these two have a reputation for practical jokes, pranks and bad behavior. Determined to have some fun at the expense of the guests, Travis and Corey decide to create their own haunting based on the old stories of the area. Unfortunately, they stir up the real spirits, some of which are not at all amused. Fairly soon what started out as fun turns into a nightmare that only Travis and Corey can fix. This fast paced read will surely satisfy your supernatural cravings.

Some more Caudill nominees to consider

2009-07-20T19:56:00.007-05:00

Jeremy Fink and the Meaning of Life by Wendy Mass is a great modern day adventure quest. Jeremy is about to turn 13 when he receives a locked box from his dad, who had died five years earlier. With the help of his best friend, Lizzy, Jeremy is about to embark on an incredible journey of discovery as he tries to find the four keys that will open the box. You see his father told him in a letter that the meaning of life is in the box!! At times serious, then funny and full of action, this story will carry a junior high boy or girl on an urban adventure through New York city.

The Thing About Georgie by Lisa Graff is about 4th grader Georgie Bishop. Georgie seems to be managing just fine when we meet him until his best friend makes a new friend, his arch enemy at school ends up being his project partner and his parents announce that there is a new baby on the way. All this throws Georgie's life into a tale spin because it is all complicated by the fact that Georgie is a dwarf. Scattered throughout the story you'll be asked by a secret writer to try things out that will get you to experience life the way Georgie does. Mostly you will come to really like Georgie; laugh and worry right along with him as he solves some familiar problems in his own unique way.

The latest from the author of Hoot!

2009-07-13T10:18:00.005-05:00

Carl Hiaasen, of Hoot and Flush fame, does not disappoint with his latest eco-thriller set in Florida. Nick and friend Marta are the young junior high heros of this story set in present day southwestern Florida. Much of the action takes place in the Big Cypress National Preserve - http://www.nps.gov/bicy/ as our heros with the help of a mysterious classmate, appropriately named Smoke, get involved with a rare Florida panther sighting, the disappearance of their stern biology teacher, Mrs. Starch, on a field trip and illegal oil exploration! A terrific cast of secondary characters and sub-plots keeps the action non-stop along with heart-stopping moments but plenty of laughs. If you enjoyed Mr. Hiaasen's other novels, Scat is for you.

Caudills 2010 - Two More

2009-07-06T14:43:00.004-05:00

Naked Mole-Rat Letters by Mary Amato is set today in a small town outside Indiana University in Bloomington. 12 year old Frankie Wallop has always been an ideal daughter, sister and friend until she discovers an email sent to her widowed father from a woman he met at a conference. Frankie goes into overdrive trying to derail what she perceives as a threat to her familiar life. Unfortunately, in the process she digs herself into ever deepening holes of lies and the subsequent guilt. Frankie's voice is honest and believable in this brisk, sometimes humorous, sometimes very serious story of relationships, trust and doing the right thing. PS You will learn a ton about naked mole-rats,

too!

Kimchi and Calamari by Rose Kent is set today as well. Joseph Calderaro is about to turn 14. He's got a loving family, great friends, a great sense of humor and he is adopted from Korea. When his English teacher assigns a "Your roots in your family" ancestry essay Joseph is faced with a real challenge. How does he reconcile his proud Italian upbringing with the face in the mirror? Joseph tries to handle it all himself with the help of his best friend with mixed results. An internet search leads down a surprising path of discovery that eventually gets his family involved. You will discover right along with Joseph what really makes a person an individual no matter who they are or where they are from. Joseph is person worth getting to know.

Caudills 2010

2009-07-04T11:44:00.009-05:00

So far what I have read has been really good. Some have guys as main characters and some have girls but all could be read by anyone. It really would depend on what you are in the mood for and what type of story appeals to you. One common thread to them all is that they fall into the realism category more or less (one is set in the late 60's and one in the late 40's).

So here goes:A Small White Scar by K. Nuzum. This one is set in the late 1940's. The story centers on the relationship of 15 year old twin brothers, one of whom has Downs Syndrome. A western styled adventure will take you on a voyage of discovery both mental and physical as disabled Denny decides to follow his brother Will, who has run away from the ranch to become a rodeo rider.

Emma-Jean Lazarus Fell Out of a Tree by Lauren Tarshis. Emma-Jean likes her world ordered and even though she likes her middle school classmates she stays on the outside looking in because it's safe there. Middle school kids live messy lives she feels. So when she

decides to help one of the most popular girls with a problem, Emma-Jean finds out that mathematical logic does not necessarily apply to people. Funny, realistic and eye-opening from both ends of the social food chain.

The Wednesday Wars by Gary Schmidt is the book set during the year 1967-68. Holling Hoodhood, the 7th grade hero of the story, will completely win you over as he faces a host of challenges at school and at home. The author manages to balance the humor (lots of it) with the serious events in this realistic story mostly centered around school. It all starts when Holling finds himself the only student left on Wednesday's last period with his English teacher while his classmates are at various religious education classes. Shakespeare, the VietNam War, his prickly high school sister, loose rats and a bully all keep the action coming and going. You will find yourself seriously rooting for Holling.

2009-06-29T14:56:00.003-05:00

Just finished Beyond The Grave, 39 Clues #4!! Really liked the ancient Egyptian angle to this story. When I was in the 6th grade, we studied the ancient Egyptians and I fell in love with the culture. I thought I wanted to be an Egyptologist for a very long time. My best friend actually did become one and lived in Luxor! Well, the love of the topic never went away so this book was extra enjoyable. Fans of the series will really like the twists and turns in this installment as loyalties go in lots of directions. Expect the usual amount of action and thrills, of course!!

Now onto the 2010 Caudill nominees!

The 39 Clues - Reminder

2009-05-25T13:49:00.003-05:00

For all our fans of the The 39 Clues series, there are only 6 more days until Book #4 arrives at book stores June 2nd. Beyond The Grave is written by Jude Watson. Jude Watson is best known for her series work with the diaries of Princess Amadala of Star Wars and also some Star Trek series as well, well over a 100 titles. Jude Watson is the pseudonym of Judy Blundell who just won the National Book Award for her YA novel What I Saw and How I Lied, which we do not yet have in the library.

Beyond The Grave will be in the LTC but not before the school year ends unfortunately. You can count on it in multiple copies for the Fall however. It will certainly be at our wonderful two public libraries, Winnetka and Wilmette.

Historical Fiction - 1776 New York

2009-05-16T17:10:00.007-05:00

Just recently finished Chains by Laurie Halse Anderson. For those of you who read Fever 1793 and liked that book, you will really like this one.

Set during several months of the Revolutionary War in New York city, this follows the complex life and events of 13 year old Isabel, her little sister and Curzon, a boy slightly older than herself. Isabel was promised by her last mistress that on her death, she and her sister would be freed according to her mistress' will. Isabel soon learns that her mistress' nephew has other plans in mind. She and her sister Ruth are sold to the Lockton's, a wealthy, influential Tory family loyal to the British crown. Isabel's life takes many turns as she fights for her and her sister's freedom including spying for the patriots.

Here is a chance to see the American Revolution from a very different point of view, that ofa literate slave girl. Usually the history of the Revolution is dominated by the adult male patriots of the period. In this book you will feel the tension, panic and hardships of the average citizens caught in the turmoil of change.

I would recommend this book to any student looking for a gripping story of what freedom meant at a critical time in our nation's history, The American Revolution.

What period of history do you like to read about, fiction or non-fiction?

Another Award Winner

2009-05-03T20:29:00.001-05:00

C

Waiting for Normal by Leslie Connor is one the best of last year's recommendations from the Book Stall at our spring book fair '08.

With the Book Fair kicking off tomorrow I thought I might refresh a choice from last year.

12 year old Addie is living with her newly divorced mother in a small cramped trailer parked on a deserted parking lot on the edge of town. Addie's loving step-father and two half sisters now live elsewhere away from her and her mom. Addie misses them terribly and yearns for the normalcy that life with them once held. In Addie's life, she is the one who manages all the adult responsibilities and it is her mom who acts like the child. Soon, Addie cannot cope with the ever increasing stress of her irresponsible mother. Near disaster, brings the help and "normal" Addie has been hoping for. Addie is a resourceful, brave and loving character.

This could have been a depressing story but it is not because of Addie's point of view. Her realistic often funny take on life will keep you turning pages as you cheer her on to a satisfying conclusion.

2009-04-25T15:44:00.005-05:00

Time to look at an award winner. This year's Newbery Winner for 2009 is Neil Gaiman's The Graveyard Book. Known to many of you for his novel, Coraline, that was made into an animated film this year.

Part gothic, part supernatural tale this is the story of Bod Owens growing up in a grave yard. There is the little detail that someone or something wants him dead as well.

Neil Gaiman himself said this story all started with his son riding his tricycle through a graveyard that was the only park like setting available. His son was totally at ease there and very happy. Those days started Neil thinking about a baby raised by the inhabitants (read ghosts) of an old graveyard. Although the story is set today it feels as though it has no time to it at all. Between the boy himself who knows only the world of the graveyard and the sinister beings sent to protect him and destroy him, you will be drawn into a memorable, believable fantasy world.

Most critics, adults and young people alike, feel that this Newbery choice was an excellent one. What do you think?

2009-04-17T21:27:00.005-05:00

Margaret McMullen will be visiting our school in May to speak to the 5th-7th graders. I just finished two of her books, one set during the Civil War and the other during Reconstruction, ten years later. Let me tell you a about the latter.

When I Crossed No-Bob is told from the point of view of 12 year old Addy. When Addy is abandoned by her only parent, her mom, she is taken in by the local school teacher and his new wife. Removed from the brutish world of her clan the O'Donnells, Addy begins to thrive in her new surroundings. Her long missing father unexpectedly returns, and takes her back to No-Bob, the clan's self-proclaimed land. Addy tries to make the best of her situation but soon realizes that how the O'Donnell's view the world is no longer how she does. Addy must summon all her inner courage to do the right thing when she comes to fully realize what her father and others are doing.

Set in rural Mississippi, ten years after the ravages of the Civil War are still being felt, the story combines issues of family, race, loyalty and love in a powerful story of growth and integrity.

I thought this book was so good, that I recommended it to Mrs. Tiesse as a possible 7th grade class novel.

2009-04-09T21:01:00.006-05:00

I recently finished "The Last Invisible Boy" by Evan Kuhlman.

Finn Garrett, 12 years old, is writing a journal after the sudden death of his dad. Finn is trying to make his way through a really hard time in his life while his mom, brother Derek, and grandfather are doing the same. Part of Finn's journey is complicated by the fact that his hair is turning white and he is getting progressively paler. He is fairly sure he is becoming invisible. As he navigates through his year without his dad, he speaks to you the reader in a clear, believable voice. He is at times funny, sad, scared, happy, lost and determined.

Here is a quote from Susan Patron who won the Newbery medal two years ago that I think you will find interesting. "If you're looking for a tender, redemptive story told by a fierce, fragile protagonist, meet Finn Garrett, the Last Invisible Boy. You'll love him."-- Susan Patron, author of the Newbery Medal-winning The Higher Power of Lucky

I would recommend this book to any junior high student, boy or girl, looking for a realistic story with a great main character. You might think this would be a very sad book but Finn will show you real human spirit.

Add your thoughts to this post.

2009-04-05T16:32:00.003-05:00

If you are wondering why I have a group of sleeping puppies on a bench for the header, it is because they are my favorite breed (Pembroke Welsh Corgis) and the picture makes me smile. I hope it does the same for you.

2009-04-04T17:06:00.001-05:00

95% of the books you see on my LibraryThing widget are in the school library, either in regular fiction or YA fiction. You can check on the school catalog online to see if they are on the shelf currently.

2009-04-03T09:21:00.002-05:00

Welcome to the beginning of something new and hopefully fun for everyone. My plan is to get our students involved in discussions about what I am reading and what they are reading.

The next logical step is to get others reading based on the discussion.

Additionally, this blog should help develop the collection with ideas generated by our student users, our key clients.

2009-03-24T19:13:00.001-05:00