Here's my TEASER TUESDAY #3.
Once again the idea is the original creation of SHOULD BE READING.
1. Grab your current read.
2. Let the book fall open to a random page.
3. Share with us two "teaser" sentences from that page, somewhere between lines 7 and 12.
4. You also need to share the title of the book that you're getting your "teaser" from. That way people can have some great book recommendations if they like the teaser you've given!
5. Please avoid spoilers!
6. Than add yours to the list at Should Be Reading.
THE LAST THING I REMEMBER
by Andrew Klavan
p. 122
"Then the nothingness was broken. The pale, pale out-glow of a flashlight's beam appeared overhead for a single moment, then was gone."
Tuesday, July 7, 2009
LOVE, AUBREY by Suzanne LaFleur
Aubrey Priestly has eaten the last of the cheese and crackers and finished the juice in the refrigerator. There is nothing left to eat so she takes the birthday money Gram sent and heads to the store. She knows she can buy groceries and take care of herself, but she's worried about what might happen if someone finds out she is eleven and living alone.
Tragedy struck and took Aubrey's sister and father, and now her mother has been gone for days. Aubrey thought it was best to ignore the constantly ringing telephone since she had no idea what to tell any caller that might ask to speak to her mother. However, one afternoon she just couldn't ignore the repeated ringing of the doorbell. When she opened the door, she found Gram standing on the porch.
What follows is Aubrey's concerned grandmother bustling about asking questions about how long she's been alone and then giving instructions about what to pack since Gram was taking Aubrey back with her to Vermont. They ride the train from Virginia to the familiar old house in Vermont. Used to visits only on holidays, it seems strange to be moving in with Gram, but it's a relief to have someone taking care of her again.
Aubrey gradually opens up to her grandmother as the two of them work to adjust to the tremendous changes in their lives. But even with Gram's loving care, a new best friend living right next door and a helpful counselor at her new school, Aubrey finds the most relief when she writes letters to the loved ones now missing from her life.
LOVE, AUBREY is the first novel of Suzanne LaFleur. The story is filled with emotion. The heart-wrenching sadness Aubrey experiences as old memories begin to surface are sure to bring tears to the eyes of even the most jaded reader. LaFleur shows Aubrey dealing with grief and loss as she struggles to understand her feelings and the confusing choices made by her grieving mother. This is a powerful story about love, loss, and healing that goes far beyond its targeted middle grade audience.
Tragedy struck and took Aubrey's sister and father, and now her mother has been gone for days. Aubrey thought it was best to ignore the constantly ringing telephone since she had no idea what to tell any caller that might ask to speak to her mother. However, one afternoon she just couldn't ignore the repeated ringing of the doorbell. When she opened the door, she found Gram standing on the porch.
What follows is Aubrey's concerned grandmother bustling about asking questions about how long she's been alone and then giving instructions about what to pack since Gram was taking Aubrey back with her to Vermont. They ride the train from Virginia to the familiar old house in Vermont. Used to visits only on holidays, it seems strange to be moving in with Gram, but it's a relief to have someone taking care of her again.
Aubrey gradually opens up to her grandmother as the two of them work to adjust to the tremendous changes in their lives. But even with Gram's loving care, a new best friend living right next door and a helpful counselor at her new school, Aubrey finds the most relief when she writes letters to the loved ones now missing from her life.
LOVE, AUBREY is the first novel of Suzanne LaFleur. The story is filled with emotion. The heart-wrenching sadness Aubrey experiences as old memories begin to surface are sure to bring tears to the eyes of even the most jaded reader. LaFleur shows Aubrey dealing with grief and loss as she struggles to understand her feelings and the confusing choices made by her grieving mother. This is a powerful story about love, loss, and healing that goes far beyond its targeted middle grade audience.
Monday, July 6, 2009
EXTRA CREDIT by Andrew Clements
Andrew Clements' novels are always a success in my opinion. Written for a middle grade audience, they are entertaining, inspirational, and educational, and EXTRA CREDIT is no exception.
Just look closely at the cover and you will probably guess EXTRA CREDIT is a pen pal story, but it is not just any pen pal situation. Abby finds herself reluctantly writing a pen pal letter for extra credit. She is in danger of being held back in sixth grade again next year. Desperate to go on to junior high with her friends, she has promised to do all her homework and earn B's on all future tests this year so that she can leave the sixth grade behind. That is not quite enough for her language arts teacher. An extra credit project will also be required. That's where the letter writing comes in.
Halfway around the globe from Illinois is Sadeed living in Afghanistan. His teacher has just asked him to assist his sister in writing a pen pal letter to a girl from America. That girl is Abby.
What follows is the development of an unusual friendship and a learning experience like no other. Both young people are introduced to a culture completely different from their own, and the reactions that arise leave them both confused about the intolerant beliefs that surround them. The possibilities for EXTRA CREDIT are endless. It could be used as a discussion starter in classrooms involving current events, different cultures, letter writing, and so much more.
Just look closely at the cover and you will probably guess EXTRA CREDIT is a pen pal story, but it is not just any pen pal situation. Abby finds herself reluctantly writing a pen pal letter for extra credit. She is in danger of being held back in sixth grade again next year. Desperate to go on to junior high with her friends, she has promised to do all her homework and earn B's on all future tests this year so that she can leave the sixth grade behind. That is not quite enough for her language arts teacher. An extra credit project will also be required. That's where the letter writing comes in.
Halfway around the globe from Illinois is Sadeed living in Afghanistan. His teacher has just asked him to assist his sister in writing a pen pal letter to a girl from America. That girl is Abby.
What follows is the development of an unusual friendship and a learning experience like no other. Both young people are introduced to a culture completely different from their own, and the reactions that arise leave them both confused about the intolerant beliefs that surround them. The possibilities for EXTRA CREDIT are endless. It could be used as a discussion starter in classrooms involving current events, different cultures, letter writing, and so much more.
JUMPED by Rita Williams-Garcia
Bullying is an increasing problem in today's schools and society in general. JUMPED presents the problem in a unique way. Three characters present their view point of the same situation.
Trina is confident, actually a bit too confident. She arrives at school in a hot pink outfit she believes makes her a hot chick. In her mind she doesn't know how anyone could think she is anything but smashing. Her confidence gives her the cockiness necessary to brush off the assistant principal's criticism of her hip outfit, and her over-the-top attitude causes her to be totally unaware of the hostile feelings she creates as she bustles her way through the school hallways.
Dominique has basketball on her mind 24/7. Learning that her playing time has been cut due to an unacceptable math grade has her furious and ready to jump at anyone for just about anything. When Trina comes bouncing along and unintentionally takes the path between Dominique and her gang, Dominique promises to take her down at 2:45.
Leticia has just skipped out of zero period early to sneak outside to use her cell phone. She happens to witness Trina's accidental insult and Dominique's threat of violent retribution. When her cell phone connection is made, she passes on this juicy bit of gossip to her friend Bea. The reaction to this piece of fabulous gossip is not at all what she expects. Bea immediately tells Leticia she needs to warn Trina or tell someone about the likely attack. But why would she want to get involved? Leticia rationalizes that she may not have even heard things correctly. Why jump to conclusions about something that doesn't really even involve her?
There are three parties involved in most acts of violence. In the case of bullying - it is the one that is the bully, the one that is bullied, and the one that observes the behavior. JUMPED attempts to show all three parties and does it well. All three characters are portrayed in detail letting readers learn the inner workings of each individual. Each believes they are the center of their universe and doesn't consider the impact of their behavior on others. Seeing the three views is disturbing yet it provides a kind of education about human nature we all should examine carefully. Readers might learn from asking themselves what role they would play in a story like JUMPED.
Trina is confident, actually a bit too confident. She arrives at school in a hot pink outfit she believes makes her a hot chick. In her mind she doesn't know how anyone could think she is anything but smashing. Her confidence gives her the cockiness necessary to brush off the assistant principal's criticism of her hip outfit, and her over-the-top attitude causes her to be totally unaware of the hostile feelings she creates as she bustles her way through the school hallways.
Dominique has basketball on her mind 24/7. Learning that her playing time has been cut due to an unacceptable math grade has her furious and ready to jump at anyone for just about anything. When Trina comes bouncing along and unintentionally takes the path between Dominique and her gang, Dominique promises to take her down at 2:45.
Leticia has just skipped out of zero period early to sneak outside to use her cell phone. She happens to witness Trina's accidental insult and Dominique's threat of violent retribution. When her cell phone connection is made, she passes on this juicy bit of gossip to her friend Bea. The reaction to this piece of fabulous gossip is not at all what she expects. Bea immediately tells Leticia she needs to warn Trina or tell someone about the likely attack. But why would she want to get involved? Leticia rationalizes that she may not have even heard things correctly. Why jump to conclusions about something that doesn't really even involve her?
There are three parties involved in most acts of violence. In the case of bullying - it is the one that is the bully, the one that is bullied, and the one that observes the behavior. JUMPED attempts to show all three parties and does it well. All three characters are portrayed in detail letting readers learn the inner workings of each individual. Each believes they are the center of their universe and doesn't consider the impact of their behavior on others. Seeing the three views is disturbing yet it provides a kind of education about human nature we all should examine carefully. Readers might learn from asking themselves what role they would play in a story like JUMPED.
Friday, July 3, 2009
THE MILES BETWEEN by Mary E. Pearson
Coincidence, fate, destiny, how much of our lives do these control? Destiny Faraday believes these powers have been in control of her life since the day she turned seven.
Destiny is now seventeen, in fact; it is October 19, her birthday. She pulls herself out of her bed at Hedgebrook Academy as a fellow boarding school student calls out "Breakfast, Des." At breakfast she sits with the usual people and eats the same lumpy oatmeal the cook churns out every day. Will this day be the same as any other day, or could this day somehow be different? It turns out that quite a bit about this day will be different, and yet just the same.
Later that morning Destiny stumbles across a beautiful, pink convertible idling on the school grounds. The car offers the possibility of adventure and perhaps a chance to prove something to the parents she feels have abandoned her in various boarding schools for the past ten years. When Destiny spies Seth hiding out to avoid trash duty, she asks if he drives. When the answer is yes, they hop in the car and cautiously head toward the main gate. This is the first of a long line of coincidences that will take Destiny on the road trip of her life.
Joined by two other students, Mira and Aidan, Destiny and Seth turn in the direction of Langdon some two and a half hours away. Along the way they encounter some odd situations. They rescue a little lamb wandering in the roadway, and Seth promptly names him Lucky. When the gas supply begins to dwindle, a quick check of their finances reveals nothing but empty pockets until they check the glove compartment and discover a thick packet of $100 bills.
Many other strange and unusual happenings fill their day until they finally arrive in Langdon. Destiny confesses to her travel companions that this is her home and that today is the day she wants to confront her parents about her feelings of abandonment. With promises to support her, her classmates rally as the joyous adventure suddenly turns more serious.
THE MILES BETWEEN is the story of a girl searching for answers. So much in her short life has gone wrong with coincidence as the only explanation, and now she seems ready to face the fears she has lived with for so long. Mary E. Pearson weaves together an amazing and tragic tale as she turns four acquaintances into true friends. The range of emotions packed into this novel will take readers from laughter to tears and everything in between. This is a must read due out this September.
Destiny is now seventeen, in fact; it is October 19, her birthday. She pulls herself out of her bed at Hedgebrook Academy as a fellow boarding school student calls out "Breakfast, Des." At breakfast she sits with the usual people and eats the same lumpy oatmeal the cook churns out every day. Will this day be the same as any other day, or could this day somehow be different? It turns out that quite a bit about this day will be different, and yet just the same.
Later that morning Destiny stumbles across a beautiful, pink convertible idling on the school grounds. The car offers the possibility of adventure and perhaps a chance to prove something to the parents she feels have abandoned her in various boarding schools for the past ten years. When Destiny spies Seth hiding out to avoid trash duty, she asks if he drives. When the answer is yes, they hop in the car and cautiously head toward the main gate. This is the first of a long line of coincidences that will take Destiny on the road trip of her life.
Joined by two other students, Mira and Aidan, Destiny and Seth turn in the direction of Langdon some two and a half hours away. Along the way they encounter some odd situations. They rescue a little lamb wandering in the roadway, and Seth promptly names him Lucky. When the gas supply begins to dwindle, a quick check of their finances reveals nothing but empty pockets until they check the glove compartment and discover a thick packet of $100 bills.
Many other strange and unusual happenings fill their day until they finally arrive in Langdon. Destiny confesses to her travel companions that this is her home and that today is the day she wants to confront her parents about her feelings of abandonment. With promises to support her, her classmates rally as the joyous adventure suddenly turns more serious.
THE MILES BETWEEN is the story of a girl searching for answers. So much in her short life has gone wrong with coincidence as the only explanation, and now she seems ready to face the fears she has lived with for so long. Mary E. Pearson weaves together an amazing and tragic tale as she turns four acquaintances into true friends. The range of emotions packed into this novel will take readers from laughter to tears and everything in between. This is a must read due out this September.
Thursday, July 2, 2009
FLASH BURNOUT by L.K. Madigan
Blake is trying to understand relationships. He has a girlfriend and he is also the friend of a girl. Both relationships are important to him, but he realizes balancing them requires artful skill much like in his hobby of photography. There are rules to follow and one mistake can cause everything to go out of focus.
Blake is a cool character. He dreams of life as a stand-up comic and uses almost every opportunity to test out jokes and one-liners. He chalks up an invisible mark every time he gets a laugh. Many of those laughs come from Shannon. Blake can't believe how much fun she is, how beautiful she is, and how much he is really starting to love her.
Marissa is Blake's partner in photography class. As the two youngest in the class, they became partners by default, but it's a partnership that has worked well. Their friendship revolves strictly around photography until the day Blake accidentally takes a picture of Marissa's mother. He didn't realize they were mother and daughter when he stumbled across the homeless woman sleeping on the street. The photo begins a change in their friendship as Blake learns the truth about Marissa's mother.
What makes this story unique is the combination of an interesting cast of characters in a mix of serious situations and refreshing humor. My attention was immediately grabbed in the opening pages as Blake enters the kitchen for breakfast. He describes the snapshots of gunshot wounds fanned out across the kitchen table and the snoring of his father, the coroner, asleep on the nearby couch. Then there's the entrance of his mother, a hospital chaplain, dressed in only underwear and a blouse. As she fixes her morning coffee, Blake is disgusted, but not particularly shocked, when she warns of an oncoming hot flash and promptly removes her blouse. With an introduction like that, how can readers not continue turning pages?
L.K. Madigan has fun with her characters as she takes them through the good times and the bad. Readers are sure to find at least one character to relate to and at least one experience to learn from. Several added bonuses include a photography tip at the beginning of each chapter and two interesting playlists with commentary from Blake at the end of the book. FLASH BURNOUT doesn't come out until October 2009, but be sure to watch for it; it's a worthwhile read.
Blake is a cool character. He dreams of life as a stand-up comic and uses almost every opportunity to test out jokes and one-liners. He chalks up an invisible mark every time he gets a laugh. Many of those laughs come from Shannon. Blake can't believe how much fun she is, how beautiful she is, and how much he is really starting to love her.
Marissa is Blake's partner in photography class. As the two youngest in the class, they became partners by default, but it's a partnership that has worked well. Their friendship revolves strictly around photography until the day Blake accidentally takes a picture of Marissa's mother. He didn't realize they were mother and daughter when he stumbled across the homeless woman sleeping on the street. The photo begins a change in their friendship as Blake learns the truth about Marissa's mother.
What makes this story unique is the combination of an interesting cast of characters in a mix of serious situations and refreshing humor. My attention was immediately grabbed in the opening pages as Blake enters the kitchen for breakfast. He describes the snapshots of gunshot wounds fanned out across the kitchen table and the snoring of his father, the coroner, asleep on the nearby couch. Then there's the entrance of his mother, a hospital chaplain, dressed in only underwear and a blouse. As she fixes her morning coffee, Blake is disgusted, but not particularly shocked, when she warns of an oncoming hot flash and promptly removes her blouse. With an introduction like that, how can readers not continue turning pages?
L.K. Madigan has fun with her characters as she takes them through the good times and the bad. Readers are sure to find at least one character to relate to and at least one experience to learn from. Several added bonuses include a photography tip at the beginning of each chapter and two interesting playlists with commentary from Blake at the end of the book. FLASH BURNOUT doesn't come out until October 2009, but be sure to watch for it; it's a worthwhile read.
"WAITING ON WEDNESDAY"
Technically it is Thursday now, but I had to finish the book I was reading. (See next post.)
THE TEAR COLLECTOR by Patrick Jones
Release date - Sept. 1
Patrick Jones is a favorite of mine, and it's not just because he was gracious enough to visit my local library and not even charge us for his inspiring presentation. His books are good stuff.
Summary courtesy of Barnes & Noble:
"Fans of urban fantasy should prepare for a new kind of vampire–one that feeds off of tears instead of blood. Descended from an ancient line of creatures that gain their energy from human tears, Cassandra Gray depends on human sorrow to live. Only Cass has grown tired of living this life and wants to live like a human, especially now that she's met someone worth fighting for."
THE TEAR COLLECTOR by Patrick Jones
Release date - Sept. 1
Patrick Jones is a favorite of mine, and it's not just because he was gracious enough to visit my local library and not even charge us for his inspiring presentation. His books are good stuff.
Summary courtesy of Barnes & Noble:
"Fans of urban fantasy should prepare for a new kind of vampire–one that feeds off of tears instead of blood. Descended from an ancient line of creatures that gain their energy from human tears, Cassandra Gray depends on human sorrow to live. Only Cass has grown tired of living this life and wants to live like a human, especially now that she's met someone worth fighting for."
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