CHICKEN BOY by Frances O'Roark Dowell
VAMPIRE DIARIES by L. J. Smith
MAXIMUM RIDE: THE ANGEL EXPERIMENT by James Patterson
MONSTER by Walter Dean Myers
BURNED by Ellen Hopkins
THE BOY IN THE STRIPED PAJAMAS by John Boyne
GUYAHOLIC by Carolyn Mackler
PRETTY LITTLE LIARS: WICKED by Sara Shepard
LAWN BOY by Gary Paulsen
MY SISTER'S KEEPER by Jodi Piccoult
DIARY OF A WIMPY KID: THE LAST STRAW by Jeff Kinney
CRANK by Ellen Hopkins
HOW IT'S DONE by Christine Kole Maclean
THE HUNGER GAMES by Suzanne Collins
CATCHING FIRE by Suzanne Collins
HALO: THE FIRST STRIKE by Eric S. Nylund
BLUE BLOODS series by Melissa de la Cruz
WHAT MY GIRLFRIEND DOESN'T KNOW by Sonya Sones
STOLEN CHILDREN by Peg Kehret
EVERNIGHT by Claudia Gray
VAMPIRE KISSES by Ellen Schreiber
CLAWS by Dan Greenberg
KISSED BY AN ANGEL by Elizabeth Chandler
TWILIGHT by Stephenie Meyer
GENERATION DEAD by Daniel Waters
IMPULSE by Ellen Hopkins
IDENTICAL by Ellen Hopkins
GONE by Michael Grant
DIARY OF A WIMPY KID: DOG DAYS by Jeff Kinney
YOU ARE SO DEAD TO ME by Stacey Jay
HAPPY READING!!!
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
Sunday, November 8, 2009
STRUTS & FRETS by Jon Skovron
Sammy Bojar has music in his blood. His grandfather earned his living playing piano with some of music's greats. Sammy has his own dreams of music stardom.
The Tragedy of Wisdom is the name of the band Sammy and his buddies have put together. They have free practice space at the local community center, but things at practice have been pretty rocky lately. First, it was the argument about the band's name. It wasn't everyone's choice, but hey, it's just a name. Then there's the tension about their creative direction. Sammy has been writing the songs for the group almost since they began, but one member never seems to be able to learn the music or remember the words and another member seems intent on becoming the new writer for the band. Just when they may have their big chance in a local Battle of the Bands contest, the group may be breaking apart.
Much to his surprise, music is suddenly not Sammy's only passion. Jen5, his lifelong best friend and budding artist, is fast becoming his girlfriend. Who knew the mix CD he gave her last year really expressed his love and not just his friendship? Fortunately, Jen5 feels the same way so their relationship is heading off toward bigger and better things.
Sammy would like nothing better than to be able to sit down and confide in someone about the mounting pressures in his life. Jen5 seems an obvious choice, but she has her own artistic frustrations and a wacky father to deal with besides. Rick, Sammy's gay band mate, understands the music situation but is clueless about romance. There's always his mom, but lately she's only interested in deep, psychological talks about what a woman wants from sex. That leaves Sammy's grandfather. His connection to reality is questionable even on a good day, but it seems the old man may have more valuable advice to give Sammy then either one ever dreamed.
STRUTS & FRETS by Jon Skovron is for all you budding creative geniuses out there. It's for the readers dreaming of being in a band and making it big. It's for the would-be artists trying to put their passions on paper or canvas despite parents and teachers with their "real" world requirements. Skovron plugs right into the hopes and dreams of every idealistic teen and speaks to them in their own terms.
The Tragedy of Wisdom is the name of the band Sammy and his buddies have put together. They have free practice space at the local community center, but things at practice have been pretty rocky lately. First, it was the argument about the band's name. It wasn't everyone's choice, but hey, it's just a name. Then there's the tension about their creative direction. Sammy has been writing the songs for the group almost since they began, but one member never seems to be able to learn the music or remember the words and another member seems intent on becoming the new writer for the band. Just when they may have their big chance in a local Battle of the Bands contest, the group may be breaking apart.
Much to his surprise, music is suddenly not Sammy's only passion. Jen5, his lifelong best friend and budding artist, is fast becoming his girlfriend. Who knew the mix CD he gave her last year really expressed his love and not just his friendship? Fortunately, Jen5 feels the same way so their relationship is heading off toward bigger and better things.
Sammy would like nothing better than to be able to sit down and confide in someone about the mounting pressures in his life. Jen5 seems an obvious choice, but she has her own artistic frustrations and a wacky father to deal with besides. Rick, Sammy's gay band mate, understands the music situation but is clueless about romance. There's always his mom, but lately she's only interested in deep, psychological talks about what a woman wants from sex. That leaves Sammy's grandfather. His connection to reality is questionable even on a good day, but it seems the old man may have more valuable advice to give Sammy then either one ever dreamed.
STRUTS & FRETS by Jon Skovron is for all you budding creative geniuses out there. It's for the readers dreaming of being in a band and making it big. It's for the would-be artists trying to put their passions on paper or canvas despite parents and teachers with their "real" world requirements. Skovron plugs right into the hopes and dreams of every idealistic teen and speaks to them in their own terms.
Friday, November 6, 2009
LOST by Jacqueline Davies
Essie's world revolves around her little sister Zelda. She is a challenging child and can be quite a handful most days. Essie knows how much Zelda misses her now that she is working at the Triangle, a sweatshop that employs young seamstresses to make shirtwaists. The little girl begs Essie to stay home and play, but Essie's paycheck helps keep food on the table and the rent paid.
When the boss at the shop presents a new girl for Essie to train, she just hopes the young woman learns quickly so she can keep up her own pile of completed garments big enough to please their demanding supervisor. It doesn't take Essie long to discover the new girl, whose name is Harriet, is well-educated and used to a comfortable lifestyle. As the two young women begin to develop a friendship, Essie suspects that Harriet is hiding something or from someone.
Set in the early 1900's, the chapters of LOST alternate between Essie's thoughts dated and written in diary form over a period of six years and narrative chapters relating her present day life at work and at home. As readers are pulled into the story, it becomes evident that something has happened to Zelda, and that Essie may be blocking out some tragic event concerning the little girl. The mystery deepens as Essie begins to unravel the secrets surrounding her new friend Harriet. What is Harriet hiding and is she really who she says she is?
Author Jacqueline Davies carries readers through the story with intriguing hints and tempting tidbits about Essie and Harriet. Their true stories stay just out of reach and will make readers curious and turning the pages to find out more.
When the boss at the shop presents a new girl for Essie to train, she just hopes the young woman learns quickly so she can keep up her own pile of completed garments big enough to please their demanding supervisor. It doesn't take Essie long to discover the new girl, whose name is Harriet, is well-educated and used to a comfortable lifestyle. As the two young women begin to develop a friendship, Essie suspects that Harriet is hiding something or from someone.
Set in the early 1900's, the chapters of LOST alternate between Essie's thoughts dated and written in diary form over a period of six years and narrative chapters relating her present day life at work and at home. As readers are pulled into the story, it becomes evident that something has happened to Zelda, and that Essie may be blocking out some tragic event concerning the little girl. The mystery deepens as Essie begins to unravel the secrets surrounding her new friend Harriet. What is Harriet hiding and is she really who she says she is?
Author Jacqueline Davies carries readers through the story with intriguing hints and tempting tidbits about Essie and Harriet. Their true stories stay just out of reach and will make readers curious and turning the pages to find out more.
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
WEDNESDAY'S WISH I HAD THE TIME #5
BLOOM by Elizabeth Scott has been on my classroom shelf for over a year now. The girls are enjoying it, but I haven't had time to read it yet, so it is officially on my Wednesday's Wish I Had the Time list.
Here's a summary courtesy of Barnes & Noble:
There's a difference between falling and letting go.
Lauren has a good life: decent grades, great friends, and a boyfriend every girl lusts after. So why is she so unhappy? It takes the arrival of Evan Kirkland for Lauren to figure out the answer: She's been holding back. She's been denying herself a bunch of things (like sex) because staying with her loyal and gorgeous boyfriend, Dave, is the "right" thing to do. After all, who would give up the perfect boyfriend?
But as Dave starts talking more and more about their life together, planning a future Lauren simply can't see herself in — and as Lauren's craving for Evan, and moreover, who she is with Evan becomes all the more fierce — Lauren realizes she needs to make a choice...before one is made for her.
Have any of the rest of you read it?
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
"TEASER TUESDAY"
Here's my TEASER TUESDAY #18.
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.
LOST
by Jacqueline Davies
p. 43
"I had thought she was closer to my age. Why would she lie about that?"
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.
LOST
by Jacqueline Davies
p. 43
"I had thought she was closer to my age. Why would she lie about that?"
Sunday, November 1, 2009
FOOD, GIRLS, AND OTHER THINGS I CAN'T HAVE by Allen Zadoff
Andy has a weight problem. It is pretty obvious. All you have to do is look at him. That's why he doesn't understand why the makers of Levi's jeans have to put his size (48) right on the label for everyone to see.
Also, how fair is it that someone with a weight problem has to have a mother who has her own catering business. Andy's mother may specialize in mini foods - mini eclairs, mini bagels, mini bite-sized Caesar salads, but it is fabulous mini food and eating by the handful does help his situation at all.
Andy and his best friend Eytan managed to survive their freshman year. They hung in there despite the teasing and taunting from upperclassman and found their place with the geeks. Clubs like Model UN and getting good grades should be enough to please their parents and get them into first rate colleges. The only thing is, this year Andy wants more.
Things seem like they might be about to change when Andy meets April. He's helping his mother cater a wedding when April enters his world. The secret dreams of what could be possible if they could hook up keeps Andy thinking hopefully as his sophomore year begins. That hopefulness takes a leap forward when it turns out April has actually moved nearby and is attending Andy's high school.
When Andy discovers April is trying out for cheerleading, he makes an amazing decision. He takes a detour on his way to a Model UN meeting and ends up heading out the back door of the school and right into the middle of football practice. It turns out the team needs a new center and Andy's massive size fills one of the main requirements for the job.
Of course, there are complications. How can he get his mother to sign the consent form necessary to play football when he knows she'll be concerned that he suffers from asthma? What happens when his best friend finds out he is abandoning the geeks of Model UN in favor of the jocks of football? Can he even learn to play football when he doesn't really have an athletic bone in his oversized body?
Allen Zadoff takes readers into the familiar world of high school. FOOD, GIRLS, AND OTHER THINGS I CAN'T HAVE focuses on the cliques of high school and the resulting pressure to fit in, be popular, and just survive in general. If that's not enough pressure, Zadoff creates even more for his main character as he has Andy struggle with unrequited love, a controlling mother, and a mostly absent father. It all sounds rather depressing, but Zadoff uses fantastic humor and likeable characters to attract and hold the reader's attention right to the last page. FOOD, GIRLS, AND OTHER THINGS I CAN'T HAVE is a must-read.
Also, how fair is it that someone with a weight problem has to have a mother who has her own catering business. Andy's mother may specialize in mini foods - mini eclairs, mini bagels, mini bite-sized Caesar salads, but it is fabulous mini food and eating by the handful does help his situation at all.
Andy and his best friend Eytan managed to survive their freshman year. They hung in there despite the teasing and taunting from upperclassman and found their place with the geeks. Clubs like Model UN and getting good grades should be enough to please their parents and get them into first rate colleges. The only thing is, this year Andy wants more.
Things seem like they might be about to change when Andy meets April. He's helping his mother cater a wedding when April enters his world. The secret dreams of what could be possible if they could hook up keeps Andy thinking hopefully as his sophomore year begins. That hopefulness takes a leap forward when it turns out April has actually moved nearby and is attending Andy's high school.
When Andy discovers April is trying out for cheerleading, he makes an amazing decision. He takes a detour on his way to a Model UN meeting and ends up heading out the back door of the school and right into the middle of football practice. It turns out the team needs a new center and Andy's massive size fills one of the main requirements for the job.
Of course, there are complications. How can he get his mother to sign the consent form necessary to play football when he knows she'll be concerned that he suffers from asthma? What happens when his best friend finds out he is abandoning the geeks of Model UN in favor of the jocks of football? Can he even learn to play football when he doesn't really have an athletic bone in his oversized body?
Allen Zadoff takes readers into the familiar world of high school. FOOD, GIRLS, AND OTHER THINGS I CAN'T HAVE focuses on the cliques of high school and the resulting pressure to fit in, be popular, and just survive in general. If that's not enough pressure, Zadoff creates even more for his main character as he has Andy struggle with unrequited love, a controlling mother, and a mostly absent father. It all sounds rather depressing, but Zadoff uses fantastic humor and likeable characters to attract and hold the reader's attention right to the last page. FOOD, GIRLS, AND OTHER THINGS I CAN'T HAVE is a must-read.
AND THE WINNER IS ...
The winner of LOVE SICK by Jake Coburn
is *Alexa*!
I've sent you an email. Please respond within 48 hours so I can get your prize in the mail.
CONGRATS!!!
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