The London Eye Mystery written by Siobhan Dowd

Salim disappears after taking a ride on the London Eye. How did he get pass his cousins and aunt and mother. Why did Salim want to disappear? How did his cousins solve the mystery of Salim's disappearance?

This is another story, novel that I enjoyed reading. I didn't solve the mystery before the cousins. The story doesn't drag keeps moving as the cousins track down all possibilities of Salim's disappearance.

Viola in Reel Life written by Adriana Trigiani

I have read other books written by Adriana, I used to live in Wise County where her books brought me right back to Big Stone Gap and the life style. Where coal trains closed the street down, because the train was 50 or more coal cars long.

I really liked this book. It was a great story about a girl, Viola, needs to go to boarding school because her parents are off to Afghanistan to make a documentary film. As school begins in September Viola has already made up her mind she wouldn't be happy at PA. Until she meets her roommates. Read about Viola's first year at PA. Enjoy the story, I did. What is unusual for me as I read this book, the year school is 2009 into 2010. Our present and future for Viola.

The Hunger Games written by Suzanne

I read this book because the students at school kept asking for the book and placing it on hold. My school had a book fair so I bought a copy. I basically knew the story line but wanted to read the book looking for more. I had to drag myself to finish reading the book. It wasn't exciting enough to pull me through it, to want me to keep reading it. In some places it got to descriptive for me.
I finished the book on Friday and will be taking it to school for students to read. I just don't understand the attraction to the book. The setting is a time beyond civilization as we know it. Two kids are chosen from every district (there are 12 districts) and they compete for survival. The 2 kids chosen are from a lottery in their home districts, they are pampered and treated to all kinds of food and living while they are trained, interviewed and on display for all to see. Once the Hunger Games begin they are watched and tracked by a probe that was inserted into them prior to the beginning of the games. The last tribute to survive wins but the rules change when only 4 tributes are left.
I have spoken to a few students and they liked the book and can't wait to read Catching Fire the second book in the trilogy. Read the book you decide about the book.

Rickshaw Girl written by Mitali Perkins

Naima loves to create the traditional alpana patterns Bangladeshi women and girls paint in their homes for special occasions. Her designs are the best in the village. But Naima wishes she could help earn money for her family. Her friend Saleem can drive his father's rickshaw. "If only I had been born a boy, she thinks".

In Bangladesh women and girls take care of the home, they do not work outside the home. Read about Naima how she struggles with her desire to help her father. What does Naima try to do to help her family?

A Troubled Peace written by L.M. Elliott

Sequel to Under a War Torn Sky

Julie &Julia written by Julie Powell

My year of cooking dangerously.

I didn't like this book at all. For me it dragged from beginning to end. It didn't hold my interest. It seemed like Julie was constantly whining. That after starting her blog and the cooking she really wanted to end it but couldn't find a graceful way of doing it with her family saying 'i told you so'. I wished there was more about Julia child in the book and movie. I bought the book hoping for a good read. I have since left it in the teacher collection at school. Teachers have picked it up to read but in a matter of hours its back on the shelf.

Maybe I didn't like the book because my every day language I don't use many 'curse words'. It seems that is how Julie gets on with her day to day living. This probably has been one of the worse books I have read all year. If you need to take a peek at the book, go to the bookstore, borrow it but don't buy it. Even the movie's best parts is when Julia made her appearances.

Ghosts of War written by Ryan Smithson

This is a biography written by Ryan Smithson. I have read other Iraqi war books by Phil Kiver. Kiver's thoughts on the Iraq war is very different then Ryan's view of the war. Kiver was an embedded reporter which isn't the same as being a soldier in the middle of the war. Kiver lived the life as if the war was a vacation with swimming pools, beds to sleep on, washing machines to do laundry, etc. Not for Ryan. He begins his bio from enlisting , basic training (red, white and blue) and more. At this moment I am into Part II White Phase. Find the book read it, feel the life of US soldier in Iraq.

I have completed reding this book, find the book and read it.

I needed to share this book with someone and this was the first place I thought of. Many of you know that about 2 years ago my son joined the Army. He has never been able to tell me what happened from beginning to now. I know it had to have been good and bad times, scary times and laughable times. But he really doesn’t talk about the military. Perhaps one day he well. But I had to share this book. I have just finished reading it. I know from reading this book it was like therapy for the writer but it made me cry and proud and thankful for the USA military. A small passage from the book is why I agree this Iraq war had to take place. pg. 240: "Do you appreciate your freedom so much that you're willing to fight for it?" "Yes" Okay he says" "Do you appreciate your freedom so much that you're willing to fight for the freedom of others?" That is why we went into Iraq not looking for weapons or take their oil but to give freedom to those who don't have it. We need to remember why we have our Freedoms. We fought for them from England in the 1770's. Weapons of mass destruction weren’t a chemical or weapons but the dictator was the weapon of mass destruction! He took what was to be given to every human because they are given naturally and unconditionally. Please read the book, see why it is necessary to be in Iraq and Afghanistan. What or Who is the weapon of mass destruction? This is the best book I have read this year, I bought this book for my school library but something about this book drew me to read it, I read it, I hope it chased away the ghosts for Ryan. It made me realize the sacrifice he and others made so others may know the Freedoms we enjoy every day. So many fight to remove soldiers from Iraq and Afghanistan, we fight so others can have the Freedoms we so much enjoy every day of our lives.

Uprising written by Margaret Peterson Haddix

It's a story about Bella, Yetta and Jane. Women who worked in the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory. Bella and Yetta are immigrants that came into the USA through Ellis Island. Wanting a better life and help their families they left behind. Jane is from a family established in New York. A rich family. Taken care of by her father. Jane leaves her father's home; becomes a governess to the owner of the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory family.

Bella and Yetta strike and picket wanting to form a Union to protect the workers but in the end no Union is formed. One day a careless fabric cutter tosses a cigarette in to a scrap bucket causing a fire. The fire spreads quickly trapping the workers. Who lives and who dies in the fire?

I needed tissues in the end. The book brings Bella, Yetta and Jane to life.

The Magician's Elephant written by Kate DiCamillo

Peter is ten years old decides to spend bread money on a fortuneteller that has appeared in the town square. The fortune teller forsees an elephant will lead Peter to his sister, whom he has long thought dead - but Peter immediately feels the truth of the woman's statement and his faith and hope that his sister is alive and will be reunited with him cannot be deterred.

Its a short novel. Peter is determined to find his sister and elephant. Peter wants the Magician to return the elephant from it came from. does he find his sister? Can he get the Magician to return to elephant to her home?

First Light written by Rebecca Stead

Peter is thrilled to join his parents on an expedition to Greenland, where his Dad will be studying global warming. Peter will get to skip school, drive a dog sled, and share in his dad's adventures. But Peter is having visions that both frighten and interest him. Peter and his mom suffer from terrible headaches.

Thea has never seen the sun. Her people have retreated to a secret world they've built deep inside the Arctic ice. Thea dreams of a path to Earth's surface, Peter searches for answers brings him to Thea's hidden home.

What is the first light?

A Virginia Readers Choice selection

Lawn Boy written by Gary Paulsen

I loved this book. It had me smiling and laughing. All he wanted to do was make enough money to purchase a new tire for his bicycle. Instead he made enough money to purchase a brand new 10 speed bicycle. One of his clients didn't have the money to pay for the lawn care, the client was a stockbroker, Arnold, he invested his payment into stocks. The more money he made cutting lawns the more money was invested. He owned a lawn care business with employees, stocks and a prize fighter. This is a great story for starting up your own business. Told in the first person 'I'.

This is a fun book, read and enjoy it. The parts of the book are on google books, read it online!

A Virginia Readers Choice selection

The Night Tourist written by Katherine Marsh

Jack spends alot of his time alone with books. He has a near fatal accident that changes Jack's life forever. Jack's dad sends him to NYC. to see a mysterious doctor. Jack hasn't been to NYC since his mother's accident. After seeing the doctor he is at Grand Central Terminal, he meets Euri. Euri offers to show him the stations secret hidden places. Jack with Euri's guidance stumbles upon NYC's ghostly underworld. Jack wants to find his Mom or has she moved on. What is the real reason for Euri for showing Jack the underworld? Jack's Mom has an * next to her name what does that mean? How can Jack help is Mom move on? Does Jack make it back to the real world before 3 nights has passed?

This book is the 2008 winner for Edgar Award for Best Juvenile Mystery. I liked the book, enjoyed the mystery. I didn't figure out the ending until I got to the end. Enjoy the book.

The sequel to this book is The Twilight Prisoner, look for it at the bookstore.

Make Lemonade Trilogy- Virginia Wolff

Make Lemonade is the first book in the trilogy, I read the book a couple of years. When I finish True Believer, I will add my comments about Make Lemonade.

I haven't finished True Believer but I did find Make Lemonade in the library. The main character in the book is LaVaughn, she needs a part time job to help earn money for college. Jolly needed a babysitter. Someone she could trust with 2 kids while she worked the evening shift. LaVaughn is 14 just 3 years younger then Jolly. Jolly didn't have a husband or a mom or dad. Jolly has LaVaughn; she gives love to Jolly and the 2 kids because there isn't anyone else. This a book about Jolly who tries to attend high school and work at night to support her little family. Make Lemonade is written in free verse.

Make Lemonade, yes lemons are sour so can life be sour but add a little love and sugar and you have lemonade. Enjoy the first book in the trilogy. Click on the book cover read the book on google books.

The 2nd book in the trilogy is True Believer, I am reading this book at the moment. I'll return when I have finished reading the book. I have finished True Believer.

LaVaughn is 15, she faces obstacles that aren't going away. She has a fight with her best friends, her mom is distracted by a man, the boy she loves isn't in love with her, and she is reminded school could slip away from her easily.

The 3rd book in the trilogy is This Full House.

This Full House and was it a full house in the end. LaVaughn struggles through her last year of high school. She continues with her sciences studies. Her dream to be fulfilled, to go to college. She babysits for Jolly, goes to high school, works the laundry at the Children's hospital and attends WIMS. How does she keep up the pace? Its to fulfill her dream. Along the way she notices that Jolly and Dr. Moore have similar attributes. LaVaughn is studying DNA in her WIMS classes, she gathers hair from Jolly and Dr. Moore, why? Does Jolly complete her classes? Did Jolly and LaVaughn reach their goals? Read This Full House to find out.

This completes the trilogy of Make Lemonade.

The Emancipation Proclamation Abolishing Slavery in the South written by James Tackach

I am teaching Summer School,this summer. Yes the library is open for students to check out books and do research and of course use the computers. The U S History teacher asked if I could pull books on the Civil War. I did pull books for his class, and i came across this book. I love history. I live in a region of the USA rich in history, from the very beginnings of the Jamestown Settlement to the present. Virginia is probably the one state in the USA that has seen this great country become a country independent of Britain and then saw the country torn apart by slavery and reunited as one.

I'll be back when I finish reading the book, it is a non fiction book. Its okay to read non fiction for pleasure especially if it is a interest to your.

I have finished reading about Lincoln and the emancipation proclamation. It was quite interesting, I love American History but when I was in high school,I must have been in another time zone. I found this book on the shelf in the library. I am glad I took the time to read it, it is important to know and understand history, even after all these years. Reading this book I think I can understand why the president admires Lincoln.

London Calling written by Edward Bloor

I like reading historical novels. I have read many historical novels written about the civil war, some about the revolutionary war but very few about WWII. I read this novel in a few hours. The story line moved along quickly even though the story itself occurred in about a year and half. Martin is given a old radio from his grandmother's estate. He begins listening to the radio but the radio transports Martin to London 1940. In London 1940 Martin meets Jimmy. Jimmy asks Martin is he ready to help? Martin not having any idea how he was to help until one day, 291240.

You will need to read London Calling, to find out how Martin (Johnny) helped Jimmy. Enjoy the book, I did.

A Virginia Readers Choice selection

Monster written by Walter Dean Myers

I was curious about this book because it was brought up at a meeting that a parent had a problem with the book. I had to read it to find out what the concern was over the book. The book was published in 1999, it wasn't a newly published book.

Monster is about a young black teenager (16 yr old) named Steve. He is accused of participating in a 'get over' (a robbery of a drug store). Was Steve at the drugstore? Why did so many witnesses accuse him of participating in the robbery? Was Steve at the wrong place at the wrong time?

I liked the book, it had me scared for Steve? I can't imagine what it is like to be in a jail cell. I know from reading this book I don't want to be in a jail cell.

pg. 205 "I wish Jerry were here. Not in jail, but somehow with me. What would I say to him? Think about all the tomorrows of your life. Yes, that's what I would say. Think about all the tomorrows of your life.

When the lights went out, i think I heard someone crying in the darkness."

Jerry is Steve's younger brother.

Absolutely, Positively NOT... written by David Larochelle

I read this book during the school year. I did a subject search and found this book. I was intrigued by the title so I read the book. This book is full of laughter, smiles and all boy stuff. Steven is a high school student trying to find himself, making certain that he fits in some where. Steven I feel feels good about himself. One of those guys that a friend to everyone, the all around kind of guy.

This book made me smile and laugh from cover to cover. It is a quick read, I finished the book but I wanted the book to continue on to another chapter or more. The author says:" ... is a riotuously funny look at the life of a regular boy who's finding out what it takes to be a real man."

What was the subject search? gay/ homosexuality

What My Mother Doesn't Know written by Sonya Sones

I finally got to read this book What My Mother Doesn't Know. This book is written in free verse. This book is Sophie's story. Sophie has a couple of boyfriends but after the first kiss the boyfriends don't electrify her the way she thinks a boyfriend should or, set her toes tingling. Until the Halloween Dance. A masked stranger dances with her. Sophie feels this attraction to him, all she really notices are his forearms. She spends the next days and weeks looking for those forearms! It's Christmas,her closest friends are away for the holidays. She takes her own little vacation. Sophie visits the museum, and Murphy calls to her. Sophie and Murphy do a little sketching together. Can Murphy be her new boyfriend? Will her friends like Murphy? What will happen if Sophie's friends don't like Murphy? Is Murphy the masked stranger from the Halloween dance?

pg. 47

It's That Time Of The Month Again

"I wore my brand new white satin panties to school today.

So, naturally, I got my period.

When Rachel gets hers, she calls it riding the cotton pony, Grace calls it surfing the crimson wave.

But I prefer to think of it as rebooting my ovarian operating system."

House of Night Series written by P C Cast and Kristin Cast

Marked, Betrayed, Chosen, Untamed and Hunted

I have read series with alot of interest. I picked up this series while waiting for another series to move along. This is an intriguing series. The House of Night is accepted or at least is tolerated by the citizens of Tulsa. The students are admitted into the House of Night once they are marked as a fledgling vampyre. Zoey Redbird tells the story of her entering the House of Night. Zoey is not the average fledgling, she has been chosen as special by the vampyre Goddess Nyx. The best I can do is suggest you begin reading Marked; follow Zoey through her new life (changes) in the House of Night.
I have really enjoyed reading this series so far. This series is what we think vampires are like; sleeping by day attending classes at night. The kids have young adult situations; love and hate, self conflicts and acceptance. They can die then become undead. Begin by reading Marked, then follow up with the next 4; follow Zoey and her circle of friends.

Miss Spitfire; reaching Helen Keller written by Sarah Miller

Who is Miss Spitfire, Helen or Annie? This is a retelling of Helen Keller's life with Annie Sullivan the teacher. If you have seen the Miracle Worker with Anne Bancroft and Patty Duke, (1962) then you have read this book. It seemed to me the book mirrors the movie very closely.

another Virginia Readers Choice selection; click on book cover

Book of a Thousand Days written by Shannon Hale

Book of a Thousand Days by Shannon Hale

I had a difficult time reading this book. For me it had a slow start but gradually as I read the book, I enjoyed it more. This is a story about Princess Saren and her mucker maid, Dashti. They are locked up into a tower, the entrance was bricked closed. The 2 girls had no way out of the tower. They had visitors but could only to talk to the visitors through a little flap. This flap allowed them to dump waste water and receive milk. In the end, we find out that the book was a diary kept by Dashti. Why does Dashti want Kahn Tegus to read it? What does Princess Saren know about Khasar? Who marries Kahn Tegus?

This book is based on the fairy tale "Maid Maleen" as recorded by the Grimm Brothers, the author took many liberties with the original in her quest to find Dashti's story.

This is one of 10 books from the Virginia Readers Choice selection; click on book cover.

Keeper written by Mal Peet

Keeper- Mal Peet

I read this book knowing it was about a goal keeper. This isn't a biography. It is about a keeper, at the age of 15 signed to play for a professional team. A keeper for a World Cup team, he learned the game and how to be one of the greatest goal keepers to ever had play the game. But who was the teacher? In the beginning, each day the 'student' would enter the dense jungle to find a soccer field and the 'teacher' waiting for him, to train the student to be a goal keeper. What was the teacher training the student for?

This story is an interview with 'the Gato', the reporter is Paul Faustino. Faustino shows 'the Gato' a picture of a team. Who is the team? Who are the members of the team? Why does the picture take the Gato back to his home town?

You play the game, read about the game, feel the game, learn the game.

This is one of 10 books from the Virginia Readers Choice selection.

The Wednesday Wars written by Gary D. Schmidt

Holling Hoodhood has many things on his mind. The U.S. is at war with Vietnam. His older sister has painted a flower on her face. His father is trying to run the town’s other architect out of business. And Holling’s teacher, Mrs. Baker, hates his guts. You see, every Wednesday after lunch, half of the kids in Holling’s 7th grade class go to the Temple Beth-El for Hebrew School. The other half goes to St. Adelbert’s for Catechism. Holling, the lone Presbyterian, is the only student keeping Mrs. Baker from an afternoon to herself. To avenge her privacy, Mrs. Baker decides to bore Holling to death by reading Shakespeare with him, but the joke’s on her- Holling actually likes Shakespeare! It may help him secure the heart of Meryl Lee Kowalski, get Doug Swieteck’s older brother off his back, and run faster with the cross country team. Or, it may help him right into a pair of yellow tights with feathers on the behind. But maybe, just maybe, it will help him tell his father how he feels.

This laugh-out-loud novel from Gary Schmidt (author of Newbery Honor book Lizzie Bright and the Buckminster Boy) will reel in readers with Holling’s wry yet innocent narration. Schmidt, a professor of English, grew up in Long Island just like Holling.

This book is one of 10 from the Virginia Readers Choice selection.

What My Girlfriend Doesn't Know written by Sonya Sones

I just finished reading this book. It is written in free verse. I enjoy reading novels written in free verse. They tend to read quick.

This book is a boys book. It is a sequel to What My Mother Doesnt Know. In My Girlfriend..., Robin is telling the story about getting a girlfriend, the moves he wants to make on her but doesn't get to second base, the ups and downs of the relationship he has with Sophie, dealing with obnoxious boys at his high school, and being able to audit an Art class at Harvard. There are laughs throughout the book. Enjoy the book.

Now for me to read What My Mother Doesn't Know

The Black Book of Secrets written by F E Higgins

Ludlow arrives in a remote village, he is running away from the city. Ludlow can read and write. Joe Zabbidou is a pawnbroker, he hires Ludlow to work in his shop. Joe is a special kind of pawnbroker. He is a pawnbroker of secrets. The villagers of Pagus Parvus have worrisome thoughts but who will listen to their secrects? What kind of book is the Black Book? Why won't Joe permit anyone to hold Saluki? How does Mr. Ratchet die?

Read The Black Book of Secrets to find the answers and learn more about Ludlow.

This book is one of 10 from the Virginia Readers Choice selection

Digital Fortress written by Dan Brown

"without wax" that is the secret code David keeps from his soon to be wife, Susan Fletcher. The code is for her to solve, break the codes is her business, what does 'without wax' mean, is it a code for something else?

NSA is being held hostage by a code so complex that if released it would cripple US intelligence. Transltr is the NSA's 'invincible' code breaking machine. It encounters a mysterious code, it cannot break, the agency calls in its head cryptographer, Susan Fletcher. Is the code a virus or a worm? What is the prime number, can it be the key code to stop the virus or worm?

P. 521 Renaissance, Spanish sculptors who made mistakes while carving marble often patched their flaws with cera- "wax". Now how does knowing that bit of information solve the code???

Savvy written by Ingrid Law

What if your Grandpa moves mountains, One of your brothers causes hurricanes, another creates electricity, and now it's your turn?


Mibs is about to become a teenager. Thirteen is when a Beaumont's savvy strikes, when one brother can create electricity and another cause hurricanes, it promises to be outrageous and positively thrilling.

Poppa is in an auto accident and all Mibs wants is a savvy to save Poppa. Mibs sneaks a ride to the hospital on a rickety bus with her siblings and preacher's kids in tow. After an extraordinary adventure, not a soul will be the same.

This is one of 10 from the Virginia Readers Choice selection.

one of those hideous books where the mother dies written by Sonya Sones

Her name is Ruby, this book is about her. It tells the deeply hideous story of what happens when her mother dies and she is dragged 3000 miles away from her boyfriend, Ray, to live in L.A. with her father, who she has never met because he divorced my mom before she was born.

The only way I've ever even seen him is in the movies, since he's this mega-star who's been way too busy trying to win Oscars to even visit Ruby once in fifteen years.

Everyone loves her father, Everyone but Ruby!

This book is written in free verse, quick and easy read.

Stargirl written by Jerry Spinelli

From the day Stargirl arrives at quiet Mica High School, the hallways hum with the name Stargirl. She captures Leo Borlock's heart with just one smile. She sparks a school spirit revolution with one cheer. The students of Mica High School are enchanted, at first. Then they turn on her. Stargirl is suddenly shunned for everything that makes her different, and Leo, panicked and desperate with love, urges her to become the very thing that can destroy her: normal.

Almost Forever written by Maria Testa

This simple narrative about a father who goes to war in Vietnam unfolds in spare free verse. Although he reassures his family that a year will pass quickly, and that by the time he returns she will be seven and in the second grade, the girl thinks: "I did not tell Daddy that he was wrong- that second grade was half a hallway and a whole world away from first, -and that one year was forever." The daily rituals hold the mother and her children together: walking to the post office, watching Roger Mudd on the news, nightly prayers. There is tension in the novel when the father's letters stop, but the celebration at the end as he steps off the plane will have readers rejoicing,

This book is written in free verse. A quick read and enjoyable.

Midnight For Charlie Bone written by Jenny Nimmo

Book 1 in the Charlie Bone series

Charlie can hear the thoughts of people in photographs. His horrible aunts are delighted, it means that he is one of the chosen and must attend the Bloor's Academy for gifted children. Once Charlie is at the academy he realizes that some of his other class mates have equal mysterious powers. Charlie quickly finds life at Bloor's pretty tough, with its strict rules and the malevolent head boy, Manfred, set against him. When Charlie discovers that the child in the photograph is being held, hypnotised, against her will, he and his new friends with 'gifts' try to awaken her. But can they overcome Manfred's sinister hypnotic gifts?

(similar to the Harry Potter series, give it a try. I at least read this book, I haven't read any of the Harry Potter books)

Under A War-Torn Sky written by Laura M. Elliott

Laura Elliott will be visiting my school in September. Under a War-Torn Sky has Henry a pilot in the US Air Force is shot down behind enemy lines. Henry finds himself struggling to get to freedom. He is left to rely on the kindness and cunning of members of the French Resistance to reach the next town alive.Each day brings him nearer to home and closer to danger. Henry realizes the peril that surrounds all of the French people who risk death to protect him.
This book brings to life the terror of being behind enemy lines. Its a good read but what happened to Pierre and his mother? There is a sequel due out in September.

Extras by Scott Westerfeld

Fame is what Extras is all about. It's a few years after rebel Tally Youngblood took down the uglies/pretties/specials regime. Without those strict roles and rules, the world is in a complete cultural renaissance. 'Tech heads' flaunt their latest gadgets, 'kickers' spread gossip and trends, and 'surge monkeys' are hooked on extreme plastic surgery. The world is like a gigantic game of 'American Idol', whoever is getting the most buzz gets the most votes, popularity rules.

As if being 15 doesn't suck enough, Aya Fuse's rank of 451,368 is so low, she's a total nobody. An extra. Her only chance to escape extra-land is to find a big story to kick- something wild and unexpected.

Then Aya meeys a clique of girls who pull crazy tricks, yet are deeply secretive of it. But the Sly Girls are hiding something bigger, an explosive discovery that may change the face of the brave new world forever. If Aya kicks this story, she'll be propelled into the world of fame , celebrity and extreme danger. Is the world ready for this extra?

Do you know this poem?

Vampire Kisses- Ellen Schreiber

I was given a chance to attend a author visit sponsored by the public library at a local high school. Ellen was great. She told the students how she began writing, developed her characters, and how the book covers were created. Vampire Kisses is a series.and the first book in the series. I do believe Ellen is up to her 7th book in the series. Look for her in your school library or book store.

SPECIALS by Scott Westerfeld

This is the 3rd book in the UGLIES trilogy. Tally and Shay are more then a SPECIAL they are Cutters, their mission is to find the New Smoke and Tally wants to take Zane to get help to make him better possibly become a Cutter. Tally is a fighting machine, but there is a corner of her heart that remembers something more, is it Zane (he said he loved her), David, or Peris?. She has a mission to get rid of the rebels of the New Smoke once and for all. Special Circumstances is led to the New Smoke City, they think it was this new city that caused the armory to 'melt' down. Tally knows the truth she wants to get back home to explain and stop the war. She tries to tell the truth to Dr, Cable but she knew the truth. Tally sticks her with the ring to change her. Tally escapes from Special Circumstances leaves the city to find herself. David is waiting they leave together in search of???

You do need to read the trilogy in order. I did read PRETTIES and now I am reading EXTRAS. Follow Tally through the trilogy, read as she changes, hoping the changes creates a better place for her.

Uglies- Scott Westerfeld

Let me say I am a middle school librarian. I read alot, and I do mean alot. I have read so many books lately because that is the only way I can help a student find a book they would want to read. I can't recommend a book that I haven't read but read only the reviews from a magazine or a book selling web site.

I have just completed reading Uglies. I didn't want to read it because it is categorized as a science fiction, but so many of my students are reading it. At first I thought it would be a girls only book but I think I could recommend this book to guys as well. It may begin as a story with only girls as the characters but it does bring guys into the story. It is a sci-fi but not a Star Wars sci-fi.

So the uglies are told they are ugly and to become 'pretty' they need to wait for their 16th birthday. On their 16th birthday they are made 'pretty'. But what happens when you don't want to be a 'pretty'. This 1st book in the series has you following Tally and Shay as they develop their friendship and make decisions about being 'pretty' or not. Learn what the Smoke community is and the town of Rusties. Becoming Pretty means what? Is it just a change of facial features or is there more to the operation?

Its a good read, paced nicely, you can put the book down and pick it up easily, try it, I have learned to like this sci-fi book. I knew I was going to finish the book over the weekend and brought home 'Pretties' to keep up with Tally and Shay.

The Doll People

The Doll People- Ann Martin and Laura Godwin
Illustrated by Brian Selznick

The family living in the doll house comes alive when the Palmer’s are gone for the day or sleeping at night. They have a cat named Captain that they need to watch out for because he loves to ‘play’ with Doll family. Annabelle is bored because she can only be in the doll house. Annabelle explores the doll house only to find Aunt Sarah’s journal. In the journal Annabelle reads of the adventures Sarah has taken. Sarah’s adventures take her away from the doll house. But Sarah has been missing for 45 years and now Annabelle has a mission to find Aunt Sarah and bring her home.
Kate is 8 years old and plays with the Doll family in their doll house. Kate has a sister that loves to terrorize the Doll Family by bringing over the Rancher Family. Nora has the Doll family riding horses and cows throughout the doll house. Soon it is Nora’s birthday. Nora gets a doll house and family of her own. Soon the Funcraft family comes to visit the Doll Family. Tiffany Funcraft and Annabelle become friends. Annabelle shares Aunt Sarah’s journal with Tiffany. The 2 girls plan a mission to rescue Aunt Sarah and bring her home. But some one has been adding to Aunt Sarah’s journal. Who? The added entries into the journal give Annabelle and Tiffany a clue to look in the attic. The girls climb up into the attic where they find Aunt Sarah with her dress stuck under the truck. The next night the girls return bringing the families back to help get Sarah’s dress out from underneath the trunk. But how do they get Aunt Sarah back to the doll house?

Red Kayak

Red Kayak- Priscilla Cummings

Brady, JT, and Digger are 14-year old boys who have grown up together in a small town surrounded by extended family. They’ve enjoyed a lot of fishing and swimming in the local creek. When Diggers grandfather gets sick and sells his house on the water to move into a nursing home, the boys continue to use the properties dock and swimming hole. The new owner, Mr. DiAngelo, is not thrilled about their being there and runs them off. Soon after, the Mrs. DiAngelo and her son have a kayaking accident. Were the boys the cause of the accident? Read this captivating tale of old-fashioned values such as hard-work, respect, and doing the right thing to find out what happens to the friendships when a line is crossed.

Books

This is a blog about books. Books that I have read and I will add a summary or review. I am a teacher/ Librarian and my one main job is to continually encourage students to read. I love to read. I read books during the school year that my students would read so that I could book talk those books to my students. I want my students to read for pleasure, to 'take an adventure without a passport' and because reading should be a life long pleasure. Reading a book is free just by visiting your school library or your public library. I love historical fiction, romance, fantasy and realistic fiction. But that doesn't limit my reading, tell me about a book and I will give it a try.

I will try to enter a new book title each week with a summary or review. Its your job to make a comment agree or disagree.

The Silver Kiss- Annette Curtis Klause
Zoe is wary when, in the dead of night the eerily handsome yet frightening Simon comes to her house. Simon seems to understand the pain of loneliness and death and Zoe’s brooding thoughts of her dying mother.
Simon knows death all too well. He is one of the undead, a vampire, and seeking revenge for the gruesome murder of his mother 3 hundred years ago. Does Simon dare ask Zoe to help free him from this lifeless chase and its intolerable solitude? Zoe must let her heart guide her through a tangle of fear and pain and desire so that she can see Simon for who he truly is, and understand that their lives could change forever. (I read this book before I read any of the Twilight series books)