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.