New Books Coming Soon!

After a busy spring semester and summer vacation, I'm ready to start blogging again. New books coming soon...

TWILIGHT by Stephenie Meyer

Bella Swan has moved to the rainy town of Forks, Washington to live with her father. She is fascinated by handsome Edward Cullen and his family. As Bella begins to develop romantic feelings for Edward, his hot and cold response often confuses and troubles her. Then on a weekend excursion to the forest, Bella meets Jacob, a Native American boy who tells her about the stories his grandfather tells, about the Cullen family being a group of vampires. As Bella reveals what she knows to Edward, the two become even closer. Although Edward is a “good” vampire, feeding only on animal blood, eventually Bella’s life is endangered when another vampire decides he wants to kill her. It is up to Edward to save Bella’s life.

I had been hoping to be able to read this series for a couple of years, and with the movie coming out in November, I finally had to see what all the fuss was about. For a 500-page book, I was amazed by what a quick read this is. I never thought I would be a fan of a vampire book, but after all, it is primarily a love story. I am looking forward to tackling the rest of the series.

PROM by Laurie Halse Anderson

Ashley is not your typical prom-obsessed high school student. She is more concerned with how she will manage to make up all of her assigned detentions before graduation. Her next door neighbor and best friend Nat, on the other hand, is completely obsessed with prom planning. When the prom sponsor steals the funds, Ashley finds herself in the unlikely spot of helping her friends plan the prom in a matter of days. Eventually everything comes together, and Ashley attends the prom and has a much better time than expected.

My favorite thing about this book is Ashley’s relationship with her family. Since the story is written in first person and Ashley is known to exaggerate, I first thought that her family was going to be rather dysfunctional. As I read about her interactions with her parents and brothers, I realized that they were just a regular working class family. Laurie Halse Anderson does an excellent job of demonstrating their love for one another through their actions rather than just their words. Although I did not enjoy it as much as Speak, Prom was a funny and entertaining read.

BEASTLY by Alex Flinn

Kyle Kingsbury is a handsome, spoiled, and pompous young teenager who always gets what he wants. He is concerned only with the superficial, never giving a thought to what lies beneath the surface. This all changes when he meets Kendra, a rather unattractive girl who criticizes Kyle’s inconsiderate behavior. It turns out that Kendra is a witch, and she casts a spell to turn Kyle into a beast. The only way the spell can be broken is for Kyle to fall in love and receive a kiss from his beloved. When nothing can be done to reverse the spell, Kyle’s father moves him to a large, secluded house, leaving only the housekeeper and a tutor to keep him company. Kyle begins to care for the rosebushes that surround his home, and when a man breaks in and tries to steal them, Kyle (now calling himself Adrian) becomes so enraged that he spares the man’s life on the condition that he bring his daughter Lindy to live with Adrian. Lindy arrives, and after some time and a dramatic rescue scene at the end of the book, Adrian and Lindy live happily ever after.

This is a twist on the familiar Beauty and the Beast tale. Set in New York City, this modern adaptation opens in a chat room, with BeastNYC conversing with a group of other creatures that have undergone or are considering transformation. Throughout the book, BeastNYC returns to the chat room, where he converses with the Frog Prince, the Little Mermaid and the Bear from the fairy tale “Snow White and Rose Red.” I would recommend this book to students who are fans of fractured and adapted fairy tales.

THE MURDER OF BINDY MACKENZIE by Jaclyn Moriarty

Bindy Mackenzie is the smartest girl at Ashbury High. Just ask her. She makes the highest marks in all of her courses, is active in the debate program, and even facilitates meetings with troubled teens. A new course called F.A.D. is the bane of Bindy’s existence. She does not get along well with the other group members, and she is convinced that they do not like her and are out to get her. As the year progresses, Bindy begins to feel sick and unable to stay focused. Little does she know that someone is indeed out to get her, but it is not the people she suspects, It is now up to the F.A.D. group to save Bindy Mackenzie’s life!

I loved this book! Many young readers will be intrigued by the Australian setting. It is also important to note that the entire story is told through Bindy’s diary entries, memos, transcripts, and other correspondence. Although the “murder” storyline which comes in at the end was a little bizarre, I really appreciated the overarching message of the entire book, about honesty, being true to oneself, and being willing to open up to others. Having recently gone through a divorce, I have been grappling with many of these issues myself. The book really resonated with me. I want to read more by Jaclyn Moriarty!

THE MURDER OF BINDY MACKENZIE by Jaclyn Moriarty

Bindy Mackenzie is the smartest girl at Ashbury High. Just ask her. She makes the highest marks in all of her courses, is active in the debate program, and even facilitates meetings with troubled teens. A new course called F.A.D. is the bane of Bindy’s existence. She does not get along well with the other group members, and she is convinced that they do not like her and are out to get her. As the year progresses, Bindy begins to feel sick and unable to stay focused. Little does she know that someone is indeed out to get her, but it is not the people she suspects, It is now up to the F.A.D. group to save Bindy Mackenzie’s life!

I loved this book! Many young readers will be intrigued by the Australian setting. It is also important to note that the entire story is told through Bindy’s diary entries, memos, transcripts, and other correspondence. Although the “murder” storyline which comes in at the end was a little bizarre, I really appreciated the overarching message of the entire book, about honesty, being true to oneself, and being willing to open up to others. Having recently grappled with many of these issues myself, the book really resonated with me. I want to read more by Jaclyn Moriarty!

DARK WATER RISING by Marian Hale

Seventeen-year-old Seth and his family have just moved to Galveston, and Seth is generally frustrated with life and his parents’ expectations for him. He is tired of looking after his little sister and has no interest in his father’s plans for him to attend college. Things begin looking up when he finds a job he really enjoys, working as a carpenter’s helper. When the famous 1900 hurricane hits, Seth must be strong as his world is turned upside down and he grapples with feelings of loss, surrounded by death and destruction in the aftermath of the storm. By the end of the story, having developed a stronger sense of self, Seth is finally able to tell his father his true feelings about what he wants to do with his life.

Since Hurricane Katrina, there has been an increased interest in hurricanes and the havoc they wreak. The small community where I work has been impacted by hurricane twice in the past three years. While talking to community members about the storms, there always seems to be a fascination with what it would be like to stay behind and witness the storm firsthand. Marian Hale provides a glimpse of what that might be like, and it will likely make anyone think twice about staying behind.

KETURAH AND LORD DEATH by Martine Leavitt

Keturah is the storyteller of her village, entertaining her friends with her fantastical tales. One day she follows the fabled hart into the forest and loses her way. After going in circles for several days, Keturah accepts that death is near. When she meets Lord Death, she tries to buy some more time by telling him a story of true love. He agrees to let her return to her village, on the condition that she find true love by the end of the day. When this does not happen, she returns to Lord Death, who is enchanted by her beauty and storytelling ability, and continues to allow her to return to the village to help her friends. Finally Keturah realizes that Death has been with her since she was a small child, and she returns to the forest to be his bride.

When I first picked up this book and began to read, I did not think I would like it, since fantasy is not usually my thing. However, Keturah’s love for her village and her unfolding discovery of her love for Lord Death are what really make this a powerful tale. As we follow Keturah’s progress, we find ourselves rooting for her, but for Lord Death as well, as we see his softer, more humane side emerge when Keturah is near. This is a very unique book, and I highly recommend it.

WHAT HAPPENED TO CASS MCBRIDE? by Gail Giles

Cass McBride is one of those "perfect" popular girls who has everything going for her, until one day she makes the mistake of picking on the wrong guy. When David Kirby asks Cass out, she turns him down politely enough, but turns around and writes a note to a friend making fun of him. When David hangs himself, and his brother Kyle reads the note Cass wrote, he blames Cass for David's death. Kyle drugs and kidnaps Cass, burying her alive and torturing her for days. As the story unfolds, we learn more about why Kyle and Cass each behave the way they do, as well as the real reason for David's suicide.

This book is suspenseful from beginning to end, told from alternating points of view including tht of Cass, Kyle, and Ben, the detective investigating the kidnapping case. Particularly impressive is the way that Cass attempts to manipulate Kyle as he continues to come back and "confess" to her. At times, the captive seems more powerful than her captor. Although the content is disturbing, the fast pace and psychological drama will keep reluctant readers interested.

THE WALL: GROWING UP BEHIND THE IRON CURTAIN by Peter Sis

In this autobiography, Peter Sis reveals what it was like growing up and living in Communist Czechoslovakia during the 1960s, 70s, and 80s. Having loved to draw from an early age, Sis was forced to keep his drawings hidden so that he and his family would not get in trouble with the government. Sis grew to love music, including the Beatles, the Rolling Stones, and the Beach Boys. Eventually he immigrated to the United States. Now, when he travels back to Czechoslovakia with his family, it is hard for them to imagine how different things were during the years Sis was growing up.

This is a brief, but informative overview of what life was like growing up in a Communist country before the Berlin Wall came down. The illustrations were interesting, done in black, white, and red to indicate the Communist presence. Sis used a variety of bright colors to illustrate Western influences. I found this book easy to relate to because it was written in the autobiographical style. Excerpts from the author’s journal help to further convey what life was like for the author and his family during those dark and challenging times.

CROSSING BOK CHITTO: A CHOCTAW TALE OF FRIENDSHIP & FREEDOM by Tim Tingle

In this Choctaw tale, Martha Tom, a young Choctaw girl, ventured across Bok Chitto, the river that separated Choctaw land from slave country, to pick blackberries. She used the concealed stone path that only the Choctaw people knew about. On the other side, she happens upon a slave church service, where she meets a young boy named Little Mo, who guides her back to the river. One night Little Mo learns that his mother is going to be sold to another plantation owner. With the help of the Choctaws, he leads his family to freedom.

Based on stories told to the author on a trip to Bok Chitto, this tale uniquely captures the spirit of Choctaw Indian life and honors their customs. This is an interesting and enlightening multicultural tale of kindness and friendship. I would enjoy sharing this story with my elementary students.

COMETS, STARS, THE MOON, AND MARS by Douglas Florian

This informative book of poetry provides information about the planets, the moon, comets, galaxies, constellations and other bodies in the night sky. Starting with three poems about the universe, the galaxy, and the solar system, respectively, the author then goes on to provide a poem for each planet, from Mercury nearest the sun to Pluto, now a dwarf planet. Poems are also provided for comets, constellations, and black holes.

I enjoyed the poems in this book, which were much more kid-friendly than long, detailed paragraphs about the different space objects. I particularly liked the one about Pluto, which “was admired…but one day it got fired.” This is a fun way to help kids remember the identifying characteristics of each celestial body

MARVELOUS MATTIE: HOW MARGARET E. KNIGHT BECAME AN INVENTOR by Emily Arnold McCully

As a child, Mattie Knight loved to design and invent things for her family, including kites for her older brothers. When Mattie was eleven, her mother moved the family to Manchester, New Hampshire to work at the textile mills. While in New Hampshire, Mattie invented a safety device for the textile machine. When she was grown, Mattie invented a machine to make a square-bottomed paper bag. When a man tried to steal her plans, Mattie had to fight to prove that the design was hers. Paper bags like the ones she helped create remain in use today.

This was a short, interesting biography written in a narrative format. As a librarian, I am always looking for good biographies about women. This one, in particular, is good, because many teachers often plan units on inventors and inventions. An author’s note at the end would also prove useful for classroom research, with additional dates and facts about the life of Margaret E. Knight.

WHAT YOU NEVER KNEW ABOUT BEDS, BEDROOMS, & PAJAMAS by Patricia Lauber

True to its title, this Texas Bluebonnet Award nominee provides all sorts of little known facts about beds, bedrooms, and pajamas, following their development from the Stone Age to present day. Interspersed with humorous conversation portrayed through comic bubbles in the illustrations, children will learn new facts and be entertained by this creative work. The homes of the wealthy, the poor, and the emerging middle class are described and illustrated in detail.

I was a big fan of the colorful illustrations. I am not usually a big fan of trivia books, but I liked the fact that this one focused on a specific theme. This made it possible for the bed and bedroom trivia to be discussed in more depth, from a historical standpoint.

ONE POTATO, TWO POTATO by Cynthia DeFelice

Mr. and Mrs. O’Grady live alone. Although they are very poor, they share what they have with one another, and are quite happy. The only thing missing from each of their lives is a friend. One day while digging up the one potato that they will eat for the day, Mr. O’Grady finds a pot. When he takes it in to show Mrs. O’Grady, the two discover that the pot creates an identical copy of anything that is placed inside—but when Mrs. O’Grady accidentally stumbles into the pot, the elderly couple must find a creative way to solve their unusual problem.

I really enjoyed this folktale, which was new to me. Mr. and Mrs. O’Grady are good people, and even when they find a way that they could become rich, they only make what they need and do not take advantage of the situation. They end up being rewarded well with good friends.

THE CAT: OR, HOW I LOST ETERNITY by Jutta Richter

As she walks to school each morning, eight-year-old Christine meets an old white cat. The cat strikes up a conversation with her on each occasion, making Christine late for school. Christine is reprimanded for her tardiness and assigned lines as punishment, but at the cat’s urging, she does not complete them exactly as assigned. Over time, Christine becomes increasingly aware of the cat’s self-centeredness, and decides that she will not speak to her anymore.

This book was a little bit deep for me. I read it to myself, then had other members of my family read it to see what it meant to them. None of us were entirely sure about the whole “how I lost eternity” concept. The cat seems critical of the teachings of the church, but then Christine rejects the cat. So I will admit to being stumped on this one. Maybe I should have an eight-year-old read it and tell me what it means. ☺

THE ARRIVAL by Shaun Tan

In this wordless graphic novel intended for older students, a man leaves his family to travel to a new country. The things that he sees are all strange to him, and will be unrecognizable to the reader as well. Peculiar animals and a made-up language all help the reader to understand through pictures how it must feel to be an immigrant stepping into a new country for the first time. Eventually, the mother and child travel to the new country to join the father, and at the end the daughter is shown giving directions to a new immigrant.

Graphic novels and wordless picture books are usually not my favorite, but I appreciate this book for the way it gave me an idea of what it must feel like to be a stranger in a new country. Although this might at first appear to be a picture book, most elementary students probably will not “get” it. For that reason, this book should be shelved in a section that will provide access for older students.

NOTES FROM THE MIDNIGHT DRIVER by Jordan Sonnenblick

When sixteen-year-old Alex Gregory gets drunk and takes off on a ride across town to confront his father about divorcing his mom, he doesn't foresee himself being arrested for drunk driving and lawn gnome decapitation. As a consequence of indiscretion, Alex is assigned one hundred hours of community service at a nursing home with a difficult old emphysema patient named Sol. However, Alex and Sol eventually realize that they have more in common than they had previously believed. In the end, Sol teaches Alex some extremely valuable life lessons, and Alex helps Sol reconnect with and honor his past.

I wasn't sure if I would enjoy this book at first because it seemed like a “guy” book. However, Alex and Sol's humor quickly drew me in. I enjoyed their witty repartee as well as the positive message the book conveys.

SKULDUGGERY PLEASANT by Derek Landy

Stephanie is sad, and even more surprised when her Uncle Gordon dies and leaves her, his favorite niece, his entire estate and fortune. While staying at the house alone one night, a man tries to break in, and Stephanie's life changes forever. Suddenly she finds herself traveling with Detective Skulduggery Pleasant, and trying to solve the mystery of who killed her uncle. Skulduggery's world proves to be more and more bizarre, as Stephanie finds that there is an entire magic world of which she has previously been unaware. Now it is up to her to begin to harness her powers and avenge her uncle's death.

In the tradition of Harry Potter and Leven Thumps, Stephanie, who has always felt a bit out of place, finds herself in a magical world she never knew existed. Although this book is lengthy (nearly 400 pages), it is a quick read. Although I have always claimed not to be a fan of fantasy novels, more and more I am having to eat my words.

YOUR OWN, SYLVIA: A VERSE PORTRAIT OF SYLVIA PLATH

In this unique verse novel, Stephanie Hemphill pieces together biographical information about Sylvia Plath to chronicle Plath’s life from birth to adulthood. Most of the poems are written from the standpoint of someone who knew Plath personally. In a few instances, Hemphill has written a poem in the style of one of Plath’s own works, doing her best to convey what might have been going through Plath’s mind at this particular time in her life.

I wasn’t sure how I would feel about this novel, already knowing of Plath’s untimely end. I also wasn’t sure if I would enjoy the verse format. However, the verse was not tedious, and each little vignette accomplished its purpose of moving the story along in an effective way.