A new series about werewolves by Maggie Stifvater

Shiver by Maggie Stiefvater, book 2, Linger, to be released July 1, 2010.

Enjoy the Twilight Series by Stephanie Meyer? Or not.  Either way, this love story by Maggie Steifvater will work its way into your heart and give you goosebumps. 

     Grace was attacked by wolves when she was a little girl, dragged into the woods, and bitten over and over.  But why did she survive and why does she still love the wolves who roam the woods behind her house, especially the gray one with the yellow eyes?  Maybe Grace is a bit strange, maybe she shouldn't try to protect the wolves when a local teen is attacked and murdered by them, but Grace still stands by the wolves and swears their innocence.  When a badly injured boy with yellow eyes is found on her back porch the afternoon the townfolk have gone after the wolves, Grace's life changes forever.  She falls in love with the boy, or maybe she's loved him all along... 

A fun series by Meg Cabot. the Airhead Series

Airhead Series by Meg Cabot: book 1 Airhead, book 2 Being Nikki, book 3 Runaway

The smart, witty, and kind of frumpy Emerson becomes part of a mysterious plot when a enormous plasma flat screen TV falls on her and she is declared brain dead.  This is just the beginning of Emerson's new life as the famous supermodel Nikki Reed, into whose body her perfectly good brain has just been transplanted.  Not only can Em not tell her best friend (and love of her life) that it's really her inside Nikki's body, but she has to pretend to be Nikki with all the good and bad that entails. Em/Nikki uncovers some dangerous details as she lives Nikki's life, makes some new friends, and learns to even like modeling.  Enjoy the fun, excitment, and frustration as Em discovers how to be Nikki.

Full Tilt book trailer

Click here to view the book trailer for Full Tilt




a book trailer about a book by Neal Shusterman.

Neal was at Storybook Garden in Weslaco in March. Before his book signing, I checked out Full Tilt from Mary Hoge Middle School's library (thanks, Cynthia!) and loved it! So I took my daughters to the book signing and even though we didn't stay for very long, we loved hearing an author read his own material. I bought his book, Unwind, and I bought for Eleanor, The Schwa Was Here. We left them behind the counter, and Neal signed both of them for us; I picked them up the next morning. I loved Unwind, even more than Full Tilt, but I haven't read Eleanor's book yet. I think one of his books is being made into a movie, but not sure which one, maybe Everwild.
If you are looking for a new reading material, check out some of Neal's science fiction for young adult books, I think you will enjoy them!

Censored Books

The Earth, My Butt, and Other BIG Round Things by Carolyn Mackler

Bibliographic Information:
Mackler, C. (2003). The Earth, my butt, and other big round things. Cambridge, MA: Candlewick Press.


Summary:
Virginia is a bit over weight, but no one else in her family is. Her mom used to be heavy, but she slimmed down and has kept it off, so she pressures Virginia to do this, too. Virginia likes messing around with Froggy the 4th, but thinks it can never be made public that they are hang out, according to her list: The Fat Girl Code of Conduct. Making other people proud of her has been Virginia's problem for years. After an ugly incident turns the family upside down, Virginia finally decides to do something rebellious and selfish. Taking the first step to being happy leads Virginia to discover that she can live with herself because she likes who she is.

Lead Comments:
This controversial book touches on many issues teens face everyday such as weight problems, parental pressures, self-mutalization, date rape, sexuality, lying, eating disorders, and self-acceptance. Virginia is like a lot of teens who just accept things the way they are, but secretly would love to do something about it. I loved how empowering this book is once Virginia figures out that she can take charge of her life and learns to love herself. Very good book about learning to create your own positive self image.

Reviews:
From School Library Journal: (Excerpt)
Strong points in the novel are the issue of date rape and its consequences and, however glossed over, eating disorders. Told through first-person narrative, journal entries and email , Virginia's story will interest readers who are looking for one more book with teen angst, a bit of romance, and a kid who is a bit like them or their friends. Gail Richmond, San Diego Unified Schools, CA. Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc. (Retrieved December 8, 2009, from Amazon.com)
From Booklist: (Excerpt)
...Mackler writes with such insight and humor (sometimes using strong language to make her point) that many readers will immediately identify with Virginia's longings as well as her fear and loathing. Her gradually evolving ability to stand up to her family is hard won and not always believable, but it provides a hopeful ending for those trying to stand on their own two feet. Ilene Cooper. Copyright American Library Association. All rights reserved. (Retrieved December 8, 2009, from Amazon.com)

Teacher Tools & Library Leads:

This is a great book to be used duing Banned Book Week in the library. Many other banned books discuss the same issues as are brought to light here, however The Earth, My Butt, and Other Big Round Things covers these issues in a lighter tone. Have students read other books on these topics such as Wintergirls, and write an essay comparing the two books.

Virginia was big into writing lists and eventually published one on her school webzine. Read a few of Virginia's lists from the book, then have the students write a list that tells a little about themselves. If they feel like sharing, have a few students read their lists.

Poetry, Story Collections

Poetry, Novel in Verse

Grow: A Novel in Verse by Juanita Havill, illustrated by Stanislawa Kodman

Bibliographic Information:
Havill, J. (2008). Grow: A novel in verse. Atlanta, GA: Peachtree.


Summary:
An eccentric woman befriends a couple misfit kids who help create a garden in downtown Minneapolis, Minnesota. The garden helps bring together the community, but is threatened when the owner dies and his son wants to sell the plot to build a parking garage.


Lead Comments:
The format of the book, verse, makes for easy reading that seems to flow so easily. A quick read, but one that covers many topics familiar with young readers such as weight issues, fitting in, abusive parents, neglect, first love, and acceptance. The characters are easy to relate to and I found myself falling in love with the different and sometimes strange Berneetha. The community comes together to do more than create a beautiful garden, they become friends.

Reviews:

VOYA: (Excerpt)

Twelve-year-old Kate Sibley tells her what-I-did-last-summer story in a series of charming poems that capture the spirit of Berneetha, a larger-than-life adult friend and laid-off special education teacher, who decides to plant a community garden on a vacant urban lot. Kate learns a lot about social action, friendship, self-acceptance, and tolerance, ... Berneetha uses their garden to grow neighborhood unity, cooperation, and kindness among people of various ages, mental abilities, professions, economic means, and attitudes. Reviewer: Lucy Schall April 2008 (Vol. 31, No. 1). (Retrieved December 5, 2009, from BarnesandNoble.com)

Kirkus Reviews: (Excerpt)

With school out and time on her hands, Berneetha, a generous and colorful special-needs educator whose job was just cut, decides to take an unused plot of land and turn it into a community garden. Her enormous and enormously inviting spirit draws people together, including narrator Kate, a 12-year-old who appears to enjoy chocolate cake more than her mother likes, and Harlan, a stray-cat kind of boy. Kodman's pencil illustrations add touches of whimsy and charm to the story, and designate it a work for a young audience. (Retrieved December 5, 2009, from BarnesandNoble.com)

Teacher Tools & Library Leads:

Books in verse seem to resemble free writing where the writer doesn't always need to worry about punctuation and capitalization. Read a few of the "chapters", some that contain good feelings and some that contain sadder feelings, then have the students write freely for 5 minutes about a sad day/event/feeling and for 5 minutes about a happier experience. If they feel comfortable, have a few share their writing. Later the students can modify and edit their writings to create a more formal poem or short story.

Graphic Novels, Series Books

Graphic Novels

The Dodgeball Chronicles (Knights of the Lunch Table Series #1) written and illustrated by Frank Cammuso

Bibliographic Information:
Cammuso, F. (2008). Knights of the lunch table: The dodgeball chronicles. New York: Scholastic, Inc.


Summary:
New to Camelot Middle School, all Artie wants to do is blend in, but instead he angers Principal Dagger, makes trouble with the school's biggest bullies, and opens a locker that no one else can open, all on the first day of school. The names are familiar Arthur, Morgan, Gwendolyn, Percival, even Merlyn, but the story of King Arthur has taken a twist in this graphic novel (comic book style). Artie and his friends must beat the group of bullies known as "The Horde" at their best game, dodgeball, or be suspended from school and lose their favorite teacher, Mr. Merlyn. What are Artie and his buddies going to do?


Lead Comments:
I thought reading a graphic novel would be difficult, but this flows easily and the pictures really enhance this fun twist on a tale of Camelot and King Arthur. The protagonists are likable and the antagonists are detestable! Instead of the sword, Excalibur, their is #001-XCL, a mysterious locker that no one in the whole school can open. Principal Dagger gives it to Artie thinking to cause him trouble, but its mysteries work for Artie not against him. I really enjoyed this comic book style novel and found myself wanting to read the second book in the series!

Reviews:

From School Library Journal: (Excerpt)

Arthurian legend gets an update for young readers in this outstanding graphic novel. During his first day of school at Camelot Middle school, Artie King opens a locker that no one has ever been able to open; gets a pop quiz from his science teacher, Mr. Merlyn; and offends both Principal Dagger and bully Joe Roman. The appealing illustrations are full of color, action, and life.-Beth Gallego, Los Angeles Public Library, North Hollywood. Copyright Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Esevier Inc. All rights reserved. (Retrieved November 29, 2009, from Amazon.com)

From Booklist: (Excerpt)

Kids familiar with King Arthur legends will like the idea of a mysterious locker, seemingly rusted shut, that opens for Artie and the helpful stranger named Merlyn...But kids unfamiliar with Arthur will still like this tongue-in-cheek take of the school rules and games that can dominate a kid's life. ...Cammuso's text is witty and his cartoons energetic; his pictures speak as clearly as his words. --Francisca Goldsmith (Retrieved November 29, 2009, from Amazon.com)

Teacher Tools & Library Leads:

Meant for young readers, this book could be used by teachers of even older students to introduce the legend of King Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table. Great for discussing political rulers and their various styles of ruling. Arthur and his unique style can be researched more fully and other Arthurian books, poems, and even movies can be introduced when teaching this time period.

Biographies

Picture Book
One Beetle Too Many: The Extraordinary Adventures of Charles Darwin by Kathryn Lasky and Illustrated by Matthew Trueman


Bibliographic Information:
Lasky, K. (2009). One beetle too many: The extraordinary adventures of Charles Darwin. Sommerville, MA: Candlewick Press.


Summary:
From a young age, Charles Darwin was interested in collecting specimens of plants, insects, and observing all types of animals. He and his brother enjoyed experimenting with chemicals and caused lots of trouble in doing so. Charles' father, disappointed in Charles' grades at school, forced him to attend college to become a cleric. Charles did not enjoy his studies, but while there he meet a botany professor, John Henslow, who encouraged Charles to continue collecting his specimens. Later, John wrote to Charles to tell him that he had recommended Charles to participate in the British exploratory trip to the southern coasts of South America as their naturalist. It is during this time that Charles would observe, document, and save numerous samples of new and different species of animals and plants that would later become his life's work involving evolution.


Lead Comments:
One Beetle Too Many is a great book to introduce students to the study of evolution without the controversy that usually surrounds such lessons. Even Charles Darwin himself was conflicted by the evidence he collected and his religious beliefs. He was very reluctant to publish his extensive research and findings, knowing they would rock the world as it was perceived to be. Darwin eventually did publish his work under the title, The Origin of Species, as other scientists were coming to the same conclusions as himself. In his book, Darwin discusses natural selection and "survival of the fittest."
I found Darwin's discoveries regarding finches in the Galapagos Islands and their ability to adapt to their specific environments exciting. I also found the discovery of shells on a mountaintop to be interesting. Why these things occurred are what Darwin discusses in his book.


Reviews:

School Library Journal: (Excerpt)

Large and humorous mixed-media illustrations will draw children to this large-format biography. ...Trueman captures Darwin's world and adventures. Throughout, the naturalist appears to be both curious and hapless, a description he might have given himself in his own modest journals. Lasky's text balances the exuberant artwork with well-organized information, gracefully sprinkling in quotes from Darwin's own writing... Although the text is brief, it creates a clear view of a man who was troubled by the implications of his observations and who, at the end of his life, was more interested in experimenting with earthworms and carnivorous plants than in promoting his theory.-Ellen Heath, Easton Area Public Library, Easton, PA. (Retrieved November 20, 2009, from BarnesandNoble.com)

Publishers Weekly:(Excerpt)
Distilling tough concepts into light, conversational prose, Lasky...gives middle-graders a just-right introduction to Charles Darwin. In colorful, cut-to-the-chase language, she highlights Darwin's insatiable curiosity, his failures at school and his voyage aboard the Beagle. The author invites readers to follow Darwin's reasoning and the questions that led up to his theory of evolution. Copyright Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. (Retrieved November 20, 2009, from BarnesandNoble.com)

Teacher Tools & Library Leads:

Biology teachers at any level can use this book to discuss a very controversial topic in a very nonthreatening way. For elementary students, One Beetle Too Many is a fun, historic look back at how science itself was studied and how important the powers of observation can be. For middle and high school students, the book can be used as an introductory lesson to the evolution of species, natural selection and survival of the fittest.

Take students outside on a nice day to observe bugs in the grass, birds in the trees, and the different types of plants. What do they notice? How does the ant survive even though it is so tiny? Why are some birds different colors? Why do some plants survive in this environment and others do not?