tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25097084706471718702024-03-14T04:06:42.251-04:00Amity Middle School Orange Book BlogSchool Library Media Specialist at Amity Middle School Orange posts reviews of young adult titles that she has read and enjoyed.Ms. Kristin Leibrock &; Mrs. Nancy Gosshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05133873332782359419noreply@blogger.comBlogger217125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2509708470647171870.post-87350816209964652372015-05-11T09:58:00.001-04:002015-05-11T09:58:06.935-04:00Shipwreck Island by S.A. Bodeen<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qqC7zzcTG1k/VVCwnYhbyBI/AAAAAAAAI1E/7sM13NTEvlg/s1600/Shipwreck%2BIsland.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qqC7zzcTG1k/VVCwnYhbyBI/AAAAAAAAI1E/7sM13NTEvlg/s1600/Shipwreck%2BIsland.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Sarah is very angry with her father. Her mother has been
dead for six years. It has been just the
two of them- -her father and herself-- against the world. Now he has met and married Yvonna and moved
her two sons Nacho and Marco into their luxurious California home from Texas.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Tears welled up in Sarah’s eyes, and her throat felt thick.
She whirled around striding away from their gate. How could he do that? How
could he trust a <i>virtual stranger</i><u> </u>like
that? She’d read about these kinds of things happening, people meeting people
online, marrying them, then stealing all their money.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Her father and Yvonna decide to change their plans for a
honeymoon to instead include Sarah, Marco, and Nacho. It will be an exotic trip to Fiji. They will sail among the islands and get to
know each other as a family blended together.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
When the ship <i>Moonlight</i>
from <i>Ends of the Earth Luxury Cruises</i>
turns out to be a ship in need of repair, both Marco and Sarah goad her father
and Yvonna to continue with the excursion in the hopes that it will break up
their parents’ month old marriage so their own lives can return to normal.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
No one counted on a terrible sudden storm and the death of
the ship’s captain!<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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Will the family “blend together” under the stress of this
catastrophe? Will they survive Shipwreck Island?<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
Read <i>Shipwreck Island</i><u>
</u>to find out! There will definitely be a sequel to this book!<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
Ms. Kristin Leibrock &; Mrs. Nancy Gosshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05133873332782359419noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2509708470647171870.post-86608852157883069712015-05-05T08:56:00.003-04:002015-05-05T08:56:50.752-04:00Hidden by Helen Frost<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZqKTHj2TwDw/VUeCvUrL7bI/AAAAAAAAI0k/vXHJrGK2eKQ/s1600/Hidden.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZqKTHj2TwDw/VUeCvUrL7bI/AAAAAAAAI0k/vXHJrGK2eKQ/s1600/Hidden.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
When Wren was eight years old, her mother’s car was
stolen. The scary part was that Wren was
in the car but managed to remain hidden!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Days passed as Wren struggled to find a way to escape from the man’s
home and garage where he was hiding the stolen vehicle. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
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Wren didn't realize that people thought she may have been killed by whomever stole the car. No one knew that the perpetrator didn't even know she was in the car!<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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Fast forward six years. . . and the daughter of the man who stole the
car, Darra, is at the same summer camp with Wren. Neither wants to discuss what
happened. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="text-align: center;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="text-align: center;">Read </span><i style="text-align: center;">Hidden</i><u style="text-align: center;"> </u><span style="text-align: center;">to
find out if they can overcome the dramatic event which has linked them
together.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/RkTKNXv94Ag/0.jpg" frameborder="0" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/RkTKNXv94Ag?feature=player_embedded" width="320"></iframe></div>
<br />Ms. Kristin Leibrock &; Mrs. Nancy Gosshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05133873332782359419noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2509708470647171870.post-76420129347583836312015-04-28T11:05:00.001-04:002015-04-28T11:05:25.379-04:00Fish in a Tree by Lynda Mullaly Hunt<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Ydu-an18V34/VT-gTEBRy6I/AAAAAAAAI0M/2-gCMKoVaIo/s1600/Fish%2Bin%2Ba%2BTree.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Ydu-an18V34/VT-gTEBRy6I/AAAAAAAAI0M/2-gCMKoVaIo/s1600/Fish%2Bin%2Ba%2BTree.jpg" height="320" width="211" /></a></div>
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Ally Nickerson has made it to sixth grade but struggles
daily with certain aspects of school-- basically reading and writing.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
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Here is how she describes how she succeeds in school:<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I’ve always
had one important rule in the classroom which is to try to lie low. If I’m called upon, I’ll say, ‘I don’t’ know,’
even if I do. I discovered that giving a
teacher an answer makes them expect more from me, and then everyone gets
disappointed. If they never get an
answer from me, they stop asking.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Ally’s picked on mercilessly by a girl named Shay and her
cohort Jessica. Shay manages to make
Ally feel stupid and dumb.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
When a substitute teacher named Mr. Daniels takes over for
Ally’s teacher while she is on maternity leave, he finds Ally to be
extraordinarily talented in drawing and math.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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Here is the advice Mr. Daniels gives Ally:<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Now don’t be so hard on yourself, okay? You know, a wise
person once said, “Everyone is smart in
different ways. But if you judge a fish
on its ability to climb a tree, it will spend its whole life thinking it’s
stupid.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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Will Ally finally be taught a method to read and write which
will work for the way her brain processes the written word?<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
Read this second book by the author of <i>One for the Murphys</i><u> </u>to find out.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Ms. Kristin Leibrock &; Mrs. Nancy Gosshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05133873332782359419noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2509708470647171870.post-51861012841182706282015-04-17T11:21:00.001-04:002015-04-17T11:21:23.388-04:00Lost Girl Found by Leah Bassoff & Laura DeLuca<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Y3CRC-gZS_A/VTEjotzP6qI/AAAAAAAAIz4/GWQv3RSfvm8/s1600/Lost%2BGirl%2BFound.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Y3CRC-gZS_A/VTEjotzP6qI/AAAAAAAAIz4/GWQv3RSfvm8/s1600/Lost%2BGirl%2BFound.jpg" height="320" width="214" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
There has been a lot in the news about the 4,000 “Lost Boys
of Sudan” who started coming to our country in 1999. Little has been known about the Sudanese refugee
girls. This is largely due to the way
girls are treated culturally in Sudan.
Boys in the refugee camps were placed in one area together-thus they
were more visible when United Nations workers came to relocate them. Girl refugees were fostered by families who
would take them in so that they could profit by arranging their marriages.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i>Lost Girl Found</i><u>
</u>is the fictional story of a Sudanese girl named Poni. When soldiers begin killing villagers and
when bombs hail down from the sky, everyone in Poni’s village runs for his/her
life. As Poni is swept with others who are fleeing, she loses her mother and
siblings. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Days stretch into weeks before
the survivors arrive at Kahuma. Kahuma was supposed to be their refuge. Instead the camp is very overcrowded. It is desert land. The dust is
everywhere. There is barely enough food
to feed the masses.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Poni helps her foster mother erect a shelter with a piece of
corrugated tin and a few chunks of wood.
This will hardly keep them safe.
Life will be constantly filled with dust and dirt. All sense of time and passage of years are
lost to Poni. One day her foster mother
tells her she has found a man in the camp who wants Poni for his wife.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Since this is the worst fate Poni can imagine, she strives
to find a way out of the camp to a life where education and promise of a better
future await. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
Imagine the obstacles she must overcome. Read <i>Lost
Girl Found</i><u> </u>to understand her plight.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
Ms. Kristin Leibrock &; Mrs. Nancy Gosshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05133873332782359419noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2509708470647171870.post-18865319986302704682015-03-19T12:29:00.001-04:002015-03-23T09:14:42.975-04:00Golden Boy by Tara Sullivan<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ABNpZn0MIec/VQr0lB1A5mI/AAAAAAAAIzg/3-fJSROf-QM/s1600/Golden%2BBoy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ABNpZn0MIec/VQr0lB1A5mI/AAAAAAAAIzg/3-fJSROf-QM/s1600/Golden%2BBoy.jpg" height="320" width="212" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This novel is set in Tanzania, Africa in current day. Habo is thirteen and the narrator of the
story.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Mother and I have always been like the two posts of a door
frame, unable to move closer or farther away, and the emptiness that sits
between us is the shape of my missing father.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Habo’s father left the family as soon as he saw his fourth child
– a “ghost child”- albino--born in a country where everyone has deep brown
skin. Habo’s two other brothers are hostile to him. Both brothers have to work extra hard in the
coffee plantation to earn money for the family’s existence. Habo’s fair skin and his ultra-sensitive eyes
make it difficult for him to do much work outside due to sunburn and the blistering
of his fair skin.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
When his mother can no longer pay the rent for the farm
where they live, the family travels a great distance to seek help from his
mother’s sister’s family. In Mwanza where her sister lives, there is little
room for extra guests, yet they are allowed to stay there until the mother can
make enough money to locate somewhere on their own.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Habo and his family are totally unprepared to learn that it
won’t be safe for the family to stay in Mwanza. The problem is quite dire. Any albino is being hunted down, killed, and
the body parts are being sold as good luck pieces. Even albinos who have lived
long lives in Mwanza are being butchered in their homes by men much like the poachers
of animals who kill endangered animals for their ivory tusks or their horns.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
In the small home of his aunt, they arrange a hiding place
for Habo behind stacks of corn. Here he spends his days while the rest go out
to work or school. Only his youngest nephew is at home with him. When one of
the animal poachers finds Habo, Habo knows he must flee or be the next albino
killed. His is a hallowing tale of escape and then of the redeeming of his life in a totally new city.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
What will Habo’s family do now to survive? How will they
protect him? Read <i>Golden Boy</i><u> </u>to
find out.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
Ms. Kristin Leibrock &; Mrs. Nancy Gosshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05133873332782359419noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2509708470647171870.post-6948243298456566662015-03-11T12:38:00.000-04:002015-03-11T12:38:00.674-04:00Far Far Away by Tom McNeil<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QGvgWDWzDmQ/VQBtgk0y46I/AAAAAAAAIzM/o9l6W3pXZSM/s1600/Far%2BFar%2BAway.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QGvgWDWzDmQ/VQBtgk0y46I/AAAAAAAAIzM/o9l6W3pXZSM/s1600/Far%2BFar%2BAway.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i>Far Far Away</i> begins
thus:<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“What follows is the strange and fateful tale of a boy
(Jeremy Johnson Johnson), a girl (Ginger Boultinghouse), and a ghost. The boy possessed uncommon qualities, the
girl was winsome and daring, and the ancient ghost (the teller of this fairy
tale) intentions were good.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The ancient ghost lived once as a mortal man known as Jacob
Grimm. Yes, the very Grimm who along
with his brother Wilhelm wrote Grimm’s Fairy Tales. Jacob, it seems, after he died went to <i>Zwischenraum</i>- the space between death
and the afterlife.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Jeremy Johnson Johnson can hear the voice of the ghost of
Jacob Grimm. For that reason, “Jeremy
hears strange whisperings” are taunted about him. In the town of Never Better, Jeremy Johnson
Johnson is definitely an outcast.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“There is yet another player in this cast, the Finder Of
Occasions, someone who moved freely about the village, someone who watched and
waited, someone who watched and waited, someone with tendencies so tortured and
malignant that I could scarcely bring myself to them….”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Jeremy’s mother has run away. His father has shut himself in his bedroom--forgoing
of any normal life. Their bookstore and
home are being foreclosed.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
If Jeremy Johnson Johnson can possibly win in the TV game, <i>Uncommon Knowledge</i>, there might be a
hope for him and his father.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
If you like fantasy and fairytales, this will be an
enjoyable read.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Ms. Kristin Leibrock &; Mrs. Nancy Gosshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05133873332782359419noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2509708470647171870.post-42735229200926318422015-03-11T12:28:00.002-04:002015-03-11T12:28:43.627-04:00Shadow on the Mountain by Margi Preus<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WeX-q2j0jFs/VQBrDYpVVtI/AAAAAAAAIzA/qBA5YUHdLfY/s1600/Shadow%2Bon%2Bthe%2BMountain.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WeX-q2j0jFs/VQBrDYpVVtI/AAAAAAAAIzA/qBA5YUHdLfY/s1600/Shadow%2Bon%2Bthe%2BMountain.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If you are interested in fiction about the Holocaust, this
historical fiction novel set in Norway during World War II might interest
you. It surely interested me as I had no
knowledge about the Nazi occupation of Norway in 1940. At one point 400,000 Nazi soldiers occupied
Norway! In fact, the Norwegian people
were very worried that even after the war was over in 1945, these forces would
still control Norway.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The story revolves around a fourteen year old character
named Espen. He has friends and plays on
a competitive soccer team.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">When the Nazis invade on April 9, 1940, the Norwegian army
is only able to hold them until June 9, when Norway capitulates. Despite this, nearly all Norwegian citizens
conspired against the Nazis and committed resistance against their enemy by
spying, by meeting secretly, by hoarding food, and other acts. Espen decides he will aid the effort by
carrying secret messages which will help the allies locate where the Nazis are
located. The work is extremely dangerous
yet Espen perseveres for the resistance effort.
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It is interesting to see which of Espen’s soccer buddies
decide to actually join the enemy. They
are the very students who would bully others at school or on the team.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Norway’s bitter winters and mountainous terrain are a great
setting for the adventures that Espen is involved in.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">When you realize that the character of Espen (Erling
Storrusten) is based on an actual boy from this period of tumult, you
appreciate the book all the more.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Read <i>Shadow on the
Mountain</i><u> </u>to find out more about this period in history.</span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe width="320" height="266" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://ytimg.googleusercontent.com/vi/dxOnwQ2p5mU/0.jpg" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/dxOnwQ2p5mU?feature=player_embedded" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>
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Ms. Kristin Leibrock &; Mrs. Nancy Gosshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05133873332782359419noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2509708470647171870.post-14830230982790719042015-03-10T11:52:00.002-04:002015-03-10T11:52:55.376-04:00Better Nate Than Ever by Tim Federle<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_K6_o92yG64/VP8RdXbbgHI/AAAAAAAAIyo/YWgY9F9jnFA/s1600/Better%2BNate%2BThan%2BLate.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_K6_o92yG64/VP8RdXbbgHI/AAAAAAAAIyo/YWgY9F9jnFA/s1600/Better%2BNate%2BThan%2BLate.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It’s not easy being the younger brother of a high achieving
older brother who is great looking, tall, athletic, and smart.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Nate Foster is thirteen while his brother Anthony is
sixteen. Nate doesn’t like sports, is barely
five feet four inches tall, and prefers singing and acting to sports. Nate is constantly under attack from bullies
at school. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Luckily for Nate his best
friend Libby appreciates his theatrical abilities and makes life bearable in
Jankburg, PA.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">When Libby finds out there is going to be an open casting
call for <i>E.T. The Musical</i> in New York
City, together they hatch a bold plan for Nate to take a Greyhound bus into the
Port Authority in NYC so he can get to the casting call while his parents are
away celebrating their 17<sup>th</sup> wedding anniversary.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">One stumbling block is Nate’s small size and his young
looks. Not to worry! Libby has figured out all the details that
Nate will need to use to navigate this daring escape from Jankburg, PA to the
Big Apple.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">What adventures await Nate once he gets to New York City by
himself? How do his plans change when his parents end up coming home early due
to a serious sports injury for his older brother Anthony?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Read <i>Better Nate than Ever</i><u>
</u>to find out!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Note: Nate’s next adventure is <i>Five, Six, Seven, Nate!</i></span><u><o:p></o:p></u></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
Ms. Kristin Leibrock &; Mrs. Nancy Gosshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05133873332782359419noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2509708470647171870.post-20104437794109603312015-03-06T10:45:00.001-05:002015-03-06T10:45:33.963-05:00Counting by 7s by Holly Goldberg Sloan<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Wbv9SEotXw0/VPnKrYVpd-I/AAAAAAAAIyU/QAsY4_Dl4P4/s1600/Counting%2Bby%2B7s.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Wbv9SEotXw0/VPnKrYVpd-I/AAAAAAAAIyU/QAsY4_Dl4P4/s1600/Counting%2Bby%2B7s.jpg" height="320" width="212" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Love….love….loved this book!
Why? The main character, Willow Chance, is so endearing, so innocent and
so special.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Willow has such a unique perspective. She is obviously very intelligent, yet she has
many obsessive tendencies. She also has
trouble fully understanding social situations.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
When her class is given a standardized test, Willow finishes
before all others in a very short time.
Her score is perfect! Her teacher believes she has cheated. Willow is referred to a counselor- Dell Duke.
Dell is pretty dysfunctional himself. He does pick up on Willow’s genius,
however.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
When a life changing event occurs, Willow becomes completely
changed. She can’t speak. She stops
counting by 7s. She can’t function
normally at all.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
Read this book! Willow’s recovery is endearing! Her effect on others who respond to her
plight is well worth the read.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe width="320" height="266" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://ytimg.googleusercontent.com/vi/1ROvrUL1DVs/0.jpg" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/1ROvrUL1DVs?feature=player_embedded" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>
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<br /></div>
Ms. Kristin Leibrock &; Mrs. Nancy Gosshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05133873332782359419noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2509708470647171870.post-52568645765793966222015-02-04T11:28:00.001-05:002015-02-11T07:34:16.543-05:00Saving Bone by Shelley Stoehr <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MrzGn1i3fBE/VNJIA3-TIJI/AAAAAAAAIxg/RqPuyhOEamE/s1600/Saving%2BBone.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MrzGn1i3fBE/VNJIA3-TIJI/AAAAAAAAIxg/RqPuyhOEamE/s1600/Saving%2BBone.jpg" height="320" width="207" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I loved, loved, loved the special relationship of the two
main characters in <i>Saving Bone!</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<u> </u>Izzy
(short for Isobel) and Seven (really Steven, but his father left off the “t” on
his official birth certificate) are true best friends.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
When Seven shows Izzy that a dog in their neighborhood is
being abused by its owner, they hatch a plan to rescue the dog they
affectionately call Bone.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
There are reasons that Seven is so intent on rescuing the
defenseless dog Bone. His home life has left him powerless and fueled his anger
to undo any injustice he sees.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Read this charming book about friendship.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Just how far will
Izzy and Seven’s friendship be tested?<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
Ms. Kristin Leibrock &; Mrs. Nancy Gosshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05133873332782359419noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2509708470647171870.post-55226584511160691712015-01-28T13:41:00.002-05:002015-05-04T10:28:54.776-04:00To All the Boys I've Loved Before by Jenny Han<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6t60-qoXudQ/VMkpFV246sI/AAAAAAAAIxQ/_4HJXLrM548/s1600/To%2BAll%2Bthe%2BBoys%2BI've%2BLoved%2BBefore.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6t60-qoXudQ/VMkpFV246sI/AAAAAAAAIxQ/_4HJXLrM548/s1600/To%2BAll%2Bthe%2BBoys%2BI've%2BLoved%2BBefore.bmp" width="213" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I really enjoyed Jenny Han’s other books: <i>The Summer I Turned Pretty</i><u> </u>and <i>It’s Not Summer without You</i>.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i>To All the Boys I’ve
Loved</i><u> </u>is a delightful read.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Lara Jean has the greatest respect for her older sister
Margot. When Margot leaves for college
in Scotland, Lara Jean must assume some of the roles Margot played in the
family. Their father is a busy
doctor. Katherine (Kitty) is Lara Jean’s
much younger sister. Their mother has died many years ago.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Before she died, her mother gave her a teal colored hatbox.
Lara Jean has used this special possession to put all her secret keepsakes
inside. She has written some letters to boys she has “loved” or been infatuated
with since she was in middle school. When her prized hatbox goes missing, she
is very disturbed.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Lara Jean enjoys writing.
She is quite reserved as a high school junior. When some private letters which were in her
hatbox are mailed, Lara Jean is overwhelmed by the attention that two of the male
recipients share with her. The letters
reflect her feelings from seventh grade not her feelings now as a junior in
high school!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Josh, Margot’s ex-boyfriend is one of the boys! Since Lara
Jean would never do anything to hurt Margot, she wants to make sure Josh doesn’t
become interested in her. Peter, a very
popular Lacrosse player, who has just broken up with his girlfriend of four
years, is the other boy who received one of the letters. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Lara Jean decides to
engage in a make believe relationship with Peter so that Josh won’t be interested
in her. Peter is very willing to
entertain this fake relationship because he is anxious to make his
ex-girlfriend Gen, jealous.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Neither Lara Jean nor Peter actually expects that they might
actually end up really liking each other!<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Read this excellent Jenny Han novel to find out just how
complicated life can become for Lara Jean!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://ytimg.googleusercontent.com/vi/SNy5XHzDSlI/0.jpg" frameborder="0" height="266" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/SNy5XHzDSlI?feature=player_embedded" width="320"></iframe></div>
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<br /></div>
Ms. Kristin Leibrock &; Mrs. Nancy Gosshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05133873332782359419noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2509708470647171870.post-35408787209956344042015-01-28T13:22:00.002-05:002015-01-28T13:22:59.321-05:00Surrounded by Sharks by Michael<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Xx-T6saepJA/VMkmxe94VgI/AAAAAAAAIxE/WT1DuHXzIGE/s1600/Surrounded%2Bby%2BSharks.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Xx-T6saepJA/VMkmxe94VgI/AAAAAAAAIxE/WT1DuHXzIGE/s1600/Surrounded%2Bby%2BSharks.png" height="400" width="271" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Davey’s family has taken a vacation to Aszure Island in the
Florida Keys. His parents need this
vacation to relax as well as to reflect on their import business which hasn’t
been doing well.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Davey, in typical thirteen-age fashion, finds the island
“boring.” When he decides to leave the hotel room he is sharing with his mom
and dad and younger brother Brandon early in the morning before anyone else is
awake, it is to find some solitude to read.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
When his family awakens to find Davey’s bed empty, they
begin to search the hotel, island, dock area to no avail.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
What they don’t realize is that Davey has waded into the
water where an undertow and riptide current have taken him out to sea.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Davey’s trial at sea begins.
When he sees a blue shark in the water beneath him, he tries many
different ideas to deter an attack which becomes more imminent as two
black-tipped sharks and a huge tiger shark also circle around him.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
How will his family figure out what has happened to their
son? </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Will help arrive in time to save Davey?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Read <i>Surrounded by
Sharks</i><u> </u>to find out!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe width="320" height="266" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://ytimg.googleusercontent.com/vi/bYLBCfTkF2I/0.jpg" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/bYLBCfTkF2I?feature=player_embedded" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>
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<br /></div>
Ms. Kristin Leibrock &; Mrs. Nancy Gosshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05133873332782359419noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2509708470647171870.post-55201524836659811452015-01-28T12:45:00.002-05:002015-01-28T12:45:43.247-05:00The Knife of Memory by Laurie Halse Anderson<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vy7Co3se8mA/VMkcoi8RlJI/AAAAAAAAIw0/7YkL_1tDvrs/s1600/The%2BImpossible%2BKnife%2Bof%2BMemory.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vy7Co3se8mA/VMkcoi8RlJI/AAAAAAAAIw0/7YkL_1tDvrs/s1600/The%2BImpossible%2BKnife%2Bof%2BMemory.jpg" height="320" width="210" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I am only recommending this book to mature readers.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Children need parents to raise them. Even eighteen-year-old Hayley Kincain needs her
father Andy’s guidance and wisdom. The
only problem is that Andy is what is known as a “damaged” dad.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Andy has served two tours of duty in Iraq and two tours in
Afghanistan. His personal demons from
these tours of duty have affected every area of his life.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Unable to hold down a steady job, Andy and Hayley have moved
around a great deal. Finally, they have returned to the small town where Hayley
was born so she can attend high school for the first time.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Hayley’s mom Rebecca died when she was very young. Haley’s grandma raised Hayley after her mom
died while Andy served in the war. Since
her grandmother’s death, Andy has tried to be her father.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The trouble with Hayley is that Andy has become an alcoholic. He doesn’t sleep well, and depends upon
Hayley to be the strength of the family.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
When Andy’s second wife Trish comes to town, Hayley can’t
forgive her for deserting them.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Will Hayley be able to overcome those major issues- fear of
abandonment, a father who resists any help offered, a step-mother she can’t
tolerate, and a high school schedule she finds restrictive? Will Finn, the boy
she meets in high school be able to cope with Hayley’s many issues?<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe width="320" height="266" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://ytimg.googleusercontent.com/vi/JwF5DmUcKK4/0.jpg" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/JwF5DmUcKK4?feature=player_embedded" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Read <i>The Impossible
Knife of Memory</i><u> </u>to find out.<o:p></o:p></div>
Ms. Kristin Leibrock &; Mrs. Nancy Gosshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05133873332782359419noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2509708470647171870.post-68966342894687041772015-01-20T10:58:00.002-05:002015-01-20T10:58:21.409-05:00The Great Trouble by Deborah Hopkinson<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-szAPJuYXHy8/VL539OBWn3I/AAAAAAAAIwk/TyjgUQnFeJo/s1600/The%2BGreat%2BTrouble.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-szAPJuYXHy8/VL539OBWn3I/AAAAAAAAIwk/TyjgUQnFeJo/s1600/The%2BGreat%2BTrouble.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
If you have an interest in history and an interest in
medicine, this book will definitely appeal to you! I found it to be easily accessible and a
pleasure to read</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
London, 1854<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Eel” and his younger brother Henry have lost their father
and then a few years later their mother.
Before she passed away, she made the unfortunate decision to marry
“Fisheye” Bill Tyler as her second husband. Little did she know Bill wanted the
boys as beggars. “Eel” fled his nasty stepfather with Henry when his mother
died. “Fisheye” Bill has been on the lookout ever since.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Eel received his nickname because he is so fast and can
usually flee from pick pockets and other less than desirable street people. Eel
has to come up with money each week to pay for Henry’s keep and schooling.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Eel has a few jobs. He is known as a “mudlark”- a boy who
scavenges the mudflats of the Thames River which flows through London for bits
of reusable coal, metals, and anything else he can sell. Mudlarks are often
easy prey for criminal types. Eel also works at the Lion Brewery- sweeping
their floors and for a Dr. Snow- cleaning the cages of his experiment animals
and feeding them.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Eel’s life and those in the area of London where he works
and lives takes a most serious turn when The Great Trouble- blue cholera-
begins to strike.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Eel’s ability to earn enough money for Henry’s keep is also
in jeopardy when he is accused of stealing from his boss at the Lion Brewery.
How will he clear his name? How will he be able to pay Mrs. Miggle for Henry’s
lodging and schooling?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
How will The Great Trouble- the cholera epidemic-- be solved
with El’s help?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
This story and the eventual solving of the cause of cholera
are based on historical fact.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/luhMnLz1d8k?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
Ms. Kristin Leibrock &; Mrs. Nancy Gosshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05133873332782359419noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2509708470647171870.post-31973301139641399822015-01-15T12:36:00.002-05:002015-01-15T12:36:14.176-05:00We Were Liars by E. Lockhart<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-r-DVjxYiE9g/VLf5FHzXQqI/AAAAAAAAIwQ/RFXslIj5jXw/s1600/We%2BWere%2BLiars.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-r-DVjxYiE9g/VLf5FHzXQqI/AAAAAAAAIwQ/RFXslIj5jXw/s1600/We%2BWere%2BLiars.jpg" height="400" width="263" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I really enjoyed this well-written book. However, I am only recommending this title to
mature readers.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The narrator, Cadence Sinclair Eastman, has suffered a major
trauma which affects her ability to remember clearly the events of her
fifteenth summer. The memory loss makes her an inconsistent narrator. As a
reader, one cannot truly guarantee that events occurred as Cadence recalls
them.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Cadence’s extended family (her mother’s two sister and
families) spends summers on their privately owned island off the coast of
Massachusetts. Beechwood Island has four huge houses (one for each of the
Sinclair daughters and one for their father & mother.) Cadence has spent
each summer of her life at Beechwood.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Her two cousins, Johnny and Mirren, are her best friends.
The three have always been affectionately known as just “the cousins,” but the
year they were eight, Gat Patil came to the island with Cadence’s Aunt Carrie. After
that the four were known as the liars.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Gat was different from the line of Sinclairs. His skin bore
the color of Indian dissent. Cadence’s granddad and grandma did not accept him.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Cadence’s affection for this boy who is different is
evident, “Gat was my love, my first and only. How could I let him go?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The trauma that occurs shatters the entire Sinclair line,
but especially Cadence.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
Read, <i>We Were Liars</i>
to find out what could possibly have gone so wrong on such an idyllic
summer island.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Ms. Kristin Leibrock &; Mrs. Nancy Gosshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05133873332782359419noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2509708470647171870.post-18536553953167257622015-01-15T08:05:00.002-05:002015-01-15T12:27:55.157-05:00Hero on a Bicycle by Shirley Hughes<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PvpyKq5P3Q0/VLe57086ByI/AAAAAAAAIwA/L7j8mYZ0pEU/s1600/Hero%2Bon%2Ba%2BBicycle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PvpyKq5P3Q0/VLe57086ByI/AAAAAAAAIwA/L7j8mYZ0pEU/s1600/Hero%2Bon%2Ba%2BBicycle.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
What would it be like to live in a Nazi occupied city
(Florence, Italy) in 1944, during World War II? Shirley Hughes has given us a
novel through which to find out what it would be like to be a thirteen-year-old
boy named Paolo.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So many things I have never thought about during war time
became evident to me. Food rationing and just the scarcity of food in general
was a daily trial. Wondering who would
turn you in to the Nazis if you were found resisting their control in any way,
i.e. breaking curfew, harboring an escaped allied prisoner of war, helping the
Partisans (Italians working against the Nazis), and not showing them their due
respect were just a few ways you could end up being shot!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
When I thought how restricted daily life was for an occupied
city, I could fully understand how “boring and confining” life for a teenager
would have been.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
With Paolo’s family (his mother Rosemary and his older
sister Constanza) being constantly on the Nazi’s suspect list, Paolo is wanting
to do something exciting to help the Partisans.
Little does Paolo realize how dangerous his attempts will be.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I loved this highly accessible piece of historical fiction. I also found the book jacket image to be
reflective of the graphic art of the 1940’s.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
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<br /></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
Read <i>Hero on a Bicycle</i><u>
</u>to find out how a thirteen-year-old boy on a bike can help fight against
Nazi control.<o:p></o:p></div>
Ms. Kristin Leibrock &; Mrs. Nancy Gosshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05133873332782359419noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2509708470647171870.post-52089995430558818702015-01-06T12:15:00.001-05:002015-01-06T12:15:56.757-05:00Belzhar by Meg Wolitzer<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Oio4ODYWetc/VKwWD8lNluI/AAAAAAAAIvw/v16OZYTBp4s/s1600/Belzhar.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Oio4ODYWetc/VKwWD8lNluI/AAAAAAAAIvw/v16OZYTBp4s/s1600/Belzhar.jpg" height="320" width="205" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Mature readers should really enjoy this book. Warning- -strong language is used
infrequently in this book.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Jamaica (Jam for short) Gallahue has suffered a devastating
loss. Teeve Maxwell was Jam’s first
love. The loss of him has completely
derailed Jam. Since Jam is still in
mourning after a year, upon the advice of her family and her therapist, she is
sent to The Wooden Box, a special type of boarding school in Vermont.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Although no one comes right out and says it, The Wooden Box
is sort of a halfway house between a hospital and a regular school.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The transition to this special school isn't the easiest for
Jam. The other “unhinged” fellow
students have their own personal traumas through which to work.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
When Jam is selected with five other students for a special
English class entitled “Special Topics,” Jam’s roommate DJ is crushed. She has been at The Wooden Box for two years
and has never been offered the opportunity to be in this class.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Mrs. Quenell has decided since this will be her last
semester teaching, the sole author the five students in Special Topics English
will explore is Sylvia Plath. They will
be studying her poetry as well as her most famous work <i>The Bell Jar.</i> Each student
is given a very special red leather bound journal in which to write his/her
thoughts.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
What they don’t know initially is that the journals
transport them back to the trauma with which they are suffering. The five discover that all of them are
experiencing the same effect of the journal writing. They decide to term this out of body
experience “going to <u>Belzhar”-</u>- thus the title of this book.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
Will traveling to Belzhar help each of them cope or will it
induce more trauma into their already troubled lives? Read this title to find
out!<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
Ms. Kristin Leibrock &; Mrs. Nancy Gosshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05133873332782359419noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2509708470647171870.post-43573863148083237082015-01-06T11:46:00.002-05:002015-01-06T12:19:00.314-05:00We Were Liars by E. Lockhart<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cothVMpscuM/VKwQ9EsRtSI/AAAAAAAAIvg/0OxRjgyDJW8/s1600/We%2BWere%2BLiars.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cothVMpscuM/VKwQ9EsRtSI/AAAAAAAAIvg/0OxRjgyDJW8/s1600/We%2BWere%2BLiars.jpg" height="400" width="263" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I really enjoyed this well-written book. However, I am only recommending this title to
mature readers.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The narrator, Cadence Sinclair Eastman, has suffered a major
trauma which affects her ability to remember clearly the events of her
fifteenth summer. The memory loss makes
her an inconsistent narrator. As a
reader, one cannot truly guarantee that events occurred as Cadence recalls
them.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Cadence’s extended family (her mother’s two sister and
families) spends summers on their privately owned island off the coast of
Massachusetts. Beechwood Island has four huge houses (one for each of the
Sinclair daughters and one for their father & mother.) Cadence has spent
each summer of her life at Beechwood.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Her two cousins Johnny and Mirren are her best friends. The three have always been affectionately
known as just “the cousins,” but the year they were eight, Gat Patil came to
the island with Cadence’s Aunt Carrie.
After that the four were known as the liars.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Gat was different from the line of Sinclairs. His skin bore the color of Indian dissent.
Cadence’s granddad and grandma did not accept him.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Cadence’s affection for this boy who is different is
evident, “Gat was my love, my first and only. How could I let him go?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The trauma that occurs shatters the entire Sinclair line,
but especially Cadence.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Read, <i>We Were Liars</i><u>
</u>to find out what could possibly have gone so wrong on such an idyllic
summer island.</span><o:p></o:p><br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/hSvjwGrbQOw?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
Ms. Kristin Leibrock &; Mrs. Nancy Gosshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05133873332782359419noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2509708470647171870.post-37078274120799395052014-12-04T12:28:00.001-05:002014-12-04T12:28:21.163-05:00dissonance by Erica O'Rourke<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-P9MYaXzYLg8/VICWbFM63NI/AAAAAAAAIuU/ajl0zo1AarY/s1600/Dissonance.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-P9MYaXzYLg8/VICWbFM63NI/AAAAAAAAIuU/ajl0zo1AarY/s1600/Dissonance.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Delancey (Del) and her family are Walkers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In this multiverse where every choice made
creates a parallel universe populated by Echoes of those in the Key World, the
One True World from which that Multiverse sprang.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Regular people are the Originals. Walkers
such as Del and her best friend Eliot can hear frequencies that others can’t.
“To be a Walker requires obedience, diligence, and sacrifice.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The calling to Walk between worlds is both a
gift and a burden.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Del is in training as is Eliot.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Del’s grandfather Monty has always followed
his own instincts rather than the highly prescribed path the Consort demands
all Walkers to follow.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The world of Walkers is such that they cannot reveal their
existence and abilities to the Originals in the Key World.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Casual acquaintances or business interactions
with Originals are tolerated, but strong attachments are forbidden.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">When Delancey begins flirting with Simon, who is not a
Walker, Eliot calls her on it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Romantic
relationships are frowned upon because the Consort wants to maintain the
genetic line of Walkers.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">But Del isn’t looking to marry Simon or so she thinks now.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Read this multiverse futuristic novel to find out if the Consort’s
intentions can be trusted.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span> </div>
Ms. Kristin Leibrock &; Mrs. Nancy Gosshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05133873332782359419noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2509708470647171870.post-87079153781219308592014-10-30T11:40:00.002-04:002014-10-30T11:43:21.159-04:00I Am Malala by Malala Yousafzai & Patricia McCormick<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7v3pUYzppMg/VFJbYuVj56I/AAAAAAAAIuE/gIDZhB4ErSo/s1600/I%2BAm%2BMalala.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7v3pUYzppMg/VFJbYuVj56I/AAAAAAAAIuE/gIDZhB4ErSo/s1600/I%2BAm%2BMalala.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Malala dedicates this book as follows: “To those
children all over the world who have no access to education, to those teachers
who bravely continue teaching, and to anyone who has fought for their basic
human rights and education.” <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I was very fortunate to be the first one to read
this powerful story of the youngest girl to win the Nobel Peace Prize. There
are two versions of Malala’s autobiography. We own the Young Reader’s Edition.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Until October 2012 Malala and her family lived in
the Swat Valley of Pakistan in a city called Mingora. Hers is a close-knit
family. Malala is the oldest of three children with two younger brothers,
Khushal and Atal. Her father is well respected in the community as he is a
teacher and the founder of three schools. Malala’s mother is friendly with all
the women in their community. Although she doesn’t read herself, she highly
values education. From these strong family ties, Malala has an insatiable
desire to learn.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Malala’s father founded a school for girls in
Mingora where she attended and excelled to first in her class. Malala describes
her life before the Taliban took control of her region as similar to most teens—friends
at school, books and movies she adored, fights with her brothers, wanting to
sleep in late in the mornings, etc. Tourists would travel to the Swat Valley
due to its beauty—tall mountains, lush green hills, and crystal-clear waters.
She loved living there and attending school.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">All that changed when the earthquake (7.6 on the
Richter scale) of 8 October 2005<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>devastated the mountain villages. The government of Pakistan was slow to
arrive to help the victims, but rescue workers from a conservative religious
group called Tehrik-e-nifaz-e-Sharia-eMohammadi (TNSM) or the Movement for the
Enforcement of Islamic Law lead by Sufi Mohammad and his son-in-law, Maulana
Fazlullah did. Mullahs from this group preached that the earthquake was a
warning from God. If the people of Swat Valley did not change their ways it
could happen again. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This is how terrorism arrived in Mingora. The group
first endeared themselves to the people and then threatened them with severe
punishment if they did not abide by sharia law. Women must never leave their
houses unless accompanied by a male relative. All women must be fully covered
with a burqa. People must stop listening to music, stop going to movies, stop
dancing. “Radio Mullah” would broadcast this type of strict adherence to sharia
law daily. Finally, “Radio Mullah” (Maulana Fazlullah) denounced schools for
girls. All schools must be closed. This step was just too much for Malala and
for her father. She bravely started speaking out.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">On October 9, 2012, the Taliban made good on their
threat to finally silence Malala. A gunman fired on her as she sat on her
school bus (a truck with bench seats in it.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Everyone needs to read this autobiography to understand
the courage of Malala’s family and the price they paid. Also, people need to be
educated as to how terrorism takes hold in a community.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">I highly recommend this book!</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/l54iRPXtpjk?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />Ms. Kristin Leibrock &; Mrs. Nancy Gosshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05133873332782359419noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2509708470647171870.post-90618463908263292192014-10-23T11:26:00.002-04:002014-10-23T11:26:51.363-04:00Insignia by S.J. Kincaid<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-G5vsxR2gqHk/VEkcQGW5SnI/AAAAAAAAIt0/Qcp4w-QMoHI/s1600/Insignia.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-G5vsxR2gqHk/VEkcQGW5SnI/AAAAAAAAIt0/Qcp4w-QMoHI/s1600/Insignia.jpg" height="400" width="266" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Fourteen
year-old Tom Raines has led a rather unconventional life. His father Neil is a
gambler who drifts from casino to casino in the hopes of winning enough to quit
this life-style. Tom knows better. His mother has already deserted them. His
dad’s drinking is clearly interfering with his judgment. The only one making
any money is Tom- an ace at virtual reality gaming.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">When Tom
meets Heather in his virtual school- Rosewood Reformatory Sim- he can’t believe
his good fortune. Heather invites Tom to a video chat the next day. She coyly
says, “What network address will you be at tomorrow, Tom?” Little does Tom
realize that Heather will share the network address with General Terry Marsh
who has been trying to track down Tom to become part of the military.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">World War
III is being waged. Combatants control drones remotely. As General Marsh
explains to Tom, “But the Russo-Chinese military went a step further and gave
human beings active control over their combat machines. Strategists.
Unconventional thinkers. Risk takers. Mavericks. Young ones because teenagers
have certain attributes critical to this type of warfare. So now we too have
young people on the front lines, young people playing a critical role in the
war effort.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Neil
grudgingly signed the papers that allow Tom to travel with General Marsh to the
Pentagonal Spire. But the general hasn’t been completely forthcoming. Neural
processors are installed in all plebs (young military recruits). If Tom goes
along with General Marsh’s plans, will he ever be the same? The chance is too great
to take.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Tom begins
to back away when suddenly Heather appears wearing the insignia of the
intrasolar fighters.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">What will Tom decide to do?
Will this be the biggest gamble of his life?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Ms. Kristin Leibrock &; Mrs. Nancy Gosshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05133873332782359419noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2509708470647171870.post-41276207700635617902014-10-23T11:03:00.002-04:002014-10-23T11:03:37.536-04:00The One and Only Ivan by Katherine Applegate<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: "Mongolian Baiti"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">This is a dear story. Animal lovers will especially like it.
The animals in the story can talk to each other!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Mongolian Baiti"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Ivan is a silverback gorilla living in the Big Top Mall off
of Exit 18. Since he has been living there since he was a baby gorilla, he is
used to captivity.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Mongolian Baiti"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Stella, an aging elephant, also lives at the Big Top Mall.
Her memory- being an elephant- is much better than Ivan’s. One of her feet is
infected causing her a great deal of discomfort. She remembers life before
cages.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Mongolian Baiti"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Mack owns the animals as well as the mall. Times are hard.
Money is scarce. The animals’ care is not the best as a result.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Mongolian Baiti"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Mack discovers Ivan’s ability to “draw” objects. A money
making idea occurs to him. Frame Ivan’s creations and sell them at the gift
shop.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Mongolian Baiti"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">When Ruby- a baby elephant- is purchased by Mack to create
more interest thus increasing profits, Stella knows how dire the situation is
for Ruby. Her life will never be the same.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Mongolian Baiti"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">George, the custodian for the mall, and his daughter Julia
prove to be “good” humans as the animals soon find out.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Mongolian Baiti"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Read this dear novel if you enjoy animal stories.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Ms. Kristin Leibrock &; Mrs. Nancy Gosshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05133873332782359419noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2509708470647171870.post-10643451254420943572014-10-23T10:57:00.002-04:002014-10-23T10:57:31.480-04:00Broken by C.J. Lyons<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Scarlet wants to be a normal high school student. Her health
problems have prevented anything but a normal life. Finally, her dad and
stepmother have given her a chance to attend a week of high school at Smithfield
High School where her mother works as the nurse- Nurse Killiam.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Each chapter in this book records her struggle for each day
of that week.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Scarlet is suffering from a terminal disease called Long QT
which affects her ability to breathe and makes her heart race. “I am very aware
that I ‘m taking my life in my hands by coming to school. Being normal might
just kill me.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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Scarlet clearly has led such a sheltered life that she is
unprepared for the taunting and bullying which immediately becomes apparent.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Scarlet doesn’t know whom to trust, but when Jordan, Celina
and Nessa rise to her defense in the cafeteria, raising the ire of the jocks,
Scarlet feels this might not have been the best idea.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Scarlet’s biology teacher, Ms. Blakely, assigns a project to
track a medical family history and identify any possible genetic traits and
then analyze them. A classmate, Anthony Carrera, asks to be Scarlet’s partner.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Anthony’s (Tony’s) interest in Scarlet’s disease might just
save her life!<o:p></o:p></div>
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This story was compelling! The author C.J. Lyons is a former
pediatric emergency room doctor so the medical explanations are spot on. As a
reader, you are routing for Scarlet- hoping against hope that she can finally
feel like a normal girl.<o:p></o:p></div>
Ms. Kristin Leibrock &; Mrs. Nancy Gosshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05133873332782359419noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2509708470647171870.post-10091145644013629682014-09-24T15:13:00.002-04:002014-09-24T15:13:39.583-04:00The Infinite Sea by Rick Yancey<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Spoiler alert: If you haven’t read <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The 5<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">th</span></sup> Wave</i><u>,</u> the first book in the series, stop
reading this blog posting and instead read that book first.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Infinite Sea</i><u>
</u>begins after the 4<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">th</span></sup> wave. With winter fast approaching, Cassie
Sullivan, her younger brother, Sam, Teacup, Dumbo, Poundcake, Ringer (Marika)
and Ben know that they can’t survive in the hotel they currently inhabit. Their
goal is to get to the caverns where they stand a chance of being warm enough to
endure the harsh winter.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If they stay
above ground, their fires to ward off the cold will draw The Silencers to them.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Cassie doesn’t want to leave the rat infested hotel.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She is still waiting for Evan Walker’s
return.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So boldly Ringer and Teacup
start the walk (about 20 miles) to see if the Other’s might be setting a trap
for them at the Caverns or whether this will become their winter hideout.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Ringer and Teacup are captured.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Ringer knows that Vosch will use Teacup’s life
to force Ringer to comply with his devious plans to exterminate all life on
earth.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“I’m dizzy; the room won’t stay still. Bluffs inside bluffs,
feints within counter feints, I’m in a game in which I don’t know the rules or
even the object.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is the bind.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is the trap. This is where the road of
impossible promises dead-ends.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">This book <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Infinite
Sea</i> and <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The 5<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">th</span></sup> Wave</i> are
recommended for mature readers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The plots
are very complicated and some of the plot twists and turns could cause
nightmares.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Be warned!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This title is not for everyone.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Fans of <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The
5<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">th</span></sup> Wave</i> should love it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>A final book will finish the series.</span></div>
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Ms. Kristin Leibrock &; Mrs. Nancy Gosshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05133873332782359419noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2509708470647171870.post-56826839507051467132014-09-16T12:49:00.002-04:002014-09-16T12:49:51.176-04:00The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones by Cassandra Claire<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Many, many
students have enjoyed this series by Cassandra Claire. I had to find out what
they were raving about so I read Book #<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">1 City
of Bones</i>.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"></span><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Fifteen-year-old
Clary Fray and her mother Jocelyn live in New York City on the fifth floor of a
five-story apartment without an elevator.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>After a disturbing night out at a club called Pandemonium with her best
friend since early childhood named Simon, Clary really feels the need to talk
with her mom about baffling events she saw at the club.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But her mother is instead packing up their
belongings to make a hasty trip to the country.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Clary argues with her mom and storms out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That is the last time she sees her mom as her
mother goes missing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The apartment is in
shambles; Clary wonders if her mom has been killed or kidnapped.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then Clary is attacked by a demon!<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">This series
is filled with action! Why could only Clary see the two men and the one woman
at the Pandemonium Club while Simon couldn’t? Does she have “the sight?” What
does she do when she discovers a whole group of “people” she never knew
existed--shadow hunters, demons, fairies, werewolves, and vampires?<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Has Clary’s
mom protected her for years? Is her mother more than an artist? And what about
Luke, her mother’s friend? Is he really minding a bookstore or does he also
have another “hidden” past?</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"></span><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Readers of
fantasy should continue to enjoy all the books in this series.</span></span></div>
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<br />Ms. Kristin Leibrock &; Mrs. Nancy Gosshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05133873332782359419noreply@blogger.com0