The Adoration of Jenna Fox

The Adoration of Jenna Fox is full of so many suprises, emotions and puzzles, it's amazing. This book automatically caught my attention from the first page. I have recommended this book to a whole class before. I can honestly say that when my future daughter or son are old enough this is a book I will make them read. (Review by Yesenia R. 7th Grade)



For more information on this book check out the book trailer below or the website for the book http://www.theadorationofjennafox.com/

Shark Girl

Shark Girl by Kelly Bingham is the most down to earth book I've ever read. A couple of times I caught myself feeling bad for the author because I forgot that the story wasn't about her. If you like realistic fiction, this is the book for you, so read it now. (Review by Yesenia R. 7th Grade)

Shark Girl uses poems, letters, telephone conversations, and newspaper clippings to tell Jane's story. If you enjoy this book and want to read a non-fiction story along the same lines check out Soul Surfer by Bethany Hamilton. Hamilton survived an incident similar to the one in Shark Girl in real life and shares her story in Soul Surfer. (Review by Mrs. Netzer)

Secrets are everywhere....

In Jack: Secret Histories, author F. Paul Wilson brings his popular adult series Jack the Repairman to teen readers. Jack: Secret Histories is the first of three planned young adult titles that tell the back story of Wilson's popular Jack.

Set in the 1980's, Jack's life seems pretty normal and boring. The youngest child of three, he loves his older sister and fights with his older brother. Over the summer his boring life starts to get interesting when his friends, Weezy and Eddie, discover a mysterious mound in the barrens near their hometown.

In the mound they find both a dead body and a black cube that only Jack can open. What is the cube? Why are members of the local lodge suddenly dying since the body was discovered? What are the secret histories of the world?

This thriller of a mystery combines a search for clues with strange unexplainable events. You won't want to wait for the next book.

Scary, Creepy, and Spooky reads for October

For October I'm doing book talks on books that just generally creep you out or keep you on the edge of your seat with suspense. Below is a list of titles and authors for some books we will talk about. Try one out if this is a genre you like, if not feel free to stop by and ask for a suggestion from a different genre. To view the booktalk in powerpoint click here.

The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman

House of Dark Shadows Book 1 in the Dreamhouse Kings series by Robert Liparulo

The Devouring and it's soon to be released sequel the Soulstice by Simon Holt

Skeleton Creek and The Ghost in the Machine by Patrick Carman

Deep Dark and Dangerous by Mary Downing Hahn

Cirque Du Freak (Soon to be released as a movie) By Darren Shan

The Chronicles of Vladimir Tod Series by Heather Brewer

The Haunting of Derek Stone series by Tony Abbott

Looking for something to read after the City of Ember?

First Light by Rebecca Stead would be a great book to read if you enjoyed Jeanne DuPrau's City of Ember and it's sequels. First Light tells two stories that eventually connect in unexpected ways.

The story of Peter tells how his family temporarily moves to Greenland so his father can study glaciers and global warming. Peter bonds with one of the sled dogs, explores Greenland, and makes a new friend. The story of Thea tells of another world with no sun, dogs, and too many secrets. When Thea finds a map to the surface the two stories begin to connect.

The choices Peter and Thea make may save or destroy their worlds. Try out this 2009-2010 Truman Nominee, it fits well into the Science Fiction/Fantasy genre, with realism added by the discussion of global warming.

What do Zen and basketball have in common?

Not alot unless you are San Lee a new student at a new school in a new town. San spends a lot of time thinking about identity, and more specificly what his should be in his new school. Suprisingly it's not San who chooses his identity at this new school. Instead his fellow students ranging from Jocks, Skaters, Preps and Goth assign him the role of Zen Master based on his answer's in Social Studies. San willingly accepts his assigned role and does all he can to convince the students he is in fact a Zen Master. He convinces the school's not so great basketball team that he can help improve their game with Zen. Unfortunately his version of Zen comes mostly from the Tao of Pooh. Eventually the fact that San is faking is going to come out, but you won't be sorry you took a look at this Jordan Sonnenblick book.

The One Where the Kid Nearly Jumps to His Death and Lands in California

The One Where the Kid Nearly Jumps to His Death and Lands in California by Mary Hershey is a great story about a 13 year old boy Alastair Hudson who is spending his summer in the last place he would ever want to, in California with his dad. To be more precise in his dad's new wife's huge house right on the beach. Alastair has hated his dad since an accident 5 years ago left him without one of his legs and his dad left home.

When Alastair arrives in California he gets a crush on a teen soap star, learns to swim in the ocean, and trys to torment his dad as much as possible. In the end Alastair and his dad have to face what happened 5 years ago and try to move on. This a great story with dark humor and real life appeal. Be sure to check out this 2009-2010 Truman Nominee.

Into the Wild

Did you ever wonder where your favorite fairy tale characters went once you stopped reading about them or outgrew them? They are still in the wild. Sarah Beth Durst's book, "Into the Wild" tells the story of Julie an average teenager. She just happens to keep the Wild under her bed. Why? Well Julie's mom is Rapunzel and she's the caretaker for the wild. Rapunzel and many of the other characters in classic fairty tales escaped about 500 years ago and live in our world. Unfortunately they won't be out for long. Someone makes a wish and everyone ends up going into the wild. This is a great adventure story especially if you love a good fairy tale.

Eigth Grade Bites

So says the title of the first of The Chronicles of Vladimir Tod series by Heather Brewer. One of the 2009-2010 Truman nominees, Eighth Grade Bites won't replace Twilight as a teen favorite but it might join the list. Vlad lives the life of every other average eighth grader except his snacks aren't cookies, they're slightly heated packs of raw meat or juice boxes filled with Type O+ (Vlad's favorite). The Chronicles of Vladimir Tod is a new take on the teenage vampire tale and a good one. Vlad is just starting to figure out there is more to being a vampire than his "snacks" and controlling his best friend's mind. The second installment in the series, Ninth Grade Slays, is already available at the Carver Library so you won't have to wait long and coming soon is the third installment Tenth Grade Bleeds. Update: If you like freebies from your favorite authors check out Heather Brewer's website http://www.heatherbrewer.com/. Under Minion Bling you can get some cool stuff like buttons with the Vampire Smiley face sent to you for free or under Contests you can enter to win T-shirts and Hoodies like Vlad wears on the covers.

Carpe Diem

Vassar Spore has plans and goals, she's not into living in the moment at all. When a relative blackmails her equally goal orientated parents into sending her on a backpacking trip through Southeast Asia, Vassar has no idea how her life will change. All her plans and goals for the summer and her senior year seem to be in jeopardy. Will Vassar survive the trip and still be valedictorian or will she learn to live in the moment? Carpe Diem by Autumn Cornwell is a 2009-2010 Truman Nominee. Check out this adventure/romance/coming of age story. After all you want to know what makes up an Asian Cowboy right?

2009 Mark Twain and Truman Award Books

After spending two days with the state library association, I have some news to pass on to you Mark Twain and Truman readers.

The 2009 Mark Twain Award went to Rick Riordan for Sea of Monsters. Mr. Riordan was at the conference to accept the 2008 Mark Twain Award for The Lightening Thief, and seemed surprised and pleased to be accepting as he put it his "Twin Twain". This is the first time this Missouri award has been given to an author for two consecutive years. A handful of other authors have won multiple times but never consecutively.

Runners up were Million Dollar Putt in second place and Rules in third.

For you older readers this is the first year for a new award for middle school age students. The 2009 Truman Award winner was Life As We Knew It by Susan Beth Pfeffer. This same book took second place in the high school award race so maybe we'll get to see the author next year at the conference.

Runners up were Runaway in second place and Rash in third.

Stay tuned for more reviews if the 2009-2010 Truman nominees and other great books on this blog.

Looking for a good mystery or maybe two?

Try out this new series my Lisa McMann. The series starts with Wake which is now available in the Carver Library. Wake is the account of Janie Hannagan's junior year in high school. Janie's not your average junior though, she can see your dreams, really she dreams them with you. Wake has mystery, some romance and little sci-fi twist with the dreamcatcher gift Janie has that will keep you reading. I would recommend this mostly for an older reader since it's a little more high school in content. Once you read Wake if you want more the sequel Fade will be arriving soon.

Atherton House of Power

Carmin Patrick's new series Atherton introduces readers to the satellite world of Atherton. The first book, House of Power, tells us about Edgar from the grove. Edgar is a climber and he's trying to climb up Atherton. This is only possible because Atherton isn't like earth. Instead of being round Atherton is more like a three layer cake, with each layer getting smaller. Edgar lives in the grove (the second layer) and his climb up the side of Atherton will change everything in his life. Edgar learns more than he expected about Atherton from his climb up and later from his climb down. Atherton is changing and the people living on it are going to have to change too. The series continues with Rivers of Fire and the soon to be out Dark Planet. House of Power is a 2009-2010 Truman Nominee

James Patterson's Maximum Ride Series

I just recently finished the "Maximum Ride" series and I thought that the book was awesome I couldn't even think about putting it down!!! I would recomend this book to anybody with a beating heart!! It is one of the best series I have read all year, and I have read alot!! This series is about 6 kids who as a baby got avian (bird) DNA injected into there body. Throughout the books the kids are trying to escape away from the Erasers (people that have had wolf DNA injected into them) and they are trying to save the world at the same time. So what I'm trying to get to is that if you ever get a chance to read the series DO!!! It will be one of the best series you will ever read.

Guest blogged by Kenneth

Did you enjoy Coraline?

The Graveyard Book is the latest release by author Neil Gaiman. The story opens with Every Man Jack and a murder, well actually three murders. A baby escapes to of all places a graveyard. Can you imagine spending your childhood amongst the dead? That's how Bod, short for Nobody, Owens the main character of Neil Giaman's book grows up.

Nobody will make friends, go to school, play with the dead and eventually face Every Man Jack again. This book is an interesting read. If you liked the world Gaiman created in Coraline you'll like Bod's world too.

Twilight readers check out Hunger Games

Okay, first of all it's not about vampires. But give it a chance, after all Stephanie Meyer couldn't put it down when she read it. The Hunger Games is the story of a future where one group of people living in the capital controls everyone else living in the twelve districts. Each year the Hunger Games are held. One boy and one girl from each district participates in the games, fighting the other tributes to the death. The winning child wins riches and foods for themsleves and their district.

Katniss the main character volunteers to go in place of her younger sister to 74th Annual Hunger Games. Will she survive or die? How can she defy the capital? What will happen if she does? These are the questions that will keep you racing through the pages and begging for the sequel, Catching Fire, due out in September.

If you do read The Hunger Games and can't wait for September, check out Scholastic's page for more to do.