This was my second time through this one. I really liked it the first time as well. 5 young people are chosen at random to participate in a reality TVThis was my second time through this one. I really liked it the first time as well. 5 young people are chosen at random to participate in a reality TV re-creation of Scott's doomed expedition to the South Pole. The unlikely and unprepared group has to pull together and learn each others' strengths in order to succeed. Working against them is the ratings-obsessed head of the Department of Entertainment which doubles as the Department of Education - education being limited to "teleschool" and stopping at age 14 unless you are lucky enough to win a lottery for secondary education. The five, who did not win the lottery but want more education, are aided by an unexpected source. Suitable for gr. 6-9....more
I had heard good things about this book, but it hadn't made it onto my must-read list until it was selected for our 8th grade book club by a student wI had heard good things about this book, but it hadn't made it onto my must-read list until it was selected for our 8th grade book club by a student who wouldn't be denied. I found it entertaining and in places laugh-out-loud funny. The reader is introduced to 12-year-old Stephanie and a mysterious man dressed in overcoat and scarf in the first couple of pages. Stephanie turns out to be a great protagonist, but the mystery man, who turns out to be a living skeleton named Skulduggery Pleasant, is equally great. The two trade some great lines as they form a partnership and work to keep a powerful magical artifact out of the wrong hands. Highly recommended for grades 5-9 (boys will like this as much as girls) and for the rest of us who like entertaining, well-written YA literature....more
Those few of you who actually look at my reviews already know that I love re-told fairy tales, and this one is no exception. It is based on a Grimm BrThose few of you who actually look at my reviews already know that I love re-told fairy tales, and this one is no exception. It is based on a Grimm Brothers tale, the Goose Girl (surprise!), and is told with a lot of detail. The main character Ani is a princess who is sent to marry the prince of a neighboring kingdom. Unbeknownst to her, her lady-in-waiting has planned to take her place and marry the prince herself. Ani manages to escape the ambush of her trusted retainers, and has to reinvent herself as a citizen of the foreign kingdom. This fairy tale world has the usual roster of evil and ill-meaning citizens, a handsome and kind prince, and loyal non-human friends, including the geese of the title. ...more
I couldn't give this five stars, because I really didn't love it. I didn't even like it all that much, but I think it is an important book, therefore I couldn't give this five stars, because I really didn't love it. I didn't even like it all that much, but I think it is an important book, therefore the four star rating. I felt like it was kind of choppy, jumping around from one subject to another through Maya's childhood. I can see why it has been challenged multiple times, especially for the description, not completely graphic but close, of her rape at age 8 by her stepfather. Even though we have it in our middle school library, I don't think I would give it to most middle school students. Our 8th grade book club (all girls at this point) is currently reading it and I am quite curious to hear their reactions to it. For the most part, they are pretty mature readers and I don't think they will have difficulties with the subject matter, although I think they will have trouble relating to Maya's childhood and living situation. I'm glad I read it, but it's not on my read-again shelf....more
Recommended for gr. 9-adult. I loved this book. I wasn't sure about it when it was selected for our 8th grade book club, but once I started it, I coulRecommended for gr. 9-adult. I loved this book. I wasn't sure about it when it was selected for our 8th grade book club, but once I started it, I couldn't put it down. It was a bit mature for 8th grade, mostly due to violence (the main character, Katsa, is thought to have a gift, or "Grace", for killing) as well as the not-quite-graphic relationship of Katsa and the Lienid prince, Po. Katsa is a strong female protagonist, which the reader sees from the beginning, and as the story progresses, she learns just how strong she is. Po is a likeable character, and the reader is happy to see them get together - on Katsa's terms. The quest they embark on together is challenging physically, mentally and emotionally, and the terribly evil villain has a Grace that makes him almost undefeatable.
This book is the start of a trilogy. Book 2 is apparently a prequel (which is disappointing - I was hoping for more about Katsa!)....more
I can see why middle school boys can't get enough of this series. The story begins with Will, age 15, and his fellow Wards (orphans who have been brouI can see why middle school boys can't get enough of this series. The story begins with Will, age 15, and his fellow Wards (orphans who have been brought up in the Baron's castle) at their Choosing, where they become apprentices and learn a craft or skill. Will desperately wants to become a knight, because all he knows of his father is that he was "a hero". Rejected by Battleschool because he is too small, he unwittingly passes a test and becomes the Ranger's apprentice. His small stature and quick wit prove to be assets in his new life. He and the mysterious Ranger, Halt, work together to save their land, the Baron, and their friends. Will learns the truth about his father, and is ready for new adventures, which are forthcoming in the next 6 books available in the US. The story will appeal to girls also, although I hope the female characters get a little more development in the following volumes....more
Recommended for gr. 5-8. This is the story of a boy whose family lives on Alcatraz Island in 1935. His father is a guard at the prison, and Al Capone Recommended for gr. 5-8. This is the story of a boy whose family lives on Alcatraz Island in 1935. His father is a guard at the prison, and Al Capone is a prisoner. The title comes from a scheme the warden's daughter has hatched to make some money by having the prison laundry wash the clothes of their classmates on the mainland. It is quite entertaining. Natalie, the sister of the narrator, Moose, is "different", probably what today would be called autistic. An interesting side story is how the family deals with her differences....more
Recommended for gr. 6-10. Capricorn Anderson is an 8th grader who has spent his whole life on a 60's-style hippie commune, raised by his grandmother. Recommended for gr. 6-10. Capricorn Anderson is an 8th grader who has spent his whole life on a 60's-style hippie commune, raised by his grandmother. When she is injured picking apples and sent to a rehab facility to recover, he must attend a modern day middle school. Nothing in his possession-free, money-free, peace-and-love upbringing has prepared him for the outside world. He manages to maintain his good natured innocence in spite of attempts at humiliation thrown at him by a bullying football player. This is a charming story that was enjoyed by both boys and girls in our seventh grade book club....more
Great for gr. 6-up. I enjoyed this one more than I expected to - the djinni Bartimaeus' footnotes as he was telling his part of the story were quite eGreat for gr. 6-up. I enjoyed this one more than I expected to - the djinni Bartimaeus' footnotes as he was telling his part of the story were quite entertaining. The story concerns an apprentice magician who summons Bartimaeus to steal a magical artifact (the Amulet of Samarkand) in order to get back at its owner. This complicates a plot set in motion by the amulet's owner to take over the magical world. This is the first book of a trilogy....more
Recommended for gr. 6-12. This is my all-time favorite Will Hobbs book. I love his descriptions of the Maze (in Canyonlands National Park), the condorRecommended for gr. 6-12. This is my all-time favorite Will Hobbs book. I love his descriptions of the Maze (in Canyonlands National Park), the condors and hang-gliding. It makes me want to fly myself! The story deals with Rick, a troubled 14-year-old on the run, who ends up in the camp of Lon Peregrino, a condor scientist in the Maze. The two loners find themselves with much in common, working their way from suspicion to acceptance to trust, while dealing with bad guys and nature. A great read, boys will like it....more
Recommended for gr. 4-7. Griffin Bing, "The Man With The Plan", is an 11-year-old schemer. One of his plans leads to accidentally finding a rare Babe Recommended for gr. 4-7. Griffin Bing, "The Man With The Plan", is an 11-year-old schemer. One of his plans leads to accidentally finding a rare Babe Ruth baseball card. He is swindled out of its true value by a local collector's emporium. His plans for stealing it back get more and more complicated, finally involving 5 friends and a local bully. Just about everything in the plan goes wrong, lessons are learned, and there's a good resolution in the end. Upper elementary students will enjoy this one....more
This is the start of a new series by Anthony Horowitz, bordering on mild horror. I did not find this nearly as good as Stormbreaker. I felt like the fThis is the start of a new series by Anthony Horowitz, bordering on mild horror. I did not find this nearly as good as Stormbreaker. I felt like the first half of the book was spent setting the scene, with the protagonist, Matt, feeling bewildered by the unusual turns his life has taken. As part of an alternative discipline program, he has been sent to live and work in the country with creepy Miss Deverill and her even creepier handyman, Noah. When he tries to escape, all of the roads lead back to Miss Deverill's home. He finds a couple of allies, but both of them are killed while trying to help him. With the help of a newspaper reporter, Richard, he discovers that he may be being set up to be a sacrifice to open the Raven's Gate, which many years ago had been blocked to keep out the evil Old Ones. In the process, dinosaur fossils come to life, a nuclear reactor explodes (or did it?), and orphan Matt may have found a new home. Middle school boys and a few girls seem to like this one, but it didn't do anything for me....more
I loved this book. Characters are middle school aged, but older students (and adults) will enjoy it also. In 1967, Holling Hoodhood is the only studenI loved this book. Characters are middle school aged, but older students (and adults) will enjoy it also. In 1967, Holling Hoodhood is the only student who is in Mrs. Baker's classroom on Wednesday afternoons. The other students all go either to Hebrew school or Catholic catechism. Holling, being Presbyterian, isn't eligible for either of these. After they run into problems with eraser cleaning, Mrs. Baker sets Holling to reading Shakespeare. He discovers that Shakespeare is full of great curses like "toads, beetles, bats" and insults like "pied ninny", and begins to love the language. He is drafted to play the fairy Ariel in The Tempests - and if you think playing a fairy might be a problem for a 7th grade boy, wait until you read about his costume! Along the way the reader discovers that Mrs. Baker's husband is serving in Vietnam, and we worry with her waiting for news after he is declared Missing in Action. Holling discovers a talent for cross-country running, his sister wants to become a flower child, classroom rats escape to live in the ceiling, famous baseball players come to town, and all sorts of things happen in this great novel. Boys and girls will both enjoy it....more
Recommended for gr. 6-10. I read this book to go along with our 8th grade book club. It is the first time I can remember that ALL of the book club memRecommended for gr. 6-10. I read this book to go along with our 8th grade book club. It is the first time I can remember that ALL of the book club members had read the whole book (there are only 5 of them, but still...). It was enjoyed by all - boys, girls, and volunteer dad alike, and we had a great discussion. The story opens with a 14-year-old boy named, appropriately enough, Peak as he is climbing a skyscraper - on the outside. He is caught by police and as part of a court settlement, goes to live with his father, a famous climber, in the far east. As it turns out, Peak's father is in the midst of leading an expedition to climb Mt. Everest, and wants Peak to join them. He learns about himself, his father, and human nature in the course of the story. A great read....more
I read this about a year and a half ago, and really liked it. I liked it this time through also, and it was interesting hearing what the students (7thI read this about a year and a half ago, and really liked it. I liked it this time through also, and it was interesting hearing what the students (7th grade) in the book club thought. They had a hard time grasping how serious the situation in the book was, so I think I will bump my age recommendation to gr. 7 and up. The parent volunteer book club leader and I had some interesting discussions on our own about the book - I think adults will like it as much or more than students. We have more life experience to draw on. In the story, a meteor collision with the moon turns out to be more intense than expected, with the consequence of the moon's orbit being changed. Tides and volcanic activity are altered, and winter comes early (in August) to Miranda's small town in Pennsylvania. Food supplies, utilities and gasoline are all cut off, and Miranda and her family are forced to survive with the supplies they have managed to gather. Told in diary style, the reader experiences the ups and downs of life as it is first hand. A very powerful novel, it will make the reader think about what is really important in life....more
This is written by the same author as "Last Shot", and features the same young protagonists, Stevie and Susan Carol. This time they are reporting on tThis is written by the same author as "Last Shot", and features the same young protagonists, Stevie and Susan Carol. This time they are reporting on the U.S. Open, and get involved in a mystery surrounding the kidnapping of a beautiful and talented Russian player. Could Susan Carol's beloved uncle be involved? You don't need to love tennis to like this book, and you will certainly find out a bit about what goes on behind the scenes of an international tournament....more
I enjoyed this one. It's a complicated story involving 10 characters who are gathered on an island and they begin dying one by one, following a nurserI enjoyed this one. It's a complicated story involving 10 characters who are gathered on an island and they begin dying one by one, following a nursery rhyme about 10 little indians. We had several different editions of the book for the book club, and it was interesting to see changes that were made over time. The original title was "Ten Little Indians". More interesting was a phrase used in the older editions, "a nigger in the woodpile". In later editions that was changed to "a fly in the ointment". Interestingly, none of the 6th graders mentioned that phrase. A note as to the appeal of the book, only about 1/3 of the students in the book club managed to get through it. Most of them either lost interest or could not follow the changing viewpoints of the book....more
A great book, written in free verse, about the Ku Klux Klan coming to a small town in Vermont in the 1920's. Each page or so is told by a different chA great book, written in free verse, about the Ku Klux Klan coming to a small town in Vermont in the 1920's. Each page or so is told by a different character from his/her viewpoint. The characters range from a young Jewish girl from New York to a shopkeeper, to a preacher to a young man caught in the middle. It was very helpful to have a "cast of characters" list at the beginning which lists the person's name, age and occupation, along with a photo. I referred to this list often to help me keep the characters straight. Middle schoolers will enjoy this, but adults can get something from it also....more
Great new book by Will Hobbs. Boys will like this story of a meteorite which falls to earth through the roof of Brady's house. Brady and his cousin QuGreat new book by Will Hobbs. Boys will like this story of a meteorite which falls to earth through the roof of Brady's house. Brady and his cousin Quinn research the rock (it turns out to be from Mars) and discover that it has some interesting effects due to extraterrestrial microbes. Recommended for gr. 5-9....more
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