Reading Abounds

Title: Escape from Mr. Lemoncello's Library Author: Chris Grabenstein Perma-Bound Catalogue #: 69703 Description:   Kyle Keeley is the class clown, popular with most kids (if not the teachers), and an ardent fan of all games: board games, word games, and particularly video games.  His hero, Luigi Lemoncello, the most notorious and creative gamemaker in the world, just so happens to be the genius behind the building of the new town library.  Lucky Kyle wins a coveted spot to be one of the first 12 kids in the library for an overnight of fun, food and lots and lots of games.  But when morning comes, the doors remain locked.  Kyle and the other winners must solve every clue and every secret puzzle to find the hidden escape route.  And the stakes are very high. Rubric Rating: Level 4: Love it!  (Really top marks!) Why Did I Read It:  This book had such a fantastic title that I had to read it!  Who would ever want to escape a library? Lori's Notes:   Loved, Loved, Love

Title: T4 Author: Ann Clare LeZotte Perma-Bound Catalogue #: 31755 Description: When the Nazi party takes control of Germany, thirteen-year-old Paula, who is deaf, finds her world-as-she-knows-it turned upside down, as she is taken into hiding to protect her from the new law nicknamed T4. Rubric Rating: Level 3: Laud It Why I Read It:  I'm interested in reading war stories and I'd not heard of the T4 laws.  I was also intrigued by the sign language on the cover. Lori's Notes:   A story written through poetry and a very fast read.  Anyone who is interested in WWII novels should take a look at this book.  13-year old Paula is deaf.  It is this fact, and this fact alone, that puts her in danger.  Once the Nazi party institutes the T4 laws, and rumours begin to circulate of people disappearing, Paula's family decides that she must go into hiding.   And many others must do the same.  I love that the title of the book is spelled in sign language on the cover

Title: The Book Thief Author: Markus Zusak Perma-Bound Catalogue #: 23256 Description:  Trying to make sense of the horrors of World War II, Death relates the story of Liesel -- A young German girl who's book-stealing and story-telling talents help sustain her family and the Jewish man they are hiding, as well as their neighbours. Rubric Rating: Level 4: Love It Why I Read It:  An interest in WWII fiction and a fellow reader's recommendation. Lori's Notes: Told from Death's perspective, he relates the tale of Liesel Meminger, a young German girl whose love of books and stories help her to survive during WWII.  Death first meets Liesel when her brother dies, and Liesel steals her first book - The Grave Digger's Handbook.  It is this small act of theft that draws Death's interest.  Liesel is fostered by Rosa and Hans Hubermann.  Liesel feels an immediate kinship with Hans and he supports her love of words by teaching her to read and write.   Liesel&#

Title: Food, Girls, and Other Things I Can't Have Author:  Allen Zadoff Perma-Bound Catalogue #: 37965 Description:   Fifteen-Year-Old Andrew Zansky, the second fattest at his high school, joins the varsity football team to get the attention of a new girl on whom he has a crush. Rubric Rating: Level 3: Laud It Why I Read It: The title is fantastic and the first two sentences of the book had me hooked. Lori's Notes: Andrew Zansky knows that there must be a God because he's not the fattest kid in school...he's the second fattest. Bullied, with only one friend, he's a social outcast until he joins the football team.  Although this brings him the sense of acceptance he's longed for he realizes that being part of the popular clique isn't all that it's cracked up to be.  And being popular does not necessarily mean being happy.  A very good read, with laugh out loud moments. Recommended Reader: Grade 9 and up.  A particularly good read for boys.

Title: Code Orange Author: Caroline B. Cooney Perma-Bound Catalogue #: 70170 Description:   While conducting research for a school paper on smallpox, Mitty finds an envelope containing 100-year-old smallpox scabs and fears that he has infected himself and all of New York City. Rubric Rating: Level 3: Laud It Why I Read It: I quite liked the cover of this book and I read some of Cooney's books as a teen. Lori's Notes: All Mitchell Blake wanted to do was complete his biology assignment.  Research a virus, its symptoms, treatment options, whether it can be used in bioterrorism, etc.  Mitty doesn't relish the idea of doing all of this research especially when asked to use four actual books.  When his family goes to their country home on the weekend he stumbles across four books in the library that are exactly what he needs - but they also contain something he doesn't.  Inside the pages Mitty finds some scabs from the 1902 smallpox epidemic.  Unfortunately he d

Title: Num8ers Series: Num8ers Trilogy Author: Rachel Ward Perma-Bound Catalogue #: 40680 Description: Fifteen-year-old Jem knows when she looks at someone the exact date they will die, so she avoids relationships and tries to keep out of the way, but when she meets a boy named Spider and they plan a day out together, they become more involved than either of them had planned. Rubric Rating: Level 3: Laud It Why I Read It: I have a thing for numbers and the title and cover really drew me in. Lori's Notes:  Jem is special.  She's always been special.  If she looks people in the eyes she sees numbers.  Numbers that are the date of their death.  Jem doesn't realize this when she's young and tells people their death dates but as she gets older she realizes how dangerous this information is.  So she retreats.  She hides away, avoiding people as much as she can.  One day while skipping school she meets a black boy named Spider, an incessant-talking, jump-around

Title: Fledgling Series: Jason Steed Author: Mark A. Cooper Perma-Bound Catalogue #: 48196 Description: Jason Steed, an eleven-year-old martial arts expert, is spending his summer training on a British Navy Frigate when rebel forces attack, and he must find the courage to rescue a special ops team and save the world from a nuclear war. Rubric Rating: Level 4: Love It! Why I Read It: I was looking for a good book to recommend for a boy.  I didn't notice the profile picture of the boy doing martial arts in the corner of the cover.  I just noticed the military symbols and thought it looked interesting. Lori's Notes: This was a really good read.  The main character - Jason Steed - is amazing.  As much a child prodigy as he is a precocious youth it's incredible how much he is able to accomplish.  Like Robopocalypse  this is a story that gives you a glimpse at the ending before starting back at the beginning.  In this case, right back to Jason's birth.  Jason

Title:  Divergent Series: Divergent Trilogy Author: Veronica Roth Perma-Bound Catalogue #: 66440 Description: In a dystopian future Chicago, sixteen-year-old Beatrice must choose the faction to which she'll devote the rest of her life--while hiding the fact that she doesn't truly fit in anywhere. Rubric Rating: Level 4: Love It Why I Read It: After finishing the Hunger Games Series I was looking for another dystopian series to read and this looked promising. Lori's Notes:  Split into factions, society is made up of the Dauntless, Erudite, Candor, Amity, Abnegation, and the unfortunate factionless.  At 16 youth are allowed to either choose to stay with their families in the faction that has raised them or choose another life.  The factions base their teachings on their values; candor believe that unrest is caused by lying so they value truth, dauntless believe it is caused by cowardice so they value bravery etc.  Beatrice has always admired the dauntless

Title: Paper Valentine Author: Brenna Yovanoff Perma-Bound Catalogue #: 67784 Description: Followed everywhere by the ghost of her recently deceased best friend, Hannah investigates the serial murders of young girls in her community. Rubric Rating: Level 3: Laud It Why I read it: I have to admit it was all the cover art that drew me into this novel. Lori's Notes:  Hannah is still dealing with the death of her best friend Lillian.  Which would be difficult anyway, except Lillian keeps haunting her.  Showing up in her bedroom, sitting on the tv, following her around town.  It's very hard for Hannah to sort out her feelings while Lillian continuously runs commentary on her entire life.  Worse, there is a serial killer in Ludlow, killing girls in the community, meaning Hannah and her little sister Ariel could be in danger.   When the ghosts of the dead girls start appearing to Hannah, giving her clues to their murder, Hannah has no choice but to get involved. There we

Title: Jake and Lily Author: Jerry Spinelli Perma-Bound Catalogue #: 70436 Description:   Jake and Lily are twins and have always felt the same, like two halves of one person, but the year they turn eleven and Jake begins hanging out with Bump Stubbins, everything changes. Rubric Rating: Level 4: Love It Why I Read It: After previewing the first chapter I was intrigued by the dual narrative between Jake and Lily. Lori's Notes:  Jake and Lily are twins.  On their 6th birthday they wake up holding hands standing on the train station platform.  (They were born on a train).  It's then that they realize they have what they call "Goombla."  They know what the other is thinking or feeling  even if they're in danger.  The year they turn 11, Jake starts hanging out with Bump Stubbins.  A neighbourhood boy Lily does not like at all.  Lily starts to feel left behind and a little lost not having her brother with her, and is terrified that they are losing their &

Title: Climbing the Stairs Author: Padma Venkatraman Perma-Bound Catalogue #: 27440 Description:  In India, in 1941, when her father becomes brain-damaged in a non-violent protest march, fifteen-year-old Vidya and her family are forced to move in with her father's etended family and become accustomed to a totally different way of life. Rubric Rating: Level 3: Laud It Why I Read It: This book was given to me by an associate as a recommended read. Lori's Notes:   Vidya wants to be independent.  She wants personal freedom - to make choices for herself and her future.  Vidya wants an education and to choose who and when to marry, customs not traditionally followed in her culture.  After her father is injured and suffers brain damage, something Vidya feels guilty for, she must live with her extended family.  While tradition suggests that you treat others with kindness and respect, her family is seen as a burden, they call her Appa an idiot, and treat her mother and her

Title: Blink and Caution Author: Tim Wynne-Jones Perma-Bound Catalogue #: 50958 Description: Two teenagers who are living on the streets and barely getting by become involved in a complicated criminal plot, and make an unexpected connection with each other. ***Canadian*** Rubric Rating: Level 2: Like It Why I Read It: The title was interesting and I have read other Wynne-Jones novels so I thought I would check out this book. Lori's Notes: Two teens, nicknamed Blink and Caution, find their lives entwined when they become part of a "kidnapping." Blink, who suffers from Tourette's syndrome, is pilfering food from a Toronto hotel when he finds himself in the middle of a mystery after witnessing an apparent "crime in progress."  Caution, a girl who ends up in Toronto after the accidental death of her brother (something she thinks is her fault), decides to help Blink after pick pocketing him at the train station.  Travelling by train across eastern

Title: 13 Treasures Series: 13 Treasures Trilogy Author: Michelle Harrison Perma-Bound Catalogue #: 44457 Description: Bedeviled by evil fairies that only she can see, thirteen-year-old Tanya is sent to stay with her cold and distant grandmother at Elvesden Manor, where she and the caretaker's son solve a disturbing mystery that leads them to the discovery that Tanya's life is in danger. Rubric Rating: Level 3: Laud It Why I Read It: My son picked this book as our read aloud and read together novel. Lori's Notes:   Tanya is horribly troubled by fairies.  She's been able to see fairies all her life.  Unfortunately, her mother doesn't seem to sense them at all, so Tanya is blamed for much (or all) of the mischief the fairies have caused.  Having had enough of her "pranks" Tanya's mother sends her to stay with her grandmother at Elvesden manor.  Tanya knows that her grandmother doesn't like her and dreads the stay but she eventually fi

Title: Stuck in Neutral Author: Terry Trueman Perma-Bound Catalogue #: 289114 Description: Fourteen-year-old Shawn McDaniel, who suffers from severe cerebral palsy, relates his perceptions of his life, his family, and his condition, which makes him believe his father is planning to kill him. 2001 Michael L. Printz Honour Book Rubric Rating: Level 3: Laud it Why I Read It: I was looking for a quick read and this book was small with a low page count. Lori's Notes:   Shawn is profoundly disabled.  He is unable to speak, move, or interact with those around him.  However, he remembers absolutely everything that he hears.  So when his father talks about "ending his pain" Shawn knows that his father, a Pulitzer-Prize winning author, is planning to kill him.  Shawn's father feels his son is in agony as a result of the cerebral palsy and a seizure disorder that causes Shawn to have multiple seizures daily. However, Shawn loves his seizures, they allow him to ex

Title: Stiff: The Curious Lives of Human Cadavers Author: Mary Roach Perma-Bound Catalogue #: 284472 Description: Describes the roles human cadavers have played in the development of science and medicine. Rubric Rating: Level 3: Laud It Why I Read It: I was looking to expand my non-fiction reading and I'm a fan of slightly morbid literature. Lori's Notes: From body snatching to medicinal uses of corpses, this book runs the gamut of possible "ends" of the human body. Although the information sometimes becomes a bit dense Mary's humour generally makes this book a fun read despite its gory subject matter.  I particularly liked the footnotes interspersed throughout the book.  Ideal for senior high school students and anyone with an interest in forensic sciences and medicine. Recommended Readers: Grade 10 and Up.  Anyone with an interest in Forensics or even perhaps biology. Themes: Non-fiction, Science, History, Body Donation, Medicine, Body Snatche

Title: The Secret History of Tom Trueheart Author: Ian Beck Perma-Bound Catalogue #: 13542 Description:  When young Tom Trueheart's seven older brothers all go missing during their adventures in the Land of Stories, he embarks on a perilous mission to save them and to capture the rogue story-writer who wants to do away with the heroes. Rubric Rating: Level 2: Like It Why I Read It: Selected by my son for a read aloud and read together. Lori's Notes:  Young Tom is just about to turn 12 and can't wait to start his own story adventure.  All of his older brothers have been in their own stories (and all have "Jack" names - Jack, Jake, Jacquot, Jacques, Jackie).  Each brother receives a letter from the story bureau to enter the land of stories.  Tom expects them home in time for his birthday but when none of them return, Tom and his mother start to worry.  Tom receives his own letter from the story Bureau instructing him to start his own adventure by findi

Title:   The Invention of Hugo Cabret Author:   Brian Selznick Perma-Bound Catalogue #: 14355 Description:  Hugo, an orphaned clock keeper living in a Paris train station, finds his secret life jeopardized when he meets an old toy seller and his goddaughter. 2008 Caldecott Medal Winner Rubric Rating: Level 4: Love It Why I Read It: Just flipping through this book it was the illustrations that got me. Lori's Notes:   This book is a tome but the majority of the novel is beautiful pencil illustrations.  The writing is easy to read and follow, and is surrounded by extensive white space.  The story is fantastic.  After his father dies in a museum fire, Hugo is adopted by his alcoholic Uncle and moves into the Paris train station.  When his Uncle fails to return home one night, Hugo, takes it upon himself to become the station's clock keeper.  By using materials he finds (read: steals) around the train station, Hugo attempts to repair an old automaton that his father

Title:  Malice Series: Malice Author: Chris Wooding Perma-Bound Catalogue #: 48546 Description: Fans Luke, Seth, and Kady have read all about the sinister world in which the villainous Tall Jake resides, but they learn more about it than they ever wanted when they are suddenly pulled into the pages of their comic book. Rubric Rating: Level 4: Love It Why I Read It: I liked how this novel interspersed chapter reading with graphic novel elements.  I also like stories about urban legends and Tall Jake on the cover drew me in! Lori's Notes: When Luke disappears, Seth and Kady discover it has everything to do with the strange Comic Malice.  By calling on "Tall Jake" kids are being abducted into the comic book world and their harrowing adventures are found in the next issue.  An extremely exciting adventure read, the kids are smart, wily, daring (if not a little reckless), and brave. Meeting Justin in the world of Malice the three decide they must take on Jak

Title: Eight Keys Author: Suzanne LaFleur Perma-Bound Catalogue #: 52693 Description:  When twelve-year-old Elise, orphaned since age three, becomes disheartened by middle school, with its bullies, changing relationships, and higher expectations, keys to long-locked rooms and messages from her late father help her cope. Rubric Rating: Level 4: Love It Why I Read it: I was looking for a book for middle school that would appeal to girls.  I liked the two kids on the cover. Lori's Notes:   Things all change for Elise when she starts middle school.  Her locker partner is a hurtful, name-calling, bully who makes Elise question her friendship with her best friend Franklin and worse her own self-worth.  Elise's story is complex; her mother died the day she was born and her father dies just three years later of cancer.  Aunt Bessie and Uncle Hugh raise Elise.  They are very compassionate and mostly understanding to her situation. Every year on her birthday she receives

Title: Lockdown Series: Escape from Furnace Author: Alexander Gordon Smith Perma-Bound Catalogue #: 40155 Description: When fourteen-year old Alex is framed for murder, he becomes an inmate in the Furnace Penitentiary, where boys who disappear in the middle of the night sometimes return weirdly altered, and escape might be possible. Rubric Rating: Level 2: Like it Why I Read It: The cover looked really interesting and a little bit frightening; particularly the boy looking back in one eye of the gas mask. Lori's Notes: Alex is no angel but he certainly doesn't deserve the hell that is Furnace Penitentiary.  Located miles underground, this prison is a nightmare.  No windows, no fresh air, and strange mutant guards and dogs. When Alex is framed for murder he finds himself facing a life sentence.  In order to keep his sanity he searches for a way to escape.  His cellmate Donovan and fellow inmate Zee and eventually "new fish" Toby attempt escape.  Although