Reading Abounds

Title: Egghead Author: Caroline Pignat Perma-Bound Cat#: 33352 Description: Three teens struggle to find their way through life with a bully. ***Canadian*** Rubric Rating: Love 4: Love it. Why I Read It: I was looking for some books with Bullying as the main theme and this was by a Canadian. Lori's Notes: Freshman year in high school is not easy for anybody - but it's even worse when you have to put up with a bully, or you're best friends with a bully, or you stand up to a bully.  Devan is Shane's best friend and Shane is a bully.  Devan understands the difficult home life Shane has and knows that he needs a friend to tell him right from wrong.  William is the kid who's just a little bit odd, nicknamed "egghead" by Shane, William just tries to get through school without getting in anybody's way.  And then there's Katie, she likes Devan but doesn't know how he can be friends with someone like Shane.  She's friends with Will...

Title: Fat Vampire: A Never Coming of Age Story Author: Adam Rex Perma-Bound Catalogue #: 44352 Description: After being bitten by a vampire, not only is fifteen-year-old Doug doomed eternally to be fat, but now he must also save himself from the desperate host of a public-access-cable vampire-hunting television show that is on the verge of cancellation. Rubric Rating: Level 1: Leave It Why I Read It: This was all title and cover.  I thought the cover image was fabulous and I was piqued by the humour of the title. Lori's Notes:  Doug is a vampire.  But he isn't the typically good-looking, mesmerizing, adaptable vampire.  He's a socially awkward, geeky, fat vampire.  He is an overweight social misfit who just wants to fit in.  Becoming a vampire just further emphasizes how out of place he is at school and even within his own social group. Sejal, a foreign exchange student (and Doug's crush) exemplifies this same idea having been diagnosed as ...

Title: The Death-Defying Pepper Roux Author:  Geraldine McCaughrean Perma-Bound Catalogue #: 41126 Description: Having been raised believing he will die before he reaches the age of fourteen, Pepper Roux runs away on his fourteenth birthday in an attempt to elude his fate, assumes another identity, and continues to try to outrun death, no matter the consequences. Rubric Rating: Level 2: Like it Why I Read It: Looking for a book that would appeal to a boy who is a good reader. Lori's Notes: Pepper Roux believes that he will die at the age of fourteen - a prophecy given him by his Aunt Mireille (his jealous spinster aunt who seems to have no redeeming qualities despite her strict adherence to religion).  His parents have raised him but have not become attached to him fearing his early death.  Pepper has not been given very much education but he is a well-mannered, clever young man. Seeking to outwit the angels he thinks are "out to get him," Pepper slips int...

Title: The One and Only Ivan Author: Katherine Applegate (Illustrations by Patricia Castelao) Perma-Bound Catalogue #: 57635 Description: Based on a true story, the book tells of Ivan, a captive gorilla who uses art to bridge the gap between his cage and the outside world. 2013 Newberry Award Winner Rubric Rating: Level 4: Love it Why I Read It: That cover is just adorable.  A quick flip put this book on the top of my reading pile. Lori's Notes: Ivan, a silverback gorilla, lives in a mall zoo with several other animals.  When a young elephant, Ruby, arrives to help increase traffic (and therefore sales) to the mall, Ivan becomes her surrogate guardian.  Not able to communicate effectively with the humans around him, Ivan uses art to help rescue Ruby and in turn himself.  The cast of characters is rounded out with matronly elephant Stella, Bob the stray dog, and Julia the caretaker's daughter who is a kindred artist.  A fantastic fast read. ...