Reading Abounds

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