Reading Abounds

Title: Brain Jack Author: Brian Falkner Perma-Bound Catalogue #: 128664 Description:   In a near-future New York City, computer genius Sam Wilson manages to hack into the AT&T network and sets off a chain of events that have a profound effect on human activity throughout the world. Rubric Rating: Level 4 - Love It! Why I Read It: Interesting write up in the catalogue and a growing interest in tech-related reading. Notes: Sam is a seventeen-year-old Hacker, one of the best around.  So good that he is able to hack into the telecomerica head offices and order a couple of "neuro" headsets for himself and his friend Fargas.  The latest technology that allows you to directly access the computer network using only your brain.  But Sam's hacking brings down services for three days - something that will go down in history.  That's when the CDD (the cyber defence division) start watching him.  It's not long before they hack Sam back and he's arrested.

Guest Post: ANGELA THOMPSON - East Northumberland SS Title: Walk on Earth a Stranger Series: Gold Seer Trilogy (Book #1) Author: Rae Carson Perma-Bound Catalogue #: 108610 Description: Lee Westfall, a young woman with the magical ability to sense the presence of gold, must flee her home to avoid people who would abuse her powers.  When her best friend heads out across Gold Rush-era America to stake his claim, she disguises herself as a boy and set out on her own dangerous journey. Angela's Rubric Rating: Level 4 - Love It! Why Angela Read It:  Truth be told…the cover got me this time.   The title is also poetic and I needed to see if Rae Carson was as skilled a writer as her title lead me to expect.   I have yet to read any of her previous work (Girl of Fire and Thorns series). Angela's Notes:  Walk on Earth a Stranger is the first novel in Rae Carson’s trilogy that centres on the California Gold Rush of 1849. This story begins in Dahlonega, Georgia.  Leah “L

Title:  Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children  (Book 1 in the series) Author: Ransom Riggs Perma-Bound Catalogue #: 72163 Description: A horrific tragedy sends sixteen-year-old Jacob journeying to a remote island, where he discovers the ruins of an old orphanage that was home to children who were more than just peculiar, but possibly dangerous -- and they may still be alive. Rubric Rating: Level 3 - Laud It! Why I Read It: Interesting cover and title, and it's being made into a movie. Notes:   Jacob Portman was always close with his grandfather, loved the stories he used to tell, liked looking at his strange collection of photographs.   But as Jacob got older he stopped believing.   When Jacob receives a frantic phone call from his grandfather, and finds him on death’s doorstep, all of his stories begin to feel real.   Could his grandfather have been telling the truth?   Jacob is struggling in the aftermath of his grandfather’s death and the last task he ha

Title:  Proxy Author: Alex London Perma-Bound Catalogue #: 82514 Description: Privileged Knox and his proxy, Syd, are thrown together to overthrow the system. Rubric Rating: Level 3 - Laud it! Why I Read It: Good title and interesting tag line - "Some debts cannot be repaid." Notes:   Knox is living the "lux" life.  He gets in trouble but that's ok, his proxy is always there to take his punishment.  So when he steals a car and gets into an accident he figures his proxy will get his punishment and all will go back to normal.  Except he's killed someone.  And Syd, Knox's proxy, doesn't want to pay this debt.  In this book society is split into the Upper City - those of wealth and status, and the Valve - those who eke out a living and accumulate debt and when you live in the Valve, everything costs.  Syd has done everything he can not to accrue any debt but his Patron Knox always seems to be getting into trouble and from the time he

Title:  Butter Author: Erin Jade Lange Perma-Bound Catalogue #: 76283 Description: Unable to control his binge eating, a morbidly obese teenager nicknamed Butter decides to make a live webcast of his last meal as he attempts to eat himself to death. Rubric Rating: Level 3 - Laud It Why I Read It:   Interesting cover and title. Notes: Butter's world is empty and he uses food to fill the void.  When Butter gets fed up with the bullying at school he starts a website called "Butter's Last Meal."  While it started as just an outlet for his frustration, when he starts receiving menu suggestions the website takes on a life of its own and starts to affect his real life as well.  The boys who taunted and bullied him now invite him to sit at their table, invite him bowling, and out to parties.  He gets close to his crush Anna, who has no idea that he is the JP she has been communicating with online, until he finally plays his saxophone and she recognizes the

GUEST POST:  ANGELA THOMPSON - East Northumberland SS Title:  The Conspiracy of Us and Map of Fates Author:  Maggie Hall Conspiracy of Us: Perma-bound Catalogue #: 113033 Map of Fates: Perma-Bound Catalogue #: 113032 Description - Conspiracy of Us: When sixteen-year-old Avery West learns her family is part of a powerful and dangerous secret society, and that her own life is in danger, she must follow a trail of clues across Europe. Description - Map of Fates: Accompanied by Jack and Stellan, Avery jets around the world, unraveling the mystery of the Circle with the aim of setting herself and her mother free, before it's too late. Angela's Rubric Rating:  Conspiracy of Us: Level 2 - Like it Map of Fates: Level 3 - Laud it Why I read these books:   An “ordinary” girl gets thrown into a treasure hunt, attracts the attention of two fabulous looking boys, and has a role to play in a conspiracy that could end the world as we know it…sounds pr

Title:  Adrift Author: Paul Griffin Perma-Bound Catalogue #: 104210 Description: Taking a job in Montauk for the summer, best friends Matt and Mike meet a couple girls who enjoy lives of privilege before the group becomes lost at sea in a small boat and must overcome respective differences in order to survive. Rubric Rating: Level 4 - Love it! Why I Read It: I picked this book at the 2016 Reading for the Love of It Conference in Toronto.  I was just going to glance at it quickly and ended up starting to read it right there. Lori's Notes: This book is a very quick read and I finished it over the course of two days.  Matt and John have been friends for years and are bonded over a shared tragedy in their past.  Matt is smart and hoping to head to Yale, John is pragmatic and is planning to become an electrician.  They're spending their summer working the tourist beaches selling drinks and ice cream and this is how they meet Driana (Dri), Estefania and her boyfri

Title: Titanic Sinks! Author: Barry Denenberg Perma-Bound Canada Catalogue#: 56340 Description:   Uses fictional framework to present the true story of the building and launching of the Titanic, to give a "you are there" feeling as the ship goes down. Rubric Rating: Level 2 - Like It. Why I Read it: I read this book around the 100th anniversary of the Titanic Disaster.  I thought the format was an interesting concept. Lori's Notes: This book is set up as a series of newspaper articles and interviews from the "Modern Times: Your World Illustrated."  The book is done in sepia tones to look like old newsprint.  (I think this makes the book stinky - I found the pages really smell.  Be wary if you have a child with any scent sensitivities).  It announces the construction of the ship, the death of one of the 15-year-old boys working on this ship, and a journal account of a fictional reporter on the ship.  Along with interviews of the captain of the Ca

Title:  Laughing at My Nightmare Author: Shane Burcaw Perma-Bound Catalogue #: 96571 Description: A twenty-one-year old with spinal muscular atrophy describes the challenges he faces in completing everyday tasks and shares stories about growing up and living with this rare neuromuscular disease. Rubric Rating: Level 3 - Laud it. Why I Read it: Great title and cover. Lori's Notes: It was the title of this book that piqued my interest.  As someone who generally tries to look on the bright side of life the idea of laughing at a nightmare really appealed to me.  The book is based on Shane Burcaw's blog of the same name.  I actually started reading the blog before getting the book.  I quite enjoy Shane's writing style.  He is quick and witty and I had moments where I laughed out loud.  Shane was diagnosed with spinal muscular atrophy as a child  It is a disease that makes his muscles progressively weaker.  However, this has not stopped Shane from doing anything

Title: Kindred Souls Author: Patricia MacLachlin Perma-Bound Catalogue #: 70437 Description: Ten-year-old Jake shares a special bond with his grandfather, but when he asks Jake to build him a sod house, Jake is not sure he wants to do it. Rubric Rating: Level 4 - Loved it! Why I Read it:  I needed a book to recommend for a good reader in Grade 2 Lori's Notes: Simple and elegant story of Jake and his grandfather Billy.  Billy is 88 and Jake thinks he will live forever.  Billy tells Jake they are "kindred souls."  While they walk around the farm where Billy was born he talks about his old sod house and tells Jake they will build one together.  When Billy gets bronchitis, Jake, his sister Lida, and brother Jesse work together to build Billy a new sod house.  Jake thinks this will make him better so he will stay, but perhaps that's not what Billy really needs.  This book is full of great quotes and ideas that are wonderful for classroom discussion.  The

Title: Stones in Water Author: Donna Jo Napoli Perma-Bound Catalogue #: 284760 Description: After being taken by German soldiers from a local movie theatre along with boys including his Jewish friend, Roberto is forced to work in Germany, escapes into the Ukrainian winter, before desperately trying to make his way back home. Rubric Rating: Level 3 - Laud It Why I Read It: I'm a fan of WWII fiction and stories from around the world. Lori's Notes: Roberto, along with several friends including his Jewish friend Samuele, is kidnapped from a movie theatre in Venice to work in hard labour camps in Germany.  Subjected to the horror of war, Roberto wants desperately to return home but knows he must also help protect Samuele (now called Enzo) who will be killed if discovered.  The first half of the story is really a story about friendship and keeping each other alive.  The second half of the story is Roberto's long trek to find his way home and his coming-of-age in the

Title: Wonder Author: R. J. Palacio Perma-Bound Catalogue #: 61954 Description: Ten-year-old Auggie, born with extreme facial abnormalities, must struggle with the taunting and fear of classmates as he enters a private school in Manhattan in an attempt to live a normal life. Rubric Rating: Level 4 - Love It! Why I Read It: Great cover and multiple requests from customers.  I read 365 Days of Wonder first so I needed to read this book too. Lori's Notes:   This book was fantastic.  August Pullman is a normal kid, except for his face.  August was born with a severe facial deformity, and because of all the surgeries this required August was home schooled.  Now that he is 10, Auggie is enrolled in Beecher Prep Academy. Nervous at first Auggie makes friends with Jack Will and Summer but kids can be cruel and everyone isn't as able to see past Auggie's exterior to the smart and funny kid he is inside.  Kids like Julian who tease Auggie and try to turn the kids agains

Title:  All the Light We Cannot See Author: Anthony Doerr Perma-Bound Catalogue #: 98669 Description:  A blind French girl on the run from the German occupation and a German orphan-turned-Resistance tracker struggle with their respective beliefs after a fortuitous meeting on the Brittany coast. Rubric Rating: Level 4 - Love It! Why I Read it: This book has been on my reading list for awhile and it was recommended to me by several people. Lori's Notes: This was a fantastic novel.  It may seem overwhelming in terms of size but the individual chapters are very short and read almost like mini short stories within the book.  The characters alternate between Marie-Laure a blind Parisian girl, and Werner an orphan German boy. Marie-Laure's father, Daniel LeBlanc, works in a Paris Museum as a key master and designs intricate puzzle boxes for his daughter.  Werner lives in a children's home with his sister Jutta and because of his interest in radios is quickly recruit