Reading Abounds

Title:  Focused Author:  Alyson Gerber Perma-Bound Catalogue #: 181907 Description:    T welve-year-old Clea wants to do her homework, follow instructions, pay attention in school, and play chess on the school team, but it's difficult. When she is diagnosed with ADHD, she becomes determined to learn how to focus. Rubric Rating:  Level 2 - Like It Why I Read It:  Having a daughter with ADHD I thought this would be a title that she would identify with. Notes:   I really wanted to give this title a better grade but unfortunately it fell quite short of the mark in my opinion.  I read this title aloud with my daughter, even without ADHD I found the chapters way too long, and if the appeal of this book is to target readers with ADHD I'm not sure they would have the sustained attention needed.  Clea is struggling in school, she can't seem to focus in class she's distracted by the things around her, her mind flying off in all...

Title:  Ripper Author:   Stephan Petrucha Perma-Bound Catalogue #: 69858 Description:   Adopted by Pinkerton Agency Detective Hawking in 1895 New York, fourteen-year-old Carver hopes to find his birth father, but he becomes involved in the pursuit of Jack the ripper, and discovers finding the truth may be worse than ignorance. Rubric Rating:   Level 2 - Like It.  Why I Read It:   A morbid fascination with Jack the Ripper and related crime writing.  Notes:    I wanted to give this book a better rating.  I really liked the writing and found that the plot moved very quickly, probably because of the short chapters.  But there were aspects of the characters that I found too unbelievable or convenient. The main character Carver Young, is an orphan in New York’s Ellis orphanage.  Desperate to discover who he is, he breaks into the file room and steals a letter apparently written by his father. His counte...

Title:  Big Snowman, Little Snowman Author:  Tish Rabe Perma-Bound Catalogue #: 71485 Description:  When a prophecy traps a kingdom in eternal winter, Princess Anna teams up with Kristoff and his reindeer to embark on a journey to find Anna's sister, Elsa, to put an end to her icy spell. Curriculum Links:  Art: Movie Illustration and Design Language: Antonyms Reading: Poetry and Transforming Character Education: Integrity Social Studies: Friendship and Families Writing: Word Choice Notes:  Design:  This is a cute little book based on Disney's movie Frozen.   The images and characters are easily recognizable from the film.   Content:  As an early reader, this book works well in it's use of antonyms to tell the story of Frozen.  The antonyms are used in context and in conjunction with one another - Happy/Sad, On/Off, In/Out, First/Last - and are capitalized within the text which draws the readers atte...

  Title:  Ollie and the Science of Treasure Hunting Series: A 14 Day Mystery Series #2 Author:  by Erin Dionne Perma-Bound Catalogue #: 82274 Description:  While at Wilderness camp on the Boston Harbor Islands, Ollie must navigate new friends, new enemies, and a high-stakes game of tag, so the last thing he needs is a mystery. But then Ollie meets Grey, an elusive girl with knowledge of the island’s secrets, including the legend of a lost pirate treasure, which may  not  be a legend after all. Rubric Rating:  Level 2 - Like It Why I Read It:   Picked as a Read Aloud Notes:   Turns out that this is actually the second book in a series.  Generally, this didn’t affect the reading of this book with the exception that it made reference to the outcome of the first adventure.  Ollie, having spoiled an art heist in the first book, is sent away to Scout camp to escape the media frenzy that his life has become. ...

Title: Blood in the Water Series: Tides of War - Volume 1 Author: C. Alexander London Perma-Bound Catalogue #: 87271 Description:   Cory McNab is a member of the Navy's Marine Mammal Program where he is partnered with a search-and-recovery dolphin named Kaj, and their new mission is to help locate a spy submersible lost in North Korean waters, but first they have to win the trust of the Navy SEALs who are assigned to deal with the problem. Rubric Rating: Level 2 - Like It Why I Read It: Chosen for a Read Aloud. Notes:    After Cory drops out of the Navy Seals he’s unsure whether or not he wants to even return to the military but after his brother is attacked by a great white shark and he is rescued by a wild dolphin Cory knows what he’s meant to do.  He joins the Navy’s Marine Mammal program and is partnered with a dolphin named Kaj. When a spy submersible goes missing in North Korean waters Cory and Kaj are called upon by the Navy Seals for a sea...

Title: Cool Creations in 35 Pieces Author: Sean Kenney Perma-Bound Catalogue #: 74881 Description:  Offers instructions for creating seventy-five models using just thirty-five common LEGO bricks, including robots, spacecraft, household objects, goofy faces, and aliens. Curriculum Links:  Science: Materials and Structures Art: Design and Construction Math: Shapes and Spatial Perception Inquiry-Based Learning Reading: Non-Fiction Writing: Procedural Lori's Notes:  This is a highly visual non-fiction text that will assist even the youngest students in creating their own lego projects.  The book runs the gamut of projects from robots to faces, buildings to furniture, vehicles to spacecraft, and animals to aliens! The book has very few words - other than giving names to the creations.  Each creation is built using step-by-step visual instructions with the various lego pieces.  Each creation uses only the 35 pieces listed just after the ...

Title: Fiendish Author: Brenna Yovanoff Perma-Bound Catalogue #:  600259586 Description:   Clementine DeVore, seventeen, is determined to learn what happened ten years ago that led to her magical imprisonment and problems in her town, but a dangerous attraction to Fisher, the boy who freed her, town politics, and the terrifying Hollow get in the way. Rubric Rating: Level 2 - Like It Why I Read It:   Read another title by Brenna Yovanoff and picked up this one because I liked the cover. Notes: Clementine is just a child when she find something strange growing in her mother’s garden. It is the beginning of the reckoning, and she’s surrounded by destruction, but she’s locked in the cellar and told to wait for someone to find her.  So she waits, and sleeps, and she is found 10 years later by Eric Fisher. While Clementine dreamt of Eric, he could hear her breathing, he knew something was hidden in the burnt out basement.  While, her home and mother ...

  Title:  Thirteen Chairs Author: Dave Shelton Perma-Bound Catalogue #: 128181 Description:  When Jack enters a deserted house on a cold night, he finds a dozen people, sitting at a table, who invite him to take the thirteenth chair and share a ghost story--with unexpected ramifications. Rubric Rating: Level 2 - Like It Why I Read It: It's a book of short ghost stories.   Notes: I'm not sure it's ever taken me longer to finish a book.  I loved the cover, title, and premise of this book.  I picked it up last summer to read at the cottage figuring a book of short ghost stories would be great to read at night in front of the fire.  The premise of the story is good.  Jack enters a haunted house to find himself invited into a room with 12 other people each holding a candle.  Each relates their story and blows out their candle.  As each story is told Jack is filled with more and more trepidation as he comes to realize thes...

Title:  Con Academy Author: Joe Schreiber Perma-Bound Catalogue #: 97512 Description: Con man Will Shea may have met his match in scammer Andrea Dufresne as they make a high-stakes deal that will determine who gets to stay at Connaughton Academy, one of the most elite and privileged preparatory schools in the country, and who must leave. Rubric Rating: Level 2 - Like It. Why I Read It: Great cover image and title. Notes: I was more than a little disappointed by this book.  I gave it a like instead of a leave because there were some interesting aspects to the story.  Will Shea is attending Connaughton Academy, not based on his academic merit, but on his ability to con the administration into believing he is a student they should be sponsoring to attend.  But at his first day in class he meets Andrea Dufresne, a fellow con who stakes a claim to Con Academy.  Together they devise a bet, whoever can get the wealthiest student to fork over $50,00...

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 k...

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...

Title:  Mortal Danger Author: Ann Aguirre Perma-Bound Catalogue #: 87780 Description: Agreeing to join the mysterious Kian's magical faction to exact revenge on a group of bullies who have tormented her, Edie transforms into a beautiful girl and begins to sabotage the bullies' inner circle -- only to discover dark truths about Kian's world. Rubric Rating: Level 2 Why I Read It: Great Cover and Title Lori's Notes: Now I know I gave this a level 2 but if I did half marks this book would be sitting between a two and a three.  I enjoyed the read but I found some items fell flat with me.  The book begins with Edie on a bridge about to commit suicide.  On the cusp of jumping she feels a hand on her shoulder.  A boy, who, because she is in "extremis," can offer her a deal.  She can be granted three requests and in return must give three for the bargain to be paid in full.  Considering her other option is going back to the bridge, Edie is easil...

Title: Mister Death's Blue-Eyed Girls Author: Mary Downing Hahn Perma-Bound Catalogue #; 69563 Description: Narrated from several different perspectives, tells the story of the 1956 murder of two teenaged girls in suburban Baltimore, Maryland. Rubric Rating: Level 2 - Like It Why I Read It: Interesting title and I like a good murder mystery. Lori's Notes: This book was not what I was expecting.  Set in June 1956, the plot describes the murder of two girls - Cheryl and Bobbi Jo - and the toll their death takes on the community who are left to deal with the aftermath.  While the book's write up sounded like it would be a crime and detection story it really follows the people associated with this horrible event.  The perspective changes but mainly focuses on Nora and Ellie - the best friends of the murdered girls, Buddy - the ex-boyfriend of Cheryl and the major suspect of the crimes - and Mr. Death, the actual killer.  We also glean information from Chery...

Title: Crossed Series: Matched Trilogy Author: Ally Condie Perma-Bound Catalogue #: 70022 Description: Seventeen-year-old Cassia sacrifices everything and heads to the Outer Provinces in search of Ky, where she is confronted with shocking revelations about Society and the promise of rebellion. Rubric Rating: Level 2 - Like It. Why I Read It: Continuing on with this series.  I do quite like the covers on these books. Lori's Notes: Cassia has made her choice.  She's going to find Ky in the Outer Provinces.  But she is still matched with Xander and when he visits her on one of her last work details he giver her a gift - an opportunity she doesn't expect.  When the society sends a plane to take some of the Aberrations (people who aren't citizens) to the outer villages, Cassia boards as well.  If the aberrations can survive for six months they'll regain their "Citizen" status, but the the Society isn't taking the Aberrations to the outer vil...

Series:  The Midnighters Trilogy Author: Scott Westerfeld Perma-Bound Catalogue Series #: 792968 Titles:  Book 1 - The Secret Hour Description:   Upon moving to Bixby, Oklahoma, fifteen-year-old Jessica Day learns that she is one of a group of people who have special abilities that help them fight ancient creatures living in an hour hidden at midnight; creatures that seem determined to destroy Jess. Perma-Bound Catalogue #: 263910 Book 2 - Touching Darkness Description:  As they continue to battle evil creatures living in an hour hidden at midnight, Jessica and her new friends learn about Bixby, Oklahoma's shadowy past and uncover a deadly conspiracy that reaches beyond the secret hour. Perma-Bound Catalogue #: 1796 Book 3 - Blue Noon Description:   The five midnighters from Bixby discover that the secret hour is starting to invade the daylight world, and if they cannot stop it, the darklings will soon be free to hu...

Title: The Wager Author: Donna Jo Napoli Perma-Bound Catalogue #: 44190 Description: Having lost everything in a tidal wave in 1169 Sicily, nineteen-year-old Don Giovanni makes a simple-sounding wager with a stranger he recognizes as the devil but, while desperate enough to surrender his pride and good looks for three years, he is not willing to give up his soul. Rubric Rating: Level 2 - Like It Why I Read It: The cover and write up made the story sound interesting.  I have also read other titles by Donna Jo Napoli. Lori's Notes: Don Giovanni is a rich youth in Italy until Mt. Etna erupts and a tsunami swamps the town of Messina where he lives.  Calling on his friends and guardian, Giovanni learns he has spent through all of his inheritance.  Living like a beggar he runs into a man who makes a wager with him.  Giovanni will be given a magic purse if he does not wash or change his clothes for 3 years, 3 months and 3 days.  Giovanni learns the valu...

Title: Matched Series: Matched Trilogy Book 1 Author: Ally Condie Perma-Bound Catalogue #: 47538 Description: Cassia has always had complete trust in the Society to make decisions for her, but when she is being paired with her ideal mate, a second face flashes on the screen, and Cassia begins to doubt the Society's infallibility. Rubric Rating: Level 2 - Like It Why I Read It: I read this title while reading a bunch of other dystopian selections.  I also really liked the cover. Lori's Notes:  Cassia Reyes has turned 17 and is "matched" with her good friend Xander.  Not often do people in the same community get matched and she feels lucky that she has her best friend for a mate.  However, while looking at Xander's microcard Cassia sees another face - her friend Ky Markham.  Ky is an aberration from the outer provinces who is ineligible for matching.  Could society have made a mistake? Could Ky be her true match?  A dystopian tale, wher...