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? ...

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 i...

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. ...

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.  Unfor...

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 incessa...

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 Jaso...

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 th...

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 g...

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 t...