AHS Library Book Blog

Au Revoir, Crazy European Chick

2012-02-02T11:24:00.000-08:00

By Joe Schreiber

F SCH

What would you do if your mother made you take the geeky foreign exchange student to Prom? What if your date turned out to be a hot foreign assassin who forces you to drive her around NYC while she completes her five jobs?

That is exactly what happens to perfect college bound, rock band star, Perry. His Prom night plan becomes a wild adventure beyond his imagination. A fast paced spy action read will keep you turning the pages! I read this one in one sitting because of the amount of action. It appeals to both sexes and certainly those who love spy, action, and adventure. The biggest twist comes at the end and the college admission questions that begin each chapter, very clever!

2012-01-30T09:31:00.000-08:00

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EVA

Welcome to Trenton, New Jersey, home to wiseguys, average Joes, and Stephanie Plum, who sports a big attitude and even bigger money problems (since losing her job as a lingerie buyer for a department store). Stephanie needs cash—fast—but times are tough, and soon she’s forced to turn to the last resort of the truly desperate: family...

ONE FALSE MOVE

Stephanie lands a gig at her sleazy cousin Vinnie’s bail bonding company. She’s got no experience. But that doesn’t matter. Neither does the fact that the bail jumper in question is local vice cop Joe Morelli.

From the time he first looked up her dress to to the time Steph hit him with her father’s Buick, M-o-r-e-l-l-i has spelled t-r-o-u-b-l-e. And now the hot guy is in hot water—wanted for murder...

2012-01-12T11:03:00.000-08:00

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STI

Some race to win. Others race to survive.

It happens at the start of every November: the Scorpio Races on the island of Thisby: the home base of a fierce breed of water horses, the Capaill- Uisce, man-eaters who rise from the autumn seas to terrorize the islanders.

Riders attempt to keep hold of their water horses long enough to make it to the finish line.
Some riders live. Others die.

At age nineteen, Sean Kendrick is the returning champion. He is a young man of few words, and if he has any fears, he keeps them buried deep, where no one else can see them. Puck Connolly is different. She never meant to ride in the Scorpio Races. But fate hasn't given her much of a choice. So she enters the competition - the first girl ever to do so. She is in no way prepared for what is going to happen. The Scorpio Races is an unforgettable reading experience by Maggie Stiefvater, author of the Shiver Trilogy

Witch & Wizard W

2012-01-10T10:01:00.000-08:00

James Patterson's Witch & Wizard series has been out for a few years; however, I am just now getting around to reading it. I suppose because I finally got an eReader for Christmas. Anyway, we have the third book of the series in our library; however, I have to read things in order.

This was a fast read for me I think because of the "every other" chapter character layout. Whit and Wisty Allgood are a brother and sister team who set out to save their parents. Their rescue mission leads them from saving their parents to liberating a prison full of children and discovering they themselves have magical powers. Unknown to them, they learn their witch and wizard powers can save the world, which is exactly why The One Who is The One wants them dead.

In the past I have read Patterson's adult mystery books so I was a little surprised with this one. I think it will appeal to readers looking for a fast pace read with a lot of action. The end does leave you hanging, so of course I will have to read the second book, Witch & Wizard: The Gift.

Before I Go To Sleep by S.J. Watson

2011-12-02T08:12:00.000-08:00

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WAT

This debut novel by S.J. Watson is a thriller. Christine, suffers from a rare form of amnesia where she cannot retain memories from day to day. She starts seeing a new doctor who recommends she keep a journal, and her life starts getting scary when she sees she has written "Dont' trust Ben," the man who claims to be her husband. I couldn't put this book down and I highly recommend it.

The Magnolia League

2011-11-28T11:16:00.000-08:00

Alexandra Lee is forced to live with her high society grandmother in Savannah, Georgia after her mother is killed in a tragic accident. Alex is far from the Southern debutante society with her long dreadlocks and hippie clothes but that is all about to change when she meets new friends Hayes and Madison. Could it be that under the California baggie t-shirt there hides a well coiffed young woman or is it the dark and mysterious ways of her new surroundings that have changed her? The Magnolia League reveals the mystery of the ML debutantes and their seductive world that upends everything that Alex knows to be true. Will she follow down the path of what is expected or chose to escape?

Finally, a supernatural YA novel that does not have vampires or a government run dystopian society; although, the ML leaders seem to be in control of the events. I enjoyed The Magnolia League for its Southern Gothic charm and character development of Alex. She has a rule breaking attitude but within limits, meaning she excepts opportunities but not blindly. Her character seeks the truth and wants to make things right. The novel is a fast read with a fabulous twist at the end that will leave readers thirsting for more.

Lost Horizon

2011-11-15T06:11:00.000-08:00

Lost Horizon

by James Hilton

HIL

Written in 1933, Lost Horizon was the first book published into paperback. That trivia fact sparked my interest to read this one. I truly enjoyed this novel. It is written as a flashback narrative and begins at the end. The main premise tells the tale of Conway, a man who along with three other airplane passengers are hijacked and taken to Shangri-La. Shangri-La is a place of peace, wisdom, wealth, and time tucked away in the remote Tibetan mountains. It is a true paradise which allows one to pursue his/her ambitions without the constraints of time. Conway learns from the master High Lama the history of Shangri-La and the secrets it holds. However, one of his fellow captives is not too keen on staying. What was once considered a hijacking could now be considered a gift to escape from the outside world. Will Conway stay or help his friend escape? Would you stay in a place of paradise if it meant giving up all that you knew to be true? Lost Horizon is a true classic that explores one's choices and opportunities.

All I Can Handle: I'm No Mother Teresa: A Life Raising Three Daughters with Autism by Kim Stagliano

2011-11-02T07:39:00.000-07:00

618.92
STA

Dr. Spock? Check. What to Expect When You’re Expecting? Check. I had a seven hundred dollar Bellini crib for God’s sake! I was perfect. And so was Mia when she was born . . ." ...and so begins Kim Stagliano’s electrifying and hilarious memoir of her family’s journey raising three daughters with autism. In these stories, Stagliano's writing lays everything on the table-from family, friends, and enemies to basement floods to birthdays to celebrating the absurd. From her love of Howard Stern to her increasing activism in the autism community and exhaustive search for treatments that will help her daughters, she covers it all. Always outspoken, often touching, and sometimes heartbreaking, Kim Stagliano is a powerful new voice in comedic writing and a must-read within the autism community and the literary world at large.

Matched

2011-10-18T10:40:00.000-07:00

The cover of this book truly caught my eye. I love the lime green dress and with the glass ball looks like a Christmas ornament. I know that is not the publishers sought out affect. That being said, the book is not about the holiday season, it is a true dystopian society in which "the Society" controls everything. The Society controls everything one eats, reads, watches, even one's vocation and marriage partner. Talk about "big brother" looking over your shoulder! Cassia, the female protagonist, is faced with a dilemma. She has been matched with the boy next door, which is unusual because that almost never happens. Just when she is happy about this, someone else briefly appears on her screen. Should she follow society's rules or go after the mysterious secret that the Officials hold?

I enjoyed this read for several reasons. It is a fast read and fortunately the sequel, Crossed, is coming out next month. The romantic actions of the characters are clean and somewhat innocent which is hard to find in YA today. Also, I appreciate the ties to other literary works that are used to inspire the characters' decisions. As an educator, I believe this book would be useful in comparative book discussions and even with Social Studies classes discussing the limits/powers of governing groups.

However, not to be too negative, I feel like I have read this. I suppose it is dystopian culture which makes me feel like I am reading The Giver, City of Ember, The Hunger Games, or Brave New World. Even though each of those novels stand on their own, it seems the current of dystopian novels has become so repetitive it is almost predictable and boring. Governing powers oppress the people, revolution breaks out, love triangles emerge, so on and so forth. I feel like I need to join a team...Team Xander or Team Ky? Will the female protagonist be cut throat or indecisive as she leads the revolution or picks her true love. Sound vaguely familiar? So if you are looking for the next original dystopian read, keep looking.

Refocusing on the positive, I see this novel as a good book club discussion and appealing to SciFi/Fantasy readers out there. I am looking fore more character development and if Cassia has the courage to start a revolution. Hmm....I wonder how the love triangle will end up?

The Help by Kathryn Stockett

2011-09-20T06:04:00.000-07:00

We are so fortunate to have well read staff members at our high school and we love to hear about what they are reading. Again, we have a guest blogger, Mrs. Pasha, who is a fabulous teacher and instructional coach with wonderful knowledge and insight. She has reviewed The Help by Kathyrn Stockett which is our staff book club coming up in October.

When I was very young, a local African American woman named Mildred helped my mother with housework, laundry, and cooking several days a week. My father, who was born and reared in New York City, demanded that Mildred sit and eat lunch with my parents. She steadfastly refused and instead sat on the steps to the back porch with her meal. (When it rained she consented to eat standing in the kitchen.) While my father took this behavior as odd and a bit insulting, my Arkansan mother understood that Mildred’s reluctance to associate with them was a result of a system that had kept the races confined to distinct roles. If Mildred had eaten at my parents’ dining table, she would have to behave as the help…when she ate on the back porch, she was able to be Mrs. Mildred Stance.

The Help is written by Kathryn Stockett, a native of Jackson, Mississippi. Jackson is definitely a town with a strong southern history. It is the capital of Mississippi, the second state to secede from the Union in 1861. Fine antebellum homes line Fortification Street, so named for the row of Confederate defenses that ran through the middle of city. Huge magnolia trees grow along the roadways, and flower beds surround statues of southern Civil War generals in the downtown area. However, just a few streets away from all that grandeur is the poorer side of Jackson. Lines of tenement houses in various states of decay stand side by side with burned out stores and abandoned cars. It is easy to remember that this is the city that became the last stop for the Freedom Riders in 1961. (In May of that year, 300 activists were violently arrested for disturbing the peace when their buses stopped in Jackson; the group had hoped to make it to New Orleans as a protest in support of bus integration.) Jackson made national news again two years later when the leader of the Mississippi NAACP, Medgar Evers, was gunned down in front of his wife and children on June 12, 1963. (His white supremacist killer was tried several times and finally convicted of murder in 1994.) And on June 26, 2011, James Anderson, a 49 year old African American left his workplace at the end of his shift at a Jackson factory and was beaten to death by a group of white teenagers in what is now described as a “crime of hate”. For many, many years Jackson has been a racially charged place to live.

Stockett sets her story during some of the most volatile times in Jackson. In the late 1950’s and early 1960’s, as the Civil Rights Movement was gaining support in many parts of the United States, most of the white citizens of Jackson fought to preserve what they saw as their “way of life”. African Americans were welcome in the homes of the wealthy (or want-to-be wealthy) in the roles of maid, laundress, cook, and nanny. However, as soon as the workday ended, the help were expected to get on their buses and go back to their side of town. The only thing greater than the geographic distance between the white and African American communities was the class line that divided the races. Both segments of society had a basic mistrust of the other---some of the white women worried that their maids might steal from and contaminate the homes that they cleaned, and the maids knew that they could be dismissed and possibly imprisoned on trumped up charges at any time. It was a time of great fear and suspicion for everyone.

The Help focuses on Aibileen, an intelligent and well read maid who has lost her only child but has served as nanny to seventeen white children. As a part of her current duties, she takes care of Mae Mobley, a little girl who apparently doesn’t quite live up to her mother’s idea of a good child. Aibileen’s attempt to provide Mae Mobley with a good self-image focuses on one of the underlying ideas of the book: white women will trust the help with their children but not with their silver. Aibileen’s best friend is Minnie, a maid known in Jackson as the best cook around. However, Minnie has a fatal flaw: her sassy attitude. Aibileen works for Elizabeth Leefolt, a nice but rather spineless member of Jackson’s Junior League, while Minnie initially works for Ms. Leefolt’s friend, Miss Hilly Holbrook. Miss Hilly is a vicious woman whose ambitions lead her to attempt to destructively manipulate the lives of friends, family, and, of course, employees. Rounding out this circle is Elizabeth and Hilly’s friend Eugenia, better known as Skeeter, a wealthy white woman who actually completed her journalism degree at Ole Miss, staying there long after her friends left school to marry and return to Jackson high society. Skeeter has come back to her family’s plantation outside Jackson after graduation only to find that her beloved childhood nanny, Constantine, has disappeared. Skeeter’s desire to be a journalist, as well as her need to know what happened to Constantine, drive her to begin a relationship with Aibileen and Minnie that falls outside the expectations of both the white and African American communities.

The Help is ultimately a story of profound loss and how the human spirit finds the strength to deal with such losses. It is about seeing the truth and somehow finding a voice to tell that truth. This story celebrates women of both races, strong southern women who nurture and protect each other as they discover the courage to face injustice and push against the norms of society.

I don’t often recommend books to my mother; she has very different reading preferences than I do. However, as soon as I finished reading this story, I passed it on to her. She read it in less than a day. (I think that my dad had to fix his own meals because she couldn’t put the book down.) As soon as she finished The Help, she called me, and we had one of those wonderful talks that I know I will remember for the rest of my life. We reminisced about our grandmothers, our aunts, and our friends as we remembered with great fondness all the women who played a part in making us the people we are today. --Mrs. M. Pasha

Guest Blogger

2011-09-09T06:25:00.000-07:00

From time to time we host a guest blogger. Cindy Welch is a forensics and biology instructor on our campus. She submitted this book review. It is always interesting to discover what other people are reading. I found her book selection interesting and look to add it to my ever growing stack of "want to read." -Mrs. Castille

Picking Cotton
by Jennifer Thompson Canino and Ronald Cotton

This book is written from two different points of view: that of a victim, Jennifer Thompson Canino and that of an accused man, Ronald Cotton. The book recounts the traumatic experience of Jennifer being sexually assaulted in her college apartment. It describes her emotional state, what happened during and after the assault. Jennifer experienced a botched line-up in an attempt to identify her attacker. Jennifer picked Ronald Cotton. Jennifer was wrong. The incident took place before DNA analysis was available. Jennifer explains how she survived in the months and years after her attack. Ronald describes his life behind bars. Eleven years spent serving a sentence for a crime he didn't commit. He endured many personal battles while in prison with other inmates, including meeting the man that did commit the crime. The book is a beautiful expression of the hardships each of these people faced and how they overcame obstacles to find a friend in the other. This gives a detailed look at the investigation of the case and of their lives afterward. In the end, it is about forgiveness, maintaining a positive outlook and never losing hope.
-Guest blogger, Cindy Welch

Pillars of the Earth by Ken Follett

2011-08-22T07:37:00.000-07:00

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FOL

This book is a radical departure from Follett's novels of international suspense and intrigue and absolutely riveting. It is my husband, David's favorite book and both of my daughters love it as well. The characters in the story: Prior Phillip, Aliena, Jack, Richard, "Witch" Ellen, William of Hamleigh, Waleran Bigod, and a host of supporting ones are as real as people you know. Tom Builder's dream is to build a cathedral, but in the meantime, he must scrounge about to find a lord that will hire him. His search pulls him and his family into the politics of 12th-century England, as different lords vie to gain control of the throne in the wake of the recently deceased king. Prior Phillip, a man raised in the monastery since childhood, also finds himself drafted into the brewing storm as he must protect the interests of a declining church.

Outlander by Diana Gabaldon

2011-07-27T07:28:00.000-07:00

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GAB

Outlander author, Diana Gabaldon was born in Flagstaff, Arizona on January 11, 1952 . She has a Ph.D. in Quantitative Behavioral Ecology, a M.S. in Marine Biology, and a B.S. in Zoology. She has worked as a university Professor and has written freelance for various magazines and companies such as Walt Disney. She is married to a drag racer and has three children.

After being separated by seven years of World War II, Claire and Frank Randall return to the Scottish Highlands for a second honeymoon. Left to her own devices while her husband immerses himself in historical pursuits, Claire inadvertently enters a circle of standing stones and is plunged back 200 years to a Scotland on the verge of the second Jacobite uprising. Her pluck and skill as a nurse win the Scots' grudging respect, but only marriage to a Scot will save her from the clutches of Frank's vicious forbear, Black Jack Randall. Gabaldon uses time travel to allow a modern heroine, and this is basically a richly textured historical novel with an unusual and compelling love story.

City of Falling Angels by John Berendt

2011-05-02T12:14:00.001-07:00

I loved Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil so much that I had to read another nonfiction book by John Berendt: The City of Falling Angels. This one is set in Venice, Italy and unfolds the mystery surrounding the fire at the Fenice Opera House (pronounced La Feniche) that was built in 1774. Once again, his nonfiction book reads like a novel and I couldn't put it down.
My family and I spent 2 days in Venice several years ago on a vacation and so the topic of this book intrigued me. However, this book takes you inside the "Real Venice" and introduces you to the real customs and history of the Venetian people. The touristy things that I enjoyed when I was in Venice like St. Marks and the Rialto Bridge just come to life when written about by Berendt. If you have always wanted to go to Venice and ride a in gondola but can't just make it this year, then pick up this book and you will have the next best thing.

Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil by John Berendt

2011-04-01T05:38:00.000-07:00

I absolutely loved this book. Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil by John Berendt is actually based on true events that happened in Savannah, Georgia in the 1980's but it reads like a novel and so it is sometimes referred to as a "non-fiction novel" or "faction", a sub-genre popularized by Truman Capote. It spent an amazing 4 years on the New York Times best seller list. Anyway, Savannah, Georgia is now on my bucket list as a place I would love to visit because of this book.
The story is told from the perspective of a journalist from New York that comes down to Savannah and is so mesmerized by the place that he stays and writes a book about it. It highlights several eclectic residents of Savannah and revolves around a murder that happens in one of the historic homes. My favorite character is The Lady Chablis, a local drag queen and entertainer. Chablis provides a comical contrast to the more serious murder mystery. Who would ever expect a drag queen in a southern book about Savannah? I must tell you that I have never seen the movie and I don't know if I will Netflix it or not. Let me know if you have read the book or seen the movie and what you thought of either.

Guest Reviewer Tim Hurlbert

2011-03-20T12:39:00.000-07:00

Today, Tim Hurlbert, an extraordinary World History and Geography teacher at AHS, is contributing to the blog. As he read the book, Unbroken, for our staff book club and can give a much better perspective on it than I can, I thought that he would be a great guest post author. Thank you Mr. Hurlbert for your wonderful and unique post!

Unbroken: A World War II Story of Survival

Let me preface this review by noting that while I do teach history and a lot of what I teach I do find fascinating, there are undoubtedly aspects about the subject that bore me to tears. I am not one to sit around and watch the History channel and while I have read the occasional work of non-fiction, it’s a rarity if I complete these books from cover to cover. I have found that I don’t have the patience for a slow-moving book and I have no hesitation in stopping 100 pages in to pursue something else. Unfortunately non-fiction works on the American Revolution, the colonization of Africa, Lewis and Clark, Gandhi, and World War I have met this fate with me. So, with a little bit of trepidation, the glowing reviews about the book convinced me that this was a book that would hold my attention to the end and therefore I purchased it during the Christmas holidays.

The book revolves around the astounding life of one Louis Zamperini – athlete and war hero extraordinaire. The author takes the reader on a journey of the uncommon life – the Olympic hero, the left-for-dead plane crash survivor, the tortured P.O.W., the survivor- and does so in a way that managed to keep my attention throughout the book’s 500 pages. This WWII classic reads like fiction and while many of the stories are almost too impossible to believe, the book is a work of non-fiction with nearly every detail cited and accounted for.

Naturally, I found Zamperini’s experiences floating in the Pacific Ocean surrounded by sharks for 47 days (47 DAYS!!) the most interesting and inspiring part of the book and the quote that kept coming to mind as I read these pages was one by Ralph Waldo Emerson: “What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us.” The events he goes through and the obstacles he encounters are unbelievable and I know that rehashing some of these events wouldn’t do Zamperini any justice. I encourage you to find out for yourself – you won’t be disappointed!

Throughout the course of reading 500 pages there is bound to be a lull in the story and while I found Zamperini’s P.O.W. experiences interesting, I feel that the author could have cut some of the details out as I found her almost repeating the experiences the book’s main character faced on a daily basis. Admittedly, I struggled to get through some of this and while I thought about skipping ahead, I couldn’t bare to do it. I was invested in the character – his struggles were my struggles – and I had to see him through his trials.

Overall, this is one of the best books I have read in a long time and I hope others take a chance on it. I know that fiction readers may hesitate at another boring work of history, but as mentioned above, it is a story that could very easily be a work of fiction and therefore reads like it. A 500 page book may be a little daunting for any reader but it contains everything anyone would ever want in a good story – triumph, tragedy, and the triumph of the human spirit.

Sarah's Key by Tatiana de Rosnay

2011-03-09T10:57:00.000-08:00

My other book club is meeting tonight at Italianos to discuss Sarah's Key by Tatiana de Rosnay. I still haven't finished the book because even though it is very well written and I want to know what happens, part of me knows it has a very tragic ending. (so here is a little bit about the book so far)

The book is about a little Jewish girl in France named Sarah. She has a key in her pocket that opens the cupboard in which she has hidden her younger brother from the French police, who are rounding up Jews in Paris. It is July 16, 1942, and Sarah, along with her parents and hundreds more people, are brought to the stadium Velodrome d'Hiver, where they spend several days without food or water before being sent to French camps on their way to Auschwitz. Arriving at the camp Beaune-la-Rolande, Sarah is separated from her parents and manages to escape. Nearby farmers not only protect but eventually adopt her. In alternating chapters, we read of American-born journalist Julia Jarmond, who's working on a magazine story about the "Vel'd'Hiv" roundup on its 60th anniversary. Because the grandparents of Julia's husband moved into the apartment once owned by Sarah's family, we learn what Sarah discovers when she finally returns ten years later with the key and knowledge so traumatic that it changes Julia's life forever.

Now you can probably guess what they find and that's why I am having a hard time finishing this story because I know what Julia finds in the apartment is going to be horrific.

I am really going to try to finish this book before 7:00 tonight. Wish me luck!

Water For Elephants by Sara Gruen

2011-03-08T10:12:00.001-08:00

The AHS Staff Book Club is meeting today after school to discuss Water For Elephants by Sara Gruen.
The book is amazing and has the most wonderful ending in the world.
The story is told from the perspective of Jacob Jankowski, 90 and travels back in forth in time between Jacob's present day in a nursing home and his adventures in the harsh world of the early Great Depression. Jacob is left destitute when his parents are killed in a traffic accident and so he has to drop out of Vet school at Cornell right before his final exams. Somehow, tossed by fate, he ends up working for the Benzini Brothers Most Spectacular Show on Earth, a traveling circus. He falls in love with the beautiful equestrian performer Marlena, who is married to the circus' psychotic animal trainer and he also meets the other love of his life, Rosie the elephant. Rosie is by far my favorite character in the book. She was sold very cheaply to the third rate Benzini Circus because everyone thought that she was stupid. However, she is probably one of the most intelligent characters in the story. The only problem is that she only knows Polish. (Go figure) I don’t want to spoil the great ending so I will stop right here.
I'm actually really not a fan of the circus. My mom use to take me to the ones that would set up in the mall parking lot when I was young and I did enjoy the animals and eating peanuts. But I am really kind of scared of clowns.

The book is being made into a movie with Robert Pattison and Reese Witherspoon. I'm not so sure about the actors picked for the roles except for Rosie, of course, but I still want to see Hollywood's version.

Three Book Clubs/Three Books/No Time

2011-03-07T10:28:00.000-08:00

Yes, I am in 3 different book clubs and I'm trying to keep up with all the reading. The problem is that I'm a very slow reader. I know, I know, I'm a librarian and I'm supposed to read really fast but I just can't. At the AHS library, I never have any time to read, because the days of quiet libraries went out with Vatican II I think. And I try to read every night before bed, but the next thing I know I wake up at midnight with drool on my pillow.
On the other hand, my daughters are definitely speed readers and they obviously did not get the speed reading gene from me.
Right now I'm reading three different books:
The Passage by (the Hottie) Justin Cronin ( my daughter told me that you know you are old when you think Justin Cronin is attractive) I told you about this book on my last post. I'm also
reading Sarah's Key by Tatiana de Rosnay (love her name, isn't that a gorgeous name)for my book club on Wednesday night. And I did finish reading Water For Elephants by Sarah Gruen for my AHS Staff Book Club tomorrow.

In a perfect world, I would read only one book at a time and I am definitely not the type to read the last page of a book first. I like to be surprised. I will tell you all about Water For Elephants on my next post.
Bye for now, I need to go read....

New Blog Direction

2011-03-04T08:34:00.000-08:00

My daughter, who is a senior at KHS and a fashion blogger of scarletletterstyle.com
has inspired me to upgrade our Book Blog here at AHS. Today I am making a fresh start to give you guys more personalized information on great reads and cool things happening in the AHS Library and the world of books at large.

Right now I am reading The Passage by Justin Cronin.

My lovely library volunteer Alex suggested it and it is fabulous. Thanks for the suggestion Alex. I just can't put it down. Author, Justin Cronin was featured in the Houston Chronicle last year because he is also a Professor at Rice University and lives in Houston with his family. He is also not so bad to look at.

Just to give you an idea of what the book is about. It is set in the future in America and a government experiment has gone terribly wrong and is causing people to catch a virus that turns them into bloodthirsty vampires. Sounds fun right. Now don't get me wrong, I love the Twilight Series, but this is sooo much better.
We don't have a copy in the AHS library yet, but we will as soon as I finish my copy.
Hope you will follow our new blog.
Thanks,
S

Night by Elie Wiesel

2011-01-11T09:09:00.000-08:00

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WEI

"Night" is Elie Wiesel's masterpiece, a candid, horrific, and deeply poignant autobiographical account of his survival as a teenager in the Nazi death camps. "Night" offers much more than a litany of the daily terrors, everyday perversions, and rampant sadism at Auschwitz and Buchenwald; it also eloquently addresses many of the philosophical as well as personal questions implicit in any serious consideration of what the Holocaust was, what it meant, and what its legacy is and will be. Emotionally unable at first to write about his experience of the Holocaust, in the mid-1950s the novelist Francois Mauriac urged him to speak out and tell the world of his experiences. The result was La Nuit (1958), later translated as Night (1960), the story of a teenage boy plagued with guilt for having survived the death camps and for questioning his religious faith. Since the publication of Night, Wiesel has become a major writer, literary critic, and journalist. As a writer steeped in the Hasidic tradition and concerned with the Holocaust he survived, he has written on the problem of persecution and the meaning of being a Jew. He reflects on the enduring importance of Night and his lifelong, passionate dedication to ensuring that the world never forgets man's capacity for inhumanity to man.

Clockwork Angel by Cassandra Clare

2011-01-11T08:38:00.000-08:00

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SciFi/Fantasy

Clockwork Angel is packed with battles, romantic entanglements, and tantalizing foreshadowing, that will have readers clamoring for the next installment. This is the first book in Cassandra Clare's Infernal Device series, a prequel to her bestselling Mortal Instruments books. Sixteen-year-old Tessa Gray travels to England in search of her brother only to be abducted by the Dark Sisters, residents of London's Downworld, home to the city's supernatural creatures and she becomes the object of much attention--both good and bad--when it is discovered she has the power to transform at will into another person. Although prior knowledge of the Mortal Instruments books isn't necessary to enjoy this title, newcomers to the world will be rushing to read what they've missed. Great read suggested by Jessica Callahan. Thanks Jessica.

Linger

2011-01-10T06:56:00.000-08:00

Linger by Maggie Stiefvater

F STI SciFi/Fantasy

In this second installment of The Wolves Mercy Falls series, Grace secretly hides her love for Sam from her parents while Sam struggles to forget his werewolf past and claim a human future. The new wolf member of the pack, Cole, holds a popular position in society that threatens to ruin the wolf pack's secret way of life. Isabel still struggles with the lose of her brother but takes control of new situations which arise to help the pack stay safe. While the love between Sam and Grace deepens, Grace attempts to hold on to her human skin.

Just a reminder this a book review, just my opinion. I did not find this book as exciting as the first, Shiver. Maybe, the reason for that is because of the time lapse between Shiver's publication to the release of Linger. But also, to me, the book was extremely slow until the last chapter when the characters finally take action. Overall, the character development was flat. Readers are introduced to two somewhat new characters, Cole and Victor; however, their story is blended between Grace and Sam's sad slow moving love story. Maybe, I would have enjoyed this book more if I reread Shiver, but I believe it was lacking the "it" factor. The author does leave the reader hanging for the third book, which does not come out until July 2011. So if you want to enjoy this series a little more, you may want to wait until you can get your hands on all three books.

Reckless by Cornelia Funke

2010-12-06T11:02:00.000-08:00

F FUN SciFi/Fantasy

Jacob Reckless always looks out for his little brother, Will, since their father disappeared through the magical mirror. Jacob takes his chances venturing through the mirror where he meets ogres, giants, witches, and fairies. He takes great care never to to be followed by Will, until one day. Will's decision to follow his brother brings about a new adventure of mystery and rescue.

This was not my favorite Cornelia Funke book; however, I really appreciate the prior fairytale knowledge the reader needs to enjoy this novel. I would certainly recommend this one to readers looking for something new but with old tales twisted throughout.

Blank Confession by Pete Hautman

2010-11-16T10:33:00.000-08:00

F HAU

Books for Guys

Shayne Blank is the newest student in school and he will not be staying for long. After he befriends the most eccentric student he can find, he realizes that he cannot ignore the surrounding circumstances of this friendship. He must get involved, but should he? After a few short weeks and several unfortunate events, Shayne finds himself confessing to a murder.

In this twist of events, the reader will certainly want to know more! Blank Confession opens readers eyes to how choices have consequences. Not all consequences turn out for the best, but what would you do in Shayne's situation?

If you enjoyed You by Charles Benoit, this story will go well on your book shelf. It is certainly one that makes you think!

You by Charles Beniot

2010-11-01T07:16:00.000-07:00

F
BEN

Kyle Chase is an average fifteen year old, who traces back his steps to discover how he came into this current predicament. Where did it start? Jake? Ashley? Zach? The party? The break in? Why does everyone talk "at" him and never really listen to him?

A suspenseful YA novel that is a must read for teens and those who live and work with them. It brings to light how quickly one small choice leads to another when dealing with schools, friends, jobs, and parents. You serves as a reminder to really listen and pay attention to what others are saying and doing. The only quibble I had with this novel, it is written in second person point of view. Once the reader gets past that, it is a fast read which will leave you with good questions for discussion.

City of Bones by Cassandra Clare

2010-10-22T11:48:00.001-07:00

CLA

Clare's debut novel, first in the Mortal Instruments series, is a sprawling urban fantasy packed with just about every type of creature known to the genre. Fifteen-year-old Clary Fray witnesses a killing in a club when she confronts the attackers, she learns that they are spectral Shadowhunters, charged with killing demonic creatures called Night Children. Clary returns home to find her apartment vandalized and her mother missing, apparently kidnapped by creatures in the service of someone named Valentine. An attack by a slithering beast sends Clary to the infirmary at the Institute, hidden home of the Shadowhunters. There she befriends the hunter Jace, who tells her of Valentine's intention to find the Mortal Cup. Great secrets abound both in Clary's past and in her own head--secrets that are gradually revealed to her about her mother, her mother's eccentric friend Luke, her relationship with Jace and, eventually, about Valentine himself. Werewolves, vampires, angels and fairies all fit in this action packed novel. This is a compelling story about family secrets and coming-of-age identity crises.

Evolution, Me & Other Freaks of Nature by Robin Brande

2010-10-12T07:20:00.000-07:00

F
BRA

What happens when your best friend hates you. The guy you liked hates you. Your entire group of friends hates you. All because you did the right thing. Welcome to life for Mena, whose year is starting off in the worst way possible. She's been kicked out of her church group and no one will talk to her—not even her own parents. No one except for Casey, her super smart lab partner in science class, who's pretty funny for the most brilliant guy on earth. And when Ms. Shepherd begins the unit on evolution, school becomes more dramatic than Mena could ever imagine . . . and her own life is about to evolve in some amazing and unexpected ways.

The Things I Know About Love by Kate Le Vann

2010-10-04T09:13:00.000-07:00

F
LEV
Chick Lit
This romantic account of first love will require a large box of tissues. British teen Livia is going to visit her brother, a student at Princeton, when she begins her private blog. She has decided that this will be a summer of discovery, and her blog will reflect "the love I have known, and the love I have yet to know." The truth is, though, that Livia doesn't know much about love because she has spent most of her teen years in treatment for leukemia. Now that she's in remission, she determines that this is her perfect chance for adventure. Despite her naivete and insecurity about her looks, she is ready to step out, and she discovers that America is chock-full of handsome guys who look at her with great interest. Ironically, it's Adam, also from England, whom Livia wants. Adam, who thinks she is the most beautiful creature on Earth, who starts his own blog about their romance, and who is with Livia day after day, and with her when she collapses in New York City after a busy day of sightseeing. And it is Adam who writes the final blog about what happens to Livia, the great love of his life.

Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins

2010-09-13T07:12:00.000-07:00

F
COL

Against all odds, Katniss Everdeen has survived the Hunger Games twice. But now that she's made it out of the bloody arena alive, she's still not safe. The Capitol is angry. The Capitol wants revenge. Who do they think should pay for the unrest? Katniss. And what's worse, President Snow has made it clear that no one else is safe either. Not Katniss's family, not her friends, not the people of District 12. Powerful and haunting, this thrilling final installment of Suzanne Collins's groundbreaking The Hunger Games trilogy promises to be one of the most talked about books of the year. Great Series! I recommend it highly.

The Compound by S A. Bodeen

2010-05-18T10:49:00.000-07:00

F
Bodeen

Ever since their world was destroyed by a nuclear attack, 15-year-old Eli and his family have lived in the Compound, a state-of-the-art bomb shelter built by his billionaire father. Despite having every comfort, Eli is haunted by the fact that his twin and his grandmother were left behind. He also begins to question his father's sanity after an inventory miscalculation threatens their survival, and his dad hatches a morally corrupt plan to enhance their food supply. Eli's worst suspicions are confirmed when he discovers a live Internet signal using an old laptop. Did the world really end six years ago? Why else would Eli's father want to keep his family underground? Debut novelist Bodeen effectively builds the claustrophobic suspense with each chapter as readers slowly discover the Compound is not the refuge it seems.

A Voice in the Wind by Francine Rivers

2010-05-18T10:40:00.000-07:00

RIV

This story set during Rome's decline about 30 A.D. is the story of Hadassah, a Jewish, Christian slave girl and sole survivor of her family, who is sold into slavery to the Valerian family. She serves as a maid to Julia, a young woman who makes several unfortunate mistakes and unhappy marriages. The decadence of Rome is well described as Christians are fed to lions while large crowds watch and cheer. Hadassah attempts to use her faith to influence events around her and the family. This a beautifully written story of faith and love.

The Chosen One

2010-04-21T08:17:00.000-07:00

Thirteen year old Kyra has grown up in an isolated community where she is constantly watched. She lives with her mother and siblings along with her father and his two other wives. Kyra has been "selected" by the leaders to become the next bride. With every ounce of fight, Kyra attempts her courageous escape.

The Chosen One by Carol Lynch Williams is a riveting page turner with twists of heartbreak, struggle, and courage.

2010-2011 TAYSHAS book

F WIL Award Winners

What I Saw and How I Lied

2010-03-23T09:51:00.000-07:00

In 1947, teenage Evie is excited her jovial stepfather Joe back from the war and her family life is returning to normal. During a trip to sunny Florida, Evie becomes smitten by the handsome young ex-GI who seems to have a secret hold on Joe. She finds herself caught in a complicated web of lies whose devastating outcome change her life and that of her family forever.

Set in post WWII, the glamorous time period is the perfect setting for a budding romance and a twist of suspense. If you enjoy historical fiction, pick this one up soon!

2010-03-22T09:43:00.001-07:00

F
CAS

In this debut fantasy novel, Cashore treats readers to compelling and eminently likable characters and a story that draws them in from the first paragraph. In Katsa's world, the "Graced," those gifted in a particular way, are marked by eyes that are different colors. Katsa's Grace is that she is a gifted fighter, and, as such, she is virtually invincible. She is in the service of her tyrannical uncle, king of one of the seven kingdoms, and she is forced to torture people for infractions against him. She has secretly formed the Council, which acts in the service of justice and fairness for those who have been accused and abused. Readers meet her as she is rescuing the father of the Lienid king, who has been abducted. The reasons for his capture are part of a tightening plot that Katsa unravels and resolves, with the help of Prince Po, the captive's grandson. He has his own particular Grace, and he becomes Katsa's lover and partner in what becomes a mortally dangerous mission. Cashore's style is exemplary: while each detail helps to paint a picture, the description is always in the service of the story, always helping readers to a greater understanding of what is happening and why. This is gorgeous storytelling: exciting, stirring, and accessible. Fantasy and romance readers will be thrilled.

Stones into schools : promoting peace with books, not bombs, in Afghanistan and Pakistan

2010-02-26T10:01:00.000-08:00

371.82

MOR

Greg Mortneson, author of the #1 bestseller, Three Cups of Tea offers the continuing story of his determined humanitarian efforts to promote peace through education for girls in war torn Pakistan and Afganistan. This book is Mortenson's journey to establish Girl's schools in the most remote areas of the mountainous Middle East where illiteracy is above 80 percent. Greg Mortneson, author of the #1 bestseller "Three Cups of Tea" offers the continuing story of his determined humanitarian efforts to promote peace through education for girls in war torn Pakistan and Afganistan. This book is Mortenson's journey to establish Girl's schools in the most remote northern areas of the mountainous Middle East where illiteracy is above 80 percent. There's an African proverb Greg Mortenson is fond of sharing: "If you educate a boy, you educate an individual. But if you educate a girl, you educate a community." Stones into Schools is an inspiration and a call to action.

Blue Bloods

2010-01-06T12:35:00.000-08:00

If you cannot get enough of teen vampires, here is another. Blue Bloods is the new series written by Melissa de La Cruz. The first in the series takes place in NYC with the most well known socialites and wealthiest of NYC society. Schuyler Van Alen knows little about her past, other than she is related to one of the original Pilgrims from the Mayflower. Schulyer, with her frumpy clothes, is a Blue Blood who stands out from the regular Prada fashionistas at Duchesne. This school year is different, and Schuyler is in for a surprise as she learns about herself and The Committee. Armed with little knowledge and her best friend, Oliver, Schuyler begins a new vampire adventure.

Cruz brings readers another fun and fast read. The plot is easy to follow without to much predictability. She includes historical fiction letters which adds a unique element enticing readers.

Redeeming Love

2009-12-16T09:17:00.000-08:00

Francine Rivers has rewritten a historical romance and it is a splendid piece of work exploring both physical love and a love of God. As a young child, Angel, is sold into prostitution and has hardened her heart to all. Then she meets Michael Hosea who tells her it is his mission to save her. After being badly beaten, Angel decides to take Michael up on his offer of marriage. The new life she has been given is very different from where she started. Will Angel stay and try to make a better life for herself or will she revert to her old ways?

This is a wonderfully written story of forgiveness and love.

2009-11-12T08:21:00.001-08:00

Shiver

2009-11-10T10:04:00.000-08:00

Grace has always connected with the wolves that inhabit the Boundary Woods. She observes them on the cold winter nights from her bedroom window. One wolf in particular has the most amazing eyes. However, when the warm summer months appear, the wolves disappear. Grace feels a deep connection to the wolves after a close encounter when she was younger. She becomes protective of her winter wolves and does everything she can to make sure they are safe.

Maggie Stiefvater (steve-otter) creates a lyrical love story between Grace and her special golden eyed wolf. This book gives Twilight (Meyer) some competition! Shiver is a definite must read! Stiefvater is planning two more books for this trilogy along with a movie. Check out her website by clicking on the title link.

Breathe My Name

2009-10-30T07:09:00.000-07:00

As junior in high school, Frances, is having a great year. She has a loving adopted family, a new boyfriend, and a best friend who loves adventure. However, Frances is having a hard time getting the nightmares out of her head. Her world is about to flip upside down when she is stalked by a strange man in a black car and receives a note written by her mother who attempted to kill her. Frances must face her worst nightmare, which is the only way she can save her life.

R.A. Nelson explores the disturbing mental issues of a family broken by murder and how this family's tragedy affected the community. The author takes the reader on a journey through the eyes of the sole survivor, Frances, and the fears that she must face.

The Graveyard Book

2009-10-28T07:25:00.000-07:00

Author Neil Gaiman, explores the world of a graveyard. Nobody Owens, Bod for short, has lost his entire family and escapes his own death when he toddles into a graveyard near his home. The ghosts of the graveyard adopt Bod as one of their own and educate him on the ways of the world, ghosts, and ghouls. He is safe from harm as long as he stays in the graveyard. Bod grows into an adventurous young man, as he learns the secrets of the graveyard.

If you enjoyed Jumanji or The Jungle Book, you might want to pick up this Newbery Award winner.

The Book Thief by Markus Zusak

2009-10-01T12:16:00.000-07:00

ZUS

Historical Fiction

Set during World War II in Germany, Markus Zusak's, The Book Thief is the story of Liesel Meminger, a foster girl living outside of Munich. Liesel scratches out a meager existence for herself by stealing when she encounters something she can't resist-books. With the help of her accordion-playing foster father, she learns to read and shares her stolen books with her neighbors during bombing raids as well as with the Jewish man hidden in her basement before he is marched to Dachau. This is an unforgettable story about the ability of books to feed the soul. I recommend it highly.

The Red Necklace

2009-09-16T06:45:00.000-07:00

Author Sally Gardner, has scribed a beautiful and adventurously magical love story in The Red Necklace.
Yann, earns himself a spot as a magician's assistant. He is able to read minds and flick his voice, which serves him well during the turbulent cusp of the French Revolution. Yann has always know he was different, and his surrogate father Tetu attempts to protect Yann from the secrets of his past. Although on the brink of war, Yann's secrets are held by a villainous Count, a Marquis, and a young girl.
Readers will be engulfed in the characters of Yann, Tetu, Sido and the evil Count. I feel the cover of this book lends itself to female readers; however, guys would appreciate the adventure and historical fiction elements.

This was the first book I had read by Sally Gardner. She lives in London and made her start as an illustrator. She has also written I, Coriander and The Red Necklace sequel, The Silver Blade due out in September 2009.

Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins

2009-09-15T10:46:00.000-07:00

F
COL
SciFi/Fantasy

At the end of The Hunger Games, breathless readers were left in the lurch with any number of questions. Will Katniss lead an uprising against the Capitol? Does she fancy Peeta or Gale? Both? Neither? And perhaps most importantly, how in the world is Collins going to live up to the (well-deserved) hype? Without divulging too much, don't sweat it. The book opens with Katniss and Peeta reluctantly embarking on their victory tour through the 12 oppressed districts of Panem, where they witness more than a few surprising things. And right when it seems as if the plot might be going into a holding pattern between the first and third acts of the trilogy, a blindsiding development hurtles the story along and matches, if not exceeds, the unfiltered adrenaline rush of the first book. Again, Collins' crystalline, unadorned prose provides an open window to perfect pacing and electrifying world building, but what's even more remarkable is that aside from being tremendously action-packed science-fiction thrillers, these books are also brimming with potent themes of morality, obedience, sacrifice, redemption, love, law, and, above all, survival. Honestly, this book only needs to be good enough to satisfy its legions of fans. Fortunately, it's great. And if you were dying to find out what happens after the last book, get ready for pure torture awaiting the next.

The Count of Monte Cristo

2009-09-10T07:24:00.000-07:00

DUM

Dashing young Edmond Dantes has everything. He is engaged to a beautiful woman, is about to become the captain of a ship, and is well liked by almost everyone. But his perfect life is shattered when he is framed by a jealous rival and thrown into a dark prison cell for 14 years. The greatest tale of betrayal, adventure, and revenge ever written, "The Count of Monte Cristo" continues to dazzle readers with its thrilling and memorable scenes, including Dantes's miraculous escape from prison, his amazing discovery of a vast hidden treasure, and his transformation into the mysterious and wealthy Count of Monte Cristo--a man whose astonishing thirst for vengeance is as cruel as it is just.

The Adoration of Jenna Fox

2009-09-09T07:35:00.000-07:00

PEA

SciFi/Fantasy

How far is too far? Imagine waking up and remembering nothing! Jenna has that problem. She can only remember bits and pieces of her life. Until she can put those pieces together and discover who she really is, life will never be the same.

If you enjoy fantasy or science fiction this is a must read! It is definitely a page turner to uncover Jenna's past.

The Hunger Games

2009-09-08T08:29:00.000-07:00

COL

SciFi/Fantasy

Do you like survivor games? Adventure lovers will want to read this book. The Hunger Games takes place in the future. Sixteen year old, Katniss Everdeen and Peeta are the unfortunate winners to play this deadly game. Kids from twelve to eighteen years old are put together in a very unusual area to compete against each other on live television. They are given "gifts" to help them survive but only the strongest will make it back home. But will both Katniss and Peeta make it?

2009-08-28T09:03:00.000-07:00

The Host By Stephenie Meyer

2008-05-30T05:56:00.001-07:00

MEY

SciFi/Fantasy

Stephenie Meyers first adult novel lives up to the hype, blending science fiction and romance in a way that has never worked so well. In this page-turner, Meyer explores what happens to relationships when two beings inhabit the same physical body. Earth has been overrun by an alien species called Souls, which invade human bodies and erase personalities. As the novel opens, Melanie Stryder, one of the few human holdouts, has been captured by the aliens and is implanted with a Soul named Wanderer, who is something of a legend among her own kind because of the many hosts and planets she has experienced. Inhabiting a human mind and body is unlike anything Wanderer has ever known, and soon she finds that Melanie isn't quite willing to give up to this invader. Overwhelmed by Melanie's memories and feelings, Wanderer finds herself driven to reconnect with Melanie's love, Jared. As with her vampire novels, Meyer will make new fans of readers "who don't read books with aliens."

Into Thin Air by Jon Krakauer

2008-05-05T12:02:00.001-07:00

796.52

KRA

On May 19, 1953, Edmund Hillary and Sherpa guide Tenzing Norgay achieved the impossible, becoming the first men to stand on top of Mount Everest. But by May 10, 1996, climbing the 29,000-foot Mount Everest had become almost routine; commercial expeditions now littered Everest's flanks. Accepting an assignment from Outside magazine to investigate whether it was safe for wealthy amateur climbers to tackle the mountain, Krakauer joined an expedition guided by New Zealander Rob Hall. But Krakauer got more than he bargained for when on summit day a blinding snowstorm caught four groups on the mountain's peaks. While Krakauer made it back to camp, eight others died, including Scott Fischer and Hall, two of the world's best mountaineers. Devastated by the disaster, Krakauer has written this compelling and harrowing account as a cathartic act, hoping it "might purge Everest from is life." But after finishing this raw, emotionally intense book, readers will be haunted, as Krakauer was, by the tragedy.

What Daddy Did

2008-03-27T07:30:00.000-07:00

SCH

In the tradition of In Cold Blood, this is a true crime thriller for young adults. No one has any idea that handsome, athletic Preston Scott has an unthinkable secret. His father has been imprisioned three years ago for killing Preston's mom. Now he is coming home. How can Preston forgive him? This is based on a true story. The author, Neil Shusterman will be presenting at next year's Teen Lit Fest. Come by the book blog table to find this book as well as other titles by this author.

Honey, Baby, Sweetheart by Deb Caletti

2008-03-27T05:29:00.000-07:00

F
CAL
Chick Lit

Sixteen-year-old Ruby McQueen is known as “that quiet girl” at school, so she is intoxicated when she meets gorgeous rich-kid Travis Becker, with whom she feels different and fearless. Travis involves her in increasingly dangerous stunts until Ruby finally breaks away, but her mother, Ann, knows the difficulty of choosing self-protection over a thrilling love: she has struggled for years to get over Ruby's absent, philandering father. To distract herself and her daughter, Ann brings Ruby to her book club with “The Casserole Queens,” a group of wisecracking seniors who involve Ann and Ruby in a plan to reunite a friend with a lost love. Caletti writes a compelling, multigenerational story about teens and parents who simultaneously weather heartbreak and find new self-worth, enriching the telling with the Northwest setting, folksy wisdom, and Ruby's strong, sure voice

One of Those Hideous Books Where the Mother Dies

2008-03-13T12:54:00.001-07:00

F
SON
Chick Lit

After the death of her mother, high-schooler Ruby is sent from Boston to L.A. to live with the father she has never met: “He's such a scumbag / that he divorced my mother / before I was even born.” The “scumbag” is Whip Logan, a famous movie actor, but Ruby is too angry to be impressed; at the airport she wonders whether to ask him for his autograph, or ignore him. Sones' latest free-verse novel follows Ruby through her first few months in her new home, a mansion where her every desire is granted--except what she longs for most: her best friend, her boyfriend, and of course, her mother. Sones' novel is an unusual combination of over-the-top Hollywood fairy tale and sharp, honest story about overcoming grief. This story has lots of suprises and a satisfying ending. The author, Sonya Sones will be presenting at Humble ISD Teen Lit Fest '09. Find more of her books on the AHS Library Blog display table!

She Said Yes by Misty Bernall

2008-03-13T11:14:00.000-07:00

B
BER

One of the most gripping stories to come out of the shooting at Columbine High School is told in the bestseller that illuminates the most remarkable aspect of 17-year-old Cassie Bernall's tragic death: her life. Once a rage-filled young woman who walked a path similar to that of her killers, Cassie found a way out of her personal snares and, through her faith and a family's love, chose to embrace life with courage and conviction. She Said Yes is an intense and fascinating memoir of an ordinary teenager growing up in suburban Colorado, and faced as all teenagers are with difficult choices and pressures. It is only now, when the world knows Cassie Bernall as one of the Columbine High students killed by two rampaging schoolmates, that the choices she made offer a profound relevance for us all. Told with unflinching honesty by her mother, Misty Bernall, Cassie's story is profoundly human and should be read every teenager.

The Thirteenth Tale by Diane Setterfield

2008-03-10T10:31:00.000-07:00

F
SET
Mystery/Horror

A ruined mansion in the English countryside, secret illegitimate children, a madwoman hidden in the attic, ghostly twin sisters—yep, it's a gothic novel, and it doesn't pretend to be anything fancier. But this one grabs the reader with its damp, icy fingers and doesn't let go until the last shocking secret has been revealed. Margaret Lea, an antiquarian bookseller and sometime biographer of obscure writers, receives a letter from Vida Winter, the world's most famous living author. Vida has always invented pasts for herself in interviews, but now, on her deathbed, she at last has decided to tell the truth and has chosen Margaret to write her story. Now living at Vida's spooky country estate, Margaret finds herself spellbound by the tale of Vida's childhood some 70 years earlier...but is it really the truth? And will Vida live to finish the story?

Margaux With and X by Ron Koertge

2008-02-21T07:42:00.000-08:00

F
KOE
Award Winning Books

Margaux is beautiful and popular, with the most fashionable clothes and her own red Mustang. Every guy in town wants to date her. Despite living almost every teenager's dream, she is miserable. Her father is a professional gambler, and her emotionally oblivious mother spends her days watching the shopping channel. Powered by her sarcasm and intellectual wit, the teen keeps everyone at bay until she meets Danny, a lanky, poorly dressed school outcast who unwittingly charms her with his own intellect and politeness. It is Danny who gives Margaux the courage to escape her parents and her former shallow self.

Mysteries in History: From Prehistory to the Present

2008-02-12T11:36:00.000-08:00

909

ARO

In 75 chapters, Aron, senior editor for the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation, provides answers to such perplexing questions as why the pharoahs built the pyramids, why the Mayan culture collapsed, who discovered America, and who killed Jimmy Hoffa. For each mystery, Aron presents the question, all theories about its solution, and available evidence. He also includes a list of references for further study after every chapter. However, this book is more than a history text, and it demonstrates how professional historians do detective work to resolve such mysteries even centuries later. Aron provides a fascinating read to encourage student research and investigation.

Memoirs of a Teenage Amnesiac by Gabrielle Zevin

2008-02-05T05:31:00.000-08:00

ZEV

Chick Lit

When Naomi Porter takes a nasty fall, she loses all memory of the past four years. She's not sure if she's had sex with her boyfriend or what she saw in him, and she has no recollection that her adoptive parents are divorced, that she hasn't talked to her mother since her half sister was born, or that she's not wild about her dad's fiancée. Luckily, her buddy and yearbook coeditor, Will, is willing to clue her in on her lost life, leaving out the detail that before she lost her memory, they had shared a kiss. The only thing that eases Naomi's discomfort is the knowledge that she's not entirely alone. James, the first one to arrive on the scene of her accident, is not only handsome and mysterious, but he's also interested in starting off with a blank slate. They eventually fall for one another and begin to date, but precisely as Naomi's memory returns, she realizes that James's troubles run deep. An assignment for a photography class helps Naomi reconnect with her mother, a photographer, and understand how her definition of a family can evolve. The cast of sympathetic characters, especially James, who suffers from depression following the death of his brother, will resound with teens. This is a compelling read with intelligent dialogue that's also touching and funny

Frida by Hayden Herrera

2008-01-31T12:19:00.000-08:00

791.43

HER

Because it features the vibrant artwork of Mexican painter Frida Kahlo, Bringing Frida Kahlo's Life and Art to Film is one of the most aesthetically pleasing film companion books in years. The book's publication coincides with the long awaited release of the film, which stars Salma Hayek as the artist. In her introduction, Taymor, who directed Frida, explains how she condensed 30 years of Kahlo's life into a two-hour film, showed the artist at work, shot the film on location in Mexico and other eye-opening bits about the film. Salma Hayek then offers a brief introduction, which is followed by the illustrated screenplay, with sidebars interspersed that shed light on the characters-notably Kahlo's husband, Diego Rivera. The book admirably juxtaposes film stills and reproductions of Kahlo's paintings, making this at once a tribute to the film and the life of the great artist.

How I Live Now by Meg Rosoff

2008-01-30T17:42:00.000-08:00

ROS

Award Winner

Have you heard of the Printz Award? It is an award for a book that exemplifies literary excellence in young adult literature. This book gets my vote! The setting opens in New York City, where the main character, Elizabeth (also known as Daisy) lives. She can't wait to get away from her pregnant stepmother and travel across the pond to London, England to meet her deceased mother's sister and four children. Daisy quickly becomes attached to her Aunt Penn and her cousins. Then tragedy stikes. A terrorist war breaks out in London. Bombs explode periodically in London, transportation comes to a halt, and terrorists figure out how to cut off electricity and communication throughout the world. Aunt Penn is stuck in London and can't get home to her family. So the cousins learn to survive on their own. Sound unrealistic? I thought so at first, but this writer had me believing everything that happened. This is a book you won't want to put down until the last page. You will cheer for Daisy and Piper, as they survive the unimaginable. You will understand Edmund's despair when he witnesses a massacre and again when Daisy's dad arranges for her return to New York. Don't you despair - as hope will prevail at the end of the story. Find out what happened. Don't miss this great read!

where i want to be by AdeleGriffin

2008-01-30T17:23:00.000-08:00

F
GRI
Award Winner

Lily and Jane are two teenaged sisters, separated by death, yet still connected. Lily is the younger sister who adores her sister, Jane. Jane and Lily(as little girls) spend lots of time at their grandparents house, playing make believe from morning until night. Lily grows up, makes friends and begins to date. Jane resents this, as she prefers to live in a world of make-believe. For her, the line between fantasy and reality has always been blurred. When she stops taking her medication and ignoring her therapist, tragedy strikes. But the story does not end here. Although separated, the sisters re-connect, trying to overcome the void and bring light to each other. Do they succeed? If you know and love someone who suffers from mental illness, please read this book.

jake, reinvented by Gordon Korman

2008-01-30T16:42:00.000-08:00

KOR

Award Winner

Have you read The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald? Gordon Korman's 44th novel for young adults is kind of a modern take on the Great Gatsby theme. According to Gordon, this means "It's about popularity, social status, and, wild, wild parties." Jake (formerly Jacob - but you don't find that out until the end) is good looking, popular, and the best long snapper on the Bronco football team that F. Scott Fitzgerald High School ever had. Jake has a secret that his best friend, Rick discovers. Is he too late to help Jake? Read this book, guys. You'll like it!

The Rules of Survival by Nancy Werlin

2008-01-29T11:24:00.000-08:00

F
WER
Award Winning Books

In The Rules of Survival, teens will empathize with the siblings and the secrets they keep in this psychological horror story. Author, Nancy Werlin tackles the topic of child abuse with grace and insight. Narrated by 17-year-old Matt as a letter to his youngest sister, Emmy, The Rules of Survival is his effort to come to terms with the vicious treatment he and his two sisters suffered at the hands of Nikki, their beautiful and unpredictable mother. One of Matts early memories involves getting up during the night to sneak a cookie back to bed and being caught by his mother. Giggling and yelling Cookie thief, she holds a knife to his throat, cutting him just a little bit to teach him not to steal. As much as he fears her manic highs and lows, his greater concern as he grows older is for the safety of his sisters. He and Callie shield Emmy as much as possible from Nikkis volatile moods. Compounding the problem are the adults in their lives–their father and their aunt–who recognize Nikkis instability but find it easier to look the other way. When Nikkis ex-boyfriend Murdoch befriends the children, they want to believe that a more normal future is possible, but are afraid of being disappointed by an adult yet again. The characters captivate readers from the beginning, and short, terse chapters move the plot along with an intensity that will appeal to reluctant readers.

Twilight by Stephenie Meyer

2008-01-18T12:26:00.000-08:00

F
MEY
Award Winning Books

Isabella Swan, 17, narrates this riveting first novel, propelled by suspense and romance in equal parts. The story opens with a cryptic scene of the heroine "facing death," then flashes back to Bella's departure from Phoenix, where her mother lives with her new husband, as the teen heads off to live with her father, the police chief in Forks, Wash. From the first day at her new high school, she finds herself magnetically drawn to Edward Cullen, whose behavior towards her is erratic. Then she finds out why his interest in her runs hot and cold: he is a vampire—but of an unusual variety. Edward, his siblings and their adoptive parents have disciplined themselves to feed on animals rather than humans; and Edward is obsessed with Bella. Other elements factor into the plot, including a rival group of vampires who are not as disciplined as the Cullens. The main draw here is Bella's infatuation with Edward, the sense of danger inherent in their love, and Edward's inner struggle—a perfect metaphor for the sexual tension that accompanies adolescence. These will be familiar to nearly every teen, and will keep readers madly flipping the pages of Meyer's tantalizing debut.

The Burn Journals by Brent Runyon

2008-01-18T12:22:00.000-08:00

362.28
RUN
Award Winning Books

One February day in 1991, Runyon came home from eighth grade, had a snack, soaked his full-length bathrobe in gasoline, and set himself on fire. He intended to kill himself. Everything shortly after is written in short bursts as the author takes readers in and out of his various states of consciousness: the helicopter ride; the parade of nurses, doctors, therapists, and orderlies at Children's Hospital in Washington, DC, and the regimented details of his care divided among them; and the pain of the burns on 85 percent of his body. The entries lengthen and the story builds like a novel as the author takes readers along as co-patients. The dialogue between Runyon and his nurses, parents, and especially his hapless psychotherapists is natural and believable, and his inner dialogue is flip, often funny, and sometimes raw. The details of the surgery, therapy, and painstaking care that go into healing burns are fascinating, and are likely to grip teens with a taste for gore or melodrama. Runyon's brave willingness to relive this horrifying year in unflinching detail is perhaps even more fascinating, as is the slowly unfolding mystery of the sadness that made a smart, popular, funny, loving boy try to take his own life. Depression, regret, and rebirth are the themes that tie the narrative together, and the subtle tension among the three are beautifully related, offering no neat resolution. The authentically adolescent voice of the journals will engage even those reluctant to read.

Playing in Traffic by Gail Giles

2008-01-18T12:18:00.001-08:00

F
GIL
Award Winning Books

Matt Lathrop is an invisible high-school senior everyone looks right through. So he is shocked when Goth girl Skye Colby picks him as someone with whom she wants to share both her body and her secrets. Soon Matt realizes that there's an underlying agenda, but he is still surprised when he learns what it is. Giles, who knows how to construct a tightly wound plot, continues to turn the tension up in this one. Her pacing is impeccable, and the story races along. The characterizations are sharp and strong, and although the language is sometimes rough, it always sounds real. In the end, the event everything has been leading up to, will shock you.

The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky

2008-01-17T07:48:00.000-08:00

F
CHB
Books For Guys

Stephen Chbosky cleverly places readers in the role of recipients of Charlie’s unfolding story of his freshman year in high school. From the beginning, Charlie’s identity as an outsider is credibly established. It was in the spring of the previous school year that his best friend committed suicide and now that his class has gone through a summer of change, the boy finds that he has drifted away from old friends. He finds a new and satisfying social set, however, made up of several high school seniors, bright bohemians with ego-bruising insights and, really, hearts of gold. These new friends make more sense to Charlie than his star football-playing older brother ever did and they are able to teach him about the realities of life that his older sister doesn’t have the time to share with him. Grounded in a specific time (the 1991/92 academic year) and place (western Pennsylvania), Charlie, his friends, and family are very real. His grandfather is an embarrassing bigot; his new best friend is gay. Charlie develops from an observant wallflower into his own man of action, and, with the help of a therapist, he begins to face the sexual abuse he had experienced as a child.

The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini

2008-01-14T12:18:00.000-08:00

HOS

Award Winning Books

This moving, remarkable debut novel depicts the childhood, adolescence, and adulthood of a deeply flawed protagonist. Growing up in Kabul, Afghanistan, Amir feels unloved by his widowed father, who seems to care more for Hassan, the son of their Hazara servant, Ali. Amir and Hassan are close but not quite friends. On what should have been the best day of his young life, when he wins a kite-flying contest and finally some respect from his father, Amir betrays Hassan and becomes haunted by guilt. Amir comes to California when the Soviets invade his country but returns years later to rescue Hassan's orphaned son from the Taliban and redeem himself. Hosseini, a physician in the San Francisco area, has a wonderful gift for developing distinctive characters and creating a strong sense of place.

A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini

2008-01-14T12:15:00.000-08:00

HOS

Award Winning Books

Afghan-American novelist Hosseini follows up his bestselling The Kite Runner with another searing epic of Afghanistan in turmoil. The story covers three decades of anti-Soviet jihad, civil war and Taliban tyranny through the lives of two women. Mariam is the scorned illegitimate daughter of a wealthy businessman, forced at age 15 into marrying the 40-year-old Rasheed, who grows increasingly brutal as she fails to produce a child. Eighteen later, Rasheed takes another wife, 14-year-old Laila, a smart and spirited girl whose only other options, after her parents are killed by rocket fire, are prostitution or starvation. Against a backdrop of unending war, Mariam and Laila become allies in an asymmetrical battle with Rasheed, whose violent misogyny—"There was no cursing, no screaming, no pleading, no surprised yelps, only the systematic business of beating and being beaten"—is endorsed by custom and law. Hosseini gives a forceful but nuanced portrait of a patriarchal despotism where women are agonizingly dependent on fathers, husbands and especially sons, the bearing of male children being their sole path to social status. His tale is a powerful, harrowing depiction of Afghanistan, but also a lyrical evocation of the lives and enduring hopes of its resilient characters.

Twilight by Stephenie Meyer

2008-01-14T11:36:00.000-08:00

MEY

Award Winning Books

This tale of a teen attracted to a vampire is a riveting first novel with equal parts suspense and romance. Meyer has achieved quite a feat by making this scenario completely human and believable. She begins with a familiar YA premise (the new kid in school), and lulls us into thinking this will be just another realistic young adult novel. Bella has come to the small town of Forks on the gloomy Olympic Peninsula to be with her father. At school, she wonders about a group of five remarkably beautiful teens, who sit together in the cafeteria but never eat. As she grows to know, and then love, Edward, she learns their secret. They are all rescued vampires, part of a family headed by saintly Carlisle, who has inspired them to renounce human prey. For Edward's sake they welcome Bella, but when a roving group of tracker vampires fixates on her, the family is drawn into a desperate pursuit to protect the fragile human in their midst. The precision and delicacy of Meyer's writing lifts this wonderful novel beyond the limitations of the horror genre to a place among the best of YA fiction.

Fannin Street by Courtnee Howard

2008-01-14T10:33:00.000-08:00

811

HOW

"In her acclaimed collection of poetry, Cortnee Howard paints both vivid and etheral lyrical landscapes filled with parliament smoking strangers, dim-lit coffee shops and jails overrun with artists. Unafraid to digress into even the most wry and oblique of self-perceptions, Howard unites both the obscure and the ordinary with a sharp wit and gracious-yet pragmatic-use of metaphor. In many ways, Fannin Street succeeds where others do not, for it lends meaning in a sad-tragic world bristling with the ineffable and the significant. Howard possess a rare and disquieting brevity that is both subtle and sincere, composed and curious, provocative and profound. An impressive debut." -Robert Holt, The Seattle Review of Books --The Seattle Review of Books

Gideon's People

2008-01-14T10:21:00.000-08:00

MEY

Award Winning Books

Two deeply religious cultures bound by strict laws are thrown together when Isaac, an Orthodox Jewish boy, recovers from injuries at an Amish farm in 1911. Similarities between Yiddish and Pennsylvania Dutch make communication possible, allowing 12-year-old Isaac to pick up on a family rift. Annie, who is also 12, explains that 16-year-old Gideon plans to leave the community before his baptism, though he knows that if he does he will be shunned. A vivid setting and the slow unfolding of the relationship between Isaac and Annie are Meyer's strong suits. Award-winning author Carolyn Meyer explores youthful rebellion and the importance of family heritage.

Rules by Cynthia Lord

2008-01-14T05:49:00.000-08:00

F
LOR
Chick Lit

Twelve-year-old Catherine just wants a normal life. Which is near impossible when you have a brother with autism and a family that revolves around his disability. She's spent years trying to teach David the rules-from "a peach is not a funny-looking apple" to "keep your pants on in public"-in order to stop his embarrassing behaviors. But the summer Catherine meets Jason, a paraplegic boy, and Kristi, the next-door friend she's always wished for, it's her own shocking behavior that turns everything upside down and forces her to ask: What is normal?

Nothing to Lose

2008-01-14T00:56:00.000-08:00

F
FLI
Award Winning Book

This emotionally charged book is about the psychology of the battered-spouse syndrome and its impact on an entire family. Michael, a seventeen year old high school student, left his abusive home life to join a traveling carnival. Now the runaway has returned to Miami to find his mother going on trial for the murder of his abusive stepfather. What really happened? Only Michael knows the whole truth, but will he come forward. Posted by Mrs. Sewell

Vote for Larry

2008-01-13T23:11:00.001-08:00

F
TAS
Award Winning Book

This is the sequel to The Gospel According to Larry (see below) You might want to skip down and read the Gospel.. review first!
Josh (aka Larry) is back-and so are Beth, Peter, Mom's spirit at Bloomingdale's, and even his website enemy, betagold. This time, the website topic is politics-the electoral game, campaign financing, crooked politicians, and the power of the vote. Not yet eighteen years old, Josh comes out of hiding,returns to public life, and decides to run for President. He gains national attention as an advocate for issues of concern to youth - so what if he doesn't meet the age requirements. He even finds a new girlfriend - but what happens to Beth? If you liked The Gospel According to Larry, you won't want to miss this book. Posted by Mrs. Lankau

The Gospel According to Larry

2008-01-13T22:35:00.001-08:00

TAS

Award Winning Books

Seventeen-year-old Josh is a loner-philosopher who wants to make a difference in the world. He tries to maintain his secret identity as the author of a web site that is receiving national attention. Josh is bright, articulate, idealistic, and in love with Beth, the girl next door who he has been friends with since sixth grade. Afraid to let her know how he feels, he pours his energy into the clever website. This is a terrific read with a credible and lovable main character. Posted by Mrs. Lankau

The Book Thief

2008-01-13T22:28:00.001-08:00

F
ZUS
Historical Fiction

Gr. 10-12. Death is the narrator of this lengthy, powerful story of a town in Nazi Germany. He is a kindly, caring Death, overwhelmed by the souls he has to collect from people in the gas chambers, from soldiers on the battlefields, and from civilians killed in bombings. Death focuses on a young orphan, Liesl; her loving foster parents; the Jewish fugitive they are hiding; and a wild but gentle teen neighbor, Rudy, who defies the Hitler Youth and convinces Liesl to steal for fun. After Liesl learns to read, she steals books from everywhere. When she reads a book in the bomb shelter, even a Nazi woman is enthralled. This is a powerful story in which Liesl confronts horrifying cruelty and discovers kindness in unexpected places. Posted by Mrs. Lankau

The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time by Mark Haddon

2008-01-07T12:21:00.000-08:00

F
HAD
Books for Guys

Mark Haddon’s first novel written from the perspective of a 15 year old autistic boy in Great Britain is clever and genuinely moving. This is extremely rare among first-time novelists. Christopher, the main character comes across his neighbor's poodle, Wellington, stabbed with a garden fork. Wellington's owner finds him with her dead dog in his arms, and falsely accuses him of the crime and has him arrested. After spending a night in jail, Christopher resolves--against the objection of his father and neighbors--to discover just who has murdered Wellington. He is encouraged by Siobhan, a social worker at his school, to write a book about his investigations, and the result-- illustrated, with each chapter given its own prime number--is the unique and eye-opening work --The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time. Posted by Mrs. Sewell

House of the Scorpion by Nancy Farmer

2008-01-07T12:17:00.000-08:00

F
FAR
SciFi/Fantasy

Nancy Farmer, a two-time Newbery honoree creates compelling, fascinating characters in the The House of the Scorpion. Matteo Alacran, a feudal drug lord in the country of Opium, which lies between the United States and Aztlan, formerly Mexico the setting of this novel. Field work,or any menial tasks, are done by "eejits," humans in whose brains computer chips have been installed to insure docility. Alacran, or El Patron, has lived 140 years with the help of transplants from a series of clones, a common practice among rich men in this world. The intelligence of clones is usually destroyed at birth, but Matt, the latest of Alacran's doubles, has been spared because he belongs to El Patron. He grows up in the family's mansion, alternately caged and despised as an animal and pampered and educated as El Patron's favorite. Gradually he realizes the fate that is in store for him, and with the help of Tam Lin, his rough and kind Scottish bodyguard, he escapes to Aztlan. There he and other "lost children" are trapped in a more subtle kind of slavery before Matt can return to Opium to take his rightful place and transform his country. Readers will be reminded of Louis Sachar's Holes in the camaraderie of imprisoned boys and the layers of meaning embedded in this compelling story. Posted by Mrs. Sewell