I try to keep my own voice off of this Blog, as the purpose of this blog is to review YA Books. I try not to express my own opinions about what I read, and what I personally feel about the book.
Having said that, I am about to break that rule. I was visiting the Howard County, Maryland Libraries today and I became aware of an awesome program that they have begun for their teens called "Pass The Book". I am so intrigued by the idea, I have to share it with you. The possibilities for discussion are endless. The ability to tie in a classroom assignment with the public library web page... from Geography tie ins to statistics, this is an idea that could be utilized across the curriculum by teachers. The programming possibilities for a librarian are only limited by the imagination.
Here is the information about their program, direct from their Winter 2010 Programming Guide:
"Look for specially marked copies of The Secret Hour by Scott Westerfeld. Read the book. Register the book's number at hclibrary.org. Pass the book to another friend. Return to the web site throughout the year to track where the books traveled, and participate in online book discussions."
The link to the Howard County Website is below. Check it out!
Pass The Book
Howard County Library
Monday, December 28, 2009
Sunday, December 27, 2009
Just Another Hero
Draper, Sharon M. Just Another Hero. 2009. Simon & Schuster. New York, NY.
ISBN 13: 978-1-4169-0700-8. Hardcover, $16.99.
Annotation:
This is the startling conclusion to the books The Battle of Jericho and November Blues.
Fall of Senior Year has begun for Kofi, Jericho, November Arielle, and Dana. The students find themselves wrapped up in their classes and college applications.
In the middle of everything, a student shows up in Chemistry class with a gun, demanding that his voice be heard.
Book Talk:
"So what makes a hero, and who is the hero of the day?" (page 280).
Fall has begun, and Jericho, November, and Arielle find themselves in their Senior Year of High School. With the tragedy of Josh's death behind them, November has returned to school after the birth of her baby and the students are now applying to colleges and looking forward to all that life has to offer them.
Not all is going well in the world of Douglas High School. Koffi is still suffering from the trauma of the night Josh died, and has become addicte to pain killers. Eddie has returned to school from his stint in Juvie for the part he played in Josh's death, and Arielle is reeling from the nightmare of her home life. Crazy Jack is still clanging his cymbals wherever he goes, but he seems to be searching for bigger and louder ways to make people pay attention to him. Osrick is being bullied unmercifully, and he has vowed revenge on those who have wronged him.
In the midst of all this, the school is suffering from a spate of false fire alarms.
Have the alarms been set off just to annoy the students and teachers, or is there something more sinister behind the rise in false alarms?
As the students face the most frightening moment of their lives, we find the answer to the question: "So, what makes a hero, and who is the hero of the day?"
Author Web Site: sharon draper
ISBN 13: 978-1-4169-0700-8. Hardcover, $16.99.Annotation:
This is the startling conclusion to the books The Battle of Jericho and November Blues.
Fall of Senior Year has begun for Kofi, Jericho, November Arielle, and Dana. The students find themselves wrapped up in their classes and college applications.
In the middle of everything, a student shows up in Chemistry class with a gun, demanding that his voice be heard.
Book Talk:
"So what makes a hero, and who is the hero of the day?" (page 280).
Fall has begun, and Jericho, November, and Arielle find themselves in their Senior Year of High School. With the tragedy of Josh's death behind them, November has returned to school after the birth of her baby and the students are now applying to colleges and looking forward to all that life has to offer them.
Not all is going well in the world of Douglas High School. Koffi is still suffering from the trauma of the night Josh died, and has become addicte to pain killers. Eddie has returned to school from his stint in Juvie for the part he played in Josh's death, and Arielle is reeling from the nightmare of her home life. Crazy Jack is still clanging his cymbals wherever he goes, but he seems to be searching for bigger and louder ways to make people pay attention to him. Osrick is being bullied unmercifully, and he has vowed revenge on those who have wronged him.
In the midst of all this, the school is suffering from a spate of false fire alarms.
Have the alarms been set off just to annoy the students and teachers, or is there something more sinister behind the rise in false alarms?
As the students face the most frightening moment of their lives, we find the answer to the question: "So, what makes a hero, and who is the hero of the day?"
Author Web Site: sharon draper
Tuesday, December 22, 2009
Syren - Book Five of the Septimus Heap Series
Sage, Angie. Syren. 2009. Harper Collins, New York, NY.
ISBN 13: 978-0-06-008210-5. Hardback $17.95.
Annotation:
In this fifth book of the Septimus Heap Series, Septimus is stranded on a beautiful desert island with his wounded dragon, Spit Fyre. Septimus meets a young girl named Syrah...a girl he knew 500 years in the past. As Septimus struggles to unravel the mysteries surrounding Syrah, Lucy Gringe finds herself swept into Septimus' adventures as she attempts to escape the Port Witch Coven with Wolf Boy. Septimus, Lucy, and Syrah, Wolf Boy, and Jenna all end up on the same beautiful island in a race against time to save the palace from the machinations of the evil Tertius Fume and his minions.
Book Talk:
Septimus has just been named the Senior Apprentice to the Extraordinary Wizard. As hsi first duty, he is returning to the city across the sea to retrieve Jenna and Beetle and bring them safely home.
So, what does the Port Witch Coven, a mysterious cargo in the hold of a ship, and a lighthouse that looks like a cat, a Syren, and a mysterious girl named Syrah have to do with the safe return of Septimus and Jenna to the castle? Everything.
Septimus, Jenna, Beetle, and the dragon Spit Fyre find themselves stranded on a beautiful island with the mysterious cat shaped light house. The future of the kingdom will be determined by the actions of everyone on the island.
Can the Senior Apprentice save the kingdom and the castle with nothing more than his quick thinking? Find out in Syren...Book Five of the Septimus Heap Series.
Author Website: Angie Sage
ISBN 13: 978-0-06-008210-5. Hardback $17.95.Annotation:
In this fifth book of the Septimus Heap Series, Septimus is stranded on a beautiful desert island with his wounded dragon, Spit Fyre. Septimus meets a young girl named Syrah...a girl he knew 500 years in the past. As Septimus struggles to unravel the mysteries surrounding Syrah, Lucy Gringe finds herself swept into Septimus' adventures as she attempts to escape the Port Witch Coven with Wolf Boy. Septimus, Lucy, and Syrah, Wolf Boy, and Jenna all end up on the same beautiful island in a race against time to save the palace from the machinations of the evil Tertius Fume and his minions.
Book Talk:
Septimus has just been named the Senior Apprentice to the Extraordinary Wizard. As hsi first duty, he is returning to the city across the sea to retrieve Jenna and Beetle and bring them safely home.
So, what does the Port Witch Coven, a mysterious cargo in the hold of a ship, and a lighthouse that looks like a cat, a Syren, and a mysterious girl named Syrah have to do with the safe return of Septimus and Jenna to the castle? Everything.
Septimus, Jenna, Beetle, and the dragon Spit Fyre find themselves stranded on a beautiful island with the mysterious cat shaped light house. The future of the kingdom will be determined by the actions of everyone on the island.
Can the Senior Apprentice save the kingdom and the castle with nothing more than his quick thinking? Find out in Syren...Book Five of the Septimus Heap Series.
Author Website: Angie Sage
Sunday, December 6, 2009
Fearless
Woodruff, Elvira. Fearless. 2007. Scholastic, New York, NY.
ISBN 13: 978-0-439-67703-5. Hardback,$16.99.
Annotation:
The year is 1703. Digory Beale gets word that his father's ship has gone down off the coast of England. He is sent off to find word of his father. If his father has died in the wreck Digory is told he can never return home. As Digory sets off across England, he is befriended by Henry Winstanley, the Jester of Littlebury".
When the largest storm in the history of England threatens the Lighthouse that Winstanley built, Digory and his master set out in a race against time to fix the lighthouse.
Book Talk:
Courage. There are many kinds of courage in this world. When Eleven year old Digory Beale is sent off alone, across England to find word of his father, he discovers the many faces of courage.
Beset by press gangs for Her Majesty's Navy, captured by Highway Men, and forced to face his deepest fears, Digory learns to rise above the situation in front of him and hold true to himself.
Digory is rescued from the gallows by Henry Winstanley, a gadgeteer, inventor, and builder of the Lighthouse of Eddystone Reef. While living with Winstanley, Digory learns to read and draw. Digory is amazed at the gadgets his Master has built, including the first ever roller coaster in the world.
But, when a giant cyclone threatens the Lighthouse on Eddystone Reef, Digory is forced to face his deepest fear- to cross the sea in rough, choppy seas in order to repair the lighthouse.
Based upon the true story of Henry Winstanley, the Jester of Littlesbury, this story will keep you on the edge of your seat until the very end.
ISBN 13: 978-0-439-67703-5. Hardback,$16.99.Annotation:
The year is 1703. Digory Beale gets word that his father's ship has gone down off the coast of England. He is sent off to find word of his father. If his father has died in the wreck Digory is told he can never return home. As Digory sets off across England, he is befriended by Henry Winstanley, the Jester of Littlebury".
When the largest storm in the history of England threatens the Lighthouse that Winstanley built, Digory and his master set out in a race against time to fix the lighthouse.
Book Talk:
Courage. There are many kinds of courage in this world. When Eleven year old Digory Beale is sent off alone, across England to find word of his father, he discovers the many faces of courage.
Beset by press gangs for Her Majesty's Navy, captured by Highway Men, and forced to face his deepest fears, Digory learns to rise above the situation in front of him and hold true to himself.
Digory is rescued from the gallows by Henry Winstanley, a gadgeteer, inventor, and builder of the Lighthouse of Eddystone Reef. While living with Winstanley, Digory learns to read and draw. Digory is amazed at the gadgets his Master has built, including the first ever roller coaster in the world.
But, when a giant cyclone threatens the Lighthouse on Eddystone Reef, Digory is forced to face his deepest fear- to cross the sea in rough, choppy seas in order to repair the lighthouse.
Based upon the true story of Henry Winstanley, the Jester of Littlesbury, this story will keep you on the edge of your seat until the very end.
Friday, December 4, 2009
The Magician's Elephant
DiCamillo, Kate. The Magician's Elephant. 2009. Candlewick Press, Somerville, Mass.
ISBN 13: 978-0-7636-4410-9. Hardback, $16.99.
Book Awards:
School Library Journal Starred Review, Aug. 2009.
Booklist Starred review, July 2009.
Library Media Connection, Starred Review Nov. 2009.
Kirkus Starred Review, Aug. 2009.
Annotation:
When Peter discovers the fortune tellers tent in the middle of the city, he seeks the answer to the deepest question of his heart. Does his sister still live? The fortune teller's answer to Peter: "Follow the elephant" is just as confusing to Peter as all of the years of uncertainty have been. But the unforgettable chain of events that follows the answer sets up a magical trail that leads a child on the trail of answers.
Book Talk:
"What if?"
What if...you could find a sister you thought had died when she was born?
What if...you could make an elephant appear out of nowhere and crash through the ceiling of the opera house.
What if...the elephant holds the answers to the deepest questions of your heart?
What if...you believe in yourself enough to change the world?
What if...you find out that what you thought was true was actually a lie?
For, how will the world change if we do not question it?
Author's Web Site:
Kate DiCamillo
ISBN 13: 978-0-7636-4410-9. Hardback, $16.99.
Book Awards:School Library Journal Starred Review, Aug. 2009.
Booklist Starred review, July 2009.
Library Media Connection, Starred Review Nov. 2009.
Kirkus Starred Review, Aug. 2009.
Annotation:
When Peter discovers the fortune tellers tent in the middle of the city, he seeks the answer to the deepest question of his heart. Does his sister still live? The fortune teller's answer to Peter: "Follow the elephant" is just as confusing to Peter as all of the years of uncertainty have been. But the unforgettable chain of events that follows the answer sets up a magical trail that leads a child on the trail of answers.
Book Talk:
"What if?"
What if...you could find a sister you thought had died when she was born?
What if...you could make an elephant appear out of nowhere and crash through the ceiling of the opera house.
What if...the elephant holds the answers to the deepest questions of your heart?
What if...you believe in yourself enough to change the world?
What if...you find out that what you thought was true was actually a lie?
For, how will the world change if we do not question it?
Author's Web Site:
Kate DiCamillo
Tuesday, December 1, 2009
Here Lies Arthur
Reeve, Philip. Here Lies Arthur. 2007. Scholastic Press. New York, NY.
Book Awards:
2007- shorlist for Booklist Teenage Prize
2008 - Carnegie Medal
Annotation:
A retelling of the King Arthur legends. Gwyna is a girl who becomes a boy at the hands of Merlin. As a result, Gwyna is accpeted into the pack of boys who surround King Arthur and follow him into battles.
Book Talk:
King Arthur was a legend in his own time. Surrounded by the myths of the Magic Sword from the Lady of the Lake, and supported by the magic of Merlin, the legends of Arthur's rise to power exist to this very day. It makes you wonder what the story behind the stories could be. Is it possible that the legends don't catch the truth of what happened in Camelot?
Meet Gwyna. She is a young girl who is forced to leave her home on King Ban's lands when Arhtur's army attacks. Gwyna has fled from Arhtur's armies, only to be found hiding in the river by Merlin. Merlin takes pity on Gwyna, and takes her in. He gives her food and shelter for the night.
As we join the story, Merlin (Myrddin) has joined up with Arthur's brother, Cei.
"We meet at the river, then?" I heard the rider shout.
"The pool above the ford," called Myrddin, one hand up, waving, as the rider went away between the trees. "Where the waterfall is."
As the hoofbeats faded, he turned and saw me watching. He came toward me smiling, and I was still so little used to being smiled at that I just stood there basking in it till he reached me. e took me by one arm and pushed me back inside. "There is work to be done, Gwyna."
I looked at the dark loaves of dung his horse had dropped on the floor. I wondered if he ewanted it cleaned up.
"Didn't I say you'd help me help the Bear?" he said.
Arhtur needs a sign. There's an Irishman who rules those wet moors that rise up south of here. He's Ban's man, and if he chooses to avenge his overlord, it will be a hard strife and a waste of good men. Better for everyone if he can just welcome Arthur as his lord in Ban's place. Arthur could use an ally here in the west. I've spoken with the Irishman, and he's agreeable. But his people won't trust a man who carries the sign of Christ on his shield. The ways of the new God lie thin in those hills of his, like the first snow. Just a pretty coverlet. Dig a little and you soon find old ways and old gods underneath......."
So the old gods are going to make Arthur a present" Myrddin went on, fumbling among the furs and cloths behind his saddle. "A sign to show they are on Arthur's side."
"What sort of sign" I asked, afraid.
"I'll show you."
His quick hands undid the fastenings on a long bundle of oilcloth. Something golden caught the light. A sword hilt. I'd not seen many swords, but I knew enough to know this one was special. The pommel and the crosspiece were red-gold, inlaid with swirls and curls of paler metal. The hilt was twisted around with silver wire. The blade shone like water in the folds of the cloth....
"And maybe some god is watching over us, " he said. "Someone sent you to me, that's for sure. I had planned to have the Bear row out adn find teh sword on a ledge beneath that little waterfall, hid among the rushes there like Moses in his basket. Spin a story afterward to explain it. But now I have a better notion. And now I have you, my little fish."
And so begins the saga of Excalibur. And the presentation of Excalibur to Arthur. And thus begins the magic reign of King Arthur, with Merlin by his side.
Book Awards:2007- shorlist for Booklist Teenage Prize
2008 - Carnegie Medal
Annotation:
A retelling of the King Arthur legends. Gwyna is a girl who becomes a boy at the hands of Merlin. As a result, Gwyna is accpeted into the pack of boys who surround King Arthur and follow him into battles.
Book Talk:
King Arthur was a legend in his own time. Surrounded by the myths of the Magic Sword from the Lady of the Lake, and supported by the magic of Merlin, the legends of Arthur's rise to power exist to this very day. It makes you wonder what the story behind the stories could be. Is it possible that the legends don't catch the truth of what happened in Camelot?
Meet Gwyna. She is a young girl who is forced to leave her home on King Ban's lands when Arhtur's army attacks. Gwyna has fled from Arhtur's armies, only to be found hiding in the river by Merlin. Merlin takes pity on Gwyna, and takes her in. He gives her food and shelter for the night.
As we join the story, Merlin (Myrddin) has joined up with Arthur's brother, Cei.
"We meet at the river, then?" I heard the rider shout.
"The pool above the ford," called Myrddin, one hand up, waving, as the rider went away between the trees. "Where the waterfall is."
As the hoofbeats faded, he turned and saw me watching. He came toward me smiling, and I was still so little used to being smiled at that I just stood there basking in it till he reached me. e took me by one arm and pushed me back inside. "There is work to be done, Gwyna."
I looked at the dark loaves of dung his horse had dropped on the floor. I wondered if he ewanted it cleaned up.
"Didn't I say you'd help me help the Bear?" he said.
Arhtur needs a sign. There's an Irishman who rules those wet moors that rise up south of here. He's Ban's man, and if he chooses to avenge his overlord, it will be a hard strife and a waste of good men. Better for everyone if he can just welcome Arthur as his lord in Ban's place. Arthur could use an ally here in the west. I've spoken with the Irishman, and he's agreeable. But his people won't trust a man who carries the sign of Christ on his shield. The ways of the new God lie thin in those hills of his, like the first snow. Just a pretty coverlet. Dig a little and you soon find old ways and old gods underneath......."
So the old gods are going to make Arthur a present" Myrddin went on, fumbling among the furs and cloths behind his saddle. "A sign to show they are on Arthur's side."
"What sort of sign" I asked, afraid.
"I'll show you."
His quick hands undid the fastenings on a long bundle of oilcloth. Something golden caught the light. A sword hilt. I'd not seen many swords, but I knew enough to know this one was special. The pommel and the crosspiece were red-gold, inlaid with swirls and curls of paler metal. The hilt was twisted around with silver wire. The blade shone like water in the folds of the cloth....
"And maybe some god is watching over us, " he said. "Someone sent you to me, that's for sure. I had planned to have the Bear row out adn find teh sword on a ledge beneath that little waterfall, hid among the rushes there like Moses in his basket. Spin a story afterward to explain it. But now I have a better notion. And now I have you, my little fish."
And so begins the saga of Excalibur. And the presentation of Excalibur to Arthur. And thus begins the magic reign of King Arthur, with Merlin by his side.
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