Thanks to getting back to school, my blog has been on hiatus. I'm hoping to be back to a more regular schedule...
This book is categorized as Science Fiction because it involves time travel, but it takes place mostly in current time which makes it a good crossover book for students considering sci fi. The main character Prenna travels "back" in time to 2010 and the story takes place in 2014. The future where Prenna comes from basically takes all of our current worst fears and makes them true and magnified: an enormous food shortage, a major epidemic without a cure, and the worst effects of global warming. Prenna and a group travelers come back in time in hopes of a better life, and to also "fix" the problems that resulted in this horrible world. However, Prenna and the travelers are forced to follow strict rules about how they can interact with time natives, or the people who have not traveled back in time. The most serious rule of all is no physical contact, or falling in love, with a time native. Prenna abides by the rules until she meets Ethan. Then everything changes and Prenna challenges every belief that holds her community together. I recommend this book to readers who enjoy science fiction, survival stories, action/suspense, and books such as the Divergent or Legend series. I give this book 4 out of 5 stars!
The latest by Raina Telgemeier does not disappoint! Based on the true story of the author's relationship with her little sister, this graphic novel is both humorous and heart-felt. During a family road trip from California to Colorado, Raina learns about her relationship with her little sister, her family, and herself. I also liked the book's design and how the pages were yellow(ed) to indicate a flashback. I strongly recommend this book to readers who enjoyed Smile and Drama, the author's other titles; to any readers who like graphic novels; and to readers who can relate to the ups and downs of having a brother or sister. I give this book 5 out of 5 stars!
While not my favorite Sonnenblick book (which would be Drums, Girls & Dangerous Pie), this was still a solid read. After Alex Gregory drove a car without a license (while drunk) and decapitated a lawn gnome, he is required to work community service with senior citizen and resident grouch Solomon Lewis. In the beginning of the book, Alex is self-centered and immature. In fact, I thought his character was annoying. Yet, as the book continued, I started to like Alex more and more. I loved Solomon, a character who was inspired by the author's grandfather. The story takes hilarious (and somewhat predictable) turns as crusty old Solomon and Alex get to know each other.
I recommend this to readers who can relate to family issues, divorce, and making mistakes, as well as readers who like music--playing electric guitar in particular. It would strongly appeal to middle school boys with an interest in music. I give this book 3.5 out of 5 stars!
This book is the perfect read for girls who love movies--and romantic comedies in particular. Unlikely friends Marijke Monti and Lily Spencer team up with a crazy scheme: to reinact epic movie moments to win over their crushes. I loved all of the movie references in this book, but I'm not sure if middle school girls still watch some of the movies mentioned, such as Sixteen Candles, Say Anything, and Titanic. The book lightly addresses family issues and searching for personal identity. Normally, I would find the ending of this book unrealistic and too perfect, but like most romantic comedies, I know what I'm getting into and a happy ending is completely satisfying. I recommend this to high school and some middle school readers who like romantic movies. I give this book 3.5 out of 5 stars!
This was my kind of fantasy....royals, adventure, and some romance too. The story begins on the day of Princess Lia's wedding; Lia decides to flee the arranged marriage and escapes to a small town with her best friend Pauline. Once there, Lia works to blend in as a regular tavern maid. Little does Lia know that the two handsome strangers who show up in town are looking for her--one is the jilted prince and the other is an assassin hired to kill her.
The story alternates between the narrators: Lia, Rafe, and Kaden. For a large part of the book, readers are not sure who is the prince and who is the assassin, which makes for added tension and suspense. The story has excellent twists and turns. At over 400 pages, the author keeps the story moving. I recommend this for readers who like an adventure tale with a bit of romance and a headstrong female lead character. I give this book 4 out of 5 stars! Check out my trailer here.
I had heard so many great things about this book before reading it, and Maureen Johnson did not disappoint. This book is a great travel/adventure story with a bit of romance and a scavenger-hunt feel to it, which includes international travel. Virginia "Ginny" receives 13 little blue envelopes from her Aunt Peg, who had vanished months ago and just recently passed away. Ginny learns a lot more about her "runaway aunt" through the travel instructions and challenges posed to Ginny within each of the 13 envelopes. For some students, this book could be challenging because background knowledge is required to understand the geography of where Ginny is traveling. With that said, the vivid descriptions took me right back to London, Rome, and Greece. I also loved the portion of the book when Ginny was in Copenhagen. I recommend this book for advanced 7th grade readers, definitely 8th graders and maybe even freshmen. I give this book 4 out of 5 stars!
This is one creepy vampire story. And before you get turned away because it's a vampire novel, I will say that it is the anti-Twilight. Instead, it is intense, suspenseful, and gory at times. For these reasons, I recommend it to teens and some mature, upper-level middle school readers. I can see why this book made several top teen book lists. I give it 4 out of 5 stars! View the book trailer.
