Monday, March 31, 2014

Ungifted

Ungifted By: Gordon Korman

Donavon has always had a knack for finding trouble.  This time he has gone to far, he has knocked a globe off of a statue that crashes into the basketball game, causes a lot of damage, and ruins the game.  In a strange accident, he is sent to the school for the gifted. Everyone knows he does not belong there, but he is starting to bring things out in the gifted kids that is not entirely a bad thing. Before he got there, the robotics team wasn't really a team, now they are working more and interacting.  But things are not going to end up well for Donovan when the superintendent finally finds him.

I liked this book. It definitely showed that while some kids are not gifted in academic knowledge they have other gifts that kids need to have.  If you put all the kids together that are completely the same, they don't learn how to function in a regular society. Also I was just rooting for Donovan, because as a teacher, if I have a student who is constantly getting in trouble or being goofy, I love the challenge of finding that one thing to hook them into school and learning.

I borrowed this from the public library.
ISBN: 978-0-06-174266-8

The White Giraffe

The White Giraffe By: Lauren St. John

Martine's parents have been killed in a fire.  She is devastated, but finds out that she has a grandmother that lives in Africa.  This grandmother is now her guardian,  and Martine has to leave the only place she has ever known.  When she gets to Africa, she finds her grandmother a cold woman who doesn't seem interested in her, and school is different. There is a legend that Martine will be the one to ride a mysterious white giraffe and take care of animals.  Martine has to find out what is true and how to take care  of herself and the animals she finds.

This book was different, but I liked the theme of the book.  It really talked about how people should care for animals and not harm them.The book also covered some really good ideas about being kind.  There is a boy that everyone ignores because he does not talk, and the culture of the school is to do this, but Martine feels badly about it.  I think that this has some great ideas to talk with kids about.
I felt horrible for Martine in this book, she lost everything she knew. But in the end she was able to find her place with her grandmother. 

I borrowed this book from a friend.
ISBN: 978-0-545-10581-1

Sunday, March 30, 2014

Eve & Adam

Eve & Adam By: Michael Grant and Katherine Applegate

Evening has been hit by a trolley, and believes that she will be dying soon. But to her surprise she is alive and her mother is fighting to get her out of the hospital.  Evening, E.V. to her friends, does not have the best relationship with her mother, who is focused on her work at Spikers Biopharmaceuticals.  Solo has lived at Spikers for six years since his parents were killed. He is planing a way to destroy the company in revenge for his family.  Evening has no idea what she really is and is interested in the computer program her mother has showed her where she is creating the perfect male.  She thinks it is all just a program, until she finds out the truth. But even Solo doesn't know everything in this crazy science fiction tale.

I really thought this was going to be another science fiction love story. And while part of that is true it had a lot more elements to the story then I originally gave it credit for.  The things that were hidden at this crazy hospital were definitely keeping me guessing.  Great teen read. 

I borrowed this from the public library
ISBN: 978-0-312-58351-4

The Graveyard Book

The Graveyard Book By: Neil Gaiman

It all starts with a murder and the boy who gets away. The baby wanders off leaving Jack to wonder where he went.  The boy finds his way to the graveyard, where the ghost of the place vow to keep him safe.  Nobody Owens lives among the dead in the graveyard. He has only the supernatural for friends.  He must learn to live with them and figure out how to be a part of the real world too.  Nobody rarely gets out of the graveyard, but on a few occasions he does, and Jack is still hunting for him.

This was a creepy book aimed at young readers. I really enjoyed it.  I thought that Gaiman did a great job portraying what it would be like to live with ghosts in a graveyard.  It was interesting to finally figure out why his family was murdered at the end of the book.  Great creepy read.

I borrowed this from the public library
ISBN: 978-0-06-053092-1

Wednesday, March 19, 2014

The Assassin's Blade

The Assassin's Blade: The Throne Of Glass Novellas By: Sarah J. Maas

These are the stories that tell us what has made Celaena who she is.  We meet her as the assassin that she was training to be, we get to know her personally, and know what is taken from her.  There are five stories in this book, each with an important even tin Celaena's life.  We get to meet Same, who Celaena begins to love with her whole heart. We are with her when she is sent to the Red Desert for disobeying her orders, and we know the struggles that she faces.

I really enjoyed these stories. It gave a whole new look at Celaena's life  I love this character even more then when I read the other two books. These are one of my favorite series. I cannot wait for the next book to come out.

I borrowed this book from a friend
ISBN: 978-1-61963-361-2

Monday, March 17, 2014

Frozen

Frozen By: Melissa De La Cruz and Michael Johnston


Natasha knows one thing, she wants to get to the Blue.  She is living in New Vegas, which is covered in a sea of ice.  She believes that she is a monster, and can control things like other people's minds, and she is in danger if anyone finds out.  Ryan Wesson "Wes", just needs to make money so that he can eat. He takes the money for getting Natasha where she needs to go, but they both know that the trip to the Blue is not going to be a safe one.  They run into some scary situations, and are caught by some other pirates, now they just need to find a way to get out alive.

When I started this book I really wasn't interested. But after a few chapters I was hooked.  The story of Natasha always hiding who she is because people want to catch her to use her powers was one that I really enjoyed. Then she meets Wes, who also has a secret reason to help her, and they connect.  Another good science fiction/fairy tale story that I think teens will enjoy.

I borrowed this from the public library
ISBN: 978-0-399-25754-4

Saturday, March 15, 2014

The Burning Sky

The Burning Sky By: Sherry Thomas

Iolanthe is a mage, and she is frustrated with the control her guardian has over her.  But in frustration when she decides to summon lightning, things change for her.  Her guardian is taken, and she is sent on an adventure with the prince.  Titus swears to protect her, and she must go to school with him and pretend to be a boy. During this they must figure out a way to fight the forces that are after her.  One thing is certain, one of them may not survive, as told in the prophecies. 

This book was pretty good.  At first I had a hard time getting interested, but about the third chapter I was hooked. Iolanthe is a strong person, and learns many things in this book, along with Titus.  They each know they need each other, but find it hard to trust someone.  When they finally let their guard down they find that they can face things together.

I borrowed this from the public library
ISBN: 978-0-06-220729-6

Sunday, March 9, 2014

Fangirl

Fangirl By: Rainbow Rowell

Cath is starting college, which is a terrifying thing when you have anxiety. She always thought that when she wen to college with her twin sister Wren, they would be together, but it seems that Wren wants to do her own thing. Cath has always loved writing, and is well known on the internet for her fan fiction stories based on a famous novel series.  Her roommate Reagan seems nice, but is different.  It is her roommate's friend Levi that interests Cath.  She just doesn't know what to do about it, and also thinks that he is with Reagan. In all of this Cath is also dealing with helping her father from a distance, and her mother coming back into the picture after leaving when Cath was eight.

This was a great young adult read. filled with the stress of starting college and finding your own way.  I thought the way it was written with Cath's stories at the beginning of each chapter made it unique. Just an all around great book.

I borrowed this from the public library
ISBN: 978-1-250-03095-5

Saturday, March 8, 2014

Scarlet

Scarlet By: A. C. Gaughen

Will Scarlet is not a boy, she is a girl, and she is part of Robin Hood's band.  She works hard in her position as thief, and she gives back to those who need, even if it means that she will go without.  Robin, John, and Much know that she is who she is but none of them know her secrets.  That is until Gisbourne comes back, and is hunting her down, by killing thieves. She has to come clean with Robin, but she is also trying to fight off John's advances, and figure out what is going on with her and Robin. 

Lady Thief
     The sheriff is now dead, and Nottingham is seeking a replacement. This means that the nobles, including Prince John and Gisbourne are back.  Scarlet and Robin now know that they love each other, but things continue to stand in their way. Robin's nightmares are getting worse and he is attacking Scarlet often, but nothing is as bad as Gisbourne's claim to his fiance, Scarlet, and his ultimatum if she would like her marriage annulled.  Scarlet knows she has to meet his demands, and reenter the noble class that she left behind so that Robin and her can be together. But it just might prove to hard.

I loved these books.  I was instantly hooked. It paralleled the actual Robin Hood stories, with added twists. I think this is one of my favorite reads, I connected with Scarlet's character, and her need to help others, even sacrificing herself. I loved that despite all the things in her life, she was able to find a way to help others that needed things more than she did.  I was frustrated at the end of the second book as it is going to have to continue in another novel, but I will be watching for it!

I borrowed these from the public library
ISBN: 978-0-8027-3424-2 and 978-0-8027-3614-7



The Midnight Dress

The Midnight Dress By: Karen Foxlee



Rose has never stayed in town very long. She spends her life on the road with her dad. Lately her dad has been different, saying they will stay.  Rose goes to school because she knows someone will question her not going. There she meets Pearl. Rose has never had a friend, and is unsure about Pearl, but they become friends.  Every year this town has a harvest festival, Rose does not want to go, but Pearl tells her she knows a lady who make dresses.  Edie Baker, is now rumored to be a witch, but Rose loves spending time with her making a dress for the festival.  When they are done, Rose has the most beautiful dress, and something terrible happens.

This was a great book.  It was told with the end at the beginning of every chapter, which gave it an air of suspense the entire novel.  Rose really just needed to find her place, and be in a town long enough to find a friend.  Pearl was the same way, but cared more about finding a boy.  I liked how the two friends were very different, but needed each other. I really thought I had the end figured out, and then realized I was off. I really enjoyed it.

I borrowed this from the public library
ISBN: 978-0-375-85645-7

Tuesday, March 4, 2014

Bad Apple: A Tale of Friendship

Bad Apple: A Tale of Friendship By: Edward Hemingway

Mac is a great apple, he loves to share, pick up, and bob in the lake for hours.  One day he falls asleep and it begins to rain, when he wakes up he finds that a worm has moved into his head.  Will is a nice worm and Mac has a lot of things that he likes to do with him. But the other apples tell Mac that he is a bad apple if he has worms and treats him very badly.  Will moves out of Mac's head, and Mac is left all alone. He misses Will and searches for him until he is found. This is a great book.  It teaches that you can be who you are no matter what anyone says. And it also shows the importance of a good friend.

I borrowed this from the public library
ISBN: 978-0-399-25191-7

The Tyrant's Daughter

The Tyrant's Daughter By: J. C. Carleson

Laila has always had everything. Being the daughter of the king is the way of life.  But her father is now dead, and her family has been hidden in the United States.  She now knows what it is like to be in want. Wanting to know how to fit in at school, wanting to know how to handle her annoying little brother, and wanting to know why her mother still acts like someone should take care of her.  Laila is confused by the way her mother is acting, and finds it strange that her mother is working for the CIA.  Soon Laila will see that her mother is not just trying to find work, but making a huge move that will take them back to the life that they are all used to.

This was an interesting book about a girl who has been uprooted from her home.  You can defiantly feel that she wants to understand how to act in the United States, and is confused by the customs that we have. She also would love to have her father back, and really does not understand that her father was not a good man. As she uncovers her father's true life she is shocked, and then her mother starts to follow in his footsteps.

I borrowed this from the public library
ISBN: 978-0-449-80997-6