TFIOS

Emerald Green

When Gwyneth Shepherd turns 17 she learns she has inherited a time traveling gene passed down through her mother's side of the family.  This is a problem because everyone thought it was passed to her cousin Charlotte.  Charlotte has spent her entire life training and preparing for traveling into the past.  So, when it actually happens to Gwyneth, no one is prepared.  Now Gwyneth must carry out the plans to close the circle of twelve.  When that happens, it is believed all of humanity will be positively affected.  However, the two members of the circle before her have disappeared, taking an important time traveling instrument with them.  She begins working with her male counterpart, Gideon, who she quickly falls in love with, to find these two members at different points in the past.  She quickly learns that everything is not what it seems and the secrets of the secret society meant to protect the circle, may not be what everyone thinks.
This is the third book in the Ruby Red trilogy and concludes Gwyneth's story.  I loved the first two books.  Gwyneth is a normal teenager, who is thrust into a wild situation.  I enjoyed her as a protagonist.  I love historical fiction, so the time traveling aspect was something new and different.  However, this book was not that great.  It moves very, very slowly.  It is more than half-way through the book before Gwyneth actually travels to an important ball that gets the action moving.  Up until that time, she is crying over Gideon, and trying to figure out what the Guardians are really up to.  Some of the characters' actions are so over the top it's humorous.  The story is wrapped up neatly and I was satisfied with the ending, it just took too long to get to that point.  Lots of non-essential plot points.  I do recommend the first two books, so I would recommend this one as well just to finish out the story.  With that being said, I am so glad I am done!

Top Ten Time Saving Tech Tips

New Books!

I returned from Thanksgiving break with 15 new boxes of books!  Hurray!

This is a part of my job that I absolutely love, going through the boxes and pulling out clean, ready to read books.

These books came in Dewey order, so I was very careful to keep them that way as I put them on the carts.
I then check the books with my order, to make sure I received everything.  I also begin to think about which books I can't wait to read first.  Here are a few on my radar:

Emerald Green is the final book in the Ruby Red trilogy.  Gwenny discovers she inherited a time traveling gene and begins to go back in time.  Her cousin Charlotte was supposed to have it, so Gwyneth is completely unprepared when it actually happens to her.  I loved the first two books and this one became my first choice! 

 Rainbow Rowell's book Eleanor and Park has been on my radar for a long time now.  And this, her second book, is receiving rave reviews. 

This book just looks really interesting to me.  I love books about summer, and being on the beach, and September Girls is about those two things.


I put Stickers on the spine labels that say New and place the books in the middle of the library.  I go through the books and add them to categories, so they will come up in students' searches.  Zombies are a popular genre now, so I want students to be able to locate those books easily.
Students get so excited to see new books, especially the series they have been waiting to finish.  Talking with  them about books is definitely my favorite part of being a librarian.

Incarceron

Incarceron is a prison unlike any other- it is its own world full of cities, forests, and oceans.  It was created to be a perfect society, or so it was presented to the people.  Criminals, miscreants, and dangers to society were placed inside, and the prison was locked.  However, the prison quickly detiorated and it became a nightmare.  The Sapienti, the wise men trained to enlighten the criminals and reform them, created Incarceron as an experiment.  After 150 years, the experiment has failed.  Although the people living outside of the prison have no idea how terrible it has become.  Only one person has ever escaped, Sapphique.  He is a legend in Incarceron with stories and songs to praise his living in the "outside."
Finn Starseer is a prisoner inside Incarceron, but he believes he came from the "outside."  He has faint memories of stars, cake, and ringing bells.  He lives among the Comitatus, known as Scum, who kill, plunder, and steal to survive.  They are ruthless, but Finn must stay with them in order to survive.
Claudia is the daughter of the Warden of Incarceron.  Her world is the exact opposite of Finn's, full of luxury.  The world she lives in is a replica of the 17th century, all modern technologies have been forbidden and everyone must follow protocol.  Claudia has been betrothed to Casper, the prince of the realm.  He is cruel, arrogant, and spoiled, the last person Claudia wants to marry.  To get out of it, Claudia, along with her trusted tutor Jared, try to figure out the secrets of Incarceron.  She believes Finn is the key and is determined to get him out.
Incarceron is very, very complex.  Incarceron is not described completely until a little later in the book, so I had a hard time figuring out what exactly was going on in the beginning. The book jumps between Incarceron and Claudia's world, telling both sides of the story.  I enjoyed Claudia's chatpers the most, she is very intelligent and works to figure out solutions to problem.  I find Finn to be a difficult character to like.  Even though he feels he must stay with the Comitatus, and feels guilty for some of the things he does, he still does them.
This book was published in  2007, so I'm a little late to the game.  I have never enjoyed fantasy that much, but I'm trying to expand my horizons, so I chose this one.  I found myself skimming towards the end, just trying to finish it.  The book ends on a cliffhanger, with the sequel Sapphique finishing out the story.  Fantasy readers will definitely enjoy this book, but it does have a depth that might be out of the league of some readers.

I don't get it...

I had to quit this book :(
I was very excited to check this book out digitally through the public library.  It keeps popping up on my radar, and I have heard great things about it.  It even made it on the 2014 Tayshas list, chosen as one of the top ten books for YA.  I have it on order, but it hasn't arrived yet, and digital works better for me anyway.
I didn't realize it was a vampire book.  I don't have anything against vampires, I even enjoyed Twilight and Vampire Academy, but I couldn't get into this one.
So I quit.
If you are interested- I can tell you the main character wakes up in a house full of dead people.  Vampire attacks are common, so she isn't too freaked out.  She just puts on her boots and gets ready to leave.  She explains Cold Towns are the places infected people go to try and recover.  That's about all I got.
I moved onto Incarceron because I have a student who loves it, and keeps telling me how much, so I'm giving it a shot.
Maybe your opinion on The Coldest Girl in ColdTown is different?

One Book, One Class

Last spring the city of Dallas conducted a One City One Read campaign with the book Fahrenheit 451.  As a librarian in a Dallas high school, we handed the book out to every student, organized reading events, and had a final movie and popcorn party to wrap up.
I really love this idea, giving students books, and reading together with them.  Since I am now in Garland, I began thinking I would like to begin a project with my new school.  I decided to start small, with only the 9th grade AVID students.  AVID is a program to prepare students for college.  Reading for pleasure is an important part of the AVID process, it gives students vocabulary skills, and increases their reading endurance.  Plus, I love this book!  Since becoming a librarian, I miss teaching novels to students.  I thought this would be a great opportunity to give students an amazing book to read.
I wrote up a proposal, and my principal purchased the books.  Last Friday and this morning we kicked off our event.
 
 



The AVID teacher and I arranged for a Books and Breakfast event.  Students brought the food, she supplied the hot chocolate and paper goods, and I created a Smore with information about the book.
I explained to students how much I loved this book, and how excited I am to be reading it with them.  We watched the book trailer, and I talked about how awesome John Green is.  Hopefully some of them will check out his nerdfighting vlog.  Then I gave every student their book.  I also had markers for them so they could write their names in their very own book.  We then watched John Green read the first chapter while they had their breakfast.
Many students had heard of the book and were very excited to read it.  Some has read it before, but were still excited to read it again.  I really think this is a book students can relate to, both boys and girls.  And I hope this will be an experience they remember.
I'll keep you posted on the progress of our reading!
If you haven't read The Fault in Our Stars yet- what are you waiting for?!?!?!

This is What Happy Looks Like

When Ellie O'Neal responds to an  accidentally sent email from GDL824@yahoo.com, she begins a digital pen pal relationship with the boy who sent it.  She lives in "middle of nowhere" Maine, and he lives in "middle of everything" California.  The correspondence becomes important to both of them, and each one looks forward to the emails the they receive.  Ellie keeps the email secret from her mother and her best friend because she doesn't think anything will ever come of it.  Little does she know, the boy behind the yahoo account is Graham Larkin, a popular, teenage heartthrob actor.  Neither Ellie,  nor Graham reveal themselves to one another, but when Graham gets his current movie to shoot in Ellie's hometown of Henley, Maine, the two are forced together.  Ellie has her reasons for not wanting to get involved with Graham, he is followed constantly by the paparazzi, and she is harboring a secret.   And Graham's manager would prefer if he started a relationship with the female star, for publicity, not the redhead with a secret.  Henley is a small town, however, and avoiding each other, especially when they feel so strongly, proves impossible.
I loved this book:

So I couldn't wait to read This is What Happy Looks Like, but it wasn't as good as the first one.  The relationship between Graham and Ellie is a little hard to believe.  Graham is shown as a completely grounded 17 year old superstar, who would prefer to stay home with his pet pig than enjoy the nightlife of Hollywood. And while Ellie's secret is unexpected and different, also implausible.  The setting of Maine is beautiful, and the writing is much in the likeness of Sarah Dessen, this book didn't quite live up to my expectations.  I would still recommend it to my love story readers, but it won't be one I push on others.

Prodigy and Champion

2 reviews in one!

Hooray!  An ending to a series I enjoyed.  These two books follow the story of June and Day.  Day is a legend.  June is a prodigy.  To find out who will be champion, you must read the book!
The setting is the future- in an America unrecognizable.  June and Day live in LA, part of The Republic led by a dictator.  Day is from the poor sector, trying to find a way to survive.  June is upper class, a military genius, who is trying to avenge the death of her adored older brother.  I really did enjoy the series, I think it appeals to boys and girls, and any fan of The Hunger Games will enjoy it.

#TBT The 5th Wave

Happy Thursday!  This is a review of one of my favorite recently read books, The 5th Wave.  I have been recommending it to both boys and girls, and most of them liked it as much as I did.

Synopsis: After the 1st wave, only darkness remains. After the 2nd, only the lucky escape. And after the 3rd, only the unlucky survive. After the 4th wave, only one rule applies: trust no one.

Now, it’s the dawn of the 5th wave, and on a lonely stretch of highway, Cassie runs from Them. The beings who only look human, who roam the countryside killing anyone they see. Who have scattered Earth’s last survivors. To stay alone is to stay alive, Cassie believes, until she meets Evan Walker. Beguiling and mysterious, Evan Walker may be Cassie’s only hope for rescuing her brother—or even saving herself. But Cassie must choose: between trust and despair, between defiance and surrender, between life and death. To give up or to get up.

Review:  I received a copy of this book at a conference, and it sat on my desk for a few weeks.  I really couldn't get used to the idea of aliens.  Science fiction is a genre I don't usually enjoy, so I looked at it with true trepidation.  However, it kept popping up on my radar- listed in EW's 10 must have list, Amazon rated as one of the best new books for YA, and a starred review in Booklist.  I thought I would give it a shot.  I am so glad I did!  The book is told through different perspectives, which keeps the action moving.  Cassie has a fierce determination to find her little brother, and kept me rooting for her.  The aliens have embodied humans, so you're never sure who is one, and who is not.  This is a book anyone would enjoy, and I can't wait to read the next installment of Cassie's story.

Smore

I am always looking for new ways for students to present information. I came across Smore and have been using it regularly. Smore is a very easy-to-use online flyer, and best of all- it's free. You can embed links, videos, pictures, and information. It reminds me of Glogster, but even easier to put together. This would be a great way for students to compile information, or a way to share information with your teachers. Here is one I made for a World Geography class: And another to advertise my new eBooks:

Throwback Thursday

I cannot keep up with my students.  I have kids who read two or three books a day, sometimes more.  I cannot recommend anything to them because they have already read it.  I have two small children and a full-time job, so I read books about once a week.  I can read them a little faster if they are digital because I can read them at the gym.  However, it seems I am read more non-digital lately, so I feel I am falling behind.  In honor of my turtle-speed reading, I am going to start Throwback Thursday.  TBT is a trend on social media which usually entails posting an older picture of yourself.  I will spare you all the horror of my 90s self and post books that I have previously read.

Synopsis: The Garretts are everything the Reeds are not. Loud, messy, affectionate. And every day from her rooftop perch, Samantha Reed wishes she was one of them . . . until one summer evening, Jase Garrett climbs up next to her and changes everything.

As the two fall fiercely for each other, stumbling through the awkwardness and awesomeness of first love, Jase's family embraces Samantha - even as she keeps him a secret from her own. Then something unthinkable happens, and the bottom drops out of Samantha's world. She's suddenly faced with an impossible decision. Which perfect family will save her? Or is it time she saved herself?

A transporting debut about family, friendship, first romance, and how to be true to one person you love without betraying another.

Review: This book came in my first order of the school year.  This is always like Sophie's Choice for me, how do I pick just ONE.  But, I did, and this was it.  Such a cute book.  If you have Sarah Dessen fans, give this to them.  The Garretts were an easily family to love, as Samantha did, and I found myself wishing I lived next door to them too!  It takes place during the summer, and has all the happy summer feels and smells of lazy, beachy days. A sequel is coming out in 2015 and I can't wait to read more about this family!

Cool Posters

I recently discovered the website Teen Librarian's Toolbox and have since been checking it everyday.  They have great tips for book talks, readalikes, and reluctant readers.  I also found these two posters and put them up in my library.

How did I not know about this?

I loved Ruby Red and thought it would make a great movie.  While looking around on YouTube, I discovered it HAD been made into a movie- albeit one in German.  However, here is the trailer dubbed and I must say, I can't wait to see it!  If you haven't read this book, you MUST!

 

Adult Books

Yes, it does happen to me:  Young Adult Burnout.  Not often, but there are times when the teenage angst is too much for me to bear.  The love triangles, the drama, the running into trouble when YOU KNOW BETTER, can get...trying.  When that happens I tend to branch into the "big girl" section and choose a book.  Usually just one at a time, and then I return to my comfort zone, feeling refreshed and ready to read on.  Here are a few of my favorites.

What would you do if you found a letter from your husband with the words, "to only be opened upon my death?"  Would you open it?  This is what happens to Cecilia Fitzpatrick while her husband is on a business trip.  She asks him about it, and he begs her to destroy it, unopened.  She decides to open it and I was completely shocked by its' contents.  Very rarely have I been so surprised by a book.  If you're looking for a quick read, pick this one up.  It's soooo good.

I was a little late in the game on this one.  I'm not sure how I missed it, because it is also a brilliant book, so beautifully written.  Gogol Ganguli is the child of Indian immigrants.  Named for a Russian writer, Gogol struggles to fit in.  His parents hold on very tightly to their Indian heritage and customs, as Gogol and his sister identify more with American traditions.  The novel spans through his parents lives, and then through his, so you get a feeling of where both sides are coming from.  A fantastic book.

Tom and Isabel Sherboune live on an isolated island off the coast of Australia, tending to the lighthouse.  The supply boat only comes twice a year, but they build a life for themselves, and seem quite happy.  The only problem is their unability to have children.  When a baby washes up on shore, Isabel and Tom begin raising her as their own, thinking their prayers have been answered.  But where did the baby come from?  Who does she really belong to?  The answers, and how Tom and Isabel deal with them, make for very compelling reading.

The Night Circus is unlike anything I have ever read.  A truly beautiful novel, full of figurative language.  The book focuses on Celia and Marco, two magician who have been trained to best each other in a magical duel.  The night circus serves as the backdrop and there are many who are affected by its presence.

Photo Peach

Photo peach is a really cool slide show maker. It's very easy to use, just upload your pics and put them in order. I created this slide show with book covers of the new ebooks we have available in my library. It is free for a basic account which allows you to create a slideshow and put it into a spiral if you like. However, unless you pay to upgrade, you cannot download your show. You do have a link available to share and embed your shows.

Allegiant

Synopsis:
One choice will define you.

What if your whole world was a lie?
What if a single revelation—like a single choice—changed everything?
What if love and loyalty made you do things you never expected?

The faction-based society that Tris Prior once believed in is shattered—fractured by violence and power struggles and scarred by loss and betrayal. So when offered a chance to explore the world past the limits she’s known, Tris is ready. Perhaps beyond the fence, she and Tobias will find a simple new life together, free from complicated lies, tangled loyalties, and painful memories.

But Tris’s new reality is even more alarming than the one she left behind. Old discoveries are quickly rendered meaningless. Explosive new truths change the hearts of those she loves. And once again, Tris must battle to comprehend the complexities of human nature—and of herself—while facing impossible choices about courage, allegiance, sacrifice, and love.

Told from a riveting dual perspective, Allegiant, by #1 New York Times best-selling author Veronica Roth, brings the Divergent series to a powerful conclusion while revealing the secrets of the dystopian world that has captivated millions of readers in Divergent and Insurgent.

Review:  Let me start by saying Divergent is maybe my favorite young adult book ever.  I loved it so much, I completely ignored my family for a weekend while I read it.
It became my go-to book, my constant recommendation.  "You HAVEN'T read Divergent?!?!?"

It became my go-to book, my constant recommendation.  "You HAVEN'T read Divergent?!?!?!?  Here, take it now.  Read it.  You'll love it!"

I was able to get my hands on an advanced copy of Insurgent.  I couldn't believe my luck.  I immediately dropped everything to read it.

Right now, I couldn't even tell you what it was about.  Really, do you remember?

When Allegiant came out last week, I didn't think I would buy it right away.  However, I heard there is a big twist ending, and many readers were unhappy with it.  That definitely got me interested.  I like reading blogs, Goodreads, EW, and really, really didn't want to have the ending spoiled.  So, I went to Target and picked it up.  

Here goes: Not terrible, but not great either.  Tris and Tobias leave Chicago to go see what is happening "outside the fence."  They learn Chicago was only one of the "experiment cities" in the United States, and begin piecing together why the government chose to do this.  A new crop of characters are introduced, with a new crop of problems Tris and Tobias must get caught up in to try to solve.  I won't spoil the ending for you, but I was pretty surprised.  I think the main reason I didn't love the book is because there are all of these serious and profound "deep thoughts" throughout.  Especially near the end.  Seriously, teenagers cannot possibly have these types of thoughts running through their heads.

A sample:

“The first step to loving someone else is to recognize the evil in ourselves, so we can forgive them.” 

This is a big theme throughout the novel- self sacrifice.  I understand this is a different world, but I had a hard time believing all they corny things Tris and Tobias came up with.

I still love Divergent and Veronica Roth.  I was just disappointed with the last two books.  However, I am still excited to see the movie!

Really Cool Flowchart

As hard as I try to read as much as I can, it is impossible.  I have students who read 2 or 3 books A DAY!  I came across this chart and printed it out.  I really like that it is interactive. but I don't always have quick access to a computer.
Check out this link!

Which YA Novel IS Right For You?

Happy Halloween!

Here are some scary books to get you in the mood for trick or treating!

Not my favorite book, but I know I'm in the minority.  It starts off with a murder, and the little boy lives in the nearby graveyard with the ghosts.  The writing is extremely descriptive and usually a hit.






















This is a good one, the ghost of Jack the Ripper is killing again in London.  Plus, I really liked the main character.  She is from Louisana, attending boarding school in London.  I loved the setting and the history of the murders.

  

This is my favorite of the bunch.  I love Libba Bray!  Set in the 1920s with lots of creepy crawlies!  Highly recommended .

You can never go wrong with these!  Super scary!

Have a great Halloween!

Something Creepy for Halloween...

 

The Dark Between By Sonia Gensler

Book Synopsis: 

Kate is a schemer.

Asher is a skeptic.

Elsie is a dreamer...who can speak with the dead.

At the turn of the twentieth century, Spiritualism and séances are all the rage—even in the scholarly town of Cambridge, England. While mediums dupe the grief-stricken, a group of local fringe scientists seeks to bridge the gap to the spirit world by investigating the dark corners of the human mind.

Each running from a shadowed past, Kate, Asher, and Elsie take refuge within the walls of Summerfield College. But their peace is soon shattered by the discovery of a dead body nearby. Is this the work of a flesh-and-blood villain, or is something otherworldly at play? This unlikely trio must illuminate what the scientists have not, and open a window to secrets taken to the grave—or risk joining the spirit world themselves.

Review:

I really, really loved this book, one of those I couldn't put down.  This is a time period I enjoy reading, and adding the supernatural aspect made it more interesting.  

Kate is a great protagonist, very outspoken and scrappy.  She is an orphan and has to make her own way through any type of scheme she can.  One of her close friends, and fellow schemer, has gone missing.  She is afraid he has gotten mixed up with something terrible, and needs Elsie to help her find him.

Elsie can communicate with the dead.  However, during this time it is seen as a mental illness and she has been sent to Summerfield to rest.  She is trying to learn to control her visions, and wants to be useful in Kate's search.

Asher has unrequited love for Elsie, so he accompanies the girls on their mission for the truth.

The ending is a cliffhanger, and I hope Sonia Gensler is planning on writing more about these characters.

I definitely recommend this book!

Watch the Book Trailer!