Double Feature Friday

Blue Sargent has been told her entire life to stay away from the Aglionby Academy boys.  Aglionby boys come from upper-class, wealthy families, and they will do nothing but cause her trouble.  It's not too hard for Blue, who attends the public high school in Henrietta, Virginia.  She occasionally sees them at the pizza place she works at during the evenings, but keeps her distance.  Blue comes from a long line of female psychics,  her mother, her aunts, and their collection of female friends.  Only, Blue isn't psychic, but anytime she's near one, she increases their power.  Blue isn't sure why her energy increases their abilities, but she doesn't question it.  
However, Blue meets Gansey and his pack of "Raven Boys" and is instantly drawn to them.  Ever since she can remember, her family has told her she will kill her true love. This has never been a problem- until now.  She begins helping the boys as they try to locate the dead king, Glendower, who they think is buried somewhere near their private school.  Blue is able to use her energy to help the boys try to find a ley line that will them lead them to Glendower.
This is the first book of the Raven Cycle by Maggie Stiefvater, the third book, Blue Lily, Lily Blue was just released, so I thought I would give the series a try.  It's very out there- lots of supernatural, paranormal, and to me a bit confusing.  I like it, and I have students who love it, but I have had the second book on my desk for about a week, and can't bring myself to open it.  The writing is amazing, very detailed and full of beautiful language, but I didn't find myself loving this one.

Jam Gallahue lost her true love.  This sent her over the edge, unable to get out of bed, stop crying, or return to her herself.  Unsure of how to help her, her parents send her to The Wooden Barn, a boarding school for the emotionally fragile, in rural Vermont.  At first, Jam begs to come home, but her parents insist she stick it out for the first semester.  She is placed in a Special Topics in English class, with only four other students.  The class is focusing on Sylvia Plath, and given special journals to write in, as Plath did.  When the five students write in their journals, they are transported back to the tragedy that has sent them to The Wooden Barn.  For Jam, that means feeling Reeve's arms around her again.  They begin calling the place they return to Belzhar.  But what happens when the journal is filled?  As the students make their way through the semester, they form a tight bond.  Will this bond be strong enough to make them want to leave Belzhar, or stay there forever?
I had a hard time putting this book down.  It's short, and the tragic stories of the students kept me interested.  The ending is a big, twisty surprise, I thought I had it figured out, and wanted to see if my theory was true.  The biggest issue was with Jam and her obsession with her lost love.  She had only known him for 41 days, but then again, that is why she is at The Wooden Barn in the first place.  I would recommend this book to students because I think they would also want to know what happened to Jam.

Ghosting

It's the last weekend before school starts.  A group of five kids, just about to start their senior year, go out to celebrate their final Saturday night of freedom.  Maxie has just moved back, after being gone five years.  Emma and her neanderthal boyfriend, Brendan, Chloe, Anil, and the loner Felix are headed out together, even though none of them are really good friends.  The night is kicked off with alcohol and drugs, but ends in a truly terrifying way.  The tragedy catastrophically changes each one of them.
Ghosting is told from each character's point of view, with Emma's little sister, Faith, also having her own chapters.  I'm not a fan of novels written in verse, but I picked this one up randomly, and wanted to find out what happened.  It's a VERY quick read, written as if you are in the mind of each character.  It gives all different perspectives of what happened that night, and the ever-lasting effects.  I liked this book OK, and would recommend it to a student looking for a quick read.

Strands of Bronze and Gold

Welcome to Wyndriven Abbey.  Mississippi, 1855.
Sophia Petheram has a wealthy godfather.  A godfather that has given her gifts of jewels, clothes, riding lessons, for her entire seventeen years.  And even though she has never met him, she is leaving her siblings in Boston to go live with him on his plantation in Mississippi.  Her mother died when she was an infant, and with the sudden death of her father, Sophie is going to live with M. de Cressac and his wife.  Only when Sophie gets there, she discovers his wife has been dead eighteen months.  It's too late for her to return to her family, she would be a burden to them, so she stays.  In the beginning, Sophia is charmed by M. de Cressac.  He has traveled all over the world, and gives her costumes and dresses to wear from different cultures.  He makes sure all of her needs are tended to.  Sophia even begins to fall in love with him, imagining what it would be life to be his wife.  Gradually his dark side begins to show.  He owns slaves, which Sophia is strictly against.  He has been married four times, but refuses to discuss his former wives.  He doesn't allow her to go into town, or attend church, and Sophia becomes very lonely.  She intends to leave at Christmas, when her family comes to visit, but de Cressac keeps his lock firmly on her.  As Sophia begins to discover the truth of Wyndriven Abbey, she realizes her godfather is much more dangerous than she thought possible.
This novel is a twist on the fairy tale of BlueBeard.  I had not read the story, and Googled it, so what happened in the novel wasn't a huge surprise.  There is a ghost element, so this would be a great book to give to students who like historical fiction and ghost stories.  I read this based off of a strong recommendation of a book club member, and when she discussed it at the meeting, many students were also interested in reading it.

Dustlands Trilogy

Saba and Lugh are twins, born at the midwinter's moon, to parent's who live a solitary life on Silver Lake.  The world has been ravaged by dust storms, and the only other person they see is their neighbor, Procter.  Saba and Lugh's mother died in childbirth, leaving a distraught father who reads the future in the stars.  It's up to Lugh and Saba to take care of their little sister, Emmi, and take care of their homestead.  After a violent dust storm, that leaves the earth covered in red dirt, 5 riders appear.  They kill Lugh and Saba's father, and take Lugh off with them.  Saba is determined to find him.  She leaves Emmi and heads toward the nearest town.  However, she is captured and forced to become a cage fighter, where she discovers the "red hot."  The anger inside her that pushes her beyond her limits.  Saba must do whatever it takes to get away, and be reunited with Lugh.

The first thing you need to know about this book is- the grammar is crazy.  Saba has lived an uneducated life, with only her father and twin brother.  And the author writes like Saba talks.  Which is like a hillbilly.  BUT, Saba is a great female protagonist.  She is strong and caring, and loyal.  She also makes very, very stupid mistakes.  As the trilogy continues, Saba joins the revolution trying to overthrow the controlling dictator.  A great apocalyptic thriller, fast-paced with lots of action.  I read these three in quick succession.  Highly recommended for those who loved The Hunger Games and Divergent.

Burn for Burn

Lillia, Mary, and Kat are not friends.   That is what makes their secret revenge pact so perfect.  Circumstances bring them together, and they decide to work together to get even with those who have wronged them.    
Lillia is the perfect daughter.  She is pretty, popular, and beginning her senior year at Jar Island High School.  However, something happened to her over the summer.  Something that has changed her,  and made her fiercely protective of her younger sister.  She will do anything to make sure her sister is not hurt in the same way she was, even if that means getting even with one of her closest friends.
Kat is from the wrong side of the tracks.  Her mother died when she was younger, and her father has not recovered.  Kat is free to roam the island as she pleases, but she is lonely.  She is determined to get back at her former best friend, who has been spreading viscous rumors about her.
Mary is returning to the island after being gone a few years.  She left after something terrible happened to her, and she wants to see the culprit pay.
As the girls begin their revenge, the pranks turn cruel, but it is too hard form them to stop.  They won't stop until they feel they have gotten justice.
This is truly Mean Girls 2.0.  The events leading up to the girls getting revenge are cruel, and they stunts they pull get out of hand fast.  I love Jenny Han, and this book was really, really good.  It ends with a giant cliffhanger, and there are 2 more books to finish the story of these unlikely friends.  I am really interested to see where this story goes.

Paper Valentine

Need a spooky read for Halloween?  Paper Valentine by Brenna Yovanoff is a great ghost story that will get you in the creepy mood!

Hannah sees ghosts.  Not just any ghost, but the ghost of her best friend who died 6 months earlier.  Only in ghost form, Lillian is cruel, full of hate and jealousy.  Hannah's town of Ludlow is trying to deal with the hottest summer on record, when young girls begin to be murdered.  The serial killer leaves paper hearts, candy, and cheap toys arranged around the body.  Hannah's mother, worried about her since Lillian's death, keeps Hannah on a short leash.  Having her walk her little sister to band camp, go straight to work at her cousin's photo store, and come home.  At the photo shop, Hannah sees the pictures of the crime scenes, and then begins seeing the ghosts of the murdered girls.  As Hannah tries to piece together the murders, she begins a relationship with Finny Boone, the town delinquent.  He keeps popping up when Hannah needs someone, but could he have anything to do with the murders?  Hannah must figure it out before she ends up like the others.
This was my choice for my Book Club's Halloween pick.  Ghost stores were always my favorite when I was younger.  I grew up with Fear Street as a staple in my library, but don't read a lot of them now.  "Where are the scary stories?" is a question I get asked the most, and this will be one I direct students to.  The writing is beautiful, full of similes, and metaphors.  The character of Hannah is very quirky, but she really comes to stand up for herself in a way students will relate to.  I thought this was a great book, and I am going to look into others from this author.

The Infinite Sea by Rick Yancey

The Infinite Sea is the follow-up book to The 5th Wave.

The 5th Wave was my favorite book of 2013.  I think because it caught me by surprise.  It was nothing like I thought it would be, and I couldn't wait to read the second book in the series.  The Infinite Sea picks up right where The 5th Wave left off.  Cassie Sullivan is trying to survive the alien apocalypse.  The aliens have been attacking in waves.  She has figured out what the 5th wave is, and is trying desperately to stop it and save Earth from the alien invasion.  I don't want to give away too much of the book, but The Infinite Sea is extremely action packed.  Lots of alien fighting.  It also explores a minor character from The  5th Wave, telling the story mostly from her point of view.  This is one of my go-to recommendations for students.  The writing is excellent and fast paced.  I can't wait for the next book.

The book is being adapted into a movie, due out in 2016.
IMDB Link

To All the Boy's I've Loved Before

Lara Jean has been in love 5 times.  She's never had a boyfriend, but that hasn't stopped her from loving these boys from afar.  When she realizes her crushes must come to an end, she writes them letters describing why she no longer loves them.  She puts them in a hat box in her closet with no intention of ever sending them.  This helps her get over these boys, and she moves on.  Until her letters get mailed.  She doesn't know how it happened, but the first boy she ever kissed tells her he is none of the things she described in the letter.  Lara Jean is traumatized.  Mainly because she wrote one letter to her sister's ex-boyfriend.  The boy next door, Josh.  As Lara Jean works to save face around everyone, she digs herself into an even deeper hole.  As she figures out how to climb out of it, she learns a lot about herself, and really grows up.
I really liked this book.  I thought the character of Lara Jean was very sweet and innocent.  Her mother died when she was younger, and her older sister Margot has taken care of Lara Jean and her younger sister Kitty.  Margot moves to Scotland for college and Lara Jean has to shoulder most of the responsibility.  I thought the crush on Margot's ex-boyfriend was a little creepy, but it works itself out, and is explained in a way that is understandable.  I would highly recommend this book as a light-hearted, very G- rated book.  I wouldn't even really describe it as a romance, it's mainly a coming of age, trying to figure out you place in the world type book.

We Were Liars

The Sinclair family seem to have it all- three beautiful golden-haired daughters, perfect grandchildren, and their own private island, with a house for each daughter.  Summers were spent on the island, with Cadence Sinclair Eastman, the oldest grandchild and heiress to the island, making ice cream, swimming in the ocean, and catching lobsters and crabs with her cousins.  All of the Sinclair grandchildren were golden, tall and tan, and perfect.  They called themselves the liars and they grew up together on the island during the summers.  But it is all a facade.  The aunts fight over who should receive the most inheritance.  They drink too much, and fight, and the children are caught in the middle.  Cadence is involved in an accident, but she can't remember what happened.  She returns to the island the summer before her 18th birthday, trying to piece it all together.
This book is a very quick read.  Only 225 pages, with short chapters, it is easy to fly through.  As Cadence tries to get to the bottom of what happened to her and her cousins, the story jumps around in time.  It is very easy to get caught up in the lives of the Sinclairs, living on an island during the summer and having barbecues and ice cream.  It is also easy to see the beginnings of the crumbling of the facade.  A great summer read!

Better Off Friends

When Macallan is asked to show the new kids around on the first day of 7th grade, she is less than thrilled.  Levi is a typical California "surfer dude" with long blond hair pulled into a low ponytail.  However, she does her duty, as quickly as possible, and leaves him in his first class.  When she sees him alone in the cafeteria, she reluctantly invites him over to sit with her and her girlfriends.  This is when they realize they both love an obscure British show, Buggy and Floyd, and a solid friendship begins to form.  Macallan begins spending every Wednesday after school at Levi's house.  Her mom passed away, and Macallan quickly forms a much needed mother-type relationship with Levi's mom.  As the years progress, Macallan and Levi become inseparable, however, it is strictly platonic.  In fact, Levi begins dating Macallan's best friend, which does add some complications.  The book addresses the age-old question- Can a boy and a girl be strictly friends? 
I met this author at a conference and really liked her.  She is very friendly, energetic and had a great vibe about her.  She explained this book is based of the movie Harry met Sally, but for teenagers.  I'm not sure many of my students have seen the movie, but all the girls tend to love a good romance.  I thought the book started off very strong.  The story shifts between the point of view of Macallan and Levi, so the reader gets to see both sides of the story.  I really liked both characters and found myself hoping for the best for them.  There were some things that bothered me.  The book spends too much time in middle school, and the characters are way too advanced for that age.  I found that very hard to believe, they were just too mature for any 7th grader I ever met.  I understand the author was trying to build the importance of the realtionship to the characters, but I think it should have moved to high school a little quicker.  The story completely skips all of 9th grade, and most of 10 grade, so I think some of the plot could have taken place during that time.  I also hated, hated, hated the back and forth.  Sometimes one is in love with the other, and then vice-versa.  Again, this is happening in 10th grade, and I found so much of the deep emotional stuff hard to take, especially in a romance. I liked this book, and I would be interested in having a student read it to see if they have the same take as me.  I just found some of the plot points to be unbelievable.

Cress

Cress is the third installment of The Lunar Chronicles by Marissa Meyer.  The story picks up right where Scarlet, the second book left off.  Cinder, Scarlet, Wolf, and Captain Carswell Thorne are in space trying to avoid capture by the Lunar Queen Levana.  They are unaware that Cress, am excellent hacker, is keeping them invisible and untraceable to all satellites.  Like Meyer's other books, Cress is a spin on the fairy tale Rapunzel.  She has been locked in a satellite since she was a child, only visited by the thaumaturge Sybil.  She is hoping Captain Thorne will be her prince charming, rescuing her from her "tower".  The story advances quickly and follows the same ideas as the first two books.  Cinder is trying to bring down the evil Queen Levana who is trying to rule Earth.  I can't go into too much detail without giving away the story of books one and two.
I really love this series.  I'm not a big fan of science fiction, so I was really surprised by how much I love this series.  I like the twists Meyer takes on the fairy tales, and I think each book is better than the last.  Cress is a great addition to the mix of characters, and this books ends with a cliff hanger that will make for a great fourth and final installment.  This is a series I highly recommend!

What I Thought Was True

Gwen Castle is trying really hard to forget about the mistakes she has made in the past.  Mistakes involving boys.  Lots of them.  Working at her Dad's hamburger joint is not helping, so when she gets an opportunity to spend the summer helping one of Seashell, Connecticut's richest widows, she takes it.  She figures helping Mrs. Ellington with her groceries will be a much better gig, one that will help her forget about Cass Somers.  But Cass is the island's "Yard Boy" for the summer, and he keeps popping up.
I was sooooo excited to read this book!  My Life Next Door is one of my favorite summer romances.  

It is one of the books I recommend to students looking for a love story.  So, when I saw that the author had written a new book, and another summer romance at that, I couldn't wait.  It jumped to the top of my to-read list.
And then I read it.  And I couldn't finish it.  I tried, really, I tried.  And I even had some doubts about reviewing it if I hadn't finished it.  I even tried to skim.  But at 39% I am officially giving up.  I can start with the nice things- Seashell, Connecticut is a place I would love to visit.  Fitzpatrick describes it beautifully, and the summer beach parties, swimming, ice cream and hamburgers all make me want to go there.  Cass Somers is a great love interest.  He's grounded, even though he comes from a super rich family on the island.  He's always sweet to Gwen, even though she doesn't seem to deserve it most of the time.  That's about all the nice things I can say.
The worst part- the book is very confusing.  It is told through flashbacks that come out of nowhere.  I couldn't follow what was happening.  Is this happening now?  It happened in the past?  I could never tell and spent most of the book that I did read extremely confused.    
I did not like Gwen Castle.  She is whiny and mean and I never found myself rooting for her.  
There were so many plot points that seemed unnecessary  and unbelievable.  Mrs. Ellington is selling her estate, and her dad tries to convince her to take a piece of it.  Cass Somers is failing English and the swim coach shows up at her house to ask her to tutor him.  During summer?  Cass shows up EVERYWHERE Gwen is.  Constantly.  Her 18 year old cousin and best friend are sucking each other's face off nonstop.  
This was just not a book I enjoyed.  She is currently writing a second book to My Life Next Door, and I will read it, but I might not be as quick to pick up. Hopefully it is an improvement to this one. 

Maybe One Day

Zoe and Olivia have been best friends since they were 4 and started taking ballet classes together.  They both became accomplished ballerinas and leave their New Jersey school every afternoon to study ballet in Manhattan.  They plan their future lives together- live in a swanky apartment, dance, and have plenty of day to evening wear outfits.  Then "the worst thing that will ever happen" happens- they get cut from their ballet school.  They are then thrust into "ordinary" life.  Olivia takes the setback in stride, even teaching a ballet class at the youth center.  Zoe, the yin to Olivia's yang, cannot figure out what she wants to do now.  She throws away all of her ballet clothes and shoes, cuts her hair, tries out for soccer, which she hates, and is not willing to admit to herself how much she misses dancing.  Then the real tragedy hits- Olivia, Zoe's beautiful, happy, optimistic "other half" is diagnosed with leukemia.  She is admitted to the hospital and begins chemotherapy treatment.  Zoe is forced to continue to live her life with half of herself missing.  While Olivia is in the hospital receiving chemo, Zoe has to go to school, begins teaching the ballet class in Olivia's place, and tries to remain as normal as possible.  
I really loved this story.  So moving and sweet.  And while Zoe is not the most likable protagonist, I really felt moved by the circumstances she is forced to deal with.  She really feels as if Olivia is part of her, and she cannot handle not having her with her.  I think she is only reacting to the harsh reality of life, something many teenagers really don't have to deal with.  I really recommend this book!

The Geography of You and Me

In 2003, New York City lost power.  They city went completely dark.  However, the city came together to form a "party" like atmosphere- stores gave away melting ice cream, there was no looting, and very little crime was reported.  This is the situation that begins The Geography of You and Me, Jennifer E. Smith's latest romance novel.  Lucy and Owen are trapped together during this blackout in their apartment building's elevator.  Lucy lives on the twenty-fourth floor, Owen lives in the basement.  Lucy loves her city, living there her entire life.  Owen has just moved from a small town in Pennsylvania. After his mother died, his father took a job as the building's superintendent, hence the life in the basement.  After being rescued from the elevator, Lucy and Owen head up the building's roof, so Lucy can get a chance to see stars of NYC for the first time.  They share a connection, both feeling more comfortable with each other than they ever have with anyone else.  But then morning comes.  Owen sneaks out while Lucy is still sleeping, to check on his father, and doesn't make it back before Lucy wakes up.  Thinking Owen left her, she leaves and is unsure of how to approach him.  Then life gets in the way.  Lucy's parents move her to Scotland, for her father's work, and Owen's dad loses his job.  Since they can no longer stay in the basement, Owen and his father begin a cross-country trek out west.  So begins the journey of Lucy and Owen.  Each thinking about the other, but not sure how to ever connect again.  Lucy travels throughout Europe, while Owen sees much of the west coast.  Communication is rare, since they are both on the move so much, but they just can't seem to move past that one nigh.  Are they just full of hopeful wishing?  Are they making too much of one evening?  Will they ever reunite?  You have to read the book to find out!
I LOVED Smith's two previous novels- The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight and This is What Happy Looks Like.  If you haven't read those two books STOP what you are doing right now and get them.  They are both great reads.  Really cute stories that I couldn't put down.  And while I liked this book, I didn't LOVE this book.  First- Lucy's parents completely ignore her.  And she doesn't seem to have a problem with this.  They are constantly traveling the world, and leaving her at home.  By herself.  And when she finally brings it up, it is sweetly forgiven and swept under the rug.  Second- Owen is still in high school, yet he is traveling the country with his dad, enrolling in schools along the way.  As a teacher, this bugged me.  I don't think it's as easy as it was for Owen to just move in and out of schools.  The fact that he had lots of credits was emphasized ALOT, but it bothered me.  I just didn't love this book as much as her other two.  And while my teenage romance readers will probably love it, I would just say it was ok.

We are the Goldens

Nell and her older sister Layla are so close, it is hard to tell where one begins and the other one ends.  Always together, tell each other everything, no secrets type of sisters.  When Nell was little, she thought they had one name, Nellayla because she thought they were the same.  Now Nell is starting high school where her sister will be a junior, and everything points to being the best years of their life.  They both made the varsity soccer team.  They have the same friends, and Nell can tag along to her older sisters parties.  Then something begins to change.  Nell knows it, can feel it, but can't explain it.  Layla is pulling away from her, keeping secrets, and even lying.  Now Nell has to choose.  Will she keep her sister's secret?  
This is a very quick read.  It's told through Nell's perspective, as if she is talking to her sister, explaining her decision.  I really liked it, even though Layla is such an unlikable character.  Nell is a great protagonist, who is truly tortured by her decision to keep her sister's secret.  I would recommend this to anyone who needs something to get them out of a slump.  

The Girl of Fire and Thorns

Elisa is the second daughter of a king.  She is also God's chose one.  She carries the "godstone" under her navel and through this is linked to Him.  She is married to a king that has a kingdom in turmoil, but he ignores her and presses her to keep their marriage a secret.  Since Elisa carries the Godstone, she is constantly at risk.  Savages want to rip it from her belly, sorcerers want to use it for black magic, and a revolutionary thinks it could be there savior.  When she is kidnapped from the castle, she is forced to learn to take care of herself, and keep herself alive.
I enjoy this type of fantasy novel.  It is set in a different time, but is still believable.  Elisa makes a complete 180 during the course of the novel, and really had me rooting for her by the end.  She is not a very likable character at the beginning, so I was glad to see her make a transformation.  This is a trilogy, with books 2 and 3 already published, but I didn't jump to read them immediately.  I think I will eventually, but I have to be in the right mood for fantasy.

If I Stay

Mia Hall has a choice to make.  As she stands in the ICU, watching the doctors and nurses care for her, she realizes she can decide if she wants to live or die.  Both her parents were killed in the car accident that has put Mia into a coma, and she is barely hanging on.  Now the choice is hers to make.  Mia's life is told through flashbacks.  She is an accomplished cello player, with an audition to Julliard behind her, and confidence she will be accepted.  She has a boyfriend, Adam, a musician who understands and loves her.  She also has a best friend that is her other half.  But is that enough to live without her parents?
This is a great book, a quick read that leaves the reader wondering what will happen.
I knew this book was currently being made into a movie, so I thought I would check it out.  I really enjoyed it and would recommend it to students.  Especially those that need a quick read.  It's short and not intimidating.  I'm reading the second book now because I couldn't want to see what happens next.

The movie is coming out in August.

The Knife of Never Letting Go

Todd Hewitt is going to be a man in 30 days, when he turns 13.  Since he is the last boy in Prentisstown, this will be a welcome change.  Todd is an orphan.  His father was killed in the war, and his mother was killed by the disease that killed every woman on his planet and gave men the ability to hear thoughts.  Every one's thoughts.  Even animals.  Todd lives with his neighbors, Ben and Cillian, and hearing thoughts of others is a curse.  Todd calls it their "Noise" and it is enough to drive anyone crazy.  The noise is constant, and can make you forget who you are.  While out with his dog, Manchee, Todd notices something different.  Silence. This is something he has never heard before, and upon investigation, finds a girl.  He's never seen a girl, but knows what she is because she is so different from him.  And silent.  She can hear his thoughts though, and together they run away from Prentisstown, in search of safety.  The men of Todd's town are raising an army and plan on taking over every village on the planet.
Overall I liked this book ok.  The narrative is written with grammar and spelling mistakes.  Its written as Todd would speak, which takes a little getting used to.  Todd is uneducated, so I see thy the author chose this style..  The biggest problem I had with it, is that it's one disaster upon another.  Seriously, can't this kid catch a break?  It goes into unbelievable pretty quickly, one character keeps coming back over and over and over.  I know I have had students really like this trilogy, but I don't think I will continue to read the next two books,

Someday, Someday, Maybe

Frances Banks has an approaching deadline.  She gave herself 3 years to make it as an actress in New York City.  After she graduated from college, her boyfriend, Clark, went to law school, and she figured if three years is good enough for him to reach his goal, she should be able too as well.  However, she only has 6 months left, and all she has to show for it is one commercial an ugly Christmas sweater.  She begins to doubt her decision and thinks she should just marry Clark and move to Chicago.  She is taking acting classes and is encouraged by a showcase for the students that gets her an agent (FINALLY) but not much else.  She really works hard to never give, even though she is really knocked down.  I thought this was a great book about never giving up on your dreams, and the hard work is sometimes takes to get where you are meant to be.
I did enjoy this book.  The writing, is quick and witty.  I loved Franny, and think she is a very likable character, even though she makes lots of questionable choices- especially when it comes to James Franklin, the slick actor in her class that is a known flirt.  I admit I picked up this book because it was written by THE Lorelei Gilmore, and as a Gilmore Girls fan, I thought it was something I had to read.  I was pleasantly surprised at how good it was.  However, Franny is in her mid-twenties, and though nothing is inappropriate in the book, I'm not sure it would work in a high school library. I don't know how well students would relate to her.

A Mad, Wicked Folly

“I am most anxious to enlist everyone who can speak or write to join in checking this mad, wicked folly of "Women's Rights," with all its attendent horrors, on which her poor feeble sex is bent, forgetting every sense of womanly feelings and propriety."

Queen Victoria, 1870

Victoria Darling dreams of becoming an artist.  She spent her childhood drawing and fantasizing of the day she could attend art school.  She hopes to be one of the best artists in the world, with her paintings hanging in galleries, and lauded for her work.  However, in 1909 England, upper class women were expected to paint flowers, or fruit.  Things that would hang on their walls and home, and not to spend too much time away from their household duties.  Vicky wants more that that.   While at finishing school in France, she begins taking an art class focusing on the techniques of drawing the undraped figure- the nude.  When the model doesn't show up, Vicky makes the decision to model for the class.  Many of the other students had done it, and she felt she needed to do it to fit in.    She is discovered by another student, and sent home in disgrace.

Her parents quickly arrange a marriage for her, to cover up the scandal, and deny her art school.  Vicky is determined to continue with her art.  She begins preparing for the entrance exam once she realizes her fiancee won't mind if she paints once she is married.  He even agrees to pay the tuition.  As she begins to search for subject matter, she befriends a suffragette from America.  Lucy moved to England and supports the rights of women.  She introduces Vicky to the Pankhurst sisters and Vicky begins to paint for them.  During one of the protests, Vicky meets a young police constable, Will.  Will wants to become a writer, and Vicky begins to paint him in exchange for illustrating his stories.  Things get complicated quickly when Vicky realizes she is falling in love with Will.  If she doesn't marry, she will be sent to live a life of solitude with her great-aunt.  She must figure out what is important to her- her place in society, or her art.

This was such a good book.  I love historical fiction, and the turn of the century is a fascinating time.  England had been ruled for so long by the very proper Queen Victoria.  Once she died and her son, King Edward VII became king, he was much more relaxed when it came to tradition.  Women began to demand equal rights, and some of the social standards began to change.  Vicky is an amazing protagonist.; very headstrong and not afraid to speak her mind.  The details of her passion for art very intriguing, information I had not known previously.

I highly recommend this book.  I truly loved it.

Spring Break Reading

I have been slammed at work and home, so blogging has, unfortunately fallen to the wayside.  I have still been reading!  I'm going to give quick reviews to my 3 latest.

Kippy Bushman lives in Friendship, Wisconsin, population 689.  When her best, and only, friend is found murdered, the police are quick to point the finger at Ruth's boyfriend, a serial womanizer and town troublemaker.  Using Ruth's diary, Kippy begins to think someone else murdered her best friend, and begins to try to unravel the mystery herself.
This was a very quirky book, many of the plot points coming out of left field.  I did enjoy it because you want to get to the end to find the killer.  Kippy is a cute character, but very different.  Maybe it's the small town Wisconsin in her?

The Madman's Daughter is a twist on Dr. Moreau's Island, a- a sci-fi novel written by H.G. Wells.  It was made into a movie in 1996, starring Anthony Hopkins and Val Kilmer.  It is also on the Texas Tayshas reading list, and I really enjoy historical fiction.
Juliet Moreau is struggling to survive in Victorian London.  Her mother recently died, and her father fled in shame when the horrors of his experiments were made public.  Juliet cleans the local university, but when she runs into Montgomery, her father's servant, he tells her he is alive on a small island in the Pacific.  Juliet makes the treacherous passage to the island.  Along the way, the crew find a castaway floating in the sea and take him on board.  Since he has no money, the captain makes him stay on the island with Juliet and Montgomery.  Once she is reunited with her father, Juliet begins to realize the extent of his experiments, and is horrified at what he has become.  She, Montgomery, and Edward begin to plot to escape, but a monster is killing the inhabitants and her father is making escape difficult.
I had seen the movie when it came out, and recognized the story of the island.  Many of the plot points are the same, but I definitely enjoyed Juliet's perspective.  Warning: this book can be very gory and bloody, with Juliet's interest in science, and her father's crazy experiments, but I did enjoy it and would recommend it.  The second book: Her Dark Curiosity, is available and continues  Juliet's story with a take on Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde.  This book ending with a crazy cliffhanger, so I will pick that book up soon.

There is nothing to do during the summer in small town Carp, New York.  So, a game called Panic began.  Every high school student pays $1 everyday for the entirety of the school year.  That money goes into a pot that is then divided up between the winner and the anonymous judges.  The winner usually brings home $50,000.   It's called Panic because each stunt increases in danger with every elimination.  The game has even gone so far, there have been deaths.
To Heather, that money could finally get her, and her little sister Lilly, out of the trailer park and away from their drug and alcohol using mother. To Dodge, winning Panic would mean revenge.  His older sister, and best friend Dayna, was left paralyzed when she was playing the last round.  The game gets insane pretty quick, and Heather and Dodge are trying to remain in control.  Told in alternating voices, between Heather and Dodge, the reader really gets in on the action, and see parts of the story one narrator might leave out.
I loved this book.  It was very fast-paced and I think many students will enjoy it too.  Oliver also wrote one of my favorite series, Delirium, and she did not disappoint with this one.
I will try to keep this blog updated as much as I can!  Hopefully things will slow down soon.

Amber House

When Sarah's grandmother dies, she travels with her family from Seattle to Amber House, one of the largest private homes in Maryland.  Sarah has never been there before, her mother refused to visit, but she has heard stories from her grandmother who would come to her.  Amber House is huge, with two stories added on during the three centuries it has been in Sarah's family, a grand ballroom, 9 bedrooms, a conservatory filled with exotic plants and flowers, and even a large hedge maze on the grounds.  Sarah's mother wants to sell the property and leave as quickly as possible, but Sarah's 5 year old autistic brother convinces their mother to stay.  Sarah meets Jackson, the longtime maid's grandson and together they begin exploring the house for lost diamonds.  During these search Sarah begins to have visions of her ancestors when she picks up their old belongings.  At first, she likes the comforting scenes of her family's past, but as secrets betrayals, and even crimes play out in front of her, she begins to realize there is a lot about her family she doesn't understand.  The attention of one of Maryland's senators sons is also thrown in.  He his handsome, athletic, and seems to have sincere interest in Sarah.   This all culminates in a large sweet sixteen party Sarah's mother is throwing for her at the house, where the secrets only seem to deepen.

Another book from the Tayshas list, and this one was more  my speed.  I really enjoyed the supernatural aspects of the story.  The history of AmberHouse, though pretty brutal, was interesting and added a different aspect.  Sarah seems insecure. and that got a little old, she's constantly wondering why the senator's son is spending so much time with her, and trying to decide is she likes it, or not.  The ending went a little too far out there for me.  I know the book is supernatural, but it went so far extreme, I thought it was a little too much.  This is going to be a trilogy and the second book just came out, and I will read it to see how Sarah's story plays out.

Scowler

Ry lives with his mother and little sister on a decaying farm in Iowa in 1981.  His father has been imprisoned for terrible abuse to his mother and him.  The abuse is told in graphic, disturbing details, making Marvin into a true monster.  Ry was able to get through the abuse as a child with help from three small toys.  When word comes that there has been an explosion at the prison, Marvin shows up, inflicting more pain and fear than thought possible.  This is interrupted by the landing of a meteorite on the farm.  However, the meteorite only causes more problems.
This book is on the Tayshas list, and I was trying to get out of my comfort zone by reading it.  It is very dark and disturbing.  I'm not sure I would recommend this book due to it's domestic and family violence, but it was definitely scary.

This Star Won't Go Out

This Star Won't Out by Esther Earl with her parents Lori and Wayne, consists of journals, letters, sketches and pictures of Esther's life.  In 2006, at the age of 12, Esther was diagnosed with thyroid cancer, and passed away in 2010.  Essays by family, doctors, and friends are also included and give even more insight into her four year struggle.  Esther remained funny and witty throughout and her journals sound much like any teenagers would.
Esther began writing at a young age because she always knew she wanted to be an author.  She was the third of five children to a family that enjoyed traveling the world.  Esther loved her family and the adventures traveling brought.  When she was diagnosed the family was living in France.  The move to Boston for the best care possible came soon after.
Esther continued to live her life, joining the Harry Potter Alliance, and forming an online group of tight-knit friends, Catitude, who were "Nerdfighters."  Nerdfighters are lovers of the author John Green and his brother Hank.  John and Hank post vlogs to YouTube that Esther and her online friends loved.  Esther met John Green at a Harry Potter convention and they remained friends until her death.  He wrote a beautiful introduction to the book.  Esther's Make a Wish was to have John Green and her Catitude friends join her for a weekend in Boston.
Students will devour this book.  The Fault in Our Stars was dedicated to Esther, though Green is adamant the story is NOT based on Esther.  He was working on the book when her met her, and she inspired him to finish the story.  It is very moving, a great read.

MidwinterBlood

      Eric Seven arrives on the island of Blessed to write a story about the mysterious orchid that grows only here.  He has heard it has health-giving properties and promotes well-being and energy.  Once he arrives on Blessed, he is treated kindly, and given an house to stay in.  He begins to feel deja vu.  He can't shake the feeling that he has been here before, and when he meets Merle, he cannot keep his mind off her.  And so begins the story of Eric and Merle.  The book moves backwards in time, telling the 7 lives Eric and Merle have lived.  Ending with a Viking king and queen.  It's such a short book, I don't want to give too much away.  But Eric and Merle find different ways of being together throughout time.

       This book was announced the winner of the Michael L. Printz Award which "annually honors the best book written for teens, based entirely on its literary merit, each year." It is also on the new Tayshas list, so I thought it must be pretty awesome.  After reading it, I'm a little confused.  I did like the book.  I didn't love it, but it was very different, I'll give it that.  I just cannot really seeing teenagers enjoying this book.  It is a little confusing and the language is upper level.  This is just not the book I am going to try to sell to my students.  I did like the stories, each one is short, and it is quick read.  It's just not my favorite book of 2013.

Valentine's Library Display

All You Need is Love...And a Good Book!

In the middle of January, I set up a Valentine's display.  I pulled romance novels and placed them on a long shelving cart at the entrance.  Students went through them, and by the end of two weeks, most were gone.  I also made signs that I placed around the library and the school.  I used floral pick card holders to hold the hearts in place.  I purchased those from Amazon and they have come in very useful.  They also work to hold book reviews or recommendations.

                                            

I hope you have a great Valentine's Day!!

The Beginning of Everything

I was halfway through this book when I made my top ten list of YA love stories, so I felt it unfair to add it to my list.  Now that I have finished it, I would definitely move it to the top ten.
I loved, loved , loved this book.  There's just something about first loves that gets me every time.
Ezra Faulkner has it all.  At the end of his junior year, he is class president, captain of the tennis team, and the boyfriend of the most popular and beautiful girl in school.  That changes in an instant.
"I still think that everyone's life, not matter how unremarkable, has a singular tragic encounter after which everything that really matters will happen.  That moment is the catalyst- the first step in the equation.  But knowing that step will get you nowhere- it's what comes after that determines the result." 
Ezra's tragic encounter is with a black SUV that hits his Z4 as he is leaving a party.    His left knee, along with his life, is shattered.  He spends that summer in the hospital, and then physical therapy, learning how to walk again.  Not a single "friend" visits him  in the hospital, just send a card they all signed.  He is replaced on the tennis team, and voted out of his presidency.  All while realizing the life he had planned for himself has taken a sharp turn.
He begins his senior year as an outsider.  Everyone staring as he tries to make it to class with his cane, not sure how to address everyone.  The only bright spot is Toby, his best friend from elementary school who didn't join the popular crowd like Ezra.  They had grown apart, but Toby makes a reappearance and convinces Ezra to join the debate team, since tennis is out.
His first encounter with Cassidy Thorpe is not a very pleasant experience, she is the new girl, mysterious and beautiful.  She transferred from boarding school, and has a reputation of being an unbeatable debater.  Very slowly, they come together.  She takes him to the local community college to sit in on lectures.  She encourages him to apply for Ivy League universities, something he never considered before.  But not everything is perfect.  Cassidy is struggling with something terrible.  Something she feels she cannot share with Ezra, and their relationship is not an easy one.
I think I enjoyed this book because Ezra really changes throughout.  This is truly a coming of age story, and whether the accident, or Cassidy, was the catalyst doesn't matter.  Ezra realizes he was uncomfortable in the popular crowd and makes the decision to change.  
Highly recommended!

Tayshas 2014

The Tayshas list for 2014 was released a few weeks ago. I have read some of these books already, but I would like to try to read most of them throughout the year. I keep these on display in my library, and students do tend to look through them and check them out regularly. I think this list is a great place to start for a student searching for a book, but not sure what they want to read. I used PhotoPeach to upload the book covers and create this presentation.

My Favorite Love Stories

Happy Almost Valentine's Day!

I love reading YA romance novels.  They are so innocent and passionate.  I get asked for romance stories a lot, so I put together my top ten list of favorite YA love stories.
10.

This is a very cute book.  3 girls are sent to work on a peach orchard for the summer, and become close friends.  Of course, boys are involved, and a cross country trip to find the love of one of the girls is included. Light and fluffy.
9.
 
I'm not sure many would agree with me, but I loved the relationship between Tris and Four.  He is so protective of her and helps her through the initiation process.  Plus, Theo James is playing him in the upcoming movie.  You can't go wrong.

I would have chosen Dauntless too!

8.

Everyone loves Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy.  Even though their love story was not smooth, he eventually came to his senses.

“In vain have I struggled. It will not do. My feelings will not be repressed. You must allow me to tell you how ardently I admire and love you.” 

― Jane Austen, Pride And Prejudice

The movie is also amazing!

7.

This was my first experience with teenage love.  I think I read this book in middle school and my friends and I all passed it around.  I haven't read it as an adult, but I remember loving this story and being heartbroken (spoiler alert!) when Michael and Kath broke up.  I wonder if my students would be able to relate to this book today.  Not sure.
6.

Another first love story, with its share of head over heels romance, only to come to a screeching halt when real life gets in the way.  An honest look at high school romance. 

5.

Delirium is set in a future, dystopian society that believes love is a disease.  At 18, every citizen must undergo a procedure to remove any feelings of love.  Lena has seen firsthand the problems love can cause and is looking forward to the day she will have her delirium removed.  Then she meets Alex, and begins to realize she might not want those feelings taken away from her after all.

4. 

This was my first book to read by Sarah Dessen.  She has written lots of books and she is always my go to for students looking for a love story.  Macy's boyfriend goes away to summer camp and she is lost without him.  When she begins working for a catering company, she beings to learn more about herself and the options open for her.
3.

Hazel Grace and Augustus meet in a cancer support group.  He shows her that life is worth living, taking her on adventures that she never imagined possible.  Such an awesome book, everyone loves it.  And the movie comes out in June!

2.

Hadley is not happy about going to London for her father's wedding. She misses her flight, and ends up waiting in the terminal for the overnight flight out of JFK.  That's when she meets Oliver.  Oliver cheers Hadley up, and the flight seems to pass in a matter of minutes.  But, they lose track of each other at Heathrow once they land.  Was their love meant to be?

1.

Oh, how I loved this book.  The Garretts were such a cute family and Jase such an easy boy to fall in love with.  The author is writing a follow up, and I can't wait to read more.

Have a great Valentine's week!