Gordon Korman creates another great story with Ungiftetd. Donovan Curtis is a troublemaker. He’s created so much trouble for himself, he’s not sure how he is going to get out of it this time. Through a stroke of sheer luck, a mix up puts Donovan in the school for gifted kids where he can hide out from the superintendent who is determined to make Donovan pay for his misdeeds. Donovan is far from gifted and must try to prove that he deserves to be in the gifted school. This is a great coming of age story where Donovan must examine some of his choices in life and learn how to grow up and accept responsibility for his actions.
The Second Life of Abigail Walker
Frances O’Roark Dowell is the author of The Second Life of Abigail Walker. Abby doesn’t fit in. She just wants to be a medium girl-medium size, medium grades, medium looks. She doesn’t rock the boat since she wants to fit in so badly. However, one day she gets fed up with the meanness of some of the medium girls and stands up for herself. So begins the second life of Abby. She loves to spend time in a field across the street from her house. She meets a boy named Anders whose dad is a veteran of the Iraq war and trying to recover from his experiences. Abby discovers that there is more to life than fitting in with the medium girls and, with her new friends, creates a much richer, fuller life for herself.
Posted in Realistic fiction.
– June 20, 2013
Whatever After: If the Shoe Fits
This is the second book in a series of fractured fairy tales by Sarah Mlynowski. The children, Jonah and Abby, remain the main characters who are whisked into a fairy tale through a magic mirror. This time they enter Cinderella’s story. Unfortunately, Cinderella sprains her ankle ensuring that the glass slipper won’t fit. The kids help Cinderella try to become self-sufficient so she doesn’t need to rely on the prince saving her. Will they succeed? Will they find a way to get back home? Read to find out!
Posted in Science fiction/Fantasy.
– June 20, 2013
Floors
Patrick Carman is the author of Floors, a new series. This is a quirky book that reminded me a little of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. There is an eccentric owner of a strange hotel who has left mysterious clues for the maintenance man’s son Leo. Oh, and ducks. The nasty desk clerk always has her eye on Leo and assumes he’s up to no good. The hotel is full of wacky guests and awesome rooms that Leo loves. He’s convinced Mr. Meganzer, the owner of the hotel, has disappeared under suspicious circumstances and Leo thinks someone is trying to take over the hotel. Leo must follow the clues to solve the mystery of Mr. Merganzer’s disappearance and save the hotel.
– June 20, 2013
Stranded
Stranded, written by Survivor host Jeff Probst, is a non-stop adventure. The first book in a trilogy, this story is about a blended family of 4 kids who are on a vacation with their uncle aboard a ship in the South Pacific. A huge storm leaves the kids shipwrecked on an island without any adults and they must learn to work together to survive. This book was an exciting, quick read. I’m looking forward to the rest of the series.
Posted in Adventure, Realistic fiction.
– June 20, 2013
R My Name is Rachel
Patricia Reilly Giff is the author of R My Name is Rachel. Rachel is a 12 year old girl living with her pop and younger brother and sister during The Great Depression in 1936. Pop is out of work and finds a job out of the city, so he moves his family to an old farm, away from a special adult in Rachel’s life, Miss Mitzi. Rachel stays in contact with Miss Mitzi through letters as she tries to navigate life in the country in a rundown farmhouse. Rachel’s pop ends up taking a different job away from home and leaves Rachel in charge of her brother and sister with very few resources. The children encounter some problems on their own and must make some hard decisions on how to survive.
Posted in Historical fiction, Realistic fiction.
– June 20, 2013
Wonder
Wonder, by R.J. Palacio, is a Golden Sower nominee for 2013-2014. It has won many awards and for good reason. It is a touching, heartfelt book. August Pullman is the main character and the book focuses on his life and his experience going to school for the first time. August, or Auggie, was born with a rare facial deformity that kept him out of school, until now. Auggie is starting 5th grade and must learn how to navigate a new school and deal with the stares and comments and bullying that comes with looking different. The story is told from the perspective of different people in Auggie’s life, as well as his own. The book has short chapters and is easy to read. I think it offers an important message for all kids who encounter others who are different from them. It is a must read.
Posted in Realistic fiction.
– June 20, 2013
Hold Fast
Hold Fast, written by Blue Balliett, is the story of a family ripped apart by mysterious circumstances. Early, an 11 year old girl, has a very close knit family. They are saving all the money they earn so they can buy a house in the suburbs of Chicago. Early’s dad takes an extra job that seems innocent enough, sorting old books, until he disappears and Early’s apartment is trashed by thugs. Early and her mom and little brother lose everything and end up in a homeless shelter. The book details their experience in the homeless shelter as Early tries to solve the mystery of her father’s disappearance. I like that this book portrays a smart, confident biracial girl who doesn’t give up in proving her father’s innocence despite a difficult situation.
Posted in Mystery, Realistic fiction.
– June 20, 2013
Storm Mountain
Storm Mountain, by Tom Birdseye, is definitely in the adventure genre. This book is non-stop action. Two thirteen-year-old cousins are trapped in a blizzard on the same treacherous mountain in the Cascades that claimed the lives of their world-famous, mountain- climber, twin fathers exactly two years earlier. Ty wants to spread the ashes of their fathers at the summit where the dads died, so he steals Cat’s dog and her father’s ashes. Cat has no choice but to follow him, even though she knows it’s crazy. Soon avalanches, dangerous crevasses, and a blizzard are pushing the kids to their limit. Will they survive or will they end up like their fathers? The 2012-2013 Golden Sower nominee will keep readers on the edge of their seats!
Posted in Adventure, Realistic fiction.
– April 20, 2013
Because of Mr. Terupt
Seven fifth-graders at Snow Hill School in Connecticut tell how their lives are changed for the better by “rookie teacher” Mr. Terupt. Each chapter is by a different student as they relate how Mr. Terupt influences his or her life. Jessica is the smart, new girl who is having a hard time fitting in; Alexia is a bully who is your friend one minute and your enemy the next; Peter, is the class clown and troublemaker; Luke, is the resident brain; Danielle, is too insecure to stand up for herself; and Jeffrey, is the kid who hates school. Mr. Terupt knows how to deal with all of them and makes his classroom a fun place. Unfortunately, an accident at school changes everything and everyone.
This book is a Golden Sower nominee for the 2012-2013 school year.
Posted in Realistic fiction.
– April 20, 2013