Libba Bray
Rebel Angels
2008 Iowa High School Award Nominee
In the second book of the Gemma Doyle Trilogy, we travel to Victorian London. Gemma must bind the magic of the Realms. However, Gemma and her friends must find the rightful place within the Realms to do this. Unable to trust anyone, Gemma tries to determine who she can trust-her friend Pippa, forever stuck in the Realms, other creatures from the Realms, a patient in Bedlam Hospital, a former teacher, or Kartik from the Rakshana as the girls travel back and forth between the two worlds. In addition, Gemma and her friends are swept into the social whirl of the Christmas season in London, where the girls experience first love.
This gothic novel is filled with intrigue and plot twists. Readers of A Great and Terrible Beauty will want to continue this series. Gemma is much like Harry Potter in that she must also save the world from evil.
Monday, October 20, 2008
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
Marley & Me
John Grogan
Marley & Me
2008-09 Iowa High School Book Award Nominee
Newspaper columnist John Grogan tells the story of the "world's worst dog." Marley, a Labrador retriever, has all the worst traits imaginable. Despite the difficulties that he causes, Marley is truly loved. The story takes us through the lives of the Grogan family and how their lives are affected by this difficult but lovable dog.
Filled with humor, this book is a good read for dog lovers as well as those who are not so fond of dogs. Many people will recognize bits and pieces of their own lives in this true story.
Marley & Me
2008-09 Iowa High School Book Award Nominee
Newspaper columnist John Grogan tells the story of the "world's worst dog." Marley, a Labrador retriever, has all the worst traits imaginable. Despite the difficulties that he causes, Marley is truly loved. The story takes us through the lives of the Grogan family and how their lives are affected by this difficult but lovable dog.
Filled with humor, this book is a good read for dog lovers as well as those who are not so fond of dogs. Many people will recognize bits and pieces of their own lives in this true story.
Saturday, September 20, 2008
Sold
Patricia McCormick
Sold
2008-09 Iowa High School Book Award Nominee
Anxious to help her family that lives in Nepal, Lamiska is eager to go work in the city so she can send money home. When her step-father sells her, she has no idea what lies in store for her. Taken to a brothel in India, Lamiska must find a way to survive. When the hope that she will be able to buy her freedom is dashed, and Lamiska must face what her future holds for her and make a decision that will affect what happens.
Sold
2008-09 Iowa High School Book Award Nominee
Anxious to help her family that lives in Nepal, Lamiska is eager to go work in the city so she can send money home. When her step-father sells her, she has no idea what lies in store for her. Taken to a brothel in India, Lamiska must find a way to survive. When the hope that she will be able to buy her freedom is dashed, and Lamiska must face what her future holds for her and make a decision that will affect what happens.
Sunday, September 14, 2008
24 GIrls in 7 Days
Alex Bradley
24 Girls in 7 Days
2005
2008-2009 Iowa High School Award Nominee
After a failed attempt to ask a girl to prom, Jack's best friends put an ad in the online edition of the school newspaper. When he reluctantly agrees to try to find a date in this manner, Jack starts meeting and dating girls to see who he will take to prom. In the mean time Jack has been IMing a girl who he thinks is perfect for him and hopes that she will go with him. Who is the unknown girl, and who will Jack take to prom? Funny and light-hearted with just the right amount of seriousness as Jack lives through his dating dilemma.
24 Girls in 7 Days
2005
2008-2009 Iowa High School Award Nominee
After a failed attempt to ask a girl to prom, Jack's best friends put an ad in the online edition of the school newspaper. When he reluctantly agrees to try to find a date in this manner, Jack starts meeting and dating girls to see who he will take to prom. In the mean time Jack has been IMing a girl who he thinks is perfect for him and hopes that she will go with him. Who is the unknown girl, and who will Jack take to prom? Funny and light-hearted with just the right amount of seriousness as Jack lives through his dating dilemma.
Black and White
Paul Volponi
Black and White
2005
2008-2009 Iowa High School Award Nominee
Black and White are the nicknames for two best friends. Despite their differences in race and the backgrounds, they look out for each other both in and out of school. Posed to earn scholarships to play basketball at major univerisities, the boys choose to committ robberies in order to have enough money for the latest basketball shoes as well as all of thier senior activities. Now that one of them has been arrested, will they be loyal to each other and still be the Black and White that everyone knows?
Black and White
2005
2008-2009 Iowa High School Award Nominee
Black and White are the nicknames for two best friends. Despite their differences in race and the backgrounds, they look out for each other both in and out of school. Posed to earn scholarships to play basketball at major univerisities, the boys choose to committ robberies in order to have enough money for the latest basketball shoes as well as all of thier senior activities. Now that one of them has been arrested, will they be loyal to each other and still be the Black and White that everyone knows?
The Rules of Survival
Nancy Werlin
The Rules of Survival
2006
2008-09 Iowa High School Award Nominee
As the oldest child of an abusive mother, Matthew works hard to protect his sisters. Trying to make sure their mother is happy and barricading themselves behind the bedroom door are some of the things he must do. When he sees an unknown man stand up for a child in a store, he sees somebody who is not afraid, somebody that he would like to know and be like. When his mother starts dating Murdoch, Matthew feels that life could be good. However, Murdoch soon tires of the relationship, and now Matthew must try to save his sisters on his own.
The Rules of Survival
2006
2008-09 Iowa High School Award Nominee
As the oldest child of an abusive mother, Matthew works hard to protect his sisters. Trying to make sure their mother is happy and barricading themselves behind the bedroom door are some of the things he must do. When he sees an unknown man stand up for a child in a store, he sees somebody who is not afraid, somebody that he would like to know and be like. When his mother starts dating Murdoch, Matthew feels that life could be good. However, Murdoch soon tires of the relationship, and now Matthew must try to save his sisters on his own.
Just Listen
Sarah Dessen
Just Listen
2006
2008-09 Iowa High School Award Nominee
As the third daughter in her family to be a model, Annabel seems to have it all. However, her best friend only speaks to her to call her horrible names and Annabel has no one to confide in. An unlikely friendship develops between Annabel and Owen. As Owen tries to enlighten Annabel with his interest in music, she learns that she cannot just ignore problems. In the end, Annabel must face her past in order to go into the future.
Just Listen
2006
2008-09 Iowa High School Award Nominee
As the third daughter in her family to be a model, Annabel seems to have it all. However, her best friend only speaks to her to call her horrible names and Annabel has no one to confide in. An unlikely friendship develops between Annabel and Owen. As Owen tries to enlighten Annabel with his interest in music, she learns that she cannot just ignore problems. In the end, Annabel must face her past in order to go into the future.
The Floor of the Sky
Pamela Carter Joern
The Floor of the Sky
2006
2008-09 Iowa High School Award Nominee
A lonely ranch in Nebraska is an unlikely place for a pregnent, 17-year old with spiked hair and multiple body piercings. Lila has been sent to spend the summer with her grandmother as she must decide her future as she decides the future of the baby. While there, Lila learns that her family is full of secrets. All of there secrets come to a head, when Lila's cousin is arrested and a storm threatens the ranch.
The Floor of the Sky
2006
2008-09 Iowa High School Award Nominee
A lonely ranch in Nebraska is an unlikely place for a pregnent, 17-year old with spiked hair and multiple body piercings. Lila has been sent to spend the summer with her grandmother as she must decide her future as she decides the future of the baby. While there, Lila learns that her family is full of secrets. All of there secrets come to a head, when Lila's cousin is arrested and a storm threatens the ranch.
Thursday, May 1, 2008
Chasing Tail Lights
Patrick Jones
Chasing Tail Lights
Walker & Company, 2006
Genre: Narrrative
Christy chases tail lights to help her forget the pain in her life. She imagines where people are going as she watches the vehicles from a bridge near her house. Living with her family in Flint, opportunities for Christy seem limited. She sells pot for her brother while another brother is in prison. With only one friend, Christy doesn't even open up to her completely. She's hiding something that she doesn't even want to think about herself. Through the help of a caring teacher and a co-worker, Christy begins to realize that she can't just keep running away from her life. Instead of chasing tail lights, she must confront her problems so that she can live the life that she wants.
Chasing Tail Lights
Walker & Company, 2006
Genre: Narrrative
Christy chases tail lights to help her forget the pain in her life. She imagines where people are going as she watches the vehicles from a bridge near her house. Living with her family in Flint, opportunities for Christy seem limited. She sells pot for her brother while another brother is in prison. With only one friend, Christy doesn't even open up to her completely. She's hiding something that she doesn't even want to think about herself. Through the help of a caring teacher and a co-worker, Christy begins to realize that she can't just keep running away from her life. Instead of chasing tail lights, she must confront her problems so that she can live the life that she wants.
Saturday, March 22, 2008
Two Way Street
Lauren Barnholdt
Two Way Street
Simon Pulse, 2007
Genre: Narrative, fiction
Courtney and Jordan were an unlikely couple and now that they have broken up, Courtney is livid that her parents are making her travel cross country to college with Jordan. She still loves him and to further complicate matters, she made out with a friend that she used to have a crush on the night before they were to leave. We hear each character's point of view as they travel to Boston University and as they look back at how their relationship developed.
Two Way Street
Simon Pulse, 2007
Genre: Narrative, fiction
Courtney and Jordan were an unlikely couple and now that they have broken up, Courtney is livid that her parents are making her travel cross country to college with Jordan. She still loves him and to further complicate matters, she made out with a friend that she used to have a crush on the night before they were to leave. We hear each character's point of view as they travel to Boston University and as they look back at how their relationship developed.
Looking for JJ
Anne Cassidy
Looking for JJ
Harcourt, Inc., 2004
Genre: Narrative
Alice has a past that may be coming back to haunt. As a ten-year-old she killed another girl. Now that she is back in normal society, her name has been changed but a detective is looking for her. In addition, a newspaper reporter has tracked her down. As Alice faces these threats to her privacy, she looks back at the events from her past that may destroy her current life.
Looking for JJ
Harcourt, Inc., 2004
Genre: Narrative
Alice has a past that may be coming back to haunt. As a ten-year-old she killed another girl. Now that she is back in normal society, her name has been changed but a detective is looking for her. In addition, a newspaper reporter has tracked her down. As Alice faces these threats to her privacy, she looks back at the events from her past that may destroy her current life.
Tuesday, March 18, 2008
Beastly
Alex Flinn
Beastly
Harperteen, 2007
Genre: Fantasy
Kyle is a great looking high school kid who attends a private school where looks are the most important thing. When a witch casts a spell on him, Kyle loses his dad who abandons him becasue he can't stand to see him anymore. In this version of Beauty and the Beast, Kyle must learn what's really important in life as he hopes to find a girl that can love him despite his appearance. Eventhough the story is familiar, it will keep you reading to see how Kyle handles the life he's been given.
Beastly
Harperteen, 2007
Genre: Fantasy
Kyle is a great looking high school kid who attends a private school where looks are the most important thing. When a witch casts a spell on him, Kyle loses his dad who abandons him becasue he can't stand to see him anymore. In this version of Beauty and the Beast, Kyle must learn what's really important in life as he hopes to find a girl that can love him despite his appearance. Eventhough the story is familiar, it will keep you reading to see how Kyle handles the life he's been given.
Saturday, March 15, 2008
Repossessed
A. M. Jenkins
Repossessed
HarperTeen, 2007
Genre: Fiction narrative
Kirian is a fallen angel that takes possession of a teen-age boy's body just as he absentmindly steps in front of a truck. He hopes to experience life as a human, but he also wants to get the attention of the creator. As he lives Shaun's life, he confronts a bully and tries to establish a relationship with a younger brother. Filled with humor, this story makes you think about many things.
Repossessed
HarperTeen, 2007
Genre: Fiction narrative
Kirian is a fallen angel that takes possession of a teen-age boy's body just as he absentmindly steps in front of a truck. He hopes to experience life as a human, but he also wants to get the attention of the creator. As he lives Shaun's life, he confronts a bully and tries to establish a relationship with a younger brother. Filled with humor, this story makes you think about many things.
Monday, March 10, 2008
Maus
Art Spiegelman
The Complete Maus
Pantheon, 1997
Genre: Graphic Novel, Biographical
The author tells the story of his parents during World War II. Germans are portrayed as cats while the Jews are mice. A haunting look at the effect of the Holocaust and how future generations were also affected by their parents guilt of survival.
The Complete Maus
Pantheon, 1997
Genre: Graphic Novel, Biographical
The author tells the story of his parents during World War II. Germans are portrayed as cats while the Jews are mice. A haunting look at the effect of the Holocaust and how future generations were also affected by their parents guilt of survival.
An Abundance of Katherines
John Green
An Abundance of Katerines
Dutton Juvenile, 2006
Genre: Fiction
Colin, a child prodigy, has been in love with nineteen Katherines and has been dumped again. He and his best friend go on a road trip to help him get over his loss. They end up in Gutshot, Tennessee. Colin works on a mathematical formula to predict his relationships with Katherines while they help record the memories of the community.
An Abundance of Katerines
Dutton Juvenile, 2006
Genre: Fiction
Colin, a child prodigy, has been in love with nineteen Katherines and has been dumped again. He and his best friend go on a road trip to help him get over his loss. They end up in Gutshot, Tennessee. Colin works on a mathematical formula to predict his relationships with Katherines while they help record the memories of the community.
Deadline
Chris Crutcher
Deadline
Harperteen, 2007
Genre: narrative fiction
A high school senior Ben finds out that he has a year left to live. He convinces his doctor not to tell his family and so he embarks on his final year. As a potential state qualifier in cross country, he decides to go out for football despite his small size and surprises everyone with his ability. As he faces the end of his life, Ben challenges a teacher, lives out his romantic fantasy, and attempts to help the town drunk. A moving story filled with humor and thought provoking ideas.
Deadline
Harperteen, 2007
Genre: narrative fiction
A high school senior Ben finds out that he has a year left to live. He convinces his doctor not to tell his family and so he embarks on his final year. As a potential state qualifier in cross country, he decides to go out for football despite his small size and surprises everyone with his ability. As he faces the end of his life, Ben challenges a teacher, lives out his romantic fantasy, and attempts to help the town drunk. A moving story filled with humor and thought provoking ideas.
Dreamhunter Duo
Elizabeth Knox
Dreamhunter Book One
Farrar, Strauss, & Giroux, 2006
Genre: Fantasy
In this fantasy, teens hope to be dreamhunters. As dreamhunters, they can enter a world unavailable to other people and catch dreams. When they sleep, these dreams can be shared with others who are sleeping. Two cousins Rose and Laura come from a famous dreamhunting family. During their "try", only Laura is found to have the gift. However, the dreams she catches are about convicts. When her father disappears, she sets out to let the world know that something is wrong with how some of the dreams are being used.
Dreamhunter Book One
Farrar, Strauss, & Giroux, 2006
Genre: Fantasy
In this fantasy, teens hope to be dreamhunters. As dreamhunters, they can enter a world unavailable to other people and catch dreams. When they sleep, these dreams can be shared with others who are sleeping. Two cousins Rose and Laura come from a famous dreamhunting family. During their "try", only Laura is found to have the gift. However, the dreams she catches are about convicts. When her father disappears, she sets out to let the world know that something is wrong with how some of the dreams are being used.
Elizabeth Knox
Dreamquake Book Two
Farrar, Straus, & Giroux, 2007
Genre:Fantasy
After shocking the world with a horrible nightmare, Laura must now try to figure out what to do next. SHe must recover from the dream and make her family understand what she has done. She and Sandy another dreamhunter work together and fall in love while those in the government are plotting ways to use the dreams for their own means. A terrible fire at the coming out ball seems to trigger Laura into hopelessness, but the family hatches a plan to get the wrongs to stop. Laura then takes matters into her own hands to try to stop the injustices.
The Trap
John Smelcer
The Trap
Henry Holt & Company, 2006
Genre: Realistic Fiction, Narrative
This story alternates between an Alaskan Indian Johnny and his grandfather. Johnny is worried about his grandfather who is out working his trapline. His grandfather has become trapped by one of his own traps. He struggles to survive the bitter cold. Eventhough he has all sorts of supplies, they are out of his reach. Finally, Johnny sets off to find his grandfather.
The Trap
Henry Holt & Company, 2006
Genre: Realistic Fiction, Narrative
This story alternates between an Alaskan Indian Johnny and his grandfather. Johnny is worried about his grandfather who is out working his trapline. His grandfather has become trapped by one of his own traps. He struggles to survive the bitter cold. Eventhough he has all sorts of supplies, they are out of his reach. Finally, Johnny sets off to find his grandfather.
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