Making Predictions

Prediction Practice
Prediction Game
 Puzzle Game - Predict what is behind the squares
 Prediction/ Infer

Review: Divergent by Veronica Roth

Synopsis from book cover:

In Beatrice Prior's dystopian Chicago, society is divided into five factions, each dedicated to the cultivation of a particular virtue—Candor (the honest), Abnegation (the selfless), Dauntless (the brave), Amity (the peaceful), and Erudite (the intelligent). On an appointed day of every year, all sixteen-year-olds must select the faction to which they will devote the rest of their lives. For Beatrice, the decision is between staying with her family and being who she really is—she can't have both. So she makes a choice that surprises everyone, including herself.

During the highly competitive initiation that follows, Beatrice renames herself Tris and struggles to determine who her friends really are—and where, exactly, a romance with a sometimes fascinating, sometimes infuriating boy fits into the life she's chosen. But Tris also has a secret, one she's kept hidden from everyone because she's been warned it can mean death. And as she discovers a growing conflict that threatens to unravel her seemingly perfect society, she also learns that her secret might help her save those she loves . . . or it might destroy her.




What did I love about the book?
So author's have undoubtly jumped on the new train rolling through town.  They are quickly leaving the vampires, werewolves, and faires behind and picking up on the latest trend - dystopian societies.  Honestly, I'm thrilled.  I was becoming quickly bored with the same ole' Edward - Bella copycats.  More importantly, I was yearning (yes yearning) for a new Katniss - Peeta love story.  After much searching (most of this summer has been spent reading the new dystopian society books), I finally got the love story in Roth's Divergent. 

I really don't know where to begin.  I simply could not stop reading (which is so cliche, but totally true), and when I think about why that was it comes down to the world that Roth creates.  At first, it seems like Tris' big problem is really just that she went against her family (sure, it's a conflict but not one that's gonna make me read), but then when we go deeper into Tris' new world we realize that this world is scary.  It's not at all what I thought it would be, and it's not at all what Tris thought it would be.  Roth writes in twists up until the last second of the book, and she keeps her readers enthralled by creating such a beautiful relationship between Tris and her friends and family. 

Roth writes spectacularly, leaving her readers holding their breath as the read through the action scenes and pulling for Tris as she deals with her internal conflicts.  You simply will not find a better book out there right now.  If you LOVED Hunger Games, this book is something you just MUST pick up. 




What bothered me about the book?
Nothing.  Which is probably why this was the book that made me want to come back to blogging.  It was just that fantastic. 

Where have you been???!!!

I can't believe, truthfully, that it's been so long since I've sat down to blog about a book.  Don't believe for a minute than I haven't been reading.  I've read many great books, but school got in the way.  I never took the time to sit down and tell you about the books.  I did, however, spend much time talking about the books in my classroom. 

I'm sorry, readers, for leaving you "high and dry."  Thank you to those of you who called me out on my slacker tendencies with a quick "Where have you been?"  I'm back and hoping that this school year doesn't make me hide from this wonderful world. 

Review: After by Amy Efaw

Synopsis from the book jacket:
Who would leave her own baby in the trash to die?

Certainly not someone like Devon - straight-A student, soccer player with Olympic dreams, more mature than her own mother.  But desperation and panic drover her to do what most people can't even imagine.  Now Devon's in a juvenile detention center, charged with attempted murder.  If she's tried as an adult, she faces life in prison.

Does Devon deserve that punishment? Your answer depends on whether you believe her story - that she didn't evne know she was pregnant.  Was she buried in a denial so deep that she was unable to register the seemingly obvious signs of pregnancy? Or were her actions the result of a more devious, premeditated plan?

WIth the utmost empathy and precision, author Amy Efaw carefully peels back the layers of Devon's past as she faces a possible future behind bars.  The result is a gripping, page-turned that will challenge your beliefs abotu conscience and conciousness. 

Was This Book Worth My Time?
Yes.

This was a very difficult book to read.  It is centered around the "dumpster baby" phenomenon.  I could never understand the idea of it.  A mother bares a child and then throws it away as if it is some trash they want to get rid of.  This is an account of Devon, a perfect student, athlete and child, who does the unthinkable and is arrested for her crime. 

The novel starts with Devon laying on the couch in pain.  She has already delivered the baby and has taken it to be the trashcans out back.  The police have found the baby and her mother comes in with the sad news. 

This book hooked me from the very beginning.  There were times when I became annoyed at Devon.  However, you quickly realize why it is that Devon chooses to simply not care.  I became emotionally involved with this book and with Devon as I read through the flashbacks and traveled with Devon through her court battle. 

I think this book is geared for the older YA group, and I would not reccomend this book to my junior high school kids as it deals with challenging topics. 

What Bothered Me About the Book? 
The novel is written in third person.  I don't know if this is because Efaw wanted us to feel as detached from The Night as Devon does are if she just would rather write in third person, but I think that if the book was written in first person we could have felt more of a connect to Devon. 

Review: Revolution by Jennifer Donnelly

Synopsis from the book jacket:
BROOKLYN: Andi Alpers is on the edge. She’s angry at her father for leaving, angry at her mother for not being able to cope, and heartbroken by the loss of her younger brother, Truman. Rage and grief are destroying her. And she’s about to be expelled from Brooklyn Heights’ most prestigious private school when her father intervenes. Now Andi must accompany him to Paris for winter break.







PARIS: Alexandrine Paradis lived over two centuries ago. She dreamed of making her mark on the Paris stage, but a fateful encounter with a doomed prince of France cast her in a tragic role she didn’t want—and couldn’t escape.






Two girls, two centuries apart. One never knowing the other. But when Andi finds Alexandrine’s diary, she recognizes something in her words and is moved to the point of obsession. There’s comfort and distraction for Andi in the journal’s antique pages—until, on a midnight journey through the catacombs of Paris, Alexandrine’s words transcend paper and time, and the past becomes suddenly, terrifyingly present.






Jennifer Donnelly, author of the award-winning novel A Northern Light, artfully weaves two girls’ stories into one unforgettable account of life, loss, and enduring love. Revolution spans centuries and vividly depicts the eternal struggles of the human heart.

Was This Book Worth My Time?
I'd say it was ... sorta...

I was anxious to read this book because I love the story of Marie-Antoinette and  thought it would be refreshing to read something that is not your typical YA novel. 

Donnelly's idea to create a book like this is ambitious.  She somehow weaves the story of Alexadrine, a french girl who was brought on by Marie-Antoinette to be a friend to Louis-Charles, and Andi, a troubled girl in Brooklyn who doesn't quite know how to get over the death of her brother Truman.  Andi travels to Paris at the demand of her father.  She is to work on her senior thesis paper on a French musician so that she may have a chance at graduating on time.  While there Andi discovers a diary that was writtern more than two centuries ago by Alex.

In the novel, Donnelly weaves the stories together to create a world where the girls are one. It is quite a beautiful and well-written book.  I loved Andi's character. Actually, I loved all of the American characters.  They were written to be flawed teenagers (like all are) instead of the atypical perfect gods or godessess that some authors write into their novels.  Andi is real.  She is depressed, sarcastic, and strong. 

What Bothered Me About This Book?

I think what bothered me most about this book is the lack of character connection to Alex.  I know that through only a diary entry I wouldn't feel a huge connection to Alex, but I never felt like I got her whole picture.  Maybe I just felt more attached to Andi with all of her family drama. 

Also, I am still wondering why this book was published for YA.  Don't get me wrong, it is PG.  However, I don't think any of my students would pick it up and read more than the first 4 pages.  The diary entries are long, and she shifts from one time frame to the next which I think will throw off some. 


I would say this book is written for the older YA group. 

Review: Jane by April Lindner

Synopsis from the book jacket:
Forced to drop out of an esteemed East Coast college after the sudden death of her parents, Jane Moore takes a nanny job at Thornfield Park, the estate of Nico Rathburn, a world-famous rock star on the brink of a huge comeback. Practical and independent, Jane reluctantly becomes entranced by her magnetic and brooding employer and finds herself in the midst of a forbidden romance.



But there's a mystery at Thornfield, and Jane's much-envied relationship with Nico is soon tested by an agonizing secret from his past. Torn between her feelings for Nico and his fateful secret, Jane must decide: Does being true to herself mean giving up on true love?


An irresistible romance interwoven with a darkly engrossing mystery, this contemporary retelling of the beloved classic Jane Eyre promises to enchant a new generation of readers.

 
Was This Book Worth My Time?
 Yes.

My favorite book of all time is Jane Eyre.  So, when I read about this book I knew I had to get my hands on it.  Lindner takes the classic tale of Jane Eyre and spins it into a modern, rock-star version.  I'm not usually a fan of "do-overs", but this book was a fantastic read. I think a say that because Lindner was true to the original story.  It doesn't get better than that. I just kept thinking, "This would be a great book to teach with Jane Eyre."  Not that I plan on tackling Jane Eyre in my junior high class.  However, it is a good cross-over. 

Jane is a strong, independent protagonist.  I loved the idea of showing her using that strength even when she had nothing.  The message it sent was one of "no excuses."  

I do think those girls who pick up this book without reading Jane Eyre will find it mysterious, almsost scary. It is romance, mystery, and strength all roled into one.


 
What Bothered Me About This Book?
Not a thing.

Review: Trackers by Patrick Carman

Synopsis from the book jacket:
In the 21st century landscape of bits and bytes, everyone leaves a digital footprint ... even the most advanced cyber criminals. And that’s where the Trackers come in. Four tech-savvy kids armed with high-tech video cameras and esoteric coding skills, the Trackers can find almost anyone, anywhere. Told through a collage of videos, text, and websites, Trackers #1 follows Adam, Finn, Lewis, and Emily as they become entangled in a high-tech, high-stakes game of cat and mouse with Shantorian, the world’s most dangerous hacker. At least, that’s who they think they’re tracking....







As the four dig deeper into the shadowy world of online crime, they soon learn that things aren’t always as they seem.

Was This Book Worth My Time?
Two years ago at our annual book fair, my students came across a book that told a story about a mysterious abandoned mill and a small town with lots of secrets.  Not only was it a "scary" book but the book had stops along the way where readers had to go online to watch video of what the characters had found on their adventure.  Skeleton Creek is still the one book in my library that never actually stays in my library.  Patrick Carman had me at that book.  If you can get my reluctant readers to read to the back cover, you are my hero. 
 
I was anxious to get my hands on this new series by Carman.  Trackers is a mystery book aimed at techies.  Like Skeleton Creek, Trackers also had videos to view.  I like that the story is written as an interview as many reluctant readers are drawn to a novel that doesn't "look" like a novel. 
 
One thing that I thought was ingenius was that Carman attached all of the transcripts of the video segments.  This way, if you weren't able to get to a computer, you could just flip to the appendixes and read the transcripts. 
 
Overall, this book was a hit with me, and I'm sure it will be another one those books I just can't keep on my classroom library shelf.  :) 
 
 
 
What Bothered Me About the Book?
The ending was a bit of a let down.  The whole way through the book I thought these kids had got themselves into a big mess of danger.  However, at the end I realize that it wasn't as much danger as I had been lead to believe.  Also, Carman absolutely leaves you hanging.  As much as I like series, this is the part I despise. :(