I'm taking a sabatacle ...

from YA and reading The Passage by Jason Cronin.  This book is a current New York Times Bestseller, and I have FINALLY gotten my hands on a copy (thank you Half-Price Books in Sugar Land, Texas). 



Click here to read what USA Today had to say about this book.

Shiver by Maggie Stiefvater

Synopsis from jacket:

Grace has spent years watching the wolves in the woods behind her house. One yellow-eyed wolf - her wolf - watches back. He feels deeply familiar to her, but she doesn't know why.

Sam has lived two lives. As a wolf, he keeps the silent company of the girl he loves. And then, for a short time each year, he is human, never daring to talk to Grace . . . until now.

For Grace and Sam, love has always been kept at a distance. But once it's spoken, it cannot be denied. Sam must fight to stay human - and Grace must fight to keep him - even if it means taking on the scars of the past, the fragility of the present, and the impossibility of the future.

Was This Book Worth My Time?

This was a fantastic book.

I wasn't too sure, at first.  I kept thinking to myself, "Really, this girl is falling in love with a wolf?"  Keep in mind, Grace has no idea that this wolf she loves is a werewolf. She has no idea he can be human.  So, I was little put off. 

When Sam shows up hurt on Grace's doorstep as a human, my whole perception of the book changed.  I was caught up in a romantic tale that was way hotter than the tale of Bella and Edward.  Stiefvater gives her readers longing and tension, and sweet quirky moments.

This story is not so much about the werewolves; although, Stiefvater does an excellent job of showing the sadness and conflict that the werewolves feel over their place  in the world.  Instead, the story focuses on the relationship between Grace and Sam.  As a reader, I felt like I was the third wheel.  I wanted to hide during their kisses and while they mumbled sweet things to each other; but, I couldn't help but "watch."  Stiefvater did more than write about these characters; she made Grace and Sam into people I could imagine as my friends.  I found myself smiling through most of the book. 

I LOVED that the book was told from two points of view.  How great is it to get the guy's POV on how he feels about a girl?! The story flows seamlessly as you read from Grace's to Sam's POV. 

 I closed the book and yelled out, "No!"
My husband came in and said, "What is it?"
 I replied, "It's over!" 




What Bothered Me?
I felt like Shelby, the wolf that wants Sam to become alpha-male so that she can become his mate, was not played up enough.  She could have been way more of a danger to Grace than Stiefvater made her out to be.  Of course, this is just the first book in the trilogy.  Maybe she's working on Shelby and her role as a "villain."


Check out Maggie Stiefvater's blog here!

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Happy Reading!

Review : Captivate by Carrie Jones

Synopsis from jacket:


He smiles. It's a wicked smile. Kind but not kind. Handsome but dangerous. Feral almost. I can see why Nick nearly killed him. Nick ...
I ask again, "Why were you in the road?"
"I was waiting for you."


Zara and her friends throught they'd solved the pixie problem.  And they did - sort of. The pixies are all locked away, deep in the woods. But the king's needs grow stronger each day that he is in captivity, while his contorl over his people weakens. And, it's enough to draw a new king into town. Astley claims he is different. He claims there are pixies who can live peacefully with humans, that it doesn't have to be all violence and nastiness all the time. Zara wants to believe him ... until Astley also claims that she is fated to be his queen.

There is no way Zara would ever turn pixie. And she's got good friends who will make sure of that. Besides, she and Nick are so in love they're pratically inseperable. But when the very thing Zara wants to protect most is exactly what's at risk, she is forced to make choices she never imagined...

Was It Worth My Time?

I came across Need in Borders during Spring Break.  Bascially, I am a sap for paranormal romance and thought that it was refreshing that this romance had nothing to do with vampires.  Don't get me wrong, vampires are great, but i'm starting to feel like authors are jumping on the vampire bandwagon just to get published.  : /

If you look over to my right side bar on my book shelf, you'll find that Need makes my top 10 books. I was so anxious to get my hands on the sequel because I hoped that it would have me turning pages as quickly as I did with the first book.

Did it? Yep (no surprise to me). 

Carrie Jones shows her creativity from the very first sentence.  She organizes her chapters by "Pixie Tips" and shows surprising humor in most of them.  My favorite was, "Pixie Tip: Pixies can be annoyingly cryptic. Don't talk to them. They'll confuse you and laugh about it later like movie villains and physics teachers." These tips were great and showed that Jones is evolving along with her characters.  In Need Jones organizes her chapters by phobias (Zara is scared to deal with the mysterious man who follows her around and is trying to cope with the loss of her stepfathers); however, using pixie tips in this next novel shows that Zara isn't afriad and, instead, is ready to take on those dangerous pixies!

Jones picks up the story right where Need left off; there is never a dull moment.  She gives her readers great fighting scenes and makes us quite aware that these fights are only the beginning.  She also goes farther in creating the perfect paranormal romance couple in Zara and Nick. 

This book wasn't as great as Need but does provide an addicting story of love's power. I'm predicting that the next book is epic.  The war is on.  Will Zara saves all that matters?



What Bothered Me?
Two Things ....
1. I totally have a new book crush, and it's not Nick (Zara's loveable werewolf boyfriend). Sorry Jacob ... you're out.
2. Jones totally left me hanging ..... :(


Check out Carrie Jones' website!

Review: A Curse Dark as Gold by Elizabeth C. Bunce

Synopsis from jacket :

The gold thread shimmers in the fading light.

It promises Charlotte Miller a way out of debit, a chance to save her family's beloved wollen mill. It promises a future for her sister, livelihood for her townsfolk, security against her sinuous and grasping uncle.  It might even promise what she didn't know she needed: lasting hope and true love.

But at what cost?

To get the thread, Charlotte must strike a bargin with its maker, the mysterious Jack Spinner.  But the gleam of gold conjures a shadowy past - secrets and bonds ensnaring generations of Millers. And Charlotte's mill, her family, her friends, her love ... What do those matter to a powerful stranger who can spin straw into gold?

In her brilliant debut, Elizabeth Bunce weaves a spellbinding fairy tale, spun with mystery and shot through with romance.

Was It Worth My Time?
Sadly, no. 

This novel was on my summer reading list.  It was a book that won many awards for young adult literature, so I had high expectations.  I expected to be mesmerized. I expected to spend a day quickly turning the pages as I weaved the story into my imagination.  However, instead I felt myself wishing that I could just finish so that I could go on to my next book. 

The story line is a take on the tale of Rumpelstiltskin as you might have guessed from the synopsis.  Bunce creates a courages young protagonist who has to become the leader of her family when she and her sister are orphaned.  I loved the fact that I was met with an independent character.   In defense of the novel; there are elements of mystery, history, and romance.  All of these help to make the story deep and intense ... at parts.


What Bothered Me?
Unfortunately, the real conflict and the real action took FOREVER to form.  I felt bored ... until the last 100 pages. 

Review: Before I Fall by Lauren Oliver

Synopsis from jacket:

What if you had only one day to live? What would you do? Who would you kiss? And how far would you go to save your own life?


Samantha Kingston has it all: the world's most crush-worthy boyfriend, three amazing best friends, and first pick of everything at Thomas Jefferson High - from the best table in the cafeteria to the choicest parking spot.  Friday, February 12, should be just another day in her charmed life.




Instead, it turns out to be her last.


Then she gets a second chance.  Seven choices, in fact. Reliving her last day during one miraculous week, she will untangle the mystery surrounding her death - and discover the true value of everything she is in danger of losing.

Was This Book Worth My Time?
YES! YES! YES!

Firstly let me say that this book has surpassed my expectations.  I decided to read this book based souly off the cover (I know, totally middle school of me, and I'll let you know that I do the whole "Don't Judge the Book by It's Cover" lesson at the beginning of every school year). 

When I read the jacket cover, I thought .... hmmm... okay, a girl dies and gets seven chances to relive her day of death.... a little depressing, right? No question about it, it is sad.  Yet, I never really felt like I was going over to the dark and depressing side.  In fact, in the end I felt content.

Oliver is an amazing writer and her talent shows brightly as you read the first few paragraphs of her novel.  She creates characters that are so real (so cliche, I know) that you can feel yourself sitting in the car with them, walking the hallways, or, if you're really unlucky, being the victim of their "mean girl" ways.

Don't let the plot line fool you like it did me.  I was sceptical of the fact that Sam was going to relive the same day seven times (I thought it might get a little boring going back time and time again).  Boy was I wrong! The day actually seems to deepen as Sam goes through her chances.  To top it all off there are "ah-ha!" moments to keep you wanting more.

The book focuses on the famous question, "What would you do if you knew today was your last day" and, you know what, it made me think twice about some of my decisions.  If an author can find a way to relate their story to their readers, that author is the real deal! Lauren Oliver, you're great!


What Bothered Me?
The only thing that annoyed me about Before I Fall is that I read it too quickly.  I was saddened as I closed the book to know that I had to say goodbye to Sam, her friends, and her family (especially Izzy). 


** Although I do have such great things to say about this novel, I do not believe it belongs in a middle school library. The topics that Samantha deals with in her relationship with her boyfriend are geared more for high school.

Review : If I Stay by Gayle Forman

Synopsis from jacket:


“Just listen,” Adam says with a voice that sounds like shrapnel.


I open my eyes wide now. I sit up as much as I can. And I listen.


“Stay,” he says.






Choices. Seventeen-year-old Mia is faced with some tough ones. Say true to her first love – music – even if it means losing her boyfriend and leaving her family and friends behind?






Then, one February morning Mia goes for a drive with her family, and in an instant, everything changes. Suddenly, all the choices are gone, except one. And it’s the only one that matters.






If I Stay is heartachingly beautiful book about the power of love, the true meaning of family, and the choices we all make.

Was it Worth My Time?

Most Definitely!! This book is one of my new favorites. I couldn’t get enough. What was most amazing to me was that one paragraph made my eyes tear up with sadness and the next paragraph had me smiling and even laughing out loud. It was a great combination.

Gayle Forman wrote a fast-paced, solid novel. The protagonist, Mia, is conflicted (as most of us would be) at the choice she must make. As a reader, you become her friend – cheering her on and feeling her pain as she discovers all that is lost.

What Bothered Me?

Absolutely Nothing!

Review: Wings by Aprilynne Pike

Synopsis from jacket:

Laurel was mesmerized staring at the pale things with wide eyes. They were terrifyingly beautiful – too beautiful for words.


Laurel turned to the mirror again, her eyes on the hovering petals that floated beside her head. They looked like wings.

In this extraordinary tale of magic and intrigue, romance and danger, everything you thought you knew about faeries will be changed forever.

Laurel has always been different. She eats only certain foods not because she chooses to be picky but because some foods make her physically ill. She can’t remember a time when she ever went to the doctor, and when her friend David asks her if she ever remembers bleeding, she can’t think of a time.

Things become much more complicated when she notices a bump on the middle of her back that she quickly realizes isn’t going away, in fact, it is getting bigger! This strange bump blooms one day, and Laurel is left to face a world she never knew existed … or maybe forgot existed.



Was it Worth My Time?

Kind of. The plot line is fantastic and imaginative; many of my fantasy readers would love the book. The beauty and details of the story are encompassing.



What Bothered Me?

I felt like Pike spent too much time on setting the story up. It wasn’t until more than half-way through the book that some action really started. It was boring at times, and I don’t know if it would hold some of my impatient readers.

Review : Leviathan by Scott Westerfeld

Synopsis from jacket :


It is the cusp of World War I, and all the European powers are arming up. The Austro-Hungarians and Germans have their Clankers; steam-driven iron machines loaded with guns and ammunition. The British Darwinists employ fabricated animals as their weaponry. Their Leviathan is a whale airship, and the most masterful beast in the British fleet.


Aleksander Ferdinand, prince of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, is on the run. His own people have turned on him. His title is worthless. All he has is a battle-torn Stormwalker and a loyal crew of men.






Deryn Sharp is a commoner, a girl disguised as a boy in the British Air Service. She’s a brilliant airman. But her secret in constant danger of being discovered.


With the Great War brewing, Alek’s and Deryn’s paths cross in the most unexpected way …. Taking them both aboard the Leviathan on a fantastical, around-the-world adventure. One that will change both their lives forever.

Was it Worth My Time?

In one word – yes. Scott Westerfeld is an author that always surprises me. I never really know what to expect when I read his books. He always creates a complex world full of well-defined protagonists who are a mission to prove themselves. This book is no different. I LOVED that he chose to depict a male and female protagonist and gave them both equal time to develop.

The books is full of beautiful, detailed artwork, and as a teacher who struggles to find books to recommend for students who “hate” to read, I find it refreshing to have found a young adult book that has a great plot line and pictures to help lure readers in.

Leviathan is full of action providing full on explosions and weaponry. Boys will eat this book up.



What Bothered Me?

Nothing really; but, I would warn some that struggling readers may find the book hard to read, at first. Leviathan is told from two different points of view (Deryn’s and Alek’s) and some of my lower readers would find it hard to switch from one point of view to the other. It is something that takes a while to get used to, and I would encourage my readers to continue through as it becomes easier once they are “into the book.”

The Undercover Book Lover (not really) contest!

Check out this cool blog, and especially this cool contest the author is putting on! Contest ends July 15th! Good Luck!

Review: Twisted by Laurie Halse Anderson

Synopsis taken from Barnes and Noble

High school senior Tyler Miller used to be the guy who faded into the background—average student, average looks, average dysfunctional family. But since he got busted for doing graffiti on the school and spent the summer doing outdoor work to pay for it—he stands out like you wouldn't believe. His new physique attracts the attention of queen bee Bethany Milbury, who just happens to be his father's boss's daughter, the sister of his biggest enemy...and his secret crush. This sets off a string of events that have Tyler questioning his place in the school, in his family, and in the world.

Was it Worth My Time?

First, let me start by saying that I am not a big fan of "dark" books (by dark I mean the books that make me glad that I grew up in such a sheltered town with not much to worry about but if I had a new outfit to wear for school pictures).  Twisted was book that I wanted to finish if only to hope that it had a happy ending. That does not mean that I didn't want to quit many times over.   This book made me stressed (not something that I really like to be as I read) throughout most of the book.

Anderson fantastically protrays a life of a teenage boy, Tyler Miller, who is battling his new pesona as a "bad" boy, his father's emotionally abusive behavior, and his thoughts of suicide.  It tackles hard topics that many teenagers face to some extent. Like her novel Speak, this is a book that makes the reader feel the emotions of the characters - depressed, sad, angry.  If you are into that kind of stuff (I am not), you'll love the book.  

Beach trip + 8 books from the library = a good time (hopefully)

My husband and I are heading to Galveston on Sunday, so yesterday I headed to the library. I couldn't find the "newest" books because, of course, all of those books are the ones you have to be put on a waiting list for and wait close to a year to recieve.  For example, two weeks ago I put a hold on The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest by Steig Larsson; I am currently number 53 to recieve the book. :( Oh the joys of living on a budget. 

Anyway, so here are my beach reads:

Twisted by Laurie Halse Anderson (currently reading.... it's okay...nothing special so far.)

The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time by Mark Haddon (I've heard this book is excellent; we shall see.)

Wild Roses by Deb Caletti (I've read Honey, Baby, Sweetheart, and thought the book was boring, but I thought I'd give her another chance.  It seems like a good story-line.)

Feed by M.T. Anderson (This is a book that a friend uses to teach 9th graders.  I want to see what it's all about.)

Leviathan by Scott Westerfield (This is a book I was excitied to find at the library.  It is Westerfield's latest book, and I LOVED his Uglies, Pretties, Speicals, Uglies novels.)

The Great Wide Sea by M.H. Herlong (This is on my summer booklist - see post below.)

Airhead and Being Nikki by Meg Cabot (These two are also on my summer booklist.)

Review: The Juvie Three by Gordon Korman

The summary is provided by http://www.fantasticfiction.co.uk/

Gecko Fosse drove the getaway car.

Terence Florian ran with the worst gang in Chicago.


Arjay Moran killed someone.




All three boys are serving time in juvenile detention centers until they get a second chance at life in the form of Douglas Healy. A former juvenile delinquent himself, Healy is running an experimental halfway house in New York City where he wants to make a difference in the lives of kids like Gecko, Terence, and Arjay.




Things are going well, until one night Healy is accidentally knocked unconscious while trying to break up a scuffle among the boys. Terrified of the consequences, they drop him off at a hospital and run away. But when Healy awakes, he has no memory of them or the halfway house. Afraid of being sent back to Juvie, the guys hatch a crazy scheme to continue on as if the group leader never left. They will go to school, do their community service, attend therapy, and act like model citizens until Healy's memory returns and he can resume his place with them.




But life keeps getting in the way...like when Gecko finds romance. Or Arjay gets famous. Or Terence starts reverting to his old ways. If the boys are discovered, their second chance will be their last.

Was it Worth My Time?

This is a book I want to teach!!!!

I was drawn to this book because of the cover, and I knew that I needed to have this book in my library at school.  I was hoping that it wouldn't have some "tough" topics that would make it off-limits for a book I could use in class.   There was not one thing that I wouldn't feel comfortable reading aloud or discussing with my students, and I am pretty sure they would beg me to continue reading (what teacher doesn't like that?!) 

 I enjoy the humor that children at ages 12 and 13 throw out at random moments ( I guess I wouldn't be a junior high school teacher if I didn't).  If you know what i'm talking about and like it (some people don't, and that's why they aren't junior high school teachers) you should pick up this book. 

The book contains humor (obviously), irony, and shows characters who have to use their traits for good instead of evil.  It shows triumph over negative situations and has enough suspense to get the reader through the "slower" parts of the book. 

Fire by Kristin Cashore

I think this may be my new favorite book! It has just the right amount of action and romance. Scratch Bella and her all-dependent personality type.  Check out this book and become a fan of Fire, an independent fighter who doesn't want to become entagled in a romance but can't deny the feelings she has for one particular prince. The romance buds slowly (just the right amount of slow for you to be drawn in) as Fire and the supporting characters are in the middle of war.  You might be thinking, War? I don't think, so.  However, the reader never actually reads a "war" scene.  Cashore gives accounts of the war only through other characters who come to Fire. 

This book is chock full of everything I look for in a book. As I started the epilogue, a sinking feeling in my stomach began to form.  I wanted this book to continue and hoped that other pages would pop up that I hadn't noticed before.   

You can read this book without reading Graceling, but you would go out and buy Graceling right after you finished Fire, anyway.  Go out and get them both!

Click here to read Kristin Cashore's blog!

Review: Schooled by Gordon Korman

Capricorn Anderson (Cap for short ) has only one person in his life, his grandmother Rain. He and his grandmother  live on Garland Farms, a commune set up by Rain before Cap was born. Cap
is homeschooled by his grandmother and knows nothing of the outside world or about how to interact with other people.

That all changes when Rain falls out of a tree and breaks her hip. Cap is forced to leave his grandmother's side and go to live with a social worker who was once part of the Garland commune.

Cap is enrolled in a public junior high school while he waits for Rain to recover.



Each chapter in the book is told from a different point of view. Below are excerpts from each character's chapter.  See for yourself why I say that Gordon Korman took me back to junior high school and reminded me why I would give a kidney if someone ever made be go back.

Cap: "Like what were those little white paper balls that I kept brushing out of my hair every night? Was there so much paper in a school that the molecules eventually clustered and fell like precipitation? And how did a pickled brain and all those other weird objects get into my locker?

Sophie (daughter of the social worker): "Still, never in my wildest nightmares could I have imagined myself living with a refugee from Bizarro World.

Hugh (class nerd before Cap showed up):I shut my mouth and kept it shut, trying to keep my eyes off the spitball still lodged just above Cap's left ear. I felt bad about it, but I felt something else too: Better him than me.

Zach ( the self-proclaimed "god" of the 8th grade class): "Hug Winkleman, you're a lukcy man.  With  the arrival of this new kid, all the losers in the school were bumped down one space.  Never before had anyone screamed for the job of eighth grade president like Capricorn Anderson.  This was my year!

Mrs. Donelly ( the social worker): "I looked at Capricorn Anderson, and that's what I saw - not a cast, but a time traveler, about to step into a world that had forgotten the sixties except for J.F.K and the Beatles.

Will Cap surive?

Thank you, Fort Bend County Libraries!!!

My husband and I are trying to be conservative this summer and not spend money on things we don't "need."  Spending 50 dollars a month on books? Yeah, that's not really "responsible" spending. :(  Because of this, in an earlier post I said that my summer reading list was subject to change due to the fact that I was totally dependent on the library.  However, it's seeming that my summer reading list won't have to change after all. 

A few days ago I sat down at my computer, pulled up the Fort Bend County website and patiently typed each and every book title on my list.  I requested many of the titles on my list, and today I picked up three of the books on my list.  Three days and already I have some of the books.... awesome!


Currently Reading: Schooled by Gordon Korman  (I'll be done by 7 ;)  )

Next up:
Fire by Kristin Cashore (YESSS! I got the message this morning that the library had this book and (as embarassing as this is to admit) let out a tiny scream in joy)
The Juvie Three by Gordon Korman (yep, same author as Schooled)

Thanks again, Fort Bend County Libraries.  You Rock.

Review : Graceling by Kristin Cashore

FANTASY FANATICS, GO BUY THIS BOOK!

So, two weeks before school let out, our librarian had our annual end of the year book fair.  Feeling a mixture of "I need to support my school" and "I guess I can buy one more book for summer reading" I picked up Graceling.  I had heard nothing about this book and had no high expectations of this book being an all-engrossing read.  I thought this would be a "ehh, it was okay" book.  Boy was I wrong. 

First, Cashore's novel protrays a very strong, independent female character.  Katsa is a Graceling (a person who is born with an extreme skill).  Katsa's extreme skill? Killing,. 

Katsa is forced to work for the king, her uncle.  She must decide what is more important her belief in right and wrong or her life in the king's favor.  That in itself is enough to keep you reading; but, Cashore pulls in a prince from a nearby territory.  Prince Po is a Graceling also, but with a secret that even Katsa with her keen senses doesn't figure out right away.

As Katsa fights with her Grace, she and Po realize not everything is as it seems.

This novel is full of action, suspense, and chivalry. 

Click here to see a cool, fan-made book trailer!

 Check the blog in the coming weeks for a review on Fire - the companion to Graceling. 

Check out the book trailer for The Maze Runner!

The book trailer for The Maze Runner.  Check it out then scroll down for my take on the book!

Review: Maze Runner by James Dashner

As I said in an earlier post, James Dashner visited our school last year to talk with the students about his book The 13th Reality.  I remember him being personable and very funny, and in his first book that same humor came out in his writing.   The same can be said about Maze Runner.  It's not a laugh-aloud funny book all the time, but the way the characters talk to each other even in the midst of instense conflict can make you laugh at times.  I always say to my students, "When a book makes you cry or laugh out loud, it's a good book."  This book is the perfect balance between funny, intense, and mysterious. 

The book's main character Thomas wakes up in an elevator and can't remember anything except his name.  Strangers pull  Thomas out into The Glade, a world that is surronded by stone walls that close at sundown and open at daybreak. NONE of the boys know why they are in The Glade or even how they got there.   There are no adults.The Glade is surrounded by a maze. Each day Runners go out into the maze and try to find a way out.

The boys know only a few things about their new worls.  Every 30 days a new boy is found in the eleveator ( The Box)  and supplies show up every 2 weeks. Because of this, the boys suspected that Thomas would show up, but the very next day after Thomas a GIRL shows up.  Theresa is the first girl to be brought to The Glade, and the boys suscpect that she is the enemy because supplies stop coming and the sun stops shining after her arrival.

Can they find a way out of the maze in time? 


If you are looking for a book to hook in your boys, go get Maze Runner!


Click here to check out James Dashner's Blog.

What's on Your List for Summer?

Let me know what you plan on reading this summer! 

Here is my VERY long list of books that I hope to read this summer. However, most of these books are not at the library, so I'm sure it'll change.  Most of these are young adult as I usually try to "catch up" on the newest books so that I can booktalk in the fall.  There will be "adult" books scattered through the blog, though.

Currently Reading: Maze Runner by James Dashner (This is the author that came speak to our 7th graders last year... pretty cool!)

1. Lost Symbol by Dan Brown (I read Angels and Demons when I was first started dating my husband; this was the book that helped to coin title "Reading Maching." )
2. The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest by Stieg Larsson (The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo is the first book in the series.  GREAT MYSTERY!)
3. Bewitching Season by Marissa Doyle
4. The Great Wide Sea by M. H. Herlong
5. The Juvie Three by Gordon Korman
6. Stolen by Vivian Vande Velde
7. Airhead by Meg Cabot
8. A Curse Dark as Gold by Elizabeth Bunce
8. Fire by Kristin Cashore (Graceling is the first book in this "series."  It is fantasy, but if you LOVE fantast, you will LOVE this book.)
9. Schooled by Gordon Korman
10. Does My Head Look Big in This? by Randa Abdel-Fattah
11. Twisted by Lauren Halse Anderson
12. Mistik Lake by Martha Brooks
13. Forgive my Fins by Tera Lynn Childs
14. The Dead Tossed Waves by Carrie Ryan  ( This is a companion to The Forest of Hands and Feet referred to in my last post)
15. Bad Girls Don't Die by Katie Alender


I am patiently waiting for Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins to come out on August 24th .  I will stop all reading to read this book. 

What's Hot in Young Adult Literature ( In My Opinion)

So who better to write this post than a junior high school teacher, right? Here's a list of all the books that are never on my shelf for more than one class period.

Top 20 Books
1. Twilight Saga by Stephanie Meyer ( No surprise there, I know)
2. Hunger Games Series by Suzanne Collins (If you have not read these books, get on it. I read them as quickly at the Twilight series!)
3. The Mortal Instruments Series by Cassandra Clare (AWESOME)
4. Alex Rider Series by Anthony Horowitz (My boys are usually the ones that check out the next two on the list, but I read them quickly too! It's James Bond/Borne but in a boy's body.)
5. The Gatekeepers Series by Anthony Horowitz
6. Percy Jackson and The Last Olympians Series  by Rick Riordan (We read The Lightning Thief in class, but many of the kids come to us already having read the whole series.)
7. Vampire Academy by Richelle Mead (The next four are all vampire books, go figure. They're great.)
8. House of Night Series by P.C. Cast and Kristin Cast
9. Vladimir Tod Series by Heather Brewer
10. Blue Bloods Series by Melissa De La Cruz
11. Need by Carrie Jones (This is a book about pixies and werewolves.  It's all consuming until you're done!)
12. Football Genius by Tim Green (This author was a professional football player.  My boys LOVE his books.)
13. Breathe by  Cliff McNish (The next two books are on my list because they are "scarrryyyy.")
14. House of Dark Shadows by Robert Liparulo
15. The Forest of Hands and Teeth  by Carrie Ryan (ZOMBIES!)
16. Double Identity by Margaret Peterson Haddix ( Mystery that will keep you guessing)
17. Oh My Gods by Tera Lynn Childs (drama, but teaches mythology too ..don't tell the kids)
18. Tears of a Tiger by Sharon M. Draper ( The book deals with a basketball player who kills his best friend when he gets behind the wheel drunk; it's a sad, sad book.)
19. Cover Up by John Feinstein (This book hits the boys who love sports AND the girls who like mystery)
20. Football Hero by Tim Green


There are quite a few books besides these that students check out and LOVE, but the books mentioned above have waiting lists! I've read them all, and LOVE them too! Enjoy!

Well Isn't It Ironic .... Don't You Think?

Okay readers.  I just finished Jodi Picoult's novel Handle With Care.  When I was a junior in college I picked up Picoult's The Pact (a great book especially if you like Romeo and Juliet) and ever since I seem to be drawn to her books.   I think the element I like best about this author's books is that she writes from almost every major character's point of view.  Because of this, I feel like I understand every character's motives, and it makes for an easy but intriguing read. The chapters flow together in a seamless way even when she changes point of view. 

Handle With Care is written in this classic Jodi Picoult style.  The book begins with Charlotte's chapter.  We learn that she  is the mother to a daughter who has OI or Brittle Bone Disease. The novel takes us through the challenges of having a child with OI, being a sibling of an OI patient, and being a best friend to parents of an OI child.

Charlotte decides to sue her best friend and obstetrician, Piper, for malpractice (yep, much drama). Charlotte and her lawyers are suing for "wrongful birth."  They believe that if Piper had told Charlotte earlier (18 weeks into pregnancy) that her baby would be disabled, Charlotte might have terminated the pregnancy. This leads to troubles in the marriage, an incident with Willow that  leads to an emergency room visit that does NOT include a broken bone, and a mounting problem with their teenage daughter Amelia who feels like her parents don't "see" her. 

This book sucked me in from the very first page.  It makes you think about who really can decide whether a life is worth living, and it helps you understand the MANY challenges that parents face in raising children with disabilities. 

It's worth the read; be ready for an ending even I didn't expect.  It's a tearjerker!

Reading Machine, Book Addict, or Nerd?

Here's the thing - my husband describes me as a "reading machine." I would describe myself as a book addict.  My 7th grade students (who will often be referred to as "my kids") call me a nerd and look at me strangely when I tell them I read my latest booktalk book in only two days.  However you would describe me, though, I go through books like nobody's business because once a book catches me I can't seem to do anything else.

Bottomline: I read because it takes me to a great place where I imagine the characters are my friends and their homes are mine.

I'm not really sure what this blog will come to be; all I know is, I love to write and I love to read. 

My plan (for now) is to blog after I've read a book.  I am currently on page 370 of Jodi Picoult's Handle With Care.  I'll let you know when it's done (probably late afternoon today since I'm done with teaching for the summer and my only plan is to lay out by the pool and soak in the sun). 


P.S. Read my "About Me" blog to know "about me." Duh.

About Me

Top 20 Things to Know:

1. I'm a Louisiana Cajun girl who married the man of my dreams (totally cliche, I know) and moved to Texas. 



2. I teach 100 7th graders every day and can't believe that anyone would want to do anything else (except read.)



3. I graduated from LSU in 2007.   I miss LSU terribly, and I would give all of my money to go back and start again. I miss football season the most; I know that Texans believe that UT is all that and a bag of chips, but LSU football is so much better.




4. My little brother is my FAVORITE person in the world; I wish I was better at calling him with updated news. I am extremely proud of him. He has the courage to do the things he wants to do without fear of failure. I wish I could be more like that.





5. If I had all the money in the world, I would open an invitation/stationary store. Mainly because who goes into a stationary store unless it's to plan a fun party!?




6. I am the luckiest person on earth because I have the most amazing parents. My mom is so much fun, and I really can't believe it took me so long to realize it. My dad is passionate about most everything and likes to tell you what he believes. This could take over an hour. I'm just like him.



7. My husband is exactly like my dad in almost every way. This is VERY obvious when they turn on FOX news and proceed to YELL at the TV.



8. My most favorite thing to do is take bubble baths. If I could spend most of my day in the bathtub, I would.




9. I don't mind doing housework as long as it's not the dishes.



10. I think my grandparents are my gift from God. They are the ONLY people in this world who don't judge me or try to give me advice. They just listen.



11. I am turning into my mother. I find myself saying things everyday that she said or says on a regular basis. I also can't believe that she juggled teaching and kids with such ease. I hope I can do it too!



12. My favorite city is Austin, and I hope we can move there after my husband graduates from law school.




13. I will NEVER be a true Longhorns fan no matter how much my in-laws try to convert me.



14. My iPhone is the reason I'm addicted to Facebook and any other website for that matter.




15. I realized the other day as I fixed my coffee (the ultimate adult thing) that I was an adult.  Then, I wondered how I got from a college student to a working adult so quickly!




16. I miss my friends all the time; I wonder constantly if I will ever find a better circle than my circle in Baton Rouge.



17.  I want to save the world every single time I go to school and see those kids' faces.  I tell my husband monthly that one day I will walk in with a 12 year old. I am a rescuer. 



18.  I am not as independent as I once thought, but I take pride in the fact that I have enough courage to ask for help or admit that I just don't know. 




19.  In the summer growing up, my mom would come home with a box of new books for her library (you guessed it; mom's a school librarian) and it felt like Christmas in June.


20.  I can stay in my comfy bed all day and read.  Of course, then I would look like a recluse.  Instead, I read in my comfy bed but get up occasionally to eat.  ;)