Sophia and her mother witness the hanging of Nathan Hale while returning to their home in New York. This obviously has a great impact on her, even morSophia and her mother witness the hanging of Nathan Hale while returning to their home in New York. This obviously has a great impact on her, even more so when they discover that they will have to billet English officers in their home, even while her brother William is serving in the Patriot army.
A great tale of a young girl's courage and interesting story to tie up certain elements of the story surrounding Benedict Arnold....more
Jane Austen-like in setting but nothing like the classics. Very predictable, flat characters. A few funny lines here and there. Not sure who I would gJane Austen-like in setting but nothing like the classics. Very predictable, flat characters. A few funny lines here and there. Not sure who I would give it to......more
This novel in verse tells the story of 16 year old Angel who finds herself being prostituted out by her boyfriend Call. While gritty and intense, it aThis novel in verse tells the story of 16 year old Angel who finds herself being prostituted out by her boyfriend Call. While gritty and intense, it also skillfully tells what happened to Angel without graphic detail. Angel journals about her life and how she forces herself to become drug-free to save an 11-year-old girl from the same fate she has suffered. ...more
Louise is in 7th grade and lives with her grandparents. She was a champion gymnast but something has happened to make her quit the team and not do anyLouise is in 7th grade and lives with her grandparents. She was a champion gymnast but something has happened to make her quit the team and not do anymore cartwheels or flips ever again. In addition, she has a secret admirer who seems to know just what she needs and when she needs it, but they never seem to meet up.
Savvy readers will quickly figure out who the admirer is and the family secret in Louise's past. I didn't think it was as good as all the reviews hyped it to be, but I think my middle school Sarah Dessen fans will enjoy it....more
Set in Chicago, 1968, during all the turmoil of the Civil Rights movement. Sam's dad is a compatriot of MLK, promoting equality through non-violence. Set in Chicago, 1968, during all the turmoil of the Civil Rights movement. Sam's dad is a compatriot of MLK, promoting equality through non-violence. However, Sam and his older brother Steve (aka "Stick") get caught up with the Black Panther movement at the same time. ...more
It's well-known Michigan State University vs. unheard of Troy University - another battle between the Spartans and the Trojans, but this time it's basIt's well-known Michigan State University vs. unheard of Troy University - another battle between the Spartans and the Trojans, but this time it's basketball. Told in alternating voices of 4 different players on the teams all with their own stories, backgrounds, and dreams.
4 overtimes, though? really?? My middle school basketball fans will like it a lot....more
Author Patricia McCormick tells the true story of Arn, who spent his childhood under the terrorizing reign of the Khmer Rouge in Cambodia. Skillful usAuthor Patricia McCormick tells the true story of Arn, who spent his childhood under the terrorizing reign of the Khmer Rouge in Cambodia. Skillful use of voice, detail, and passion....more
book 2 in the Infernal Devices series, prequels to the Immortal Instruments series.
Good and evil continue to battle, just as Tessa continues to battlebook 2 in the Infernal Devices series, prequels to the Immortal Instruments series.
Good and evil continue to battle, just as Tessa continues to battle her feelings for Will and Jem. Lots of action and adventure. Fans of the series will not be disappointed....more
Imagine what your life would be like if you could hold an object that belonged to another person and divine their life story from it? We're not just tImagine what your life would be like if you could hold an object that belonged to another person and divine their life story from it? We're not just talking what they had for breakfast or that walk in the park last week, either. We're talking assignations with the hotel maid, brutal encounters with a murderer, etc. This is the skill that Evie O'Neill possesses and it really doesn't go over well in small town Ohio in 1926. So her parents send her to her uncle in New York City instead. Uncle just happens to be the proprietor of an occult museum there and there are definitely others around who also possess unusual talents. Evie, her uncle, and some of those other diviners come together to solve a series of brutal serial murders.
Draws you right into the era; extremely well-researched information about the era. Characters are fascinating and the plot keeps you on the edge of your seat for all 578 pages!...more
Took me a few pages to get back into the story, as often happens with series read as they are published in4th (and final) book in the "Fallen" series.
Took me a few pages to get back into the story, as often happens with series read as they are published instead of all in a row... Once, I got back into it, however, I enjoyed it quite a bit. Thought it did a good job of wrapping things up. Fans of the series will enjoy this one as well....more
Evening Striker (aka Evie, Eve...) is hit by a car on the very first page and suffers debilitating injuries. She is taken to the hospital, but quicklyEvening Striker (aka Evie, Eve...) is hit by a car on the very first page and suffers debilitating injuries. She is taken to the hospital, but quickly transferred to her mother's biopharmaceutical lab where she has a miraculously speedy recovery. While there, her mom asks her to try out a new genetic program where Eve can create her own perfect boy (Adam). Throw in an intriguing, mysterious boy (Solo) who also lives at the lab, a BFF who has a drug-addicted, abusive boyfriend, and a sinister plot involving genetics and cloning... and there you have Eve and Adam.
Characters are flat, plot is pretty predictable. The genetics are interesting to me, though, and felt well-researched. I feel like my middle school students will enjoy it - but maybe not so much the fans of "Gone"; more likely those who liked "Matched"....more
By the author of smile, this one will be eagerly read by many, but especially the drama kids. Callie loves the theater, especially set design. There'sBy the author of smile, this one will be eagerly read by many, but especially the drama kids. Callie loves the theater, especially set design. There's lots of the dram-world story here, but also the middle/high school other drama - ie, boy/girl relationships. In addition, Callie makes friends with twins Justin and Jessie. They are great additions to the crew. One is gay, one is not sure which adds some complications to the story.
Such a realistic portrayal of everyday teen school life. I'm sure it will fly off my shelves at school and I won't really see it again til June......more
Gothic, thriller, romance about orphan Susan who is brought into a plot by "Gentleman" to help swindle a young heiress out of her fortune. Tons of uneGothic, thriller, romance about orphan Susan who is brought into a plot by "Gentleman" to help swindle a young heiress out of her fortune. Tons of unexpected plot twists. Recommended by the BRE; I quite enjoyed it - but won't put it in my middle school library......more
Wizards, princesses, street gangs, magical silver cuffs... This book has everything but dragons. Luckily it doesn't need them as it has great characteWizards, princesses, street gangs, magical silver cuffs... This book has everything but dragons. Luckily it doesn't need them as it has great characters and plot to keep you hooked deeply into the story, all 506 pages of it. Where's book 2? (fortunately, it's already published. sadly, I did not bring it home from school with me and will have to wait til January)...more
Set in Brittany, 1485. Ismae becomes a handmaiden of death at St. Mortain's convent to escape a cruel arranged marriage. She discovers some unique talSet in Brittany, 1485. Ismae becomes a handmaiden of death at St. Mortain's convent to escape a cruel arranged marriage. She discovers some unique talents and becomes an assassin, then quickly gets embroiled in political intrigue and a hint of romance.
Great setting and characters, a bit predictable in places but totally fun read and an interesting look at a much over-looked era. Can't wait for the next in the series!!...more
I was shocked to learn that baseball used to be integrated in the 1800's but then became segregated until the mid 1940's. A sad reflection on our pastI was shocked to learn that baseball used to be integrated in the 1800's but then became segregated until the mid 1940's. A sad reflection on our past, to be sure. This book in the series "The Negro Baseball Leagues" takes a close look at the great hitters in the Negro Leagues. There are primary source photographs and quotes throughout the book, helping to set the feeling of the era. The author does a good job to be as unbiased as possible about such a prejudicial issue. The biggest difficulty with this book, and the others in the series, is that the photos and text boxes often refer to people or items other than the subject of the page where those items are located, making it difficult for the reader to navigate seamlessly. The reader is forced to turn back a page or read out of order to glean everything from the text and photos....more
I was shocked to learn that baseball used to be integrated in the 1800's but then became segregated until the mid 1940's. A sad reflection on our pastI was shocked to learn that baseball used to be integrated in the 1800's but then became segregated until the mid 1940's. A sad reflection on our past, to be sure. This book in the series "The Negro Baseball Leagues" takes a close look at the great pitchers in the Negro Leagues. There are primary source photographs and quotes throughout the book, helping to set the feeling of the era. The author does a good job to be as unbiased as possible about such a prejudicial issue. The biggest difficulty with this book, and the others in the series, is that the photos and text boxes often refer to people or items other than the subject of the page where those items are located, making it difficult for the reader to navigate seamlessly. The reader is forced to turn back a page or read out of order to glean everything from the text and photos....more
I was shocked to learn that baseball used to be integrated in the 1800's but then became segregated until the mid 1940's. A sad reflection on our pastI was shocked to learn that baseball used to be integrated in the 1800's but then became segregated until the mid 1940's. A sad reflection on our past, to be sure. This book in the series "The Negro Baseball Leagues" takes a close look at the key players (pun intended) who helped bring integration about - as well as those who continued to prevent it. There are primary source photographs and quotes throughout the book, helping to set the feeling of the era. The author does a good job to be as unbiased as possible about such a prejudicial issue; he gives examples of those who stood up for integration as well as those who were against it. The biggest difficulty with this book, and the others in the series, is that the photos and text boxes often refer to people other than the subject of the page where those items are located making it difficult for the reader to navigate seamlessly. The reader is forced to turn back a page or read out of order to glean everything from the text and photos....more
This graphic novel re-tells Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's classic tale where Holmes determines which of three students cheated on an exam. While the lengthThis graphic novel re-tells Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's classic tale where Holmes determines which of three students cheated on an exam. While the length of the book and it's format do not do justice to the complexity of Doyle's original work, this particular graphic in the series does seem to give the reader most of the clues necessary to form a hypothesis towards solving the case on their own. It may be a way to draw a younger student in and then encourage them to read the original work....more
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