Choose your own adventure

Sometimes Choose Your Own Adventure books require teamwork -- especially when it involves zombies. Book of choice was Zombie Hunter by Steve Barlow & Steve Skidmore, it's part of the iHorror series.

Wolf Rider

Wolf Rider by Avi

This is an interesting twist on the boy who cried wolf story. I was in need of a change up from the stack of dystopian future books that I'd been reading, and this provided just the right amount of mystery / thriller that I was looking for. A fast read with an unexpected ending.

"The phone rang three times before Andy picked it up. "Hello?" he said. A voice replied, "I just killed someone. I killed ... Nina."

Andy Zadinski in convinced that the man who calls himself "Zeke" is serious. But no one will listen to Andy - not his friends, not the police, not even his father. They all say he's crying wolf, even when Andy discovers that there really is a Nina Klemmer. Even when he spots her at the local college and sees that she fits Zeke's description fo her. Exactly.

Despite warnings from his father that he should just forget about the call, Andy feels obligated to track Nina down and warn her. What if Zeke really is plotting to kill her? When Andy investigates futher, he finds out that Nina may not be Zeke's only target...

All These Things I've Done

All These Things I've Done by Gabrielle Zevin

In 2083, chocolate and coffee are illegal, paper is hard to find, water is carefully rationed, and New York City is rife with crime and poverty. And yet for Anya Balanchine, the sixteen-year-old daughter of the city's most notorious (and dead) crime boss, life is fairly routine. It consists of going to school, taking care of her siblings and her dying grandmother, trying to avoid falling in love with the new assistant DA's son, and avoiding her loser ex-boyfriend. That is until her ex is accidentally poisoned by the chocolate her family manufactures and the police think she's to blame. Suddenly Anya finds herself thrusts unwillingly into the spotlight - at school, in the news, and most importantly within her mafia family.

I've enjoyed all of Gabrielle Zevin's books so far, so I was not disappointed with this one either. I quickly fell into liking the character Anya and her family, I love the Romeo / Juliet concept of forbidden love - and family duty, I liked the dystopian future ideas although I think that they could have been elaborated on. So I'd probably give it 4/5 on the readability scale - unfortunately I think they've talked Gabrielle into making this a series, when it really is a great stand alone story.
I think lots of you will enjoy it.
REad On

Nex-generation digital book

Last week Mr. Hall sent a very interesting link to a TED talk that is very relevant to libraries, schools and the future of books.
Here's the link:
http://www.ted.com/talks/mike_matas.html

Later in the day I watched the clip with two classes of grade seven's. Here is some of the discussion and comments we had.
Cool -- (first and foremost.)
Content could be constantly revised and updated with the latest statistics, info-graphs and maps -- maybe information could also be made country specific rather than looking at info only pertaining to United States we could look at others as well.
Jobs of the future -- graphic design, videographers, software design, copy editors (fact checkers).
Appeals to a larger audience - than just text.
Problems with creating a digital divide between the haves' and the have/nots.
Easily damaged - if you drop it, etc.
Hacking issues.
Eliminates the problem of heavy backpacks.
Choosing the best/right format. What will it be next month - is this the flavour of the week?

Students weren't sure if they would be seeing this sort of textbook in their high-school years, some were optimistic in thinking 2 years, but most thought it was about five years away.

Ashfall

Ashfall by Mike Mullin

Did I mention that I've been on a dystopian future kick these days. Well, here's another one that made it's way into my hands- but I think I'm gonna let one of you be the first reader (I started a realistic fiction this morning.)

Summary from the book jacket:
Many visitors to Yellowstone National Park don't realize that the boiling hot springs and spraying geysers are caused by an underlying supervolcano, so large that the caldera can only be seen by plane or satellite. And by some scientific measurements, it could be overdue for an eruption.
For Alex, being alone for the weekend means freedom from his parents and the chance to play computer games and hang out with his friends without hassle from his mother: Then the supervolcano erupts, plunging his hometown into a nightmare of darkness, ash, and violence, Alex begins a harrowing trek, searching for his family and finding help in Darla, his travel partner. Together they must find the strength and skills to survive and outlast an epic disaster.


Beware, this is another one that has a sequel -- which won't be released until later this year (probably September / October.)

Library mash-up

Hey, I just found this cool library mash-up made by Greene County Public Library. Libraries and librarians have been sneaking their way into movies, television and cartoons for years, here's a mash-up of some of the more well known clips featuring libraries, books and librarians.

Michael Vey

Michael Vey: The Prisoner of Cell 25 by Richard Paul Evans

Superpowers? What would yours be? Would you want to be able to read minds? How about stop time? or reverse time? How about generate electricity? or make people feel a certain way?
In the story of  Michael Vey a group of teenagers (all born on the same day at the same hosipal in Pasadena) who discover that their is something special -- in fact very special about themselves. Most have been gathered up by evil genius Hatch and have been quickly forced into doing his bidding. All except Michael and Taylor. I'm not going to give too much more away, but this is where the going really gets started.
I think this will find it's way into the hands of those of you who enjoy the Percy Jackson books and also those who enjoy x-men. Kind of an underdog story in a battle of good vs. evil.

The Line

The Line by Teri Hall

Well, it seems like a round of dystopian future type books has hit my desk and here is another one -- The Line by Teri Hall.

From the publisher:
An invisible, uncrossable physical barriers encloses the United States. The line is part of the border that lopped off part of the country, dooming the inhabitants to an unknown fate when the enemy used a banned weapon. It's said that bizarre creatures and superhumans live on the otherside in Away. Nobody except tough old Ms. Moore would live next to the line.
Nobody but Rachel and her mother, who went to live there after Rachel's Dad died in the last war. It's a safe, quiet life. Untile Rachel finds a mysterious recorded message that can only have come from Away. The voice is asking for help.
Who sent the message? Why is her mother so protective? And to what lengths is Rachel willing to go to in order to do what she thinks is right?

Here's an animoto made book trailer that nicely shows how to give credit for pictures/music used.
Read On.

Missing On Superstition Mountain

Missing On Superstition Mountain by Elise Broach

The three Barker brothers, Simon, Henry and Jack - just moved to Arizon and their parents have repeatedly warned them not to explore Superstition Mountain, which is near their home. But when their cat Josie goes missing, the boys see no other choice.
There's somethign unusually  creepy about the mountain, and when the boys find three human skulls, they grow determined to uncover the mystery. Have people really gone missing over the years and is there someone or something lurking in the woods? Together with their new neighbor Delilah, the Barker boys are deadset on cracking the case even if it means putting themselves in harm's way.

I'm a fan of Elise Broach and we've just had a group of students use her book Shakespeare's Secret as a litertature circle choice, so I know that this one will fly off the shelves before long.

Showoff

Showoff by Gordon Korman

From the book jacket:
Showoff: someone who is given to bragging, having a swelled head, boasting, swaggering, knowing it all...
Griffin Bing and his friends are back - and this time, things have gone to the dogs!
After former attack dog Luthor goes berserk at a dog show, he's accused of ruining the career of the three-time champion. Griffin has always wondered whether you could teach such a vicious dog new tricks... but he also smells a setup of some kind. he feels bad for Luthor - bad enough to spring him from the pound.
The only way for Luthor to make everything right is to do the unthinkable... and become the new national champion. Can Griffin Bing, The Man With the Plan, turn this beast into a beauty? Very soon, the whole world will want to know the answer.

If you can't get enough of the characters that Korman created for Swindle, Zoobreak and Framed, you'll be happy to know that the library just got a copy of Showoff. Dog lovers and readers who enjoy a fun sense of humor unite and enjoy another great book from Gordon Korman.
Booktrailer.

The Scorpio Races

The Scorpio Races by Maggie Stiefvater

Not since the days when I made my way through the Black Stallion series by Walter Farley have I been this caught up in a horse racing book. But this is a horse racing book with a twist, this is a horse racing book that is layered with mythology and legends that I had never heard of - the capall uisce, horses that are from the sea, horses that are wild and untamable except for a short time each year when the Scorpio Races are held. But even then the call of the salt air and the crashing waves of the sea call to these beings, and a rider must be on his guard because these horses want nothing more than to drag them into the sea with them. Sean is the returning champion and seems to have a way of speaking with these beasts, Puck is a young girl who is the first girl to ever enter the competition and who has nothing to lose but everything to gain if she wins. Both will have to do battle with the other riders, their horses and each other.

I know for some of you this will be too much of a stretch of the imagination, but the characters of both Sean and Puck are well developed and so to are those of the horses they will ride on the first day of November.

Book trailer.

Legend

Legend by Marie Lu

Well, I have just read my favourite book of 2012!! Legend by Marie Lu, will grab you by the arm and race you down back alleys, into skiv fights, and having you cheering for both Day and June even though they are on opposite sides of the battle. This might be your next great read -- no I'm gonna take that back, this will be your next great read. I think readers will appreciate the fast pace of the story, the Robin Hood type of character that is Day, the intensity of June and ultimately figuring out that all is not as it seems. This is the first book of you guessed it a trilogy and unfortunately we have to wait until September for book 2.

Summary from the book jacket:

Once know as the western coast of the United States, the Republic is now a nation perpetually at war with its neighbors, the Colonies.

Born into an elite family in one of the Republic's wealthiest districts, fifteen-year-old June is a military prodigy. Obedient, passionate, and committed to her country, she is being groomed for success in the Republic's highest circles.

Born in the slums of the Republic's Lake Sector, fifteen-year-old Day is the country's most wanted criminal. But his motives may not be as malicious as they seem.

From very different worlds, June and Day have no reason to cross paths - until the day June's brother is murdered, and Day becomes the prime suspect. Now, caught in the ultimate game of cat and mouse, Day is in a race for his family's survival, while June tries desperately to avenge Metias's death.

But in a shocking turn of events, the two uncover the truth of what has really brought them together, and the sinister lengths to which their country will go to keep its secrets. Full of nonstop action, suspense, and romance, Marie Lu has written an exhilarating first novle that is sure to move readers as much as it thrills.

The Joy of Books

I love this stop time animation. What I'd love even more is if the books in our library would come alive at night and sort themselves into this wonderful kind of rainbow each day. can you imagine it? I think I'd always have a smile on my face.

Holiday reading

As you can see, I've taken a break from blogging (most due to the fact that I was at the cabin - with no access to the internet) but that doesn't mean that I wasn't keeping up with my holiday reading. Here's some the the titles that I read over the break.

Six days by Philip Webb - Futuristic steampunk adventure of four kids, two from London who's lives exist savenging and demolishing the city and two strangers from a far away place looking for a treasure that will fulfill the prophecy. Not my favourite, I didn't feel really connected with any of the characters, the slang dialect used in the dialog was distracting but I did like the premise of this futuristic London being dismantle in order to find the hidden "artifacts".

Mistwood by Leah Cypess - This book had lots packed into it, mystery, intrigue, loyalty and betrayal. Here's the write up from the back cover:
Isabel remembers nothing before the prince rode into her forest to take her back to the castle. Nothing about who she is supposed to be, or the powers she is supposed to have. Prince Rokan needs Isabel to be his Shifter. He needs her ability to shift to animal form, her lethal speed, and her superhuman strength. And he needs her loyalty - because without it, she may be his greatest threat. Isabel knows that her prince is lying to her, but she can't help wanting to protect him from the dangers and intrigues of the court... until a deadly truth shatters the bond between them. Now Isabel faces a choice that threatens her loyalty, her heart... and everything she thought she knew.

Extrarodinary by Nancy Werlin

I had high expectations for this book - I fell in love with Impossible and was anxious for this to have the same sort of appeal. Unfortunately maybe I had set the bar too high, because although I read it through it never really grabbed me in that same way. I have to admit that for three quarters of the book I kept confusing the protagonist and antagonist. Were their names too similar or their characters too similar - I don't know, I just couldn't seem to differentiate the two of them. -- Here's the summary: Phoebe finds herself drawn to Mallory, the strange new girl at school. The two become close as sisters... until Mallory's magnetic older brother, Ryland, appears. Pyland has an immediate exciting hold on Phoebe. But it's a dangerous hold, for it makes her question her feelings about her best friend and, worse, about herself. Then Phoebe discovers the shocking, fantastical truth about Ryland and Mallory, and about an age-old debt they expect Phoebe to pay. Will she be strong enough to resist? Will she be special enough to save herself?

Dirt Road Home by Watt Key   -- This is a companion book to Alabama Moon which I am a fan of. I definately think we'll have readers for this book - fan of the first of course but also fans of The Outsiders and Rumblefish, or Touching Spiritbear might find this a book of interest. Three months after escaping from Pinson Boy's Home, Hal Mitchell is captured and taken to Hellenweler Boys' Home. Pinson was a vacation spot next to this place. Hellenweiler may be called a "Boys' Home," but it's as bad as any prison, just with younger prisoners. Hall plans to behave and get out early, so he refuses to join a gang. But  the more he tries to stay out of everyone's way, the harder the other inmates try to make him fail. and the people in charge don't care what happens to him....

Beat the Band by Don Calame -- sequel to Swim the Fly if you loved the first book you won't be disappointed. Once again I laughed out loud, was grossed out and had moments when I said to myself "guys!!!**#@!!*" in exasperation. This time we have Cooper as our narrator and I didn't really like him at first - he's loud, obnoxious and full of himself, but eventually he wears you down and you start to see glimpses of his other side and suddenly his is redeemed. And of course how do you win girls over? By winning Battle of the Bands, of course.

We will be skyping with author Don Calame and I can't wait to be meeting him as well as reading more of what he will be writing in the future.

Here's the book trailer for Beat the Band.