Summer Reading

The Legend of Bass Reeves by Gary Paulsen

Earlier in the year I had a student who was wanting a western / gunfighter / wild-west kind of book, unfortunately I drew a blank, eventually we did find him an adequate book to check out. But I now have a great recommendation, when I'm faced with that kind of request. This fictionalize account of the slave turned lawman Bass Reeves was a captivating read. Like many I had never heard of Bass Reeves but he certainly earns his place in Western history, I learned lots and enjoyed this 130 page book.
Summary:
Born into slavery, Bass Reeves became the most successful US Marshal of the Wild West.
Many heroic lawmen of the Wild West , familiar to us through television and film, were actually violent scoundrels and outlaws themselves. But of all the sherriffs of the frontier, one man stands out as a true hero. Bass Reeves.
He was the most successful Marshal in the US in his day. True to the mythical code of the West, he never drew his gun first. He brought hundreds of fugitives to justice, was shot at countless times, and never hit.
Bass Reeves was a black man, born into slavery. And though the laws of his country enslaved him and his mother, when he became a free man he served the law, with such courage and honour that he became a legend.

Summer Reading

Paint the Wind by Pam Munoz Ryan

As a kid growing up I had a long list of my favourite horse stories. It included titles like The Black Stallion, Misty of Chincoteahue, My Friend Flicka and Smokey the Cow horse along with others. I also grew up riding a horse most every day during the summer and at one point in time I think our family had a remuda of around 30+ horses. So it was with great pleasure that I picked up Paint the Wind and was transported to a familiar, wonderful place, filled with the great outdoors and the wonder that can fill a person up by being on the back of a horse.
If your a horse lover, this should definately be your next good read. Even if your not a horse lover - I still think this book has lots to offer. It has earned it way into my favourite horse stories list**

Summary from back cover:
Maya lives like a captive. At Grandmother's house in California, everything is forbidden: friends, fun, even memories. and her life is built on lies Grandmother tells her about her dead mother, lies Maya tells to impress or manipulate. But then she moves to the vast Wyoming wilderness where her mother's family awaits - kind, rugged people who value independence and have no tolerance for lies. They challenge Maya to confront the truth about who she is. And a mysterious mustang called Artemisia waits, too. She holds the kiey to Maya's freedom. But to find it, Maya will have to risk everything ... including her life.

Summer Reading

The Girl is Murder by Kathryn Miller Haines

I love a good mystery. I enjoy historical fiction. And I really dig hep-cat lingo. So it's no wonder that I got so caught up with this title.
Summary:
It's the fall of 1942 in New York City and Iris is dying to help out at her father's detective agency, especially when she discovers that one of Pop's cases involves a boy at her new public school. But when Pop adamantly refuses her help, Iris quickly realizes that it's much easier to lie than to ask permission. Suddenly, this once-obedient former private-school girl is sneaking out of the house, double-crossing her friends, and dancing at the Savoy till the early-morning hours. There's certainly never a dull moment in the private-eye business.

Here's a sample - Iris (our main character has joined a group of friends headed to Harlem's Savoy Hotel) - "But it wasn't just the dancing that grabbed my gut and held me solid. The music was different. This wasn't Benny Goodman rocking the airwaves from the parlor radio. These musicians worked their instruments like they were part of themselves - trumpets grown in places of  arms, pianos where there should've been legs. Instruments didn't sound like instruments here: they were animals that growled, hooted, and barked in four beats to a measure. I don't know how the musicians got them to sound that way, but it was more alive than any music I'd ever heard before."

Free Audiobooks

This past weeks' selection for is:

Antony & Cleopatra by none other than William Shakespeare --
The twin empires of Egypt and Rome mingle and clash in this towering tragedy. Impulsiveness, passion, mistaken identity, and dark humor all color the fascinating dalliance between Antony and Cleopatra, the larger-than-life pair at the center Shakespeare’s play.
and

Cleopatra's Moon by Vicky Alvear Shecter --
Selene has grown up in a palace on the Nile with her parents, Cleopatra & Mark Antony–the most brilliant, powerful rulers on earth. But the jealous Roman Emperor Octavianus wants Egypt for himself, and when war finally comes, Selene faces the loss of all she’s ever loved.

To download these audiobooks visit the link below.
Free Audiobooks

Summer Reading - Graphic Novels

Drama by Raina Telgemeier

ARC courtesy of NetGalley.
I really enjoyed Smile, written and drawn by this same author, so I was excited to get the chance to have a sneak-peak at her latest graphic novel Drama. Basically it boils down to this -- finding your way in middle school is tough!  I know I wouldn't want to travel back in time and relive the challenges or the drama of it. So cudo's to Ms. Telgemeier for having the skill to create a story that stays true to the age, as well as being relatable with what kids are facing as they grow up.
Think GLEE for middle school -- this book deals with dating, friendships, school plays and learning about a friend's homosexuality. So if that makes you uncomfortable, maybe it's not a book for you. On the flip side it has so many great true moments that are so part of everyday life at middle school, that you won't want to miss this one.

Here's the book summary:

Callie loves theatre. And while she would totally try out for her middle school's production of Moon Over Mississippi, she's a terrible singer. Instead she's the set designer for the stage crew, and this year she is determined to create a set worthy of Broadway on a middle school budget. But how can she, when she doesn't know much about carpentry, ticket sales are down, and the crew members are having trouble working together? Not to mention the onstage and offstage drama that occurs once the actors are chosen, and when two cute brothers enter the picture, things get even crazier.

Summer Reading

The Project by Brian Falkner

Fun, action-packed read. Thoroughly enjoying this one, I'm about two-thirds of the way done and now have to set it down to get some of my chores done, but wanted to give it the thumbs up before I head off to the cabin again. If you're a fan of the Alex Rider series this might be a great choice for you.

Here's the summary from the book jacket:
It begins with a book. The most boring book in the world. A book so boring no one could ever read it - the perfect place to hide a dangerous secret.
When best friends Luke and Tommy voluntyeer to help move books from their library's basement to hight ground during a quick-rising flood, they discover the only surviving copy of the most boring book in the world: Leonardo's River, lost for over a hundred years.
The book is connected to Leonardo da Vinci and is worth millions, but the secret it hides could be world-shattering. After they steal it from the library, dark froces are soon on their tail. Luke and Tommy must unock the mystery first, but with their puruers closing in, the clock is ticking down to the final hour.

Book Films

Sometimes you get sent a cool video, link, app and you just feel you need to share it. Here's a recent find that I couldn't hold back from sharing. Visit the website below if you are curious about the making of this incredible stop motion book film. http://www.salonalpin.net/muchbetternow_short/

Summer Reading

My Life Undecided by Jessica Brody

When I think of summer reading, I think something that is fun, light, charming, with probably just a little romance thrown in. This title fits that description  of  'summer reading' to a tee. What if all your big decisions always seemed to be the wrong ones? That's where Brooklyn is at -- her latest bad decision, throwing a party at her Mom's model house, but wait that's not all, this little party gets outta control and before she knows it, Brooklyn is getting her first ride in a cop car. It's shortly after this that Brooklyn decides things have got to change - she's going to let others decide for her, via her blog My Life Undecided. Hilarity follows. Like I said, light, funny, charming with a little romance - perfect for summer reading (if your a girl.)

Here's the book trailer.

Summer Reading

Game Changers by Mike Lupica

Some of you might be familiar with the name Doug Flutie, he was a quarterback in the CFL, the NFL, a Heisman trophy winner, and he was a little guy, an underdog. He was also the inspiration behind this book Game Changers. I think this book will find an audience at our school. It's a book about football, but also what it takes to be a great team player.

Here's the summary:
Ben McBain is every football team's dream player. He's a jack-of-all-trades guy that can handle almost any position. When the game is on the line, Ben's number is the one being called for the final play. But Ben wants to be the starting quarterback and the one thing standing in his way is the coach's son.
Shawn O'Brien looks the part. He has been groomed by his father, a former professional quarterback. But despite his size and arm strength, Shawn is struggling.
Ben is torn between being a good teammate and going after his own dream. As Ben finds out, Shawn isn't the easiest person to help. And when Ben gets an unexpected opportunity, the entire game will change for the both of them.

Summer Reading : Graphic novels

Amulet - book 5 : Prince of the Elves by Kazu Kibuishi

I was lucky enough to read this ARC (Advanced Reader Copy) via NetGalley, the release date isn't until September 1. I really like this series, the art work is fabulous and story of the stonekeepers has kept my interest for years now and although I'm not a huge sci-fi / fantasy kind of person I can relate to the characters and enjoy the depiction of this other world, with its flying ships, weird talking creatures and robots.

Here's the summary:
Emily has survived the chaos of the Guardian Academy, but Max Griffin, who is working for the Elf King, has escaped with the mother stone. The Elf King has now forged new amulets, which allow him the ability to invade Cielis and destroy it once and for all. Emily and her friends desperately make preparations to defend Cielis in what will be a brutal war, and they can only hope that it will be enough to defeat the Elf King.

I'm sure Scholastic will be putting together a book trailer and will include that at a date closer to the release or when I'm holding the copy for our library in my hands.

Free Audiobooks

 This weeks free audiobook selection can be found and uploaded here: http://www.audiobooksync.com/free-syn-downloads/

Funny Business edited by Jon Scieszka
Ten stories guarenteed to delight, amuse and possibly make you spill milk in your friends face from the following esteemed writers:
Mac Barnett, Christopher Paul Curtis, Kate DiCamillo, Paul Feig, Jack Gantos, Jeff Kinney, David Lubar, Adam Rex and David Yoo.

The Notorious Jumping Frog of Calaveras County and Other stories by Mark Twain
“The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County” is a wild yarn involving a case of mistaken identity, a gambler who’d bet on anything, and a very unusual frog named Daniel Webster. First published in The Saturday Press in 1865, the tale was immensely popular, and in 1867 an expanded version was published with 26 additional short stories, told as only Mark Twain could tell them.

Summer Reading

The Magnificent 12 : the call by Michael Grant

We've had this book in the library throughout this past year, and yes it did circulate and the readers of it gave it favourable reviews but I didn't get a chance to read it until yesterday. Now I know exactly how to booktalk it -- read the first chapter out loud. Right away you'll find an unlikely hero and storytelling that is filled with a scarcastic style of humor, that I think most middle-schoolers will love. This was a fun, fast read - filled with gross monsters, an evil princess,  a phobia filled hero and world travel- what's not to like? This is a series that I'm excited to be ordering the next book of.

Summary from book jacket.
Twelve -year-old Mack MacAvoy suffers from a serious case of mediumness. Medium looks. Medium grades. Medium parents who barely notice him. With a list of phobias that could make anyone crazy. Mack never would have guessed that he is destined for a more-than-medium life.
And then, one day, something incredibly strange happens to Mack. A three-thousand year old man named Grimluk appears in the boys' bathroom to deliver some startling news: Mack is one of the Magnificent Twelve, called the Magnifica in ancient times, whatever that means. An evil force is on its way, and it's up to Mack to track down eleven other twelve-year-olds in order to stop it. He must travel across the world to battle the wicked Pale Queen's dangerous daughter, Ereskigal - also known as Risky. But Risky sounds a little scary, and Mack doesn't want to be a hero. Will he answer the call?

Summer reading

Code Name Verity by Elizabeth Wein

Whoa, I finished this a couple of hours ago and I'm still reeling. There's a part of me that wants to go back and read it again to find all the clues that were given along the way, and there's another part of me that can't bear to go through the hard parts of the book over again. This is a WW II story, filled with unlikely heroes, code names, operatives, double agents, Nazi SS men and women, the resistance movement, and a very strong friendship. This story keeps you guessing almost the entire time, with an unreliable narrator who is protecting not only her secrets but an entire country's. This is an atypical  story because it is about women during WWII - not the stay at home weepy kind, not jews marched off to deathcamps, but a very unlikely sort of women- the strong, courageous, mysterious sort, the sort that deciphers codes, creates codes, pilots planes and  trades in secrets and cigarettes.
Powerful and thrilling to the end.

From the book jacket:
When "Verity" is arrested by the Gestapo, she's sure she doesn't stand a chance. As a secret agent captured in enemy territory, she's living a spy's worst nightmare. Her Nazi interrogators give her a simple choice: reveal her mission or face a grisly execution.
They'll get the truth out of her. But it won't be what they expect.
As she intricately weaves her confession, Verity uncovers her past, how she became friends with the pilot Maddie, and why she left Maddie in the wrecked fuelage of their plane. On each new scrap of paper, Verity battles for her life, confronting her views on courage, failure, and her desperate hope to make it home. But will trading her secrets be enough to save her from a merciless and ruthless enemy?
Harrowing and beautifully written, Code Name Verity is the story of an unforgettable friendship forged in the face of the ultimate evil.

Summer reading

Oh, Rats! ; the story of rats and people by Albert Marrin

Those of us that live in Alberta don't really know the problem with rats - the Alberta Department of Agriculture has enforced a strick rat control since the 1950's. It wasn't until my first trip to Europe, staying with a friend in an apartment that was built in the 1500's that I came across my first rat. OMG! these things are huge! and scary! and ugly!, So it was with some trepidation that I took home Oh, Rats! the story of rats and people. In the end I was rewarded with a fascinating book that reveals tons of details about the rat and its relationship with humans.

Here's the summary:

Able to claw straight up a brick wall, squeeze through a pipe the size of a quarter, gnaw through iron and concrete, rats are also revealed in this fascinating book to be incredibly intelligent and capable of great compassion. Weaving science, history, culture, and folklore, awarding winning author Albert Marrin offers a look at rats that goes from curious to replusive, horrifying to comic, fearsome to inspiring. Arresting black and white scratchboard illustrations with bold red accents add visual punch to this study of a creature that has annoyed, disgusted, nourished and intrigued its human neighbours throughout the centuries.

Summer Reading

Carter Finally Gets It by Brent Crawford

This has been on my to read list for a long time (a couple of years) and so when I brought it home with my huge stack of summer reading, I quickly moved it to the top and took it along with me to the lake. It is definately in the same category as Swim the Fly by Don Calame -- realistic fiction, inside the head of a teenage guy, laugh-out-loud funny, but definately mature. I read a couple of chapters out loud to my nephews and they agreed that it would make a good read for most teenaged guys.
I enjoyed that Carter is a popular kid, even though he has several setbacks -- stuttering, ADD, and terrible organizational skills (he writes everything kind of reminder on his hand, arm, etc. - from deodorant, to party at Maria's.) He's likable, he's flawed, he's confident (with his friends) and ackward with girls, he wants to be cool, but sometimes misses the mark, There is much to learn about fitting- in, in high school and Carter learns most of these lessons the hard way.
Here's the summary from the book jacket.
Join Carter for his freshman year, where he'll search for sex, love , and acceptance anywhere he can find it. In the process,  he'll almost kill a trombone player, face off against his greatest nemesis, get caught up in a messy love triangle, suffer a lost of blood loss, narrowly escape death, run from the cops (not once, but twice), meet his match in the form of a curvy drill teamer, and surprize the hell out of everyone, including himself.