My Big Mouth

My Big Mouth: 10 songs I wrote that almost got me killed by Peter Hannan

Summary:

Davis Delaware is not from Delaware. But try telling that to everyone at his new school. When you move in the middle of ninth grade, people are going to think whatever they want about you. If they pay attention at all.

Blending in is fine with Davis. He just wants to doodle in his notebook. Make a few friends. Not rock the boat. Easier said than done. Because when he starts a band called the Amazing Dweebs with beautiful Molly and nerdy Edwin. Davis rocks the boat big-time. And all that rocking gets the attention of school bully Gerald "the Butcher" Boggs. Now Davis is suddenly king of the school - and the Butcher's next target. This can't end well.

Here's the book trailer

Middle School the Worst Years of My Life

Middle School the Worst Years of My Life by James Patterson and Chris Tebbetts ; illustrations by Laura Park

I know many of you are dreading coming back to school -- who can blame you, the weather has finally cooperated, there's still a pile of stuff you want to do (or at least I still have stuff I want to do.) Anyways... like it or not you'll be finding your way back to the doors of G.S. Lakie next week, eager to see friends, learn who is in your class (and that is probably about it as far as anticipation goes - so I think many of you will be able to relate to the main character in this book - Rafe. Rafe isn't too keen on school, and his unique way of coping with things is the only thing that holds his interest or excitement. Overall I enjoyed this look at grade sixer Rafe, his family, classmates and teachers. I just hope that none of you attempt his crazy scheme.

Generously sprinkled with cartoon style illustrations keeps readers interest and the pace of the story flowing.
If you're all caught up in the Diary of a Wimpy Kid series, you might give this one a try.
Check out the website.
http://middleschoolbook.com/

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Poison Ivy by Amy Koss

Poison Ivy: 3 bullies, 2 points of view, 1 trial by Amy Koss

The premise for this book is terrific, unfortunately it doesn't quite deliver, for the most part I thought it was okay, the characters a little underdeveloped and even the plot and theme get a fuzzy around the edges.

From the back cover:
When three popular girls go on trial in Government class for their ruthless bullying of a girl named Ivy, it seems like the misfit will finally get her revenge. Eight first-person narrators give different versions of the event: Ivy- the victim doesn't want revenge, she just wants to be left alone; Ann - she's the beautiful, bu infamously cruel, leader of the bullies; Marco- he may be the only person involved who has any morals, but he's also the target of Ann's persuasive affections; Daria- Ivy's painfully shy lawyer doesn't stand a chance; Bryce- the goofy court reporter knows all the real dirt, even if he doesn't care; Cameron- he sleeps through the proceedings but might wake up just in time to make a difference; Wayne- a true devotee of the legal process, too bad he's on the sidelines; and Faith- as the only witness for the prosecution, it all comes down to her. But where do her loyalties lie?

From Booklist - " The message is clear: beauty, popularity, and fear are the trinity by which girls rule, and although most teenagers aren't cruel, many are indifferent to the suffering of their peers and are thankful they aren't the ones in the spotlight"

From Publishers weekly: "The interaction among the students in and out of courtroom' offer readers intriguing and often disturbing perspectives on popularity, peer pressure, bullying and fairness"

So even though I didn't think this the strongest book of it's kind, I do think it stands the possibility of furthering discussion on what our roles are, how do we see ourselves and can we stand up for what we know is right at least occasionally.

Dog sense

Dog sense by Sneed B. Collard III





This was one of the books I picked up at the K-9 conference I was at. So I thought it appropriate that I read the canine book.


Dog sense is the story of Guy Martinez who has recently moved to Montana from California (and life sucks, until the day he gets to choose a dog from the SPCA - enter Streak the border collie). The first day of school he makes his first enemy, school bully Brad Mullen and his first friend Luke Grant. Guy's relationship intensifies with both these characters through his dog Streak. Luke encourages Guy to enter Streak in the town Fair's Frisbee-catching competition. This also happens to be Brad Mullen's main event. The rivalry between Guy and Brad escalates until an impulsive wager pits the boys head-to-head and places Streak in jeopardy.

Although I found some of the characters to be stereotypical, I found the dialogue (especially Grandpa) to be well done. I learned stuff about a sport I never would have known and this is always a good thing. Having been around border collies in my life, I thought that Collard did a great job of explaining their intense personalities that are in constant need of challenging.

Read on