Picture Valentines Day

This little picture book is perfect for valentines day. Hope you enjoy the book trailer.



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Numbers by Rachel Ward

Numbers by Rachel Ward

Whenever Jem meets someone new, no matter who, as soon as she looks into their eyes, a number pops into her head. That number is a date: the date they will die.

Burdened with such an aweful awareness, Jem avoids relationships. Until she meets Spider, another outsider, and takes a chance. But while they're waiting to ride the London Eye Ferris wheel, Jem notices all the other tourists in line flash the same number. Today's date. Terrorists are going to attack. Jem's world is about to explode.

I was captivated, this strange gift that Jem has, how would you handle this? how would anyone? It seems so crazy. I especially liked the message Jem gives toward the end of the book - "You're all alive and kicking. You've been given another day. We all have." - "we know it's all going to come to an end one day, but we shouldn'y let it stop us from living."

In some ways it reminded me of Elsewhere but grittier.

Captivating, compelling, tantilizing and intriguing.

Here's the cover illustration for the UK edition

For fans of Greg Heffley's

For fans of the Diary of a Wimpy Kid series, I thought you'd love to see the trailer for the movie that will be coming out this spring. Sometimes when I'm looking out across the forier at lunch I cast some of you for my own wimpy kid movie. This looks like they've done a pretty good job of casting it too.

Extra Credit

Extra Credit by Andrew Clements

It isn't that Abby Carson can't do her schoolwork, it's just that she doesn't like doing it. And that means she's pretty much failing sixth grade. When a warning letter is sent home, Abby realizes that her slacking off could cause her to be held back - for real. Unless she want to repeat sixth grade, she'll have to meet some specific conditions, including taking on an extra-credit project: find a pen-pal in a foreign country. Simple enough (even for a girl who hates homework.)

Abby's first letter arrives at a small school in Afghanistan, and Sadeed Bayat is chosen to be her pen pal. Well kind of. He is the best writer, but he is also a boy, and in his village it is not appropriate for a boy to correspond with a girl. So his younger sister dictates and signs the letter.Until Sadeed decides what his sister is telling Abby isn't what he'd like Abby to know.

As the letters flow back and forth between Illinois and Afghanistan, Abby and Sadeed discover that their letters are crossing more than an ocean. They are crossing a huge cultural divide and a minefield of different lifestyles and traditions. Their growing friendship is also becoming a growing problem for both communities, and some people are not happy. Suddenly things are not so simple.

A thoughtful book, that I wish would have been around when I was a kid. I think it suggests at ideas of so many cultural difference - I just wonder if many kids will take it that step further than what Abby did?

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Calamity Jack

Calamity Jack by Shannon and Dean Hale

Jack thinks of himself as a criminal mastermind with an unfortunate amount of bad luck. A schemer, a trickster... maybe a thief? But, of course he's not out for himself, he's trying to take the burden off his hardworking mom's shoulders. She'd understand, right? He hopes she might even be proud. Then, one day, Jack choose a target a little more ... "giant" than usual, and as one little bean turns into a great big building destroying beanstalk, his troubles really begin. But with the help of Rapunzel and other eccentric friends, Jack just might out-swindle the evil-giants and put his beloved city back in the hands of the people who live there ... whilst catapulting them and the reader into another fantastical adventure.

A fun follow up to Rapunzel's Revenge.

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Outlaw: The Legend of Robin Hood

Outlaw: The Legend of Robin Hood by Tony Lee

How did Robin of Loxley become Robin Hood? Why did he choose to fight injustice instead of robbing for his own gain? Expressive and gritty, this graphic novel whisks readers back to Crusades era England, where the Sheriff of Nottingham rules with an iron fist, and in the haunted heart of Sherwood Forest, a defiant rogue- with the help of his men and the lovely Maid Marian - disguise himself to become an outlaw.

This was a real fun graphic novel, the legend of Robin Hood is one that we're all familiar with and in this retelling we're once again met with our hero Robin of Loxley (Robin Hood), and his band of merry men - Little John, Friar Tuck, Will Scarlet and Maid Marian - who steal from the rich and give to the poor (and a little bit extra).

This definately isn't the Disney version, in fact it give lots of the history of the culture, customs and politics of the time, without dragging the pace of the story down.

The art work is dark and brooding - giving the perfect atmosphere for the deep dark Sherwood Forest, unfortunatley sometimes this dark look made it difficult to tell some characters apart.

Overall I think this will be a popular graphic novel for our library.

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Shiver

Shiver by Maggie Stiefvater

For years, Grace has watched the wolves in the woods behind her house. One yellow-eyed wolf, her wolf, is a chilling presence she can't seem to live without. Meanwhile, Sam has lived two lives - In winter, the frozen woods, the protection of the pack, and the silent company of a fearless girl. In summer, a few precious months of being human... until the cold makes him shift back again.

Now, Grace meets a yellow-eyed boy whose familiarity takes her breath away. It's her wolf. It has to be. But as winter nears, Sam must fight to stay human or risk losing himself, and Grace forever.

Told from both Grace and Sam's point of views this paranormal romance will make you shiver with anticipation, excitement and dread as winter creeps its way into the story.

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Fireflies in the dark

Fireflies in the dark : the story of Friedl Dicker-Brandeis and the children of Terezin

From School Library Journal:

A profoundly moving testimonial to the resilience of the human spirit under intolerable conditions. Sent to the Terezin concentration camp (perhaps more widely known under its German name Theresienstadt), art teacher Dicker-Brandeis packed art supplies rather than personal items. Here, in poignant narrative, is a record of her wonderful influence over hundreds of doom youngsters, terrified by the separation from their families. Her teaching ability and artistic talents were instrumental in providing an island of sanity in a horrific situation, and in giving an outlet to the children's emotions. Lavishly illustrated with artworks by Terezin children (preserved in two suitcases in a barracks attic), the book is a chronicle of light in the blackest of hours and of a despicable period in human history. Elegant in appearance, devastating in content, almost overwhelming in its quiet intensity, this book is a shining augmentation to the literature of the Holocaust. (Patricia Manning.)

A beautiful reminder of personal strength, a giving spirit and the devastation of the Holocaust, as it took so many creative, beautiful souls.

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Maximum Ride vol. 2

Maximum Ride vol. 2 by Jame Patterson, adapted by NaRae Lee

Having recovered Angel, Max and the flock head to New York City to pursue a lead regarding their true identities. But where the flock goes, erasers are sure to follow. Even more troubling, though, is the voice that's begun whispering in Max's head. Is it her real destiny to save the world?

Once again I enjoyed the graphic novel version of this series, although not quite as much as the first one. This vol. doesn't have quite the same care and edge as the first did, but it's still a great adaptation of the novel, and a terrific fast read.

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Cabin Creek Mysteries

Cabin Creek Mysteries

The Secret of Robber's Cave by Kristiana Gregory

Action! Intrigue! Cliffhangers!

Jeff and David's Dad told them they weren't allowed to explore Lost Island until Jeff's 12 birthday, and that they should never go alone. Jeff and David are going to the deserted island to search for clues - and hidden treasure. Town legend tells of a robber and a secret cave, but the brothers have to piece the truth together. with the help of their cousin, Claire, they'll get to the bottom of the mystery, no matter what they have to dig up!

With a riveting overarching series storyline and a mini-mystery in each title Cabin Creek gives readers what they crave: immediate answers and ongoing suspense. Every book reveals clues, adds layers, and finds the characters investigating, plotting and unraveling clues. They'll need their wits, their courage and their gadgets to get to the bottom of these mysteries.

If you like the Hardy boys or Nancy Drew series you'll be a fan of Cabin Creek.