<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/7896527-throne-of-glass" style="float: left; padding-right: 20px"><img border="0" alt="Throne of Glass (Throne of Glass, #1)" src="https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1335819760m/7896527.jpg" /></a><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/7896527-throne-of-glass">Throne of Glass</a> by <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/3433047.Sarah_J_Maas">Sarah J. Maas</a><br/>
My rating: <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/1430934908">5 of 5 stars</a><br /><br />
OMG!!! Loved this first book by Sarah J. Maas! I was rooted to my kindle and the drama that ensued as assassin Celaena Sardothien fights to win her freedom as the King's CHampion Assassin is gripping. I hated the King, loved Chaol, Prince Dorian, and the visiting Princess Nehemia. There is magic, supernatural beings, evil, lying, romance---all the elements put together PERFECTLY by Sarah J. Maas. Celaena is a strong female protagonist who is confident of her assassin abilities but she also must hide her true identity from all but a few in the castle. Her few meetings with the king were torture for me because Celaena is truly terrified of the King and when she is around him, she is not the hero we know she is. The king has evil intentions and I can't wait to see his demise...hopefully in Book 2! I would definitely call this a crossover book/series- adults will love the action, suspense and adventure, just like teens.
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<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/22749725-drowned-city" style="float: left; padding-right: 20px"><img border="0" alt="Drowned City: Hurricane Katrina and New Orleans" src="https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1407813959m/22749725.jpg" /></a><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/22749725-drowned-city">Drowned City: Hurricane Katrina and New Orleans</a> by <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6815166.Don_Brown">Don Brown</a><br/>
My rating: <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/1442710908">5 of 5 stars</a><br /><br />
With beautiful, haunting comic book images (somber, brownish illustrations) Brown's Drowned City depicts the natural disaster that was Hurricane Katrina and the death, despair and havoc wreaked upon New Orleans. With spare prose, each page & image covers the many elements that continued to unfold as the world looked on in horror at the suffering and death of the residents of Buras, Louisiana are wiped out. There are tales of valor , tales of looting, people drowning, police fleeing, the Superdome debacle, the water grows stagnant, and the total mismanagement by the government to aid New Orleans (pets included) is all to real and deadly. This graphic novel should be read by adults and kids alike...the words and pictures work together to deliver a MUST READ nonfiction graphic novel.
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Cruel Beauty by Rosamund HodgeMy rating: 3 of 5 stars
I listened to the awesome narration of Cruel Beauty on Audible by Elizabeth Knowleton. There were times as I listened that took too long to get to the story. The Beauty and the Beast aspect kept me listening as Nyx has been promised since birth to the Gentle Lord (who is really a demon) as his bride by her father. There was so much mythology that weighed down the story for me. I liked the Ignifex and Shade story lines but Nyx's feelings did not always ring true and strong. Wish I could say more about this fantasy and love triangle...
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Whippoorwill by Joseph MonningerMy rating: 5 of 5 stars
I am a dog lover and I love to read any kind of book about dogs and as much as I loved this book, this book just really makes me sad. Clair lives next door to a very dysfunctional family (now only father and son) whom she characterizes as whippoorwills- they have lots of junk in their yard. But far more harsh is Wally, a black lab tied to a pole, left outside, and mistreated. As Clair tries to ignore his circumstances and pitiful whining, she becomes Wally's hero and with the help of Danny Stewart next door, begins to train Wally according to a book written by a dog whisperer, Father Jasper. But life gets in the way with Danny's sadistic father (who made his wife go crazy)and Clair is also confused about her feelings for Danny. I rooted for Clair, Danny and Wally. Their happy moments in training Wally were so important in defining the kind of caring pet owners they were but things will not be so easy in life for Danny and Wally. The harsh realities in this book reminded me of Gary D. Schmidt's Orbiting Jupiter - life can be so darned hard, you ache for Clair, Danny and Wally and hope against hope for a redemptive ending. Once again, I have to call this book a crossover book - all adults should read this too. Highly recommended.
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<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/12700353-me-and-earl-and-the-dying-girl" style="float: left; padding-right: 20px"><img border="0" alt="Me and Earl and the Dying Girl" src="https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1337216932m/12700353.jpg" /></a><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/12700353-me-and-earl-and-the-dying-girl">Me and Earl and the Dying Girl</a> by <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5227163.Jesse_Andrews">Jesse Andrews</a><br/>
My rating: <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/1426735319">4 of 5 stars</a><br /><br />
A tug at your heart sad and humorous book (because Greg has a very funny way of looking at things and talking to people)about friendship and life. Greg Gaines is a comedian who loves to think he hasn't let anyone become his friend and he is okay with that...but he does have a sort of friend, Earl who is just as hysterical as Greg with his outlook on life and his comments (some of them nasty) and they both enjoy making sub par films. Rachel is a girl who used to like Greg in middle school and now has cancer and it is her mom and Greg's mom who "force" him to hang out with her (he hasn't really talked to her in years). I loved Greg's family, his teachers and his constant comments to the reader about putting this poorly written book down and he wouldn't hold it against you. There are lots of funny lists, bad jokes but this book will make you laugh, laugh, laugh but you will also cry for Greg and Earl as they lose one of their friends.
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A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. MaasMy rating: 5 of 5 stars
Jennifer Ikeda did a magnificent job of narrating this amazing audiobook! When I say I could not rip myself away from this 16 hour saga; I kept finding ways to keep listening because I just had to know what was happening to Feyre (human) wisked to a faerie court by the very scary wolf (Tamlin) who "imprisons" her in his world because she killed one of his huntsmen, Andris and "The Treaty" gave him the right to take her away from her human world to live in Prythia with the immortal faeries and fae. But this story is so so much more! There are lies, secrets, death, romance, magic, gore (and so much more) and it became so gripping to me to find out why Feyre who is a skilled huntress is constantly called a "stupid" human by Tamlin & those who live with him. It becomes very evident as the story progresses that the reader and Feyre must really listen and not believe everything said because all is as it seems. This definitely was a beauty and the beast type story for me but this is just a back drop to the violent world of the courts and the wicked female leader who is brutal, intent on killing and maiming faeries and fae. Sometimes I had to stop listening- what was happening to Feyre, Lucian, and Tamlin (and others) was pure hell so I would take a break - but then I couldn't stand it any more and I had to know!!! I definitely see this as a crossover book- adults will LOVE this as well as YA. All I can say is, I can't wait for the second book and I will listen to that as well. Just a little aside- this is my FIRST Sarah J. Maas book. Now I am going to begin the Throne of Glass series!
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Red Queen by Victoria AveyardMy rating: 5 of 5 stars
I loved listening to this amazing audiobook! Mare Barrow is a Red who lives in a crushing world of poverty serving the ruling class known as the Silvers. When she makes a mistake as a thief, she is catapulted into the world of the Silvers and "imprisoned" as the Silver Princess hiding her red blood lineage (she is jeeringly called The Little Lightning Girl because she can create fire and electricity within her body and hands). I loved the romance, the worlds, the plot, and the truly evil characters Aveyard weaves into this drop dead action novel complete with magical powers, rebellion, and surprising duplicity. I am rooting for Mare in the sequel and I have to admit it is driving me nuts waiting. Come join in the twitter chat with #2jennsbookclub on 11/12 at 8pm EST!
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Everything, Everything by Nicola YoonMy rating: 5 of 5 stars
I want everyone I know to read this book! I am not going to share too much because I want YOU to read it but I will say a few things:) Nicola Yoon's debut novel is WOW! I loved the cover and the words at the top "The greatest risk is not taking one" and this defines Maddy, Olly & Carla. They took risks, and what happened??? Well, you have to read this 310 page book of awesomeness and you will fall in love with the story, characters, themes and ESPECIALLY her husband, David Yoon's spectacular illustrations- they are key to who Maddy is and this book is BETTER for David Yoons's participation. Join #yabookchat and @bookfin Sunday 11/1 at 9pm EST for a twitter chat, you will be hooked on books.
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Fans of the Impossible Life by Kate ScelsaMy rating: 5 of 5 stars
This debut novel by Kate Scelsa will be a sure winner with teens! As you become ensconced in the tricky lives of Mira, Sebby, and Jeremy you root for these troubled adolescents whose worlds are in trouble as they find and protect one another. I loved Sebby's quote mirroring the book's title (p. 116), "May we live impossibly. Against all odds. May people look at us and wonder how such jewels can sparkle in the sad desert of the world. May we live the impossible life." I loved their personalities, their strong support for each other, and their insecurities. Mira, Sebby and Jeremy needed each other desperately but also recognized they would need to stand on their own two feet at some point to survive. A novel many teens will identify with; highly recommended.
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Salt to the Sea by Ruta SepetysMy rating: 5 of 5 stars
Many, many thanks to Penguin Group, Penguin Young Readers Group, Philomel Books and Net Galley for ARC of Salt to the Sea by Ruta Sepetys. I just can’t stop gushing out this book! This masterful work of historical fiction is another excellent title BOTH adult and YA readers will want to read and not be able to put down!!! The young adult characters alternating their stories at the end of World War II all have secrets to hide yet they strive to survive and return to their homelands. My heart broke as I followed Joana, Florian, and Emilia with the masses of refugees who board the Wilhelm Gustloff ship. Joana is a Lithuanian nurse tortured by guilt. Florian is a Prussian with secrets and regrets but also an unwilling hunter and a reluctant hero. Emilia in her bright pink woolen cap, is a Polish girl fierce in loyalty and bravery. As their stories blend together, the reader lives their harsh reality of war, regret, and dreams. Ruta Sepetys takes a little known horrendous incident and crafts a mighty story you can’t put down; many times you will want to turn away from the horrors that are visited on poor innocents but the reader is engulfed in a story about war, it’s brutality, inhumanity and ultimately hope. Please read the Author Note for Ruta Sepetys’ insight and research on this little known incident in WW II history; it is essential to understanding the story. This is my new favorite book of hers, but I still love Between Shades of Gray and Out of the Easy!!! Ruta Sepetys is such a great historical fiction author who intricately weaves family, politics, war, love, and friendship into a sweeping story that will change the reader; it changed me. Look for this book February 2016, highly recommended.
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I am a second-year public high school librarian in a suburban district serving a high population of kids who are "street savvy," listen to rap/hip hop, and express themselves using profanities as they cruise the hallways. The descriptor is important because I need feedback regarding the place - if there is one - urban/street literature has in a public high school.
I picked up a title one student went on and on about and started getting itchy on page six and had a full-blown anxiety attack by page nine! The story, at least the few pages I read, had lots of frank talk about sex and an abundance of profanity. As one librarian noted, "...urban fiction focuses on the struggles of mostly young black men and women whose lives have been touched by crime and violence..." I can see the book being checked out a lot because it offers what many students would see as their reality. I have purchased the Port City High" and "Bluford" series that I would call Urban Lit Lite.
Censorship is a big deal for me. Censorship might not be as big a deal to some parents or the Administration! Do any of you offer titles from this list at your urban public high school? Goodreads Hottest Urban Fiction If so, what is your experience with it/them?
Word On The Street is a fantastic literacy festival that our team at Brainspace attends every year.
Since our inception back in June 2013, we've enjoyed meeting readers and seeing young faces light up when we demonstrate the augmented reality in our magazine. "Yes, thank you. It is a very smart magazine." "We do raise the bar on content for children. We think our audience is very capable and enjoys the opportunity to learn." Parents, teachers and librarians are always excited about what we're up to.
This year, a youngish man (early 30s) challenged us. In the nicest possible way. "So, why is this better than say going to the library?" I truly didn't know where to begin. In my mind, he was comparing apples and oranges. As my mind was recalculating the information to deliver an appropriate response, he asked again. "I mean, why wouldn't they just get all the information about something in a book?" Ah. Of course. This is the generation that has become accustomed to having a world of resources at their fingertips within seconds.
"You're right. A book is far more comprehensive than this is." I conceded. "However, our children don't necessarily want to know everything about every topic." I went on to explain that magazines serve a purpose. Consider it an appetizer to the main course. Magazines pique the palate and books nourish the need for more. Our articles provide a sample menu of subjects and delve into each area with just enough to tempt the palate to stimulate the craving for more. Does everyone enjoy math? I'd like to say yes but we know that some prefer music or history or something else. Does our article on robotics make anyone an expert after reading. Not a chance! But they may want to become experts. Bring on the books and the guidance to support the next engineer!
At the risk of sounding like a child stomping her feet, magazines aren't and shouldn't be mere fluff for kids! They can be more than puzzles and games that serve as a distraction. A good magazine should tempt the mind, provoke thought and inspire greater learning.
Appetizers anyone?
Two Bobbies: A True Story of Hurricane Katrina, Friendship, and Survival by Kirby LarsonMy rating: 5 of 5 stars
I loved this book so much I purchased three- one for me to share, one for my daughter who is a K teacher and one for my daughter-in-law who is a K teacher (and of course Kylie, my granddaughter has read it many times, what a beautiful story of the Katrina Hurricane and its effect on a cat and a dog - and of course, on the readers who will just be so happy these two Bobbies stay together to survive. The illustrations are gorgeous and I appreciated the "real" photographs of the two pets too! Children and adults will learn so much about Hurricane Katrina, the lapse of time people and animals endured before help arrived. The Author's note at the end was very helpful and added even more important information about these two very special pets. Highly recommended!
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Read Between the Lines by Jo KnowlesMy rating: 5 of 5 stars
I can't remember who recommended this book to me, but this is a book all teens should read! Jo Knowles takes something that happened to her in real life as a child ad uses one incident in each chapter of the book to perfection. Teens at a school are just trying to make it one day at a time, surviving bullies and mean girls, parents, teachers and even next door neighbors. Each character spoke to me (my favorite was Claire) and I think teens will see themselves or others on these pages. Even better is Jo Knowles' plea to "tell it true, even if it means, read between the lines."
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Never Always Sometimes by Adi AlsaidMy rating: 4 of 5 stars
Teens will see a bit of themselves in Dave, Julia, Gretchen and Brett. In this book, Adi Alsaid really gets teens (their highs and lows, their quirks, their isms) and for the teens that pine for others and do not do anything about it, Dave and Julia's friendship throughout high school with their Nevers list is reading they will love. Dave is such a nice guy, nice, genuine, caring. I wanted to love Julia but Adi Alsaid did such a great job showing how much Julia said and did was predicated on her very absent mom. It was so sad (Dave sees this) every time Julia's mom disappoints her and yet Julia yearns for a mom but gets a lukewarm long distance relationship from a selfish mom. So this broken connection made Julia self-centered, snarky, out there and unrealistic about many things. I couldn't put this book down; the romance, the wanting, the ache, the yearning make for a novel teens with be reading and sharing with each other. Make sure you read this book and join our twitter discussion with #yabookchat 10/4 at 9pm EST!
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<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/24338298-never-always-sometimes" style="float: left; padding-right: 20px"><img alt="Never Always Sometimes" border="0" src="https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1422630370m/24338298.jpg" /></a><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/24338298-never-always-sometimes">Never Always Sometimes</a> by <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4505164.Adi_Alsaid">Adi Alsaid</a><br/>
My rating: <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/1400321666">4 of 5 stars</a><br /><br />
Teens will see a bit of themselves in Dave, Julia, Gretchen and Brett. In this book, Adi Alsaid really gets teens (their highs and lows, their quirks, their isms) and for the teens that pine for others and do not do anything about it, Dave and Julia's friendship throughout high school with their Nevers list is reading they will love. Dave is such a nice guy, nice, genuine, caring. I wanted to love Julia but Adi Alsaid did such a great job showing how much Julia said and did was predicated on her very absent mom. It was so sad (Dave sees this) every time Julia's mom disappoints her and yet Julia yearns for a mom but gets a lukewarm long distance relationship from a selfish mom. So this broken connection made Julia self-centered, snarky, out there and unrealistic about many things. I couldn't put this book down; the romance, the wanting, the ache, the yearning make for a novel teens with be reading and sharing with each other. Make sure you read this book and join our twitter discussion with #yabookchat 10/4 at 9pm EST!
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A Darker Shade of Magic by V.E. SchwabMy rating: 4 of 5 stars
The dark magic was so scary in the many Englands (Red, Gray, Black and White) and the characters of Kell and Lilah were so complex and likable while Holland and Astrid and Athos made me cringe with their cruelty. I loved the narrator Steven Crossley; he did a masterful job in his delivery and because of his voice---I kept finding many more ways to listen to this murderous world of magic and travelers.
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<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/20702041-hold-tight-don-t-let-go" style="float: left; padding-right: 20px"><img alt="Hold Tight, Don't Let Go: A Novel of Haiti" border="0" src="https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1397635116m/20702041.jpg" /></a><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/20702041-hold-tight-don-t-let-go">Hold Tight, Don't Let Go: A Novel of Haiti</a> by <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7812989.Laura_Rose_Wagner">Laura Rose Wagner</a><br/>
My rating: <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/1393823813">5 of 5 stars</a><br /><br />
This novel of Haiti was oh so good- from a simple life, to total destruction with the 1/12/2010 earthquake. Laura Rose Wagner does a masterful job with characters, plot, and words (sweet, harsh, the whole gamut of expression) describing the close relationship between Magdalie and Nadine before and as their world ends. I learned so much about Haitian customs, beliefs and language as I was immersed in Magdalie's life (with and after Nadine goes to Miami)in the Port au Prince camp. Life becomes very hard for Magdalie but through hope, honesty, new friends, she shows the resilience of the Haitian people to rise above destruction and survive. Highly recommended! Please feel free to join the twitter chat Thursday 10/1 at 8pm EST with #2jennsbookclub.
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Enclave by Ann AguirreMy rating: 5 of 5 stars
I know it took me long enough to get to this awesome read!!! Deuce has always lived underneath and been raised by the enclaves rules. As a Huntress she was very successful and it is when she is paired with Fade and banished to Above that she sees a whole new world and life. I loved the characters, the world of the enclave, and hated the freaks (zombies), Silk, and Stalker. I can't wait for the 2nd book, Outpost! A great dystopian read, I still love these dystopian series.
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Endangered by Lamar GilesMy rating: 5 of 5 stars
Endangered was a real cat and mouse game between the main character, Lauren Daniels, who is also known as Panda (in a not nice way) and an unknown admirer who is going all out to show Panda how much she likes her style of exposing the secrets of her classmates in a blog, Gray Scales. As the stakes rise, the mystery and scariness reach torturous levels. Once Lauren thought she was a Robin Hood helping others, now she is not so sure. I bit off all my nails as I plunged headlong into this drama filled, exciting read. If you like thrillers, Endangered will not disappoint!
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