School Spirits by Rachel Hawkins
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Rachel Hawkins writes stories which are entertaining and fun to read. Her characters are typical teenagers, but with unique abilities. The plots involve a mystery or two to solve, teenage drama, and a sprinkle of romance. School Spirits fits this description perfectly. The setting is within a high school with the protagonist, Izzy, within this environment for the first time. The author doesn't spend a lots of time on the reality she is facing, but make the situation a bit humorous as Izzy experiences her first pep rally, teenage TV series, and first kiss. I especially enjoyed Izzy's relationships with Toran, the man in the mirror, and Dex, her potential first love. Toran adds a bit of mystery to the family dynamics between Izzy and her mother as well as her missing sister, Finn.

Although this is not a literary work of art, I believe both my students and I will enjoy many other adventures of the Brannick family as they fight monsters and search for Finn. Rachel Hawkins has found her style to entertain teenagers and I think she should continue sharing her stories with us.

Thanks NetGally,

Kim

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Walking Disaster by Jamie McGuire
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This is Travis's point of view from the story, Beautiful Disaster. I found this to be an excellent companion to the original story told by Abby, Travis's love interest. Not very often do we get to read both points of view through a story, but each novel adds a special touch to the events of these two people meeting and falling in love.

You may think why would you want to read a story twice, but even though the events are the same and the dialogue as well, Jamie McGuire was able to place the reader through the eyes and voice of the narrator. As you read Abby's thoughts in Beautiful Disaster, you wonder why Travis made certain choices or reacted a certain way in their relationship. Walking Disaster allows the reader to understand his reason and to empathize with his situation. i found myself teary during parts of Walking Disaster which did not touch my heart in the first book.

I highly recommend reading both stories; possibly back to back. The prologue and epilogue is different in both books, so unless you are person who likes to peak at the end, I recommend grabbing a box of tissues and diving right into the prologue. It explains so much into Travis's character and why I would live to have one of him in my life.

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Short novella, but worth reading it.

Double Crossed: A Spies and Thieves Story by Ally Carter
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Double Crossed is a crossover of two of Allie Carter's hit series, Heist Society and Gallagher Girls. Two strong teenage "professionals" meet during a elegant party which has gone bad. Macey, a high society CIA-like professional from Gallagher Girls, finds herself a hostage at a elite dinner party with Hale, Kat's friend from Heist Society. While using all their strong skills sets, this groups of teenagers are able to save the evening and prove who the person is behind the crime.

I enjoyed the story, but as on all novellas, it was too short. Allie Carter has included the first few chapters of each series which introduces you to the characters and the story lines. I have not read the Gallagher Girls series, but love the Kat and Hale's story in Heist Society. Even though Allie is ending the Gallagher Girl series, I am looking forward to diving into it while picking up the third book of the Heist Society. I will say, I hope Allie will follow through with the cliffhanger she left off in this book.

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Double Crossed is a crossover of two of Allie Carter's hit series, Heist Society and Gallagher Girls. Two strong teenage "professionals" meet during a elegant party which has gone bad. Macey, a high society CIA-like professional from Gallagher Girls, finds herself a hostage at a elite dinner party with Hale, Kat's friend from Heist Society. While using all their strong skills sets, this groups of teenagers are able to save the evening and prove who the person is behind the crime. I enjoyed the story, but as on all novellas, it was too short. Allie Carter has included the first few chapters of each series which introduces you to the characters and the story lines. I have not read the Gallagher Girls series, but love the Kat and Hale's story in Heist Society. Even though Allie is ending the Gallagher Girl series, I am looking forward to diving into it while picking up the third book of the Heist Society. I will say, I hope Allie will follow through with the cliffhanger she left off in this book.

Great Children's Books

A great blog to find wonderful books for children to read is Rhode Island Children's Book Awards. Just search from this blog and you will find a comprehensive list of outstanding books for your children to read. I am presently reading this book from the list:

It was very good, but I had to wait until the last 100 page for it to grab my interest. I am looking forward to the next and last one. I checked online and it is due on August 24th in 2010. I love how the author has made the protagonist, Katniss, be a person who you sometimes like and dislike. I found myself wanting her to get together with Peeta, but still like Gale with her. This a required reading to lead to a hopefully terrific trilogy.

Number the Stars by Lois Lowry

My review

rating: 5 of 5 stars
This was the shortest and best book I have read from the wonderful author, Lois Lowry. Although this is another story about the Nazis, but from a unique point of view where a child's friend and family are persecuted for being Jewish. The story points out that non-Jews were willing to help their friends and risk their lives and conveys the severity the Nazi's had on other countries besides Germany and Poland. Aside from the frightening and realistic content, I would recommend this to a middle school reader.


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The Giver by Lois Lowry

My review

rating: 4 of 5 stars
I can understand why this book was a Newbury Award winner. After meeting Lois Lowry and listening to the controversy around this book, I completely support students reading it. This is a story that conveys the "thinking out of the box" learning strategies we would like all of our children to understand and learn. The protagonist is appealing and sympathetic. As a reader, I could understand the pros and cons to this type of world; the elimination of disease, but also of feelings and love? I think love makes the world go round, so this is definitely a wonderful book to spark thought and discussion. I love the story so much, I immediately read the two sequels to the story. Check out my reviews of these wonderful books.


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Gathering Blue by Lois Lowry

My review

rating: 4 of 5 stars
Although I found the connection to the Giver to be difficult to find, I enjoyed reading this story. The setting is very different from the Giver and I pictured a more primitive setting rather than futuristic; almost Native American. Ms. Lowry's use of colors and senses helped me as a reader relate to the protagonist and her special talents. Once again, the quest for knowledge and a need for a better life is conveyed in this story and allows young readers the ability to learn from the characters; to see beyond their lives and experience the hardships of others. I loved Matt's character and I am glad that he is in the next book, The Messenger. Read on!!!


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Messenger by Lois Lowry

My review

rating: 4 of 5 stars
The final book in the series is the culmination of the three protagonists within this outstanding series. Matt, who becomes Matty, brings together everyone to strengthen a community. Each character in the three stories alter for the good the community which they call home and sacrifice many things within themselves to do it. However in the end they learn a great deal about themselves as well. I truly loved these stories.


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Deep and Dark and Dangerous: A Ghost Story by Mary Downing Hahn

My review

Committee Annotation:

A shadowy figure haunts a 13 year-old girl at her aunt's summer cottage. Is this figure connected with the secret that has haunted her aunt and mother for 30 years? A haunting experience for all.



Subjects: Family secrets, ghosts, haunting, mothers and daughters, cousins, friendship.


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The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

My review

rating: 4 of 5 stars
I fully enjoyed the theme and the characters. I was entralled to the end and read it quickly. I am looking forward to the next two books.


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The Tales of Beedle the Bard by J.K. Rowling

My review

rating: 3 of 5 stars
I found the stories to be enchanting and mesmorizing. There is definately a moral to each story and none of them pertain to Harry and his friends, but fun to read none the less.


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The Tale of Despereaux: Being the Story of a Mouse, a Princess, Some Soup and a Spool of Thread by Kate DiCamillo

My review

A wonderful story! No wonder it was a Newbury Medal winner. I enjoyed the characters and how the author was speaking to the reader, as if she was talking to me. I definately recommend this book to anyone nine or older. A great story and you can learn some new vocabulary too.


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Princess Academy by Shannon Hale

My review

rating: 5 of 5 stars
This is one of the best tween novels I have read. I would recommend this book to any 10 - 15 year old looking for a story about a girl trying to find herself as well as fit in with her peers. There is some underlining issues with prejudice and ways to treat people from different cutlures. Enjoy!


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Inkheart by Cornelia Funke

My review

This book was fasinating, but I had to really pay attention. The story is well developed and kept my interest where I couldn't wait until the sequel comes out. In fact, this book is the first of a trilogy. I hope to be diving into the next two books soon.


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March On!: The Day My Brother Martin Changed The World by Christine King Farris

My review

rating: 3 of 5 stars
An interesting perspective from Dr. King's sister. But from a Librarian's perspective I would read this to older children. There are many words and few pictures.


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Lyrical Poem by ME!

This is a poem I wrote while observing a 11th grade English class on poetry. This was a heartfelt poem about my grandfather, Joseph Rego. I actually wrote this in 20 minutes and it is the only poem I have written.

Visions through my mind

Strong, but gentle man

Stern, yet kind

Discipline

Love

I remember sitting on his lap

Him watching hockey and me watching him

I remember sitting with him at the lunch table; the same meal everyday

I remember the soft humming from his lips

As he works diligently on his favorite crossword puzzle

Growing old

Growing older

Unconditional love still present

But, moving away in distance and in heart

Causes the bridge of friendship to crumble

Life moves on and people change

No anger in our brief talks

Only sharing commonalities and daily happenings

I long for his comfort and gentle hug

I long for his guidance and kind words

Panic and sadness in my mother’s call

Illness is upon a great man

Many doctors and tubes crowd his solemn face

No more humming, only the sigh of the machines keeping him alive

Suddenly eternal peace

I stand in front of his grave

Gathered with friends and family

Remembering a strong loving man

Visions through my mind

The Greatest Man I have ever loved.

Janet Evanovich

Plum Spooky by Janet Evanovich

My review

rating: 5 of 5 stars



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Smitten by Janet Evanovich

My review

rating: 3 of 5 stars
Cute and quick. janet gets right to the romance, adventure and humor. I enjoyed this more than a few of her others. Good Friday night read.


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Foul Play by Janet Evanovich

My review

rating: 3 of 5 stars
I read this one in one night. Cute story, but there isn't much to it. A little romance, a little humor, and a little adventure makes for a good night's entertainment.


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Top 10 List

One Thousand White Women: The Journals of May Dodd: A Novel by Jim Fergus

My review

rating: 5 of 5 stars
I found this book in a small bookstore on the Cape a few years ago. Although it took a little effort to get into the story, I found myself not being able to put it down. A wonderful and tragic story line full of historical information about the 1800's and the infiltration into the Native American tribes. This book is definately on my top 10 list.


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Words which touched my heart

Letter to My Daughter by Maya Angelou

My review

rating: 3 of 5 stars
This is my first time reading a Maya Angelou book and I felt as if she was talking solely to me. I loved her messages in each chapter to the point I would read them over and over again as if they were a prayer. They inspired me to be a better Christian and a better person. Thank you for touching me, Maya.


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Another good novel by Stephanie Meyer

The Host: A Novel by Stephenie Meyer

My review

rating: 4 of 5 stars
I enjoyed it, but I had a difficult time getting through the first 100 pages. Once the story picked up, my interest did as well. The ending was not predictable which I enjoyed. Some thoughts and ideas mentioned are still with me. I would recommend this book.


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Twilight Series

Twilight by Stephenie Meyer

My review

rating: 5 of 5 stars
I cried and laughed. The story is a roller coaster of emotions. A wonderful story and very touching. I am in love with Edward.


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New Moon: Twilight Series, Book 2 by Stephenie Meyer

My review

rating: 5 of 5 stars
This was a good read, but not as good as Twilight. Maybe because most of it is not about Edward. I truely liked his character. But after reading the rest of the series, this book makes sense.


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Eclipse by Stephenie Meyer

My review

rating: 5 of 5 stars
The third book in the series is a definate must read. I almost wanted to eat through each page to find out what will happen next. As Bella and Edward's love grows, so does Bella and Jacob's friendship. At some points in the story I couldn't decide who she would be better off with. But I still love Edward.


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Breaking Dawn by Stephenie Meyer

My review

rating: 5 of 5 stars
A wonderful story with a wonderful ending. I couldn't put the entire series down for 6 days. This definately ended the story and I was glad. I think she finished it when it should be completed and I was satisfied. Thanks Stephanie Meyer for bringing such wonderful characters in my life. Each one touched me though laughter and tears.


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