Looking for a good book to read?

The Houston Area Independent Schools Library Network puts together great lists of recommended books for Preschoolers through 12th graders. Need an idea of a good book to read? Why not check it out?
http://haisln.org/recommendedreadinglists.html

The New York Public Library also has extensive reading list by grade. They even have a short video that shows the covers of the recommended books. http://www.summerreading.org/booklists.php

Another great resource is the 2012 Notable Children's Book List put together by the Association for Library Services to Children. http://www.ala.org/alsc/awardsgrants/notalists/ncb

And for middle schoolers, the Ethical Culture Fieldston School has an extensive list of books in a variety of categories, including classics, books for Harry Potter fans, books for Lightning Thief fans, graphic novels, and more.  http://www.ecfs.org/files/ms-booklist-general.pdf

Six-word Book Reviews

There’s a new book out called, I Can’t Keep My Own Secrets: Six-word memoirs by teens famous & obscure edited by Larry Smith and Rachel Fershleiser.  Inspired by this book, our sixth graders wrote six-word book reviews on some of their favorite (and not-so-favorite) books.  See how much power and meaning we can fit into six words if we choose them carefully.

 

Nix Voldemort, but first destroy the horcruxes.  –Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, J.K. Rowling

He’s so young, yet so talented.  –The Invention of Hugo Cabret, Brian Selznik

This book is sweet as honey.  –Winnie the Pooh, A.A. Milne

Girl witches, broomsticks, bras, and spells.  –Bras and Broomsticks, Sarah Mlynowski

She wasn’t afraid, but still knew.  –Tuck Everlasting, Natlie Babbit

Dive tail first into this book.  –Ingo, Helen Dunmore

Four sisters, one dog – sick nasty.  –The Penderwicks, Jeanne Birdsall

Not for reading.  It’s for devouring!  --The Last Olympian, Rick Riordan

The most freaking awesome book ever.  –Around the world in 80 Days, Jules Verne

Don’t be a snail; write emails.  –Snail Mail No More, Paula Danzige

Three big kids, many little riddles.  –The Mysterious Benedict Society, Trenton Lee Stewart

An amazing, tragic, and heartbreaking tale.  –Fever 1793, Laurie Halse Anderson

Hate it.  Don’t read it.  Yuk!  --Day of the Unicorn, Molly Hunter

Hunger Games

I read The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins last year and just reread it because the sequel, Catching Fire, was just released on September 1st. I can't wait to read Catching Fire and will definitely post a review here when I do, but for now let me strongly recommend that you read The Hunger Games. It takes place in the future in a new society built in North America from the ruins of the United States. The Capital has all of the power over the 12 outlying districts - keeping the people in poverty in order preserve their strength. As a testament to the absolute power of the Capital, every year each district has to send 2 teenagers to the Capital to compete in the Hunger Games. It is a battle to the death where the winner is the sole survivor. Sixteen year old Katniss Everdeen is the female competitor from District 12, the coal mining district. Even before the Hunger Games Katniss has shown her strength by breaking the rules and going hunting to provide food for her family. Her strength, will, and cunning help her in the battle for her life in the Hunger Games.

Suzanne Collins does an amazing job of telling a compelling story of survival, bravery, and loyalty. I certainly can't do the book justice in this short review, but it is one of the best books I've ever read! Even Stephenie Meyer and Rick Riordan are fans.

"I was so obsessed with this book I had to take it with me out to dinner and hide it under the edge of the table so I wouldn't have to stop reading. The story kept me up for several nights in a row, because even after I was finished, I just lay in bed wide awake thinking about it...The Hunger Games is amazing."
--Stephenie Meyer, author of The Twilight Saga

"The Hunger Games is as close to perfect an adventure novel as I've ever read. I could not put it down. Collins has transformed the ancient Labyrinth myth into a terrifyingly believable tale of future America. Readers will be hungry for more."
--Rick Riordan, author of The Percy Jackson Series and The 39 Clues

Here are some of the awards that is won:

• PUBLISHERS WEEKLY'S BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR: CHILDREN'S FICTION
• NEW YORK TIMES NOTABLE CHILDREN'S BOOK OF 2008
• AN AMERICAN LIBRARY ASSOCIATION TOP TEN BEST BOOKS FOR YOUNG ADULTS SELECTION
• SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL BEST BOOKS Of 2008

We have two copies in the library, come check them out!

I am the Messenger

I recently read I Am the Messenger by Marcus Zusak. It is a story about a young man named Ed Kennedy who is drifting through life without much direction, outside of driving his taxi and playing cards and drinking with his friends. Ed's life is changed dramatically when he stops a bank robbery and starts receiving mystery missions that are delivered on playing cards. The missions are vague, but direct him to help random strangers. Though he has no idea who is sending him the cards, Ed completes each mission and through his work, he finds that his life is being changed as well. This story highlights how our lives are all interconnected and that we can really make a difference with small gestures.