#30 -- Charlie Joe Jackson's Guide to Not Reading

This book by Tommy Greenwald is a funny look at one middle school boy's quest to never read a book. He pays people off with ice cream to read his books for him, he guilts his sister into reading books for him, he comes up with a system of only reading the first and last chapters of the books, and many other crazy schemes. What does he eventually learn about his quest to not read?  Does it pay off in the end?

This was a very good book told from a middle school boy's prospective. It is about middle school life in general and not just about not reading. I feel this book will be a big hit with boys from 4th grade and up who are reluctant readers since they will understand where Charlie Joe is coming from. 

#29 -- Ashes, Ashes

This book by Jo Treggiari is very similar to The Eleventh Plague. The world has been hit with multiple natural disasters then a plague that kills of all but 1% of the population. The survivors are hunted by a group called the Sweepers who want to do tests on these survivors to see how and why they survived. Lucy was never infected with the plague and has survived on her own since the outbreak. A close call sends her running and she eventually teams up with a group of scavengers. The Sweepers keep getting closer and closer. Who is it they are searching for?  Is it Lucy?  What do they want?  You will have to read to find out!!

This was a great book of survival that would appeal to grades six and up. Once I started the book I couldn't put it down. I assume it is the first in a series since many plot lines were left open at the end. I can't wait for book two!

#28 -- Lunch Walks Among Us

This is book #1 in the extremely popular Franny K. Stein series by Jim Benton.  Franny is a little strange.  She has bats in her room, she eats weird lunches, she is always making potions, and she dresses funny.  When she moves to a new town the other kids at school don't know how to take her and her weirdness.  Franny decides to change herself to be like everyone else.  She even decides to take a sandwich for lunch!  But Franny just cannot be like everyone else.  Eventually one of her experiments goes very wrong.  What happens with the experiment?  You will have to read to find out.

I had to read this book to see what all of the fuss was about and why the series always stays checked out from the library.  It was an extremely quick read (with a lot of pictures), but very entertaining - especially to the middle school aged brain!

#27 -- Skipping Christmas

This book by John Grisham was originally written for adults, but has a theme that would appeal to anyone.  The Kranks have decided that since their only child will be away on Christmas they will skip the holiday and go on a cruise instead.  Their neighbors find out about their plans and do not agree with their decision.  Everyone tried to talk them out of it.  Their neighbors even try to demand that they not skip Christmas.  Just as they are about to go on their cruise they dramatically change their minds.  What caused their abrupt decision?  You will have to read to find out!!

This was a good read about being in the holiday spirit (or in their case -- not being in the holiday spirit).  It is great for all grade levels.

#26 - I Survived the Japanese Tsunami, 2011

This is another book in the extremely popular I Survived series by Lauren Tarshis.  This book centers on the tsunami that hit Japan in 2011.  Ben has gone with his mother and brother to visit his uncle in Japan.  While they are there a huge earthquake occurs.  They get out of the house safely, but find a more horrifying sight outside.  They can see a huge wave heading toward land.  That wave hits the shore and takes out everything in its path, including the car that Ben's family was using to try to get as far away from the wave as possible.  All of his family is washed out with the wave and separated.  Once Ben finds land again he is alone with the family's cat.  Will he and the cat find a safe place to stay?  Will he find his family again?  Read the book to find out.

This was a great, quick read that is very fascinating.  The action and adventure kept me reading until the very end.  I see why my students love this series so much!  I would recommend this book for grades 4 and above (maybe even mature 3rd graders).

#25 - The Boy Who Dared

This historical fiction novel by Susan Campbell Bartoletti is based on a true story of Hitler Youth, but many of the scenes of the book come from the author's imagination, thus making it fiction rather than a biography.  It is the sad tale of a boy who tries to speak out against Hitler's army and tell the truth about what was really happening in Germany.  He finds an outlawed radio and listens to Anti-Hitler programs and starts a pamphlet campaign to get the message out to the masses, but he is soon discovered.  What happens to him then?  Does he turn on his friends?  Is it possible to survive?  You will have to read to find out.

This was a graphic account of one boy's journey during Hitler's reign.  I would suggest this book for 7th grade and up (or mature 6th graders) because of some of the content.

#24 - Catching Fire

This book by Suzanne Collins is a re-read for me.  I wanted to reread it before I saw the moving coming out this weekend.  This is a fabulous series.  Catching Fire lives up to the first book in suspense and action.  The love triangle also gets a lot more serious.  Katniss and Peeta have won the Hunger Games and are now able to reap the benefits of being the victors...or so they think.  Now President Snow is after them because he feels like they cheated the system by having two winners.  How will he get back at them?  Will they have to face the Hunger Games again?  Will they survive???  You will have to read to find out.

This is a great book and part of a great series.  Violence is very abundant in these books, so I would say that it is best suited for 6th grade and up (or for younger students who are very mature readers).  All who start the series are bound to finish it.  I will have to do a reread of Mockingjay now!

#23 - The Truth About Truman School

This book by Dori Hillestad Butler is a fabulous fictional account of cyberbullying and the way such bullying can cause harm to a whole school.  Two students start a website called The Truth about Truman School where students could write about how bad school lunch was or about a horrible test they just took.  The website morphs into a place where hateful information was spread and other students were put down and ridiculed.  The site gets out of control and one student even runs away because of it.  What will the creators of the website do to fix the problem?  You will have to read to find out.

This was a great book about bullying that all middle schoolers should read.  It is told through personal journal entries by the students at the school.  It was very believable and a good lesson for all middle school students to read.  I recommend this read for boys and girls from 4th grade and above.

#22 -- Keeping the Moon

This book by the ever-popular Sarah Dessen was a good read about a girl who goes to live with her aunt for the summer but finds that her problems from home seem to follow her.  Colie is the formerly fat girl who has lost a ton of weight, but is still called fat and ugly by her peers.  She thinks that by going to a new place for the summer and meeting new people she might be able to get past her former reputation.  That isn't the case.  Eventually she is able to overcome her fear of rejection and find love in an unexpected place.

This was a good book even though it was one of the older titles by this author.  I feel that all girls would relate to Colie and the issues she faces in the book.

#21 - This Place Has No Atmosphere

This fabulous futuristic book by Paula Danziger was a favorite of mine in middle school, so I decided to give it a re-read.  It is a great story of a girl who just happens to move to a colony on the MOON!  Just like any teenager, Arora doesn't want to leave her friends and her boyfriend and move with her family to be pioneers in the first colony on the moon.  Once she gets there she has a hard time adjusting, but soon finds that it isn't so bad.  What makes her change her mind?  Is it the possibility of love on the moon?  Read it and find out!

This book appealed to me as a middle school girl, and I think will still appeal to today's middle schoolers.  I would say it is suited for grades 4 - 8.  Give it a try!

 

#20 -- Alcatraz Versus the Evil Librarians

How would you like to read a book about evil librarians who carry weapons like crossbows? Or torture people with paper cuts?  Or create a monster out of crumpled up paper?  If the answer is yes to any of these questions, then this book by Brandon Sanderson is for you!!  Alcatraz (funny name, huh?) is an orphan in foster care.  He always gets sent from home to home because he destroys so much property.  On his 13th birthday a very old man comes to the door and introduces himself as Alcatraz's grandfather.  He whisks Alcatraz away saying that they must run from the evil librarians.  Why are they running from the librarians?  Why do these librarians have weapons?  And most of all -- Why are they trying to steal a bag of sand???You will have to read this silly adventure book to find out the answer to all of these questions.

This book is appropriate for all age groups but would appeal to 4th - 6th graders.  It was a light-hearted, funny read that I enjoyed.

#19 -- The Raft

This book by S.A. Bodeen was a fabulous, suspenseful read.  The main character, Robie, is visiting her aunt in Honolulu.  Her aunt has to leave out of town suddenly for work, so Robie is left alone at the aunt's apartment.  Robie decides she doesn't like being alone so she hops on a supply plane that is heading back to where she lives on the isolated island of Midway.  The plane goes down in the middle of the ocean.  She and the co-pilot make it onto an inflatable raft.  They have no supplies, no water, and only a bag of skittles to eat.  No one knows that Robie was on the plane since it was a spur of the moment decision.  Will they ever come looking for her or the plane?  What will happen to them when the skittles run out?  How will they survive?  Will they both survive?  Read it to find out!!

This was a fantastic adventure read.  I was glued to the pages and couldn't wait to find out what happens to Robie.  This book would appeal to all middle schoolers from 5th to 8th.  The text was easy to read and the story was so interesting and gripping that no one would be able to put it down!

#18 -- Drive Me Crazy

This was a fantastic romantic comedy novel by Erin Downing that is perfect for anyone who loves their teen romance with a bit of humor. The story revolves around Kate, her friends, and her love triangle. She has envisioned how her summer would play out all year long, but things don't turn out like she had planned. Her summer love isn't all she had thought he might be, and there is a new guy who is showing interest. Who will she choose?  Read it to find out!!

This book is geared more for the 7th grade and up crowd. There is a bit of language (I would call it more PG than PG-13), so if that kind of thing bothers you then steer clear. Other than that, I would definitely recommend this fun, cute read. I will definitely try more of the books in this romantic comedy series. 

#17 -- The Lemonade War

This great little book by Jacqueline Davies is about a brother and sister who have a Lemonade War to see who can make the most money.  They decide that the winner gets to keep all of the money, so they are both very eager to win.  Because of this, they get into an all-out war and try to sabotage each other.  You will have to read the book to find out how they went about doing that.

This was a cute book and great for all grade levels from 3rd grade on up.  Come check it out!!

#16 -- I Survived the Sinking of the Titanic, 1912

This is a very popular book (and series) by Lauren Tarshis that deals with well-known events in history.  This book gives an account of the sinking of the Titanic through the eyes of a 10-year-old boy named George.  He and his sister and Aunt are on the ship as first class passengers.  He gets into a lot of trouble on the boat - just as any boy would do.  But when the ship starts to sink, he becomes the hero for his family since he had explored the ship so much.  How does he accomplish that?  You will have to read it to see!!

This was a great book and very short.  The reading level is low, so it will appeal to all students from about 3rd grade and up.  The subject matter is not too shocking since most already know the story of the Titanic's voyage.  I would recommend it to all students.

#15 -- A Friend at Midnight

This book by Caroline B. Cooney was a good, thought provoking read.  It was about a family who is separated by divorce.  One brother decides to go live with his father, but comes back  home unexpectedly with none of his belongings.  Something happened while he was gone, but he won't talk about why he is back.  What happened to him?  Did the father send him back?  Or did he decide to come back all on his own?  You will have to read to find out the answers to these questions.

This was a good book.  It was easy to read, but the subject matter may be better suited for 7th or 8th graders or above.  The main character must make some deep, thought provoking decisions regarding whether she will honor her father or treat him with the level of respect he gives to her.

#14 -- Falling from Grace

This book by Jane Godwin was a story told from two different people -- Annie and Kip.  Annie's sister has gone missing after they got caught on a cliff during a storm.  Once the storm passes her sister cannot be found.  Days go by, but no one has seen her.  At the same time another child goes missing.  The last person to see him is Kip.  Kip goes in search of this missing child and ends up searching for Annie's sister also.  The story weaves around the search for the two children.  You will have to read to see if the search is successful or not!!

At 3.8 Reading Level this book was an easy, good read which would be suitable for 5th grade and above.

#13 -- Eleven

Eleven by Patricia Reilly Giff is centered around the number 11.  The main character Sam sees the number 11 everywhere, but why??  He finds a box with a newspaper article attached.  It says MISSING across the top with his picture.  Why is he missing?  Who is Sam Bell??  He enlists his friend Caroline to help him find out.  They embark on a quest for the truth.

This was a great book with real characters -- even one with a learning disability.  It would appeal to 5th - 8th graders and even to adults!  If you want to see for yourself, come by the library and check it out!

#12 -- Here Lies the Librarian

This short, comical book by Richard Peck tells the story of a small town in the early 1900's. The town's librarian dies and the library shuts down. A group of ladies happen to be driving through the town when they notice the closed library.  Each of the four ladies happens to be librarians so they make it their duty to get the town and its citizens back up and running. 

To be honest, I read this book only because of its title and the fact that it was about how librarians revitalized a small town.  I personally liked it, but it may not appeal to the middle school age bracket. 

#11 -- Climb or Die

This book by Edward Myers is a survival story at its best. A family of four has a car wreck on a secluded mountain road. The miter and father are injured, so the two teenage children take it upon themselves to save their parents. They must climb a mountain to get help. They have no climbing equipment and must improvise. How do they do that?  You will have to read the book to find out. 

This was a quick read that kept me on the edge of my seat the entire time. I wanted to push Jake and Danielle up that mountain so they could find help. 

#10 -- Somebody

Somebody by Nancy Springer is about a girl who doesn't know who she is.  She knows she is somebody.  She has had so many names in the past she has forgotten which "somebody" she happens to be at this time in her life.  She moves around every few months with her father and her brother.  She is not allowed a telephone or access to the internet.  She is told that her mother is a very bad person.  But is any of that the truth?  She aims to find out.  The whole book is about a girl's search for her true identity.

This was a short read at only 117 pages, but one that was very good at keeping me on the edge of my seat.  I wanted the main character Sherica to find of where she came from so badly.  You will have to read the book to see if she finds her way home!

#9 -- More Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark

This book by Alvin Schwartz is filled with scary stories and urban legends. Not all are extremely scary. I would call them creepy instead. This is a good discussion starter book which is why I have chosen it for my next book club selection. We will be discussing the stories found in it and then telling our own creepy urban legends. 

Overall this was a good, quick read. At exactly 100 pages, it will hopefully be one that you can read in a day or two. Come check it out!!

#8 -- The Eleventh Plague

This book by Jeff Hirsch is set in the future. War and a flu-type plague have killed two-thirds of the American population. Those that are left must live with no electricity, homes, and only the food they can find in the wild. Stephen and his family live off of the land. Finding a very old can of peaches becomes a feast for them. Then Stephen's father gets hurt, and Stephen is captured by a group of people and taken back to their village. It turns out that these people have formed their own community, and they take in Stephen. Will he fit in?  Will he be safe there?  You will have to read the book to find out!!

This was a really good book that kept me reading. I couldn't put it down until I found out how things ended for Stephen.  

#7 -- Eighth Grade Bites

This book is the first in the Chronicles of Vladimir Tod series by Heather Brewer.  Vampire books are very popular right now and this book does a good job meshing a vampire tale with a typical teenage saga. Vladimir is a vampire but also has normal teenage problems. He has a hard time talking to his crush and gets picked on by the two biggest bullies in the school. His teacher goes missing and strange things start happening when the new substitute arrives. Who is the substitute and why does he seem to know a lot about Vlad?  Does he know Vlad's secret?  You will have to read to find out. 

This was a good, easy to read book. The main character is a vampire, so if the thought of blood scares you, then this book isn't for you. If not, then give it a try!  Check out all five books in the series. 

#6 -- Peak

Peak by Roland Smith is an exciting account of a teenage boy's climb to Mt. Everest. The book begins with Peak climbing the side of a skyscraper. He gets caught and is sent to live with his father who just happens to be leading a group of people on a climb to the highest peak in the world. Does he make it to the top?  I am not telling. You will have to read this exciting book to find out!!

This was a very exciting read that will appeal to all adventure lovers even if you know nothing about climbing.  This book is suitable for all ages, but might be hard to follow for younger readers. 

#5 -- Empty

This was a great book that really made me think about the world we live in and really appreciate all the luxuries we have today. The book takes place 10 years in the future. The oil reserves have dried up and oil is at a premium (to the tune of $80 a gallon). Electricity is out much of the time. Batteries can't be found in stores. People must rely on their feet as transportation and their minds as entertainment. The book focuses on a group of teenagers and how they deal with all of these hardships. 

This book is appropriate for 5th grade and up and would appeal to everyone, even adults. It really made me think and is a great discussion starter!  Good thing it is my choice for the very first WMS Book Club meeting!!!

#4 -- The Rules of Survival

This is a book with a very deep, almost haunting story. It deals with a boy's fight to keep his family together and survive even when his mother is doing anything in her power to take them down a very dark path. Matt's rules are simple...survive in order to tell the story. You will have to read to see how he survives. 

This book is not for everyone. There are elements of abuse discussed, so please use caution when reading. I would recommend this for 8th grade and up and only for mature readers. 

#3 -- Uncommon Criminals (Heist Society #2)

This is #2 in the Heist Society series. The teens have been hired to steal back an emerald that was originally stolen many years ago. They accomplish this feat quickly and easily, but did they steal it for the right person?  They set out to steal it again to get it to its real owner. 

I think this book may be even better than the first. It was a very quick read (even at 300 pages). I thoroughly enjoyed this book and recommend it to all girls who like adventure and page-turning action. 

#2 -- Heist Society

This is Book One in a series by Ally Carter (who also wrote the Gallagher Girls series). It was a good, suspenseful read which reminded me of the movie "The Thomas Crown Affair" since it was based on a group of art thieves. In the book, the heist was planned by a group of teenagers who were trying to save the life, and prove the innocence of, one of their parents. They had to steal artwork to keep it out of the hands of the bad guys. I won't go into how they planned to accomplish that, so you will have to read the book yourself to find out!!

Overall it was a good, quick read and good for 5th - 8th graders.  I plan to read the second book of the series soon!!

#1 -- Beautiful Creatures

This is #1 in a four book series and a popular movie that has just come out on DVD. The book is a good read for anyone who enjoys the Mortal Instruments series or other paranormal books. The whole book revolves around the fight between good and evil, and a teenage girl's struggle to stay on the "good" side when the "bad" side is tugging so hard at her. There are elements of magic and witchcraft in this books, so if that is not your thing then you may want to pass.  Overall I enjoyed the book even though it was a long read. Allow yourself plenty of time to read it. 

40 Book Challenge...Let the Madness Begin!

We are going to begin a 40 book challenge at WMS this year. Students will be challenged to read 40 books that are 100 pages or more by the end of the school year. Books will only count if the AR test is passed and signed off on by a teacher.  Come by the library for a 40 Book Challenge log form!!

I am going to be taking part in the 40 book challenge also!  On this blog I will list and review my 40 books read.  Hopefully you can get some great recommendations and ideas of new books that might interest you.  Let's get this reading madness started!!

WELCOME

As a middle school librarian this blog will be based on my love of reading and my will to pass along that love of reading in my students. 

With that being said, you need to keep one thing in mind...middle schoolers are funny creatures.  They come to middle school being burned out on reading.  They have been pushed to their limit.  They feel like middle school should offer them some independence, so they fight us on reading.  They come to realize that we fight back.  Eventually we try to find some common ground and a way to foster that life-long love of reading.

What students don't realize is that reading can be fun.  I look forward to a day off to be able to do nothing but read.  I have always been that way, even as a child.  When I read I can see the action like a movie reel in my head.  What I see is much more real and believable that what I see on TV or in a movie.  I can picture any person I want as the book characters (so Ryan Reynolds seems to be the star of many books I read).  Books are very customizable.  You can make of them whatever you want!

As my former principal used to say, "If you can read you can do anything!"  It is true.  Readers can do anything and be anything they want, even if it is just within the cover of the book that they are currently reading.