book trailer-diamond willow

See more presentations by red3kn | Upload your own PowerPoint presentations

countdown

See more presentations by red3kn | Upload your own PowerPoint presentations

savvy

See more presentations by red3kn | Upload your own PowerPoint presentations

stolen children

See more presentations by red3kn | Upload your own PowerPoint presentations

Skeleton Creek

skeleton creek

See more presentations by red3kn | Upload your own PowerPoint presentations

Summer Reading Works

The blog entry, 'Summer Reading Works', is very appropriate right now. We are just winding down our Summer Library Program and are looking forward to a small break before we jump into the autumn. Many people see the reading programs at the library as superfluous. Yes, these programs are fun and entertaining, but they are also helping kids to maintain their skills. There is a lot of research about how much kids who don't read lose skills during the summer. This amount is cumulative. They don't gain it back. The numbers are even higher for lower income students. Libraries are in a unique position to offer fun, entertaining programs that have an educational edge and function. We are lucky, we don't have to worry about educational standards and achievement scores. Librarians have the best job in the world. Bringing books and reading to our patrons.

We have a program called 'In Your Neighborhood'. One day each week of the summer I take 3 baskets of books and a cadre of volunteers, many of whom are teachers, and we go to the lower income apartments in town. For an hour these kids read one on one to a volunteer. Some kids have been coming to the program for 3 or 4 years and it is exciting to see them growing and reading better and better each summer. Those who need the library the most can't always get here. It is important to take the library to them. The blog states, "...librarians are doing significant, important work. That makes me smile every time I read it.

(2010, Aug. 5). Summer Reading Works. Retrieved from: http://www.alsc.ala.org/blog/

A Drowned Maiden's Hair: A Melodrama

A Drowned Maiden's Hair: A Melodrama
Schlitz, Laura Amy
ISBN 0-7636-2930-8

Maud longs to be adopted. When three older ladies come to the orphanage and want to take her home, Maud's heart soars. But, life in her new family is not what Maud dreamed about. The older ladies don't love Maud as a daughter, but as a new member of the family business. This novel has a great sense of place and the plot moves along at a nice pace.

Bud, Not Buddy

Bud, Not Buddy
Curtis, Christopher Paul
ISBN 0-385-32306-9

Winner of the 2000 Newbery Medal award, Bud, Not Buddy is the story of a boy trying to find his father and his place in the world. Running away from an orphanage and traveling on his own are just two of the reasons why this hero is tough and courageous. My favorite part of the book is the 'Rules and Things', we are privy to Bud's 10 year old wisdom.

Victory

Victory
Cooper, Susan
ISBN 978-1-4169-1477-8

This Junior Library Guild selection is set in two time periods, present day and 1805. As the story slides back and forth between the two time periods it also slides between the stories of Sam Robbins and Molly Jennings. The two lives become intertwined in a satisfying ending.

Gathering Blue

Gathering Blue
Lowry, Lois
ISBN 0-618-05581-9

Kira is damaged. She was born with a twisted leg and must prove her self sufficiency and worth. In Kira's society everyone is productive and helps or they are left in the field. When Kira's mother dies she is concerned about what will happen to her. How will she live and eat? This tale of a futuristic society is gripping and thought provoking.

The Giver

The Giver
Lowry, Lois
ISBN 0-440-23768-8

I have never read a book quite like this. Lois Lowry has a way of presenting a story that is very real and tangible. Jonas, the protagonist in the story, has been made the receiver of the memories. This assignment and the experiences it brings changes Jonas and the village forever.

Artemis Fowl

Artemis Fowl
Colfer, Eoin
ISBN 078680801-2

Artemis Fowl is a twelve year old boy. That is the only normal thing about Artemis. He is a genius, but not just any type of genius. Artemis is a criminal mastermind with the money and resources to carry out his nefarious plots. The series is a lot of fun and the audio book with Nathaniel Parker is great.

Chasing Vermeer

Chasing Vermeer
Balliett, Blue
ISBN 0-439-37294-1

This book works great for a book club. The illustrations have hidden pentominoes, which are mathematical tools made up of twelve pieces. Each piece is has an assigned letter. The reader can find the hidden pentominoes and decode the message. Other puzzles are contained throughout the book. The story itself is a bit reminiscent of the Westing Game with a list of usual suspects.

The Sherlock Files

The Sherlock Files
Barrett, Tracy
ISBN 978-0-8050-8340-8

Xander and Xena's great, great, great grandfather was Sherlock Holmes. They have been given a copy of his unsolved case file and want to see if they can bring a conclusion to some of them. This Junior Library Guild selection is an easy and fun read.

Facebook

www.facebook.com

Facebook is the most popular social networking site on the planet. Although the site was originally intended for students on college campuses, the site has evolved into much, much more. Technically, you must be 14 years old to make a Facebook account. Many kids/parents do not honor that rule and make accounts at younger ages. Facebook has become a way to have social capital. The more friends you have, the more popular you must be. Used properly Facebook is a great tool for keeping up with friends and family.

Runescape

http://www.runescape.com/

Runescape is an extremely popular multi-player online role playing game. Kids assume character/identities and play the game with friends or strangers. The medieval
universe that the game creates is pretty amazing and takes a lot of bandwidth.

The Underneath

The Underneath
Appelt, Kathi
ISBN 978-1-4169-5058-5

Friendship can be a mysterious thing, especially when it occurs between two unlikely candidates. A hound dog and a mother cat are very unlikely candidates, but these two understand loneliness and love. This understanding brings them together and gives us a story that is happy, sad, tragic, and encouraging all at the same time.

The True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle

The True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle
Avi
ISBN 0-531-05893-X

The year was 1832 and thirteen year old Charlotte was the only passenger on a trip from England to America. It was never going to be a fun trip, but no one expected Charlotte to be accused of murder. Master storyteller, Avi, writes a suspenseful, adventurous tale of one girl's unexpected summer.

I, Coriander

I, Coriander
Gardner, Sally
ISBN 0-8037-3099-3

I, Coriander is a wonderful fantasy wrapped around the time frame of the the English civil war. Coriander changes the course of her life when she puts on a pair of silver shoes that arrive unbidden at her door. Readers will enjoy the historical setting of the story mixed expertly with fantasy.

Gregor and the Prophecy of Bane

Gregor and the Prophecy of Bane
Collins, Suzanne
ISBN 0-439-65075-5

Gregor is back in the Underland for another adventure. In the first book we learned that Gregor is 'the warrior'. Reluctantly Gregor is learning about being 'the warrior', and amazingly, he can do things with his sword that was unknown to him. Ares, Luxa, Ripred and Vikus, the gang is all here for this wonderful sequel.

Yellow Star

Yellow Star
Roy, Jennifer
ISBN 978-0-7614-5277-5

This amazing account of Syvia and her family and their experience as Jews in the Lodz Ghetto is based on interviews with the author's aunt. This is the aunt's story. She was one of only 12 children who survived the ghetto during the war. Told in verse, the heart wrenching details are skillfully portrayed without being too dramatic or scary for the intended audience. This book is a must read for all students.

Bella at Midnight

Bella at Midnight
Stanley, Diane
ISBN 978-0-06-07753-5

This book is written is alternating voices between several characters. This device makes the book more interesting because we learn what others are thinking and their particular perspective.
Bella's mother dies right after childbirth. Her father, a knight is angry and unkind, he sends Bella to live with another family and doesn't want anything to do with her. The woman who is raising Bella was also the wet nurse to Prince Julian. Bella and Prince Julian become great friends as they grow up with Bella thinking that she is the daughter of peasants. A great war rages between this kingdom and the neighboring kingdom. This war is almost 100 years old. A prophecy exists that calls for a white knight to ride through the battlefield and bring peace to everyone. The author Diane Stanley does a great job weaving a web with many different characters and ultimately bringing them all together.

Deep and Dark and Dangerous

Deep and Dark and Dangerous
Hahn, Margaret Downing
ISBN 9780618665457

Spending the summer babysitting your cousin at the family lake house sounds like a great idea. But, Ali's summer does not turn out how she planned. In the past the family abruptly stopped going to the lake house and no one talks about why. Thirteen year old Ali and cousin Emma meet Sissy at the lake house. Sissy is rude and pushy and won't leave them alone. Ali uncovers an old family secret about a girl who was friends with her mother and aunt, that died in the lake. As Ali begins to uncover the deep, hidden family secret, Sissy becomes more and more rude and difficult to be around. Sissy lures the girls onto the lake as a storm is approaching. Will Ali use her good sense or will she yield to Sissy and her sarcastic ways? Margaret Downing Hahn can spin a great ghost tale and Deep and Dark and Dangerous is no exception.

Eperanza Rising

Esperanza Rising
Pam Munoz Ryan
ISBN 9780439120425

Esperanza lives with her parents on El Rancho de las Rosas in Mexico. They are successful grape farmers. Esperanza leads a charmed life with servants, beautiful dresses and the love of her parents. All that changes when her father is killed and the ranch burns down. Faced with ruin, Esperanza, her mother and their servants travel to California to be farm workers. The work is exhausting and Esperanza no longer has toys, lovely dresses or even a home. Mama becomes very sick and must be taken to the hospital. Esperanza must grow up quickly and become the wage earner and help pay for food, lodging and Mama's hospital expenses. The journey Esperanza takes is physical and emotional. Many lessons are learned along the path, some easier than others.
Pam Munoz Ryan includes an afterward that talks about Mexican farm workers in California at that time and how they were treated. She also includes a recipe and craft included in the story.

GL:Girls's Life Magazine

GL: The Magazine for Girls is the quintessential tween magazine. It features fashion, movie stars, advice on friends and boyfriends, and cosmetics. The look is glossy and bright and a little reminiscent of Vogue. There are tons of advertisements for clothes, shoes, kotex, deodorant and milk. Most of the pictures feature skinny to thin girls and not too much diversity. Out of two issues there was one picture of an overweight person and 4 pictures of persons of color. Magazines are fun to sit and peruse and find your horoscope. GL fills that niche quite well. The magazine did not have any scantily clad girls or embarrassing body parts hanging out. Flipping through a GL is like spending and afternoon with a comfortable girlfriend.

Hate That Cat: A Novel

Hate That Cat
Creech, Sharon
ISBN 9780061430923

Hate That Cat is a masterfully told tale written in verse, mostly with very short lines that Jack would approve of. Jack is grieving the loss of his dog. As the novel progresses he slowly opens his heart to the idea of a new cat. Along the way Jack learns about poetry and poets. The reader learns right along with Jack. That is the remarkable aspect of this book, readers are learning about poetry without knowing it, Uncle Bill would be proud! The back of the book has a section containing the poems Sharon Creech refers to in the story. I love this book!

Midnight Magic

Midnight Magic
Avi
ISBN 0590360353

Mangus, Fabrizio's master is called to the castle one dark and stormy night by Count Scarazoni. The Count takes them to the castle. Mangus used to be Mangus the Magician, but fell out of the king's favor and is now forbidden to practice magic in any way. Fabrizio loves his master and will do whatever he can to protect and keep him safe. Thrust into the middle of royal political intrigue Mangus and Fabrizio must use the forbidden magic to free the princess from a ghost or face execution. Add into this mix the disappearance of the next in line to the throne, Prince Lorenzo. Avi spins an intricate web that is suspenseful and satisfying.

Shakespeare Secret

Shakespeare's Secret
Broach, Elise
ISBN 0805073876

Hero doesn't make friends easily, not like her sister Beatrice. She hates being the new girl, again. It's always the same. After a month Beatrice is best buddies with the popular crowd and Hero is just, well, on her own. Hero makes friends with her elderly next door neighbor, Mrs. Roth. It is Mrs. Roth who tells Hero about the diamond necklace that is reportedly hidden inside Hero's house. This mystery causes Hero to cross paths with Danny Cordova the cutest, most popular kid at school. Together they try to put together the clues and find the diamond necklace.
Author, Elise Broach weaves a wonderful mystery and introduces tween readers to Shakespeare and the intriguing authorship question.

The Puzzling World of Winston Breen

The Puzzling World of Winston Breen
Berlin, Eric
ISBN 9780142413883

Winston Breen loves puzzles. He solves them all the time, he sees them everywhere, in wrapping paper, on cereal boxes, everywhere. When Winston sees the four rectangular wooden pieces, each with writing on them, he knows they are part of a bigger puzzle. Enter the town librarian, Mrs. Lewis, Two suspicious men, David North and Mickey Glowacka, and an over-sized policeman named Marietta. Each have a connection to the rectangular wooden puzzle pieces, and have their own pieces to add to the puzzle. They must work together to solve the puzzle and find an expensive ring.
This book is fun and full of puzzles, literally. Author Eric Berlin creates puzzles for the New York Times and has included several throughout the book. This is a great book club selection.

Stolen Children

Stolen Children
Kehret, Peg
ISBN 978-0-525-47835-5

Amy, a fourteen year old, has just finished a babysitting course. When Mrs. Edgerton calls for a last minute fill in for the nanny Amy is excited. Kendra Edgerton, her three year old charge is a sweet little girl and very cooperative. This is going to be easy! Amy puts Kendra down for a nap and heads out to lay by the pool with the baby monitor in tow. A while later Amy realizes she fell asleep too and rises to check on Kendra. The monitor is quiet, so Amy assumes she is still asleep. Unfortunately, Kendra is not in her bed, nor in the house anywhere, or outside. Just as Amy is trying to decide what to do a man approaches her, he has Kendra as well. The girls are put into a van and driven off.
Amy is a worthy heroine. She keeps herself and Kendra safe and works toward escaping. This compelling story of courage under pressure is a must read.

How to Steal a Dog

How to Steal a Dog
O'Connor, Barbara
ISBN 9780374334970

Middle school can be tough, for Georgina it just got a lot worse. Her father abandoned the family and now they have been evicted from their apartment. Now Georgina, her mom and little brother live in their car behind the auto parts store. At least that's where they are parked tonight. They have to keep moving around so they are not noticed and asked to leave. Keeping all of this a secret is hard, they wash up in gas station bathrooms and their clothes are stained and dirty. Georgina has a plan. If they can steal a dog and get the reward money, then they can afford to move back into an apartment. As with life, Georgina's plan hits some bumps and things don't work out as planned, but they do work out for the better. This is a great book to read aloud to a classroom. The discussion that it provokes will be edifying for all.

Diamond Willow

Diamond Willow
Frost, Helen ISBN
9780374317768

This is one of my all time favorite books. It is written in verse primarily shaped like diamonds. The author has also placed a message within the verse on each page in bold type that is meaningful to that particular page.
Diamond Willow is a coming of age story. Twelve year old Willow lives with her family in a small town in the middle of Alaska. Willow wants to be taken seriously, she wants to be treated as the grown up like she feels. A trip by dog sled to her grandparents house ends up having serious consequences. Faced with a life or death circumstance Willow makes a decision that has far reaching effects. We learn and grow as much from our failures as our successes. Willow learns about family, courage and mostly herself.

Fever 1793

Fever 1793
Anderson Laurie Halse
ISBN 0689848919

In America we don't have much experience with epidemics. The closest we have come lately is the H1N1 flu. In the late 18th century things were much different. People didn't really understand how yellow fever started or spread. One thing was for sure, once it started death and destruction was a certainty.
Mattie Cook lives in Philadelphia with her mother and grandfather where they run a respectable coffee shop. Life turns upside down as the fever spreads through the city. Mattie's mother becomes sick and sends her to the countryside to stay with relatives. Unable to reach her destination Mattie becomes ill and eventually returns to the city. She is unprepared for the sight and smell of death and illness. Rising to the occasion to help her family, Mattie is a strong female character, one that we can be proud of.
Laurie Halse Anderson writes a compelling story educates as well as entertains.

Because of Winn-Dixie

Because of Winn-Dixie
DiCamillo, Kate
ISBN 0763607762

India Opal Buloni lives with her father, the preacher, in a small Southern Florida town. Trying to deal with the fact her mother left them India opens her heart to this new community and especially to her grocery store dog, Winn-Dixie. Immediately fast friends, India Opal and Winn-Dixie help each other learn about relationships and life. Populated with interesting characters like Otis, the ex-con who owns the pet store and serenades the animals. Miss Franny the town librarian who passes out Littmus Lozenges, and Gloria Dump, the closest thing India Opal has to a mother. This novel is a must read, it is heartwarming, sad and full of truths about the human existence. India Opal has a lot to teach us.

Sent

Sent
Haddix, Margaret Peterson
ISBN 9781416954224

Jonah and Chip are out of time, literally. They were kidnapped as babies from their place in time and put into the 21st century. Now time must be fixed and history preserved. But who are Jonah and Chip? In Sent we find out that Chip is Edward the fifth, King of England. Jonah, Chip and Katherine travel through time back to 15th century England. They must correct time even it it means Chip as the King of England dies. Is it possible to save Chip's life and preserve history?
We must wait until book 3 of The Missing series to find out who Jonah really is, but Margaret Peterson Haddix makes it worth the wait. She is one of the prolific children's writers of our time.

Found

Found Haddix
Margaret Peterson
ISBN 9781416954217

What if one day the world as you know it changed? I'm not talking about end of the world scenarios or catastrophic natural disasters. What if your world, who you are, where your from, was suddenly a lie? Jonah knows he is adopted, and he's okay with it. But, he keeps receiving strange notes in the mail saying he is one of "the missing". Next he starts seeing people appear and disappear. There has to be a rational explanation for this, right? Jonah, his younger sister Katherine and his best friend Chip try to figure out what is happening and why. This journey leads them to a quite unexpected place and time.
Margaret Peterson Haddix is a master story teller and this latest book is no different. Engaging, suspenseful and original "The Missing" is one series you don't want to miss.

Ghost in the Machine

Ghost in the Machine
Carman, Patrick
ISBN 978-0545075701

Sarah and Ryan are more determined than ever to find out what is happening at the dredge. Especially now that it is scheduled to be destroyed. What secrets are going to die with the building? After an encounter with the ghost Sarah and Ryan step up their investigation. There seems to be a secret society in town and Ryan's dad is part of it. Is he a good guy or a bad guy? The doctor is found dead, was it a natural causes? Sarah and Ryan are in over their heads, but a lot is at stake. Read this concluding sequel to find out the secrets in the dredge.
This book also has the video diary element. The story ends with the final video diary entry. Access to the Internet is a must. Patrick Carman has written many books for tween readers to include one of the Thirty Nine Clues. His books are a great choice for reluctant readers.

Skeleton Creek

Skeleton Creek
Carman, Patrick
ISBN 9780545075664

This is a fantastic book! Suspenseful, scary, and well written, but, it also has another element, a video diary. Let's start from the beginning. The book is written in a diary format by fifteen year old Ryan. His best friend Sarah is a video wizard. She chronicles her life and other subjects with her camera instead of a pen. Sarah sends Ryan videos through out the book. The plot does not require that you watch the videos, but they make the story more interesting and scary.
Ryan is stuck in bed with an injury, but he won't tell us exactly how he got hurt. It has something to do with Sarah and the dredge. The town of Skeleton Creek is not a friendly place. If anyone new comes to town, they do not stay long. Tucked away in the forest is the dredge, it is said to be haunted, just watch the video! Sarah and Ryan are convinced that something fishy is going on at there. They embark on a fact finding mission that doesn't end they way they planned. This book is a must read!

Gregor the Overlander

Gregor the Overlander
Collins, Suzanne
ISBN 0439435366

Gregor is your average 11 year old. He lives in an apartment in New York City with his mother, senile grandmother and two younger sisters. His father, well that's a difficult subject. About 3 years ago his dad just disappeared, no note, no good bye, nothing. With his dad gone life is harder. His mom works full-time now and Gregor has to help take care of his grandma and sisters. While Gregor is in the basement laundry room with Boots, his two year old sibling his adventure is about to begin.
In an Alice in Wonderland type of situation, Gregor and Boots find themselves in the Underland. This strange place is populated with giant spiders, cockroaches, bats and rats that talk or communicate with humans. And the humans, they are transparent skinned with violet eyes. Gregor just wants to get Boots and himself home. But there is a problem that ties in with his missing father and a prophecy about a warrior. This tale of self discovery and determination is a must read for boys and girls alike. Suzanne Collins, author of the Hunger Games has created an exciting universe populated with fascinating beings and great adventure.