Coming Soon...

It's been a very long time since I last posted and so much has changed.  We moved out of Missouri and to the wonderful world of North Carolina, where I am now a part of the Wakefield Middle School Family.  I just wanted to stop in really quick and let you know that coming soon is the North Carolina Young Adult book list for this year.  I have the books on their way to my house, so reviews will follow as well.  Happy Reading!

Here is the list:

1. Anybody Shining by Frances O'Roark Dowell, Atheneum Books for Young Readers (October 7, 2014)
2. Blue Birds by Caroline Starr Rose, G.P. Putnam's Sons Books for Young Readers (March 10, 2015) {replaces The End by Michael Hopf}
3. The Crossover by Kwame Alexander,  HMH Books for Young Readers, 2014
4. The President Has Been Shot by James Swanson, Scholastic Inc, 2013**
5. The Flame of Olympus by Kate O'Hearn, Aladdin, 2013
6. The Port Chicago 50 by by Steve Sheinkin, Roaring Brook Press (January 21, 2014)
7. Rule of Three by Eric Walters, Square Fish (January 20, 2015)
8. Secret Hum of a Daisy by Tracy Holczer, Putnam Juvenile (2014)
9. The Troubles of Johnny Cannon by Isaiah Campbell, Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers (October 14, 2014)
10. What I Came to Tell You by Tommy Hays, EgmontUSA, 2013

**Note: this is the young readers version of End of Days: The Assassination of John F. Kennedyby the same author.

http://www.ncslma.org/ncyaba

Somewhere, I forgot...

Maybe it wasn't that I forgot, it was more like I did the one thing that I would ask my students (and even my previous classmates) not to do...procrastinate.  But I did it anyway and I'm still shaking my head at why.

So, I didn't write individual blogs about each book on this year's list and I kinda of feel bad about it. Yes, I did say kind of feel bad.  It isn't that the books weren't great, in fact right now I am reading a sequel to one of the books on the list (I'll get to that later).  So what will today's post be about, if not about the Truman's?  I guess I will play a little catch up and discuss the books that I have read in the past two weeks.

While I was reading the 2013 Truman list, I kept picking up another Young Adult book by the name of Divergent.  I'm not sure why I wanted it to be on the list so badly, but I guess my mind was saying that I needed it to be on my list, and so I finally picked it up for good.

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Divergent, by Veronica Roth, is another story, in what is quickly becoming my favorite genre - dystopian.  Here we have a girl by the name of Beatrice, with her sixteenth birthday approaching, has a big decision to make - where will she spend the rest of her life.  Currently, Beatrice lives with her parents and brother with a group called the Abnegation, a group of people who believe that to be selfless is what is best for society.  She wears plain clothes, gets to see herself in a mirror once every three months, and puts others needs ahead of her own.  But, Beatrice doesn't feel content in her roll and so when it is time to be tested to see which "faction" (what the different groups are called), she knows that she will probably be placed in a different group.  But what she doesn't expect is that she is different from those in her faction, in fact she is Divergent...

By now, you know that I won't go into detail about what happens in the book because that just isn't how I roll, so instead, I want to talk about these factions.

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• Abnegation - The Selfless
• Defined as "having, exhibiting, or motivated by having no concern for oneself; unselfish" - thefreedictionary.com
• Dress in plain, grey clothing and neat hair
• Chosen leaders of the city council, as the - y put others above themselves
• Amity - The Peaceful
• Defined as "friendly relationsons between nations" - http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/amity
• Dress in the colors red and yellow
• Oversees the farms
• Votes by consensus - meaning that everyone has an equal vote and in Amity, there is no one single leader
• Candor - The Honest
• Defined as "frankness or sincerity of expression, openness" - thefreedictionary.com
• Dress in black and white, tend to dress in formal business attire
• Believe that lies and deceit are the types of human behavior that leads to war, thus, they only answer honestly and are subject to truth seriums and lie detector tests
• Dauntless - The Brave
• Defined as "incapable of being intimidated or discouraged, fearless" - thefreedictionary.com
• Dress in black, most have at least one or more tattoos on their bodies
• Known to jump on and off of moving trains, they have an initiation process where only a certain percentage are guaranteed to pass
• Defenders of the city
• Erudite - The Intelligent
• Defined as "having or showing extensive scholarship; learned" - thefreedictionary.com
• Dress in at least one piece of blue clothing and wear black glasses
• Spend their days studying and learning, while developing serums to for different scenarios
• Have recently released several reports that shine negative lights on the leaders of the Abnegation
• Divergent - 
• Defined as "drawing apart from a common point, diverging" - thefreedictionary.com
• Those people who have multiple traits, usually showing traits from two different factions
• This group hides the fact that they are different for their own self-preservation

Based on the descriptions listed above, if I had to chose one to spend the rest of my life in, I am not sure what I would chose.  Each of the factions has pluses and minuses.   I know that I can sometimes lean towards being selfless (but not always) and to be completely honest (not likely).  I also know that I could never be an Erudite, because science and math have always been a struggle, and you probably never see me willingly jump off a building.  So I guess, I will have to take a little from Abnegation and a little from Candor.

But, could one person be completely honest or selfless or happy?  Or is it in our human nature to be divergent?

What do you think?  Could you fall into one group or what groups would you fall into?

Oh, and by the way this is a three part series:

Divergent (2012)

Insurgent (2013)

Allegiant (October 2013)

As I have read the first two, I must call on every bit of patience I possess until the third book comes out this fall...

http://divergent.wikia.com/wiki/Divergent_Wiki

The 2013-14 Truman Nominees

So the list has been out since sometime in April, if not earlier, but as promised I will give you a quick overview of each of the books prior to giving a more in depth look at each book, along with some of my thoughts.  As always, I will try to be unbiased, as I want you to go into a story without any preconceived judgments.  So without further ado, the 2013-14 Truman Nominees…

The Girl of Fire and Thorns by Rae Carson

http://www.raecarson.com/wp-content/
themes/thornsandfire2/images/bookcover.jpg

Elisa is the younger of two princesses, but she has been marked with a special purpose.  One that leads her on a path of marriage to a king whose kingdom is at war and to the people who need her most. 

Will Elisa be able to find the power and strength within her to help those who need her most?

Cloaked by Alex Flinn

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_pUp3FwzFupo/TTJ3auaRFII/
AAAAAAAABxk/Ou6f8ienIv8/s1600/7075298.jpg

Johnny is your average teenager working at shoe repair shop after school to help make ends meet at

home, until one day his life changed with the help of magic.

A princess soon pulls Johnny into a rescue mission where he must enlist the help of creatures of all kinds.  Don’t believe him?  You soon will…

The Eleventh Plague by Jeff Hirsch

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e34b07e731b59514c459324601645193cd0ad9644
a3a83bf6d9f355f36e134c7/the-eleventh-plague-source.jpg

Stephen and his Dad are scavengers in a world where most have died due to a plague and those who have survived live in small camps in what was left of the United States.  But after an accident leaves his father critically injured, Stephen must join up with a colony to survive, where he soon finds a friend who feels just as out of place as he does.  As he plans the day that he can leave, trouble strikes the colony that could have devastating consequences for everyone.

The Name of the Star by Maureen Johnson

 

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AAAAAAAAAow/waIICSjiOaQ/s1600/Name+of+the+Star.jpg

Rory’s parents have taken a one-year position at a University in England and have taken her along.  So that she can continue her studies she has applied to and been accepted to a highly prestigious London boarding school.  But learning the new differences between British English and American English and trying to fit in at her new school are the least of her worries.  Not long after arriving in England, a series of gruesome murders begin to take place.  What is unique about these murders is that they follow the pattern of the most notorious killer in London history –Jack the Ripper.  Soon, Rory and her friends are in a race to find the real killer before they become Jack’s next victim.

Silhouette by the Blue by Traci L. Jones

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Serena recently lost her mother and her father is having difficulties coming to grips with the loss of his wife.  This leaves Serena to care for her younger brother, while trying to survive high school.  One day, after trying out for the school play, she earns the lead role in The Wiz.  Now she must navigate a life of taking care of her and her brother, while following her dream before the Blue takes over her whole family…

The Death Catchers by Jennifer Anne Kogler

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/2011/02/DEATH-CATCHERS-final2.jpg

On her thirteenth birthday, Lizzy is looking forward to another normal day when suddenly a strange   It is then that her Grandmother Bizzy tells her that she has finally received the family powers to foresee the deaths of those close to her.  Together, will they make it in time to save her friend, and a greater threat that has arrived to their sleepy little town?

message arrives warning her of the death of her best friend in a car accident.

Legend by Marie Lu

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/
2/27/Legend_Marie_Lu_Book_cover.jpg

In the former Los Angeles region, which is now the home of the Republic a 15-year-old military prodigy named June prepares to hunt down her brother Metias’ killer, the notorious Day.

Day, a 15-year-old who has been lead to believe that he failed his trials into the military has escaped from a military facility and has secretly helping his family survive the slums where he grew up until one day a chance encounter leaves June’s brother dead and Day on the run.

As the two engage in a dangerous cat and mouse game through the slums of the city, they learn there is more to Metias’ death than the Republic has let on…

http://www.stylemg.com/images/cache/
62023437673f533ff20c0838609b8cb7.jpeg

Michael Vey:  The Prisoner of Cell 25 by Richard Paul Evans

Meet Michael Vey, a seemingly ordinary teenager who is anything by ordinary.  Michael is electric,   Soon Michael and his friends discover that there are more kids out there just like Michael and that someone is hunting them down.  It will be up to Michael and his friends to save the others, as well as himself, before its too late.

literally!

Lost in the River of Grass by Ginny Rorby

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uploads/2012/03/Lost-in-the-river-of-grass.jpg

Sarah is the new kid in school.  Her mother is a cook in the kitchen and Sarah is on a swimming scholarship.  With the exception of her science teacher, most at her new school have made her feel a little less than welcome.  Mr. _ hopes that by convincing _ to coming along on the science trip to explore the Florida Everglades for a weekend, she will welcome into the group fold.  However, after a terrible start, Sarah decided to take a local boy up on his offer to show her the Everglades first hand, which leads to a series of events where the two are in a fight for their lives.  Will they be able to make it out, alive?

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The Emerald Atlas by John Stephens

Three orphaned siblings, Kate, Michael, and Emma have spent most of the last three years in and out of   But their life is not what it seems, as they are being protected from some unimaginable evil. 

orphanages.

Soon they are on a quest through time to change history to set things right…

http://www.randomhouse.com/kids/
vandraanen/images/cover_running_dream.jpg

The Running Dream by Wendelin Van Draanen

Jessica is a runner.  One of the star members of her track team, she is preparing for the regional competition when tragedy strikes her team.  A bus accident leaves one member of her team dead and Jessica a below the knee amputee.  While surgery and recovery are ahead of schedule, how will she cope with the loss of the only dream she has ever known…

Variant by Robison E. Wells

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uploads/2011/10/variant-cover1.jpg

Benson has grown up in the foster care system.  One day he stumbles upon a chance to finally get away   He applies and is accepted, on scholarship, to a private boarding school in Arizona.  But after he arrives, he realizes that there is more to this school than just an education.  Benson must join a group called the Variants to survive against the other groups in the school and soon finds that he must escape his new school before he gets sent to a place no one ever comes back from, detention…

and make something of himself.





Here they are, time to get reading...March 2014 will be here before you know it...

Next up, my individual reviews...

A winner at last…

So I finally was able to look up this year’s Truman nominee winner last week.  I know, I’m a little behind in my post, but here we go.

To say that I am a bit surprised by the winner is an understatement.  I really didn’t see this one coming; I was so sure that I knew which book would win based off of my students’ preferences that I never even considered the book that was chosen.  So what is it?  Drum roll please……….

This year’s winner is Girl, Stolen.  Do you remember that one?  It was the book based on a real girl, whose car was stolen, while she was in the car.  Honestly, it was a great story and I can see why it won.  I mean here is the ultimate story of what ifs.  Our author created a compelling story of survival by thinking outside the box.

So, what do you think?  Did they get it right?  Give your answer in the comments?

Also, here is your top three of 2012-2013:

·      1^st place – Girl, Stolen – April Henry (859 votes)

·      2^nd place – The Lost Hero – Rick Riordan (769 votes)

·      3^rd place – Virals – Kathy Reichs (708 votes)

To learn more about the Truman Nominees, check out the website for the Missouri Association of School Librarians at www.maslonline.org.

Next up, the promised list of the 2013-14 Truman Nominees…

Historical Reading Catchup

During my student teaching, the library hosted a book fair, and I have to admit, I went a little overboard picking out books to read.  Well, those books sat in a box until just recently, when I was able to pull them out and read them during my evening workouts.  So today I just want to do a quick recap on three of the books, all of which, while fictional accounts, use a historical event as their backdrop.

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Our history books tell us the stories of the horrors that occurred during World War II in Germany.  Sometimes we hear about relocation camps here in the United States that involved Japanese Americans.  What we don't hear about, well, I don't remember hearing about, was that of those east of Germany.  People who were taken hostage by the Russian troops so that lands could be added to the Soviet Union.   Between Shades of Grey takes the experiences of Lithuanians from the early 1940s and 1950s and tells their stories through the fictional character Lina.  Lina, her mother, and brother are transported to a Soviet work camp in Siberia where they must work for Soviet troops in farm fields in order to survive.  Through this story, a bit slow at the start, really takes off as the story progresses.

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In 2005, a Category 1 hurricane moved through Florida and slowly inched its way into the Gulf of Mexico.  I remember early on how the meteorologists of the time kept going back and forth on their predictions for its final landfall.  It wasn't until the storm had increased in strength that they realized that it would hit the below sea level city, New Orleans head on.  This hurricane, now a Category 5 was named Katrina, and will forever be known as one of the deadliest storms in the history of the United States.

The Ninth Ward takes us into the life of Lanesha, a young girl, orphaned at birth, who was taken in by Mama Ya-Ya, the midwife who helped give birth to this remarkable girl. What make her remarkable is her strength in the face of great danger.

This story takes us into the heart of New Orleans' 9th Ward and gives us a look at the choices or lack of choices those living in the 9th Ward had in preparing for Hurricane Katrina.

Salem, MA was the site of one of the most famous witch hunts in history.  Many accounts have come out, both fictional and real, about the people who lived in Salem during the 17th century.  Invisible World once again takes a new spin on the events that occurred during the Salem Witch Trials through the eyes of Elsabeth James.  Elsabeth is a young girl, who is descended from mind-readers, midwives, and fortune-tellers, who has inherited these gifts.  On a trip to the colonies with her father and older sister, their ship capsizes at sea, leaving Elsabeth to survive the seas alone until she lands just outside a South Carolina plantation where she meets a young slave man and learns how to use her powers for healing purposes.  It is not long before she is sold to a family in Salem and her past and present collide.  
A fresh new look at an old story, intertwining not only the religious aspects of the time, but also how slavery played a part in time period as well.
Book image credit - http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1335037937l/13316306.jpg

Next time, I hope to look at the winner of the 2012-2013 Truman Awards and to introduce the 2013-2014 nominees.  Until then...

Edited to note - yes, I know that I already had a post on Between Shades of Grey, but as all three books have a historical aspect, I felt that it was important to discuss all three.

Between Shades of Grey

During my Student Teaching, the inevitable happened, I ran out of time to write in my blog.  I took time to write to my students in their blogs, but for me, myself, I stopped writing.  Well, now that I have way to much time on my hands, I guess I need to refocus my efforts on my reading and writing.  So with that said, I returned to reading.  This time, I am not reading off the Truman Nominee list, which I will return to in the near future, but to a book I found at the school book fair.

My latest read - Between Shades of Grey.  For my adult readers, yes I did say Shades of Grey, but it is not what you are thinking.  For my students, especially those who love history, I think I have found a book for you.

Between Shades of Grey is a fictionalized book about a young girl from Lithuania circa the year 1941.  What makes this girl and her family different from any other is that during that time Russians were taking citizens from Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia and imprisoning them in Russian work camps in Siberia for "crimes" against the Russian government.  Our heroine, Lina, is a 15-year old inspiring artist, whose family is arrested and transported with many other families by train to a work camp deep in the reaches of Siberia.  When her mother refuses to help the Russia troops holding them prisoner, their family is denied any assistance other than the most meager of rations of bread.

Lina teaches us what it takes to survive in the worst of situations and what it means to believe in hope.  For many of my students, I could see how this story could teach us to see beyond our own current situation.  For me, it taught me about another cold reality of World War II.  I had learned of the millions who had died in German concentration camps, but I had never heard about the camps that Stalin had built to house those who were considered "anti-Soviet."

To learn more about this book and the author, please visit the official website at: http://www.betweenshadesofgray.com/


"Between Shades of Gray." Official Book Website for by Ruta Sepetys. N.p., n.d. Web. 05 Feb. 2013. <http://www.betweenshadesofgray.com/>.
Septetys, Ruta. Between Shades of Grey. New York: Penguin Group, 2011. Print.

Introduction to Independent Reading

On Friday I had the chance to teach my students how to choose a book for Independent Reading.  As a group we created the following list:

§  Front Cover/Inside Jacket

§  Back Cover Information

§  Characters we’ve read about in other books

§  Another book in the series

§  Interesting Title

§  Great Illustrations

§  Authors we know and like

§  Book recommendations from teachers, friends, and critics

§  Books that are movies

§  Genres we like to read

§  Try the beginning

§  Read some of the middle

§  “Must-read” rack in our room

§  New/popular books

§  Sequel to a book we’ve read

§  Heard it read aloud

§  Read it Before and enjoyed it

The students also had a chance to choose their first book for Independent Reading. I'm excited to report that many of them chose books off the Truman Nominee list  and I haven't even had my book talk on those books yet.  That comes this Thursday.