TN #12: Virals

Wow!  I made my goal - 12 books in one month.  I know, I really need to get a life.  I guess I will spend July trying to do that...

I'm going to go a little backwards here, as I normally go with a topic and then lead into the book.  But in this case, it seems that introducing the book works a little better.  So first, I have found a interview with author Kathy Reichs.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_UhfdBZyTvE&feature=related

As Ms. Reichs mentioned, she is the author of the Bones series.  Before Bones was a series on Fox, it was a book series, that is still in publication.  In fact, she has another Bones book coming out in August.  As much as I enjoy the television series (when I can actually watch normal adult programming), I haven't had a chance to read any of the books.  Maybe I will have to add them to my list.

Ok, Virals, is based on Temperance Brennan's great niece Tory Brennan.  The book does explain that she doesn't get the name Brennan from her father's side, but from her mother's side, even though she is related to Dr. Brennan through her father.  Talk about family issues.  Tori lives with her father, who she has only recently met, after her mother is killed by a drunk driver.  Her father is a Marine Biologist studying marine life on a remote island on the outskirts of Charleston, South Carolina.  When Tori and her friends decide to track down some information at her father's lab, they find a lost wolfdog cub and decide to take the wolfdog cub with them. From there, their lives change forever.

Why was the wolfdog cub at the lab?  The story tends to revolve around the Canine Parvovirus.  A flu-like virus that attacks wild and domesticated (the type you may have at home) and causes high fever, vomiting, diarrea, chills, loss of energy, loss of appetite, and a few other things.  Not very pleasant and can lead to death.  There is a vaccine for this virus and as long as the animal has been vaccinated, they usually should escape the virus.  Or so my vet tells me when I have to get my dog vaccinated for different things each year.

Those of my students who enjoy some aspect of science will really get into this book, as many different scientific ideas come up throughout the book.  It also makes for a nice crime investigation book.  So a little science, a little crime fighting, oh and some mean girls (can't have a teen book without those).  This makes for a well rounded story.

And a good place for my little green post-it note to get retired...

As always, let me know what you think and hopefully you have read enough of the Truman Nominees to be able to vote this coming Spring.  Who will you vote for?  Well, that is up to you...

Works Cited 

"Follow Us On Twitter @ExploreCHS." Charleston, SC. N.p., n.d. Web. 30 June 2012. <http://www.charlestoncvb.com/>. 

"Kathy Reichs | Welcome To Kathy Reichs." Kathy Reichs | Welcome To Kathy Reichs. N.p., n.d. Web. 30 June 2012. <http://kathyreichs.com/>. 

"Kathy Reichs Discusses Virals Series." YouTube. YouTube, 29 Dec. 2010. Web. 30 June 2012. <http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_UhfdBZyTvE>. 

"Marine Careers :: Marine Biology." Marine Careers :: Marine Biology. N.p., n.d. Web. 30 June 2012. <http://marinecareers.net/field_marinebiology.php>. 

"An Overview of Canine Parvovirus." Http://bakerinstitute.vet.cornell.edu/. Cornell University, 2007. Web. 30 June 2012. <http://bakerinstitute.vet.cornell.edu/animalhealth/page.php?id=1089>. 

TN #11: The Heros of Olympus - The Lost Hero

Olympian Family Tree

http://thedeadone.net/wp-content/uploads/olympian-family-tree.png

A couple of summers ago I decided to spend two months studying Classic Mythology.  What's Classic Mythology?  Well in a nut shell it is the study of the morals and ethics during the Greek (and later Roman) times.  Actually, many of our beliefs go back to Greek and Roman times.

Last year, I was required to read a book about the journey of a young man transitioning to be a great soccer player.  The story itself was based on the ancient Greek story idea of the Hero's Journey.  So what is the idea of a Hero's Journey?  I could copy and paste, but I think it would be easier to let you see for yourself at The Hero's Journey Reference.  But the following diagram also gives you a bit of look at the Hero's Journey as well.

http://newvillager.files.wordpress.com/2011/07/myth_quest_model_heroes_journey.gif

So back to that report that I was talking about, while I was researching it, I learned about a very popular movie from 1977 that was actually written based on the ancient idea of the Hero's Journey.  The movie Star Wars, created by George Lucas, was written using the Hero's Journey as a blueprint or road map.  When I gave my presentation, I actually found a video that discussed a little bit of how the two came together that was created by the History Channel, but unfortunately I can't find it.  Anyway, if you want to know a little more about what I learned, we can look it up in class or just discuss it.  

So how does this relate to book number 11 on the Truman Nominee List?  Book number 11 is entitled The Heros of Olympus:  The Lost Hero and in itself follows the same Hero's Journey blueprint.  We meet our heros, something supernaturally happens to them, they must make the choice to go on the journey, they meet face many trials, there is a female figure (in this case Hera, Queen of the Gods), their is a great battle, and so on.  Basic premise.  

The storyline itself is much like the other Percy Jackson stories, just without Percy, although his presence is felt throughout the story.  Lots of action, with something in it for both my female and male readers.

Here is the author, Rick Riordan, introducing the book.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JsquP0gehj4

If you get a chance, take a look at the Hero's Journey site and try to compare it to the story as you read along and let me know what you think - is it a Hero's Journey or just another mythological story?

Works Cited

"The Heroes of Olympus, The Lost Hero." YouTube. YouTube, 15 Mar. 2012. Web. 29 June 2012. <http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JsquP0gehj4>.

"Heros Journey : Summary of Steps." Heros Journey : Summary of Steps. N.p., n.d. Web. 29 June 2012. <http://www.mcli.dist.maricopa.edu/smc/journey/ref/summary.html>.

"The Heroâ  s Journey «." The Heroâ  s Journey «. N.p., n.d. Web. 29 June 2012. <http://newvillager.wordpress.com/2011/07/22/the-heros-journey/>.

"The Lost Hero - Heroes of Olympus: The Online World of Rick Riordan." The Lost Hero - Heroes of Olympus: The Online World of Rick Riordan. N.p., n.d. Web. 29 June 2012. <http://www.rickriordan.com/my-books/percy-jackson/heroes-of-olympus/the-lost-hero.aspx>.

"Thedeadone.net." Olympian Gods Family Tree for Lost Heroes. N.p., n.d. Web. 29 June 2012. <http://thedeadone.net/blog/olympian-gods-family-tree-for-lost-heroes/>.

"Truman 2012-2013 Final Nominees - Missouri Association of School Librarians." Truman 2012-2013 Final Nominees - Missouri Association of School Librarians. N.p., n.d. Web. 29 June 2012. <http://www.maslonline.org/?page=1213TRUFinNom>.

TN #8 - Soccerland

 

U.S. Soccer Director of Women's Development Jill Ellis
http://www.ussoccer.com/~/media/210F445109CA4E558FB54ED2CECA1E96.ashx?w=400&h=300

To the right you will see the picture of Jill Ellis.  This year, approximately 100 14 year old girls will be working at one of three camps across the country attempting to get her attention.  Why?  She is the United States Soccer Director of Women's Development.  That means that she is a part of a team that decides which girls have what it takes to make the United States National Team and which will be playing soccer on the local level until they find something else to do.  Harsh, right?  Well, when thousands of girls are dreaming of being the next Mia Hamm  or Brandi Chastain, and only eleven positions (+substitutions) to be filled on a team, only so many can make it and to make it you can't just be good, you have to be unbelievable good.

So why am I focusing on what Ms. Ellis does?  Why, because our next selection, Soccerland, is based on what Ms. Ellis does for a living, finding the next U.S. U-15 Women's Soccer Team.

I could write about the author Beth Choat, but I think that the following video, from the author really lets you why she wrote this book and what it is about, so make sure to click on the video and take a look.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jQr5-BX7So4

Ladies, if you love sports - playing it or watching it, I really think you will enjoy this book.  Me, I had a hard time putting it down.  It follows the typical story and pretty much ends up about how you expect it to, but it is a detailed story about what it takes to make it to the national level.  Something we really don't ever get to hear about.  And its about the girls, whereas most sports stories are about boys.

Guys, there are a lot of hits and soccer terms, and just a little bit of romance - not too much.  These girls put sports first.  So, you may actually like it.

Ms. Choat has really put some research into this training camp and it shows throughout the book.  When I looked up the U.S. Olympic Complex Training Center in Colorado and the U.S. Soccer Youth Development Teams the information really did line up.

On my goodreads.com site I gave it 5 stars, let me know what you think.


Works Cited
"About the Author." Welcome to the ISA. N.p., n.d. Web. 20 June 2012. <http://theinternationalsportsacademy.com/author.html>.
"Brandi Chastain." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, 19 June 2012. Web. 20 June 2012. <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brandi_Chastain>.
Choat, Beth. Soccerland. Tarrytown, NY: Marshall Cavendish, 2010. Print.
Choat, Greg. "Soccerland." YouTube. YouTube, 17 Apr. 2012. Web. 20 June 2012. <http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jQr5-BX7So4>.
"Colorado Springs." Team USA. N.p., n.d. Web. 20 June 2012. <http://www.teamusa.org/About-the-USOC/Training-Centers-and-Sites/Colorado-Springs.aspx>.
"Jillian Ellis." - U.S. Soccer. N.p., n.d. Web. 20 June 2012. <http://www.ussoccer.com/teams/team-staff/jillian-ellis.aspx>.
"Mia Hamm." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, 19 June 2012. Web. 20 June 2012. <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mia_Hamm>.
"U.S. U-14 GNT to Hold First Training Camp of 2012 at The Home Depot Center." - U.S. Soccer. N.p., 7 May 2012. Web. 20 June 2012. <http://www.ussoccer.com/news/u-14-national-development-program/2012/05/u14-gnt-to-hold-first-training-camp-of-2012.aspx>.
"U.S. Under-14 NDP." - U.S. Soccer. N.p., n.d. Web. 20 June 2012. <http://www.ussoccer.com/Teams/Youth/US-Under-14-NDP.aspx>.
"Welcome to the ISA." Welcome to the ISA. N.p., n.d. Web. 20 June 2012. <http://theinternationalsportsacademy.com/index.html>.

TN #10 - The Grimm Legacy

The modern idea of a fairy tale always seems to end with "and they lived happily ever after."  They give hope and sometimes false ideas of what we should expect when we grow up.  Don't get me wrong, I love fairy tales.  I grew up watching every story that the big giant company run by a mouse has ever produced in animated format (and live format).  As much as I loved those, I enjoyed when some other company would take the story in a different direction.  Make it more dark.  At the time I though that they were playing with the real story for dramatic effect.  But as I grew older I learned about something called The Brothers Grimm.

http://www.notablebiographies.com/images/uewb_05_img0317.jpg

Who are these brothers?  Their once was two brothers (ok, I am stealing this from National Geographic to give you a synopsis) named Will and Jake Grimm, who set out to find and share folktales from Germany during the early 1800s.  They shared their findings with their audiences who found them entertaining.  These stories became the stories of The Brothers Grimm.  Many of these stories have been changed over the years to take out some or most of the Grimm aspects of the story.  Translation:  make them happy stories.

So, since these stories are part of a collection of fairy tales found all over Europe, I'm sure someone would say that there must be some kind of basis in the truth for some of these stories.  So with that idea, our author, Polly Shulman brings the Grimm Stories to modern day times.

So what if these stories all had some basis in truth?  What if the magical items all really existed?  Would they be safe in the world or would they be safer locked up in a museum of some sort?  In The Grimm Legacy the magically items found in the different Grimm stories have all been brought together for safe keeping.  People can check these items out, for a price.  But something is happening to the items, they seem to be losing their magic powers.  So it is up to a few fearless pages from the New York Circulating Material Repository to track down who is stealing the magic before it is too late.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3XIepgXWeE0

Nice book, takes a little to get into it, so don't give up because once the story gets going, it can be quite a ride.  Just a notice for my boys, there is a little bit of romance in the storyline, but I don't think enough to be distracting.  So one of you is going to have to give me your input on this issue.  Otherwise, share your thoughts on the story.  As always, I am looking forward to what you think.

By the way, for my next book I will be giving my little green post-it a break.  I was able to secure a digital copy of Soccerland on sale so I will be able to talk about that next time.  

"Brothers Grimm: Fairy Tales, History, Facts, and More." Brothers Grimm: Fairy Tales, History, Facts, and More. National Geographic Society, 1999. Web. 19 June 2012. <http://www.nationalgeographic.com/grimm/index2.html>.

"Grimm Brothers Biography." Germany Insider Facts. Rita Amend, 2010. Web. 19 June 2012. <http://www.germany-insider-facts.com/grimm-brothers.html>.

PenguinYoungReaders. "The Grimm Legacy Book Trailer Video." YouTube. YouTube, 24 May 2010. Web. 19 June 2012. <http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3XIepgXWeE0>.

"Polly Shulman." Polly Shulman. N.p., 2010. Web. 19 June 2012. <http://www.pollyshulman.com/>.

Shulman, Polly. The Grimm Legacy. New York: G.P. Putnam's Sons, 2010. Print.

"Grimm Brothers Picture." Notable Biographies. N.p., n.d. Web. 19 June 2012. <http://www.notablebiographies.com/images/uewb_05_img0317.jpg>.

TN #9: The Gardener

I really meant to read yesterday...

And I actually did.  Problem was, it wasn't a book on the list, it was something that I had been reading at the gym while working out on the elliptical.  Yes, I read while I am working out.  No there is nothing wrong with me (at least I think not).  I actually read because it makes the workout go a lot faster.  Forty minutes go by really fast when you are reading.  Anyway, the book, while was only slated for keeping me coming back to workout grabbed my attention and I just couldn't put it down.  So I finished it last night and got back to work on my little list of books.  To which my husband commented that "haven't you been reading that book for days?"  Nope, just today...

Anyway, so this morning I picked up The Gardener (with my little green post it) and got to work reading.  At first, it was work.  This seemed like a very strange book to me.  A lot of scientific stuff going on and then there was this football player who had a huge scar on his face.  How in the world did these two things go together?

The story drawls you in, so many questions?  Who is the girl?  Why isn't she eating?  What is Mason's mom hiding from Mason and why?  Who is the Gardener?  Those are just some of the questions that I had.  I'm sure there are more that you will have as you read.

http://records.viu.ca/~soules/medi402/walker/borg1.GIF

Then there is the Star Trek aspect.  I'm not sure how many of you have ever heard of the Borg.  They are these genetically altered humans (think part human/part computer) who went around assimilating species to add to their "collective" (something like a beehive).  Anyway, these were probably one of the most evil things in the new Star Trek Universe.  And they didn't just add to their numbers by force, they also grew babies cyborgs into adult cyborgs.  All this I know because I must have watched every episode of Star Trek:  The Next Generation at least ten times.

So how does this fit into the story (other than being mentioned at least twice in the book)?  The front cover of the book says it all - This Greenhouse...Grows Humans.  I don't know about you, but that is just a bit disturbing.  The book is about a company that is growing humans.  For what?  I can't tell you that.  It is for you to find out, if you choose to read the book.  I for one, would like to hear your thoughts.

Anyway, here is a little video someone made about the book.  It's about two minutes long, but it is a nice setup.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rLFYdCeEyPU

So, what did I find out about the author, S. A. Bodeen?  Well, first it seems that she like to write books that are a little disturbing. She also has a book called The Compound (2008) and another book coming out shortly called The Raft (2012).  But while she writes these books, she also write sweet little children's books.  Interesting combination.    Anyway, you can learn more about her at her website: http://www.rockforadoll.com/.  

Time to move that little green post-it.  

Bodeen, S. A. The Gardener. New York: Feiwel and Friends, 2010. Print.

Naomibates. "The Gardener by S.A. Bodeen." YouTube. YouTube, 19 Oct. 2010. Web. 16 June 2012. <http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rLFYdCeEyPU>.

"Children's Author Stephanie Stuve-Bodeen Is Available for School, Author Visits -- Books, Reviews, Honors, Awards." Children's Author Stephanie Stuve-Bodeen Is Available for School, Author Visits -- Books, Reviews, Honors, Awards. N.p., n.d. Web. 16 June 2012. <http://www.rockforadoll.com/index.html>.

"Star Trek." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, 16 June 2012. Web. 16 June 2012. <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Star_Trek>.

"The Compound [Hardcover]." Amazon.com: The Compound (9780312370152): S. A. Bodeen: Books. N.p., n.d. Web. 16 June 2012. <http://www.amazon.com/The-Compound-S-A-Bodeen/dp/0312370156>.

TN #7: Scrawl

So after I last wrote, I took off with my two little girls, the latest book on the list, and my little green post-it note and headed off to the gym/swimming pool to get them to their swimming lessons (and my version of punishment - aerobics class in 85 degree weather).  Before class, I had a chance to read about 5 pages of Scrawl and somehow knew that I would like it already.

Why?

Was it because the story wasn't really chapters and more like a journal.  If you remember one of my first posts about Life as we knew it, the book was more of a journal which gave it a voice.  And while I like stories with a personal voice, that wasn't the reason.  It was how this book was laid out.

You see  Scrawl is an example of a style of learning and teaching that I have been studying about in school.  You write, I respond, you write some more.  Now don't get scared, I don't have permission yet to implement this, but my future classes will probably see this.  I like this technique, it is a way to get to know you, while also giving you an inside to my thinking at the same time.  The goal of this kind of writing isn't just to get you to write, but to be honest and open with yourself.  Who knows, we may get to play around with this idea.

Anyway, I liked this book.  Not just from the teaching aspect (oh you bet I have plans for it), but because it takes you through a whole range of emotions.  You feel different things for Tod (our bully).  Sometimes good, sometimes bad.  It's not sugar coated and why should it be?  Do I think all bullies think this way?  No, everyone has something different that pushes them to do what they do.

At least I have a book I can really recommend especially for my guys, not that the girls won't like it too.  Not as much I expect, but maybe the different emotions might interest them.

Well, here is a little video about the book:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QYYk6t4EcWM

As for the author, Mark Shulman, this is his first novel, even though he has written several children's stories (at least this is what wikipedia has to tell me).  Unlike most of our authors, there is not much on Mark, so I suggest you read the description of the author in the book.  Let me know if you need help finding it.

Question for you:  If you were told to write anything for 45 minutes, what would you write about and why?

Well, I have to go.  More books to read.  One programming note:  I can't get a hold of the next book on the list Soccerland until sometime in August so I guess I will have to come back to that.

"Mark Shulman." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, 06 Dec. 2012. Web. 14 June 2012. <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mark_Shulman>.

Clasurdo. "Scrawl Book TRailer- Mark Shulman." YouTube. YouTube, 05 Mar. 2012. Web. 14 June 2012. <http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QYYk6t4EcWM>.

Shulman, Mark. Scrawl: A Novel. New York: Roaring Brook, 2010. Print.

TN# 6: Paranomalcy

So I have this little green post-it bookmark that I have been using for most of the books that I have been reading so far.  I say most, because it is the second, the first died a tragic death in a freak water accident (I.E. - it got dropped in a lot of water).  So why am I talking about a green post-it note.  Maybe because I would like to see this normal little sticky piece of paper last forever, but nothing last forever, does it?

In the books we read and the stories we watch on TV and in the Movies things do last forever.  Immortals, Fairies, things we have yet to invent or learn about, they last.  Ok, what's up Mrs. Levey?

In our world, these are very strange and abnormal things, but in the latest book that I have read about a young girl named Evie, to her these are the norm. But all she really wants is to be a normal average teenager.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CEfkhm97vus

Welcome to the world of Paranormalcy!  Where those who are different from us hide their differences behind something called glamour.  It makes vampires attractive, werewolves a lot less hairy, and boys made of water look like anyone they have ever seen.  Interesting right?

This book is probably going to interested the girls a lot more than the boys in my class.  Why?  Because, at its core, it is a book about a teenage girl wanting to be a teenage girl.  She wears pink, watches teen soap operas, and dances with fairies (or at least she used to).  Definitively a girly type of book, with not enough action to keep the boys interested, so I won't even try to push it on my guys.  But for my girls that like a bit of romance and the idea that they feel out of place, this should be your book of choice.  Plus, there are two sequels to keep you busy, should you want to read on about Evie and her connection to the fairies.

• Supernaturally (2011)
• Endlessly (2012)

As always, I have found the author's blog at http://kierstenwrites.blogspot.com/p/paranormalcy.html.  As I was reading a little bit about her, I felt a bit of a connection.  Here is someone who is married with two kids, likes to write (don't tell my professor), and views herself as funny (even if not everyone around her agrees).  Gotta love it.

I wish I had time to write more, but my kiddos want to go to swim class and if I don't get them going soon, I have a feeling WWIII will be starting soon.  So I'm going to move my little green post-it note onto my next book and I will write soon!

Oh, I almost forgot - Paranormalcy has been optioned and according to Mrs. White, the first draft of the screen play has been written, with the hopes of seeing a movie sometime in 2013.  That might be interesting!

• White, Kiersten. Paranormalcy. New York: HarperTeen, 2010. Print.
• TeenLitCentral. "Paranormalcy Book Trailer." YouTube. YouTube, 03 Aug. 2010. Web. 13 June 2012. <http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CEfkhm97vus>
• "Kiersten Writes: PARANORMALCY Trilogy." Kiersten Writes: PARANORMALCY Trilogy. N.p., n.d. Web. 13 June 2012. <http://kierstenwrites.blogspot.com/p/paranormalcy.html>.