Minding the Middle

Manga Friday: Freedom! (Miss Annie)

2012-01-27T07:00:00.001-10:00

Creators: Frank Le Gall (author); Flore Balthazar (illustrator); Robin Doo (colorist) Publisher: Graphic Universe (March 2012) Paperback: 48 pages In short: Miss Annie may just be a few months old, but she is big enough for adventure and old enough to go outside. Besides, freedom is just beyond the window! My thoughts: Miss Annie is a precocious kitty who already understands the insider secrets

Manga Friday: The Dotter of Her Father's Eyes

2011-12-23T07:00:00.002-10:00

Author: Mary Talbot Illustrator: Bryan Talbot Hardcover: 96 pages Publisher: Dark Horse (February 2012) Rating: 3 out of 5 In short: This graphic novel is an intersection of two coming of age stories: one that of Lucia, the daughter of author James Joyce, and the other, Mary (Atherton) Talbot, daughter of Joycean scholar James S. Atherton. My thoughts: The good: Bryan Talbot is an experienced

Manga Friday: The Girl Who Owned a City

2011-12-16T07:00:00.023-10:00

Author: O.T. Nelson, adapted by Dan Jolley Illustrator: Joelle Jones; coloring Jenn Manley Lee Publisher: Graphic Universe (April 2012) Paperback: 128 pages Rating: 4 out of 5 Summary: After a virus wipes out everyone over 12 on Earth and turns them to dust, 10-year-old Lisa must take care of her younger brother and figure out how to survive in this new world. Not only does she have to feed

Tween Tuesday Review: A Leaf Can Be

2011-12-13T08:39:00.000-10:00

Author: Laura Purdie Salas Illustrator: Violeta Dabija Publisher: Millbrook PR Trade (February 2012) Hardcover: 32 pages Rating: 5 out of 5 In short: A leaf can be many things, like a "frost catcher. . .moth matcher. . .pile grower. . .hill glow-er." Follow the whimsical text and captivating pictures through the many things a leaf can be. My thoughts: There is nothing better than lilting

Manga Friday: The Last Dragon by Jane Yolen

2011-12-09T10:13:00.002-10:00

Title: The Last Dragon Author: Jane Yolen, author; Rebecca Guay, illustrator Hardcover: 144 pages Publisher: Dark Horse (2011) Rating: 4 out of 5 Summary: Tansy, the village healer's headstrong daughter comes across some fireweed, a dragon's bane, and an ancient plant that only shows up when a dragon is near. Her father, curious of the implications of the plant in a world that has been free of

Review: Antiquitas Lost by Robert Louis Smith

2011-12-07T12:00:00.001-10:00

Title: Antiquitas Lost: The Last of the Shamalans Author: Robert Louis Smith Illustrator: Geof Isherwood Paperback: 615 pages Publisher: Medlock Publishing (2011) Rating: 5 starts SummaryTwo heroes - two worlds - connected by strange birthmarks from a dying race. Elliott is at his dying mother's bedside in New Orleans as Princess Sarintha of Harwelden is kidnapped by a serpan warlord.

Interview: Hiro Mashima Talks About His Popular Manga Creations

2011-12-06T11:53:00.000-10:00

School Library Journal has a great interview with Hiro Mashima and I'm sharing the interview link here. Interview: Hiro Mashima Talks About His Popular Manga Creations Hiro Mashima is the author of the Rave Master series, and although I buy and collect a lot of manga and graphic novels, Rave is the only complete series that I have. My middle boy got his first Rave Master for his 13th birthday

Hunger Games FEVER

2011-11-21T11:35:00.004-10:00

I've been pushing Hunger Games on reluctant readers for several years, so although I was not happy with the actor choices for the movie, after seeing this trailer, I can't resist - I'm not a Twihard, but I now have Hunger Games Fever - may even be caught camped out in the movie line. Release date: March 23, 2012

Picture Book Month: No Ke Kumu 'Ulu - Teaching through Place-Based Literature

2011-11-20T07:00:00.003-10:00

Today's theme is Folk and Fairy tales, so I would be remiss to not talk about at least one Hawaiian folk tale. Hawaiians are an oral culture, so the mo'olelo (the stories) are numerous, so this is just one. Summary: Kawehi Avelino's tale is about Kū, a Hawaiian deity who took the form of a human in order to live a normal life. He works hard as a human to support his family, but things begin to

Picture Book Month: Math Curse

2011-11-18T07:00:00.001-10:00

Even middle school math students want to be read to. Today's theme: school Summary: Math Curse by the hilarious Jon Scieszka and Lane Smith bring the magical and manic back into mathematics. Mrs. Fibonacci announces in math class that "you can think of almost everything as a math problem," and the next day, our poor narrator is afflicted with a "math curse" that changes how she views every facet

Picture Book Month: The Day Jimmy's Boa Ate the Wash -Cause & Effect

2011-11-17T05:51:00.001-10:00

Summary:Trinka Hakes Noble's hilarious use of flashback and deadpan storytelling paired with Steven Kellogg's hilarious, chaotic illustrations make the story of a fiasco on the farm an enjoyable read, even for older kids and adults. A girl returns home after an excursion to a farm and when her mother asks her about her day she slowly unrolls her day of chaos that didn't get exciting until the

Picture Book Month: The Sweetest Fig

2011-11-16T05:14:00.000-10:00

Summary: Chris Van Allsburg's Monsieur Bibot is a very sadistic French dentist who is given a pair of magic figs as a form of payment by an impoverished patient. The fruit has the power to make dreams come true, according to the old woman, but he scoffs at the idea until after eating the first one, he realizes that his dreams have indeed come true. Bibot makes plans for the second fig, including

Picture Book Month: Books with Voice

2011-11-15T16:59:00.001-10:00

What it looks like in the Middle: Middle school is a great time to perfect voice in student writing. Not only do middle schoolers have a lot to say as they struggle to find their own identity, but they have attitude coming out of their pores. These children's books are full of voice and are a great way to model voice in mini lessons. I especially love Olivia who epitomizes the middle

Picture Book Month: Heroes

2011-11-10T19:55:00.000-10:00

What it looks like in the Middle: This is a short mini lesson used before the students leave for Veteran's Day weekend. On November 1, 2011, Japanese-American veterans of the 100th Infantry Battalion and 442nd Regimental Combat Team received Bronze Stars. They also received Congressional Gold Medals on November 2 for their contributions during World War II. Soon after Japan bombed Pearl Harbor

Picture Book Month: Eats, Shoots & Leaves

2011-11-09T13:45:00.000-10:00

Summary: In this hilarious book on commas, students are "shown" through illustrations how the same sentence, with different punctuation can lead to humorous misunderstandings. What it looks like in the Middle: Yes, this is a cute book to review comma rules, and it's possible to assess students on the type of comma rules, but I use it to help students visualize the power of punctuation by

Picture Book Month: The Mysteries of Harris Burdick

2011-11-08T12:34:00.001-10:00

Summary: The story goes that a mysterious man, "Harris Burdick" dropped off some illustrations with a Boston publisher over 25 years ago and promised to return with the accompanying stories. Mr. Burdick was never heard from again. Chris Van Allsburg's book shares these somewhat dark and mysterious illustrations with the original captions, leaving the reader to fill in the story. What it looks

Picture Book Month: Pairing Up Children's Books with Social Studies

2011-11-07T16:00:00.001-10:00

A book like Warriors Don't Cry for 8th grade is powerful because it's a memoir from someone who lived through and journaled their way through integration. She lived history. Another advantage is that the events are fairly recent and many of the participants are still alive so there are numerous primary resources out there so that students are immersed in multiple perspectives and after the fact

Picture Book Month: Wilfrid Gordon McDonald Partridge

2011-11-04T23:04:00.000-10:00

Summary: In this Mem Fox gem, Wilfrid Gordon McDonald Partridge is a little boy who lives next to an old folks' home. His favorite resident is Miss Nancy Alison Delacourt Cooper because she also has four names. When Miss Nancy loses her "memory," Wilfrid interviews the other residents in order to help Miss Nancy find her memories. He presents her with objects that help her to remember. What it

Picture Book Month: When I Was Young in the Mountains

2011-11-03T22:50:00.000-10:00

Summary: Cynthia Rylant reminisces about her childhood in Appalachia in this poetic and touching book. What it looks like in the Middle: Sometimes picture books are used as models for writing and writing starters. This is a powerful one with its simple prompt "When I was young. . ." I have had great success with this prompt from students in the Middle as well as younger students, older students

Picture Book Month: Ruby Bridges

2011-11-02T15:55:00.000-10:00

Summary: The year is 1960, and six-year-old Ruby Bridges and her family have recently moved from Mississippi to New Orleans in search of a better life. When a judge orders Ruby to attend first grade at William Frantz Elementary, an all-white school, Ruby must face angry mobs of parents who refuse to send their children to school with her. Told with Robert Coles' powerful narrative and

Celebrating Picture Book Month in the Middle

2011-11-01T09:11:00.002-10:00

"I have always believed that literature begins in the cradle -- the poems we say to the babies, the storieswe tell them -- prepare them to become part of the great human storytelling community. We humans arethe only creatures in the known universe who make and remake our world with story."- Jane Yolen from her Picture Book Month essay Dianne de Las Casas is hosting a Picture Book Month site for

Is Toni Morrison's Beloved Appropriate for My 14-Year-Old?

2011-10-29T18:00:00.001-10:00

I have three sons, two of which have grown up to be aliterate readers(they know how to read, they choose not to read). I know they can read with comprehension. I made sure of it. We may not have had much, but we were rich in books. The kids went to the library regularly. We all read. We did read alouds even when they were teens. This did not make them lifelong voluntary readers. That has nothing

Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief: Graphic Novel

2011-10-15T09:24:00.001-10:00

Authors: Rick Riordan; adapted by Robert Venditti Illustrator: Attila Futaki; Jose Villarrubia Paperback: 128 pages Publisher: Hyperion Books (October 2010) My thoughts: The original Riordan book is a fast read for reluctant readers and they easily get sucked into the series, but the movie, for those kids that need the visual stimulation of a big screen event, this was a total flop, especially

How To Bake a Perfect Life

2011-10-06T22:47:00.000-10:00

Author: Barbara O'Neal Paperback: 398 pages Publisher: Bantam Books (2011) Rating: 4 out of 5 If you're looking for a light read, chick lit, recipes interspersed, multi-generational romance, this is a great book to hunker down with. Try to eat ahead of time and let it sweep you away.

Cirque du Freak Volume 5: Manga version

2011-10-05T16:37:00.000-10:00

Author: Darren Shan Artist: Takahiro Arai Paperback: 195 pages Publisher: Yen Press Now that I have absolutely no time to read anything besides my graduate class materials, I thought that I would drown in all the YA books coming out that I won't be able to read in the next three years. Three years in YA time, that's like one generation. Now that we have no local bookstore (our Borders stores

Forever (Wolves of Mercy Falls, book 3)

2011-07-31T07:44:00.001-10:00

Author: Maggie StiefvaterHardcover: 400 pagesPublisher: Scholastic Press (July 2011)Rating: 5 for the series Synopsis: In this last book in the Wolves of Mercy Falls trilogy, Sam waits for Grace to shift for the spring and Sam, Cole and Isabel fight to keep all of the wolves safe as Isabel's father goes through plans of eliminating the pack by helicopter. Response:For those YA readers who are

The Water Wars

2011-06-05T15:55:00.000-10:00

Author: Cameron Stracher Hardcover: 256 pages Publisher: Sourcebooks Fire (Jan. 2011) Reading level: YA Rating: 5 out of 5 Synopsis: Siblings Vera and Will live in a dystopian future somewhere in the midwest where people have done so much damage to the earth that the clean water sources have been dried up and remaining sources of water are controlled by governments and the Bluewater

Leverage

2011-05-24T08:40:00.000-10:00

Title: Leverage Author: Joshua C. Cohen Hardcover: 304 pages Publisher: Dutton Juvenile (Feb 2011) Rating: 5 out of 5 Synopsis: Danny, a sophomore star on the gymnastics team is one narrator and Kurt, a massive, scarred, stuttering fullback is the other voice. Through them we see the seamy side of high school, of sports, of drugs, of bullying. This is a realistic, gritty look at a group of

Black Jack, Volume 2

2011-05-09T09:36:00.021-10:00

Author: Osamu Tezuka Softcover: 303 pages Publisher: Vertical, Inc. (2008) Genre: Manga Translation: Camellia Nieh Rating: 5 out of 5 My thoughts: Tezuka, labeled as the "father of manga" on his website, develops a complex character in Black Jack. He is arrogant and brash, but he's also sensitive and patient. Volume 2 introduces Pinoko, a girl that he pieced together like Dr. Frankenstein and

Black Jack, Volume 1

2011-05-08T09:31:00.000-10:00

Author: Osamu Tezuka Softcover: 288 pages Genre: medical manga, series Publisher: Vertical, Inc. (2008) Translation: Camellia Nieh Rating: 5 of 5 From the back cover: From the creator of Astro Boy and Kimba comes the epochal work that has been the God of Manga's most popular series among adult readers in Japan and most anticipated stateside release in recent years. Black Jack chronicles the

On The Jellicoe Road

2011-05-01T22:18:00.000-10:00

Author: Melina Marchetta Audiobook: narrated by Rebecca Macauley Listening Length: 8 hours 53 minutes Publisher: Bolinda Publishing Pty Ltd (February 9, 2009) Summary from Product Review: Taylor Markham is now a senior at the Jellicoe School, and has been made leader of the boarders. She is responsible for keeping the upper hand in the territory wars with the townies, and the cadets who camp on

Malcolm X: A Graphic Biography

2010-12-03T15:42:00.000-10:00

Author: Andrew Helfer Artist: Randy DuBurke Hardcover: 112 pages Publisher: Hill and Wang (November 2006) Rating: 4 out of 5 from Publisher's WeeklyHelfer and DuBurke tell the story of Malcolm X's short life—his meeting with Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., the two leaders describing the opposite ideological ends of the fight for civil rights; and his eventual assassination by other members of the

The Savage by David Almond

2010-11-06T16:23:00.001-10:00

Illustrator: Dave McKean Publisher: Candlewick (2008) Hardcover: 80 pages Genre: graphic novel Rating: 4 out of 5 What happens when a young boy suddenly loses his father? How does a boy cope with bullying when he has lost his hero? Blue Baker is a young boy in pain. He's not alone, but he's not understood by the adults that try to help him. Mrs. Molloy, the school counselor takes him out of

Vampire Loves by Joann Sfar

2010-11-05T15:52:00.031-10:00

Publisher: First Second (May 2006) Paperback: 192 pages Genre: graphic novel Rating: 3 out of 5 From the front cover: Meet Ferdinand, a vampire who bites his victims with only one tooth in order to pass as a mosquito, who loves the music of dead folk singers, and who has no end of trouble trying to make sense of his relationships--some with the living, some not. Vampire Loves follows the

DVD Review: The Least Among You

2010-11-04T14:52:00.000-10:00

Publisher: Lionsgate (2010) Cast: Cedric Sanders, Lauren Holly, Louis Gossett, Jr. Director: Mark Young Rating: PG-13 Synopsis: (from the product description) Leaders are not chosen, they are called. Inspired by a true story. Arrested in the 1965 Watts riots, Richard Kelly (Cedric Sanders) must serve probation at an

Emily the Strange: Seeing is Deceiving by Rob Reger

2010-11-03T07:55:00.000-10:00

Hardcover: 64 pages Publisher: Chronicle Books (August 24, 2006) Rating: 4 out of 5 What I love about libraries is that there are so many treasures just waiting for me even in the most modest public library, so here's a shout out to the Liliha Public Library in Honolulu, Hawaii. What I love about this library is they have a fabulous young adult section and one of the largest graphic novel

The Hapless Child by Edward Gorey

2010-11-02T19:52:00.000-10:00

My plan was to blog about some "Halloween" type of graphic novels before Halloween, but I've been trying to post this one up for a week and I think it's the book that's haunted. This is the first time I could even post the cover art. This little Edward Gorey masterpiece of fine line drawing is indeed haunting. There is nothing light and whimsical about the pictures or the story, so although

Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins

2010-10-14T17:12:00.000-10:00

Title: Mockingjay Author: Suzanne Collins Hardcover: 400 pages Publisher: Scholastic Press (August 24, 2010) Genre: dystopian, science fiction, action, romance, political Rating: 5 out of 5 My thoughts: The "much-awaited" book three of the Hunger Games trilogy sounds so cliche, but I really was waiting for this book with bated breath. Even more of a cliffhanger than Vladimir Tod:

The Chronicles of Vladimir Tod: Twelfth Grade Kills by Heather Brewer

2010-10-13T17:02:00.000-10:00

Title: Twelfth Grade Kills Author: Heather Brewer Hardcover: 224 pages Publisher: Dutton Juvenile (September 21, 2010) Genre: paranormal, action, vampires, romance Rating: 4 out of 5 Summary: from product description As a teenage vampire, Vlad has spent the last four years trying to handle the pressures of school while sidestepping a slayer out for his blood. Now he's a senior, and in this

Tween Tuesday: Shakespeare Bats Cleanup

2010-10-12T04:05:00.003-10:00

Tween Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted by Green Bean Teen Queen that highlights great reads for tweens. Title: Shakespeare Bats CleanupAuthor: Ron KoertgePaperback: 116 pagesPublisher: Candlewick (February 2006)Genre: novel in verseRating: 4 out of 5 Source: Liliha Public Library Review:This novel in verse is told from the point of view of 14-year-old Kevin Boland, who while he is laid up at

Poop Happened by Sarah Albee

2010-10-06T07:15:00.000-10:00

Title: Poop Happened: A History of the World from the Bottom Up Author: Sarah Albee Publisher: Walker Books for Young Readers (May 2010) Paperback: 176 pages Genre: non-fiction Rating: 5 out of 5 Review: This self-proclaimed "number one book on number two" is a hilarious, informational romp into the history of excrement, civilization's "roll" in it, the ways we dealt with it and all things

Book Talk with Sharon Dogar, Annexed

2010-10-03T07:20:00.003-10:00

Interested? Annexed comes out on October 4 from Houghton Mifflin

Erin McCahan Blog Tour: I Now Pronounce You Someone Else

2010-10-01T16:51:00.001-10:00

The blog tour is on for this book and I must say, I totally just LOVED it and knew that this was a message that I wanted my students to read about. I actually jumped the whole blog tour gun by posting my review early, so my review is linked here. Review for I Now Pronounce You Someone Else I would love to give this book away except that it is making its rounds among my own students and

Guest Post - Author Sharon Dogar

2010-10-01T07:18:00.000-10:00

Annexed by Sharon Dogar comes out on October 4, 2010 from Houghton Mifflin, so I'm thrilled to have the author here to talk about her book. Annexed tells the Anne Frank story from the point of view of Peter van Pels, the teenaged boy who also hid in the annex. Ms. Dogar is a children's psychotherapist who lives in Oxford, England, with her family. She discovered Anne Frank's diary as a child

Pride and Prejudice and Zombies, the graphic novel by Tony Lee

2010-09-26T08:05:00.000-10:00

Title: Pride and Prejudice and Zombies: the graphic novel Author: Tony Lee (adapter), Jane Austen (author), Seth Grahame-Smith (author), Cliff Richards (illustrator) Paperback: 176 pages Publisher: Del Rey (May 4, 2010) Genre: Graphic Novel Rating: 3 out of 5 Summary: This is a graphic novel of the mash up of Jane Austen's classic Pride and Prejudice with Seth Grahame-Smith's. The mash up is

Little Bee by Chris Cleave

2010-09-20T15:38:00.000-10:00

Title: Little Bee Author: Chris Cleave Paperback: 304 pages Publisher: Simon & Schuster (February 16, 2010) Rating: 5 out of 5 Summary from AmazonAll you should know going in to Little Bee is that what happens on the beach is brutal, and that it braids the fates of a 16-year-old Nigerian orphan (who calls herself Little Bee) and a well-off British couple--journalists trying to repair their

I Now Pronounce You Someone Else by Erin McCahan

2010-09-11T21:33:00.000-10:00

Rating: 5 out of 5 Softcover: 258 pages Publisher: Arthur A. Levine Books Genre: YA chick lit Source: this book is courtesy of Selena from Booksparks in exchange for an honest review About the book (from the publisher)High school senior Bronwen Oliver swore she was switched at birth. She has nothing in common with her stoic, blonde mother or her ketchup loving brother and dreams only of her

I am Hutterite by Mary-Ann Kirby

2010-09-01T19:04:00.000-10:00

RRating 4 out of 5 for its genre Hardcover 224 pages Publisher Thomas Nelson (May 2010) Genre Memoir Source this book is courtesy of Book Sneeze About the book. . .I Am Hutterite: The fascinating true story of a young woman's journey to reclaim her heritage takes the reader into the inner workings of the little-known Hutterite colony in southern Manitoba where author Mary-Ann Kirkby spent her

Boy: Tales of Childhood by Roald Dahl

2010-08-05T08:07:00.000-10:00

Rating: 4 out of 5 Reading level: 4th - 7th grade Paperback: 176 pages Publisher: Scholastic 1984 About the book: Roald Dahl, author of classics like Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, James and the Giant Peach, and my son's favorite BFG writes an autobiography of his childhood, and up to the age of 20. My thoughts: Mr. Dahl's caricatures of greedy, children-hating adults are so easily

The Shimmering: Ka 'Olili by Keola Beamer

2010-08-04T15:04:00.001-10:00

Synopses: from the product description Voted one of the best books of 2002 by the Honolulu Advertiser. This collection of original stories of island adventures and contemporary legends speak of the place where modern and ancient Hawaii meet. My thoughts: Keola Beamer is more widely known for his ki ho'alu (slack key) music, but in this collection of short stories, Beamer puts his story telling

Ancient O'ahu: Stories from Fornander and Thrum

2010-08-03T14:59:00.000-10:00

Synopses: This is a collection of stories from ancient Hawai'i collected by Fornander and Thrum. If you are familiar with Hawaiian stories, some will be familiar, like the prowess of Maui and his brothers, and the story of the giant pig god, Kamapua'a. Journey around O'ahu through these ancient stories. My thoughts: This book is similar to the book on fishing traditions in that some of the

Review: Devil's Arithmetic by Jane Yolen

2010-07-29T05:51:00.000-10:00

Rating: 5 out of 5 Summary: 12-year-old Hannah is apathetic and embarrassed by her grandfather's rantings about the Nazis. She knows that her grandfather and grand aunt are survivors from a Nazi concentration camp, but in typical tween fashion, their stories are just white noise and not important to her. However, during a Passover Seder, Hannah is chosen to open the door to the prophet Elijah,

Hawaiian Fishing Traditions by Moke Manu and Others

2010-07-12T16:54:00.000-10:00

Summary: In the same way that Americans have folk heroes like Paul Bunyan and Johnny Appleseed, the Hawaiians have heroes like Ku'ula-kai and his son 'Ai'ai. They fed their communities through their skill and prowess in the sea, and they exhibited supernatural strength to battle their adversaries. Through their actions, they taught the people about conservation, respect and generosity. My

Review: The Girl in the Moon Circle by Sia Figiel

2010-07-12T09:59:00.109-10:00

Summary: This novella is made up of the fragmented pieces of Samoan life through the eyes of 10-year-old Samoana, or Ana. Her vignettes sway through her village and talk about both the everyday challenges of living (school, friends, having refrigerators and televisions for the first time, crushes on boys), to the harder realities that she can't be shielded from (incest, family violence, suicide,

In My Mailbox

2010-07-11T09:39:00.001-10:00

In My Mailbox is a meme started by Kristi at the Story Siren. Please go to her blog for more book ideas. This week I'm desperately trying to make a dent in my summer reading list that was assigned to my students. I'm moving islands this year and have a new job teaching 9th grade English. The books were assigned by the department so I got the following from the local library: The Girl in the

Follow My Book Blog Friday

2010-07-08T18:55:00.002-10:00

Life threw me some curveballs these past six months, but I'm just now starting to carve time from simply surviving to actually being able to do some recreational reading, so I am glad that Parajunkee's meme was at the top of my blog reader. It sounds like so much fun and I get to visit more bloggers! To join the fun and make new book blogger friends, just follow these simple rules: Follow the

Review: Never Let You Go by Erin Healy

2010-07-07T14:25:00.001-10:00

Title: Never Let You Go Author: Erin Healy Paperback: 352 pages Publisher: Thomas Nelson (May 2010) Genre: Suspense, Thriller, Christian Rating: 4 out of 5 Source: phenix & phenix literary publicists (Mahalo Amy!) About the book: from the publishers Lexi is a young single mother learning to cope with the aftermath of a family disaster and the decisions of her husband, who left seven years ago.

Review: Between Two Kingdoms by Joe Boyd

2010-06-30T11:28:00.001-10:00

Title: Between Two Kingdoms Author: Joe Boyd Paperback: 176 pages Publisher: Standard Publishing (March 2010) Genre: Fantasy/Allegory/Christian Rating: 4 out of 5 Source: FSB Associates (thanks Anna!) About the book: from the publishers In this work of allegorical fantasy, author Joe Boyd takes us on a pilgrimage to a land of two kingdoms, but only one true King. An ancient land, where

Live Virtual Author Event tonight 6/28/10

2010-06-28T12:30:00.001-10:00

Terry Kate from the blog Romance in the Back Seat is hosting two YA authors in a virtual author event on her site. The live video chat with the authors starts at 8:30 p.m. EST (that's 2:30 p.m. Hawaii time). You will have an opportunity to chat live with Alyxandra Harvey (Blood Feud, the second adventure in the Drake Chronicles) at 9 p.m. and Meagan Hatfield (Shadow of the Vampire) at 9:30 p.m.

Review: Ponga Boy by Phil Lebherz & Philip Reed

2010-06-27T08:27:00.000-10:00

Title: Ponga Boy Authors: Phil Lebherz & Philip ReedPublisher: Epic Press (July, 2009)Hardcover: 180 pagesGenre: Sports fictionRating: 3 out of 5Source: from the authors My thoughts:It's World Cup fever at my house, despite the fact that although we loyally taped the 3 am matches, US lost to Ghana for their final match in the tournament. Still, they got to the round of 16. Not too shabby, and

Review: One Red Paperclip by Kyle MacDonald

2010-06-12T02:23:00.001-10:00

Title: One Red Paperclip: or How an Ordinary Man Achieved His Dream with the Help of a Simple Office Supply Author: Kyle MacDonald Publisher: Three Rivers Press (2007) Paperback: 310 pages Genre: Memoir Rating: 4 out of 5 Source: bought Synopsis: from product description Kyle MacDonald had a paperclip. One red paperclip, a dream, and a resume to write. And bills to pay. Oh, and a very patient

From the mixed up files

2010-06-08T09:20:00.000-10:00

There's an exciting new blog on the blogosphere, and to celebrate, they're doing a 9-book giveaway of middle school books. From the mixed up files. . .of middle-grade authors is a blog made up of middle-grade authors to celebrate books for middle-grade readers. Sweet! Their contest ends on June 22nd, but even if you don't enter, add this blog to your reader.

Review: Countdown by Deborah Wiles

2010-06-05T07:40:00.002-10:00

Title: Countdown Author: Deborah Wiles Publisher: Scholastic Press Publication date: May 1, 2010 Hardcover: 400 pages Reading level: ages 9-12 Genre: Documentary novel Rating: 5 out of 5 Source: Big Honcho Media (thanks Chelsy!) Synopsis: from inner cover flap Franny Chapman just wants some peace. But that's hard to get when her best friend is feuding with her, her sister has disappeared, and

Review: The Revolutionary Paul Revere by Joel J. Miller

2010-06-01T21:22:00.002-10:00

Author: Joel J. Miller Publisher: Thomas Miller Publication date: April 2010 Paperback: 320 pages Rating: 4 Source: phenix & phenix literary publicists (Thanks Shelby!) Synopsis: from Goodreads "Quick in the saddle and fast out of town." Watch one of America's most remarkable heroes come alive through fast-paced prose and gripping storytelling. The Revolutionary Paul Revere starts at a gallop

OMG! Why I Appreciate Editors

2010-05-24T09:22:00.001-10:00

I have been sorely neglecting this blog. My apologies to the authors waiting for reviews, but I promise, in true middle school fashion (that I learn from my students), I have a FABULOUS excuse! The zombies came and sucked my brains out and made me editor of a new blog written by my colleague's students. Who knew that 6th graders who have been studying MUGS (mechanics, usage, grammar) all year

Review: Revolve 2010: The Complete New Testament

2010-04-23T14:52:00.001-10:00

Title: Revolve 2010: the complete New Testament Publisher: Thomas Nelson (2009) Editor: Amy Weiner Paperback: 288 pages Rating: 4 stars Copy provided to me from Thomas Nelson Publishing in exchange for an honest review. Product Description: GOD'S WORD ROCKS…IN REVOLVE 2010! Now in its sixth edition, the Revolve series has proven effective in reaching teenage girls by featuring the Bible in a

Celebrating Local Literature

2010-04-13T12:05:00.000-10:00

I haven't posted in so long I needed to reassure myself that I'm still alive, but I only have a minute before I need to get back to the grindstone. I'm running a Big Island Celebrate Reading Festival geared toward tweens and up, so once that happens on Friday, I'm all good! This festival is open to the public and it's FREE! All I ask is that the students come having read at least two of the

Break for Hula

2010-04-07T11:54:00.001-10:00

There are times when books save us, a time when the world between the pages is the only safe place, a place to hide, a place to be found, a place to dream and hope exalt, mourn, love. But there are also times when the world asks us to participate, share, exist in this place at this time, to store experiences like acorns fuel to write breath to be. My little town of Hilo is just buzzing with

Tween Tuesday: Mailing May

2010-03-30T09:03:00.002-10:00

Title: Mailing MayAuthor: Michael O. TunnellIllustrator: Ted RandReading level: Ages 4-8 About the book: (from Amazon)Based on an incident that occurred in Idaho in 1914, this story tells of little May, who longs to visit her grandmother. May's parents cannot afford a railway ticket for the 75-mile trip, but with the help of cousin Leonard, who mans the mail car on the train, May's father takes

National Writing Project

2010-03-30T08:18:00.002-10:00

Jeannine Hirtle, director, Lehua Writing Project; Senator Daniel K. Akaka, Hawaii; me Hawaii right now is a cool 68-75 degrees with highs of 80, so traveling for 13 hours to get to Washington DC was not only a privilege, but a challenge because I don't own any sweaters. Still, the weather was very mild this past week as we went around to our different senators and representatives to urge them to

Booking Through Thursday - Break

2010-03-25T15:08:00.000-10:00

This week's question is: Do you take breaks while reading a book? Or read it straight through? (And, by breaks, I don’t mean sleeping, eating and going to work; I mean putting it aside for a time while you read something else.) I have been married for 22 years, so I am loyal in my relationships, but I am a promiscuous reader. ;-) If I start getting bored or irritated by a character, I won't

Pride and Prejudice and Zombies: Dawn of the Dreadfuls trailer

2010-03-25T07:07:00.001-10:00

Warning: there WILL be blood and zombies. Like the trailer? Check out the review

Review: Pride and Prejudice and Zombies: Dawn of the Dreadfuls by Steve Hockensmith

2010-03-20T23:20:00.003-10:00

Author: Steve HockensmithPublisher: Quirk Classics Pages: 320 pagesPublication date: March 2010 Rating: 4 of 5 stars From the publishers:With more than one million copies in print, Pride and Prejudice and Zombies was the surprise publishing phenomenon of 2009. A best seller on three continents, PPZ has been translated into 17 languages and optioned to become a film starring Natalie Portman.In

Blog Award #2: Sugar Doll Blogger

2010-03-19T07:00:00.082-10:00

I'm honored to receive this award from dArLyN of dArLyN & bOoKs. It just inspires me to work harder. The rules of receiving the award is to list down 10 things about myself. I'm a really boring person, but here goes:1. Addictions - I am addicted to recorded television (so I don't need to watch commercials), Facebook games (like Farmville, Petville and Happy Aquarium), getting tattoos, and

Booking Through Thursday - Sensual

2010-03-18T14:09:00.000-10:00

Today's Booking through Thursday question: Which do you prefer? Lurid, fruity prose, awash in imagery and sensuous textures and colors? Or straight-forward, clean, simple prose? I don't know if lurid and fruity is as appealing to me as much as writing that is awash in imagery. I love when I'm reading a passage and I just have to stop because the imagery is so strong that I have to pause and let

Spring Break Reading Challenge #4 Blog Designs & Widgets

2010-03-15T19:53:00.002-10:00

I'm slow in starting this, but if you want to play along, go to the Spring Break Reading Challenge. Today's question: Is there something you really want to create, but don't know how? Would you like your blog design to be different? What about organization? Is there something about the arrangement you want to change? I really want to know how to make my own template, but html kind of scares

It's Monday! What are you reading 3-15-10

2010-03-15T08:59:00.000-10:00

This is the first day of spring break, so although I only finished one book last week, hope springs eternal for this week. Participate in this meme by going to One Person's Journey Through a World of Books. List down what you read this past week and what you're reading now. Read: 11th Grade Burns: Chronicles of Vladimir Tod #4 by Heather Brewer. This is an OMG book! If you haven't read any

Review: Bloody Jack by L.A. Meyer

2010-03-10T12:27:00.013-10:00

Title: Bloody Jack: Being an Account of the Curious Adventures of Mary "Jacky" Faber, Ship's Boy Author: L.A. Meyer Publisher: Harcourt Paperbacks Paperback: 320 pages Audiobook: narrated by Katherine Kellgren Rating: 4 of 5 stars From Goodreads: Reduced to begging and thievery in the streets of London, a thirteen-year-old orphan disguises herself as a boy and connives her way onto a British

Tween Tuesday: Schooled by Gordon Korman

2010-03-09T14:35:00.000-10:00

Title: Schooled Author: Gordon Korman Reading level: ages 9-12 Paperback: 208 pages Publisher: Scholastic (2007) From Goodreads: Homeschooled on an isolated "alternate farm commune" that has dwindled since the 1960s to 2 members, 13-year-old Cap has always lived with his grandmother, Rain. When she is hospitalized, Cap is taken in by a social worker and sent -— like a lamb to slaughter -— to

My First Blog Award!

2010-03-04T15:23:00.000-10:00

Mahalo a nui loa! Thank you to Kris from Intertextual Chronicles: A Glimpse into a Bibliophile's Soul for my first lovely award. Wow - what a nice surprise. I am of course passing it along. I apologize if you already have this, but enjoy the day. If you are in the list, please follow the rules: 1. Put this on your blog, whether as an entirely new post like I'm doing, or on your sidebar. 2.

Tween Tuesday: The Higher Power of Lucky by Susan Patron

2010-03-02T09:09:00.000-10:00

Title: The Higher Power of LuckyAuthor: Susan PatronReading level: ages 9-12Hardcover: 144 pagesPublisher: Turtleback Books (January 6, 2009) Description from Amazon (School Library Journal) Ten-year-old Lucky is sure that if she finds her Higher Power she will gain special insight into her life, just like the people she eavesdrops on at the Anonymous meetings. Lucky knows about the uncertainty

It's Monday! What are you reading 3-01-10

2010-03-01T11:16:00.000-10:00

This fabulous weekly meme is hosted by One Person's Journey Through a World of Books . Join in on the conversation. Read this week: (or the past two weeks)Feathers by Jacqueline WoodsonThe Choice by Suzanne Woods FisherCurse of the Blue Tattoo: Being an Account of the Misadventures of Jacky Faber, Midshipman and Fine Lady by L.A. Meyer (audiobook) Still reading: Fairest by Gail Carson Levine

Booking Through Thursday - Why You Read

2010-02-24T21:38:00.000-10:00

Suggested by Janet: I’ve seen this quotation in several places lately. It’s from Sven Birkerts’ ‘The Gutenberg Elegies: The Fate of Reading in an Electronic Age’: “To read, when one does so of one’s own free will, is to make a volitional statement, to cast a vote; it is to posit an elsewhere and set off toward it. And like any traveling, reading is at once a movement and a comment of sorts about

Tween Tuesday: Feathers by Jacqueline Woodson

2010-02-23T17:10:00.000-10:00

Tween Tuesday is a meme hosted by Green Bean Teen Queen and it focuses on great books for tweens. Please check her out for more reading ideas. Title: FeathersAuthor: Jacqueline WoodsonPublisher: Scholastic (January 8, 2009)Paperback: 118 pagesRating: 5 of 5 starsHonors: Newberry Honor From the back:Frannie doesn't know what to make of the poem she's reading in school. She hasn't thought much

The Choice by Suzanne Woods Fisher

2010-02-19T15:37:00.003-10:00

Title: The ChoiceAuthor: Suzanne Woods Fisher Publisher: Revell (January 10, 2010) Paperback: 320 pages ISBN: 978-0-8007-3385-8 Rating: 4 of 5 stars I was given this book by the publisher in exchange for an honest review About the book: from Goodreads With a vibrant, fresh style Suzanne Woods Fisher brings readers into the world of a young Amish woman torn between following the man she loves--or

Kitchen Chat event tomorrow with Marc Klaas

2010-02-18T11:30:00.000-10:00

"A mile a minute - that is how fast your child can disappear." Haunting and truthful words posted on the website for Klaas Kids. On Friday, February 19th, Margaret McSweeney will interview Marc Klaas, father of Polly Klaas who was kidnapped and murdered in 1993. As a legacy to his daughter, Marc founded KlaasKids Foundation to help stop crimes against children. Please tune in to Kitchen Chat

Booking Through Thursday - Olympic Reading

2010-02-18T09:09:00.000-10:00

http://btt2.wordpress.com/2010/02/18/olympic-reading/You may have noticed–the Winter Olympics are going on. Is that affecting your reading time? Have you read any Olympics-themed books? What do you think about the Olympics in general? Here’s your chance to discuss! I don't have any Olympics reading, but I do love the Olympics. It's not really the sports, but the stories behind the athletes, and

Linger Giveaway!

2010-02-16T11:42:00.000-10:00

In Maggie Stiefvater's Shiver, Grace and Sam found each other. Now, in Linger, they must fight to be together. For Grace, this means defying her parents and keeping a very dangerous secret about her own well-being. For Sam, this means grappling with his werewolf past . . . and figuring out a way to survive into the future. Add into the mix a new wolf named Cole, whose own past has the potential

It's Monday! What are you reading 2-15-10

2010-02-15T11:00:00.000-10:00

This is my favorite meme, now hosted by Sheila @ One Person's Journey Through a World of BooksIt's easy and it makes me realize that unlike a lot of other bloggers, I am a one book a week reader. Yes, it's sad, but after camping with 96 8th graders from Tuesday to Friday last week, I realize that when I'm responsible for that many kids, there's no time to read. Finished:My Most Excellent Year

My Most Excellent Year by Steve Kluger

2010-02-13T23:01:00.000-10:00

Title: My Most Excellent Year: a novel of love, Mary Poppins and Fenway Park Author: Steve Kluger Publisher: Speak (February 19, 2009) Paperback: 416 pages ISBN: 978-0142413432 Rating: 4.5 out of 5 Synopsis from Booklist In his first novel for young readers, Kluger revisits themes in his adult titles: baseball, romantic sparring, and social activism. Boston teens T. C. and Augie are such close

It's Monday! What are you reading 2-08-10

2010-02-08T09:28:00.000-10:00

Sheila from One Person's Journey Through a World of Books has inherited this wonderful meme and she's put a little incentive into commenting, so check out her blog and participate in this. I'm on my way to Molokai, the Hawaiian island made famous by Father Damien, so maybe I'll get a chance to read more. Of course I'll be there with 96 8th graders, but hey, I can hope. Read and reviewed this

Review and Blog Tour for The Choice by Suzanne Woods Fisher

2010-02-05T07:00:00.040-10:00

Title: The Choice Author: Suzanne Woods Fisher Publisher: Revell (January 10, 2010) Paperback: 320 pages ISBN: 978-0-8007-3385-8 Description from the publisher : Lancaster County has always been her home--but where does her heart belong? One moment Carrie Weaver was looking forward to running away with Lancaster Barnstormers pitcher Solomon Riehl--plans that included leaving the Amish community

Fearless: Imagine Your Life Without Fear by Max Lucado

2010-02-04T17:22:00.002-10:00

Title: Fearless: Imagine Your Life Without FearAuthor: Max Lucado Publisher: Thomas Nelson Publication Date: September 8, 2009 Hardcover: 224 pages ISBN-13: 978-0849921391 Rating: 4/5 From the author: Fear seems to be in the driver’s seat these days. People are troubled and anxious. Finances are tumbling, rockets are launching, and seemingly solid institutions are teetering. It's tough for

Booking Through Thursday - Winter Reads

2010-02-04T00:01:00.001-10:00

The northern hemisphere, at least, is socked in by winter right now… So, on a cold, wintry day, when you want nothing more than to curl up with a good book on the couch … what kind of reading do you want to do? In Hawaii, winter means that the tradewinds come from the north and we have 60 degree evenings. Brrr. When the wind is blowing and the temperature is hitting the low 60's, I like to read

Horseradish: Bitter Truths You Can't Avoid by Lemony Snicket

2010-02-02T07:00:00.001-10:00

Title: Horseradish: Bitter Truths You Can't AvoidAuthor: Lemony Snicket Reading level: Ages 9-12 Publisher: HarperCollins Publication date: April 24, 2007 Hardcover: 176 pages ISBN: 978-0061240065 Although the reading level for this book is at ages 9-12, the irreverent humor in this book may be lost on the young. In true Lemony Snicket, doom and gloom style, this book is the darker twin of

Review Policy

2010-02-01T14:29:00.000-10:00

February 2, 2010 Dear Authors/Publishers/Publicists: I am happy to receive ARCs of books. As a middle school reading specialist, I am always on the lookout for YA books that will appeal to middle school readers, especially reluctant readers. I generally like urban fantasy, children's fiction (from picture books to YA), biography/memoir, sports fiction, sci fi/fantasy, manga, graphic novels,

It's Monday! What are you reading 2-01-10

2010-02-01T05:11:00.002-10:00

This is the last week that this meme will be hosted by J. Kaye. Thank you J. Kaye for your hard work! Read this week: Crossing the Bridge by Michael Baron (review) - not really my cup of latte Horseradish: Bitter Truths You Can't Avoid by Lemony Snicket - hilarious - perfect for reading between basketball quarters, as long as you're not afraid to be caught chuckling to yourself Out of the Dust

February Giveaways at Harper Teen!

2010-01-31T21:44:00.000-10:00

Harper Teen has a fabulous February in the works with their contest: The 28 Days of Winter Escapes. It's a book-a-day giveaway that starts now. Go to their website to enter and get more information. The first book is The Amanda Project: Book 1 Invisible I. If you want to follow the tweets or if you're so excited that you want to post about it, the hashtag is #28daygiveaway. This will be so

Booking Through Thursday - Twisty

2010-01-28T17:08:00.000-10:00

Jackie says, “I love books with complicated plots and unexpected endings. What is your favourite book with a fantastic twist at the end?” So, today’s question is in two parts. 1. Do YOU like books with complicated plots and unexpected endings? I don't know about complicated plots - it's like a large Russian novel - too many characters - too many subplots - and suddenly reading becomes an

Crossing the Bridge - Michael Baron

2010-01-25T21:23:00.000-10:00

Title: Crossing the Bridge Author: Michael Baron Publisher: The Story Plant Publication Date: January 5, 2010 Paperback: 352 pages ISBN: 978-0981956817 Genre: Romance Rating: 3 1/2 out of 5 From the back cover: Hugh Penders has been stuck in neutral for nearly a decade since his brother Chase died in a car accident. He carries with him two secrets that he has never been able to share with