Pictures from the tea!

Tea with author Laura Schaefer. Yes.....we really served tea!

Laura shared a Powerpoint with students that explained the process she went through to have her book published.

You can visit her online at http://teashopgirl.blogspot.com/ Check out the blog for more pictures from our tea!

The Teashop Girls

Laura Schaefer, author of The Teashop Girls, was at Tipler for our "teashop". It was a great opportunity for students to meet a "real" author. Pictures from the event will be posted later......

The book itself revolves around the friendship between three girls -- Annie, Genna, and Zoe. Annie's grandma run the Steeping Leaf, a teashop in Madison, WI. Economic times are tough and the Steeping Leaf is facing stiff competition from local coffeshops. The prospect of closing the tea shop brings the friends together with a purpose. Can they save the shop? What role will the "horrid" Zach Anderson play?

The Midnight Twins

I always knew author Jacquelyn Mitchard as an adult author. This book, The Midnight Twins, is her first young adult book.

Can you imagine being a twin, but not sharing the same birthday....or even the same birth year? That is exactly what happens to the Brynn sisters -- Meredith and Mallory. One is born on December 31 and the other 2 minutes after midnight on January 1. It makes for an interesting story. Their personalities are very opposite, but they share many things -- including a "secret" twin language.

On another New Years Eve - the eve of their 13th birthday there is a terrible fire. One of the sisters is left with a scar on her hand. For the first time, the twins are not identical. The fire does more than just physical damage. The girls no longer share dreams. Mallory starts to dream about future traumatic events and Meredith past events. They will need to put their dreams together to solve a mystery.

Bonechiller

Bonechiller is the newest book (and a very creepy one) by Graham McNamee, the author of Acceleration....another book that I really liked.

The story is set in Harvest Cove, Canada. It is a tiny, tiny isolated town in the province of Ontario. Danny is returning home late one night. He feels eyes following him. Panic ensues as he runs faster. He sees the large shape continuing to follow him. Danny stumbles over the snow piles and falls into a ditch. The creature is on him in an instant and stings him. After that, it disappears. At first Danny wonders if it was just a weird dream. But as other classmates disappear and he grows colder and colder, Danny knows it was more than just a dream.

What stung Danny? What creature stalks other teenagers in the town? Read the book and find out!

Reaching for Sun

I love the cover of this new book by Tracie Vaughn Zimmer. The yellow dandelions make me think of warm summer days...days that currently seem a long way off!

Josie has a disability - cerebral palsy. As the story begins she is struggling. No one wants to be her friend because she is different. Her mom is going back to college and busy with her job. No dad is in the picture. Grandma is there to provide stability.

Through the free verse poem format Josie really shares her feelings. Mom wants Josie to be successful -- be a doctor or a lawyer. Josie feels weighed down by her mom's expectations and describes it "like wearing a heavy wool coat in summer."

Jordan, a "geeky" science-loving kid moves into the neighborhood --- finally a friend! Josie has lots of challenges ahead of her. Read the book for the beautiful language she uses.

When I Crossed No-Bob

What in the world is No-Bob? That was my thought when I looked at the title of this book. No-Bob is a hollow in the Mississippi woods. Addy O'Donnell lived there -- until she was abandoned by her mother. The O'Donnell family...and extended family... don't have very good reputations. They are poor, they are fighters and they are involved with the Ku Klux Klan.

The story takes place after the Civil War. After Addy's mom leaves, she is taken in by the Russell's. Finally, Addy is raised in a comfortable, loving home. She goes to school, makes friends and tries to overcome the bad reputation of her last name. Things happen though..... a new friend, Jess Still, a black boy, is killed in a fire. Addy knows her father, a member of the KKK was responsible. She feels a loyalty to family, but reaches a point where she thinks, "Pappy? You are a killer and a thief. You have stolen from so many. You have taken lives." What decisions does Addy make about her future? Read the book!

The Declaration

It seems like many books being published, or at least ones that I am reading, are about the future. This sci-fi book fits that description - but it is a scary future.

Do you want to live forever? In the year 2140 you have that opportunity. Gemma Malley writes about a future where you have the choice to take longevity drugs. Have you read Turnabout or Among the Hidden by Margaret Peterson Haddix? Both books reminded me of this one.

Anna is 14 years old and should never have been born. She is known as "Surplus Anna". Both her parents signed "the declaration" when they made the decision to take the drugs and live forever. The declaration states that you will never have children. Children would create more competition for resources -- food and shelter. Peter comes to Grange Hall where Anna lives with others like herself, and tells her she is more than a "valuable asset". She has parents that love her and want to be with her. Peter tries to convince Anna to escape with him. Does she? You will have to read the book to find out!

The Other Side of the Island

Did you ever read The Giver by Lois Lowry? This book by Allegra Goodman really reminded me of it. The Other Side of the Island takes place in the future, but it feels like it could be tomorrow.

The future world is peaceful, in part because Earth Mother and the Corporation control everything....even the weather! Honor and Helix are the main characters. Both live on the climate-controlled Island 365. Both sets of parents disappear. Is it because they are secretly working against the Corporation? Is it because Honor's parents had a forbidden second child?

Honor and Helix band together to find their kidnapped and zombie-like parents. Do they find them on the other side of the island? You will have to read the book to find out!

The Graveyard Book

Bod - short for "Nobody" Owens lives in a graveyard! Yes -- he is alive and is cared for by the ghostly inhabitants of the graveyard.

How did Bod come to have such an unusual upbringing? The first line of the story, "There was a hand in the darkness, and it held a knife." begins the story. Bod's parents and sister are murdered by the intruder. Somehow 2-year old "Bod" toddles out of his crib, through the front door, down the street and crawls through the gate of the old graveyard. Bod is adopted by the ghosts of Mr. and Mrs. Owens who raise him as their own child. He is given "Freedom of the Graveyard" which allows him to do things normal humans can.

The killer is still out there looking for Bod. Read the story if you like a fantasy/suspense story filled with magic and ghouls!

Neil Gaiman is also the author of Coraline, which has just been turned into a movie. It comes out February 6, 2009. To be honest, I liked this book a lot more!!

Guest blogger -- Maggie

This book Prom, by Laurie Halse Anderson, is about a high school senior girl named Ashley Hannigan. Ashley is your normal slacker "I dont want to do anything except for hang out with my boyfriend", my life stinks kind of girl. At first. Her best friend Natalie, "Nat" is on the prom committe and is totally commited! But when the prom committe's advisor is arrested for stealing the money for the prom, the prom is cancelled. Now Nat is totally depressed and she doesn't want to do anything except for brainstorm ways for them to get the prom back on. But somehow Ashley gets sucked into the plan and now she is Nat's "assistant." Then Nat breaks her leg because she tripped down the stairs in new high-healed shoes. So Ashley is now the one and charge and does not know how she is going to pull this off! Read Prom today and I promise you that it will be a great book!

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

This book is intense ....... and it leaves you waiting for the sequel!

Katniss, the main character lives in District 12. She is one of 2 tributes selected from her district to attend the yearly "hunger games". The games are held in the capital city, Panem. Although the setting is somewhat futuristic, it reminded me of the time of the ancient Romans. Tributes from all the districts fight in the games like the gladiators did in Rome. The fight is to the death!

Because Katniss comes from a poorer district and family, she has always had to supplement the family's food supply with animals she has trapped or shot. Her skill with a bow and arrow do afford her an advantage in the games. Still.....I found it hard to accept that a society would sacrafice its own members --- and young adults no less!

Will Katniss and Peeta, the other tribute from District 12 survive? What will become of their budding romance? Will it help or hinder the brutality of the games? You have to read the book to believe all that happens!

Firestorm

Firestorm by David Klass is the first book in the Caretaker Trilogy. If you want to read a sci-fi thriller, this is it!!

Until the night that Jack broke the school's rushing record everything was normal. Until later that evening at the diner, everything was normal. Until the time, even later when Jack's dad tells him he is not his father, everything was normal. Why now does Jack's father call him the "beacon of hope"? Why is Jack pursued by strange creatures? What is shooting lasers at him? Jack finds out he was born 1000 years into the future. His birth father has sent him back in time with caretakers, to the present day, so that he can find "firestorm". With any luck, firestorm will save the earth.

According to Wikipedia, a screenplay for the movie version is being developed. I can't wait to start the second book, Whirlwind.

The Redheaded Princess

Ann Rinaldi is a great historical fiction writer. I haven't sat down to read much historical lately, but when I started this book I couldn't put it down.

The story starts in 1542. Elizabeth is the 9-year-old second daughter of King Henry VIII. Her mother was Anne Boleyn.....I say "was" because the King had his wife beheaded. Ever since she was 3 years old Elizabeth has feared death. She can't trust anyone except her nanny. Her father has removed her from succession - this means she can never be queen. But....never say never. Elizabeth wants to someday be queen. Read this book and see if it happens!!

First Shot

This "shot" by Walter Sorrells isn't a basketball shot, rather a gun shot. David Crandall becomes convinced his father, the very stern headmaster at his exclusive private school, killed his mother. After 3 years the crime remains unsolved. The police show up to question dad again. Later that evening David follows his father as he buries a mysterious, sheet-wrapped object. Is it the rifle that killed his mother? Despite their rocky relationship David hates to believe his father would be capable of violence. Read this very exciting mystery to see who is charged with the crime.

Found

Margaret Peterson Haddix is probably best known as the author of the Shadow Children series. Wait until you read Found, the start of a new series.

A plane shows up, unannounced, at the airport terminal. All attempts to contact the pilot and the flight attendants go unanswered. Finally the ground crew opens the gate to the plane and goes on board. No one is in the cockpit. It is oddly, very silent..... no sounds of passengers gathering luggage and belongings.

Angela looks around the plane and hears some wimpering sounds. Her gaze lowers to the 36 seats on the plane. Each one is filled --- with a baby!!!!

How did the mystery plane get there? Where are the babies from? You don't get all the answers in the start to this new series. Get your name on the waiting list. It will also be at the book fair in October!

We have it!!!!

As promised, we now have The Dead and the Gone by Susan Beth Pfeffer. YEAH!!!! This is the companion volume to Life As We Knew It.

Remember --- an asteroid hits the moon --- disaster and chaos ensue. Read this book to see how people in New York City survive.

The Golden Rat

I found this book, The Golden Rat, on the new book shelves at Traeger. The reason I noticed it was because it is by Don Wulffson, the same author who wrote Soldier X (another really good WWII book!).

Baoliu's stepmother is murdered. Baoliu was found, covered in blood, next to her body. Despite his pleas that he is innocent, he is the number one suspect. Baoliu is put in jail and condemmed to die. In 12th century China, the setting for this book, death comes by beheading. He has been rejected and disowned by his wealthy family. Read the book and find out why his father pays a "ka-di" to have an innocent man beheaded in Baoliu's place.

Warning: The beheading scene is a little gruesome.

Evolution, Me & Other Freaks of Nature

Mena hopes that her first day of high school - a day she has been looking forward to forever - would at least turn out slightly better than eating live bugs. That is not to be the case.

What did Mena do to turn her parents, her church, and her former friends from her? No one will talk to her, except her new, rather quirky science lab partner, Casey. Read the book to find out the answer. Mena stands by her decision that she did the right thing.

There is further drama when Mena's science class begins a study of evolution. Evolution versus intelligent design has divided the science class and made it more of a battleground. Find this book on the Young Adult shelf.

City of Ember

One of my most favorite books, City of Ember, is coming out as a movie. Check out the trailer at Yahoo Movies. http://movies.yahoo.com/movie/1809907875/photo/970476517

The Noah Confessions

Lynnie goes to a private school. It is customary for all students to get a car for their 16th birthday. Lynnie can't wait. On the morning of her birthday she gets up early, eagerly anticipating the "gift" that will be hers. She is sorely disappointed. Her father gives her a tarnished silver bracelet that used to belong to her mother. Mom died in a car accident when Lynnie was in 3rd grade. Hence - no car.

After school Lynnie receives one more present -- another legacy from her mother. It is a letter mom wrote when she was in high school, to a boy named Noah. Who was the mysterious Noah? Mom has made the craziest confession to him in the letter --- that she is a criminal and should be thrown in jail! Read the book to discover family secrets that Lynnie never expected both her mother and father were capable of keeping.

Summer Reading

Now that the 4th of July is past, I start reading young adult books. I had started First Daughter; Extreme American Makeover by Mitali Perkins in April, when all the new books came in. Finally, I got to finish it. Have you been following the Presidential candidates? If you have, you might enjoy reading this book.
Sameera Righton, aka " Sammy" or "Sparrow" -- is the main character. Her father is the Republican candidate for President. Her parents adopted her from an orphanage in Pakistan when she was 3 years old. It is summer vacation from her boarding school in Europe and she is joining her family back in the states. Sparrow, as she is know to her family and friends, is completely NOT READY for all the hoopla around her father's campaign.
Sparrow starts to lose who she really is. The campaign staff give her a makeover and new clothes. The media want to remake her to be more "American-looking". She wants to spend the summer on her grandparent's farm in Ohio. Life as the daughter of a Presidental candidate is not easy. Sparrow does stay true to herself and her beliefs. She starts her own blog which eventually takes over the "made-up" blog that the staff writes.
Who will this book appeal to? Probably more girls than boys.....but everyone will find it interesting how Sameera lives with the media right outside her door. Does her father win the election? You'll have to read the book and see!

New books!!!

Lots and Lots of new books have been arriving! Stop in and check one out. Lucky Books continue through the month of April.

Quid pro quo

This latin phrase is actually the title of a new mystery by Vicki Grant. When translated it means, "what for what". Quid pro quo is a legal term that means an even exchange between two people. So............what does that have to do with the book?
Cyril Floyd MacIntyre is 14 years old. (He explains his "odd" name in Chapter 2.) The first line of the book is, "I started going to law school when I was ten years old." This was only because his mom, Andy, didn't have any money to pay a babysitter. Andy does become a lawyer and works for Varma and Associates. Shortly after taking on her first case, Andy disappears! Cyril knows she has been kidnapped. Because of a complicated set of circumstances, he is afraid to go to the police. (Andy has a "colorful" history. Read the book and you will understand.) What clues does Cyril use to try and find his mom? Believe it or not, he finds something in his freezer! Does Cyril find his mom? Read the book and find out.

So B. It

So B. It by Sarah Weeks isn't a new book. It was published in 2004. For whatever reason, it was one of those books that I never got around to reading. When I finally started it last Thursday, I could not stop!

Heidi is 12 and lives with her developmentally disabled mom, So B. It. Unusual name? Yes, but mom only has 23 words in her vocabulary. Consequently, Heidi doesn't know anything about her family history, including who her father is. The next-door neighbor, Bernie, has agoraphobia, she never goes outside. This is the environment that surrounds Heidi.

One day, while cleaning closets, Heidi finds an old camera. She has the film developed and finds pictures of her mother as a teenager. Finally, a clue to her past! Heidi must travel across country - from Nevada to New York - on a bus, alone, to Hilltop Home for the Disabled. Will she find the link to the past that she is desperately looking for? Will she find the meaning of the one word, soof, that her mother repeats? Read the book and find out.

If you like magic, read The Swan Maiden!

Doucette has two older sisters who are both swan maidens. They have magical powers that come from their swan skins, one black and one white. When they put their swan skins on, they change into swans. Doucette never understood why she didn’t get to be a sorceress like her sisters. One day, she was helping the maid change the sheets on her parents’ bed, and a grey tipped swan skin fell out from under the mattress. Her parents had been hiding it from her; her swan skin, her birthright!

Her parents wanted Doucette to marry someone rich and worthy of a good wife. Doucette wanted to marry for love, and having the swan skin could let her do that. She fell in love with a Shepard, and he asked for her hand in marriage. Her parents would only let her marry him if he could complete three impossible tasks. The problem is that he needs to complete the tasks on his own, without the help of her magic. Will Doucette be able to marry her Shepard, or will she be stuck with someone her parents set her up with? Follow this magical fairy tale into a world of transformations and deception to find out.

Another Review by Miss Weaver!

This book is a wonderful story about an eighth grade girl named Patrice, who is growing up in the inner city in Chicago. She does not live with her parents, because she never knew her dad, and her mom is in jail. She lives with her aunt, cousins, and older sister.

The main story is that of Patrice trying to overcome many obstacles when applying to get into a better school. She needs her mother’s signature on a paper, but that means traveling over an hour by bus to get to the jail.

The underlying story is about a boy in her grade, Monty. He is the only person who stands up for her when other people tease her. Their friendship seems to bloom into something more when Patrice starts tutoring his little brother. Even though Patrice has it tough, she does very well in school and wants something more for herself. This is an inspiring story about Patrice and how she tries to overcome the odds and have a better life.

Kira-Kira

Hi Tipler Middle School readers! I am Miss Weaver, the student teacher in the Media Center. I have just finished the book Kira-Kira by Cynthia Kadohata. It starts out by telling us that kira-kira is Katie's first word, which means glittering. This is the story of Katie Takeshima, her family, and her life growing up in Georgia as a Japanese American. It is interesting because they moved from a predominanty Japanese town in Idaho to the South. Her mom and dad work all hours of the day and night at the chicken farms and they struggle just to get by. They eat rice and sardines every day, and Katie is bored of it. She has a big sister named Lynn and a little brother named Sammy. Her sister is always trying to get her to do her homework and get better grades in school. The mood changes when Lynn gets sick, and it is hard for her to operate on a daily basis. They keep saying that she has anemia, but anemia is not that serious of an illness. The thing that the family needs to remember is that there can still be things that are kira-kira in their lives.

The siblings decide that it would be fun to go on a picnic one day, and they go through the woods to find a good spot. Sammy went off on his own while Lynn and Katie were talking. The sisters heard a loud scream which is not typical for Sammy, because he is a very calm child. As the girls ran to see if he was alright, they could tell right away that it was bad. Sammy got his leg caught in a bear trap. After some thought and pulling, they released the trap, but Sammy was in bad shape. Lynn and Katie decided that it would be best to try to carry him in a blanket. The problem is that Lynn was too weak and sick to carry him, and Katie was too small to carry him herself. Lynn told her to run to find help and she would stay with Sammy. It was starting to get cold, and Katie is worried, because she is not good with directions. What will happen to Lynn, Sammy, and Katie? Read Kira-Kira to find out!

Taken

Taken, by Edward Bloor, is one of our new books. The story is set in the near (?) future.....2036, after the World Credit Crash. I compared this to the Stock Market Crash of 1929. People either are rich or poor, there does not appear to be anything in-between.

Charity is the main character and she has been kidnapped! In the future kidnapping is quite common. Wealthy families live in gated, protected communities to try and keep their children safe. Armed guards are hired help. Going to school means sitting in front of a "vidscreen" so your class can be brought in by satellite.

The first two lines in the book are, "Once you've been taken, you usually have twenty-four hours left to live. By my reckoning, that meant I had about twelve hours remaining." That was all I needed to start reading!

Charity wakes up and realizes that she has been kidnapped....previously it was something that always happened to "someone else". Her father must now empty his supply of money from their home safe to pay the ransom for Charity. Something goes terribly wrong....read the book and find out!

Guest Blogger!

Guest blog by Telia. Copper Sun by Sharon Draper.
When the news of travelers reached Amari’s village, there was much celebration. They didn’t know what the pale visitors wanted, however. Amari is captured and taken away from her village, and sold into slavery. All seems lost for Amari, but as the other slaves remind her, “Long as you remember, it ain’t never gone.”
This book was a very good read, and gives you a better look at what the slaves had to go through. If you enjoy historical fiction, you’ll love this book.

New Books!

It is one of my favorite times of the year......NEW BOOK TIME!

Mrs. Fauske has been very busy getting the books ready for checkout. Stop in and take a look.

Edward's Eyes

Patricia MacLachlan has written many books. You might know her best as the author of Sarah, Plain and Tall. Edward's Eyes is her newest!

The story is told from Jake's point of view. He is three years older than Edward. In fact when, Maeve and Jack (Mom and Dad -- for some reason the kids call their parents by their first names -- kind of goofy?) brought baby Edward home from the hospital, they handed him directly to Jake. The family is very close-knit. They share a love of music, baseball, and books. Jake shares his memories of Edward as he grows up. I had to laugh at the scene of Edward sitting on the "potty" and older brother Jake next to him reading him a book! Jake teaches him how to throw a pitch - a perfect knuckleball - that no one can hit. They have a close brotherly bond.

Edward is special to everyone, especially Jake, and always seems to know things before they happen. When he is eight, Maeve (Mom) brings baby Sabine home from the hospital to join the large family. Edward foretold that Sabine would be a girl AND he wants fireworks to celebrate her birthday. Sabine now becomes Edward's responsibility.

There is a tragedy in the book. I don't want to give it away. I will only say that it is a wonderful book to reread. The prologue makes much more sense after you read the ending.

I did it!

Last night I finished the third book in Stephanie Meyer's vampire romance series - Eclipse - I didn't want it to end. So many plot lines were left dangling, and students tell me the next book won't be out until Fall 2008. What to do and read until then? What will happen to Bella, Edward, and the werewolf, Jacob? I suppose I can visit the author's website http://www.stepheniemeyer.com/ and track progress.....it will have to do.

Thank you to the students who insisted that I read Twilight. Once I got started I couldn't stop. The reading lamp by my bed has been on at all hours:)

Another note: I know that I always say, "You shouldn't judge a book by its cover.", but I really love the covers of the three books!

Twilight

I gave in ..... and was not disappointed. Twilight by Stephanie Meyer is a great read! Do you like vampire love stories? If so, then this one is for you. I can't wait to continue the saga in New Moon and Eclipse. Will Bella be changed? Don't tell me....I want to read about it.

Weird Wisconsin Week

"Joe Alien"

To coincide with Halloween the Media Center published a daily "weird fact" about Wisconsin. Where did I get all those ideas? Well, from a book of course:) Weird Wisconsin by Linda S. Godfrey and Richard D. Hendricks is available in the library. It is full of all kinds of weird, supernatural, and unexplainable stories from around our state. And our resident alien? Did he/she/it grow 600%? You decide.

Alex Rider Fans..............

Snakehead is coming! Anthony Horowitz's newest adventure starring Alex Rider will be in bookstores on November 13, 2007! I can't wait!!!! Visit the author's website for more information.

Breathe: A Ghost Story

This is the first book I've read by Cliff McNish. The title met all my expectations for a ghost story. It was very creepy!!

Jack and his mom move into an old house in the country. Sharing the home with them are Ann who died sixty-five years ago when she was 14; Oliver, Charlie, and seven-year-old Gwyneth. All are ghost children....spirits of the dead! Jack discovers their presence and finds a way to communicate with the four. BUT, along the way he also discovers the presence of the Ghost Mother. She is an evil entity and will go to any length to find a human body to live through. Jack's mother is taken over by this spirit. Will Jack be able to find a way to release his mother? Or..... will she be forever trapped in the Nightmare Passage?

Pirates!

Have you stopped in the Media Center to see the display of pirate books? They have been extremely popular. Bloody Jack is the first in a series by L. A. Meyer. Mary is a 13 year old orphan on the streets of London. The plague has claimed the lives of her parents and her sister. She -- yes, she -- finds her way onto a British warship that is searching for pirates. She has to disguise the fact that she is a girl and takes the name Jacky. How long can she get away with the deception? How does she get the nickname, Bloody Jack? You'll have to read the book to find out. The fifth book in the series is out and Mrs. Helm has it on order. Watch for Mississippi Jack : being an account of the further waterborne adventures of Jacky Faber, midshipman, fine lady, and the Lily of the West!

The picture is of my son who is very "into" pirates. Aaarrrrrgh!

Gossamer by Lois Lowry

What is a Gossamer touch? It is a touch that is light and airy -- as fragile as a spider web. Littlest One, a dream giver in training, has the gossamer touch. She is learning to bestow dreams. In contrast, the Sinisteeds are dream givers "gone bad". They inflict nightmares. Read the book to see how Littlest One helps John, a young boy with an abusive past, move forward from the hoards of Sinisteeds. This is another great book by Lois Lowry!

Dark Hours

Over the Labor Day weekend I sat down (finally) ......and in about 2 1/2 hours had read the newest book by Gudrun Pauseway, DARK HOURS. WOW! What a powerful book. The author was born in Germany and lived through the Holocaust. She writes from her own personal experience of living in Germany during wartime.

The story is told as a letter from a grandmother to her granddaughter, Stephanie, as a 16th birthday present. Gisel, the grandmother writes the story of her own 16th birthday which was sixty years ago. Most of her birthday was spent trapped in the mangeled remains of a bomb shelter--there was complete darkness, limited food in a backpack that her brother was able to salvage, the responsibility of caring for her brothers and sisters--along with a stranger, and a dying stranger in the next room. How did she manage? Read the book!

Summer hiatus

Wow..........It has been a busy summer. I did lots of reading with my son. He's really into Clifford the Big Red Dog, Curious George, and anything about trucks. Not necessarily the type of reading that middle schoolers are into.
Stay tuned. I'll get updated asap:) Have a great school year!

Revenge of the Witch

Revenge of the Witch is the first book in The Last Apprentice series. Meet Tom Ward...... he is the seventh son of a seventh son. This unique birth position places him in line to become the apprentice to "Old Gregory" the village Spook!

It is the job of the Spook to keep ordinary people free from the harmful affects of boggarts, imps, ghostly spirits...and most especially .... witches. Take a look at the book cover - even the Spook would scare me. During Tom's trial period he accidently frees and kills Mother Malkin, one of the most dangerous witches in the area. Read the book and see what happens as the witch reappears in Tom's life.

I am eager to read Book 2: Curse of the Bane. Both books can be found in the Media Center.

The Road to Paris

No......the road does not lead to Paris, France. Rather, the story is about a girl named Paris Richmond. Paris and her brother Malcolm are in the foster care system. They have moved, or have run away from several different foster homes....all of them bad experiences. As the story begins they leave a family and run to the only stable person in their lives -- their Grandmother. Unfortunatly, she can not keep them. On to another foster home, but this time Malcolm and Paris are separated!! Paris is sent to live with the Lincoln family. She is fearful and expects the worst. Slowly, the family earns her trust and she makes a friend at her new school. But.....what about Malcolm and her mother? Will they ever be a part of her life again? Read the story and find out!

If you like this book by Nikki Grimes you will find other books in the library by her!

Horowitz Countdown

Are you a fan of the Gatekeepers Series by Anthony Horowitz? Here is the countdown link to Nightrise. It is due out April 12, 2007. http://countdowns.atspace.com/Nightrise.html

The Boy in the Striped Pajamas

John Boyne has written this very powerful novel of life in Nazi Germany. The story is told through the eyes of 9-year-old Bruno. I don't want to say more.... Read it and come talk to me about it!!!

Yankee Girl

Yankee Girl, by Mary Ann Rodman, is a newer book I picked up when the 7th graders were working on their "obstacles" unit. Alice and her family have just moved from Chicago to Jackson, Mississippi. It is 1964, the summer is hot, and people are not as open-minded as they were in Chicago. Alice's father is an FBI agent who has been assigned to the area to help protect the rights of blacks. As Alice struggles to make friends in a new school, another new student does as well. Valerie Taylor is the first black student to integrate the public schools. The treatment that Valerie receives from the "in" clique of girls is appalling. Violence toward Valerie and her family escalate. This book shows the racism of the 1960's up close.

Lots of new middle school books!

The past month Mrs. Fauske has been very busy processing lots of new books. I've been reading so much I haven't had a chance to blog much. To see a list of the new books remember to use the "Visual Search" button in Destiny. Here are some that are sure to be popular......

• Crispin: At the edge of the world. Finally the sequel by Avi arrives :)
• The Second Life of Linus Hoppe. Did you read the first book, The Destiny of Linus Hoppe? Read this first and then move on to the sequel.
• The Boy in the Striped Pajamas. This is a holocaust story that everyone -- especially 7th graders who just finished the unit -- should read!
• The Return of the Skeleton Man by Joseph Bruchac continues the story!
• Book 4, Gregor and the Marks of Secret is here. Gregor returns to the world beneath New York City.

I could keep going on and on......stop in the media center and check things out :))))

Raven's Gate by Anthony Horowitz

I am a great Anthony Horowitz fan, but until now hadn't read any of the Gatekeepers books. I have been "pestered" by a 6th grade boy to read the series. I started late Saturday night and could not put the book down.

Matt is the 14 year-old main character. His parents died in a tragic car crash...one that Matt foretold. For the past eight years he's been in and out of trouble. Finally he is "sentenced" to live with a very strange old woman on an isolated farm in Lesser Malling, England. She, along with the inhabitants of the town are witches. Matt is involved in a classic fight between the good and evil forces in the world. The Old Ones are ready to unleash evil from a gate beween our world and a strange circle of stones. Think Stonehenge. As Matt is laying on a stone slab, ready to have his heart cut out, his magical powers are realized. Read the book and be warned. There are more gates opening. Read Evil Star, Book 2 of the Gatekeepers!

Satch & Me

Do you like stories where people time travel? Dan Gutman writes books in the Baseball Card Adventure Series where people do just that! Thirteen-year-old "Stosh", Joe Stoshack, has the ability to travel back in time. In this adventure he and his baseball coach, Flip, travel to 1942 using a baseball postcard they purchased on eBay. They take along a modern-day device -- a radar gun. Hopefully the gun can be used to clock the speed of the famous Leroy "Satchel" Paige's throwing arm. Is he the fastest pitcher that ever lived? Some people say so.

This is also a good book to introduce you to the Negro Baseball League and the injustice that Black Americans faced in the 1940's. Good author -- good book!

Witch Catcher

Have you ever seen a witch ball? I have one hanging in the window of my home. The idea is an old one -- something from the middle ages, when a belief in witches was common. Many homes of the time hung a beautiful glass ball in the window. It was thought that a witch would be intrigued by the beautiful colors and would be drawn into the gall---captured for eternity.
In Mary Downing Hahn's newest book, Witch Catcher, 12-year-old Jen comes into possession of a witch ball.
Jen and her father have just moved into an enormous old home. In the backyard is a crumbling stone tower. Against her father's wishes Jen investigates. She finds a beautiful witch ball that she hangs in her bedroom window. The ball accidently breaks and Jen releases a fairy who has been held captive for generations. Moura, a local antiques dealer and love interest to Jen's father, is far more interested in capturing the fairy, and the fairies friends, than she is in marrying Jen's dad. Moura is actually a witch! --- Read this new book and see what evil she is capable of!

The Ghost's Grave

Josh is definitely not having a boring summer with Old Aunt Ethel! In the backyard treehouse Josh meets the ghost of a coal miner who was killed in a mine explosion. Willie (the ghost) has been waiting for decades for a friendly soul to help him. In 1903 Willie lost his leg in a mining accident. Two years later, in 1905, he was killed. Willie hasn't been able to "move on" because he hasn't got over his anger about dying. Enter Josh..... Willie wants Josh to dig up his leg and rebury it with the rest of him!! Obviously Josh doesn't want to be arrested for grave robbery, but he does want to help Willie. Read the book - see what Josh finds when he digs up the leg - and how it ties into a local robbery. This is a good mystery by Peg Kehret.

The Amazing Life of Birds........

The rest of the title: The Twenty-One Day Puberty Journal of Duane Homer Leech, As Discovered By Gary Paulsen is a quick and fun read!! Duane is 12 years old (plus one week). Puberty has hit. Along with it come zits and lots of embarrassing situations. How about dropping your tray of food in the middle of the cafeteria. Why do these things always seem to occur in front of the girl he wants to impress? Read the book to find out what ELBOWS are! Another great Gary Paulsen story. Find it on the "New Book" shelf!

Haven't been blogging

I know, I know......I haven't been blogging much. The school year is busy. I'm still reading - just not getting to the computer to write about it:)
Take a look at the new books in both the Tipler and Sunset collections. If you click on the "Visual Search" button in Destiny, you will see New Books for Fall 06 listed. Give it a try!!

Chat and Chew

The first session of Chat and Chew met today during lunch hour. We had some great conversations about books, made some good connections between our books (and even some movies!)and in-between talking we even ate lunch!! Sign up in the Media Center if you are interested in joining us!!

Dr. Franklin's Island

I enjoyed reading Dr. Franklin's Island by Ann Halam. Lots of Tipler and Traeger students have read the book at my suggestion. I always compare it to the TV series, LOST. At the beginning of the book there is a plane crash. The main characters, three science students, find that they are the only survivors. They have washed up on an isolated tropical island. There isn't any sign of civilization. One of the characters disappears. As the other two go in search of him , they are kidnapped and taken to a scientific facility. At the facility they are held against their will. Their bodies will be used for scientific experiments. Read the book and see what happens to them.
Students have always pointed out the similiarities between this book and a movie, The Island. (PG13) I fnallly rented it this weekend. I wasn't disappointed. It was a great sci-fi adventure. I can see why they suggested it to me. The "lucky" people in this futuristic community win the lottery and are able to leave their underground home to live on The Island.
Read the book and then rent the movie. Let me know what you think

Chat & Chew

Chat & Chew - Have you signed up?
Do you like to read? Do you like to eat? How about having lunch in the Media Center with Miss Weiss and Mrs. Helm? Sign up now in the library to reserve your lunch hour with us. Bring your lunch and the book you are currently reading. We'll have the entire lunch hour to share our reading ideas!

South by Southeast

Anthony Horowitz is one of my favorite authors. The Alex Rider books are among my favorites. This book, South by Southeast, is a Diamond Brothers Mystery. Tim Diamond, the world's worst private detective and his brother, Nick, are the main characters. As is typical in the other Diamond Brother Mysteries, the brothers are broke. They get themselves involved in another crazy mystery. A stranger, Jake McGuffin, offers Tim $50 for his old raincoat. McGuffin says he must disguise himself - a gunman is after him. A short while later they find the stranger, almost dead in a phone booth. The stanger is able to whisper a few words which sound like "south by southeast". The brothers take the information to Chief Inspector Snape. Snape investigates, but all the evidence is gone---no dead man, no phone booth. He promptly throws the Diamond Brothers in jail. Tim does have a clue though. In the dead man's coat there is a key for room 605 at the London Internation hotel. As soon as they are released from jail they head to the hotel to look for clues. It turns out the world famous assassin, Charon, killed McGuffin. His next target is Kusenov, a famous Russian diplomat. If he is killed it is feared that it will create an internation incident and nuclear war will break out. Of course, the Diamond Brothers are in the thick of it. Read this funny, yes funny, fast-paced mystery and see if the brothers can solve the mystery!

Welcome Back

The new school year is off and running. I've been reading many books but haven't taken the time to blog about them. My absolute summer favorite was City of Ember by Jeanne DuPrau. Lina and Doon live in the 200-year-old underground city of Ember. The power is failing. There are outages that leave the entire city in darkness. Lina finds an ancient message that tells how to escape the city. The problem is, parts of the message have been destroyed. Read this exciting book and see how Lina and Doon work to decipher the message.