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1/15/2010
January 2010 Book of the Month
Ways to Live Forever! {ways}
By Sally Nicholls
This book is about Sam. He's eleven. His best friend is Felix. He has one sister, Ella. And he's dying of Leukemia. He has only months to live.
Sam has questions. So many questions. What's it like to die? What happens after you die? Does it hurt? But even more . . . Sam has goals. Things he wants to do before he dies. But he's running out of time.
This book has funny moments, touching moments, moments that make you think, and, of course, moments that will make you cry. (So get a box of kleenex and keep it handy! You're gonna need them!)
And yes, it is an AR book.
Enjoy!
Your librarian, Mrs. Owens
Posted by R. Ann Owens at 2:00 PM 12/7/2009
December's Pick
Guardian {Guardian}
By Julius Lester
Wow! Just a small book, but POWERFUL! While the book only contains 119 pages and is no bigger than a diary its message reaches far beyond its pages!
It is the story of a young boy being raised in the south during a time of racial tension. It was a dangerous time to be friends with someone of a different color. It was a dangerous time to have morals. It was a time of mob rule and lynchings. It was a time when eyes were opened to unbelievable horrors and relationships were not all they seemed . . .
Meet Ansel, a boy who knows right from wrong; Willie, a boy who knew his place in Davis and Bert, the man about to lose the respect of his son.
Posted by R. Ann Owens at 11:00 AM 11/2/2009
November's Pick
Three Cups of Tea
By Greg Mortenson
{Tea}
If you had to sit outside in the snow and ice to study, would you? If your teacher only showed up once a week to teach you, would you take it upon yourself to still do your lessons each and every day? If you, as a female, were forbidden to attend school, would you be offended? These are the conditions many children in Pakistan and Afghanistan find themselves in every day.
In 1993, Greg tried to climb K2 in honor of his younger sister who had recently passed away. Due to circumstances beyond his control he had to turn back. Upon getting lost in the mountains of Pakistan, in what surely would have led to his own death, Greg was taken in by villagers who nursed him back to health. To repay the kindness Greg promised to return and build them a school. Greg was not a wealthy man, nor was he a dignitary. This promise, so easy to make, would almost prove to be his undoing.
Through this story you will learn how even one man can make a difference. There is hope for us all - regardless of our station in life . . . as long as we do not give up!
Enjoy this true story of a man who made (and continues to make) a difference in the lives of children everywhere!
(and yes, it IS an AR book!)
Ann Owens,
Your Junior High Librarian
Posted by R. Ann Owens at 12:55 PM 10/2/2009
October's Pick
October's Pick is . . .
Dog Lost
{Dog Lost}
by Ingrid Lee
I have to admit, when I picked up this book I thought it was going to be just another "cute puppy gets lost and returned" story. It was so much more than that.
At the beginning of this story we are introduced to a boy and the dog his father (unwillingly) brings home. The dog, Cash, is a Pit-bull puppy. That becomes a very important part of this story. This breed has had a lot of bad press, even being banned in some towns across America. It is because of Cash's breed that the men in our story set out to capture him. They are involved in dog fighting (also in the news lately - think Michael Vic, Philadephia Eagles) and see Cash as a potential money maker.
What Cash endures in this story, simply for being a Pit bull, is heart wrenching. This story is not for the faint of heart. It is a story of challenges, pain, courage and most of all LOVE.
Enjoy.
Mrs. Owens
Junior High Librarian
Posted by R. Ann Owens at 10:00 AM 9/22/2009
September's Read
Memoirs of a Teenage Amnesiac
by Gabrielle Zevin {zevin}
(author of Elsewhere)
In this story we meet Naomi. A girl who has everything . . . and loses it. Due to an accident, Naomi loses her memories. She can't remember anything past her Elementary school days. She is now a Junior in High School, part of the "in" crowd, busy with yearbook committee, tennis and her boyfriend, Ace. Now she finds herself not fitting in. Her friends don't seem "real". She can't see what she saw in her boyfriend. What did they possibly have in common??? Instead she feels herself being pulled toward an outcast. James. What exactly is his story anyway???
While I didn't like this near as much as Elsewhere (one of my all time favorites!) it was a good story. I found myself becoming more and more alert (and fearful for Naomi) as she finds herself doing things she would never had done had she not met James. By the end of the book I was holding my breath hoping the book would not end with . . .
If you like suspense, anguish and a little romance I'm sure you will enjoy this book.
Read On! {reading worm}
Ann Owens
Junior High Librarian
Posted by R. Ann Owens at 8:00 AM 5/22/2009
May's Book of the Month
Luxe
by Anna Godbersen {Luxe}
Many of the girls at the Junior High have been after me to purchase these books and place them in the Junior High Library. This was a series that I wanted to read for myself first . . . just in case.
The story is set in New York back in the early 1900's. Our main character is Elizabeth Holland, daughter of one of New York society's ruling families. As the eldest daughter it is her responsibility to make a "good match" and help restore the family's wealth. She must adhere to all the rules governing proper ettiquette while her younger sister, Diana, is left to run wild. Before she knows it Elizabeth finds herself betrothed to Henry Schoonmaker, son of a wealthy family. Henry is quite the ladies man and finds Elizabeth "cold". She finds him handsome, but offensive. Plus, Elizabeth has already given her heart - to the hired help . . .
I've read the first one and liked it well enough to begin reading the second one as well (Rumors). The third one, Envy, has also just been released. I have not purchased it. Yet . . .
Enjoy your summer. Happy reading!
Mrs. Owens, Librarian
Posted by R. Ann Owens at 9:00 AM 4/13/2009
April's Book of the Month
The Graveyard Book
By Neil Gaiman {graveyard book}
I must be honest. At first I did not really like this book. It starts in a most disturbing way. It also left me with many unanswered questions, but the book grew on me as I continued to read it. Imagine growing up in a graveyard with a mausoleum as your home and ghosts as your family. This is the story of Nobody Owens. His family was killed when he was but an infant. As the murders were taking place he crawled, unnoticed, out of the house and made his way to the graveyard. As the story unfolds he learns of his true origins and also learns he is still being hunted.
This book has earned the Caldecott Medal for 2009. It would not have been my pick, but was an interesting read. For those who like ghosties and ghouls this read is for you.
See you next month!
Ann Owens, Librarian
Posted by R. Ann Owens at 2:00 PM 3/5/2009
March's Book of the Month
Elsewhere
by Gabrielle Zevin {Elsewhere}
Imagine waking up on a cruise ship bound for "Elsewhere" with your head shaved bald and wearing a white nightgown . . . You have no memories (at first) of how you got here. No one on board will tell you anything. Did I mention the Captain of the ship is only 9 years old?
So begins Liz's journey.
As her memories begin to return Liz discovers she was killed in an auto/bicycle accident. All other passengers have, likewise, "passed on". Some accept their fate gracefully. Some, like Liz, not so much. She spends all her time at the on-board viewfinders watching her family and friends move on without her. She watches the man who hit her with his taxi going on about his daily life and it angers her. It doesn't feel fair. There has to be a way back . . . someone has to know.
I really enjoyed this book. Getting to know Liz as she works towards accepting her fate and finding forgiveness. She also finds a few surprises awaiting her in "Elsewhere" . . . as will you. Enjoy!
Happy Reading!
Ann Owens, Librarian
Posted by R. Ann Owens at 10:00 AM 2/2/2009
February Book of the Month
Sunrise over Fallujah
By Walter Dean Myers {Sunrise}
Over our long weekend I started reading Sunrise over Fallujah by Walter Dean Myers. What I'm finding interesting about this book is the subject matter. It is VERY current. This is the story of Robin, a young man from Harlem,who has joined the Army. In a very short time he finds himself in Iraq serving his country. He admits to being restless after 9-11 and wanting to do something for his country. His father does not support his decision. He wanted to see his son in college - not in the front lines. Robin, also known as Birdy, is getting a first hand look at this very different war we are currently engaged in where enemies and friends are not clearly defined . . .
Until recently this book was not an Accelerated Reader. This is no longer the case. It is now worth 11 points.
Posted by R. Ann Owens at 10:00 AM 1/7/2009
Book of the Month
The Boy in the Striped Pajamas
by John Boyne
{boyne}
I'll be honest. I saw a trailer for this movie and it intrigued me. I had to find the book and read it. Let me lay the foundation:
This is the story of two boys who are very different . . . and yet the same. One is a German boy who has been relocated do to his father's job (what he does he's not exactly sure . . . ), while the other boy Jewish and has been captured and relocated due to his religion (he's in a concentration camp). Against all odds, these two boys meet and become friends - through a fence.
The entire time I was reading this book I kept waiting for the German boy, Bruno, to figure out what was happening around him. Get a clue, already! But once I finished the book it became blindingly clear why he did not realize what was happening around him. The ending of this book gave me chills! I recommend this book - and can't wait to see the movie (even thought the movies are never as good).
So, write in and tell me what you're reading - or if you read this book and what you thought of it. I'll be looking forward to hearing from you.
Ann Owens, Librarian
Posted by R. Ann Owens at 9:00 AM |
