Day 35: 45 Days of Summer

If I Stay by Gayle Forman

It's not too late to read this book before the movie hits theaters this weekend!!!

And don't forget...there's a companion novel (Where She Went) that you can read after you finish/after you see the movie.

I truly love these books, and was moved to tears while reading If I Stay. I hope, hope, hope, the movie lives up to my expectations.

Have you read these books? Are you going to see the movie? Let me know what you think!

Perfect for: grades 7-12...and adults!

Day 32: 45 Days of Summer

Whatever After #5: Bad Hair Day by Sarah Mlynowski

This is such a great series! There are many fractured fairy tale stories out there these days, but this is definitely at the top of the list of books you should read if you're a fan of that genre.

This is the latest, so if you haven't heard of these books before, you will have to start with book #1. But you won't be disappointed!

This is one series that my tween daughter counts down the days until the next book comes out. We definitely love them all in this household.

Perfect for: grades 3-7.

Day 29: 45 Days of Summer

The Chicken Squad by Doreen Cronin

They're baaaaaack.

Those cute chicks from the author's JJ Tully Mystery series.

And now they're solving their own crimes.

Dirt, Sugar, Poppy, and Sweetie try to help a frightened squirrel in their first "solo" adventure. Which just might get a little off-track.

Hilarity ensues, and JJ Tully comes out of retirement to help save the day.

This is the perfect beginning chapter book for young readers. Perfect for grades 1st-3rd.

I can't wait for the next book!

Day 28: 45 Days of Summer

The Giver by Lois Lowry

Well, I'm not going to say too much about this book, other than you must read it!

And if you've already read it, then you should read the companion novels and the "sequel" (Son) immediately.

All of these books are incredible, and I've been lobbying for The Giver to become an all-grade read for my 6th graders.

It's a "classic" (I actually hate that word to describe books), that everyone should read at some point in their life. And now you really need to read it because the movie will be coming out next week.

I will be honest that I don't know how I feel about the movie because the trailers I've seen don't seem to be in line with how I remember the tone of the book. 

If you've read the book and you see the movie, let me know what you think!

Day 20: 45 Days of Summer

Copernicus Legacy #1: The Forbidden Stone by Tony Abbott

Finished the 39 Clues and/or all of the Percy Jackson books? 

Well, here’s a new series for you. Readers will want to get their hands on this first book in the new Copernicus Legacy series: Forbidden Stone. 

Treasure hunting? Puzzles? Action and intrigue? 

This one has it ALL!

Best for: 4th-7th grades.

Day 5: 45 Days of Summer

Invasion by Walter Dean Myers

My heart is sad with news of the passing of this great man and author. 

If you have never read a book by Walter Dean Myers, please do so this summer!

Invasion is his latest book and is the "prequel" to Fallen Angels and Sunrise Over Fallujah. Takes place during WWII at the Invasion of Normandy.

Best For: 7th-12th grades.

RIP Mr. Myers, and prayers to your family.

Trailer Tuesday

The Maze Runner books have been wildly popular at my school since the first one was published. We are all very excited for the Maze Runner movie to hit theaters in September, 2014.

If you are on any sort of social media, you can find/follow the author, James Dashner, the series, and/or the movie to keep updated. There is also a website for the movie...click here.

Here's the first of the movie's trailers. I'm sure there will be more all summer long.

Trailer Tuesday

This week, the Divergent movie is finally in theaters! 

So, the movie trailer is the perfect Trailer Tuesday selection:

Throwback Thursday

This week's Throwback Thursday has been making the round with our 8th grade girls who are looking for something to read after "The Fault in our Stars." 

If I Stay by Gayle Forman. 

Seventeen ­year-old Mia has no memory of the accident; she can only recall what happened afterwards, watching her own damaged body being taken from the wreck. Little by little she struggles to put together the pieces- to figure out what she has lost, what she has left, and the very difficult choice she must make.

This isa beautifully written novel that will haunt you long after you finish it. I hope that Mia's journey will move you to think about what is important in your life: family, friends, love. 

I am a little apprehensive to see the movie adaptation when it comes out in August of this year. I LOVED this book. It literally moved me to tears. I truly hope that the movie can live up to how I feel about this book.

Please, please, please make sure you have read this book (and everything by Gayle Forman for that matter)!

February Top 10

Here are the Top 10 books for the Evergreen Library for the month of February. 

Most of these should not be a surprise:

1. Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins. Yes, still.

2. Divergent by Veronica Roth. The movie will be out in a few weeks and many students are madly reading (or re-reading) the series.

3. Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins. (see #1)

4. House of Hades by Rick Riordan.

5. Diary of a Wimpy Kid #8: Hard Luck by Jeff Kinney.

6. Insurgent by Veronica Roth. (see #2)

7. Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins. (see #1 & #3)

8. Swim the Fly by Don Calame.

9. Allegiant by Veronica Roth. (see #2 & #6)

10. Between Shades of Gray by Ruta Sepetys. The ONLY book in the Top 10 that is not part of a series. And is further proof that maybe the students do listen to my suggestions, because I've been promoting this one a lot recently. And having teachers read and recommend it.

Twelve Days of Christmas: Gift Books: Kindergarten-2nd Grade (Chapter Books)

On the third day of Christmas...

I thought I would offer some quick suggestions for the Kindergarten through 2nd grade crowd that thinks they are "more advanced" than picture books. Personally, I think that pictures appeal to ALL ages, but some kids really just want to read a "chapter book."

So, here are some early-chapter book series that are popular with the young elementary crowd...that all have new books out this year. But don't forget, it's always fine to start with book #1! And most are in paperback, so you might be able to get several titles.

Bink & Gollie—DiCamillo 

Clementine—Pennypacker 

Stink—McDonald 

Babymouse—Holm 

Squish—Holm

And remember, if you want an immediate link to the entire list, see this post.

Happy Reading! And Gifting!

Top 10 Books at Evergreen This Week

The library catalog system "tracks" top titles for our library, and it is something that I enjoy looking at quite frequently to see what's "hot." Of course, I use the term "track" loosely, because I haven't quite figured out the formula it uses. For example, I think that it should take number of holds on the book into account, but it doesn't.

Regardless, I thought that I would share the Top 10 books in our Evergreen Library this week. Now, if you are a student and click on the "Top 10" in the library catalog, this list is for the past 30 days. I can actually pull up reports to change the time frame that it uses when calculating titles. It's actually interesting to note that this changes the titles quite a bit, and takes into account suddenly popular titles vs. titles that sustain popularity.

So, for the last 7 days, the top books at Evergreen were:

1. Jedi Academy by Jeffrey Brown. TOTALLY surprising, and completely due to the fact that I ordered two additional copies this week and I booktalked this to 6th grade classes a lot recently. It flew off the shelves.

2. Adoration of Jenna Fox by Mary Pearson. Love this book and while it is always popular, the reason it hit number 2 is that it's a top choice for our 8th grade Sci-Fi unit which just started this week. All 9 copies FLEW off the shelves yesterday.

3. & 4. Catching Fire and The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins. Not a shocker with the movie coming out next week.

5. House of Hades by Rick Riordan. Again, not a shocker. Riordan's books are always popular with my students, and the hold list continues to grow every day, even though we have multiple copies and students are reading it fast. If the system factored holds into the calculation, this book would be number one without any competition.

6. Insurgent by Veronica Roth. I actually can't figure out why this book is so much higher in the top ten than Divergent, because students are always asking me for Divergent and with all the movie buzz, I would have thought that all the recent recruits to the series would have pushed the first one into the lead.

7. Matched by Ally Condie. Again, not a surprise considering the Sci-Fi unit. This is always a popular series at Evergreen.

8. Wimpy Kid #8: Hard Luck. It's kind of fitting that this book is 8th on the list...but also surprising. The only reason that this is so low on the list in my opinion (I expected it to be 2 or 3) is that many of my kids must have purchased their own copies from their local bookstore.

9. Swim the Fly by Don Calame. Always popular at Evergreen, this is falling down the top 10 charts as the 8th grade Humor unit is ending.

10. Divergent by Veronica Roth. Barely made it into the top 10 this week. But long-term, this one is always in the top. And deservedly so!

So, what does this tell us? 
I'm sad that there's not a non-fiction title among the top 10. Something I will continue to work on.
Series are HOT at Evergreen. I often joke that if I call it a series, they will read it.
Dystopian is not dead yet, at least in my neck of the woods.

What are your top titles?

Books I've Been Recommending This Week

I've seen many of my 7th grade classes in the library this week, simply to be able to say "hi" and give them a good starting list of books they should be reading this fall.

Here are some of the titles I've been recommending that are getting the most "buzz" from the students:

A trio of sports titles, two of them by BIG. NAME. SPORTSWRITERS.

A new book by the writer/director by some big-time classics such as "The Goonies" and "Gremlins" teams up with another wild and crazy writer for this new series starter.

 I really like this new survival/post-apocalyptic/road trip story. I hope that it is the beginning of a series.

And for a much more light-hearted road trip story, this is a quick one about a father and son on a quest to rescue a dog.

Two series that I love...and love to promote.

And two books that are "quiet gems" looking for just the right reader. I loved them both, and hope just the right student finds them and adores them also.

Series Saturday: Review: Crash (McMann)

Title: Crash
Author: McMann
Genre: Fiction, Fantasy, Romance, Supernatural, Family
Pages: 233
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
Ages: 7th-10th grades

We were so lucky to host this author (along with Jennifer A. Nielsen) at Evergreen this past March. You can read all about the AMAZING experience here. Since I am also a huge fan of both of these authors, I was especially excited for the event. It definitely did not disappoint.

The "Wake" trilogy is a popular series in my library, and Cryer's Cross (previously reviewed here) is also the perfect creepy tale. And this year I will be promoting her new "Unwanteds" series. Because she obviously doesn't have enough to do, this series starter was also published this year. 

From the Publisher: 
If what you see is what you get, Jules is in serious trouble. Jules lives with her family above their restaurant, which means she smells like pizza most of the time and drives their double-meatball-shaped food truck to school. It’s not a recipe for popularity, but she can handle that.
What she can’t handle is the recurring vision that haunts her. Over and over, Jules sees a careening truck hit a building and explode...and nine body bags in the snow.
The vision is everywhere—on billboards, television screens, windows—and she’s the only one who sees it. And the more she sees it, the more she sees. The vision is giving her clues, and soon Jules knows what she has to do. Because now she can see the face in one of the body bags, and it’s someone she knows. Someone she has been in love with for as long as she can remember.

As soon as I read this book, I knew just the student who would enjoy it. And I was right! I'm including her review below, but wanted to add my two cents first. This book has mystery, suspense, and romance. It is a page-turner that is hard to put it down because you desperately want to find out if Jules is able to save the day. I really liked Jules and her narration is spot on. The supporting cast is also well-defined. This is definitely an exciting series starter (there are supposed to be 4 books in this series; the 2nd book, "Bang" comes out this fall), and one that we will have on the shelves for the fall.

Jenni's review:
Loved Crash! It kind of reminded me of Romeo and Juliet- but still really original seeing as how there was resistance from Sawyer's part. I liked how different Jules is from me because as I've said before I usually subconsciously (now I'm actually aware of it though *laughs) try to identify with the protagonist of the books. I found myself cringing a lot when Jules would do something like approach Sawyer or even tell him she loves him. Yeah, this chick is way more ballsy than I ever will be. But I liked seeing how her actions played out in the end. 

Sawyer was frustrating too. The story in general was frustrating because like Romeo and Juliet I find it completely idiotic for parents and kids to allow feuds to be passed down and to live by them. I liked how Jules, although she kind of abided by that old fight, basically said, "I don't give a damn, I'm gonna try to save these people." 

The ending was satisfying because it made sense, but as all good authors do, it didn't leave me too satisfied since I felt like there is still more to be said of Jules and Sawyer's story. All in all, I can't wait for the next book to come out!

Trailer Tuesday

Also Known As by Robin Benway was one of my top picks this summer for my middle school (but it works great for high school as well). I am a fan of Benway and really enjoy her writing style, stories, and the characters that she creates.

I would give this book 4 out of 5 stars, and I'm anxiously looking forward to the next book in the series. Especially after watching this author interview. If you are a fan of the Heist Society series by Ally Carter (which is INCREDIBLE), you will truly enjoy this one. 

Series Saturday: Review: Breathe (Crossan)

Title: Breathe
Author: Crossan
Genre: Fiction, Dystopian, Series, Survival, Adventure
Pages: 373
Rating: 3 1/2 out of 5 stars
Ages: 6th-10th grades

I was completely taken in by this series starter last year and talked it up to students all the time. Fans of the dystopian genre are always looking for something new to sink their teeth into and this one is a good one!

From the Publisher: 
The world has no air. If you want to survive, you pay to breathe. But what if you can't? And what if you think everything could be different? Ever since the Switch, when the oxygen levels plummeted and most of humanity died, the survivors have been protected in glass domes full of manufactured air. Protected . . . or trapped? Or controlled? Alina's a revolutionary who believes we can save the environment. Quinn's a Premium who's never had to worry about having enough air. His best friend, Bea, is an Auxiliary who's never worried about anything but having enough air. When the three cross paths, they will change everything.

Unlike some books in the genre, this one felt "real" to me...like it could really happen. I can see how our world would get to a place where corporations and/or governments are selling oxygen. I enjoyed that this story alternates from all three teen's perspectives in short, cliff-hanger chapters. You become invested in each character. Fans of the Team Gale/Team Peeta debate will appreciate the elements of romance in this one. But there is also something for sci-fi fans that like adventure and/or the environment. 

Summer is a terrific time to read this book as the 2nd book in the series, Resist, comes out in October. (I've already read this one...can't wait to tell you more about it).

Series Saturday: Review: Death Cloud (Lane)

Title: Death Cloud
Author: Lane
Genre: Fiction, Series, Mystery, Adventure, Classics, Murder, England
Pages: 311
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
Ages: 6th-9th grades

This series starter is a good one, especially for readers looking for a good mystery. 

From the Publisher:
It is the summer of 1868, and Sherlock Holmes is fourteen. On break from boarding school, he is staying with eccentric strangers—his uncle and aunt—in their vast house in Hampshire. When two local people die from symptoms that resemble the plague, Holmes begins to investigate what really killed them, helped by his new tutor, an American named Amyus Crowe. So begins Sherlock's true education in detection, as he discovers the dastardly crimes of a brilliantly sinister villain of exquisitely malign intent.

I love a book that imagines the teen years of a well-known fictional character (Sherlock Holmes, James Bond, etc), and this is one of the better ones I've read. It is also the first one to be endorsed by the estate of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. 

There is a good mystery here, and we get a glimpse at how young Sherlock gets his start. There is also quite a bit of adventure (and a little humor if you're paying attention) that will keep you on the edge of your seat. There are now 3 books in this series, with a 4th coming out in October.

And until the 7th, this audiobook is available for FREE download from Sync.  It is also paired with the classic Doyle namesake "Adventures of Sherlock Holmes" so you can download one or both for free. A great deal for two terrific books!

Series Saturday: Review: Mind Games (White)

Title: Mind Games
Author: White
Genre: Fiction, Sisters, Psychic Ability, Thriller, Action, Series
Pages: 241
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
Ages: 7th grade & up

I discovered this series starter because I am a big fan of White's Paranormalcy trilogy (I know, I know...I'm not supposed to like paranormal books. But that series is really good!). 

From the Publisher: 
Fia and Annie are as close as two sisters can be. They look out for each other. Protect each other. And most importantly, they keep each others secrets, even the most dangerous ones: Annie is blind, but can see visions of the future; Fia was born with flawless intuition--her first impulse is always exactly right. When the sisters are offered a place at an elite boarding school, Fia realizes that something is wrong . . . but she doesn't grasp just how wrong. The Keane Institute is no ordinary school, and Fia is soon used for everything from picking stocks to planting bombs. If she tries to refuse, they threaten her with Annie's life. Now Fia is falling in love with a boy who has dark secrets of his own. And with his help, she's ready to fight back. They stole her past. They control her present. But she won't let them take her future. 

I really enjoyed this story, told from both sister's perspectives. It was a unique construct in a genre that tends to start to all look alike. I have been recommending this one far and wide this summer, and I received the following brief review from a former student:
So as far as the romance goes I think it's well written because it's frustrating to read. It actually makes you feel something. Fia's relationship with her sister, Annie is interesting because their roles are reversed. The younger sister is looking out for her older sister instead of the other way around. I think the way the book ended was perfect for the sisters. Throughout the book their troubles came from the fact that they focused too much on the other instead of themselves as a whole. So the book kind of made the perfect solution while still leaving some problems to be solved. 

Fans of mystery, action, dystopian, and even romance books will find something to enjoy in this title. It's a fast read because you want to desperately get to the end to figure out what is going to happen! I cannot wait for the next one. Oh wait, I have an advance copy of the second book (Perfect Lies, pub. February, 2014). I think I might just go read it right now!

Trailer Tuesday

Today's Trailer Tuesday/Book-a-Day combo is for Grace Mercy by Robin LaFevers.

This book was on SO MANY "best" lists last year, and deservedly so. This is definitely for high school readers and adults (I recommend it to my teacher friends ALL THE TIME), but it is terrific. And the sequel, Dark Triumph, is on shelves now. (Book 3 comes out in February, 2014).

Also, the reason that I chose to post this trailer this week is that you still have a few days to score a free copy of the audiobook from Sync. Click here for details! Hurry, tomorrow is your last day.

Series Saturday: Review: Selection (Cass)

Title: Selection; Elite
Author: Cass
Genre: Fiction, Dystopian, Contests, Prince/Princess, Marriage, Love
Pages: 327 (Selection)
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars (for both)
 Ages: Middle School and up

In this first installment of "Series Saturday," I thought that I would highlight a series that I recently discovered. This is not a new series, since the second book came out in April, but for some reason I never got around to reading it when the first book hit the shelves. And I think I know why...I have a natural aversion to girls in floofy dresses on the cover of the books I'm reading.

So, in my case, this was a terrific lesson in "Don't Judge a Book by it's Cover!" Dang, all this time I've missed out knowing these characters.

From the Publisher: 
For thirty-five girls, the Selection is the chance of a lifetime. The opportunity to escape the life laid out for them since birth. To be swept up in a world of glittering gowns and priceless jewels. To live in a palace and compete for the heart of gorgeous Prince Maxon. But for America Singer, being Selected is a nightmare. It means turning her back on her secret love with Aspen, who is a caste below her. Leaving her home to enter a fierce competition for a crown she doesn't want. Living in a palace that is constantly threatened by violent rebel attacks. Then America meets Prince Maxon. Gradually, she starts to question all the plans she's made for herself'and realizes that the life she's always dreamed of may not compare to a future she never imagined.


I finished the first book, and am waiting until school starts so I can "steal" our library copy of "The Elite." I am very excited to know where the story is going, and what is going to happen to America...and who she will choose. This book has a little bit for everyone: romance, action, political intrigue...and girls in fancy dresses if that's what you like.