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!
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.
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.
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!
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.
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).
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!
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!
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.
This Trailer Tuesday (and all Trailer Tuesdays this summer) will also count for Book a Day reviews because it is a book that I included on my Summer Reading suggestions. I have already purchased copies for the library and will be booktalking this quite a bit when I return to school in the fall. I think that fans of dystopian series like Matched and The Hunger Games will enjoy this book. Happy Reading! From the publisher: Two of you exist. Only one will survive. The city of Kersh is a safe haven, but the price of safety is high. Everyone has a genetic Alternate—a twin raised by another family—and citizens must prove their worth by eliminating their Alts before their twentieth birthday. Survival means advanced schooling, a good job, marriage—life. Fifteen-year-old West Grayer has trained as a fighter, preparing for the day when her assignment arrives and she will have one month to hunt down and kill her Alt. But then a tragic misstep shakes West’s confidence. Stricken with grief and guilt, she’s no longer certain that she’s the best version of herself, the version worthy of a future.
Title: Planet Thieves Author: Krokos Genre: Fiction, Science Fiction, Space Travels, Aliens, War Pages: 253 Rating: 3 out of 5 stars Ages: 5th-8th grades I am the first person to say that the outer space/alien science fiction genre is NOT my thing. So, when I find a book in what I call the Star Wars/Star Trek genre that I really enjoy, I know that most of my students will like it also, especially those that already are fans of the genre. From the publisher: Two weeks ago, thirteen-year-old Mason Stark and seventeen of his fellow cadets from the Academy for Earth Space Command boarded the SS Egypt . The trip was supposed to be a short routine voyage to log their required spacetime for summer quarter.But routine goes out the airlock when they're attacked by the Tremist, an alien race who have been at war with humanity for the last sixty years.With the captain and crew dead, injured, or taken prisoner, Mason and the cadets are all that's left to warn the ESC. And soon they find out exactly why the Tremist chose this ship to attack: the Egypt is carrying a weapon that could change the war forever.Now Mason will have to lead the cadets in a daring assault to take back the ship, rescue the survivors, and recover the weapon. Before there isn't a war left to fight. I discovered this author through another of his series starters, "False Memory" (which I loved and am anxiously awaiting the sequel to next month). This book is fast-paced with a sense of adventure that will keep the pages turning. I'm not sure that there was anything surprising in this book, but it was a good ride and time well spent. I can see that there will likely be a sequel, and rumor has it that the movie rights have already been snapped up!
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