Review: Flame in the Mist (Grindstaff)

Title: Flame in the Mist
Author: Grindstaff
Genre: Fiction, Fantasy, Adventure
Pages: 452
Rating: 3 out of 5 stars
Ages: 4th-8th grades

I reviewed this book for the publisher and I'm posting below the booktalk that I wrote for their website. High fantasy is not my thing, and I thought this book might have been a little long for the intended audience, but I still think that if you like fantasy/adventure stories, you will enjoy this! And somehow I think I left it off my summer reading list, so I wanted to make sure that I let you know about it.

Jemma lives in a land of darkness, shrouded by an evil mist that keeps out the sun. Her family has ruled the land for centuries, using their dark powers to retain control. But Jemma has always looked and felt like an outsider, like she doesn’t belong. With her flame red hair and her outrage at the ghastly things that go on in the castle, she knows that something isn’t right. And on the eve of her thirteenth birthday, she finds out the horrible secret that her family has been keeping from her. Now, forced to flee into the forest and the danger that lurks there, Jemma is on the run with only her pet rats and an ancient book to keep her company. With the help of mysterious people she meets along the way, Jemma might just have a chance at making it out alive. But can she fulfill her prophecy and defeat the evil forces working to destroy her and the kingdom?

Review: Planet Thieves (Krokos)

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! 

Review: Sequels/Series That you Love

For today's Book A Day, in honor of the 4th I thought I would highlight 4 books!

These are all sequels or next-in-series titles that you will enjoy (but you have to check out the first book if you haven't already)!



Outpost by Aguirre, the sequel to Enclave (book 3 coming this fall). I really like this dark, gritty dystopian series. Terrific for fans of The Hunger Games, and maybe those that aren't squeamish.




Formerly Shark Girl by Bingham, sequel to the VERY popular (at Evergreen) Shark Girl. Find out what happens next for the girl that survives a shark attack.



P.K. Pinkerton and the Petrified Man by Lawrence. Another sequel. This is another good mystery for the 5th-8th grade reader. A great gunslinging, shoot-'em-up, action-packed western.




Perfect Scoundrels by Carter. I LOVE ALLY CARTER AND EVERYTHING SHE WRITES. This is the 3rd book in her Heist Society series. Please, please, someone make these into movies!

Review: How My Summer Went Up in Flames (Doktorski)

Title: How My Summer Went Up In Flames

Author: Doktorski
Genre: Fiction, Summer, Road Trips, Love gone wrong, Friendship

Pages: 302

Rating: 3 1/2 out of 5 stars
Age: 7th grade and up

From the publisher:

Rosie’s always been impulsive. She didn’t intend to set her cheating ex-boyfriend’s car on fire. And she never thought her attempts to make amends could be considered stalking. So when she’s served with a temporary restraining order on the first day of summer vacation, she’s heartbroken—and furious.

To put distance between Rosie and her ex, Rosie’s parents send her on a cross-country road trip with responsible, reliable neighbor Matty and his two friends. Forget freedom of the road, Rosie wants to hitchhike home and win back her ex. But her determination starts to dwindle with each passing mile. Because Rosie’s spark of anger? It may have just ignited a romance with someone new…

I really liked this book. And I LOVE Rosie's snarky personality, especially her observations of her male road trip companions. In addition to snark, Rosie is honest, sassy, and impulsive. Some of this clearly gets in the way of her common sense. But all of it makes her an endearing narrator that you can't help but root for. 

This book is a great ride from start to finish!

Review: Nugget & Fang (Sauer)

Title: Nugget & Fang
Author: Sauer
Genre: Fiction, Picture Books, Friendship
Pages: 40
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
Ages: K-2nd grade

I know, I know, this is a picture book. But it's really cute, and I'm sure that some of you have to babysit little brothers and sisters (cousins, neighbor kids, etc) this summer and need books that you can read to them. And honestly, nothing says summer like a shark as a main character.

From the publisher:
In the deep ocean, tiny Nugget and big, toothy Fang get along swimmingly-until Nugget's first day of minnow school. There Nugget learns that minnows are supposed to be afraid of sharks! To regain Nugget's trust, Fang takes desperate (and hilarious) measures. But it's not until his big sharp teeth save the entire school that minnows learn this shark is no foe. 

I don't really have a whole lot to add to this summary other than the artwork really lends itself to this book and I think that it's a fun one for any kid who's a fan of Finding Nemo. Enjoy!

Review: Golden (Kirby)

Title: Golden
Author: Kirby
Genre: Fiction, Mystery, Love, Diaries
Pages: 277
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
Age: 8th grade and up (and adult)

I've decided to post "Book a Day" reviews this summer: a new book each day starting today! Some of these will be books that I posted on my Summer Reading suggestions, but many will be ones that I am also reading this summer. And since my goal is always to read more than one book per day, I'm hoping to have enough reviews to accomplish this all summer long!

The first title I want to post about is Golden by Jessi Kirby. First, let me just say that this is one of the 25-30 books in my "to read" pile that I just didn't get to before school got out. And now I am VERY sad that this did not make it onto my Summer Reading list. Because it is a GREAT BOOK! Wonderful! And a perfect book to read this summer. I have already recommended it to several neighborhood girls (and their moms).

From the publisher: 
Seventeen-year-old Parker Frost has never taken the road less traveled. Valedictorian and quintessential good girl, she’s about to graduate high school without ever having kissed her crush or broken the rules. So when fate drops a clue in her lap—one that might be the key to unraveling a town mystery—she decides to take a chance.

Each year, Parker's English teacher gives soon-to-be graduating seniors a journal to record their thoughts on the question, "what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?" And then he collects and stores the journals, mailing them back to students 10 years after graduation. Parker, as his TA, is tasked with tracking down addresses and mailing the journals from ten years ago. And that's when she discovers the journal of Julianna Farnetti in the stack.

Julianna and her boyfriend Shane were the golden couple of the town, until the night they perished in horrible car accident that plunged them into the river, leaving the whole town to grieve and create monuments in their honor. Parker cannot help herself and starts to read Julianna's journal. And in doing so, she starts to question not only her own motivations and plans for the future, but she wonders if the accident really happened like everyone thinks. With clues from the journal, she sets out to prove what really happened the night the golden couple died.

I cannot say enough about how much I really responded to this book. I am sure it had a little to do with all the Robert Frost references (one of my favorite poets; and The Road Not Taken, which obviously plays a huge role in this book, is my all-time favorite poem). But I also liked Parker and her telling of this story. Her BFF Kat, who she enlists into helping, is such a great friend and I love how the girls balance and support each other. The mystery of what happened to Julianna and Shane is compelling and I will say that this storyline did NOT end how I thought it would.

I think that almost any high school student (and adult) can relate to the "what if" dilemma that Parker faces. What if I had made different choices? What would my life be like? Is it too late to change the road that I am traveling down?

Do yourself a favor and go check out this book NOW! And then go back and pick up the author's first book, Moonglass for another good "summer" title. You will not be disappointed!

Free Audiobooks for Summer!

Are you like me and like listening to audiobooks?  Or, are you traveling this summer via plane, train, or automobile and will be confined to this small space with family members that might make you a little crazy? 

Then check out this FREE source for downloadable audiobooks. Each week of summer, SYNC offers 2 free audiobooks that you can download to your smart phone, iPod, computer, etc. And once you download them, they are yours to KEEP!

Click here to find out the calendar of titles. Two new titles are available each week, from May 30th- August 15th. Text "syncya" to 25827 to receive a text when new titles are released. There are some GREAT TITLES this year...many are my favorites that I've been recommending to students all year!

Anyone can participate, there's no required sign-up or personal info or credit card needed, the titles are in MP3 format compatible with ANY digital player or computer.  The choices each week are one top Teen book (like "The Raven Boys," "The False Prince," and "Enchanted"), and one top Classic ("Frankenstein," "Hamlet," and "Through the Looking Glass.")  All the directions on how to download the files are on the website, including a "how-to" video.

If you take advantage of this, let me know what you think!  

School's Out For Summer!

School is FINALLY out...yeah! What a crazy year this has been, especially for me. However, we survived and made it to SUMMER! 

Even though I wasn't really at school this year, I still compiled my annual Summer Reading Suggestions. If you are looking for good reads for all ages, from Kindergarten through High School (and adult!), check out the Evergreen Library "Summer Reading" website. The lists are divided by grade level, and students of all ages, reading levels, and interests will find something good to read, I promise. Some will find MANY great books to read. The lists are designed for students "graduating" from the grade levels listed, but some students will also find titles of interest on the lists above and below their grade level. 

And if you are a grown up looking for something good to read this summer, start with the High School list. Great titles to choose from!

Stay tuned to the blog throughout the summer. It will be updated daily with "latest and greatest" titles not published in time to be included on the Summer Reading lists, or books from my "to read" pile that I just couldn't get to in time. Chemo has really taken a toll on me and there are days where I just never get around to doing anything, even reading. 

I would LOVE your feedback on books that you've read or books that I should review here! Feel free to comment. We can have our own online book club...

More March Madness!

Elite 8 voting has ended and we have our FINAL FOUR!

A couple of upsets and one complete blowout mark this round of the tournament.

Hunger Games, the number 1 seed, crushed it's competitor this round (Matched, the number 9 seed).

Red Pyramid (20) continues it's run through the tournament by upsetting another competitor, the 5th seed, Beautiful Creatures.

Lost Hero (2) beat another one of my favorites, and the last non-fiction book in the tournament, Iron Heart (7). It was a good run for non-fiction this year. I really thought Iron Heart had the stamina to go all the way.

In the final match-up, Maze Runner (3) was stunned in a buzzer-beater by Wimpy Kid #7 (11). I was quite honestly shocked by this result, though I do love both books equally so would have been happy with either book moving forward.

Now we are on to the Final Four voting:

Hunger Games (1) vs. Red Pyramid (20): Can this underdog continue it's run through the bracket and upset the undeniable favorite?

Lost Hero (2) vs. Wimpy Kid #7 (11): I actually have no idea how this "game" will end up.

Will it be #1 vs. #2 in the finals? Cannot wait to find out. To vote online, click here or grab a bracket from the library. Ballots are due no later than end of school on Friday, 4/5. Winners will be announced here and our Facebook page over spring break! Stay tuned...

March Madness Continues

Yes, March Madness has swept through the library at Evergreen! We are doing our part to contribute to the craziness that comes with filling out a bracket and rooting for your favorites.

Now, to be honest, this is the first year in I don't know how long that I haven't filled out a college basketball bracket. Chemo brain just didn't allow me to think clearly enough to compete. And since I know better than to pick my favorite Bulldogs, I wouldn't have been too disappointed with my bracket.

But March Madness at the library is almost as crazy! There have been blowouts, buzzer beaters, and upsets! We started with 32 books, all determined by the top circulations in our library since the start of school. Adjusting for series: only the top circulating book in a series was "allowed" into the tournament as decided by the tournament official (me).

First round: Some very interesting outcomes!
--8th seed Leviathan battled 25th seed Unwind. In the end, the winner was determined by the FINAL VOTE, with Leviathan prevailing.

--The 20th (Red Pyramid) and 21st (Chomp) seeds upset their competitors.

--Two of my favorite books were paired up against each other, so I knew from the start I was going to lose one of my favorites in the first round. False Prince battled to the win over A Long Way Gone.

--3rd seed Maze Runner did not crush it's competitor (Breaking Dawn) quite like you'd expect of a 3rd seed, but it did come out victorious in the end.

Sweet 16:
--9th seed Matched upset Leviathan in the closest matchup in this round.

--My FAVORITE book in the tournament, Swim the Fly (4) was upset by Red Pyramid. I am crushed...my bracket is blown. It's all fun and games until your favorite "team" loses.

Now we are on to the Elite 8. Voting is open until Tuesday, 4/2 at 3pm. You can vote online here, or get a paper bracket from the library. Will your favorite book(s) make it to the Final Four??? Stay tuned...

Come Show Your Support for Mrs. Yusko

Next Friday, 3/29...Be There!!

Several Evergreen graduates are putting on this event on the 29th. It takes place at the Old Fire House Teen Center, from 7-9pm. See the invitation for details.

Yes, I will be there! I am excited to see these talented students perform. It should be a good time...and I hear there will be baked goods, so what could be better?!

I hope to see you there!

March Madness in the Library!

Starting Monday, the library will be holding it's own March Madness tourney! Students AND staff can compete and win prizes. Will your favorite book(s) make it to the Final Four???


Come to the library each week to get your bracket. Round 1 voting starts Monday, and ballots must be returned to the library no later than 8AM Friday 3/22. Sweet 16 voting starts Monday 3/25.

Details:

WHAT IS IT?                                                                                                                            
A contest to pick the best book at Evergreen! (The Top 32 books based on circulations this school year are competing).                                                                                                             Voting will be finished before spring break.    
                                                                                                                        
HOW DOES IT WORK?                                                                                                                               
Students and staff will vote for their favorite books. Books are divided into brackets, starting with 32, then Sweet 16, Elite 8, and then the Final 4 & Winner.                                                                                                                                
Vote each week to ensure your favorite books make it through the bracket.
                                                                                                                                
ARE THERE PRIZES?                                                                                                                               
YES! There will be prizes awarded each week (fun stuff) and grand prizes awarded at the end (gift cards and free books).                                                                                                                                
Students AND staff can win BIG prizes by voting for the books that make it to the Final Four, and for picking the winner. There are also smaller prizes awarded each week.
You can't win prizes if you don't remember to put your name on the ballot :)

VOTE EARLY, VOTE OFTEN?                                                                                                                         
Campaigning for your favorite book IS allowed…but you can only vote ONCE each round. If you have a favorite book and want it to win, get other people to vote for it. To see how your favorites are doing, check out the giant bracket in the library for updates!                                                                                                                            
                                                                                                                        
If you would rather vote online, you can! Use the links below. (This week only, there are two links...click on both to vote for all the match-ups). You can actually start voting online now.


Western Conference
Eastern Conference

Amazing Authors visit Evergreen!

Evergreen was so lucky to host two amazing authors this week. Lisa McMann and Jennifer Nielsen took time out of their busy touring schedule to visit students in the Library Tuesday morning. Several 6th, 7th, and 8th grade Language Arts classes were lucky to be able to hear the presentation. It was a PACKED house!

Now, right off the bat, let me just say that I was very happy to be able to organize this event as I am a HUGE fan of BOTH authors and their books. I was also glad that I was feeling well enough to be there so I could meet them. (I tried not to embarrass myself too much by gushing like a teenage fan-girl...I promise).

 


Such a good time was had by all. AND we received some great advice to help us with our writing. Here are just a few of the important things to keep in mind:
(1) Story connects all of us! Books, music, dance, art...all creative endeavors tell a story.
(2) When you write something you think it's AMAZING, and you're sure that your teacher will think it's PERFECT. No such luck, right? The teacher always thinks your work needs revision. UGH! But Ms. Nielsen decoded the word "revision" for us: This is your teacher's way of saying what you have done is pretty good, but it could be great...with revision. "It's not enough to be good, I expect you to be great."
(3) Great writing comes in re-writing.
(4) Ms. McMann reminded us to always ask the "What If?" questions...no matter where you are, or what you see, there's a story in it.

Their combined tips for wannabe writers:
(1) Read your favorite book over and look at it like a writer.
(2) Don't give up!
(3) Don't be afraid to fail.
(4) Be true to who you are. Write your own voice. "We need your voice!"
(5) Read!
(6) Keep writing.



Besides being a fan of each other's books, Ms. McMann admitted to being a fan of "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory" and the "Chronicles of Narnia" books when she was a tween/teen. Ms. Nielsen loved (and still does) "The Outsiders" when she was in middle school. (Great choices, ladies!)






About the morning, Ms. Nielsen had this to say, "So glad to have met you, and the others there, and the fantastic students. Lisa and I really enjoyed our time at your school." Well, we really enjoyed our time with both of you! Thank you...and a big THANK YOU to Third Place Books for bringing this event to us.

To hear more about their books, read this previous "Trailer Tuesday" post.

And if you ever have a chance to see these dynamic women in person, DON'T MISS IT! You will not regret it. And if she doesn't tell you the story, ask Ms. Nielsen how her and Suzanne Collins share something in common.

Mrs. Yusko and the Katy Perry Wig Make the Paper

If you received a copy of the Redmond Reporter at home, you might have seen the article about me, which included a great picture of me in the library (sporting my favorite wig).

If you haven't seen it yet, please check it out online here as it is a terrific article about the wonderful community that has been supporting me throughout this journey. Thanks to everyone, whether you were mentioned by name or not!

Trailer Tuesday

Today's Trailer Tuesday is in honor of the TWO authors visiting Evergreen today.

First up, Lisa McMann, author of so many books/series that are popular with Evergreen readers. Here's an interview with her where she discusses one of these books.

And a trailer for one of her new series, "The Unwanteds." Love it!

Here is the book trailer for The False Prince, by Jennifer A. Nielsen. I loved this book and am so glad the sequel is out.

I am so excited to meet both of these amazing authors today!

Celebrating Seuss, Part 11

To finish out our Celebration of Seuss, here's a whole list of good Seuss-isms for you!

Celebrating Seuss, Part 10

Celebrating Seuss, Part 9

Celebrating Seuss, Part 8

Celebrating Seuss, Part 7

Celebrating Seuss, Part 6

Trailer Tuesday: Eve and Adam (Grant/Applegate)

Action, suspense, and sci-fi combine in this new title by two popular authors: Michael Grant (author of the Gone series), and Katherine Applegate (author of The One and Only Ivan and the Animorphs series).

Definitely series possibilities, but I don't know if it will be a series. A very interesting premise that will have you talking. Check out "Eve and Adam" soon! 

Celebrating Seuss, Part 5

Can you name the book this quote comes from?

New Books in Series You Love

Okay, I have discovered that chemo and reading do not go together quite as well as I thought. My hope for being on medical leave for this extended amount of time was that I would at least catch up on all the books I wanted to read. And I would have time to write the reviews of those books here for you.

No such luck for a variety of reasons:
(1) Chemo has changed the structure of my eye somehow and reading is hard. I can no longer see things that are smaller print, and close up (books, my phone, texts, medical forms I'm supposed to sign, etc).

(2) I am tired all the time from the chemo, and just can't read non-stop like I used to. This makes me sad...

(3) Neuropathy has set in. This is where your hands and feet go numb, either off and on or continuously. I'm lucky that this comes and goes right now, but it is kind of hard to type when you can't feel your fingertips.

(4) Your brain is affected by chemo (it's called "chemo brain")...my memory is gone! Very hard to write a review when you've forgotten you read the book!

So, instead of lamenting over writing a review for you of all the books I am reading, I think that I'll start posting books I would recommend, without a big review. I'll let you look them up in the library catalog or on Amazon.com to see if it is a book that would interest you. 

First up, several new books in series that are already popular. If you liked the first book(s) in these series, you will enjoy these:


(1) Prodigy by Marie Lu, sequel to Legend

(2) Scarlet, by Marissa Meyer, sequel to Cinder

(3) The Madness Underneath by Maureen Johnson, sequel to The Name of the Star

(4) Requiem by Lauren Oliver, third book in the Delirium trilogy

(5) The Lives We Lost by Megan Crewe, sequel to The Way We Fall

Celebrating Seuss, Part 4

So true!

Celebrating Seuss, Part 3

Another favorite Seuss-ism for you to ponder today:

More Seuss!

A very appropriate book to read today! Happy Birthday to you, Dr. Seuss!

What is your all-time favorite Dr. Seuss book? I have several, but one of them is a less well-known title that was published after his death: My Many Colored Days.

Happy Birthday Dr. Seuss

In honor of Dr. Seuss' birthday tomorrow, and Read Across America Day and Month, I thought I would spend the next week or so posting some of my favorite "Seuss-isms." 

To get you in the mood to READ, READ, READ...here's today's Seuss inspired poetry:

How is Mrs. Yusko Doing?

It's been two months since I've been at school. I promise you that it has not really been a vacation. I have been doing a little reading (when I'm not curled up in a ball from the chemotherapy or the migraines), and I hope to start posting more reviews here starting this week.

In case you're wondering how I'm doing, you can read all about my journey here: My Angry Cancer

I'd love to hear from you...and what you're reading! Keep in touch! I'm hoping that I'll be back at school soon.

Award Winners

It seems appropriate that our 6th graders will be reading Award Winners (and Honor books) this quarter, being that most of the major reading awards were just announced this week. 

It was the American Library Association's Midwinter meeting, and this past weekend it was in my own backyard (Seattle). Unfortunately,  because of my chemo treatments, I was unable to attend. AAAAH! It was so hard not to be there, as I've been at almost every meeting for YEARS, having served on many of ALA's award committees in the past.

One of the best parts of Midwinter is getting up early Monday morning and being in the audience as each award is announced live. Okay, well, getting up early isn't always that great, but it is so fun to be in a room of fellow book nerds cheering as books are announced, especially when one of your favorite titles wins. To find links to all the recently announced award winners, click here. There is also video clips from the ceremony. To find teen specific awards, click on YALSA's award page. I have served on many of these award committees including Best Fiction, Popular Paperbacks, and am now serving on the Excellence in Non-Fiction award committee.


For this quarter's 6th graders, you can find my book list of suggestions here. 
If you are also a fan of the library's Facebook page, you will see I posted my favorite recommendations from all the titles listed. I will be recommending them here over the next week.

Let me know which book you choose...and I can't wait to hear how you liked it. Not a 6th grader? Tell me what your favorite award/honor title would be. Or which award you look forward to hearing each year.

Non-Fiction

The next reading project that I'm highlighting is our 7th grade unit: Non-Fiction. Always a favorite of mine, and I'm very excited to be on this year's Excellence in Non-Fiction Award committee (a national award under YALSA/ALA). 

For this quarter, you can find my book list of suggestions, as well as a copy of my presentation, here.  (To see past non-fiction titles that I've reviewed on the blog, click here. You can see that I haven't reviewed as much non-fiction in the past two years because of my service on the YALSA's Best Fiction for Young Adults award committee. So many fiction books that I've read!!) 

If you are also a fan of the library's Facebook page, you will see I posted my favorite recommendations from all the titles listed. I will be recommending them here over the next week.

Let me know which book you choose...and I can't wait to hear how you liked it. Not a 7th grader? Tell me what your favorite non-fiction title would be.

Survival Stories

It's the beginning of 3rd quarter at school and I'm still out on leave. I miss being there...well, maybe not the getting up early part...but I do miss talking to the kids about books!

And since it is the beginning of several big reading projects, I have been compiling suggestions from afar. I hope that your teacher's have been passing along the lists!

First up, our 8th graders are doing one of my favorite units: Survival. (To see past Survival stories that I've reviewed on the blog, click here.) 

For this quarter, you can find my book list of suggestions, as well as a copy of my presentation, here. 

If you are also a fan of the library's Facebook page, you will see I posted my favorite recommendations from all the titles listed. I will be recommending them here over the next week.

Let me know which book you choose...and I can't wait to hear how you liked it. Not an 8th grader? Tell me what your favorite Survival title would be.

Trailer Tuesday: Legend & Prodigy (Lu)

Today is the day that I have been waiting for since I first picked up Legend by Marie Lu. The sequel, Prodigy, has been released!

Now, to be honest, I read an advanced copy of Prodigy before today. But I wanted to share the excitement with you so I thought that I'd use today's Trailer Tuesday to introduce you to both books. If you haven't read them yet, run right now and check them out from the library! You will not regret being introduced to June and Day.

Trailer Tuesday: Tiger Lily (Anderson)

Oh my gosh, I LOVE this book.

Love it!

Couldn't get enough of it! And completely regret not reading it in time to put it on my "holiday gift books" list.

Trailer Tuesday: Breathe (Crossan)

This week's Trailer Tuesday is more of an author interview. Sarah Crossan, author of Breathe, tells us where she got her inspiration for the book...and some good advice for wannabe writers out there!

If you are a fan of dystopian/sci-fi books and you haven't read Breathe yet, I highly recommend it (and not just because her inspiration for the story was a trip she made to Washington). 

In this post-apocalyptic world, there is a shortage of air, and the government controls who gets to breathe it. I enjoyed that this story is told from the alternating perspectives of the three main characters, and that it leaves room for the story to continue (in a planned trilogy). Great, suspenseful writing.

Trailer Tuesday: What's Left of Me (Zhang)

While I've been away from school, I have been reading, but chemotherapy has kept me from posting reviews. So, for the next several Tuesdays, I thought that I would use Trailer Tuesday to get you excited about a book that I enjoyed, but haven't mentioned here yet.

This first one is for the first book in a new series: What's Left of Me from The Hybrid Chronicles by Kat Zhang. 

Eva and Addie are sisters that share the same body. Over time, one of them was supposed to settle and the other would become the dominant one. Except Eva won't settle...and only Addie knows that she still exists.

A unique and intriguing sci-fi story! I can't wait for the next book in the series...

Holiday Gift Ideas: Fault in Our Stars (Green)

Title: The Fault in Our Stars

Author: Green
Genre: Fiction, Love Stories, Illness, Travel, Cancer
Pages: 318
Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

From the publisher: Diagnosed with Stage IV thyroid cancer at 12, Hazel was prepared to die until, at 14, a medical miracle shrunk the tumors in her lungs. for now. Two years post-miracle, sixteen-year-old Hazel is post-everything else, too - post-high school, post-friends and post-normalcy. Enter Augustus Waters. A match made at cancer kid support group, Augustus is gorgeous, in remission, and - shockingly, to her - interested in Hazel.

If you've been paying attention to year-end Top 10 book lists and reviews this season, I do not actually have to tell you anything about this book. In fact, you've probably read it yourself. Green is one of my all-time favorite authors, definitely Top 3. I honestly have a geeky book crush on him, his books, and his Crash Course video segments (which you MUST check out). I have been lucky enough to seem him speak in person several times, and entertain the audience at a dinner or two.

I fell in love with this book months before my own cancer diagnosis. This book is simply beautiful, and you will fall in love with Hazel and Augustus...and with their love story. Humor, challenges, sensitivity, intellect...it's all here in this sophisticated and honest tale that asks and answers some pretty big questions in a way that only John Green could tackle (and succeed at). 

This is an absolute must-read, and you just might need a Kleenex or two.

Holiday Gift Ideas: In the Bag (Klise)

Title: In the Bag

Author: Klise
Genre: Fiction, Love Stories, Vacations

Pages: 306

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

A European vacation. A luggage mix-up. A note from a secret admirer. Meet two single parents who think they're too busy to date. And two teenagers who can't stop writing flirty emails. Professional chef Daisy and her teenage daughter Coco take the same flight to Paris as Andrew and his son Webb. Although Daisy scoffs at Andrew's flirtatious glances and note, the two single parents will meet again because their kids accidentally swapped suitcases. 

I have long been a fan of the author's tween books. When I found out that she was writing a book for adults, I was intrigued. And I thoroughly enjoyed this title, told from all four characters' perspectives. This is an engaging, light-hearted read that also happens to be the perfect vacation book. All the romances in this story work in just the right way. This is a story for moms or their high school daughters...or both. It's a 2-for-1 gift, I suppose.

Holiday Gift Ideas: Son (Lowry)

Title: Son
Author: Lowry
Genre: Fiction, Dystopian, Science Fiction, Mothers, Adventure
Pages: 393
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

There are legions of fans of Lowry's "The Giver" (as well as it's companion novels, "Gathering Blue" and "Messenger"). Her latest title in the "series" is a legitimate sequel or conclusion to the wildly popular Giver, and will have fans clamoring to find the answers to questions left very much unanswered.

They called her Water Claire. When she washed up on their shore, no one knew that she came from a society where emotions and colors didn't exist. That she had become a Vessel at age thirteen. That she had carried a Product at age fourteen. That it had been stolen from her body. Claire had a son. But what became of him she never knew. What was his name? Was he even alive? She was supposed to forget him, but that was impossible. Now Claire will stop at nothing to find her child. 

And readers will realize that they know her child. Her son is baby Gabe, the baby Jonas formed a bond with in The Giver. The baby scheduled to be "released." 

Now, I'll have to admit that one of the things that is most appealing to me about The Giver is the fact that the ending is so open to interpretation. I have always loved that there were no concrete answers. I was slightly sad to be handed a book with an ending...but then, I couldn't resist it. It is haunting, ordered, intriguing, and so well written that you cannot help but be drawn into Claire's quest. A completely satisfying conclusion to the story that you will not want to miss.