The Uninterrupted Reader

TOP TEN TUESDAY: Where Are They Now?

2015-04-07T00:00:00.000-05:00

Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted by The Broke and the Bookish

This week's topic is: Top Ten Characters I’d Like to Check in on...

One of the reasons I love reading so much is the relationships I build with characters. That probably sounds lame, as it’s really difficult to have a relationship that only exists on the page, but, nonetheless, characters help shape my life. They teach me life lessons, help me develop compassion for others, and introduce me to worlds beyond my imagination. When I finish a book, there’s always a feeling of melancholy that creeps over me, because I know I’ll never see these characters again. Here’s a list of characters I’d like to check in on, a sort of “where are they now”:

Mara Dyer and Noah Shaw from The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer series: Are they happy? Are they alive? Is Noah still as irresistible as he was in the books?

August Pullman from Wonder: What a kid! I’d love to know how many more lives he’s touched since his story ended. I wonder how he liked middle school and high school. Is he still friends with Jack Will?

Hazel Grace Lancaster from The Fault in Our Stars: This is probably a cliche pick, but I want to know that Hazel’s okay (okay? okay). I hope she’s beaten her cancer, I hope she’s found love again (without forgetting Augustus, of course), and I hope she’s happy.

Day and June from the Legend series: Maybe I don’t want to check in with them; if they didn’t fall in love all over again I think I’d be heartbroken.

Aria and Perry from the Under the Never Sky series: Perhaps it’s because I just finished this series, but I really want to know how the Still Blue turned out. Did Aria and Perry get to spend their days laying in the loft looking at the clear, blue sky?

Eleanor and Park from, well, Eleanor & Park: I’m glad this wasn’t a series, but at the same time I wasn’t ready for their story to end. Even more than a year after finishing this book, Eleanor and Park still stick with me. Please, please, please tell me they are still together in some capacity (even if they aren’t in love, they need to be best friends or something).

Ryan Dean West from Winger: I just loved this character’s voice - his humor, particularly.

Celeana and Chaol from the Throne of Glass series: Again, another series I’m working on. This one probably shouldn’t count considering their story isn’t over yet (book four later this year), but I’m dying to know how they end up (please be happily ever after).

All of my Harry Potter friends: I know we see how they end up in the future, but I want the story of how they got there. Even though there were thousands and thousands of pages, seven books just isn’t enough for these characters.

The Lord of the Flies boys: A nod to my English teacher side - what happened to the boys when they returned to society? Did they suffer from post-traumatic stress? Did Jack get what he deserved? I’ve always wondered how their story really ends.

TOP TEN TUESDAY: Recent Additions to My TBR List

2015-03-31T00:00:00.000-05:00

Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted by The Broke and the Bookish

This week's topic is: Top Ten Books Recently Added to My TBR List...

This is somewhat of a daunting topic for me, because my TBR list is ever growing, especially lately. I don’t read NEARLY as much as I used to, but I still come across books I want to read just as fast. I’ve definitely changed as a reader in this past year - if a book doesn’t grab my attention I abandon it (in the past I stuck it through until the end). It took me awhile to get used to that mindset, but now that I’m only reading books I REALLY like, I’ve finally become a reader again...woohoo! So, here are some of the books that recently caught my eye:

Love Letters to the Dead by Ava Dellaira - I’ve had an ARC of this for awhile but never really paid attention to it. Recently, however, I’ve seen it on a few book lists, and I’ve become intrigued.

Butter by Erin Jade Lange - This is one of the 2016 Abe books, which is where I heard of it. It sounds twisted in that this is definitely something I can see our society coming to - social media...yikes!

The Secret Sky by Atia Abawi - This is going to be a hit or miss read for me. I’ve only heard great things about it, but I’ve never been extremely drawn to Middle Eastern settings.

How it Went Down by Kekla Magoon - A black teen shot and killed by a white man; a societal uproar occurs. Sound familiar? I’m intrigued to see the angle of this story. And, could it be any more relevant for America today?

Queen of Shadows by Sarah J. Maas - I NEED this book! This series drew me back into voracious reading...please give me more!

The Running Dream by Wendelin Van Draanen - This is another book that’s been on my shelves for awhile. I used the first few pages in an activity a few weeks ago and became hooked. Too bad a student borrowed it before I could snatch it!

The Impossible Knife of Memory by Laurie Halse Anderson - I know, I know. How is this just know making my TBR list? Honestly, I forgot about it. My aide just read it and told me I need to read it too. Plus, it’s an Abe book next year.

Threatened by Eliot Schrefer - This book sounds so different from everything out there. I’m either going to love it or abandon it (hopefully not), but I can see the topic drawing in a lot of my student readers.

Positive by Paige Rawl - Another Abe book (are you sensing a theme?). This one’s a memoir about a girl who was bullied. I remember the twitter campaign from a few months ago, but never really checked the book out until now.

Fat Boy vs The Cheerleaders by Geoff Herbach - This sounds quite entertaining and funny, something a lot of my boy readers are looking for. My reluctant boys definitely fall into my reading gap, so hopefully this one will help fill it.

REVIEW: Boy21 by Matthew Quick

2015-03-25T08:10:00.000-05:00

Title: Boy21

Author: Matthew Quick

Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers

Release Date: March 5, 2012

Pages: 250

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

Summary from Goodreads: Basketball has always been an escape for Finley. He lives in gray, broken Bellmont, a town ruled by the Irish Mob, drugs, violence, and racially charged rivalries. At home, he takes care of his disabled grandfather, and at school he’s called “White Rabbit”, the only white kid on the varsity basketball team. He’s always dreamed of getting out somehow with his girlfriend, Erin. But until then, when he puts on his number 21, everything seems to make sense.

Russ has just moved to the neighborhood. A former teen basketball phenom from a privileged home, his life has been turned upside down by tragedy. Cut off from everyone he knows, he now answers only to the name Boy21—his former jersey number—and has an unusual obsession with outer space.

As their final year of high school brings these two boys together, “Boy21” may turn out to be the answer they both need.

Review: This book has been on my radar for awhile - I’ve seen it on other bloggers’ lists, I know of other teachers who use it for a read aloud - and, yet, I’ve never picked it up. When I saw it on the 2106 Abe Lincoln list, I decided now was the time to read this book - I am SO glad I did! Since having Ella, reading hasn’t been a focus for me; Boy21 is the first book I’ve read, start to finish, in one day since becoming a mom.

I’m not quite sure what it is that drew me so completely into the story: the characters, the storyline, or the ease of the writing. I know I started the book because of the plot. I have a lot of boy readers that always want sports books. Admittedly, this is a reading gap of mine. When I saw Boy21 focused on basketball, I knew this could be a great recommendation for some of my students. Yes, it is about basketball. It’s a common thread throughout the book. But, really, this book goes WELL beyond sports (like how Winger isn’t really a book about rugby). As a reader, you feel compassion, you feel uncomfortable, you feel stunned...it’s all there.

Quick gets the reader to feel so many feels through his beautifully developed characters. I know I want a friend like Finley. Someone who will do anything for you even when he doesn’t want to. Someone who is unspeakably loyal and loves what he loves so fiercely. And, Russ/Boy21? My heart breaks for him. When you see his heartbreak on the page, you can’t do anything but want to reach in and wrap him up in a hug.

So, even though this book appeals to the sports crowd, it goes well beyond that. It teaches the reader about people, about how we handle tragedies that might come out way. Would you be like Finely and erase them from your memory, or would you be like Russ and create another world for you to exist in? Either way, we need to think about what those around us are going through before we jump to conclusions - that’s what Quick teaches us through his novel.

Who Should Read It? This book appeals to many different readers. I know my sports readers will pick this one up because of the basketball thread, but I also know fans of realistic fiction (like myself) will fly through this book. It has tension (you don’t really know Finley’s story until the very end), it has great characters, and it is a quick read - a perfect combination for readers of all kinds.

2016 Abe Lincoln Book List

2015-03-20T12:15:00.003-05:00

It's here! Next year's Abe Lincoln book list is out...yay! Every year I look forward to this list; it guides my reading for the year. I haven't ever finished a list, although it's been a goal of mine every year. There are always a few books on the list that just aren't for me - usually the zombie ones.

I love this year's list, at least the 7 books I've already read. I've checked two more out to read over spring break (for some reason I still think I finish books quickly, when really I read like a sloth these days). Like I tell my students, if you're looking for something to read, start here.

What I've already read:

The rest of the list (Goodreads links):

Boy 21 by Matthew Quick (spring break read)

Butter by Erin Jade Lange

Cruel Beauty by Rosamund Hodge

Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell

Girl in Translation by Jean Kwok

If You Could be Mine by Sara Farizan

The Impossible Knife of Memory by Laurie Halse Anderson (I can't believe I haven't read this yet!)

One Shot at Forever by Chris Ballard

Positive: A Memoir by Paige Rawl

Rot & Ruin by Jonathan Maberry

Say What You Will by Cammie McGovern

Steelheart by Brandon Sanderson

This Song Will Save Your Life by Leila Sales (spring break read)

Mini Reviews: CRASH INTO YOU, JUMPING OFF SWINGS, and THE PULL OF GRAVITY

2014-10-02T11:50:00.000-05:00

So, it's been a super long time since I've written a book review. Because of that, I have A LOT of books to talk about. Instead of writing my wordy reviews, I'm going to start keeping them short and sweet (you're welcome). I'll give the Goodreads summary of the book, my brief thoughts, and my overall recommendation. Without further adieu, here are a few books I've read over the past months:

Crash into You by Katie McGarry

Goodreads Summary: The girl with straight As, designer clothes and the perfect life—that's who people expect Rachel Young to be. So the private-school junior keeps secrets from her wealthy parents and overbearing brothers...and she's just added two more to the list. One involves racing strangers down dark country roads in her Mustang GT. The other? Seventeen-year-old Isaiah Walker-a guy she has no business even talking to. But when the foster kid with the tattoos and intense gray eyes comes to her rescue, she can't get him out of her mind.

Isaiah has secrets, too. About where he lives, and how he really feels about Rachel. The last thing he needs is to get tangled up with a rich girl who wants to slum it on the south side for kicks-no matter how angelic she might look.

But when their shared love of street racing puts both their lives in jeopardy, they have six weeks to come up with a way out. Six weeks to discover just how far they'll go to save each other.

My Thoughts: This book came to me at the perfect time! I was in somewhat of a reading slump, trying to read too many deep, profound texts (not great summer reading). I needed something fast and fun - this book is both! I know this is the third book in the series (didn't know until I finished it), but it's really a standalone. Each book in the series focuses on a different couple, so I didn't feel like I was lost or missing anything. The characters are great and extremely rootable for (not a word, I know, but you get it). Although it looks like a thick book, the story moves really quick, sucking you in from the very beginning. It's a great romance story with that bad-boy edge to it. I definitely recommend it and am looking forward to reading the rest of the series. Fans of Simone Elkeles (Perfect Chemistry) need to check this series out right away - you'll love it!

Jumping Off Swings by Jo Knowles

Goodreads Summary: One pregnancy. Four friends. It all adds up to a profound time of change in this poignant, sensitively written YA novel.

Ellie remembers how the boys kissed her. Touched her. How they begged for more. And when she gave it to them, she felt loved. For a while anyway. So when Josh, an eager virgin with a troubled home life, leads her from a party to the backseat of his van, Ellie follows. But their "one-time thing" is far from perfect: Ellie gets pregnant. Josh reacts with shame and heartbreak, while their confidantes, Caleb and Corinne, deal with their own complex swirl of emotions. No matter what Ellie chooses, all four teenagers will be forced to grow up a little faster as a result. Told alternately from each character’s point of view, this deeply insightful novel explores the aftershocks of the biggest decision of one fragile girl’s life — and the realities of leaving innocence behind.

My Thoughts: Jo Knowles has been on my reading radar for awhile, but for some reason I've never picked up one of her books. After many of my female students read and loved this book, I figured I might as well jump in (not off...sorry for the lame pun). I like this book, I do, but it didn't wow me quite like it did some of my teen readers. I really enjoyed the different perspectives; I felt like the voices of all four characters were real and well-defined. The story wasn't just about teenage pregnancy either; it really was a story about barriers and how growing up with different backgrounds can shape a person. And, not only was the story engaging, but Knowles writing really is beautiful. Although this isn't my favorite book, I want to read more by her. Plus, I can see why my teen readers loved this book, and I will continue to highly recommend it to them.

The Pull of Gravity by Gae Polisner

Goodreads Summary: While Nick Gardner’s family is falling apart, his best friend, Scooter, is dying from a freak disease. The Scoot’s final wish is that Nick and their quirky classmate, Jaycee Amato, deliver a prized first-edition copy of Of Mice and Men to the Scoot’s father. There’s just one problem: the Scoot’s father walked out years ago and hasn’t been heard from since. So, guided by Steinbeck’s life lessons, and with only the vaguest of plans, Nick and Jaycee set off to find him.

Characters you’ll want to become friends with and a narrative voice that sparkles with wit make Gae Polisner's The Pull of Gravity a truly original coming-of-age story.

My Thoughts: I loved the characters in this book, particularly Jaycee and the Scoot. They are witty, funny, and optimistic in such a unique way (even the Scoot, who knows he's dying). I also really enjoyed the journey aspect of the story. Nick and Jaycee literally go on a journey, but it seems like every character is on some important personal journey (it actually reminded me a lot of John Green's Paper Towns in that way). As an English teacher, I liked the role Of Mice and Men played; if you teach Steinbeck's novel, you should consider using this as a companion piece, or at least highly recommend it. This is another quick read with an engaging story and beautiful writing that, in my opinion, appeals to a wide variety of readers.

Top Ten Titles on My Spring/Early Summer TBR List

2014-04-24T10:59:00.000-05:00

This past winter I fell into somewhat of a reading slump, which is quite unusual for me. I had a hard time finding books that kept me awake (eeek). As soon as I started reading, I would fall asleep on the page...I felt like some of my students. As the weather improves and the weeks pass, I’m finally getting back into the swing of things. To keep me going, I want to make sure that I have a great line up of books ahead of me. These are ten titles I plan to read as the school year winds down and summer begins:

1. The One by Kiera Cass (released May 6th)

2. Of Neptune by Anna Banks (released May 13th)
3. Perfect Lies by Kiersten White

4. Grasshopper Jungle by Andrew Smith
5. Killer Instinct by SE Green (released May 6th)
6. Split Second by Kasie West
7. Under the Never Sky by Veronica Rossi

8. The Paradox of Vertical Flight by Emil Ostrovski

9. Enclave by Ann Aguirre
10. Dare You To by Katie McGarry

Any other titles I should add to my summer reading list? I need to start building up my library hold list!

Top 8 Authors New to Me this Year

2014-04-23T11:35:00.001-05:00

I’M BACK! It’s been a long hiatus, but I either had to cut back on writing or on reading, and obviously reading wasn’t a viable option. I’ve done a lot of reading the last few months (although not as much as usual) and I’m a bit overwhelmed by the reviews I need to write. Good thing summer will be here before we know it...I hope!

To get back into the swing of things, I’m going to post a few lists. As you’re looking for good summer vacation reads, I hope you find some inspiration here.

This week’s list is Top Eight Authors New to Me; these are authors I’ve discovered in the past year and fallen in love (or obsession) with. I can honestly say, I would read anything by any of these authors and know that I’m going to love it (or at least really like it).

1.Rainbow Rowell- LOVE HER! Eleanor & Park is hands down my favorite book of the year and one of my favorite books of all time. Everyone I’ve recommended it to - parents, students, friends - all agree. Plus, as a person she seems so down-to-earth and real (as if I know her personally). Here are some titles to check out: Eleanor & Park and Fangirl.

2. Andrew Smith - Another author with one of my favorite books of the year: Winger! I haven’t yet visited any of his other works, but if they are anywhere near as good as Winger, then I’m in. He’s funny yet poignant, which is so difficult to do in young adult literature. Titles to read: Winger, Grasshopper Jungle, and The Marbury Lens.

3. Cassandra Clare - I know she isn’t a new author, but last summer she was new to me. As soon as I read the first Infernal Devices book, I was hooked. Her mix of fantasy and darkness with real characters sucked me in (in fact, she’s made me aspire to be a shadowhunter). I’ve worked my way through all of the Infernal Devices series and most of the Mortal Instruments and haven’t regretted a single read. Series starters: City of Bones and Clockwork Angel.

4. Michelle Hodkin - She’s only written one series (and it’s not even complete yet), but that’s all I needed to completely buy in to her as an author. I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer - it’s fresh and completely different from the YA trends that are out there. Plus, Noah Shaw - need I say more? If you haven’t already, start this series immediately: The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer.

5. A.S. King - I am so grateful to have discovered this author last summer. Ever book she writes carries such depth and meaning and yet her stories are told in an engaging way - I still think about Reality Boy, moths after finishing it. My students really connect with her characters and learn from her words. A beautiful, much-needed writer. Titles to read: Reality Boy, Ask the Passengers, Everybody Sees the Ants, and Please Ignore Vera Dietz.

6. Kiersten White - If you’re looking for a fun, fast-paced read, check out anything by this author. I’ve read and enjoyed all of her young adult titles. There’s romance, there’s humor, there’s drama and there’s usually a hint of mythology or paranormalcy - all make for a great story. Books to check out: Mind Games, Paranormalcy, and The Chaos of Stars.

7. Ruta Sepetys - Historical Fiction has never been my go-to genre, but if it’s written by this author, I’m in. The stories she tells transport the reader back to another time, in a period filled with heart-wrenching characters. Whether or not you like historical stories, I recommend both of her titles: Out of the Easy and Between Shades of Gray.

8. Cat Winters - Admittedly this author only has one released title, but I loved it, so she’s making my list. Her writing conveys an eeriness that left me sleepless many nights in a row. Ghost stories are not normally my forte, but the way she tells stories makes them hard to resist. Add to your TBR list: In the Shadow of Blackbirds.

Any authors new to you this year? I’m always looking for new reads as summer approaches!

TOP TEN TUESDAY: Winter TBR List

2013-12-10T00:00:00.000-06:00

Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted by The Broke and the Bookish

This week's topic is: Top Ten Books on my Winter TBR

As every reader, my TBR list is overwhelmingly long (and I’m sure after reading everyone else’s posts, it will get even longer). Honestly, there are so many good books out there that I’m extremely eager to get my hands on. Right now, I prioritize based on my library hold list, and I read based on the due dates (definitely a good system for an indecisive reader). Below are the books I currently have stacked up; I know I’m WAY behind on some of them, but I’ve been putting them off for good reason (mainly because my emotions aren’t ready yet). Instead of blabbing on and on (I know I'm wordy), I listed just three words that make me want to read each book. Do any sound good to you too?

1. The Scorpio Races by Maggie Stiefvater - Fear...Competition...Death

2. The Living by Matt de la Pena - Disaster...Survival...Action

3. Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell - Rainbow Rowell (she, alone, makes me want to read this)

4. Out of the Easy by Ruta Sepetys - Clandestine...New Orleans...Murder

5. Forgive Me, Leonard Peacock by Matthew Quick - Suicide...Choices...Humanity

6. This is What Happy Looks Like by Jennifer E. Smith - Happiness...Fate...Coincidence

7. Allegiant by Veronica Roth - Tris...Four...need I say more?

8. Champion by Marie Lu - June...Day...enough said!

9. These Broken Stars by Amie Kaufman - Space...Catastrophe...Romance

10. If You Find Me by Emily Murdoch - Abduction...Survival...Secrets

REVIEW: Wild Cards by Simone Elkeles

2013-12-06T00:00:00.000-06:00

Title: Wild Cards

Author: Simone Elkeles Website Facebook Twitter

Publisher: Walker Books for Young Readers

Release Date: October 1, 2013

Pages: 342

Rating: 4 (3.5) out of 5 stars

Summary from Goodreads: After getting kicked out of boarding school, bad boy Derek Fitzpatrick has no choice but to live with his ditzy stepmother while his military dad is deployed. Things quickly go from bad to worse when he finds out she plans to move them back to her childhood home in Illinois. Derek’s counting the days before he can be on his own, and the last thing he needs is to get involved with someone else’s family drama.

Ashtyn Parker knows one thing for certain--people you care about leave without a backward glance. A football scholarship would finally give her the chance to leave. So she pours everything into winning a state championship, until her boyfriend and star quarterback betrays them all by joining their rival team. Ashtyn needs a new game plan, but it requires trusting Derek—someone she barely knows, someone born to break the rules. Is she willing to put her heart on the line to try and win it all?

First Thoughts: I’m really conflicted after finishing this book; I read it in a day, unable to stop at the end of each chapter, and yet, I found myself wanting more from the writing and the characters. Errr...

This is a fun, read-it-in-one-sitting kind of book. Let’s start with that. I picked it up on a Saturday afternoon and finished it, well, that Saturday night. I kept telling myself I’d stop at the end of this chapter...okay, the next chapter...well, maybe just a few more, until I turned the last page. It’s a smooth read that sucks you in from the beginning to the end.

Although I couldn’t put this book down (partially due to end of break procrastination), my inner reader was conflicted. There are parts in the book that just bothered me. At first, I couldn’t put my finger on it, but then I figured it out: too much telling and not enough showing. Instead of showing that Ashtyn had trust issues, the book just bluntly said it (over and over again). Instead of showing Derek’s bad boy side (which I still don’t believe), the book just told us. There are moments where character traits are told to the reader, and honestly, I didn’t believe them. There isn’t evidence (dialogue, action, thoughts, etc…) to back up many of the statements, yet the narrator just expects the reader to believe them. (On a sidenote: I do love a dual-perspective novel; we get both Ashtyn and Derek’s side of the story, which I really enjoy.)

I also feel like there are a lot of forced moments in the story - particularly the physically romantic scenes. In my mind, this book came dangerously close to crossing the young adult to new adult (or whatever you call it) line. There are sex scenes that, although not extremely explicit, are descriptive enough to make me a bit uncomfortable to give it to readers on the young end of the young adult spectrum. These scenes disappointed me, because they are so not necessary. If anything, they turn Ashtyn and Derek’s romance into a physical thing rather than a more emotional connection.

Lastly, I wanted so much more from the characters. I liked Derek a lot, and I thought he was the most well-written of the bunch, but I still don’t believe the bad-boy side. He got expelled for a prank, and that’s about it. As for Ashtyn? I think this is a missed opportunity for Elkeles. Ashtyn had the potential to be a strong female, a tomboy not afraid to be who she was. Instead, there are too many references to how hot she is and the football piece is barely there. I still enjoyed their romance, but I just think there was so much more potential to make their story even better.

I know this sounds like a bad review, but it’s really not. It’s more like a wishful review. I enjoyed the book as it is, but I just saw a missed opportunity for a knockout. If you haven’t read a Simone Elkeles book yet, you definitely need to (she’s like a gateway drug for young adult readers). And even with my disappointment, I’m looking forward to continuing Ashtyn and Derek’s story in the second book.

Final Thoughts: I know my students will eat this book up (as they do with all of Simone Elkeles’ titles), but I found myself somewhat disappointed. It’s an addicting storyline and romance, but there’s just too much telling, rather than showing.

Who Should Read It? Fans of Simone Elkeles, obviously, need to add this to their TBR list. Also, readers of romance - especially edgy, bad-boy books (although Derek isn’t really a bad boy) - will fly through this story. Although it’s pegged as a football book, I think sports’ fans will be disappointed because there’s just not enough football in it. If you want a fun, addicting romance, this is your book. If you are looking for high-level writing, maybe not so much (sorry, Simone!).

REVIEW: Counting by 7s by Holly Goldberg Sloan

2013-12-04T00:00:00.000-06:00

Title: Counting by 7s

Author: Holly Goldberg Sloan Website Facebook Twitter

Publisher: Dial

Release Date: August 29,2013

Pages: 384

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Summary from Goodreads: In the tradition of Out of My Mind, Wonder, and Mockingbird, this is an intensely moving middle grade novel about being an outsider, coping with loss, and discovering the true meaning of family.

Willow Chance is a twelve-year-old genius, obsessed with nature and diagnosing medical conditions, who finds it comforting to count by 7s. It has never been easy for her to connect with anyone other than her adoptive parents, but that hasn’t kept her from leading a quietly happy life . . . until now.

Suddenly Willow’s world is tragically changed when her parents both die in a car crash, leaving her alone in a baffling world. The triumph of this book is that it is not a tragedy. This extraordinarily odd, but extraordinarily endearing, girl manages to push through her grief. Her journey to find a fascinatingly diverse and fully believable surrogate family is a joy and a revelation to read.

First Thoughts: Beautiful story with a beautiful voice! All the Willows of the world - misunderstood kids experiencing nothing but heartbreak - deserve an ending like Willow Chance’s.

I completely understand the long list of awards for this book: An Amazon Best Book of the Year. A B.E.A. BUZZ BOOK 2013. A Junior Library Guild Selection. A Kids Indie Next List #4 of Top Ten Autumn 2013. A Texas Bluebonnet Award Nominee 2014-2015 Master List. It’s a beautifully written middle grade book that crosses over into young adult and even adult (I sure enjoyed it).

Although this book is realistic fiction, I’m not sure how believable it is - there are a lot of inconsistencies and predictable moments - and yet, I don’t really think that matters. What matters is Willow, and she is wonderful. Loved, loved, loved her voice throughout the novel. As I read her story, I could picture her in many of my misunderstood students (I also feel like Willow is on the spectrum even though it’s never explicitly stated). Students who socially struggle, students with unstable home lives, students who are too smart for their own good - Willow embodies all of them.

To me, the most beautiful piece of the novel is its unlikely relationships. Willow, Dell (her counselor), Pattie (foster-like mother), Mai (happen-chance friend), and Mai’s brother (who just might be my favorite character) come together to form the most unlikely of families. And, their message about family is why I loved this book so much: family isn’t about blood, family is about who you love, trust, and rely on. So, even though Willow’s story is a heartbreaker, the ending is one of beauty and joy (sorry for the spoiler).

I suppose I can’t say it much better than the list below. Here are seven reasons why you should read Counting by 7s (from the publisher). I wholeheartedly agree with all of them, especially number 7 (fitting, right?):

Friendship. It doesn't always happen easily, especially for Willow. But now she has met Mai, a girl with enough energy to tackle the impossible, and one who sees Willow for who she really is.
Oddballs. We all feel like outsiders sometimes. Willow the genius -- who has mastered several foreign languages and medical-school textbooks all by the age of twelve -- certainly doesn't easily fit in with the crowd. Neither do the other people in this story filled with terrific, memorable oddballs.
Hobbies. It helps to have something interesting to focus on, such as Willow's passion for nature. When tragedy strikes, it is the simple act of growing sunflowers that first brings her some pleasure again.
Laughing and crying. But despite the tragedy, this is a beautiful, satisfying book -- the kind that makes you see your own life in a new way. And through the heartache, you will find yourself laughing -- at the wonderfully absurd moments that happen even on the hardest days.
Miracles. Those unexpectedly silly moments are miraculous. This is a story filled with everyday miracles.
Family. And the most miraculous thing of all is a loving family.
Willow Chance herself, whose heart leads her on a path to belonging -- a path that is surprising, exhilarating, and without a doubt, one you will never forget.

Final Thoughts: One of those books with a character that simply touches your heart! You can’t help but fall in love with Willow and root for the happy ending she so deserves!

Who Should Read It? Although it’s technically a middle grade book, I think it has mass appeal for readers of all ages. It’s a heartfelt story that connects on so many levels. I know I’ll be adding it to my high school classroom library. Fans of Wonder should add this to their TBR list. It doesn’t have a lot of action and adventure, but it’s a beautiful look at life through some unlikely characters.

REVIEW: Tell the Wolves I'm Home by Carol Rifka Brunt

2013-11-29T00:00:00.000-06:00

Title: Tell the Wolves I’m Home

Author: Carol Rifka Brunt Website Facebook Twitter

Publisher: Random House Publishing Group

Release Date: June 19, 2012

Pages: 335

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Summary from Goodreads: 1987. There’s only one person who has ever truly understood fourteen-year-old June Elbus, and that’s her uncle, the renowned painter Finn Weiss. Shy at school and distant from her older sister, June can only be herself in Finn’s company; he is her godfather, confidant, and best friend. So when he dies, far too young, of a mysterious illness her mother can barely speak about, June’s world is turned upside down. But Finn’s death brings a surprise acquaintance into June’s life—someone who will help her to heal, and to question what she thinks she knows about Finn, her family, and even her own heart.

At Finn’s funeral, June notices a strange man lingering just beyond the crowd. A few days later, she receives a package in the mail. Inside is a beautiful teapot she recognizes from Finn’s apartment, and a note from Toby, the stranger, asking for an opportunity to meet. As the two begin to spend time together, June realizes she’s not the only one who misses Finn, and if she can bring herself to trust this unexpected friend, he just might be the one she needs the most.

First Thoughts: I’m not usually one for comparisons, but as I read this novel I couldn’t help but draw parallels to Harper Lee’s powerful classic, To Kill a Mockingbird. This story is a poignant, modern take on Lee’s coming-of-age story.

Let me start with why this is a 4 star, not 5 star book for me - it took me a little while to get into it. Once I was into the book? Wow! This is not an action-packed book. It’s not a conflict-driven plot. It’s simply a beautiful book about life told through incredibly real characters. It doesn’t have a happy heart-warming ending, necessarily; it’s just real life.

These complex characters are beyond real; this easily could be read as a memoir or piece of nonfiction. Because they are so real, they are extremely relatable. I found pieces of myself in June, and even in Greta, although I strongly disliked her for the majority of the novel. In June, I saw my strong sense of family and tradition. I don’t do well with change, and change sends June’s life into a tailspin. Although I hated (yes, hated) Greta for most of the story, I ended up completely understanding her. Growing up isn’t easy, especially when you’re the oldest. She wants to be older, she wants to be mature, and yet, she still wants to play invisible mermaids with her younger sister. I completely get that.

The characters, as individuals, are complex, but the relationships are really what make this story so poignant and powerful. As in life, there is a twisted web of relationships built on love, hate, secrets, and expectations. Although the sisters’ relationship drives the book, I found the most intrigue in the dynamics between Danni (the mother), Finn (the uncle), and Toby (the uncle’s boyfriend). The further the story went, the more layers that appeared. Even by the end of the book, I wasn’t sure how to feel about certain characters, but they definitely made me feel.

Obviously, this story is about the characters and their relationships, but it’s also a snapshot of our history - 1987 in NYC. I found it surreal to think about the panic AIDS caused. I was too young to experience the hysteria, anxiousness, and panic that the outbreak and publicizing of the disease caused, but it came through loud and clear in this novel. When you think about it 1987 isn’t that long ago, and yet, in reading this book, it seems like lifetimes ago. But has much changed? There’s still panic and misinformation. There’s still judgment and intolerance. There’s still sickness and death. As a country and as people, we’ve come a long way, but when you look at our current society, I strongly believe that we still have a long way to go.

Final Thoughts: This is a book you can’t help but feel. Whatever the feeling is - grief, love, loss, happiness - you will feel something as you read this book.

Who Should Read It? Although the book is told from a fourteen year-old’s perspective, I think this book is written for a more mature, older audience (it’s in the adult fiction section at the library). I think some young adult readers are ready for the book, but I would recommend it more to upperclassmen and adults. I actually think we should teach this book in place of, or alongside, To Kill a Mockingbird.

REVIEW: Ghost Hawk by Susan Cooper

2013-11-27T00:00:00.000-06:00

Title: Ghost Hawk

Author: Susan Cooper Website Facebook

Publisher: Margaret K. McElderry Books

Release Date: August 27, 2013

Pages: 336

Rating: 3 out of 5 stars

Summary from Goodreads: From Newbery Medalist Susan Cooper, a story of adventure and friendship between a young Native American and a colonial New England settler.

On the winter day Little Hawk is sent into the woods alone, he can take only a bow and arrows, his handcrafted tomahawk, and the amazing metal knife his father traded for with the new white settlers. If Little Hawk survives three moons by himself, he will be a man.

John Wakely is only ten when his father dies, but he has already experienced the warmth and friendship of the nearby tribes. Yet his fellow colonists aren’t as accepting of the native people. When he is apprenticed to a barrel-maker, John sees how quickly the relationships between settlers and natives are deteriorating. His friendship with Little Hawk will put both boys in grave danger.

The intertwining stories of Little Hawk and John Wakely are a fascinating tale of friendship and an eye-opening look at the history of our nation. Newbery Medalist Susan Cooper also includes a timeline and an author’s note that discusses the historical context of this important and moving novel.

First Thoughts: After seriously considering abandoning this book, ultimately, I’m glad I stuck with it. My advice? Get to the BIG twist (you’ll know what I mean), and you’ll get hooked.

After finishing this book, I’m left with some conflicted feelings. I went from not liking this book at all (almost abandoning it), to getting really engaged in it, to learning that it’s not really an accurate portrayal of Native Americans of the time period.

I had a really, really hard time getting into this book. Everyday my students commented on my lack of reading progress. They kept telling me it must not be the right book for me (think they hear that often?), and I agree that this is definitely not my kind of book at all. However, it came recommended by some trusted sources so I read on. I’m glad I did, because at the halfway point or so, I finally got engaged. There is a SHOCKING turning point that really changes the path of the story. For as much as I was stuck in the beginning, I flew through the second half of the book.

Even though this is a young adult book (even promoted for tweens), I don’t really feel it’s for a young adult crowd, or at least not a broad crowd. Its pacing is extremely slow (the reason I almost abandoned it) and there’s a lot of descriptive detail. I found the prose, in some places, beautiful, but that’s not always a huge draw to my student readers.

In doing some research after finishing the book, apparently, there are many issues about the portrayal of Native Americans. They are in no way represented in a poor light, but nonetheless, everything in the book is not historically accurate. Even though this novel is labeled historical fantasy, it’s hard to separate from the historical piece. I’m really disappointed in this, because I felt like the novel provided a lot of information. Admittedly, I don’t know enough about Native American culture, beyond what I learned in school. However, if you’d like to know more about the discrepancies and criticism of the book check out Debbie Reese’s blog here.

Final Thoughts: I’m not sure how to feel, even weeks after finishing this book. It was a REALLY slow start for me, but I ended up finishing the second half in one night. I think it’s worth a read for fans of this genre, but it’s not worth a trip outside your reading comfort zone.

Who Should Read It? I think this book has an audience in survival and wilderness readers. I also think readers of this time period of historical fiction will enjoy this story (remember it’s not factual). I know a few students I will recommend this to, but I don’t think I would do a whole-group book talk with it.

TOP TEN TUESDAY: Books I'm Thankful For

2013-11-26T00:00:00.000-06:00

Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted by The Broke and the Bookish

This week's topic is: Top Ten Books I’m Thankful For

As books are a huge part of my life (duh), I am thankful for each and every one I read. I am thankful for the wonderful, talented authors who write them. I am thankful for the publishers who get them into our hands. I am thankful for the teachers, students, family, friends, and bloggers who recommend them. I am thankful.

Below are the ten books I am most thankful for this year - some because their messages are life-changing, beautiful, and oh-so-necessary; others because they possess the power to reach some of my most stubborn reluctant readers.

For Their Message:

1. Wonder by R.J. Palacio - Choose Kind...simple as that! But seriously, this book will move you to tears - both happy and sad - and change the way you look at life. It needs to be a One Book One WORLD read!

2. Reality Boy by A.S. King - Wow! A book that shows the real, devastating side of teenage anger. Gerald’s story is funny and tragic at the same time. King shows her readers the realness of anger and the downward spiral it can send one on.

3. Eleanor & Park by Rainbow Rowell - I know, I know, you’ve all heard me gush about this book all year, but I promise it’s for good reason. Months after finishing this book, I still can’t get Eleanor and Park out of my head (or my heart).

4. Winger by Andrew Smith - Not only is Ryan Dean one of my all-time favorite narrators, but this ending? Devastating! I can’t tell you what the message of the book is, because it will ruin the ending, but trust me, you need to read this one.

5. Every Day by David Levithan - This book isn’t widely read in my classroom, but those who read it are forever changed. It’s one of those books that makes you question the way you look at the world, the way you look at other people. Really, I could say the same about all of Levithan’s books.

For Their Must-Readability:

6. Looking for Alaska by John Green - Honestly, I’m thankful for all of John Green’s books, but for some reason this one is my go-to recommendation. It’s not quite as mainstream as The Fault in Our Stars, but there’s just something about it.

7. Unwind by Neal Shusterman - We used this as our One Book One School, which should tell you something about its mass appeal. I’m always amazed, year after year, by the diverse crowd this story reaches.

8. Perfect Chemistry by Simone Elkeles - This book is gold! For hooking reluctant readers, it doesn’t get much better than Simone Elkeles, and this book is the king of them all!

9. The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer by Michelle Hodkin - This book! Oh, this book! Is it wrong if I say I’m thankful for Noah Shaw? The girls, myself included, can’t help but swoon over Noah. Plus, the story is phenomenal, and Mara, herself, is a pretty kick-butt, if not entirely sane, main character.

10. Divergent by Veronica Roth - No book, in the last few years, has had quite the impact in my classroom that this book has had. Now with the movie coming out, I can’t keep my three copies on the shelf. I’m using it as a read-aloud for my lowest readers and they would read all day every day if I let them. (I could still say the same for the Hunger Games, too)

It's Monday! What are You Reading?

2013-11-25T00:00:00.000-06:00

It’s Monday! What are you Reading? (#IMWAYR) is a weekly meme hosted by Sheila at Book Journeys with a kid/YA-lit spin hosted by Kellee at Unleashing Readers and Jen at Teach Mentor Texts.

Past Reads: It’s been quite awhile since I’ve posted my Monday reading...crazy time at school lately. Even though I haven’t posted, I’ve done some AMAZING reading (not quantity, but quality). I finished two life-changing books! I know that sounds over-the-top and cheesy, but in reality these books have changed my outlook on life and how I look at other people. If you haven’t already done so, you need to immediately drop everything and read Reality Boy by A.S. King and Wonder by R.J. Palacio. I cannot say enough about these two books...seriously, read them!

I also finished Ghost Hawk by Susan Cooper; this one was seriously slow-moving for me. I got into the last third of the book, but I came so close to abandoning this one, and I never abandon books. It’s not my kind of book at all, which isn’t to say others won’t enjoy it. Too bad, too, because I was really excited about trying something different.

Another book I picked up based on recommendations was Tell the Wolves I'm Home by Carol Rifka Brunt. I really enjoyed this book; it actually reminded me of a more modern To Kill a Mockingbird. I know this sounds sacrilegious, but I think we should look into teaching this instead of Mockingbird.

Current Reads: I’m just starting The Coldest Girl in Coldtown by Holly Black. I’ve read some AMAZING reviews, so I’m really excited to start it. I’m not normally a vampire-story reader (Twilight was not my thing at all), but I think this book might be my kind of thing. This is also my first young adult Holly Black read, which I’m super-stoked about (read her middle grade Doll Bones earlier this year).

Here’s the goodreads summary of the book:

Tana lives in a world where walled cities called Coldtowns exist. In them, quarantined monsters and humans mingle in a decadently bloody mix of predator and prey. The only problem is, once you pass through Coldtown’s gates, you can never leave.

One morning, after a perfectly ordinary party, Tana wakes up surrounded by corpses. The only other survivors of this massacre are her exasperatingly endearing ex-boyfriend, infected and on the edge, and a mysterious boy burdened with a terrible secret. Shaken and determined, Tana enters a race against the clock to save the three of them the only way she knows how: by going straight to the wicked, opulent heart of Coldtown itself.

The Coldest Girl in Coldtown is a wholly original story of rage and revenge, of guilt and horror, and of love and loathing from bestselling and acclaimed author Holly Black.

I’m also slowly working my way through The Devil in the White City by Erik Larson. I’m reading it alongside an APLAC student for a nonfiction reading project she’s working on. It was slow going at first, but I’m really starting to get into it. I LOVE the Holmes serial-killer chapters, and I’ve actually started getting into the World’s Fair chapters as well - admittedly, I skimmed those to get to the Holmes chapters early on in the reading process. We’ll be done next week, and I’m glad I can finally cross this off my reading bucket list.

Future Reads: Based on my library checkouts, here’s what’s next: Forgive Me, Leonard Peacock by Matthew Quick, Mind Games by Kiersten White, Picture Me Gone by Meg Rosoff, and Wild Cards by Simone Elkeles. I am SO looking forward to Thanksgiving break for some reading-filled couch-time. Nothing better than being curled up with a bowl of Thanksgiving leftovers and a good book!

What are you reading? What have you just finished? What are your top recommendations? Leave me a comment as I'm always looking for books to add to my To-Be-Read list!

REVIEW:The Chaos of Stars by Kiersten White

2013-11-22T00:00:00.000-06:00

Title: The Chaos of Stars

Author: Kiersten White Website Twitter Facebook

Publisher: HarperTeen

Release Date: September 10, 2013

Pages: 288

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Summary from Goodreads: Isadora’s family is seriously screwed up.

Of course, as the human daughter of Egyptian gods, that pretty much comes with the territory. She’s also stuck with parents who barely notice her, and a house full of relatives who can’t be bothered to remember her name. After all, they are going to be around forever—and she’s a mere mortal.

Isadora’s sick of living a life where she’s only worthy of a passing glance, and when she has the chance to move to San Diego with her brother, she jumps on it. But Isadora’s quickly finding that a “normal” life comes with plenty of its own epic complications—and that there’s no such thing as a clean break when it comes to family. Much as she wants to leave her past behind, she can’t shake the ominous dreams that foretell destruction for her entire family. When it turns out there may be truth in her nightmares, Isadora has to decide whether she can abandon her divine heritage after all.

First Thoughts: Took me a little bit to get into the story (I have NO background knowledge when it comes to Egyptian mythology), but when I did, I couldn’t put it down. A fun read, in which I *gasp* learned a bit as well!

I was drawn to this book for two reasons: I really liked Kiersten White’s Paranormalcy series, and I heard it featured mythology. Other than that, I went into this book blind, really knowing nothing about it. When I started reading, I realized my assumptions were incorrect; yes, it’s about mythology, but it’s Egyptian mythology, not Greek, as I wrongly assumed. This made the book somewhat difficult at first because I know NOTHING about Egyptian mythology. I found myself rereading, flipping back to remember who a god or goddess was, and only reading for short chunks at a time (instead of my usual “finish the book in one day” reading), but once I got going, I really enjoyed it (and ended up finishing it during one curled-up-on-the-couch afternoon)!

I am a nerd; I love learning. This book quenched my desire for knowledge in a fun way. I learned so much about the Egyptian gods through the story alone, plus, it actually made me look up some myths and do some mini-research just because I wanted to know more. Why do we only teach the Greeks? I mean, I love the Greeks, but the Egyptians seem to have some crazy incestual family stories just like the gods on Mount Olympus. Although, not to give anything away, but I loved the bits of Greek mythology White wove into the story as well.

As for the characters, I started with mixed emotions but soon came to love and appreciate them. Isadora could be somewhat annoying at times, but isn’t that true for most teenage girls (I know, I was one). She is stubborn, hard-headed, and fueled by emotions (even when she’s trying to cut them off) - basically your typical teenage girl. Also, White’s representation of teenagers’ relationships with their parents is spot on - teenagers think parents are ALWAYS wrong, but then realize, that maybe they are actually right. Sound familiar? And as for the male lead, Ry (Orion)? So swoon-worthy - something every fun read needs. Seriously, those blue eyes? Dreamy!

I did feel like the end of the story felt somewhat rushed. There was foreshadowing throughout, and then it all just seemed to end in the last 20 pages or so. I wish White drew out the end a bit more, because once I got into the story, I was really into the story.

Final Thoughts: The further I got into the story, the more and more I liked it. Not a “must-read”, but definitely a great way to spend a Saturday afternoon curled up under a blanket.

Who Should Read It? This is a great twist on ancient Egyptian mythology. I think fans of mythology in general and fans of the Percy Jackson series should give this a try. It’s a fun read and yet it’s extremely informative when it comes to the Egyptian gods and goddesses, particularly Osiris and Isis...I learned A TON!

REVIEW: Just One Day by Gayle Forman

2013-11-20T00:00:00.000-06:00

Title: Just One Day

Author: Gayle Forman Website Twitter Facebook

Publisher: Dutton Juvenile

Release Date: January 8, 2013

Pages: 368

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Summary from Goodreads: A breathtaking journey toward self-discovery and true love, from the author of If I Stay.

When sheltered American good girl Allyson "LuLu" Healey first meets laid-back Dutch actor Willem De Ruiter at an underground performance of Twelfth Night in England, there’s an undeniable spark. After just one day together, that spark bursts into a flame, or so it seems to Allyson, until the following morning, when she wakes up after a whirlwind day in Paris to discover that Willem has left. Over the next year, Allyson embarks on a journey to come to terms with the narrow confines of her life, and through Shakespeare, travel, and a quest for her almost-true-love, to break free of those confines.

First Thoughts: I read Just One Day in, well, just one day!

In typical Gayle Forman fashion...what a book!?! A book that can make you love a character, hate a character, and then just be absolutely confused about that same character...errrr! She sure does like to send her readers on emotional rollercoasters; thank you for that Gayle! And, there’s Shakespeare! Does it get any better than that? (Nope, the answer is nope!).

As a reader, I got so swept up in their love story; I mean, come one, it’s Paris! I fell in love with Willem right alongside Allyson; I really think it’s impossible not to. Everything he said just felt so real. I love his comparison of love to a stain - it’s not always pretty, but you’re permanently marked. It’s just so true. Once you’ve fallen in love, you are forever changed; the love might not last forever, but you will never be the person you were before experiencing it. I’ve never thought of love in quite that way, but it makes complete sense. Love is a stain. And their love - Willem and Allyson’s - it had to be real, right? He can’t be that big of a jerk, right? Because if it wasn’t real, then everything he said is just a lie, and if it’s all just a lie...ugh! See? I told you - emotional rollercoaster.

Although it’s definitely a romance, Just One Day is ultimately a story of self-discovery (cheesy, but true). Allyson needed to find who she is, not who everyone else tells her she is. Don’t we all go through that, even if just a little bit? We get so caught up in trying to please everyone else that we sometimes forget what we’re truly passionate about. I’m thankful I’ve always been surrounded by those who encourage rather than stifle. I felt Allyson’s struggle, her pain, her rock bottom. Some of the story may seem a little unbelievable or implausible, but through it all I rooted for Allyson’s happiness.

As I sit here and rehash the emotional rollercoaster of this book, I know I NEED Just One Year. I need to know Willem’s side of the story. I need to know they’ll both be happy (together or apart, I just want them at peace). I just need to know what happens! Come on library hold; get here faster!

Final Thoughts: This is a book that readers will absolutely love or feel completely let down by; either way, it’s definitely not just a so-so book! It’s an emotional book that’s sure to create an emotional reader...be prepared!

Who Should Read It? If you don’t like love stories, this is definitely not the book for you! It has romance, travel, self-doubt, self-discovery...again emotional rollercoaster. It’s a book that’s going to make you feel. Personally, I think it’s more suited towards female readers, but as the second book is told from Willem’s perspective, who am I to say it doesn’t have more universal appeal.

On a sidenote, this may be more appropriate for older teens. The main character just graduated high school, she’s traveling Europe alone (well, without her parents), and she falls in love. There’s one sexual scene, but nothing too descriptive or explicit. I think mature young teens can handle it, but ultimately, it’s up to parental choice.

REVIEW: Clockwork Princess by Cassandra Clare

2013-11-08T00:00:00.000-06:00

Title: Clockwork Princess (The Infernal Devices #3)

Author: Cassandra Clare Website Twitter Facebook

Publisher: Margaret K. McElderry Books

Release Date: March 19, 2013

Pages: 570 (it’s a hefty one)

Buy It! amazon

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

Summary from Goodreads: A net of shadows begins to tighten around the Shadowhunters of the London Institute. Mortmain plans to use his Infernal Devices, an army of pitiless automatons, to destroy the Shadowhunters. He needs only one last item to complete his plan: he needs Tessa Gray.

Charlotte Branwell, head of the London Institute, is desperate to find Mortmain before he strikes. But when Mortmain abducts Tessa, the boys who lay equal claim to her heart, Jem and Will, will do anything to save her. For though Tessa and Jem are now engaged, Will is as much in love with her as ever.

As those who love Tessa rally to rescue her from Mortmain’s clutches, Tessa realizes that the only person who can save her is herself. But can a single girl, even one who can command the power of angels, face down an entire army?

Danger and betrayal, secrets and enchantment, and the tangled threads of love and loss intertwine as the Shadowhunters are pushed to the very brink of destruction in the breathtaking conclusion to the Infernal Devices trilogy.

First Thoughts: Great ending to a great series! I’m actually kind of sad that it’s over because I’ve loved these characters more and more with each book. Heartbreaking, action-packed, and thrilling up until the very end!

I’m going to try not to give too much away for those who haven’t finished this series yet (add all three books to your TBR pile right now), but what a beautifully perfect ending to this trilogy. I know that the “it” factor in YA fiction right now is love triangles (kind of getting overdone), however, all authors should take note of the way Cassandra Clare wrote hers. Yes, Tessa loves both Will and Jem, and yes, Tessa can’t be with both, and yet, it’s not a fight for her love. Instead, we see love between all three characters. It’s as if one can’t exist without the other two. Their relationships are heartbreaking and yet so wonderful at the same time. They kind of made my heart swoon a bit.

Now boys, I’m sure you’re thinking “Romance? No thanks!”, but don’t let my swooning heart fool you; this book is extremely action-packed. The fight between the Shadowhunters and Mortmain comes to a seriously climactic ending in this series-closer. This is a hefty book, and yet, there is not one dull moment. I finished late into the night (2am-ish), because I just couldn’t put it down. Clare’s writing and pace makes the story fly by, almost sadly so, since it’s the end. As a reader, I was constantly on my toes, never knowing what to expect - I love books that do that (well, who doesn’t?). The automatons, the demons, the Silent Brothers - so other-worldly, and yet I can picture them perfectly. I’ve never fully understood steampunk, but apparently this is it. So, I guess I’m a fan. Who knew? I’ll say it again: I really want to be a Shadowhunter, besides the fact that I’m extremely weak and pathetic and would get my butt kicked all the time.

I’m not really sure how to convey my love for this series, so I will end with my favorite quote from the book - the truth in it, even with the heartbreak, still gives me goosebumps:

“There are some things worst than death.

Not to be loved or not to be able to love.”

Final Thoughts: Definitely a top read of the summer, probably of the year, and will be a prominent recommendation to readers of all kinds. I’m still amazed at the perfectness of the ending; it’s bittersweet and yet, I can’t imagine it ending any other way. Love!

Who Should Read It? If you like well-developed, realistic characters, read this book. If you like mystery, magic, science fiction, or fantasy (and even if you don’t like any of those), read this book. If you are looking for characters and a story to carry you through a series, read this book. Trust me, just read this book! Well, start with the first and second books, and then read this book!

REVIEW: Frozen in Time by Mitchell Zuckoff

2013-11-07T00:00:00.000-06:00

Title: Frozen in Time

Author: Mitchell Zuckoff Website Twitter Facebook

Publisher: Harper

Release Date: April 23, 2013

Pages: 416

Rating: 3 out of 5 stars

Summary from Goodreads: Two harrowing crashes . . . A vanished rescue plane . . . A desperate fight for life in a frozen, hostile land . . . The quest to solve a seventy-year-old mystery

The author of the smash New York Times bestseller Lost in Shangri-Ladelivers a gripping true story of endurance, bravery, ingenuity, and honor set in the vast Arctic wilderness of World War II and today.

On November 5, 1942, a U.S. cargo plane on a routine flight slammed into the Greenland ice cap. Four days later, a B-17 on the search-and-rescue mission became lost in a blinding storm and also crashed. Miraculously, all nine men on the B-17 survived. The U.S. military launched a second daring rescue operation, but the Grumman Duck amphibious plane sent to find the men flew into a severe storm and vanished.

In this thrilling adventure, Mitchell Zuckoff offers a spellbinding account of these harrowing disasters and the fate of the survivors and their would-be saviors. Frozen in Time places us at the center of a group of valiant airmen fighting to stay alive through 148 days of a brutal Arctic winter by sheltering from subzero temperatures and vicious blizzards in the tail section of the broken B-17 until an expedition headed by famed Arctic explorer Bernt Balchen attempts to bring them to safety.

But that is only part of the story that unfolds in Frozen in Time. In present-day Greenland, Zuckoff joins the U.S. Coast Guard and North South Polar—a company led by the indefatigable dreamer Lou Sapienza, who worked for years to solve the mystery of the Duck’s last flight—on a dangerous expedition to recover the remains of the lost plane’s crew.

Drawing on intensive research and Zuckoff ’s firsthand account of the dramatic 2012 expedition, Frozen in Time is a breathtaking blend of mystery, adventure, heroism, and survival. It is also a poignant reminder of the sacrifices of our military personnel and their families—and a tribute to the important, perilous, and often-overlooked work of the U.S. Coast Guard.

First Thoughts: How did I not know any of this happened? Come on past history teachers! The struggle those men went through on the tundra of Greenland is amazing and somewhat difficult to even comprehend. Eye-opening!

This is definitely a nonfiction book. Whereas Unbroken felt like a story, this felt like history...but not necessarily in a bad way. I learned A LOT in this book. Did you know any of this even happened? I had no idea Greenland was even involved in WWII let alone a base for the United States. And the men whose planes crashed? I couldn’t survive for two days out in that cold with no food and they did it for over one hundred. Insane!

I say this book is nonfiction because well, it is, but also because there are a lot of facts, dates, and people’s names. I constantly found myself rereading, flipping back to an earlier chapter, and stopping to think. The story focuses on two plane crashes in the past, the people trying to rescue them, and then jumps to the present where researchers are still searching for them. It’s just a lot to keep track of. That’s what stopped it from being a “story” to me. I never felt fully connected to any of the people (characters?) because the story’s point of view so often changed. In Unbroken, it’s Louie’s story the entire way; the reader is bound to him through reading his experiences. In Frozen in Time I was in awe of these men, but I couldn’t really keep them all straight, not that Zuckoff didn’t try to constantly remind the reader who is who.

I do think this is an important read because it really opens your eyes to the history that’s out there. Our textbooks in high school and college can only teach us so much. Frozen in Time left me questioning about the past; what other events happened that the majority of society has no idea about? For example, did you know that the military branches are still searching for soldiers MIA from WWII, Vietnam, and Korea? I had no idea, but I do now. I love a book that opens my eyes and teaches me something new - Frozen in Time definitely did both!

Final Thoughts: Not quite as life-changing as Unbroken (can anything ever be?), but an interesting nonfiction read that introduces the reader to a historical past completely unheard of before...at least for me.

Who Should Read It? If you like nonfiction, if you like history, if you like interesting WWII stories, give this book a read. It’s definitely fact-heavy but the writing carries the reader along quite nicely. Adults may appreciate Frozen in Time more than teens, but I think a history-buff young adult reader can get equally immersed.

TOP TEN TUESDAY: Sequels I Can't Wait to Read

2013-11-05T00:00:00.000-06:00

Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted by The Broke and the Bookish

This week's topic is: Top Ten Sequels I Can’t Wait to Get my Hands On

I am a series lover. When you find characters you love, it’s so nice to continue their stories book after book, although sometimes those stories don’t continue quite the way I’d like them too. Honestly, I am a little overwhelmed by the amount of series I’m hooked on right now, but here are the ones I absolutely cannot wait to keep reading:

1. The Retribution of Mara Dyer by Michelle Hodkin - Obsessed! That’s pretty much the word to describe how I feel about this series. Completely obsessed! June 10th is WAY too far away!

2. Champion by Marie Lu - I’m so excited for the end to this series, and yet, at the same time I don’t want it to end (see Allegiant). And, Marie Lu put out some teasers that won’t make readers happy. Am I prepared for an unhappy ending to June and Day’s story? I’m not so sure I’m prepared for this one yet.

3. Allegiant by Veronica Roth - I know, I know. This book released two weeks ago and I still haven’t read it. I’m just not emotionally ready for this. I don’t want this series to end. I need a weekend with absolutely nothing to do so I can devote the right amount of love, attention, and tears to the end of a beyond-fantastic series.

4. Split Second by Kasie West - Pivot Point so surprised me in a completely blew-me-away fashion. I went in looking for a fun, quick read, and instead, found a series I can’t wait to continue. Parallel worlds done right!

5. The One by Kiera Cass - This series completely took me by surprise and I can’t wait for May 6th….ahhh so far away! Please choose Maxon, please choose Maxon, please choose Maxon!

6. Born of Deception by Teri Brown- Loved Born of Illusion (cemented my guilty pleasure of magic in stories) and am intrigued to see where Anna’s story will lead her next. And, of course, more Cole can’t hurt either.

7. Unravel Me/Ignite Me by Tahereh Mafi - I know I’m way behind in this series. I loved Shatter Me, but for some reason I haven’t continued on. Plus, I hear there’s Warner love in Unravel Me, and I just don’t know if I’m mentally ready for that yet.

8. Just One Year by Gayle Forman- After finishing Just One Day, I immediately placed Just One Year on hold. I need to hear Willem’s side of the story. Does he still love “Lulu”? Is this a happy-ever-after story? I’m okay if it isn’t, I just need to know.

9. Cress by Marissa Meyer - Love love love this series! I can’t wait to see how Meyer twists Rapunzel’s story. Plus, I need some more Wolf and Prince Kai.

10. Independent Study by Joelle Charbonneau - I think i’m going to like this one even more than the first. I love “fight the power” stories for some reason.

REVIEW: Code Name Verity by Elizabeth Wein

2013-10-30T00:00:00.000-05:00

Title: Code Name Verity

Author: Elizabeth Wein Website Twitter

Publisher: Egmont Press

Release Date: February 6, 2012

Pages: 447

Buy It! amazon

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Summary from Goodreads: I have two weeks. You’ll shoot me at the end no matter what I do.

That’s what you do to enemy agents. It’s what we do to enemy agents. But I look at all the dark and twisted roads ahead and cooperation is the easy way out. Possibly the only way out for a girl caught red-handed doing dirty work like mine — and I will do anything, anything, to avoid SS-Hauptsturmführer von Linden interrogating me again.

He has said that I can have as much paper as I need. All I have to do is cough up everything I can remember about the British War Effort. And I’m going to. But the story of how I came to be here starts with my friend Maddie. She is the pilot who flew me into France — an Allied Invasion of Two.

We are a sensational team.

First Thoughts: A somewhat slow start but a GREAT finish! This book made me stop in awe, it made me gasp in shock, and it made me cry in heartbreak. What a story!

As the book says, “careless talk costs lives” and in that sense, I don’t want to ruin anything for future readers (and you all should be future readers of this book). I don’t want to give away spoilers and ruin the reading experience because there are multiple BIG twists throughout this story. Many times I found myself sitting and staring at the book in disbelief. So, needless to say, this review will be brief, but only because I want all of you to read this book!

Even though this book is historical fiction, it feels real - really real. The interrogation scenes, even though they aren’t extremely descriptive, gave me goosebumps. To think that soldiers went through that? Ugh! The way Wein describes the planes? I felt like I went to flight school right alongside Maddie. The best part of this story, though, isn’t any of the historical references - it’s the friendship between Maddie and Queenie. So often in young adult literature, the storyline centers on some love interest; in Code Name Verity, it’s all about the friendship. The love these girls feel for each other is so real, it’s almost palpable. Honestly, within this war story full of death, violence, and destruction there is beauty in the girls’ friendship.

This book definitely starts as a slow read, and maybe that’s purposeful. This is not a fluff story to breeze through, the reader needs to work, but it is so worth it in the end. I’ll admit I had a hard time getting into the story; I questioned all of the raving reviews I read. But, as soon as Wein revealed the first twist, I was officially hooked.

Final Thoughts: This book is a classic (ignore what its published date says). It should, and probably will, be read, shared, and talked about for years to come. Again, what a story!

Who Should Read It? If you enjoy historical fiction, particularly WWII literature, definitely add this to your TBR list. I think the appeal goes beyond historical fiction readers though. It is not an easy book to read, for many reasons, but the mark it leaves on you is well worth the emotional investment. Read this book!

TOP TEN TUESDAY: Books for Halloween

2013-10-29T00:00:00.000-05:00

Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted by The Broke and the Bookish

This week's topic is: Top Ten Books to Read for Halloween

In all honesty, I usually avoid scary and creepy books. I scare myself often enough, I don’t need books to add to my paranoia. I am trying to branch out as a reader this year, though, so creepy books have, well, crept into my TBR pile. Below is a list of five books I highly recommend for Halloween season and five books I’m still working up the courage to read.

Also, here's a picture of my "Spooktacular Stories" bulletin board in my classroom, and yes, I am a fan of lame puns.

1. In the Shadow of Blackbirds by Cat Winters - love, love, love this debut novel! Creepy cover and creepy story. This should be on the top of your Halloween TBR list!

2. Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs - the creepy cover will suck you in and the story will keep a hold on you. Seriously, how do you walk away from this cover without giving the book a try?

3. The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer by Michelle Hodkin - mental institution creepy! I felt Mara’s fear right alongside her. Noises in the basement while reading this book? Yep, my knife-wielding husband had to go check them out.

4. I Hunt Killers by Barry Lyga - Loved this book! It’s not creepy in a monster and ghost way, but it’s creepy in a murder way...even worse, in my opinion. Lots of lock checking after this one.

5. Born of Illusion by Teri Brown - I love a good 1920s fictional story, and this one features magic, which is quickly becoming a guilty reading pleasure of mine. Speaking to spirits definitely makes my creepy things list.

6. The Coldest Girl in Coldtown by Holly Black - I’ve heard this is a non-Twilight vampire book. Vampires have always intrigued me, but Twilight just didn’t do it. This might just be the book I’ve been waiting for.

7. The Diviners by Libba Bray - The 1920s? The occult? Supernatural powers? Yes! This might actually move up to the top of my TBR list.

8. A Monster Calls by Patrick Ness - I’ve yet to read a Patrick Ness book, but this might just be the book that does it. Plus, I’m intrigued by the creepy cover.

9. Anna Dressed in Blood by Kendare Blake - I’ve heard nothing but great reviews of this book. And the summary...wow! Might be too bloody for me, but wow nonetheless.

10. This is Not a Test by Courtney Summers - apocalypse stories are quite popular right now, but for some reason this one sounds extra creepy. Count me in (but only when it’s light outside).

READING REFLECTIONS: One Book One School

2013-10-26T09:11:00.000-05:00

Something a little different on the blog today. This year a committee of teachers, including myself, brought a new reading initiative to our school: One Book One School. This took A LOT of planning and work, but wow was it worth it. Below are my thoughts and reflections on our program, as well as a link to our local paper's coverage.

“Reading changes your life. Reading unlocks worlds unknown or forgotten, taking travelers around the world and through time. Reading helps you escape the confines of school and pursue your own education. Through characters – the saints and the sinners, real or imagined – reading shows you how to be a better human being.”

― Donalyn Miller, The Book Whisperer: Awakening the Inner Reader in Every Child

I am a reader. I grew up reading under the covers with my digital alarm clock lighting up the pages. I carry a book with me everywhere I go and sneak a few pages in whenever I get the chance. I can’t wait to come to school to tell my students about what I read the night before. I firmly believe you can never own (or borrow from the library) too many books...just ask my husband. Being a reader defines who I am. Unfortunately, for many of our students, reading isn’t a part of who they are. Although reading can be a very personal and individual experience, it is made so much better when it can be shared with others. That’s where the inspiration for our inaugural One Book One School came from: making reading an engaging shared experience.

One Book One School (OBOS) is an all school reading initiative. Basically, we chose one book - Neal Shusterman’sUnwind - and everyone involved in the school – students, staff, coaches, teachers, etc – received a copy and read that book. With One Book One School, the hope is that we spread the desire to read for fun and enjoyment. Too often, in the high school, we commit readicide; we kill the love of reading through assigning books to read and analyze. Don’t get me wrong, this analysis is an important skill for students to develop. However, we do a disservice to students if we don’t introduce them to reading for pleasure. Reading for enjoyment can broaden a student’s horizons and spark an interest in learning. The overall goal is that we share a reading experience that will result in the following outcomes:

1. Students will enjoy reading a book for fun

2. Students’ reading test scores will improve (currently, 58% of students meet standards)

3. The entire school will have a positive shared experience

As I reflect on our inaugural year of OBOS, I can’t help but smile. Whether or not we achieved our goals is yet to be seen, but did we make a difference? Most definitely! I saw kids sitting in the hallways before school reading Unwind. I heard students in the hallways joking about being “unwound” (maybe not something to joke about, but hey, at least they were talking about the book). I had teachers, many many teachers, tell me about the positive impact it had on their students. Our attendance queen, Mrs. Shea, who helped make all of this possible, shared stories of often absent or truant students who came to her office eager to talk about the book and see the author.

And as for the author visit, what a great experience for our students! We were privileged to be one of the few schools on Neal Shusterman’s book tour, thanks to the planning and hard work of our fantastic librarian, Mr. Pearson. Our students asked thoughtful questions - actually, Neal shared that he was blown away by the insight in the questions our students posed - which led to two great presentations. Goosebumps ran up my arms watching students run up to the stage to ask more questions or to snap pictures. My favorite moment of the day was when a student asked where Shusterman got the inspiration for the clappers. Students who read the book turned to some of their confused classmates and excitedly explained who and what the clappers are. That excitement and passion came from a book - amazing!

Of course the question now is “What about next year?” Well, our committee definitely hopes there is a next year and a year after that and so on. We plan on surveying the school to find out the actual impact of the program. From there, we’ll decide what next year’s One Book One School looks like. We need to pick a book and we need to find funding (always the biggest hurdle in anything a school does). We also want to expand the outreach of our committee to students, parents, and community members.

As Donalyn Miller - reading guru extraordinaire -so beautifully stated, reading can change your life, it can unlock worlds you didn’t know existed, and it can make you a better human being. If we’ve accomplished this, even a little bit, for just one student, then what we’ve done this year at McHenry West is a huge success!

If anyone has any suggestions or wants to be a part of next year’s reading, planning, and fundraising please let us know. Until then, Happy Reading!

Here's a link to our local newspaper's coverage of the event:
http://www.nwherald.com/2013/10/24/mchenry-west-turns-page-with-one-book-one-school-program/a7w6idd/

REVIEW: The Testing by Joelle Charbonneau

2013-10-25T00:00:00.000-05:00

Title: The Testing

Author: Joelle Charbonneau Website Twitter Facebook

Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Books for Children

Release Date: June 4, 2013

Pages: 336

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Summary from Goodreads: Keep your friends close and your enemies closer. Isn’t that what they say? But how close is too close when they may be one in the same?

The Seven Stages War left much of the planet a charred wasteland. The future belongs to the next generation’s chosen few who must rebuild it. But to enter this elite group, candidates must first pass The Testing—their one chance at a college education and a rewarding career.

Cia Vale is honored to be chosen as a Testing candidate; eager to prove her worthiness as a University student and future leader of the United Commonwealth. But on the eve of her departure, her father’s advice hints at a darker side to her upcoming studies--trust no one.

But surely she can trust Tomas, her handsome childhood friend who offers an alliance? Tomas, who seems to care more about her with the passing of every grueling (and deadly) day of the Testing. To survive, Cia must choose: love without truth or life without trust.

First Thoughts: After a self-imposed dystopian hiatus, this was just the book I needed to get me going again!

Let me start by saying I am a HUGE fan of dystopians! So much so, that for awhile it was all I read - I was stuck in a rut. Over the summer, I made myself take a break. I read realistic fiction, verse novels, historical fiction, paranormals - everything but dystopians. I’m glad I took that break for two reasons. One, I read some AMAZING books that might have taken a backseat otherwise. Two, when I ended my hiatus, it made The Testing that much better.

As always, I loved the strong female protagonist. Cia knows what’s right and she’ll do anything to fight for it, even if it makes her look weak or too trusting. There were points I wanted to put the book down and yell at her for some of her decisions. There were points I thought she was crazy for trusting certain people (even when her dad told her “trust no one”...come on Cia!!). But, after I turned the final page, I realized Cia was Cia; she, unlike many characters, stayed true to herself through the entire testing process. And that, more than anything, is what I loved about her.

As a reader, I really enjoyed the “trust no one” premise. I constantly found myself questioning every characters’ motives. I, along with Cia, never knew who was good or who was bad. That tension kept me on the edge of my seat up until the very last page.

I can’t believe I’m saying this, but I almost could have done without the romance in the novel altogether. I liked Cia on her own, and I didn’t want her to rely on Tomas for survival. Plus, the love between Cia and Tomas is not entirely believable at first. I needed more of a build-up: tension-filled moments, stolen glances, questioning feelings. It jumped from kind of liking to in love too fast for me.

At times, I did feel that The Testing featured some extreme parallels to The Hunger Games. Now, this is true for almost every dystopian (they are all based on the same broken-down, corrupt government storyline after all), but there were moments I wished Charbonneau pushed the story further off the well-worn path. The biggest sticking point, for me, was the premise of teens killing each other to win a competition, in this case The Test. Overall though, The Testing features enough unique differences that is does stand on its own.

Final Thoughts: I really enjoyed this book, and I’m just as excited for its sequel - Independent Study. This is going to be a top recommendation for all of my dystopian readers - a great series for them to continue on with!

Who Should Read It? Dystopian fans, this is a must-read for you! If you tore through The Hunger Games, Divergent, and Legend then you will fly through this one as well. It has action, intrigue, just a bit of romance, and it will leave you hanging at the end of every chapter. And, added bonus for my students, Joelle Charbonneau is a local author - how cool!

REVIEW: I Heart You, You Haunt Me by Lisa Schroeder

2013-10-23T00:00:00.000-05:00

Title: I Heart You, You Haunt Me

Author: Lisa Schroeder Website Twitter Facebook

Publisher: Simon Pulse

Release Date: January 8, 2008

Pages: 227

Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars

Summary from Goodreads:

Girl meets boy.

Girl loses boy.

Girl gets boy back...

..sort of.

Ava can't see him or touch him,

unless she's dreaming.

She can't hear his voice,

except for the faint whispers in her mind.

Most would think she's crazy, but she knows he's here.

Jackson.

The boy Ava thought she'd spend the rest of her life with.

He's back from the dead,

as proof that love truly knows no bounds.

First Thoughts: After stealing this book away before another student grabbed it (sorry girls), I completely understand why this book is spreading like wildfire through my classroom. A beautiful, grief-filled story sure to make any reader feel.

Everytime I read a verse novel, I’m reminded of how much I enjoy them. Why don’t I make an effort to read more of them? Maybe this will be a challenge for myself in the coming year (that along with scary books, which even thinking about gives me the heebie-jeebies).

I came to read this book in a very random way, at least compared to my usual reading habits. I was first introduced to the title during an online summer PD reading experience - YA Lit 101. I didn’t read the book then, instead I read October Mourning. But, this title stuck in the back of my mind. On a recent Half-Price Books visit, I stumbled across a copy of the book. Of course I bought it, book-talked it the next day in class, and since then I Heart You, You Haunt Me has been passed from reader to reader, finally landing on my desk before a long weekend.

This is a quick, intense story all about a teenage girl learning to deal with unfathomable grief. As my female students read, they openly cried in the middle of class. I mean, serious tears flowing as they choked out, “this book is just. so. sad.” Talk about some visceral reading! Admittedly there were no tears for me, but I still felt the raw emotions along with Ava as she experienced them. I have to say, I was shocked when I found out Jackson actually haunts her - real cold air, goosebumps, face in the mirror haunting. For some reason I assumed the “haunting” meant she just couldn’t forget him. I liked the actual ghost aspect though, especially since fall is in the air, pumpkins adorn doorsteps, and the darkness creeps in at night just a bit quicker.

And, telling this story in verse is perfect! The story moves quickly and the poetic nature of the words makes Ava’s grief, fear, and on-edge-sanity almost palpable. Although readers sometimes judge verse novels as too difficult (ah, the polarizing effect of poetry), I think this novel is actually easier to read, which makes it that much more popular amongst teen readers.

Final Thoughts: Although it didn’t move me to tears quite like some of my student readers, I completely understand the appeal of this story. Coping with grief is something no one wants to go through, and reading Ava’s story really hits home. I can see why this book is quickly becoming one of the most popular reads in our classroom!

Who Should Read It? Based on my classroom experience, this book connects the most with girls. Really, any girls. My fans of horror, realistic fiction, fantasy, romance, etc - they’ve all read this book and loved it. Like I said, it might make you cry, but isn’t that just deep reading?

The Uninterrupted Reader

TOP TEN TUESDAY: Where Are They Now?

TOP TEN TUESDAY: Recent Additions to My TBR List

REVIEW: Boy21 by Matthew Quick

2016 Abe Lincoln Book List

Mini Reviews: CRASH INTO YOU, JUMPING OFF SWINGS, and THE PULL OF GRAVITY

Top Ten Reads of Last School Year (Late, Of Course)

Top Ten Titles on My Spring/Early Summer TBR List

Top 8 Authors New to Me this Year

TOP TEN TUESDAY: Winter TBR List

REVIEW: Wild Cards by Simone Elkeles

REVIEW: Counting by 7s by Holly Goldberg Sloan

REVIEW: Tell the Wolves I'm Home by Carol Rifka Brunt

REVIEW: Ghost Hawk by Susan Cooper

TOP TEN TUESDAY: Books I'm Thankful For

It's Monday! What are You Reading?

REVIEW:The Chaos of Stars by Kiersten White

REVIEW: Just One Day by Gayle Forman

REVIEW: Clockwork Princess by Cassandra Clare

REVIEW: Frozen in Time by Mitchell Zuckoff

TOP TEN TUESDAY: Sequels I Can't Wait to Read

REVIEW: Code Name Verity by Elizabeth Wein

TOP TEN TUESDAY: Books for Halloween

READING REFLECTIONS: One Book One School

REVIEW: The Testing by Joelle Charbonneau

REVIEW: I Heart You, You Haunt Me by Lisa Schroeder