Mrs. Cardinal's Party

The Results are in! Can you guess the top book of the year?

rniche@melissaisd.org (Roberta Niche) — Sat, 14 Apr 2012 19:20:00 +0000

The top 50 books of school year 2011-2012 here at Melissa High School are on a Pinterest board. Check it out:

The Library Media Center Pinterest

The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly: Books to Movies

rniche@melissaisd.org (Roberta Niche) — Fri, 23 Mar 2012 17:52:00 +0000

I might very well be biased. Alright, I am totally biased! Books that become movies are often disappointing, rarely satifying, and sometimes downright awful. Here's my list of the best and worst adaptions:

The Good

The Harry Potter series was lovingly recreated for the most part with input from author J.K. Rowling. There were a few missteps (McGonagall sending students to the dungeon? No way!) but the filmmakers got it right for the most part. How thrilling was it to see Diagon Alley and Hogwarts Castle come to life? The dragon escaping Gringotts was brilliant.
The Lord of the Rings series was a visual stunner and only the most die-hard fan of the book would find much to dis in Peter Jackson's films. My own gripe is not including Tom Bombadil. A lot of his lines went to Treebeard instead.
Pride and Prejudice was brilliantly filmed for British telly back in 1995. Colin Firth as Mr. Darcy....whoah. The scene of him jumping in the pond? Just saying'!
Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory (the 1971 original, with Gene Wilder) perfectly captured the magic and whimsy of Roald Dahl's book.
To Kill a Mockingbird. Gregory Peck was the perfect Atticus.
The Outsiders (1983) was perfectly faithful to S.E. Hinton's book and the casting was great, a who's who of young Hollywood, with Patrick Swayze, Tom Cruise, Ralph "Karate Kid" Macchio, Emilio Estevez, C. Thomas Howell, Matt Dillon, and Leif Garrett. One complaint...Dally is supposed to be a towheaded blond. Not a look Matt Dillon could've pulled off.
Fight Club (1999) didn't lose any of Chuck Pahlaniuk's edgy brilliance in the film version. Of course, David Fincher directing had a lot to do with that.
Holes (2003). Even though I couldn't get the image of Shia LaBoeuf as Louis Stevens out of my head, he was pretty good in this one. Funny, wise, true to the original story. Author Louis Sachar wrote the screenplay.

The Bad

The Lightning Thief. Are you kidding me? Campers don't live in cabins by father, no Clarice, no Ares, no Titans. Annabeth should've been blonde. Grover reminded me of Jar Jar Binks (never a good thing). He was a protector, not just comic relief! Gah!
Anything originally written by Stephen King except The Shining and Stand By Me. Honestly. Even when King directed the movie himself, it turned out lousy.
Eragon. The movie kept the shell of the story and removed the heart. No character development at all. And it was boring. Directed by the same guy who ruined Master and Commander and The Bourne Identity.
A Series of Unfortunate Events. This one was doomed from the start despite a good performance by Jim Carrey. It's just not Lemony Snicket without the narrator's voice but it would be awkward to translate this to film.
Stormbreaker. Alex Pettyfer was too old and the writers decided there needed to be more laughs than action/suspense. Bomb.

The Ugly

Cirque du Freak: The Vampire's Assistant (2009). Worst adaption of anything, ever. Darren is magically American. Grateful these filmmakers didn't get their hands on Harry Potter! Steve and Darren battle (Huh? That happens much later.), John C. Riley brings an unwanted Stepbrothers comic vibe to the role of menacing Mr. Crepsley. No Debbie. Mr. Tiny sides with the Vampaneze? Spare me.
The Cat in the Hat. Mike Myers should be condemned to making Wayne's World sequels for all time as punishment for desecrating Dr. Seuss. Unfunny, too long, and oddly inappropriate jokes. Mike, go make Austin Powers 3.
A Wrinkle in Time (2003) Horrible CGI and special effects. Annoying, no-purpose changes in characters' names and appearances (No glasses for Meg, No red hair for Calvin). All the energy and fierceness of Meg were sucked out. The Man with the Red Eyes and IT were essentially merged. Themes were glossed over and reduced to cliches. Thanks a lot, Disney. You ruined it.

Books Everyone is Reading

rniche@melissaisd.org (Roberta Niche) — Tue, 29 Nov 2011 20:03:00 +0000

Want to know what everyone's reading? Here are the top circulating books in the LMC since September:

The Death Cure by James Dashner
The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
The Son of Neptune by Rick Riordan
Unwind by Neal Shusterman
Birth of a Killer by Darren Shan
Breaking Dawn by Stephenie Meyer
Crank by Ellen Hopkins
For the Win by Cory Doctorow
Identical by Ellen Hopkins
City of Bones by Cassandra Clare

Teen Read Week 2011

rniche@melissaisd.org (Roberta Niche) — Thu, 20 Oct 2011 17:13:00 +0000

Teen Read Week 2011, a set on Flickr.

Carlos Will be President!

rniche@melissaisd.org (Roberta Niche) — Tue, 11 Oct 2011 18:25:00 +0000

We've had two amazing sessions with with author Matt de la Pena today. We just finished lunch....Matt predicts that our own Carlos C. will be president some day. CC made a great observation about We Were Here. I am totally cool with CC being our nation's leader in a few years :)

Here's Matt eating lunch and Juan being Juan:

We've had great conversations about author's craft... about where authors get (steal!) ideas for characters, about the musicality of language, and about the importance of revision (104 times?!).

Such a great day here in the library.

Author Matt de la Peña to Visit MHS!

rniche@melissaisd.org (Roberta Niche) — Thu, 06 Oct 2011 18:18:00 +0000

Matt de la Peña

This makes the second year in a row that small but mighty Melissa High School has hosted a nationally known author. Woot!

Matt de la Pena is the author of several highly-regarded young adult novels, including Ball Don’t Lie, Mexican White Boy, and We Were Here. These are what I call “street stories”, stories of young people growing up in dire circumstances, facing big challenges. They are gritty and realistic. Matt went to college on a basketball scholarship and many of his stories involve sports. He is also a teacher of creative writing at NYU.

http://www.mattdelapena.com/

You guys will hear him in one of three sessions. See below:

All three sessions will be in the library. There will be no study hall that day.

Session One (All students who have English 1st or 2nd period)

9:05 to 10:05
All students will report to first period for attendance, then come to the library.
When students exit the library, they will be handed a pass to second period
Session Two (All students who have English 3rd or 4th period)
10:50 to 11:50
All students will report to third period for attendance, then come to the library.
When students exit the library, they will be handed a pass to 4th period

Session Three (All students who have English 6th, 7th, or 8th period)
1:45 to 2:45
All students will report to 6th period for attendance, then come to the library.
When students exit the library, they will be handed a pass to 7th period.

Teen Read Week 2011!

rniche@melissaisd.org (Roberta Niche) — Wed, 28 Sep 2011 20:47:00 +0000

Look out, Cardinals! TRW 2011 is coming soon: October 17th - 21st. We've got a full week of activities to celebrate books:

Monday: Wear Your Teen Read Week Shirt! (See Mrs. Niche to order. Order by November 5th)
*Film a book trailer: Create a short commercial for your favorite book then come into the library during English to film it. Just talk on camera about a favorite book. That's it! Going on all week. Videos go on our YouTube and TeacherTube channels. Make a commercial, get an ice cream party ticket.
*Quote Graffiti: Pick a favorite line or quote from a book and write it on the sidewalk during English class.
*Voting for the Talon Awards begins

Tuesday: Character Costume or T-Shirt Day

Dress like a character from a book or make and wear a t-shirt representing that character. Stop by the library to be photographed in your costume/shirt. Everyone who is photographed gets a ticket to the ice cream party on Friday.

Wednesday: Poster Contest

Advertise your favorite book/series/author. Everyone who turns in a poster to be judged gets a ticket to the ice cream party. Turn in posters by the end of lunch (5th period) Wednesday. Must show effort to earn ticket!

Thursday: The Pajama Read-In & Make a Music Playlist (NEW!)

Read-in during second and third periods: Come dressed in appropriate pajamas. Bring your pillow, your blanket, and something good to read. Read!

Or...

Make a music playlist to go with a book you like. Tell which songs go with what action in the book and why. Print it out for display. Give to Mrs. Niche to earn an ice cream ticket!

Friday: Ice Cream Party Hot fudge, banana splits, whoo hoo!
• Ice cream party during lunch for those who’ve earned ice cream tickets
• The Talon Awards announced.
• Costume and poster contest award winners announced

• Book trailers unveiled

Things That Bugged Me About Deathly Hallows, Pt.2 (Movie)

rniche@melissaisd.org (Roberta Niche) — Sun, 17 Jul 2011 22:57:00 +0000

Don't get me wrong....I loved it. Great spectacle, Dan Radcliffe was terrific, I cried. But:

Harry is still supposed to have his scar at the end. To change that was awful.
McGonagall never sent the Slytherins to the dungeon. No true Hogwarts teacher would do that.
Harry didn't break the Elder Wand and pitch it over the (nonexistent) bridge. He put it back in Dumbledore's tomb.

Anything bug you?

List Me: Most Memorable Characters

rniche@melissaisd.org (Roberta Niche) — Thu, 14 Jul 2011 03:17:00 +0000

So it's like 107 outside. Time to crank the AC, stay inside and read. Time for another list. Something about characters, I think. Not best-loved, not favorite exactly but characters who stick with you for some reason. And let's make this list good guys. We can do villains later.

My most memorable characters is Young Adult (YA) literature list (protagonists).....

In no special order...

Ponyboy Curtis, The Outsiders
Miles Halter, Looking For Alaska
Anonymous, Go Ask Alice
Bee, Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants Series
Harry Potter, Harry Potter Series
Meg Murry, A Wrinkle in Time
Lyra Belacqua, His Dark Materials Series
Matt Cruse, Airborn series
Simon, Mortal Instruments Series (oooh, or Magnus Bane)
Peeta Mellark, The Hunger Games series
Kristina, Crank
Kidd, I WIll Save You

Runners up: Darren from Cirque du Freak, Percy Jackson,Johnny Cade from The Outsiders, T.J. Jones from Whale Talk, Connor from Unwind.

I did not put Katniss Everdeen down. I sympathize with her and admire her but find her strangely sterile. That girl is emotionally broken. I like my characters to ooze pain and passion!

Yours?

Road trip to the Texas Library Conference Teen Event!

rniche@melissaisd.org (Roberta Niche) — Tue, 19 Apr 2011 15:13:00 +0000

We got Everfound!

Graham, Nikita, Corey, Sky, and Willie joined me on a road trip to Austin last week...wow, did we have fun. Some highlights of the trip were:

Getting free advance reader copies (ARCs) of about 30 books each, including Everfound by Neal Shusterman.
Hanging with authors like James Dashner (Maze Runner) and Carrie Ryan (Forest of Hands and Teeth). We have video to prove it!
Lunch on Sixth Street
A midnight dinner at IHOP where we saw many interesting sights (you'll have to ask them). Hint: A floral sundress was involved.
Being stuffed into the district truck, hopping curbs because I can't drive a dualie, singing old 80s songs to drown out Sky's disturbing fondness for country music.

Hope I can take more of you guys next year. It was a blast.

Getting ready for lunch
on 6th Street

James Dashner

In Honor of Night by Elie Wiesel

rniche@melissaisd.org (Roberta Niche) — Thu, 24 Mar 2011 14:40:00 +0000

Listy, Listy: Characters I'd like to smack

rniche@melissaisd.org (Roberta Niche) — Tue, 07 Dec 2010 23:05:00 +0000

Hmmm, how about a list of characters I'd like to smack, lol?

Draco Malfoy and Dolores Umbridge from Harry Potter. And basically, everybody from Slytherin.
"Wet" Lindsay from the Georgia Nicholson series
Roland from Unwind.....even though ;)
Mr. Collins and Lady de Bourgh from Pride and Prejudice...oh, and Lydia!
Penelope from The Luxe (Like to lock her in a room with Lindsay)
Holden Caufield from The Catcher in the Rye (soooo whiny)
Bob Ewell from To Kill a Mockingbird
Mrs. Coulter from the His Dark Materials series (evil, EVIL golden monkey!)
Every single character in Tunnels by Roderick Gordon. No, seriously. I mean ALL of them.
Wen Fu from The Kitchen God's Wife by Amy Tan
Tradd St. Croix from The Lords of Discipline (Such a weenie)

How about you?

Thanksgiving Reading

rniche@melissaisd.org (Roberta Niche) — Mon, 29 Nov 2010 17:13:00 +0000

One of the best things about Thanksgiving break week was the chance to settle in on the couch for a nice, long reading session each day. Here's what I read and thought:

Incarceron by Catherine Fisher
   I really took my time with this one, not because I didn't like it but because the story was complex, with rich word choice and alternating points of view. It's sort of like The Maze Runner in that the main characters don't know what's going on in their world. Their confusion is your confusion and that's....confusing!

   Incarceron is this seemingly vast prison controlled by some sort of computer? superhuman? consciousness. More than a century ago, all of the society's misbehavers were sealed inside in what was supposed to be a Utopian environment, designed to rehabilitate them. Something went badly wrong though, because Incarceron is a hell. Teen protagonist Finn is trapped inside, his mind wiped of any early memories, but he just knows he comes from the mythical "outside". Only one man has ever escaped Incarceron, the legendary and perhaps fictional Sapphique. The prison warden's daughter Claudia is outside, equally trapped by a pending arranged marriage to a slimy weasel of a guy she doesn't love. In her world, everybody lives according to the "protocol", which means pretending like it's1840...no electronic technology at all. It's a Disneyesque steampunk version of society where the privileged class uses technology in secret while everyone else rides around on horses and does laundry in a tub.

   Finn finds a key, Claudia finds a key and they realize they can communicate with each other. There are enough plot twists for three novels but it's really the well-drawn characters that kept me turning pages, wanting more. The sequel, Sapphique, comes out December 28th and I'm counting on getting it as a post-Christmas gift.

The Lost Hero by Rick Riordan
   I can't begin to tell you how much better I like this book than The Red Pyramid. It restored my faith in Rick Riordan as a great storyteller, not just a sellout looking to cash in on previous success. Yeah, I was thinking that. The new kids at Camp Half Blood are terrific characters. Leo was my favorite. He's a wisecracking guy from Houston who will make you laugh yet break your heart with his back story about losing his mother. Many Percy Jackson characters return, including Thalia and Annabeth. Percy himself is missing and you won't believe where he's suspected to be!
   The action is fast and not at all predictable (unlike Red Pyramid which made me think, "been there, done that"). The new baddies are either terrifying, hilarious, or both (King Midas, I'm talkin' to you!). The ending is a complete surprise, setting up next fall's sequel.

   Come in to the library and we can argue about Piper. I can't decide if she embodies female empowerment or female stereotypes. Thalia invites her to join the Hunters of Artemis so that counts for a lot!

Heather Reviews Vampire Kisses

rniche@melissaisd.org (Roberta Niche) — Fri, 19 Nov 2010 01:15:00 +0000

Naomi Reviews My Sister's Keeper by Jodi Picoult

rniche@melissaisd.org (Roberta Niche) — Fri, 19 Nov 2010 01:13:00 +0000

Teen Read Week Pix

rniche@melissaisd.org (Roberta Niche) — Thu, 18 Nov 2010 16:59:00 +0000

TRW 2010 has been happening all week here at MHS and it's been a blast. Here are some pics from various events. You can see more at the library's flckr page:
The LMC's Flckr photo page

Teen Read Week Begins

rniche@melissaisd.org (Roberta Niche) — Mon, 15 Nov 2010 21:17:00 +0000

Students sported their Teen Read Week shirts today and participated in Quote graffiti....they chalked favorite quotes from books outside on the side walk. Tomorrow is the "dress like a character from a book" event.
More pictures will be up shortly on the library Flckr page. So many good quotes today!

Teen Read Week is Next Week at MHS!

rniche@melissaisd.org (Roberta Niche) — Mon, 08 Nov 2010 16:03:00 +0000

Get your Teen Read Week T-shirt for just $10 and get a ticket to the banana split party, too!

Monday:
*Quote Graffiti- Pick your favorite line from a book to graffiti on the sidewalk or the cafeteria walls
*Film a Book Trailer- Come in any time this week to film a short commercial for a book. Vids go on our YouTube and TeacherTube channel.

Tuesday:
*Character Costume Day- Dress like a character from a book. Stop by the library to be photographed in your costume.

Wednesday:
*Make a poster to celebrate your favorite book, author, or series.Posters must be turned in by the end of 5th period to count.

Thursday:
*The Read-In! During second and third periods. Come dressed in appropriate pajamas, bring your blanket, your pillow, and something good to read.

Friday:
*The Ice Cream Party, during lunch for those who've earned tickets (poster contest, video, character costume, bought a t-shirt)
*The Talon Awards announced
*Costume, video, and poster contest award winners announced.

Soundtrack in your head? I Adore Paramore for the Hunger Games

rniche@melissaisd.org (Roberta Niche) — Fri, 05 Nov 2010 19:04:00 +0000

Did reading a book ever make you think of a song? In my case, some books make a whole soundtrack play in my brain. Take the Hunger Games, for example. There are so many suspenseful, dramatic moments that deserve a song! Here's my mental soundtrack:

Let the Flames Begin by Paramore
Bodies by Drowning Pool
Quiet in My Town by Civil Twilight (I stole this idea from Shelby H!)
Bomb by Band of Skulls
This Is War by Thirty Seconds to Mars (assist to Shelby)
The Collector by Nine Inch Nails (Uh, Shelby again!)
Animal I Have Become by Three Days Grace (S....because he's better at this than I am!!!)
I Stand Alone by Godsmack
The Times are a Changing by Bob Dylan (Yes, this was S, not me even though it's old)
She Is by The Fray (Good Katniss tune)
Cut by Plumb (Katniss and Peeta)
Die by the Drop by The Dead Weather
Long Way Down by Black Rebel Motorcycle Club (Haymitch)

Add your own ideas in comments below...

The News!!!!!!

rniche@melissaisd.org (Roberta Niche) — Tue, 19 Oct 2010 21:38:00 +0000

Most of you have heard it by now but I'm gonna blog it anyway....Neal Shusterman is coming to Melissa High School!

That's right, readers. The author of Unwind (2009 Talon award winner), Everlost, Downsiders, Full Tilt, and so many more of our favorites will be here...in the MHS library...in person...talking to you!

So here's my challenge to you. Are you Neal's biggest fan here at MHS? If so, you can prove it and win a front row seat to his presentation and an autographed copy of Unwind. And when I say front row, I mean first class front row. You and a friend of your choice will be seated on a couch or recliner and be provided with snacks and sodas for the event. How do you earn it? Easy. Blog about the Shusterman books you've read. Those who blog the most and the best (as decided by an impartial jury of your English teachers) will win. See your English teacher or me, Mrs. Niche, to get your blog set up.

Neal Shusterman!

Wolves of Mercy Falls Update...book 3 is finished!

rniche@melissaisd.org (Roberta Niche) — Tue, 21 Sep 2010 16:31:00 +0000

Just read an interview with Maggie Stiefvater, author of Shiver and Linger. She's finished writing book 3 and it will be called Forever. Can't wait to get more about Sam and Grace. It will be out in July 2011. Much too long to wait.

I was interested to find out that she did quite a bit of research about wolves while writing Shiver. She said that the real research, however, was to develop the medical explanation of the wolves (don't want to give away too much here!). I also found out that she was a musician who counts on music from her iPOD to keep her grounded while writing. You can read the interview at http://www.flr.follett.com/intro/btb-stiefvater.html

Her website: http://www.maggiestiefvater.com/index.php

Darren Shan writes Cirque du Freak Prequel!

rniche@melissaisd.org (Roberta Niche) — Sat, 04 Sep 2010 22:19:00 +0000

It's the book all you Shan fans have been dreaming of. The Saga of Larten Crepsley tells the story of how Mr. Crepsely became a vampire. Here's what Darren Shan's website says:

Larten Crepsley's life as a human ends one grey day in the factory where he has worked since he was eight years old... and his life as a vampire begins! The first of a four book series, this charts Larten's years as a vampire's assistant, and his formative experiences once he is blooded. We meet some familiar faces from The Saga Of Darren Shan, along with some new characters who were instrumental in his growth. It all starts here!!

Yesyesyes, it is on the October book order. Duh, 3 copies! Shan also has another book out called The Thin Executioner. It's on order, too.

First Week of School

rniche@melissaisd.org (Roberta Niche) — Sun, 29 Aug 2010 22:18:00 +0000

It's Sunday night and I'm still recovering! You guys kept the library busy this week. It was terrific to see y'all, especially since you were eager to get your hands on books. No book was more in demand then Mockingjay, of course. I ran out at lunch time Tuesday and scored 4 copies. I honestly could've used 40. Besides MJ, you were eager to read City of Bones by Clare, anything at all by Ellen Hopkins, Unwind by Shusterman, Hush, Hush by Fitzpatrick, the Vladimir Tod series (8th Grade Bites, etc.), Riordan's new book The Red Pyramid, and Linger by Stiefvater.

It's so cool that you come in knowing what you want! Nearly 500 books were checked out this week.

Ready to read?

rniche@melissaisd.org (Roberta Niche) — Wed, 18 Aug 2010 14:21:00 +0000

Can you believe school starts this Monday? I'm psyched to see you all and hear what you've been reading. Make sure to bring me any ideas you have for new books....I'm getting ready to order and I've already got hundreds of hot new titles on my list including:

Mockingjay (August 24th!)
Crescendo (sequel to Hush, Hush)
Torment (Fallen series)
Everwild (Skinjacker trilogy)
Linger (sequel to Shiver)
Twelfth Grade Kills (Vladimir Tod series, September 21st)
Burned (House of Night series)
Halt's Peril (Ranger's Apprentice #9)

And many more!

My summer reading so far

rniche@melissaisd.org (Roberta Niche) — Sat, 03 Jul 2010 20:42:00 +0000

The Red Pyramid by Rick Riordan....meh. Lacks the power of the Lightning Thief. Stock characters.

Relentless by Dean Koontz.....ridiculous concept but good and scary.

Every Day in Tuscany by Frances Mayes....Just getting into it. I want to visit Tuscany soooo much.

Sizzling Sixteen by Janet Evanovich....Hilarious, loved it. Hate waiting a year for 17 though. BTW, this is not a teen book.

What are you reading?