The Beakly Book Blog tag:typepad.com,2003:weblog-1403061 2012-05-29T21:17:21Z TypePad Subscribe with My Yahoo!Subscribe with NewsGatorSubscribe with My AOLSubscribe with BloglinesSubscribe with NetvibesSubscribe with GoogleSubscribe with Pageflakes Out of My Mind by Sharon Draper tag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a00d8341df63153ef016766ea76f7970b 2012-05-29T16:17:21-05:00 2012-05-29T21:17:21Z What would it be like if you could not walk, talk, or write? What if you had so many ideas and words you wanted to express but could not communicate with other people? In Out of My Mind by Sharon... Youth Services

Out of my mindWhat would it be like if you could not walk, talk, or write? What if you had so many ideas and words you wanted to express but could not communicate with other people? In Out of My Mind by Sharon Draper, Melody is an 11 year old girl who wants to have the same experiences as other people. She wants to be a part of the things her classmates are doing. She is very smart, but she is also in a wheelchair and can't walk, talk, or write. She figures out a way to communicate with her class and the other people around her, and enters a competition for her school. Will her team win? Will she get to make friends with her classmates? Read this book and find out!

Book reviewed by Anne W., Youth Services Assistant

 http://mppl.typepad.com/the_beakly_book_blog/2012/05/out-of-my-mind-by-sharon-draper.html The Shadows: The Books of Elsewhere vol. 1 by Jacqueline West tag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a00d8341df63153ef016766a81cd7970b 2012-05-21T16:11:06-05:00 2012-05-21T21:11:06Z In The Shadows by Jacqueline West, Olive’s family just moved into an odd old house where there is something just not right about the paintings on the walls. Olive discovers that she can climb into the worlds inside the paintings... Youth Services

The ShadowsIn The Shadows by Jacqueline West, Olive’s family just moved into an odd old house where there is something just not right about the paintings on the walls.  Olive discovers that she can climb into the worlds inside the paintings and uncovers the sinister story behind how the paintings, and the house, came to be.  She also finds out that she and her family are in terrible danger!  This slightly creepy story is an exciting and fast moving mystery thriller that fans of Coraline will love.

Book reviewed by Brad J., Youth Technology Librarian

 

 

 http://mppl.typepad.com/the_beakly_book_blog/2012/05/the-shadows-the-books-of-elsewhere-vol-1-by-jacqueline-west.html The Rock and the River by Kekla Magoon tag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a00d8341df63153ef0168eb800b0c970c 2012-05-14T16:38:45-05:00 2012-05-14T21:38:45Z I listened to the audiobook of The Rock and the River by Kekla Magoon and really enjoyed it. The story takes place in Chicago in the 1960’s. Thirteen-year-old Sam’s father is very involved in the Civil Rights Movement; the family... Youth Services

Rock and the RiverI listened to the audiobook of The Rock and the River by Kekla Magoon and really enjoyed it. The story takes place in Chicago in the 1960’s. Thirteen-year-old Sam’s father is very involved in the Civil Rights Movement; the family has even had Dr. King over for dinner! Sam’s older brother and best friend, “Stick,” gets involved with the Black Panthers, a group that seems at odds with the non-violent protests that Stick and Sam have grown up with. After the assassination of Dr. King, things around the city start to heat up, and Sam gets more involved.

Book reviewed by Erin E. Youth Services Programming Coordinator

 http://mppl.typepad.com/the_beakly_book_blog/2012/05/the-rock-and-the-river-by-kekla-magoon.html Sparrow Road by Sheila O'Connor tag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a00d8341df63153ef01676651b380970b 2012-05-08T15:44:43-05:00 2012-05-08T20:45:17Z Sparrow Road by Sheila O'Connor. It's so odd--really! For no good reason that Raine can figure out, her mom decides all of a sudden the two of them have to leave their home in Milwaukee and move to creepy old... Youth Services

Sparrow RoadSparrow Road by Sheila O'Connor. It's so odd--really! For no good reason that Raine can figure out, her mom decides all of a sudden the two of them have to leave their home in Milwaukee and move to creepy old Sparrow Road, an artist retreat out in the middle of nowhere. Turns out, there are secrets everywhere in and around Sparrow Road, and Raine makes some very personal discoveries about friendship, family, forgiveness and love.  If you like stories that tug at your heart a bit, you'll like this one. 

Book reviewed by Mary Ann S., Assistant Head of Youth Services

 http://mppl.typepad.com/the_beakly_book_blog/2012/05/sparrow-road-by-sheila-oconnor.html The Unwanteds by Lisa McMann tag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a00d8341df63153ef016765f020a4970b 2012-04-30T15:30:01-05:00 2012-05-01T13:39:47Z The Unwanteds by Lisa McMann. Alex and Aaron, identical twins, have spent all of their 13 years together in the land of Quill, but that was ending today. Quillerans are expected to conform unquestioningly to all the rules; all creativity... Youth Services

UnwantedsThe Unwanteds by Lisa McMann. Alex and Aaron, identical twins, have spent all of their 13 years together in the land of Quill, but that was ending today. Quillerans are expected to conform unquestioningly to all the rules; all creativity and independence are totally not tolerated. Not “tolerated”? At 13 years of age, every child is labeled as “Wanted” (destined for higher education and a possible future leadership position), “Necessary” (deemed needed for less important positions, a worker), or “Unwanted” (not considered worthy to even live and so is condemned to death). Aaron has always met the community’s expectations and is announced as one of the celebrated Wanteds. But Alex, who has been caught drawing a few times, is consigned to go to the Death Farm and the Lake of Burning Oil. What horrors await Alex as he approaches the heavy iron gates of the Death Farm? And how will Aaron manage without him?

Book reviewed by Loreen S., Youth Services Assistant

 http://mppl.typepad.com/the_beakly_book_blog/2012/04/the-unwanteds-by-lisa-mcmann.html This is the Game by Diane Z. Shore and Jessica Alexander tag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a00d8341df63153ef01676537507d970b 2012-04-16T14:54:43-05:00 2012-04-16T19:56:02Z This is the Game by Diane Z. Shore and Jessica Alexander. "Let's play ball!" Baseball is what this new poetry book is all about. Each poem highlights a different aspect of the game and makes you feel like you are... Youth Services

This is the GameThis is the Game by Diane Z. Shore and Jessica Alexander. "Let's play ball!" Baseball is what this new poetry book is all about.  Each poem highlights a different aspect of the game and makes you feel like you are there experiencing it in person.  It definitely "hits a home run"!

Book reviewed by Barb M., Youth Outreach and Programming Assistant

 http://mppl.typepad.com/the_beakly_book_blog/2012/04/this-is-the-game-by-diane-z-shore-and-jessica-alexander.html Biblioburro by Jeanette Winter tag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a00d8341df63153ef016764dbf526970b 2012-04-09T16:52:14-05:00 2012-05-01T13:41:36Z Biblioburro by Jeanette Winter is a true story from Colombia that tells us the story of Luis. Luis, in company with his burros Alfa and Beto, travels around the country to bring the opportunity for everyone to read. From crossing... Youth Services

BiblioburroBiblioburro by Jeanette Winter is a true story from Colombia that tells us the story of Luis. Luis, in company with his burros Alfa and Beto, travels around the country to bring the opportunity for everyone to read. From crossing hills and streams, Luis gets to his destiny to bring books and stories for the kids. Enjoy this colorful and interesting book.

Book Reviewed by Helgi M., Patron Assistant South Branch

 http://mppl.typepad.com/the_beakly_book_blog/2012/04/biblioburro-by-jeanette-winter.html Breadcrumbs by Anne Ursu tag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a00d8341df63153ef016303a42174970d 2012-04-03T11:55:50-05:00 2012-05-01T13:43:33Z Eleven-year-old Hazel and Jack live in Minneapolis, Minnesota. They have been best friends since they were six years old. Suddenly one day Jack stops speaking to Hazel, and the next day he disappears. His parents say he has gone to... Youth Services

BreadcrumbsEleven-year-old Hazel and Jack live in Minneapolis, Minnesota.  They have been best friends since they were six years old.  Suddenly one day Jack stops speaking to Hazel, and the next day he disappears.  His parents say he has gone to live with his elderly Aunt Bernice, but Hazel doesn't believe them.  Why would Jack change overnight? And why hasn't she ever heard of this aunt?  It turns out that fairytales can come true.  There is an enchanted woods in their neighborhood, and Jack has been taken by the Snow Queen.  Now Hazel must go on a perilous quest.  Will she reach Jack in time?  If you love fairytales and the Narnia series, you are sure to enjoy Breadcrumbs by Anne Ursu. 

 

Book reviewed by Mary S., Youth Services Department Head

 http://mppl.typepad.com/the_beakly_book_blog/2012/04/breadcrumbs-by-anne-ursu.html Thriller (Guys Read series v. 2) edited by Jon Scieszka tag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a00d8341df63153ef016763ffa8b1970b 2012-03-19T16:59:58-05:00 2012-03-19T21:59:58Z Want to read about a wish-granting machine, ghosts, the world’s worst private detective, or a pudding that grants superpowers? Check out Thriller, a collection of short stories from the Guys Read series, edited by Jon Scieszka. Book reviewed by Anne... Youth Services

ThrillerWant to read about a wish-granting machine, ghosts, the world’s worst private detective, or a pudding that grants superpowers? Check out Thriller, a collection of short stories from the Guys Read series, edited by Jon Scieszka.

Book reviewed by Anne W., Youth Services Assistant

 http://mppl.typepad.com/the_beakly_book_blog/2012/03/thriller-guys-read-series-v-2-edited-by-jon-scieszka.html Dead End in Norvelt by Jack Gantos tag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a00d8341df63153ef016302c9cb77970d 2012-03-13T09:40:06-05:00 2012-05-01T13:44:04Z Dead End in Norvelt by Jack Gantos. Getting grounded for an entire summer was not Jack’s idea of a good time. So he fired his dad’s WWII rifle by accident and cut down all of his mother’s corn (his dad... Youth Services

Dead End in NorveltDead End in Norvelt by Jack Gantos. Getting grounded for an entire summer was not Jack’s idea of a good time. So he fired his dad’s WWII rifle by accident and cut down all of his mother’s corn (his dad made him do it)! Then his mother volunteers him to help his elderly neighbor with a strange task: writing obituaries for the Norvelt newspaper. Along the way he dresses up as the Grim Reaper to check on an elderly resident, drives underage, has a run in with the Hells Angels, has quite a few nosebleeds, and learns that history is “the reason you remind yourself of the stupid stuff you've done in the past is so you don't do it again." Not to mention he helps solve the mystery of why all the original residents of Norvelt keep dying. It’s a funny story with plenty of excitement and interesting characters. This year, Dead End in Norvelt won the Newberry Award! But just to warn you, this book talks about bloody noses and dead bodies.

Book reviewed by Claire B., Youth Outreach Coordinator

 http://mppl.typepad.com/the_beakly_book_blog/2012/03/dead-end-in-norvelt-by-jack-gantos.html