When You Reach Me by Rebecca Stead

The year is 1979 and Miranda is a sixth grader living in New York City. She absolutely loves the book A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L'Engle. Her mother is going to be a contestant on the game show The $20,000 Pyramid and they practice together every night. Miranda's best friend Sal stopped speaking to her the day he got jumped on their walk home from school, and since then she's made a few new friends.

But when Miranda receives four mysterious notes, each showing up in a random place, the strange things in life are hard to ignore. Where did the crazy laughing man on the corner come from? What's up with Marcus, the boy who punched Sal for no reason, and is it just a coincidence that he also knows a lot about A Wrinkle in Time? Who is sending the notes, and better yet, when? Will Miranda put the pieces of the puzzle together and finally understand when you reach me?

Why I picked up this book: Other librarians were saying great things about it and then it won the 2010 Newbery Award.

Why I finished it: It was really short chapters with cool titles (categories from the $20,000 pyramid).

I'd give it to: middle school students, anyone assigned to read a Newbery award winner, someone who liked A Wrinkle in Time.

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

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Echo by Kate Morgenroth

Review by: Serina

Book Title: Echo

Author: Kate Morgenroth

Justin Thomas has just experienced the worst day of his life, one that shattered his world for nearly a year after. That was the day his brother died. Justin hadn't know the gun was loaded when his younger brother Mark put the barrel to his own head when Justin would not hand over the T.V remote. If he had known, he might have done everything in his power to keep him from pulling the trigger. Apparently, Mark hadn't known it was loaded, either. Since his brother's death, Justin just hasn't been right. Everyone avoids him at school, his best friend bullies him, and his girlfriend never says a word to him anymore. On top of all that, he's also hearing a voice inside his head. The voice never gives him much advice, only making the occaisonal comment that Justin could really do without. When things couldn't seem to get any worse, on the anniversary of Mark's death, Justin gets way in over his head and may be in for some serious trouble. Yet as the agonizing day finally draws to a close, he wakes up only to find he has to live the same day over and over again. However, each time the story changes. Words he had heard clearly the first time around become entirely different. Was the first version he had seen the reality? Or was he getting closer and closer to the truth as he went along? Justin will just to come along with the ride to find out, as will the readers.

I picked this book up because it had the most interesting cover, as well as an interesting first paragraph.

I finished this book because I just could not put it down! The farther I read, the more intense it became.

I'd give this book to anyone who has a hard time coping with reality, or anyone who just wants a quick read.

**** Really liked it!

Ruby Unscripted Written by: Cindy Martinusen- Coloma

Shelby

12th grade

Title: Ruby Unscripted- Life is what happens when you lose the script

Author: Cindy Martinusen- Coloma

Imagine moving the year that almost everything seems to be going right, welcoming friends, a good looking and handsome boy that wants to take you to the prom, family that supports you- even when it's not wanted. That was life for small town Ruby Madden. Her family has made a decision to move to the most pristine place in California... or so it seems. Marin County California; a place where everyone has what they want- when they want it, high dollar homes, and nice cars and the best of the best for green envioronmental friendly living. Ruby learns instantly that everything is not what it seems when girls are wearing shoes that cost her entire paycheck, bags- that she would have to save years for, even at her new job at the Underground Coffeehouse & theater. Ruby feels her old life pulling out from under her, and a new life full of change, worldly people and values that totally differentiate from her own. Travel with Ruby as she discovers that life isn't what it seems- that it's not just a script of a movie, and that a new life means new responsibilty, the ability to cope with stress, and opportunities to meet new friends and people who are more than skin deep. And last but definately not least... the one guy she's been keeping her eyes away from for a while God that is seems to have other plans for her life than she's making them, and he's taking her to a new level of understanding of who she is.

The thing I loved about Cindy's novel and Ruby is that she is relatable to me, and i'm sure other young women my age who know what it's like to go through change, to have a love for film and coffee, and especially a good plot ;)

Why I picked this book up: I love good Christian fiction as a reader myself and it looked like a great book from the start especially from the cover.

Why I finished it: One of my biggest rules of reading is to finish a novel that I start! :) I really enjoyed the suspense and the decisions that Ruby had to make towards the last section of the novel, it definately was an attention grabber that left me wanting to read more.

I'd give this book to: Anyone and everyone (particularly girls) who want a good read that deals with a little bit of Christianity, girls who love filming and coffee and a book that will leave people happy most of all.

My Rating for the Book:

Really Like it! =D =D

Just After Sunset by Stephen King

Reader's Name: Carrie

Grade: 12th

Book Title: Just After Sunset

Author: Stephen King

From the demented and remarkable author responsible for horror masterpieces such as The Shining, Christine, IT, 1408, The Dark Tower Series, The Green Mile and many more comes one of his newest compilations of short stories. The stories in this book have been described as "powerful" , "provocative" "delirious", "wicked", "scary", and "brilliant". I would say these descriptions pretty much some up the quality of the short stories. Ranging from stories which themes span anywhere from entrapment to pure survival, this book is sure to provide something memorable from one of his 13 stories. It also includes exciting and unexpected plot twists that only the King of horror could think of himself. One story even takes place in our beloved (and in this case eeire) home state of Wyoming.

Why I picked up this book? Because I am a diehard Stephen King fan and my film teacher recommended it for me.

Why I finished it: Every story was too exciting for me to be able to find a stopping point and set it down.

I'd give this book to: Anyone who enjoys an excellent and well thought out plot. Also anyone who loves horror stories, Stephen King, and surprises.

My Rating: **** Really liked it!

The Pale Assassin by Patricia Elliot

Readers name: Kaylee

Grade: 11th

Book Title: The Pale Assassin

Author: Patricia Elliot

At the start of the French Revolution, Eugenie live a sheltered, yet lavish life with her brother. As time went on, however, she slowly began to realize that life was more than parties and lovers. Forced into a contract of marriage and with the townsfolk killing aristocrats that are not well-hidden, it becomes apparent that Eugenie must use her wit to get herself, and her brother out of France before the mob, or a pale assassin hunts them down.

I really enjoyed this book mostly because of how the characters were portrayed, and how the book was more about the individual character, and wasn't all about the historical facts alone. The one thing about this book that I did not care for, was it didn't have a distinct ending. I felt it ended at the climax, and that there was much more to be said.

Why I picked this book up: It had an engaging cover, the title looked interesting, and I saw it was set in a different time period.

Why I finished it: The book had a very unique plot, and had strange twists throughout.

I'd give this book to: anyone who is somewhat interested in historical fiction, and who does not care for generic story lines.

My rating for this book: **** Really liked it.

2010 Book Award Winners

And the winners are...

Michael L Printz Award for excellence in literature for young adults
Winner: Going Bovine by Libba Bray


The Printz Honor books are: Charles and Emma: The Darwins’ Leap of Faith by Deborah Heiligman; The Monstrumologist by Rick Yancey; Punkzilla by Adam Rapp; and Tales of the Madman Underground: An Historical Romance, 1973 by John Barnes.

William C. Morris Award honors a book written by a first-time author for young adults
Winner: Flash Burnout by L.K. Madigan


The Morris award finalists are: Ash by Malinda Lo; Beautiful Creatures by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl; The Everafter by Amy Huntley; and hold still by Nina LaCour

John Newbery Medal for most outstanding contribution to children’s literature
Winner: When You Reach Me by Rebecca Stead


The Newbery Honor books are: Claudette Colvin: Twice Toward Justice by Phillip Hoose; The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate by Jacqueline Kelly; Where the Mountain Meets the Moon by Grace Lin; and The Mostly True Adventures of Homer P. Figg by Rodman Philbrick.

Find more information about the ALA literary awards for youth: http://www.ala.org/ala/newspresscenter/news/pressreleases2010/january2010/ymawrap2010.cfm

For awards specific to YA (teen) literature: http://www.ala.org/ala/mgrps/divs/yalsa/booklistsawards/2010winners.cfm

On The Wings of Heroes by Richard Peck

What makes someone a hero? Is it the feats of a mythical figure like Superman, who swoops out the sky to save the day? Is it your favorite sports star who makes the impossible catch to win the game? What about the heroes that are much closer to home? The heroes who put their lives on the line everyday to provide for us and to protect us.

Davy Bowman would tell you that his heroes are his father and his brother Bill. Dad runs the service station but always has time for his boys. Bill is in the Army Air Corp and must fly 25 missions over Europe. The 1940s are tough, with War Rations and mothers working to support the war effort. Take a look at what it must have been like to grow up on the wings of heroes.

Why I picked this book up: It is a part of the We the People "Picturing America" grant and we are using it for an Afternoon Book Club.

Why I finished the book: It was a fast read. I enjoyed the humor which took the edge off of the dismal outlook of war. It made me think about the blinders we are lucky enough to have during childhood. I also thought a lot about how patriotic people were during WWII and how different it is with the two current wars we are fighting.

I'd give this book to: Middle schoolers (especially boys) looking for a fast, easy read with a mixture of comedy and war or anyone looking a World War II historical fiction novel.

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

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Anything But Normal by Melody Carlson

The future looks bright for Sophie Ramsey. She's a high school senior with aspirations of attending college to study journalism. The job of chief editor of the school paper has her name written all over it. She has a great group of friends that share her love of Christ. But a secret from the summer threatens to make this year anything but normal.

Why I picked this book up: I've been wanting to read something by Melody Carlson and I'm always interested in how authors tackle a novel about teen pregnancy.

Why I finished the book: It is a very fast read. Sophie is a strong character who must face the consequences of the choices she has made. It isn't preachy or judgmental.

I'd give this book to: anyone who likes to read Christian fiction. Also anyone who works with teens (especially teen parents), has been through a teen pregnancy, or just wants a better understanding of the issues.

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

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The Afterlife by Gary Soto

My name is Chuy and this is not the story of my life, but rather the story of what happened after I was stabbed to death in the dirty bathroom of a nightclub in Fresno. This is the story of my Afterlife.

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The Afterlife is one of three book selections for the 2010 Great Stories CLUB book discussions coming to Roosevelt High School.

Rivers of Blood by Robert Scott

This true crime book is about the 1988 murder of Lisa Marie Kimmell. The murder made headlines nationwide and is memorable because her Montana license plates read "Lil Miss". Lisa was driving from Denver, CO to Billings, MT through Casper on the night of March 25, 1988. She disappeared and her body was discovered in the North Platte River near Old Government Bridge on April 2, 1988. This was a cold case until 2002, when DNA evidence linked Dale Wayne Eaton to the crime. Eaton was convicted of Lisa's murder in 2004 and is currently Wyoming's lone death row inmate. Investigators believe that Eaton may be a serial killer, responsible for a handful of other disappearances and murders.

If you are looking for a more emotional version of this event, check out "The Murder of Lil Miss", a book written by the victim's mother Sheila Kimmel.

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Jumping Off Swings by Jo Knowles

Nine months. The length of the school year. The amount of time deemed appropriate for a person to learn and grow. The amount of time necessary to grow a person.

Ellie has hooked up with a few guys, the latest being Josh. Corinne, Ellie's best friend, was there to comfort her after Josh walked away. Caleb has been in love with Ellie since they were young and is disappointed in his friend, Josh. Corinne and Caleb strike up a friendship that could become more.

Four teens whose lives are connected and will change drastically this school year. Four teens who wish they could turn back time and return to the moments when life was easy. When the scariest thing you could imagine was jumping off swings.

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From Heaven Lake by Vikram Seth

From Heaven Lake is the fascinating travelogue written by an Indian student (Vikram Seth) studying in China. During the summer of 1981 Seth decides to travel home to Delhi after three years in order to spend the summer holidays with his family. Rather than simply flying out, Seth decides to make the journey of a lifetime through China, into Tibet, through Nepal and finally into India. Along the way the author uses his fluency in Mandarin to make friends and connect with the local peoples of each of the countries. Vikram Seth was originally a poet and his beautiful diction paints a masterpiece of imagery and poetic eloquence throughout the novel. Anyone interested in China, Tibet, Nepal, or India will fine this novel to be utterly fascinating. Not only does one get the sense of geography but it's like experiencing first hand the culture and behaviours of characters who live on the other side of the planet. A compelling and beautiful read From Heaven Lake is a nonfiction piece definitely worth checking out!

P:3 Q:5

The Haunting of Elaizabel Cray, by Chris Wooding

Thaniel is a Wych hunter, and at only seventeen, it's a challenging job. One could even say life threatening. Wychs, strange and warped creatures that live in the Old Quarter of London, threaten the lives of the civil people that live just across the river. When the sun goes down, the Wychs come out to play. And unfortunately, their main source of food are defenseless humans. So of course killing Wychs would be a lucritive job, assuming Thaniel doesn't get killed in the process. On one of his Wych hunting missions in the Old Quarter, Thaniel comes across something he does not expect. Elaizabel Cray, a beautiful, if not crazed and a bit psychotic girl, is found in the ruins of an old house covered in dirt and unkempt. Thaniel, the type of concerned soul that he is, quickly takes her in, but he may be getting more than he bargained for. Elaizabel is possessed by something sinister, a benevolent spirit that attracts everything horrific and evil from the drudgery of London. Thaniel, along with his friend and mentor, Cathaline, has to find the source of Elaizabel's savagery and what has taken hold of her soul.

Chris Wooding is a sensational author, with vivid vocabulary and imaginative storylines. The Haunting of Elaizabel Cray is an amazing read for anyone who longs for a world where not everything is what it seems, and where evil often wins. With a steampunk-like setting in old London, a real place can really feel like an entirely different world.

P4

Q5

Beastly by: Alex Flinn

Not another one of those princess tales that has the classical ending, with the classical twist, and with everything happily ever after. This is not one of those stories. Beastly, written by Alex Flinn is a modern day twist of the classical tale of Beauty and the Beast; however, this novel is written from the beasts point of view, and takes you step by step through the adventure of why the Beast was turned into a beast by the first place.

This beast, which was known as Kyle Kingsbury had everything he had ever wanted before he had transformed... or so he thought. He had the perfect father, the perfect life as a beautiful boy that every girl wanted to date, and every guy wanted to be friends with. The same character Kyle, who is cursed by a witch in modern day New York City, and given two years to find someone (beauty) to reverse the curse which he has.. otherwise he will stay a beast forever. Go with Kyle as he undergoes his trasformation into the beast, and the new things that he learns along the way, totally different from his original beliefs.

This novel written by Alex Flinn is a novel in which I really loved, because of the difference in point of views from the everyday disney princess belle to the beast and why his life is the way it is. I loved how the point of views change from chapter to chapter- and although I thought I knew the traditional ending I really enjoyed reading my all time favorite fairy tale with a different variation.

"I'll tell you how I used to be Kyle Kingsbury, the guy you wished you were, with money, perfect looks, and the perfect life. And then, I'll tell you how I became perfectly . . . beastly"

Ratings:

4P

5Q

One of Those Hideous Books Where the Mother Dies by Sonya Sones

This is NOT One of Those Hideous Books Where the Mother Dies

Instead it's the story
of what happens after
my world was torn apart.

The book of Ruby
on a plane bound for
Los Angeles,California.

Home of the rich
and the famous, but
more specifically

the father who's been on
the silver screen but
NOT in my life.

The story of how I must leave
my aunt, my bff Lizzi,
my boyfriend, my Boston

To live with the man
who divorced my mom
and left before I was born

This is NOT One of Those Hideous Books Where the Mother Dies

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Escape was written by Carolyn Jessop which tells her story of life in a polygamous marriage.

Unlike most polygamous families, she lived a relatively care-free early childhood. In the beginning, she was loved and her family was relatively stable. Her father had a middle class job and the children were allowed to go to a public school. However, like most "perfect" FLDS childhoods, hers was about to end in a dramatic way, starting with her mother's physical abuse.

Since polygamy was encouraged, and status was gained my men who practiced this, her father began to take in more wives, which added stress on the entire family and particularly the other wives, who looked for ways to spend their emotions. This way was usually through their children. This was practiced because it was thought children needed constant reprimand.

A little after Carolyn was 18 years old, she was married as a fourth wife to a man who knew no boundaries. Thus she spent over a decade listening to his manipulation, abuse, and dictatorship, after escaping with her 8 children to modern society.

The Espressologist by Kristina Springer

What does your favorite coffee drink say about you? Could your perfect match be found around the corner at your favorite cafe? Maybe an overpriced jolt of caffeine really is worth the calories and the empty pockets if you discover the missing piece of your heart.

Jane Turner is a high school senior who would rather spend her time making a little extra cash at Wired Joe's than actually attending class. She's been given the job of assistant manager, which makes it all the more difficult to explain to Derek (The Manager) why she keeps scribbling in a notebook behind the counter, when she should be working. For quite some time Jane has been jotting down the drinks people order and the type of person they are. She's got it down to a science and can pretty much predict the drink you will order just by looking at you. She's even used her notes and skill to set up a few customers. Sounds a little quirky, but it's working. When Derek hears about Jane's Espressology, he's excited. He thinks "The Espressologist" will be a great holiday promotion. Stop by Wired Joe's every Friday night and find your true love, just in time for the holidays. It's going better than expected, other than the fact that Jane has yet to find herself someone.

Welcome to Wired Joe's. The Espressologist is in!

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Nothing Like You by Lauren Strasnick

Why did I do it? Who knows, really. Was I just trying to feel something? Pain, regret, hope, joy, love? An interest in someone, anyone other than Mom? What did Paul Bennett see in me? There must be something. Some reason he comes back once or twice a week, other than the sex of course. He says he won't leave his girlfriend, Saskia, but that he doesn't sleep with her. Is he telling the truth? And why does Saskia actually have to be such a great person, someone I could call a friend?
I made a choice, when I slept with Paul, and continuing to have this secret relationship could either give me something to look forward to or bring my world crashing down. Will this be a year to remember or a year to forget? Is this normal or am I nothing like you?

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Oggie Cooder: Party Animal by Sarah Weeks

Oggie Cooder is back and he's ready to party. For the first time he's been invited to Donnica Perfecto's birthday (pool party!) and he can't stop prrrrr-ip!ing with excitement. Donnica, on the other hand, is furious that her mother forced her to invite Oggie and she's got a few tricks up her sleeve to keep him away.

Armed with a list of Donnica's 101 B.P.R.s (Birthday Party Rules!) that he must have memorized in order to be allowed entry to the party, Oggie is worried he won't find the perfect present for Ms. Perfecto. Will he really be able to control the prrrrr-ips, stop charving, not talk about inventors or Uncle Vern, and dress appropriately (no crocheted shoelaces or used clothes allowed!)?

Lucky for Oggie, neccessity is the mother of all inventions. With the help of few memorization techniques ("Richard of York Gave Battle in Vain") and a few friends (old and new), Oggie may be able to make both he and Donnica's birthday wishes come true.

Essence of Oggie

Unique boy on a mission

Learns to write Haiku

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Check out our review of Oggie Cooder (book #1)!

Unsweetined by Jodie Sweetin

This quick read is the autobiography of actress Jodie Sweetin, known to the world as Stephanie Tanner from Full House. However in recent years, she's been in the media spotlight for her admissions of alcohol and drug abuse. Beyond her stories from Full House, struggles fitting in during the school years, Sweetin reveals secrets behind her struggles with addiction. In fact she admits that while touring colleges to speak about sober living, she was still secretly abusing drugs. "How Rude!"

There are many important lessons readers can take away from this story. First is that you alone are responsible for the choices you make in life. No one is perfect, but when you fail you must pick yourself up and try again. Happiness comes from within. It has no price tag and can't be found in a bottle of boozes, a handful of pills, or from an assortment of illegal substances. Friends are the people who encourage you to be a better person, not those who use you or encourage you to make poor choices. Most importantly, don't give up on yourself.
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