What a wild ride! This is the coming of age story of Taylor Markham, an Australian teen who was abandoned at 11. Now at boarding school, she is piecinWhat a wild ride! This is the coming of age story of Taylor Markham, an Australian teen who was abandoned at 11. Now at boarding school, she is piecing together the pages of her past (view spoiler)[(literally, as the young woman who serves as a kind of mentor to her has been writing a manuscript/journal/memoir) (hide spoiler)]. With mystery, romance, and teen drama, this would be a good recommendation for fans of popular books from the same era (i.e. Twilight, Looking for Alaska, Just Listen, Crank, or Thirteen Reasons Why)....more
A basketball story that even non-basketball fans will enjoy! A graphic novel story for teens who believe the last good graphic novel they read was DiaA basketball story that even non-basketball fans will enjoy! A graphic novel story for teens who believe the last good graphic novel they read was Diary of a Wimpy Kid, Captain Underpants or Dog Man! A sports story for high schoolers looking for that genre, or for those looking for something for their narrative nonfiction reading! There's a lot to like in this latest graphic novel by the talented and two time NBA (National Book Award) nominee, Gene Luen Yang. It's the story of the Bishop O'Dowd Dragons 2014-15 basketball team's trip to the California High School Championship. Not only about the players and coaches of the team, Gene himself is a character in this story who is at a crossroads in his own career. Can chronicling the history of a high school basketball team help him make decisions about his own future?...more
It's A.S. King. Expect the unusual, unbelievable and eventually hopeful in this story about five teens whose paths intersect (view spoiler)[as they diIt's A.S. King. Expect the unusual, unbelievable and eventually hopeful in this story about five teens whose paths intersect (view spoiler)[as they discover they are cousins. (hide spoiler)] Expect a book that makes you think and leaves you with questions. For those who choose this book, stick with it. The beginning is a bit confusing as the reader is introduced to a wide cast of characters. Instead of names A.S. King refers to a few of the characters as 'the shoveler', 'Canihelpyou?' and "the freak". For those who make it through Part I, the pieces will start to come together. Eventually, the reader even learns almost everyone's name. Eventually the reader understands why A.S. King wrote this story and why now. Winner of the 2020 Printz award, give this one to mature readers (view spoiler)[(with plenty of F bombs and recreational drug use, it feels like a Rated R movie) (hide spoiler)] who are looking for a meatier and more substantial read....more
Update 9/22/18 Excited to see if the movie is as good as the book! What will we be included? Will anything be excluded? Can Starr's voice make a differUpdate 9/22/18 Excited to see if the movie is as good as the book! What will we be included? Will anything be excluded? Can Starr's voice make a difference after she witnesses the shooting of her childhood friend Kahlil?...more
What really happened to Marin's grandpa the summer before she moved from California to New York City to attend college? Now it is Christmastime and heWhat really happened to Marin's grandpa the summer before she moved from California to New York City to attend college? Now it is Christmastime and her best friend Mabel has flown out east to she if she can find out the truth about why Marin left so unexpectedly. Will she be able to convince Marin to return home to California? ...more
At first, I kept thinking of A Separate Peace since the story took place at a boys school out East in the mid 1940s and World War II is fresh on everyAt first, I kept thinking of A Separate Peace since the story took place at a boys school out East in the mid 1940s and World War II is fresh on everyone's minds. But the story shifts from boys boarding school story to an epic adventure and survival story as our narrator Jack and social misfit Early leave for the Appalachian Trail during their Fall Break. Wow, it was amazing how author Clare Vanderpool was able to weave and overlap all the characters' stories together. Their were so many times I thought Jack and Early should be dead....more
Are you looking for a book that cannot be defined by genre? Travel backwards through Eric and Merle's story. A story that travels from the near futureAre you looking for a book that cannot be defined by genre? Travel backwards through Eric and Merle's story. A story that travels from the near future to a distant, distant past. A quick read that will leave you wanting to reread from the end of the book to the beginning. ...more
Which one best defines this book? Choose one. A. An 80s teen movie plot B. A gloomy love story (the ending is only slightly more hopeful than The Fault Which one best defines this book? Choose one. A. An 80s teen movie plot B. A gloomy love story (the ending is only slightly more hopeful than The Fault in our Stars) C. A book that takes on one of the same issues (bullying) as Wonder, yet is much more sophisticated and for a more mature audience (or not) D. Will be celebrated during Freedom to Read Week (aka Banned Books Week) at the end of each September E. Future required reading for High School English (think Catcher in the Rye and Absolutely True Story of a Part-Time Indian) All of the above and none of the above define this story of two teens, Eleanor and Park, growing up in Omaha during the mid 1980s. Once you start reading this book, you will not want to put it down until you reach the end. ...more
Do you believe in angels? Could Skellg be an angel? Or is he an owl? He appears to be growing wings in this story that's a blend of mysticism, magic aDo you believe in angels? Could Skellg be an angel? Or is he an owl? He appears to be growing wings in this story that's a blend of mysticism, magic and realism....more