As a teacher-librarian, I have the opportunity to read young adult books to share with my students. The list that I have provided will have an overview of the book and personal comments. They are on a Book-mercial style image to get a taste of the essence of the book.
Monday, December 31, 2018
Hope in the Holler by Lisa Lewis Tyre
This is a great book to add to any library. Perfect for middle and elementary school library. Waverlie must live with an unknown aunt. The aunt is just using her for her maid service and monthly checks to her own devices. Waverlie makes friends who help her figure things out. It's an excellent read.
Mask of Shadows Ruin of Stars by Linsey Miller
This story has more layers then the first story. Sal is a gender fluid assassin with a very sexy love interest. I think this story is a bit to sexy for high school libraries but fine for public or private libraries.
Mask of Shadows by Linsey miller
I liked the spirit of Sal, humor and adventure in a swashbuckler type of style. It's also a sexy book and political complexity to this story. Sal is gender fluid. I think that some of the content of this book, makes this a better fit for public libraries and personal libraries. I would say read this book before putting in a high school library. It does have some mature content to it.
Sunday, December 30, 2018
Renegades ArchEnemies by Marissa Meyer
If you enjoy super heroes, then this is a book for you to enjoy. I'm going to get for my high school library. Lots of depth and complexity. It's a good read. Enjoy.
An Eagle In The Snow by Michael Morpurgo
This story is fine for elementary and middle school library. It's a fictional account. It brings you to both World War I and World War II. A bit paranormal.
Scottish Book Shop Mystery A Christmas Tartan by Paige Shelton
A good murder mystery set in Scotland, add some ghosts and you have the makings of a novella from a good series. Enjoy.
Saturday, December 29, 2018
Shimmer and Burn Splendor and Spark by Mary Taranta
I like this series and will get for my high school library. There's some good tension that builds with a princess who is determined to get what she wants. A king who is cruel and forces everyone for a loyalty oath that makes people slaves to him and a Faris who wants to save her sister, and has a special magic pushed into her by her mother. She's a secret weapon. Plus there's a love interest. Enjoy.
Track Lu by Jason Reynolds
This book is fine for any school library. Jason Reynolds writes with snappy dialog and his stories in this series works well. I look forward to reading his first in this series, Ghost. Enjoy. Audio book also very good.
Andy Carpenter Rescued by David Rosenfelt
I do enjoy a good dog story and a good murder mystery. Andy is the central character and the story is voiced in his first person narrative. It's pretty funny how he can be sarcastic. His wife is a former police officer and there is Mario who keeps everyone safe. It's a fun series to read for entertainment.
Enjoy. Audio book also very good.
Friday, December 28, 2018
The Plot to Kill Hitler by Patricia McCormick
It's a very good book and I will get for my high school library. Part of history, when a brave person spoke out. There were consequences for speaking out in Nazi Germany. This man and his friends were doing something to make a difference. This man and his group were heroes. A must read so that history does not repeat itself.
An Atlee Pine Thriller Long Road to Mercy by David Baldacci
Oh I am getting this for my high school library. A page turner thriller that will captivate readers who enjoy spy thrillers. Enjoy.
Neverever The Lost Kids by Sara Saedi
It's a reboot of Peter Pan in a contemporary setting. It's okay but I'll pass for my school library.
Olivia Saves the Circus by Ian Falconer
Oh this book is a fun book to read with children. Perfect for any library. The images are fun and dramatic and Olivia is entertaining. Enjoy.
Thursday, December 27, 2018
Olivia Goes To Venice by Ian Faloner
Olivia is a character and her parents are very patient with her. She has a great curiosity and lots of energy to enjoy being a tourist. The images are beautiful. Enjoy this fun picture book.
Olivia Forms A Band by Ian Faloner
Olivia is a character that you will enjoy. I love the simple use of colors and even photographs to enhance the story. This book is fine for any library. Enjoy.
Without Merit by Colleen Hoover
At first I had a hard time getting into the story but I stuck with it and am glad that I did. Merit attempts suicide after family pressure and problems and secrets gets to her. There is a dark humor to this book. It is good read and also good audio book.
Andy Carpenter New Tricks by David Rosenfelt
Sometimes you just need a fun murder mystery to entertain you. Andy is a good guy who really loves his girlfriend. He's a lawyer, who enjoys dogs and a good mystery. The audio book is a good listen to. Enjoy.
Magisterium The Golden Tower by Black & Clare
This is the last book in the series. It's fine for any elementary, middle school and even high school. If you like Harry Potter, then is another book that you will enjoy.
Wednesday, December 26, 2018
Gordon Parks by Weatherford & Christoph
A timely picture book that can be used to teach about various aspects of history. I'm buying this for my high school library. The images are beautiful as they tell the story of a man who came from humble beginnings and ended up on Life magazine as well as others publications. It's worth adding to your library.
Labels:
1930's,
1940's,
1950's,
1960's,
biography,
Historical,
picture book
The Thousandth Floor by Katharine McGee
An interesting concept of kids partying, doing drugs and having sex. Where are the adults? Oh good question. The adults have their own set up problems. Would I buy this for my high school library? No.
Last Star Burning by Caitlin Sangster
A bit of a dark dystopian story. A girl in a mystery who doesn't know that she's part of a secret. Reminds me of Maze Runner in the sense that answers are not forth coming. It's fine for high school. Not my favorite story, but I do plan on reading the sequel.
The Women In The Castle by Jessica Shattuck
This story is an excellent read for adults and mature readers. As I was reading it, I thought about my mother who was in Berlin during WWII and the aftermath. I wish I had been able to have conversations with her about life in Berlin during the war and after. This book provides some insight as to the Russians, the Americans and the German soldiers and the life afterwards as people rebuild their lives. A well written and researched book. Enjoy.
Monday, December 24, 2018
Allegedly by Tiffany D. Jackson
This story has lots of twists and turns. Life is not a cake walk for Mary living in a group home. There are all sorts of dynamics going on. What doesn't help is that most of the adults don't seem trustworthy. There are a few that make a difference, only a few. Would I put this in the library? No, there's language and some violence. I am glad that the public library does carry it. It's a strange story.
Ms Bixby’s Last Day by John David Anderson
This book should be in every library. Even high school. It's a beautiful story as three boys skip school to make it to their teacher's hospital room. They learn a lot as they travel and they are travel alone for their first time to a new place and get three items they know their teacher will appreciate. It's their last good bye. You will need a hanky for this one. It's a good read.
Friday, December 21, 2018
Leo A Ghost Story by Barnett & Robinson
Think Casper the Friendly Ghost meets Harvey and you have Leo. It's a sweet book. Fine for any library.
Rescue & Jessica A Life Changing Friendship by Kensky, Downes and Magoon
I am getting this book for my high school library for a few reasons. It's done beautifully and based on a true story. Also shows Jessica's determination to get back on track with living her fullest life. Shows her going through physical therapy. If you've ever gone through PT you know it's serious work. I also like that the book shows the dog trainer teaching the dog how to help people with special needs. A must for any school library.
Little Red Writing by Holub & Sweet
Picture books are great. They are short stories with illustrations. This book is filled with puns and entertaining illustrations. I added upper grades just for a fun English teaching lesson in case a teacher is looking for a picture book for their classes.
How to Get Your Teacher Ready by Reagan & Wildish
I'm on vacation as of a few hours ago. This is a charming book to "help" teachers get ready for school. I think it could also be a book to help young ones get ready for school as well. In a reverse thought sort of way. I also think this would make a good gift book for a new teacher getting ready for their first job. Enjoy.
Emmy & Oliver by Robin Benway
I think this book is better for personal libraries. I did have a problem with the teens going to a party go get drunk. I found the adults a bit frustrating as well.
Dark breaks the Dawn Bright Burns the Night by Sara B. Larson
You must read the first book before you get to this second one. It's a good story. I don't know if I'll get for my high school library. I think I may have limited appeal to a narrow group of readers. It's good but I don't think it is for everyone.
ReStart by Gordon Korman
I really liked this book. I'm liking Gordon Korman as an author. A bully gets a restart and learns how he hurt people and the terrible things he did. It's a good book and should be in all libraries. I'll get for my high school library. Enjoy.
How To Fracture A Fairy Tale by Jane Yolen
I liked this book but I don't know if I would put in the high school site. I think there are some brilliant spots about connecting history to fairy tales and legends. I think if an adult or mature reader has a passion for folklore, and fairy tales then this would be a great book for them.
Bold & Brave by Gillibrand and Kalman
I believe this should be in every library and especially in the high school libraries. Perfect for History Day projects as well. Meet these brave women who made a difference in helping women get the right to vote.
Return to Fear street You May now Kill The Bride by r. L. Stine
This is perfect for high school. It's horror and mystery wrapped together. I was entertained and I know I'll be ordering for our high school. Easy reading, perfect for those not in to reading. Enjoy.
The Remnant Chronicles Morrighan by Mary E. Pearson
This novella goes back to before the Remnant Series starts. It's a short read and a good read. Enjoy.
Love & Luck by Jenna Evans Welch
This is a stand alone story but it does connect to Love and Gelato by the same author. I liked this book. The story works well. Fine for any high school library. Enjoy.
Samson in the Snow by Philip C. Stead
It's a good picture book about friendship and helping others. Even if they are different then you. The images are beautiful and the story well told. Enjoy. I would get for my high school students to read to elementary students.
I Don’t Want To Be A Frog by Petty & Boldt
Cute illustrations and a great book to be a read aloud. I would buy for my high school because we have a teaching children's class and also a good book for teens to read aloud to elementary students. Fine for any school library. A good message as well. Enjoy.
The Bear and the Piano by David Litchfield
This a great book for all music teachers and music students. Great for any library. The images are charming and the story is delightful. It's a good metaphor for coming home and how things change or don't change. Enjoy.
Tin by Chris Judge
This is a good book to use about being brother and sisters, and being responsible. It's cute and fine for any family library. Enjoy.
Thursday, December 20, 2018
If you Ever Want to Bring A Piano to the Beach, Don’t by Elise Parsley
Very funny with charming illustrations. Perfect for any school library. Also great for high school for teens to read to younger children. Enjoy.
Tuesday, December 18, 2018
A Zeal of Zebras by Woops Studios
If you collect Alphabet books, add this to your collection.perfect for any grade, including high school. Great for science or English and even geography. Enjoy.
Silly Wonderful You by Rinker & McDonnell
The images are charming and so is the book. Do you know someone who will soon have a new child in their family? Or a toddler? This is the book to give as a gift. Enjoy and share the memories.
Shadow Magic by Joshua khan
This is a smart series. I'm looking forward to reading the next book. I was entertained and enjoyed the adventure. It was well crafted. It's a good read and perfect for any library. Enjoy.
You Go First by Erin Entrada Kelly
I think this is a good book to have at an elementary or middle school library. Two students from different places play scrabble online and become friends. Bullies and family problems are threaded through the story. Ben is both physically and verbally bullied. What gets me is that adults aren't noticing even when there are clues to point out that there are problems. And Ben covers up the bulling. As I think about this book, the adults are presented as people that the children don't go to share problems. That the relationship isn't there, either at the school setting or the family setting. Something to think about as you read the book.
Gunslinger Girl by Lynsay Ely
It's a western and dystopian set after the Second Civil War. The audio book brings the book to life with a voice who does great accents. Enjoy. Some mature topics but still good.
Monday, December 17, 2018
A Room Away From The Wolves by Nova Ren Suma
The story is a mystery from the very beginning till the very end. It's a different type of story telling. There is a haunting and a mysterious group of girls living in the boarding house. Would I get for my high school library? Probably not. It's a book that best fits the public library.
Fish In A Tree by Lynda Mullaly Hunt
I liked this book. There are a few characters in this book with special issues that enrich the story. Ally is a girl, who misses her father, a soldier deployed. Her mother, works at an ice cream shop and her older brother, works at fixing things in a different shop. Ally learns to like who she is and make friends. She ends up with a special teacher who makes all the difference in everyone's world. Enjoy.
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