Diary of a Wimpy Kid 4

Today was our first day back in school after a five day break. School was closed to due to the high number of flu-related illnesses. We re-opened today, but still had many gone. The halls seemed quieter and the mood was definitely mellow. I spent the morning reading reviews and tidying my shelves. This afternoon, UPS delivered my copy of Jeff Kinney's new book. I picked it up while I ate lunch and began to read. Confession time: (I read the whole thing. I tried to put it down, I really did, but I HAD to finish it.) I felt like a kid trying to text during class. I kept the book down low and read while it looked like I was busy on my computer. The fact that I kept laughing out loud was probably a dead-giveaway.

In this book, Greg is faced with summer vacation. His parents are cutting back on spending and not taking their annual vacation to the beach. When presented with the alternatives, Greg would rather spend the summer indoors watching TV and playing video games. His mother has other plans. . . I don't know if it is the fact that I have a middle school son that makes this book so hysterical, but I love this series. So do boys. . . order copies for all the boys on your Christmas list this year. It will be their favorite gift.

Ya, Ya, Ya

I book talked to the sophomore class this past week. They were required to chose a book for an upcoming book project. Thought I would give you the same list of titles. All in all, it was a very satisfying sight to see an entire class checking out books and settling down to read until the bell rang. . . I love my job!

The Ghosts of War: the true story of a 19 year old GI by Ryan Smithson. Ryan was 16 years old when the Trade Centers were attacked. When he was 17, he joined the Army Reserves as a way to support his nation and help pay for college. By the time he was 19, he was in Iraq. This is the account of his year in Iraq. This is not a political rant, but simply the story of war from the point of view of a teenager.

Life as we Knew It by Susan Beth Pfeffer. The story begins with a prediction of an meteor hitting the moon. For Miranda, it seems to be just an excuse for teachers to pile on homework. Then the collision occurs, altering the earth's weather patterns and changing Miranda's life forever. The book is written in diary form and is hard to put down. A great teen read. . .

Audrey Wait! by Robin Benway. Audrey is a normal teenager who decides to break-up with her musician boyfriend. He then writes a song titled "Audrey wait!" and plays it that night at a local club. Audrey hears it for the first time in the audience, so does a rep for a major music label. The band shoots to instant fame with the song and Audrey's life changes dramatically as she is thrust into the spotlight. A funny story of a girl who is hounded by the paparazzi and just wants her life to go back to normal. . . this one was snatched up instantly. (Actually, two girls played rock, paper, scissors to see who got this book.)

Graceling by Kristen Cashore. I read this book last weekend. It is the story of Katsa, a young girl living in one of seven kingdoms. Some citizens of the kingdoms are born with a special grace, normally discovered by toddler hood. Katsa is orphaned at a young age, taken in by her uncle, the King, and her grace is revealed when she is 8 years old. It is the killing grace. Her uncle begins to have her trained and she becomes his private assassin. The story opens with her as a teenager, questioning her grace and struggling with her uncle's power over her. She has started to use her grace for good, and as the book progresses she discovers that her grace may not be killing, but something else entirely. This was a great read with a very strong female character. It also was taken as soon as I was done book talking. The young girl who took it informed me (after a few pages) that she "loved it already".

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins. I know, this book is "so last year", but with the sequel due to arrive in my library any day, I decided to book talk this title. It is a futuristic book, set in a different North America. North America has been divided into twelve districts, and each year the Capital hosts "The Hunger Games". . .

Taking the kids from our districts, forcing them to kill one another while we watch—this is the Capitol's way of reminding us how totally we are at their mercy. How little chance we would stand of surviving another rebellion. (p. 18)

Two kids are taken by lottery from each district to fight each other while the nation watches. Katniss from District 12 ( they never win) steps up to take the place of her younger sister who is chosen. This book is impossible to put down. It contains violence (obviously), but it is not the over-all theme of the book. The young man who chose this title visited with me the next day, he had read the entire book in one night. . . It is that kind of book. My waiting list for the sequel is already a page long, and , yes, I am at the top.

Savvy by Ingrid Law. To be honest, I have not read this title, but it is up for several teen awards and has a great cover (very important) . . . it is in my pile of "to-read" books. Will review it at a later date. . .

Other great YA titles that were taken, as I book talked from the stacks:

Stormbreaker by Anthony Horowitz - this a great choice for a non-reader boy. Action packed, fast moving story - it a sure winner every time.

Deadline by Chris Crutcher. Love this book. The story of a young boy who goes in for his football physical and comes out with the knowledge that he is dying. He chooses to keep the information from his dysfunctional family and because he is 18, the doctor is forced to keep his secret. In typical Chris Crutcher style, this story is gripping and intense.

Bonemaker's Daughter by Tedd Dekker. He is always a popular choice in my library.

Other titles were taken and will be read, but these were the books that were grabbed before I could put them down. Like I said, I love my job.

It finally arrived. . .

Yesterday afternoon, UPS delivered a lone book. As I unwrapped it, I hardly dared to hope. . . (Insert cheer here) It was Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Last Straw. I slapped a barcode on the book, stamped it and quickly cataloged it. Minutes later, as the fourth grade class filed in I handed it to Andy who had been daily asking for it. Ahh, the moment!! The look on his face when I finally came through with the long awaited book was worth, well, a thousand words. . . We headed over to the elementary section of the library and I wish I could say that Andy was riveted by my lesson, but he was not. He made a valiant effort to pretend to listen, and I in turn pretended not to notice that Jeff Kinney had just trumped me. I love it when a boy and book come together.

Guys Read, Part 2

This post is going to focus on series fiction and most of my recommendations come from success in my own library.  Series fiction is excellent for reluctant readers because it tends to grab them and keep them reading.  I love it when I can find a series to hook my boy readers.  This is (once again) a partial list of my favorites:

Middle Readers:  As my sister pointed out, you cannot have a "guys read" list without Diary of a Wimpy Kid by Jeff Kinney.  I love this book and so do the boys in my library.  I get asked weekly when I am going to have the third book.  This book is never on my shelves.

• Percy Jackson and the Olympians series by Rick Riordan  The first title in this series is The Lightning Thief and this is a series with a great hook.  
• Among the Hidden series by Margaret Peterson Haddix.  This is a series about the Shadow Children (illegal third child).  Very popular.  She also has a new series, the first books came out in the fall and is titled Found.  Ty and I loved this book and can't wait for the second to be published.
• Eragon by Christopher Paolini.  I am sure you all know the story - fantasy story written by a 15 year old homeschooled boy (published when he was 18).  His third book came out in October and I still have not given it to everyone on my waiting list (and I have two copies!)  Tyler is currently listening to the unabridged version on CD and loves it.
• I Witness series by Avi ( an all time favorite author of mine).  Iron Thunder and Hard Gold are two books in this series.  Iron Thunder is set during the civil war and Hard Gold during the Colorado gold rush.  But honestly, you can't go wrong with anything by Avi.
• Hatchet by Gary Paulsen  Seriously now, you would have been disappointed if I had not added this.  Again, anything by Gary Paulsen is a good choice for boys.  
• The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins.  I checked this book out to a student the same day I cataloged it, and it was returned on Monday.  The reader and her mother had both read it over the weekend and loved it.  I checked it out again with the same result, so I brought it home and read it myself.  I also read it in one weekend - handed it off to Ty, he stayed up late for nights trying to finish this book.  Because of the ending, we are assuming a second book will follow.  This has great plot twists, action and an unexpected ending.  Warning: contains some violence.

High School - adult readers:

• The Raven Trilogy by Stephen Lawhead (again, remember this author)  The first book in this series is titled Hood.  The third book is due out in February and Lawhead fans are counting the days.  Lawhead is a prolific author and very popular in my library.  He has several series that I can't seem to keep on the shelves
• The Circle Trilogy by Ted Dekker.  Black is the first book in this series.  Last year, I gave it to a high school senior who claimed to have made it four years without reading a book.  I am not sure if that was entirely true, but he was definitely more into football, rodeo and girls.  He needed a book for a book project and decided to "actually try reading one this time" - I gave him Black and not only did he read this book but read the whole series.  His mom bought him the series and thanked me with tears in her eyes.  Almost brings tears to mine thinking of him sitting in the comfy chair by the window. . . READING!!!  I love success!  Dekker is also a prolific author with a wide range of genres and action packed books.  
• Elvis Cole novels by Robert Crais.  Confession:  I love Robert Crais books.  They are a great choice for boys who don't like to read.  Fast plots, lots of action, a strong hero (Southern CA PI) and a mysterious, loyal friend named Joe Pike.  Warning: these books contain language and some violence, but I have not had a high school boy return one unread yet.
• Books by Jeff Shaara ( and his dad, Michael).  These are great historical fiction.  He has a series about WWII (The Rising Tide) that is a wonderful choice for history buffs.
• Horatio Hornblower series by Forester. I had a student asking for books set during the Napoleonic Wars and was thrilled (okay, I was thrilled after a panicked phone call to Lance. I mean honestly, do you know any books set during this time period?) to be able to recommend this series.  Lance and my dad are big fans of these books.

Once again, I got a little carried away.  My mind is racing.  I tell you what - guys read. . . This is so only a partial list.  More to come. . .