The The 39 Clues Books are extremely popular right now. I can not keep my copies on the shelf in our classroom library and now three students have purchased the boxed set offered by Scholastic. Some of them are reading the books while participating in the online game while others are just in in for the story. Regardless, I am constantly seeing one title or another in the series open on someone’s desk.

This month Scholastic offered Rebecca Stead’s When You Reach Me in the book clubs and a few students ordered their own copy to reread. When You Reach Me was a big hit as our class read aloud earlier this year so I was thrilled to see it resonate enough that students would want to reread their own copy.

There were orders for a few perennial favorites this month, too. Speak found a few new readers this month, along with the classic The Incredible Journey. I also had a few more orders for Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Dog Days, from the last few students who did not yet order their copy.

I love to see what my students order because I sometimes learn about books I was not previously familiar with. For example, I had a student who recently ordered The Robe of Skulls: The First Tale from the Five Kingdoms (Tales from the Five Kingdoms), a fantasy book I have not read. Opening the box today, I was intrigued by the cover and just ordered a second copy for our classroom library. I also did the same with The Cupcake Queen, which might have the best cover ever!

Finally, informational books are always popular with my students. Recently, many of my students have been reading the Mythlopedia series from Scholastic. This month we had a few orders for the latest title in the series- She’s All That!: A Look-it-Up Guide to the Goddesses of Mythology (Mythlopedia). The books are set up to look like Facebook profiles and my students love them. I love them, too because they are a great way to share information about Greek mythology.

Those are just a few of the books that are popular in my classroom right now. What books are your students reading?

Catching Fire (The Second Book of the Hunger Games) was completely sold-out thanks to my classes. My favorite? When one of my students walked in, picked up Catching Fire, paid, and proceeded to walk around the rest of the book fair with his head buried in the book. Amazing.

Almost as popular was Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Dog Days. While most of my students had pre-ordered their copy through Scholastic’s book clubs, there were a few hold-outs who picked it up today. Many students also picked up the rest of the series. By the end of the day, the entire series was wiped out!

I have a lot of students this year who love, love, love scary stories. Because of this, Mary Downing Hahn was very popular. The most popular choice? All the Lovely Bad Ones. Many of my students added that one to their collections. And coming in a close second was Avi’s The Seer of Shadows. I haven’t read The Seer of Shadows but am looking forward to it now.

I also had a lot of students who bought A Curse Dark as Gold, which made me happy. Fairy tale retellings are always popular and I was happy to see them choosing such a well-written novel.

One novel that was very popular but that I wasn’t familiar with was Malice. Let me tell you- coolest 3D cover EVER! Two of my boys purchased it and are already halfway through. It’s a combination comic book/novel. Very awesome!

It was a lot of fun spending the day choosing books with my students, because I don’t always have the time I wish I could to booktalk individually. Today I was able to personally talk to all 100 of my students about their book selection.

Star Rating 4.5 out of 5

I can honestly say this book was a pleasure to read, it contains everything that a hot erotic romance should.  Amazing characters, amazing sex scenes and a story that drives you forward at a pace that keeps you breathless for more.

This book brings us Nathan and Julie’s story, both characters we have met in other books in the series.  The story starts with Julie having decided that she has had enough of waiting for Nathan, and gives him a send off he wont forget!

It starts out with a high octane bang and carries on to the end.  The relationship between Nathan and Julie is wonderful to watch unfold, how two strong independent characters can get things so confused is a delight to read.  Nathans perplextion is endearing whilst Julie’s independence is wonderful but at times slightly annoying when she gets too stubborn!

What I also like about this book is the continuing development of past characters relationships and how they continue to develop into deeper levels.  Every character adds an extra dimension to the book whilst at the same time not detracting from Nathan and Julie’s story…in fact just  the opposite, adding the perception of individuals able to carry on multifaceted relationships with all of those around them.  All of the characters in this book are well rounded intriguing and enjoyable individuals.

For me though the highlight of this book was Julie’s journey of self discovery, which was written so well by Ms Banks…I especially enjoyed the scene where Julie finally understands what drives Serena and truly begins to accept and understand her friend’s lifestyle and allows her a deeper understanding of herself.  Ms Banks excels at writing a story that can grip your emotions and have you laughing, crying and so hot you dont know what to do with yourself…and this is no exception!

I eagerly await Micah’s story next, sure in the knowledge that Ms Banks will once again deliver a highly erotic, incredibly sensual and enjoyable story.

1. Sweet Surrender
2. Sweet Persuasion
3. Sweet Seduction
4. Sweet Temptation (Apr 2010)

I have 100 students this year so their reading choices are varied.  It’s been a lot of fun to sit down and talk with them about how they chose their books and what makes them want to continue reading them.  Some of the most popular choices right now?

• Skeleton Creek is my go-to choice for dormant readers.  Fast-paced, similar style to the oh-so-popular Diary of a Wimpy Kid, and online videos mean it immediately peaks their interest.  My two classroom library copies are being passed around as we speak and both boys and girls are reading the series.
• Another popular series for my dormant readers?Among the Hidden (Shadow Children #1) by Margaret Peterson Haddix. I love, love, love handselling this one. It’s a great sci-fi series for kids who are otherwise intimidated by the tomes of science fiction in most libraries. And talk about a gateway series- most of the students go on to read the rest of Haddix’s books during the year. I already have a handful reading Found (The Missing, Book 1).
• You know what book has done very well for itself since getting a cover makeover? The Wednesday Wars. Since the paperback re-cover was done, my kids are eating this one up. A few students are reading this one and a bunch more placed orders for it in the September Scholastic Book Clubs.

To give you a small glimpse into my classroom, here are a few more books that were ordered via Scholastic this month.
-Shiver
-Make Lemonade
-Crackback
-The Hunger Games

Star Rating 4 out of 5

I have read all of the Rough Riders books and what I love the most about the series is that each one is so different, it deals with different aspects of the erotic, from menage to BDSM to D/s to Vanilla and everything in-between.  And they are written very well, each character connecting with the others but each one an individual.  The series works well as a whole but each can be read as a stand alone.  So if your not  ‘into’ threesomes you can skip, Chassie, Trevor and Edgard’s story…although I wouldnt recommend it…as its one of my favourites and a fantastic MMF menage.

This story finally gives us Cams story, the wounded hero who returned from serving in Iraq without a leg and scars both physical and mental.  Cam is a Dom through and through, he is happy with his sexuality and isn’t willing to change, he is what he is no excuses.  Even if that means staying away from sweet Domini, the one woman he really desires.  Domini though is not what he thinks she is, she is in fact a natural submissive and the perfect complement to him. 

What I truly enjoyed about this book is that Domini isn’t portrayed as a simpering sub, she is portrayed as a strong independent woman who, because of her inner strength, is able to offer her gift of submission freely.  Cam knows he loves Domini and Domini knows she loves Cam but neither are truthful with each other and believe the other doesn’t feel the same way, that it is purely sexual.  I am sure you can imagine the problems this may cause, and I’m not going to reveal anymore due to spoilers.

This was an incredibly well written story that had me riveted, breathless, hot, romantic and tender all at once.  I have long wanted Cams story and it didn’t disappoint in any way.  The sex scenes were incredibly hot and steamy and yet so moving at times…especially when Cam finally lets Domini see his leg stump.  I loved Cams jealousy during and after the threesome with his best friend…the fact that he was giving the woman he loved and who gave her submission freely, something that she wanted to experience…it is D/s at its best.  A Dominant truly caring for the needs, wants and desires of his submissive.

Both Cam and Domini were complex characters that drew you into them, leaving you wanting them to see the truth and truly find each other.  And the support cast were, as always wonderful, it really is great to meet old friends from past books and see how they are doing.  And the mischief they still get up to, along with Cam and Domini.

If you like D/s or just a good old, plain erotic love story then this is one that I am sure you will enjoy!

I eagerly await the next installment in this wonderful series of interlocking family and friends.  Some with kink and some just hot vanilla sex but all with a great story to tell.

I should just mention as this is a samhain publication it comes out in ebook first and then in paperback a year later, so the paper backs are only up to Rough, Raw and Ready. 

Tazallie

1. Rode Hard, Put Up Wet
2. Tied Up, Tied Down
3. Long Hard Ride
4. Cowgirl Up and Ride
5. Rough, Raw and Ready
6. Branded as Trouble
7. Shouda Been a Cowboy

Well August was a fantastic month for books out, and September isn’t looking to shabby either, which is good because when its windy outside we should all stay indoors nice and warm with a good book and a cup of tea!  Except I don’t drink tea, so mines a coffee.

• Songbird – Maya Banks – 1st September
• Barely Bewitched – Kimberly Frost – 1st September
• Storm of Shadows – Christina Dodd – 1st September
• Dark Slayer – Christine Feehan – 1st Septmeber
• Big Bad Wolf – Christine Warren – 29th September
• Unhallowed Ground – Heather Graham 29th September
• Covet – J R Ward – 29th September
• Frostbitten – Kelley Armstrong – 29th September
• Blood Bargain – Maria Lima – 29th September

Enjoy

Tazallie

Maya Banks is a consummate storyteller of erotic romance, in fact in my opinion I have yet to find anyone who surpasses her.  Her characters are well developed, intelligent and engaging, and her stories are incredibly hot yet incredibly tender too.

This book brings us Damon’s story, a character first introduced in Sweet Surrender.  Serena is the owner of fantasy incorporated, a business that allows people to live out their dreams.  She decides its time to live out her own sexual fantasy of being a sex slave and approaches Damon, the owner of The House, an exclusive BDSM club.

Serena embarks on a journey of sexual discovery with Damon, one that takes her to the edge of her fantasy and beyond.  But what happens when fantasy and reality begin to blur? What happens when you realise that your fantasy isn’t just a fantasy but a way of life?

This book explores the relationship between a strong woman who wishes to be completely submissive to her lover and a man who is strong in his desire to dominate, but with a tenderness that shows true strength of character. 

Ms Banks writes with a passion that is exquisite and intensely erotic, the Dominace/submision scenes are edgy, exciting and leaning toward the extreme so are not for the feint hearted. However they are done with an amazing combination of passion, tenderness and respect that is not only amazing to read but has the ability to make you think about pre-conceived ideas of what it means to be submissive or dominant, and the difference between reality and fantasy.

This book took me on a roller coaster ride of emotions from the erotic to tears with everything in between.  And it made me want my own Damon!  I can’ t wait for the next books - Sweet Seduction that will give Nathan & Julie their story and Sweet Temptation that will tell Micah’s.

Tazallie

Sweet Series

1. Sweet Surrender
2. Sweet Persuasion
3. Sweet Seduction (Oct 2009)
4. Sweet Temptation (Apr 2010)

So here’s my top picks this month, and with any luck I will be able to read some of them sitting in the garden enjoying the sunshine (although I will keep my brolly handy just in case!)

• Cry Mercy – Toni Andrews – 1st June
• 6 Killer Bodies – Stephanie Bond – 1st June
• Secrets She Left Behind – Diane Chamberlain – 1st June
• Caitlin Kitteridge – Street Magic – 2nd June
• Undead & Unwelcome – Mary Janice Davidson – 2nd June
• Charmed & Dangerous – Toni McGee Causey – 2nd June
• Red Kiss – Deidre Knight – 2nd June
• Sweet Persuasion – Maya Banks – 2nd June
• Eve of Destruction – S J Day 2nd June
• Demons not Included – Chyenne McCray 2nd June
• Hidden Currants – Christine Feehan – 30th June
• Dying Bites – D D Barant – 30th June

Happy reading

Tazallie

We recently finished our Holocaust unit in Language Arts.  During the unit, my students worked in book clubs reading books about different aspects of WWII and the Holocaust.  One of the most popular choices was the verse novel T4 a novel by Ann Clare LeZotte.  Although we finished the unit, this one hasn’t been back on my shelf yet.  The combination of the subject matter (Hitler’s Action T4 program, which dictates that doctors euthanize the mentally ill and the disabled as “unfit to live.”) and the simple verse format attract my dormant and underground readers alike.  

For the last year I have been on the lookout for a novel similar to Jeff Kinney’s Diary of a Wimpy Kid, but with a female protagonist.  While the girls in my class read and love Diary of a Wimpy Kid they always ask for another book like it, but “with a girl!”  Well, this month I found not one, but two perfect read-alikes. Geek Chic: The Zoey Zone by Margie Palatini was an ARC I picked up at a publisher’s preview last year. One of my students found it on the bookshelf before spring break, read it over a few nights, and hasn’t stopped raving since. She passed it on to a friend, who did the same. Every day or so I see our classroom copy on someone else’s desk! And when they aren’t reading Geek Chic: The Zoey Zone they are laughing and giggling over Dork Diaries: Tales from a Not-So-Fabulous Life by Rachel Renee Russell. Even more similar to Diary of a Wimpy Kid, Dork Diaries: Tales from a Not-So-Fabulous Life is told in a journal format complete with illustrations and comics.  The girls in my class are already asking for a sequel.

Then there’s Patrick Carman’s Skeleton Creek. The fever surrounding Skeleton Creek reminds me a lot of the fever that surrounded Diary of a Wimpy Kid when the first book came out. My students are constantly discussing the book and videos. When any one student sits at the computer to watch a video I can see the other students in the room leaning back in their chairs and discretely watching behind their classmate’s head. The only problem? They inevitably scream and jump into the air when something scary happens. It makes me laugh every time!

And in the area of non-fiction, DK Eyewitness books are always popular in my classes. This year, many of my boys are very interested in WWI, WWII, and the armed forces. Right now, a few of my boys are reading Soldier.  They are experts on weapons, let me tell you!  

Finally, one of my more dormant readers can not put Nancy Werlin’s The Rules of Survival down. She begs for independent reading time each day and every morning brags to me about what page she is on. She is a realistic fiction fan but has a very hard time finding books that hook her. The Rules of Survival had her from the first page. Needless to say, I am thrilled. I’ve already bought Killer’s Cousin by Werlin for her to read next. I love when a student finds an author and book they love!

Those are some of the most popular books in my classroom.  What are your kids reading?

This has been the hardest review I have written, mainly because all I want to do was gush about how fantastic the book is…the trouble is it makes me sound like a mindless idiot when I do (and OK some might say I am a mindless idiot but that would be for another post).

By and far this series is my favourite, there is just something about these books that draws me to them, and whilst many people disliked the subject matter in the last book (Iron Kissed) I was a huge admirer of the way Ms Briggs handled the subject.  And once again I take my hat off to the way Ms Briggs handled Mercy in this one.

This book follows on directly from the ending of the last, Mercy is trying to deal with the rape and with her feelings for Adam.  She has finally admitted that she loves him and is willing to accept him and his pack, but accepting and doing are not the same thing as Mercy soon finds out.

In this book we meet Mercy’s mother (that was fun!) and a friend from her past who asks for her help.  With Marsilia (queen of the vampires) wanting Mercy’s blood it seems like a good idea to leave town for awhile and help out this friend, but as you may expect all is not as it seems and Mercy is soon drawn into a life threatening situation.

What I love most about this book is the fine blend Ms Briggs has woven of emotional depth, a fast paced story and humor.  Whilst we sit and read these wonderful books our favourite authors give us, it is worth remembering that it cannot be easy to write something that can grip us, engage us or make us laugh. 

For me the Mercy books will always remain some of my all time favourites, and as always I eagerly await the next book (oh how long a year is!)

OK that wasn’t so bad not too much gushing! but then its only taken me a month to write this review!

I would like to add to Ms Briggs, (should she ever stumble on my little blog )we here at Unicorn Tree books, both staff and customers, thought that when you no longer want to write Mercy’s story we thought you could then move on to Samuel, then Stefan, then Ben, then Todd…I think you get the idea of where we are going with this!

Tazallie

Mercy Series

1. Moon Called
2. Blood Bound
3. Iron Kissed
4. Bone Crossed
5. Silver Borne (Feb 2010)

Alpha & Omega Series

1. On the prowl (anthology)
2. Cry wolf
3. Hunting Ground (Aug 2009)

Well what do you say about a book that you put down crying and seriously considered re-reading straight away?

When I first started reading this series I had trouble getting into it, in fact I had to try to read the first book ‘Stray’ three times before I found its rhythm.  Sometimes you just know that a book is worth the extra effort and ‘Stray’ was definitely worth the time. In fact this series has become one of my top three favourites.

The series is based around Faythe Sanders, a female were-cat (tabby) and her battles for independence within her family, pride and her job as an enforcer.  She wants more out of  life than to just be a tabby who gets married and breeds the next generation of werecats (even if she does love her on again off again lover Marc), she wants to be independent, not realising the high cost her independence has on her family, friends and even herself.

Pride starts with Faythe standing trial for the infection of her ex-boyfriend and his  murder.  If she is found quilty by the tribunal of pride alphas then she may well face the death penalty and there is nothing her family will be able to do about it.

But Faythe and the Pride are faced with much more than just the tribunal, there is a pack of man eating strays in the neutral territory the tribunal is being held in.  And as if that’s not enough there is also an unknown underage tabby found in the woods and only Faythe can get closer to her, even if it is against the tribunal and her fathers orders.

This book was a fantastic read, the only problem with it was that it ended…and where it ended! How could Ms Vincent do that to me! I can’t wait ! I need to know what happens next…and I’m not going to tell you what has me so worked up…you will just have to read it for yourself… and its well worth the time to do it!

Tazallie

1. Stray
2. Rogue
3. Pride
4. Prey (out 1 July 2009)

• Nightwalker -Heather Graham -1 Apr
• The Warrior – Sharon Sala – 1 Apr
• Redheaded StepChild – Jaye Wells – 1 Apr
• Secret Life of a Vampire – Kerrlyn Sparks -1 Apr
• Breakneck – Erica Spindler – 2 Apr
• Your so Vein – Christine Warren – 7 Apr
• Blue Diablo – Ann Aguire -7 Apr
• Some  Girls Bite – Chloe Neil – 7 Apr
• Curse the Dawn – Karen Chance – 7 Apr
• Every Demon has his day – Clara Lockwood – 7 Apr
• Burning wild – Christine Feehan -28 Apr
• Forbidden Nights with a Vampire – Kerrlyn sparks -28 Apr
• Dayhunter – Jocelyn Drake – 28 Apr
• Doomsday can wait -Lori Handleland -28 Apr
• Lover Avenged – J R Ward – 28 Apr
• The Awakening – Kelley Armstrong – 28 Apr
• The Dangerous Book for Demon Slayers – Angie Fox – 28 Apr

Well that’s my favourite picks from this months new releases, there’s quite a few re that I cant wait to read, now I just have to figure out when I will actually have the time to read them…wonder if I really need sleep?

Tazallie

Tween romance novels are all the rage in my room, and the girls in my homeroom are devouring each novel before passing it their group of friends.  The latest favorite? Don’t Die, My Love by Lurlene McDaniel. I remember my McDaniel stage- it drove my mother nuts. She couldn’t understand why I wanted to read so many books about kids my own age dying of terminal illnesses. But because I went through that stage, I totally understand why my girls can’t put Don’t Die, My Love down. It’s full of romance, star-crossed teens, and you know the one of the main characters is going to die. It’s the perfect recipe for tweens. Plus, no matter what the books always have an uplifting and positive message at the end.

While a lot of my girls are passing around Lurlene McDaniel, a group of my boys are currently sharing Ten True Tales: Stories from Iraq.  (I can’t find it online, so it may just be available through Scholastic.)  Every story in this non-fiction book is taken from interviews with men and women who have served in Iraq.  War stories are a huge hit in my room and this one really attracts a lot of my boys because it is so timely.  And when they can’t get their hands on this one, they are reading Guys Write for Guys Read: Boys’ Favorite Authors Write About Being Boys.  The short stories from the author’s remind them of Knucklehead: Tall Tales and Almost True Stories of Growing up Scieszka, which they loved.  Short stories, specifically memoirs, are really popular with my boys this year.

At this point in the year, my students are usually comfortable making recommendations to me, too.  This week, two of my girls highly recommended two of Nora Raleigh Baskin’s book, which I hadn’t read.  They are reading What Every Girl (Except Me) Knows and In the Company of Crazies. Coincidentally, I had just picked up Anything But Typical at the bookstore and decided to add it to my wishlist. I didn’t make the author connection until my students’ made their recommendations! Now I am looking forward to reading all three books (when they are done with the first two!)  I love when my students lean over the fence and make their recommendations; it continues to build that reading community that I work so hard to build and maintain each year!

Really, over the fence recommendations are my bread and butter in the classroom.  Whether I am the one making the recommendation, or it’s being done student-to-student, or if a student is making the recommendation to me- word of mouth propels every book choice in my classroom until students are comfortable with their own choices.  And even then, they are constantly sharing books with each other and with me.  It’s awesome!

The Luxe series is being passed from one girl to another in my morning class. Every morning one of them runs into school just bursting to talk about what she read the night before. And we have to whisper, because there are five girls behind her who haven’t read as far into the series as she has!  It’s awesome.

And of course, Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Last Straw hasn’t been seen since I first handed it to a student last month. Other than bursts of hysterical laughter during independent reading.

Neil Gaiman’s Coraline and The Graveyard Book have been gaining a lot of fans lately. In fact, when I came back to school today one of my reluctant readers told me he had finished The Graveyard Book and it was an awesome book, “maybe even better than the dead and the gone!"

Two of my more reluctant girl readers have been struggling to find books they enjoy. But just this past month I think we may have found it! One of them is reading Wendy Mass’ Heaven Looks a Lot Like the Mall and loving it. The intriguing plot, combined with the ease of the verse novel set-up, has really hooked her. And her friend can not put down Frances O’Roark Dowell’s The Kind of Friends We Used to Be, the sequel to The Secret Language of Girls.  I am thrilled that they are both finding their niche!

These are just a few of the most popular books in my classroom right now!

These are the books that are making their way from student to student in my room so far this year:

Life As We Knew It by Susan Beth Pfeffer- Always a popular choice, the waiting list for this one is huge in my classroom library!

Twilight (The Twilight Saga, Book 1) by Stephenie Meyer- Last year, I could not get my kids to read this. It just didn’t appeal to them for some reason. This year, it is the complete opposite! I have boys and girls reading the book and loaning copies to each other. Could it be related to the movie coming out next month? Who knows, but I’ll take it!

Diary of a Wimpy Kid Do-It-Yourself Book by Jeff Kinney- While it isn’t a traditional book, I teach Language Arts, so anything that get my students reading and writing is a winner in my eyes! I have quite a few orders for this in our latest Scholastic book clubs order and the word of mouth has been great.

Falling Up by Shel Silverstein- It’s funny, but poetry has never been particularly popular in my room. But this year, I have a few boys who LOVE to read Shel Silverstein. Falling Up is a big favorite this year and I have a small handful of students who read this a few times a week during independent reading. It’s an interesting phenomenon!

Touching Spirit Bear by Ben Mikaelsen- A popular book with my students who love survival stories. This one is slowly gaining ground in my afternoon class.

Drama-Free Bree…I think NOT!!!, July 23, 2008

By	Englishruler “ARC Book Club Inc. (www.ARCBOOK… (New York) – See all my reviews

Newcomer Angel Mechelle brings readers a sizzling page-turner with her debut novel “Another Woman’s Husband”. Main character Breanna Michaels (Bree) is a single mother of two young children who is no stranger to drama. Although she has been through the wringer and back with her children’s fathers and has moved to Florida for a fresh start, nothing can prepare her for the antics of her latest love interest. Not too long after her move, things get interesting when Bree responds positively to propositions posed by her neighbor’s husband, Dre. Though she knows it is wrong, Bree embarks on this relationship that was pretty much doomed from the start. Not only is Dre married with children, but Breanna is cordial with his wife Neecy – and the couple lives right across the hall!!!

Once the affair is in full swing it doesn’t take long for Bree to see that Dre will NEVER be hers. Despite revelations involving domestic abuse, illegitimate children, and drug-abuse, Bree is “standing by Neecy’s man”, lol. Her life has taken on drastic changes, but Bree is certain that Dre is her soul mate and will not back down. Neecy is putting up one hell of a fight and so the saga goes.

I love the cover of this novel and find that there would be no other title more fitting than the one Angel designated. At times I wanted to strangle Bree for the poor choices she made, but that’s the whole idea – creating characters readers love to hate! I wish some of the situations would have been omitted in order to provide a more solid closure, though I am aware of a sequel in the works. Still, I feel with the tremendous information provided in this fabulous debut, it should be a single book. Angel demonstrates great story telling skills and I without a doubt look forward to a new story from her.

English
ARC Book Club Inc.
4 Stars

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful: Oh No Not My Husband, August 7, 2008 By  SiStar Tea “ARC Book Club Inc.” (Bronx, NYC) – See all my reviews Meet Breana Nicole Micheals she is a sexy single mother of two doing what she has to, to hold her family down. She has gotten herself into some messy relationships and has decided to move Tuckett, Fl to get her mind right and get the support of her family. After being in Fl for a yr she gets some unwanted attention from her sexy neighbor Andre Edwards bka Dre who is tall like Kobe, thick like Labron James and a look alike for the rapper The Game right down to the tattoos The Game has. Sounds sexy doesn’t he, so you ask what is the problem? The problem is he is very married to Neecy for almost 8 yrs and the couple has two children together. Now when I say unwanted I mean she is not into married guys, hell she wants to get married herself. She is lonely and misses the male companionship. Bree wants to feel beautiful, wants to feel like a woman. Dre taking advantage of the situation woos her into a relationship with him. In a New York minute Bree’s life goes from drama free to way too much drama. Bree goes from the cool person with morals to every woman’s worst nightmare. Dre and Neecy have the perfect marriage to outsiders. Dre works and takes care of home like a man should. Then Neecy gets a whiff that things aint what they seem between her husband and the neighbor she has been friendly to. Neecy puts her detective skills to work. Neecy is not going out without a fight. She stands firm on the notion – you will not get my husband without a fight. Man the drama is unbelievable and intense! Dre is so slick I think he showered daily in oil. The way these two women both refused to let him go had me cheering and calling them stupid idiots in the next breath lol. You are going to have to read the book to get all your questions answered like who wins Dre, and how much drama can these people withstand. Author Angel Mechelle pens a hood novel that women can identify with at one time or another whether the wife or the other woman. The emotions she reveals in the novel are classic. Makes me wonder who was she in the book? Another Woman’s Husband was really a change of pace, as I have never read a book from the other woman’s viewpoint, well one who never wanted to be the other woman anyway. Angel painted a vivid picture; I felt like I was a fly on the wall. The only draw back I had with the book was the ending seems rushed. While she closed the story and didn’t leave the reader hanging, she didn’t spend a lot of time explaining like she did in the early part of the book. I am looking forward to reading more of her work in the near future. SiStar Tea ARC Book Club Inc. 4 star rating

amazon.com

P= Paranormal
R = Romance
U =Urban Fantasy

Jayne Castle – Dark Light – 26th August -P
Jennifer Cruise – Agnes and the Hitman – 26th August -R
Jeanne C Stein – Legacy – 26th August -U
Diana Palmer – Heart of Stone -September -R
Sara Reinke – Dark Hunger – 2 September -P
Christine Feehan – Dark Curse – 2nd September -P
Diana Holquist – Hungry for More – 26th September -R
Christine Warren – One Bite With A Stranger – 30th September -P

What books are you waiting for?

Share your Aug/Sept lists here, because you might have authors others haven’t read yet!

Tazallie

P.S. Dates may change as publication is not set in stone!

Battlefield Of The Mind

Battlefield of the Mind: Winning the Battle in the Mind

100 Insights That Will Change the Way You Think

Author: Joyce Meyer
Format: Softcover

1. find freedom and peace
2. recognise damaging thoughts and stop them from influencing your life
3. follow the light out of your mental ‘wilderness’
4. arm yourself with the Word of God, praise, prayer and other powerful spiritual weapons
5. be patient with yourself even when you make mistakes
6. find undreamed of happiness and fulfilment
7. the bad attitudes and excuses people use that keep them from God

 

Underneath many desks, next to the glittery sneakers and ankle bracelets on my girls, are the brightly colored covers of The Clique novels by Lisi Harrison. While they are far form being great literature, my girls are devouring them as fast as they are published, passing a few copies around the class from one girl to the next. We had a great discussion the other day about the books and the way many adults view them—as a bad influence. The girls laughed and said, “We don’t take them seriously! We know these are characters. We would never act the way they do, but it’s fun to pretend we live the wealthy, fabulous lives they do!”

Moving around the room, it’s obvious that another popular series right now is Rick Riordan’s Percy Jackson and the OlympiansThe Lightning Thief

There, on the floor, I see the covers of two graphic novels. The first is Amelia Rules! Volume 1: The Whole World’s Crazy (Amelia Rules). That one has definitely made the rounds in my room. Across the aisle is the second book, a new favorite for my graphic novel lovers. Amulet: Book 1 (Amulet) is a big hit and my students can’t wait for the next book to come out.

Some of my students prefer an old favorite during testing, to ensure they aren’t rushing through the test to get to their novels. The most popular choice? Diary of a Wimpy Kid and Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Rodrick Rules (Diary of a Wimpy Kid) by Jeff Kinney. The covers are bent, the pages dog-eared—these books are obviously well loved!

Up in the front of the room I can see a few ARCs being read. Allie Finkle’s Rules For Girls: Moving Daythe dead and the gone by Susan Beth Pfeffer (courtesy of the author herself, making it hallowed pages for my students). The waiting list is a mile long and I can see that this student will be passing it on very soon. On a side note, this one would definitely distract me from any kind of testing!

I can hear a muffled giggle on the far corner of the room. Shooting a glance I hope says, “I am so glad you are reading and loving your book but for heaven’s sake SHH! We can’t get in trouble!” When I see the book in her hand, I know why she is having trouble keeping a straight face. Her head is buried deep in Just Grace by Charise Mericle Harper, a favorite of mine. She later told me it’s the best book she has ever read!

We may be taking our high-stakes standardized testing this week, but glancing around the room at my sixth-grade readers who are in the reading zone I know that those books in their hands say more than any test score ever will. These are readers, through and through. They may not all have been readers when they walked through my door in September, but they are all passionate, critical readers today! Each student has a favorite book or a favorite author. No one hesitates to pick up their novels when testing is completed, and they beg to continue reading when testing is completed and we begin classes for the day. That’s meeting AYP in my book!

Originally published in the May edition of The Edge of the Forest

Allie Finkle’s Rules For Girls: Moving Day by Meg Cabot: I haven’t even had a chance to read this novel, Meg Cabot’s first foray into middle grade fiction. I received an ARC at ALA Midwinter and passed it on to one of my pickiest girls. She finished the book in one night and came in the next morning raving about it! She told me I needed to read it, but first she had a list of classmates to pass it on to. It’s been making it’s way around my classroom ever since and Cabot has been winning fans left and right. The same student also read my ARC of Airhead by Meg Cabot and passed it on to another friend (thankfully, I had time to read and review it first!

The Wednesday Wars by Gary D. Schmidt: I have loved “Wednesday Wars” since I first read and reviewed it back in December. I tried to handsell it to my students but rarely succeeded (historical fiction is always a hard sell to middle schoolers, I think). I finally succeeded when I used “The Wednesday Wars” as part of my historical fiction literature circles this past month. The lit circle who read “The Wednesday Wars” absolutely loved it and they have been recommending to their classmates. During conferences, one of their moms told me “I can’t believe my son. He sits down on the couch at night, pulls on a blanket, and opens that Wednesday book. All on his own! It’s amazing!” That some boy just finished it and told me it’s one of his favorite books of all time!

Marley: A Dog Like No Other by John Grogan: Our latest read-aloud is a huge hit. It’s the first time I have read a non-fiction novel aloud and my students are loving it. Marley is easy to relate to and my students are laughing and sharing their own stories throughout our shared reading time. Puppies and puppy stories are always fun and my students are relating to the Grogan family and Marley. Be careful, though…there are a few versions of Marley’s story. Marley: A Dog Like No Other is the middle grade version of the novel. Marley & Me: Life and Love with the World’s Worst Dog is the adult best-seller and deals with the Grogan family’s attempts to conceive, too. Just a caveat emptor.

The Watsons Go to Birmingham – 1963 by Christopher Paul Curtis: Another choice in our recent literature circles, this was not a popular choice on the first day.  To be honest, I blame the cover.  It doesn’t exactly scream “read me!” to middle schoolers.  However, at the first meeting, the originally unhappy literature circle group was singing the praises of Curtis.  They thought the novel was funny and touching, but “not too touching!” they told me.  Heaven forbid it was too sensitive.   Both boys and girls alike enjoyed the novel and they learned a lot about life in the south and the Sixteenth St. church burning in 1963.  Now if only the publishers would give it a better cover…..

These are only a few of the novels currently making a splash in my 6th grade class.  I have promised my classes that after spring break I will have many more books for them.  I will actually have a chance to read and review so I can bring them in a handful of ARCS and other books I have in my to-be-read pile.  I’m sure next month’s list will include many of those new titles.

Avalon High: Coronation Volume 1: The Merlin Prophecy by Meg Cabot: This graphic novel has been a huge hit. Interestingly, the majority of readers are boys. The book has been passed from one boy to the next since it arrived from Scholastic a few weeks ago, and the buzz is slowly building.

Gathering Blue and Messenger by Lois Lowry: We recently finished our science-fiction unit of study. As a class, we studied Lois Lowry’s The Giver and my students loved it. They were very excited to learn that Lowry had written more books in the “trilogy” (I’m never sure what to call it….It’s not technically a trilogy if all 3 books can stand alone!) and that the books included answers. A few have finished “Gathering Blue” already and are moving on to “Messenger”. Every day someone comes up to my desk to share their excitement. “We finally know what happened to Jonas and Gabe!”. Kids like answers- they hate books that leave them hanging. At least my kids do! They are very happy to find out the answers and I am thrilled to see them reading more and more.

Lush by Natasha Friend: Realistic fiction is the most popular genre in my library and my students love to read books about other kids who struggle with realistic problems. “Lush” has been making the rounds through my girls and they are all raving about it. Also popular, Natasha Friend’s Perfect: A Novel and Bounce.

Life As We Knew It by Susan Beth Pfeffer:  Since my booktalk, this has not been on my shelf at all.  My students, especially my reluctant readers, are loving this book.  At least once per day a student comes up to me in the hall saying, “It can’t get any worse.  Can it?!”  The students who have finished the book definitely have a new appreciation for running water, heat, and air conditioning!

So, what books are popular in your classroom or library right now?

Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Rodrick Rulesby Jeff Kinney: As I said in my review, this was the most hotly-anticipated new title of the year in my classroom. The waiting list is currently 25 students long (of my 42) and includes both boys and girls, advanced and reluctant readers. It has also kicked off a resurgence of popularity for the first Diary of a Wimpy Kid, as you must have read #1 to get on the waiting list. Hopefully, when I receive my next two copies from Scholastic this week, I can get this into the hands of more readers! 

Twilight (The Twilight Saga, Book 1)by Stephenie Meyer: This one baffles me. I adore this entire series, and have plenty of coworkers who can’t keep it in their classroom library. For some reason, it wasn’t attracting readers in my room. But, right before the holidays one of my girls decided to give it a try. She came back this month begging for New Moon (Twilight, Book 2). Because she liked the novel, I saw a friend of hers take it out this past week. We shall see! 

Albino Animalsby Kelly Milner Halls: When I booktalked this book, 5 hands immediately shot into the air asking if they could have it first. I think it is a combination of the subject matter, the amazing pictures, and the fun facts. A definite must for any classroom library! 

A Great and Terrible Beauty by Libba Bray: I recommended this series to my students who enjoy Lois Duncan and other paranormal stories. So far, they like it better than some of Duncan’s weaker works. Bray writes wonderful historical fiction without slamming them over the head with information. Plus, who wouldn’t want to have visions and be in control of the realms? 

The Periodic Tableby Adrian Dingles: My students just finished a unit on chemistry in their science class, where they focused on the periodic table. They’ve been laughing over this great book ever since! I have caught them reading different elemental descriptions out loud to each other, or sharing them even after they have read the book. The information is funny and accurate, so they remember it! I found about this book through the Cybil nominations a few months ago and I can not recommend it enough. 

Last Shot: A Final Four Mystery by John Feinstein: My sports enthusiasts love this novel. As one of my students said, “I won a writing contest once, like the main character. But I didn’t get a trip to the Final Four!”. It has everything- mystery, sports, platonic friendships, and a male and female main character.

For the Middle Grade Student Dreading Middle School:

Middle School Is Worse Than Meatloaf: A Year Told Through Stuff: Told through a year of “stuff”- notes, assignments, lists, cards, receipts, postcards, articles, and comics, my students can’t put this book down. Over the past 2 weeks, I have seen my single copy in a different student’s hands each day. This novel appeals mostly to girls, who identify with Ginny’s desire to finally have a great year at school (and actually have a decent school picture, “for once!”). A great book for girls who are reluctant readers. This hardcover edition also makes a perfect present.

Diary of a Wimpy Kid: I have not seen any of my 3 copies of this book since October. Boys and girls alike are devouring this illustrated novel about Greg’s middle school adventures (and misadventures!). Perfect for reluctant readers of either gender, this is a must-have!

Shopaholics (and shopaholic wannabees!):

The Clique: Too young for Gossip Girl, but still love the idea of wealth and unlimited shopping in a middle school age group? My girls are eating these books up. This is another series that is being passed around my classroom like candy. Series are a great way to hook a lot of kids into reading!

Wannabe Detectives:

The Face on the Milk Carton: I remember reading Caroline Cooney’s Janie series when I was in middle school. Scholastic began offering the books this year and my boys and girls alike are fascinated by Janie’s life. A good series for kids who are interested in mysteries and adventure. Janie’s story is exciting and keeps you on the edge of your seat. I have had more than one student who completed the first book in the series tell me that they have gone looking for their own baby pictures, “Just to make sure”!

Double Identity: If they love Haddix’s other books, “Double Identity” is a great mystery for middle grade readers. A quick read with a slight sci-fi overtone. 2 thumbs up from my class! Not unlike her The Shadow Children Boxed Set series, this novel is more realistic to many readers.

Fantastic Fantasy:

Tuck Everlasting: The greatest children’s book ever written, my students have fallen in love with Babbitt’s beautiful story. Every child should have the opportunity to read this fantastic love, life, and family story.

Eragon (Inheritance, Book 1): My boys have started reading “Eragon” and “Eldest” over the last few weeks. They have been reading them from cover to cover and comparing notes. Paolini draws a rich and vivid fantasy world that immediately draws in the reader. A nice addition to any fantasy collection.

Realistic Fiction for Realistic Kids:

Rules (Newbery Honor Book): Cynthia Lord’s story of a pre-teen girl and her struggle to come to terms with her brother’s autism is a story that will bring a tear to the eyes of many readers. This novel has quietly been making waves in my classroom, rarely gathering dust on the bookshelf. Many of the same students who enjoy this book also enjoy Ida B: . . . and Her Plans to Maximize Fun, Avoid Disaster, and (Possibly) Save the World.

This is by no means a complete list- hopefully, this list and my prior Hot Books list have given you some good ideas for your middle grade reader this holiday season!