Virtual Prison tells the story of 15 year-old Mars Blackburn.  His high school has been chosen to the location of a new reality TV show: Virtual Prison.  Mars is one of twelve students from his high school that gets to compete in the game for a chance to win $10 million.  Despite his mother’s concern that the game isn’t safe and her refusal to sign the permission slip, Mars gets his grandfather on his side, who signs the form and tells him to live with no regrets.   Once the game starts, Mars does surprisingly well, becoming the fan favorite and winning the first competition.  But when things start to go wrong, it is up to him to figure out what is happening and how to stop it – before everyone gets stuck in the Virtual Prison.

I absolutely loved this book.  I could not put it down because I just had to know what happened next.  And I loved that the chapters were so short!  Most of the chapters were only 4-5 pages; some were even shorter.  I think the short chapters were what made it such an easy read.  This was not one of those books that I could put down after reading a chapter.  Something big or exciting always happened at the end and I just had to read one more chapter to find out what, which led me to finishing the book in a short amount of time.

I also think this book would be perfect for middle school students, especially reluctant readers.  This book is incredibly easy to read and very exciting.  I really liked this book and would definitely recommend it!

Author, John Boyne (The Boy in the Striped Pajamas) teamed up with illustrator, Oliver Jeffers (The Hueys, Stuck) to bring juvenile readers this absurd, quirky adventurous story. Born with the ability to float, Barnaby embarrasses his ‘normal’ parents that are obsessed with being perceived as ‘normal’ by their friends and neighbours. In turn, his parent’s treat him terrible. Like, ignore him and hang him on a clothes line, terrible.  There is a conversation between Barnaby and his mother that will totally break your heart.  After instructing him to stop floating, she tells him, ‘Then, I’m sorry… But I have to say that I don’t like who you are very much” (p. 37).  At their wit’s end, his parent’s cut his weights and he floats around the world to meet other individuals that were sent away or abandoned by their families for also being ‘different’.

Although the characters in Barnaby’s travels all help in delivering the message that it’s OK to be different and true to oneself to be happy, the message got really repetitive.  When Barnaby was intercepted by the International Space Mission, I got bored and started to skim the text. And yes, it is a bizarre fantasy story to begin with, but I felt the space portion was so over the top and unrealistic.

Looking at my blog, I noticed that I’ve been reading lots of books with boy characters deemed different by society. I think the availability of books about embracing differences is fabulous, especially for growing readers looking for someone to relate to. I found the ending of The Terrible Thing… was perfect in sticking with the overall message of the book.  I wonder where in the world Barnaby’s next adventure awaits!

The world as we know it has ceased. The reasons why are not given and it might take the reader a little while to realize our protagonist is living in the future, in an unrecognizable world. In this post-apocalyptic tale, Saba is our young teenage protagonist. She’s never been outside Silverlake, “a dried up wasteland ravaged by constant dust storms.” This is her life, she know nothing else. She keeps to herself, doesn’t cause trouble, and forever lives in her older brothers shadow.

I did envision the setting of this story to resemble scenes from the film, The Book of Eli (minus the cannibal couple).

Moira Young, in her first novel, captures the raw emotion and feelings of Saba, who is self-described as: black hair, brown eyes, scrawny, ugly, the complete and utter opposite of her twin brother, Lugh, who sounds more like a Roman god, than a mere mortal. Young’s style of writing is reminiscent of A Monster Calls by Patrick Ness.  Blood Red Road reads differently than the normal crop of dystopian/post-apocalyptic out there which gives off a more uncertain and raw tone to Saba and the other characters. Even though it flows well, like a poetic narrative, you must know that Saba is unschooled. Therefore, her narrative, is authentic to her own thoughts, spellings, and word usage. This might not sit well with those who are grammar fanatics. She uses words like “fer”, “figger”, and “gawd”. I’ve included a samples sentence below, but I didn’t feel it took away from the novel, instead I felt it actually helped to set the narrator in a specific period and immerse the reader into present day life in Saba’s world.

“Him an me’s headed fer the iver when somethin makes me pause.” 

I like Saba, she strong, she is determined, and she is real. I could relate to her, I could understand her sorrow, and I could root for her when times got tough. She didn’t lose her will, and in turn she discovered more about herself than she ever would have otherwise. There is a romance element, that can be quite hot and heavy, that takes place in the second half of the book. Also, some reviewers have said the novel slows down in the second half, I actually enjoyed the books pace throughout and didn’t really notice a shift, or maybe I just fell into the change more fluidly than others.

I give this book 4/5 stars. I think more mature readers would enjoy and get the most out of this book, than their younger counterparts. But with that being said, I wouldn’t want to restrict young middle school readers, because in truth, you never know what could get a student interested in reading.

aim higher

play better

kick harder

throw farther

run faster

swim freer

dive deeper

and sweat heavier.

Dear Title IX,

thanks in large part to you,

I can make my own dreams come true.

© 2012 Max Factory

LET ME PLAY, written by Karen Blumenthal, explains the dramatic history, heartache and triumphs behind the passage of Title IX for middle school readers and up.

Kentucky Komodo Dragons by Johnathan Rand (book # 27 in the American Chillers series) 

While hiking in the forest in Paducah, Kentucky, Jason Bradford and his sister, Jillian, spot a lizard in a tree.  However, this is a species of lizard they’ve never seen before.  It’s nearly two feet long–and vicious.

Something to Sing About by C.C. Payne

Ten-year-old Jamie Jo’s fear of bees keeps her inside most of the time, but a series of events that begins when her mother is excluded from the church choir brings about many changes, including new friendships and greater trust in God.

Gabriel’s Horses by Alison Hart (Racing to Freedom trilogy, book #1)

In Kentucky, during the Civil War, the twelve-year-old slave Gabriel, contends with a cruel new horse trainer and skirmishes with Confederate soldiers as he pursues his dream of becoming a jockey.

Underground by Jean Ferris 

In 1839, Charlotte Brown is sold north to Kentucky, where she becomes a maid at Mammoth Cave Hotel, falls in love with one of the tour guides there, and gets involved in the Underground Railroad.

Midnight in Lonesome Hollow by Kathleen Ernst (An American Girl Mystery: Kit)

While staying with her Aunt Millie in the Appalachian Mountains of Kentucky in the summer of 1934, Kit tries to discover who is sabotaging a visiting folklore researcher.

Happy Birthday, Kit! by Valerie Tripp (An American Girl book)

On a visit to Cincinnati from rural Kentucky during the Great Depression, Aunt Millie impresses Kit with her money-saving cleverness. Includes information on life in America during the Great Depression.

Chasing Redbird by Sharon Creech 

Thirteen-year-old Zinnia Taylor uncovers family secrets and self truths while clearing a mysterious settler trail that begins on her family’s farm in Kentucky.

Spitting Image by Shutta Crum

In the small town of Baylor, Kentucky, twelve-year-old Jessie K. Bovey and her friends confront some of life’s questions during their summer vacation in the late 1960s.

Flying Free by Sharon Dennis Wyeth (My America series)

In 1858, nine-year-old Corey Birdsong and his family, fugitive slaves from Kentucky, build a new life in Amherstburg, Canada, while still hoping to help those they left behind.

The Beatinest Boy by Jesse Stuart

A hard-working, adventuresome boy in Appalachian Kentucky tries various ways to earn money to buy his grandmother a Christmas present.

Special Mention: 

In John Green’s An Abundance of Katherines, the main character and his friend pull into a rest stop near Paducah, Kentucky!

Our youth book club will begin Saturday, Sept. 17 at 1 pm. We will meet 1 Saturday a month at 1 pm for 1 hour to read & discuss recent young adult books. Refreshments will be provided as well!

Here is the book lineup:

Sept. 17 & Oct. 15, 2011- Incarceron by Catherine Fisher (to be made into a movie for a 2013 release date!)

Oct. 15 & Nov. 12,  2011 – The Invention of Hugo Cabret by Brian Selznick (this Caldecott winner was made into a movie by Martin Scorsese, to be released Nov. 23, 2011)

Jan. 7 & Feb. 4, 2012 – Moon Over Manifest by Clare Vanderpool (2011 Newbery Award Winner)

Feb 4. & Mar. 3, 2012 – The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins (the first movie in this exciting trilogy will be released Mar. 23, 2012)

March & April, 2012 – TBA (I’ll let YOU decide!)

Click here to view more information on each book, including AR level.

Hope to see you there!

The first book we’ll be reading is Incarceron by Catherine Fisher. This is book 1 in the series (the 2nd book, Sapphique, is also available) and will be released as a movie in 2013. Taylor Lautner (Jacob from the Twilight movies) will be playing main character Finn.

Incarceron is a science fiction, dystopian novel that has been praised by critics, including School Library Journal, Publishers Weekly and Kirkus Reviews. Fans of The Hunger Games, Matched and The Maze Runner will enjoy this action-packed and suspenseful read.

Here’s the synopsis from the publisher:

Incarceron is a prison so vast that it contains not only cells and corridors, but metal forests, dilapidated cities, and wilderness. It has been sealed for centuries, and only one man has ever escaped. Finn has always been a prisoner here. Although he has no memory of his childhood, he is sure he came from Outside. His link to the Outside, his chance to break free, is Claudia, the warden’s daughter, herself determined to escape an arranged marriage. They are up against impossible odds, but one thing looms above all: Incarceron itself is alive…

Accelerated Reader lists Incarceron as a 4.6 reading level for grades 6 and up, and is worth 14.0 points.

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The next book we’ll be reading is The Invention of Hugo Cabret: A Novel in Words and Pictures by Brian Selznick, which won the Caldecott Medal in 2008. This book will also be released as a movie, entitled Hugo and directed by Martin Scorsese. It is due in theaters Nov. 23, 2011.

The New York Times cited The Invention of Hugo Cabret as “wonderful” and that “the result is a captivating work of fiction that young readers with a taste for complex plots and a touch of magic, think Harry H., not Harry P., can love.”

Here’s the synposis:

Orphan Hugo Cabret lives in a wall. His secret home is etched out in the crevices of a busy Paris train station. Part-time clock keeper, part-time thief, he leads a life of quiet routine until he gets involved with an eccentric, bookish young girl and an angry old man who runs a toy booth in the station. The Invention of Hugo Cabret unfolds its cryptic, magical story in a format that blends elements of picture book, novel, graphic novel, and film. Caldecott Honor-winning author-illustrator Brian Selznick has fashioned an intricate puzzle story that binds the reader like a mesmerist’s spell.

AR lists Hugo Cabret as a level 5.1 for middle grades (4-8), and is worth 4.0 points.

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In January and February we will be reading the winner of the 2011 Newbery Medal, Moon Over Manifest by Clare Vanderpool. This richly detailed novel is both a coming-of-age story and enjoyable historical fiction read.

The Kirkus Starred Review:

“When 12-year-old Abilene jumps off the train in Manifest, Kan., in 1936 to stay with her father’s boyhood friend, little does she know her sojourn will take her back, via mesmerizing tales, newspaper clippings, curious mementoes and World War I letters, to Manifest as it was in 1918—and into the life of the mysterious boy nicknamed Jinx. This young con man effected extraordinary change in the lives of the mostly immigrant residents and the fortunes of the mining town in that year. Abilene and readers get so caught up in the past in this richly detailed, splendidly written novel that they easily make the transition between the Depression and WWI eras and long to learn more about the town that once was. Readers will love guessing how Abilene’s dad fits into all the stories and townspeople’s memories. The absolute necessity of story as a way to redemption and healing past wounds is at the heart of this beautiful debut, and readers will cherish every word up to the heartbreaking yet hopeful and deeply gratifying ending.”

 

AR lists Moon Over Manifest at level 5.3 for middle grades (4-8) and 12.0 points.

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To celebrate the March 2012 release of The Hunger Games movie, we will be reading the book in February and March. If you are not already familiar with this exciting trilogy, come join the craze! And for those who’ve already read the series, meet with us to discuss the book and what you’re excited to see on the big screen.

AR cites The Hunger Games as a 5.3 level for middle grades plus (grades 6 and up) and is worth 15.0 points.

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The book for the Spring 2012 sessions has not yet been determined. I’d like to let YOU decide, so let me know your picks! Please contact me, Ashley, at 270-442-2510 ext. 122 or aadair@mclib.net if you have any questions or comments. I look forward to seeing you Sept. 17!

Our youth book club will begin Saturday, Sept. 17 at 1 pm. We will meet 1 Saturday a month at 1 pm for 1 hour to read & discuss recent young adult books. Refreshments will be provided as well!

Here is the book lineup:

Sept. 17 & Oct. 15, 2011- Incarceron by Catherine Fisher (to be made into a movie for a 2013 release date!)

Oct. 15 & Nov. 12,  2011 – The Invention of Hugo Cabret by Brian Selznick (this Caldecott winner was made into a movie by Martin Scorsese, to be released Nov. 23, 2011)

Jan. 7 & Feb. 4, 2012 – Moon Over Manifest by Clare Vanderpool (2011 Newbery Award Winner)

Feb 4. & Mar. 3, 2012 – The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins (the first movie in this exciting trilogy will be released Mar. 23, 2012)

March & April, 2012 – TBA (I’ll let YOU decide!)

I hope to see you next month, on Sept. 17 at 1 pm! 

The books that almost won (a spotlight on the Newbery honor books)

The “other” book awards (award winning books that didn’t win the Newbery or Caldecott)

Mystery? Adventure? International art scandal? Yes, please! (Blue Balliett’s smart mystery series for middle readers)

Shhh…The Name of This Book is Secret (another fun series for ages 9-12 by Pseudonymous Bosch)

Love history? Read historical fiction! (a list of historical fiction for middle school and high school readers)

Each year, only 1 book gets the gold (or bronze, in this case) medal. And each year  around 2 – 7 books get the “honor” title. Let’s pay tribute to those honor books that almost won “the most distinguished  American children’s book award.”

2011 Honor Books:

Turtle in Paradise by Jennifer L. Holm (Don’t let the girly cover fool you – boys will love this book, too!)

Heart of a Samurai by Margi Preus

Dark Emperor and Other Poems of the Night by Joyce Sidman

One Crazy Summer by Rita Williams-Garcia

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2010 Honor Books:

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

The Mostly True Adventures of Homer P. Figg  by Rodman Philbrick

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2009 Honor Books:

The Underneath  by Kathi Appelt, illus. by David Small

The Surrender Tree: Poems of Cuba’s Struggle for Freedom by Margarita Engle

Savvy by Ingrid Law

After Tupac & D Foster by Jacqueline Woodson

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2008 Honor Books:

Elijah of Buxton by Christopher Paul Curtis

The Wednesday Wars by Gary D. Schmidt

Feathers by Jacqueline Woodson

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2007 Honor Books:

Penny from Heaven  by  Jennifer L. Holm

Hattie Big Sky  by  Kirby Larson

Rules  by  Cynthia Lord

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2006 Honor Books:

Whittington  by  Alan Armstrong, illustrated by S.D. Schindler

Hitler Youth: Growing Up in Hitler’s Shadow by  Susan Campbell Bartoletti

Princess Academy  by  Shannon Hale

Show Way by Jacqueline Woodson

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2005 Honor Books:

Al Capone Does My Shirts by  Gennifer Choldenko

The Voice that Challenged a Nation: Marian Anderson and the Struggle for Equal Rights”  by Russell Freedman

Lizzie Bright and the Buckminster Boy by Gary D. Schmidt

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To find the complete list of Newbery Honor Books (and all the winners), click here.

Michael L. Printz Award

This an award for a book that exemplifies literary excellence in young adult literature.

2011 Winner -

Ship Breaker by Paolo Bacigalupi 

In a futuristic world, teenaged Nailer scavenges copper wiring from grounded oil tankers for a living, but when he finds a beached clipper ship with a girl in the wreckage, he has to decide if he should strip the ship for its wealth or rescue the girl.

2011 Honor Books -

Nothing by Janne Teller

Please Ignore Vera Dietz by A.S. King

Revolver by Marcus Sedgwick

Stolen by Lucy Christopher

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Schneider Family Book Award

This award honors an author or illustrator for a book that embodies an artistic expression of the disability experience for child and adolescent audiences.

2011 Middle School Winner -

After Ever After by Jordan Sonnenblick

Although Jeff and Tad, encouraged by a new friend, Lindsey, make a deal to help one another overcome aftereffects of their cancer treatments in preparation for eighth-grade graduation, Jeff still craves advice from his older brother Stephen, who is studying drums in Africa.

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Theodor Seuss Geisel Award

This award, established in 2004, is given annually (beginning in 2006) to the author(s) and illustrator(s) of the most distinguished contribution to the body of American children’s literature known as beginning reader books published in the United States during the preceding year.

2011 Winner -

Bink and Gollie by Kate DiCamillo and Alison McGhee, illustrated by Tony Fucile

Two roller-skating best friends–one tiny, one tall–share three comical adventures involving outrageously bright socks, an impromptu trek to the Andes, and a most unlikely marvelous companion.

2011 Honors -

Ling and Ting: Not Exactly the Same! written and illustrated by Grace Lin

We Are in a Book! written and illustrated by Mo Willems

And don’t forget to vote for your favorite book for children’s book week! Vote here!

Join eleven-year-olds Petra and Calder as they use their brains to track down who stole a famous Vermeer painting. Puzzles and codes abound in this exciting mystery, and illustrations by Brett Helquist (who illustrated the Lemony Snicket books) liven up the story as well.

Balliett’s publisher Scholastic has a fun, interactive website that includes clues and games related to the books. Check it out here! And don’t forget to pick up your copy (or the whole series!) today at your library!

Book 1: Chasing Vermeer  

Book 2: The Wright 3 

Book 3: The Calder Game 

Ages 9-12; grades 5-8

AGES 2 AND UNDER

Goodnight, Goodnight Sleepyhead, by Ruth Krauss, illus. by Jane Dyer

It’s time for baby’s bedtime! As a tired little toddler says goodnight to her toys and dolls, readers are invited to say goodnight to everything in the nursery: “Goodnight walls, goodnight floors, goodnight chairs, goodnight bed, goodnight goodnight sleepyhead.” This gentle, soothing rhyme is the perfect bedtime story to read to your child.

 Goodnight, Goodnight Sleepyhead, Ruth Krauss, Jane Dyer, pub. August 2007, HarperFestival

AGES 3-6

Willoughby and the Lion, by Greg Foley

Willoughby hates his new house. But suddenly his world becomes much more exciting when he discovers a golden lion in his front yard! The lion offers to grant Willoughby ten wishes, and the little boy couldn’t be more elated. He wishes for a roller coaster, x-ray glasses, and the fastest shoes in the world! He wishes for cookies and candies! He wishes for a hot-air-balloon-submarine with an escape helicopter! But none of these things seem to be quite enough. But before he makes his final wish, he realizes that the thing he has wanted most all along may be right in front of him. Author Greg Foley’s text is simple and accompanied perfectly by beautiful gray-toned illustrations punctuated by dramatic splashes of gold. Children will be delighted by this entrancing tale of friendship and imagination.

Willoughby and the Lion, Greg Foley, pub. Feb. 2009, HarperCollins

AGES 6-8

Danny and the Dinosaur, by Syd Hoff

One day, Danny visits the museum. He loves to look at all the interesting things, but most of all, he absolutely loves the dinosaurs! When he makes friends with a real live dinosaur from the museum, Danny is ready to have the most fun day of his life! Together Danny and his dinosaur pal have adventure after adventure, and when the day is through, they are both happy to return to their respective homes. Beginning readers will be delighted with this classic tale of fun and friendship!

Danny and the Dinosaur, Syd Hoff, pub. Sept. 1992, HarperTrophy

AGES 8-10

Clementine, by Sara Pennypacker, illus. by Marla Frazee

Clementine is full of energy! Whether she’s playing with her best friend, entertaining her brother, or helping her parents, she is always busy! But sometimes Clementine’s helpful spirit gets in the way and causes trouble she couldn’t ever have seen coming. But even when she makes the biggest of well-meant mistakes, Clementine knows that her family and friends will always understand. Sara Pennypacker’s delightfully lovable heroine is a character readers can appreciate, a girl who is always in trouble, but always has the best of intentions! Marla Frazee’s illustrations perfectly reflect the attitude of the story, full of life and movement. This is an excellent book for energetic readers who like their stories fast paced and unique!

Clementine, Sara Pennypacker, Marla Frazee, pub. Feb. 2008, Hyperion Books for Children

AGES 10 AND UP

Heroes of the Valley, by Jonathan Stroud

Halli has always felt like the misfit of his family. Instead of being tall and impressive like his siblings, he is as short as a stump. No one seems to expect anything from him but trouble, and he is usually able to deliver. But when Halli’s practical joking goes a step too far, he must face the consequences of his actions. As Halli works to complete his punishment, he discovers that the peaceful society he has grown up in may not be all he thought it was. Halli must go deeper and deeper into a web of mystery, until secrets he has never before faced demand to be addressed.

Heroes of the Valley, Jonathan Stroud, pub. Jan. 2009, Hyperion Books

Want more recommendations? Stop by or call us! Hooray for Books, 1555 King St., Alexandria, VA 22314. 703-548-4092.

Happy reading!