Catching Fire

Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins


My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Suzanne Collins created the same suspense in this one that she did in Hunger Games. Readers will be clamoring for the next one in the series. The book is a little above the interests of the average 7th grader, however.

View all my reviews >>

Schooled

Schooled by Gordon Korman


My rating: 4 of 5 stars
I'm not sure if I liked this book because there were so many references to the 70's or because it had such a good message. Either way, I really did like this book. Capricorn Anderson, the main character, is being raised by Rain, his grandmother on what is left of a 70's commune. When his grandmother falls and is hospitalized, Capricorn is taken in by a social worker who sends him to middle school. For someone who has never experienced school, this turns out to be quite an experience. He becomes the butt of jokes and pranks, but eventually elevates the entire school. The story is told from various viewpoints, which makes it accessible to girls and boys. Reminded me of Jerry Spinelli's Stargirl.

View all my reviews >>

Great Middle School Read

Diary of a Wimpy Kid by Jeff Kinney


My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Great middle school read--especially for the boy reluctant reader. Thoroughly enjoyed the book. A must for booktalks.
View all my reviews >>

Unwind by Neal Shusterman

Unwind by Neal Shusterman

My review

rating: 4 of 5 stars
This futuristic novel is one I thoroughly enjoyed. It's rated right up there with Hunger Games for suspense and action. In this dystopia, troubled teens are "unwound" for their body parts. Connor is a troublemaker, so his parents decide to have him unwound. Risa lives in an orphanage, and the decision to have her unwound is a cost saving measure. Lev, another teen is going to be unwound as a "tithe" for his religion. The three cross paths when they are able to "escape" their fate. If they can survive until they are eighteen, then they can no longer be unwound. But can they survive to eighteen? Truly a great read.


View all my reviews.

Library Friends Closing Social

Our library friends group had our closing social on April 30, 2009. We celebrated our end to a fun year by eating Domino's pizza, soda, and cookies--a real health lunch (:. Everyone had plenty to eat--especially our A lunch group.

We talked about plans for next year. Most feel they would like to read and discuss more than one book, and there was general agreement that they would like to have more holiday related activities in the media center--such as our Halloween "Spooky Stories" at lunch.

Next year, we will post happenings in our "Friends..." group. During the summer posts will be book related.

Hunger Games Discussion

B lunch is having a lively discussion about Hunger Games. We are trying to decide whether we like Peeta or Gale and which one we think Katniss should end up with. Most are in favor of Gale, but a few of us really like Peeta. Guess we can't find out what Katniss decides until Collins writes the sequel--supposed to be out in September. We can hardly wait! In the meantime, here are our questions for this week:

1. What do you think was the inspiration for the Hunger Games? One review says it has ties to Rome. What do you think?
2. What do you think of Cinna?

Twilight

A lunch is reading the book Twilight. True, some of the girls had already read the book, but it was the only book that the majority of the group wanted to read. So, with one exception, we are reading Twilight. We were able to get the cover showing the movie poster picture. Those who have seen the movie feel that the book is much better than the movie (although they really liked the movie)


We are going to post a couple of questions each week for discussion. Here are the first questions for group response.


1. What is the significance of the title "Twilight?"
2. Can you identify with Bella's thoughts and actions throughout the book? Why or why not?