Babbling Books Alaska

Behemoth by Scott Westerfeld

2011-01-31T17:04:00.000-08:00

Behemoth by Scott Westerfeld Simon 978-1416971757
is the follow up to Leviathan and is the third book in a planned trilogy. Behemoth is set in an alternate history of World War I where the allied powers (or Darwinists) all use genetically engineered beasts as weapons, and the axis powers (or Clankers) use gigantic robot like machines as weapons. The story is a continuation of the tale of Alek, who is a fugitive Clanker prince, the son of the recently assassinated Archduke Ferdinand, and Deryn, a girl passing as a boy so she can get into the British Air Service. In this tale the two of them have landed in Istanbul, still a neutral power, and are helping in a mission to keep the Ottoman Empire neutral. The Clankers are just about to push the Ottomans onto their side when Deryn is sent on an ill-fated mission, and Alek is captured by revolutionaries. Will the two of them succeed in keeping the Ottomans neutral? Will Alek discover that Deryn is a girl? Read this book and find out! But then you'll be biting your fingernails waiting for the final book in the trilogy, Goliath, to come out in September 2011. This book is highly recommended and is one of the most exciting Steampunk books I have read. If you loved this series you'll want to try some other Steampunk series like Airborn or The Golden Compass

Review by Niki Roohi, Librarian at Goldenview MS

Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins Dutton

2011-01-31T16:58:00.000-08:00

Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins Dutton 978-0525423270
This is the story of Anna, who is sent to Paris to spend her senior year at boarding school. She hates the idea of leaving all her friends in Atlanta, but her famous author father (think Nicholas Sparks) thinks it would be good for her (and his reputation) if she went abroad. Anna is welcomed into the small, elite school by a few interesting characters, notably Etienne St. Clair. St. Clair is half-French, half-American, raised in England (read: sexy English accent)--and taken. Anna and St. Clair become fast friends, but throughout the whole year his girlfriend comes between them. Will things ever change? There are many romantic books in middle school libraries, but this is a full-blown, mushy romance. If you're looking for a good diversion and a quick pick-me-up that you won't feel guilty about (because it is well written!), then try this one!

Review by Niki Roohi, Librarian Goldenview MS

The Reformed Vampire Support Group by Catherine Jinks Harcourt

2011-01-31T16:50:00.000-08:00

The Reformed Vampire Support Group by Catherine Jinks Harcourt 978-0152066093
Are you tired of the same old same old vampire story? Good looking immortals with super powers? Then how about a book where the vampires are all sickly and afraid to leave their houses? That's what this one is about! And they would all stay inside and wallow in their misery forever if one of their own hadn't turned up staked to death. Now they have to leave their comfort zone and find out who the killer is, with no super powers except the ability to see in the dark! Can they survive the blinding lights and the run in with an illegal werewolf fighting ring? Check it out and find out!

Review by Niki Roohi, Librarian Goldenview MS

Black Hole Sun by David Macinnis Gill

2011-01-18T17:21:00.000-08:00

Black Hole Sun is a dystopian novel set on a future Mars - Durango and his crew of Regulators have taken the job of protecting a mining outpost from the cannibalistic Draeu. Lots of action for the military Sci-Fi fans. I found the main story engaging and it moved forward well.

The back story was not so well developed. Maybe it is my lens as an adult reader but there are too many things hinted at that aren't developed or that are developed in such a piecemeal fashion I just didn't think the world building was where it should be. Why are Durango and Vienne disgraced - what lead up to that? What did his father do to get driven out as leader of Mars? Why is that important to the story? Why is it important that his artificial intelligence (Mimi) was once his squad leader? Is he the only one with this artificial intelligence? If they designed the Big Daddies from a native life form - why do they believe that all the native life forms (Chigoes) are all gone? Why is it important to the story that they aren't.....

Ok, maybe I am over analyzing this but I read A LOT of Sci-Fi and I really want my world building to be consistent and hold to the rules that author sets up. I think my problem here is that Gills doesn't really set up enough of the rules clearly enough for me to grab onto. If he wanted to tell the story of the small band of Regulators fighting the hordes of the Draeu then that is a great story - and he does that really well. He only gets part way there with the back story

Ann Morgester, Library Curriculum Coordinator

Girl In the Arena by Lise Haines

2011-01-13T14:54:00.000-08:00

Girl in the arena : a novel containing intense prolonged sequences of disaster and peril by Haines, Lise - Bloomsbury Press, c2009

This was an interesting alternative history book. In this world things are very similar to our world. There is Cable TV, McDonalds, School and Gladiatorial Games (instead of WWF or WWE wrestling) In these games, people die as they battle each other with real weapons in front of thousands of screaming fans. The main character's stepfather is killed during a match and as part of the "Glad Culture" she is to marry the winner (did I mention she is 16 or so?) Her younger brother has special needs, her mother is so depressed she is unable to help and so she decides that she would rather fight him in the Arena than marry him. This book held my attention although the differences in the worlds is slight but I was somewhat put off by the rather out of context twist at the end. Recommended for anyone who likes Hunger Games

Review by Ann Morgester Library Curriculum Coordinator Anchorage School District

Nick of Time by Ted Bell

2010-07-07T14:13:00.000-07:00

Nick of Time by Ted Bell

Grade 6–9—This is an immensely appealing book about 12-year-old Nick McIver, son of a lighthouse owner, who lives on Greybeard Island off the coast of Great Britain in 1939. Opening with a thrilling near-fatal sailboat excursion, the action kicks into high gear when Nick finds a sea chest containing a mysterious glowing globe. Hunted by pirates from the past who seek the globe, a time-travel device, Nick finds himself bouncing back and forth in time fighting exceedingly nasty pirates, Napoleon's naval forces in 1805, and Nazi spies in 1939. Nick is the pluckiest, most likable boy-hero since Robert Lewis Stevenson's David Balfour (Kidnapped). With great battle scenes; lots of nautical jargon; and themes of courage, integrity, and honor, this book will appeal to restless boys who can never find books written just for them. Three huzzahs and a great big 21-gun salute to Bell for his first novel for kids. Hopefully, it won't be his last.

Review by —Jane Henriksen Baird, Anchorage Public Library, AK (Review used with permission)

Hunger: A Gone Novel by Michael Grant

2010-03-26T11:09:00.000-07:00

2009 9780061449079 Katherine Tegan Books

Hunger By Michael Grant
Gr 7 UpIn the second in a planned six-book series, the children of Perdito Beach, CA, have survived without adults for three months following the FAYZ, a nuclear event that caused everyone over the age of 14 to vanish and an impenetrable barrier to rise for 20 miles around the town. Now their food is almost gone, and in their desperation and fear, the young people are beginning to sort themselves into factions; those without special powers opposing those who have them. To add to the suspense, a terrifying presence that calls itself the Gaiaphage, a being of overwhelming hunger, is insinuating itself into the minds of the susceptible. Like "Gone" (HarperTeen, 2008), this novel is not for the faint of heart or weak of stomach. Nonstop action and recurring scenes of graphic violence, death, and torture will keep readers on the edge of their seats as they race toward the climactic cliff-hanger ending. Give this to teens who liked Stephen Kings "The Stand" (Doubleday, 1990) or William Goldings "Lord of the Flies" (Penguin, 1959)."

Jane Henriksen Baird, Anchorage Public Library, AK" Copyright 2009 (Used with permission)

Tentacles by Roland Smith

2010-03-26T11:02:00.000-07:00

9780545166881 September 2009 Scholastic

Gr 5–8—Since the disappearance of Marty's parents, he and his cousin Grace have lived with her father, the renowned cryptozoologist Travis Wolfe. This sequel to Cryptid Hunters (Hyperion, 2005) begins with Wolfe mounting an expedition in search of a mythological giant squid. Marty, his friend Luther, and Grace join the crew aboard the Coelacanth, a refitted freighter. Unknown to Wolfe, however, his archenemy Noah Blackwood is in hot pursuit, determined to steal the gigantic creature and destroy Wolfe and his reputation. Add hatching dinosaur eggs, a manic chimpanzee, cool gadgets, a nifty undersea nuclear submarine, ruthless villains, murder, and sabotage to the mix and you've got a high-octane page-turner that will reel readers in and keep them riveted. Several unanswered questions suggest another sequel may be in the works, which will make Smith's fans very happy.

—Jane Henriksen Baird, Anchorage Public Library, AK (Review used with permission)

Going Bovine by Libba Bray

2010-01-26T16:24:00.000-08:00

Going Bovine by Libba Bray is about a boy named Cameron who is kind of a loser. He's one of those I'm-just-going-to-sit-around-and-not-do-anything types. He has a set of normal parents, who don't really understand him, and a twin sister who's his polar opposite. About 80 pages in, Cameron finds out he has Mad Cow disease. Only, he doesn't really have mad cow disease. His brain is being attacked by alien prions that came through this portal that this scientist named Dr. X left open. The universe is about to combust from the dark matter, and Cameron is about to die. To save himself, and everyone else, he has to go find Dr. X. He's told all this by a punk rock angel named Dulcie. So, Cameron sets out on his journey to save the universe with his new best friend Gonzo, a very short dude who's afraid of everything. On his journey he encounters CESSNAB (a Utopian church dedicated to bowling and vanilla smoothies), a garden gnome named Balder who is actually a Norse God in disguise, a dead jazz musician, fire giants, the wizard of reckoning, an MTV-esque beach party, and a company that sells snow globes and wants to turn everyone into a snow globe. The book was a psychedelic road trip, and an overall good, if not strange, read.
You also might want to check out this video of Libba Bray talking about her book.

The ISBN number is: 978-0385733977 and the price is: $17.99. published 2009

Review by E. Roohi -

Impossible by Nancy Werlin

2010-01-19T15:28:00.000-08:00

Impossible by Nancy Werlin , 978-0142414910 9.99 paperback

Impossible is a wonderful dark fairy tale based on the folksong Scarborough Fair. In this story Lucy is the latest in a long line of women who get pregnant at 18, and then go crazy when they deliver. Lucy discovers that this is a curse from the Elfin Knight, who was spurned by her foremother many many generations ago. However, since she is pregnant, she has only a short period of time to fulfill the three impossible tasks from the song. With the help from her foster family and her next door neighbor, Lucy takes the challenge on. The only distraction from this book is near the end when Lucy is racing against the rising tide, and the author gives her 12 hours to do it in. This careless timeline could have been overcome by some more careful editing.

Check out the Video

Review by Niki Roohi Goldenview Middle School Librarian Anchorage School District

When You Reach Me by Rebecca Stead

2010-01-14T11:57:00.000-08:00

When You Reach Me by Rebecca Stead 978-0385737425, 2009, hbk $15.99

Miranda is in the 6th grade in New York City in 1978, and her life is changing in the last year of elementary school. Her best friend Sal stops talking to her, unexpectedly, after being punched by a strange kid. She goes out of her comfort zone to make new friends, including the boy who punched Sal. Her mother is preparing to go on The $20,000 Pyramid, and a weird homeless man has taken up residence outside her apartment building. Then she starts getting strange notes that predict the future, but she is warned not to share them. The story takes all three of these strands and weaves them into a neat time-travel story, but it is the details of this story that make it so comfortable to read. Miranda deals with friendship and school like most children do, and it is wonderful to see her growing and changing as she realizes her strengths and weaknesses. She finally learns how to relate to Sal, and to her three new friends, her mother and mother’s boyfriend, and even to the weird laughing man on the street corner. And did I mention that there is time travel involved?

This quiet story is highly recommended to upper elementary and middle schoolers who like stories about school, friendship, and yes, a bit of science fiction.

Review by Niki Roohi, Goldenview Middle School Librarian Anchorage Alaska

Marcelo in the Real World by Francisco X. Stork

2010-01-14T11:52:00.000-08:00

Marcelo in the Real World by Francisco X. Stork 978-0-545-05474-4 pub 2009 $17.99

Marcelo has Asperger’s Syndrome and has gone to a special school all his life. About to enter his senior year and looking forward to a job in the school’s stables looking after the ponies, his father gets him a job at his law firm instead. His father has never quite been comfortable with the idea that his son is different and coerces Marcelo into taking the job after his rival at the law firm brings his son in for the summer, to prove that he is normal. Marcelo is extremely resentful but has no choice but to obey. He ends up in the mailroom working with Jasmine who knows all the politics of the place and refuses to follow the conventions. She does not want Marcelo there, but leaves him alone. Theri friendship slowly forms when Marcelo accidentally becomes involved in one of the law firm’s cases, and she agrees to help him. But Marcelo is on the wrong side of the case, and he soon has choices to make between right and wrong, his father and his new friend. In the meantime he finds his father may be right about becoming independent, and he experiences romance for the first time.

Marcelo is a wonderful character and you will enjoy getting to know him. This book is reminiscent of The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time, and is highly recommended for middle school and high school.

Review by Niki Roohi, Goldenview MS Librarian

The Adoration of Jenna Fox by Mary Pearson

2009-10-23T11:24:00.000-07:00

The Adoration of Jenna Fox by Mary Pearson, 2008, 978-0312594411 pbk $8.99

Who is Jenna Fox? Not even Jenna knows. Waking up after what she is told has been a year in a coma, Jenna doesn’t remember anything about her past but she does know that something is wrong with her present. Why does her grandmother dislike her? Why does it seem as if her parents are hiding her?

The slow unfolding of this story is one of its strengths and it sucked me in right from the beginning . I really liked the way that Pearson allows Jenna to struggle with what it means to be human, a person, and to have a real identity without beating the reader over the head with it. The ethical issues that are raised in the book are not solved, nor should they be. Highly recommended for MS/HS

Check out the book trailer here.

Review by Ann Morgester, Library Curriculum Coordinator, Anchorage School District

Boost by Kathy Mackel

2009-10-23T11:15:00.000-07:00

Boost Mackel, Kathy: – Savvy is 13, 6 foot 2 and mad about basketball – she has won a spot on the 18U (18 and unders) team and despite her raw talent, she needs to boost her game if she is going to play at the level she needs to so that she can get off the bench and start the game. When steroids are found, the questions of whose world is going to come crashing down throws her game.

I really liked this book. Savvy is a strong character who is learning to be part of a team and to do the right thing. I liked that the issue of steroids was looked at from the point of view of girls, since so often the books we see on the topic focus on boys sports.

Recommended for MS and HS libraries
Review by Ann Morgester, ASD Library Curriculum Coordinator, Anchorage School district

Sister Wife by Shelley Hrdlitschka

2009-10-14T18:23:00.000-07:00

Sister Wife by Shelley Hrdlitschka - 978-1-55143-927-3 - 12.95 - Orca Book Publishers

Celeste lives in Unity, a rural town founded by The Movement, a fundamentalist religious group that believes in pure faith, and obedience. Polygamy is the norm where young girls are assigned to much older husbands. Celeste questions her faith, the beliefs of her community and struggles to find the strength to break free while she worries that her actions will bring shame to her family.

One of the things that I like about this book is that while it shows the beliefs of the community as harsh, and the struggle of Celeste and others is real - it does not demonize the beliefs and shows that while some are not suited to the life, others thrive in it and find joy and fulfillment there. I found it gripping and had a hard time putting it down - it is told in the alternating voices of three girls in the community - Celeste, who questions, Nannette, who finds strength and peace in her beliefs, and Taviana, who was saved from a life as a prostitute and has found healing in the town of Unity, but must leave the town abruptly when the police come looking for her.

Highly Recommended for MS/HS
Ann Morgester, Library Curriculum Coordinator, Anchorage School District

Night Wings by Joseph Bruchac

2009-10-13T17:17:00.000-07:00

Night Wings by Joseph Bruchac with Illustrations by Sally Wern Comport 2009 Harper Collins Publishers 978-0-06-112318-4 $16.89

I think this book would make a great read-aloud, especially at this time of the year when spooky, scary stories are in demand. Some of the characters are a little one-dimensional, the bad guys are nothing but bad! Which does add to scariness of the story. Bruchac's characters play up the stereotypical the stoic indian, to their advantage. The plot is well paced and filled with Abenaki folklore.

Heather Fleming, Librarian, Jane Mears Middle School

The Disreputable History of Frankie Landau-Banks by E. Lockhart

2009-10-13T17:07:00.000-07:00

The Disreputable History of Frankie Landau-Banks by E. Lockhart Paperback: 352 pages
Publisher: Hyperion Book CH; Reprint edition (August 25, 2009) ISBN-13: 978-0786838196

Are you looking for a female character to offset Bella from Twilight? Then try The Disreputable History!

Frankie is a smart, confident teenager in a beautiful body. While she is happy at first with the attention she gets from Matthew, the most popular boy in school, she begins to realize that neither he, nor his friends, take her seriously, nor will they ever include her in their group. Frankie becomes Matthew's girlfriend, and discovers that he is the leader of a secret all boys club. The boys do mindless pranks around the school as a form of bonding. When she discovers them she sends them emails posing as someone else and soon takes control of the group. She soon has them performing pranks with a social message, but none of the boys seem to understand what they are really doing, nor do they ever suspect that pretty Frankie is behind it all. It all comes to a head at the end of the semester when a prank goes wrong. The ending is not neat and tidy, but it will leave you thinking about what it means to be true to yourself.

Recommended for high school and middle school. Most girls should love this character and feel empowered by her.

Nicole Roohi, librarian, Goldenview Middle School.

The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman

2009-09-15T13:06:00.000-07:00

The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaimon with Illustrations by Dave McKean 2008 Harper Collins Publishers 978-0-06-053092-1 $17.99

Nobody Owens has been raised in the graveyard by the ghosts after he wanders there the night his family is murdered by a shadowy figure named Jack. This a gem of a book. The multi-generational cast of ghosts who range from a Roman to a much more modern witch take on the task of raising and protecting Bod. Bod of course ventures out from the graveyard on occasion to experience the wider world but he comes back home to the "people" who love and care for him. (Yes indeed, you should be seeing shades of The Jungle Book) This story is a charming look at what it means to grow up, make mistakes, and become a member of society. The black and white illustrations through out the book are lovely and help to visualize the story.

School Library Journal recommends it for ages 11 and up. Click here is their very informative review.

Review by Ann Morgester Library Curriculum Coordinator Anchorage School District

Inexcusable by Chris Lynch

2009-08-17T17:41:00.000-07:00

Inexcusable by Chris Lynch, 2007 Paperback 7.99 978-1416939726

Keir is convinced he is a good guy. Most of the town is convinced as well despite a list of inappropriate and vicious behavior that Keir and the town laugh off as youthful high spirits. Keir is accused of date rape by Gigi. In the end, this story told in the first person by Keir, ends with the realization that Keir is indeed a rapist, although it is unclear if Keir, who ends up almost catatonic at the end accepts responsibility. Despite an impressive string of reviews, I found this book to be self- aggrandizing and so morally ambiguous as to leave me wondering at the end if Keir would ever accept responsibility for anything. I can see where Lynch was heading with this one, but he didn't get there for me.
It could work for your most advanced HS readers.

Review by Ann Morgester Library Curriculum Coordinator, Anchorage School District

Boy Kills Man by Matt Whyman

2009-08-17T17:36:00.000-07:00

Boy Kills Man by Matt Wyman, 2006 Harper Teen (no longer in print)

12 year old boys are made into disposable assassins in Medellin, Colombia. It ends badly for everyone except the Ghost (drug lord). What a sad and depressing little book. I don’t see anything redeeming about it. Not recomended for school libraries.

Review by Ann Morgester Library Curriculum Coordinator, Anchorage School District

Winter Girls: Laurie Halse Anderson

2009-08-11T17:19:00.001-07:00

This was a really hard book for me to read. Lia has been best friends with Cassie for years. They share a lot - including their anorexia. After they have a falling out and don't speak for several months, Lia receives 33 calls from Cassie in one weekend. But she is still mad and so she doesn't answer the phone. Cassie is then found dead in a hotel room. When Lia plays the voice messages from the calls it is just heartbreaking. Lia is also on a downward spiral and there is real question throughout the book if she can save herself.

Anderson uses a number of interesting techniques in this book; strikethroughs, italics, and offsets to illustrate Lia's state of mind (see video of Laurie Halse Anderson talking about Wintergirls ) This is a harsh book that pulls no punches about the effects of Anorexia on the body. Lia's brain is starving and it is clear that this is part of what keeps the spiral going. There has been some concern that this book may "glamorize" or "teach" anorexia. There is an interesting NYT article on the topic. Eating disorders is a difficult topic to write about but Anderson does it with her usual style and grace. I highly recommend this book for HS.

Review by Ann Morgester Library Curriculum Coordinator, Anchorage School District

Twisted by Laurie Halse Anderson

2009-08-03T15:51:00.000-07:00

Twisted Laurie Halse Anderson 978-0142411841 9.99 2007 Viking Pub.

Laurie Halse Anderson doesn’t pick easy topics to write about. From the story of a high school girl who is silent and hides in the janitor’s closet because she has to face the boy who raped her every day at school (Speak) to living through a yellow fever epidemic (Fever 1793) to Twisted, she tackles difficult topics with authentic teen voices. In Twisted, Tyler is a social misfit who is treated as a “problem” so not surprisingly, he acts out. He makes a poor decision and in learning to accept the consequences for his actions he must make decisions about what kind of person he will choose to become. Tyler’s family is emotionally unstable and it is reflected in his own actions. This book deals candidly with the issues of integrity, emotional abuse, self-identity, rage, and violence. At one point, Tyler smashes his father’s train set up. “The temporary rivets holding me together loosened, glowing hot under the pressure that prevented me from turning the bat on my father.....I hit the train table harder so I wouldn’t hit him.” The explosion of violence culminates his decision to choose who he will become, rather than accepting others expectations and perceptions of him. He chooses to make his own decisions rather than to allow himself to continue to twist under other peoples toxic opinions. Tyler’s humor, though increasingly dark throughout the book, and his very realistic voice made me cheer for him all the way through. Highly recommended for High School.

Ann Morgester, Library Curriculum Coordinator, Anchorage School District

Teaching the Digital Generation By Kelly, McCain & Jukes

2009-07-29T19:45:00.000-07:00

Teaching the Digital Generation: No More Cookie-Cutter High Schools by Frank S. Kelly, Ted McCain and Ian Jukes. Corwin Press (2008), Paperback, 280 pages 978-1-4129-3927-0

The basic premise of this book is not new by any stretch, but interestingly still needs to be said, over and over. Our schools are not functional in teaching our students what they need to be successful in the 21st century. Our student's brains are wired differently due to early and consistent exposure to digital media and we need to get on board. I agree completely and appreciate that the authors take a very bottom up approach in that they focus on the physical design of learning spaces as being the first step. If we don't change the spaces we teach in, we will have a much harder time changing our teaching. They are also very clear that a community vision must exist before design and construction begin and they do not mince words when they say that it will "take great courage, steadfast commitment, and a lot of just plain hard work to sustain the vision.” (67). After laying out their reasoning, the authors elaborate on 11 different school designs with the emphasis on the fact that there is no one right answer for every kid. Each of the 11 designs is preceded by a two-page graphic of the concept which is then followed by a short elaboration and a rubric which each design is evaluated against. While the need for professional development is stressed and the resistance of teachers, parents and administrators being asked to move out of their comfort zone is addressed, the book is focused on the physical design of the learning spaces.

The authors explore how the physical design of the school must support 21st century curriculum, but how that curriculum is designed would very much depend on the vision that the community creates and the specific model or models that used. The authors address many aspects of the digital age high school but as a school librarian, I am concerned that most of their models do not have an information center (library/commons) and that while there is much mention of online access to library materials and information there is no discussion of how those materials will be selected, evaluated, and where students are to get voluntary reading material is left out entirely.

I would highly recommend that anyone contemplating a school remodel or construction read this book immediately. If nothing else, it will make you question your assumptions and “the way we have always done it” which is not a bad thing at all.

Related Book: The New Learning Commons: Where learners win byDavid V. Loertscher, Carol Koechlin and Sandi Zwaan; ISBN: 978-1-933170-40-4; Hi Willow Research and Publishing; 2008

Related Websites: No More Cookie Cutter High Schools http://web.mac.com/iajukes/nomoreookiecutterschools/Blog/Blog.html

Review by Ann Morgester Library Curriculum Coordinator, Anchorage School District

10 Technology Enhanced Alternatives to Book Reports

2009-07-28T12:05:00.000-07:00

Take a look at this list of 10 Technology Enhanced Alternatives to Book Reports by Kelly Tenkely on theapple.com . Talk about creating meaningful integration of technology for students. It isn't about doing more, it is about doing what we do differently!!

Thanks to Joyce Valenza on Twitter for this link (joycevalenza) - and this would be one of the ways to use twitter effectively in your job......

Theapple.com Where Teachers Meet and Learn

Chains: Laurie Halse Anderson

2009-07-27T14:30:00.000-07:00

Anderson, Laurie Halse. Chains. Simon and Schuster 2008 978—4169-0585-1 16.99

Isabelle and Ruth were told that when Mistress Finch died they would be given their freedom. It was written in the will. Mistress Finch’s greedy nephew denies that will was ever written and sells them to the Lockton’s, Torries who are returning to New York to work against the Patriots. Isabelle is desperate to protect her young sister who is “simple” and after Ruth is sold away from her by the Lockton’s she is convinced by another young slave, Curzon, to spy on the Lockton’s. In the end though, the questions raised by the book have more to do with who is to be free in this new nation and what Isabelle is willing to risk to be free herself.

This is a powerful book in many ways. I think the point of view on the revolutionary period is different than any other fiction I have read about the period. The colonists are people, not caricatures, with all the kindness and cruelty that exists in the human race. Isabelle is a character to make you cheer and cry and her ultimate decision reveals the power of love and the strength of the human spirit. While the book is appropriate for upper elementary and MS it also offers wonderful discussion points about the revolution for HS.

Also check out Terri Lesesne's Review on her Goddess of YA Literature Blog

Review by Ann Morgester Library Curriculum Coordinator, Anchorage School District

Swimming to Antarctica: Lynne Cox

2009-07-24T17:04:00.000-07:00

Swimming to Antarctica: Tales of a long-distance swimmer Lynne Cox Biography 978-0156031301 14.99 2005 Harvest Books/Harcourt Inc

Lynne Cox discovered early that she loved swimming in the elements, and as a very fit swimmer with loads of endurance but not much speed over short swims, she is a natural at swimming for hours in open water. At the age of 14 she began by swimming the Catalina Channel between Catalina Island and Seal Beach just south of Los Angles (26 miles/over 12 hours). She then went looking for more challenges and set world records for the English Channel, was the first woman and one of only 5 people to swim the Cook Strait in New Zeland, and raced in the Nile River. She then set her sights on swimming the Bering Strait between Little Diomede Island and Big Diomede before the end of the cold war on her way to her most extreme swim in the life threatening cold of Antarctica. In the mean time swimming around the shark infested Cape of Good Hope, in Alaska’s Glacier Bay, across Russia’s Lake Baikal and in various other spots around the world.

I don’t usually like biography but I was sucked into this book from the first page. Throughout the book Lynne shares her fears, her determination and her triumphs with a humble spirit and with sincere acknowledgment of all the people in her life who have supported and encouraged her to follow her very extreme dreams. A fabulous read!

Review by Ann Morgester, Library Curriculum Coordinator Anchorage School District

7 Days at the Hot Corner: Terry Trueman

2009-07-24T09:50:00.000-07:00

7 Days At The Hot Corner by Terry Trueman 2007 Harper Teen 978-0060574949
Scott loves baseball, more than anything else and this senior is set to help his team to a shutout season. So why has everything gotten so hard?

His best friend, Travis, comes out to his family and is kicked out of his house, so he comes to stay with Scott and his dad. But this is new to Scott too and he isn’t sure how to react, what is safe and who to trust. Worse, he worries about being HIV positive because several months before he got Travis’ blood on his hands when they were in the batting cages. It takes 7 days to get back the results of his HIV test and in that 7 days he learns a lot about himself, his family and what it means to be a friend.

7 days is a long time when you are stuck in the hot corner. I loved this book. At 150 pages it is a fast read, and the strong and believable characterizations make Scott’s emotional turmoil and his process very realistic. He doesn’t just overcome his fears or his anger but he works through it in a way that is very true to the age. Even though Scott is a senior I think this book would have strong appeal at the middle school level as well as HS
Highly Recommended

Review by Ann Morgester HS Librarian and ASD Library Curriculum Coordinator

Terry Trueman's Website

God Box: Alex Sanchez

2009-07-24T09:28:00.000-07:00

Sanchez, Alex. The God Box.

Paul is a Christian, has a great girl friend, belongs to the HS Bible Study group and is struggling with his feelings about his sexuality. Enter Manuel. Openly gay but a self identified Christian he turns many things upside down. He forces many people to reevaluate what they think and how they act. Recommended for HS.

Review by Ann Morgester. HS Librarian. Library Curriculum Coordinator, Anchorage School District