Book Thoughts...

What's Mrs. U reading now?

2012-01-06T10:45:00.002-05:00

Brian Selznick's The Invention of Hugo Cabret was just made into a move Hugo. I didn't see the movie, but my understanding (AS USUAL) was that it wasn't as good as the book. Big surprise!

His next one, Wonderstruck, just arrived in the library. Can't wait, although the book looks huge and kids are intimidated, it's half pictures!

The Best Bad Luck I Have Ever Had by Kristin Levine

2012-01-06T10:41:00.002-05:00

"While most of the residents in the tiny, World War I–era Moundville, Alabama, are shocked that their new postmaster is African American, Dit is simply surprised that said postmaster’s child turns out to be a girl, not the boy his own age he was expecting. Bookish, timid Emma can hardly fill the role of fellow adventurer and baseball player that easygoing Dit, with more than a trace of a Huck Finn–like charm, had his heart set on. In unexpected ways, though, the unlikely twosome cross each other’s paths and slowly build a partnership of complementary strengths. When Jim Crow rears its ugly head in the person of the menacing and blatantly racist sheriff, Emma and Dit embark on a risky adventure to save the life of a man sentenced to hang on trumped-up charges. Levine’s story treats racism frankly and with no mincing of words. The highlight of this coming-of-age journey comes from watching the two kids learn about the world and come to care about each other in the way of 13-year-olds." ~Booklist

I enjoyed this story very much. It is becoming a bit cliche...white character and black character become friends in an unlikely time, but many students still don't understand why that was once taboo and unheard of. Lots of interesting characters and few interesting twists. I will probably still have trouble talking some kids into it, but if they would give it a shot, I think they would really like it.

What's Mrs. U Reading Now?

2011-11-21T07:42:00.002-05:00

I am reading The Best Bad Luck I Ever Had by Kristin Levine. I am always looking for historical fiction that my students would actually read. This is a difficult genre to "sell" and I hope this is one I can talk up to my students...

The Chosen One By Carol Lynch Williams

2011-11-04T13:29:00.002-04:00

Wow! I was really impressed with this story. Cult stories are becoming fairly regular in the press these days, but it continues to fascinate me. Here's the product description:

"Thirteen-year-old Kyra has grown up in an isolated community without questioning the fact that her father has three wives and she has twenty brothers and sisters, with two more on the way. That is, without questioning them much—-if you don’t count her secret visits to the Mobile Library on Wheels to read forbidden books, or her meetings with Joshua, the boy she hopes to choose for herself instead of having a man chosen for her.

But when the Prophet decrees that she must marry her sixty-year-old uncle—-who already has six wives—-Kyra must make a desperate choice in the face of violence and her own fears of losing her family forever."

It's not only about the negative connotations you hear about, but about how much love can go on in a family like this one. The expectations and structure of the controlling cult is what is frightening. It's also interesting to read it from a girl's perspective who innately knows there's much more out there in the world for her and that she just doesn't belong in this world.

What's Mrs U Reading Now?

2011-10-10T09:27:00.002-04:00

The Chosen One by Carol Lynch Williams is next on my list. All I know is that it is about a girl who lives in a cult and was well reviews by Booklist and School Library Journal. With recent news headlines about girls escaping this type of life, I'm curious to see how the author handles the topic...

Storm Runners By Roland Smith

2011-10-10T09:21:00.002-04:00

"Chase Masters and his father are storm runners, racing across the country in pursuit of hurricanes, tornadoes, and floods. Anywhere bad weather strikes, they are not far behind. Chase is learning more on the road than he ever would just sitting in a classroom. But when the hurricane of the century hits, he will be tested in ways he never could have imagined."

This is a quick fun read that has lots of action. I preferred Mr. Smith's other series that started with Cryptids, because I happen to like science fiction, but this one is enjoyable too. This one seems to be much more realistic and will be perfect for those students who come in for an action book. It is obviously the beginning of a series, and is new, so you may have to wait awhile between publications...

What's Mrs U Reading Now?

2011-09-23T14:13:00.001-04:00

I am going to read Storm Runners by Roland Smith next. Mr. Smith wrote two other books we have in the library that I really liked - Cryptids and Tentacles, so I have high hopes for this new one!

Candymakers by Wendy Mass

2011-08-16T20:03:00.002-04:00

I just love Wendy Mass. She is a master storyteller. First of all, who wouldn't want to read a book about candy? That's an easy one. Then you have to really hold on to the reader, though. Ms. Mass does it so well...

Four 12-year-olds gather at a candy factory to participate in the local segment of a nationwide contest to create a new and delectable piece of candy. One contestant is the only child of the factory’s owner, known here as the Candymaker. Another boy is obsessed with allergies and the afterlife, while the third boy is unfriendly and intent on winning. The lone girl, Daisy, seems to be sweetness itself but displays great physical strength as well as odd behavior. Mass skillfully presents the two and a half days of the kids’ apprenticeship from the perspective of each of the four contestants. At over four hundred pages, this is not a lightning-fast read, but it reveals a multitude of mysteries, explaining all the clues about misunderstandings, spies, and sabotage that Mass has dropped along the way. Attentive, candy-loving readers will be richly rewarded. - From Booklist

What is so wonderful about this book is that every time you think you have the characters figured out and you know what's going on - you don't. That's what makes a great page turner.

Loved it!

What's Mrs U Reading Now?

2011-05-25T08:58:00.003-04:00

The Candymakers by Wendy Mass! One of my favorite authors (and nearby Jersey native) has a way with storytelling. First, who doesn't love candy? I'm quite curious to see what she does with this story.

Soccerland

2011-05-25T08:53:00.006-04:00

"Soccerland" by Beth Choat is a terrific sports story for girls. I don't know much about soccer, but the basics, and still thoroughly enjoyed the story of Flora's experiences at the International Sports Academy.

From School Library Journal

Gr 5-8–Flora Dupre loves soccer, and before her mom died of cancer, she made a promise that one day she was going to play for the U.S. Women's National Team. She dominates the team at her secondary school, but she is not being challenged, and she longs to play with more seasoned players than those in her little Maine town. She gets her chance when her coach tells her that she has been invited to Colorado for a two-week National Team Identification Camp, where she quickly finds out that things are quite different in the big leagues. The head coach seems to have it in for her with constant criticism; a clique of mean girls makes fun of her large stature; and she feels very alone in the pool of 100 girls who are just as determined as she is to get one of the few spots on the Under-15 national team. Choat's background in sports journalism is obvious. While soccer action takes precedence over any deep character development, readers will enjoy following Flora's new friendships, budding romance, and changing relationship with her father. Themes of sportsmanship and the mental and physical aspects of training are subtly woven into the story line.

There are a lot of sports-minded females at Cavallini. I hope they will give this book a chance. It celebrates the great values of an athlete in the most positive way.

Eggs Over Evie

2011-05-25T08:45:00.003-04:00

"Eggs Over Evie" by Alison Jackson is a great realistic fiction story about divorce, new families, and finding your own personal passion.

“Evie’s narration is emotionally perceptive without being sappy, and the emphasis on roles and relationships yields solid character development that serves to move the story forward. Each chapter is followed by a recipe, and the cooking frame adds organization and appeal to the story.”—Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books, RECOMMENDED

Twelve-year-old Evie Carson lives with her mom. In an apartment across the lake, Evie’s celebrity-chef dad is starting a new life with his young second wife, Angie, who’s expecting twins. To make matters worse, Evie’s dad has custody of the beloved family dog. Navigating her new family situation is difficult, and Evie turns to her love of cooking as a way to stay connected to her father. Through cooking classes, Evie finds an unexpected friend in Corey, whose eccentric aunt Shanti might be able to make everyone a little happier. Evie learns to look outside herself, help others, and make friends where she never thought she could (she also learns to make a pretty darn good soufflé!).

I highly recommend this book to fans of realistic fiction, kids going through their own family upheaval, or anyone who likes to cook!

Knifepoint by Alex Von Tol

2011-03-27T16:38:00.005-04:00

Jill works at a ranch sun up to sun down. She works extremely hard and is often exhausted, so when she takes a good looking gentleman on a trail ride without letting anyone know, you are not surprised. What does surprise her is when his charismatic banter suddenly turns menacing. He is not the nice guy he had seemed. She is far from the ranch, no one knows where she is, and she's at the mercy of a strong menacing man with a knife.

It was definitely a page turner. It's a very short book, so every word and sentence counts. Lots of suspense. I think most students would like this. There's not much going against it.

What's Mrs. U Reading Now?

2011-03-18T10:02:00.003-04:00

I'm starting my new book shipment and I'm just about to crack open the book Knifepoint by Alex Van Tol. The description on the back cover is "Jill took a job that sounded perfect for the summer, guiding tourists on trail rides in the beautiful mountains. She didn't realize that the money was terrible, the long hours long and the co-workers insufferable. After a blowup with her boss, she takes a lone man into the mountains for a ride, only to find that he is a dangerous killer. When Jill fights back and manages to escape, she is in a desperate race to survive and make it to safety." Certainly intriguing!

Three Black Swans by Caroline Cooney

2011-03-18T09:23:00.003-04:00

When sixteen-year-old Missy Vianello decides to try to convince her classmates that her cousin Claire is really her long-lost identical twin, she has no idea that the results of her prank will be so life-changing. This book is filled with surprise after surprise. I will give away that the two girls introduced at the begining of the story are actually sisters who have been told they're twins, however this is not the big surprise of the story because it's pretty obvious, at least to me, that they are. What does follow is a mystery that begins to unravel and plot twists that catch me unawares. It's a slightly disturbing story of love, parenting, and family life. I does tend to drag in some parts, but I found it worth it to push through and get to the resolution.

This week!

2011-03-06T12:09:00.001-05:00

To my loyal readers...I promise to post some new reviews this week. I was very busy with a successful Read Across America this past two weeks.

The Truth about Truman School by Dori Hillestad Butler

2011-02-07T09:10:00.004-05:00

A story of middle school cyberbullying as seen through the eyes of:

Zebby… she just wants to tell the truth.

Amr… he wants people to understand that he is just as American as anyone else.

Lilly… she wants to be popular.

Hayley… she IS popular.

Brianna… she wants to be Hayley’s B.F.F.

Trevor… he just wants to be left alone.

This is the product description on the book's website and tells it all. This book is so topical right now. Bullying has been around since the dawn of man, it seems to be part of human nature, unfortunately. The internet/technologies of today make it even easier to do so. Students are able to post their opinion, photos, videos, etc. without having to actually bully someone face to face. This increases the likelihood ten-fold. This book is a really interesting look into several situations that end up in bullying - from both perspectives. It pushes the envelope about "free speech" and damaging someone's life. It's a great book for these times.

What's Mrs. U reading now?

2011-01-31T14:10:00.003-05:00

My students often ask for books about other kids like them. This is called realistic fiction. I am always on the quest for a truthful and honest look into middle school kids' lives. I want them to read a book and believe it could or has happened to them. Let's see if The Truth about Truman School by Dori Hillestad Butler is one of those types of books.

Stop Pretending: Poems About When My Big Sister Went Crazy by Sonya Sones

2011-01-31T14:06:00.004-05:00

In a sequence of short, intense poems based on the author's own experiences, a 13-year-old girl suffers through her shifting feelings about her sibling's mental illness. She recalls the terror of the Christmas Eve when Sister was suddenly transformed into a stranger; the horror of visiting Sister in the hospital and finding her rocking on all fours; the fear that her friends will find out; her own worry that she, too, may lose her mind; and her wistful memories of Sister as she was before...

“The poems take on life and movement, the individual frames of a movie that in the unspooling become animated, telling a compelling tale.” (Kirkus Reviews )

“Sensitively written.” (The Horn Book )

“Stop Pretending is a tour de force debut. It celebrates truth-telling, and has a purity and passion that speaks to the heart.” (Boston Globe )

“The poems have a cumulative emotional power.” (ALA Booklist (starred review) )

“Unpretentious. Accessible. Deeply felt.” (School Library Journal )

“Heartfelt.” (KLIATT, starred review )

Can you say much more than that?

What's Mrs. U Reading Now?

2011-01-24T08:50:00.001-05:00

I am beginning Stop Pretending What Happened When My Sister Went Crazy by Sonya Sones. Ms. Sones is known for her verse style of writing. The kids like them because they are fast reads. However, most times they don't realize that they're getting a lot of story in those carefully chosen words.

Christopher Killer Slays!

2011-01-24T08:45:00.002-05:00

As the daughter of a Colorado County coroner, seventeen-yearold Cameryn Mahoney is no stranger to death. in fact, she’s always been fascinated by the science of it. so she’s thrilled to finally get some hands-on experience in forensics working as her father’s assistant. but Cammie is in for more than she bargained for when the second case that she attends turns out to be someone she knows—the latest victim of a serial killer known as the Christopher Killer. And if dealing with that isn’t hard enough, Cammie soon realizes that if she’s not careful, she might wind up as the killer’s next victim. . . .

Great introduction to the series. What's great about reading a forensic thriller is that you can skim/skip over the gory parts (like FF on the DVR). I really hate blood and guts stuff, but I love the idea of science solving a crime. Having a girl teen play the main character just adds a great new element to a cool mystery. From a teacher's perspective, I think it's great whenever a female is portrayed with intelligence. It subtly shows you that your strengths and interests can lead you into all sorts of interesting possible futures. I look forward to reading the rest of the series when I get the chance.

What's Mrs. U Reading Now?

2011-01-10T09:56:00.003-05:00

I have gone back to the beginning of Alaine Ferguson's forensic series with The Christopher Killer. I had purchased one further down along in the series without realizing that it was a series. The premise of the books is that Camryn, a high school senior, is a gifted scientist who wants to become a coroner/forensic scientist like her father. I've always enjoyed CSI and NCIS (even if I am very squeamish). The idea of solving crimes with science is fascinating to me.

Max Cassidy : Escape from Shadow Island

2011-01-10T09:50:00.002-05:00

I enjoyed Max Cassidy: Escape from Shadow Island by Paul Adams. It had a little bit of Alex Rider, and it reminded me a little bit of First Shot by Sorrels. Only fourteen years old, Max is the world's foremost escape artist. Chained, handcuffed, locked in an airtight water tank, there's nothing he can't get himself out of. He learned the art from his father—a man who just two years ago was murdered, and Max's mother went to jail for the crime.

Now a mysterious man has shown up backstage after one of Max's shows, telling Max that not only is his mother innocent, but his father is still alive. He can provide only one clue: a slip of paper with eight digits written on it. It is this clue that will lead Max from his home in London to the exotic and deadly Central American country of Santo Domingo and the impenetrable fortress on the sinister Isla de Sombra.

There is a cliffhanger at the end, leading to sequels, I'm sure. It's not a frustrating ending, though. It was a fun adventure read.

What's Mrs. U Reading Now?

2010-12-29T10:55:00.002-05:00

I'm desperately trying to read as many of the new books this week as I can. I may not be able to post about each one. The one I began last night is Max Cassidy : Escape from Shadow Island by Paul Adams. My students love action adventure series such as Horowitz's Alex Rider. We'll see if this one comes close...

Cages by Peg Kehret

2010-12-22T08:25:00.003-05:00

Wow! As I thought, small book with a lot of "punch". This book touches upon shoplifting, alcoholism, animal abuse, and typical middle school angst. Kit was having a very bad day - she didn't get a part in the play, the part went to a girl who gets everything, her stepfather was home drunk, she goes to the mall and the girl that got the part she wanted is being rewarded with jewelry from her father. In a split moment, bad decision, Kit decides she needs something too and shoplift a bracelet. Unfortunately, mall security catches her. As a punishment, a committee sentences her to community service and the local Human Society shelter. Kit is so embarrassed by her "conviction" that she keeps this a secret, which leads to a whole dominoes of lies to her friends and stepfather. The story really touched me without being too sappy. As usual, I think the cover is misleading and grab people to what a great story lies within.

What's Mrs. U Reading Now?

2010-12-21T11:14:00.002-05:00

I will be reading Cages by Peg Kehret next. Ms. Kehret has been a favorite author of the Battle of the Books committee and I have yet not to like one of her books. They are relatively short with a lot of "punch".

Blindsided by Patricia Cummigs

2010-12-21T09:52:00.002-05:00

Natalie begins to lose her sight at age eight because she was born with a congenital disease. In the story she fights the help and aids that the school and her family give her as her sight worsens. She continues to be in denial until one day the doctor says that she has to go to a "blind school" to learn skills for when the inevitable happens. Even while there, she doesn't want to admit how much worse the disability is becoming. Meanwhile, Natalie has to contend with typical teenage problems, such as losing and gaining new friends, boy interest, and school problems. While at the school, she wakes up one morning and has lost her sight. This section was particulary heartbreaking because you can't help but imagine - what if it were me?

Along with the almost docu-drama description of her life and learning the skills to cope with blindness, like Braille and a cane, there were some exciting moments too. While going to rescue a friend from a cafe, she and that friend get attacked by some men and the girls have to use the self-defense skills learned in class. Near the end of the story, she is in her parents' barn helping a goat to give birth and a bear attacks. There are a lot of interesting levels to the story. Some of them, I wish were a little more fleshed out, but all in all, a very good story.

What's Mrs. U Reading Now?

2010-12-19T19:53:00.001-05:00

Next on my cart is Blindsided by Patricia Cummings. It will tell the tale of a teenage girl who is slowly losing her sight. I've always been fascinated with the Braille system and the coping mechanisms that the sightless have. I hope it's not too depressing.

No Safe Place by Deborah Ellis

2010-12-19T19:23:00.002-05:00

Topical and real are two words that certainly describe this book. Any time you humanize political and global issues is a good thing, in my opinion. Although this is fiction and the teenagers and their stories specifically didn't happen, you know that there are similar stories happening in reality. Several of the experiences were truly horrifying and I had to skim through them because they just bothered me too much. For those students who are truly interested in our world and the world they are going to be in charge of soon, they should read stories like these. The ending doesn't tie anything up in a pretty bow, but does conclude with some hope. I wouldn't say I enjoyed the book, but it did open my eyes.

What's Mrs. U Reading Now?

2010-12-16T10:00:00.002-05:00

I am reading No Safe Place by Deborah Ellis. It is supposed to be a very topical book about a boy from Baghdad who is trying to escape some horrific conditions and get to England. Even though the world thinks it sees what's going on in the Middle East, I am curious to see what an author does with a teenager's perspective.

The Lost Hero by Rick Riordan

2010-12-14T08:13:00.007-05:00

How does Mr. Riordan do it? I thought he would have exhausted the good story lines with the Percy Jackson series, but, luckily, he didn't.

In this first installment of the new series "The Heroes of Olympus", we are introduced to three new characters - Leo, Piper, and Jason. Jason is a demigod who suffers amnesia at the beginning of the book and calls everything by their Roman name. He owns a coin that turns into a lance or sword. It is revealed that he is Thalia Grace's younger brother, as they have the same mother, but they share no similarities in their appearances, other than their blue eyes. When Jason was two years old, he was taken from his mother and sister by Hera, and Thalia ran away from home shortly after that. He is the demigod son of Zeus, also known as Jupiter in Roman mythology. It is also made known that he came from a Roman version of Camp-Half Blood before he lost his memory. Piper is a demigod daughter of Aphrodite and a Cherokee movie star. At the beginning of the book, Piper claims to be Jason's girlfriend. She has a dagger named Katoptris, previously wielded by Helen of Troy, that can show more than the holder's reflection. She also has the gift of charmspeak, the ability to persuade anybody to do anything. Few children of Aphrodite have had this ability, and none are living in her time that can match her in power.A demigod son of Hephaestus. Leo claims to be Jason's best friend at the beginning of the book. He has a magical toolbelt that will produce any tool he thinks of. Leo Valdez repaired the bronze dragon. He can also create fire from nothing, a rare ability given to Hephaestus's children.

As usual, Mr. Riordan does a magical job of teaching without preaching. I remember being very confused about the Greek versus Roman gods when I was in school. In the book, it is integrated so seamlessly that I would get a much better grade on a test now!

I look forward to the next installment!

Check out my Glogster poster on the book : http://mrsullrich.edu.glogster.com/the-lost-hero/

What's Mrs. U Reading Now?

2010-12-06T14:11:00.004-05:00

The Lost Hero by Rick Riordan is next on my list! I am going to have to power through this one since so many student are anxious to read it. This is a companion or "sister" book to the "Lightning Thief" series. I am very interested to see if Mr. Riordan could write about the same topic but in a new fresh way.

The Red Pyramid

2010-09-12T18:31:00.005-04:00

Wow! Loved it! Rick Riordan sure knows how to infuse a great story, real kid characters, action, and mythological stories. In this new series, a brother and sister, get thrown into a crazy ride with every Egyptian god and goddess you can think of.

I actually finished the book about a month ago and probably read about twenty in between, but what sticks with me is this - very cool! It's told from both the brother and sister's point of view. You have to look at the top of each page if you forget who is speaking. Their father summons some Egyptian gods in a museum and gets "sucked" into one of their spirits and into a coffin down to Hades. From there his kids are thrown on a nonstop roller coaster ride of mystery and action.

Unless you really hate fantasy, I can't think of anyone who wouldn't enjoy this one.

What's Mrs. U Reading Now?

2010-08-05T09:26:00.002-04:00

Yay! Rick Riordan (author of the Lightning Thief) has come up with a new book series about the Egyptian mythology. I am very excited to read it, as I am sure most of my students are. It's called the Red Pyramid.

Bull Rider

2010-08-05T09:15:00.003-04:00

Really great story! It's very topical in that the main character's older brother is injured in Iraq. He then decides to try to win his family money by entering in bull riding contests (behind his mother's back). The characters are very real, with lots of faults, and very relatable. You don't need to know anything of the ranching/bull riding culture to enjoy this story. Try it!

What's Mrs. U reading now?

2010-06-10T10:05:00.004-04:00

I am reading "Bull Rider" by Suzanne Morgan Williams. The cover reads "Eight seconds of danger...a lifetime of honor". It's a great teaser. All I know so far is it's about a boy who's a skateboarder whose family is full of bull riders. Not sure if this is my taste, but I always read with my students in mind, thinking about who would like it.

2010-06-08T09:41:00.005-04:00

"Shine On Coconut Moon" was a fantastic! It hits on so many topics that I'm surprised the author does each one well. The main theme is the reaction by Americans to anyone of the Muslim (or perceived Muslim) faith after 9/11. It is told from a teenage girl's point of view. While she's dealing with her own typical teenage dramas - mom, friends, boyfriend, peer pressure - she now is hypersensitive to how people treat anyone of the Indian culture. It taught ME a lot, which is the best type of reading - a great story that informs me without being didactic or preachy. I highly recommend this book to 7th and 8th graders and adults.

What is Mrs. U Reading Now?

2010-05-24T20:58:00.002-04:00

I began "Shine On, Coconut Moon" by Neesha Meminger yesterday. It is a very unusual and topical fiction novel...a Sikh teenager post 9/11 who becomes hyper-aware of the new prejudices and yet considers herself very American with typical American teenager problems. I'm interested to see how she reconciles all these conflicting emotions and influences.

2010-05-19T20:27:00.004-04:00

I finished "Tomorrow When the War Began". I really enjoyed it! For those of you around my age, it reminds me of the 80's movie "Red Dawn" about the US being invaded and a group of teenagers fighting back. This book's setting is Australia, and except for some vocabulary that's native to that nation, it is not distracting at all. The book is written from one of the main character's point of view. This group of teenagers are away camping when some rival nation invades their town and country. Since most of the natives were at their festival ( like a state fair), the enemy captures the town on the fairgrounds. When the main characters return home, their farm animals are dead, no one is left in their homes, and they start encountering the invading soldiers. There are many sequels to this which I look forward to reading this summer because I have too many other new books to read right now!

What's Mrs. U Reading Now?

2010-05-16T18:33:00.001-04:00

I tore through the first half of "Tomorrow When the War Began" by John Marsden from yesterday through this morning. I was asked to purchase the quizzes for this series by a student and put it on my list of new purchases. I should finish it soon and will then give my full review...

Shiver by Maggie Stiefvater

2010-05-15T17:40:00.003-04:00

Finished Shiver...I really enjoyed it. A love story with the werewolf twist. A girl is dragged off her swing by wolves, but is not eaten. She continues to be fascinated by the wolves who live in the woods near her home, always watching the one with the yellow eyes who also seems to be watching her. As a teenager she finds a boy with the same eyes on her doorstop grazed by a bullet. Who is he? How did he become what he is? Why can't he be in the cold? Why did she not turn as a child? All answered in this tale. I'll be happy to talk it up in my library.

What Is Mrs. Ullrich Reading Right Now?

2010-05-14T13:40:00.000-04:00

I am in the process of reading lots of new books right now before I put them out for students. . I'm almost done with "Shiver". It's a new take on the werewolf myth. I'm enjoying it so far and will let you know what I think.