The Truth about Truman School by Dori Hillestad Butler

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?

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

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?

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!

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?

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

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?

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

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?

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".