Tuesday, June 28, 2016

Need Books?

    Happy Tuesday!

    If you are in our Summer Reading Program and need books this summer to read, please remember we will have two mornings that you can come to our school library to check out books: July 19th and August 10th from 9-12. Links to our OPACs are listed below:

Use our OPACs to help you find what you want to read next. If you have questions or wonder about a title or a series, just email me.  :)


     Don't forget about our own Colton Hepburn Library. That is a great place to find some new material to read.  :)

Happy Reading!

Monday, June 27, 2016

Booked by Kwame Alexander (M Miller)



     What can I say? I love kids' books and I love YA...maybe that is just another reason why I love my job! Booked, by Newbery author Alexander, is another great story. Again, like The Crossover, it is a story written in verse ; but this time it is about a boy, Nick, who loves the game of soccer. Life is hard at the moment because his parents have split up, he is being bullied and his father continues to make him read the dictionary he has written. Nick is a bright kid but he can't get away from feeling sorry for himself, although sometimes there is good reason. But, with the help of a counselor and the people who care about him, he learns to cope and readers know he will be okay. 

     I love his librarian, Mr. Mac! I love all the vocab readers get as the read and learn with Nick! This is a great, quick read for middle school aged kids looking for stories about soccer, school, friendship, families, or books in verse!

Sunday, June 26, 2016

In the Swish by Dawn Green (M Miller)

     
     
   
      Here is another book I loved! It is a story about a girl, Bennett, who LOVES basketball. Her senior year, after her teams wins the states the year before, she has to move to her rival's school. There are lots of issues but her love of the game and her sense of responsibility to "team" prevails.
      When I started this a thought "oh, a sports story". But, the writing keeps this story intense, heartfelt,  and very realistic. Just when you think you might be able to predict what is going to happen, there is a turn. This is a great book for any YAs who are truly passionate about sports, and especially basketball.  An additional plus, is what the reader picks up about a child with autism along the way.  :)  The language, which  is quite strong at times but right on the mark, and, occasionally, the content  make this book more appropriate for older teens.

Tuesday, June 21, 2016

Mrs. Cochran

I am so excited to participate!! I have never blogged before and now I can't wait to finish my book.     Most of my summer reading consists of non-fiction books, which I have almost completed reading the first one and look forward to posting a review.  Thank you Ms. Miller for the invitation.

Gemini by Sonya Mukherjee (M Miller)

     I am starting with one I just finished.  :) This is just to get us going.


 
    I loved this story! It is realistic fiction about conjoined twins. The author's voice is fresh and right on the mark as far as teen life. We hear from each twin in alternating chapters as Clara and Hailey deal with life in their senior year. When I started this book I thought I would not like this. I thought it would take a sad turn. But, I was surprised at what a hopeful and spot on story it is. :) Yay! Now, I just have to get a real copy for the library. Mine was a galley. For grades 8-12.  

Let's Get Started!

     Hooray! Summer vacation is starting and there is time for reading! Let's write about what we read right here. If you read a book you like, tell others about it. Let people know what you think.  
     Here are the first few books I am going to read.