by Alex Bradley
Personal Ad: Jack Grammar would never try to fondle your butt during a slow dance. Jack Grammar is a gentleman, owns his own tux and has superb taste in corsages. Jack Grammar is looking for a prom date. Could it be you? Email MyNewPromDate@yahoo.com
Jack Grammar is a senior in high school. You know what that means - Prom! Senior Prom is a week away and Jack has no date and no prospects. His two so-called best friends, Natalie and Percy, decide to step in. They secretly place a personal ad in the school paper for Jack and soon he has more dates than he can handle. He goes from hardly noticed to the flavor of the week This book will definitely make you giggle!
Jackie
Saturday, May 10, 2008
Wednesday, April 9, 2008
What the Dickens?
by Gregory Maguire
Think you are too old to read a story about fairies? Try this one...
During a storm that separated parents from children, an older cousin keeps their spirits up by telling a story about an orphaned “skibberee”, aka tooth fairy, named What-the-Dickens. What-the-Dickens has no idea of his species’ calling until he comes upon a colony of fairies in a hollowed out tree. He learns about teeth, skittling creatures and how to be a proper skibberee…and more importantly, What-the-Dickens finds a home.
Debra
Think you are too old to read a story about fairies? Try this one...
During a storm that separated parents from children, an older cousin keeps their spirits up by telling a story about an orphaned “skibberee”, aka tooth fairy, named What-the-Dickens. What-the-Dickens has no idea of his species’ calling until he comes upon a colony of fairies in a hollowed out tree. He learns about teeth, skittling creatures and how to be a proper skibberee…and more importantly, What-the-Dickens finds a home.
Debra
Saturday, March 29, 2008
The Black Tattoo
by Sam Enthoven
Jack is a teen in London who leads a very normal life. His friend Charlie is still upset over his parents divorce and is also not very intelligent. Even so, they stand together through think and thin, through the very depths of hell itself. The brotherhood of sleep is a secret society that has trapped the scourge in the roots of an ancient tree for thousands of years. Unknown to Charlie, who thinks he is being recruited to the secret society; he becomes the host for the scourge. It is his writhing, black tattoo.
MelissaCupid
By Julius Lester
A wonderful retelling of the story of Cupid and Psyche in which the narrator and the story have conversations and arguments with each other about where the story should go and what was left out. This gives humor to the story as well as helping the reader/listener relate to the characters in the story. Cupid is oppressed by his mother and Psyche by her father in a way that seems timelier than the original.
Melissa
A wonderful retelling of the story of Cupid and Psyche in which the narrator and the story have conversations and arguments with each other about where the story should go and what was left out. This gives humor to the story as well as helping the reader/listener relate to the characters in the story. Cupid is oppressed by his mother and Psyche by her father in a way that seems timelier than the original.
Melissa
Avalon High
by Meg Cabot
Ellie has the unenviable task of starting a new high school in her junior year. The
students at her new school seem to be normal teenagers but not everybody at Avalon High are who they appear to be...not even herself! Ellie's parents are medievalists - experts in all that is medieval. Somehow the events that are happening at Avalon seem
very familiar to her. This is classic Meg Cabot! Very fun to read!
***2008-2009 Rosie Book Award Nominee***
Jackie
Ellie has the unenviable task of starting a new high school in her junior year. The
students at her new school seem to be normal teenagers but not everybody at Avalon High are who they appear to be...not even herself! Ellie's parents are medievalists - experts in all that is medieval. Somehow the events that are happening at Avalon seem
very familiar to her. This is classic Meg Cabot! Very fun to read!
***2008-2009 Rosie Book Award Nominee***
Jackie
Saturday, March 15, 2008
Kissing the bee
by Kathe Koja
This slim volume is packed with story. Dana, our very introspective narrator, is a good friend to Avra. So good in fact, that she says nothing when Avra latches on to Emil- a boy Dana saw first, and immediately liked. She continues to say nothing as Avra and Emil become joined at the hip. The three of them go everywhere together and Dana's not sure if this is great (she does get to see Emil all the time) or torture (she gets to see him with Avra.) The story of these three High School seniors is interspersed with Dana's observations on bee life for her Bio II project. If you like tortured romance, and detailed characters, you are sure to love Kissing the Bee.
Molly
This slim volume is packed with story. Dana, our very introspective narrator, is a good friend to Avra. So good in fact, that she says nothing when Avra latches on to Emil- a boy Dana saw first, and immediately liked. She continues to say nothing as Avra and Emil become joined at the hip. The three of them go everywhere together and Dana's not sure if this is great (she does get to see Emil all the time) or torture (she gets to see him with Avra.) The story of these three High School seniors is interspersed with Dana's observations on bee life for her Bio II project. If you like tortured romance, and detailed characters, you are sure to love Kissing the Bee.
Molly
Tuesday, February 26, 2008
Blue Bloods
By Melissa De La Cruz
In this chick lit with fangs novel, Schuyler Van Alen, 15, is a privileged girl going to a prestigious private school in Manhattan. Schuyler, Oliver and Dylan are great friends because they do not feel like they fit in with the rest of the crowd. This is really a good read with lots of suspense that makes you want to keep reading to the end.
Melissa
In this chick lit with fangs novel, Schuyler Van Alen, 15, is a privileged girl going to a prestigious private school in Manhattan. Schuyler, Oliver and Dylan are great friends because they do not feel like they fit in with the rest of the crowd. This is really a good read with lots of suspense that makes you want to keep reading to the end.
Melissa
Just Jane
By William Lavender
A young girl, Lady Jane Prentice is orphaned and sent to South Carolina to live with relatives there in 1776. She is soon caught up in a struggle between her home country and her new one. The struggle does not stop there though, some of her family is loyal to England while others are pushing for a revolution. She is forced into facing the harsh reality of war and how it changes people and the roles they must take. A good story and a great read.
Melissa
A young girl, Lady Jane Prentice is orphaned and sent to South Carolina to live with relatives there in 1776. She is soon caught up in a struggle between her home country and her new one. The struggle does not stop there though, some of her family is loyal to England while others are pushing for a revolution. She is forced into facing the harsh reality of war and how it changes people and the roles they must take. A good story and a great read.
Melissa
Fever 1793
By Laurie Halse Anderson
Set in the fall of 1793 in Philadelphia, Mattie Cook is a strong willed, 14-year-old girl with her own plans and ambitions for the future. There are stories that the “fever” is spreading and thousands leave the city for safer territory. As the number of dead rises, the fever hits the coffee house she lives in and everything Mattie holds close to her heart. Her ambitions for a better future must be left behind and the struggle to survive must take over.
Melissa
Set in the fall of 1793 in Philadelphia, Mattie Cook is a strong willed, 14-year-old girl with her own plans and ambitions for the future. There are stories that the “fever” is spreading and thousands leave the city for safer territory. As the number of dead rises, the fever hits the coffee house she lives in and everything Mattie holds close to her heart. Her ambitions for a better future must be left behind and the struggle to survive must take over.
Melissa
Pirates
By Celia Rees
Nancy Kington is the daughter of a previously wealthy sugar murchant who arranges a marriage for her so the family can regain their wealth.
She travels with her slave Minerva to marry an evil brazillian ex-pirate. They experience all of the things you would expect in a pirate tale; sword fights, duels, charming rogues, true love, murder, and the odd severed head.
Melissa
Nancy Kington is the daughter of a previously wealthy sugar murchant who arranges a marriage for her so the family can regain their wealth.
She travels with her slave Minerva to marry an evil brazillian ex-pirate. They experience all of the things you would expect in a pirate tale; sword fights, duels, charming rogues, true love, murder, and the odd severed head.
Melissa
Girl, 15, Charming but Insane
By Sue Limb
Jess is 15, definitely charming and maybe a little insane but a lot of fun. This british chick lit is well worth read; it is full of laughs, teen agnst, love, hate, bitterness, and ministrone soup. And no I am not going to tell you what happens with the soup, just read it. Jess is in lust with the best looking guy in school and she feels like her best friend Flora is better at everything including attracting said boy. I loved that each of the chapters start with a funny horoscope texted to Jess by her absent father. The story flows nicely and you won’t want to put it down.
Melissa
Jess is 15, definitely charming and maybe a little insane but a lot of fun. This british chick lit is well worth read; it is full of laughs, teen agnst, love, hate, bitterness, and ministrone soup. And no I am not going to tell you what happens with the soup, just read it. Jess is in lust with the best looking guy in school and she feels like her best friend Flora is better at everything including attracting said boy. I loved that each of the chapters start with a funny horoscope texted to Jess by her absent father. The story flows nicely and you won’t want to put it down.
Melissa
Dairy Queen
by Catherine Gilbert Murdock
What happens when you are a 15-year-old girl in Wisconsin on a Dairy farm where your father gets hurt and can’t work the farm? You work the farm and you don’t complain about it because it wouldn’t change anything anyway. There is no point to even having your own hopes and dreams because there is not time to fulfill them. Your mom works 2 jobs and has a big secret, your younger brother never opens his mouth, and your older brothers are at college and won’t even call home. Well if you do make the decision to talk about it, who would even hear you or care. Still, it wouldn’t change anything. Would it?
Melissa
What happens when you are a 15-year-old girl in Wisconsin on a Dairy farm where your father gets hurt and can’t work the farm? You work the farm and you don’t complain about it because it wouldn’t change anything anyway. There is no point to even having your own hopes and dreams because there is not time to fulfill them. Your mom works 2 jobs and has a big secret, your younger brother never opens his mouth, and your older brothers are at college and won’t even call home. Well if you do make the decision to talk about it, who would even hear you or care. Still, it wouldn’t change anything. Would it?
Melissa
Angus, Thongs, and Full Frontal Snogging
By Louise Rennison
This book really made me lol in the first 30 minutes. If you are looking for something light and fun then this is the book for you. It is written like a diary, so the main character, Georgia Nicolson, narrates the story. She is 14 and is dealing with friends, school, boyfriend, her 3 year old sister, a cat, and of course parents that embarrass her as often as possible. You will want to read the entire series.
Melissa
This book really made me lol in the first 30 minutes. If you are looking for something light and fun then this is the book for you. It is written like a diary, so the main character, Georgia Nicolson, narrates the story. She is 14 and is dealing with friends, school, boyfriend, her 3 year old sister, a cat, and of course parents that embarrass her as often as possible. You will want to read the entire series.
Melissa
Wicked Lovely
by Melissa Marr
Aislinn lives in an urban area where faeries walk among mortals, invisible or in disguise. Very few mortals see them but Ash is one who can. She has followed the rules given to her by her grandmother so she would not attract attention to herself. But, somehow, she has caught their attention and she is being followed even at school where she should be safe. Many times she has watched as faeries have pinched, tripped and even dragged mortals away. How can she get away from them when they follow her into places they should not be able to go?
Melissa
Aislinn lives in an urban area where faeries walk among mortals, invisible or in disguise. Very few mortals see them but Ash is one who can. She has followed the rules given to her by her grandmother so she would not attract attention to herself. But, somehow, she has caught their attention and she is being followed even at school where she should be safe. Many times she has watched as faeries have pinched, tripped and even dragged mortals away. How can she get away from them when they follow her into places they should not be able to go?
Melissa
Frannie in Pieces
by Delia Ephron
Frannie struggles with the recent loss of her father and worries about death
all the time...she has even taken to reading labels on everyday
things, amazed at what can harm you. Then, when going through her dad's
belongings, she finds a beautiful wooden box with the
inscription "Frances Ann 1000" on the lid. Inside she finds 1000
hand-carved and hand-painted puzzle pieces - and a new
obsession. As Frannie works in secret to put the puzzle together, something
magical happens and she is transported into the puzzle, to a
place and time where she can discover her father as he was B.F.---
-----before Frannie.
Debra
Frannie struggles with the recent loss of her father and worries about death
all the time...she has even taken to reading labels on everyday
things, amazed at what can harm you. Then, when going through her dad's
belongings, she finds a beautiful wooden box with the
inscription "Frances Ann 1000" on the lid. Inside she finds 1000
hand-carved and hand-painted puzzle pieces - and a new
obsession. As Frannie works in secret to put the puzzle together, something
magical happens and she is transported into the puzzle, to a
place and time where she can discover her father as he was B.F.---
-----before Frannie.
Debra
M is for Magic
by Neil Gaiman
Terrific mix of short stories that are scary, funny or make you think.
Each of the eleven tales describe a unique, mysterious, strange
and sometimes humorous (albeit a little cracked and bent!) story
guaranteed to be surprising and indeed a little odd.
Debra
Terrific mix of short stories that are scary, funny or make you think.
Each of the eleven tales describe a unique, mysterious, strange
and sometimes humorous (albeit a little cracked and bent!) story
guaranteed to be surprising and indeed a little odd.
Debra
The Coffin Quilt: The Feud between the Hatfields and McCoys
By Ann Rinaldi
Ann Rinaldi brings history to life in this gripping novel about the tragic feud between the Hatfields of Logan County West Virginia and the McCoys of Pike County Kentucky. Told through the eyes of Fanny McCoy, the youngest of Randall and Sarah McCoys’ children, the reader realizes how truly violent the feud between these families was. The bad blood started during the Civil War as one fought for the Confederacy and other the Union. It continued through land disputes, pig ownership and a scandalous romance between a handsome Hatfield boy and a beautiful McCoy girl. Many men, women and children lost their lives during senseless shootings, raids and kidnappings. Many got away with the violence in the lawless Appalachian Mountains.
Yes, this is a historical novel but even if you’re not crazy about your history class, try it. It’s an absorbing story that you’ll find yourself lost in until the final tragic moments.
Jackie
Ann Rinaldi brings history to life in this gripping novel about the tragic feud between the Hatfields of Logan County West Virginia and the McCoys of Pike County Kentucky. Told through the eyes of Fanny McCoy, the youngest of Randall and Sarah McCoys’ children, the reader realizes how truly violent the feud between these families was. The bad blood started during the Civil War as one fought for the Confederacy and other the Union. It continued through land disputes, pig ownership and a scandalous romance between a handsome Hatfield boy and a beautiful McCoy girl. Many men, women and children lost their lives during senseless shootings, raids and kidnappings. Many got away with the violence in the lawless Appalachian Mountains.
Yes, this is a historical novel but even if you’re not crazy about your history class, try it. It’s an absorbing story that you’ll find yourself lost in until the final tragic moments.
Jackie
Peeps
by Scott Westerfeld
Nineteen-year-old Cal Thompson is a carrier of a parasite that causes vampirism. It's pretty contagious so he has to hunt down all his old girlfriends, which isn't easy. They don't want to go with him for treatment. In fact, they don't want to see him or hear his voice. That's one of the effects of the parasite, it makes it's "host" hate everything they used to love. Strange things start happening all over New York City and it's about to get worse!
In between each chapter, Scott Westerfeld inserts little microbiology lessons. Some are really gross, some are scary but all are interesting. This is a very hard book to stop reading and if you're not too squeamish, give it a try! If you like it, there's a follow up book called The Last Days that continues the story of the strange happenings in NYC.
Jackie
Nineteen-year-old Cal Thompson is a carrier of a parasite that causes vampirism. It's pretty contagious so he has to hunt down all his old girlfriends, which isn't easy. They don't want to go with him for treatment. In fact, they don't want to see him or hear his voice. That's one of the effects of the parasite, it makes it's "host" hate everything they used to love. Strange things start happening all over New York City and it's about to get worse!
In between each chapter, Scott Westerfeld inserts little microbiology lessons. Some are really gross, some are scary but all are interesting. This is a very hard book to stop reading and if you're not too squeamish, give it a try! If you like it, there's a follow up book called The Last Days that continues the story of the strange happenings in NYC.
Jackie
Dealing with Dragons
By Patricia Wrede
Are you ready for a feminist Princess? Princess Cimerone hates embroidery and advanced curtseying but her parents won't let her learn anything really interesting like magic, swordsmanship or even cooking. She decides to run away and apply for a job as a Dragon's princess where she can use her intelligence and sense of adventure. Unfortunately, dimwitted princes are falling all over themselves trying to rescue her. Along the way Cimerone cleverly deals with witches, evil wizards, clumsy dragons and air-headed princesses. this book has plenty of action and many slightly skewed fairy-tale conventions, in the spirit of Shrek, that will keep you laughing out loud. Luckily this is only Book 1 of The Enchanted Forest series. Book 2 is Searching for Dragons, Book 3 is Calling on Dragons, and Book 4 is Talking to Dragons.
Jackie
Are you ready for a feminist Princess? Princess Cimerone hates embroidery and advanced curtseying but her parents won't let her learn anything really interesting like magic, swordsmanship or even cooking. She decides to run away and apply for a job as a Dragon's princess where she can use her intelligence and sense of adventure. Unfortunately, dimwitted princes are falling all over themselves trying to rescue her. Along the way Cimerone cleverly deals with witches, evil wizards, clumsy dragons and air-headed princesses. this book has plenty of action and many slightly skewed fairy-tale conventions, in the spirit of Shrek, that will keep you laughing out loud. Luckily this is only Book 1 of The Enchanted Forest series. Book 2 is Searching for Dragons, Book 3 is Calling on Dragons, and Book 4 is Talking to Dragons.
Jackie
The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian
by Sherman Alexie
Life on the reservation is hard for Junior. He's 14, sickly, awkward, funny and very smart. He wanted more out of life than living with his family on the Spokane Indian Reservation. So he decided to go to the all white farm town high school where the only other Indian was the school mascot. His family supported his decision but his extended Indian family did not! His story is heartbreaking at times and hilarious at others. Junior is also a budding artist and his art is depicted throughout the book. For a look into the lives of Native Americans, this book is a real eye opener.
Jackie
Life on the reservation is hard for Junior. He's 14, sickly, awkward, funny and very smart. He wanted more out of life than living with his family on the Spokane Indian Reservation. So he decided to go to the all white farm town high school where the only other Indian was the school mascot. His family supported his decision but his extended Indian family did not! His story is heartbreaking at times and hilarious at others. Junior is also a budding artist and his art is depicted throughout the book. For a look into the lives of Native Americans, this book is a real eye opener.
Jackie
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