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
Tuesday, February 26, 2008
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
13 Little Blue Envelopes
by Maureen Johnson
This book is a great summer read! Seventeen-year-old Ginny receives a packet of mysterious envelopes from her favorite aunt. The envelopes send her on a scavenger hunt across Europe where Ginny meets all kinds of eccentric, interesting people that knew her aunt and a few other fellow adventurers. She can only open one envelope at a time so she never knows where she's going to end up next. Through her travels, Ginny transforms from a shy, quiet girl from New Jersey to a confident, adventuresome young woman.
Jackie
This book is a great summer read! Seventeen-year-old Ginny receives a packet of mysterious envelopes from her favorite aunt. The envelopes send her on a scavenger hunt across Europe where Ginny meets all kinds of eccentric, interesting people that knew her aunt and a few other fellow adventurers. She can only open one envelope at a time so she never knows where she's going to end up next. Through her travels, Ginny transforms from a shy, quiet girl from New Jersey to a confident, adventuresome young woman.
Jackie
Foundling Monster Blood Tattoo Book 1
by D.M. Cornish
This is fantasy through and through (though with that hint of realism that makes books like Harry Potter so fetching.) The basic story here is that the world is populated by humans and, on an even scale, varieties of monsters. When we first meet Rossamund, the main character, he is being schooled on monster fighting strategies, potions, etc. preparing for a life in the navy. His plans get shaken up a bit as he is recruited for another agency. The adventure takes off when Rossamund starts the journey toward his new life and begins to discover that being a ‘monster’ depends more on your actions than your species.
This is fantasy through and through (though with that hint of realism that makes books like Harry Potter so fetching.) The basic story here is that the world is populated by humans and, on an even scale, varieties of monsters. When we first meet Rossamund, the main character, he is being schooled on monster fighting strategies, potions, etc. preparing for a life in the navy. His plans get shaken up a bit as he is recruited for another agency. The adventure takes off when Rossamund starts the journey toward his new life and begins to discover that being a ‘monster’ depends more on your actions than your species.
Born to Rock
By Gordon Korman
Leo Caraway had a 4.0 GPA, was a member of the Young Republicans and won a scholarship to Harvard. But Leo soon finds out that the Marion X. McMurphy who's named on his birth certificate as his biological father is none other than King Maggot, lead singer of Purge a popular hard core punk band. Leo's unruly DNA kicks in and he ends up losing his scholarship to Harvard for refusing to give up the name of a cheating student. He decides it's time to meet his dear old dad and ask for the tuition money but can't bring himself to do it. Leo ends up becoming a roadie for Purge's reunion summer tour and that's when the real fun begins. Life on the road with punk rock band is not exactly Leo's idea of fun but he learns a lot about himself, his family (new and old) and his friends. Read and enjoy the fun characters and crazy antics of these aging punk rockers and how Leo handles it all.
Jackie
Leo Caraway had a 4.0 GPA, was a member of the Young Republicans and won a scholarship to Harvard. But Leo soon finds out that the Marion X. McMurphy who's named on his birth certificate as his biological father is none other than King Maggot, lead singer of Purge a popular hard core punk band. Leo's unruly DNA kicks in and he ends up losing his scholarship to Harvard for refusing to give up the name of a cheating student. He decides it's time to meet his dear old dad and ask for the tuition money but can't bring himself to do it. Leo ends up becoming a roadie for Purge's reunion summer tour and that's when the real fun begins. Life on the road with punk rock band is not exactly Leo's idea of fun but he learns a lot about himself, his family (new and old) and his friends. Read and enjoy the fun characters and crazy antics of these aging punk rockers and how Leo handles it all.
Jackie
The Golden Compass
By Philip Pullman
Author Philip Pullman creates a new world for us in this exciting first book of his Dark Materials trilogy. The story centers on Lyra a girl who lives at Jordan College in London. In Lyra’s world, humans have animal companions call daemons who can speak and have their own personalities but are extensions of their human’s souls and therefore bond forever to them. She discovers people called Gobblers are kidnapping children and conducting horrible experiments on them. Lyra joins a band of gypitians who decide to go rescue the children. What Lyra doesn’t know and can’t find out is that she is a part of an ancient prophecy to save her world and move on to another parallel world. During her journey she comes across fascinating characters including armored polar bears, witches and a Texan balloonist. It’s fantasy at it’s best! Look for the movie coming out in December of this year. Go to the movie website and find out what kind of daemon you would have.
www.goldencompassmovie.com
Jackie
Author Philip Pullman creates a new world for us in this exciting first book of his Dark Materials trilogy. The story centers on Lyra a girl who lives at Jordan College in London. In Lyra’s world, humans have animal companions call daemons who can speak and have their own personalities but are extensions of their human’s souls and therefore bond forever to them. She discovers people called Gobblers are kidnapping children and conducting horrible experiments on them. Lyra joins a band of gypitians who decide to go rescue the children. What Lyra doesn’t know and can’t find out is that she is a part of an ancient prophecy to save her world and move on to another parallel world. During her journey she comes across fascinating characters including armored polar bears, witches and a Texan balloonist. It’s fantasy at it’s best! Look for the movie coming out in December of this year. Go to the movie website and find out what kind of daemon you would have.
www.goldencompassmovie.com
Jackie
The Year of the Hangman
By Gary Blackwood
The year is 1777, known to all as the year of the hangman- both because of the 7s eerie resemblance to a gallows and the massive number of executions happening across the British Colonies. In this alternate history novel, the American rebels have lost the Revolutionary War. Those few who remain are huddled in New Orleans, a French colony, awaiting a new leader. The British continue to control all of Eastern America and viciously attack all those suspected of being Patriot sympathizers. It is into this land of turmoil that Creighton Brown, a seventeen-year-old British boy who prefers gambling and carousing to labor and responsibility- is taken against his will. Creighton’s mother, fearing her son would not grow into a model upper-class gentleman, shipped him to the colonies to work under his uncle.
Once there, Creighton finds all is not as he thought. And through his work with the infamous Benjamin Franklin, he begins to see another side to the story. To find out if the Patriots rise again, read Blackwood’s fast paced and engrossing novel.
Molly
Blood Red Horse
The first book in the de Granville Trilogy is action packed with just a little romance and just a little humor to lighten things up. William and Gavin are siblings and the only two sons of a wealthy landed knight. They, along with their father, leave England behind to serve with Richard the Lionheart on one of his first crusades. Before they leave, Will is given a new warhorse, a chestnut stallion with an ethereal white star gracing the fur above his eyes. Naming him Hosanna, will feels an immediate connection and is willing to overlook the horses smaller than average stature.
The journey to the Holy Land is perilous and those that survive find that their ideas of the romanticism of battle are far from reality. But Will seems to posses a impenetrable shield of protection when he is atop Hosanna and others on the battlefield notice this phenomenon; including one of their enemy, Saladin’s aide, Kamil. To find out to what lengths Kamil is willing to go for this coveted horse, read K.M. Grant’s Blood Red Horse.
Molly
Enthusiasm
by Polly Shulman
Do you adore Jane Austin? Are you searching for your very own Mr. Darcy? Do you have absolutely no idea what I am talking about? Ok, well Julia Lefkowitz and her next-door neighbor/life long best friend Ashleigh Rossi do: Julia is a huge fan of Austin, especially Pride & Prejudice, and Ashleigh, well she is what you might call an Enthusiast. At least, that is what Julie calls her. You see Ashleigh has a tendency to become deeply, passionately obsessed with something, committing her whole life to it, at least until the next craze comes along. This time, she’s hooked on the prim and proper world of Austin. Julia hopes the craze will pass soon, but before it does they will have to do at least one terribly embarrassing thing- like, maybe crash the formal at the local all guys prep school. And, when the girls meet two prep attendees they must vie for the attentions of the likely Mr. Darcy. If you’re hooked on Austin, have a best friend whom you adore despite their crazy notions, or maybe even just like a good romance, give this one a try.
Molly
The Astonishing Life of Octavian Nothing Traitor to the Nation
By M.T. Anderson
Octavian lives a privileged life. He is always dressed in the latest high end fashions, he never goes hungry, he has the best tutors and he lives a life of leisure. But he also has dark skin and lives in Boston during the 1780s. So, how is it that he lives his life, while others with his complexion toil away as slaves? The truth is almost as cruel as that missed life of indentured labor. And to top it off, Revolution is around the corner. Should Octavian join with the British who promise to free all slaves in the American Colonies, or side with the Rebels, the only family he’s ever known? This first of a two book series delves deep into the culture and philosophy of Pre-Revolutionary America and calls into question the true meaning of freedom.
Molly
Devilish
By Maureen Johnson
Jane is a senior at a very prestigious girl's school. She's never truly fit in with the fabulously wealthy students, but she's not really an outcast like her best friend, Alison. This all changes when a mysterious new girl, Lanalee, shows up. Alison after a morbidly embarrassing moment has decided enough is enough, and appears to run away. When she returns to school completely transformed, Jane suspects something is up and follows a hunch about the new girl. What she finds surprises even street smart Jane. Just how is Lanalee able to be so influential, yet so forgettable? Why don't her classmates remember her? And, just what is up with the cupcakes? To find out read Maureen Johnson's
Devilish, a wicked good read.Molly
Pay the Piper
Callie is a budding newspaper reporter and one of the top journalists at her school paper. She is so psyched when she gets assigned to cover the local appearance of Brass Rat, the coolest band ever! The event is great…but a little weird, and she’s not so sure what to make of the lead singer Gringras. It’s almost like, well that can’t be right, but almost like he is way older than he looks. Everyone in attendance is transfixed by the way Gringras plays the pipes and a feeling of utter happiness rushes through the crowd. That is until they realize that most of the children in town are missing. Callie, the intrepid reporter, thinks she has a lead but following it could mean risking her life or at the very least her sanity. Fans of Fairytales (even the fractured kind) will enjoy this novel by YA favorite Jane Yolen and her son Adam Stemple.
Molly
Molly
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