Breaking Up is Hard to Do.

I came across this article in the NY Times this morning.  Though I would rather read it out loud to my classroom full of kids, it's AUGUST and I don't have a classroom right now.  Sharing it on this blog will have to do.  I just know, all too often, there were kids crying and sulking in my classroom over boyfriend-girlfriend break-ups and friend break-ups.  Getting hurt by someone you cared about is a part of growing up.  But it doesn't need to be fueled by hurtful Facebook postings, un-friendings, and other online trimmings.  May this article and the gathering in Boston kindle more conversations and healthy relationship-ing.  Read on.      -stenson

Matched by Ally Condie

If you liked the Hunger Games, you need to check out this book.

It's futuristic and dystopian.  Ultimately it's a love story, and in the middle of this romance is Cassia, our protagonist.   The Society has matched her with one boy, and she trusts their decision.  Especially since he has been her best friend and favorite playmate since she was a young child.  However, it is her introduction to Ky who really gets Cassia thinking- thinking about the Society, it's rules and data and predictions and perfection.  Who is in control?  What are the important lessons her grandfather tried to teach her?  What would it be like if she could choose her destiny?  

I'm already excited for the sequel due out this fall.  I really recommend this book to Hunger Games fans, but I think the book is more reminiscent of The Giver. The difference between lies in their natures...while Hunger Games is a book about love and war, Matched is a book about love and freedom.

Enjoy it!  Keep reading, everyone.

-abs kujawski

Go Ahead- Judge a Book by its Cover

I really think kids should be allowed to judge a book by its cover AS LONG AS they are willing to admit some super books have lame-o covers, and some lame-o books have cool covers.

A couple of bloggers who write for Booklist Online agree with me.  Check it out...

Summer Reading! Reading Together this Summer!

Take time this summer to share with us what you are reading.  Check back regularly and I'll post good books I've found.  Enjoy the sun and summer.  Keep reading, everyone.

-stenson

Last Dog on Earth by Daniel Ehrenhaft

You'll quickly recognize the realistic characters in this boy-and-his-dog story.  The protagonist is an angry teenage boy (once you meet his step-father you'll understand why he's angry) who is ordered to get a dog to teach him some responsibility.  The task of raising a puppy isn't enough to keep the boy out of reform school, but it's the first hook into the major plot in the book: a sci-fi, medical mystery surrounding a dangerous and deadly disease popping up in dogs across the state.

There are several key relationship in this book: the boy Logan learns about love and friendship from his dog Jack, Logan learns forgiveness from his step-father Robert, and he learns about trust from his real father, a genius veterinarian researcher.

While this book is a great choice for boys, I think all dog-lovers will enjoy this fast-paced realistic fiction/sci-fi/mystery.  Keep reading, everyone!

-stenson

Inner Circle by Brad Melzer

I would describe this book as The DaVinci Code meets National Treasure.  It's a thrilling mystery written mostly for adults, but there's a good number of my 7th graders who will devour this book.

It centers around a young archivist who accidentally steps smack-dab into the middle of a dangerous secret club that surrounds the President of the United States.   Even though it's a modern-day mystery, I learned a lot of history and Washington D.C.

It's not a political book, but there are definitely players on two-sides, and readers do not know is good and who is bad. 

Here's a little trailer for the book.  For more information check out the author's website.  Keep Reading!         -stenson

Virals by Kathy Reichs

Many thanks to Wyatt A. for recommending this book that is a pop-culture, sci-fi mystery wrapped all in one.  Follow the adventurous, mysterious ride 14 year old Tory takes her Sci-Phile friends on when they are infected by a virus that changes their DNA so that they become a wolf-like pack with wolf-like senses and abilities.  Jammed pack with risk, adventure, twists and turns, this book will have you gasping out loud right through the end.  you are in for an adventure.  Enjoy!

The Hate List by Jennifer Brown

I read this book with a knot in my stomach.  It is, after all, the story of the aftermath of a school after a shooting took place within it's walls. The protagonist of the story was the girlfriend of the kid who changed his world and everyone else's when he decided to bring a gun to school and use it.

While I believe this book is extremely sensitive in its nature and it's only for mature middle and high school readers, I do think the strength of this book is that at it's heart it is a book that will get kids and adults talking about tragic realities of our world.  I urge kids who read this book to talk to me while reading, or even better, get a parent of other trusted grown-up to read it with them.

It's tough stuff, but reading about tough stuff only helps us better deal with the tough stuff we face in our real lives.

The Book Thief by Markus Zusak

In all my reading life, I have never cried so hard over a book.  I cried because it's a book about war.  I cried because I'm so sad my time with the characters came to a close.  I cried because everything beautiful about this book is ultimately everything human.

Now I realize what I've said so far isn't going to inspire kids to read this book (especially boys) but oh, how I want EVERY kid to pick up this book.  Because there's something in this book for everyone...

• War
• Bullies
• Soccer
• Nazi Germany
• Stealing
• Foster care
• Friendship
• Death (after all, Death is the narrator)
• Creativity

Pick up this book today.  Take your time reading it's pages.  This book will stay with you.  It will haunt you and change you.  Pick it up and tell me what you think.

Ghostopolis by Ned TenNapel

This graphic novel amazed me.  It's full of various surprises, scary creatures, historical figures, and real life tragedy.  Some parts frightened me, some parts humored me, but all of it enthralled me.

The story seems simple...a young boy is mistakenly sent to the underworld- Ghostopolis.  Once there, Garth finds only a handful of characters willing to help him get back to the real world, and he stumbles across others who don't want him to make it home.  Eventually, he finds himself in an epic battle with the King of Ghostopolis.  To find our if he beats the king and makes it back home, you'll have to pick up the book.  Believe me, it's a treat.  Read it now! (before the movie comes out...)

Keep reading, everyone!
-stenson

The Sky is Everywhere by Jandy Nelson

This books is about death and grieving.  This book is about life and loving.  17 year-old Lennie is still trying to figure out how weird everything has gotten now that her sister has died unexpectedly.  She tries to use her poetry and her music to help her find her way back into life of the living since she finds it too troubling to rely on her best friend or her eccentric grandmother.  However, two very different boys have her thinking and acting in new and inexplicable ways even if she's still devastated by the loss of her sister.  This story is definitely for mature readers who are willing to think carefully about the power of grief and love and life.

This a soothing story interrupted with genuinely funny moments of how unscripted life can seem.  The symbolism and figurative language lulls readers until the end of story, leaving readers with a smile on their faces and the lives of Lennie & Company forever in their hearts.

Click on the picture to see the book trailer.

Enjoy the read!
-stenson

The Mystery of the Third Lucretia by Susan Runholt

Two 14-year old best friends from St. Paul stumble into the ride of their lives when they find themselves in the middle of a stolen art mystery.  The books takes readers to Paris, London, and Amsterdam as they follow the protagonists trying to uncover the mystery of the "Gallery Guy".  Many aspects of this book are enjoyable:

• the friendship the girls have...it's not perfect, but it's reflective of how friendships go in 9th grade.
• the history of art lessons...I didn't know I was so interested in classic, museum-esque type art!
• the places the book takes you...I can't wait to go to Europe to see those places for myself
• the mystery...I love a caper!  
• the MN connection...since these girls live in St. Paul, there are references I recognized from being a St. Paul-ite myself.  Fun!

Hope you enjoy it.  It looks like it's going to be the first in the Lucas and Kari series. Just another reason to fall in love with this book.  Let me know if you pick it up!  Keep reading, everyone!

thanks to letsbuyit.co.uk for the image!

Harry Potter Books 1-3: Winter Break 2010

Harry Potter and friends have been keeping me company this winter break.  The series has swept me up, and all I can hope for is for 2011 to be filled with as much fun, adventure, and wisdom as these books.  I would love to have some students join me on this ride.  The magic, the wizards, the legends will captivate you!

While I had hoped to read the first five books over break, I got sidetracked by some other grown-up books.  Moonlight Mile by one of my favorite authors Dennis Lehane and National Book Award Winner Let the Great World Spin by Colum McCann.  But like I said, I don't think middle-schoolers will like these but I do recommend these to my grown-up reading friends.

Keep reading, everyone!
-stenson

*Photo found on wizardingworldpark.com