3.13.2011

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

3.12.2011

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

3.06.2011

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