Let's find good books together. Listed below is my reading list.What have you read recently? Check out the Novelview wikki to write your reviews!

 2007-2008

September

Twilight by Stephenie Myer

A vampire love story for YAs It has 2 sequels so far. Gripping and suspenseful.

Roanoke; The Mystery of the Lost Colony - Lee Miller

Interesting quick read about the politics of 16th Century England and it's effect on the settlement of Roanoke which was in current day North Carolina

To The Top of Everest - Laurie Skreslet

Points out the danger, great care, and preparation it takes to climb the tallest mountain in the world.

Colibri - Ann Cameron

At four years of age a Guatemalan girl, Colibri, is kidnapped from her parents by a stranger and raised by an "uncle." In poverty and continually on the move in the mountains, the child is trained to assist her "uncle" in begging and cheating others to attain food and money. By the age of twelve, still dreaming of her parents and the vague memories she has of them, Colibri is propelled into a suspenseful conclusion of her relationship with the "uncle" and the opening of a new door to promise.

 

October

The Girl's Like Spaghetti; Why You Can't Manage Without Apostrophes! - Lynne Truss

A comical picture book written by the author who wrote Eats, Shoots, & Leaves; Why commas Really Do Make a Difference. Points out examples of the importance of apostrophes in communicating a written statement.

The Astonishing Life of Octavian Nothing; Traitor to the Nation, Vol.1, The Pox Party - M.T. Anderson

Winner of the National Book Award and also the Michael Printz Honor Award for excellence in young adult literature. A story not for the feint of heart, this is a graphic tale of the abuse of slaves during the 1700's predominantly in New England. A young woman slave, formerly an African princess, gives birth to a son, Octavian, who is raised as an experiment by the Novanglian College of Lucidity. This group devotes itself to the examination and exploration of the divine secrets of the universe. The experiment is to expose the young boy to the best schooling and culture to see if the African brain is capable of performing to the highest expectations.

Beowulf; A Hero's Tale Retold- James Rumford

This book is a very short re-telling of the folkloric legend of Beowulf. It is illustrated  on each page with vicious dragons, Anglo Saxon warriors, and ugly ogres. Great quick read!

The Tears of the Salamander - Peter Dickinson

 Fantasy and Italian legend are woven together in this intricate story which tells the tale of a thirteen-year-old boy who has a beautiful singing voice. Because of his talent, he is thrust into an adventure beyond your dreams. Sorcerers, an uncle with an ulterior motive, erupting volcanoes, and crying salamanders all create a mystical experience.

The Boy From the Basement - Susan Shaw

First Light- Rebecca Stead

You may not think of Greenland in quite the same way after reading this book. A long time ago, after risking their lives, a counter culture flees English persecution, and creates a hidden world within ice. In present day, a young boy and his parents travel to Greenland for research. Worlds collide and courage is revealed as children make sense of the future.

 

November

Benny and Omar - Eoin Colfer

Because of his father's career, Benny's family moves from Ireland to Tunisia. Benny combats scorpions, heat, and boredom. He ventures out to find excitement and discovers a few boys playing a game. He watches for awhile and then plays too. AFter awhile he decides to show them how to hurl, which is an Irish form of field hockley. This begins Benny's contact with Omar, a resourceful, wise boy who is very poor and has many secrets. This is a very dramatic story that shows that loyalty and friendship can overcome great odds.

Drums, Girls, and Dangerous Pie - Jordan Sonnenblick

 While in 8th Grade, Steven's life comes to a standstill when his little brother is diagnosed with leukemia. A great story about finding strength in the middle of a tragedy and the importance of what really matters in life.

The King of Mulberry Street - Donna Jo Napoli

Do you want to know what it was like to be an immigrant child on your own in a big city in 1892? This powerful story begins in Italy. Young Beniamino is unexpectedly sent off by himself to America so that he may have a better life. When he arrives after a tough voyage, he has to struggle to survive in a  cut throat neighborhood. His struggle turns into strength as he begins to solve the problem of earning money to buy food. Throughout his experience he never forgets  the wise words  of his mother, who he has not been able to contact.

The Golden Compass - Philip Pullman

The Subtle Knife - Philip Pullman

 

December

The Amber Spyglass - Philip Pullman

New Moon - Stephenie Meyer

Book #2 in the vampire love story series by Meyer

Eclipse - Stephenie Meyer

Book #3 in the vampire love story series by Meyer

January

Elijah of Buxton - Christopher Paul Curtis

It is 1860. Elijah, the main character and eleven years old, is the first person born into freedom in the town of Buxton. Buxton is a Canadian/US border town populated by former and escaped slaves. Elijah encounters a shady preacher who is dishonest. When the preacher runs off with money that a man was saving to free his family from slavery, Elijah jumps into action. He is a hero! Great read!

Night of the Howling Dogs - Graham Salisbury

Like adventure and suspense? This one takes place on the Big Island of Hawaii. A boyscout troop goes on a camping trip to the beach. What happens while they are there is unpredicted and disastrous.

Song of the Sparrow - Lisa Ann Sandell

Do you like romance or growing up stories? You've may have read tales of Camelot, King Arthur, and Guinevere, but now you can read about others in their court. Elaine is 16 years old with a crush on Lancelot. War begins and every day life turns into a struggle for survival. Written in verse, this is a beautifully crafted novel.

 

February

The Perfect Hamburger & Other Delicious Stories - Alexander McCall Smith

This book has three short, fun stories centering around food:  "The Perfect Hamburger," The Spaghetti Tangle," and "The Doughnut Ring." Don't read while hungry!

Peak - Roland Smith

Do you want to feel what it's like to climb Mt. Everest? Just read this book and you will! This adventure begins when a boy accompanies his mountain guide father as he takes a climbing group up to tackle the hardest climb in the world. An incredible story you will long remember.

The Dredd Scott Decision - Jason Skog

This story details the long process taken to make Dred Scott a freed man. In America in the 1800's, the northern states did not allow slavery, while the southern states did. Dred Scott bravely took his case to court.  After years of battle, the decision made had a hand in bringing the US into the Civil War.

Eleanor Roosevelt; Activist for Social Change - Allison Lassieur

Want to read about an amazing woman?

Tall Tales - Karen Day

A sensitive fiction story about a girl who has an active imagination and tells stories to cover up a secret in her family.

Danger Boy; City of Ruins - Mark Landon Williams

A 12 year-old boy, living in the year 2019, is involved in a time travel experiment due to his brilliant scientist parents. With a story full of action and danger, Eli Sands' adventures with unworldly creatures and famous characters from history will attract readers. The 4th novel in a series, it would be better to read the other 3 first for better understanding of the whole.

 

March

Enrique's Journey - Sonia Nazario

Riveting, shocking, true account  of a mother who left her children to find a job in the US to send money back to support her family. The major part of the story is about the boy's journey from South America to the United States in order to find and be with the mother he hasn't seen in more than a decade. It entails the danger he encounters while hopping trains  for transportation, begging for money and food, illegally crossing borders, and  having to trust in strangers whether good or bad. This book shares that there are thousands of children just like Enrique who miss their mothers and risk such danger to find them.

A Teenager's Journey; Overcoming a Childhood of Abuse - Richard B. Pelzer

Soupy Staurdays With the Pain and the Great One - Judy Blume

Need a short quick read? This is a funny story of sibling rivalry at its best!

Shooting the Moon - Frances O'Roark Dowell

Historical fiction tale about a young girl whose family has always served in the military. When her brother is shipped off to the Vietnam War and a friend whose brother was killed in the war recieves orders too, she begins to question the reality and fairness of war.

Oggie Cooder - Sarah Weeks

Funny quick read about a boy who has a unique talent - carving cheese bite by bite!

Grace Happens - Jan Czech

Being the daughter of a movie star is not easy. 15 year-old Grace longs to have a normal life instead of following her glamourous mother from movie set to movie set. Grace's mother is reluctant to tell her the identity of her father. So, Grace goes in search of the answer herself. High interest teen story!

Pirate Gear; Cannons, Swords, and the Jolly Rodger - Liam O'Donnell

Great book for a quick read! One of six titles in a series, "The Real World of Pirates." Focuses on the tools and weapons of pirate life. Color illustrations abound every page and a glossary, index, and a website connected to the book, assist you with information.

A Boy Named Beckoning; The True Story of Dr. Carlos Montezuma, Native American Hero - Adapted and illustrated by Gina Capaldi

In 1871 a young Yavapai Indian boy, named Wassaja, was kidnapprd from his home by a neighborhing tribe of Pima Indians. He was sold to a white man, who was a traveling photographer. The man was kind to him and treated him like a son.  However, Wassaja never saw his parents again. This is  a heartwrenching, true story of the treatment Native Americans recieved in the late 1800's. Wassaja grew up to be an extremely successful doctor who passionately spoke for civil rights for Native Americqan people.

 

April

Keeping Corner - Kashmira Sheth

A heartwrenching story about a child bride in Gandhi era India. Although a work of fiction, it is based on the life of the author's aunt.

The Buddha's Diamonds - Carolyn Marsden

Tinh lives in Vietnam. He loves to fish with his father in their  beautiful boat, and thus have plentiful food for the family. One day disaster strikes and Tinh has to make choices that haunt him until he realizes answers to his problem.

Someone To Love Me - Anne Schraff

Blood Is Thicker - Paul Langan

Hakeem has to move to Detroit because his father is sick. That means he has to leave behind all his friends and especially his girlfriend, Darcy. He ends up sharing a room with his cousin Savon, who seems to hate him. Feeling so alone, Hakeem struggles to fit in but nothing seems to be going his way.

Until We Meet Again - Anne Schraff

The year is off to a good start for Darcy. Her father enters back into his family's life after a long absence and the family is moving to a larger house.  However, Darcy's boyfriend, Hakeem, has to move far away with his family to his uncle's house. Darcy takes on a babysitting job that leads to unexpected events.

Fight Game - Kate Wild

May

Revolution Is Not a Dinner Party - Ying Chang Compestine

 In 1972 Chairman Mao took over the leadership of China and began the Cultural Revolution. Life becomes difficult and harsh for 9 year old Ling. Her father is a doctor but due to the revolution is forced to become a cleaning man. Food is scarce and they are hungry most of the time. When a political officer moves into their appartment life gets harsher still as he uses his power to make life difficult for everyone Li knows. This story is actually based on the real life experiences of the author. This is a terrific read to see how life actually was for children in China at that time.

Life on a Famine Ship; A Journal of the Irish Famine 1845-1850 - Duncan Crosbie

Do you like interactive books? This one has pop-ups, flaps, and pulls that help illustrate the downfall of the potato crop in Ireland that forced many people to emigrate out of that country due to the lack of food.

Yellow Star - Jennifer Roy

This riveting  true story tells of a little girl, Sylvia Perlmutter,  and her life in the Lodz Ghetto of Poland during the Nazi invasion. As the story begins, it is the year 1939, and Sylvia is 4 years old. We read about starvation, hard work, and the lack of sunlight due to hiding, that she encounters until age 10. This survival story shows the strength that she and eleven other children possessed to survive the inhuman treatment from the Nazis.

When I Crossed No-Bob - Margaret McMullan

Addy lives deep in rural Mississippi in an area that is populated with devious characters and mysterious ways. That area is called No-Bob because one day someone named Bob wandered in and was never found again. When searchers went to look for Bob they came out saying "No Bob!" Addy's father walked out on his family and her mother later abandons her too. But life gets better for Addy and she realizes that she can make a difference and be her own person.

Mohieddin Ellabbad; The Illustrator's Notebook - Mohieddin Ellabbad

This is an interesting graphical biography of Egyptian illustrator, Mohieddin Ellabbad. Each page has a writing in English and in Arabic calligraphy about an event in his life. These words are supported by his full color paintings or illustrations. He has won many awards around the world for his work.

The Wall - Peter Sis

Peter Sis is a well known  children's illustrator. Born in Czechoslovakia, he shows through illustrations on every page what it was like to grow up during the Cold War under Communist rule.

Bound - Donna Jo Napoli

Excellent book! Xing Xing is a young girl living in ancient China. Both of her parents have died and she is left to live a life of servitude to her step mother and her half sister. She works hard doing daily chores, especially helping her half sister who has had her feet bound, as was the custom for girls. She misses her dear parents who treasured her. There is a Cinderella theme to the story.

Three Days - Donna Jo Napoli

Jackie is on vacation with her father in Italy. While driving the narrow roads out of the city, something happens to her father. The story continues as Jackie tries to flag down cars on the road to come to her assistance.

The Weird Club; The Search for the Jersey Devil - Randy Fairbanks

Do you like to read about strange things? This book is part fiction but reports on the travels of the "Weird Club" to document unique, weird places, ghosts, mysteries, phenomena, aliens, etc. It also documents the dead tree that has been changed into the "shoe tree" in Balboa Park. Numerous shoes have been thrown up into the tree and become a landmark for visitors.

American Born Chinese - Gene Luen Yang

The Golden Dream of Carlo Chuchio - Lloyd Alexander

Three Little Words; A Memoir - Ashley Rhodes-Courter

Bronte's Book Club - Kristiana Gregory

12 year-old Bronte moves from New Mexico to California. She wonders if she'll make friends and fit in at her new school. She starts a book club and the result is positive. Although it is a book club, the members learn about the painful effects of gossip, the joy of true freinship, and the sharing of family stories.

The Castle Corona - Sharon Creech

A weaving of an interesting story that has fairy tale overtones. Simply fun!

June

Ties That Bind, Ties That Break - Lensey Namioka

Notes From the Midnight Driver - Jordan Sonnenblick