Hello Students! Let's find good books together. Listed below is what I have been reading. What have you read recently that you'd like others to know about? Ask me about the Novelview Wiki to write your reviews. 

                                                              Happy Reading!

                                                           Mrs. Nagy

May 2011

The Boy Who Could Fly - James Norcliffe

A boy is living a wretched life in a dismal orphanage. He is taught how to fly by a strange outsider boy who can fly, & escapes the orphanage to freedom. But being able to fly comes with some drawbacks since average humans can't see him, he can't eat, and an evil butterfly collector is after this strange species with wings. Kids will relate to the moral dilemma in finding out who he is, making good choices, and what is most important in life.

Adventures of a Cat-Whiskered Girl - Daniel Pinkwater

Traveling through different planes of existence, this zany, quirky, sci-fi comedy packs adventure & mystery as a girl with cat whiskers, Big Audrey, & her friend Molly try to find out why UFOs are landing behind an old barn-like restaurant. Rollicking fun read!!

April 2011

The Trail of Tears - Katie Marsico

Traces the Cherokee people from the mid 1500s to 2008. Examines the tragic forced removal from their native homes as well as the political journey to adapting and rebirth. 

Ferns, Mosses, & Other Spore Producing Plants - Steve Parker

Lots of gorgeous pictures help you learn about these special plants! 

Rebecca - Daphne Du Maurier

March 2011

Cracker; The Best Dog in Vietnam - Cynthia Kadohata

Skulduggery Pleasant - Derek Landy

Alabama Moon - Watt Key

Young Moon is 10 years old. He  has been living in a cave/survival type structure all his life in the woods of Alabama. His Pa says the government is out to get them and so he and Moon must hide. He has only met one other human in his life,  a store owner  from whom his Pa buys supplies. Pa has taught Moon how to survive in the forest on his own should anything happen. Something tragic does happen and Moon is challenged to hike to Alaska where his father says there will be other people like them...hiding in the wilderness. The setting is current time and the action happens throughout the book. You won't want to put this one down till you are finished!

February 2011

Lord of the Flies - William Golding

Classic novel about boys stranded on an island and how things spiral out of control when boys are left without any adult guidance. 

The Riddle - Alison Croggin

Part 2 of the Pellinor series, this book continues the adventures in The Naming by the same author. Maerad's journey is full of suspense and danger as she tries to find important information in the battle between good and evil.

January 2011

T4; A Novel - Ann Clare LeZotte

Many people do not know that in Hitler's Nazi Germany  many acts of euthanasia were committed. Doctors were given permission to decide who would live and who would die. If you had a disability, you were a candidate. In this story, Paula Becker, a 13 year-old girl, is deaf. She must be hidden away or else she might be killed - just because she can't hear!! This is a shocking book written in first person, free verse. Worth a read for sure! 

The Naming - Alison Croggin

After starting this Marston Library book, I loved it so much I decided to buy it on my Kindle! If you like fantasy novels that have adventure, magic, and danger at every turn, you will like this one! It even has 3 sequels that keep the story going. The main character is a very spunky girl with a lot of courage. She is accompanied on a journey by Cadvan, an older bard, who discovers her in a cow barn. Her family was killed and she is a slave. When Cadvan discovers her, life takes a real twist and something she's only dreamed about becomes true - freedom!

Shadow - Jenny Moss

If you are a fantasy fan and cheer for the underdog, try this book. Shadow is treated like dirt by the queen she is supposed to be protecting. However, she swallows her anger and does what she needs to do. Suddenly tradgedy strikes and Shadow is whisked away by a handsome knight. Where are they going? He won't tell her. Thus begins a harrowing adventure that takes Shadow by surprise and leaves her with an astounding discovery.

December 2010 

Bullyville - Francine Prose

Need a realistic fiction book? Try this one and I don't think you'll be disappointed!

Bart, a 13 year old middle school student, is sick on a school morning,  His mother decides to stay home from work to take care of him. Little do they know how this decision will effect their lives from that day forward. Due to an earth shattering event Bart actually becomes a hero and is rewarded by a full scholarship to the dreaded private school on the hill overlooking town. Bart wants to stay at his public middle school but his Mom thinks he will have more opportunities if he accepts the scholarship to Baileywell Prep, little does she know that kids call the school "Bullyville!" As the new kid, Bart discovers first hand why! Read this book for a great realistic book and a view into the aftermath of 9/11. 

The Dreamer - Pam Munoz Ryan (text) & Peter Sis (illustrations)

This fictionalized biography of Nobel Peace Prize winner Pablo Neruda, gives a glimpse into the poet's boyhood. Life was a struggle for young Neftali. His grumbling, complaining father was very stern, larger than life,  and critical of his very, very shy son. This led to an uncomfortable relationship and inspired some of his poetry.  A collection of 10 poem and excerpts are printed at the end of the book and a few more are sprinkled throughout the pages. 

Hunger - Michael Grant

The Hard Kind of Promise - Gina Willner-Pardo

Are you having "Best Friend" problems? So is the main character, Sarah, in this story. She's been best friends with Marjorie since Kindergarten when they promised to be friends forever.  As Sarah gets older she notices that Margerie seems strange at times, not caring what other people think of her. The "in" crown shuns Margerie wondering why she dresses so bizarrely. Sarah begins to feel embarrassed being with Margerie and wants to fit in more with the "in" crowd. Want to find out how Sarah resolves her problem? Check it out! 

Fashion Buyer - Jessica Cohn

Thinking about a stylish career? Ever wonder who gets to decide what fashions your favorite store will select to sell? It's the store's fashion buyer. This short book gives many details about fashion buying, marketing, and retail. the career, education needed, and salaries.

Kendo - Tim O'Shei

Actual photos pack this book about the Samurai inspired sport! Discover historical facts, techniques, levels of sport expertise, and information on competitions.

The Seventh Level - Jody Feldman

Travis is in middle school and hopes he will be inducted into a "secret society" at his school. The society has been a tradition for many years.  Nominees must solve 7 puzzles and successfully perform many tasks connected to the puzzles. Many pranks are being pulled and the principal is accusing Travis but he thinks he is being set up by someone. Will this affect if he is nominated? Read it and find out!

November 2010

Clone Codes - Patricia McKissack

Gone - Michael Grant

Remembering Green - Lesley Beake

Leviathan - Scott Westerfield

The Gift Moves - Steve Lyon

In a future world, where life is devoid of material things, a young girl named Path is sent away from her home to apprentice with an exceptional cloth weaver, Heron. As she leaves her village, Path gives away all of her personal possessions, which is an important activity in her culture. Each item is presented to someone and the words "The gift moves" is recited.

Life at Heron's is very hard but Path knows she herself is a gifted weaver and will one day have her own shop. She is forwarned by another weaver to be cautious of Heron., but why?

She happens to meet a young boy who works next door in his mother's bakery. They begin a curious, secret friendship. He wishes to leave and explore the world, while Path wishes to be free of Heron.

The Adoration of Jenna Fox - Mary E. Pearson

Meet Jenna. She was in an accident and remembers nothing about her former life. She knows she is Jenna, but only because she is told that Jenna is her name. She has many thoughts that seem to be black voids...sort of like memories. Sometimes she clings to images that seem to be triggered by words or activities. Why is it  when her mother tells her to go to her room Jenna instantly feels her mind and body must do that even though she doesn't want to obey? Why does her grandmother Lily seem to hate her? Why do her parents share tense looks when Jenna raises questions? So many questions and Jenna can't seem to get answers until she starts to investigate on her own. Suspense will keep you glued to this story.

Do you think someone should be saved even though only 10% of their brain is functional?

October 2010

The Dark Life - Kat Falls

Earth has changed as we know it because earthquakes have shattered the world. There is so little land that people must live in cities with stacked buildings holding hundreds of thousands of people in a single mile. Those people are called topsiders. Some people can't stand to be crowded and have created ways to live under the sea in bubble houses, some shaped like jelly fish. They are called Dark Life and farm the bottom of the ocean and also raise fish. Problems arise when a ruthless gang of murderers, the Seablites, begin to raid  and destroy homes undersea. Ty, a Dark Life, and Gemma, a Topsider meet and begin to learn about each other's way of life. Gemma is looking for her brother and enlists Ty's help. Hold on to your hats, or should I say snorkle, as Gemma and Ty swim for their lives in suspenseful drama.

The Maze Runner - James Dashner

Can you imagine waking up in a cold, dark elevator and not remembering where you are or who you are? That's what happens to Thomas. All he can remember is his first name. When the elevator door opens Thomas walks out into a strange area surrounded by walls and suddenly gathering around him is a group of boys. The strange thing is that none of the boys seem to know how they got there either. Once a month a new boy steps off the elevator and joins the group. This is a very suspensful science fiction story bound to keep you reading as the boys encounter giant monsters part killing machine and part gelatinous creatures.

Bulu; African Wonder Dog - Dick Houston

Are you an animal lover? Then this book will be a favorite! Two retired police officers, Steve and Anna Tolan, decide to move to Zambia and the African bush to follow their dreams of opening a center for children to learn about their homeland, it's animals, and environment. They decide to adopt a little puppy who was the runt of the litter, but as time went on he showed real skill and knack for protecting and defending other homeless baby animals who are dropped off to be raised by the Tolans until they can fend for themselves in the wild. This heartwarming story will have you laughing and crying, as little Bulu defends his turf from alligators, lions, elephants, and more. He also saved the lives of humans! This is a true story that you will never forget!

The Pale Assassin - Patricia Elliott

Eugenie lives a life of leisure in France during the French Revolution. She and her brother are orphans, but have been kept in riches by their guardian. Suddenly the guardian escapes France because all the wealthy are in fear for their lives. Eugenie's brother protects her, and hides her by sending her off to a convent. But danger is never far away and adventures are continuous. Eugenie sees how resourceful and brave she can be. Romance and suspense are trickled throughout!

The Silver Blade - Sally Gardner

This is a sequel to The Red Necklace by Sally Gardner. The focus of this story is on Yann, the magician's assistant, who is in love with Sido the main character in The Red Necklace. Sido is now away from France and protected from the French Revolution, but gypsy Yann is in the middle of danger and intrigue as he attempts to rescue the wealthy from the savage guillotine, used to chop off the heads of the wealthy bourgeois. When Sido's life is once again threatened, Yann must make a devastating decision about his love for Sido. 

What I Saw And How I Lied - Judy Blundell

Evie's step-father returns home from World War 2 and life seems so happy. However, her step-father recieves phone calls and then announces that they are going to take a family vacation in Florida. This seems strange because they don't have much money, but Evie and her mother are excited. Once in Florida they have a great vacation at a wonderful resort and meet new friends. Evie thinks she is falling in love, and realizes how much she has changed about life and growing up. The story turns deadly however, and truthful answers are hard to come by. Evie is must face the hardest decision she has ever made. 

Crispin; The End of Time - Avi

This is the 3rd historical fiction book in a series about Crispin, a young boy who is thrust upon the open road to fend for himself in 1377 A.D. This book begins with Crispin  and his friend, a girl named Troth, traveling through the countryside of France on their way to the country called Iceland. They find a convent on their travels. Hungry and tired they decide to stop and see if the nuns will give them food to eat and a bed to sleep in just for the night. However, Troth find that she has a talent that is very meaningful to her and to the convent. Crispin must head off on his own to follow his dream to find Iceland. 

My Havana; Memories of A Cuban Boyhood - Rosemary Wells

This was an interesting fiction book based on the true story of Secundino Fernandez, a New York architect.  He was inspired to be an architect by his family's move when he was 8 years old from Havana, Cuba to New York City. His family never wanted to move from Havana, but political situations with Fidel Castro, forced them to leave. 

The Rock And The River - Kekla Magoon

September 2010

The Lost Conspiracy - Frances Hardinge

Imagine that you can project your mind outside of your body and fly anywhere you want to in no time! Your body will stay in one place but your mind can fly above everything! The people who can do that are called the Lost. Only a few people have that talent. Hathin's sister, Arilou, is called a Lost but Hathin is not sure she is because Arilou is very feeble in her mind. Hathin is always by her side to care for her, feed her, and watch that she doesn't get into any type of trouble. Suddenly the Lost are in danger. The story launches into a suspenseful tale that will keep you in suspense. This book was rated one of the 10 books out recently that adults might like to read too!

Out of my Mind - Sharon Draper

Melody is about 11 years old and super smart. She even has a photographic memory and an amazing vocabulary. However, at school no one knows it because Melody can't speak, write, or even walk. Read this book to see how things may not always be the way they seem. 

The Case of the Gypsy Good-bye - Nancy Springer

Have you ever read the classic detective stories about Sherlock Holmes? Enola Holmes is the sister of famous Sherlock and this is the last of 5 books in a series  about her. The stories take place in the Victorian Age in London, England. Enola has numerous disguises that allow her to get to the bottom of any mystery.

Return To Sender - Julia Alvarez

Tyler lives on his family's farm in Vermont. His father is recovering from a farm accident that nearly killed him, and he needs help to work the farm. His parents hire illegal immigrants to work the farm. There are children too and now they live at the farm. Tyler is not sure how he feels about this. "Isn't it against the law," he asks his parents. One child, a girl, is in his class. Tyler begins to realize the complexities of the immigration situation.