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

As Easy As Falling off the Face of the Earth - Lynne Rae Perkins

Toads and Diamonds - Heather Tomlinson

Journey of Dreams - Marge Pellegrino

Captivating story of a family that must flee for their lives from the corrupt government of Guatemala. Although fiction, it is based on actual circumstances and personal stories. Couldn't put it down!

Dark Water - Laura McNeal

This book is so good it was a National Book Award finalist! Read this beautifully written tender but tragic story of first love, cultural differences, and the California fires. The setting is near San Diego in the town of Fallbrook. 15 year-old Pearl and her mother live with her uncle on his avocado farm. He hires migrant workers to manage the crops. One day they see a young man who seems  to talk through mime. Through her encouragement, Pearl's uncle hires the boy and Pearl, intrigued by his ability to mime and entertain others with juggling, tries to get to know him. You may want to read this book in one sitting it is so captivating!!!

These 7 books are from our Spring 2012 Book Fair -

1 Prisoners in the Palace; A Novel of Intrigue and Romance - Michaela MacColl

2 Wrapped - Jennifer Bradbury

3 Cinder - Marissa Meyer

4 The Vespertine - Saundra Mitchell

5 Cloaked - Alex Flinn

6 The Red Umbrella - Christina Diaz Gonzalez

7 The Splendor Falls - Rosemary Clement-Moore

Graceling - Kristen Cashore

The Hunger Games - Suzanne Collins

In honor of the movie coming out next week, March 23, I re-read this book and it was still just as awesome! I read it when it was first published years ago.

My Name Is Not Easy - Debby Dahl Edwardson

This book begins in 1960 and spans 4 years in the lives of a group of young Alaskans. Luke and his brothers are flown to attend a private boarding school for native children. Although sent by their parents, the boys and others like them become homesick and fearful, as the headmaster can be mean and vengeful and they are forced into labor. Sometimes they only get to see their parents once a year! The children miss their culture and see that it is disrespected. This is a heartbreaking story based on true circumstances.

The Doomesday Box; A Shadow Project Adventure - Herbie Brennan

Fire World - Chris D'Lacey

This is the 6th book in the "Last Dragon Chronicles" series. You can read this one on its own, but it would be  better understood if you read the other books in the series before this one. A librarium that shape shifts, firebirds that produce a magical tear upon death, nasty, evil aunts, dragons, and multiple worlds, make this a multi-faceted fantasy.  

Totally Human; Why We Look and Act the Way We Do

This book is an example of how non-fiction reading can be really fun! Each page has one question you might have about being human. Why do you yawn? Why do you talk? In-depth answers relate the evolution of human development. A comical illustration supports each question with visuals that are meaningful, memorable, and funny.

War Horse - Michael Morpurgo

I could almost hear guns firing, mortar shells blasting, brave horses neighing, and men crying out as they were wounded. The main character is Joey, a farm horse who is adored by his young trainer & owner, Andrew. It is through Joey's eyes that we see this WW I story. Taken by soldiers from Andrew's farmyard, Joey became a war horse, subjected to cruel, harsh weather, long hard days pulling overloaded carts.  This story details the important role horses played in WW and the bravery of these little known heroes on both sides of the war.  

Dead End in Norvelt - Jack Gantos

Jump back to the 1960's and see what it was like to live in a little rural town called Norvelt in Pennsylvania. The author actually lived in this town but has blended fact with fiction to make one whopper of a tale! Grounded for the summer, Jack takes up an unpaid summer job helping a spunky, old lady whose arthritic hands can no longer write. He becomes her pen. She composes obituaries for the town newspaper. Suddenly many old ladies are dying. What's the cause? Jack's father comes home with something he is suspiciously hiding under a cover, telling Jack not to peek. What could it be? Lots of surprises make this book a roller coaster of a read. It's the new 2012 Newbery Award winner. 

Theodosia and the Last Pharaoh – R.L. LaFeve

For a romping good read in Victorian Egypt, read the 4^th book in a series about Theodosia! This brilliant, witty, preteen travels with her mother to an archeological dig, but unknown to her mother, she is involved in returning sacred treasures, finding a missing pharoah, and encountering thieves, villains, and danger at every turn. Great book for middle school students looking for adventure/magic books.

Cool Science: Science Beats Crime - John Perritano

Nine case studies of real-life crimes relate the way science is used to solve them. Actual photos of the crime scenes, victims, and primary documents illustrate the facts. Small, square sections called “Tools of the Trade” and “Inside Knowledge,” an index, and glossary give added information. Great for kids who want the facts on forensics.

Secondhand Charm – Julie Berry

Healing magic, love, leviathans, telepathy, and a plot to assassinate the king, will keep fantasy readers glued to read more about 15-year-old Evie and her quest to study medicine at a university.

Babe Ruth; Legendary Slugger - David Fischer

Read this well documented biography and impress others with all the information you know about the baseball great Babe Ruth. 

Matched – Ally Condie

The Candymakers – Wendy Mass

The Jaguar Stones: Middleworld – Jon & Pamela Voekel

Breadcrumbs – Anne Ursu

Tamar – Mal Peet

Elephant Run – Roland Smith

Revolution – Jennifer Donnelly

City of Orphans – Avi

Revolver – Marcus Sedgwick

Moon Over Manifest – Clare Vanderpool

Theodore Boone: Kid Lawyer – John Grisham

Theodore Boone: The Abduction – John Grisham

Girl, Stolen; A Novel - April Henry