Green, John & Levithan, David. (2010) Will Grayson, Will Grayson. Dutton Books.
John Green and David Levithan team up to write a book about two teen boys, the same age with the same name and both of them are looking for love but with some striking differences. Will Grayson of Evanston has a huge best friend named Tiny who declares to be in love with every boy who looks his way. Will of Evanston joins the Gay Straight Alliance to be near Jane, who may or may not be a lesbian. Will Grayson of Naperville is looking for love in all the wrong places. When the two Will's collide their worlds come together with a satisfying and funny ending.
40 Developmental Assets: 32, 33, 39
Friday, April 29, 2011
YA Best books NF
Walker, Sally M. (2009) Written in Bone: Buried lives of Jamestown and Colonial Maryland. Carolrboda Books. 5Q, 4P MJS
The excavations begin in Jamestown, Maryland dating from the 1600's by archeologist and forensic anthropologists who try to understand how the people of that time and era lived, under what conditions and how they died. Sometimes the archeologist find more than one person in a grave and sometimes they find the arrowhead still lodged in a femur raising the question of cause of death. From the bones the scientist can determine the age and sex of the person and sometimes a possible cause of death. Throughout the book there are pictures from the actual excavations. A great book for a history buff, budding archeologist, or forensic scientist.
The excavations begin in Jamestown, Maryland dating from the 1600's by archeologist and forensic anthropologists who try to understand how the people of that time and era lived, under what conditions and how they died. Sometimes the archeologist find more than one person in a grave and sometimes they find the arrowhead still lodged in a femur raising the question of cause of death. From the bones the scientist can determine the age and sex of the person and sometimes a possible cause of death. Throughout the book there are pictures from the actual excavations. A great book for a history buff, budding archeologist, or forensic scientist.
YA Quick Picks for Reluctant Readers NF
Fagerstrom, D. & Smith, L. (2008) Show Me How: 500 things you should know instructions for life from the everyday to the exotic. Collins Designs. 4Q 4P JS
It's all here. Everything that you want to know how to do is in this book. The instructions are mostly pictures, similar to IKEA instructions, but there are some simple sentences to clarify when needed. This book has instructions on how to survive an alligator attack in four simple steps to burping a baby in four simple steps. You can learn how to stack a mean hamburger or get a clean shave. If you need to know-it is here.
40 Developmental Assets: 10, 17, 30
Show Me How
Willin, Melvyn, Dr. (2008). The Paranormal Caught on Film: amazing photographs of ghosts, poltergeists and strange phenomenon. F&W Publications, Inc. 4Q 5P JS
If you are intrigued by the paranormal this book will give you hours of time to study the pictures and decide if you they are truly images of something paranormal or just a fake. All the pictures in this book were examined by two qualified experts; Dr. Harrison a specialist in forgery detection and Maurice Grosse who questioned the photographers at length and found the photographers to be acting in good faith. All of the strange, paranormal pictures have an explanation of its origins, place, date and type of camera. Some you may believe and some you may not, but it is worth looking at and deciding for yourself.
The Paranormal Caught on Film: amazing photographs of ghosts, poltergeists and strange phenomenon.
It's all here. Everything that you want to know how to do is in this book. The instructions are mostly pictures, similar to IKEA instructions, but there are some simple sentences to clarify when needed. This book has instructions on how to survive an alligator attack in four simple steps to burping a baby in four simple steps. You can learn how to stack a mean hamburger or get a clean shave. If you need to know-it is here.
40 Developmental Assets: 10, 17, 30
Show Me How
Willin, Melvyn, Dr. (2008). The Paranormal Caught on Film: amazing photographs of ghosts, poltergeists and strange phenomenon. F&W Publications, Inc. 4Q 5P JS
If you are intrigued by the paranormal this book will give you hours of time to study the pictures and decide if you they are truly images of something paranormal or just a fake. All the pictures in this book were examined by two qualified experts; Dr. Harrison a specialist in forgery detection and Maurice Grosse who questioned the photographers at length and found the photographers to be acting in good faith. All of the strange, paranormal pictures have an explanation of its origins, place, date and type of camera. Some you may believe and some you may not, but it is worth looking at and deciding for yourself.
The Paranormal Caught on Film: amazing photographs of ghosts, poltergeists and strange phenomenon.
Tuesday, April 26, 2011
YA-Mystery, Suspense, Horrow
White, Kiersten. (2010) Paranormalcy. Harper Teen. 4Q 5P JS
This book has all of the paranormals, but not how you expect them. Faeries are self centered and ruthless, werewolves are misunderstood and kind and vampires are everything you expect but they don't sparkle. Evie is a seventeen year old who works for the International Paranormal Containment Agency because she has the special ability to see through the glamours that hide the paranormals from humans. Suddenly paranormals are being killed at an alarming rate when a shape shifter named Lend breaks into the IPCA to find answers about the killings. Together Evie and Lend solve the mystery to the killings only to find out that she may be part of a prophecy that could destroy all of the people she loves.
40 Developmental Assets: 3,4,5,6,8,11,14,15,16,20,21-25, 26-31
Paranormalcy
This book has all of the paranormals, but not how you expect them. Faeries are self centered and ruthless, werewolves are misunderstood and kind and vampires are everything you expect but they don't sparkle. Evie is a seventeen year old who works for the International Paranormal Containment Agency because she has the special ability to see through the glamours that hide the paranormals from humans. Suddenly paranormals are being killed at an alarming rate when a shape shifter named Lend breaks into the IPCA to find answers about the killings. Together Evie and Lend solve the mystery to the killings only to find out that she may be part of a prophecy that could destroy all of the people she loves.
40 Developmental Assets: 3,4,5,6,8,11,14,15,16,20,21-25, 26-31
Paranormalcy
YA-Morris Debut Award
Madigan, L.K. (2009). Flash burnout: a novel. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. Q5, P5, JS
Blake has a great life. His parents are married, he has a beautiful girlfriend, and a great friend, Marissa. Blake's favorite class is photography, but he is struggling. His teacher thinks that his photos lack emotion and are flat so Blake begins looking for a great photo opportunity. He takes a picture of a women strung out on drugs and barely alive on a bench in a seedy part of town. When Marissa sees the picture she recognizes the women as her mother. Finding her mother turns Marissa's world upside down and she takes Blake with her. Marissa struggles to help her mother and Blake struggles to keep his girlfriend and still support Marissa.
40 Developmental Assets: 1,2,3,11,14,15,16,17,20,21,22,23,24,26,27,28,32,36,37,38,39,40
Flash burnout: a novel
Blake has a great life. His parents are married, he has a beautiful girlfriend, and a great friend, Marissa. Blake's favorite class is photography, but he is struggling. His teacher thinks that his photos lack emotion and are flat so Blake begins looking for a great photo opportunity. He takes a picture of a women strung out on drugs and barely alive on a bench in a seedy part of town. When Marissa sees the picture she recognizes the women as her mother. Finding her mother turns Marissa's world upside down and she takes Blake with her. Marissa struggles to help her mother and Blake struggles to keep his girlfriend and still support Marissa.
40 Developmental Assets: 1,2,3,11,14,15,16,17,20,21,22,23,24,26,27,28,32,36,37,38,39,40
Flash burnout: a novel
Easter
Three cute little story time girls came in and said that they had bunnies in their front yard. I'll bite- "What color are they?" I asked. I got blank stares from the girls so I chalked it up to their limited vocabulary, maybe I was talking too fast, who knows. So I followed up with, "The Easter Bunny made an early visit and left them in your front yard. Are they pink or blue or green?" More blank stares. Then the nanny explained that they were real bunnies in the front yard...now it all comes together. I chatted with the girls about the bunnies, but it got me thinking. I should decorate with my kids for Easter. Good idea.
Friday evening Adam is so excited. He asked me if we could decorate for Easter on Saturday, and remembering the girls' excitement about bunnies, although they were not big pink plastic bunnies like I thought, I said sure. Adam and Maddy could hardly sleep they are so excited about decorating. The next morning I made a big pancake breakfast then the festivities began. Rob went down to the basement to get the tub labeled "Spring/Easter". By the size of the tub there must be lots of great stuff in it. Sam, Maddy Adam and I gather around the island for the big tub opening. It's been a few years since we have decorated for Easter, so we are expecting stuffed bunnies and so many unimaginable decorations in an array of soft spring colors. Well, let me just tell you that it was like that scene in The Christmas Story when the father gets the wooden crate marked "Fragile", opens it with the crow bar and steps in to find... a leg lamp.
Here is a list, in order, of the fabulous decorations we found:
1. 4th of July banner
2. 4th of July wall hanging
3. Summer candles (Rob hopefully asked if it was an Easter candle)
4. Finally a promising looking box that says "Easter Express" with a picture of a ceramic train-hooray!! It's empty:(
5. Easter baskets-two for each child-(our Easter bunny doesn't fool around)
6. On the very bottom-plastic eggs-one did have candy in it still which Adam tried to eat until I interceded.
No bunnies or unimaginable decorations-nothing. There were looks of stunned disbelief and heavy sighs. A little head scratching, wondering what happened to all of the Easter stuff, another sigh. So we took the eggs and matched them and counted them. Then we talked about filling them with candy for the egg hunt on Sunday at Aunt Carol's. We all felt better after that. The boys went back to the game station, Maddy went to clean her room, Rob went to the den to work, and I went to the store... to buy candy.
Friday evening Adam is so excited. He asked me if we could decorate for Easter on Saturday, and remembering the girls' excitement about bunnies, although they were not big pink plastic bunnies like I thought, I said sure. Adam and Maddy could hardly sleep they are so excited about decorating. The next morning I made a big pancake breakfast then the festivities began. Rob went down to the basement to get the tub labeled "Spring/Easter". By the size of the tub there must be lots of great stuff in it. Sam, Maddy Adam and I gather around the island for the big tub opening. It's been a few years since we have decorated for Easter, so we are expecting stuffed bunnies and so many unimaginable decorations in an array of soft spring colors. Well, let me just tell you that it was like that scene in The Christmas Story when the father gets the wooden crate marked "Fragile", opens it with the crow bar and steps in to find... a leg lamp.
Here is a list, in order, of the fabulous decorations we found:
1. 4th of July banner
2. 4th of July wall hanging
3. Summer candles (Rob hopefully asked if it was an Easter candle)
4. Finally a promising looking box that says "Easter Express" with a picture of a ceramic train-hooray!! It's empty:(
5. Easter baskets-two for each child-(our Easter bunny doesn't fool around)
6. On the very bottom-plastic eggs-one did have candy in it still which Adam tried to eat until I interceded.
No bunnies or unimaginable decorations-nothing. There were looks of stunned disbelief and heavy sighs. A little head scratching, wondering what happened to all of the Easter stuff, another sigh. So we took the eggs and matched them and counted them. Then we talked about filling them with candy for the egg hunt on Sunday at Aunt Carol's. We all felt better after that. The boys went back to the game station, Maddy went to clean her room, Rob went to the den to work, and I went to the store... to buy candy.
YA-Best Books-Sports
Murdock, Catherine Gilbert. Dairy Queen. 2006. Houghton Mifflin. 4Q 5P MJS
Seventeen year old D.J. spends her time milking cows and tending to other chores on the farm in rural Wisconsin. Her father hurt his hip moving the manure spreader, so instead of helping with the milking he has started cooking concoctions. D.J.'s brothers were excellent football players for their high school, Red Bend, but they have moved on to college. All those years of watching and practicing with her brothers makes her an excellent workout partner for Red Bend's rival from the neighboring town of Hawley. Handsome Brian is out of her league and D.J. knows it, but while working out together they seem to connect emotionally. But when Brian finds out that D.J. will be playing for Red Bend he feels betrayed because she never told him that she wanted to play football. Not only that, but D.J. knows all of Brian's football moves. What if she uses that information against him to win the big Red Bend v. Hawley game.
40 Developmental Assets: 1,3.5,6,7,10,12,14,16,18,20,23,26,27,28,33,36
Seventeen year old D.J. spends her time milking cows and tending to other chores on the farm in rural Wisconsin. Her father hurt his hip moving the manure spreader, so instead of helping with the milking he has started cooking concoctions. D.J.'s brothers were excellent football players for their high school, Red Bend, but they have moved on to college. All those years of watching and practicing with her brothers makes her an excellent workout partner for Red Bend's rival from the neighboring town of Hawley. Handsome Brian is out of her league and D.J. knows it, but while working out together they seem to connect emotionally. But when Brian finds out that D.J. will be playing for Red Bend he feels betrayed because she never told him that she wanted to play football. Not only that, but D.J. knows all of Brian's football moves. What if she uses that information against him to win the big Red Bend v. Hawley game.
40 Developmental Assets: 1,3.5,6,7,10,12,14,16,18,20,23,26,27,28,33,36
Friday, April 22, 2011
YA-Amazing Audio
The Best Bad Luck I Ever Had by Kristin Levine, read by Kirby Heyborne. Listening Library, 2010. 7 hours, 9 minutes, 6 discs 5Q 5P MJS
Dit and Emma form an unlikely friendship in spite of the tension of the racially divided South of 1917. Dit is hoping for a summer of fun and that the new post master has a 12 year old son who would like to be a his new best friend. He wants a new best friend that will shoot animals with a sling shot and fish everyday. Dit is sadden when a girl steps off the train wearing patent leather shoes, a beautiful dress with a matching ribbon in her hair along with her mother and father-his dreams for the summer are ruined. Emma and her parents are African American and they meet resistance from some of the town folks. Because Dit and Emma share a yard, Dit takes this brainy girl under his wing. Slowly they begin to trust each other and form a friendship. But Dit and Emma uncover some interesting family ties among the town folks. They risk their lives and those of their families to right an injustice. Through it all Dit and Emma develop their first feelings of love only to have it end too soon.
Kirby Heyborne's reading of this story makes it one of the 2011 Top Ten Amazing Audio Books. His voice is soft and soothing with just the right amount of a southern lilt to make the story feel authentic. This is one that should be listened to and enjoyed.
40 Developmental Assets: 1,2,3,4,14,15,27,28,29,30,32,33,34.35
Dit and Emma form an unlikely friendship in spite of the tension of the racially divided South of 1917. Dit is hoping for a summer of fun and that the new post master has a 12 year old son who would like to be a his new best friend. He wants a new best friend that will shoot animals with a sling shot and fish everyday. Dit is sadden when a girl steps off the train wearing patent leather shoes, a beautiful dress with a matching ribbon in her hair along with her mother and father-his dreams for the summer are ruined. Emma and her parents are African American and they meet resistance from some of the town folks. Because Dit and Emma share a yard, Dit takes this brainy girl under his wing. Slowly they begin to trust each other and form a friendship. But Dit and Emma uncover some interesting family ties among the town folks. They risk their lives and those of their families to right an injustice. Through it all Dit and Emma develop their first feelings of love only to have it end too soon.
Kirby Heyborne's reading of this story makes it one of the 2011 Top Ten Amazing Audio Books. His voice is soft and soothing with just the right amount of a southern lilt to make the story feel authentic. This is one that should be listened to and enjoyed.
40 Developmental Assets: 1,2,3,4,14,15,27,28,29,30,32,33,34.35
Wednesday, April 20, 2011
Cheerleader
I am lucky to have many great cheerleaders in my life. Adam is one of my best! His teacher's son was in story time last week. After coming to story time for three weeks and just watching, he decided to come on up to the front and get his groove on. He sat with the other kids, made comments about the stories and rocked to "the Milkshake Song". He had a good time. When Adam's teacher found out what a good time his son had he told Adam to thank me. Adam's reply, "That's what my Mom does best!" I love my Adam!
YA- Non Manga graphic novel
Small, David. (2009) Stitches: A Memoir.
5Q, 5P, JS
Illustrator David Small uses the graphic novel format to write about his turbulent boyhood. David grew up in Detroit with an older brother, distant father and abusive mother. His father is a radiology doctor and experiments on David using radiation to cure his ailments not really knowing the full affects of the radiation on his son. His father escapes from his marriage and children by working late hours and being unavailable to David emotionally. David suffers daily verbal abusive taunts from his mother while using drawing as his escape. In his teens, David is physically scarred by the removal of a tumor in his neck caused by the radiation experiments and in the process losses his ability to speak effectively.
Luckily David Small leaves home and becomes an accomplished illustrator. The affects of his childhood are vividly illustrated and relayed to the reader through Small's simple sketches. The fact that it is a graphic novel with few words but so effectively portrays the emotion of his childhood is a great achievement in illustration. This is a story that will stay with you in a hauntingly sad way.
40 Developmental Assets: Internal Assets: resistance skills, positive view of personal future.
5Q, 5P, JS
Illustrator David Small uses the graphic novel format to write about his turbulent boyhood. David grew up in Detroit with an older brother, distant father and abusive mother. His father is a radiology doctor and experiments on David using radiation to cure his ailments not really knowing the full affects of the radiation on his son. His father escapes from his marriage and children by working late hours and being unavailable to David emotionally. David suffers daily verbal abusive taunts from his mother while using drawing as his escape. In his teens, David is physically scarred by the removal of a tumor in his neck caused by the radiation experiments and in the process losses his ability to speak effectively.
Luckily David Small leaves home and becomes an accomplished illustrator. The affects of his childhood are vividly illustrated and relayed to the reader through Small's simple sketches. The fact that it is a graphic novel with few words but so effectively portrays the emotion of his childhood is a great achievement in illustration. This is a story that will stay with you in a hauntingly sad way.
40 Developmental Assets: Internal Assets: resistance skills, positive view of personal future.
YA -Novel Made into a Film
Cabot, Meg. (2006) Avalon High
4Q 5P MJS
Ellie is the new student at Avalon High. Her father and mother promised that she would not have to change high schools at her last high school, but now they have moved again and she finds that she is the new girl once more. Things are not what they seem at Avalon High. It starts out as a typical high school with the popular kids sticking together, a group that Ellie could never be a part of. But the football star, Will, developes a soft spot for Ellie. Will is a great guy but Gwen, Will's beautiful girlfriend, doesn't like what she sees happening between them, or so it seems. Everything at Avalon High seems typical until a bizarre chain of events leads Ellie, Will and his group of close knit friends into an adventure they could never have thought possible.
Unfortunately, the movie, Avalon High, produced by Disney falls short. Everything about the movie seems goofy, and somehow off. Skip the movie and read the book!!!!
40 Developmental Assets: External Assets: Boundaries and Expectations, Support, Empowerment. Internal Assets: Commitment to Learning, Social Competencies
4Q 5P MJS
Ellie is the new student at Avalon High. Her father and mother promised that she would not have to change high schools at her last high school, but now they have moved again and she finds that she is the new girl once more. Things are not what they seem at Avalon High. It starts out as a typical high school with the popular kids sticking together, a group that Ellie could never be a part of. But the football star, Will, developes a soft spot for Ellie. Will is a great guy but Gwen, Will's beautiful girlfriend, doesn't like what she sees happening between them, or so it seems. Everything at Avalon High seems typical until a bizarre chain of events leads Ellie, Will and his group of close knit friends into an adventure they could never have thought possible.
Unfortunately, the movie, Avalon High, produced by Disney falls short. Everything about the movie seems goofy, and somehow off. Skip the movie and read the book!!!!
40 Developmental Assets: External Assets: Boundaries and Expectations, Support, Empowerment. Internal Assets: Commitment to Learning, Social Competencies
YA Best Books-Romance
Cohn, Rachel & Levithan, David. (2010). Dash and Lily's Book Of Dares.
Cohn and Levithan team up again after the success of Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist to write a book that is from two perspectives sharing the same experience. Lily leaves a red notebook hidden on the shelves in her favorite bookstore in New York City with a message to the person who finds it and opens it. Lily's intriguing message is this, "I've left some clues for you. If you want them, turn the page. If you don't, put the book back on the shelf, please." (p.4). Who can resist this temptation, certainly not Dash.
Dash and Lily trade the book back and forth with clues that send them all over New York City for two weeks. They learn about each other through the clues, the places they are sent, and the people they meet, but oddly they never meet in person. Just when it seems that the whole experiment has runs its course, much to their dismay, fate plays its hand.
Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist
Cohn and Levithan team up again after the success of Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist to write a book that is from two perspectives sharing the same experience. Lily leaves a red notebook hidden on the shelves in her favorite bookstore in New York City with a message to the person who finds it and opens it. Lily's intriguing message is this, "I've left some clues for you. If you want them, turn the page. If you don't, put the book back on the shelf, please." (p.4). Who can resist this temptation, certainly not Dash.
Dash and Lily trade the book back and forth with clues that send them all over New York City for two weeks. They learn about each other through the clues, the places they are sent, and the people they meet, but oddly they never meet in person. Just when it seems that the whole experiment has runs its course, much to their dismay, fate plays its hand.
Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist
Monday, April 18, 2011
YA -Printz Winner-2010-fiction and non-fiction
Bacigalupi, Paolo. (2010) Ship breaker. 5Q 3P M J S
Ship Breaker brings to the forefront the devastation of centuries of global warming and its affect on the Gulf Coast. Nailer, a teenage boy, lives in this harsh world and survives by climbing into the broken ships of years past looking for copper wiring. His mother died years ago and he is left with a drug addicted father who cares so little for him that he is willing to kill him for money and information. Nailer has a "family" of sorts drawn together by circumstances and true affection all the while looking out for each other and trying to survive on the beaches of the Gulf Coast.
Nailer's future changes when he comes upon a clipper ship that can be broken down for far more than just the copper wiring. In the process he meets a young teenage girl from a wealthy family who owns the ship. Now he must decide whether to help this girl return to her family in the hope of receiving a reward for his effort or break the ship apart knowing that it will allow him and his makeshift family to have a better life.
40 Development Assets: External: other adult relationships. Internal: caring, equality and social justice, integrity, honesty, responsibility, restraint, planning and decision making.
Heiligman, Deborah. (2010) Charles and Emma: The Darwins' Leap of Faith.
5Q 4P J S
At one point in his early twenties Charles Darwin believed that he would become a preacher but life's circumstances took him in another direction. This book sheds light on his scientific discoveries equally mixing the details of his happy marriage to his first cousin, Emma Wedgwood, and their harmonious family life.
Amazingly his wife's strong religious beliefs helped Charles with his scientific study. Often he would turn to her as his editor to give him advice on how to best word his scientific information to cause the least amount of public backlash. Contrary to popular lore, he did not believe that humans evolved from apes, but that all species have evolved over time; adapting to their environments for survival. Emma struggled with Charles' Theory of Evolution but her love for him and her belief in the value of his work to him-allowed Emma to support Charles in his scientific study and writing while holding on to her religious beliefs.
40 Development Assets: This book and the lives of Charles and Emma Darwin are examples of every developmental asset.
Ship Breaker brings to the forefront the devastation of centuries of global warming and its affect on the Gulf Coast. Nailer, a teenage boy, lives in this harsh world and survives by climbing into the broken ships of years past looking for copper wiring. His mother died years ago and he is left with a drug addicted father who cares so little for him that he is willing to kill him for money and information. Nailer has a "family" of sorts drawn together by circumstances and true affection all the while looking out for each other and trying to survive on the beaches of the Gulf Coast.
Nailer's future changes when he comes upon a clipper ship that can be broken down for far more than just the copper wiring. In the process he meets a young teenage girl from a wealthy family who owns the ship. Now he must decide whether to help this girl return to her family in the hope of receiving a reward for his effort or break the ship apart knowing that it will allow him and his makeshift family to have a better life.
40 Development Assets: External: other adult relationships. Internal: caring, equality and social justice, integrity, honesty, responsibility, restraint, planning and decision making.
Heiligman, Deborah. (2010) Charles and Emma: The Darwins' Leap of Faith.
5Q 4P J S
At one point in his early twenties Charles Darwin believed that he would become a preacher but life's circumstances took him in another direction. This book sheds light on his scientific discoveries equally mixing the details of his happy marriage to his first cousin, Emma Wedgwood, and their harmonious family life.
Amazingly his wife's strong religious beliefs helped Charles with his scientific study. Often he would turn to her as his editor to give him advice on how to best word his scientific information to cause the least amount of public backlash. Contrary to popular lore, he did not believe that humans evolved from apes, but that all species have evolved over time; adapting to their environments for survival. Emma struggled with Charles' Theory of Evolution but her love for him and her belief in the value of his work to him-allowed Emma to support Charles in his scientific study and writing while holding on to her religious beliefs.
40 Development Assets: This book and the lives of Charles and Emma Darwin are examples of every developmental asset.
Tuesday, April 12, 2011
YA-Alex Award
Rosoff, Meg. (2009) The Bride's Farewell. 5Q 5P JS
The prospects for a young woman of the mid 1800's England, especially for a woman from a poor family, are meager and Pell Ridley knows this to be true of her life. She has watched her mother try to hold their family together while their phanlandering father, who claims to be a preacher, cannot conduct himself respectfully enough to support the family. On the day Pell is to be wed she flees her family and home, unwittingly taking her young, mute brother with her as she searches for a life without the restrictions of marriage and family.
During her journey she encounters and travels with a gypsy family, but must part their company when her brother disappears and she must find him. Ultimately Pell learns how her choices affect others but does find peace with her brother and a new beginning.
40 Developmental Assets: External: Positive Values; caring, equality and social justice, responsibility. Social Competencies; planning and decision making, resistance skills.
The Bride's Farewell
The prospects for a young woman of the mid 1800's England, especially for a woman from a poor family, are meager and Pell Ridley knows this to be true of her life. She has watched her mother try to hold their family together while their phanlandering father, who claims to be a preacher, cannot conduct himself respectfully enough to support the family. On the day Pell is to be wed she flees her family and home, unwittingly taking her young, mute brother with her as she searches for a life without the restrictions of marriage and family.
During her journey she encounters and travels with a gypsy family, but must part their company when her brother disappears and she must find him. Ultimately Pell learns how her choices affect others but does find peace with her brother and a new beginning.
40 Developmental Assets: External: Positive Values; caring, equality and social justice, responsibility. Social Competencies; planning and decision making, resistance skills.
The Bride's Farewell
YA-Graphic Novel
Mori, Kaoru. (2006). Emma. 4Q 5P JS
Emma is a Victorian maid to a spinster and former live in governess who is seemingly distant with little kindness for Emma. Emma is a bit clumsy at times and in true form she mistakenly opens the door and nearly crushes the visitor's nose. This male visitor, William, was the charge of Emma's spinster boss as a boy and has come to visit his formergoverness. While visiting he becomes intrigued with Emma. In Victorian society a maid would not be a likely partner for an upper class young man-yet this young man begins to persue Emma knowing that class distintions would not allow for such a match.
This is the first in this graphic novel series by Mori. Currently this series contains eight volumes, is translated from Japanese and is read back to front, right to left. There is a Japanese television series with English subtitles based on the Emma graphic novels.
40 Developmental Assets: External: boundaries and expectations. Internal: positive values; caring equality and social justice, intergrity, honesty, responsibility, restraint.
Emma
Emma is a Victorian maid to a spinster and former live in governess who is seemingly distant with little kindness for Emma. Emma is a bit clumsy at times and in true form she mistakenly opens the door and nearly crushes the visitor's nose. This male visitor, William, was the charge of Emma's spinster boss as a boy and has come to visit his formergoverness. While visiting he becomes intrigued with Emma. In Victorian society a maid would not be a likely partner for an upper class young man-yet this young man begins to persue Emma knowing that class distintions would not allow for such a match.
This is the first in this graphic novel series by Mori. Currently this series contains eight volumes, is translated from Japanese and is read back to front, right to left. There is a Japanese television series with English subtitles based on the Emma graphic novels.
40 Developmental Assets: External: boundaries and expectations. Internal: positive values; caring equality and social justice, intergrity, honesty, responsibility, restraint.
Emma
Monday, April 11, 2011
YA-Best Fiction for Young Adults- The Sky is Everywhere
The Sky is Everywhere (2010) Nelson, Jandy. 5Q, 4P, J S
What do you do when your older sister unexpectantly dies? Your life doesn’t stop, but you feel like it should. Somehow you continue to smile and laugh but feel guilty for feeling anything but grief. What do you do when the only person who feels your pain as deeply as you is your dead sister’s boyfriend? How can you feel this strong emotionally attachment and attraction to him? Aren’t you being disloyal to your sister? What about the new boy in band class who brings happiness and pleasure and takes you out of your sorrow?
Meet Lennie who has lived happily in the shadow of her sister Bailey until she unexpectantly dies at the age of 17. Meet Toby, Bailey's boyfriend who understands Lennie’s grief and brings with him the darkness of his own grief. They feel that if they are together they can somehow bring Bailey back. Meet Joe the new boy in school who brings Lennie the light and comfort that she needs and wants to help her heal. Somehow Lennie has to make it through this difficult time-but how?
40 Developmental Assets for Adolescents: External Assets of family support and positive family communication. Internal Assets of Positive Values, caring, honesty, responsibility.
YA Quick Pick for Reluctant Readers-Fiction
Perfect Chemistry. (2008) Elkeles, Simone. 4Q, 4P, S. (Fast Read)
Simone Elkeles has written a modern version of Romeo and Juliet combined with that old saying, "You can never judge a book by its cover."
Brittney and Alex couldn't be any more different if they tried. Brittney is popular with the perfect boyfriend, excellent grades that will get her into the college of her dreams, and an only child with all of the advantages that an upper class life provides in suburban Chicago. Alex, or Alejandro, is the oldest brother and head of his family, who joins the neighborhood gang to protect his family while still trying to stay true to himself and what he wants out of life. Brittney and Alex are from opposite sides of the tracks and believe without ever talking to each other, that they have nothing in common until they are brought together by their Chemistry teacher to complete a project. When they begin the project they have many prejudices and obstacles that seem too powerful to overcome to even be friends, or so they think.
40 Developmental Assets for Adolescents: Internal Assets: Commitment to Learning and sub-headings, Positive Values and sub-headings.
Jumping Off Swings. (2009) Knowles, Jo.
Jumping Off Swings by Jo Knowles tells the story of four teens, Ellie, Caleb, Corinne and Josh as they each experience the same event but in different ways. The story alternates from voice to voice as Ellie longs for the simple days of jumping off swings in the local park with her best friend Corinne. Instead she is faced with stares and ridicule from classmates and her parents. Corinne stands by her friend but feels the pull of her first experience of love with Josh, but hides her feelings from Ellie to save her from any more emotional pain. Josh and Caleb are friends and have been since kindergarten, but find that they are being pulled apart by changing views about relationships.
Maybe there will be another time for Ellie and Corinne to spend at the park cheerfully Jumping Off Swings until then everything is up in the air.
40 Developmental Assets for Adolescents: External Assets of Boundaries and Expectations, adult role models and positive peer influence.
Simone Elkeles has written a modern version of Romeo and Juliet combined with that old saying, "You can never judge a book by its cover."
Brittney and Alex couldn't be any more different if they tried. Brittney is popular with the perfect boyfriend, excellent grades that will get her into the college of her dreams, and an only child with all of the advantages that an upper class life provides in suburban Chicago. Alex, or Alejandro, is the oldest brother and head of his family, who joins the neighborhood gang to protect his family while still trying to stay true to himself and what he wants out of life. Brittney and Alex are from opposite sides of the tracks and believe without ever talking to each other, that they have nothing in common until they are brought together by their Chemistry teacher to complete a project. When they begin the project they have many prejudices and obstacles that seem too powerful to overcome to even be friends, or so they think.
40 Developmental Assets for Adolescents: Internal Assets: Commitment to Learning and sub-headings, Positive Values and sub-headings.
Jumping Off Swings. (2009) Knowles, Jo.
Jumping Off Swings by Jo Knowles tells the story of four teens, Ellie, Caleb, Corinne and Josh as they each experience the same event but in different ways. The story alternates from voice to voice as Ellie longs for the simple days of jumping off swings in the local park with her best friend Corinne. Instead she is faced with stares and ridicule from classmates and her parents. Corinne stands by her friend but feels the pull of her first experience of love with Josh, but hides her feelings from Ellie to save her from any more emotional pain. Josh and Caleb are friends and have been since kindergarten, but find that they are being pulled apart by changing views about relationships.
Maybe there will be another time for Ellie and Corinne to spend at the park cheerfully Jumping Off Swings until then everything is up in the air.
40 Developmental Assets for Adolescents: External Assets of Boundaries and Expectations, adult role models and positive peer influence.
My Birthday
Today is my birthday! I shout it loud and proud and will even tell you that I am 43! WhooHoo! If you grew up in a big family-then you know that you have to advertise your birthday with the forcefulness and determination of -I don't know-a preacher saving us from the fires of hell, or no one will care or even remember. I have a bet with my kids: Will my mother remember to call me today? Still waiting and it is almost 2 p.m.. Well it won't be the first time. This is why I advertise it but I guess I forgot to remind her when I wished her a happy birthday two weeks ago. My fault if she doesn't call.
Anyway, my husband complains jokingly, I think, that my birthday isn't just one day but it is stretched out for at least one week. I have heard other members of big families can stretch theirs out for one month, but I'll take a week. So last night, the night before my official birthday, because the celebration week had begun, my family and our friends and their crew went to Mellow Mushroom for dinner. Good time, and while we were there a clown/balloon lady was working for tips. All six kids got balloons and I got a crown. A lovely pink and green balloon crown with silver beads that I wore in the restaurant and, of course, to work today. The story time 2-3 year olds were not too fazed by it because an adult with a balloon crown fits into their visions of the world-the parents were secretly jealous.
The celebration continues tonight with warm brownies and vanilla bean ice cream with whipped topping, caramel sauce and walnuts and presents. You can come if you want but you have to bring dinner-for the entire week-it's my birthday and I don't think I should ruin my birthday crown with such meaningless tasks. I will leave that to the peasantry.
Anyway, my husband complains jokingly, I think, that my birthday isn't just one day but it is stretched out for at least one week. I have heard other members of big families can stretch theirs out for one month, but I'll take a week. So last night, the night before my official birthday, because the celebration week had begun, my family and our friends and their crew went to Mellow Mushroom for dinner. Good time, and while we were there a clown/balloon lady was working for tips. All six kids got balloons and I got a crown. A lovely pink and green balloon crown with silver beads that I wore in the restaurant and, of course, to work today. The story time 2-3 year olds were not too fazed by it because an adult with a balloon crown fits into their visions of the world-the parents were secretly jealous.
The celebration continues tonight with warm brownies and vanilla bean ice cream with whipped topping, caramel sauce and walnuts and presents. You can come if you want but you have to bring dinner-for the entire week-it's my birthday and I don't think I should ruin my birthday crown with such meaningless tasks. I will leave that to the peasantry.
Wednesday, April 6, 2011
YA Fantasy/Sci Fi. "Life As We Knew It" by Susan Beth Pfeffer
Life as We Knew It. Pfeffer, Susan Beth. (2006). 4Q 5P J S
This book is the first in a series by Pfeffer titled, The Last Survivors. It is sad and sometimes funny but you feel compelled to read the story of Miranda and her family as they try to survive their day to day life and hardships after a world changing disaster. You root for them, feel their pain, want to give them advice but more than anything you imagine yourself in the situations that Miranda and her family now find themselves in and wonder what you would do to survive.
Miranda is a typical teenage girls with typical teenage issues. Her parents are divorced and her father and his new wife are expecting a baby and Miranda is excited to be a step sister. She and her mother seem to argue, sometimes heatedly, over many mundane issues. But her biggest problem is tracking the whereabouts and events surrounding the local ice staking heartthrob from her Pennsylvania town that may be eligible for the next Olympics. Of course, there is talk about the meteor that is schedule to hit the moon in May but no one, including scientists, seem concerned about the possible affects to the Earth.
On the evening that the meteor is predicted to hit the Earth, Miranda, her family and neighbors meet in the road with chairs and snacks to watch the event. When the meteor finally hits it is immediately obvious that the result is not going to be good. The moon is too close to the Earth and within weeks the climate is changing. There are hurricanes and tsunamis, endless rain, cold weather, snow and volcanoes. Now Miranda's problems are bigger and more life threatening than she could have ever imagined. The question isn't can Miranda and her family survive, but how long can they survive.
This book is a great example of two developmental assets; planning and decision making and responsibility. Miranda had to grow up fast and make plans and decisions that she never imagined would fall on her shoulders.
This book is the first in a series by Pfeffer titled, The Last Survivors. It is sad and sometimes funny but you feel compelled to read the story of Miranda and her family as they try to survive their day to day life and hardships after a world changing disaster. You root for them, feel their pain, want to give them advice but more than anything you imagine yourself in the situations that Miranda and her family now find themselves in and wonder what you would do to survive.
Miranda is a typical teenage girls with typical teenage issues. Her parents are divorced and her father and his new wife are expecting a baby and Miranda is excited to be a step sister. She and her mother seem to argue, sometimes heatedly, over many mundane issues. But her biggest problem is tracking the whereabouts and events surrounding the local ice staking heartthrob from her Pennsylvania town that may be eligible for the next Olympics. Of course, there is talk about the meteor that is schedule to hit the moon in May but no one, including scientists, seem concerned about the possible affects to the Earth.
On the evening that the meteor is predicted to hit the Earth, Miranda, her family and neighbors meet in the road with chairs and snacks to watch the event. When the meteor finally hits it is immediately obvious that the result is not going to be good. The moon is too close to the Earth and within weeks the climate is changing. There are hurricanes and tsunamis, endless rain, cold weather, snow and volcanoes. Now Miranda's problems are bigger and more life threatening than she could have ever imagined. The question isn't can Miranda and her family survive, but how long can they survive.
This book is a great example of two developmental assets; planning and decision making and responsibility. Miranda had to grow up fast and make plans and decisions that she never imagined would fall on her shoulders.
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