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Scott, Elaine. BURIED ALIVE : HOW 33 MINERS SURVIVED 69 DAYS DEEP UNDER THE CHILEAN DESERT
Scott, Elaine. BURIED ALIVE : HOW 33 MINERS SURVIVED 69 DAYS DEEP UNDER THE CHILEAN DESERT New York : Clarion Books/Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2012 IL 5-8, RL 6.0 ISBN 0547707789 Elaine Scott takes us to Chile to the San Jose copper mine where, on August 5, 2010, 33 miners were trapped 2000 feet underground. It doesn't take long for the men to discover that the safety features designed to save their lives are insufficient for the task. Quickly the men switch their thinking from escape to survival mode. They begin to ration the little food and water they can find and try to keep active, all the while hoping for a miracle. A miracle” that’s what it would take. A miracle is something wonderful that happens in spite of overwhelming odds.” Follow the miners through their epic journey and back. You will be amazed to learn of the global interest and involvement in problem solving that made this rescue a success. (Pennsylvania Young Reader's Choice Award nominee, 2014)
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Nielson, Jennifer A. FALSE PRINCE
Nielson, Jennifer A. FALSE PRINCE New York : Scholastic, 2012 IL 5-8, RL 5.2 ISBN 0545284139 Was he or wasn’t he, the true Prince of Carthya? Had he been murdered by pirates or was he alive in an orphanage? Follow the treacherous trail filled with murder and mayhem through this imaginary kingdom and locate the real Prince Jaron. (Pennsylvania Young Reader's Choice Award nominee, 2014)
Wednesday, February 26, 2014
Today's podcast 02/26/2014
Tuesday, February 25, 2014
Today's podcast 02/25/2014
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Messner, Kate. CAPTURE THE FLAG
Messner, Kate. CAPTURE THE FLAG New York : Scholastic, 2012 IL 3-6, RL 4.5 ISBN 0545395399 If you love a good adventure where ordinary kids like you can do amazing things, Capture the Flag is for you! Three seventh graders with nothing in common attend an event at the Smithsonian Museum where the original flag created by Betsey Ross is stolen. The next day, the same three kids are stranded in the same part of the airport after a snowstorm. They soon discover that they have more in common than they realized, particularly that they were at the Smithsonian when the flag was stolen. Figuring that the thief could be stranded at the airport with them, they launch an investigation to “capture the flag” before it becomes lost forever. (Pennsylvania Young Reader's Choice Award nominee, 2014)
Saturday, February 22, 2014
Today's podcast 02/22/2014
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McMann, Lisa. THE UNWANTEDS The Unwanteds is like The Giver meeting Harry Potter. Thirteen years-olds in Quill are assigned a category on Purge Day. The Wanteds go on to the University, The Necessarys do the farming and other necessary jobs and those who are creative are the Unwanteds and sent to be purged at the Death Farm. Once they get to the Death Farm they discover Mr. Today who helps them learn magic and prepares them to fight the Quillians, if necessary. This fantasy, adventure is for those who are dystopian fans. (Pennsylvania Young Reader's Choice Award nominee, 2014)
Friday, February 21, 2014
Today's podcast 02/21/2014
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Levine, Kristin. LIONS OF LITTLE ROCK
Levine, Kristin. LIONS OF LITTLE ROCK New York : G P. Putnam's Sons, 2012 IL 5-8, RL 3.9 ISBN 039925644X Best friends forever, it seems so simple. Middle school is difficult enough, but Marlee and Lisa find themselves in a stressful situation that could be dangerous. They are in the wrong place, at the wrong time. In the late 1950’s, Little Rock, Arkansas and many southern Communities are trying to come to grips with the Federal school integration laws. Everyone is taking sides, teachers, parents, students, and politicians. Two best friends forever-Faithful through thick and thin. One Black, one white. Friends forever regardless of color of skin. (Pennsylvania Young Reader's Choice Award nominee, 2014)
Thursday, February 20, 2014
Today's podcast 02/20/2014
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Lai, Thanhha. INSIDE OUT AND BACK AGAIN
Lai, Thanhha. INSIDE OUT AND BACK AGAIN New York : Harper, 2011 IL 3-6, RL 4.8 ISBN 0061962783 Ten year old Ha lives in Saigon during the Vietnam War. Her father is missing in action in North Vietnam. When South Vietnam falls, her mother, brothers and Ha are forced to leave Saigon for the United States on a crowded ship. Ha’s family is adopted by an Alabama man. They struggle to adjust to American food, holidays, school and customs. Using details from the author’s life, this moving story is a year in the life of this family that is told in verse. (Pennsylvania Young Reader's Choice Award nominee, 2014)
Monday, February 17, 2014
Today's podcast 02/17/2014
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Johnson, Peter. THE AMAZING ADVENTURES OF JOHN SMITH, JR.; AKA HOUDINI
Johnson, Peter. THE AMAZING ADVENTURES OF JOHN SMITH, JR.; AKA HOUDINI New York : Harper, 2012 IL 5-8, RL 5.6 ISBN 0061988901 John Smith, Jr., nicknamed Houdini after his favorite hero, hears an author speak and decides that he too can write a book following the authors’ rules for writing for teens. Hoping to write a best seller so he can buy his father a new car and pay for college, his writings humorously explore his life and interactions with friends and family. His fear of the town bully and the one armed Vietnam vet and worries for his own brother serving in Iraq lead him to better understand himself and others around him. See how this alters his world view. (Pennsylvania Young Reader's Choice Award nominee, 2014)
Friday, February 14, 2014
Today's podcast 02/14/2014
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Hopkinson, Deborah. TITANIC : VOICES FROM THE DISASTER
Hopkinson, Deborah. TITANIC : VOICES FROM THE DISASTER New York : Scholastic, 2012 IL 3-6, RL 7.6 ISBN 0545116740 Have you ever wondered what it was really like to be aboard the Titanic when she sank? In Titanic: Voices from the Disaster, Deborah Hopkinson collects eyewitness accounts from crew, passengers, and those involved in the rescue effort. These account are woven together to present an eerie witness to perhaps the most famous shipwreck ever. The book moves along as the Titanic maiden voyage slowly unfolds. Photographs taken by a passenger who got off the ship before she set sail on the open sea, help the reader feel what it was like aboard the floating city. Information is provided in the back of the book about the final fate of the passengers whose accounts are included. An extensive list of sources and websites is also included in the back. (Pennsylvania Young Reader's Choice Award nominee, 2014)
Thursday, February 13, 2014
Today's podcast 02/13/2014
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Hiaasen, Carl. CHOMP New York : Knopf, 2012 IL 5-8, RL 5.2 ISBN 0375868429 Wahoo and his father, a professional animal wrangler, live along the Everglades with an odd assortment of animals. When Derek from Expedition Survival reality show arrives, he wants to use Wahoo’s real animals for their scenes. Derek almost drowns with his real-life stunt grabbing Alice, the gigantic alligator. After his near-death experience, Derek decides to use the Everglades for his next scene. After only one day, Derek gets bitten by a bat and gets lost in a storm. Read to see who wins on the reality show – the animals or Derek. (Pennsylvania Young Reader's Choice Award nominee, 2014)
Wednesday, February 12, 2014
Today's podcast 02/12/2014
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Gantos, Jack. DEAD END IN NORVELT
Gantos, Jack. DEAD END IN NORVELT Farrar Straus Giroux, 2011. Jack is sure it was an accident when his father’s souvenir Japanese rifle fires while he is playing with it, but he has been grounded for the summer. The only thing his parents will allow him to do this summer is help his elderly neighbor write obituaries for the people who are dying in their town, and they sure seem to be dying off fast. Set in Norvelt, Pennsylvania, read this humorous mystery to find out why! (Pennsylvania Young Reader's Choice Award nominee, 2014)
Tuesday, February 11, 2014
Today's podcast 02/11/2014
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Frost, Helen. HIDDEN Farrar Straus Giroux, 2011 When two girls meet at summer camp, they soon realize they have a secret past. Years earlier, Darra’s father accidentally kidnapped Wren who was hiding in the car he stole. That event changed both of the girls’ lives and shaped who they are now. Darra tried to help Wren escape without her father getting into trouble, but he ended up in jail anyway, for which she blames Wren. Wren couldn’t understand why Darra and her mother put up with her father’s abusiveness and wouldn’t call the authorities. A novel in verse, read Hidden to find out if they will be able to resolve their differences during summer camp and come to terms with the past before someone gets hurt. (Pennsylvania Young Reader's Choice Award nominee, 2014)
Monday, February 10, 2014
Today's podcast 02/10/2014
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Bowen, Fred. REAL HOOPS Atlanta : Peachtree, 2011 IL 3-6, RL 4.4 ISBN 1561455660 Ben and Logan are looking forward to freshman basketball tryouts and know that if the team is going to be any good they need a point guard who can handle the ball well. When Hud transfers to their school, the prospects for a winning team are looking up. Ben and Logan have played basketball with Hud at the Recreation Center downtown and he is top notch, but can they convince him to be a team player so they can have the winning team they have been dreaming about? Read Real Hoops to find out. (Pennsylvania Young Reader's Choice Award nominee, 2014)
Sunday, February 09, 2014
Today's podcast 02/09/2014
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Barrow, Randi. SAVING ZASHA Scholastic 2011 World War II is over and Russia does not want anything to do with Germany, a country that attacked them so brutally.. Mikhail, a 13 year old boy from Russia, finds a sick and dying man who has a German shepherd. Mikhail’s family decides to keep Zasha a secret from the rest of the townspeople and vows to hide and protect her. Mikhail discovers Zasha is pregnant. There is a man nearby who is trying to breed a Russian superdog and would love to add a German shepherd to the breed. Find out what happens to Zasha and her puppies. (Pennsylvania Young Reader's Choice Award nominee, 2014)
Saturday, February 08, 2014
Today's podcast 02/08/2014
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Weeks, Sarah. PIE New York : Scholastic, 2011 Do you have a favorite pie that just makes your mouth water whenever you think about it? Then you will love this story about Alice and her very special Aunt Polly who is quite the celebrity in the town of Ipswich, Pennsylvania. Aunt Polly has a small bakeshop where she bakes and generously gives away the most amazing pies. She has even won the coveted Blueberry Award 13 times for her tasty treats! When Aunt Polly dies, it sets off a mad search throughout the town for those secret pie recipes. Alice inherits Lardo, Aunt Polly's cat with an attitude. When it is revealed that Lardo has inherited the recipes, he suspiciously disappears and Alice imagines the worst. Will Alice and her friend Charlie be able to get to the bottom of this tasty mystery? You may as well join the search. Who knows? Perhaps you will find a few new pie recipes to try! (Pennsylvania Young Reader's Choice Award nominee, 2014)
Thursday, February 06, 2014
Today's podcast 02/06/2014
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Turnage, Shelia. THREE TIMES LUCKY
Turnage, Shelia. THREE TIMES LUCKY New York : Dial Books for Young Readers, 2012 IL 5-8, RL 3.9 ISBN 0803736703 Mo and her best friend Dale live in Tupelo Landing, North Carolina. It is the start of summer and these two eleven-year-olds have no plans bigger than watching Dale's brother race stock cars and helping out at Mo's family diner. Their summer plans quickly grow complicated after a member of their small-town community is found dead. When Dale is considered a suspect and Mo's adopted father disappears, the kids become increasingly entangled in the murder investigation. Mo is a great character with a funny sense of humor. You will like this book for the unusual setting, the surprising twists and the fast-paced adventure, but you will love this book for Mo: a terrific main character with a funny sense of humor and irrepressible spirit. (Pennsylvania Young Reader's Choice Award nominee, 2014)
Wednesday, February 05, 2014
Today's podcast 02/05/2014
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Stout, Glenn. SOLDIER ATHLETES
Stout, Glenn. SOLDIER ATHLETES New York : Sandpiper, 2011 IL 5-8, RL 6.7 ISBN 0547417292 Some athletes do more than just play the game and earn a paycheck. Some athletes serve their country, the United States, in times of war. Whether they served before their career, after their career, or in the middle of their sports career, these four athletes made a difference by being American Patriots first, and professional athletes second. Every one may know Ted Williams was one of the greatest hitters ever to play baseball. Did you know he also served in the Air Force? Rocky Blier played for the Pittsburgh Steelers, and also served in Viet Nam. Chicago White Sox’s Carlos May and Arizona Cardinal’s Pat Tillman also served their country. Find out more about these soldier athletes in the informational text. (Pennsylvania Young Reader's Choice Award nominee, 2014)
Sunday, February 02, 2014
Today's podcast 02/02/2014
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Singer, Marilyn. MIRROR, MIRROR : A BOOK OF REVERSIBLE VERSE
Singer, Marilyn. MIRROR, MIRROR : A BOOK OF REVERSIBLE VERSE New York : Dutton Children's Books, 2010 IL 3-6, RL 4.1 ISBN 0525479015 The first poem in this book will challenge your thinking: “Who says it’s true—down is the only view? If you believe that, this poem will challenge you. Up is something new.” Want to try it? Read the poem in reverse, a method that author Marilyn Singer made up. “Something new is up. You will challenge this poem if you believe that the only view is down. It’s true, Says who?” Each of the poems in this book is based on a fairy tale, and tells both sides of the story. After your read the poems, you will want to try reverso yourself. (Review by Sue Dahlstrom, Wayne Elementary School) (Pennsylvania Young Reader's Choice Award nominee, 2014)