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James, Brian. LIFE IS BUT A DREAM
James, Brian. LIFE IS BUT A DREAMNew York : Feiwel & Friends, 2012IL YAISBN 0312610041Sixteen-year-old Sabrina is artistic and has a very vivid imagination. But is it more than just a case of creating a fantasy world. She ends up in the hospital and diagnosed with a mental illness. Her hallucinations have gotten worse and her family cannot ignore the symptoms. Sabrina has schizophrenia and there is no cure. With treatment, her condition improves but then she meets Alec, a fellow patient. Alec tried to convince Sabrina that they are not mentally ill. It is the people around them that have the issues. She must decide whether to believe Alec and stop taking her meds or to trust her family and doctors.
Monday, October 29, 2012
Today's podcast 10/29/2012
Sunday, October 28, 2012
Today's podcast 10/28/2012
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Howse, Emily. ZITFACENew York : Marshall Cavendish, 2011IL YAISBN 0761458301Meet Olivia Hughes. You may think she has everything. She is an actress and appears on lots of tv commercials. She is popular at school. And has some very good friends. All that is about to change. Olivia breaks out in a severe case of acne. She tries to pretend that it isn’t acne. Maybe it’s spider bites. But she will have to accept the truth and all that comes with it. Her acting career may just be in jeopardy. No one wants a zitface to sell their products. And her boyfriend is pulling away as well. And those friends she had – they are just not there for her.
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Harvey, Jacqueline. ALICE-MIRANDA ON VACATION
Harvey, Jacqueline. ALICE-MIRANDA ON VACATIONNew York : Delacorte, 2010IL 3-6, RL 4.8ISBN 0385739958Alice-Miranda Highton-Smith-Kennington-Jones has survived her first semester at boarding school. Now it is time to head home for vacation. And who has she invited to spend break with her? None other than the school’s second-best tantrum thrower, Jacinta Headlington-Bear. At the family’s estate, things are not always what they seem. Soon Alice-Miranda finds herself caught up in a mystery than involved a famous movie star, a mysterious man, the maid and a new bully. What could possibly be going on here?
Friday, October 26, 2012
Today's podcast 10/26/2012
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Gutman, Dan. THE TALENT SHOW New York : Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, 2010 IL 3-6, RL 5.4 ISBN 1416990038 What would you do if you town was hit by a tornado and practically destroyed? Would you want to move away? Or would you want to do all you could to rebuild? The kids of Cape Bluff want to find a way to help rebuild. What better way than to put on a talent show? The biggest problem with this idea is that there is very little talent in Cape Bluff.
Thursday, October 25, 2012
Today's podcast 10/25/2012
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Daly, Cathleen. FLIRT CLUB New York : Roaring Brook Press, 2011 IL 5-8, RL 5.1 ISBN 1596435720 Eighth graders Izzy and Annie are drama geeks. And rather clueless when it comes to attracting boys. But they are determined to change that. They start a secret club that they call the Flirt Club and together they set out to study successful flirting techniques that they can employ. Told through notes, lists and journal entries, we follow the girls as the try to find their way in middle school.
Wednesday, October 24, 2012
Today's podcast 10/24/2012
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Curtis, Christopher Paul. THE MIGHTY MISS MALONE
Curtis, Christopher Paul. THE MIGHTY MISS MALONE New York : Wendy Lamb Books, 2012 IL 3-6, RL 3.8 ISBN 0385904878 Deza is the smartest girl in her class in Gary, Indiana and her teacher has hopes for Deza’s future. But it is a time of high unemployment and poverty. They call it the Great Depression and there are few jobs around Gary. Deza’s father sets off to find work in Flint, Michigan and soon, Deza, her mother and brother follow hoping to catch up with him. They settle in Hooverville outside of Flint and there the family hopes to see Dad again. As they cling to hope, they must find ways to support themselves. Life is hard but the family lives by their motto “We are a family on a journey to a place called Wonderful.”
Tuesday, October 23, 2012
Today's podcast 10/23/2012
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Crockett, S. D. AFTER THE SNOW
Crockett, S. D. AFTER THE SNOW New York : Square Fish, 2012 IL YA ISBN 1250016762 When he returned home, they were all gone. And all he found was snow - just like always. It has been years since the oceans stopped working and the ice age began. Willo's family escaped to the mountains and scratched out a subsistence by illegal trapping and hiding from the government. But that is all changed now and Willo is alone. He leaves the hut behind on his way to try to find his family. Along the way he finds a young girl who is in worse shape than he is. Her father has been eaten by wolves and her little brother is close to death. At first Willo leaves her behind but his conscious just won't let him. He returns to find her brother has died and the small hut is surrounded by hungry wolves. Willo risks everything to save her but what will he do with her now. Just another mouth to feed. What lies ahead for the two?
Monday, October 22, 2012
Today's podcast 10/22/2012
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Burkhart, Jessica. POPULAR New York : Aladdin Mix, 2012 IL 3-6, RL 4.3 ISBN 1442419504 Lauren is enjoying her popularity at Canterwood Crest Academy. She has a new boyfriend and things are all going her way. But is she taking on too much? All this pressure may just be too much for her.
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Burkhart, Jessica. COMEBACK New York : Aladdin Mix, 2012 IL 3-6, RL 4.3 ISBN 1442419520 Lauren enjoys being the It-girl at Canterwood Crest. But she might just be losing that title. And an important competition is coming up that may just change everything. And what happens when someone from her past shows up? Lauren is determined to overcome all obstacles but is that possible?
Sunday, October 21, 2012
Today's podcast 10/21/2012
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Almond, David. MY NAME IS MINA
Almond, David. MY NAME IS MINA New York : Delacorte, 2010 IL 5-8, RL 4.6 ISBN 0385740735 Almond scored a big hit with his book Skellig. In that story, we first met Mina. We find out so much more about her in the prequel to Skellig. Mina should be asleep. Everyone else in the house is. But Mina loves the night. She is staring out the window at the night and on her table is a blank notebook. What should she write in it? Should she write about the night and the things in it? Or should she write about Mina?
Friday, September 21, 2012
Today's podcast 09/21/2012
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Yates, Louise. DOG LOVES DRAWING
Yates, Louise. DOG LOVES DRAWING New York : Knopf, 2012 IL K-3, RL 2.8 ISBN 0375870679 Yes, Dog still loves books. Since he first discovered the joy of reading, he can be found giving books to others or reading them himself. But now he has received a book as a gift from Aunt Dora. This book is nothing like the other books he's seen. All the pages are blank. He realizes that this is a sketchbook and that he can create his own book. What will he draw?
Thursday, September 20, 2012
Today's podcast 09/20/2012
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Smith, Jenny. DIARY OF A PARENT TRAINER : YES, THAT MEANS YOU! LEARN TO TRAIN YOUR GROWN-UP!
Smith, Jenny. DIARY OF A PARENT TRAINER : YES, THAT MEANS YOU! LEARN TO TRAIN YOUR GROWN-UP! New York : Delacorte Press, 2012 IL 5-8, RL 5.6 ISBN 0385741987 Do you sometimes have trouble controlling your parents? Maybe you need some help. Thirteen year old Katie Sutton offers her expertise to help you train your grown-up. You'll learn about adult modes including "Angry Mode" and "Depressed Mode" and "Delirious Mode". Unfortunately for Katie, she finds that she may need the help herself. Her mother is dating a new, younger man who Katie is determined to get rid of. And then there is her ex-boyfriend who she is having second throughts about.
Wednesday, September 19, 2012
Today's podcast 09/19/2012
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Shelton, Dave. A BOY AND A BEAR IN A BOAT
Shelton, Dave. A BOY AND A BEAR IN A BOAT New York : David Fickling Books, 2012 IL 3-6, RL 5.5 ISBN 0385752490 The boy has decided to take a journey. As he steps into the row boat, he gives his destination as "just over to the other side, please". You will notice that the ship's captain is a bit different. He's a bear. That doesn't faze our boy though. So off they go -- destination, the other side of the sea. It doesn't seem like such a long trip when they start out but they soon find that it is not as easy as they thought. There are storms, sea monsters and they are running out of food. And now they have found themselves in the middle of nowhere with only sea and sky in sight.
Tuesday, September 18, 2012
Today's podcast 09/18/2012
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Matheis, Mickie. BEDTIME FOR BOO
Matheis, Mickie. BEDTIME FOR BOO New York : Golden Books, 2012 IL K-3, RL 2.7 ISBN 0375869913 This is not your average bedtime story. Young Boo is a ghost and he is having trouble settling in to go to sleep. His mother tells him to listen to the sounds around him. Now, I don't know about you but I don't think these sounds would help me fall asleep. What about Boo?
Monday, September 17, 2012
Today's podcast 09/17/2012
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Hoberman, Mary Ann. I LIKE OLD CLOTHES
Hoberman, Mary Ann. I LIKE OLD CLOTHES New York : A. A. Knopf, 2012 IL K-3, RL 3.0. ISBN 0375869514 When I was growing up, just about all my clothes were hand-me-downs from my sister or my cousins. Have you ever had hand-me-down clothes? What did you think about that? Did you wish for new clothes? Or did you like old clothes? The girl in this book loves old clothes. Why? Check it out and see.
Sunday, September 16, 2012
Today's podcast 09/16/2012
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Harvey, Matthea. CECIL THE PET GLACIER
Harvey, Matthea. CECIL THE PET GLACIER New York : Schwartz & Wade, 2012 IL K-3, RL 4.9 ISBN 0375867732 Do you sometimes think your family is really different from everyone else's? Well Ruby does. And she may be right. Her dad spends his time making topiaries which is shaping hedges like animals. Her mom spends her time making tiaras. Now there isn't a big market for either of these. And her parents are not above dancing right out in the open where anyone can see them. When Ruby asks for a pet, she never imagines what will happen on a vacation to Norway.
Wednesday, September 12, 2012
Today's podcast 09/12/2012
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Duke, Kate. READY FOR PUMPKINS
Duke, Kate. READY FOR PUMPKINS New York : Knopf, 2012 IL K-3, RL 2.2 ISBN 0375870687 Hercules, or Herky, has a very good life. He is the 1st grade guinea pig. The kids love him and he gets all he needs. He loves helping out with the Halloween Herk-o-Lantern and finds he loves, loves, loves pumpkin seeds. He keeps a few of them for later. When the children plant their class garden in the spring, Herky wishes he could plant one too. Will he get his chance? And what do you think he will plant?
Monday, September 10, 2012
Today's podcast 09/10/2012
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Blair, Mary. A MARY BLAIR TREASURY OF GOLDEN BOOKS
Blair, Mary. A MARY BLAIR TREASURY OF GOLDEN BOOKS New York : Golden Book, 2012 IL K-3, RL 1.5 ISBN 037587044X Enjoy these books from years gone by. The five books in this collection were originally published in the 1950s and 1960s but they don't feel dated. The book also includes 21 standard folk songs and singing games. There are even some nursery rhymes in the collection. Whether you are a baby boomer and drawn to the nostalgia or finding these books for the first time, there is plenty to like in this treasury.
Sunday, September 02, 2012
Today's podcast 09/02/2012
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Westerfeld, Scott. THE MANUAL OF AERONAUTICS : AN ILLUSTRATED GUIDE TO THE LEVIATHAN SERIES
Westerfeld, Scott. THE MANUAL OF AERONAUTICS : AN ILLUSTRATED GUIDE TO THE LEVIATHAN SERIES New York : Simon Pulse, 2012 IL YA ISBN 1416971793 Are you a fan of Westerfeld's Leviathan series? If so, you will love this companion book. It is loaded with details about all the machines and creatures that play a role in the series. The illustrations are color and show the details of the transports, the weapons, the walkers, and the uniforms. Find out more about the the marvels that Deryn and Alek encountered on their journeys.
Saturday, September 01, 2012
Today's podcast 09/01/2012
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Osborne, Mary Pope. PANDAS AND OTHER ENDANGERED SPECIES
Osborne, Mary Pope. PANDAS AND OTHER ENDANGERED SPECIES New York : Random House, 2012. IL 3-6, RL 5.0 ISBN 0375970258 Have you ever seen a panda bear? They are adorable. This book is filled with information about panda bears. Learn where they live, what they eat and how they spend their time. Like, when pandas are born, they are only about 6 inches long and weigh only three to five ounces. They are so helpless that the mother can't leave them and she may go three to four weeks without eating just to care for her baby. Learn about the panda and other endangered species that share our world.
Wednesday, August 29, 2012
Today's podcast 08/29/2012
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Krosoczka, Jarrett. LUNCH LADY AND THE MUTANT MATHLETES
Krosoczka, Jarrett. LUNCH LADY AND THE MUTANT MATHLETES New York : Knopf, 2012 IL 3-6, RL 3.0 ISBN 0375870288 The Breakfast Bunch has skipped the museum tour and now the principal is going to discipline them. After discussing it with their parents, he decides that Dee, Hector and Terrence will join the mathletes team to help them in their quest to win he trophy. Why would anyone join the mathletes team if they didn't have to. Well, the kids will do their best to help the team beat Willowby Academy in the championship. But Lunch Lady notices something odd about the kids from Willowby.
Tuesday, August 28, 2012
Today's podcast 08/28/2012
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Cooper, Rose. SECRETS FROM THE SLEEPING BAG
Cooper, Rose. SECRETS FROM THE SLEEPING BAG New York : Delacorte Press, 2012 IL 5-8, RL 6.4 ISBN 0385742460 Summer camp. Is there really any thing like it? For Sofia Becker and her best friend Nona, the idea of summer camps is a bit mixed. They are looking forward to it but don't know what to expect. They certainly don't expect to be in different cabins! And the idea of going four weeks with no Internet is not a pleasant thought. How is Sofia going to keep up her blogtastic blog? So now she is keeping a journal of all the things that happen so she can blog about them when she gets home. And she is sharing her adventure with us!