Rash Rocks!

I admit that I am a big fan of Pete Hautman. He is definitely a great author for the "thinking" young adult. I loved Invisible even though it greatly disturbed me, but Rash was even better and it didn't freak me out. The story takes places in the future where The Child Safety Act has pretty much eliminated anything dangerous and hurtful including football. If you violate the act (this includes fighting and saying mean things) it is a misdemeanor charge. You have three chances and the punishment is a work camp. Bo, the main character, loses his cool one too many times and is sentenced to three years at a pizza making work camp that is in the artic tundra. It is surrounded by hungry polar bears. What makes it even more dangeorus is that the "warden" has his detainees play illegal football. Will Bo make it home or will he become a lifer? It was an interesting commentary on how the future of America focuses so much on safety rather than freedoms.

There are quite a few instances of cursing and inappropriate language. It's typical of teenage boys. However, I would be careful to give it to younger middle school students. It's also a "reader" book who has a grasp on American ideals (like how we value freedom) otherwise this book might be lost on them. If you have a rebel student who likes to read (or is a good reader but says he/she can't find a good book) have them try this book.

Eclipse shines as brightly as the other two!

I just finished reading Stephenie Meyer's 3rd Edward/Bella book, Eclipse and I have two words to say...LOVED IT! I think I loved it as much as Twilight. The difference in Eclipse is that it is VERY action packed, much more than the previous two. Bella is home in Forks, anticipating graduation and possibly becoming a vampire. She's in love with Edward, her vampire, but she has VERY strong feelings for Jacob too. What makes this worse is that Victoria is still looking for revenge and Bella is in danger. It's a roller coaster ride of emotions all the way to the end. I still can't decide if I'm Team Edward or Team Jake. I, like Bella love them both!

Librarians...if you have middle school (more like7th or above) who love romance, this is the series to get them started and hooked. The language is pretty PG. There are a few mentions of sex (interestingly enough, it's brief, it's handled with care and caution (Edward insists on marriage first!)).

Did not run Out of Patience

Yes, I know it was a lame play on the title, Out of Patience by Brian Meehl. But, that's just me being lame and not the book, which was actually quite good. I read this book because it is another Lone Star pick. Honestly, if it wasn't on the list, I probably would have passed it up. The storyline didn't interest me. A middle school aged boy is stuck in this small town where the town history has strong ties to a toilet and a plunger. In fact, the plunger is cursed and the town believes that if it comes back, destruction will befall the small town of Patience, Kansas. Strange, I know, but it's actually quite a charming story of Jake, who wants to get out of Patience for a different life. Is the grass really greener elsewhere and is Jake missing the beauty of his hometown? Will the plunger bring destruction as promised? You'll have to read it to find out. I found myself laughing aloud. It balances a quick dialogue with action. If you can push yourself through the first two chapters, it really gets going fast. It's a fun book. It's a great middle school or 4th or 5th grade read. I think my 8th graders would think it was a bit youngish. It would even be a great read aloud.

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hollows

Harry Potter Fans! This is the book! It is a worthy book to end the series! At first I was disappointed in the ending, but as I mulled it over, I really dug it. Everyone I talked to on the ship was loving it as well (yep, finished this book on the cruise as well). It wasn't my all-time favorite of the series (The Goblet of Fire is still my favorite) but it's #2.

Peaches are just peachy

Attention Traveling Pants fans! You have to read Peaches by Jodi Lynn Anderson. I took it to read on the cruise and I was so engaged that I finished it in a day! Three girls who are very different and aren't friends end up working together on one of the girl's peach orchard. Each has their own stories and of course issues to deal with. There's love, friendship, happiness and disappointment. Older middle school girls will love this book (there is language, some kissing and a skinny dipping scene (not sexual at all). There is a sequel that I'm dying to read!

The Nature of Jade

As you know, I am a BIG chick lit fan. Because I loved Deb Caletti's Honey, Baby, Sweetheart, I wanted to read her latest, The Nature of Jade. I totally enjoyed it. The main character, Jade, suffers from anxiety disorder. Then she meets Sebastian, a mysterious young man who has a young son. What is Sebastian hiding and will Jade be able to cope and deal with her illness. Remember, this is chick lit so the characters tend to be a little stereotypical but it was a very engaging story. Older girls (7th and up because there is some language, f bombs are thrown in, a mention of sex as well (not detailed)) who love romance and chick lit will enjoy this book.

Ai Yi Yi, La Linea

I will admit that I really didn't want to read this book, La Linea by Ann Jaramillo. I did it because it is a Lonestar Book (Texas Librarian Association's Middle School Librarian's list). The cover is intriguing and it's super short (like 126 pages). I thought, maybe it would be okay, like one of those movies you didn't want to go see, but someone else wants to and you go and end up loving it. This really isn't the case with this book unfortunately. I did read it. It took me several weeks because it didn't keep me involved. The characters, Miguel and Elena are trying to cross la linea, the border, from Mexico into the US to be reunited with their parents. The characters are stereotypical. The action is slow paced. I wished that it had more action and suspense. When it finally did build up, it ended flat. In fact, you don't feel like you have enough closure. As an adult, I can "get" this book and might be intrigued (my family did come from Mexico a long time ago, yadda, yadda, yadda) but if I'm a middle schooler, the cover and the length will appeal but the story will make me drop this book. I'm really surprised it made the Lone Star list, but at the same time not. We, as librarians, need to stop thinking that middle school kiddos will always agree with us on what we think are good and interesting books. I'm sorry to say that I can't really recommend this one.

More Confessions of a Hollywood Starlet

If you read the first book by Lola Douglas (True Confessions of a Hollywood Starlet) then you'll love More Confessions of a Hollywood Starlet. In this second installment, Morgan (aka Claudia aka the Starlet) wants to stay in Fort Wayne, Indiana even though she has been exposed as a sort of a Lindsay Lohan starlet. She has some great friends and a budding relationship with super cute yet super dorky Eli. She also has everybody following her around because of her superstar status and she does have an enemy, Debbie who is out to make her look stupid and get Eli. Her mom and manager want her to come back to Cali and get back onto the Hollywood train. What will Morgan do? This book is written again in journal style. This is definitely a chick lit book and any of my more mature 8th grade girls (yep, wouldn't hand it over to a 6th grader who might not be mature for the topic of date rape or the mention of sex) who love the Meg Cabot or Clique/Gossip Girl series would love this book.

The Warrior Heir

It took me several days but I finally finished The Warrior Heir by Cinda Williams Chima. It was superlong (over 400 pages) but it was worth it. The main character in this modern fantasy is 16 year old Jack. He was actually born a wizard but a wizard doctor implanted a warrior stone into him to save his life and make him her warrior champion when he gets older. His family doesn't want this to happen because it could lead to Jack's death. People are coming out of the woodwork to kidnap or kill Jack. The novel, though long, will keep the reader entertained. For the most part, it is action packed and fast paced. It almost feels like one of those thriller movies. The size alone will probably intimidate reluctant readers, but the storyline will capture them quickly (this would be a great read aloud book!). Middle school boys and girls(and younger high school guys and girls) who love thrillers or magic will totally dig this book. There isn't any bad language or majorly mature situations (just a little kissing) so it would be okay for 6th graders.

You made me cry again Jordan Sonnenblick!

One of my favorite books is Drums, Girls and Dangerous Pies by Jordan Sonnenblick. Now I can honestly say that Notes from A Midnight Driver will join that list. Alex gets into some trouble and has to do community service at a nursing home. His assignment is to work with a cranky man named Mr. Lewis. It's a learning experience for both of them filled with humor and tears. I laughed heartily and then burst out crying. It kept me so engrossed in the plot that I ignored TV and finished the book in one day! This book would be an awesome book club book for middle school boys and girls. Excuse me, I need to go blow my nose now.

Airball: My Life in Shorts!

Airball: My Life in Shorts by L.D. Harkrader is a quick and funny read. A 7th grade basketball team who hasn't won a game in 3 years has to start winning in order to be part of a ceremony at the state university to retire a hometown hero now an NBA star's number. Their coach's answer to winning? They will play in their underwear! The main character, Kirby, who hasn't an athletic bone in his body is sure that the NBA star is his father. Will he be able to prove it? Will the team prevail and finally have a winning season? If you have reluctant middle school boy readers who like sports, have them give this book a shot.

You go girl!

Nobody's Princess by Esther Friesner made me want to pump my fist and shout, "You go girl!" This YA novel is about the early years of Helen of Troy (you know, the chick who had the face that launched a thousand ships). Helen is truly a likable heroine who wants to be a hero and have adventure rather than weaving and getting married. This book was action packed and it left you wanting more (it will have a sequel). It might require though having some general knowledge of Greek Mythology (gods, goddesses, heroes, oracles) in order to truly "get it". There is no horrible violence or mature content. I would recommend this book to someone who wants a girl power or girl adventure book. It is a longer book so it will require some stamina but the plot does a good job keeping the reader interested.

LOVED An Abundance of Katherines!

I just finished reading John Green's Abundance of Katherine's. It was one of the funniest books that I have ever read. It is also one of the smartest. It is definitely for high schoolers. I am a pretty liberal middle school librarian and I know that some of my 8th graders would totally love this book (Jacob...I'm thinking of you!) but most of my kiddos aren't mature enough to "get it" and some of the language is very mature and "Catcher in the Rye"ish. The main character Colin has been dumped by 19 Katherines and he tries to develop a mathematical theorem on a road trip with his best friend to explain the phenomenom of dumpers and dumpees. Colin and his friend are total nerds and are proud of it. The trip leads them to Tennessee where they learn many life changing lessons about themselves and others.

The Wizard, The Witch & Two Girls from Jersey

I just finished reading Lisa Papademetriou's The Wizard, the Witch and Two Girl's from Jersey. Before I give you the 411 on this book, I think I need to let you know that, I'm truly not a big fan of fantasy (I know, I should be beaten to death by an elf with some sort of magic contraption). This book is a fantasy but it also has a lot of Chick Lit flava to it. It's like the Princess Diaries meets Lord of the Rings. It allowed a non-fantasy lover to delve into the magical world of elves, dwarves and evil magic and actually enjoy the ride. Two main characters, Heather and Veronica are of course, are opposites. One is popular and the other, not so much. Both have a paper due on a fantasy book and guess what? There is only one copy available. This leads to a struggle over the book resulting in the girls literally falling into the realm of the book and becoming part of the story. This leads to the story changing and the girls having the task of destroying the Twilight Queen, trying to mess up the whole story and saving this new world.

The book is 273 pages. Serious fantasy readers will probably balk at this book. There is some cussing by the characters but it is lightly sprinkled in this book. I recommend this book for someone who wants a fun, chick lit read (romance, snappy dialogue (mostly) between the characters). Also, if you are digging the fairy tales, give this one a try. I really think 7th graders and up would get it better, in my opinion.