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.