Books 32-52. . . . Oops. . .

Hello 2013!  You came a little sooner than I wanted. . . .   Shouldn't there be about twenty more weeks in a year?!  Well, it's obvious that I didn't make my goal.  I'm disappointed, but I've also realized that a) a book a week is a LOT (even though I'm sure there are many super librarians out there who can do it), b) I still read and wrote booktalks for 31 books (YAY!), c) I'll never regret the fun summer we had (even if I hardly opened a book!) and d) resolutions are tough to keep.  See Exhibit A--my waistline--and Exhibit B--my children's scrapbooks that are still more than two years behind.  Sigh. 

BUT on the bright side. . . . now I can use this blog to showcase a little bit of everything.  What's going on in the library, what I'm reading, what students are working on, what latest Pinterest projects have inspired me. . .  Like my tree of discarded books!  :) 

So here's to everything that 2013 will bring--even if it's a few less than 52 books. 

Book 31: The Lions of Little Rock

The Lions of Little Rock by Kristen Levine

It's August 1958 and the high schools in Little Rock aren't opening due to the recent battles regarding integration.  Marlee Nisbett has her own battles to fight in middle school.  She's so painfully quiet that everyone either thinks she's mute or tries to control her every move, like bossy Sally and cute JT who uses her for math homework.  Then she meets the new girl, Liz, who not only helps Marlee find her voice, but also herself.  Unfortunately, Liz is battling her own problems and one day, suddenly stops coming to school.  When Marlee discovers the truth behind Liz's identity, she must decide what she truly stands for and how far she'll go to make her voice finally heard.  

Book 30: On Etruscan Time

On Etruscan Time by Tracy Barrett

When Hector's mom's is recruited to help on an archaelogical dig in Italy, he has no choice but to tag along.  His summer is officially ruined.  Even worse is that the adults seem busy with their own conversations and no one seems to notice or listen to him.  To help him pass the long, hot days, Hector starts helping on the dig--where he uncovers an old stone that looks like an eye.  He realizes the eye has special powers, and Hector finds himself on a quest between two different worlds.  It's up to him to save an Etruscan boy named Arath from a horrible fate.  Can he find what he needs in the past before it's too late?   

Book 29: Bluefish

Bluefish by Pat Schmatz

Travis Roberts has just moved from the only home he's known to a new place in town and a new school.  He had to leave behind his "place" at the swamp, and most importantly, his best friend, a dog named Rosco.  His parents are gone, and his grandpa isn't around much between work and AA meetings.  Travis struggles in school, knowing that the secret he's keeping won't be one for long.  Then he meets a teacher named Mr. McQueen who gives him a new hope for his future and a girl named Vida, a.k.a. Velveeta, who has some struggles of her own.  Together, the two lean on each other, and end up saving themselves. 

Book 28: The Night She Disappeared

The Night She Disappeared by April Henry

Gabie, Drew, and Kayla have nothing in common except that they all work at Pete's Pizza.  Gabie is the quiet, rich girl whose parents are doctors, Drew is the average C student whose mom struggles with a drug addiction, and Kayla is the pretty, popular girl that everyone adores.  One night on a pizza delivery, Kayla is kidnapped.  Drew is the one who took the kidnapper's order over the phone, and he can still hear the guy's voice in his head.  Even worse, Gabie discovers that she is the one the kidnapper truly wanted.  As the days pass, the police struggle with leads, and Drew and Gabie try to hold onto hope that Kayla is not only alive, but okay.  Will they find her before it's too late?        

Book 27: First Light

First Light by Rebecca Stead

Peter's parents are scientists, so when they decide to move the family from New York to Greenland to conduct research, he tags along for what will surely be the adventure of a lifetime.  The conditions are tough and Peter quickly finds that he's not used to the brutal cold.  He is also keeping a secret: severe headaches that cause him to experience confusing visions.  Meanwhile, under the ice, an entire civilization has been established in a place called Gracehope.  Thea wants nothing more than to travel to the surface, despite the dangers she has been taught.  Finally, their two worlds collide and it turns out that Peter's secret is only the first of many that will affect them.    

Book 26: The Raft

The Raft by S.A. Bodeen

Robie lives on Midway Island, an Pacific island past Hawaii, where she is currently visiting her aunt, A.J.  When business suddenly calls A.J. to leave for Los Angeles, she allows Robie to stay by herself until next week when Robie's parents are expecting her home.  But then Robie gets scared and decides to head back to Midway on a small supply plane, a flight she often takes back and forth to her island.  This trip, however, is anything but typical as the plane goes down and Robie finds herself alone in a raft with Max, one of the pilots.  No one knows that she was on the plane, and she soon realizes that she'll have to rely on a total stranger to survive at sea.