The Gardener by S.A. Bodeen
Mason doesn't know anything about his father, other than the one video of his dad reading a bedtime story. He hates seeing his mom struggle; there's never enough money, she spends numerous evenings at the local bar, and she has a dead end job at the town's nursing home. Then Mason meets a girl who's different from every other girl he's met--and he tries to ignore that she doesn't appear to need food or water. . . He begins to uncover secrets that his mom has been hiding and soon realizes that the past isn't what he thought it was--and his future may not be what he wants either.
**A Truman Nominee for 2012-2013
Friday, March 23, 2012
Sunday, March 18, 2012
Book 10: Revolver
Revolver by Marcus Sedgwick
Sig's father, Einar, has taught him how to shoot a Colt revolver--according to him, the most beautiful symbol of perfection known to man. Sig never dreams that he'll need it, especially not after he discovers his father's frozen body in the broken ice of a nearby lake. He waits at home with the body while his sister and stepmother get help, but a stranger appears at their cabin door, claiming that Einar has gold that belongs to him. Sig has never known his father to have any gold, and as the stranger tells his tale, Sig discovers that it isn't the only secret his father kept from the family. As Sig is held hostage, he realizes that the only way out is to get Einar's revolver--which is hidden in the cabin's back storeroom. Can he get his hands on it before the stranger shoots his own gun, silencing Sig forever?
Sig's father, Einar, has taught him how to shoot a Colt revolver--according to him, the most beautiful symbol of perfection known to man. Sig never dreams that he'll need it, especially not after he discovers his father's frozen body in the broken ice of a nearby lake. He waits at home with the body while his sister and stepmother get help, but a stranger appears at their cabin door, claiming that Einar has gold that belongs to him. Sig has never known his father to have any gold, and as the stranger tells his tale, Sig discovers that it isn't the only secret his father kept from the family. As Sig is held hostage, he realizes that the only way out is to get Einar's revolver--which is hidden in the cabin's back storeroom. Can he get his hands on it before the stranger shoots his own gun, silencing Sig forever?
Wednesday, March 14, 2012
Book 9: Jefferson's Sons
Jefferson's Sons by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley
Most of us know Thomas Jefferson as the third President of the United States, the Founding Father who wrote the Declaration of Independence. Few know that after his wife died, he fell in love with his slave, Sally Hemings, and had seven children with her. This is the story of the four children who lived: Beverly, Harriet, Madison, and Eston. Based on true facts, Bradley explains the hardships of growing up as both a slave AND Master Jefferson's children: the disappointments of never having a "father," the special treatment not extended to other Monticello slaves, and the constant battle to define oneself in a world that had already labeled them. Were they the President's children or slaves? And was it possible to be both?
Most of us know Thomas Jefferson as the third President of the United States, the Founding Father who wrote the Declaration of Independence. Few know that after his wife died, he fell in love with his slave, Sally Hemings, and had seven children with her. This is the story of the four children who lived: Beverly, Harriet, Madison, and Eston. Based on true facts, Bradley explains the hardships of growing up as both a slave AND Master Jefferson's children: the disappointments of never having a "father," the special treatment not extended to other Monticello slaves, and the constant battle to define oneself in a world that had already labeled them. Were they the President's children or slaves? And was it possible to be both?
Friday, March 9, 2012
Book 8: Paranormalcy
Paranormalcy by Kiersten White
Evie is used to her not-so-normal life. Her best friend is a mermaid, her former love is a faerie, and her tutor is a werewolf. She works for IPCA, International Paranormal Containment Agency, with a special gift: she can see paranormals' true identities through their "glamours." She travels through faerie doors, "tags and bags" vampires, and meanwhile, watches episodes of her favorite teen drama, wishing she could go to high school like a normal girl. But then a creature like nothing she's seen before ends up in the Center, and suddenly, something is mysteriously killing paranormals. It's up to Evie to figure out what's happening, and she learns that her own identity isn't quite what she once believed.
**A Truman Nominee for 2012-2013
Evie is used to her not-so-normal life. Her best friend is a mermaid, her former love is a faerie, and her tutor is a werewolf. She works for IPCA, International Paranormal Containment Agency, with a special gift: she can see paranormals' true identities through their "glamours." She travels through faerie doors, "tags and bags" vampires, and meanwhile, watches episodes of her favorite teen drama, wishing she could go to high school like a normal girl. But then a creature like nothing she's seen before ends up in the Center, and suddenly, something is mysteriously killing paranormals. It's up to Evie to figure out what's happening, and she learns that her own identity isn't quite what she once believed.
**A Truman Nominee for 2012-2013
Monday, February 27, 2012
Book 7: Saint Louis Armstrong Beach
Saint Louis Armstrong Beach by Brenda Woods
There are three things Saint Louis Armstrong Beach (yes, his real name) loves--1) the neighborhood dog he's adopted and named Shadow, 2) playing his clarinet for the tourists (he's going to Juilliard someday) and 3) the girl next door named MonaLisa, also known as Money. Life is good for a boy growing up in New Orleans during the summer of 2005. But that's before Hurricane Katrina hits in August. . . and Saint realizes that his beloved New Orleans may never be the same.
There are three things Saint Louis Armstrong Beach (yes, his real name) loves--1) the neighborhood dog he's adopted and named Shadow, 2) playing his clarinet for the tourists (he's going to Juilliard someday) and 3) the girl next door named MonaLisa, also known as Money. Life is good for a boy growing up in New Orleans during the summer of 2005. But that's before Hurricane Katrina hits in August. . . and Saint realizes that his beloved New Orleans may never be the same.
Tuesday, February 21, 2012
Book 6: Cloaked
Cloaked by Alex Flinn
Johnny Marco isn't anything special. During the day, he works in his family's shoe store repairing shoes for the rich and famous of Miami; by night, he goes home to an apartment without electricity because his mother can't afford the bills since his dad walked out on them. But that all changes when a famous princess shows up in Miami. . . . with an odd request for Johnny: find her brother, the prince, who has disappeared. . . oh, and he's also been turned into a frog. Johnny's quest to the Florida Keys leads him to a magic cloak, six talking swans, two giants, a fox needing a favor, and a witch who plans to ruin everything. What will it take for Johnny to live "happily ever after?"
Johnny Marco isn't anything special. During the day, he works in his family's shoe store repairing shoes for the rich and famous of Miami; by night, he goes home to an apartment without electricity because his mother can't afford the bills since his dad walked out on them. But that all changes when a famous princess shows up in Miami. . . . with an odd request for Johnny: find her brother, the prince, who has disappeared. . . oh, and he's also been turned into a frog. Johnny's quest to the Florida Keys leads him to a magic cloak, six talking swans, two giants, a fox needing a favor, and a witch who plans to ruin everything. What will it take for Johnny to live "happily ever after?"
Saturday, February 11, 2012
Book 5: Ruby Red
Ruby Red by Kerstin Gier
Gwenyth Shepherd is a typical teenage girl in present day London--except that she's just discovered she has inherited a family gene that allows her to travel into the past. All of a sudden, her world is turned upside down as she realizes that the story of her birth is not at all what she once believed, and she is thrust into a dangerous mission into the past. She is accompanied by Gideon, another time traveler who just happens to be stunningly handsome, and as they make their way to different time periods, it becomes more and more obvious that nothing can prepare them for the mysteries of the secret society to which they now belong. And as she travels back in time, what secrets of her own past will be revealed?
Gwenyth Shepherd is a typical teenage girl in present day London--except that she's just discovered she has inherited a family gene that allows her to travel into the past. All of a sudden, her world is turned upside down as she realizes that the story of her birth is not at all what she once believed, and she is thrust into a dangerous mission into the past. She is accompanied by Gideon, another time traveler who just happens to be stunningly handsome, and as they make their way to different time periods, it becomes more and more obvious that nothing can prepare them for the mysteries of the secret society to which they now belong. And as she travels back in time, what secrets of her own past will be revealed?
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