Thursday, July 23, 2009

Chick Lit!

If you love Chick Lit, you shouldn't pass these books by!

Suite Scarlett by Maureen Johnson

Scarlett’s family owns an old hotel in New York City. At age 15, each sibling in the family has a responsibility for one room, along with its guest. Mrs. Amberson, a wealthy ex-actress who has connections to the theater world stays in the room Scarlett inherits when she reaches her 15th birthday. Will Scarlett be able to save her brother's production of Hamlet while she falls for Eric, her brother's acting partner. This book has lots of humor and is a sophisticated book for those 8th graders who love the theater, art and music, or just a great romance!


The Disreputable History of Frankie Landau Banks by E. Lockhart

Frankie attends a private boarding school and rises above her “geekiness” to date a popular senior. She finds out that he is involved in the Loyal Order of the Basset Hounds, an all-male secret society. She is able to sneak around and listen to their meetings and she tries to solve the riddle as to where their handbook, the Disreputable History, is. Does the secret song of the society have the key to the riddle she is trying to solve? Frankie makes up her own words. She may take the word "disguntled" and use its opposite and say she is feeling gruntled if she is happy. This is a great romance/mystery for grade 8th students.

Summertime!

So, I hope you're able to read lots of book this summer! With all of our cloudy, rainy weather there has been plenty of time. I read some great young adult books this summer:

1. What I Saw and How I Lied by Judy Blundell, historical fiction, 8, National Book Award for 2009
Things are not what they seem in this book full of romance and mystery.

2. The Misfits by James Howe, realistic fiction, grade 7
Have you ever felt like there wasn't anyone in your corner?

3. Everest: Book 1: The Contest by Gordon Korman, adventure, grade 6-8
Kids battle it out to earn a spot on the elite climbing team to reach the summit of Mt. Everest.

4. After Tupac and D Foster by Jacqueline Woodson, realistic fiction, grade 6, 7, Newbery Honor 2009
This is what real friendship is all about.

5. The Adoration of Jenna Fox by Mary E. Pearson, dystopia, science fiction, grade 8
The future looks mighty scary when body parts can be preserved for months on end with "Biogel".

6. Daniel Half Human and the Good Nazi by David Chotjewitz, historical fiction, grade 8
In Germany during WWII, what does Daniel do when he suddenly learns he is half Jewish?

7. Hole in the Sky by Pete Hautman, dystopia, science fiction, grade 7, 8
People who have survived the deadly flu fear the Kinka, a new race of people who want to make new coverts.

8. Gilda Joyce and the Ghost Sonata by Jennifer Allison, mystery, grade 6, 7

9. Billie Standish Was Here by Nancy Crocker, historical fiction, grade 6, 7

10. My Side of the Mountain by Jean Craighead George, survival, grade 6, 7

11. A Drowned Maiden’s Hair by Laura Amy Schlitz, historical fiction, grade 6, 7

12. The Magic Thief by Sarah Prineas, fantasy, grade 6, 7

13. Things That Are by Andrew Clements, science fiction, grade 6-8

14. Into the Dark by Peter Abrahams, mystery, grade 6, 7

15. The Disappeared by Gloria Whelan, historical fiction, grade 8

16. One Handed Catch by MJ Auch, historical fiction, grade 6-8


I'd love to hear from you! What have you read? Feel free to post young adult books that you've enjoyed this summer on this blog!

-Ms. Ekstrom