The Host

You may or may not be aware of Stephanie Meyer's book, The Host. It has been making its way into the hands of YAs. We do not own it at the AMS Library, because it is termed a book for adults. You can easily find it at the public library, or sold alongside the Twilight series books at the book store.

The 2009 Newbery Award Winner

Neil Gaiman's book, The Graveyard Book, won the 2009 Newbery Award. If you are an adult, you may already be familiar with American Gods or Ananzi Boys. The Graveyard Book is a book full of adventure, mystery and chills. Jack murders the whole family of the boy later to be known as "Bod", (Nobody) Owens. As an infant on the night his family is killed, Bod wanders into the graveyard, is taken in by friendly ghosts and is even given some of their "powers". Magic powers aside, life can be boring and lonely for a boy raised in a graveyard, and Bod tends to leave at times, (against the rules), and explore other deep, dark places in the graveyard. A few alternating chapters show our villian Jack, still plotting to kill Bod, as he knows he is still alive. Middle schoolers will have no trouble sinking their teeth into this one.

The Twilight Series by Stephenie Meyer

So who hasn't heard of the Twilight Series by Stephenie Meyer, (http://www.stepheniemeyer.com/)? I keep running into people who either know someone who loves the series, or loves the series themselves. Even the guy who coordinated the installation of our new garage doors knows the series by name, his daughter has devored them. My friend Dion's daughter is hooked and she is an adult. Its a series with something for everyone whether you are in 8th grade, or teach 8th grade.

It has romance, horror, realism, fantasy, suspense, mystery, magic, action, adventure, history, travel...I could go on and on. So now we have the explosion/launch of all things vampire from more YA series to tv shows to websites...

I have read the first three books: Twilight, New Moon and Eclipse. I am currently working through Breaking Dawn, the last book in the series. Unfortunately, this last book has events/issues that are too mature to have on our own library shelves. I won't mention them for those of you who haven't yet read them...what are you waiting for anyway?

You might be number 33 on the waiting list at your local public library, (http://www.uhls.org/), (or number 3 at AMS), but don't let that stop you...its likely the ones who came before you won't be able to put it down, and you'll have it in your hot little hands before you know it!

Check it out!

Summer 2008 Reads

So this summer I set out to read the 115 books I checked out from the AMS library. I had lofty goals which I didn't quite reach because I had the urge to sleep, eat and have a well-rounded summer! I did manage to read about 40 books, (form the middle school and high school level, as well as adult). Here are my YA reads below:


Nightjohn by Gary Paulsen, historical fiction grade 6




Peiling and the Chicken Fried Christmas by Pauline Chen, real fict, multicultural, grade 6
What happens when Peiling's family decides to "do Christmas"?


Aleutian Sparrow by Karen Hesse, hist. fiction, grade 6, 7, 8
An amazing story based on real history.



The Road to Paris by Nikki Grimes, realistic fiction, grade 6


A Single Shard by Linda Sue Park, historical fiction, grade 6, 7



Don’t Call Me Ishmael by Michael Gerard Bauer, grades 7, 8, realistic fiction
This book will tickle your funny bone!


Flipped by Wendelin Van Draanen, grade 7, 8, romance
Will Juli and Bryce ever get past their feud when the timing is all wrong?

Heaven by Angela Johnson, grade 7, realistic fiction



Letters from Rifka by Karen Hesse, historical fiction, grade 6



Your Eyes in Stars by M.E. Kerr, historical fiction, grade 7, 8
How often things are not what they seem...


No Right Turn by Terry Trueman, realistic fiction, Reserve grade 8


Frenchtown Summer by Robert Cormier, historical fiction, grade 6
A short book but dense with thought.


Broken Moon by Kim Antieau, multicultural, grade 6, 7


The Tiger Rising by Kate DiCamillo, realistic fiction, animals, grade 6
What happens when Rob finds a caged tiger in the woods?

Travel Team by Mike Lupica, sports, grade 7, 8


Cruise Control by Terry Trueman, Reserve grade 8, (sequel to Stuck in Neutral)



Dead Girls Don’t Write Letters by Gail Giles, grade 8, mystery
Who is this girl who has shown up and pretends to be Jazz?

Montmorency: Thief, Liar, Gentleman? by Eleanor Updale, mystery, grade 6-8



Backwater by Joan Bauer, grade 7, 8, realistic fiction


Heartbeat by Sharon Creech, grade 6, realistic fiction



Born to Rock by Gordan Korman, realistic fiction, grade 7, 8
When you discover that the punk legend King Maggot is your father, all bets are off.

Don’t You Know There’s a War On? by Avi, historical fiction, grade 6



Missing May by Cynthia Rylant, realistic fiction, mortality, grade 7, Newbery Award winner


Basketball (Or Something Like It) by Nora Raleigh Baskin, sports, grade 6, 7



Wringer by Jerry Spinelli, realistic fiction, grade 6, Newbery Honor Award


Dairy Queen by Katherine Murdock, grade 7, 8, sports


Waiting for Normal by Leslie Connor, grade 6, realistic fiction



While I am reading all year long, I look forward to the lazy days of next summer to read even more fiction that I can pass on.