Tag Archives: Historical Fiction

Book Trailer Thursday (64)–Code Name Verity by Elizabeth Wein

10 May

Recently I’ve seen some tweets and received an email or two about an upcoming release called Code Name Verity by Elizabeth Wein (May 15th).  Pretty much everything I’ve seen on Twitter and Goodreads has been positive, so I decided to look into it.  Based on the early reviews and the summary, I decided to check it out and requested a copy via NetGalley which was recently approved.  I haven’t started reading Code Name Verity yet, but I’m looking forward to it because I know historical fiction is popular with a group of my students, the boys in particular.

I have mixed feelings about this trailer because it doesn’t make the premise of the book obvious in regards to text.  I like the music and the warning siren and everything else though because it gives potential readers a good idea of the tone of the book despite needing to pay closer attention to the text as it’s displayed.  I’d love to know your thoughts about the trailer and the book if you’ve read it :)

**Note–This is the trailer created by Edgmont for the UK release which was in February of this year.**

Summary (From Goodreads): Oct. 11th, 1943—A British spy plane crashes in Nazi-occupied France. Its pilot and passenger are best friends. One of the girls has a chance at survival. The other has lost the game before it’s barely begun.

When “Verity” is arrested by the Gestapo, she’s sure she doesn’t stand a chance. As a secret agent captured in enemy territory, she’s living a spy’s worst nightmare. Her Nazi interrogators give her a simple choice: reveal her mission or face a grisly execution.

As she intricately weaves her confession, Verity uncovers her past, how she became friends with the pilot Maddie, and why she left Maddie in the wrecked fuselage of their plane. On each new scrap of paper, Verity battles for her life, confronting her views on courage and failure and her desperate hope to make it home. But will trading her secrets be enough to save her from the enemy?

Harrowing and beautifully written, Elizabeth Wein creates a visceral read of danger, resolve, and survival that shows just how far true friends will go to save each other. Code Name Verity is an outstanding novel that will stick with you long after the last page.

 

 

Students Want to Know Robin Bridges

23 Mar

Robin Bridges, author of The Gathering StormNecromancy, historical fiction, tzars, and romance?!  Count me in!  Robin Bridges is the 2012 debut author of The Gathering Storm.  I told my students about the book, showed them the book trailer, and one of them read The Gathering Storm before composing questions for Robin Bridges.  Quite a few of my students were intrigued by the trailer and started asking me lots of questions about necromancy and tzars.  Thankfully my students will get some of their answers today!  Thank you, Robin, for participating with us!

Summary of The Gathering Storm (From Goodreads): St. Petersburg, Russia, 1888. As she attends a whirl of glittering balls, royal debutante Katerina Alexandrovna, Duchess of Oldenburg, tries to hide a dark secret: she can raise the dead. No one knows. Not her family. Not the girls at her finishing school. Not the tsar or anyone in her aristocratic circle. Katerina considers her talent a curse, not a gift. But when she uses her special skill to protect a member of the Imperial Family, she finds herself caught in a web of intrigue.

An evil presence is growing within Europe’s royal bloodlines—and those aligned with the darkness threaten to topple the tsar. Suddenly Katerina’s strength as a necromancer attracts attention from unwelcome sources . . . including two young men—George Alexandrovich, the tsar’s standoffish middle son, who needs Katerina’s help to safeguard Russia, even if he’s repelled by her secret, and the dashing Prince Danilo, heir to the throne of Montenegro, to whom Katerina feels inexplicably drawn.

The time has come for Katerina to embrace her power, but which side will she choose—and to whom will she give her heart?

** Robin Bridges’ Website **
** Follow Robin on Twitter **
** The Gathering Storm released on January 10th **

Taylor:

  • In the beginning, why did you introduce so many characters all at once?
    TGS has a large cast of characters, so I had to introduce them in groups- first Katerina, then her school mates, then the members of the Imperial Courts at the Smolni ball.
  • Between George and Danilo, who do you like better?
    Ha!  I really am fond of each of these boys, for different reasons.  George is stubborn and quiet, but has a strong sense of duty, both to his father and to his country. Danilo is mischievous and suave, but his loyalty is only to himself.  As an eldest son, he’s been spoiled much more by his family than George.
  • What are your top five favorite books?
    Ack, just 5?  The first ones that come to mind are:
    Pride and Prejudice (both with and without zombies),
    Anna Karenina,
    Howl’s Moving Castle,
    The Scorpio Races,
    Good Omens

Ashley:

  • Have you ever been to Russia?
    Not yet!  But hopefully within the next year or two.  I have a long list of palaces and museums that I’d like to see there.
  • Do you enjoy history?
    Definitely.  I’m always interested in learning about different time periods.

Zach H:

  • How did you come up with the idea of blending the supernatural with historical fiction?
    I love reading historical fiction with supernatural or fantastic elements:  Libba Bray’s Gemma Doyle trilogy, Scott Westerfield’s Leviathan series, and Sorcery and Cecelia (or the Enchanted Chocolate Pot) by Patricia C. Wrede and Caroline Stevermer.

Jared:

  • How do you become a necromancer?
    In Katerina’s case, it was an ability she was born with.  But there are dark spells and rituals that only the most powerful mages or sorcerers can use.
  • Why is necromancy scorned?
    Katerina hates her ability because she’s afraid it makes her a bad person.  Bringing the dead back to life upsets the balance of nature.  And it’s a nasty, dirty type of magic- something the fashionable fae of Saint Petersburg look down their noses at.  It has nothing to do with glamour or romance. 

Review: Born Wicked by Jessica Spotswood

5 Mar

Title: Born Wicked, 330 pages

Author: Jessica Spotswood

Publisher: Putnam Juvenile

Released: February 7th, 2012

Interest: 2012 Debut Author

Source: Purchased

Summary (From Goodreads): Everybody knows Cate Cahill and her sisters are eccentric. Too pretty, too reclusive, and far too educated for their own good. But the truth is even worse: they’re witches. And if their secret is discovered by the priests of the Brotherhood, it would mean an asylum, a prison ship–or an early grave.

Before her mother died, Cate promised to protect her sisters. But with six months to choose between marriage and the Sisterhood, she might not be able to keep her word… especially after she finds her mother’s diary, uncovering a secret that could spell her family’s destruction. Desperate to find alternatives to their fate, Cate stars scouring banned books and questioning rebellious new friends, all while juggling tea parties, shocking marriage proposals, and a forbidden romance with the completely unsuitable Finn Belastra.

If what her mother wrote is true, the Cahill girls aren’t safe. Not from the Brotherhood, the Sisterhood — not even from each other.

Prepare for some gushing because I positively loved Born Wicked by Jessica Spotswood!  I read a number of glowing reviews for Jessica Spotwood’s debut, but I wasn’t sure if it would work for me.  It’s weird, but even though I have a minor in history, I don’t always enjoy historical fiction.  The paranormal twist in Born Wicked really grabbed my interest, so I decided to give it a whirl.  I’m happy to say that within the first couple chapters I was hooked!

Jessica Spotswood has written a novel with lush imagery.  The Cahill sisters live outside of town in the country.  Cate loves to be outside working in her garden, so we get wonderful descriptions of the roses, the trees, and the rest of her garden.  Cate and her sisters often practice their magic in the rose garden, so I often felt like the setting was another character in the novel.  Much of the story takes place in the fall, but with the girls’ magic it often transformed into a spring garden.  I’m always impressed when an author takes the time to describe the setting, especially when this is done without being verbose.  I love the late 1800s time period; Cate’s world is one I’d like to spend a day in.

Like I said, I’m not always instantly drawn to historical fiction, but Born Wicked had me captivated.  A  number of my students really enjoy historical fiction, but it isn’t as popular as paranormal fantasy.  The easy blend of these two genres in Born Wicked could easily appeal to both my historical fiction fans and paranormal fantasy fans.  I’m actually really considering using this debut in my Young Adult II class which will focus on the study of different genres.

I’ve never read Sense and Sensibility, but I love the movie with Kate Winslet and Emma Thompson.  I bring this up because I kept thinking of this movie while I was reading Born Wicked.  The Cahill sisters reminded me of the Dashwood sisters because both sets of sisters are in need of finding a good husband.  The restraints are similar in the sense that they need to marry well-off men, appearances are everything, and women don’t hold much power.  Born Wicked is similar in this regard, but the added supernatural twist and the lore of the Brotherhood and Sisterhood really add to the plot.  Because Cate and her sisters are witches, they are even more intimidated by the Brotherhood because they know they’ll be severely punished if their secret is discovered.  It’s not easy being witches, especially since they’ve grown even more into their powers since their mother’s death.  There are so many secrets and suspicions that really drive Jessica Spotswood’s novel.  Cate doesn’t have many marriage prospects because she’s more concerned with protecting her sisters, but if she doesn’t choose soon she’ll either have a husband chosen for her by the Brotherhood, or she can join the Sisterhood.  Because both groups focus so much on religion and are against witchery, neither options are very appealing to Cate.  It doesn’t take long for some very interesting options to become available and some very unsettling secrets to be unveiled.

I couldn’t put Born Wicked by Jessica Spotswood down, and then when it ended I couldn’t believe it.  There’s a jaw-dropping ending that has left me feeling desperate for the second book in the series.  The world of YA is saturated with paranormal fantasy, but Born Wicked is not one to pass up or ignore.  I highly recommend reading it as soon as possible!

Students Want to Know Caroline Starr Rose

15 Feb

My students and I enjoyed getting to know the Class of 2K11 and the Elevensies, so we’re very excited to meet the Class of 2K12!  To kick off the new year of debut authors, my students interview Caroline Starr Rose, the author of May B.  Her book released last month, so make sure to look for a copy!

Summary of May B. (From Goodreads):

I’ve known it since last night:
It’s been too long to expect them to return.
Something’s happened.

May is helping out on a neighbor’s Kansas prairie homestead—just until Christmas, says Pa. She wants to contribute, but it’s hard to be separated from her family by 15 long, unfamiliar miles. Then the unthinkable happens: May is abandoned. Trapped in a tiny snow-covered sod house, isolated from family and neighbors, May must prepare for the oncoming winter. While fighting to survive, May’s memories of her struggles with reading at school come back to haunt her. But she’s determined to find her way home again. Caroline Starr Rose’s fast-paced novel, written in beautiful and riveting verse, gives readers a strong new heroine to love.

** Caroline Starr Rose’s Website **

** Caroline Starr Rose is on Facebook **

** Follow Caroline Starr Rose’s Blog **

Nicole B:

  • Why did you decide to write May B. in verse?

Don’t tell anyone, but I’d only read two verse novels before writing my own. May B. didn’t start as verse. I was very frustrated with the distance between what I wanted to write and what ended up on the page. When I returned to my research, I noticed there were patterns in pioneer women’s writing. Much of it was matter-of-fact and spare. There was a similar tone used whether someone was writing about the laundry or a death in the family. Seeing this really showed me how to write my story.

It was in mimicking the voices of real frontier women that I stumbled into verse and found the most authentic way to speak for May and share her world.

Alex:

  • How did you feel when you saw your book on shelves for the first time?

My book came out the same day as John Green’s The Fault in Our Stars. My local bookstore had dozens of copies of his book on the same shelf as mine! It was completely surreal to see my book in the first place, but to see it next to the likes of John Green? Unbelievable.

Jessica P:

  • Why did you choose the prairie as the setting for the book?

I grew up on Laura Ingalls Wilder’s Little House on the Prairie books and have always been struck by how strong and courageous frontier women were in the midst of their everyday lives. I wanted to dig into that world. I also wanted to write about solitude and was curious how to write a story where for most of the story the main character is alone. The prairie is often described in literature as this open, endless, vast place. I thought it would be interesting to examine being closed off — as May is when trapped in her snow-covered soddy — in the middle of this vast expanse. The contrast intrigued me.

Mackenzie B:

  • What’s your most & least favorite ice cream?

I’ve rarely met an ice cream flavor I didn’t like, though I’d have to say the ones with toxic-looking neon colors gross me out. Anything with peanut butter is an instant favorite. I also love peppermint ice cream covered in hot fudge.

May B. with John Green!

Student Book Review: Hattie Big Sky by Kirby Larson

3 Feb

In my Young Adult Literature class I require my students to write a book review for two of the books they read for their trimester project.  I’ve recently started using Goodreads in my classroom and have my students post their reviews there.  We looked at a variety of blogger reviews so they could get a feel for how a review can be written.  After receiving permission from my students, I’m posting one of them today.

Title: Hattie Big Sky

Author: Kirby Larson

Student Reviewer: Jessica T.

Summary (From Goodreads): Alone in the world, teen-aged Hattie is driven to prove up on her uncle’s homesteading claim.
For years, sixteen-year-old Hattie’s been shuttled between relatives. Tired of being Hattie Here-and-There, she courageously leaves Iowa to prove up on her late uncle’s homestead claim near Vida, Montana. With a stubborn stick-to-itiveness, Hattie faces frost, drought and blizzards. Despite many hardships, Hattie forges ahead, sharing her adventures with her friends–especially Charlie, fighting in France–through letters and articles for her hometown paper.

Her backbreaking quest for a home is lightened by her neighbors, the Muellers. But she feels threatened by pressure to be a “Loyal” American, forbidding friendships with folks of German descent. Despite everything, Hattie’s determined to stay until a tragedy causes her to discover the true meaning of home.

Student Review:  I enjoyed reading Hattie Big Sky by Kirby Larson and I am glad that I did. The conflict that Hattie faces to prove up her homestead is believable. The troubles she encounters and the obstacles she has to find a way to overcome find their way to make the novel out to be very convincing. The setting enabled the book to be all the more intriguing, but was not overdone with all the unnecessary usual boring details. The sky is described often, and at first the title troubled me until I learned that Montana is known as “Big Sky Country.” Now that I know this knowledge, I feel the novel name fits perfectly.

I favored the pace, the humor, and the fact that it is historical fiction. I also commend the author on how she included letters consistently through from Hattie’s uncle and her “school chum” Charlie. I found the ones Hattie received back to be of interest. It was always exciting to see those italicized words that the letters held. I never found any part of the book confusing.

I felt as if I knew Hattie well and thoroughly. I admired the way she always stood up for herself and the deep care she possessed for others. She’s determined, persistent, and at times hard-headed. The other characters were described efficiently as well. Her love-hate relationship with Traft Martin made the book seem even more realistic. Even though Hattie’s aunt was not a main character, the author still found a way for the reader to understand her aunt’s ways and opinions completely.

The only factor I would say turned out to be disappointing is the way the author finished off the novel. I felt like the resolution was rushed, and did not turn out the way that it needed to or should have. The ending chapters gave me the impression that the author became sick of writing, and therefore the last chapters are dissatisfying. If the conclusion would have been better, this novel would have been a five-star rating by my judgment.

Far as recommendations go, the people who would like reading this are the ones who prefer or have at least a bit of interest in the genre of historical fiction. Anybody with an open mind might find themselves pleasantly surprised by how much they would enjoy this novel also.

Flash Reviews (10)

3 Jan

The Lipstick Laws by Amy Holder

Source: Purchased

Summary (From Goodreads):

At Penford High School, Brittany Taylor is the queen bee. She dates whomever she likes, rules over her inner circle of friends like Genghis Khan, and can ruin anyone’s life with a snap of perfectly manicured fingers. Just ask the unfortunate few who have crossed her.

For April Bowers, Brittany is the answer to her prayers. April is so unpopular, kids don’t know she exists. One lunch spent at Brittany’s table, and April is basking in the glow of popularity.

But Brittany’s friendship comes with a high price tag, and April decides it’s not worth the cost. Inspiring and empowering, this is the story of one girl who decides to push back.

Flash Review: Bullying is far too common in our schools, so I’m often looking for books that deal with the issue.  The Lipstick Laws is a nice addition to topic of novels because it’s on the lighter side of things.  The bullying is bad, but the humor included lightens the mood while still providing an anti-bullying message.  Brittany Taylor is a horrible bully, but she’s also envied by many of the girls in her school for her beauty and popularity.  April is insecure and wishes to be like Brittany.  The two become “friends,” but this friendship comes with a price.  April quickly loses herself until she finally goes too far in Brittany’s mind by breaking some of the Lipstick Laws.  From there, April is alone and unsure of what to do now that Brittany is bullying her even more.  Eventually April decides to create a group called The Lipstick Lawbreakers and they work together to ruin Brittany.  The story takes a twist here because after April’s been bullied, she in turn becomes a bully.  I appreciated this part of the story because I’m sure readers will cheer her on considering how awful Brittany is.  The problem I had with The Lipstick Laws is that I grew tired of the constant back and forth between April and Brittany.  I needed the resolution and realization on April’s part to come sooner.  I did, however, enjoy the story and the humor and I’m sure my students will as well.

My Brother’s Shadow by Monika Schröder

Source: Finished copy received from the author

Summary (From Goodreads): As World War I draws to a close in 1918, German citizens are starving and suffering under a repressive regime. Sixteen-year-old Moritz is torn. His father died in the war and his older brother still risks his life in the trenches, but his mother does not support the patriotic cause and attends subversive socialist meetings. While his mother participates in the revolution to sweep away the monarchy, Moritz falls in love with a Jewish girl who also is a socialist. When Moritz’s brother returns home a bitter, maimed war veteran, ready to blame Germany’s defeat on everything but the old order, Moritz must choose between his allegiance to his dangerously radicalized brother and those who usher in the new democracy.

Flash Review: Historical fiction is a genre that I make a conscious effort to read.  I enjoy history and am a history minor, but I often pick other genres before historical fiction.  I was excited when Monika asked if I’d like to read her novel, especially because I have a few boys in class that really enjoy war novels.  My Brother’s Shadow was a bit slow for me to start.  The story takes its time introducing us to Moritz and the confused life he’s living.  His mother is anti-war, his brother is serving, Moritz is falling for a Jewish girl, and he’s conflicted on his own feelings about the war.  So many of these stories set during this time period and during the WWII time period are told from our side or the side of Holocaust survivors.  It’s refreshing to read something from this point of view.  Even though I wanted more action at the beginning of the story, I respect what the author did because it’s important for the reader to understand Moritz’s life, especially once his brother returns home.  I think the book would be stronger if more time was focused on Moritz’s brother’s return, especially considering this novel is only 240 pages long.

Need by Carrie Jones

Source: Received through Donor’s Choose project

Summary (From Goodreads): Zara White suspects there’s a freaky guy semi-stalking her. She’s also obsessed with phobias. And it’s true, she hasn’t exactly been herself since her stepfather died. But exiling her to shivery Maine to live with her grandmother? That seems a bit extreme. The move is supposed to help her stay sane…but Zara’s pretty sure her mom just can’t deal with her right now.

She couldn’t be more wrong. Turns out the semi-stalker is not a figment of Zara’s overactive imagination. In fact, he’s still following her, leaving behind an eerie trail of gold dust. There’s something not right – not human – in this sleepy Maine town, and all signs point to Zara.

In this creepy, compelling breakout novel, Carrie Jones delivers romance, suspense, and a creature you never thought you’d have to fear.

Flash Review: One of my freshmen borrowed my copy of Need by Carrie Jones and returned it with rave reviews, telling me it is one of the best books she’s ever read.  When I hear something like this, I make sure to read the novel if I haven’t already.  She’s in my book club and talks to me often about books, so I made sure to read this sooner rather than later.  I was instantly intrigued by Zara’s odd obsession with phobias and enjoyed reading the definitions when they were provided at the beginning of new chapters.  I also really like Zara as a character because she’s quirky and flawed.  I’ll admit that I wasn’t sure if I was going to keep reading this because I wasn’t sure where the story was going.  My student assured me that I should keep reading, so I did.  I’m happy I did because after about 70 or so pages in I was hooked.  I’m sometimes wary of faerie stories for whatever reason, but even though Need focuses on pixies, I enjoyed the story and the lore.  The cast of characters are both enjoyable and mysterious, especially Nick.  Parts of the story were predictable, but I was okay with that and wanted to keep reading.  My main problem with the story is that during especially stressful areas of the book, there were random make out sessions.  Maybe it’s because I’m not a teen anymore, but I just can’t imagine deciding to make out with someone in the middle of fearing for my life.  Need is the first in a trilogy and I may wait to finish the trilogy until this summer, but I will finish the trilogy.

 

Thank you for the Flash Reviews idea, GreenBeanTeenQueen

Book Trailer Thursday (47)–The Gathering Storm by Robin Bridges

29 Dec

The Gathering Storm by Robin Bridges is a 2012 debut that releases on January 10th.  It’s historical fiction with a paranormal twist, so I was extra excited to get a copy at NCTE.  I love the idea for the story, but I will admit I had a difficult time reading the synopsis to my students because I found out that trying to read Russian names aloud is not my strong suit.  Regardless of my fumbling (and turning very red in the process), my students seem interested in reading Robin Bridges’ debut :)   I think the showing them the trailer when we return from break will spark an interest as well!

Summary (From Goodreads): St. Petersburg, Russia, 1888. As she attends a whirl of glittering balls, royal debutante Katerina Alexandrovna, Duchess of Oldenburg, tries to hide a dark secret: she can raise the dead. No one knows. Not her family. Not the girls at her finishing school. Not the tsar or anyone in her aristocratic circle. Katerina considers her talent a curse, not a gift. But when she uses her special skill to protect a member of the Imperial Family, she finds herself caught in a web of intrigue.

An evil presence is growing within Europe’s royal bloodlines—and those aligned with the darkness threaten to topple the tsar. Suddenly Katerina’s strength as a necromancer attracts attention from unwelcome sources . . . including two young men—George Alexandrovich, the tsar’s standoffish middle son, who needs Katerina’s help to safeguard Russia, even if he’s repelled by her secret, and the dashing Prince Danilo, heir to the throne of Montenegro, to whom Katerina feels inexplicably drawn.

The time has come for Katerina to embrace her power, but which side will she choose—and to whom will she give her heart?

 

Flash Reviews (9)

16 Dec

Pie by Sarah Weeks
Source: ALAN conference

Summary (From Goodreads): From the award-winning author of SO B. IT, a story about family, friendship, and…pie!

When Alice’s Aunt Polly passes away, she takes with her the secret to her world-famous pie-crust recipe. Or does she? In her will, Polly leaves the recipe to her extraordinarily surly cat Lardo . . . and then leaves Lardo in the care of Alice.

Suddenly Alice is thrust into the center of a piestorm, with everyone in town trying to be the next pie-contest winner … including Alice’s mother and some of Alice’s friends. The whole community is going pie-crazy . . . and it’s up to Alice to discover the ingredients that really matter. Like family. And friendship. And enjoying what you do.

Flash Review: After listening to Sarah Weeks read from Pie and talk about her book, I couldn’t wait to start reading it.  The section she read made my mouth water, and it only got worse when I started reading the story.  She has done a fantastic job describing Aunt Polly’s pies; she even includes real pie recipes at the beginning of each chapter!  Along with the strong details and imagery, Weeks also uses a wonderful variety of figurative language like similes and metaphors.  She’s written Alice as a very likeable and sweet young character that you can’t help but admire.  Alice loves her Aunt Polly and misses her dearly, which makes her want to uncover the secrets behind Polly’s pie-crust recipe even more.  Tweens will enjoy the mystery and the humor.  I would have given this story 4 out of 5 stars, but the epilogue left me feeling deflated after reading a fun, light novel.  I don’t like the epilogue at all and really don’t understand why Weeks felt it necessary to include it.

Inside Out & Back Again by Thanhha Lai
Source: NCTE conference

Summary (From Goodreads):

No one would believe me but at times I would choose wartime in Saigon over peacetime in Alabama.

 For all the ten years of her life, Hà has only known Saigon: the thrills of its markets, the joy of its traditions, the warmth of her friends close by . . . and the beauty of her very own papaya tree.

But now the Vietnam War has reached her home. Hà and her family are forced to flee as Saigon falls, and they board a ship headed toward hope. In America, Hà discovers the foreign world of Alabama: the coldness of its strangers, the dullness of its food, the strange shape of its landscape . . . and the strength of her very own family.

This is the moving story of one girl’s year of change, dreams, grief, and healing as she journeys from one country to another, one life to the next.

Flash Review: Inside Out & Back Again has been receiving quite a bit of award buzz and after reading it I completely understand why.  First of all, the verse is beautiful.  I’m a huge fan of verse, but I’m also very picky about it.  Some authors have a real knack for verse, while others could use some work.  Thanhha Lai has written an impressive historical verse novel.  I love that it takes place during the Vietnam War and provides readers with another perspective from during that war.  Today’s tweens will hopefully gain an interest in this side of the war and want to learn more about it.  The bigger focus of the story, though, is about how Hà adapts to her new life in the United States.  The language barrier is one of her biggest challenges, and at times heartbreaking to read.  Tweens will easily identify with her whether they’re of the same culture or not, because at this age almost all of them feel awkward, different, and out of place.  Inside Out & Back Again has everything a great novel should have: humor, strong characters, a wonderful message, hope, and more.

Book Trailer Thursday (44)–May B. by Caroline Starr Rose

8 Dec

Can you believe it’s December?!  I’m not looking forward to the snow (unless we get snow days!), but I am looking forward to Christmas :)   I’m also looking forward to starting a new year with a brand new set of debut authors!  To get things started, I’m posting the trailer for Class of 2K12 author, Caroline Starr Rose’s debut May B.  Her debut is a historical middle grade novel told in verse.  I received a copy at NCTE and I’m excited to read it.

Summary of May B. (From Goodreads): 

I’ve known it since last night:
It’s been too long to expect them to return.
Something’s happened.

May is helping out on a neighbor’s Kansas prairie homestead—just until Christmas, says Pa. She wants to contribute, but it’s hard to be separated from her family by 15 long, unfamiliar miles. Then the unthinkable happens: May is abandoned. Trapped in a tiny snow-covered sod house, isolated from family and neighbors, May must prepare for the oncoming winter. While fighting to survive, May’s memories of her struggles with reading at school come back to haunt her. But she’s determined to find her way home again. Caroline Starr Rose’s fast-paced novel, written in beautiful and riveting verse, gives readers a strong new heroine to love.

Top Ten Books That Have Been On My Shelf For The Longest But I’ve Never Read

15 Nov

Top Ten Tuesday is hosted by The Broke and The Bookish.

My husband likes to tease me about my book buying habits.  Maybe it’s an addiction, but I simply can’t help but buy a book or two (or three or four) when the opportunity presents itself.  Consequently, a number of these books wind up sitting on my shelf for a while because not only do I buy them so often, my reading preferences change like the wind.  I went through a long realistic fiction streak this summer and now I’m falling back into reading paranormal fantasy.

In no particular order, here are some books that have been sitting on my shelf for much too long.

1.  What I Saw and How I Lied by Judy Blundell

2.  Awakened by P.C. Cast and Kristin Cast–This series is simply too long, but I still try to keep up with it because my students enjoy it.

3.  Leverage by Joshua C. Cohen–Kelly, please don’t hate me!  Kelly from Stacked has been telling me to read this FOREVER, and I really don’t know why I haven’t yet.

4.  Stolen by Lucy Christopher

5.  I Will Save You by Matt de la Pena

6.  What Happened to Goodbye by Sarah Dessen–I LOVE Sarah Dessen!  So why haven’t I read her newest book yet??

7.  Black Hole Sun by David Macinnis Gill–I started this on the flight home from NCTE last year but never finished it.  I was over 100 pages in and really liking it, too.  I blame the massive amount of books I brought home; I wanted to read them all.

8.  Trash by Andy Mulligan

I know I should have 10 books listed, but these books have been on my shelf the longest.

 

 

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