Smith, L. J. (1996). Daughters of darkness. New York, NY: Archway Paperbacks. ISBN: 0-671-55134-5
Interest Level: Ages 9 to 14
Genre: Fiction
Subjects/Themes: Fantasy, Romance, Supernatural beings, Vampires,
Plot: The Night World is a secret society of witches, vampires, and werewolves that has existed since ancient times. Humans who find out about the Night World are killed or used as food for vampires and werewolves. This is because humans greatly outnumber Night World citizens, though this was not always true. Night World citizens can torture or kill a human, but they are forbidden to fall in love with one. But lately there's been whispers in the Night World that soul mates are being found. The soul mate principle means that for every person there is one other person fated to be their perfect match. The soul mate connection is stronger then any known magic. But even more interesting is the rumors that those finding their soul mates are finding them in regular human beings.
In Daughters of Darkness, three vampire sisters have runaway from home, a vampire controlled island stuck with old fashioned values where men are in charge of everything. They runaway to the country where they find their aunt has been murdered. Their brother, Ash, shows up and is trying to convince the girls that they need to return home. In the process, Ash finds his soul mate in Mary-Lynnette, a human girl living next door to the Ash's sisters. Torn between Night World rules and his love for his sisters and Mary-Lynnette, Ash tries to figure out what to do next.
Personal Thoughts: This was one of my favorite series in junior high. I wasn't that big of a fan of the Vampire Diaries but I was glad that it got turned into a TV show since that meant that the rest of L.J. Smith's books were likely to get more attention and get republished. Each book was a great tween romance that stressed testing true love and your personal principles. Each of the characters were high school students that are also dealing with very realistic problems as well as magical ones.
In this the second book of the Night World series, Ash is a party boy who has used girls for fun and money. His soul mate, Mary-Lynnette, is a quiet thoughtful individual who doesn't trust good looks because it usually means a shallow mind. The best part of this book is that it shows that the soul mate principle can sometimes be painful when two individuals don't mesh perfectly instantly. Ash is the perfect bad boy who starts redeeming himself in order to win the respect of the girl he loves. Cliche it might be, but its sure to delight tween girls.
When compared to Twilight, the stories are shorter but the female characters are stronger. Also the material is pretty PG with nothing outside of simple kissing in these stories; though by all reports the last book, Strange Fate, (which has been in the works for years now) does get more intense with the Apocalypse which results in vampires taking over and humans as slaves. But I'll report back on that once its published. Definitely a Must Read for young vampire fans!
Series Info: Book Two of the Night World series
Sequel: Spellbinder
Book Talk: Check out my 2 minute book talk for the Night World series first three books.
Author's Website: L.J. Smith Offical Website
Showing posts with label LIBR 264 BookTalk. Show all posts
Showing posts with label LIBR 264 BookTalk. Show all posts
Saturday, December 11, 2010
Secret Vampire (Book)
Smith, L. J. (1996). Secret vampire. New York, NY: Archway Paperbacks. ISBN: 978-0-671-55133-9
Interest Level: Ages 9 to 14
Genre: Fiction
Subjects/Themes: Fantasy, Romance, Supernatural beings, Vampires,
Plot: The Night World is a secret society of witches, vampires, and werewolves that has existed since ancient times. Humans who find out about the Night World are killed or used as food for vampires and werewolves. This is because humans greatly outnumber Night World citizens, though this was not always true. Night World citizens can torture or kill a human, but they are forbidden to fall in love with one. But lately there's been whispers in the Night World that soul mates are being found. The soul mate principle means that for every person there is one other person fated to be their perfect match. The soul mate connection is stronger then any known magic. But even more interesting is the rumors that those finding their soul mates are finding them in regular human beings.
In Secret Vampire, the vampire James has found his soul mate in a human girl named Poppy. Growing up together as best friends, James has quietly waited until they were old enough to become more then friends. But Poppy has been diagnosed with an incurable disease and time is running out. James breaks the rules, telling Poppy about the Night World, and gives her a choice - die young or become a vampire.
Personal Thoughts: This was one of my favorite series in junior high. I wasn't that big of a fan of the Vampire Diaries but I was glad that it got turned into a TV show since that meant that the rest of L.J. Smith's books were likely to get more attention and get republished. Each book was a great tween romance that stressed testing true love and your personal principles. Each of the characters were high school students that are also dealing with very realistic problems as well as magical ones.
The first book tackles the question about death and illness. Poppy is diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. The question of would you choose to live forever? Poppy, unlike Twilight's Bella, understands the gravity of her choice and isn't rushing into it blindly. James on the other hand is desparate to save her. They break Night World laws by turning Poppy into a vampire and that could mean her destruction. They have an even bigger possiblity of getting caught when Ash, James' cousin, finds out about what they have done.
When compared to Twilight, the stories are shorter but the female characters are stronger. Also the material is pretty PG with nothing outside of simple kissing in these stories; though by all reports the last book, Strange Fate, (which has been in the works for years now) does get more intense with the Apocalypse which results in vampires taking over and humans as slaves. But I'll report back on that once its published. Definitely a Must Read for young vampire fans!
Series Info: Book One of the Night World series
Sequel: Daughters of Darkness
Book Talk: Check out my 2 minute book talk for the Night World series first three books.
Author's Website: L.J. Smith Offical Website
Interest Level: Ages 9 to 14
Genre: Fiction
Subjects/Themes: Fantasy, Romance, Supernatural beings, Vampires,
Plot: The Night World is a secret society of witches, vampires, and werewolves that has existed since ancient times. Humans who find out about the Night World are killed or used as food for vampires and werewolves. This is because humans greatly outnumber Night World citizens, though this was not always true. Night World citizens can torture or kill a human, but they are forbidden to fall in love with one. But lately there's been whispers in the Night World that soul mates are being found. The soul mate principle means that for every person there is one other person fated to be their perfect match. The soul mate connection is stronger then any known magic. But even more interesting is the rumors that those finding their soul mates are finding them in regular human beings.
In Secret Vampire, the vampire James has found his soul mate in a human girl named Poppy. Growing up together as best friends, James has quietly waited until they were old enough to become more then friends. But Poppy has been diagnosed with an incurable disease and time is running out. James breaks the rules, telling Poppy about the Night World, and gives her a choice - die young or become a vampire.
Personal Thoughts: This was one of my favorite series in junior high. I wasn't that big of a fan of the Vampire Diaries but I was glad that it got turned into a TV show since that meant that the rest of L.J. Smith's books were likely to get more attention and get republished. Each book was a great tween romance that stressed testing true love and your personal principles. Each of the characters were high school students that are also dealing with very realistic problems as well as magical ones.
The first book tackles the question about death and illness. Poppy is diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. The question of would you choose to live forever? Poppy, unlike Twilight's Bella, understands the gravity of her choice and isn't rushing into it blindly. James on the other hand is desparate to save her. They break Night World laws by turning Poppy into a vampire and that could mean her destruction. They have an even bigger possiblity of getting caught when Ash, James' cousin, finds out about what they have done.
When compared to Twilight, the stories are shorter but the female characters are stronger. Also the material is pretty PG with nothing outside of simple kissing in these stories; though by all reports the last book, Strange Fate, (which has been in the works for years now) does get more intense with the Apocalypse which results in vampires taking over and humans as slaves. But I'll report back on that once its published. Definitely a Must Read for young vampire fans!
Series Info: Book One of the Night World series
Sequel: Daughters of Darkness
Book Talk: Check out my 2 minute book talk for the Night World series first three books.
Author's Website: L.J. Smith Offical Website
Thursday, December 9, 2010
The Angel Experiment (Book)
Patterson, J. (2005). Maximum ride: The angel experiment. New York, NY: Little, Brown and Company. ISBN: 978-0-316-06795-9
Interest Level: Ages 9 to 16
Genre: Fiction
Subjects/Themes: Action/Adventure, Genetic Experimentation, Teens living on their own,
Plot: Meet Max. A 14 year old human-avian genetic experiment. Max doesn't go to school or have any parents. She lives in a house in the mountains with five other human-avian hybrid kids. The group escaped four years ago from the lab that created them. The lab, nicknamed the School, would subject the children to all sorts of physical and mental tests to see how far they could go. The School didn't care if the sometimes the tests went to far and the kids were harmed or even killed. One day, Max and the group are ambushed by Erasers, wolf-human hybrid experiments that work for the School. They kidnap Angel, the youngest member of the flock. Max and two other members of the flock go to the School to rescue Angel before its too late. At the School they learn more about how they were created, about who their parents are, and about why the School created them in the first place -- to save the world.
Book Talk: Check out my 2 minute book talk for The Angel Experiment
Awards/Recognition:
YALSA Quick Picks for Reluctant Young Adult Readers (2006)
Book's Website: Maximum Ride Website
Interest Level: Ages 9 to 16
Genre: Fiction
Subjects/Themes: Action/Adventure, Genetic Experimentation, Teens living on their own,
Plot: Meet Max. A 14 year old human-avian genetic experiment. Max doesn't go to school or have any parents. She lives in a house in the mountains with five other human-avian hybrid kids. The group escaped four years ago from the lab that created them. The lab, nicknamed the School, would subject the children to all sorts of physical and mental tests to see how far they could go. The School didn't care if the sometimes the tests went to far and the kids were harmed or even killed. One day, Max and the group are ambushed by Erasers, wolf-human hybrid experiments that work for the School. They kidnap Angel, the youngest member of the flock. Max and two other members of the flock go to the School to rescue Angel before its too late. At the School they learn more about how they were created, about who their parents are, and about why the School created them in the first place -- to save the world.
Personal Thoughts: James Patterson, a well established adult mystery writer, has now tried his hand at a young adult novel. And the result is wonderful. The story is filled with action. If the children aren't seeking out a fight then one comes looking for them. Max's inner dialog as well as the rest of the flock's dialog is the same you would hear from a real teenager, wings or not. Each of the kids, ages ranging from 6 to 14, has their own unique personality and powers. There is more then one or two plot lines going on which will have readers guessing about what will happen next. A Must Read!
Series Info: Book One of the The Fugitive series
Sequel: Maximum Ride: School's Out -- Forever (2006)Series Info: Book One of the The Fugitive series
Book Talk: Check out my 2 minute book talk for The Angel Experiment
Awards/Recognition:
YALSA Quick Picks for Reluctant Young Adult Readers (2006)
Book's Website: Maximum Ride Website
Saturday, December 4, 2010
39 Clues (Book)
Riordan, R. (2008). The maze of bones. New York, NY: Scholastic, Inc. ISBN: 978-0-545-06039-4
Interest Level: Ages 9 to 14
Genre: Mystery
Subjects/Themes: Action/Adventure, Mystery, Orphans, Code Breaking, Family Secrets, Travel,
Plot: Grace Cahill, matriarch of the Cahill family, has just passed away leaving behind millions of dollars to her relatives. From all over the world, the many branches of the Cahill family have gathered for Grace’s funeral and for the reading of her will. Dan and Amy Cahill aren't worried about who's getting their grandmother's money; they know she'll have left them something, however small. They were her favorites and had spent every weekend of the last seven years since their parent’s deaths at her estate. More importantly, Dan and Amy wonder what will happen to them now that the only relative in the world who has cared about them since their parent’s death is gone. As relatives gather to hear Grace's will, each person is given five minutes to make a choice - 1 million dollars or the first of 39 clues which will lead to a secret that would make them the most powerful and influential person on the planet.
Note: The books in this series have been written by a variety of different authors (Rick Riordan, Gordon Korman, Peter Lerangis, Jude Watson, Patrick Carman, Linda Sue Park and Margaret Peterson Haddix.)
Series Info: Book One of the 39 Clues series
Sequel: One False Note (2008)
Book Talk: Check out my 2 minute book talk for Maze of Bones.
Awards/Recognition:
New York Times Bestsellers List
USA Today Bestsellers List
Publishers Weekly Bestsellers List
Wall Street Journal Bestsellers List
Book's Website: Scholastic's 39 Clues Website
Interest Level: Ages 9 to 14
Genre: Mystery
Subjects/Themes: Action/Adventure, Mystery, Orphans, Code Breaking, Family Secrets, Travel,
Plot: Grace Cahill, matriarch of the Cahill family, has just passed away leaving behind millions of dollars to her relatives. From all over the world, the many branches of the Cahill family have gathered for Grace’s funeral and for the reading of her will. Dan and Amy Cahill aren't worried about who's getting their grandmother's money; they know she'll have left them something, however small. They were her favorites and had spent every weekend of the last seven years since their parent’s deaths at her estate. More importantly, Dan and Amy wonder what will happen to them now that the only relative in the world who has cared about them since their parent’s death is gone. As relatives gather to hear Grace's will, each person is given five minutes to make a choice - 1 million dollars or the first of 39 clues which will lead to a secret that would make them the most powerful and influential person on the planet.
Brother and sister, Dan and Amy Cahill, have decided to take the clue despite their lack of resources and the risks involved. Orphaned, poor, and now disowned by their Aunt Beatrice for not taking the money, the children start on their quest to find the other clues before anyone else does. Grace’s lawyer informed those who had chosen the clues that there would be many different ways to finding the answers and the next clues. Dan and Amy's path starts in a secret section of their grandmother's library. Unfortunately, the library and the rest of the house is set on fire with them still inside. Narrowly escaping, they gather what little supplies they have and convince Nellie, their au pair (full time baby-sitter), to travel with them in their search. Following the clues, they learn of their family relationship with Benjamin Franklin, dodge bombs, travel to Paris
Personal Thoughts: I loved this book. There is a lot of action and intrigue (bombs are getting set off, booby traps, and double/triple crossings). The text is easy to read and filled with different historical information without the feeling of being weighed down. In this book, the children are following clues linked to Benjamin Franklin's life and inventions which readers will learn random facts about. The children are orphans and the rest of their family branches were fighting with one another even before Grace's funeral. There are five other teams, out for blood, that the children are racing against. All the other teams seem to think that the children have a better chance, being Grace's favorites, to find the clues and are trying to permanently take them out of the competition. A great book for boys or girls who like a fast paced action read mixed with mystery. Kind of like The Da Vinci Code for kids. This is definitely a Must Read!
Personal Thoughts: I loved this book. There is a lot of action and intrigue (bombs are getting set off, booby traps, and double/triple crossings). The text is easy to read and filled with different historical information without the feeling of being weighed down. In this book, the children are following clues linked to Benjamin Franklin's life and inventions which readers will learn random facts about. The children are orphans and the rest of their family branches were fighting with one another even before Grace's funeral. There are five other teams, out for blood, that the children are racing against. All the other teams seem to think that the children have a better chance, being Grace's favorites, to find the clues and are trying to permanently take them out of the competition. A great book for boys or girls who like a fast paced action read mixed with mystery. Kind of like The Da Vinci Code for kids. This is definitely a Must Read!
Note: The books in this series have been written by a variety of different authors (Rick Riordan, Gordon Korman, Peter Lerangis, Jude Watson, Patrick Carman, Linda Sue Park and Margaret Peterson Haddix.)
Series Info: Book One of the 39 Clues series
Sequel: One False Note (2008)
Book Talk: Check out my 2 minute book talk for Maze of Bones.
Awards/Recognition:
New York Times Bestsellers List
USA Today Bestsellers List
Publishers Weekly Bestsellers List
Wall Street Journal Bestsellers List
Book's Website: Scholastic's 39 Clues Website
Monday, November 22, 2010
Ella Enchanted (Book)
Levine, G. C. (1997). Ella Enchanted. New York, NY: Harper Collins Publishers. ISBN: 0-06-027510-3
Interest Level: Ages 9 to 14
Genre: Fantasy Fiction
Subjects/Themes: Fairy Tales, Cinderella, Curses, Obedience, Fairies, Princes, Step Sisters, Romance
Plot: Based on the Cinderella story, Ella is cursed with the gift of obedience. Any command given Ella must obey. But Ella is resourceful and fights her way around every command, only obeying them as much as she must. When Ella's mother dies, her father attempts to marry her off to a rich old man but fails. Instead her father ends up marrying Dame Olga for money. He later finds out she is just as poor as he and was marrying him for the same reason. Ella's two step sisters figure out Ella's curse and use it to take advantage of Ella and make her life miserable. Ella also makes friends with the Prince but tries to keep her distance in case someone uses her curse to harm him. Eventually Ella goes on a quest, battling ogres and giants, to find Lucinda the fairy and have her break the curse. When her quest fails, she then goes to the Prince's ball to see the Prince one last time. There Ella triumphantly learns that the curse can only be broken by her own will.
Personal Thoughts: A lovely twist on the Cinderella story. It always bothered me that Cinderella allowed her step family to treat her so awfully. Levine gives a plausible reason for Ella's obedience (if you can call fairy magic plausible). The curse also allows us to see Ella's ingenuity and rebellion against the commands she is given. Ella's romance with the Prince is also more realistic then just falling in love at the ball. Ella and the Prince meet and develop their friendship over time through letters that help them learn about one another. An enjoyable read, this book deals with what obedience truly means, the importance of friendship, and the importance of finding the strength to stand up for yourself. Definitely a Must Read!
Book Talk: Check out my 2 minute book talk for Ella Enchanted.
Awards/Recognition:
Newberry Honor Award (1998)
ALA Notable Children's Books (1998)
Black-Eyed Susan Book Awards (Maryland): Grades 6-9 (2000)
Booklist Editors' Choice - Books for Youth - Middle Readers Category (1997)
California Young Reader Medal: Middle School (2000)
Grand Canyon Reader Award (Arizona): Teen Book (1999)
Iowa Teen Award (2000)
Maine Student Book Award (1999)
Rebecca Caudill Young Reader's Choice Book Award (Illinois) (2000)
School Library Journal Best Books (1997)
YALSA Best Books for Young Adults (1998)
Young Hoosier Book Award: Middle Books (2000)
Other Books by the Author: Cinderellis and the glass hill (2000); Ever (2008); Fairest (2006); Fairy dust and the quest for the egg (2005); The two princesses of Bamarre (2001);
Author's Website: Gail Carson Levine's Website
Interest Level: Ages 9 to 14
Genre: Fantasy Fiction
Subjects/Themes: Fairy Tales, Cinderella, Curses, Obedience, Fairies, Princes, Step Sisters, Romance
Plot: Based on the Cinderella story, Ella is cursed with the gift of obedience. Any command given Ella must obey. But Ella is resourceful and fights her way around every command, only obeying them as much as she must. When Ella's mother dies, her father attempts to marry her off to a rich old man but fails. Instead her father ends up marrying Dame Olga for money. He later finds out she is just as poor as he and was marrying him for the same reason. Ella's two step sisters figure out Ella's curse and use it to take advantage of Ella and make her life miserable. Ella also makes friends with the Prince but tries to keep her distance in case someone uses her curse to harm him. Eventually Ella goes on a quest, battling ogres and giants, to find Lucinda the fairy and have her break the curse. When her quest fails, she then goes to the Prince's ball to see the Prince one last time. There Ella triumphantly learns that the curse can only be broken by her own will.
Personal Thoughts: A lovely twist on the Cinderella story. It always bothered me that Cinderella allowed her step family to treat her so awfully. Levine gives a plausible reason for Ella's obedience (if you can call fairy magic plausible). The curse also allows us to see Ella's ingenuity and rebellion against the commands she is given. Ella's romance with the Prince is also more realistic then just falling in love at the ball. Ella and the Prince meet and develop their friendship over time through letters that help them learn about one another. An enjoyable read, this book deals with what obedience truly means, the importance of friendship, and the importance of finding the strength to stand up for yourself. Definitely a Must Read!
Book Talk: Check out my 2 minute book talk for Ella Enchanted.
Awards/Recognition:
Newberry Honor Award (1998)
ALA Notable Children's Books (1998)
Black-Eyed Susan Book Awards (Maryland): Grades 6-9 (2000)
Booklist Editors' Choice - Books for Youth - Middle Readers Category (1997)
California Young Reader Medal: Middle School (2000)
Grand Canyon Reader Award (Arizona): Teen Book (1999)
Iowa Teen Award (2000)
Maine Student Book Award (1999)
Rebecca Caudill Young Reader's Choice Book Award (Illinois) (2000)
School Library Journal Best Books (1997)
YALSA Best Books for Young Adults (1998)
Young Hoosier Book Award: Middle Books (2000)
Other Books by the Author: Cinderellis and the glass hill (2000); Ever (2008); Fairest (2006); Fairy dust and the quest for the egg (2005); The two princesses of Bamarre (2001);
Author's Website: Gail Carson Levine's Website
Tuesday, October 19, 2010
Aliens Ate My Homework (Book)
Coville, B. (1993). Aliens ate my homework. New York, NY: Pocket Books.
Interest Level: Ages 9 to 12
Genre: Science Fiction
Subjects/Themes: Aliens, Criminals, Bullying, Lying/Honesty
Plot: Rod Allbright has enough trouble keeping his 3 year old twin siblings occupied and dodging bullies. Now an alien spaceship has landed in his room right smack in the midldle of his science project unloading 5 aliens on a mission to locate and capture an inter-galatic criminal named BKR. Unfortunately the alien's ship got damaged during landing and both it and the aliens are stuck being the size of small toys. Rod has been recruited to help and has sworn to keep the alien's presence a secret at all costs, but there's one other problem, Rod's incapable of lying. Good thing everyone thinks Rod's joking when he says that aliens ate his homework, everyone except the alien criminal their after that is.
Personal Thoughts: A nice introductory science fiction book about aliens. The book's main character, Rod, is a typically nice and well-behaved eleven year old boy. He plays with his siblings, doesn't lie, and tries to follow the rules. But Rod has a big problem with bullies. It doesn't help that one of the bullies is also an inter-galatic criminal. We learn that Rod's dad left, leaving Rod's mother struggling to support them. Rod's mother isn't a very strong character in this book. At one point she suggests that Rod give the bullies what they want in order to keep the peace. She quickly takes back what she said but her reaction might be why bullying has gotten so out of control. The aliens are extremely varied in forms, strengths and weaknesses. They each offer Rod a different view on his life and the world in general. The book contains a nice balance of action and humor that tween readers will enjoy.
Series Info: Book One of the Rod Allbright Alien Series
Sequel: I Left My Sneakers in Dimension X (1994)
Author Website: Bruce Coville Website
Awards:
Grand Canyon Intermediate Level Reader Award [Arizona] (1996)
Other Books by the Author: Moongobble and Me Series; Sixth Grade Alien Series; Magic Shop Series; My Teacher is an Alien Series; Unicorn Chronicles Series;
Note: To view the booktalk for Aliens Ate My Homework, where I read an excerpt from chapter 1, visit my website Medina's Must Reads.
Interest Level: Ages 9 to 12
Genre: Science Fiction
Subjects/Themes: Aliens, Criminals, Bullying, Lying/Honesty
Plot: Rod Allbright has enough trouble keeping his 3 year old twin siblings occupied and dodging bullies. Now an alien spaceship has landed in his room right smack in the midldle of his science project unloading 5 aliens on a mission to locate and capture an inter-galatic criminal named BKR. Unfortunately the alien's ship got damaged during landing and both it and the aliens are stuck being the size of small toys. Rod has been recruited to help and has sworn to keep the alien's presence a secret at all costs, but there's one other problem, Rod's incapable of lying. Good thing everyone thinks Rod's joking when he says that aliens ate his homework, everyone except the alien criminal their after that is.
Personal Thoughts: A nice introductory science fiction book about aliens. The book's main character, Rod, is a typically nice and well-behaved eleven year old boy. He plays with his siblings, doesn't lie, and tries to follow the rules. But Rod has a big problem with bullies. It doesn't help that one of the bullies is also an inter-galatic criminal. We learn that Rod's dad left, leaving Rod's mother struggling to support them. Rod's mother isn't a very strong character in this book. At one point she suggests that Rod give the bullies what they want in order to keep the peace. She quickly takes back what she said but her reaction might be why bullying has gotten so out of control. The aliens are extremely varied in forms, strengths and weaknesses. They each offer Rod a different view on his life and the world in general. The book contains a nice balance of action and humor that tween readers will enjoy.
Series Info: Book One of the Rod Allbright Alien Series
Sequel: I Left My Sneakers in Dimension X (1994)
Author Website: Bruce Coville Website
Awards:
Grand Canyon Intermediate Level Reader Award [Arizona] (1996)
Other Books by the Author: Moongobble and Me Series; Sixth Grade Alien Series; Magic Shop Series; My Teacher is an Alien Series; Unicorn Chronicles Series;
Note: To view the booktalk for Aliens Ate My Homework, where I read an excerpt from chapter 1, visit my website Medina's Must Reads.
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