The Lost Hero, by Rick Riordan

Rick Riordan’s The Lost Hero is a fantastic book that fans of the Percy Jackson series will absolutely love!  This is the first book of the Heroes of Olympus series, and many characters and themes pick up where the last series left off.  New demi-gods are introduced, Percy has gone missing from Camp Half-Blood, and once again a great prophecy will lead new heroes being saviors of mankind or the world will end as we know it. 

If you enjoyed the Percy Jackson and the Olympians series, you’ll love this book.  You may also enjoy the Kane Chronicles, which is another popular series from this author.  To learn more about this or other of Rick Riordan’s books, check out his web site loaded with information at http://www.rickriordan.com/home.aspx.

 

Out of My Mind, by Sharon Draper

Out of My Mind, by Sharon Draper, was an insightful and heartwarming story, for the most part.  First of all, I really enjoy this writer's style - tons of cleaver descriptions, crafty details, great word choice and phrasing.  I could visualize perfectly what the main character was seeing, feeling, and wanted to express - this was super appropriate in displaying the intelligence of the character, as Melody is in a wheelchair with cerebral palsy and an inability to speak her thoughts, yet she has a photographic memory and is waaaaaaay smarter than most everyone around her.

Generally, kids might not be interested in reading a book like this because the main character is a girl in a wheelchair that has a serious disability. Melody can't speak clearly, she needs assistance living (eating, going to the bathroom, changing clothes, etc.), and she doesn't seem to fit in their world.  The thing is, though, is that there are definitely people out there disabled just like Melody. Reading Out of My Mind made me feel more empathetic and caring for people with disabilities.

All in all, I really enjoyed this book.  I'm not sure that I loved all of the events and how the storyline unraveled; parts seemed far-fetched and I disliked how Melody was often treated, but that's life!  Not everything goes the way you want it to go, even in fiction. 

If you were at all interested in Wonder, then this book is one you should definitely consider reading.  You might also enjoy reading Rules or Freak the Mighty.  If you find yourself looking for a new book, consider Out of My Mind and enjoy!

Empty, by Suzanne Weyn

Eventually the world will run out of oil, right?  What happens when it does?  Empty is a story that takes place in the not-so-distant future at a time when oil supplies around the world are starting to dwindle.  Gas prices soar until the supply eventually dries up.  With no gas, food can't be trucked into town.  Society itself starts to crumble.  People break out in violence as the world they once knew completely changes.  Life gets pretty crazy, and it's understandable.

I enjoyed this book, for the most part.  The chapters move fairly quick, and each chapter takes on a different character's perspective - which I do usually like.  The "end of the world, but not really" theme is one that I also like reading often, where I am left really rooting for the characters and humankind to fight and survive - there's enough of that in this book which kept me entertained and wanting to see what happened next.

Overall, there is a lot to like about this story.  The small town setting and the futuristic timing works.  Characters are "okay," but not overly strong.  In rooting for humankind, though, the characters themselves aren't as important to the story.  What drives this story is the plot, and it's totally plausible. 

Oil is a non-renewable source of energy.  It's bound to run out sooner or later.  What happenes when it does?  Will we be prepared, or not?  Gas, food, electricity, transportation, plastic, products...oil.  To get an idea of how the world might react to life without oil, read and enjoy Empty.

Wonder, by R.J. Palacio

Wonder, by R.J. Palacio, was a great story.  Kids love the book.  It sends a positive message and opens a lot of eyes at the same time.  It's a wonder there aren't more books like it. :)

Three Times Lucky, by Sheila Turnage

Three Times Lucky, by Sheila Turnage, was a cute book that students read for literature circles.  The story is a mystery that takes place in a small hick town in North Carolina.  There's a girl who was separated from her mother when she was just a baby, there's a murder in the town where everyone is a suspect, and an unsolved bank robbery that happened a few years back.  More appropriately, this book should be named "Three Times UNlucky," but the book was very enjoyable and I'm lucky to have read it!

Rules, by Cynthia Lord

Rules, by Cynthia Lord, was a real eye-opening and heart-warming book.  I loved it.  If you liked Wonder, then for sure you'll like this one too.

Notes from the Midnight Driver, by Jordan Sonnenblick

Notes from the Midnight Driver, by Jordan Sonnenblick, was an awesome book that my students read for literature circles.  I read this book a few years back, but it was great reliving the story with new readers once again.  With Jordan Sonnenblick coming to our school next year, this is definitely one to consider reading beforehand.

Monster, by Walter Dean Myers

Monster, by Walter Dean Myers, was a good book that won a bunch of awards.  I can honestly say that I did not like this book, and I'm not quite sure why it received such honored acclaim.  The writing was awkward and difficult to follow, with its script-like style.  The idea of following along with courtroom procedures and how a trial unfolds is cool, but I felt like there was such a lack of evidence that there shouldn't have been a trial in the first place; then again, perhaps that is the angle the author was going for?  I did enjoy rooting for the main character, and they story was engaging and suspensful.  With the right readers, this is a rewarding story to read.  Otherwise, pass on it.

Million Dollar Throw, by Mike Lupica

Million Dollar Throw, by Mike Lupica, is an awesome book!  The star character is a 12-year-old starting quarterback, he's got a good heart and a rare opportunity to win a million dollars and help his friend and family.  Plus, the story takes place in New England, the kid loves the Patriots and idolizes Tom Brady.  What more would you look for in a book from Mike Lupica?

The Maze Runner, by James Dashner

The Maze Runner, by James Dashner, was an awesome book.  It's just the first of three, but all kids that read the book for literature circles in class truly enjoyed the read. 

Harris & Me, by Gary Paulsen

Harris & Me, by Gary Paulsen, is a literature circle book that students read in class.  Personally, I loved this book!  I read it aloud with one of my classes, and kids were hooked with the humorous adventures of the boys in this story.  Definitely this is a must read for all, but will perhaps be more appealing to boys.

Eight Keys, by Suzanne LaFleur

Eight Keys, by Suzanne LaFleur, is a literature circle book that students read in class.  It seems like a nice story. 

The Fourth Stall, by Chris Rylander

The Fourth Stall, by Chris Rylander, is a literature circle book that students read in my class.  It seems like a great book!

Dangerous Waters, by Gregory Mone

Dangerous Waters, by Gregory Mone, is a literature circle book that students read in class.  This author has visited Woodbury several times over the years, and I expect that he will continue coming for the unforseen future.  With that said, read one of his books!  Fish is another great book that this author wrote.

The Big Field, by Mike Lupica

The Big Field, by Mike Lupica, is a book that students read during literature circles.  I have read a handful of book by this author, and he definitely is one of my favorites for this age group.  If you like baseball, the Yankees, and/or playing shortstop, this might be the perfect book for you!

Al Capone Does My Shirts, by Gennifer Choldenko

This is a literature circle book that students read in class. It seems pretty cool, with the idea of one of the country's biggest gangsters of all time doing this kid's laundry. This book is on my list of books to read.

- Mr. Millas

The Giver, by Lois Lowry

The Newbury Medal is awarded each year to the author for having written the most significant contribution to American literature for children. Essentially, this award is the top prize for authors of children’s novels, and Lois Lowry won this award for The Giver.

I read this aloud with my 6th reading grade class. At first, the story started out a bit slow. Then we were all fairly well-hooked and into the strange and different world that the author has created, a society of normalcy. By the end, we were really rooting for Jonas and couldn't wait to see how the story ended. In fact, many of my students wanted to take the book home over the weekend to finish on their own the last couple of chapters, which was cool.

The Giver is thought-provoking and intriguing, with a futuristic and communal setting that drives home the importance of individualism and free will, or does it not?  Imagine a perfectly created world without wars, pain, and suffering.  What expense would come from this?  You can’t have the good without the bad, right?

If science fiction is a genre that you enjoy or are new to, perhaps after reading The Hunger Games or the something similar, then The Giver might be a great book that you’d enjoy.  Plus, if you like this one, then you’ll be happy to know that this is the first of a four-book set.  Enjoy!