Friday, February 27, 2009

THINK ALIKE?

There are times that many of us have wondered what it would be like to have a twin, someone who not only looked just like us but thought like us as well. In THE MIDNIGHT TWINS by Jacquelyn Mitchard this was the case for twelve-year-old twins Meredith and Mallory. They had always been so close that they shared thoughts. That was about to change as their thirteenth birthday party suddenly goes awry and the two are hurt in the fire that ruins the party. While recovering in the hospital they each discover a new gift; Meredith can see way into the past and Mallory can see into the future. What they don't know is if these are gifts or curses.

For grades 5-8.

Monday, February 23, 2009

MISTAKES

Three boys all in trouble with the law and serving time in either jail or a juvenile detention facility are offered a second chance and a new start in a halfway house program. None of them is very trusting of their new situation that requires them to go to school daily and spend their after school time working on volunteer projects. When a major lack of judgement on their part causes the adult in charge of the house to become seriously injured the three have some big decisions to make. THE JUVIE THREE BY GORDON KORMAN is the story of Arjay, Terrance and Gecko, a murder, a thief and a gangster trying to make some sense of their lives.

For seventh grade and older.

Friday, February 20, 2009

SNACKTIME READERS

Like reading, eating and are in grades 4-8? Come and join the Snacktime Readers at the Central Library, 222 East Harvard Street, Glendale CA 91205 at 7:00 p.m., Wednesday, February 25th.

This month's book AGNES PARKER.. Girl in Progress by Kathleen O'Dell is about being in Agnes' sixth grade year where having friends, trying to keep up with school working and dealing with all the issues that come her way, including a bully, keep her more than busy.

Check this group out. We talk about the book we have read in a friendly and fun way. Though since this is not school, you don't have to talk if you are not in the mood. Come enjoy the popcorn and listen to what other kids are saying.

Thursday, February 19, 2009

TAROT CARDS AND THE FUTURE

IN THE CARDS OF LIFE by Mariah Fredericks is the third book that follows the lives three friends, Syd, Anna and Eva. It's Syd's turn to have her tarot cards read by her friends and unfortunately nothing turns out well. The girls friendship is seriously tested over some petty disagreements.When Syd draws the death card she is scared by more than losing her friends.

Do you believe in fortunes, fate and the occult? Should Syd, Anna and Eva put their trust in a deck of cards? What would you do?

For grades 5 and older.

Tuesday, February 17, 2009

JOURNALIST AT RISK

I am sure that you have already wrote countless of book reports in your studies, However, as you already know, writing a book report is totally different from writing a report on a war. JOURNALISTS AT RISK: REPORTING AMERICA'S WARS by GEORGE SULLIVAN is an informative and historical account of how technology, way of war operation and way of reporting has changed since the beginning of journalism.

Nowadays war journalists are required to participate in boot camps to prepare for chemical or biological attacks, they have become as much part of the war as the soldiers who are fighting. You will get a sense of what they go though to report the news from a war zone.


For grades 4 and up.

Thursday, February 12, 2009

AWARD WINNER--THE DOOR IN THE WALL

Ever since Robin was a young boy, his father, Sir John de Bureford, has expected him to learn the ways of the medieval knight. But Robin's future changes when he becomes extremely ill and loses his ability to use his legs. During this time, the plague sweeps across the land and his devoted servants abandon Robin. With the help of two unsuspecting people, they help bring him back to better health; and Robin inevitably learns about his strengths, his courage, friendship and how he can still serve his King.
Students who are interested in the medieval period may enjoy this Newbery winner. A Door In the Wall by Marguerite De Angeli is best for students in the 6th grade and older. Another title that takes place in the medieval period is the Newbery winner, The Whipping Boy by Sid Fleischman. Check Them Out!

Monday, February 09, 2009

ALL ABOUT THE DANCERS


This is a book for those interested in dance and those who may want to pursue a career in dance or those who are dance fans. There are in depth interviews with dancers of all type: ballet, tap, modern, etc. The readers gain insight into what drives them and the deep commitment they have to dance and where dance have taken them in their lives. There are also side tips and little interesting bits of info for the readers.


Meet the Dancers by Amy Nathan, a fascinating collection of chats with dancers from around the country that's hard to put down.


For 6th & up.

Friday, February 06, 2009

CAT OF THE THEATER

One cannot imagine the world behind the scenes of the theatre - at least not in the 18th century! Mystery, intrigue, and spectacular performance fill the pages and Cat Royal's life, a young orphan girl left on the steps of the Drury Lane Theater in London. What lurks behind the curtain isn't what you would expect, and Cat leads you through the exciting city life of old England. THE DIAMOND OF DRURY LANE by Julia Golding spins a tale of dangerous adventure and paints a picture of what life was like more than 200 years ago. For 6th grade and up.

Wednesday, February 04, 2009

ODDEST OF ALL

Imagine you are sitting down with your mom for a nice morning breakfast and suddenly the television screen goes blank and a woman with blue skin and green hair appears and tells you things that are so odd that is better for me not to even write about. You change the channel and its still the same thing, you leave your house and see that the sky is not its usual color and people are fighting and screaming at each other in no apparent reason...

You wake up in the morning and see a blue chip in the back of your arm and that will give you the option to vote on your way of life....

ODDEST OF ALL : Nine Odd Stories by BRUCE COVILLE will be one of those books that you will not want to put down until its very last page, the stories are thought provoking, light, fun and really good.

For grades 5th and up.