Captain Larison's Blog

Songs of the Earth -- 05-06-13

2013-05-06T14:20:10-05:00

This book is a combination of knights and magic.andnbsp; Elspeth Cooper has written a swashbuckling tale with Gair as the protagonist.andnbsp; Gair can fight with his sword or his magic.andnbsp; He is also a shape shifter.

Magic in this land comes as andldquo;the music of power.andrdquo;andnbsp; This is the first in a series called andldquo;The Wild Hunt.andrdquo;andnbsp; In the second book more characters are introduced.

Veronica Rothandrsquo;s book takes place in a futuristic dystopian society.andnbsp; When Beatrice Prior turns sixteen she has to choose one of the five predetermined factions.andnbsp; She discovers she is not entirely one faction but is drawn to several.andnbsp; Tris (Beatrice) discovers that there is great unrest and danger as she trains to be part of the Dauntless faction.andnbsp; There are some great actions scenes that make this book very exciting to read.

andnbsp;One of the quotations that inspired Rothandrsquo;s character Tris is written by Agamemnon, andldquo;My will is mineandhellip;..I shall not make it soft for you.andrdquo;

Marie Lu has written a fast-paced science fiction thriller.andnbsp; Day is a criminal and June is out to catch him.andnbsp; The two teenagers are from opposite ends of the social spectrum.andnbsp; Day is poor and June is rich.andnbsp; June believes that Day is responsible for her brotherandrsquo;s death.andnbsp; Day is a andldquo;Robin Hoodandrdquo; character and believes the government is not what it seems.andnbsp; The second book in the series, Prodigy, andnbsp;is also very popular with the cadets.

andnbsp; I finally bought one, The Fallen by Paul Langan.andnbsp; Martin Lunaandrsquo;s brother has been accidentally shot and killed.andnbsp; The bullet was meant for his gang leader.andnbsp; andldquo;And bullets donandrsquo;t have names.andnbsp; They cut down anyone.andnbsp; Everyone.andnbsp; Even eight-year-olds who are in the wrong place at the wrong time.andrdquo;andnbsp; This story was very touching as Martin conquers his anger and finally does the right thing for himself and his mother.

Isaac's Army -- 12-17-12

2012-12-17T12:02:12-05:00

I have a fascination with the Holocaust dating back to high school when my Avon lady came to the house. My Avon lady, Hilda, had a number tattooed on her arm and I asked her about it. She told me the Germans had tattooed her arm during World War II.

Brzezinskiandrsquo;s book is really excellent and well researched.andnbsp; He explains the different factions of Jews in Poland and why it was so hard for them to unite against the Germans in Warsaw.

Ender's Game -- 11-30-12

2012-11-30T11:14:43-05:00

I consider Enderandrsquo;s Game a science fiction classic.andnbsp; Card wrote, andldquo;Battle School is for training future starship captains and commodores of flotillas and admirals of the fleet.andrdquo;andnbsp; Andrew Scott Card created a military school of the future and the cadets love reading this book.andnbsp; The battleroom scenes in null gravity are my favorite part of the book.

Terrier -- 10-31-12

2012-10-31T11:41:15-05:00

Tamora Pierceandrsquo;s series about Beka Cooper is a fantasy mystery. The first book, Terrier, is excellent. This book is also a coming of age story as Beka deals with her family and her job. I really enjoyed reading my first book about the fantasy realm of Tortall!

I Am Number Four -- 09-21-12

2012-09-21T09:23:33-05:00

Whoa, hold onto your seat!andnbsp; This is one action packed book!andnbsp; Pittacus Lore has written great science fiction.andnbsp; My favorite character is Bernie Kosar, the dog, who is not what he seems.andnbsp; I cannot wait to rent the movie and then read the other two books in the series.andnbsp; The series title is andldquo;The Lorien Legacies.andrdquo;

A Game of Thrones -- 08-31-12

2012-08-31T16:24:17-05:00

George Martinandrsquo;s series is incredibly bloody and incredibly good.andnbsp; This is a soap opera on a very grand scale.andnbsp; Knights, queens, wizards, kings, and dragons all play a part.andnbsp; Daenerys Targaryen is my favorite character of the series.andnbsp; I have all five books in the series, andldquo;A Song of Ice and Fire.andrdquo;andnbsp; The cadets really like this series.

Gone -- 05-01-12

2012-05-01T19:48:48-05:00

The final book in the Wake trilogy, Gone, was very dark but had a great ending. Mortonandrsquo;s fork is a recurring theme in Lisa McMannandrsquo;s book. Mortonandrsquo;s fork is defined as andldquo;A situation involving choice between two equally undesirable outcomes.andrdquo; (Wordsmith.org) The heroine, Janie, must choose between two bad outcomes. What a dilemma she has!

Janie meets her father who is also a dream catcher. He is in a coma getting ready to die when Janie finally meets him. Janie comes to terms with her alcoholic mother, the father she never knew, and her love for Cabel. The conclusion was very satisfying.

Born on the Fourth of July -- 04-05-12

2012-04-05T10:55:04-05:00

Ron Kovicandrsquo;s book left me feeling horrified. The treatment of Vietnam veterans by medical personnel and the general public was shameful. I followed Kovic on his journey from patriotic American for the Vietnam War to patriotic American against the Vietnam War, and all war. Kovic explains the battle in which he was wounded at the very end of the book.

102 Minutes -- 02-06-12

2012-02-06T10:37:17-05:00

102 Minutes tells a riveting tale of andldquo;the unforgettable story of the fight to survive inside the twin towers.andrdquo;andnbsp; I watched a lot of the specials on TV for the tenth anniversary and was familiar with some of the survival stories.andnbsp; The most fascinating part of the book was the 1968 fire code which reduced the number of stairwells required in tall buildings. (Jim Dwyer and Kevin Flynn page 109)

City of Thieves -- 01-05-12

2012-01-05T19:21:43-05:00

This is a very Russian book. Benioffandrsquo;s telling of the siege of Leningrad in World War II is both hilarious and chilling. Lev Beniov is the storyandrsquo;s hero. He is thrown in jail and then sent on a quest to find a dozen eggs. I really felt like I was there during the siege, battling the Nazis. This was historical fiction at its best.

Steve Jobs -- 12-18-11

2011-12-18T14:55:55-05:00

Steve Jobsandrsquo; biography by Walter Isaacson is powerful. I have bought as many Apple products as Microsoft products. The first computer I bought was an Apple IIe and then a Macintosh. It was fascinating to read about the development of the Apple machines and operating systems and Jobsandrsquo; devotion to andldquo;make great products.andrdquo; Currently I own an iPod and an iPhone. I really enjoy using both of them because they are user friendly. Jobs was both an entrepreneur and an artist. Jobs wrote, andldquo;People donandrsquo;t know what they want until you show it to them.andrdquo; Jobs was incredible at showing us the good stuff!

Leviathan -- 10-31-11

2011-10-31T13:48:41-05:00

Leviathan takes place in an alternate world at the start of World War I. Darwinists are able to create a huge airship which is really an ecosystem, a andldquo;fabricated beastie.andrdquo; Opposing the Darwinists are the Clankers who have incredible mechanical walking machines. The two main characters are fifteen year old Deryn and Alek.andnbsp; Deryn is disguised as a boy so that she can volunteer for the British Navy as an airman. Alek is an Austrian prince trained in war. Alek and Deryn become allies.

Keith Thompson is the illustrator and his drawings add to the realism. The genetically engineered animals would be hard to comprehend without his drawings.

Westerfeld has written some masterful fight scenes for both Alek and Deryn.

The Hot Zone -- 09-26-11

2011-09-26T13:57:57-05:00

This book gave me the creeps, but I loved it. This modern medical mystery by Richard Preston made me realize how we are connected to other primates. Through sheer luck an extremely contagious virus from Central Africa was contained in a Washington, D.C. primate lab. We may not be so lucky next time.

We Were Here -- 08-05-11

2011-08-05T13:37:42-05:00

Miguel gets sent to Juvi for one year. He ends up in a group home and decides to run away with two other teenagers. His journey ends up being a healing process. He starts reading books in the group home and he takes some books with him when the three escape. (I love it when the hero reads a lot!)

The judge has instructed him to write in a journal and Miguel enjoys the experience of writing. The novel is written as Miguelandrsquo;s diary. As the three boys make their way down the California coast each one comes to terms with his problems. Matt de la Pena's book is heart wrenching as the boysandrsquo; crimesandnbsp; are revealed.

King of the Screwups -- 06-04-11

2011-06-04T16:30:12-05:00

This is a funny coming-of-age novel.andnbsp; Liam is seventeen and his father throws him out of the house.andnbsp; It seems Liam can do nothing right. He goes to live with his gay uncle to finish high school. There are some unresolved issues in Liamandrsquo;s life. Should he be true to himself or continue trying to please his father?

Kelly Going has written an insightful, hilarious novel about the complex relationship between a teen and his father.

Hate List -- 04-02-11

2011-04-02T08:47:27-05:00

This novel tells the story of a school shooting and its aftermath. Valerieandrsquo;s boyfriend Nick shoots students at the end of his junior year. Valerie believed her andldquo;hate listandrdquo; was an imaginary list, not a list Nick would take action on. Valerie goes through therapy and through flashbacks we see the Nick that she loved. Jennifer Brownandrsquo;s book makes me cry and see how harmful bullying can be.

The Roar -- 03-15-11

2011-03-15T11:34:08-05:00

Emma Clayton has written a science fiction thriller! Mika lives in a future London where there are no animals because of the Animal Plague. Mikaandrsquo;s twin sister is kidnapped and the story follows his quest to find her when everyone else thinks she is dead. The Secret is revealed at the end of the book which makes the reader demand a sequel. One of my cadets read this and begged me to purchase the series. The Roar and The Whisper make up this series.

Ship Breaker -- 02-13-11

2011-02-13T19:20:53-05:00

Paolo Bacigalupi has written an exciting science fiction adventure. Fifteen-year-old Nailer scavenges for copper wire in an abandoned oil tanker. He has an abusive, drug addicted father. He nearly dies in the opening scene of the book. The plot revolves around his rescue of Lucky Girl.

I enjoyed the fast pace of this novel and the setting. The Gulf Coast in the future has killer hurricanes and drowned cities.

Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix -- 12-06-10

2010-12-06T10:11:11-05:00

J. K. Rowling’s Harry Potter series have become classics, books of enduring value. I am reading “Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix” and I am waiting to see what Voldemort is going to do next.

Harry Potter is the quintessential protagonist; an orphan, a wizard, and a teenager. I cannot wait to finish reading the series. I will be watching the newest movie over Christmas break.

Harry Potter -- 12-06-10

2010-12-06T09:27:52-05:00

Outnumbered: Incredible stories of history’s most surprising battlefield upsets -- 10-11-10

2010-10-11T10:24:35-05:00

Cormac O’Brien wrote about the battle of Salamis. “Greek independence had been saved. Though Greek culture would have survived under Persian rule, the course of Western history would undoubtedly have been very different.” O’Brien makes these battles come alive.

Tiger -- 09-04-10

2010-09-04T11:13:14-05:00

Kung fu fighting reigns in this book! Jeff Stone’s writing is fast-paced and filled with martial arts. Fu is a twelve-year-old monk who also has some traits of the tiger. “Tiger” is the first book in the Five Ancestors series.

Fu and his four brothers are the only survivors of a surprise attack against the Cangzhen temple. The setting is 14th century China. Ying, a former Cangzhen temple student, is the villain who led the attack. Fu and his four brothers “must find a noble way to change Ying.”

The Hundred Thousand Kingdoms -- 07-29-10

2010-07-29T10:27:26-05:00

Really COOL read!! N. K Jemisin’s “The Hundred Thousand Kindgoms” is the first book of her trilogy.

In Book One of the Inheritance Trilogy Yeine Darr is the female protagonist. Yeine’s mother has been murdered and then she is named an heiress to the king. Yeine battles with her cousins and the gods to a satisfying and surprising conclusion. I am really looking forward to Jemisin’s next book.

The House of the Scorpion -- 07-10-10

2010-07-10T11:52:05-05:00

This “coming-of-age” novel by Nancy Farmer is compelling. Matt is a clone and therefore ostracized by most of the people on the Alacran Estate. Matt grows up in a futuristic society in a country called Opium. Opium is between the United States and the former country of Mexico, now called Aztlan.

Matt battles prejudice and cruelty as the book follows his life from birth to the age of 14. Matt’s DNA is from a drug lord who has made many bad decisions. Matt is also presented with decisions between good and evil.

The Knife of Never Letting Go -- 06-04-10

2010-06-04T10:12:46-05:00

“The Knife of Never Letting Go” by Patrick Ness is a fast-paced science fiction thriller. This book is the first in the “Chaos Walking” series.

Todd and his talking dog, Manchee, discover secrets. Todd must run for his life right before his 13th birthday. On Todd’s planet the men and animals can hear each others’ thoughts. Todd also discovers a wrecked scout ship and one survivor. The ending of this book is a cliff hanger setting up the next book in the series.

Gone -- 04-20-10

2010-04-20T21:09:40-05:00

One of my fellow librarians described this book as a cross between the TV show “Heroes” and “Lord of the Flies.” Everyone except for teens under the age of 15 disappears. Some of the teens that are left have extraordinary powers. A classic battle develops between good and evil.

I was entertained by Michael Grant’s plot after I purchased this book at the Missouri Association of School Librarian conference. “Gone” is the first book in the series and I am really looking forward to the sequel.

The Brothers Torres -- 03-28-10

2010-03-28T13:48:43-05:00

Coert Voorhees has written a captivating “coming of age” novel about Frankie Towers. Frankie is a “coyote,” half Latina and half Anglo. Attending high school in a small town in New Mexico Frankie learns how to deal with his romantic feelings for Rebecca. Steve, his older brother, gets involved with Flaco, “the hardest cholo in town.” Voorhees’ first novel is a true winner.

Undaunted Courage -- 03-15-10

2010-03-15T16:48:33-05:00

My husband and I roughly traveled the Lewis and Clark Trail the summer of 2002. I loved the museums and the beautiful scenery. Stephen Ambrose’s account of the journey was fascinating. I agree completely with Jefferson’s opinion of Lewis.

Thomas Jefferson on Meriwether Lewis, “Of courage undaunted, possessing a firmness and perseverance of purpose which nothing but impossibilities could divert from it’s direction, careful as a father of those committed to his charge, yet steady in the maintenance of order and discipline, intimate with the Indian character, customs and principles, habituated to the hunting life, guarded by exact observation of the vegetables and animals of his own country, against losing time in the description of objects already possessed, honest, disinterested, liberal, of sound understanding and a fidelity to truth so scrupulous that whatever he should report would be as certain as if seen by ourselves, with all these qualifications as if selected and implanted by nature in one body, for this express purpose, I could have no hesitation in confiding the enterprise to him.”

Playing with Matches -- 02-21-10

2010-02-21T16:37:16-05:00

Brian Katcher has written a great book for teenage boys, “Playing with Matches.” Leon Sanders falls for two very different girls and must decide which one is right for him. One girl has a face disfigured by a terrible fire and the other girl is prom queen material. This book is poignant and funny. Katcher’s debut novel is a winner!

The Demon King -- 12-27-09

2009-12-27T14:11:47-05:00

During the holidays I can finally catch up with my reading. I stayed up until the wee hours reading a new book, “The Demon King” by Cinda Chima.

This fantasy novel is the first in a series about a magical world. Han Alister is the male protagonist and Princess Raisa is the female protagonist. The first “Seven Realms Novel” describes a land of wizards and clans. A thousand years ago the wizards nearly destroyed the world until the clans tamed the magic and put rules in place to control the wizards. The wizards are now trying to break the rules and challenge the clans. Han is from the bottom rung of the society and struggles to support his sister and mother. Raisa is the crown princess of the Fells. The two story lines are separate until the middle of the book. The book has a satisfying ending yet sets the reader up for the next book in the series.

Cirque du Freak -- 12-24-09

2009-12-24T14:42:55-05:00

Darren Shan writes Cirque du Freak as an autobiography. “The Saga of Darren Shan” is CREEPY and believable!

The first book of the “Cirque du Freak” series explains how Darren becomes a vampire’s assistant and establishes the characters of the series. All of the cadets at my school love to read this series.

The Chosen -- 12-19-09

2009-12-19T12:27:00-05:00

I grew up with a lot of Jewish friends who were always going to hebrew school. After reading the book “The Chosen” by Chaim Potok I understand the importance of Jewish religious traditions.

Danny, a Russian Hasidic Jew, befriends Rueven, an Orthodox Jew. Both of them attend Jewish parochial schools in Brooklyn, New York, near the end of World War II. Danny’s father is a religious fanatic and Rueven’s father is not. Both families react to the formation of the Jewish state, Israel. This novel was mostly about the friendship of two teenagers and how they grew in understanding of the world and their religion. This book was a fascinating read.

The Giver -- 10-11-09

2009-10-11T16:39:47-05:00

Jonas is a twelve year old living in a benevolent totalitarian state. Lois Lowry portrays a world of sameness and superficiality in her book “The Giver.” Jonas is able to see things others cannot and rebels against the status quo.

Lowry’s book is horrifying and thought provoking. Does our knowledge of true pain and pleasure make us more human?

The Red Necklace -- 09-27-09

2009-09-27T15:13:45-05:00

Sally Gardner has written an engrossing story of the French Revolution. The Red Necklace conveys the horror of the time while telling the story of two teenagers.

The story focuses on Yann Margoza, a gypsy boy, possessing magical powers. Yann meets Sido and falls in love with her. Sido is a French aristocrat whose destiny is linked with Yann. Count Kalliovski is the villain that Sido and Yann must overcome.

Hunger Games -- 08-16-09

2009-08-16T14:59:25-05:00

Suzanne Collins has written a fantastic story entitled “Hunger Games.” This book was the ultimate reality TV show! In this futuristic society 24 teens are chosen to participate in the annual Hunger Games. The games take place over many days and are broadcast to all twelve districts and the Capitol. The winner must kill the other participants to win the game. I stayed up past midnight to find out the winner.

The Name of the Wind -- 08-02-09

2009-08-02T18:04:33-05:00

Patrick Rothfuss has written a superb fantasy, The Kingkiller Chronicle: Day One, “The Name of the Wind.” I was somewhat intimidated by the length but I was intrigued after reading the first page. Kvothe is the protagonist and the story is told as a flashback. This is the first book of a trilogy and I immediately wanted to find the second book which has not been released to the publisher. I certainly hope to get a copy of “Day Two.”

Kvothe’s world is filled with tales of a civilization long gone. This book describes Kvothe’s early life and teen-age years. Kvothe goes to the University and learns many things about magic. He also makes friends and enemies. This book was long but well worth the read!!

The Graveyard Book -- 07-11-09

2009-07-11T22:57:29-05:00

Neil Gaiman’s book, “The Graveyard Book,” starts out creepy and the rest of it does not disappoint! The illustrations by Dave McKean are also spooky. Really COOL read. This book was extraordinary and imaginative.

Nobody Owens (Bod) is the hero. Bod is raised in a graveyard by ghosts. He has several friends; a human girl, a witch, a werewolf, and a vampire. Bod also has enemies. Bod is a living human but he has some supernatural, ghostly powers. Bod is fifteen when the book ends and many mysteries are solved.

Bog Child -- 07-06-09

2009-07-06T09:25:20-05:00

“Bog Child” takes place in Ireland during the 1980s. I liked this book because it teaches me of a time and place that is NOT America. I learned about Great Britain, Sinn Fein, and domestic terrorism.

Eighteen -year -old Fergus is the hero of the story. Fergus is struggling with entrance exams and the anguish of having his older brother in prison on a hunger strike. Fergus also discovers a mummified body in the bog. Fergus dreams of the bog child’s story. I also learned the definition of the Celtic word lough! Siobhan Dowd has written a captivating book for young adults.

Peak -- 06-23-09

2009-06-23T11:48:57-05:00

Wow, I never realized mountain climbing is so dangerous. Roland Smith’s book “Peak” is a great read. Peak is also the name of the hero. Peak is fourteen and sentenced to Juvenile Detention for climbing a New York skyscraper. Peak’s father rescues him and takes him to Nepal where he runs expeditions up Mount Everest. Peak wants to be the youngest person to get to the summit of Everest. Peak learns many lessons about mountain climbing and friendship. This was a very satisfying read.

Black Ships -- 06-19-09

2009-06-19T17:55:59-05:00

Jo Graham has written a riveting tale. “Black Ships” is both historical fiction and fantasy. Graham’s retelling of Virgil’s “The Aeneid” is light and shadows, life and death. Gull, the narrator, tells the story of Aeneas, prince of Troy. Gull is the Oracle and Aeneas listens to her prophecies.

I read this book slowly to enjoy the twists and turns of the plot. I was at first reluctant to read an epic but I was caught after the first page. Really, really good!

Graceling -- 06-06-09

2009-06-06T12:06:56-05:00

“Graceling” was an incredible read! This book I could not put down until I finished it in the wee hours of the morning. Kristen Cashore left me eagerly anticipating the sequel.

Katsa has the Grace of killing in this well written fantasy. Katsa is a teen with incredible powers and a growing sense of morality. Is it right to cut off fingers and kill people at her uncle’s request? Her uncle is the King and a bully. Katsa and Prince Po teem up to rescue a princess and solve a mystery. They also fall in love and fight many battles.

Fallen Angels -- 06-03-09

2009-06-03T15:26:41-05:00

This book reminds me of the utter futility of war. This is a heartbreaking story of courage and comradeship during the Vietnam War. Walter Dean Myers has written a classic! The teenagers at my school really like this book and so do I.

America learned a lot of lessons from the Vietnam conflict. For me, the most important lesson was to understand the nature of the conflict. Guerrilla war or insurgency; what is really going on? Who is the enemy? Even today in Iraq and Afghanistan it is hard to define the enemy.

Unwind -- 05-13-09

2009-05-13T10:43:23-05:00

Neal Shusterman’s book “Unwind” made me think about the meaning of life. When does life begin? Should a teenager be dismembered and his/her body parts used to repair others?

Teens between the ages of 13 to 18 can be “unwound” if their parents choose to sign a legal document. If the teenager is a ward of the state budget cuts can also mean “unwinding.” Shusterman’s science fiction story had me rooting for the teens and hating the parents.

Being -- 04-26-09

2009-04-26T14:11:15-05:00

Kevin Brooks takes the reader on a thrilling ride. Brooks’ story reminds me of a “Twilight Zone” episode, creepy and suspenseful. I loved “Being!”

Sixteen-year old Robert undergoes some routine surgery and the doctors discover he is either an alien or a cyborg. Some unknown men try to turn the surgery into a major operation, but Robert wakes up during the operation and escapes. Robert and Eddi, the love interest, team up and find temporary happiness. The ending leaves the reader with many unanswered questions.

The Brenner Assignment -- 03-19-09

2009-03-19T10:51:01-05:00

I like books about war. World War II was the war of my father’s generation. My father was a paratrooper stationed in the Philippines scheduled for the invasion of Japan when the war ended. I thought of my dad when Patrick O’Donnell describes the training of “paratrooper wannabes.”

O’Donnell focuses on two men; Howard Chappell and Stephen Hall. He tells their true story of espionage in the Italian Alps near the end of World War II. This book documents the beginnings of American special operatives. This book is history at its best!

Danger’s Hour -- 03-15-09

2009-03-15T15:21:52-05:00

This book made me feel like I was on the ship, the USS Bunker Hill. Maxwell Kennedy tells a riveting tale of the individuals on the aircraft carrier and the Kamikaze pilot. Kennedy’s research is incredibly detailed. The contrast between the two cultures is fascinating. This was a book I could not put down!

Voices from the Streets -- 03-10-09

2009-03-10T08:14:53-05:00

S. Beth Atkins writes “Ethnicity has been a motivation for membership, recruitment, and protection in gangs throughout the United States since the late 1700s, when Irish immigrants in Boston and New York banded together because they could not find work, due to discrimination. In the mid-1800s, numerous youth gangs were active in Philadelphia and Chinese gangs emerged in California. By the 1920s, Mexican gangs were prolific in Los Angeles. And during the twenties in Chicago, where so many immigrants settled, Italian, Polish, African-American, Irish, Jewish, and Lithuanian gangs fought each other.” Former gang members tell their stories in Atkins’ book. 12-year old Brandy states, “I thought if my mom found out about the gang, she would take me more seriously. I thought she might pay attention.”

One common theme of Atkins’ book is the lack of father figures in almost all of the stories. Either through a death or divorce fathers were absent. Without a father’s income Patrick ended up in the projects. Patrick said, “He wasn’t a father. If he had been around more, I would have been out of the projects, living in a nice house right now… If you’re around bad people, you’re more than likely gonna be a bad person. It depends on who you fall in with.”

Thirteen Reasons Why -- 03-02-09

2009-03-02T08:16:16-05:00

“Suicide is the third leading cause of death for 15-to-24-year-olds, and the sixth leading cause of death for 5-to-14-year-olds.” (American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry) This book made me cry. Clay Jensen listens to tapes left by Hannah who recently committed suicide. “Thirteen Reasons Why” explains all the reasons Hannah took her life. The book alternates between Clay’s perspective and Hannah’s voice. Jay Asher’s first book is a real winner!

The White Darkness -- 02-11-09

2009-02-11T09:03:05-05:00

Geraldine McCaughrean has written a captivating book about the Antarctic and the teenager who goes there. Sym, the heroine, idolizes Captain Oates and turns him into her imaginary friend. Sym’s Uncle Victor is the villain but Sym does not realize that at the beginning of the book.

Fourteen-year-old Symone follows her crazy uncle on a vacation to the Antarctic. Her uncle steals a Hagglund in search of Symme’s Hole, a mythical place leading to the center of the Earth. Symone survives her adventure and learns many truths about herself and her family.

Dreamhunter and Dreamquake -- 01-22-09

2009-01-22T10:48:18-05:00

These two books have some of the most original ideas I have ever read! The Dreamhunter duet is about family and a takes place in the 1800s. The book is told from the point of view of fifteen-year old Laura Hame. Her father and her aunt are both dreamhunters and so is Laura. Dreamhunters catch dreams in “The Place” and broadcast them to others in the Rainbow Opera. Sometimes dreams are used to influence and oppress people and Laura tries doing what is right. The conclusion in Dreamquake is an incredibly wonderful ending.

Elizabeth Knox was awarded the “Michael L. Printz Award for Excellence in Young Adult Literature” for the second book, Dreamquake. Truly an award winning book!

Brisingr -- 12-19-08

2008-12-19T07:53:02-05:00

Christopher Paolini has written another winner. “Brisingr” is great. Eragon and Saphira will hopefully defeat the Evil Empire (shades of Star Wars) in the fourth and final book of the series. This book has plenty of battle scenes and dragon secrets.

The Astonishing Life of Octavian Nothing Traitor to the Nation -- 11-09-08

2008-11-09T18:52:17-05:00

This book gave me chills. Slavery is a blight on the history of America. I think my ancestors owned slaves and I feel ashamed. M. T. Anderson’s book is a historical novel set during the time of the American Revolution. Octavian Nothing is the name of the protagonist. The book is at times a diary and at other times it is a first person narrative. Octavian does not even realize he is a slave at the beginning. Octavian is actually a human guinea pig for his white masters. Octavian’s education is merely part of a grand experiment to determine if Africans are as intelligent as their white counterparts.

Human beings should not be possessions. One of the characters in the book said this: “This is what they want us to be,” he said “They want us to be nothing but a bill of sale and a letter explaining where we is and instructions for where we go and what we do. They want us empty. They want us flat as paper. They want to be able to carry our soul in their hands, and read them out loud in court. All the time, they’re on the exploration of themselves, going on the inner journey into their own breast. But us, they want there to be nothing inside of. They want us to be writ on. They want us to be a surface. Look at me, I’m mahogany.”

The Heart of a Soldier -- 10-23-08

2008-10-23T09:48:38-05:00

Wow, this was book made me cry. Kate Blaise brings Iraq alive with her descriptions and commentary. Captain Blaise and her husband served in the Army during the invasion of Iraq. She has remarkable insight and a heart-warming story to tell of war and growing up in the heart of America.

Kate’s sister, Lindsey came to our school to explain the ROTC program at the University of Missouri-Columbia. This makes the story even more realistic having met one of the real-life characters from the book.

That All People May Be One People, Send Rain to Wash the Face of the Earth -- 10-17-08

2008-10-17T10:06:26-05:00

Chief Joseph was a great leader for the Nez Perce Indians. He was wise and sought peace. He said, “At first our people made no complaint. They thought there was enough for all to live in peace, and they were learning many things from the white men that seemed to be good. But we soon found that the white men were growing rich very fast and were greedy to possess everything the Indian had.”

Mans inhumanity to his fellow man is a recurring theme in history and American history is no exception. Chief Joseph and his people were treated shamefully by the American government. Our government should take heed of the title of this book “That All People May Be One People, Send Rain to Wash the Face of the Earth.”

Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian -- 09-28-08

2008-09-28T17:10:04-05:00

Sherman Alexie has written a book both funny and sad. The protagonist, Junior, grows up on the Spokane Indian Reservation and decides to go to a white school away from the reservation. Junior is a cartoonist and illustrates some of his points with cartoons.

Young adults will identify with Junior because he lives in two different worlds, the Native American world and the white man’s world. In some respects Junior is a typical high school freshman. He plays basketball and he has an almost girlfriend.

Together Alexie and cartoonist Ellen Forney have produced an outstanding book!

A Long Way Gone -- 09-14-08

2008-09-14T15:35:57-05:00

Ishmael Beah tells his story of being a boy soldier in Sierra Leone at the age of 12. He writes of the unthinkable, the terrible cruelty of war, and the conscription of children as soldiers.

A Long Way Gone is a book everyone should read. The boy soldiers are recruited after they have lost their homes and families because of the civil war. The boys are not given any real choice. They must become soldiers or die of starvation. The adult soldiers provide food and drugs such as marijuana, cocaine, and amphetamines. The children are brainwashed every night as they watch war movies; Rambo, First Blood, and Commando.

Ishmael spends two years as a child soldier before he is rescued. He then undergoes rehabilitation for a year. It takes nearly a month just for Ishmael to withdraw from the drugs he had become addicted to. Ishmael suffers from migraines, nightmares, and flashbacks.

How would you survive if your family was killed and your home destroyed? Would you become a child soldier?

The Alchemist -- 09-07-08

2008-09-07T16:10:51-05:00

“To realize one’s destiny is a person’s only obligation,” states Paulo Coelho in The Alchemist. This book really makes me think about people who never give up on their dream. Santiago is the protagonist in this book. Santiago is a shepherd who did not want to be a priest. A gypsy tells him his fortune and he decides to follow his destiny. He meets many people and learns many lessons. Santiago follows his dream and fulfills it.

Coelho has one of his characters, the alchemist; quote the New Testament, “My Lord, I am not worthy that you should come under my roof. But only speak a word and my servant will be healed.” The alchemist is the last major character introduced in the book, and he tells Santiago the story of a man who had two sons: a poet and a Roman centurion. The New Testament quote is from the centurion. It is amazing how Coelho weaves his story to include this story from the New Testament.

React to Coelho’s philosophy. Is it important to follow our dreams and listen to our hearts?

Pausch video -- 09-01-08

2008-09-01T12:57:51-05:00

Watch the video of Pausch’s appearance on Oprah. The link is in the upper left hand corner.

The Last Lecture -- 09-01-08

2008-09-01T08:27:22-05:00

Randy Pausch knows he is dying from pancreatic cancer. I loved this book that he wrote. The book is very upbeat and optimistic. Pausch writes about his childhood dreams that came true.

The Last Lecture is a legacy that Pausch wrote for his children and his college students. What was one of his dreams that came true?