The Westing Game

I was amazed that I could reread a book I used to use in my classroom and not remember the majority of the story. I was pleasantly surprised that some of my predictions were correct, but others were way off target. Overall, I like the idea of a mystery puzzle to solve while reading and as a character in the book stated, it was a lot like playing the board game, Clue. I'm impressed that my students never gave away the ending even when they were tempted to tell me who murdered Sam Westing. If you haven't read this book, it's worth the time to try to solve the clues and win the $200 million dollar inheritance!

The Candlestone

This book by Bryan Davis was a great sequel to Raising Dragons. Bonnie, Billy, Walter and Professor Hamilton have their work cut out for them as they go looking for Devin inside the Candlestone despite the dangers they face. This is a wonderful book for making and revising predictions and watching a character grow. The reader is faced with powerful descriptions that help put that "movie in your head" and make you want to turn the page to see what happens next.

The Wish

This modern fairy tale written by Gail Carson Levine (Ella Enchanted) is told from the point of view of Wilma, the main character. She is suffering through her eigth grade year at Claverford Middle School as an almost "invisible" student. Her two best friends no longer go to her school and it's just too hard to find a new clique. That is until she meets an old woman who knows her innermost desire...to be popular. Actually to be THE MOST popular kid at Claverford...hmmm...sounds ok, right? Well, wishes always come with a catch. What is Wilma's catch? Who are her real friends now?
What would you wish for if you were given one WISH?

Lifted Up By Angels

Lurlene McDaniel is one of my favorite authors for making you feel connected to a character. The story of 17 year old Ethan (an Amish boy) and 16 year old Leah (an "English" girl) is very touching and realistic. Ethan is participating (finally) in his right of experimentation of all things modern (called Rumspringa). His father is very unhappy that part of his movement from the Amish traditions involves dating Leah. Leah struggles with the stark differences between her modern world of cars, music, movies and fast food and Ethan's traditional Amish farm life. Yet, she is strongly drawn to his world because of the peace it offers and the honest love the family shares. Naturally, tragedy strikes. Will Leah and Ethan be able to bear it? Will Ethan's family?

Prom Dress

This story was a bit predictable, but included enough twists that it kept my attention. The author, Lael Littke writes in a similar style to R.L. Stine, but not as graphic. I am glad that a few folks in class decided to read it based on comments I made. Let me know what you thought of it.

Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire

Due to the fact that the next Potter movie, HP and the Order of the Phoenix, is about to come out this summer, I decided to reread the Goblet of Fire and Order of the Phoenix. It is amazing how much detail you can put out of your mind once a movie comes out. If you have read these books and it's been awhile, read them again. There are theories posted on the HP official website discussing the idea that Harry and Hermonie could actually be brother and sister...at first I was sure that wouldn't be a possibility, but as I read the support and examples, I started to think JK Rowling just might do something like that...heck, look what Snape does in Order of the Phoenix! Can't wait to see the movie and to read book 7 Deathly Gallows!

Star Wars The Truce at Bakura

Ok, I chose this title because I don't read much science fiction and thought it would be a good place to start since I grew up on the original Star Wars trilogy movies. Let's just say that it was difficult to visualize at first the lengthy descriptions of aliens, fighter planes and other worlds. However, drawing on my experiences from the movies I used to watch, I eventually caught up in my mind with what the words on the page were saying. It turned out to be a great story, more of an adventure than science fiction I'd say (other lifeforms and traveling at light speed not withstanding). I ended up liking the book!