Page by Paige - Laura Lee Gulledge

This was a fun, quick read with enough depth to make me go back and re-read it again. This would be a great book for bibliotherapy with artistic young girls – the main character will appeal to them and forge a connection.

Summary: In graphic novel format, the reader meets Paige Turner (her parents are authors), a teen who has just moved to New York with her parents. Paige’s art is her outlet, her way of expressing her fears, doubt, and hopes. But she is afraid to share her art with anyone, so she keeps it locked away in her journal.

At her new school, Paige makes friends with a group of students who, like her, all have artistic aspirations; a musician, a writer, and another artist. With this group of friends and her trusty journal, Paige begins to truly explore her world and gain confidence in her abilities. Bit by bit, Paige lets the world see the part of herself she has kept hidden.

Page by Paige is an excellent story about a girl becoming comfortable and confident in her own abilities and gifts. It includes elements of teen love, the confusion that parents experience in dealing with their “newly hatched” teen, and finding the courage to be yourself. Each section starts with one of Paige’s rules, such as rule 4, “Let Yourself FAIL.” Each rule is a lesson in itself, and gives the reader something to connect to her own life.

Themes:
Friendship
Coming of Age
Identity

Age Appropriateness:
Grades 8 and up

Areas of concern (content):
Foul Language: none
Nudity/Adult Content: mild kissing, and sexual innuendos, some mention of alternative lifestyles
Violence: none.

The Gift by James Patterson & Ned Rust

Back in July, I wrote a summary/review of Witch & Wizard by James Patterson & Gabrielle Charbonnet. I finished the review looking forward to the next book in the series, which was said to be on its way in October. Well, it is a little late, but worth the wait! The second book, The Gift, will hit stores on December 13 but I was lucky enough to pick up an advance reading copy. Let me tell you, it does not disappoint!


Summary: Whit & Wisty Allgood are still on the run from the New Order and its leader, The One Who Is The One. These two teens have come a long way since they were first taken from their home and parents, since they were first accused of being a witch and a wizard. As crazy as the accusation sounded at first, it has turned out to be more true than anyone could have known.

In this second book of the series, our heroes get to know their enemy better. The One personally takes an interest in the Allgood children, determined to be the only source of power in the world. As Whit & Wisty continue searching for their parents and taking part in a revolution, The One works tirelessly to trap them in his web, using their parents and friends as bait.

As in the first book, Witch & Wizard, the Allgood siblings find themselves using powers they still cannot understand or control to get out of tight scrapes and work to undermine the totalitarian regime that has split their family.

Again, I am left waiting for the next book in the series. Please, Mr. Patterson, don’t take too long!

Themes:
Family
Friendship
Courage
Freedom & Oppression

Age Appropriateness:
Grades 7 and up

Areas of concern (content):
Foul Language: none
Nudity/Adult Content: none
Violence: Yes, mild.

Reckless by Cornelia Funke

I’ve been a fan of Cornelia Funke since I read The Thief Lord a few years back, but I will admit, some of her books are hit-or-miss for me. So when I was handed a copy of her newest book, Reckless, I was cautiously hopeful. The cover was what caught my attention – an eerie green face staring out of a beautifully framed mirror. So I sat down and read the first few pages. I was immediately drawn in. Unfortunately, it was time for me to get in my car for a two hour drive home. As I was walking out of the convention center, I found the book on CD and joyfully bought it. I listened to two discs on the way home, loving every minute of the story, which I finished reading the next day. I think this is her very best story yet! I was enthralled and can’t wait for the next book. (There must be a next book! Do you hear me, Cornelia Funke? I need more!)


Summary: Jacob Reckless has kept the secret of the world behind the mirror to himself for years; a secret he discovered about a year after his father’s mysterious disappearance – a disappearance that Jacob knows has something to do with this magical world. The mirror world is full of magic and danger; fairies are guarded by unicorns and humans are battling for survival against a race of stone known as Goyl. Jacob himself has survived many dangers in the mirror world and become a respected adventurer and treasure hunter. The mirror world is Jacob’s escape where he explores with his only real friend, Fox.

But one day, Jacob is careless and his younger brother, Will follows him through the mirror. When Will is cursed, Jacob must find a way to save him, even if it means risking his own life to insure that of Will. Things only get more complicated when the girl Will loves also finds the mirror world, giving Jacob two people to protect in a world teeming with intrigue and traps. Add in some dwarfs of questionable character, a fairy in love, and an empress trying to save her people from destruction and you get an action-filled fantasy adventure that will be read cover-to-cover by kids and adults alike.

Themes:
Family
Friendship
Courage

Age Appropriateness:
Grades 6 and up

Areas of concern (content):
Foul Language: none
Nudity/Adult Content: none
Violence: Yes, not graphic.

NCTE Convention 2010

I was lucky enough to be able to attend the NCTE (National Council of Teachers of English) convention in Orlando this past week-end and meet some of my favorite authors! I got many authors to autograph books for my collection, including Gary Paulsen, Neal Shusterman, Heather Brewer, Gordon Korman, Margaret Peterson Haddix, Danette Hayworth, Melissa de la Cruz, Gareth Hinds, Lois Lowry, Megan Whelan Turner, and Susan Campbell Bartoletti.

As if that wasn't cool enough, the many publishers there were handing out advanced reading copies of  upcoming books!  I ended up with bags (yes, big bags!) of books that are scheduled for release over the course of the next year.  I'm already digging in! So be prepared!  My next few posts may be about books that you may have to wait for!  But those that I've already read are well worth it!

The Night Tourist by Katherine Marsh

Summary: This modernization of the myth of Orpheus and Eurydice will appeal to anyone who enjoys a supernatural mystery. I can’t believe I hadn’t heard of it before, and I’ll definitely be recommending it to my students, especially those who are fans of Greek mythology.


Young Latin scholar Jack & his father left New York City & moved to New Haven, CT not long after his mother died. But one cold evening as Jack is walking home, he is in an accident and everything changes.

Jack’s father sends him to an unusual doctor in New York City, where Jack has not been since his mother’s death eight years before. In Grand Central Station, he meets a girl, Euri, who offers him a tour of the secret areas of the station. Thus begins Jack's journey through the New York Underworld where the dead go until they are truly ready to let go of their lives and move on. Jack decides that he is meant to find his mother and, if possible, bring her back home with him. But as he & Euri travel together and he learns the secrets of Euri’s past, he begins to realize that maybe there is another reason he has found his way to the land of the dead.

Themes:
Family
Friendship
Courage
Loss/Grief

Age Appropriateness:
Grades 6 and up

Areas of concern (content):
Foul Language: none
Nudity/Adult Content: none
Violence: Yes, mild.