Favorite Audiobook Series 2012

It’s hard to believe but I’ve listened to all ten books in the 39 Clues series, Vesper’s Rising (technically part of 39 Clues but I look at it more as a bridge between the two series), and all 5 of the presently released 39 Clues: Cahills vs. Vespers series. (I also read all 7 ebook shorts by Clifford Riley that highlights a different cousin in each one!)

I was attracted to the 39 Clues when I first heard there would be 10 books each featuring a popular author including Gordon Korman, Rick Riordan, Patrick Carman, Margaret Peterson Haddix, and Linda Sue Park.  I could immediately see, not only the tie-ins with these authors other books, but also the nonfiction piece since  orphan main chracters, Amy and Dan Cahill, travel around the world solving clues in a race against time and family!  I was less interested in the internet connection – you could play the 39 Clues online game using cards found in each book – but thought some students might like that addition. 

But, it wasn’t until I discovered the audiobooks, read by David Pittu, that I was totally and completely hooked on these books! Why, you say? Let me count the ways:

• First, the audiobooks are short – averaging about 4 hours each. Students can check them out and finish a book in two weeks only listening to the book 4 nights a week for 30 minutes a night.  For some students who do not overly enjoy reading, this is a huge selling point.  Not only is the time commitment short but they can actually finish a book!
• Pittu does great voices for Dan and Amy as well as all the cousins.  I love his snooty cousin Ian voice and his musclehead voice for cousin Hamilton.  I even like his “cool” voice for cousin Jonah, the African American rock star! Throw in a few sound effects and you’ve got a great CD going.
• There are many ways to be smart! Amy and Dan are both smart but in different ways.  Dan has this photographic memory and always wants to be doing something or going somewhere. Amy likes to read and study. They, and the cousins, are all smart in different ways and so bring different skills to the table.  Each is valuable to the cause. This is even more evident in the spin-off series as Amy and Dan rely on the rest of the family to make sure they get the help they need to solve the mysteries.
• The mysteries. About the only thing missing from the audiobooks are the pictures of some of the documents the characters are investigating.  Pittu does a fine job of describing them to you though.  We use these documents, text messaging, Skyping, and email to solve the clues and I’m always trying to figure out what’s what before Dan and Amy do!

I think the first series, The 39 Clues, is suitable for 3rd grade and up but I would suggest the second series, The 39 Clues: Cahills vs Vespers as more 6th grade and up.  In Cahills vs. Vespers, the themes become darker and there are more deaths and betrayals. These issues, combined with the constant traveling and the absence of guardians Fisk and Nellie, push Dan and Amy to their physical and mental limits.
I can hardly wait until March 2013 for the release of Day of Doom (Cahills vs Vespers, 6) by David Baldacci!

Book title links to Amazon Associates.

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Top Middle Grade Fiction 2012

When I think of MG fiction, I think of books intended for grades 4-6. But, really, that's just one way to classify these books. Like other age classifications (young adult, adult) they cover all genres. Just like Young Adult books are not simplified Adult books, Middle Grade books are not simplified Young Adult books.  What helps me define this level are the actions the characters engage in throughout the book.  And still, it’s not a science. But, that’s a post for another day! Without further adieu:

Top Middle Grade Fiction reads of 2012

from LibraryThing

The Lions of Little Rock by Kristin Levine. (Putnam, 2012. 304p. $16.99. 9780399256448.) I didn't appreciate this book until I discussed it with students. Lions take place after the first attempt at integration in Arkansas schools. It focuses on two families: one white and one black. At times I thought Marlee voice was too mature but this didn't bother the students. And what I saw as a wrapped up ending they thought actually left room for growth since everything didn't work out for both girls.  My biggest beef now is the paperback edition. The new cover, featuring two girls holding hands and a cutesy twisty title font, will turn off a lot of middle school readers as too young or too girlish.

from Simon and Schuster

Keeper of the Lost Cities by Shannon Messenger (Aladdin, 2012. 496p. $16.99. 9781442445932.) This cover is deceiving. The cartoon-ish look to the characters make this looks like a fun-filled, rollicking adventure. And it is. But, it's also more.  Keeper of the Lost Cities is alternatively funny, sad, and dangerous.  Sophie finds out that the life she's been living is not her own. Sad. She belongs to an alternate world and the gift she has is actually very powerful. Cool. She goes back to her home and starts attending school with more people with her gifts but she is not used to being around people like this. Funny. But, Sophie was sent to Earth for a reason. Her gift is extremely valuable but her presence threatens some of the higher ups. And they are willing to go to any lengths to eliminate that threat.

The One and Only Ivan by Katherine Applegate (HarperCollins Children’s Books, 2012. 320p. $16.99. 9780061992254.) I hadn’t expected to like this book. It’s a talking animal. But Applegate truly brings Ivan alive and you can believe that what she writes is exactly what he feels.  That was a constant refrain from students who read this: it seems like realistic fiction. Applegate does a great job both with characterization and setting. A contender for the Newbery, I believe.

 Title links are connected to my Amazon Associate account.

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons license.

Top Nonfiction Picture Books 2012

http://www.ala.org/yalsa/nonfiction-award

I'm so excited to be on the 2014 YALSA Excellence in Nonfiction Awards committee. This committee started in 2009 with the first books awarded in 2010.  For the 2014 Award we are reading books published for young adults from November 1, 2012 to December 31, 2013.  I can't actually tell you anything about any of those books right now but I can tell you about these two super fantastic books!







Top Nonfiction Picture Book reads of 2012

from Houghton Mifflin Books for Children

Temple Grandin: How the Girl Who Loved Cows Embraced Autism and Changed the World by Sy Montgomery (Houghton Mifflin Books for Children, 2012. 148p. $17.99. 9780547443157.) I actually listened to this one so I should also give credit to Meredith Mitchell, the narrator. What I loved about this book was the way Montgomery interspersed facts about autism with Grandin's story. Learning about how her dad wanted her sent away and then listening to some behavorial issues some autistic children may exhibit sort of put a face to the information and made it real. I especially loved Temple Grandin's tips to autistic children.

from Macmillan

Bomb: The Race to Build-- and Steal -- The World's Most Dangerous Weapon by Steve Sheinkin (Roaring Book Press, 2012. 272p. $19.99. 9781596434875.) Wow! This has to be the best nonfiction I've read in a long time.  I could not stop reading! Sheinkin's account of how scientists around the world worked to build the first atomic bomb, based on a theoretical  by  test on uranium reactions by Otto Hahn. This story is intense and filled with accounts of physicists and spies trying to help their country or, in some cases, another country, win World War II. Simply amazing.  There's a teacher's guide and a clip of Sheinkin reading from the book on the publisher's website.

Top Picture Books 2012

Even in the middle school we read picture books! Teachers like them for concise examples of concepts that they can read and use the same day. Students like them because it eases some of the stress of middle school like: the testing, the teasing, the trying to figure out what how you want to be known. I just like them!

Top Picture Book reads of 2012

from Abram's Books for Young Readers

Kel Gilligan's Daredevil Stunt Show by Michael Buckley, ill by Dan Santat (Abrams Books for Young Readers, 2012. 40p. $16.95. 9781419703799.)
From eating, to bathing, to sleeping, Buckley takes the ordinary day of a child and turns it into something special. And the illustrations by Santat are phenomonal and pull you even further into Kel's day!

from Random House

Boy + Bot by Amy Dyckman, ill by Dan Yaccarino (Knopf Books for Young Readers, 2012. 32p. $16.99. 9780375867569.)
Great interpretation of what it means to be friends and how friends take care of each other.  We may be different, but we all want someone to love us the best way they can!

from HarperCollinsChildrens

Extra Yarn by Mac Barnett, ill by Jon Klassen (Balzer and Bray, 2012. 40p. $16.99. 9780061953385)
My favorite thing about this book are the illustrations.  Klassen has illustrated many books including The Incorrigible Children of Ashton Place (a great middle grade series full of mystery and humor), last year's I Want My Hat Back and this year's This is Not My Hat. His style is distinctive and full of character. 

from Random House

This Is Not My Hat written and ill by Jon Klassen (Candlewick Press, 2012. 40p. $15.99. 9780763655990)
Though the title sounds like a follow-up to I Want My Hat Back, it isn't. This humorous story takes place underwater as that cool looking guppy on the cover tries to hide so he can keep the hat he found.

Title links are to my Amazon Affiliate account to help support the blog. Publisher links are to the book page for more information on the book.

Summer Throwdown Guest Post - Valerie

Hello! I am Valerie, The Library Goddess, and a proud member of the League of Librarians!

 

I love a challenge. I love reading. I love summertime. How perfect that all of my loves should come together in a summer reading challenge made just for me! At the end of the 2011-2012 school year, I had already shared with my students (I am the Library Media Specialist at an elementary school serving Kindergarten - 5th grade in Lexington, South Carolina) that I was going to challenge myself to read a book everyday this summer, inspired by Donalyn Miller's #bookaday challenge. When I discovered that I could combine the #bookaday challenge with #summerthrowdown and add some competition to the mix, I was thrilled! So, on June 18, I got down to business!

I LOVED participating in #summerthrowdown and #bookaday challenges. As a librarian, OF COURSE, I love to read and I read as much as I can. However, I do not always make sure that I am reading (or finishing) a book A DAY. Participating in a challenge held me accountable. The fact that I told every student at my school that I was doing it sure helped too. After each book, I snapped a photo and posted it to my library'sFacebook page as well as to my personal blog, my Goodreads account, and my Twitter feed(@librarygoddess). I have heard from many parents and teachers at my school (and some of my librarian friends) that they really enjoyed seeing what I was reading throughout the summer. They got ideas of things they wanted to read, conversations were started about some of the books, and it was a great way to show myself as a reader to my school and professional community. Plus, I read many more books (133 total!) than I would have had I not been involved in this challenge - so THANK YOU @brianwyzlic, @heisereads, @thebrainlair and@LibraryFanatic for coming up with this GREAT idea! 

Here are my top 10 #summerthrowdown books! In no special order...

10. Smile by Raina Telgemeier

A great graphic novel for middle schoolers. Raina has many issues with her teeth and her interactions with her friends, parents, and oral professionals are spot on. I never needed braces as a teen, but this book isrelate-able to anyone who is (or who has been) a tween/teen. 

 

9.The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr. Morris Lessmore by William Joyce

The print companion to the beautiful film and app. This is a gorgeous book that book lovers must read!

 

8. E-mergency! by Tom Lichtenheld

What would happon if wo couldn't uso tho lottor E (get it?) Funny picture book where you find out!

 

7. Racing in the Rain by Garth Stein

The upper elementary version of The Art of Racing in the Rain (novel for adults). I normally like to stay away from books about dogs. I LOVE dogs and we all know what typically happens to dogs in books. This book is no different, however, it has the BEST ending. A must read for dog lovers!

 

6. Wonder by R.J. Palacio

This novel has gotten lots of buzz, I'm sure you have heard of it by now and hopefully you have read it. A wonderful book for upper elementary and middle. Perfect for a read aloud to start a discussion about bullying or how to treat others who are different from you. Awesome. 

 

5. One and Only Ivan by Katherine Applegate

SO GOOD. This one has also been getting lots of buzz. I have been hearing lots of comparisons to Charlotte's Web and that folks seem to think Ivan will be remembered just as much as Charlotte andWilber. I don't disagree. A fantastic story based on true events. Ivan just passed away (he was living at the Atlanta Zoo).

 

4. Z is for Moose by Kelly Bingham; illustrated by Paul O. Zelinsky

A very funny alphabet picture book about a moose who just does not want to wait his turn. S is for silly! 

 

3. Inside Out & Back Again by Thanhha Lai

A book beautifully written in prose. 10 year old, HA, and her family flee Vietnam and move to Alabama. The story takes place over the course of a year. Really love this one for our 5th graders who will be learning about Vietnam.  

 

2. Because of Mr. Terupt by Rob Buyea

An excellent (but sad) teacher/school story. Mr. Terupt is a new 5th grade teacher who really gets to know his students and teaches them that school is fun. Something happens to Mr. Terupt that brings the class even closer together. Excellent book for use in Book Club with upper elementary students.

 

1. I Want My Hat Back! by Jon Klassen

Simple but wonderful picture book. Bear wants his hat back so he asks many different animals if they've seen it, and no one has until the end. This is one of those picture books that is just as funny for the grown ups reading it as it is for the kids who are reading it.

 

And there you have it! My favorite 10 #summerthrowdown reads!

Thank you for letting me share! Can't wait until next summer!

 

VBF

Summer Throwdown Guest Post - Stacey

Stacey from Library Gals Blog

First of all, a huge thank you to Sherry, Kathy, Brian, and Jillian for coordinating both Summer Thowdowns, I have had loads of fun!!  Of course, I had to buy a League of Librarians T-shirt! During both rounds of the Summer Throwdown I have read so many great books, it was very difficult to pick my favorite reads.  Here they are, in no particular order:

                                              

Capture the Flag by Kate Messner

I love a good mystery and this was a great one!  I kept hearing about this book on Twitter and I got lucky and won a copy from Mr. Schu!  Once I got my hands on the book, I couldn’t put it down until I finished.  The four main characters of this book find themselves involved in a mystery at an airport that is snowed in.  I loved how Kate Messner incorporated history and art into this story.  Now I’m just waiting for her to finish the sequel!

 

Liar & Spy by Rebecca Stead

Once again I hear about this book on Twitter. (I think I spent a lot of time on there this summer.)  The main character, Georges, is having a hard time in this book.  His best friend has become his ex-best friend, he is being bullied at school, he had to move out of his family home, and his mom is always working at the hospital.  Georges just wants something good to happen.  Well, he meets his upstairs neighbor Safer and his life changes.  When I first read this book, I liked it.  But the more I thought about this book I realized what an impact it had one me because I was still thinking about it days and weeks after I read it.  I will be finding Stead’s other book When You Reach Me very soon at the library.

The Secret of the Fortune Wookiee by Tom Angleburger

Loved, loved, loved this book!!  I think that it is my favorite of the Origami Yoda series.  Once again we meet up with the gang form McQuarrie Middle School, except Dwight and Origami Yoda are not there.  Everyone wonders what to do without them.  After a while Fortune Wookiee makes an appearance and begins to give advice.  I have to confess I was late to the Origami Yoda party.  What got me to read it was Tom Angleburger’s book Fake Mustache!  I’m so glad I read that one because I would have missed such a great series!

 

Giants Beware! by Rafael Rosado

I place the book on hold at my public library and waited a very long time.  But this book was worth the wait.  It was another Twitter recommended book.  In the past year I have become a big fan of graphic novels.  This one is definitely going on my to-order list for this coming year.  I loved how the main character was a female.  I think that both girls and boys will enjoy the adventure.

Sit In: How Four Friends Stood Up by Sitting Down by Andrea Davis Pinkney

This book was celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Woolworth's lunch counter sit-in. Even though it is presented in a picture book format, I still learned a lot about this historic event. This would be a great book to have in any classroom library.  I'm adding a copy to my order this year for my library. I truly loved the illustrations by Brian Pinkney.

One for the Murphys by Lynda Mullaly Hunt

Wow, what a powerful book.  Carley is a frustrated and angry teen that has landed in foster care.  Even though, at first, she didn’t know it the Murphys (the foster family) were going to have a huge effect on her life!  I had to read this one straight through, because I couldn't stop reading it. I needed quite a few tissues to get through this book especially towards the end. This is one that will stay with me for quite a while.  If you have not read this book, run don’t walk to the library and check it out!

 

Frankenstein by Ludworst Bemonster (aka Rick Walton)

This book is a great parody of the classic story of Madeline.  When I was growing up one of my favorite “series” to read was Madeline.  I saw it on the shelf in the bookstore and Nathan Hale’s illustrations caught my eye.  As I started reading, I started laughing out loud!  Always a great sign that it’s a good book!  I’ve had to order two copies of this book, one for my library and one for me!

I really had a great time participating in the Summer Thowdown and I read a lot of great books.  Hope we do this again!

Happy Reading!!

Stacey ( @libraryjo92 and Library Gals)

Be sure to check out the other teacher and librarian guest posts at Heise Reads and Recommends, Mrs. Library Fanatic, and Wyz Reads!

Summer Throwdown Guest Post - Stacy

Stacy from Welcome to My Tweendom

This was the first time that I participated in the Summer Throwdown, and I have to say that it was super-fun and a real motivator to get reading!  My top 10 is made up of a variety of titles, some of which I have yet to blog over at Welcome to MyTweendom.  Without further ado, here are my top 10 in no particular order.

The Marriage Plot, by Jeffrey Eugenides.

            An adult title!  I KNOW! But each summer I choose a few from my list to try to read.  While this book didn’t blow me away like it did for many of my friends, I thought it was solid and a good look into the psyche of the university student.  I loved the multiple points of view and I feel like readers could see themselves in at least one of the characters.

Drama, by Raina Telgemeier

            I was super excited to pick this up at ALA Annual.  Smile is one of our highest circing and most often disappearing graphic novel at school, and students are CONSTANTLY asking for more from Raina.  Drama is a pitch perfect look at middle school, crushes, family, identity and friendship.  It also has the theater geek thing down, and with the success of GLEE, I am sure that this gn will have a wide range of readers in both gender and age.

Friends with Boys, by Faith Erin Hicks

            Two of my colleagues had read this before school was out and it was sitting on my shelf but I was just too crazed with the end of school and upcoming ALA.  I finally sat down to read this one and just loved it.  A family story with the right hint of paranormal, Hicks gets the tension of entering high school with its unwritten rules just right.

In A Glass Grimmly, by Adam Gidwitz

            I got a chance to pick up this arc at ALA and have Adam sign it.  He wrote something along the lines of “Hang on, this one’s even worse!”.  There is more of what was in the first…lots of blood and vomit in this no holds barred dip into fairy tales.  What I love and wonder at with Gidwitz is his ability to weave the stories together seamlessly without having readers see where the ties are.  Fun, gross and exciting.

Prairie Evers, by Ellen Airgood

            If any of you are readers of my blog, you know that I love countrified stories with quirky characters.  But I don’t want the characters to be too over the top.  Airgood delivers with Prairie Evers.  The story of a home-schooled girl who has just moved to NY from NC who raises chickens, tries to make friends, and yearns to do the right thing.

See You At Harry’s, by Jo Knowles

            Most readers will be able to identify with having an embarrassing parent, and for Fern it’s her dad.  She’s in the middle of a big family with her older brother testing his wings and her younger brother glomming onto her and getting all the attention.  When a family tragedy rips Fern’s world apart her family must find common ties to get through it together.  I didn’t see it coming, and Knowles delivered a punch to the gut, but buoyed the whole thing up with love and hope.

One for the Murphys, by Lynda Mullaly Hunt

            Now, one of my favorite books of all time is The Great Gilly Hopkins, and when I read the premise for this one I wasn’t so sure that it would deliver.  Mullaly Hunt does not rewrite the Paterson and provides a story of foster care that is sure to have readers reaching for some tissue.

Starry River of the Sky, by Grace Lin.

            This is an exquisitely written book in the same format of Where the Mountain Meets the Moon .  Folktales are woven within the story proper.  We follow Rendi’s search for the moon as he lives with Master Chao and Peyei.  Tension and pacing along with lush language make this book my favorite of the summer.  I read this in arc format and simply cannot wait to see the finished copy with the art!

Fang Girl, by Helen Keeble

            This is a fun, fun, fun YA romp through vampire land and fandom.  Jane is newly undead and things aren’t exactly turning out like she imagined.  Real life vamping is much different than the fanfic that she used to read and write while she was living.  Jane heads back to her family and tries to figure out the rules.

Hole in My Life, by Jack Gantos

            After getting to meet Jack at ALA, I knew I had to go back and read this one.  Scary, honest and raw, this look into Jack’s past is an inspiring example of how much a person can change.

Summer Throwdown Guest Post - Megan

Megan's Header from her site.

Hi everyone, it’s 

Megan from YA? Why Not? representing the League of Librarians. Let me start with congratulations to Team Teacher, the winner of Round 2. Tie-breaker anyone?

I have had so much fun participating in both of the Summer Throwdowns. I do love a challenge. For Round 2 I set a personal goal of 15 books, which I made…barely. Not too shabby. I read some awesome books. 

Here are some of my favorites:

Favorite Graphic Novel:

 Locke & Key vol. 5: Clockworks by Joe Hill. I have recently discovered this series and it is very nicely filling the void left by Fables by Bill Willingham and The Walking Dead by Robert Kirkman. This complex and riveting story follows the Locke family and their return to their father’s childhood home, a creepy old mansion called Lovecraft. Magic, mystery, and horror await them as they explore their new home. Brilliant writing, brilliant illustrations. I highly recommend this one.

Favorite Non-YA:

Broken Harbor by Tana French. This is the fourth book in the Dublin Murder Squad series and quite possibly my favorite. These psychologically intense mysteries are very character driven and I love the vivid Irish settings. Each book in the series works well as a standalone and they do not need to be read in order.

Favorite Standalone:

52 Reasons to Hate My Father by Jessica Brody. I will admit that in my head Lexington Larrabee sounded an awful lot like Alicia Silverstone in Clueless. This was a perfect summer read-cute, clever, hilarious, and some kissing.

Favorite Books in a Series:

Insurgent by Veronica Roth. Loved it. This one was full of surprises and twists and turns. Um, that ending? Hello, crazy!

City of Lost Souls by Cassandra Clare. I am going to honest here. I was kind of annoyed when she decided to turn her totally awesome trilogy into a six book series. That annoyance may have played a part in me feeling just a little “meh” about book 4. Ms. Clare totally redeemed herself in my eyes with this latest installment. I am back on board and eager for more!

There you have it, my five favorite books of the Summer Throwdown, Round 2. I can’t wait to check out some of the other fabulous books read by my team mates and opponents! And let me know about that tie –breaker…

Happy Reading!

~Megan

Summer Throwdown Top Stuff

Wow! I can't believe the summer is over! We had so much fun competing in our First Annual Summer Throwdown! There were so many good books being read, we thought it would be cool to have you share out what books made a difference for you this summer.

This week Mrs. Library Fanatic (Sherry @libraryfanatic), Heise Reads and Recommends (Jillian @heisereads) and Wyz Reads (Brian @brianwyzlic) and I (Kathy @thebrainlair) will be hosting 8 teachers and 8 librarians as they list out their top reads this summer! Each of us will have four guest posts throughout the week so make sure you come back!

My first librarian, Megan, will have a post up tomorrow!

In the meantime here are some of my top reads this summer! (in reverse reading order!)

Swim the Fly by Don Calame
Liar and Spy by Rebecca Stead
Team Human by Brennan and Larbalestier
False Memory by Dan Krokos
Journal of Best Practices by David Fitch
Seraphina by Rachel Hartman
Prisoners in the Palace by Michaela MacColl
Lies Beneath by Anne Greenwood Brown
Giants Beware by Jorge Aguirre
Chopsticks by Jessica Anthony

If I had to pick the ONE you should read?

The Best MG

Liar and Spy by Stead

The Best YA

Seraphina by Hartman

The Best Adult

Journal of Best Practices

I've read so many books I can share with students and staff alike! It makes me almost ready for back to school. Almost.

Don't forget to visit the other bloggers for more top book fun!