Good News!

Good News #1

Fans of The Maze Runner Trilogy will be excited to hear that James Dashner has announced plans to release the prequel to the trilogy, The Kill Order, in August 2012.  According to Dashner, this story is older than the Maze Runner!  Why didn't he just start with this story? (That's what I'd like to ask him...)  To learn more about this amazing series, simply go to the  Official James Dashner Blog!





Good News #2

Lots of new reading material will soon be released for fans of The 39 Clues Series. Follow this LINK to the Scholastic blog site for all the details. I'm particularly interested in the short stories released between December 25th and the 31st.  If you like games, try the new one posted at this site as well.


Until I have more good book news!
Happy Reading,
RC

DEADLINES!

With the Christmas Season upon us, I'm feeling the stress of all kinds of deadlines!  I absolutely hate to procrastinate, so I'm attempting to meet my reading goal of 100 books earlier than midnight on December 31st. I've read 3 books with Emma that I'm counting towards my goal due to the fact that they're young adult, I read them aloud to her and they are over 100 pages.  So this is my official posting for books #83, 84 and 85 on my list.  That leaves 15 to read before the end of the year.  I can do it!

#83 - Diary of a Wimpy Kid The Last Straw by Jeff Kinney
#84 - Diary of a Wimpy Kid Dog Days by Jeff Kinney
#85 - Diary of a Wimpy Kid The Ugly Truth by Jeff Kinney

Until the next book is read...
Happy Reading!
RC

The Death Cure

Book #82

Will finish the third installment in James Dashner's Maze Runner Trilogy tonight.  (I have to pick up the pace to finish all 100 by December 31st.)  I am enjoying it so far, but am anticipating some major surprises in the plot based on what one of my 8th grade students told me yesterday.  He's about 50 pages ahead of me and bless his heart he knew better than to ruin it for me!  Love it!



Here's a link to the youtube video for The Death Cure.  Enjoy!
Death Cure Trailer
If you want to know more about the trilogy, visit the author's website.  He has a great blog that I enjoy following.  James Dashner
Happy Reading!
RC

Crossed

Book #81

Crossed by Allie Condie is the second in a trilogy that is quite popular among our 8th grade girls. The first book, Matched, is one of the most appropriate romance novels written for young adults that I've read in a long time.  Today's ya lit is often peppered with crude language and mature content.  This series, written to satisfy the gaping hole in the romance genre, satisfies this library media specialist completely.

Although, I wish I'd reread Matched before reading Crossed.  I had forgotten too many details. 

Happy Reading!
RC

Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children

Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs, was a pleasure to read.  This refreshing story has something for every reader, mystery, time travel, romance... I was pleasantly surprised to find the photos used throughout (including the cover art) were authentic and inspirations for this story. 

I had to place this book on our library's restricted shelf due to mature phrasing.

If you're interested, this book makes a beautiful gift.  The photographs are intriguing and you can look at them before you read the book without fear of spoilers!

Here's what GoodReads.com has to say about this book:
A mysterious island.

An abandoned orphanage.

A strange collection of very curious photographs.

It all waits to be discovered in Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children, an unforgettable novel that mixes fiction and photography in a thrilling reading experience. As our story opens, a horrific family tragedy sets sixteen-year-old Jacob journeying to a remote island off the coast of Wales, where he discovers the crumbling ruins of Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children. As Jacob explores its abandoned bedrooms and hallways, it becomes clear that the children were more than just peculiar. They may have been dangerous. They may have been quarantined on a deserted island for good reason. And somehow—impossible though it seems—they may still be alive.

A spine-tingling fantasy illustrated with haunting vintage photography, Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children will delight adults, teens, and anyone who relishes an adventure in the shadows.
*This makes book # 80 for me.
Happy Reading!
RC