Chick Lit Fiction (1) Dork Diaries: Tales from a not-so-fabulous life

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Russell, R. R. (2009). Dork diaries:  Tales from a not-so-fabulous life. London, England:  Simon and Schuster UK Ltd.
ISBN-13:  9781471144011
Format:  Paperback
Cost:  $10.70

Annotation:  Nikki J. Maxwell is the new girl at West Chester Country Day, a private middle school. Read her fun and creative personal diary filled with sketches and all the details of her life as she develops friendships, explores her talents, finds a possible boyfriend in Brandon, and figures out where she fits in and who she really is.

Awards:  2010 Children's Choice Book Award for Fifth Grade to Sixth Grade Book of the Year

Booktalk:  In this first book in a series, Nikki J. Maxwell's mom gives her a diary instead of an I-Phone. How lame is that?! Nikki ends up filling the pages of her diary with fun drawings and all her thoughts and feelings as she attends her new private middle school, Westchester Country Day. Find out about mean McKenzie Hollister, "THE most popular girl in the eighth grade" (p. 22), Nikki's new friends Chloe, Zoey, and Brandon (possible love interest), and whether or not Nikki's artistic talents can help her maneuver her way through the eighth grade in a brand new middle school. On page 46, her chance to be successful at school is revealed:

"This morning the halls were plastered with colourful posters from Random Acts of Avant-Garde Art, our annual school art show. I'm SUPER-excited because the first prize for each class is $500 cash! SWEET! That would be enough for me to buy a mobile phone, a new outfit from the mall AND art supplies. But most important, winning that award could transform me from a "socially challenged ART DORK" to a "socially charmed ART DIVA" practically overnight! Who woulda thunk my art skillz could get me into the CCP clique?!"

Will Nikki win the art competition and become popular, or will she just learn to embrace being a Dork?

Available Formats:  Paperback, Hardcover, Kindle, Audible Audio Edition, Audio CD.

Quote:  This quote is on p. 43, and is from Nikki's Grandma giving Nikki a bit of advice:

"Sweetie, when life presents challenges, you can be either a CHICKEN or a CHAMPION. The choice is YOURS!"

Multimedia:  Here's a book trailer for Dork Diaries:  Tales from a not-so-fabulous life:

Extra! Extra!  Did you know, Dork Diaries: Tales from a not-so-fabulous life is just the first book in the Dork Diaries Series? If you are a fan of this fun series, then this Dork Diaries Website is a must see for you. Audio excerpts from books, fan art, videos, blogs, oh my! Check it out here: http://dorkdiaries.co.uk/my-diaries.

Did you know, a Dork Diaries movie is in the works?! Get more information here:  http://dorkdiaries.com/tag/dork-diaries-movie/.

Science Fiction (6 of 9) Mockingjay

https://www.goodreads.com/book/photo/7260188-mockingjay

Collins, S. (2010. Mockingjay. New York, NY:  Scholastic Press.
ISBN-13:  978043902351
Format:  Hardcover
Cost:  $17.99

Annotation:  In this final book of The Hunger Games Trilogy, Katniss finds herself as an unwitting pawn and the face of rebellion, as District 13 and their leader, President Coin, uses her as part of their plot to overthrow the Capitol and President Snow. Katniss is left with the final decision of whether or not there will be an end to the evil, or will there just be an exchange of one evil ruler for the other?

Awards:  2010 Voya Perfect Ten
2010 Publisher's Weekly Best Children's Books of the Year for Fiction
2010 Goodreads Choice Award for Favorite Book, Young Adult Fantasy, Favorite Heroine, and Favorite Hero

Mini Book Review:  In this thrilling and intense conclusion to The Hunger Games series, Katnss has been rescued from the Quarter Quell games, Peeta has been captured by the Capitol and President Snow, District 12 has been obliterated, and Gale, Prim, and Katniss's mother are all staying in the underground District 13, which, with the leadership of President Coin, is planning to overthrow the Capitol. Katniss, as the Mockingjay, is to be the face of rebellion to spur the people on to victory, but she is just a pawn, as she discovers all the plans were made without her knowledge. Who will live, who will die, who will rule, and who will Katniss end up with?

This story, detailed and told from the perspective of a 16-year-old girl, gives insight into the decisions we all must make, like who we are, where we fit in, can we make a difference,what is right and wrong, and what love really is. I highly recommend this well written conclusion that highlights the horrors of war, loss, corrupted power, the value of human life, and the importance of sacrifice, trust, love, commitment, and morality. This series should be in school, public, and personal library collections, and is appropriate for all readers ages 12 and up.

Available Formats:  Paperback, Kindle, Hardcover, Audio CD, Audible Auto Edition

Teen Quote:  15-year-old Hannah W. reads almost every day. She reads science fiction sometimes, but her favorite books are adventure stories. Her main source of social media is Facebook.

This is what she thought of Mockingjay:

"I thought it was a bit overkill but was definitely better than the second book, Catching Fire. After the first one, they all go down hill in my opinion."

Multimedia:  Check out the Scholastic book trailer for Mockingjay:

Extra! Extra! Do you like to write fan fiction, or do you like to read fan fiction? If so, you might be interested in this website which highlights some contest winners who wrote stories about what might have happened after Catching Fire, the second book in The Hunger Games Trilogy. Check out the winner's stories here:  https://sites.google.com/site/countdowntomockingjay/.

If you are a fan of The Hunger Games Trilogy, you have probably already seen the movies for The Hunger Games, Catching Fire, and Mockingjay Part 1, and are anxiously awaiting the upcoming movie, Mockingjay Part 2, scheduled for release November 20, 2015. Here is the movie trailer for Mockingjay Part 2:

Science Fiction (3 of 9) Life As We Knew It

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Pfeffer, S. B. (2006). Life as we knew it. Orlando, FL:  Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
ISBN-13:  9780152061548
Format:  Paperback
Cost:  $6.95

Annotation:  When an asteroid hits the moon and knocks it out of place, life on earth will never be the same. Through the pages of the diary of 16-year-old Miranda, the shocking, realistic aftermath of the resulting devastation is portrayed, as well as how Miranda and her family survive.

Awards:   2006 Booklist Editor's Choice Award for Books for Youth (Older Reader's Category)

Booktalk:  What would you do if you had to survive in the aftermath of a devastating natural disaster? After an asteroid knocks the moon out of place, tsunamis, and earthquakes kill thousands of people, knock-out communication and electricity, and leave survivors stuck in their homes with little food, struggling to survive. This first book of the series is written in diary form through the eyes of 16-year-old Miranda from Pennsylvania. The time frame of one year reveals death of beloved friends, the loss of family and friends as they move in search of better survival conditions, sickness, injury and frigid cold. Will Miranda, her mother, and brothers have the courage and strength to survive? Read this eerily realistic science fiction story and find out!

Available Formats:  Paperback, Hardcover, Kindle, Audible Audio Edition, Audio CD

Quote:  Taken from page 56:

"It's such a weird way to live. I just can't believe it's going to stay like this much longer. On the other hand, I'm already starting to forget what normal life felt like, clocks that were on time, and lights that went on with the flick of a switch, and Internet, and streetlights, and supermarkets, and McDonald's, and..."

Multimedia:  The author, Susan Beth Pfeffer, has a Facebook page about her book, Life As We Knew It. You can see some videos, quotes, a detailed summary of the book, and some pictures here:  https://www.facebook.com/susan.susanbethpfeffer?fref=ts.

Here is a book trailer of the book:

Extra! Extra!  Did you ever wonder what domino effect might happen if a real catastrophe like this might occur? On Ms. Peffer's blog post, Meteors, Moons, and Me, she discusses her science research for this book and the second book in the series, The Dead And The Gone. Check it out here:  http://susanbethpfeffer.blogspot.com/2008/07/science-of-life-as-we-knew-it-and-dead.html

Horror Fiction (1) On Fire:  A Teen Wolf Novel

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Holder, N. (2012). On fire:  A teen wolf novel. New York, NY:  Gallery Books.
ISBN-13:  9781451674477
Format:  Paperback
Cost:  $11.00

Annotation:  When Scott McCall, a normal teenage guy, was bitten by an Alpha werewolf, his life was changed forever. Will he be able to balance his two worlds, not become a killer, and keep his secret from Allison, her father and family, who's sole purpose is to track and kill werewolves?

Awards:  None

Booktalk:  Would you be able to hide being a werewolf from all you friends and family? An Alpha werewolf bit high school student Scott McCall, and his life was changed forever. In this extension of MTV's hit TV series, Teen Wolf, Scott finds himself in the woods with his girlfriend, Allison Argent, looking for his missing classmate, fellow Lacrosse player and nemesis, Jackson Whitmire. They are not alone. The Alpha wolf is tracking Scott, and Scott has to control morphing into the wolf in front of Allison, the daughter of a father who's secret mission is to track and kill werewolves. Can Scott keep his secret and hold it together long enough to find his lost classmate?

Available Formats:  Paperback, Kindle

Quote:  Taken from page 224:

"Through the hazy smoke above them Scott sensed the werewolf that had bitten him. The monster that had changed his life and was trying to force him into even more extreme changes. His waking, walking nightmare. Scott felt as if he had been plunged into ice, and he shivered, hard. The wolf inside Scott howled crisis, menace, threat; but it also cried pack, belonging, Alpha."

Multimedia:  Nancy Holder, the author of On Fire:  A Teen Wolf Novel, is a New York Time's bestselling author. Check out this interview of her, right when the book was about to be released:
http://enchantedinkpot.blogspot.com/2012/06/interview-nancy-holder-teen-wolf-novel.html.

Extra! Extra!  Did you know, this novel is based on and continues the very popular MTV series, Teen Wolf? Here is a trailer for the book:

Science Fiction (2 of 9) How I Live Now

https://www.goodreads.com/book/photo/161426.How_I_Live_Now

Rosoff, M. (2004). How I live now. New York, NY:  Wendy Lamb Books.
ISBN-13:  9780385746779
Format:  Hardcover
Cost:  $16.95

Annotation:  Daisy, a troubled anorexic teenager, is shipped off to England to live with her Aunt Penn and cousins because she doesn't get along with her pregnant stepmother. After she arrives in England, war breaks out, she develops a strange bond with her cousin Edmond, and above all, she discovers how important family really is.

Awards:  2004 Guardian Award
2005 Michael L. Printz Award
2005 Branford Boase Award

Booktalk:  When 15 year old Daisy leaves her comfortable New York City lifestyle to move in with her Aunt Penn and cousins in the countryside of England, her world is turned upside down.

A world war breaks out, Aunt Penn is gone, and Daisy and her cousins are left to fend for themselves. Daisy has a strange mental and physical connection with her cousin Edmond, and when the war finally reaches their idyllic home, they are torn apart and sent on their separate ways. Daisy and Piper, the youngest cousin, struggle to make it back home, and when Daisy can no longer sense Edmond in her mind, she fears the worst has happened. Will they ever find their way back to each other, or is this just How I Live Now?

Available Formats:  Paperback, Library Binding, Kindle, Audio CD, Audible Audio Edition.

Quote:  Taken from page 82:

"I was starting to feel responsible for their safety and happiness and got panicked at the idea of them being captured or corrupted by the outside world."

Multimedia:  Here is a book trailer about the book, How I Live Now:

Extra! Extra!  Did you know that this book is written from the perspective of Daisy, the main character? Since she is a native New Yorker, she uses a lot of colorful cultural language in her narrative. Maybe you can notice this in some of the quotes on the Book Lover's Book Club Tumblr page found here:  http://bookloversbookclub.tumblr.com/post/87662075621/how-i-live-now-quotes.

 Biography/Non-Fiction (1) Steve Jobs The Man Who Thought Different

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/12969593-steve-jobs

Blumenthal, K. (2012). Steve Jobs The Man Who Thought Different. New York, NY:  Feiwel and Friends.
ISBN-13:  9781250015570
Format:  Hardcover
Cost:  $16.99

Annotation:  Steve Jobs was a complicated genius who changed the world with his technology ideas and innovations. Form the beginning of his life as an adopted child through to the end of his life when he died from cancer on October 5, 2011, this story provides a front row seat to the highs, lows, and creative perfectionism that drove this remarkable man's life.

Awards:  YALSA-ALA Excellence in Young Adult Nonfiction Finalist.

Mini Book Review:  This biography follows the life of Steve Jobs, the co-founder of Apple Computers, and the man behind the success of Pixar, the IPod, and the IPhone. From his humble beginnings as an adopted child, through his life as a wealthy powerful CEO, and to his death from cancer at the age of 56, this story explores the mind and difficult personality of a man who changed the world with his technology ideas. Learning from his adopted father the value of good quality work, perfectionism and attention to details became the driving force that pushed him on to great things. Steve could be charming or volatile and these characteristics shaped the journey of his life. Some people loved him and some people hated him, but all can agree that he was one of the most creative geniuses and visionaries of our time.

Steve Jobs The Man Who Thought Different is a fascinating, easy to read non-fiction book that young adult readers of all ages will enjoy. I would highly recommend reading this book as it is full of pictures and interesting side notes and facts that help the reader really grasp the full spectrum of the life of Steve and his impact on the computer world. Additionally, an easy to read time line, glossary, bibliography, and notes section at the back of the book will not only help with reading the book, but provides information that will help to explore the topic even further. This book would fit well in both the young adult collection of a school or public library, as well as an adult collection in a public library. In fact, I found a copy in both sections in my public library! This book would be a good fit for patrons from the ages of 12 and up.

Available Formats:  Paperback, Hardcover, Kindle Edition, Audible Audio Edition, Preloaded Digital Audio Player

Quote:  From p. 255:

"In November 2009, Fortune named him "CEO of the Decade" saying the past decade in business belongs to Jobs." Calling him "a showman, a born salesman, a magician who creates a famed reality-distortion field, [and] a tyrannical perfectionist," the magazine noted that in ten years, "he has radically and lucratively reordered three markets - music, movies, and mobile telephones - and his impact on his original industry, computing, has only grown." No wonder, it said he was a worldwide celebrity."

Multimedia:  Here's a video of my mini book review:

Extra! Extra! Here's a book trailer about Steve Jobs The Man Who Thought Different: