Odd

It is very "odd" how I did not remember to post about this book I read as I thoroughly enjoyed it and it is written by award winning author Neil Gaiman as well! The title is " Odd and the Frost Giants".
This story takes place in the harsh northern Scandinavian woods where Odd, the main character, flees to the woods to escape his unhappy and unlucky life. After releasing a trapped bear he is followed by the bear, an eagle and a fox who reveal to him they are actually Norse gods trapped in animal forms by the evil Frost Giants. They ask Odd to reclaim Thor's hammer in order to release them. Can he do it? It is wonderfully written and just fun to read about a topic probably very new to many.

What are you reading today?

Favourite Author?

I have been reading - just no time to post my reads. But have read "The Mother-Daughter Book Club" and another by Annie Barrows, the author who wrote not only the "Ivy and Bean" series for younger readers but also the adult book "The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Society" which I have also just finished reading. But I did read and enjoy very much "The Unluckiest Boy in the World" by Andrew Norriss. I was entertained by the humour and touched by some of the messages that were timely for me. Andrew Norriss also wrote Ctrl- Z which I also enjoyed and am looking forward to reading more of his books.

What are you reading today?

Finally...

Finally... time to write about 2 completely different books that I have just finished reading. "The Gypsy Crown" by Kate Forsyth is about 2 gypsy children living in the 1600's in England who, with their menagerie of a dancing bear, a monkey, a dog and a horse, have the job of saving their family who have all been thrown into jail with the threat of execution in a month's time. Emilia's granny has told her to get both help and a family charm from 5 other gypsy families scattered around Southern England. Emilia, with the help of her cousin Luka, sets off on this adventure gaining and losing things needed and necessary. The only problem is the constable who is on their tail trying to capture them and have them hanged! Exciting!

Also quite exciting is "Swindle" by Gordon Korman. Korman writes many different kinds of books like "Schooled" and "Son of the Mob" and his adventures series too but this one is in the humorous vein! Griffin finds an old baseball card in a dilapidated mansion slated for demolition. When a pawn broker offers him $120.00 for it he takes it only to discover the pawn broker, Mr. S. Wendell Palamino, is taking the card to auction where it is estimated to be worth one million dollars! Needless to say Griffin is very unhappy and decides to put a plan into action, a plan to take back the card! With his friend Ben and a few other fellow students he has some hilarious results in trying to get the card. Does he get caught? Has he thought of all the consequences? Read and find out.

What are you reading today?

Mean Girls

"Poison Ivy" by Amy Goldman Koss is a mean girls type of book. In this book Ivy has been targeted and bullied for most of her school life. Everybody accepts it, even Amy who just tries to ignore what is going on around her. Enter a teacher who sees the injustice of this and holds a mock trial that will hopefully demonstrate that bad guys get what's coming to them. But the power of popularity is a force not to be reckoned with. There are many different narrators sharing their own points of view about the events and I think you will be surprised and maybe a bit outraged at the way the story unfolds. Not a totally satisfactory ending but lots of food for thought.
What are you reading today?

3 Weeks Later

I knew this would happen... just like you I am reading but run out of time to blog about the books and then I forget what I have read! Okay here are a few I still have hanging around the house.
Two books have come my way that have to do with travelling through time and war. The first is one that I heard about before I purchased it. Titled "Nick of Time" by Ted Bell, this book is hugely popular in other places and is just now making its mark here. Set in 1939 on a small island in the English Channel, Nick's father, a lighthouse keeper, is watching for German submarine activity in the days leading up to the Second World War. Nick is an adventurous boy helping his father but uncovers a very special machine hidden in one of the island's coves. A wonderful mix of history and adventure as an evil pirate travels through time looking for this machine.
History also plays an important part in "Day of the Assassins" by Johnny O'Brien when two English school boys discover a secret in the basement of their school. When trying to evade capture, Jack Christie is thrown back into the past where a plot to assassinate Archduke Franz Ferdinand is going to be stopped. But this assassination is the event that initiates the First World War and if the war is stopped what consequences are there for the later world?
What are you reading today?

Catching Fire

"Catching Fire" is the title of the sequel to the very exciting "Hunger Games" by Suzanne Collins that I first read last January. When we left the first book Katniss and Peeta had survived the games and headed home to be treated like royalty and live a life of luxury. All is good... except for rumors of rebellion in other districts because of the stance the two made in the games. Isolated from all outside information it becomes a huge shock to discover there is to be a new game comprised of all the winners of all the previous games. Katniss and Peeta head back to the arena for a new fight to the finish with new twists and turns at every side. Just as good as the first and another is on its way... You will love this series and don't miss it!

What are you reading today?

My Favourites Again

It has been a hectic three weeks but I managed to read two new books in one of my favourite series "The Ranger's Apprentice". I borrowed them from VPL as they purchase them direct from Australia where author John Flanagan resides. Needless to say I loved them and am anxiously awaiting the next and the next and the ......
Book 7 "Erak's Ransom" takes Will, Halt, Horace, Gilan and Princess Cassandra to the desert lands south of the Constant Sea to rescue their Skandian friend Erak. Treachery, fierce nomadic tribes and the harsh desert elements combine to make this an exciting adventure. Will loses Tug in a sand storm and goes after him only to find himself on the brink of death when he makes a wrong turn. The others go after Erak only to find themselves at the mercy of unforgiving enemies.I turned immediately to "The Kings of Clonmel" Book 8 for a whole new adventure where Will, Halt and Horace travel west to Hibernia to try to oust the religious Outsiders from taking over the last of the country's kingdoms. Halt has a very personal connection - not only to the kingdom but to its king as well. But it is Horace who steps up to risk his life for his friends and this kingdom. This story is to be continued in Book 9.

What are you reading today?

Two More...

As we head into our second week of school I am not finding enough time to read. Seriously, I am never too tired to read a bit but I am too tired to read a lot. Only two more books to tell you about....

A very interesting title about a very interesting character in "Kiki Strike - Inside the Shadow City" by Kirsten Miller. Ananka meets Kiki Strike, an unusual girl ; small, light haired, appears and disappears like magic and yet is pulling this group of misfit girls together to form the "Irregulars". Kiki introduces them into the world of the Shadow City - a labyrinth underneath the streets of New York City of tunnels and rooms and exits into important buildings which, a hundred years ago, were used for criminal activities. Kiki's goal is to take over this Shadow City before any other thieves discover this long forgotten place. However all is not what it seems. Does Kiki have another goal? Does it have something to do with the Princess? Read and find out...
The second book is called "If a Tree Falls at Lunch Period" by Gennifer Choldenko who wrote the acclaimed "Al Capone Does My Shirts". This books follows Kirsten and Walk, Grade 7 students who form an unlikely friendship only to discover a secret that leaves them both shocked and almost shattered. Kirsten is slightly overweight and her best friend is ignoring her to hang out with the popular crowd. Walk is an African American, new to the school on a scholarship and immediately starts injecting himself into situations. Bullying, race relations, friendships and parents all come into play but I think you will be very surprised at the twist this book takes.

What are you reading today?

Science & Fiction = Good

It is interesting that the last two books I have read have to do with science and fiction. These are different than Science Fiction which makes me think of outer space and aliens. No, these books have to do with things that are possibly being invented here on earth as we speak, things that could change lives or how we live. The first book is "Frozen in Time" by Ali Sparkes. The year is 1956 and Freddy and Polly are willing participants in their father's experiments of cryonic suspension, having their hearts frozen. Their father usually wakes them up two hours later. In 2009 Ben and Rachel are bored at their uncle's home until they find these two frozen children in an underground vault in the garden. You will want to know what happens next, how this has happened and why didn't their father wake them up.
"Dot Robot" by Jason Bradbury is a super exciting book about a young boy Jackson Farley, a digital genius, who is playing a video game when he is invited to a very special website. His super skills have attracted him to billionaire Devlin Lear, founder of top secret defence force MeX. Along with 3 other brilliant young gamers , his job is to fly state of the art robots around the world helping where needed...... or that is what it seems on the surface. Jackson discovers there is more to this than he anticipated and now he might be part of a huge crime.
Both good...one exciting.

What are you reading today?

Sigh

"Every Soul a Star" by Wendy Mass is a wonderful book about 3 very different teens who come together during a very unusual and rare experience, a solar eclipse. Ally has spent her whole life in Moon Shadow Campground, in the middle of nowhere, in the middle of America where her parents have been preparing for years for hundreds and hundreds of visitors to view this spectacular event . She and her brother have been home schooled but she loves her life full of astronomy and family and the simple things around her. This is in complete contrast to Bree, a beautiful girl whose whole focus in life is looking great and has a goal of being a model. Her scientist parents are making the trek to the campground but with more in mind than just seeing the eclipse - they are planning on staying for 3 years while Ally's parents are planning on moving back to the city so the kids have a more normal experience. You can easily imagine how both girls are devastated. Thrown into this mix is Jack, a teen who hates his life; friend problems, weight problems and school problems have come together to enlist him help his science teacher lead an expedition to this event. This story is told in the teen's 3 voices in alternating chapters where you get to hear their thoughts, dreams and realizations in a very real way. If you liked "Stargirl" by Jerry Spinelli I know you will like this one.

What are you reading today?

Another Winner

I am a big fan of Andrew Clements and have read and loved most of his books. Favourites that come to mind are "No Talking", "The Report Card" and all the Jake Drake books. So I was very excited to see a new one, "Extra Credit". After reading it I think it is another winner! One of the main characters is Abby, a young girl who loves rock climbing and the outdoors... at the expense of her school work. When she is told she will have to stay back in the same grade she decides to show them she can do the work. She is asked to do an extra credit for the work she has missed and her task is to become a penpal to another student in a foreign country. She chooses Afghanistan because of the mountains. Her first letter ends up in a small village where it is decided to have the best student respond. The problem is that the best student is a boy and traditional values dictate that a boy should not correspond with a girl. This boy is Sadeed. It is his sister who is then chosen to write but because she does not do such a good job he intervenes and helps write back. A friendship between Abby and Sadeed begins that is based on the mutual love of the land and the honesty that children can have with each other. The problems arise when society with all its fears, both in America and Afghanistan, interfere. Read this! Not only a good story but one that will make you think.

What are you reading today?

Humphrey Again!

I love reading stories about Humphrey the hamster by Betty G. Birney. My first love was the "World According to Humphrey" where Humphrey was bought by Ms Mac from Pet-O-Rama and brought to Room 26 as a class pet because .... well .... you can learn alot about about yourself when you take care of another. Humphrey is no ordinary hamster. He can read, write and loves to help his classmates, teachers and even Mr. Morales the Principal solve their problems. I am sure you are wondering how Humphrey can help but believe me he is very good at it as he is very observant and very creative. In this latest Humphrey book called "Adventure According to Humphrey" not only does Humphrey help others but he also achieves his biggest dream - to have a real adventure. However this adventure could have disastrous results for Humphrey and you will have to read it to see how it all manages to end happily. Be sure to also read "Friendship According to Humphrey", "Trouble According to Humphrey" and "Surprises According to Humphrey". You will love them all!

What are you reading today?

Loved It!

Do you like a book that will make you laugh out loud? I do and "Granny" by Anthony Horowitz made me laugh ... alot. Yes, that Anthony Horowitz. The one who wrote all those Alex Rider books but this time he writes this very entertaining book about Grannies and Joe's Granny in particular.They hate watching all the young people take over so the Grannies deliberately.... get in their way. For example they see how long they can take to get on a bus.... 3/4 of an hour then 23 minutes to find the bus pass . For example Joe's Granny takes delight in giving him a present that is much too babyish for him. Joe thinks she is evil but he has no idea what a convention of Grannies wants to do. This would make a very fun read aloud. Lots of puns and plays on words. Read this!

What have you read today?

A Good Read

I was a little skeptical when I began to read "Ruined" by Paula Morris. It is about a girl, Rebecca, who has been sent to stay with friends of her father in New Orleans for a few months and sees a ghost of a young girl in the graveyard across the street from where she is staying. A new school, not fitting in, mean girls, it felt a bit predictable. But the more I read the more I got hooked and just had to finish it in the wee hours of the night. A forbidden romance with a handsome boy from one of the town's oldest and richest families, a curse placed on a house 150 years ago and a murder all come into play. Probably will best appeal to girls in Grades 6 & 7.

What are you reading today?

One Of My Favourites

I was so excited to go book shopping this week to see a new addition to one of my favourite series "The Ranger's Apprentice" titled "The Siege of Macindaw". This is Book 6 in the series by Australian author John Flanagan and is a continuation of the story begun in "The Sorcerer of the North". This fantasy novel is set in Araluen, a take-off of medievel England, and its main character Will is a boy whose job as a Ranger is to overcome the traitorous Sir Keren and his band of criminals who have taken possesion of a castle in the desolate north. His friend Alyss has been captured and is a prisoner in the castle and Will not only has to free her but find a band of fighting men to help stave off the attack of the Scotti. Well written and very exciting this is a series not to be missed.
Another day, another book.... this one is a quick read but entertaining and fun. "Lawn Boy" by Gary Paulsen is about a 12 year old boy who becomes rich, very very rich after he gets a riding mower for his birthday from his grandma. It starts when he cuts his own lawn and his neighbour asks him to cut his and then his neighbour asks him to cut his and then his....... But one of his new "customers" asks to invest his money instead of giving him the cash. This leads to a return of hundreds then thousands of dollars as our boy learns about investing and capitalism. A very good way for kids to be introduced to how hard work and investing in the stock market can pay off.

I have about 20 or even 30 more books to read - so off I go. ( I think I will finish the Battle of the Labyrinth - I put it aside when I saw the Ranger's Apprentice!)

What are you reading today?

From Realism to Historical Fiction

"How Do You Spell g-e-e-k?" by Julie Anne Peters is a light and entertaining read about ..... spelling bees.... and friends - one who is determined to win and spends all her time spelling and one who is asked to be a sponsor to a new girl in school who is a real geek but who is also a great speller. This is a National Book Award finalist that has many heartwarming moments about fitting in and true friendship. Can you see yourself in any character?


Historical fiction presents readers with a story that takes place during a period in history. The book "The Fire of Ares" by Michael Ford is the first in a series called "Spartan Warrior". The setting of this book is Ancient Greece where a group of people, the Helots, have been conquered by the Spartans and forced to be slaves. A young Helot boy, Lysander, works the fields each day for a tiny amount of grain to feed himself and his sick mother. He wears around his neck a pendant, The Fire of Ares, a beautiful red stone given to him by his mother. He has been told never to show this pendant to anyone and the adventure in the story begins when an old Spartan sees the stone and knows who it belonged to. The life of a Spartan is very hard as this group of warriors are put through very tough training. You will be interested to learn how hard these times were for both the Spartans and the Helots. And of course what happens to Lysander! I think boys will love this action packed series but I know I found it good also.

Next up - the "Battle of the Labyrinth" of the "Percy Jackson and the Olympians series".

What are you reading today?

Fantasy Rules

"Enter a world of treachery and danger" is the heading to "Stravaganza - City of Secrets" by Mary Hoffman. This is the 4th book in her Stravaganza series and I think you definitely should read the first one "Stravaganza - City of Masks" to have an understanding of what is happening. Characters, settings and ongoing rivalries intermingle within these books. Partly set in modern day England, partly set in mid 1500 Talia, (which is a play on Italy), the main character, Matt, discovers he is a stravagant who, while asleep holding a new talisman in his hands, is transported to this strange and wonderful place while his body lays still in his bed. He is welcomed by others who know what he is and the adventure begins, particularily fighting the conniving di Chimici, a family who will stop a nothing to rule Talia.
Once into it this book becomes quite riveting and you will want to know how it ends. I am sure more books in this series are on their way.

What are you reading today?

Ghostish Stories

Do you like ghostish stories? Stories about the dead? Zombies? Well I don't and I have just read two! The first left me feeling very unsettled and I still am not sure if I am going to put it into the Library. "The Haunting of Derek Stone" is beyond a ghost story - it is really a very scary zombie story and the chase of the zombies after this young boy Derek who narrowly escaped death himself.

It was reassuring to talk to Ms. Brown who agreed with me about what we buy and recommend to students. We try to buy great books that are well written and powerful in their message or theme. Some books might be funny, sad, of historical note or just plain good. I am just not sure of this one.

However, at Summer School, this book turned up on a student's "best books they have read" list. Maybe kids like zombie stories and I just have to trust their judgement and give in to their tastes. Needless to say this is the beginning of a series - the author is Tony Abbott - of the "Secrets of Droon" series. I am going to sit on the fence with this and wait till I hear a couple more opinions.

"The Night Tourist" by Katherine Marsh won the 2008 Edgar Award for Best Juvenile Mystery. It took me a while to get into this one - but I can see its appeal. Jack also narrowly escaped death. His father sends him to a doctor in New York city and while waiting for the train home in Grand Central Station manages to meet a girl, Euri, who takes him on a tour under the station. This underworld just happens to be the home of many ghosts who have not yet moved on. Two rules of the underworld say that if a living person stumbles into this area and are caught they will be killed and another is they can only stay for three nights or have to stay forever. Jack decides to find his mother, who died in New York when Jack was little, to ask her all sorts of questions. Lots of adventures follow and you will have to read it to find out if Jack manages or even wants to escape.

I also re-read one of my favorites "Bloody Jack" and loved it all over again. This is a Grade 7 read but what a ride! It tells of Jacky's adventures on the HMS Dolphin as a ship's boy only Jacky is a girl disguised as a boy. She is always getting into trouble but always getting out of trouble too, sometimes by luck, more often by using her head and quick thinking. I think I will have to re-read the rest of the series!

What have you read today?

After Harry

I finished reading "Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince" and immediately had to re read "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows". I think this last one is my favorite book of the whole series and the "movie" in my head was full of excitement and action from the very first page. JK Rowling is amazing in the detail she has woven together from the past with current twists and turns in this last epic. It encompasses many emotions; fear, shock, sadness and, of course, elation. Everyone over Grade 4 should read it and re read it.

So now I can get back to the new "stuff" I still have sitting on my coffee table. The pile does not seem to be getting much smaller! However I am enjoying every book I pick up to read. First one "after Harry" I read is titled "Eleven" by Patricia Reilly Giff. The plot is not intricate at all but it does build in a little suspense and demonstrates the value of true friendship. When Sam is on the hunt for his birthday presents he discovers a newspaper clipping about a missing boy - him. He becomes worried that his grandfather is not his real family and he will be taken away from the only home he has known. He makes a new friend who helps him try to figure out what happened in his past. A good read for middle readers.

"The Castle Corona" by Sharon Creech is a very sweet and beautifully written fairy tale type book about a royal family, rich and spoiled and two peasant children, plucky and proud, and how their lives come together. There is a thief or maybe not, there is a pouch full of wonderful contents, there is a hermit who is wise and knowing. A lovely story that I thoroughly enjoyed reading.

What are you reading?

3 More and Counting...

I have decided to reread "Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince" now that the newest movie hits the theatres today and I do want to see it on the big screen. As I read the first chapter J.K. Rowling's words are creating vivid pictures in my head, my own Harry Potter movie is playing through my mind. The words that describes Snape's house are descriptive, clear and concise and I know my vision and the movies will be similar because of this.

But I did read 3 more books for the YR and actually really enjoyed them. All are the first books of series. Kids today love series and will demand that we have them all in the Library.
"Ivy and Bean" by Annie Barrows is about 2 young girls who are very different. They live on the same street, ignoring each other, till trouble brews and one helps the other then off they go, best friends forever! Well written, exciting and 4 more books follow.

Another series about young girls is "Sisters 8" by Lauren Baratz - Logstad. The first book is called "Annie's Adventures" and it sets the scene about 8 octuplets; 8 girls born 8 minutes apart on the 8th of August (the 8th month) almost 8 years ago. It is New Year's Eve and their parents head out of the room to do some chores and never return. The girls decide to pretend their parents are still there while they solve the mystery of where they are. Notes appear that instruct the girls to each find a power and a gift. Hilarious results as the girls try to feed themselves, look after themselves, even drive themselves and solve all sorts of problems. Entertaining and fun and guess how many books in this series?

And one for everyone is a series called "Melvin Beederman - Superhero" with the first book titled "The Curse of the Bologna Sandwich". Another easy yet entertaining book about a superhero who's a pretty good superhero even though it takes him five or six tries to get up and flying. He is sent off to Los Angeles to do his good deeds but he does have one weakness and of course disaster follows when his cape goes to the dry cleaners! Lots of good fun to read... so read away.

What are you reading today?

3 For You

I don't usually read shorter or easy chapter books... I like the longer stories with more in depth plots and characters. However I have just read 3 and I liked all three! First up "Ctrl-Z" by Andrew Norriss. Have you seen the movie " Groundhog Day" where the main character replays the same day till he gets it right? Well this story is very similar in that our main character, Alex, receives a laptop from his Godfather that has a very unusual function, Ctrl - Z, which has the ability to change time back so that if you make a mistake you can correct it. Alex is advised to make lots of mistakes and he does but in then end he realizes that by making mistakes you grow and learn.
"How to Save Your Tail" by Mary Hanson is a story that has its roots in an ancient tale about "Sheherazade". In the original tale Sherherazade tells wonderful stories to stall the Prince from killing her. Because he loves her stories he allows her to live in order to tell another the next night. In "How to Save Your Tail", the main character, a mouse, has been trapped by two cats. One definitely wants to eat the mouse but our mouse manages to catch their attention by telling amazing stories about his ancestors and so manages to dodge the eating. The stories are so wonderful in that they all have elements of many different fairy tales but all mixed up of course... clever and entertaining...And I have just this minute finished the first of a series called " The Sunken Kingdom" ...this book called "Ghost Ship". For boys and girls in grade 2/3/4 they will find this book very satisfying with two royal children hiding from the evil Emperor who killed their parents and then finding out their baby sister is alive and well living in the far north. A very special ship and some magical powers help them in their quest but they do have some trying times to deal with!

Lots more coming!

What have you read today?

Too Busy Reading

I love it when I have time to read... 3 books in 10 days ....sigh. I have just been down to Vancouver Kidsbooks and picked up a stack of books! I have them in 3 big piles; ones for younger readers, lots for middle readers and quite a few for older readers! If I don't specify it is good for all readers!

For older readers (OR) I read and recommend the second of The Icemark Chronicles called "The Blade of Fire". This book, by Stuart Hill, has it if you are looking for intrigue, violent battles and sorcery but also the coming of age of a young prince whose disability has kept him less sure of himself. As Prince Charlemagne sets off on his own adventure, he exhibits great strengths and forges great friendships. What makes this book so interesting is the relationship of Queen Thirrin of Icemark with her allies; giant snow leopards, werewolves and even vampires. Not for the faint of heart as the fighting is very descriptive. Another sequel is on the way.


For the YR (younger reader) I read and loved "Gooney the Fabulous" by Lois Lowry. Of course I loved the first book "Gooney Bird Greene" and have read it with many of our Grade 3's. This one is just as satisfying as we read about Gooney Bird's fabulous idea, students writing fables about an animal beginning with the student's first initial of their name. Guess what animal Gooney creates a fable about? Let me give you a hint... it is not a goose! Great way to learn about fables and of course Gooney is such an engaging character, very unique and wise beyond her years.And the third book I have just finished is another book in the series about girls learning to be spies at the GallagherAcademy for Exceptional Young Women called "Don't Judge a Girl by Her Cover" by Ally Carter. It follows "Cross My Heart and Hope to Spy" and "I'd Tell You I Love You, But Then I'd Have to Kill You". Light, entertaining, full of escapades these girl spies get into and, hopefully, out of.

What have you read today?

Couldn't Put It Down

Sally Gardner has written another fascinating piece of historical fiction, "The Silver Blade". Set in the French Revolution it is both intricate and intriguing and beautifully written. It is the follow up to"The Red Necklace" and both stories involve a cast of characters that include a gypsy, a dwarf, a beautiful young girl and of course a very evil character. Magic and mystery will keep you turning the pages well into the night as you read how Yann saves aristocrats from the guillotine but also how the evil Count, who never forgets who wronged him, is seeking revenge. This is especially disturbing as the devil himself has given the count powers that are seemingly unstoppable.

What have you read today?

A Summer to Read

The school year has just about ended and I made a quick trip to VKB to pick up some books to read over the summer. When you all come back in the fall I hope to have some great new books to recommend! But of course I could hardly wait to delve into the bag..... First up "Eye of the Crow" by Shane Peacock. A real thriller about a young 13 year old Sherlock Holmes growing up in the slums of London and accused of a crime he did not commit. He is an unusual character, lonely and independent but always using his brain in order to see the big picture. This is a real page turner with an ending that is shocking. If you like mysteries I know you will like this.

A book I have just finished and one you must read is the Newberry Award winning book by Neil Gaiman " The Graveyard". It starts out with a very disturbing incident - the murder of a family - however one of the family, a toddler, unaware of the danger he is in, heads out the open front door and wanders into a nearby graveyard. The murderer is in pursuit but the youngster is saved and looked after by a very surprising group. Another fantasy situation by the author of "Coraline" but the writing is brilliant and each chapter a story in itself.

And another - "The Wednesday Wars"... no murders in this book! A humourous book about a boy having to spend Wednesday afternoons with a teacher whom he knows hates him and tries to make his life miserable! However he does clean the blackboard brushes right below the window where her pies are setting. Would you eat a pie covered in chalk dust?

What have you read today?

Winter Reading

I love to read and find time every day to read something, even if it is only a magazine or the newspaper. I usually have a book with me as I watch t.v....... those commercials are just enough time to get in a page or two!

I have just finished reading "The Mysterious Benedict Society" and it was an exciting mystery showing lots of good thinking with each twist and turn. Fairly complex for the younger reader, but I think good readers will like it.

I really enjoyed "Hunger Games" by Suzanne Collins (recommended by Mr. Naipaul) and devoured it in a day. This is the kind of book that keeps you reading; fast paced, exciting, and you are just not sure what is going to happen next. Read it! Definitely for older readers as it deals with a very unusual concept - a reality show about a survival contest among young people... to the death.

What have you read today?