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- THE KILLER'S TEARS
- THE RISING and THE REGIME
- THE HANK ZIPZER Books
- CIRCLE DOGS and MY SCHOOL'S A ZOO
- CHRONICLES OF NARNIA series by CS Lewis
- MRS. DEBBIE'S BOOK PICK
- MRS. AMY'S BOOK PICKS
- STUDENT BOOK REVIEWS
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THE KILLER'S TEARS
Teen fiction--A haunting story of a young boy who witnesses his parents'
murders in his own home. The killer then assumes the role of parent to the
boy, who goes through his childhood and teenage years in this confusing
state. Themes of fear, revenge, loyalty emerge as an unlikely and
impractical friendship develops between the killer and the boy. By the end
of this book, the author has pointed to some thought-provoking questions:
Can people change? Can they rise above their circumstances to make a
positive difference? How high is the price of forgiveness? Do some deeds
deserve forgiveness? Intelligent, moving, and thought-provoking.
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THE RISING and THE REGIME
If you enjoyed THE LEFT BEHIND series, you will want to indulge in these two
books. THE RISING and THE REGIME are "pre-quels" to the first LEFT BEHIND
book. Both books rewind to take a look at the characters' lives before they
were "left behind." A third book is coming, but is not published yet.
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THE HANK ZIPZER Books
Remember "Fonzie" from the tv show "Happy Days?" His real name is Henry
Winkler, and he is now the author of THE HANK ZIPZER books. Hank, a fourth
grader, gets into mess after mess at school. Two of the books are favorites
with students: THE NIGHT I FLUNKED MY FIELD TRIP and I GOT A D IN SALAMI.
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CIRCLE DOGS and MY SCHOOL'S A ZOO
Elementary fiction
CIRCLE DOGS (picture book)--A funny story about daschunds and their antics.
Kids will laugh like crazy.
MY SCHOOL'S A ZOO (picture book)-- A rhyming story about a strange, strange
school where all the people have become zoo animals!
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CHRONICLES OF NARNIA series by CS Lewis
Juvenile Fiction
I read this series many, many years ago...but the new movie reignited my
interest. Over the summer, I re-read the seven-book series again, and
couldn't put the books down. CS Lewis does a supreme job of interwining the
characters of the first six books in book 7. Book 7 was the best conclusion
of a series I have ever read.
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MRS. DEBBIE'S BOOK PICK
Mrs. Debbie is our much-loved and indispensable assistant librarian, who is
also an avid reader. Her latest recommendation is the AMONG THE HIDDEN
series. This teen fiction series is written by Margaret Haddix, and
revolves
around Luke Garner, a teenage boy with a very unique problem. Luke lives in
a futuristic America, where food has become so scarce that the government
has
banned couples from having more than 2 children (due to the food shortage).
Unfortunately, Luke is the third child in his family, and therefore, has to
be hidden from the Population Police or be killed. Luke's saga continues in
these five books, with more to come. Word is that Haddix will continue the
series with several more books. Book 1--Among the Hidden, Book 2--Among the
Impostors, Book 3--Among the Betrayed, Book 4--Among the Barons, Book 5--
Among the Brave.
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MRS. AMY'S BOOK PICKS
THE EDGE CHRONICLES--Juvenile fiction. This series of books takes readers
into a magical world of fantasy and adventure. Interesting and original
characters.
OLIVE'S OCEAN--Teen fiction. A teenage girl faces fears about death when
her classmate, Olive, dies after being hit by a car. She must also deal
with her feelings about her own family and a new relationship. (Girls are
probably going to like this book alot more than boys will).
DOWNRIVER--I just finished reading this outdoor adventure, and couldn't put
it down. A group of troubled teenagers escapes from their probation officer
by whitewater rafting down the Grand Canyon. Unfortunately, one of the
teenagers goes on a power trip, and becomes a scary, ruthless dictator.
(This book is followed by a sequel: RIVER THUNDER).
NIGHTMARE ACADEMY--Teen fiction. This book is by the same author of
HANGMAN'S CURSE, and is just as gripping. NIGHTMARE ACADEMY relates the
story of teen twins, Elisha and Elijah, who are undercover investigators at
a strange private school called Knight Moore Academy for homeless
teenagers. Over time, the twins begin to discover that Knight Moore Academy
is more like a nightmare...and they are trapped in that nightmare, with no
way out. Clever and suspenseful.
ERAGON--A great teen fiction book. If you liked THE LORD OF THE RINGS
series, you'll be captivated by the adventures of Eragon. A small-town boy,
Eragon is thrust into a strange world of magic and war when he finds a
strange stone in the forest. What's inside that stone will change Eragon's
life forever...
HOW TO DISAPPEAR COMPLETELY AND NEVER BE FOUND--This creepy science fiction
thriller is brand new to our library. After a strange trip to a run-down
mansion and the discovery of an even stranger, home-made comic book, a young
girl is determined to unravel the mysteries behind the death of her father.
Clever, innovative ending. Very easy to read.
AMONG THE FREE--The finale to the SHADOW CHILDREN SERIES by Margaret
Haddix. I wondered if Haddix could tie all the loose ends together in one
novel, and I was still wondering about 3/4 the way through--but in the end,
she wrapped it up nicely. Filled with your edge-of-your-seat thrills and
non-stop action, AMONG THE FREE is inspiring and jaw-dropping. (Hint:
Don't try reading this if you haven't already read the first five. You'll
be as lost as a goose. Gotta read this series IN ORDER!)
DON'T THINK TWICE: (High School Fiction)--A candid look at the life of a
pregnant teenager and the struggles/decisions she faces. High school only.
LET'S ROLL (Nonfiction)-- A look at the life of Lisa Beamer and her children
after her husband, Todd, was killed on 9-11. Todd Beamer was a passenger on
one of the planes hijacked by terrorists on that day...United Flight 93.
Tear-jerker. Very inspirational.
The FIRE-US Trilogy (Teen Fiction)--A three-book series with a complicated,
yet intriguing plot. A few children are left after a biological attack on
the United States, and struggle together to survive. The third book
involves
a shocking twist as the plot behind the attack is revealed.
FAT CHANCE(Teen Fiction)--A startling, but realistic look at anorexia and
bulimia in the life of a fictional eighth grade girl named Judi. Written in
diary form and with typical teenage lingo, this story is gripping. Readers,
especially girls, will be able to identify with Judi and will quickly become
invested in the story and the characters. Can Judi seek the help she needs
to stop the dangerous cycle of eating disorders before it's too late?
ALL ALONE IN THE UNIVERSE (Teen Fiction)--A teenage girl realizes her best
friend since third grade has a new best friend. Struggling with loneliness,
Debbie faces life without the safety net of friendship. Can she make it
alone? Can she find new friends?
ALIEN ABDUCTION (Teen fiction)--In the small, rural town of Greenfield,
something strange is happening: power surges, disappearances, blackouts,
hallucinations...Two teenagers, Luke and Mandy, team up to find out the
cause of the strange occurrences--and what they find is more than they
bargained for...
DINORELLA (Picture book):
Dinosaurs take over in this hilarious parody of the traditional Cinderella
story. Great pictures, and laugh-out-loud humor. Great for kids,
especially 1st graders and 2nd graders...
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STUDENT BOOK REVIEWS
Student Book Reviewer J.R. Mancell (9th grader):
SLEEPING FRESHMEN NEVER LIE
"It's a good book for 8th graders because it tells you about high school and
how high school kids may treat you. It also tells about homework. A boy
named Scott loses his friends, but gains some back. I really liked it."
Student Book Reviewer Chris Morris (11th grader):
HANGMAN'S CURSE
"This was an awesome book. I really liked it. The ending was surprising.
The book is so cool it even glows in the dark!"
Student Book Reviewer Kirby Esch (8th grader):
THE GIRL WHO LOVED TOM GORDON
"It was very suspenseful. I enjoy hunting and gore, and this book
had plenty of it."
Student Reviewer Becca Hodges (8th grader):
SECOND SUMMER OF THE SISTERHOOD
"Very girlie. Four friends embark on their second summer of adventure."
Student Book Reviewer Jordan Howington (8th grader):
THE HOSTILE HOSPITAL
"You have to read the whole book to
find out what's going on. Very mysterious. I liked it alot."
Student Book Reviewer Brittany Ward (8th grader):
A SUMMER TO DIE
"It's about a girl named Molly. She gets really sick and her sister is in
the hospital. I liked it because I just got into it."
Student Book Reviewer Molly Hannah Wilson (8th grader):
THE NOTEBOOK
"It was really sweet. It was just mushy. If you like a book that will make
you cry, this is it. You can just see it happen."
Student Book Reviewer Willie Ballew (8th grader):
A WRINKLE IN TIME
"Super suspenseful. You never know what's going to happen next."
Student Book Reviewer Zach Hugueley (8th grader):
THE DARK-THIRTY: SOUTHERN TALES OF THE SUPERNATURAL
"A good book. I liked it alot."
We are looking for other student book reviewers. If you are interested in
recommending books on this website to fellow students, see Mrs. Amy in the
library.
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