2008 Printz Award Winner!

Jellicoe Road by Melina Marchetta

My review

rating: 5 of 5 stars
I was incredibly confused in the beginning of this book, but kept on anyway. I'm so glad I did. Taylor Markham's character was so well developed that by the end of the book I was almost going crazy hoping that things would "work out"...as well as they can when so many people in her life had already died. I completely fell in love with the boy she fell in love with along with her. The story within a story enchanted me completely. This book is definitely for sophisticated teens who can handle the necessary development in the beginning of the book.


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New book!

Max is here! We have two copies available at the library. Stop by, call or go on sailsinc.org to place a hold. See you in the library!

The Angel Experiment by James Patterson

My review

rating: 5 of 5 stars
Now I know what all the hype is about! So many teens have told me to try this series, but for some reason I put it off. Now that the 5th book is being released tomorrow, though, I thought I'd better finally give it a try. WOW. Maximum Ride is an unbelievably awesome character with wings, incredible leadership abilities and a pretty difficult destiny (save the world)...plus she's only 14. The rest of the flock: Fang, Gasman, Iggy, Angel and Nudge are mutants, as well, on the run from the Erasers and the rest of the Whitecoats from the School. Really all Max wants is information and the ability to live free...

I can't wait to read the second book! I'm actually glad to be reading this series now because I can blow through all five without waiting. :)


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Graceling by Kristin Cashore

My review

rating: 5 of 5 stars
Katsa lives in a world with seven kingdoms and seven Kings where some people are Graced, meaning they have special powers (and two different colored eyes). Katsa's Grace allows her to fight with incredible skill and at incredible odds. She never loses and she never tires. When Katsa meets Prince Po, a Graced prince from a nearby kingdom, she finally gets to fight someone with skills that rival her own. This book is full of adventure, romance and suspense. Katsa is one of the strongest heroines I've ever met (and I can't believe this is the author's first book!).


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Hooray for youtube!

Thanks to all 19 of you who came out to watch videos! I promise there will be a next time since this was SO popular. Here are the videos we watched:

Hip Hop Treadmill Fail
Charlie Bit my Finger—Again!
Exercise Ball to the Face
Kittens Inspired by Kittens!
Bizkit the Sleepwalking Dog
Charlie—Candy Mountain
The Evil Eye
Evil Strawberry
The Llama Song
Insane Driver
Funny Farm
Tokyo Dance Trooper
Very Angry Talking Cat
Talking Dogs
Bears Begging for Food
American Idol: Worst Singer Ever
Dog Bites Own Leg
Funny Cats
Bigfoot and Snasquatch
Home Invasion on Tape!
Sneezing Panda
Top 15 Worst Soccer Bloopers
Charlie’s Gift
Charlie the Unicorn 2
AAA amazing basketball shots

Next time, be sure to send all your video recommendations to lgardner at sailsinc dot org!!

My Fair Godmother by Janette Rallison

My review

rating: 3 of 5 stars
Read this in less than 24 hours! Savannah's older sister Jane steals her boyfriend and Savannah is devastated. In walks her fair (not fairy, but fair b/c her grades aren't that hot) godmother, Chrissy Everhart with three wishes for Savannah and a cranky leprechaun as an assistant. The chaos that ensues when Chrissy messes up Savannah's three wishes is pretty funny. Savannah ends up in the Middle Ages as first Cinderella, then Snow White and finally herself (but she has to help her classmate become a prince). I'm a fan of the reimagined fairy tale, so all of this was interesting, but certain sections of this book are too rushed. I found the end especially disappointing.


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Happy Snow Day!

It's actually my day off, so no bonus day for me... I hope the rest of you enjoy the snow day, though! We have a TAG meeting tomorrow at 4 p.m. and lots of fun events next week:

YouTube Viewing Party
Wednesday, March 11 6:45 p.m.
Send me your favorite YouTube videos (comments after this post is great!).
We'll watch them all and vote on the best.
Popcorn will be served. :)

Teen Game Day
Friday, March 13 3 - 5 p.m.
Mario Kart, Guitar Hero (World Tour? JP?), DDR, etc.
also classics like Twister & Catch Phrase. I know you guys love those!!

The Demigod Files by Rick Riordan

My review

rating: 4 of 5 stars
I did not know what to expect when I saw that Percy Jackson author Rick Riordan was releasing The Demigod Files before the fifth and final book of the series. While not essential to understanding the storyline of Percy Jackson and his mythical adventures, The Demigod Files is definitely worth the read. Besides containing interviews with the main characters, a few puzzles and a map of Camp Half-Blood, the book has three mini-quests involving Percy that take place between book four and the upcoming book five. In each, Percy narrowly avoids death. In one, he almost kisses Annabeth! Fans of the series should not miss this companion novel.


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Palace of Mirrors by Margaret Peterson Haddix

My review

rating: 4 of 5 stars
Cecilia has grown up knowing that she is the "one true princess" despite the fact that she lives hidden away in a small village disguised as a poor orphan. Sir Stephen, a knight, teaches her in secret and tells her of a future as queen. When tragedy strikes, though, Cecilia must immediately make way to the castle to claim her destiny. This book was clever! The twist near the end caught me completely off guard. I read Just Ella quite a long time ago, but was pleased to see Ella make an appearance in this book. I wouldn't call this a sequel but maybe a companion novel to Just Ella.


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