Seahawks Library Blog

2012-01-26T13:29:00.000-08:00

A Girl Named Mister

by Nikki Grimes

Summary: A pregnant teenager finds support and forgiveness from God through a book of poetry presented from the Virgin Mary's perspective.

Mrs. Turner's BookTweet: This book in verse was a quick read but extremely poignant. I was moved by Mister's voice and struggles. I couldn't put it down, and at the end I wanted to know more about this young woman.

2012-01-25T13:08:00.000-08:00

The Magic Thief

by Sarah Prineas

Summary: Conn's life is forever changed when he tries to pick the pocket of the wizard Nevery and instead gets a strong jolt of magic, but, instead of punishing the boy, Nevery takes Conn under his wing, teaches him magic, and enlists his help in finding the person responsible for stealing the city's dwindling magic supply.

Mrs. Turner's BookTweet: A light fantasy read with enough quirky characters to keep you interested. For even more fun, you can go on Sarah Prineas' website at http://www.magicthief.com/ to do activities related to the book!

2012-01-17T13:28:00.000-08:00

Crossed

by Allie Condie

Summary: Cassia, having arrived in the Outer Provinces in search of Ky, learns he has escaped from the Society and follows a series of clues he left, which result in rebellion, betrayal, and a surprise visit from Xander.

Mrs. Turner's BookTweet: Rarely do I think a sequel is as good as the original book, but this is an exception! Condie once again entrances her audience in this sequel to Matched. If you liked the Hunger Games trilogy, don't pass this one up!

2012-01-09T12:43:00.000-08:00

What's Bugging Bailey Blecker

by Gail Donovan

Summary: When fifth-grader Bailey, who lives on an island off the coast of Maine, suffers a series of setbacks, including a lice outbreak at school, it will take every ounce of her determination and the help of new school friends to get everything back together.

Mrs. Turner's BookTweet: A sweet story about Bailey Blecker whose year is not going the way she planned. This is a quick, feel-good read.

2012-01-02T06:48:00.000-08:00

Rosebush

by Michele Jaffe

Summary: Jane wakes up in the hospital after being the victim of a hit-and-run, and, as people come to visit her, she begins to piece together facts about the accident, which she believes was an attack, as well as the death of her best friend, and grows suspicious of everyone she encounters.

Mrs. Turner's BookTweet: I love a good mystery, and this was no expection! I couldn't decide who did it and was surprised in the end!

2012-01-02T06:44:00.000-08:00

Wicked Girls

by Stephanie Hemphill

Summary: A fictionalized account, told in verse, of the Salem witch trails, told from the perspective of three young women living in Salem in 1692 -- Mercy Lewis, Margaret Walcott, and Ann Putnam, Jr.

Mrs. Turner's BookTweet: Many tales have been woven about the truth behind the Salem Witch Trials, but never before have I encountered one so reviting! I was hooked from the first couple verses and was eager to find out what the girls' motivations were.

2012-01-02T06:41:00.000-08:00

The Melting of Maggie Bean

by Tricia Rayburn

Summary: Hoping to make new friends and gain teh attention of her crush, Peter Applewood, overweight, straight-A student Maggie Bean, decides to try out for the synchronized swim team.

Mrs. Turner's BookTweet: Sweet, funny, and thoughtful! This book was as motivational as it was touching. I was rooting for Maggie Bean!

2011-12-05T07:19:00.000-08:00

Okay for Now

by Gary Schmidt

Summary: Fourteen-year-old Doug Swieteck faces many challenges, including an abusive father, a brother traumatized by Vietnam, suspicious teachers and police officers, and isolation, but when he meets a girl known as Lil Spicer, he develops a close relationship with her and finds a safe place at the local library.

Mrs. Turner's BookTweet: You are rooting for Doug from the first page. Against all odds, you want him to succeed. A realistic tale with a heartfelt nod to the 60s and what it was like for the average family during the Vietnam War.

2011-11-28T07:35:00.000-08:00

Water Wars

by Cameron Stracher

Summary: In a world overshadowed by the Great Panic, precious water is hoarded. Vera and her older brother Will befriend the mysterious Kai, who seems to have an unlimited resource of water. When he disappears, they realize the world's salvation depends on their ability to keep one boy alive.

Mrs. Turner's BookTweet: Captivating from beginning to end. If you're a fan of Matched or Hunger Games, try this one out!

2011-10-24T07:36:00.000-07:00

The Last Little Blue Envelope

by Maureen Johnson

Summary: Seventeen-year-old Ginny Blackstone precipitously travels from her home in New Jersey to London when she receives a message from an unknown man telling her he has the letters that were stolen just before she completed a series of mysterious tasks assigned by her now dead aunt, an artist.

Mrs. Turner's BookTweet: This sequel to 13 Little Blue Envelopes doesn't disappoint. Ginny heads back to Europe and adventure ensues once more!

2011-09-16T10:15:00.000-07:00

The Grimm Legacy

by Polly Shulman

Summary: New York high school student Elizabeth gets an after-school job as a page at the "New-York Circulating Material Repository," and when she gains coveted access to its Grimm Collection of magical objects, she and the other pages are drawn into a series of frightening adventures involving mythical creatures and stolen goods.

Mrs. Turner's BookTweet: It took me a couple chapters to get into this book, but I greatly enjoyed the references to the Grimm Fairy Tales and I was rooting for Elizabeth and her friends throughout the book.

Book Club

2011-09-01T11:16:00.000-07:00

Our first Book Club meeting of the 2011-2012 school year was Thursday, September 1st during all three lunches! We ate lunch, talked about great books, and planned future meetings/activities. Join us next time on Thursday, October 6th during your lunch! Stop by the library before then to get a pass so you can attend!

2011-08-29T08:02:00.000-07:00

Babe in Boyland

by Jody Gehrman

Summary: When Natalie's love-help column in her high school paper begins to bomb, she decides to go undercover as a boy in a private all-boys boarding school in order to find out what boys really think.

Mrs. Turner's BookTweet: The pages definitely kept turning with this book! I couldn't wait to find out if Natalie would get her answers and how the convulted mess she got herself into would work out!

2011-08-10T12:31:00.000-07:00

The Poison Diaries

by Maryrose Wood

Summary: In the late eighteenth-century Northumberland, England, sixteen-year old Jessamine Luxton and the mysterious Weed uncover the horrible secrets of poisons growing in Thomas Luxton's apothecary garden.

Mrs. Turner's BookTweet: Quite an intriguing premise. The end of the book was a bit far-fetched and not what I expected, but overall it was an interesting read.

2011-07-19T17:43:00.000-07:00

Brain Jack

by Brian Falker

Summary: In a near-future New York City, fourteen-year-old computer genius Sam Wilson manages to hack into the AT&T network and sets off a chain of events that have a profound effect on human activity throughout the world.

Mrs. Turner's BookTweet: This book is nothing if not thought-provoking. What if computers could take over our brains? What if advances in technology today hurt us in the future? Hold on to the edge of your seat during this one.

2011-07-19T17:40:00.000-07:00

Heist Society

by Ally Carter

Summary: ifteen-year-old Kat schemes her way into the best boarding school, hoping to leave the thieving antics of her family behind her, but Hal, a former co-conspirator, appears on campus to tell Kat that a powerful mobster believes her father stole art from a priceless collection, and in order to save him, Kat will have to recover the paintings.

Mrs. Turner's BookTweet: This book is just plain fun! This group of young con artists are endearing and real despite their very unreal situation.

2011-07-19T17:38:00.000-07:00

After Ever After

by Jordan Sonnenblick

Summary: Although Jeff and Tad, encouraged by a new friend, Lindsey, make a deal to help one another overcome aftereffects of their cancer treatments in preparation for eighth-grade graduation, Jeff still craves advice from his older brother Stephen, who is studying drums in Africa.

Mrs. Turner's BookTweet: This novel packs as much punch as its companion novel, Drums, Girls, and Dangerous Pie. This is Sonnenblick at his finest. Be prepared to be moved.

2011-07-19T17:35:00.000-07:00

The Christopher Killer

by Alane Ferguson

Summary: On the payroll as an assistant to her coroner father, seventeen-year-old Cameryn Mahoney uses her knowledge of forensic medicine to catch the killer of a friend while putting herself in terrible danger.

Mrs. Turner's BookTweet: Engrossing from the first page, this novel honestly gave me the jitters and made me scared of the dark. If you're looking for an edge of your seat mystery, this is the one for you.

2011-07-19T17:32:00.000-07:00

Palace of Mirrors
by Margaret Peterson Haddix
Summary: Fourteen-year-old Cecilia has always known she is the true princess of Suala, but when she and her best friend, Harper, decide to speed up her ascendancy to the throne, they find danger and many imposters who challenge her claim.

Mrs. Turner's BookTweet: An interesting twist on historical fiction with plenty of action and a strong female heroine.

2011-06-07T12:30:00.000-07:00

Dodger and Me

by Jordan Sonnenblick

Summary: Miserable because his only friend moved away and he has once again caused his baseball team to lose a game, fifth-grader Willy Ryan's life suddenly becomes a lot more interesting when he finds Dodger, a furry, blue chimpanzee that only he can see, and he has to decide what he really wishes for in life.

Mrs. Turner's BookTweet: A quick, light read about the choices you make and their unintended consequences.

Students Review Books!

2011-05-31T06:32:00.000-07:00

More Fun With Glogster!

2011-05-23T12:03:00.001-07:00

Check out these student-made glogs about books in our library!

2011-05-03T08:49:00.000-07:00

Matched

by Allie Condie

Summary: Cassia has always had complete trust in the Society to make decisions for her, but when she is being paired with her ideal mate, a second face flashes on the screen, and Cassia begins to doubt the Society's infallibility as she tries to decide which man she truly loves.

Mrs. Turner's BookTweet: If you like dystopian literature like Lois Lowry's The Giver or Suzanne Collins's Hunger Games triology, you'll loved Matched. I was hooked from the first page and couldn't put it down.

Fun with Glogster!

2011-04-25T08:19:00.000-07:00

Check out these glogs your peers made about some books in our library!

2011-04-25T06:27:00.000-07:00

Trance

by Linda Gerber

Summary: Ashlyn was unable to use her visions of the future to save her mother's life, but as she begins to understand and control them somewhat, she realizes that love interest Jake is the subject of her most recent trances.

Mrs. Turner's BookTweet: Highly intriguing premise that sucked me in from the first page. While I figured out Ashlyn's vision before it was revealed, it didn't take away from the entertainment of the story.

2011-04-25T06:23:00.000-07:00

Fat Cat

by Robin Brande

Summary: Overweight teenage Catherine embarks on a high school science project in which she must emulate the ways of hominims, the earliest ancestors of human beings, by eating an all-natural diet and foregoing technology.

Mrs. Turner's BookTweet: A refreshing look at a teen's struggle with weight. This is an issue that plagues many teens, but this student actually goes about it the right way...for a grade. Highly engrossing from the first page.

2011-04-25T06:20:00.000-07:00

A Kiss in Time

by Alex Flinn

Summary: Sixteen-year-old Princess Talia persuades Jack, the modern-day American who kissed her awake after a three-hundred-year sleep, to take her to his Miami home, where she hopes to win his love before the witch who cursed her can spirit her away.

Mrs. Turner's BookTweet: A story by the author of Beastly that is almost as good. Flinn is a master of the updated fairy tale, and this book told in alternating views of the princess and her "knight" is entertaining, hilarious, and sweet.

2011-03-03T10:52:00.000-08:00

Kiss Me, Kill Me

by Lauren Henderson

Summary: Longing to be part of the in-crowd at her exclusive London school, orphaned, sixteen-year-old Scarlett, a trained gymnast, eagerly accepts an invitation to a party whose disastrous outcome changes her life forever.

Mrs. Turner's BookTweet: An intriguing premise that kept me turning the pages, this book is unique and has just the right amount of angst and mystery. The end was a bit quick, but it does leave you ready for the sequel.

District "Minute to Get It"

2011-02-23T07:09:00.000-08:00

Two teams from Scoggins went on to the first annual district "Minute to Get It" competition on Saturday, February 19th at Griffin Middle School. Both teams competed well and won! The second place district winners were Nic Coe adn Megan Krodel and the third place district winners were Brett Lewis and Noah Chalker. Congratulations to our district "Minute to Get It" winners!

Minute to Get It!

2011-02-18T13:51:00.000-08:00

On Tuesday, March 15th the Scoggins Library hosted the first annual "Minute to Get It" event. Students participated in skill and knowledge activities.

And congratulations to our winners - Garrett Locke and Deontae Hill!

2011-02-15T08:04:00.000-08:00

Forgive My Fins

by Tera Lynn Childs

Summary: Lily Sanderson, half human and half mermaid, is a Thalassinian princess living on land and attending Seaview High School. There, she meets and falls in love with fellow classmate Brody Bennett, and as she tries to win his heart, she ends up causing a major case of mistaken identity.

Mrs. Turner's BookTweet: I was immediately sucked in by the premise, wanting to know what the merworld was like. The constant trips back to Thalassinia become redundant, but in the end it was a satisfying read.

2011-02-15T08:01:00.000-08:00

The Karma Club

by Jessica Brody

Summary: When high school senior Maddy catches her boyfriend cheating on her, she devises a complicated plan to get revenge.

Mrs. Turner's BookTweet: An entertaining story where the girl's wrong-doings lead to actual life-realizations.

2011-01-27T06:28:00.000-08:00

The Seventh Level

by Jody Feldman

Summary: Twelve-year-old Travis is invited to become a member of The Legend, Lauer Middle School's most exclusive secret society, but first he must solve seven puzzles.

Mrs. Turner's BookTweet: The puzzles Travis has to solve are intriguing and it's entertaining to try to figure them out before he does. Quick, fast-paced read.

2011-01-05T10:16:00.000-08:00

The Karma Club

by Jessica Brody

Summary: When high school senior Maddy catches her boyfriend cheating on her, she devises a complicated plan to get revenge.

Mrs. Turner's BookTweet: Interesting concept about a girl trying to make her own Karma. Quick, light read.

2011-01-03T07:23:00.000-08:00

Wereling

by Steve Feasley

Summary: Fourteen-year-old Trey Laporte tries to uncover his true identity after his long-lost "uncle," Lucien Charron, shows up, a strange power consumes him, and demons being to close in on him.

Mrs. Turner's BookTweet: This supernatural offering took me a little while to get into, but once you see Trey transform into a werewolf for the first time it really heats up. Check this out for a detailed look at the shock one would receive to discover they're a werewolf and there's an entire world of supernatural beings never known to them before.

Our Winning Kormania Team!

2010-12-16T06:31:00.000-08:00

Congratulations to our winning Kormania team, Briggs' Bookworms, who read 36,301 pages! They participated in a Tie Dye party to congratulation them on their efforts! Way to go!

Kormania Scavenger Hunt

2010-12-07T08:00:00.000-08:00

Monday, December 6th Briggs' Bookworms, the leading Kormania team in pages read, was invited to participate in a scavenger hunt looking for the Seahawks' mascot, Squawk.

Congratulations to our winning team!

Student Book Reviews

2010-12-02T07:47:00.001-08:00

Students, post book reviews of books you've read here!

2010-11-17T10:43:00.000-08:00

Dirty Little Secrets

by C. J. Omololu

Summary: When her unstable mother dies unexpectedly, sixteen-year-old Lucy must take control and find a way to keep the long-held secret of her mother's compulsive hoarding from being revealed to friends, neighbors, and especially the media.

Mrs. Turner's BookTweet: This book was engrossing from the first page. The descriptions the author uses are sometimes are extremely realistic and cause a mix of emotions from sadness to hope.

2010-11-12T09:35:00.000-08:00

Forget-Her-Nots

by Amy Brecount White

Summary: At a Charlottesville, Virginia, boarding school, fourteen-year-old Laurel realizes that she shares her deceased mother's connection with flowers, but as she begins to learn their ancient language and share it with other students, she discovers powers that are beyond her control.

Mrs. Turner's BookTweet: A sweet tale about loss and hope. The intertwining of the story with Laurel's unique ability with flowers is intriguing and made me want to find out what different flowers meant so I could give them to others to express my feelings.

2010-11-08T07:39:00.000-08:00

Vampire Rising

by Jason Henderson

Summary: At a boarding school in Switzerland, fourteen-year-old Alex Van Helsing learns that vampires are real, that he has a natural ability to sense them, and that an agency called Polidorium ha been helping his family fight them since 1821.

Mrs. Turner's BookTweet: Fun take on a vampire tale. This one is action-packed and includes some interesting historical allusions to some pretty notorious horror stories like Frankenstein.

Rock Band Contest!

2010-11-05T09:16:00.000-07:00

Kormania Activity #3, a Rock Band Contest, took place Thursday, November 4th after school!

Our winners were as follows:

Guitar Greatness-
Bailey Hinkle
Hudson Schwartz
Colton Pollei-Stevens
Kaleb Killis

Singing Sensations-
Teighlor Little
Kate Akerman
Abi Dolch
Tamia Jones

Dynamic Drumming-
Sam Yager

Congratulations to these students!

2010-10-29T06:07:00.000-07:00

Falling In

by Frances O'Roark Dowell

Summary: Middle-schooler Isabelle Bean follows a mouse's squeak into a closet and falls into a parallel universe where the children believe she is the witch they have feared for years, finally come to devour them.

Mrs. Turner's BookTweet: A quick, cute read about a girl who can see beyond the every day. Fairy tale elements abound and while it is usually bothersome to have the author cutting in to the story to talk directly to the reader, this style fits in this book.

2010-10-26T12:54:00.001-07:00

13 Treasures

by Michelle Harrison

Summary: Bedeviled by evil fairies that only she can see, thirteen-year-old Tanya is sent to stay with her cold and distant grandmother at Elvesden Manor, where she and the caretaker's son solve a disturbing mystery that leads them to the discovery that Tanya's life is in danger.

Ms. Turner's BookTweet: A fairy adventure with a mystery twist. Great for mystery and supernatural lovers alike! Suspenseful to the end with some unexpected twists and turns. Not your average fairy book.

Kormania Madness!

2010-10-20T11:45:00.001-07:00

Congratulations to the following Kormania teams who reached 5,000 miles and were able to participate in our first activity:

Briggs' Bookworms
Murray Madness
Rising Readers

These teams were allowed to participate in Team Building activities in the courtyard.

Keep reading, Seahawks, so you can participate in our next activity: Trade Day. Remember, you can go miles with Kormania!

2010-10-11T07:44:00.000-07:00

Gotta Get Some Bish Bash Bosh

by M. E. Allen

Summary: After getting dumped by his girlfriend, a fourteen-year-old English boy attempts to change his image.

Mrs. Turner's BookTweet: Funny, quick read which accurately portrays the trials of midlde and high school and the uncertainty of dating.

2010-10-04T12:56:00.000-07:00

Love Puppies and Corner Kicks

by R. W. Krech

Summary: Thirteen-year-old Andrea is devastated when her parents announce that the family is moving to Scotland for a year-long teacher exchange program, but as she makes new friends, joins a soccer team, and her stutter improves, life does not seem so bad.

Mrs. Turner's BookTweet: Cute, short book about a girl dealing with moving and her first love. Also a good look at balancing your interests, whether they be sports or otherwise, with your social life.

2010-09-20T09:33:00.000-07:00

Bruiser

by Neal Shusterman

Summary: Inexplicable events start to occur when sixteen-year-old twins Tennyson and Bronte befriend a troubled and misunderstood outcast, aptly nicknamed Bruiser, and his little brother, Cody.

Mrs. Turner's BookTweet: Engrossing from the first page, this book will make you anxious to keep reading. What kind of pain would you give away if you could?

2010-09-16T12:59:00.000-07:00

Chains

by Laurie Halse Anderson

Summary: After being sold to a cruel couple in New York City, a slave named Isabel spies for the rebels during the Revolutionary War.

Mrs. Turner's BookTweet: While the book took me a bit to get into, the historical details are spot on and the plot is extremely realistic of the way in which slaves were treated at the time.

2010-09-14T07:09:00.000-07:00

No More Dead Dogs

by Gordon Korman

Summary: Eighth-grade football hero Wallace Wallace is sentenced to detention attending rehearsals of the school play where, in spite of himself, he becomes wrapped up in the production and begins to suggest changes that improve not only the play but his life as well.

Mrs. Turner's BookTweet: A realistic look at a middle schooler's trials and triumphs as they try to find their place in the school. Comical and light-hearted to be sure.

2010-09-13T06:31:00.000-07:00

Cut

by Patricia McCormick

Summary: While confined to a mental hospital, thirteen-year-old Callie slowly comes to understand some of the reasons behind her self-mutilation, and gradually starts to get better.

Mrs. Turner's BookTweet: This is a realistic look at several different teens with varying emotional difficulties ranging from cutting themselves to eating disorders. The reader is hooked wondering what will happen with each of the young girls.

2010-08-27T11:33:00.000-07:00

Mockingjay

by Suzanne Collins

Summary: Katniss Everdeen, having survived the Hunger Games twice, learns she and her family and friends are in danger because the Capitol holds her responsible for the unrest and races against time to protect those she cares about and the people of District 12.

Mrs. Turner's BookTweet: Suzanne Collins doesn't disappoint with this last book in the Hunger Games trilogy. Full of action, social commentary, and plot twists and turns, Mockingjay is the conclusion to the triology I was waiting with bated breath for. And don't worry about ambiguous endings. Collins provides food for thought, but she also wraps it up.

Where the Red Fern Grows

2010-08-23T12:16:00.001-07:00

2010-08-11T12:52:00.000-07:00

The Demon King

by Cinda Williams Chima

Summary: Relates the intertwining fates of former street gang leader Han Alister and headstrong Princess Raisa, as Han takes possession of an amulet that once belonged to an evil wizard and Raisa uncovers a conspiracy in the Grey Wolf Court.

Ms. Turner's BookTweet: The magic aspects with the historical fiction are engrossing. While it took me a few chapters to get interested, once the action began, I was hooked. This is the first in a series.

2010-07-09T11:48:00.000-07:00

The Season

by Sarah MacLean

Summary: Seventeen-year-old Alexandra must adjust her personality for her mother's expectations of an aristocratic lady--in order for her to attract a suitable husband--but when Alex decides to help the brooding and handsome Gavin solve the mystery behind his father's death, she risks her heart along with her reputation.

Ms. Turner's BookTweet: I was pulled in from the first chapter. Alex is a truly endearing character, as are both of her friends, Ella and Vivi.

2010-07-07T06:15:00.000-07:00

Pop

by Gordon Korman

Summary: Lonely after a midsummer move to a new town, sixteen-year-old high-school quarterback Marcus Jordan becomes friends with a retired professional linebacker who is great at training him, but whose childish behavior keeps Marcus in hot water.

Ms. Turner's BookTweet: A sports book with heart and soul. I couldn't put this one down. This is Korman at his best.

2010-07-05T05:55:00.000-07:00

How to Ruin Your Boyfriend's Reputation

by Simone Elkeles

Summary: Spoiled Amy Nelson-Barak is excited about going to see her boyfriend, who is in the Israeli Army, until Amy learns that she has to take basic training and her boyfriend is going to be her commanding officer.

Ms. Turner's BookTweet: The unique aspect of this novel is the setting. Fun, light read about teenage romance.

2010-07-05T05:52:00.000-07:00

The Maze Runner

by James Dasner

Summary: Sixteen-year-old Thomas wakes up with no memory in the middle of a maze and realizes he must work with the community in which he finds himself if he is to escape.

Ms. Turner's BookTweet: While the premise is intriguing, the novel takes a little while to take off. The reader has to get over the fact that they won't know what's going on for the majority of the book, but once you get past the first several chapters, the novel takes off. This is the first book in a series.

2010-07-05T05:50:00.000-07:00

Swindle

by Gordon Korman

Summary: After unscrupulous collector S. Wendell Palamino cons him out of a valuable baseball card, sixth-grader Griffin Bing puts together a band of misfits to break into Palomino's heavily guarded store and steal the card back, planning to use the money to finance his father's failing invention, the Smart Pick fruit picker.

Ms. Turner's BookTweet: This first introduction to the "dream team" of Griffin, Ben, Savannah, Logan, Pitch, and Melissa is a quick, fun read. Also read Zoobreak, the next in the series.

2010-06-21T11:51:00.001-07:00

Zoobreak

by Gordon Korman

Summary: After a class trip to a floating zoo where animals are mistreated and Savannah's missing pet monkey is found in a cage, Long Island sixth-grader Griffin Bing and his band of misfits plan a rescue.

Ms. Turner's BookTweet: Another engrossing read by Gordon Korman. This sequel to Swindle doesn't disappoint. You don't have to have read the first book to understand the plot of this one.

2010-06-21T11:48:00.000-07:00

Waiting for Normal

by Leslie Connor

Summary: Twelve-year-old Addie tries to cope with her mother's erratic behavior and being separated from her beloved stepfather and half-sisters when she and her mother go to live in a small trailer by the railroad tracks on the outskirts of Schenectady, New York.

Ms. Turner's BookTweet: Moving and sad, this book paints a realistic portrayal of what it means for someone to be neglected and forgotten by one of the only people who should always be by your side, your mother.

2010-06-08T06:32:00.000-07:00

The Chosen One

By Carol Lynch Williams

Summary: In a polygamous cult in the desert, Kyra, not yet fourteen, sees being chosen to be the seventh wife of her uncle as just punishment for having read books and kissed a boy in violation of Prophet Childs' teachings, and is torn between facing her fate and running away from all that she knows and loves.

Ms. Turner's BookTweet: As I read this book, I alternated between disgust, fear, and sadness. This book really tugs at the emotions and has you worried about Kyra and all of the characters in the book.

2010-06-08T06:30:00.000-07:00

Remembering Raquel

by Vivian Vande Velde

Summary: After Raquel is killed in a car accident, her fellow classmates, friends, and family members, as well as the woman responsible for her death, reflect on Raquel's life and how her passing has changed their own lives.

Ms. Turner's BookTweet: Engrossing. I finished this book in a matter of two hours because I couldn't put it down. What would people say about you after you died?

2010-06-08T06:27:00.000-07:00

The Red Necklace

by Sally Gardner

Summary: In the late eighteenth-century, Sido, the twelve-year-old daughter of a self-indulgent marquis, and Yann, a fourteen-year-old Gypsy orphan raised to perform in a magic show, face a common enemy at the start of the French Revolution.

Ms. Turner's BookTweet: Murders, intrigue, and magic abound in this book. The cover is unfortunate as it doesn't show the true nature of the book. Definitely a book for boys and girls alike.

2010-05-20T13:45:00.000-07:00

Written in Bone

by Sally Walker

Summary: Reports on the work of forensic scientists who are excavating grave sites in James Fort, in Jamestown, Virginia, to understand who lived in the Chesapeake Bay area in the 1600s and 1700s; and uncovers the lives of a teenage boy, a ship's captain, a colonial officer, an African slave girl, and others.

Ms. Turner's BookTweet: Intriguing and fascinating book that makes you wonder about people from the past.

2010-05-10T05:44:00.001-07:00

Donut Days

by Lara Zielin

Summery: During a camp-out promoting the opening of a donut shop in a small Minnesota town, sixteen-year-old Emma, an aspiring journalist, begins to connect an ongoing pollution investigation with the turmoil in the evangelical Christian church where her parents are pastors.

Ms. Turner's BookTweet: While sometimes the plot is a bit forced, Emma's character is believable and is caught in a common plight, whether to choose her own path or follow her parents'.

2010-05-03T08:29:00.000-07:00

Girlfriend Material

by Melissa Kantor

Summary: Kate's hopes for a summer romance are dashed when her mother announces plans to stay with wealthy friends in Cape Cod as a ploy to make Kate's father jealous, but when Kate is introduced to Adam things begin to look brighter.

Ms. Turner's BookTweet: A sweet first-time romance. Kate's awkwardness about boys is endearing and makes her a very real character.

2010-05-03T08:27:00.000-07:00

Bonechiller

by Graham McNamee

Summary: Four high school students face off against a soul-stealing beast that has been making young people disappear in their small Ontario, Canada, town for centuries.

Ms. Turner's BookTweet: Not a terribly scary "horror" story, but entertaining nonetheless as the kids race against the clock to take the beast down before it takes them.

2010-04-26T06:11:00.000-07:00

Fire

by Kristin Cashore

Summary: In a kingdom called the Dells, Fire is the last human-shaped monster, with unimaginable beauty and the ability to control the minds of those around her, but even with these gifts she cannot escape the strife that overcomes her world.

Ms. Turner's BookTweet: While this story took slightly longer to become engrossed in than Graceling, the world Cashore paints is just as inviting and full of drama. And a young Leck adds drama to the novel.

Rock Band Contest!

2010-04-22T06:39:00.000-07:00

We held our Read It Forward Rock Band Contest on Wednesday, April 21st in the library! The kids had a blast and we had several true rockers!

Our contest winners were:
Devin Benjamin (guitar)
Brian Sherrell (drums)
Karley Degering (singing)

I do have to say, really I won the drum competition, but being a teacher I was disqualified. :)

Keep reading it forward, Seahawks!

2010-04-12T06:28:00.000-07:00

Artichoke's Heart

by Suzanne Supplee

Summary: When she is almost sixteen years old, Rosemary decides she is sick of being overweight, mocked at school and at Heavenly Hair--her mother's beauty salon--and feeling out of control, and as she slowly loses weight, she realizes that she is able to cope with her mother's cancer, having a boyfriend for the first time, and discovering that other people's lives are not as perfect as they seem from the outside.

Ms. Turner's BookTweet: Sweet and down-to-earth. An honest look at one girl's struggle with weight.

2010-04-05T07:40:00.000-07:00

Killer Pizza

by Greg Taylor

Summary: While working as summer employees in a local pizza parlor, three teenagers are recruited by an underground organization of monster hunters.

Ms. Turner's BookTweet: This book reminds a of the old horror films where it's not scary, but it's fun nonetheless.

2010-03-22T07:41:00.000-07:00

Slob

by Ellen Potter

Summary: Picked on, overweight genius Owen tries to invent a television that can see the past to find out what happened the day his parents were killed.

Ms. Turner's BookTweet: Potter's characters are realistic and compelling. Owen drives this unique story about trying to make up for past mistakes and moving forward after horrific events.

2010-03-12T10:39:00.000-08:00

Seahawks Rock!

Introducting....The Band!

Mr. Heinrich, back-up guitar, Ms. Turner, drummer, Ms. Carothers, singer, Ms. Taylor, Opera Star, Ms. Titus, bassist, and Mr. Groves, Lead Guitar.

The Band had a blast performing at the Teacher Rock Show on March 2nd. Maybe we should go on tour! Keep reading it forward!

2010-02-16T05:51:00.000-08:00

Little Black Lies

by Tish Cohen

Summary: Starting her junior year at an ultra-elite Boston school, sixteen-year-old Sara, hoping to join the popular crowd, hides that her father not only is the school janitor, but also has obsessive-compulsive disorder.

Ms. Turner's BookTweet: The girls at Anton aren't just bad, their downright horrible. This book is your typical good girl goes wrong when she has to impress the bad girls, though. Sara is truly memorable with her OCD father and her feelings of inadequacy.

2010-02-16T05:49:00.000-08:00

My Life in Pink and Green

by Lisa Greenwald

Summary: When the family's drugstore is failing, seventh-grader Lucy uses her problem-solving talents to come up with a solution that might resuscitate the business, along with helping the environment.

Ms. Turner's BookTweet: Lucy is a determined 7th grader who doesn't take no for an answer. Cute story about one girl's drive and desire to help her family.

2010-02-08T07:16:00.000-08:00

Impossible

by Nancy Werlin

Summary: When seventeen-year-old Lucy discovers her family is under an ancient curse by an evil Elfin Knight, she realizes that she must perform three impossible tasks before her daughter is born to break the curse and to save them both.

Ms. Turner's BookTweet: This book was engrossing. While somewhat predictable in places, the love story is sweet.

2010-02-01T07:14:00.000-08:00

When Zachary Beaver Came to Town

by Kimberly Willis Holt

Summary: During the summer of 1971 in a small Texas town, thirteen-year-old Toby and his best friend Cal meet the star of a sideshow act, 600-pound Zachary, the fattest boy in the world.

Ms. Turner's BookTweet: Zachary Beaver is a realistic character with real world problems. A great look at small town America and the struggles all teens go through.

2010-01-19T07:10:00.000-08:00

Heaven Looks A Lot Like a Mall

by Wendy Mass

Summary: After an accident in gym class puts sixteen-year-old Tessa into a coma, she re-evaluates her life by visiting the mall stores where significant events in her life took place.

Ms. Turner's BookTweet: A quick read in free-verse. Tessa's journey is told through the items she has gotten at the mall and quickly shows her life story in a unique and interesting way.

2010-01-11T05:37:00.000-08:00

Fairest

by Gail Carson Levine

Summary: In the Kingdom of Ayortha, Aza, an unattractive woman with a magical voice, learns to balance her appearance with her talent, meanwhile, her singing attracts both Prince Ijori, who cannot resist it, and Queen Ivi, who plots to use it to benefit herself.

Ms. Turner's BookTweet: While I didn't really enjoy this novel, those of you that are looking for a nontraditional fantasy where the heroine is not the typical beauty might enjoy it.

2010-01-07T18:23:00.000-08:00

The Truth About Forever

by Sarah Dessen

Summary: The summer following her father's death, Macy plans to work at the library and wait for her brainy boyfriend to return from camp, but instead she goes to work at a catering business where she makes new friends and finally faces her grief.

Ms. Turner's BookTweet: A sweet romance. While predictable in parts, the relationship between Macy and Wes is unique in its honesty. Macy's emotions about her father are very real and will ring true to anyone who has lost someone.

2010-01-01T19:56:00.000-08:00

Food, Girls, and Other Things I Can't Have

by Allen Zadoff

This book was recommended to me by one of my great library aides, Hart. Thanks!

Summary: Fifteen-year-old Andrew Zansky, the second fattest student at his high school, joins the varsity football team to get the attention of a new girl on whom he has a crush.

Ms. Turner's BookTweet: I couldn't put this book down! The short 2-3 page chapters make this a quick read, and the main character, Andrew, has a strong voice that can't be ignored.

2010-01-01T19:54:00.000-08:00

The Sweetheart of Prosper County

by Jill S. Alexander

Summary: In a small East Texas town largely ruled by prejudices and bullies, fourteen-year-old Austin sets out to win a ride in the next parade and, in the process, grows in her understanding of friendship and helps her widowed mother through her mourning.

Ms. Turner's BookTweet: The rooster, Charles Dickens, steals the show in this book. A satisfying read and an interesting look at small town America.

2010-01-01T19:51:00.000-08:00

The Cupcake Queen

by Heather Hepler

Summary: While longing to return to life in New York City, thirteen-year-old Penny helps her mother and grandmother run a cupcake bakery in Hog's Hollow, tries to avoid the beastly popular girls, to be a good friend to quirky Tally, and to catch the eye of enigmatic Marcus.

Ms. Turner's BookTweet: A satisfying read with a memorable main character. I had to read this book when I saw the cover, and I wasn't disappointed.

2010-01-01T19:46:00.000-08:00

Gorgeous

by Rachel Vail

Summary: Ninth-grader Allison has always been the least attractive among her sisters, but when she allows the devil to possess her cell phone in exchange for a gorgeous appearance, Allison must confront the power and deceptiveness of appearances.

Ms. Turner's BookTweet: Cute plot line. Occasionally the book seemed to go on a bit too long, but the characters are memorable.

2010-01-01T19:42:00.000-08:00

Jessica's Guide to Dating on the Dark Side

by Beth Fantaskey

Summary: Seventeen-year-old Jessica, adopted and raised in Pennsylvania, learns that she is descended from a royal line of Romanian vampires and that she is betrothed to a vampire prince, who poses as a foreign exchange student while courting her.

Ms. Turner's BookTweet: A fun vampire read. Don't expect any realizations halfway through as you can tell how the book is going to turn out from the very beginning. It is refreshing to see vampires as slightly more human than in most vampire books, though. This book doesn't buy into the Hollywood version of vampires.

2010-01-01T19:39:00.000-08:00

Deep and Dark and Dangerous

by Mary Downing Hahn

Summary: While spending the summer with her aunt and cousin at the family's vacation home in Maine, thirteen-year-old Ali stumbles upon the secret to the childhood tragedy that her mother and aunt have been hiding for over thirty years.

Ms. Turner's BookTweet: A quick read. Not as scary as Hahn's The Lovely Bad Ones. I knew what was going to happen from the beginning, but still an entertaining little ghost story.

2010-01-01T19:37:00.001-08:00

Everwild

by Neal Shusterman

Summary: Nick, enamored with Mary Hightower, leader of a group of Afterlights living in the ruins of the World Trade Center, joins with her and the Chocolate Ogre in a battle to save the land of Everlost.

Ms. Turner's BookTweet: Shusterman's sequel to Everlost doesn't disappoint as this book is chock full of even more fantasy and supernatural elements than the first!

2010-01-01T19:31:00.000-08:00

The Fetch

by Chris Humphreys

Summary: After exploring a sea chest full of runes and a journal belonging to his deceased grandfather, fifteen-year-old Sky summons the old man's ghost, who teaches him how to travel through time and space.

Ms. Turner's BookTweet: This book has plenty of action and a really cool plot in which Sky travels between the lives of his Viking ancestors and present day. Look for the other books in the series, Vendetta and Possession.

We Got a Grant!

2009-12-30T07:08:00.000-08:00

We received a grant for listening centers in the library! Soon we will have centers set up for students to listen to some of our more popular audiobooks. We'll also have portable cd players available for check out so students without cd players can still check out audiobooks!

2009-12-08T07:34:00.000-08:00

Thirteen Reasons Why

by Jay Asher

Summary: High school student Clay Jenkins receives a box in the mail containing seven cassette tapes recorded by his crush, Hannah Baker, who committed suicide, and spends a bewildering and heartbreaking night crisscrossing their town, listening to Hannah's voice recounting the events leading up to her death.

Ms. Turner's BookTweet: One of the most powerful novels I've read in a long time. I had to find out how Hannah had been let down by the people in her life. You can't read this book without wondering how the way you act today affects tomorrow.

2009-11-30T08:35:00.000-08:00

Willow

by Julia Hoban

Summary: Sixteen-year-old Willow, who was driving the car that killed both of her parents, copes with the pain and guilt by cutting herself, until she meets a smart and sensitive boy who is determined to help her stop.

Ms. Turner's BookTweet: An emotionally charged book about a girl dealing with the death of her parents. Her grief comes across as real and authentic.

2009-11-30T08:32:00.000-08:00

Nick of Time

by Ted Bell

Summary: Twelve-year-old Nick McIver tries to help his father and sister send vital information to England about imminent Nazi invasion, until he finds himself transported through time to help his ancestor stop a mutinous captain who is aiding the French fleet and endangering British sailors.

Ms. Turner's BookTweet: An adventurous and fun travel through time. The pirate jargon is particularly fun.

2009-11-30T08:02:00.000-08:00

All the Lovely Bad Ones

by Mary Downing Hahn

Summary: Travis and his sister Corey decide to boost business at their grandmother's Vermont inn by staging a few "hauntings" that soon draw tourists from across the country, but when their antics awaken a dark force, they must find a way to put to rest the ghosts they have disturbed.

Ms. Turner's BookTweet: A quick slightly suspenseful story. The appeal of this ghost story is the back story about how these particular ghosts became ghosts.

2009-11-16T05:43:00.000-08:00

Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Dog Days

by Jeff Kinney

Summary: Greg Heffley recounts his daily experiences during summer vacation as he tries to live out his ultimate fantasy of spending the days indoors playing video games with no responsibilities and no rules, despite his mother's attempts to pack the summer with outdoor activities and family fun.

Ms. Turner's BookTweet: This book delivers chuckles and full out laughs. Everyone can relate to Greg who just wants to spend the summer his way. A fun read.

2009-11-16T05:39:00.000-08:00

Found

by Margaret Peterson Haddix

Summary: When thirteen-year-olds Jonah and Chip, who are both adopted, learn they were discovered on a plane that appeared out of nowhere, full of babies with no adults on board, they realize that they have uncovered a mystery involving time travel and two opposing forces, each trying to repair the fabric of time.

Ms. Turner's BookTweet: A quick read with plenty of action and dectective work as the boys struggle to uncover who they are. First in a series. Look for the sequel, Sent.

2009-11-16T05:37:00.000-08:00

Stormbreaker

by Anthony Horowitz

Summary: After the death of the uncle who had been his guardian, fourteen-year-old Alex Rider is coerced to continue his uncle's dangerous work for Britain's intelligence agency, MI6.

Ms. Turner's BookTweet: This book is a fast-paced adventure and is similar to the young James Bond series by Charles Higson. It is the first in a series.

2009-11-16T05:33:00.000-08:00

Gone

by Michael Grant

Summary: In a small town on the coast of California, everyone over the age of fourteen suddenly disappears, setting up a battle between the remaining town residents and the students from a local private school, as well as those who have "The Power" and are able to perform supernatural feats and those who do not.

Ms. Turner's BookTweet: A wild ride of a book with forces of dark and light and varying shades of gray. The shorter chapters lend to the fast pace. Look for the sequel, Hunger, and next year the third one in the series, Lies.

2009-11-09T05:24:00.000-08:00

Behind the Curtain

by Peter Abrahams

Summary: An avid Sherlock Holmes fan, eighth grader Ingrid Levin-Hill is kidnapped while investigating mysterious happenings in her home town.

Ms. Turner's BookTweet: A quick-paced, light mystery. While the plot is predictable, the characters are all unique and interesting.

2009-11-03T08:28:00.000-08:00

The Abduction

by Gordon Korman

Summary: Aiden teams up with the FBI to track down his sister Meg who was kidnapped while they were walking home from school.

Ms. Turner's BookTweet: Fast-paced and full of twists and turns, this short novel is a quick read that will leave you wanting to read the next book, The Search.