Monday, August 2, 2004

Welcome to my blog!

Hi there. It's me. Rundlett's Blue Duke. I've started this blog to let you know what I've been up to this summer. Actually, I've been doing quite a bit of reading this summer. You know, when school's out, I have more time to kick back and catch up on some good books. And, I know for a fact that these are in the school library. So if any of them sound good, go to the school library and "check them out". Check them out. Get it?

Anyway, I've found some really good reads this summer.


Schumacher, Julie. GRASS ANGEL New York : Delacorte, 2004. IL 3-6, RL 6.0 ISBN 0385901631
Frances' mother always seemed to be looking for something. She changed religions like most people changed socks. She even stopped making Frances and her younger brother to go to church since she was afraid that they would get confused. Frances is not too surprised when her mother announces that they will be going to a religious retreat for the summer. But Frances has other plans. Plans that include her best friend and summer camp. She is able to persuade her mother to let her stay with Aunt Blue -- a woman who is a bit of a mystery to Frances even though she sees her every Sunday. As the summer goes on, Frances begins to fear that her mother and brother have joined a cult and will not be returning. How can she rescue her brother before it's too late?



DuPrau, Jeanne. THE PEOPLE OF SPARKS New York : Random House, 2004. IL 5-8. RL 5.5 ISBN 0375928243
Doon and Lina were not sure anyone from Ember would follow them. Would they believe that there was a way out of Ember? That there was another world? That they had been living in a cave? But the people came. Not all of them but many. Doon counted 417 people from Ember as they set off in search of civilization. When the reached the town of Sparks, they couldn't believe their eyes. The city seemed primitive in comparison to Ember. There was no electricity or technology of any kind. But the people of Sparks reluctantly welcomed the travelers and opened their homes to them. But the relationship was strained. The town was small and had limited supplies. Taking in 417 people meant less for everyone. As the summer passed, the people of Sparks began to resent having to share with others. And the people of Ember resented having less than their hosts. Will these two towns find a way to work together? Or will ages-old resentments bring hostility?




Cabot, Meg. TEEN IDOL New York : HarperCollins, 2004. IL YA ISBN 0060096179
Boy life can be boring in a small town. Not much to do. But all that is about to change for Jen Greenley. Up to this point, her major excitement has been keeping her identity as the advice columnist for the school paper a secret. She didn't mind though. That's just the type of girl she is. Well, her life is about to change. She has been asked to escort a new student around school. But this is no ordinary student. This is Luke Striker! You know. The movie star. Well, most people know him from the tv show he used to be on. The one where he plays the minister's son. He practically grew up on television. And Jen can't tell anyone who Luke really is. He is there to research a new movie role and he needs to be incognito. Can you imagine? Sure, just put some glasses on him and put him in a plaid shirt and no one will recognize him. It just isn't that simple. Jen is not prepared for what happens. What happens when a movie star and a small town girl spend time together? What do you think?


Well, that's it for now. I don't want to give away all the new titles I've read. You'll just have to keep coming back to find out what else is new.

Drop me a note and let me know what you've been reading!

Later --

Blue Duke