Wednesday, August 14, 2013

Today's book 08/14/2013

  • McGinnis, Mindy. NOT A DROP TO DRINK New York : Katherine Tegen Books, 2013 IL YA ISBN 0062198505 Lynn and her mother live alone in a future world where water has become scarce and you need to fight for your survival. The two women know they must defend their pond or else risk being killed. When her mother is killed by wolves, Lynn is now alone and trying to survive. Anyone who comes near her pond is met with a bullet. Lynn has never known life other than this one. There is a neighbor nearby but they only communicate by waving. Lynn has only met the man once. But all this is about to change with the arrival of a down and out family who are camping nearby. Lynn takes in the young daughter when the mother is unable to care for her. Now the lives of Lynn, her neighbor and the newcomers are entwined and Lynn will never live life the same again.

    tags: podcasts ya blueduke

Posted from Diigo. The rest of my favorite links are here.

Tuesday, August 13, 2013

Today's book 08/13/2013

  • McCall Smith, Alexander. THE MYSTERY OF MEERKAT HILL New York : Knopf, 2013 IL 3-6 ISBN 0345804589 Precious Ramotswe is looking forward to meeting the new kids at school. She wants to be a detective so she loves meeting new people and finding out new things. She and her family live in Botswana in Africa and there are not many children in the school. The new students will not be in her grade but she makes a point of introducing herself at recess. She becomes friends with Teb and Pontsho. And it turns out that they have a very special pet at home -- a meerkat! Together the kids will work to solve a mystery that involves the family.

    tags: podcasts elementary blueduke

  • Mass, Wendy. LAST PRESENT New York : Scholastic Press, 2013 IL 3-6 ISBN 0545310164 Amanda and Leo still can't speak to each other. And they are involved in another birthday mystery. Their friend's little sister has become catatonic and the kids are told it is because Angelina was not able to complete her birthday blessing. Now it is up to Amanda and Leo to go back in time and make sure the birthday blessing is completed. But, they need to be successful at least three times in order to break the spell. Angelina tells them exactly what when wrong at each birthday and what they must do to correct the situation. Can they do it?

    tags: podcasts elementary blueduke

Posted from Diigo. The rest of my favorite links are here.

Thursday, August 8, 2013

Today's book 08/08/2013

  • Hambleton, Vicki. SO YOU WANT TO BE A WRITER : HOW TO WRITE, GET PUBLISHED, AND MAYBE EVEN MAKE IT BIG! New York : Aladdin, Beyond Words, 2012 IL 3-6, RL 6.0 ISBN 1582703590 The title of this work says it all. Filled with practical advise on how to achieve your dream of becoming a writer. Whether your dream is to be the next children's book star or write for the movies, it is all here. There is advice from authors, editors, and other people in the business that help you understand the steps involved with getting your work to the point of publication. If you have dreamed of becoming a published writer, this is a good place to start your research.

    tags: podcasts elementary blueduke

Posted from Diigo. The rest of my favorite links are here.

Tuesday, August 6, 2013

Today's book 08/06/2013

  • Gardner, Sally. MAGGOT MOON Somerville, MA : Candlewick Press, 2013 IL YA ISBN 0763665533 In an alternate United Kingdom in the 1950s, Standish is living in a dystopian society. Standish and his grandfather are living in Zone 7 and barely surviving. Food is scarce and the military is everywhere. His parents have disappeared after speaking out about the conditions. Now Standish goes to school each day and is bullied because of his learning disability. But once Hector and his family move in, they become like a family. Hector and Standish become very close friends and dream of flying to Jupiter to escape the curelty of the Motherland. But even their dreams of living in the land of Croca-Colas and Cadillacs cannot change the harshness of their surroundings. The boys have found a hole in the wall that keeps them in Zone 7 and they venture out. They know that it is dangerous. But they see a different side of life there. The wall gets higher and higher every day and the boys know they can't go in there again. But what happens when someone from the other side comes to them?

    tags: podcasts ya blueduke

Posted from Diigo. The rest of my favorite links are here.

Monday, August 5, 2013

Today's book 08/05/2013

  • Gilman, Charles. SUBSTITUTE CREATURE : TALES FROM LOVECRAFT MIDDLE SCHOOL New York : Quirk Books, 2013 IL 3-6 ISBN 1594746400 Robert is looking forward to the Valentine's party at Lovecraft Middle School. He plans to give Karina a card. Sure she's a ghost who can't leave the school and died many years before, but she is his best friend. Well, Glenn is too. Things are always a bit off at the school although no one would believe them if they told them. When a nor'easter hits the school, the decision is made to bus all the children home and close the school. But the substitute teacher has other ideas. Robert, Glenn, and Karina are trapped in the school along with Robert's mother, the school nurse, Mac, the custodian and Lionel, the rich kid. Although Lionel has offered to pay anyone who will come and rescue them, the blizzard is so fierce that no one can help. What strange things are going to happen at Lovecraft during this long night?

    tags: podcasts elementary blueduke

Posted from Diigo. The rest of my favorite links are here.

Thursday, August 1, 2013

Today's book 08/01/2013

  • Dowell, Frances O'Roark. TEN MILES PAST NORMAL New York : Atheneum Books for Young Readers, 2011 IL YA ISBN 1416995854 As a 9 year old, Janie thought living on a small goat farm was a dream come true. But as a 14 year old, that dream is becoming a nightmare. She needs to milk the goats, and muck out the area. She is tired of going to school with manure scented shoes. Not that the other kids would notice her anyway. She only has one friend and the two of them decide to join Jam Band. Here they meet Monster, yep that’s his real name. Monster Monroe helps the girls understand that they need to stop hiding and live large. Can Janie find the self confidence she needs to break out of her shell?

    tags: podcasts blueduke

Posted from Diigo. The rest of my favorite links are here.