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Lovejoy, Sharon. RUNNING OUT OF NIGHT
Lovejoy, Sharon. RUNNING OUT OF NIGHT New York : Delacorte, 2014 IL 3-6, RL 5.2 ISBN 0385744099 Her mama died in childbirth when she was born, and her pa and older brothers didn’t think enough of her to give her a name. They simply called her “Girl”. She grew up in fear of them, suffering their unspeakable abuse and serving as their slave, guarded by two vicious bloodhounds. The day Zenobia knocked at her door, Girl’s life began to change. Zenobia was a runaway slave, whose family had all been separated and sold away to cruel plantation owners. The two girls, of disparate color and background, forged an unlikely bond of friendship. Zenobia gave her a new name: Lark, because she sang like a bird. Together, they made their escape by night, using just their wits and a great deal of courage. They endured many hair-raising close calls, even as they received assistance from some Quaker families on the Underground Railroad. Did they successfully elude their pursuers and make it to freedom? A gritty, well-told historical novel, filled with high adventure. (Booktalk by the NH Great Stone Face Committee)
Sunday, May 31, 2015
Today's book 05/31/2015
Saturday, May 30, 2015
Today's book 05/30/2015
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Murphy, Gold Rush Dog by Alison Hart
Hart, Alison. MURPHY, GOLD RUSH DOG Atlanta : Peachtree Publishers, 2014 IL 3-6 RL 5.5 ISBN 1561457698 Nome, Alaska, 1900. The end of the earth, where gold lies waiting on the beaches, and people race to the lawless town to stake a claim. Young Murphy, a sled dog cruelly abused by Carlick his owner, arrives in Nome bloody and battered with his team. There, he escapes to the streets and meets eleven-year-old Sally and her mother who’ve come north to build a new life together. Needing a protector in that dangerous town, the two take Murphy in. But Carlick hasn’t given up searching for his dog. And when Sally, who falls in love with Nome and the wilderness, decides to run off and hunt for gold on her own, it’s Murphy who must live up to his role of protector. Murphy tells this solid story, filled with adventure, history, a feisty outdoor-loving girl, and one very brave dog. The short chapters and artwork, as well as the happy ending make this a good choice for younger readers. (Booktalk by the NH Great Stone Face Committee)
Friday, May 29, 2015
Today's book 05/29/2015
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Korman, Gordon. MASTERMINDS New York : Balzer + Bray, 2015 IL 3-6, RL 5.2 ISBN 0062299964 Your life is perfect- Your town is perfect- Serenity, … New Mexico. Population- 185. Kids-30. No crime, no poverty, no unemployment, what more could anyone want or need? Why would anyone want to leave Serenity? Could they leave even if they wanted to? 13 year old Eli and his friend Randy soon discover mysterious illnesses occur when the kids try to pass the town border. Eli is hit with waves of crampling nausea and paralyzing pain. Memories become vague. Randy doesn’t seem to suffer the same illness, but fate has something else in store. Within days, Randy leaves town. No one has ever left town. What could this mean? As Eli discovers the clues Randy left behind for him, he enlists the help of an unlikely crew of his peers. The clues mount, and evidence is gathered as the kids discover Serenity may not be crime free after all. Slowly they realize the grown-ups they trust might just be the criminals they should fear. Follow the journey of Eli, Malik, Hector and Tori as they slowly find out the town’s secrets and unravel the mystery of the disappearance of their friend Randy. (Booktalk by the NH Great Stone Face Committee)
Thursday, May 28, 2015
Today's book 05/28/2015
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Weeks. Sarah. HONEY New York : Scholastic, 2015 IL 3-6, RL 4.8 ISBN 0545465575 Ten year old Melody, lives in Royal Indiana where life has always been simple. It’s been just her and her dad. Then her dad’s mood starts to change. He becomes forgetful and starts singing for no reason. Melody overhears strange calls at night. “Who was on the phone?” she asks. “Wrong number,” her dad says. Even groggy Melody knows she heard her dad say Honey. Does dad have a girlfriend? Who could it be? Why all the secrets? Join Melody and her pal Nick as they start gathering evidence and putting the pieces together. But do the pieces really fit they way they think? (Booktalk by the NH Great Stone Face Committee)
Wednesday, May 27, 2015
Today's book 05/27/2015
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The Honest Truth by Dan Gemeinhart
Gemeinhart, Dan. THE HONEST TRUTH New York : Schholastic Press, 2015 IL 5-8, RL 4.0 ISBN 0545665736 We all have our bad days. Days when we feel like we’d love to just walk away from everything—school, family, even friends… Mark is a good kid, but when he finds out that he’s going to have to be admitted to the hospital again, he makes a decision. He’s been fighting this disease for so long---maybe it’s time to walk away…from days in bed, treatments that make him sick, and from everyone who means well but doesn’t understand. He’s always dreamed of climbing nearby Mt. Rainier. Maybe now is the time to make that dream a reality—even if it’s the last thing he ever does. With only his dog for company, Mark sets off on his journey, seeking to evade all the well-meaning people who try to stop him. Only his best friend Jessie has a clue as to his intentions. Will he manage to make a success of this final trip? Will Jessie be able to keep her suspicions to herself, or will she decide to point the searchers in Mark’s direction? The most meaningful journeys teach us something about ourselves. Mark has a lot to learn---if he can just survive. His epic journey will keep you riveted from the first page to the last. (Booktalk by the NH Great Stone Face Committee)
Tuesday, May 26, 2015
Today's book 05/26/2015
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Gabriel Finley and the Raven's Riddle by. George Hagen
Hagen, George. GABRIEL FINLEY AND THE RAVEN'S RIDDLE New York : Scwartz & Wade, 2014 IL 3-6, RL 4.8 ISBN 0385371039 Ravens love riddles. This is the way they can tell the good ravens from the bad. Long ago, ravens were our best friends…they watched over us and conversed with us easily. That was before a phantom raven named Corax went rogue and lured some others to the dark side. His new disciples were called valravens… Gabriel Finley knew little about ravens, but was soon to learn a good deal more. When he rescued an orphaned baby raven named Paladin, he discovered his family’s long-kept secret: the Finelys had a special bond with these birds…they could talk with them, receive their protection, and even briefly blend into the bodies of their familiars for adventures in flight. Gabriel loved riddles…his father had been a master of riddles right up until the day he disappeared. Aunt Jaz seemed to know a lot more than she was telling about his dad’s current whereabouts. With the help of Paladin and a very reluctant writing desk, he just might be able to rescue his dad from the clutches of the evil Corax. From Brooklyn to Aviopolis, a thrilling adventure, indeed! (Booktalk by the NH Great Stone Face Committee)
Monday, May 25, 2015
Today's book 05/25/2015
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Bell, Cece. EL DEAFO New York : Amulet, 2014 IL 3-6, RL 3.3 ISBN 1419710206 In her graphic novel memoir, author Cece Bell tells the story of becoming deaf at a young age and learning to live with the large contraption strapped to her chest that allows her to hear, the phonic ear. When she discovers that the phonic ear in fact allows her to hear what mere mortals cannot (like her teacher’s private conversations and *ahem* trips to the bathroom), she secretly imagines herself as the superhero, El Deafo. Childhood awkwardness, negotiating friendships, new schools, and everyday fun are all wrapped up in Cece’s hearing loss. With a lot of humor, this graphic novel gives us all an opportunity to learn a lot. (Booktalk by the NH Great Stone Face Committee)
Sunday, May 24, 2015
Today's book 05/24/2015
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Larson, Kirby. DASH New York : Scholastic, 2014 IL 3-6, RL 3.2 ISBN 0545416353 The attack of Japan on Pearl Harbor, Hawaii changed the lives of Americans forever. Mitisue “Mitsi” Kashino is 10 years old and living in Seattle, Washington. She is second generation Japanese American, or “Nisei” in Japanese. She experiences the injustice and cruelty of treatment of Japanese Americans and Japanese immigrants following the attack on Pearl Harbor when the fear of the invasion and attack of the west coast of the United States loomed as a possibility. Mitsi is bullied by neighborhood boys and dropped from her circle of friends. The situation becomes much worse when her family along with other Japanese and Japanese Americans are sent away to relocation camps in the spring of 1942. They must give up their homes, and bring only what they can carry to the camp. Mitsi also learns that she will not be able to take her beloved dog Dash along with her to the camp. Based on the true story of Mitsue Shiraishi and her dog Chubby, this book is a personal look back in time exploring the true meaning of friendship both human and canine. (Booktalk by the NH Great Stone Face Committee)
Saturday, May 23, 2015
Today's book 05/23/2015
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Brown Girl Dreaming by Jacqueline Woodson
Woodson, Jacqueline. BROWN GIRL DREAMING NY: Nancy Paulsen Books, 2014 (select a poem to read from the book) Jacqueline Woodson was born in Columbus Ohio in 1963 in a time of dramatic and violent change in America. In expressive and illuminative poetry, she tells her story of growing up as an African American girl in the 1960’s and 1970’s between the worlds of the North in New York City and of the South. Jacqueline shares with us her story – of loving books and stories and yet also struggling to learn to read; of her family losses and struggles and her thoughts and dreams. Through her engaging poems, we are invited into her world; we taste, smell, and feel what is there and what is experienced by a young girl dreaming and finding her voice as a writer. (Booktalk by the NH Great Stone Face Committee)
Friday, May 22, 2015
Today's book 05/22/2015
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Anton and Cecil by Lisa Martin
Martin, Lisa. ANTON AND CECIL : CATS AT SEA New York : Algonquin Young Readers, 2013 IL 3-6, RL 6.4 ISBN 1616202467 Two Cats, two brothers---night and day. Anton, sleek and grey, enjoys watching the ships as they venture in and out of the harbor. He is content to watch. Cecil, stocky with black and whites patches is thirsty for adventure. He roams the harbor, taking daily trips on the fish boats. Then one day all changes. Anton is swept up and thrown on a vessel to be a ratter. Bound for the seas, will Anton ever see his family and harbor again? His capture does not go unnoticed. Cecil stows away on another vessel determined to rescue his brother. As the two brothers face the unknown, will their paths ever cross? Will their ships survive? Will they? Will Anton and Cecil find safe harbor? (Booktalk by the NH Great Stone Face Committee)
Monday, May 11, 2015
Today's book 05/11/2015
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The Hidden Gallery by Maryrose Wood
Wood, Maryrose. THE HIDDEN GALLERY New York : Balzer + Bray, 2011 IL 3-6, RL 6.7 ISBN 0061791121 Back for book 2 of the series, life has not changed that much for the Incorrigibles – Alexander, Beowulf and Cassiopeia, the children who were raised by wolves. Miss Penelope Lumley is doing a great job of civilizing them even if Lady Constance thinks they should be sent to an orphan home. After the disastrous Christmas party where the children nearly destroyed the house, Lady Constance is more convinced than ever that they cannot be tamed. With the noise of the workman and the continual interruptions, she is beyond annoyed. When Penelope receives a message from Miss Mortimer, her former head mistress, with an invitation to meet her in London, Lady Constance thinks it is a fine idea for the entire household to visit. She plans to stay in London until the house is back to normal. Penelope is sent a travel book from the headmistress and a man tries to steal it on the train. How odd. But when she and the children arrive in London, they find that their guide book is not all that useful. Instead of pictures of London sites, it is filled with pictures of mountains and beautiful valleys. And there is an entire section on one gallery at the British Museum. Why would they have been given a useless guide book?
Saturday, May 9, 2015
Today's book 05/09/2015
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Wiggins, Bethany. CURED New York : Walker Books, 2014 IL YA ISBN 0802734200 Fiona and Jonah are no longer beasts. The cure has worked and now there is hope for everyone. But some are still living outside the wall and dealing with the raiders. The sequel to Stung is told from Jacqui's point of view. Forced to live as a boy to keep safe from the raiders, Jack has almost forgotten she is a girl. Her family has survived outside the wall because her father is needed. As the only dentist around, he treats the raiders as well as those inside the wall. But Jack's brother is missing. He left to bring Fiona's mother to safety when she was banned from the walled city. And now Jack has set out to find him. She enlists the help of Fiona, Bowen, and Jonah. The journey will not be easy. There are rumors that people have escaped to Wyoming. so the kids set off. Along the way there will be raiders, untreated beasts, wolves and maybe even some new friends.
Friday, May 8, 2015
Today's book 05/08/2015
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Wiggins, Bethany. STUNG New York : Walker Books, 2013 IL YA ISBN 0802734189 It started out as a good idea. The bees have become endangered and everyone fears what will happen if they disappear forever. It would mean the end of all we know. So the scientists develop genetically modified bees that can live through anything. Unfortunately, their sting can be fatal. When a vaccine is developed to protect from the sting, there is not enough to go around so only a few are vaccinated. And very few have the full 10 dose course of vaccine. Fiona is one of those. When she wakes up in her room, everything is different and she is disoriented. Although she doesn't remember much, it is obvious that many years have gone by. She doesn't recognize the young woman she sees in the mirror. As she tries to make her way to the walled city, she learns that those who received the vaccination have turned into beasts. There are raiders around who sell them to the people who run the pit and that she is a level ten, the most dangerous of all. She is destined to turn into the worst kind of beast. Can she find some answers before this happens?
Thursday, May 7, 2015
Today's book 05/07/2015
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Babe Ruth by Guernsey Van Riper
Van Riper, Guernsey. BABE RUTH New York : Aladdin, 2015 IL 3-6, RL 4.0 ISBN 1481425099 Have you heard of Babe Ruth? I bet you have. Especially if you are a baseball fan like I am. Did you ever wonder about what he was like when he was your age? He was actually an orphan who spent his early years living in an orphanage. And a reformatory. He tended to be a bit on the bad side as a kid. But then some monks stepped in and decided to teach Babe to play baseball to keep him out of trouble. They thought the discipline of the game might help him become a better person. Little could they know that Babe would turn into one of the best baseball players ever and one of the first to be inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame.
Wednesday, May 6, 2015
Today's book 05/06/2015
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Abraham Lincoln by Augusta Stevenson
Stevenson, Augusta. ABRAHAM LINCOLN New York : Aladdin, 2015 IL 3-6, RL 3.3 ISBN 1481425064 There have been many books written about Abraham Lincoln. And a lot of legends. Like Abe walking miles to school every day and then studying by candle light. The truth is that Abe only went to school for about two years. He did have a passion for learning and taught himself through reading a lot. He eventually was able to teach himself enough about the law to become a lawyer. This led to him becoming a US Representative for Illinois. He became President at a very stressful time in history. Within just a few years, the country would enter the Civil War.
Monday, May 4, 2015
Today's book 05/04/2015
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Anastasia and Her Sisters by Carolyn Meyer
Meyer, Carolyn. ANASTASIA AND HER SISTERS New York : Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, 2015 IL YA ISBN 1481403265 Anastasia was a young girl living what appeared to be a fairy tale life. The daughter of Tsar Nicholas of Russia, she was an actual princess. Her family traveled around Russia showing off the beautiful princess dressed in the finest clothes. Anastasia's brother had a very painful illness and the family hides that fact from the public. The times are not good. There is great poverty in the country and the people have become desperate. The Tsar's power is weakening and beautiful little Anatasia is in danger. When Germany declares war on Russia, the world changes for all involved.
Sunday, May 3, 2015
Today's book 05/03/2015
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The Classroom: Epic Documentary Of A Not-Yet-Epic Kid by Robin Mellon
Mellom, Robin. THE CLASSROOM : EPIC DOCUMENTARY OF A NOT-YET-EPIC KID New York : Hyperion, 2012 IL 3-6, RL 5.3 ISBN 1423150635 Trevor has been gearing up all summer for this year. Seventh grade is going to be great. Or is it? On day one, his best friend Libby tells him that he needs to make other friends. And ask someone to the dance!! What? Libby tells him about being cool in 7th grade. Trevor is not so sure about this. And to make matters worse, a film crew has arrived at the school to shoot a documentary about a typical seventh grader and guess who they have in mind.
Saturday, May 2, 2015
Today's book 05/02/2015
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Harriet Tubman by Kathleen Kudlinski
Kudlinski, Kathleen V. HARRIET TUBMAN New York : Aladdin, 2015 IL 3-6, RL 3.8 ISBN 1481425110 When Harriet Tubman was a young girl, she was a slave. She escaped slavery by traveling on the Underground Railroad. This involved traveling mainly at night and staying at safe houses. Once she was safely in the North, she decided that she needed to help others reach their freedom. She risked everything to help slaves find their way to safety. She helped more than 700 slaves in her lifetime. This devotion led to her nickname -- Moses.
Friday, May 1, 2015
Today's book 05/01/2015
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Kay's Story, 1934 by Adele Whitby
Whitby, Adele. KAY'S STORY, 1934 New York : Simon Spotlight, 2015 IL 3-6, RL 5.4 ISBN 1481427563 Life in the 1930s was hard for many Americans. The Great Depression found many people losing their jobs, their homes and their life savings. For Kay, life was not as hard as for others but her life was certainly changed. No longer did the family live in Vandermeer Manor surrounded by maids and servants. They were now living in the groundskeeper cottage and worried about saving the manor. But Kay was excited for a visit from her cousin Betsy and her Aunt Beth. They lived in England at Chatwoods Manor and the economy hadn't affected them as badly as Kay's family. The two girls had never met but had written many times. Their mother's were close as children and they were all looking forward to the visit. Making the best of a bad situation helps the girls become close friends and solving a mystery may just save the Manor.
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