Giff, Patricia Reilly. JUBILEE

Giff, Patricia Reilly. JUBILEE
New York : Wendy Lamb, 2016
IL 3-6, RL 3-6
ISBN 0385744862
Judith lives on a island with her Aunt Cora.  Her mother left her years ago and she has lived with Aunt Cora since.  Judith has not seen her mother since then and she has not spoken a single word since then.  The doctors say she has selective mutism.  This means that she is physically able to speak but not emotionally able to       speak.  The kids make fun of her and she has no friends.  But maybe 5th grade will be better.  Maybe this is the year she'll make a friend. And discover more about herself.

Podcast:  https://spark.adobe.com/video/qKWgEXGttsSxE

Garner, Em. CONTAMINATED

Garner, Em.  CONTAMINATED
New York : Egmont USA, 2013
IL YA
ISBN 1606843540


Imagine a diet soda that helps you lose weight!  Of course it becomes popular.  Who doesn't want to enjoy a soda and also lose a few pounds?  The drink becomes so popular that the company can't keep up with the demand.  They cut a few corners to make the main ingredient. Unfortunately they discover too late that there are some side effects to the contaminated drink.  Well, side effects is a bit mild.  It turns perfectly normal people into raging, violent animals.  During the first wave, many of these affected people are killed.  But then the "connies" as they are called are able to be controlled by drugs and shock collars.  The public is encouraged to claim their relatives and take them home.  Velvet has been caring for her younger sister since her parents became "connies".  Her dad was killed but now she learns that her mother is still alive and available for placement.  People are still terribly afraid of the connies and don't want them around.  Can Velvet find the courage to take care of her mother? Will she and her sister be safe if she does?  

Podcast:  https://spark.adobe.com/video/26hLVWKY3mfJG

Ehrlich, Amy. WILLA : THE STORY OF WILLA CATHER, AN AMERICAN WRITER

Ehrlich, Amy.  WILLA : THE STORY OF WILLA CATHER, AN AMERICAN WRITER
New York : Simon & Schuster, 2016
IL 3-6, IL 5.6
ISBN 0689865732
American novelist Willa Cather was born in 1873 in Virginia.  Her family moved to Nebraska when she was young and she loved the wide prairie but soon decided she needed more in her life.  She went to college and wanted to be a doctor but opportunities took her on a different path.  She found work on a newspaper and then became an editor with a publisher in New York.  She loved living in New York but knew she wanted still more.  She found her calling as a writer and found that the prairie life of her childhood was what she loved writing about. 

Podcast:  https://spark.adobe.com/video/RnuKKuNG3PW7E 

Alexander, Lloyd. THE BOOK OF THREE

Alexander, Lloyd.  THE BOOK OF THREE
New York : Henry Holt,  2014
IL 5-8, RL 5.3
ISBN 1627791221

Taran is the Assistant Pig-Keeper but he dreams of becoming a hero.  When Hen Wen the pig runs away, he may just get his chance.  This is the first book in the classic series Chronicles of Prydain. Taran is sent to find Hen Wen and return her to Caer Dallben.  Hen Wen is an oracle and she needs to be consulted to find out what is happening with the animals.  As he is searching for Hen Wen, Taran meets none other than High Prince Gwydion, who is on his way to consult with Hen Wen for the same reason.   Together they set out with Gwydion’s horse Melyngar to find the pig.