Click here to see the complete list of this year's award winners.
Monday, January 23, 2012
ALA Awards Announced!
Click here to see the complete list of this year's award winners.
Tuesday, January 17, 2012
Scott O'Dell Award
- Scott O'Dell Award for Historical Fiction
In 1982, Scott O'Dell established The Scott O'Dell Award for Historical Fiction.
The annual award of $5,000 goes to an author for a meritorious book
published in the previous year for children or young adults. Scott O'Dell established this award to encourage other writers--particularly new authors--to
focus on historical fiction. He hoped in this way to increase the
interest of young readers in the historical background that has helped
to shape their country and their world.
If you read my previous post, I told you this was one not to miss. I love when I am right.
Monday, January 16, 2012
Potpourri
Potpourri - noun \ˌpō-pu̇-ˈrē\ 2. : a miscellaneous collection (Merriam-Webster online)
The Girl Who Threw Butterflies by Mick Cochrane is the story of 8th grade Molly. Her father has recently died in an auto accident, her mother is going through the motions of living, and she is just trying to figure out things and cope day to day. To overcome some of her problems, she decides to join the baseball team - the boys baseball team since baseball helps her feel connected to her dad. She only hopes the knuckleball she can throw will help her earn the position. Realistic and memorable.
Legend by Marie Lu is the first novel for this art director of a video game company. (I can visualize the characters and settings in a game.) Set in a post-apocalyptic United States, Day is from the slums and is the most wanted criminal in the Republic. June is a member of the elite, a military prodigy,with nothing but a bright future ahead of her. However, when June's brother is murdered, Day's and June's paths cross when Day becomes the prime suspect. June sets out to apprehend him and bring him to justice. But all is not what it seems. If you like dystopian novels, this is for you. Action, thriller with a sprinkle of romance.
Jack Gantos' Dead End in Norvelt made me laugh out loud. Really. I know many of you (OK, most of you) avoid historical fiction like the plague. Even though this is historical fiction/non-fiction - because the character's name is Jack Gantos - don't miss this one. Jack does some pretty dumb things and suffers an summer of grounding for his actions. One thing that gets him out of the house/yard is helping an elderly lady write the obituaries for the local paper. His summer is filled with death, gore, fire, Hell's Angels, and nosebleeds. If you think your hometown is weird, you have never been to Norvelt. Don't miss this one!
The Girl Who Threw Butterflies by Mick Cochrane is the story of 8th grade Molly. Her father has recently died in an auto accident, her mother is going through the motions of living, and she is just trying to figure out things and cope day to day. To overcome some of her problems, she decides to join the baseball team - the boys baseball team since baseball helps her feel connected to her dad. She only hopes the knuckleball she can throw will help her earn the position. Realistic and memorable.
Legend by Marie Lu is the first novel for this art director of a video game company. (I can visualize the characters and settings in a game.) Set in a post-apocalyptic United States, Day is from the slums and is the most wanted criminal in the Republic. June is a member of the elite, a military prodigy,with nothing but a bright future ahead of her. However, when June's brother is murdered, Day's and June's paths cross when Day becomes the prime suspect. June sets out to apprehend him and bring him to justice. But all is not what it seems. If you like dystopian novels, this is for you. Action, thriller with a sprinkle of romance.
Jack Gantos' Dead End in Norvelt made me laugh out loud. Really. I know many of you (OK, most of you) avoid historical fiction like the plague. Even though this is historical fiction/non-fiction - because the character's name is Jack Gantos - don't miss this one. Jack does some pretty dumb things and suffers an summer of grounding for his actions. One thing that gets him out of the house/yard is helping an elderly lady write the obituaries for the local paper. His summer is filled with death, gore, fire, Hell's Angels, and nosebleeds. If you think your hometown is weird, you have never been to Norvelt. Don't miss this one!
Thursday, January 12, 2012
2011 Favorite Books
Here is a quick review of your favorite books from September 2011 to December 2011. No surprise - Hunger Games trilogy was at the top of the list!
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