Sam and CY students & staff are reading…

Criss Cross by Lynn Rae Perkins
Vampirates: Demons of the Ocean
Tide of Terror by Justin Somper
***Under the Blood-Red Sun by Graham Salisbury
Belle Praters
Blue Bloods – great vampire series
Masquerade
Cages by Peg Kehret
Shadow Spinner by Susan Fletcher
Twilight by Stephanie Meyers
Death Star (a new Star Wars story)
Shiloh series
Peeps by Scott Westerfeld (another vampire story)
Uglies
Charlie Bone and the Invisible Boy
Peter and the Star Catchers
The Golden Compass (and sequels) Phillip Pullman

Acceleration by Graham McNamee
Inkheart by Cornelia Funke
The Da Vinci Code by Dan Brown
Chasing Vermeer by
Crossing the Wire by Will Hobbs
Among the Hidden (Shadow Children series)
Things not Seen
Flush by Carl Hiassen
Here, there be Dragons
Listening at the Gate

Who would like this book? Anyone who liked Uglies; be sure to read Uglies first.

Why? In this sequel to Uglies, Tally Youngblood, who at the end of Uglies had to undergo the operation to become “Pretty,” starts the book with “pretty-mindedness,” but soon becomes “bubbly.” With a new friend/romantic interest, Zane, she takes the “cure,” with unexpected results. I was prepared to be let down by this sequel, but I was not. Westerfeld keeps the plot rolling with many fascinating ideas, though the plausibility of the structure of the culture of the Specials and Pretties begs the question of who or what is controlling it.

The details: 370 p. 2005

What’s Mr. Cantwell been reading?

Check out his book blog at http://cantwellbooks.com/author/reading.htm

Have you read a book that you’d like to recommend to other students? Send a brief review/recommendation to Sam at arnold@4j.lane.edu, and I’ll post it under your first name.

Let’s share great books!

Here’s a place for you to share about books that relate to your writing AND to post your writing. Submit your posts to Sam at arnold@4j.lane.edu.

Who would like this book? Teens who like novels written in free verse with two storylines, one ancient and one contemporary.

Why? Nikki Grimes sets the story of Sam, a contemporary teenager who is angry at his father for leaving his mother for a younger woman, against the ancient story of Ishmael. Sam’s pain over his father’s actions, his rejection of his step-mother, and his faith come across in a compelling manner with Grimes’ free verse. Sam’s sense of being abandoned by his father parallels Ishmael’s experience when Abraham turns him out with his mother Hager. Faith is an integral part in the journey of both young men. This element is presented in an even way that respects all beliefs. It’s not a surprise that this book is a Young Reader’s Choice Nominee (Senior Division, though it could have fit in the Middle Division just as easily) and a Coretta Scott King Honor Book.

The details: 216 p. 2005