Monday, December 25, 2017

On the 12th Day of Book Suggestions...Miracle on 49th Street by Mike Lupica

Molly and her mom...that is how life was for Molly.  Until Molly's mom lost her battle with cancer.  Right before that time, Molly's mom shared with her that her dad just happens to be a basketball superstar.  Molly goes to meet him, and he is less than receptive to the idea of having a child.  She is looking for a miracle, but she is not sure what she wants that miracle to be.  Find out whether or not Molly will get a dad for Christmas in this holiday tale. 

Sunday, December 24, 2017

On the 11th Day of Book Suggestions...Code of Honor by Alan Gratz

Kamran Smith is a loyal American citizen, but will he have a chance to prove his worthiness because of his brother's actions.  Kamran's brother is serving the United States overseas, but he has gone rogue.  He is being accused of being a terrorist.  Kamran cannot believe it--he won't believe it.  Kamran knows that something is NOT right.  There is no way that his brother would do the evil things that people are accusing him of doing.  But, how does Kamran explain the video?  Is Kamran wrong?  No, he cannot be wrong.  His brother is a loyal American, and Kamran sets out to prove it by sticking to their Code of Honor.

This is a great book, and I highly recommend it. 

Saturday, December 23, 2017

On the 10th Day of Book Suggestions...Are You There God, It's Me, Margaret by Judy Blume

Here is another OBAG--oldie but a goodie.  If you have never read, it is time for you to pick it up.  If you have read it, it might be time for a re-read.

Margaret is in 7th grade, and she and her friends are going through the normal things that 7th grade girls go through.  Margaret is struggling because her parents have decided that they will let her make her mind up about religion.  Her father was raised in the Jewish faith, and her mother was raised in a Christian household.  When they got married, none of their parents were happy.  Her mother's parents completely disowned her, and Margaret has never met them.  Now that Margaret is 12, she starts wondering about God and begins to seek him by attending worship services with various friends and her paternal grandmother.  This book is funny, yet poignant.  Give it a try.

Product Details

Friday, December 22, 2017

On the 9th Day of Book Suggestions...Wolf by Wolf by Ryan Graudin

In this ALTERNATE HISTORY novel, Hitler and the Axis Powers won World War 2.  Ya-el is a shape shifter who can transform into anyone she wants.  She is also a resistance fighter, and she has been given the task of assuming the identity of Adele Wolf so that she can compete in the Axis Tour and eventually assassinate Adolf Hitler.  Since the ending of World War 2, Hitler does not appear in public for fear of assassination.  No one can get near him.  But, he has a soft spot for Adele Wolf because she won the race the previous year disguised as someone else.  Ya-el is the only hope for the Resistance to get rid of Hitler once and for all.  Can she do it?  Will she be able to impersonate Adele long enough to pull off the biggest ruse of the century?  Find out in Wolf by Wolf. 

 

Thursday, December 21, 2017

On the 8th Day of Book Suggestions...Zero Day by Jan Gangsei

Addie was kidnapped from her parents' home eight years ago.  Now, she has returned, but her family does not live in the same place any longer.  Her family now resides in the White House.  Addie sees her family and friends, but things are different now--and not just the address.  Addie is different.  Is this person really Addie?  How did she escape from her kidnappers?  Did she escape or did they let her go for another reason? Find out in this quick page-turner.

Wednesday, December 20, 2017

On the 7th Day of Book Suggestions...A Week of Mondays by Jessica Brody

Ellie is having a bad day.  It is a Monday, and it is quite a Monday.  Over the weekend, Ellie's boyfriend broke up with her--sort of, and she is determined to get him back.  But, this Monday is not going as planned, and he is not interested in getting back together with her at all.  She just wants the day to be over.  Finally, the day ends, and she wakes up to a new day--except that it is not a new day.  She is going to do the Monday over again.  Maybe things will be different the second time around.  She still has a bad day, but she gets to try again a third time, a fourth time, a fifth time, a sixth time and a seventh time.  She has a whole week of Mondays.  The thing is--this gives Ellie some perspective.  She can now see things in an entirely different light.  What she thought she wanted may not be as important to her after all.

This is a fun book that I had a great time reading.  I think you will like it. 

Tuesday, December 19, 2017

On the 6th Day of Book Suggestions...Out of My Mind by Sharon Draper

Melody is not like her peers.  She cannot walk or talk or communicate in any way.  BUT, she has a photographic memory.  The problem is that no one knows this fact because she cannot communicate her amazing thoughts.  In school, they start her on the alphabet even though she is capable of SO MUCH MORE.  Finally, a teacher introduces a new type of technology that allows her the opportunity to communicate all of the things that she has been thinking.  So, Melody's thoughts can come out of her mind. 

This book is what I term OBAG--oldie but a goodie.  It is amazing and shows what is gained from listening to people even when they are not saying anything. 

Monday, December 18, 2017

On the 5th day...Court of Fives by Kate Elliott

Jes is a phenomenonal athlete, and she has shown a real gift at running the "Fives" which is a series of intricate endurance tests.  She has hidden this from her father because girls are not supposed to do this--it would not be proper.  But, when her father's patron dies, things change dramatically in their lives.  She is called upon to train alongside a noble born young man.  Intrigue abounds at every turn in this interesting novel.  Jes shows that she will not be judged by her gender or her station.  This is an incredible audiobook, so if you need a book to go with you on your holiday travels--check it out.

Front Cover

Sunday, December 17, 2017

On the 4th Day...Choosing Courage: Inspiring true stories about what it means to be a hero by Peter Collier

This book shares stories of heroes from World War 2, The Korean War, The Vietnam War, The Wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, and civilian life.  Find inspiration and courage from reading about these true life instances.

Front Cover

Saturday, December 16, 2017

On the 3rd Day...Ghost by Jason Reynolds

Ghost is fast--really fast.  In fact, that is where he got his nickname--because he is like a Ghost--so fast.  He started running because he wanted to get away from bad things including his own father, but now, he has decided to join a running club with a coach who knows from experience about making questionable choices.  Will Ghost be able to make the team?  Is he good enough?  Will his decisions keep him off the team?  Find out in this super story about forgiveness and the human spirit.

Front Cover

Friday, December 15, 2017

On the 2nd day...Simon Thorn and the Wolf's Den by Aimee Carter

Simon Thorn is your typical awkward 12 year old 7th grade boy...or IS HE?  Simon has a secret that he has been trying to hide.  He can talk to animals, and he has kept this secret for a long time.  But, one day a bird tells him that the rats are coming for him, and he goes home to find that his mom has already been taken by the rats.  Then, he finds out who is in charge of this group of rats and the other animals in this secret society of people.  What he finds out is that his secret is NOTHING compared to what his mom and uncle have been keeping from him.  Simon has an entire family that he knew nothing about.  Who can he trust?  Will he be able to save his mom and his uncle and the world as he knows it?  Find out in this thrilling page turner.

Thursday, December 14, 2017

On the 1st Day...Wishtree by Katherine Applegate

I must begin these suggestions with one that truly has tugged at my heartstrings.  It is Wishtree by Katherine Applegate.

Red is a tree--a very old tree.  She has seen a lot, and she is a haven to many creatures from humans to crows.  Once a year, people will put wishes on Red, and she has held them faithfully.  Until one day, a wish is left on Red that is not welcoming or kind.  Red, along with her crow friend, Bongo set out to mend the situation.

In this quick read, Applegate helps us to understand the importance of words and the weight they can carry.  Additionally, she weaves in messages about acceptance and kindness.

You will not be disappointed when you pick up Wishtree by Katherine Applegate.

12 Book Suggestions

So...admittedly, I get bogged down with the here and now in life.  This brings me to my lack of follow through for a book of the week reminder that I began a while back.  I started having more consistency this year until the middle of October.  Then, I got my first sinus infection of the school year.  While this is not an excuse for not delivering on what I had intended, it is an explanation.

Now, I am committed to getting back on track, but to make it up to the few who were paying attention, I will be having 12 book suggestions leading up to Christmas.  A 12 Days of Christmas Celebration if you will...

Stay tuned because today is the start of this 12 Days of Book Suggestions.  There are some really good ones in store.