Annette's Book Spot

Wednesday, March 23, 2011

Abraham Lincoln Illinois High School Book Award

I wanted to tell you about a reading program that is near and dear to my heart. I know that many states have children's choice book awards, and Illinois has four of them. The one for high school students is called The Abraham Lincoln High School Book Award. This award is run by our Illinois school librarian association, and in past years, I have been on the committee to select the nominated titles. We select 22 titles every year, and there are always actual teens on the committee who get to give input and actually are allowed to chose four of the titles on their own. One of the requirements for nominees is that the book is available in paperback, so you will see there are some older books on the list, but they always come up with a great list.

The list for next year (2011-2012) has just been chosen, and here it is:

After -- Amy Efaw   Speak     2010
Beastly -- Alex Flinn  HarperTeen     2008
Before I Die -- Jenny Downham *  David Fickling       2009
Carter Finally Gets It -- Brent Crawford  Hyperion       2010
Columbine -- Dave Cullen    Twelve      2010
The Compound -- S.A. Bodeen    Square Fish      2009
Flash Burnout -- L.K. Madigan    Houghton Mifflin Harcourt     2010
Ghosts of War -- Ryan Smithson      Harpercollins        2010
Going Bovine -- Libba Bray *     Random House      2010
How to Build a House -- Dana Reinhardt    Wendy Lamb       2009
If I Stay -- Gayle Forman      Speak         2010
The Looking Glass Wars -- Frank Beddor *     Speak        2007
Love is the Higher Law -- David Levithan *       Knopf          2010
The Maze Runner -- James Dashner        Delacorte        2010
Mexican White Boy -- Matt de la Pena        Delacorte      2010
Reality Check -- Peter Abrahams      HarperTeen        2010
Shiver -- Maggie Stiefvater     Scholastic        2010
Story of a Girl -- Sara Zarr       Little, Brown      2008
Tweak: Growing Up on Methamphetamines -- Nic Sheff          Atheneum       2008
Why I Fight -- J. Adams Oaks        Atheneum       2010
Wish You Were Dead -- Todd Strasser         EgmontUSA          2010
World War Z -- Max Brooks          Three Rivers          2007
(Starred titles chosen by Student Readers)

Students vote each year in February, so we have just revealed this year's winner. Past winners are:

2011 Suzanne Collins -- Hunger Games
2010 Cassandra Clare -- City of Bones
2009 Ellen Hopkins -- Crank
2008 Stephenie Meyer -- Twilight
2007 Scott Westerfeld -- Uglies
2006 Jodi Picoult -- My Sister’s Keeper
2005 Dave Pelzer -- A Child Called “It”

So I'm anxious to read the nominated titles that I haven't read yet. I will purchase all the titles (if I don't already have them) for my library. Do you know what your state does for student choice awards? Feel free to share your lists -- sometimes the titles are very comparable, and sometimes they are very different, so I'd be interested to see them!

Tuesday, March 22, 2011

Book Review: StarCrossed by Elizabeth Bunce

I have mixed feelings about Star Crossed. I enjoyed the book, although I found it a bit plodding at times.

At the beginning, there are many characters, places, and seven moons, along with their goddesses to be introduced to. The introduction to this new world was a bit overwhelming. Then I found the Lexicon in the back of the book that defined all these things. I think this should be in the front of the book, or at least there should be a note that it exists in the back because it was very helpful.

This is an interesting adventure which involves an alternate world (the seven moons kind of gives that away.) Many years ago this country had been taken over, and there has been much oppression of the people, and all magic has been outlawed. Our main character, Digger, is a thief who is running away so as not to get caught. She is taken in by some “Nobs” (stands for Nobility). Digger (or Celyn, as she is now called) becomes a lady’s maid for the princess, Meri. Digger's power is that she can sense magic in others. She realizes that Mari has magical abilities, and that this is a very dangerous thing.

All is not what it seems in the castle. Digger/Celyn begins to suspect there are many secrets, and maybe some of the people in the castle may be planning some sort of revolt against the government. Lord Daul knows Digger’s true identity, and blackmails her to do some spying for him. Digger discovers much more than she ever wanted to. It is difficult to tell who the good guys are, and who is bad.

Bunce writes a deliberately paced novel of Digger’s discoveries as she slowly realizes just how dire her situation is. I wouldn’t say it is slow, but it is very detailed and there are surprises and plot twists to keep it interesting. The pace picks up as the action builds at the end of the book, and the ending is satisfying, but leaves plenty of questions for Digger’s future books (Liar’s Moon will be released sometime this year.)

I’m not sure to whom I can recommend this book. It’s a fantasy, with a little bit of magic, so I wouldn’t call it paranormal. There's barely any romance. It takes a while to get into the book, and it kept my interest, but I think I would have to give this to real fantasy lovers only.

Published by Arthur A. Levine, 2010
Copy obtained from the library
359 pages (Qualifies for my 350 Page Book Challenge!)
Rating: 2.5/5

Monday, March 21, 2011

Monday Memories - Joy In the Morning

Welcome to my new meme, Monday Memories, where I'd like to feature favorite books we've loved from the past. You can link to an old review, or write something new about a beloved book from your past. Really, what's important is not the book, but why it is memorable to you. So, have fun reminiscing, and add your link below, so we can all enjoy your memories.

This book will always be special to me because I have such vivid memories of reading this in high school, probably as a freshman, and blushing because I thought it was so risqué! It was the first truly romantic book I think I had read, and I absolutely loved it. Of course, everything turned out all right in the end. Many years later, I decided to read this book again to see how "bad" it really was -- and there's really nothing in it! They kiss and stuff, but there's nothing explicit at all. Oh, to be young and innocent again!

Tell me about one of your cherished book memories!

1. Do a Monday Memories post on your blog. Copy my button and link back here, so others can see all the other posts.

2. Enter your Monday Memories link in the Link List below.
3. Visit some other blogs who have posted their links.

Sunday, March 20, 2011

The Best IMM Week Ever!

I got some great books this week from winnings and such, so let's get started:

From Random Buzzers (my first wins from them ever!):

The Dark and Hollow Places, by Carrie Ryan

Exposed, by Kimberly Marcus

From LibraryThing:

Brother/Sister, by Sean Olin

From Orca Publishing:

The Drop, by Jeff Ross

Beyond Repair, by Lois Peterson

Viral, by Alex Van Tol

B Negative, by Vicki Grant

From Banned Book Tours:

What Comes After, by Steve Watkins

Wow! I'm excited to read all these books - I don't know were to begin! I've been enjoying hopping around and seeing what you all procured this week. Thanks for stopping by. Also, a big THANKS to Kristi, The Story Siren, for hosting this great meme ever week. Go over there and check out some other mailboxes! Have a great week!

Saturday, March 19, 2011

Book Review: Memento Nora, by Angie Smibert

Memento Nora is a dystopian story that kept me intrigued to the very end. This is a society where something like Marshall Law has taken over. There are curfews and people’s movements and activities are tracked. There are security patrols with machine guns protecting the people. There are regular bombings of buildings and cars by a terrorist group called the Coalition. So, people who have the means spend a lot on their security—armored cars and sophisticated home security systems.

When 15-year-old Nora witnesses a horrible bombing of a book store, her mother takes her to the TFC (Therapeutic Forgetting Clinic) to get the pill to make her forget everything about this event. This is Nora’s first time, but the government encourages people to come here over and over. Visits are rewarded with points, which can be used like money.

At the clinic, Nora sees a young boy with a cast on his arm. As this boy is leaving the TFC, he opens his mouth to show Nora that he hasn’t swallowed his pill. So, when Nora is given the pill, she doesn’t swallow hers. She later meets the boy, Micah, and they (along with Micah’s friend, Winter) begin to create, print, and distribute comics that are subversive in nature. This, of course, puts them in much danger, and they realize all is not what it seems in this society, and even within their families.

Angie Smibert writes as if these characters are testifying (or, making a “Therapeutic Statement”) at a detention facility, and from the beginning Nora says she’s going to forget all of what she is saying. This is an interesting way to provide some foreshadowing. Micah, Nora, and Winter are all giving these statements. These three characters drive the story. There are secondary characters—parents, the librarian, the police officer—but we really get inside the three main character’s heads, because they are the narrators. They are realistic teens with the usual problems, making bad decisions and struggling to find their place in the world, as well as doing their small part to change it.

Even though the reader suspects how this is going to end, we still want to know what these kids can accomplish before they are caught, and the ending does offer some hope for the future. (A sequel is in the works.)This book is easy to read, short (great recommendation for those reluctant readers), and gives the reader a lot to think about. I can see this being used as a classroom read. Teens rebelling against an oppressive society – it doesn’t get better than that for some great discussions.

Published by Marshall Cavendish, April 1, 2011

ARC provided by “Banned Book Tours” for review

184 pages

Rating: 3.5/5

Friday, March 18, 2011

Blog Hopping, and "About My Week"

I was out of town to attend Link Crew training from Sunday through Wednesday. As a side note, if you are in secondary education, this program is simply amazing, so check out the link. But, what I really wanted to talk about was how much I missed my blogger friends. Not blogging, although I missed that too, but I missed all of you. Reading about what you are up to, what you are reading, what's on your mind. For three days I barely had time to check email, they kept us so busy. Let alone, check my blog reader. Or, read a book (I brought two books along--hah! I read about 15 pages the whole time I was there.) When I got home, I had about 230 email messages (mostly junk; I'm not that popular) and about 430 posts in Google Reader. I caught up today, and must admit, I didn't comment much.

My point is that blogging is a big part of my day right now. YOU are a big part of my day. I don't know if it will always be, but for now, I'm "totally into it." So, thanks for making my days!

I also started a new meme called "Monday Memories," so if you haven't checked that out, you can; and feel free to join in. I'll be posting another one of my memories on Monday.

At Crazy-For-Books, the Book Blogger Hop asks, "Do you read only one book at a time, or do you have several going at once?"

I read one novel and listen to one in the car. I really don't like having several books going at the same time--I guess I'm easily confused. If I stop a book because I've lost interest or it is long and I need a break, I might read another book during the break, but still not at the same time.

At Parajunkee's View, the question is, "How did you come up with your blog name?"

I have another blog which I started first called, "The Housework Isn't Getting Done." The URL is "Annette's Hobby Spot." So when I decided to break off the book review portion of my blog, my URL was naturally, "Annette's Book Spot." And I wanted to come up with a catchy name. So I used Dr. Seuss' "The More You Read, The More You Will Know." I really didn't think many people would read it. I wasn't thinking about "marketing" and "branding." I was just being cute. After a couple of months, I decided my blog name should match my URL (and needed to be shorter!), so I changed it. I still use Dr. Seuss as my by-line.

I've enjoyed reading all of your Follow Friday and Book Blogger Hop posts. I know I didn't comment much this week, but I'll be getting back to normal soon. Oh, and I hope to have an actual BOOK REVIEW up tomorrow. Thanks for stopping by. Let me know how your week was, and I hope you have a great weekend!

Wednesday, March 16, 2011

Waiting on Wednesday - Keep Sweet

Jill at Breaking The Spine hosts this weekly meme where bloggers talk about what books they wish they could get their hands on. I don't often post for this one, unless I've heard about a book I'm particularly interested in. This week I heard about a book that just came out, and I'm intrigued.

Keep Sweet, by Michele Dominquez Greene was released on March 8, 2011. It's about a 14-year-old girl who lives in a polygamist compound with her father, his seven wives, and her 28 siblings. She faces a forced marriage to a violent 50-year-old man. Is escape impossible?

I don't believe I've seen any discussions or reviews of this book. Has anyone read it? What did you think? Please let me know in the comments, and let me know what you are waiting on!

Monday, March 14, 2011

Welcome to Monday Memories!

Memoirs of a Geisha, by Arthur Golden. This book is about the life of a Japanese Geisha, and also details Japanese culture before and during WWII. I loved this book, but part of the reason is because I read it when my husband and I were on a road trip, and we took turns reading it aloud to each other as we switched drivers. It was a book we both enjoyed, and I'll never forget that experience.

Tell me about one of your cherished book memories!

1. Do a Monday Memories post on your blog. Copy my button and link back here, so others can see all the other posts.

2. Enter your Monday Memories link in the InLinkz List below.
3. Visit some other blogs who have posted their links.

Sunday, March 13, 2011

In My Mailbox -- Some WINNINGS!

It was a very good week for me, book-wise. Thanks to The Story Siren for once again hosting In My Mailbox!

Won:

Eyes Like Stars, and Perchance to Dream won from Mary @ Bookhounds

All You Get is Me won from Mary @ The Book Swarm

From the Library:

I found out I won The Dark and Hollow Places from Random Buzzers, so I need to read The Dead-Tossed Waves before that one arrives!

How was your week? Happy reading, everyone, and thanks for stopping by!

Saturday, March 12, 2011

Book Review: Into the Shadows, by Karly Kirkpatrick

I’m having trouble describing Into the Shadows. On one hand, it’s about people among us who have supernatural abilities. In this case, Paivi, our teenage narrator, has dreams about the future that come true. She also moves things with her mind, mostly in a violent way, when she gets angry. Her parents also have some abilities, but these aren’t really defined.

On the other hand, this story is about a dystopian society in the near future that is much like Nazi Germany. Because of rampant terrorist attacks, the government has obtained a list of all people suspected of having these supernatural abilities and begins to round them up and take away their rights because they have supposedly been aiding the terrorists. How they identified these people is not explained, except a USB flash drive containing these names is obtained from a mysterious man.

The story is predictable, but that’s part of its message. First, all these people have to wear an electronic pin. They have a curfew. They can’t eat at certain restaurants or shop at certain stores. Then, the authorities come and begin to take people away for interrogation, and sometimes these people aren’t ever seen again.

Paivi is trying to get through this ordeal with the help of some good friends (Jason in particular, who she is becoming romantically involved with.) Once this new society begins to be described, Paivi’s abilities fade into the background. There’s a little bit about her trying to control her dreams, but it seems like she could have tried to use some of her telekinetic abilities to her advantage. This didn’t really happen.

Karly Kirkpatrick’s writing felt true—it made me uncomfortable to see what this society had become. I wanted to shout out, “Do something! Don’t let them do this! What about the constitution?” So, I was definitely involved in the story. I would have liked to see some of the lesser characters a little more fleshed out. For example, Christian. I didn’t buy into the power he had over Paivi at the beginning of the book. And as I said, the supernatural abilities could have been a bigger part of the story.

My one BIG complaint about this book is the use of the word “anyways.” To me, this is absolutely unacceptable. I’m not talking about in a direct quote, because I know this is how people, especially the younger generation speak, but this word should not be used in the narration. It isn’t proper English!! (Stepping off soapbox...)

The story is readable. It definitely has a message. It ended on a huge cliffhanger – nothing was really resolved, so there may be more to come. It takes place in Illinois, and was written by an Illinois high school teacher, so that gives it special appeal for me and my students.

Published by CreateSpace, 2010
E-Book won from I am a Reader Not a Writer (Kathy) and the author
278 pages

Rating: 2.5/5