Drums, Girls and Dangerous Pie

This month's choice is a realistic look at what it's like to live with a family member who is battling cancer. Not syrupy, nor bitter sweet, nor according to a formula, this novel gives us a view of life with realistic characters.
Jordan Sonnenblic wrote this novel because he had a student who needed it. He had looked for a book that helped his student know that she wasn't alone; a novel that helped her see her way through what she was experiencing. When he didn't find it, he realized that it was needed and wrote it himself.
Rather than quote from someone else's review, I'll give you the link and encourage you to read it for yourself. http://www.teenreads.com/reviews/0439755190.asp
I hope you choose to stop by the library and spend a weekend with Steven, his parents and his little brother Jeffrey

The Wizard, The Witch and Two Girls From Jersey

"Fantasy will never be the same. Not after a couple of high school girls from New Jersey, USA get zapped by a malfunctioning barcode scanner at a bookstore while wrestling over the last in-stock copy of The Queen of Twilight, a fantasy book for which they have to write a book report. For bookworm Veronica Lopez, it's simply a matter of refreshing her memory of a book she has read many times, only she can't find her old copy of it. For self-absorbed popular-girl Heather Simms, it's a last-minute attempt to salvage her grade in English class. But since neither of them will let go of the book, the laser beam sends them both straight into it. Yes, into the book."

shamless lifted from:
http://www.mugglenet.com/booktrolley/papademetrioul-jersey.shtml

This is a fun read for a fun month. February, the shortest month of the year has Valentine's Day in the middle. This is not a romance, just a fun spoof on fantasy novels. So come on by the Library and borrow a copy. It won't take you more than a weekend to race through this light reading.

Then get on line and let me know what you think.

Feed by M. T. Anderson

So, someone noticed that this is a repeat author. Yup! I just couldn't resist this book. It's so thought provoking. There are plenty of issues to consider:

• Consumerism
• Technology
• Food Production
• School
• Life styles

As you read I'm sure you'll have reactions to what is going on around Titus and his friends; what they are doing and how they live. Titus says he likes debates where people argue "different points of view". What do you think of his debating skills? What does that tell you about Titus and his friends?

I have lots more questions. I hope you start writing shortly after you start reading.

Sleeping Freshmen Never Lie

by David Lubar

Scott is constantly makeing lists and those are worth the read just for the dry humor. One of my favorite examples is in the beginning on page 13. I used to ride the bus, so I like his "Field Guide to School-Bus Drivers".

Ok, here's the first question about this fun look at Scott's freshman year:
How would you describe Scott’s relationship with his older brother Bobby? How does this relationship change after Scott discovers Bobby’s secret?

I'll start. I got the impression that the relationship between the brothers was pretty typical. Bobby seemed removed and into his own things; someone that Scott admired in some ways and didn't respect in other ways. I also felt that Scott really didn't like the direction that Bobby was going with his life, but Scott felt either powerless to change things or just uncomfortable interfering as a younger brother. Things chang drastically for Bobby with Scott's help. Or should I say that Bobby changes with Scott's help. We see a different person and brother. I think Scott is a great example of a hero, an every day hero, which is what I think most heros are. They are people who find ways to help others. That leads me to another question but I think I'll hold off on that one and see where the conversation goes.

I'm looking forward to reading what you have to say. . .

Twisted

Wow, it's November, already and we're nearly half way through the month. It's time for Twisted!
The inside front flap of the book jacket says "Everybody told me to be a man. Nobody told me how." Do you think Tyler's process for growing up was any better (or worse) than the ones everyone around him were using?

Thirsty

After getting used to Anderson's writing style, I've become intrigued. Chris is dealing with a tough situation. He asks, “What would she do, my mother, if she found out a son of hers was not human?” How would you be dealing with this situation? How would you feel knowing that you were turning into something you didn’t want to be?

Up next - - THIRSTY!

This is great fun and I want to thank those of you who have gone back into the blog more than once on a question to respond to each other. This is really a fun medium for a book club.

Next month, just next week(!), we will start reading Thirsty, by M. T. Anderson.
Stop by the Library and borrow a copy. I should have plenty for you, soon.