Wednesday, April 24, 2013


Ungifted: by Gordon Korman

Sometimes I feel like authors try too hard to speak to junior high level kiddos. It is akin to someone's mother saying things like "get jiggy with it!" or "word up!" - these sayings have their place (the years 1999 and 1987, respectively), but not in a junior high in 2013. This is why I like Gordon Korman so much. He writes novels for young readers that do not hide behind flashy literary trends or what’s the latest fashion – he writes timeless good fiction.  Take Ungifted, for example.  In this book we meet Donovan, a screw up with a good heart.  Because of an administrative error, he is sent to a magnet school for gifted students instead of being expelled for a prank that got way out of hand.  Donovan must convince the students and teachers that he is a genius, but instead teaches the others about friendship, heart, and loyalty.  Each chapter is told from a different point of view – either Donovan, his sister, the students at the magnet school, teachers, or the superintendent give us their perspective on the events and situations that transpire throughout the novel. 

Korman does a great job making each character believable and helps the reader to understand that sometimes one person’s rash decision can cause an entire community to change their perception on life; and sometimes the strangest people can become your closest friends.

Kudos to Korman for creating characters that show that junior high students still have heart!

Tuesday, April 23, 2013

Book Review:  Close to Famous by Joan Bauer
Foster McFee loves to bake.  No matter what is going on in her life, she knows a cupcake can make anything better.  One day she will have her own cooking show on the Food Network and help the world to understand the power of baked goods.  She and her mother have recently moved from Memphis, Tennessee to  Culpepper, West Virginia.  Whil in Culpepper, Foster befriends a budding documentary filmmaker, a "defender of all thats right and true", a famouse movie star, and a restaurant owner named "Angry Wayne".  With her friends, Foster discovers the strength within herself and helps the town get their fighting spirit back.
I enjoyed this book quite a bit.  There are realistic characters and situations to which many readers can relate.  Foster is a likable character, as are her mother and the people of Culpepper.  There are words of encouragement throughout the novel that help the reader to realize that even when things look their worst, you can always turn them around - all you need is a few ingredients and an oven!

Friday, April 5, 2013

A change of pace - Awesome Apps

Today as I was clicking through my current e-dition of School Library Journal, I found this list of awesome apps for students K-12.  They range from picture books to fiction to non-fiction; as well as educational games.  I found the list to be of interest, and thought I would share it with you guys!
Click here to get to the SLJ list!


L and R:  Some of the awesome apps mentioned in the article