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!

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!

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

Book Review: The True Adventures of Charley Darwin by Meyer

The True Adventures of Charley Darwin by Carolyn Meyer

In this novel, Meyer writes as a young Charles Darwin, inscribing his memoirs in a journal.  This would be historically accurate in that Darwin filled many a journal with scientific discoveries, ideas, and personal thoughts.
The novel begins in 1818 when Darwin is nine years old and beginning school.  It then traces his life up to his marriage to Emma Wedgwood in 1839.  This time frame includes his voyage on the HMS Beagle from 1831 to 1836.
I must say, what I love about Meyer is she is authentic.  I very much felt like I was reading Darwin's voice.  I could feel every lurch of the boat and every bout of illness.
At the same time, I felt the pacing was a bit off.  Many pages were devoted to South America, where Darwin spent many months collecting and examining flora and fauna, but only a few pages were devoted to the Galapagos and Tahiti.  I was expecting a bit more meat on those pages.  I would have liked to have seen a bit more of how Darwin would have reacted to the finches and boobie birds - this was the area where the seed of an idea was planted, but very little attention was given to this part.
I did enjoy seeing an awkward Darwin in social settings while he was in England.  I could imagine him tucked away in a corner, praying for a swift end to the evening's frivolities.  And his courtship (or lack thereof) of his cousin also gave him a human side that we often forget when learning about men of science.
Overall, I would give this book a seven out of ten.  I found the content and situations intriguing, but the build up was a bit slow, and I would like to have more information from his time on the Beagle.

Two book reviews - because I am behind...

Hello, all!
I am a little behind - I have been reading like no one's business but I have not been posting!  What is wrong with me??!!  Anywho, I will briefly review two outstanding books that I have read over the last week and L-O-V-E-D.
Book the First:  Here Lies Arthur by P. Reeve

As I was pacing the shelves trying to find something a little action-y in my adventure section, I stumbles upon this tome.  My first thought was, "Oh, man...I put this in the wrong section." Then I began reading.  And I kept reading.  And I continued reading.  Next thing you know I was half way through the book!  This is the story of Gwyn/Gwynna, a girl whose home is detroyed by Arthur and his men.  She is picked up by Myrddin, a bard who spins fantastical tales about the savior of the realm, Arthur.  Arthur does not act or look like the savior of the realm, but thanks to the tales of Myrrdin, people all over have heard of his bravery and general awesomeness.
Myrrdin takes Gwynna under his wing and makes her his page - he also tells her she must act like a boy so that no one is suspicious of her (she becomes Gwyn).  As she gets older, Myrrdin sends her to live with Gwenhwyfar, Arthur's Christian wife, as a Lady in Waiting.  She must learn how to be a girl again and blend in with the "royal" family.
This novel is the story of Arthur through the eyes of  Gwynna/Gwyn.  She sees him not as the hero that Myrddin portrays throughtout the countryside, but as the flawed human who is a great fighter but also an intimidating leader.  It also shows how the myth of Arthur is continued even after bad situations occur, and it justifies why we need the lie of Arthur in the first place.  The flawed hero is one of my favorite types of hero in books, and for this reason I loved the story.  Along the same lines, the folks who love the myth of Arthur might find this book a bit disconcerting - they might not like to see Arthur portrayed as a brute.
This novel was greatly researched and greatly written.  I loved the use of the Welsh names for the people around Arthur - it gave the book a very authentic feel. 

Book the Second:  Divergent by V. Roth

Let me start this review by saying I have not been living under a rock for the past year.  I do know about this book, but I have refrained from reading it because I like to read series when all of the installments are in - this way I can seamlessly work my way through the story.  Once I have finished one book, I simply move to the next one in line without batting an eyelash.  With that said, I thought I would just wait until September when the last installment of this book was published and I could read the whole thing in one week.
I must have a weak will, because I could not take anymore buzz surrounding this book.  I had to read it just to see what all the fuss was about - I made it through Twilight virtually unscathed, so why not this?
Awesomeness, thy name is Roth.  This book is great - great premise, great story, great characters, and lots of awkward teen moments.  Awesome. 
This is the story of a future world where 5 factions live in peace - Abnegation, Erudite, Amity, Dauntless, and Candor.  Each of those factions are in charge of something that helps the city function - I will let you read to see what they all do.  On the day Beatrice must choose which faction she would like to join (based on an aptitude test, among other things) she decides to go into a faction completely different from where she was raised.  As she is training under the new faction, she finds romance, heartbreak, questions herself, questions her leaders - pretty much runs the gamut of teen emotions.  She also discovers that there is a plot to overthrow the government.  She must save the world and get her first kiss at the same time!!  Now THAT, my friends, is what you call good YA lit!!!
I found this book awoke my inner giggly teen, and I cannot wait to read Insurgent, the next book in the series.  I just have to wait for it to come back into the library - it is ALWAYS checked out!

Book Review: The Grave Robber's Apprentice

The Grave Robber's Apprentice is the newest tome from Allan Stratton.  Now, as they say down here in Texas, this is not Mr. Stratton's first rodeo, and this book does not disappoint!  In this story we follow Hans, a boy found at birth by an old graverobber.  Hans is raised to be a graverobber's apprentice, but he does not want that life.  Angela is a young countess who is trying to escape a forced marriage to an evil man.  These two must join forces to escape the evil Archduke who is hunting both of them for very different reasons.  There is adventure, mayhem, hermits, wolves, and even a traveling circus!  It is a great fantasy adventure, and one that many students will love.

Book Review: Insignia by S.J. Kincaid

I have never been a Sci-Fi girl.  You can ask anyone.  I have enjoyed fantasy, horror, chick lit, and mystery, but I could never get into Sci-Fi.  The most I can do is alternate futures, maybe a little time travel, but once you get into space or tech-y stuff, my eyes glaze over and I turn into a vegetable.  It is not pretty.  So, when I got a copy of this from Junior Library Guild I just placed it to the side.  However, as I began reading reviews, I decided to give it a go.  Why not?  If I do not like it, I can put it back on the shelf...
Well, let me tell you, I was pleasantly surprised by this book.  It is the future, and the world is at war (World War III).  The war is fought in space - there are lots of resources there and no inhabitants.  Countries are tied to businesses, and the businesses fund the war - they want to get the resources from the planets and use them to bolster their bottom line.  Giant cruisers do all of the fighting, but they ar controlled by pilots here on earth. 
The protagonist, Tom, is a squirrelly guy who can't seem to do anything right - except play video games.  The government recruits Tom to train in their academy so that he can eventually become a pilot of one of the great space ships. Tom must face many demons, some in human form, others in his head, in order to survive his first year and graduate to the next level of training.
This is a great start to the series, and I cannot wait to see how Tom will grow and develop - I am also excited to see how his relationship with Medusa develops!