If you are a fan of Hunger Games and Divergent, this book needs to be moved to the top of your "To Read" list!
The world has gone through wars, earthquakes, bio-terrorist attacks and other disasters. The nations have fallen apart and the United Commonwealth is in charge.
The story starts with Cia getting ready for her graduation day. She is nervous because she wants to be chosen for the Testing. Only a fewTesting candidates are chosen from each colony to compete to be able to go to University. Cia's colony, Five Lakes, has not had any candidates chosen for a long time. Cia's own super intelligent brothers were not chosen.
At the graduation, there is no official, so no one thinks that anyone made it to the testing. However, the next day, an official shows up, after having mechanical trouble, to tell 4 students, Cia included, that they have been chosen as Testing candidates. They are required to leave the next day.
Before she leaves, Cia's dad, who has gone through the Testing, pulls her aside and tells her his thoughts about the Testing and that she should trust no one! People who have gone through the testing don't remember it, but suffer through nightmares and flashes of memory. His information turns her thoughts about the Testing to a new level!
From the moment the candidates are picked up, the Testing begins. Cia picks up on this. No one realized that the testing just wasn't on paper, but the Testing is about being what the United Commonwealth considers a good leader.
I reccommend this book for ages 10 and up. There is some violence but it does not detract from the story.
Tuesday, October 22, 2013
Thursday, October 17, 2013
No easy way out
No Easy Way Out
Dayna Lorentz' second installment in this series is just as engaging as the first. No Safety in Numbers introduced to a group of people who get caught in a disasterous situation. They all thought they were going to have a wonderful Saturday at the mall, but ended up being quarantined in the mall after being exposed to a biological bomb.
In No Easy Way Out everyone seems to have accepted the fact that they may be there awhile. The riots are over, and the Senator is trying to create order out of the chaos. There are assigned jobs, homes and duties. Of course, there are some rebels. The senator wants to keep the teen rebels in order so enlists the aid of one of them to help her keep tabs. But things against the new order are still happening? Is it just the teenagers? Or are there other factions out there?
Who can be trusted?
I recommend, of course, reading the first book. This book reminded me of a modern day Lord of the Flies. Fans of Susan Beth Pfeffer will enjoy this book. There is some violence and sex, but it does not detract or over power the story.
Dayna Lorentz' second installment in this series is just as engaging as the first. No Safety in Numbers introduced to a group of people who get caught in a disasterous situation. They all thought they were going to have a wonderful Saturday at the mall, but ended up being quarantined in the mall after being exposed to a biological bomb.
In No Easy Way Out everyone seems to have accepted the fact that they may be there awhile. The riots are over, and the Senator is trying to create order out of the chaos. There are assigned jobs, homes and duties. Of course, there are some rebels. The senator wants to keep the teen rebels in order so enlists the aid of one of them to help her keep tabs. But things against the new order are still happening? Is it just the teenagers? Or are there other factions out there?
Who can be trusted?
I recommend, of course, reading the first book. This book reminded me of a modern day Lord of the Flies. Fans of Susan Beth Pfeffer will enjoy this book. There is some violence and sex, but it does not detract or over power the story.
Wednesday, September 18, 2013
So many books...
Since I have become a high school librarian I have read so many books! It is wonderful to be able to read wonderful young adult literature.
Of the ones I have read, I am going to write about the ones I can remember right now.
Please Forgive Me, Leonard Peacock
In this book, a boy decides that he is going to kill his ex-best friend and then kill himself. He goes to school with his grandfather's Nazi pistol. The thing that struck me the most with this book was how all the warning signs were there. He gave presents to people who meant a lot to him, he drastically changed his appearance, he kept telling people "Good-bye". This book was really touching and I highly recommend it to all teachers!
Wither
A great dystopian novel about what happens when we genetically alter our genes. First generations live to be a ripe old age, but their children and children's children die early. Girls die when they reach the age of 20 and boys die when they reach the age of 25.
Rhine is stolen to be the bride of a man whose father is a first generation. She befriends the first wife and the "sister wives". Then she falls in love with the servant Gabriel and they make a plan to run away.
I have just started the sequel.
Of the ones I have read, I am going to write about the ones I can remember right now.
Please Forgive Me, Leonard Peacock
In this book, a boy decides that he is going to kill his ex-best friend and then kill himself. He goes to school with his grandfather's Nazi pistol. The thing that struck me the most with this book was how all the warning signs were there. He gave presents to people who meant a lot to him, he drastically changed his appearance, he kept telling people "Good-bye". This book was really touching and I highly recommend it to all teachers!
Wither
A great dystopian novel about what happens when we genetically alter our genes. First generations live to be a ripe old age, but their children and children's children die early. Girls die when they reach the age of 20 and boys die when they reach the age of 25.
Rhine is stolen to be the bride of a man whose father is a first generation. She befriends the first wife and the "sister wives". Then she falls in love with the servant Gabriel and they make a plan to run away.
I have just started the sequel.
Friday, August 16, 2013
Umremembered by Jessica Brody
Sometimes we want to forget our past. 16 year old Sera is trying to remember hers. She wakes up in the hospital and doesn't remember who she, where she is or how she ended up floating among the wreckage of Freedom Airlines flight 121.
Her story intrigues the nation and brings her lots of attention. She is placed with a foster family who care for her until her "real" family claims her.
The story is very intriguing and fast paced. I would recommend this book for readers 12 and up.
Her story intrigues the nation and brings her lots of attention. She is placed with a foster family who care for her until her "real" family claims her.
The story is very intriguing and fast paced. I would recommend this book for readers 12 and up.
Thursday, March 21, 2013
Long time blogging
It has been a LONG time since I posted. I just listened to a great webinar about the biggest mistakes that bloggers make and I realized that I make almost all the mistakes! I will start trying to correct them. I am going to start by doing something I should always do and that is linking to another blog. I just found a great article about the importance of libraries written by famous authors. Enjoy!Writers on the Importance of Libraries
Sunday, June 3, 2012
Shadow and Bone by Leigh Barbugo
Disclaimer: The copy I read was an ARC provided by the publisher.
My friend Rebecca recommend this book. She said once she started reading it, she couldn't put it down.I agree! This books was very engaging, especially if you enjoy fantasy books.
Alina and Mal are orphans during a time of border wars between two nations. They were taken in by a duke's estate.This is a time of magic, which is called Small Science, and every child is tested by the Grisha Examiners (of the Second Army) to see if they have any powers. Mal and Alina are both fascinated and scared when the Examiners show up for them. They are separated, but don't want to leave each other for the testing.
Fast forward a few years and Alina an Mal are now in their late teens, and now part of the First (or the King's) Army. Mal is the best tracker there is, good looking and adored by the all, especially the girls. Alina is small, easily tired, but a hard working mapmakers apprentice. They don't see each other often, but still look out for each other. The story is told in 1st person by Alina, so we know that she is in love with Mal.
The Shadow Fold is a sea of Darkness that separates the world. It was created 1000 years ago and is uncrossable because of the monsters, Volcra, that live in it. The regiment that Alina and Mal are in try to cross The Fold. Mal is brutally injured which makes Alina reveal a dormant power which she uses to save him.
Once she shows her power, she is thought to be the key to saving the world. She is swept off into the world of the Grisha and life in the Little Palace. Mal is left behind. The Grisha in charge, The Darkling, is powerful and seductive. Alina learns that life as Grisha is not all that it seems.
Is Alina the Key to saving Ravka or is she something else?
I recommend this book for Middle School and up.
My friend Rebecca recommend this book. She said once she started reading it, she couldn't put it down.I agree! This books was very engaging, especially if you enjoy fantasy books.
Alina and Mal are orphans during a time of border wars between two nations. They were taken in by a duke's estate.This is a time of magic, which is called Small Science, and every child is tested by the Grisha Examiners (of the Second Army) to see if they have any powers. Mal and Alina are both fascinated and scared when the Examiners show up for them. They are separated, but don't want to leave each other for the testing.
Fast forward a few years and Alina an Mal are now in their late teens, and now part of the First (or the King's) Army. Mal is the best tracker there is, good looking and adored by the all, especially the girls. Alina is small, easily tired, but a hard working mapmakers apprentice. They don't see each other often, but still look out for each other. The story is told in 1st person by Alina, so we know that she is in love with Mal.
The Shadow Fold is a sea of Darkness that separates the world. It was created 1000 years ago and is uncrossable because of the monsters, Volcra, that live in it. The regiment that Alina and Mal are in try to cross The Fold. Mal is brutally injured which makes Alina reveal a dormant power which she uses to save him.
Once she shows her power, she is thought to be the key to saving the world. She is swept off into the world of the Grisha and life in the Little Palace. Mal is left behind. The Grisha in charge, The Darkling, is powerful and seductive. Alina learns that life as Grisha is not all that it seems.
Is Alina the Key to saving Ravka or is she something else?
I recommend this book for Middle School and up.
School's out for Summer!
I am officially out of school. It is funny how during the school year it seems like time just crawls, but when school is over, it is amazing how fast time went. I think part of it may be that my baby graduated 5th grade. I no longer have any Elementary children!
Both my girls are now in middle school and turning into teenagers!
I am hoping to do lots of reading and writing this summer!
It is always said that the TV is a mind number and it is so true! I know that I can have the best intentions of doing something like working out or reading a book and the second the tv is turned on, I just sit and watch. It is so easy to turn it on, but so hard to turn it off! Even when I know this and think about it, it still makes it hard! I am making a resolution to myself that I won't turn on the TV. That way I know I will have some time to think and write at least until my family wakes up.
Well, onto writing my next review.
Check it out!
Both my girls are now in middle school and turning into teenagers!
I am hoping to do lots of reading and writing this summer!
It is always said that the TV is a mind number and it is so true! I know that I can have the best intentions of doing something like working out or reading a book and the second the tv is turned on, I just sit and watch. It is so easy to turn it on, but so hard to turn it off! Even when I know this and think about it, it still makes it hard! I am making a resolution to myself that I won't turn on the TV. That way I know I will have some time to think and write at least until my family wakes up.
Well, onto writing my next review.
Check it out!
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