Truth About Twinkie Pie

TITLE: The Truth About Twinkie Pie
AUTHOR: Kat Yeh
RELEASE DATE: January 2015
PUBLISHER: Little, Brown and Company
PAGES: 342 pages
GENRE: ChickLit
OVERALL RATING: 4/5
APPROPRIATE AGE: grades 6+

SUMMARY: GiGi (born Galileo Galilei) moves from a South Carolina trailer park to Long Island when her sister DiDi wins a big baking contest and can finally afford to send her little sister to a prep school that is worthy of GiGi's intellect. While DiDi works in the saloon, GiGi goes to school determined for a fresh start. She changes her name to Leia and even becomes friends with the most popular boy in school, Trip. But this new friendship also comes with a new enemy: Mace who is intent on ruining Leia's dreams of a better life. 

WHAT I LIKED: Throughout the book Gigi uses her mom's recipes to compare to her own situations in life. I really loved this because by the time I finished reading, I wanted to make some of the recipes myself!

WHAT I DIDN'T LIKE: This book has a slow start. Too often I have students return it after only reading the first couple of chapters. The story seems a little immature for my junior high students, but after giving a short book talk on what else the book has to offer, students are intrigued and usually give it a second chance. All I have to say is, stick with it, the story gets really good about half way through. 

READALIKES: Genuine Sweet by Faith Harkey, The Battle of Darcy Lane by Tara Altebrando

BOOK TRAILER: not the official book trailer, but a good one created by Tobie Cattarin

Zac and Mia

TITLE: Zac and Mia
AUTHOR: A.J. Betts
RELEASE DATE: May 2016
PUBLISHER: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
PAGES: 292 pages 
GENRE: Realistic Fiction
OVERALL RATING: 4/5
APPROPRIATE AGE: grades 8-12 

SUMMARY: Zac has leukemia, after a bone marrow transplant, he is counting down the days he has to spend in the hospital til his immune system is back up so he can return to a normal life on his olive farm in Australia. Mia has osteosarcoma and isn't accepting her cancer as easily as Zac. Mia is angry; she screams at her mom, pushes her boyfriend away, and plays loud music in the hospital room next door. When Zac tries befriending Mia and showing her that her chances of survival are high, they embark on an adventure that ends up changing both their lives forever.

   

FAVORITE QUOTE: "When I was little I believed in Jesus and Santa, spontaneous combustion, and the Loch Ness monster. Now I believe in science, statistics, and antibiotics." (Betts, )

WHAT I LIKED: This book showed two different reactions to living with cancer. Zac understands cancer is a part of his life and has learned to deal with all of the shortcomings. Mia will not accept the fact that she has cancer, even hides it from all of her friends. Overall, this is a great way to show there are always two ways to handle a situation: deal with it or hide from it. Only one of those reactions is going to make the situation better.  

WHAT I DIDN'T LIKE: Reading a book about two kids with cancer, you know the ending is not going to be "happily ever after". So other than the fact that ::spoiler alert:: someone dies, the book was a really great read. But doesn't every one hate when reading a book and investing time into a character only to see them not survive till the last page? 

READALIKES: The Fault In Our Stars by John Greene

BOOK TRAILER: 

Lost in the Sun

TITLE: Lost in the Sun
AUTHOR: Lisa Graff
RELEASE DATE: May 2015
PUBLISHER: Philomel Books
PAGES: 289 pages
GENRE: Realistic Fiction
OVERALL RATING: 2/5
APPROPRIATE AGE: grades 5-8 

SUMMARY: Everyone hates Trent, or at least, that's what he thinks. Mrs. Emerson hates him because he broke her plant on the first day of school, Coach Gorman hates him because he won't participate in PE, his dad hates him because he won't let him hold his baby sister, Annie hates him for causing her brother's death. But when one girl with a scar on her face admits that she doesn't hate him, Trent is introduced to a new world. A world where bullies don't matter, teachers actually care about you, and maybe no one blames you for that horrific accident on the ice last winter.

FAVORITE QUOTE: "When you do choose to speak... speak truths." (Graff, 245)
   

WHAT I LIKED/DIDN'T LIKE: This book was incredibly boring to me, but I forced myself to push on for the greater good. That and I really wanted to know how Fallon actually got her scar. But when I got to the last page, and the very last sentence of the entire book is, "As she told me the beginning of her story." I realized that I would NEVER know how she actually got the horrific scar on her face. And for that, I will forever hate this book. That one little thing was like the biggest cliffhanger in the entire book, it is what kept me reading, and yet the author never tells you. 

Lady Midnight

TITLE: Lady Midnight
AUTHOR: Cassandra Clare
RELEASE DATE: March 2016
PUBLISHER: Margaret K. McElderberry Books
PAGES: 668 pages
GENRE: Fantasy/Supernatural
SERIES: Dark Artifices
OVERALL RATING: 5/5
APPROPRIATE AGE: grades 8-12 

SUMMARY: Its been five years since the Dark War, and parabatais Emma Carstairs and Julian Blackthorn star in this next installment of the Shadowhunter series. All grown up, Julian takes on the role of guardian to the four younger Blackthorn children, while also secretly running the Los Angeles institute for his absentminded uncle, Arthur. Emma is still convinced her parents were not killed by Sebastian and is working to investigate a series of demonic murders. But when the faeries call on the help of the Shadowhunters, they refuse, until the Fae offer up their brother, Mark of the Dark Hunt, as collateral. With the Shadowhunters go against the Clave, and break the Law to help the Fae? 

FAVORITE QUOTE: "And if there were two things he believed were limitless, it was love and imagination." (Clare, 168)
   

WHAT I LIKED: I am a complete Shadowhunters fan, I have read all of the books. My favorites are The Infernal Devices, which I just found out has a follow up series (The Last Hours) coming out in 2017. I liked seeing the story continue on with the next generation of Shadowhunters. I also liked that all of the characters from The Mortal Instruments play a part in this series. Getting to see all your favorite characters like Clary, Jace, Simon, Izzy, Alec and Magnus finally get their Happily Ever After just leaves you feeling warm and fuzzy. 

WHAT I DIDN'T LIKE: 

SERIES UPDATE: The next book in the series is Prince of Shadows but does not have an expected release date yet

BOOK TRAILER: I could not find an official book trailer for Lady Midnight (shame shame, Simon and Shuster), but I would like to point you in the direction of the Official Shadowhunter Chronicles website. Check it out here at http://shadowhunters.com/

We Are All Made of Molecules

TITLE: We Are All Made of Molecules
AUTHOR: Susin Nielsen
RELEASE DATE: May 2015
PUBLISHER: Wendy Lamb Books
PAGES: 248 pages
GENRE: Realistic Fiction, Comedy
OVERALL RATING: 3/5
APPROPRIATE AGE: grades 8-12 

SUMMARY: Stewart is a socially awkward boy genius, Ashley is the most popular girl in school. Their worlds collide when Stewart and his dad move in with Ashley and her mom. Stewart always wanted a sister, but Ashley doesn't want to be seen with him in public. When Stewart's bully starts dating Ashley, Stewart thinks this can work toward his advantage. But when Stewart finds out what Jared, the bully, really thinks about his semi-stepsister, Stewart begins to wonder if he should step in and help the girl who makes his life hell every day.

FAVORITE QUOTE: "I have to wait another two years before I can hire a lawyer and get unconstipated." Just an example of how much an airhead Ashley is. 
   

WHAT I LIKED: Normally, it is easy for me to say I love the characters of the books I read. However, with this book, it was not the case. Stewart is a total nerd, who is socially awkward, and has a hard time making friends. Ashley is a total airhead who doesn't care who she puts down, as long as she maintains her spot on the social ladder. For the first several chapters, I absolutely hated both of the characters. However, the alternating point of views helped ease the annoyance of each character's story. It was nice to hear about one situation from Stewart's point of view and then hear the same situation told from Ashley's point of view in the next chapter. Overall, the message of the story is clear, and you're able to see the aspects of bullying from several different aspects up and down the social ladder.

WHAT I DIDN'T LIKE: When I purchased this book for my middle school library, all of the reviews recommended it for grades 7-10. It was even part of the state of Texas's Lone Star Book List for 2016. I do not feel this book is appropriate for seventh graders. It's really pushing it for eighth graders. There are a lot of cuss words in the book (I always ask why the author feels the need to do this. Adding curse words into a book automatically makes me think it is not middle school appropriate). There are also mature scenes that involve drinking, and sexual situations (rape). 

READALIKES: The Unlikely Hero of Room 13B by Teresa Toten

Dumplin'

TITLE: Dumplin'
AUTHOR: Julie Murphy
RELEASE DATE: September 2015
PUBLISHER: Balzer + Bray
PAGES: 375 pages
GENRE: ChickLit, Realistic Fiction, Comedy
OVERALL RATING: 5/5
APPROPRIATE AGE: grades 8-12 (language)

SUMMARY: Willowdean Dickson is a self-proclaimed fat girl and Dolly Parton enthusiast. Her best friend is tall, blonde, perfect, and about to leave her behind in high school. Her mom is a former beauty queen who now runs Clover City's annual Miss Blue Bonnet Beauty Pageant, but never expected Willowdean to compete. Bo, her crush, will kiss her by the dumpster behind Harpy's, but won't be seen in public with her. With all of this qoing against her, Will decides she will show them all that fat girls can win by entering the Miss Blue Bonnet Beauty Pageant. 

FAVORITE QUOTE: "Mom, I feel good." My voice starts out even and calm. "This dress makes me feel like someone I didn't know I could be. I've never owned anything like it. But if when you see this-when you see me-you think it's a pity, that it's a shame I didn't lose a few, then screw you, Mom. Try harder." (Murphy, 297)

WHAT I LIKED: I loved every single thing about this book. I loved all of the Texan quirks I could relate to, "...because on the eighth day God created ranch dressing." (Murphy, 13). I love WillowDean Dickson, her confidence, her attitude; she is the type of girl I wish I had as a best friend when I was in high school. I found myself chuckling at parts, tearing up at other parts and just busting out laughing too. Overall, I loved the message this book gave and I definitely think this is a book that every girl needs to read: fat or twiggy thin.

WHAT I DIDN'T LIKE: I will have to admit, I didn't like the ending. Not in a bad way, I just wanted MORE! I wanted the Happily Ever After, where the book only gave me the very smidge of a possible beginning for a Happily Ever After. 

READALIKES: Wonder by R.J. Palacio

BOOK TRAILER: After tweeting with the author, Julie Murphy, I found that there is not an official book trailer for Dumplin'. But Epic Reads has created a couple of videos, and I've included my favorite which is a video about the author, Julie Murphy. 

Everything, Everything

TITLE: Everything, Everything
AUTHOR: Nicola Yoon
RELEASE DATE: September 2015
PUBLISHER: Delacourt Press
PAGES: 310 pages
GENRE: Realistic Fiction
OVERALL RATING: 4/5
APPROPRIATE AGE: grades 9-12

SUMMARY: Madeline Whitaker suffers from Severe Combined Immunodeficiency (SCID) or the "bubble baby disease". She has not left her house since she was a baby. But other than that, she is a typical teenage girl: she takes classes over Skype, reads like crazy and plays Phonetic Scrabble every Friday night with her doctor mother in her sterile, sealed house. Life is perfect, until Olly moves in next door, and opens her world to experiences she never knew were possible. 

FAVORITE QUOTE: "When I was younger, one of my favorite activities was imagining alternate universe versions of myself. Sometimes I was a rosy cheeked outdoorsy girl who ate flowers and hiked alone, uphill, for miles. Or I was a skydiving, drag racing, adrenaline-fueled daredevil. Or a chainmail-wearing, sword-swinging, dragon slayer. It was fun to imagine those things because I already knew who I was. Now I don't know anything. I don't know who I'm supposed to be in my new world."

WHAT I LIKED/DIDN'T LIKE: I am combining these two questions for this particular book because the thing that I loved about this story is also the thing that constantly frustrated me. When reading Maddy and Olly's conversations, I literally found myself smiling and often laughing out loud. They're funny. But as my husband would say, "Who talks like that?". I would love to find two teenagers who discuss novels like Lord of the Flies and Pride and Prejudice. Heck! Find me two teenagers who have actually read both those books!

READALIKES: The Fault in Our Stars by John Green

MOVIE RELEASE: movie release May 19, 2017

BOOK TRAILER: I was unable to find an official book trailer for this novel. However I found an interview with the author, Nicola Yoon, and she describes the storyline and her inspiration behind the book.

All The Bright Places

TITLE: All The Bright Places
AUTHOR: Jennifer Niven
RELEASE DATE: January 2015
PUBLISHER: Alfred A. Knopf
PAGES: 388 pages
GENRE: Realistic Fiction
OVERALL RATING: 5/5
APPROPRIATE AGE: grade 9+ (curse words, sex, and mature situations)

SUMMARY: Theodore Finch and Violet Markey meet in the most unlikely of places... six stories up on the ledge of the school's bell tower. They couldn't be more opposite, Theodore is the weird kid who goes an entire month wearing a cape, or comes to school painted red even though it isn't school spirit day. Violet is a beautiful blonde who is dating the most popular guy in school. But when a school project brings them together, both of their worlds open up to new things, neither one ever thought possible.

FAVORITE QUOTE: "Before I die I want to..." (Niven, 135). I really loved this part of the book (Violet - 145 days till liberation), because it made me actually stop and think about what I would write. After doing a little research, I found out there are real places around the world with boards just like in the book. You can find a list at this website: http://beforeidie.cc. I'm even going to include this idea in my Book Talk about this novel and leave it up on the board to give my students the opportunity to write what they would do.

WHAT I LIKED: Reading this book, I became completely obsessed. I absolutely could not put it down. I felt like Violet and Finch were my best friends, I laughed with them, I cried with them. Literally... real tears. Throughout the progress of this book, I could feel my mood changing. At the beginning of the book I felt sad and depressed with all of the talk about death and depression. But then when Violet and Finch start on their wandering adventure, I felt happy and alive, like I could do anything. Then at the end, it was nothing but tears; complete streaming down my face, snot dripping out of my nose, crying for the last fifty pages. There is nothing I love more than when a book makes me connection with the fictional characters to the point that I become emotional over a situation in the book. That is the kind of writing that makes authors awesome.

WHAT I DIDN'T LIKE: nothing

READALIKES: The Fault In Our Stars by John Green

MOVIE RELEASE: Production begins Spring 2016

BOOK TRAILER: 

The School for Good and Evil

TITLE: The School for Good and Evil
AUTHOR: Soman Chainani
RELEASE DATE: May 2013
PUBLISHER: Harper
PAGES: 488 pages
SERIES: Book 1 in The School for Good and Evil trilogy (Book 2: A World Without Princes, Book 3: The Last Ever After)
GENRE: Fantasy
OVERALL RATING: 4/5
APPROPRIATE AGE: grades 5+

SUMMARY: Sophie is the picture perfect rendition of a fairy tale princess, Agatha is the complete opposite. But every day, Sophie makes the trek to the dark graveyard to visit Agatha for her good deed of the day. Why would she do this? Because every four years the School Master visits Gavaldon and kidnaps two children, one for the School of Good and one for the School of Evil. While other parents are locking their children away, Sophie is leaving treats on her windowsill to welcome the School Master. But when Sophie is taken away with Agatha by a dark shadow, she knows there must be a terrible mistake when she is dropped into the School for Evil. But how can she prove to the School Master that she is the princess that belongs in the School of Good?

FAVORITE QUOTE: "In the forest primeval, A school for good and evil, Two towers like twin heads, One for the pure, One for the wicked, Try to escape you'll always fail, the only way out is, through a fairy tale."

WHAT I LIKED: I loved the world-building in this book. All of the descriptions of each room of the castle, the differences between the School for Good and the School for Evil. The descriptions of the characters are amazing. The black and white drawings throughout the book only improved my imagination. 

WHAT I DIDN'T LIKE: The complete cliff hanger that is the ending of this book. I'm talking stop in the middle of a sentence, what just happened, I can't get book number two fast enough!

READALIKES: Ever After High series by Shannon Hale

MOVIE RELEASE: In Development from Universal Studios

BOOK TRAILER: 

Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda

TITLE: Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda
AUTHOR: Becky Albertalli
RELEASE DATE: April 2015
PUBLISHER: Balzer + Bray
PAGES: 325 pages 
GENRE: Realistic Fiction, Humor, LGBT
OVERALL RATING: 4/5
APPROPRIATE AGE: grades 9-12

SUMMARY: Simon is an in-the-closet, high school junior with a secret online boyfriend named "Blue". The only thing Simon knows about Blue is that they go to the same school. Life is perfect, until one of his secret emails falls into the hands of the wrong person. Simon must find a way to come out before he is pushed out. 

WHAT I LIKED: I really enjoyed the story, the character of Simon, the humor, and the pure awkwardness of Simon's love life (or lack of one). I really think that every high school student, straight or gay, needs to read this book. To be able to see how Simon copes keeping his biggest secret, and the huge burden he feels of telling people; I believe would be a huge eye-opener to people on both sides. 

WHAT I DIDN'T LIKE:  I didn't like the language. There were a lot of curse words in this book, which made it inappropriate for my students in 7th-8th grade. I would have really liked making this available in my school library, but couldn't for that one reason.

READALIKES: Wonder by R.J. Palacio

BOOK TRAILER: none found