false 5 107 98 true 5660090 read 0 true 5227148 currently-reading 9 true 5227147 to-read 32 false 5290859 mgms-student-hot-picks 32 false 5295099 action-adventure 19 false 5313217 awards-winners--honors-winners 17 false 5295238 sci-fi-fantasy 14 false 5284633 mgms-staff-hot-picks 10 false 5295227 sad-have-your-tissues-ready 10 false 5299065 multi-cultural 8 false 5295125 historical-fiction 5 false 5264972 novels-in-verse 5 false 5295130 vampires 5 false 5295211 graphic-novels 4 false 5295292 nonfiction-biography http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/60467400 to: Walk Two Moons (Summer Reading Edition) by Sharon Creech
bookshelves: awards-winners--honors-winners, mgms-staff-hot-picks
Here's what Mrs. Warner had to say about this book:
Overview: 13-year-old Salamanca Tree Hiddle's life is in a state of upheaval. Her mom is gone, she and her Dad move to a new town, and nothing is right until everything is.
This book ROCKS because: Sal's story is an amazing voyage through bizarre neighbors, her dad's new girlfriend (maybe), her friend's mom's disappearance, her own mom's absence, and a crazy cross-country trip with her grandparents. In Salamanca's desperate search for her mom, she finds herself. Who is the raving lunatic?! ]]> http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/59440462 to: Savvy (Hardcover) by Ingrid Law
bookshelves: action-adventure, awards-winners--honors-winners, to-read
Mibs' 13th birthday is about to be like no other. Aside from the fact that people in her family get their "savvy" when they turn 13, Mibs, her brothers and friends are about to go on an adventure they weren't planning on. Fun characters and fun word choice (I know, one of the 6 traits, but really...fun!): words like hobbledehoy, fizzgiggly, foofaraw, and froufrou frippery. There are tons of great similes and metaphors, too--not in a boring, throw-something-in-to-get-more-points-from-a-teacher way, but in a fun way that brings out Mibs'voice! (really!) You'll love Mibs and the people she meets along the way of her adventure. You might even discover you have a savvy of your own! ]]> http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/59440550 to: Artichoke's Heart (Hardcover) by Suzanne Supplee
Rosemary has issues: her weight and the teasing that comes with it, her pushy aunt, her mom's cancer, and the busy-bodies that frequent her mom's beauty salon. Rosemary also has an inner determination she never knew she had, and support from a great friend. Will Rosie's issues take control and cause her to continue gaining weight or will her inner determination win out? Artichoke's Heart is a great book for anyone who struggles with issues of any sort, and really, who doesn't struggle with issues?! ]]> http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/59440520 to: I Wanna Be Your Shoebox (Audio CD) by Cristina Garcia
bookshelves: multi-cultural
Yumi is not your average teen. Her parents have been divorced for a while; her mom, a Cuban author, her dad, the punk rocking son of a Japanese mom and New York Jewish dad. Yumi's on a search to find out who she is: is she her heritage? is she a clarinet player? a surfer? a conductor? a daughter? a granddaughter? a traveler? a runaway? a friend or GIRLfriend? Find out along side Yumi as she listens to the stories of her dying grandfather's life, as she supports her dad's punk rock career, learns to surf and tries to save her middle school's symphonic orchestra. I Wanna Be Your Shoebox is the title of Yumi's dad's new song, and perhaps Yumi herself as she stores the aspects of her life that make her who she is. May require a tissue at the end for the tender-hearted. ]]> http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/64112726 to: Jeremy Fink and the Meaning of Life (Hardcover) by Wendy Mass
bookshelves: action-adventure, mgms-staff-hot-picks
Here's what Mrs. Deschamp had to say:
Overview: "A great story about a boy on the verge of turning 13 who receives a mysterious box from his departed dad. He must search for the 4 keys to open the box that contains the meaning of life according to his dad. He and his best friend embark on a great journey to find the keys and encounter many people along the way who share their stories and thoughts on the meaning of life.
This book rocks because: What is in the box...you should read it and find out ]]> http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/59440421 to: Graceling (Hardcover) by Kristin Cashore
bookshelves: action-adventure, sci-fi-fantasy
Do you have a special talent? Do others try to use you for your talent? What would it be like to be feared for your talent? This is Katsa's predicament. Katsa's talent, called a Grace, is killing. Gracelings are recognized by having two different colored eyes, and Katsa's blue and green eyes are legendary, striking the fear of her Grace into all who see her...until she meets Po, a Graceling prince from a distant kingdom. <Graceling> starts out a little slow, but really becomes a page-turner--I had a hard time putting it down. I wan't thrilled with the ending, but overall, a fun escape to another place! I'm hoping for a sequel. ]]> http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/59440006 to: The Graveyard Book (Hardcover) by Neil Gaiman
bookshelves: action-adventure, awards-winners--honors-winners, sci-fi-fantasy
Oh Gators! You must read this book! It's the story of Bod (short for Nobody) Owens and his adventures while being raised by ghosts in a graveyard. Yup, Bod is being raised by dead people and learning important dead people stuff, like Fading, Dreamwalking and Haunting. How did this all come about? Bod's original family were killed when he was just a baby and somehow he escaped and ended up in the graveyard and the ghosts adopted him. The man who killed his family is still out there--and still wants to kill him, so Bod must not leave the graveyard--so how will he get food? clothes? A fabulous adventure, with just the perfect amount of creepiness... ]]> http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/59440213 to: Betrayed (House of Night, #2) by P.C. Cast
bookshelves: vampires
Book 2 in the House of Night series...Zoey is now the leader of the Dark Daughters, and discovering her unique affinities to the elements. It's enough to keep anyone really busy, but our vamp Zoey is an over achiever--she's also juggling three "boyfriends": the super-hot Erik, also a vampyre; the older vampyre poet, Loren; and her boyfriend from her human life, Heath, who she just may have imprinted when she accidentally tasted his blood in the last book. On top of all of this, Zoey struggles with who she can trust, and deaths that hit close to her heart...oh, yeah, and the zombies. Edgy--but this series continues to be page-turnin'! ]]> http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/62997052 to: The Lightning Thief (Percy Jackson and the Olympians, #1) by Rick Riordan
bookshelves: action-adventure, mgms-staff-hot-picks, sci-fi-fantasy
Here's what Ms. Taddeo had to say about this book:
Overview: The Lightning Thief, (and the sequels, Sea of Serpents)by Rick Riordan, are fantasies, kind of like Harry Potter.
This book ROCKS because: as you read the good vs evil adventures (the protagonist is a hero because he has a god like Poseidon for a father but a mortal mother) you meet all the mythical creatures and personas that you read about when you had to study mythology...but now they make sense and come alive! It's great fun. ]]> http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/61260734 to: Life of Pi (Mass Market Paperback) by Yann Martel
bookshelves: action-adventure, awards-winners--honors-winners, mgms-staff-hot-picks
Here's what Ms. Formisano had to say about this book:
Overview: It's about a kid whose parents own a zoo in India...decide to move to Canada to have a zoo there and the story is about the boy's journey
This book ROCKS because: of the twists and turns and it's the most vivid book I have ever read...a great adventure! Don't let the first 100 pages discourage you...it's worth it:) ]]>