Wednesday, March 30, 2011

Dates, Mates, and Inflatable Bras by Cathy Hopkins (3.9/4.0)

I loved this book! It was hilarious. I enjoy British "chick-lit" anyway, but this is the first young adult version I have read. I laughed out loud several times. In doing a little research about this title, I learned that it is a series called "Dates, Mates, and ..." The series is just typical middle school girl drama. It's real life stuff though, not like the Clique series. For example, in this book, a new girl moves into the school and Lucy, the main character, feels like she is stealing her best friend away. There are a lot of laughs along the way, but eventually the girls work it out. A good, positive story.

Currently reading: Red Blazer Girls: The Vanishing Violin
I am having to take a break from all the serious books and read some funny/girlie books. This is the second book in the series and I an totally enjoying it. The things Sophie, the main character, says and thinks are cracking me up. This is another positive story where girls are smart and are concerned about more important things than clothes!

Friday, March 25, 2011

Hero by Mike Lupica (4.6/8.0)

I didn't like this book at first because I felt like the interactions between the characters were cheesy because middle schoolers don't really speak the way he portrays them. I ended up liking it a little better by then end. It still wasn't one of my favorites, but fans of Mike Lupica will like it. Also, I think that students who like books like the Percy Jackson series will like it. It's not about mythology, but it does have that superhero vibe.

Wednesday, March 23, 2011

Forge by Laurie Halse Anderson (5.4/10.0)

I loved the sequel to Chains. This one was told from a few months after Chains leaves off, but it is told from Curzon's point of view. He and Isabelle are separated and he enlists again as a soldier in the Patriot army. His old owner Bellingham eventually finds him again and forces him back into slavery where he learns that Bellingham has also acquired Isabelle.

Can't wait until the third installment comes out!

Currently reading: Heroes by Mike Lupica (4.6/8.0) This is his first attempt at non-sports related writing. This one is not one of my favorites so far, which is wierd because I enjoyed some of his other books. I feel like maybe Lupica knows how kids talk in a game, but not in real life. The dialog doesn't sound real to me.

Wednesday, March 16, 2011

Chains by Laurie Halse Anderson (5.2/11.0)

I finished Chains over the weekend and I really enjoyed it. I love historical fiction and this was certainly a good one. Set during the Revolutionary War, it is about a slave named Isabel. She and her sister are sold to a loyalist family that lives in Manhattan. At first Isabel is used as a spy for the revolutionary forces. She overhears a plot to kill George Washington and turns in a list of conspirators names, including the name of her owner. She thinks they will protect her, but they turn her back over to her owners wife, who beats her and has an "I" branded on her face. Through her we learn what life was like during the beginning stages of the war. If you like historical fiction I think you would love this book.

Currently reading: Forge, the sequel to Chains

Friday, March 4, 2011

Voices of Bremen

I am so proud to announce that the video production group completed the "Voices of Bremen" video. We have worked so hard to honor the school system and the students who attended Bremen City Schools in the 65-66 school year. Please enjoy or video. www.bremencs.com/sms/Voices_of_Bremen.mov