Review: Everest Trilogy

 

I hadn't read this trilogy, but I shared the first few chapters during World Read Aloud Day at a school. Gordon Korman is always a hit with readers.

There's a competition for hikers and climber under 18 to secure a spot on the team hiking up Everest. There are several in the running. Dominic and his brother Chris are hoping to make it. Dominic is VERY young, but he has experience. 

The first book features the competition to get on the team.

The second book is about getting to Everest and acclimating

The third book is about climbing to the summit

I would read all these books back-to-back.

This trilogy was intense with lots of twists and turns. There are multiple POVs. There's lots of action and danger. There are secrets, betrayals, and death. I didn't want to put these down. It's about luck, survival, and determination. 

Everest is NOT for the faint of heart. This book made me realize that I didn't want to hike Everest or go anywhere near it. 

This book was published over 20 years ago, and it holds up today. If you're late to the party like I am, don't miss these.

Review: Restart

To say Chase isn't the nicest person is a huge understatement; he's downright mean. Or at least he used to be. After falling off the roof and hitting his head, Chase doesn't remember anything. He's not sure why people cower in front of him at school or why his friends act like Neanderthals.

It's not hard to guess that he used to be the biggest bully in school - but he's changed. As Chase navigates the halls of middle school, he becomes interested in things besides football, which he can't play due to his head injury. He joins the video club, under protest of some of the members.

Chase's new actions gain him new friends but leave his old friends feeling neglected. Could this be a permanent change?

My Thoughts: I really enjoyed this book. I loved the premise. I liked the story told from perspectives of Chase and those he bullied. I liked watching Chase and Mr. Solway build a relationship. I really liked Chase's interactions with others from his friends to victims of his past bullying. I felt the other characters were brave and trusting. I don't know if I could be that trusting. The ending seems a tiny bit unrealistic, but it was a nice touch. I hated Chase's downfall, but enjoyed him struggle past it. Another hit for Gordon Korman.

Cover Thoughts: Great
Source: My Library
Read for: Cybils' short list

Library Recommendation: A must have for all public and school libraries.

Tween Tuesday Review: Ungifted

Donovan's always in trouble. When his latest escapade lands him in hot water, he's waiting for his punishment to come. Instead, he's invited to join the academy - the school for gifted students.

Donovan's never  been gifted at this studies, but from the moment he sets foot into his homeroom, nothing till ever be the same. He might have just wanted to escape his old school and wiggle out of punishment, but soon Donovan finds himself happy. Could it be too good to last?

My Thoughts: I'm a huge Gordon Korman fan (So are the readers at my library - especially my book club readers. We read this one for our May pick and everyone loved it.) I loved how the smart kids saw their world differently after Donovan entered their lives. I liked watching Donovan struggle with his studies, but shine at school with his other talents. I liked watching him make friends with the smart kids. I loved how he expanded their world - like showing Noah YouTube. I loved how Noah became obsessed with YouTube and how he used it. I like how the students used YouTube to share their studies of Katie and her pregnancy and how her husband could watch her progress while he was serving overseas. While I wasn't a huge fan of Donovan's public school friends - they grew on me. I Loved the robot competition - it made me laugh. A funny book about brains, talent, friendship, and finding yourself. If you haven't read Gordon Korman - do so immediately. 

Cover Thoughts: Great
Source: My Library
My Wish: I wish for a companion novel - about Noah

Tween Tuesday Review: Kidnapped series

The Falconers have been through enough - the parents have been finally declared innocent thanks to Aiden and Meg. They're trying to adjust to normal life. It's hard going to school and paying attention in class when you've been on the run for so long.

Then just as their getting settled, Meg gets kidnapped on her way home from school. Now she's alone, struggling to get free. It was better when she had Aiden by her side. Maybe she can think of something to catch his notice so he can rescue her.

Aiden feels like he's lost a limb. He hates the thought of Meg being out there by herself. He's determined to help the FBI find and rescue his sister...if it's the last thing he does.

My Thoughts: I'm so happy there's more to Aiden and Meg's story. I love their loyalty to each other, their use of the crazy antics from their father's detective books, and their courage. This series picks up after On the Run and it's full of the same action and danger as the previous series. I love the plot twists and turns. I love the impact the weather has on the story. A fabulous tween series.

Cover Thoughts: Very action oriented
Source: My Library  

Tween Tuesday Review: Titanic series

Paddy never thought he'd be aboard the Titanic, but after a run-in with a gang where his brother goes missing (possibly murdered), he finds himself seeking safe passage. As a stow-away, he learns the layout of the ship and attempts to steer clear of everyone. It doesn't work.

He meets a steward - who lied about his age to work aboard the same ship as his father. When Paddy hears Alfie's secret, he blackmails the boy into helping him. Alfie befriends two of his charges: Sophie (who's mother's a well known suffragette and Julianna (who's father gambles excessively).  The four roam about the ship, helping each other out of tight situations, and uncovering the identity of Jack the Ripper.

Their lives change forever when the ship hits the iceberg. They pull together to save themselves and each other, but out of  2228 people, only 705 survived. 

My Thoughts: We read the first book for a 4th and 5th grade book club - everyone liked it. I felt like I needed to read the rest and find out what happened! They're fast paced books with the usual action, danger, and adventure from Gordon Korman. I really like how he wrote in facts about Votes for Woman and Jack the Ripper. I thought the beginning where Daniel figured out everything was interesting - very smart. I liked the twists and turns of the novel - but obviously knowing where the novel would end up due to history. 

Cover Thoughts: I love how they connect.
Source: My Library

Skyping with Gordon Korman

Last Friday, we got to Skype with Gordon Korman. It was an awesome finale to our Lunch Bunch program with 5th graders at the Norwich Public Schools. We spent thirty minutes asking questions:

How did he become a writer?

Does he have kids?

Are they readers?

If he wasn't a writer, what does he think he'd be doing?

How he got his inspiration/ideas?

and dozens of others.

He was great - lots of fun, lots of information, and lots of laughter. The kids (plus the librarians) had a great time hanging out with him! We were lucky to have a technology grant that allowed us this amazing opportunity! 

Yesterday and Today: Bookish

I'm having a fun couple of book days - yesterday I had the amazing opportunity to go to Random House for a quick tour and lunch with some of the editors, which was fabulous. I'll share more on that over the weekend.

Plus, today Kim and I are Skyping with Gordon Korman!!!! Read more about why we're doing that at my librarian blog.

Tween Tuesday Review: Swindle

**Tween Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted at GreenBeanTeenQueen to highlight great reads for tweens. Join the fun! **   

Griffin always has a plan. He wants to use the land from the house being destroyed for a skate park. However, everyone refused to let him speak. Now in a last ditch effort, he's invited his whole class to sleep over at the house. Only his best friend shows up.

The night isn't a total loss as Griffin finds an old Babe Ruth card hidden inside a desk. He hopes that this card could be the answer to his parents' money troubles. He takes the card to a local shop where the man gives him $20.

Later, he sees the man on TV raving about this rare baseball card. Immediately Griffin knows that he's been swindled. He's not about to let that stop him. He comes up with a plan to steal back his baseball card.

My Thoughts: I LOVED this book. I'm a huge Gordon Korman fan. I read this for our 4th and 5th grade book club at the library. I loved the action, the danger, the heist, and the characters. I like how Gordon Korman writes about kids standing up for their rights and often taking matters into their own hands. I loved Griffin and his plans. I was impressed by how he assembled his team. You can't go wrong with Gordon Korman, all of our book club kids love him. I'm eagerly awaiting my turn at the second book in the series.

Cover Thoughts: Great
Source: my Library

Book Trailer: Check out the awesome book trailer.

Tween Tuesday Review: Abduction

*Abduction is a first book in a new series that occurs AFTER On The Run series. *

** Tween Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted at GreenBeanTeenQueen to highlight great reads for tweens. Join the fun!  **

 Aidan and Meg are trying to put their lives back together. It's hard sitting in a classroom when you're used to being on the run. Old habits die hard. Plus no one understands - most of their former friends still believe their family are traitors.   


Coming home from school one day, they see a van. Within moments, Meg is drugged and tossed into the van. Aidan can't help her. 


Their old nemesis FBI Agent Harris appears at their house. With the family name in the media again, it's clear that no one has sympathy for them. Aidan can't believe that he allowed the kidnapping to happen. 


He's determined to find Meg and rescue her. After all they've been through together, he might be her only hope.
  
My Thoughts: I really enjoyed On the Run series and loved that Aidan and Meg's adventure continues.  


At first I hated how the siblings were separated as they've been through so much together, but it's interesting to see them apart. Their minds are still connected. Meg knows how her brother thinks and how he will react to a potential clue.


I love how they both think outside the box and how they're strong and determined.


I love the action, the danger, and the crazy stunts. I'm so happy to read more about Meg and Aidan and how their lives have changed now that they've gone back to "normal".


Cover Thoughts: Great!
Source:  Inter-Library Loan

BEA: recap Tuesday (part 2)

I'm still trying to remember everyone I met and everything I saw that looked awesome - it's pretty hard. BEA is my favorite book moments of the year. I look forward to it each yet. I love meeting people who love books as much as I do! 


I love meeting bloggers, who's blogs I read. I love meeting new to me bloggers. I love seeing librarian friends and meeting new librarian friends. I like chatting with the publishers and finding out more about their upcoming books.  I love looking at the book covers on the walls of the booths. 


Tuesday: Was the first day of BEA.


I arrived around 8ish and checked my suitcase. There was already a long line of people waiting. I found a shorter line and sat down to wait with them. While I had my day planned, I knew from past experiences that the plan usually goes out the window within moments.


I started by hitting up my favorite publishers and then moved to specific authors.

Here's a photo of the Liar Society: Lies that Bind. I adore this cover and can't wait to read the book. I was hoping to snag one, but never saw one.

Here's Stealing Parker and Twisted Tragedy of Miss Natalie Stewart - again books that I can't wait to read. 

In the morning, I met Harelquin authors. They were all super sweet. While waiting in line (it was a long one), Harlequin handed out two arcs and some bookmarks. They were really organized this year. 

Maria V. Snyder - who's books I adore

 Rachel Vincent

In the afternoon, I stood in line with my co-worker Amanda to see James Patterson. He was super nice! I'm looking forward to reading Confessions of a Murder Suspect. 

I also met Gordon Korman. I've been adoring his tween books after the first one we read for our 4th and 5th grade bookclub and for the book club at the schools. All the kids LOVED Chasing the Falconers. I was really happy to meet him and I'm looking forward to reading Ungifted.

I went to the Meet the Apocalypsies event, which was great, but crowded. I met several authors (sometimes climbing over chairs to do it) and a few book bloggers.

After that event, I went back to my hotel room to change for the Penguin Teen party.

View from my hotel room

The Penguin Party was AMAZING and very crowded. I chatted with several librarians and people from the Northshire Bookstore (which I went to all the time when I was young) and RJ Julias - where I met awesome authors. I met John Green who was charming. I chatted with Maureen Johnson, Allie Condie, Marie Lu, and  Susane Colasanti. All of whom were so very nice and made my day.

After the party, Amanda and I went to Times Square to grab a bite to eat. That's where I saw the banner for the NBA playoffs - with Rondo featured!

A quick look at today's books:

These will go into the library collection

These are books I can't wait to read!

These are books I know the teens will love for summer reading prizes!  I can't wait to share them.

Now I need to update my purchasing list for the library as there are SO many great teen and tween books coming out soon!!!! Happy I could learn about them.

Tween Tuesday Reivew: Now You See Them, Now You Don't

Tween Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted at GreenBeanTeenQueen to highlight great reads for tweens. Join the fun 

* This is the 3rd book in the series - there will be some spoilers from the first two books in this review.*

The Falconer's pleaded for meg and Aiden to turn themselves in to the police. The siblings rejected their plea. They know if they don't uncover the truth about Frank Lindenauer, their parents' names will never be cleared.


They hop a flight to California, where their next clue leads them. Unfortunately, they discover their photos are on the front page of the paper.


Even with their disguises, they're noticed. After a run through the airport and using their wits, they arrive in sunny California. Their address turns up to be 5 years too late, but they do get an old box of Frank's belongings. Could something in the box lead them closer to uncovering the truth?


My Thoughts: Love the action and the danger which forces me to turn the page. This book was a quick read because I didn't want to put the book down. I can't wait for more of this series with these smart siblings.


Cover Thoughts: I like it.


Source: My Library

Tween Tuesday Review: On the Run

Meg and Aiden don't believe their parents are traitors. Unfortunately they can't confirm it as their parents are in prison.

With no one to take care of them, Meg and Aiden end up living in a juvenile detention facility under false names. One night Aiden accidentally sets fire to the facility.

He and Meg escape and vow never to return. Instead, they set out to go across country to find the one man who might be able to prove their parents' innocence.

My Thoughts: I really liked this one - I read it for a 4th and 5th grade book club and I'm eager to read the rest of the series. While the book ends on a massive cliff hanger, I love the danger, the action, and the twists of characters.

This book has several great topics to discuss and all the 4th and 5th graders wanted to read more in the series. Both are a sign we picked a real winner for our book discussion book.

Cover Thoughts: Great

Source: my Library

Tween Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted at GreenBeanTeenQueen to highlight great reads for tweens. Join the fun

Tween Tuesday: Medusa Plot

It's been two years since the 39 Clues search ended. Amy and Dan have tried to go back to normal life. It hasn't been easy.

Amy's been learning how to defend herself - taking martial arts classes. She's broken out of her shell a bit and even has a boyfriend. She's kept him in the dark about the truth of her family.

Dan's had a harder time adjusting. Life seems boring. School is pointless. He has no friends -except one boy he met online. In truth - real life is tame compared to the 39 Clues search.

Unfortunately, things are about to change. The Vespers kidnap one person from each family - and Nellie. They don't harm anyone. Instead, they make an impossible demand of Amy and Dan.

Amy and Dan get the old team back together - the young ones of the family. Together they must steal a priceless piece of art from one of the most guarded museums in the world. Amy and Dan thrive on the impossible tasks, but is this one out of their league?

My Thoughts: The start of a new 39 Clues series is off to a fabulous start. It has all the crazy action and danger as the first series. Amy and Dan are a little wiser, a little tougher, and a littler more determined. I love the art heist. I love the significance of the art itself. I love how the team comes together again. I simply love this series, I'm so happy to have more adventures of Amy and Dan!!

Cover Thoughts: LOVE!

Source: BEA -signed by the author!

This book comes out: August 30th

The next one: King's Ransom comes out in December

Tween Tuesday Review: Vespers Rising

In the beginning of the Cahill family, there was one ring. It was very valuable. No one except for Gideon knew the power of the ring. The secret died with him, but throughout generations, the Cahill family's been extraordinarily protective of the ring.

In the beginning, there were the Cahills and Damien Vesper. At first Gideon Cahill and Damien were colleagues, almost friends. Then Gideon noticed Damien's desire for power. He began to pull away and their relationship changed.

Soon Damien became the Cahill's most powerful enemy. They've spent generations hiding from his descendants and the organization of hired goons.

Now, in present day, Amy and Dan must save the ring from the clutches of the Vespers once more.

My Thoughts: The book is divided into four parts - three ancestors of the Cahill family and then Amy and Dan. Each part is written by a different author. Each contains their own story. I wonder if this is going to be the trend of the new series, as I really like reading about the past Cahills. Plus many ended abruptly, but they still contain the secrets, action, danger, and double crossings of the previous books.

Cover Thoughts: I don't really understand the cover, but it's neat.

Source: My Library

Up Next: Medusa Plot - out in August -really loving this cover!