Award Winning Books!

2010 Newbery Medal Book

When You Reach Me by Rebecca Stead

Synopsis:

By sixth grade, Miranda and her best friend, Sal, know how to navigate their New York City neighborhood. They know where it’s safe to go, like the local grocery store, and they know whom to avoid, like the crazy guy on the corner.

But things start to unravel. Sal gets punched by a new kid for what seems like no reason, and he shuts Miranda out of his life. The apartment key that Miranda’s mom keeps hidden for emergencies is stolen. And then Miranda finds a mysterious note scrawled on a tiny slip of paper:

I am coming to save your friend’s life, and my own.
I must ask two favors. First, you must write me a letter.

The notes keep coming, and Miranda slowly realizes that whoever is leaving them knows all about her, including things that have not even happened yet. Each message brings her closer to believing that only she can prevent a tragic death. Until the final note makes her think she’s too late.

If you find this book interesting you can check it out at the Middle School library!


Newbery Honor Books:

Claudette Colvin: Twice Toward Justice by Phillip M. Hoose
**Hoose reveals the true story of an unsung hero of the Montgomery bus boycott. Hoose’s work stands out for its creative approach to narrative biography. Colvin’s own recollections are merged seamlessly with the narrative voice, providing a uniquely personal view of Colvin and the Civil Rights Movement.


The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate by Jacqueline Kelly

You can get a copy at the Middle School Library
**On the eve of the 20th century, 11-year-old Calpurnia awakens to new possibilities, and through her evolving relationship with her naturalist grandfather, learns to think like a scientist. Kelly’s rich, evocative language captures Callie’s distinctive voice and lively observations of the natural world.




Where the Mountain meets the Moon by Grace Lin
**A rich tapestry of stories, both original and traditional, transports readers to a fantastic world where Dragon joins Minli on a fortune-changing quest.









The Mostly True Adventures of Homer P. Figg by Rodman Philbrick
You can get a copy at the Middle School Library
**This rollicking yarn, presented through the voice of 12-year-old Homer, uses humor and pluck to mitigate the horrors of the Civil War.

Accelerated Reader Update January 18

5th Grade

1. Kristine Mason 216.9
2. Abraham Davidson 198.4
3. Marcel Munger 191.2
4. Jacob Hart 182.7
5. Collin Lieber 149.4

6th Grade

1. Marty Eagle 371.6
2. Valerie Emerick 271.1
3. Steven Angel 164.4
4. Madison Radtke 160.9
5. Jarrett Brown 121.3

7th Grade

1. Olivia Kelley 390.2
2. Morgan Clauss 316.1
3. Joe Volpe 314.4
4. Anna Maria Fuller 272.6
5. Steven Donahue 198.6

8th Grade

1. Sarah Eagle 488.7
2. Gabrielle Schwartz 284.8
3. Victoria Doppelberger 338.8
4. Rachel Semeyn 234.2
5. Chase Martin 215.1

Top Grades

1. 8th grade 7707.7
2. 7th grade 6783.6
3. 5th grade 5947.9
4. 6th grade 5260.9
   

Book Review: Warcraft- Lord of the Clans

Title: Lord of the Clans
Author: Christie Golden
Fiction or Non-Fiction:Science Fiction/Fantasy

Summarize the plot but don't give away the ending!!

An orc child's parents die and the men who killed the parents take him to train him as a human. He is raised and taught by a kind human. Then at the age of only six, he is taken by a cruel man who thinks he is a worthless piece of garbage. He is convinced he is nothing. He is trained to fight in a gladiator ring where he makes his master, Blackmore, all his money. He decides he will escape to find true orcs. The ones who were raised by their own people to learn what it is like to be an orc. To live with them and learn their traditions.

What did you like about this book?

I liked this book because it is full of action and adventure. It is also a page turner. It made me never want to stop reading it. Also it is good for me because it is about magic and warriors. I love books that are like that. Also you never know what happens next.

What didn't you like about this book?

There was not much for me not to like in this book. I think the thing I did not like about this is that the ending seemed rushed. It seemed as though the author hurried the ending along. But all in all it is still a great book.

Would you recommend this book to others?

yes, I would recommend this book to people who love fantasy books. i think there is almost no way not to enjoy this book. If you like this book this is only one book out of a whole series of these books.

Read, reviewed and written by Chase M. 8th grade

Accelerated Reader Update January 11

5th Grade

1. Kristine Mason 211.2
   
2. Marcel Munger 191.2
   
3. Abraham Davidson 183.1 pts
4. Collin Lieber 149.4
   
5. Jacob hart 149.3
   

6th Grade

1. Marty Eagle 366.6
2. Valerie Emerick 271.1
3. Madison Radtke 141.8
4. Ryan Beyer 120.6
5. Markus Munger 102.2
   

7th Grade

1. Olivia Kelley 357.2
2. Joey Volpe 314.4
   
3. Morgan Clauss 307.1 pts
   
4. Anna Maria Fuller 248.6 pts
5. Steven Donahue 198.6 pts
   

8th Grade

1. Sarah Eagle 488.7
2. Gabrielle Schwartz 284.8
3. Rachel Semeyn 227.2
4. Victoria Doppelberger 202.1
5. Elida Alvarez 193.0
   

Book Review: Among the Brave

Title: Among the Brave
Author: Margaret Peterson Haddix
Fiction or Non-Fiction: Fiction

Summarize the plot but don't give away the ending!!
As his friends leave him behind, Trey having seen Mr. Talbot taken by the population police has to yet again hide for his life as the meanest Population Police take head of the city. he has to join his enemy to save his friends. Problem is he doesn't know where they are. Trey has to use all of his skill and bravery to save them and he doesn't have a lot.

What did you like about this book?
It's adventurous and has a lot of twist and turns.

Would you recommend this book to others?

I would recommend this book to others because if you like adventure this series is the right book.

Read, reviewed and written by Anna F. 7th grade

**If this book sounds like something you would like to read, please ask Mrs. Taylor about this the next time you visit the library!!!

AR INFORMATION:

Author: Haddix, Margaret Peterson
Interest Level: Middle Grades
Book Level: 5.1
AR Pts: 7.0
Summary: In a society that allows families to have only two children, a group of people who are born third tries to save themselves.

Book Review: Cracker! The Best Dog in Vietnam

Title: Cracker! The Best Dog in Vietnam
Author: Cynthia Kadohata
Fiction or Non-Fiction: Fiction

Summarize the plot but don't give away the ending!!

Cracker is Willie's dog, but then he has to give him away! He gave Cracker to Rick. Rick had to train Cracker for Vietnam. Cracker has many friends. Rick and Cracker fall in love with each other and become best buds. They work together in Vietnam. They are the best team.

What did you like about this book?

I liked a lot about this book. It was a great adventure that really showed friendship. This book gave you all the emotion characters had. It was a wonderful book. I wish I could read it again and again. Cracker is a book with happiness, sadness, and friendship. It also gives a feeling of achievement, especially at the end.

What didn't you like about this book?

There is not one bad thing about this book. It was long but in the end you will wish it was longer. I normally don't like 300 paged books, but this was amazing!

Would you recommend this book to others?

Yes! I give this book five stars. it gave great detail, emotion! Everything a good book has it gave! It was a book I just couldn't sit down. I've never been so into a book in my whole life!

Read, reviewed and written by Megan G. 8th grade

**If this book sounds like something you would like to read, please ask Mrs. Taylor about this the next time you visit the library!!!

AR INFORMATION:

Author: Kadohata, Cynthia
Interest Level: Middle Grades
Book Level: 4.9
AR Pts: 9.0
Summary: A young soldier in Vietnam bonds with his scout dog.

Book Review: The Good Dog

Title: The Good Dog
Author: Avi
Fiction or Non-Fiction: Fiction

Summarize the plot but don't give away the ending!!

McKinley wants to be with the wolves butJack just wants to save Duchess, a mistreated dog. Can Jack convince McKinley or will he become one of the wolves?

What did you like about this book?

It being a dog book attracted me to it. I heard Avi was a good author but that might not be my kind of book.

What didn't you like about this book?

A lot of things. It took a long time to get through. It looked good, but I just didn't like it. The book was okay.

Would you recommend this book to others?

No. It didn't have very good detail. It was confusing and seemed boring. It seemed like a book where you either like it or hate it.

Read, reviewed and written by Megan G. 8th grade

**If this book sounds like something you would like to read, please ask Mrs. Taylor about this the next time you visit the library!!!

AR INFORMATION:

Author: Avi,
Interest Level: Middle Grades
Book Level: 3.7
AR Pts: 5.0
Summary: McKinley, a malamute, is torn between the domestic world of his human family and the wild world of Lupin, a wolf that is trying to recruit dogs to replenish the dwindling wolf pack.

Book Review: Speak

Title: Speak
Author: Laurie Halse Anderson
Fiction or Non-Fiction: Fiction

Summarize the plot but don't give away the ending!!

Speak is about a high school girl who over the summer crashed a party by calling the cops. Now she has no friends because her old friends hate her. She talks about each of her classes when school starts and about the way her friends ignore her. She finds an old janitor's closet and turns it into her own little space. But in the end she reveals what happened the night of the party that she called the cops on.

What did you like about this book?

I liked the way the book was focusing on that that do have a way to relate to real middle school and high school life. I liked how I felt I really understoon how this girl felt.



Would you recommend this book to others?

I would recommend this book to others especially if they are having a hard time in high school or middle school. This book touches on topics dealing with friends to thinking teachers just hate you. I really enjoyed this book so I have to admit that I've read it two times already and am thinking of re-reading it for a third

Read, reviewed and written by Summer G. 8th grade

**If this book sounds like something you would like to read, please ask Mrs. Taylor about this the next time you visit the library!!!

AR INFORMATION:

Author: Anderson, Laurie Halse
Interest Level: Upper Grades
Book Level: 4.5
AR Pts: 7.0
Summary: A traumatic event near the end of the summer has a devastating effect on Melinda's freshman year in high school.

Book Review: Among the Enemy

Title: Among the Enemy
Author: Margaret Peterson Haddix
Fiction or Non-Fiction: Fiction

Summarize the plot but don't give away the ending!!

Mathis has gotten used to being alert and ready to run when needed so when the population police storm into his nice warm room and take him and his friends a truck, they know they have to get away so their real identity is not found out. But the way they do it may kill his friend. After a tree falls and cuts her head open, he and his father's friend have to carry her away and in doing so Mathis's friend gets shot in the leg and he leaves them to find help. When he comes back they're gone, but the population police are there. Now he has to know if they are okay without getting hurt himself by joining the population police.

What did you like about this book?

It keeps you hanging and wanting more.



Would you recommend this book to others?

Yes, I would recommend this book to others because it's adventurous and exciting!

Read, reviewed and written by Anna F. 7th grade

**If this book sounds like something you would like to read, please ask Mrs. Taylor about this the next time you visit the library!!!

AR Information:

Author: Haddix, Margaret Peterson
Interest Level: Middle Grades
Book Level: 5.3
AR Pts: 7.0
Summary: In a society that allows families to have only two children, third child Matthias joins the Population Police to infiltrate their system.