Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows by J.K Rowling JFIC

I can't rave enough about this book. As a librarian, it was wonderful to see so many people enthusiastically reading! It sold 8.5 million copies in the first day. Did you know that people have been reading this series for 10 years? That might be older than some people reading this blog right now!

Book 7 reveals some truths about Dumbeldore, Snape, and the Horocruxes. Before I read it, I thought I had everything figured out. Rowling definately threw in some twists and turns that I did not see coming. The book dragged for me because I wanted to read the ending so badly. There are some humorous instances, but beware this is the darkest and most violent Harry Potter book.

Food for Thought: Were you satisfied with the ending?

Summer Reading

Looking for good books to read over the summer? Try these links organized by grade.

http://www.education-world.com/summer_reading/

http://www.ala.org/ala/alsc/alscresources/summerreading/recsummerreading/recommendedreading.htm

http://www.haisln.org/ReadingLists.htm

http://www.justreadfamilies.org/reading/justread.asp

Island of the Blue Dolphin By Scott O'Dell JFIC

Kara and her tribe live in harmony on the Island of the Blue Dolphin until otter hunters arrive. After a vicious battle, her tribe decides to leave the island. The next ship that arrives everyone leaves except Kara and her brother. Kara learns how to survive on the island without her elders and make friends with the animals. Although her descriptions at times were tedious, I thought it was an interesting survival story (much like Hatchett). Kara is a very honorable and strong character. Her actions were very surprising and it left me wondering what I would do if I was in the same situation. Good for grades 5 and up.

Trivia:
Try to guess what the devilfish was.

FoodforThought: If you were stranded on an island,what 3 things do you think you would want?

Stargirl by Jerry Spinelli JFIC

Stargirl is truly a masterpiece of character. I would love to meet someone like her in real life. She is selfless, natural and exuberant. She notices the little things such as ants on the sidewalk and she plays the ukele for everyone's birthday whether you are her friend or not. Her story is told through the eyes of Leo Borlock, junior at Mica High, who falls in love with her spirit. Not all students are happy about her non conformity, especially Hillari Kimble. How can one girl stay strong against being shunned by the entire school? This is one of my top picks for summer reading this year.

Food for thought: Are there any Stargirls in your life?

Moxy Maxwell Does Not Love Stuart Little by Peggy Gifford JFIC

It's not that Moxy hates to read. She just hates summer reading! She wants to read what she wants. This book takes place on August 23rd, the day before 4th grade starts. Moxy has still not read Stuart Little. Her mother has forbidden her to go to her synchronized swimming show tonight (which she has been practicing all summer for!) unless she finishes reading. Unfortunately, Moxy spends most of the day thinking up plans to keep her from reading which ends in disaster. Her brother Mark is there to take pictures of the events throughout the day (which are scattered around in the book). Moxy was a really funny character. She is very motivated and excited about the future. She has 3 pages of things she wants to do when she grows up. What do you think happens when her mom comes home and finds out she didn't read the book?????? I would recommened this book if you like reading comedies.

Food for Thought: Have you ever read a book that you thought you would hate but ended up liking it? What didn't you like about it at first?

The Twits by Ronald Dahl JFIC

A less popular Dahl book, The Twits is about a nasty couple that is so horrid that their thoughts have made them ugly. They like nothing better than to play mean tricks on eachother like sticking frogs in eachother's beds. One day, their pet monkeys decide to play a trick on them to teach them a lesson! I love Ronald Dahl books. Among my favorites are the BFG and the Witches. Dahl's descriptions of the Twits along with the black and white illustrations made me laugh. Do you feel bad for the Twits? probably not! A book that definately teaches you what NOT to do.

Food for thought: Can you find similar adult characters in other Dahl books?

The Plant that Ate Dirty Sock by Nancy McArthur JFIC

Think owning a plant is boring? Think again! Norman and Michael, two brothers, send away for seeds in the mail. They keep the plants on a steady diet of plant food, water, and scraps of junk food. As the plants grow bigger and bigger, Michael discovers that his dirty socks keep disappearing. Are the plants responsible? How will their parents take it? Did the plant just try to talk? Found out the answers to all these questions and more in this funny science fiction book.

Food for Thought: Would you ever think of a plant as a pet? Would you want one that ate socks? How do you think people would react if they knew?