Alice, I Think by Susan Juby

Weird book. I'm not sure where to even begin. The girl in the book, Alice MacLeod, is a home schooled daughter of new age parents. She then decides she should go back to school when she is 15 years old. Between her therapist and her family (her brother is the only "normal" family member) she is about as eccentric as one can get. I wouldn't recommend this to anyone, let alone purchase the other two in the series. But I could see how some people would think this book was interesting. 1 out of 5 stars.

Friends that Read!!

Yes, we are wearing sunglasses while promoting books! We're a bit crazy.

Another Kind of Monday by William Coles, Jr.

After a discussion with someone about fiction set in Pittsburgh, PA, I was reminded of this book. It was a very interesting book where two teenage kids stumble upon a "scavenger hunt" type quest throughout Pittsburgh. This inspired me for my daughters birthday which I set up as a quest with various clues. There wasn't much action but the descriptions of Pittsburgh places were very interesting and kept me into the story.3 and a half stars out fo 5.

True Believer by Virginia Euwer Wolff

Interesting book about a young girl in the inner city trying to stay out of the pitfalls that can occur in her environment. It's written in her language with an unusual style. 3 out of 5 stars.

Give a Boy a Gun by Todd Strasser

Disturbing!! The book had good intentions but the author's use of the book as his personal soap box for gun control definitely irritated me! I feel like emailing the author to remind him that guns don't kill - people kill. He wrote it in a interview type style from the witnesses to a school shooting/hostage situation, which what the witnesses had to say was very poignant, but the author's little comments on each page about guns is unnecessary and distracting. If he hadn't done that I would have recommended the book but now I can't/won't. The topic of bullying and what people should do to prevent kids from feeling like there is no way out other than violence should have been addressed more than the whole gun issue. 0 out of 5 stars.

The Choice by Nicholas Sparks

A student just recently signed this one out and it made me think to "blog" it. I loved this book. It brought to my attentnion the need to think and discuss how you and your love one need to determine what should happen if you're ever put on life support. I don't know if I could make some of the decisions the characters made in this book. 4 and one half stars out of 5.

Elsewhere by Gabrielle Zevin

Very strange book about the "after life." It wasn't my favorite topic - it doesn't mention God or heaven per say. A 15 girl dies in a bicycle accident then travels to Elsewhere (not sure if it is heaven or hell). This book goes on to talk about her "life" in Elsewhere until she eventually returns to Earth (as a baby). I said it was strange. It was written well but the topic was just too much for me - 1 out of 5 stars.

Sold by Patricia McCormick

Simply written, but a powerful story. Written from the thirteen year girl's point of view. This story takes the reader through the journey of a 13 year old, peasant girl from the mountain region of Nepal sold into the world of prostitution in India. Definitely not for the young reader or the weak hearted. 4 out of 5 stars.

Boot Camp by Todd Strasser

Good book about how a kid, Garrett Durrell, is "transported" (kidnapped) from his home to Harmony Lake (a boot camp for troubled teens). It seems however, that Garrett isn't really a "troubled" teen. Garrett just doesn't live up to his parents expectations so they send him away. It was hard to see these kids go through so much breaking down. The author sites his sources for the book, and it makes the reader realize that these types of places actually exist. I know some kids need this type of environment, but I don't think that its a place for every rebellious kid. 3 and one half stars out of 5.

Sam's Letters to Jennifer by James Patterson

I know - I said I wanted to read this one - so I bought it this weekend and started and finished it on Sunday. I was thrown off by the title - I thought Sam was a man and was looking forward for a "love story," but Sam is the grandmother's name. It ultimately ended up a love story but it went through alot of heartbreak to get there. The message I received from this book is - live life to its fullest!
3 and one half stars out of 5.

Gym Candy by Carl Deuker

Started it Friday morning and finsihed it Saturday.This was a good book - easy read. The story follows a young man's journey through football and the enticement of steriods. It uses todays language and touches on some of the pitfalls. 3 stars out of 5.

Coloring Contest Winners

The following Pictures are of this years Fall Coloring Contest.
Those who participated were: Tanner Cottle (senior), Jocelyn Brumbaugh(senior),
Mrs Robinson (English Teacher), Mrs Frederick (Librarian), Mrs Hagenbuch (math teacher), Bronson Bowser(senior), Cody Troy (junior), Claire Jones (senior), and Ty Chesney (senior).
Winners were decided on by a senior Art Elective student.
1st place: Ty Chesney
2nd place: Mrs Hagenbuch
3rd place: Tanner Cottle
Honorable Mention (effort): Bronson Bowser
Winners pics are below:

Another Ted Dekker book, but set around victims of the Holocaust, and he writes in current day then in World War/concentration camp times. I was really fascinated with the thriller/stalker aspect. It was a page turner, with loads of suspense. If you like this genre- it's great. 4 and one half stars out of 5.

Blink by Ted Dekker

One of my favorite Ted Dekker books. The first book I read by him, "Three" which was made into a movie (which I did not see), was good, but this one was so much better.
The two main characters couldn't be more different, but they work so well together trying to save each other. The gift that he has, is amazing yet temporary. Dekker did an excellent job writing this book. 5 stars out of 5!

A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini

This is by the same author of Kite Runner and was equally interesting. Set in Afganistan again, but this time the main characters are women and the reader can see how a woman's life in Afganistan truly is. It makes one appreciate the United States and the freedoms women have here. His books seem to make me stop and really think about things in this world. Again, I never understood or even thought about the political and hostile environment of Afganistan - and his books always make me take a moment to think about how things are over there, especially when it is been mentioned in the news nowadays. 4 stars out of 5.

Sundays at Tiffany's by James Patterson

I love when James Patterson writes out of his normal genre. The last book I read like this was his "Suzanne's Diary for Nicholas", which was absolutely wonderful. I would love to read "Sam's Letters to Jennifer" another James Patterson - out of the norm book. I haven't heard too much about it. The Sundays at Tiffany's was such a good story about never ending love. At first the whole imaginary friend thing threw me off - but it was so special. 4 and one half stars out of 5.

The Lucky One by Nicholas Sparks

As always Nicholas Sparks pulls off another love story that touches your heart. Very current setting with an Iraqi war veteran searching for a women who he believes is his "lucky charm." When he finds her he isn't sure what to make of the situation - you pull for him the whole way through the story - and the ending gets very frustrating. Easy/quick read - 4 stars out of 5.

Off Season by Catherine Gilbert Murdock

Good follow up of Dairy Queen, by the same author. This story picks up where Dairy Queen left off - maybe a month or two later. DJ and Brian are still struggling and when DJ's family has to deal with some major issues, it's sad how Brian treats her. 3 stars out of 5.

Breaking Dawn by Stephanie Meyer

The last of the Twilight series, and I had a hard time putting it down. I really didn't want things to turn out the way that they did, and my daughter was upset with me for feeling this way. I don't want to give anything away, but this book was the most graphic with the vampire twist. I didn't enjoy it as much as the other three. I've heard many people saying that this last one "was the best by far", but I would have to say that the first and second were that for me. 4 1/2 stars out of 5.

Eclipse by Stephaine Meyer

The 3rd book in the Twilight series was just as good as the first two. Many people have discussed the series with me and they have their favorites and usually New Moon and Eclipse aren't their favorites. But I found that if you read them continually you see how the different books are necessary for the flow and continuity. This third book focuses on forgiveness and the ablitiy to still love after heartbreak. 5 stars out of 5 stars.

Twilight Movie Trailer

I can't wait until it comes out!

New Moon by Stephanie Meyer

Very different from the first book in this series - Twilight. The first book was so focused on an all encompassing love, this second book is about thorough heart break. It was a page turner and very difficult to put down. Definite 5 our 5 stars.

An Incomplete and Inaccurate History of Sport: . . . and Other Random Thoughts from Childhood to Fatherhood by Kenny Mayne

Funny book, with random thoughts jumping everywhere. The author, Kenny Mayne, touches on all types of sports, but really never delves into any one in particular. He writes like he has ADHD, random thoughts on just about anything, anywhere. I actually didn't finish it, but for the sports enthusiast or non-reader I would recommend it. 2 out of 5 stars.

Twilight by Stephanie Meyer

What an awesome love story. I was thrown off by the whole vampire thing when people told me about it, and I refused to read it for about a year. I finally broke down and opened the library's copy up and couldn't put it down. It truly is a love story that is so all encompassing - the reader is brought into the story and can feel the connection between the characters. 5 out of 5 stars!!

The Dive From Clausen's Pier by Ann Packer

What would you do if your fiance, that you were having problems with, hurts himself and ends up a quadrapeligic? This story takes you through a women's journey to finding herself. It was a slow read, but with an interesting plot.

I would give it 2 1/2 stars (out of 5).

The Raging Quiet by Sherry Jordan

I just happened to stumble upon this book - it had a pretty outdated picture on the cover but this book qualifies for "you can't judge a book by its cover." It was an easy read, but I couldn't really decide where or when it took place, but the idea of a girl helping a deaf man, and being accused of being a witch was well written. I would give it 2 and 1/2 stars (out of 5)

Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini

Finished it this weekend and I would have to say that it was very thought provoking. I never knew anything about Afghanistan and its history. The story was very well written, and the tale was a sad one about a broken friendship. There were so many facets of the the story line I couldn't even do the book justice. I would recommend it to a mature reader because of the vocabulary and there is some very descriptive violence. I would give it 4 out of 5 stars.

The Shack by William P. Young

Wonderful book about a man's search for his daughter yet he finds God, Jesus and The Holy Spirit. Makes the reader look into their own relationship with God. Sometimes a bit deep, and profound, but well worth it. I would give it 4 stars (out of 5).

Dairy Queen by Catherine Murdock

Great book about a teenage farm girl having to deal with her father, absent brothers and the rival quarterback. Written from her perspective in today's language. 4 out of 5 stars.

Breathing Underwater by Alex Flinn

Great book about a young man dealing with very difficult home situations and what is beginning to look like addiction to drugs. 2 and 1/2 out of 5 stars.