Mockingjay

Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins

Summary (taken from Amazon.com)
Against all odds, Katniss Everdeen has survived the Hunger Games twice. But now that she's made it out of the bloody arena alive, she's still not safe. The Capitol is angry. The Capitol wants revenge. Who do they think should pay for the unrest? Katniss. And what's worse, President Snow has made it clear that no one else is safe either. Not Katniss's family, not her friends, not the people of District 12. Powerful and haunting, this thrilling final installment of Suzanne Collins's groundbreaking The Hunger Games trilogy promises to be one of the most talked about books of the year.

Personal Thoughts
Wow, oh, wow, oh, wow.  I know the library doesn't yet have a copy of this book so I borrowed it from a friend.  (It's on its way, I promise!!)  Several of the people who have already read this and/or reviewed it, said they didn't take away as much from it as the first two books.  Not my opinion.  I really really liked this book.  I thought it wrapped up the trilogy nicely and gave a lot of finality to the series.  It had me cheering, tearing up, and waking up at 1:00 a.m. thinking about it.  At times, Katniss's melancholy bugged me, but it was still a GREAT book.  I'm glad I'm done with it though.  Perhaps now I can get some work done!

Graceling

Graceling by Kristin Cashore

Summary

In the land of the Seven Kingdoms, there are those who are Graced.  Perhaps they are Graced with baking, painting, medicines, or even (as in Katsa's case) killing.  After Grandfather Tealiff is kidnapped, Katsa and her Council must work to figure out who did it and why.  Along the journey, many mysteries unfold and Katsa is caught in a fight for her life as well as others'.

Personal Thoughts

Still love it!  This is the second time I've read this novel and I still like it.  In fact, since I read the prequel, Fire also by Kristin Cashore, a lot more things fell into place about the evil king.  It's an exciting book that has fantasy, adventure, love, and intrigue throughout.

Frisco Reads!

Please join us at Frisco Reads 2010!

Tuesday, October 26

4:30 to 6:30

Heritage High School

14040 Eldorado Parkway

Frisco, TX 75035

Celebrate reading and the written word with authors Gordon Korman, Sonya Sones, Anastasia Suen, Jason Henderson and Joseph Hughes.  Special guests include therapy dogs Rosie and Luke.

Four, twenty-minute breakout opportunities include two book fairs, activities for all ages, and sessions of interest to readers and writers.

Students, family members, and friends are welcome to this free, community-wide event. 

All FISD staff members may receive two hours' noncontract professional development credit

(Please register in Eduphoria).

For more information, visit  www.friscoreads.com

Hope to see you there!



I, Q

I, Q by Roland Smith

Summary (from Booklist)
Thirteen-year-old Q (short for Quest) has just gained a stepfather and stepsister—his mother, singer-songwriter Blaze Munoz, has married singer-songwriter Roger Tucker, and their new band, Match, is set to start a yearlong tour. Roger’s 15-year-old daughter, Angela is, like Q, less than thrilled at the speed of their parents’ romance, and both teens have mixed feelings about the prospect of spending a year together on a tour bus. But there’s no time for grousing: the teens discover they are being followed, and given Angela’s mother’s past history as a Secret Service agent, that’s not a good thing. The appearance of Boone, an old roadie friend of their parents, only keeps the mysteries building. Q’s skills as a magician save the teens more than once, while Angela’s knowledge of martial arts and spy games will fascinate readers.

Personal Thoughts
I really enjoyed this book!  It kept me guessing and turning the pages.  I recommend this to anyone who enjoyed Percy Jackson or is looking for a Spy/Detective novel.  I'm looking forward to reading the next book in the series, The White House.

High Heat

High Heat by Carl Deuker

Summary (from book jacket)
Like the game of baseball, life is quirky and unpredictable, as Shane Hunter discovers in the spring of his sophomore year.  Suddenly and without warning, his life of privilege is turned upside down.  And just as suddenly, life begins to seem utterly without fairness or purpose to him.  From a star pitcher to being unsure of himself on the mound, Shane has to try to overcome his doubts and try to find redemption through baseball.

Personal Thoughts
I'm a baseball fan, but not a FAN.  I enjoy watching a game on occasion but don't follow it religiously.  In spite of this, I enjoyed this book.  There was some baseball lingo that I just didn't understand and sometimes I felt like the baseball play-by-play was a little long-winded.  However!  If you like baseball and know what a leadoff home run and a DH are you will love this book.  It's easy to read and has a great back story as well.

Incarceron

Incarceron by Catherine Fisher

Summary (taken from SLJ)
Finn is a 17-year old prisoner of Incarceron. His memories begin and end there. He knows nothing about his heritage except for vague memories that tease at his mind. The teen is determined to escape the prison fashioned centuries ago as a solution to the chaos created by man. Now Incarceron is self-sustaining and self-perpetuating—prisoners are born there and they die there. Legend claims only one man has ever escaped, Sapphique, and Finn is determined to follow in his steps.

Personal Thoughts
In the beginning, I had a hard time following what was going on.  I felt very confused.  However, after awhile (perhaps about 50 pages), I found myself wrapped up in Finn's world and then Claudia's.  I thought this adventure was well-paced, thought-provoking, and exciting.  I can't wait for the sequel, Sapphique, to come out in December.

Welcome Back!

I know this post is overdue, but I wanted to welcome everyone back to school!  Here at Hunt, we are starting a new year in a new school with new traditions, ideas, and staff.  So far, we have been having a GREAT time!

Here are a few highlights of the library.
1.  Every student who was here the first week of school got to come to the library and get a book.  What a fantastic way to start a year!
2.  We are doing self-checkout this year.  It's been a learning process for everyone, but it looks like it will be a great asset to the library.
3.  I'm the librarian!  Ms. Smith

A little bit about me...
-I LOVE to read!
-I LOVE to travel!  (I've been to England, Ireland, Scotland, the Netherlands, France, Spain, Italy, Switzerland, the Bahamas, all over the U.S.A., El Salvador, Costa Rica, Argentina, Uruguay, Chile, and Ecuador.)
-My favorite place was Easter Island.
-I've been dog sledding on a glacier.
-I've jumped out of an airplane.
-I've stood in two hemispheres at once.
-I enjoy playing softball and volleyball.
-I speak enough Spanish to embarrass myself.
-I'm a terrible speller and had to ask how to spell embarrass.
-I LOVE to read!

Stay tuned to the blog for book reviews, pictures of library events, and other library-related news.