Lost Stories by John Flanagan

Lost Stories (Ranger's Apprentice #11)

Summary (from GoodReads)
Inspired by questions and letters his loyal readers have sent over the years, John Flanagan offers a gift in response: a collection of "lost" tales that fill in the gaps between Ranger's Apprentice novels. For the first time, readers can learn the truth behind how Will came to be orphaned and what his real relationship to Halt is, or watch Alyss in action as the young Araluen diplomat disguises herself and becomes the perfect spy.

Personal Thoughts
LOVE LOVE LOVE!  I just love when a series as good as this one ends in a way that I found so satisfying.  Even though this technically isn't a novel (it's a bunch of short stories), I just felt that this book filled in the gaps and holes and lingering questions I had.  Oh, and it just ended the series so nicely!  I will admit...I cried!  Totally worth the splotchiness, though.

Crossed by Ally Condie

Crossed by Ally Condie

Summary (from GoodReads)
In search of a future that may not exist and faced with the decision of who to share it with, Cassia journeys to the Outer Provinces in pursuit of Ky - taken by the Society to his certain death - only to find that he has escaped, leaving a series of clues in his wake.

Cassia's quest leads her to question much of what she holds dear, even as she finds glimmers of a different life across the border. But as Cassia nears resolve and certainty about her future with Ky, an invitation for rebellion, an unexpected betrayal, and a surprise visit from Xander - who may hold the key to the uprising and, still, to Cassia's heart - change the game once again. Nothing is as expected on the edge of Society, where crosses and double crosses make the path more twisted than ever.

Personal Thoughts
Well, okay then.  It was not a slam-bang action adventure.  It is a lot of Cassia's inner dialogue and questioning.  If you liked Matched  you will like Crossed.  I hope the third book is GREAT!  I'd love to see a lot more action, more of the Rebellion, and see a little more interaction between Ky and Cassia.  Worth a read...if only so you know what's going on in the next one.

Writing on the Walls (or windows)

Writing on the windows is a favorite activity here at Hunt.  The kids see me getting out the markers and BAM! They're begging me to write.  Well, of course they can!  I most recently asked them for their favorite author.  Here are some pictures of those windows.

Please excuse the weird angles and strange glares.  Where the windows are, it's hard to take pictures of what's on them.  Oh, and they're clear.  So, you know....

Digital Photography "Winner"

This month, Julz B.'s photograph of "something green" won the student's choice award!  Great job, Julz!

This month's "assignments" are:

• high angle
• low angle
• fruit
• bad habit

Will your photo be next?

Digial Photography Club

I need members of the photography club to e mail me their pictures as soon as you can.  I want to be ready for our meeting on Wednesday!

Chess Club

Our first chess club meeting was tons of fun!  One person learning, one person teaching, lots of people playing.  Just awesome!

Here's a chess puzzle for you to solve.

Realistic Boy Fiction

I have never been into reading realistic fiction where the boy is the main character...until now.  Authors like Jordan Sonnenblick, Gary D. Schmidt, and Mark Shulman (is it weird that their last initial is "s"?) have really nailed the genre. 

I read Drums, Girls, and Dangerous Pie a few weeks ago by Jodan Sonnenblick.  Who'd have thunk that I'd be reading a boy book and crying?  Or laughing so loudly that the kids in the library look at me funny?  (And have even "shushed" me!)  It's an amazing book.  Boys will get it, girls will get it, and it's pretty much an all around awesome novel.

I listened to Gary Schmidt's The Wednesday Wars on a recent car trip.  Also a powerful boy novel.  It just goes to show that boys have feelings too.  Even if they often punch people so they can feel the same emotion.  It made me smirk and laugh and gasp...especially when the rats fell out of the asbestos-tiled ceiling. 

I also read Okay for Now by Gary Schmidt.  Wow.  Just...wow!  This book talks about how a boy finds himself through art, the library, and some teachers/librarians who are willing to take their time with him.  It details the struggles kids can have when their families are "messed up," they're new to town, and they're teenagers.

I read Mark Shulman's Scrawl which is also a book on the LoneStar Award's Nominee list.  It was an interesting read from a bully's point of view.  It has a narrative that will open anyone's eyes to the fact that most bullies are bullied themselves.

I'd recommend any of these books to both genders...although I think boys will enjoy them the most.