Book Drops: "The Dark and Hollow Places" by Carrie Ryan

I finished Carrie Ryan's final installment of the Forest of Hands and Teeth series, The Dark and Hollow Places, during this Turkey Day holiday. I thought it was a pretty good ending for this horror series. Annah is still in the City, waiting for Elias. 3 years have passed and she still cannot leave even though the City is getting worse. As she tries to leave, she notices a girl who looks just like her. Could it be Abigail? Annah needs to find out and strange things begin to happen. Annah struggles with her own self-doubt and insecurities as she tries to deal with the hordes of zombies that are beginning to infiltrate the city as well as dealing with the discovery that Elias and her sister are still alive.

If you liked the series, you will enjoy this finale.

Also, how come the UK cover of this book is a lot better than the US version? I am not a fan of the all the people on the covers. But again I guess that what the American audience likes.

Nonfiction Mondays: Extreme Scientists by Donna M. Jackson

Sorry this is a late. We were so busy yesterday that I did not have a chance to write a post for Nonfiction Monday on Monday. Tons of 9th grade history students running around the library, kids finishing up pamphlets, lots of questions to answer about bibliography citations, and of course, controlling and preventing our students from taking over the labs with March Madness mayhem!!!

Today's selection is Extreme Scientists: Exploring Nature's Mysteries from Perilous Places by Donna M. Jackson

What Caught My Eye: I have really enjoyed the last book I read, The Frog Scientist, from the Scientists in the Field series published by Houghton Mifflin, and saw that we had this at the public library's New Books shelf and picked it up. Plus I am part of Generation X so you know, if it says "extreme" I have to read it. Just kidding!

Why I Didn't Put It Down: This book was a great introduction to some really dangerous and exciting careers in science. There are 3 types of scientists Jackson covers (1) a hurricane hunter (pilot) (2) a cave (land and sea) exploring microbiologist and (3) a tree canopy exploring, tree scaling botanist. It is filled with color photographs of the scientists, the environments they study and their equipment. It also contains a great glossary of words for the 3 disciplines and some helpful links and bibliography in the end.

Who Would I Recommend This To: Anyone interested in reading about science. Kids, adults, teens...if you just want to gain a little insight into what these people do this book is definitely worth picking up.

Nonfiction Monday: The Ancient Persians by Virginia Schomp

We have been having trouble access different parts of Google so I could not post this on Monday. I know I am hosting next week too so I will have do all this on Sunday night and hopefully, I can get the Mr. Linky widget so that links can be posted rather quickly...

What Caught My Eye: I was just curious about the Ancient Persians. Also, it's an interesting cover and made wonder, "Who is that?" He looks very regal.

Why I Didn't Put It Down: The Ancient Persians by Virginia Schomp is part of a series called Myths of the World published by Marshall Cavendish. I really like books published by Marshall Cavendish and this one does not disappoint. Schomp's writing is very accessible and engaging. The book is filled with colorful images from the time period illustrating the different individuals and myths she focuses on. For example, on the chapter titled "Mythical Creatures," Schomp retells the tale of Rostam, a hero, and his horse, the image accompanying this chapter is a painting of Rostam riding his horse as they overcome a man ready to shoot an arrow at the horse and rider. She also included sections called "The Early Persians Speak" that features translated sections from texts from the period, like the Shahnamen, or "Book of Kings," which is the national epic story from Iran. Schomp also included a wonderful glossary that goes more into depth of the texts she refers to and a "Find Out More" section that contains a bibliography, website links and added notes.

Who Would I Recommend This To: People interested history, especially ancient times. Also those curious about the Persians.

Graphic Novel Friday : "The Runaways-dead end kids"

This is so late but today was very busy at work. We have grades due, comments to right, helping students finish projects and prep for finals, plus, I had to substitute and did not have that much time to sit in front of my computer.

I ordered a number of graphic novels for the library that have been on a number of YALSA, Booklist, and Publisher Weekly lists and this was one of them. Plus, I heard from my friend, RAPatton, that this was a good series. So, this Friday's graphic novel pick is The Runaways: Dead End Kids by Joss Whedon, Michael Ryan and Christina Strain. Published by Marvel. ISBN: 978-0-7851-2853-3.

In this comic, the kids have made a deal with one of the most evil villains in New York City, a deal that they will regret. In order to escape, the end up jumping back in time, to a time where unions were beginning to form, where kids still worked in factories and married, and where there were other "Wonders." The runaways have also traveled to a time where different factions of those wonders are close to war. Though these other groups are trying to manipulate them for each groups purpose, the runaways stay true to the family. The story moves quickly and is filled with really amazing images that you would expect from Marvel. The different styles that separate each chapter compliment each other well though they are strikingly different. The pages devoted to each chapter are softer and less stylized than the main sections of each chapter which adds to the transitions in the story.

I was not disappointed by this series. All the recommendations were worth it. I would say that this is not for children but appropriate for middle and high school. I am happy that it is now part of our collection. Even if we don't own every part of this series, at least students who like graphic novels will be able to read it and have an introduction to this series.

Book Drops: "The Knife of Never Letting Go" by Patrick Ness (rated 4 stars)

The Knife of Never Letting Go: Chaos Walking: Book One

by Patrick Ness

Book 1 of the Chaos Walking series by Patrick Ness is an incredible space adventure. A couple of things I associated with it while reading – the Firefly series (hello, Nathan Fillion) because of the space cowboys feel and the Disney movie, “Up”, because the dog “talks” and in one seen, a giant bird, like Kevin, briefly makes an appearance.
Todd Hewitt, is turning 13. He’s finally going to be a man. In Prentisstown, 13 is the year boys transition to manhood. The thing is, Todd, is the last boy in Prentisstown. There are no women. The other thing about Prentisstown is that you can hear everyone’s thoughts, or noise, including the animals. For the past couple of months, Todd, has pretty much been alone, well, he does have a dog, Manchee, who he never wanted. Men do not talk to boys in Prentisstown. Why that is Todd does not know. He just accepts it because that is how it has always been.
One day Todd is wandering around the swamps, the only place a person can get away from the noise, when he stumbles upon a weird patch of silence. Silence does not exist…or does it? This “silence” will lead to the destruction of all that Todd knows about Prentisstown and the New World.
This book moves very quickly. It also brings up questions of what would happen if you could not block out all the information that is constantly floating out at you, or how do you keep a hold of your own identity, and also how far would you go to protect your self? There is a lot of violence (against women, boys, animals and aliens) so I would say this is for middle school and high school. Also, the only drawback is that this is NOT a stand alone book. You will have to read Book 2 to find out what happens next – The Ask and the Answer will be out in Sept. 2009.

See more about The Knife of Never Letting Go: Chaos Walking: Book One

Book Drops: "Poppy and Ereth" by Avi (children's) (rated 4 stars)

Poppy and Ereth (The Poppy Stories)

by Avi

This is the first book by Avi I have ever read. I know! Unbelievable and how can I work in the Children’s Library at BPL?!? Well, I do and better late than never.

This is also the last book of the Poppy series and I have to say it is a wonderful read. I do not want to give anything away…Poppy is coming out of a deep depression and discovers that there is more still in life even though she is an old deer mouse. It is funny but also deals with real issues, like death. There is also a little bit of commentary about global warming but I am not sure little kids will get that. Fun and we also are introduced to a new mouse, Spruce, who like his grandmother Poppy, is an adventure seeker. who knows, that maybe the new series?

A great ending to a wonderful tale that I never read. Definitely good as part of the series and also stand alone. I love that! Also Ereth, the crotchety old curmudgeon of a porcupine is probably one of my new favorite characters. He’s very entertaining with his forest cursing.

See more about Poppy and Ereth (The Poppy Stories)

Book Drops: "Inkspell" by Cornelia Funke (childrens/YA) (rated 4 stars)

Inkspell

by Cornelia Funke

Book 2 of the “Inkheart” series does not disappoint. Cornelia Funke returns to bring us a tale centered in the “Inkworld.” Dustfinger has been searching for another reader and he finds him in a strange man called Orpheus, or “Cheeseface” as Farid call him. Dustfinger and Farid are double-crossed by Orpheus and Farid has only one option, to get to the Inkworld to be with Dustfinger. In order to do that, he must find Meggie.

Full of sword and fire fights, Funke brings the Inkworld to life. Vivid passages describing the world and it’s folks as well as giving the reader an “inside” look at the characters of “Inkheart.” Excellent read. Now, I will have to pick up “Inkdeath” the final installment of the series!

I wonder if they will make this as a movie as well. I finally watched “Inkheart” last month at my brother’s house and it was pretty fun.

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Book Drops: "the YggYsseY" by Daniel Pinkwater (childrens) (rated 4 stars)

The Yggyssey: How Iggy Wondered What Happened to All the Ghosts, Found Out Where They Went, and Went There

by Daniel Manus Pinkwater

The YggYssey is the sequel to Daniel Pinkwater’s the Neddiad. It is just as fun and hilarious as the Neddiad. This one follows Iggy (Yggyssey) Birnbaum, Ned’s friend, who also lives in the Hermione Hotel. Iggy is friends with the ghosts living in the Hermione. One day the ghosts start disappearing and no one knows where they have gone. Iggy decides to figure out where they went. She is joined by Ned and Seamus.

It’s a fun little story and highly entertaining. I would stay it is good for 5th – 7th grade readers.

See more about The Yggyssey: How Iggy Wondered What Happened to All the Ghosts, Found Out Where They Went, and Went There

Book Drops: "Simon Bloom: the Octopus Effect" by Michael Reisman (Children's/YA) (rated 4 stars)

Simon Bloom: The Octopus Effect

by Michael Reisman

This is Book 2 of the Simon Bloom series by Michael Reisman. I have not read the second but it is good as a stand-alone from the series. Reisman places a list of characters at the beginning as well as a glossary at the end to help keep new readers up to speed with what happened in the first book.

Simon Bloom, is a twelve year old kid, who has to save the world! Again! from the evil Sirabetta (aka Sara Beth). Along with his friends, Alysha and Owen, Simon must stop Sirabetta, who has some how regained her powers, which are activated by tattoos of various scientific formulas that cover her body. Along the way, Simon, Alysha, and Owen meet more people from the various scientific orders that were formed to help keep science moving forward. Some of these people are friends and of course, some of them are foes.

I love how this book is filled with science references, covering things from physics, biology and chemistry. There is also a little history spread in and as a kid reading it, there are lots of different things to learn, like the scientific name of saber-toothed tigers and characteristics and habits of octopi.

It is interesting how individuals are given their powers from “super” books, like the Book of Physics, which Simon becomes the Keeper of or the Book of Biology. The Books are linked to the universe and can transfer powers to the individual in charge of them. Some of the great fun of this book, is the scenes when people try out their new powers. For example, on pg. 167, Simon is given some traits of the octopus and his transformation is pretty gross. He has the flexibility trait and can stretch and shrink his arms and body. The way Reisman describes it is pretty nasty but I’m sure a boy and even girl reading it would find it hilarious and fascinating. Who doesn’t want powers?!? Even if they are weird and gross.

The fight scenes (yes, multiple! the kids and their friends get attacked by giant mammoths at one point) are really fun to read and you can feel the tension between the characters. There are really funny moments as well that had me laughing out loud. Fun read especially for those kids who love science.

Definitely good for 5th – 8th grades depending on the level of the reader. Good stuff!

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Book Drops: "The Tales of Beedle the Bard" by JK Rowling (Childrens/YA) (rated 4 stars)

The Tales of Beedle the Bard, Standard Edition

by J. K. Rowling

“The Tales of Beedle the Bard” by J.K. Rowling is collection of fairy tales that young wizards and witches grew up hearing from the parents. This edition of the Tales is translated by Hermione Granger and contains commentaries from Professor Albus Dumbledore.

This is a highly entertaining read especially if you love the Harry Potter series. These are the stories referenced in the books and movies and it is great having the opportunity to read them. However, one of the tales, “The Warlock’s Hairy Heart,” is not one for small children. You can read it with your kids or to your nieces and nephews but definitely skip reading “The Warlock’s Hairy Heart.” It is a good story but not for little ears because in the end the Warlock kills the woman he wants to fall in love with. I won’t tell you how he kills her so you will go and read the book.

If you like fairy tales or the Harry Potter series, you should also add this to your collection.

See more about The Tales of Beedle the Bard, Standard Edition