The Pledge by Kimberly Derting

Genre: YA Science Fiction, Dystopia

Publisher: Margaret K. McElderry

Hardcover, 323 pages

In the violent country of Ludania, the classes are strictly divided by the language they speak. The smallest transgression, like looking a member of a higher class in the eye while they are speaking their native tongue, results in immediate execution. Seventeen-year-old Charlaina has always been able to understand the languages of all classes, and she's spent her life trying to hide her secret. The only place she can really be free is the drug-fueled underground clubs where people go to shake off the oppressive rules of the world they live in. It's there that she meets a beautiful and mysterious boy named Max who speaks a language she's never heard before . . . and her secret is almost exposed.

Charlie is intensely attracted to Max, even though she can't be sure where his real loyalties lie. As the emergency drills give way to real crisis and the violence escalates, it becomes clear that Charlie is the key to something much bigger: her country's only chance for freedom from the terrible power of a deadly regime. (www.goodreads.com)

Charlie lives in Ludania where her life has been decided for her simply because of the social class she was born into. The problem is, though, she knows that she is different than others. She can understand languages she is not supposed to and has to keep this a secret from all of those around her. When she meets the mysterious Max, her life is thrown into a new direction and what she thought she would never face. She quickly finds out that her life is going to change and that she is in for a bigger ride than she could have ever imagined. 

 

It is no secret that I love Kimberly Derting! She is an amazing author and super great pal (especially if you send her books she wants!!). This novel does exactly what her others have done to me... sucked me in and left me absolutely dying for more. I would love to get into her head and find just a little bit of her creativity and see where it could take me because based on this book... the possibilities are endless!  This novel leaves me drooling for more and with more questions than I started with even though some were answered along the way. Maybe I will get lucky and get the second book tomorrow in the mail... wishful thinking, right? 

Happy reading!

A Monster Calls by Patrick Ness

Genre: YA Fantasy, Horror

Publisher: Candlewick

Hardcover, 215 pages

At seven minutes past midnight, thirteen-year-old Conor wakes to find a monster outside his bedroom window. But it isn’t the monster Conor’s been expecting — he’s been expecting the one from his nightmare, the nightmare he’s had nearly every night since his mother started her treatments.

The monster in his backyard is different. It’s ancient. And wild. And it wants something from Conor. Something terrible and dangerous. It wants the truth.

From the final idea of award-winning author Siobhan Dowd — whose premature death from cancer prevented her from writing it herself — Patrick Ness has spun a haunting and darkly funny novel of mischief, loss, and monsters both real and imagined. (www.goodreads.com)

Conor is a boy who is struggling with the fact that his mother is dying. At thirteen, that is not something you are ready do deal with and as if that isn't enough, a monster has started visiting him nightly. Conor is forced to face not only an emotional monster but a physical one as well. 

One word comes to mind with this novel... genius! There is no way that five starts, stickers, lollipops or anything else could be enough for it. I was taken on a journey through every emotion possible while reading this and still get torn up after having read it three times. My good friend Kellee told me to read it and I had put it off for so long, but when I did pick it up for the first time, I knew there was a reason I hadn't read it yet. I wasn't ready. I still don't know that I am ready for it now! Maybe as an adult I have taken much more from the book than Patrick Ness anticipated, but I can see the same happening with my students. This amazing novel is one that I will be reading again and again... but only when I am ready.

Legend by Marie Lu

Genre: YA Science Fiction, Dystopia

Publisher: Putnam Jubenile

Hardcover, 305 pages

What was once the western United States is now home to the Republic, a nation perpetually at war with its neighbors. Born into an elite family in one of the Republic's wealthiest districts, fifteen-year-old June is a prodigy being groomed for success in the Republic's highest military circles. Born into the slums, fifteen-year-old Day is the country's most wanted criminal. But his motives may not be as malicious as they seem.

From very different worlds, June and Day have no reason to cross paths - until the day June's brother, Metias, is murdered and Day becomes the prime suspect. Caught in the ultimate game of cat and mouse, Day is in a race for his family's survival, while June seeks to avenge Metias' death. But in a shocking turn of events, the two uncover the truth of what has really brought them together, and the sinister lengths their country will go to keep its secrets.

Full of nonstop action, suspense, and romance, this novel is sure to move readers as much as it thrills. (www.goodreads.com)

There is a great war going on between the Colonies and the Republic and though fifteen year old June thinks she knows where her loyalties lie, a series of events make her question everything she has ever known. Meanwhile, Day has lived his entire fifteen years on the opposite side of the tracks from June and knows more than anyone else what life against the Republic is like. When their paths cross, however, both are left questioning what they think they know and how they thought life would pan out.

This is one of those books I wish I had picked up earlier because I was missing out. I love that the genre of Science Fiction with the dystopian focus has blossomed and this is yet another great example of what has come from this literary trend. The characters, plot and setting that Marie Lu created in this novel are very well written and there is so much suspense at the end of this first in the series to leave you dying for more. There are so many things to love about the debut novel including the creative genius of having the flip flopping points of view throughout the novel and having those written in different fonts and colors. I loved that! Marie Lu definitely made her presence known with her debut novel and I can't wait to see where she takes us with the rest of this series!

Free Reads!!!

Who doesn't love free, right?! Here are some great freebies from amazon for your Kindle! Click on the titles to take you right to the books on Amazon!

(Don't forget... if you don't have a Kindle it's okay! You can download the app on your phone here or download Kindle for PC! Check that out here).


Rippler by Cidney Swanson

Samantha Ruiz has a freak gene that makes her turn invisible, or ripple. She can’t control it, and it’s getting worse. Afraid of becoming a lab-rat, Sam keeps her ability secret, until fellow runner Will Baker sees her vanish into thin air. Will promises secrecy and help, and Sam begins to fall in love.

Together, the two discover there are worse things than being a scientific curiosity. Someone’s been killing people who possess Sam's gene. A mysterious man from France sends letters that offer hope for safety, but also reveal a sinister connection with Nazi experiments.

The more time Sam spends with Will, the less she can imagine life without him. When Sam uncovers secrets from her past, she must choose between keeping Will in her life or keeping Will safe.

Middle School: The Worst Years of My Life (Preview) by James Patterson

Rafe Khatchadorian has enough problems at home without throwing his first year of middle school into the mix. Luckily, he's got an ace plan for the best year ever, if only he can pull it off: With his best friend Leonardo the Silent awarding him points, Rafe tries to break every rule in his school's oppressive Code of Conduct. Chewing gum in class-5,000 points! Running in the hallway-10,000 points! Pulling the fire alarm-50,000 points! But when Rafe's game starts to catch up with him, he'll have to decide if winning is all that matters, or if he's finally ready to face the rules, bullies, and truths he's been avoiding.

Beasts and BFFs by Shannon Delaney

A Bonus 13 to Life Prequel Story.

Meet Jessie Gillmansen as she realizes that things might not be what they seem in the town of Junction.

And many thanks to Master Magician Chad Crews for coming to Belton Middle School and pumping up my students about many great authors like Edgar Allan Poe and Sir Arthur Conan Doyle!! If you live in an area where he can travel to you, teachers, GET HIM!! Greatest show... magic and literature from a former Science teacher. Here are some free reads from those great guys!!

Edgar Allan Poe

Edgar Allan Poe's Complete Poetical Works

The Masque of the Red Death by Edgar Allan Poe

The Cask of Amontillado by Edgar Allan Poe

The Works of Edgar Allan Poe Volume 1

The Works of Edgar Allan Poe Volume 2

The Works of Edgar Allan Poe Volume 3

The Raven by Edgar Allan Poe

Sir Arthur Conan Doyle

The Adventure of Wisteria Lodge

The Return of Sherlock Holmes

The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes

Bram Stoker

The Lady of the Shroud

Dracula's Guest

Dracula

Mary Shelley

Frankenstein

Harry Houdini

The Miracle Mongers, and Expose

Happy New Year... and It's Monday! What are you reading?

Now that you have all picked your jaws up off of the floor because there is a post... let's get on to the good stuff! My friends Kellee and Jen from Teach Mentor Text have gotten be back to the blogging world. I have been reading like crazy, but I just haven't gotten around to posting. So be ready for some posts!!

It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? From Picture Books to YA!

It's Monday! What are you Reading? is a meme hosted by Sheila at Book Journeys. It is a great way to recap what you read and/or reviewed the previous week and to plan out your reading and reviews for the upcoming week. It's also a great chance to see what others are reading right now…who knows, you might discover that next “must read” book!

Previous Book Adventures...
There are so many great books that I have read and cannot wait to share with you all. Here are just a few of them:
The Future of Us by Jay Asher and Carolyn Mackler
The Girl of Fire and Thorns by Rae Carson
Revolution by Jennifer Donnelly



Upcoming Book Adventures....
I am currently reading two YA books. I started The Pledge by Kimberly Derting the other day and will probably finish with it tomorrow so be looking for the review soon. Just like her others, this is yet another of my favorites! The other book that I got in the mail just this weekend was Jennifer Hubbard's latest novel Try Not to Breathe.


I also got the new Stephen King book, 11/22/63, for Christmas and cannot wait to get into it. I love the premise behind the book and don't think that it will freak me out like It or some of his others! I also got The Mysteries of Harris Burdick by Chris Van Allsburg, The Chronicles of Harris Burdick by various authors (this is the book where they took the pictures and wrote the stories they thought were being told within them) and the portfolio pictures from the novel. I have a great unit worked up with all of this that I cannot wait to dive into! I will be posting more on it later.



I also have this desire to read Mary Shelly's Frankenstein thanks to BrainPOP! Their featured video today was about it and my six year old watched the video and we talked about it for a while. She is completely fascinated by it, but I just don't think that I will put that one on her bookshelf quite yet! Maybe I can find some younger versions!




And....
I am a new fan of Pixel of Ink and today's freebie is one that all YA readers will enjoy! Jessica's Guide to Dating on the Dark Side by Beth Fantaskey!

Visit HERE to get it for FREEEEEEEEEEEEEE!! We all love those freebies!




So... what are you reading this week? Make sure to let me know!!