The Dig - Audrey Hart

Publisher: Backlit Fiction

Pages:  229

Source:  electronic review copy

Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy, and Mythology

From Goodreads:

Zoe Calder has always been an outsider. Stashed away in boarding schools since her parents died, Zoe buries herself in the study of ancient worlds. Her greatest thrill is spending her summers with her archeologist aunt and uncle on digs around the world. And one day, while investigating a newly unearthed temple in Crete, Zoe discovers a luminous artifact that transports her to ancient Greece.

As Zoe quickly learns, the Olympian Gods are real, living people—humans with mysterious powers… Powers that Zoe quickly realizes she has come to possess, as well. However, when the people of ancient Greece mistake Zoe for an Olympian, the Gods must restore the balance of the ancient world… No matter what.

Zoe is forced to play a confusing and dangerous game as Hera rallies the gods against her—all except for Zeus, the beautiful, winged young god who risks everything to save her.

Out of time and out of her element, teenager Zoe Calder finds herself in ancient Greece, battling against the power of the Olympians and the vengeance of a scorned goddess—all for the strange and mysterious boy she has come to love.

My Thoughts:

We teach Greek Mythology every year at school.  It has never been one of my favorite subjects.  However, recently there have been some great books out that deal with Greek mythology in a different light.  This is one of those books and it is great.

Zoe is the type of young girl that teens will be able to relate to.  She suffers bullying at the hands of those in her boarding school because she doesn’t fit it.  I will have to say here that she doesn’t really try very hard to fit in.   When she ends up in 1000 BC, Ancient Greece her life changes.  Suddenly, the most popular boy (Zeus) has fallen for her.  I loved the idea that the gods and goddesses were portrayed as teenagers instead of the way we teach about them.

She realizes that these gods and goddesses are not much different than the teens she left behind at the boarding school except here they all have powers.  This is just the first book in the trilogy and the second one is a definite must read.  After all, we must see how things progress for Zoe.

Spring Reading Thing Wrap-Up and Why I Haven't Blogged As Much

I started this challenge with an ambitious goal as usual.  I had 42 books on my list.  Of those 42 books I managed to read 7 from my original list which you will find here.  I read an additional 19 books for a total of 26.  That's a little more than half of my original goal.  So what happened?  Life.

This was one of the toughest and most stressful school years ever.  I have  had several medical and dental issues that have prevented me from reading as much as I normally do.  This also hindered my personal writing.
At first I was very down about not meeting my goal.  I pride myself in reading a lot.  This was the first time I fell  real short of a goal.  However, I read some really great books. Here is a list of the other books I read.

Children's Picture Books:
A Rose in the Desert - Chi Emerole  
Eutopia - Kathy Motlagh 
I Remember Mommy's Smile - Diana Wolfman Baker
Sofia's Rainbow - Lina Simoni
Sweetie goes to Bed - Lydia Lin 
Tashi and the Tibetan Flower Cure - Naomi C. Rose
Stripey Follows His Dream - Gail Shumway


Middle Grade / Young Adult:
My Monster Burrufu - Alberto Corral 
Night Buddies - Sands Hetherington
The Prince Who Fell From the Sky - John Claude Bemis
Spectral - Shannon Duffy
Swipe - Evan Angler


Adult:
A Gift For My Sister - Ann Pearlman
As One Devil To Another - Richard Platt
Kill 4 Me - Joel M. Andre
Mirrors of Anguish - R.P. Kraul
Walter's Muse - Jean Davies Okimoto


Short Story:
Tea With Death - Joel M. Andre


Nonfiction:
Off to Class - Susan Hughes


I had some books that were absolute favorites of mine:  My Monster Burrufu was one of my favorite upper elementary/middle grade reads.  It is all about stereotyping and prejudice in a wonderful story.  I want to start my school year reading it aloud to my new students.  The Prince Who Fell From the Sky was a wonderful Fantasy told from an animal's perspective.  If you liked C.S. Lewis' Screwtape Letters then it is a safe bet you will like As One Devil to Another.


If you are unfamiliar with the author Oliver Neubert then you need to acquaint yourself with him.  I first read and reviewed  his book Chantel's Quest. He wrote and asked me to read and review His Wind of Life Series.  I read the first two books.  All I can say is OH MY GOSH THEY WERE WONDERFUL!  The Flyers and The Wanderers are both fantasy books in a series about two different groups of people who at one time lived together but later were separated by their appearance.  The prejudice was evident in these books and the lessons were wonderful yet subtle.  The third book in the series Vita is due out soon.  These are definitely MUST READS!  All ages will like these books.

If you want a humorous read then you must read Scary School by Derek the Ghost.  Kids will really enjoy this.

Adults will enjoy the thriller Mirrors of Anguish by R.P. Kraul.  This is a classic thriller in every sense. This is an author whose other books I look forward to reading.

I guess over all I would have to say that even though I didn't reach my goal number wise, I've read some really terrific books.  I've slowed down my reading this summer as I'm working on my writing.  I'd like to have one completely fleshed out and one completed.  I don't know how well that will work as I've been connecting with next years students and their summer reading.  It is great to see so many of them excited about reading.  I must share a post from one of my students with you, so that you can understand how excited they are.


"Are you guys reading a book and then when your parents say Dinner DINNER and you will not get up because you enjoy the book so Much.................Well I do and It is Called Boys Without Names it is a Happy/Sad book And I am Convincing you guys when I am done with the book go to the Public Library and they will have it I Maybe Promise Not sure because I have to Return It in "



This excited me because this is one of my students from next year.  Most of them have been chatting back and forth on Edmodo about the books they are reading.  It seems I have a lot of readers coming to me next year.  Not only that, but a large number of them LOVE to write.  They have been participating in our weekly writing prompts.  They encourage each other.  I am hoping this will be my dream year of teaching.  I look forward to doing a modified version of the Fall Into Reading challenge with my students.


Thank you Katrina for such a wonderful, laid back challenge for readers and reviewers.  

Mirrors of Anguish – R. P. Kraul

Publisher:  Immortal Ink Publishing

Pages:  290

Source: Review Copy form the author

Genre:   Adult, Literary Horror

From Goodreads:

Young reporter Jill Duport returns to Belcorte, Pennsylvania, intending to sell the Victorian house that once belonged to her grandparents—the house where her grandfather allegedly mutilated and murdered a teenage girl. The house where he committed suicide.

The mystery surrounding the murder-suicide traps Jill in this small town in the Pocono Mountains. Knowing her grandfather was thought of as a serial killer by some is not enough for Jill. She wants to know why, twenty years after his death, the murders have continued.

What was her grandfather’s connection to the sadistic madman known as the Indianhead Reservoir Killer?

As Jill unravels the mystery of her grandfather, she draws herself closer to the killer, who has waited for decades to unleash his vengeance on Belcorte. His female victims are vessels for his feral children, and when Jill unknowingly enters his furtive lair, he decides to put in motion his sadistic plan to destroy the town.

My Thoughts:

If you were to look at the labels for my books  on Goodreads, you would find that I’ve read very little horror.  This is not because I don’t like horror.  It is because there is very little horror that I find to be good, and actually finish. I grew up on a farm in Indiana.  We lived in the 100+ year old farmhouse that had been my great-grandmother’s before she passed away.  It was a house that she claimed was haunted.  I grew up in that old house watching horror shows.  You know the ones that had you screaming at the character to do something, or not do something and they did THEIR OWN thing which always caused a problem.  That is what this type of book is like.  Classic Horror.  This it the type of book anyone who LOVES horror will want to read.  It transported me back to those late Friday or Saturday nights when I would sit up alone watching those shows that would scare me so much I wouldn’t want to leave my chair to go to bed.  That is what this book did for me, and yes I read it at night.   The author sets the tone for the book from the very beginning with his description of Belacort, Pennsylvania.  The town felt so real that I actually googled it to see if it existed.  His description of the town sets you on edge and keeps you there.  The characters are believable.  You have real people who have real problems that you can identify with.  Some you will love and some you will love to hate.  They are fleshed out in such a way that you can’t help it.  For me I will always choose a character driven plot because if the characters are not believable, then no matter what happens to them it makes the writing seem unbelievable.  Kraul has managed to find that delicate balance.

The horror in this book is the type that messes with your mind.  It is not your typical “slasher” type of horror. This is worse.  This is the type that will creep you out to the point you will be afraid to close the book, and afraid to continue reading.  So you want something creepy for a change?  Get this book.  It is just thing to fill that horror void in your reading.

Child of the Mist - Kathleen Morgan

Publisher:  Revell

Pages: - 336

Source:  Free download from Christianbook.com

Genre:  Adult, Historical Romance

From Goodreads:

In the harsh Scottish highlands of 1565, superstition and treachery threaten a truce between rival clans. It's a weak truce at first, bound only by an arranged engagement between Anne MacGregor and Niall Campbell-the heirs of the feuding families.

While Niall wrestles with his suspicions about a traitor in his clan, Anne's actions do not go unnoticed. And as accusations of witchcraft abound, the strong and sometimes callous Campbell heir must fight for Anne's safety among disconcerted clan members. Meanwhile his own safety in threatened with the ever-present threat of someone who wants him dead.

Will Niall discover the traitor's identity in time? Can Anne find a way to fit into her new surroundings? Will the two learn to love each other despite the conflict? With a perfect mix of a burgeoning romance and thrilling suspense, this book is historical fiction at its best.

My Thoughts:

It was really interesting to see how something as simple as performing what we know today as CPR could have you branded as a witch in the 1500’s.  In this wonderful historical fiction book we get a look at the past and how far we’ve come.

If you are into Scottish history or you just love reading about feuding clans then this is the book for you.  To create a truce Anne is pledged in marriage to Niall.  It is not what she desires.  The one thing that neither of them counted on was falling in love.  But that is just a portion of the story.  Read to find out what trials they both must go through and how they handle it.

Student Saturday: Chrissa -Mary Casanova

Publisher:  American Girl Publishing
Pages:  130
Genre:  Middle Grade Realistic Fiction
Student Reviewer:  Maddy

Have you ever had to move in the middle of the school year?  How about bullying, has that ever been a problem for you?  If so, then you will be able to relate with Chrissa, an American Girl.  Chrissa is the main character int he book Chrissa by Mary Casanova.  American Girls are popular dolls that are designed for girls 8 and up.  These dolls represent a time period or teach a lesson.  Books are written for each doll and received with each doll.  However, you can also get these books at the American Girl Doll store, book store, or at a library.  Chrissa is a book that teaches the reader about bullying.

The setting of the story takes place in Minnesota.  Chrissa had to move from Iowa to Minnesota at the age of 10 in the middle of the 4th grade.  She goes to live with her Nan in her big beautiful old Victorian house with a big wrap around porch.  There are llamas and the place where they live is big enough for Chrissa's dad to have his pottery business int he back in one of the barns.  Chrissa also moved there with her Mom who is a doctor at a nearby hospital and her brother Tyler who is in 5th grade and only eleven months older than Chrissa.  Chrissa knew she was really going to miss her best friends in Iowa, but never knew she would have so much trouble adjusting to her new life in Minnesota.  It all started in room 103 at Edgewater Elementary.

Chrissa starts school on Friday, but not any Friday, Friday the 13th in February.  The next day was Valentine's Day and Chrissa wanted to start this Friday because she wanted to give her new classmates Valentienes, thanks to a list her new teacher, Mr. Beck gave her before she started her new school.  The very first day she meant the mean Bee's.  they are the mean girls who bully Chrissa.  They re Tara, Sonali, and Jayden.  Chrissa tries to be friends with a girl name Gwen, but Gwen refuses for reasons Chirssa will finds out about.  At first, Chrissa tries to deal with the bullying herself, but soon finds out she will need some family, and teachers to help her through the ordeal.

I found the book that is mostly written mixed with a few pictures throughout the 122 pages to be a great read.  I made a connection because I have a brother who is eleven months older than me and I had a problem in third grade and in preschool, yes preschool, with bullying.  I would recommend this book for girls 8-16.  Also, I think teachers and parents would like it to help kids understand how to handle bullying. What is really great is in the back after the story is a section on how to deal with bullying.  There are real letters sent in from girls that are having trouble and there are answers on how they can deal with bullying in a positive way.  So the story itself is fiction, but the information in the back is non-fiction.  Also, there are discussion questions in the back about the story.

If the reader likes the story they should check out the movie.  It is based on the book.  Overall, I liked the story.  I didn't want to put it down because I couldn't wait to see how Chrissa was going to deal with the mean bees and i wanted to know why Gwen was so quiet and mysterious.  You will just have to read it to find out.

Double Header by Joel M. Andre

Kill 4 Me – Joel M. Andre

Publisher:  Darkcountry Publications

Pages:

Source:  review copy for tour

Genre:  Adult, Horror, thriller, Mystery, Suspense

Synopsis:

Casey Dwyer is haunted.

After a horrific car accident that claimed the life of her sister, she has struggled to return to a normal life.  But on a cold winter day what seemed like a harmless text on her cell phone changed everything.

Now Casey will try to do anything to protect her and her family and friends against a vengeful spirit.  Even kill.  Who is the spirit stalking Casey and how far will it push her into the darkness of madness?

Book Trailer
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xH-8-O7q1hw

My Thoughts:

This was a great book.  It had just the right amount of creep factor for me.  Casey was every parent’s dream daughter.  She  was the one who always tried to do the right thing.  She witnessed her father’s death years before.  She constantly tried to cover for her rebellious sister.  Her mother knew her youngest daughter was a problem.  She was also aware that Casey tried to cover for her sister.  On the night that Casey has to once again rescue her sister, they are involved in a horrific car accident.  Many people died including Casey’s sister.     Shortly after she returns homes she starts receiving mysterious messages on her phone and computer.  This strange being who has begun to haunt her wants her to kill for it. 

Just about the time I thought I had figured out who was haunting Casey and why, the story takes another strange turn.  I honestly never saw the ending coming.  This is a book that you must read. Find out what this spirit wants from Casey and what it is willing to do to get it.  Find out the twisted end that will leave you scratching your head.  You won’t see it coming.

Tea With Death – Joel M. Andre

Publisher:  Darkcountry Publications

Pages:  10

Source:  review copy for tour

Genre:  Adult Suspense, Mystery, Thriller, Horror

Synopsis:

In this dark, philosophical tale of horror, a man has the opportunity to sit down with Death.  What he discovers is that the dying process is a little more complex than he imagined and that making a deal with the Grim Reaper comes with a price.

My Thoughts:
This was a very interesting short story.  The idea that someone would invite death to have tea with them made me think that the person was a little bit off in the head.  As you read you find that the main character has more on his mind than just asking Death some questions.  This was a quick and interesting read.  It worked great with Kill 4 Me.

About Joel:

Joel M. Andre was born January 13, 1981. At a young age he was fascinated with the written word. It was at fourteen that Poe blew his mind, and Andre began to dabble with darker poetry.

Between the years of 1999 and 2007 Joel was featured in various poetry anthologies and publications. In 2008 he released his first collection, Pray the Rain Never Ends.

Knowing there was something deeper and darker inside of his soul, Joel decided to take a stab at commercialism. Releasing the dark tongue in cheek, A Death at the North Pole, created a dark world among the death of Kris Kringle. Ultimately providing a tale of redemption.

October of 2008 saw Joel release his second book, Kill 4 Me. A tale in which a woman is haunted by a vengeful spirit through text messages and instant messaging.

Taking some time off and doing a lot of soul searching, Joel took things in a new direction and dabbled in the Fantasy Genre with, The Pentacle of Light. The tale dealing with five major races battling for control of Earth, and the acceptance of their God.

Finally, after missing his detective Lauren Bruni, he released the book The Return in October 2009, this time moving the action from the North Pole and placing it in the small Arizona community he was raised in.

Andre’s latest book is The Black Chronicles: Cry of the Fallen about a dead man who seeks revenge on the woman that tormented him in peaceful Northern Arizona.

Currently, he resides in Chandler, AZ.

You can visit his website at www.joelmandre.info

Night Buddies – Sands Hetherington

Publisher:  Dune Buggy Press

Pages:  128

Source:  Copy from publisher for blog tour

Genre:  Ages 7-9, Fantasy, Adventure

This is a wonderful adventure story for younger kids.  John Degraffenreidt doesn’t want to go to bed.  He wants more pineapple cheesecake.  Once in bed he can’t go to sleep.  Then Crosley, a red crocodile come out from under his bed and the two of them head off on an adventure to solve a mystery.  What mystery you ask?  The mystery of the disappearing pineapple cheesecakes.  They arrive at the cheesecake factory where John meets Bigfoot Mae who runs the factory.  If you have a child, or grandchild who loves mysteries this is the book for them.  Learn why Crosley is red.  Find out what has happened to all of the pineapple cheesecakes.  Learn exactly what a “Night Buddy” is.

This would definitely be enjoyed by reluctant readers.

Student Saturday: Someone Named Eva - Joan M. Wolf

Publisher:  Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
Pages:  200
Genre:  Middle Grade, Historical Fiction
Student Reviewer:  Mirielle

This story takes place during WWII.  The years are 1942- 1945.  It focuses on the life of a young girl in Czechoslovakia after Hitler takes over.

The main character is Milada who is turning 11 years old.  She is very brave and endures much tragedy.

The story begins with Milada living a normal and happy life with her mother, father and brother.  She goes to school and has many good friends.  Her life changes drastically when Hitler and his soldiers take over her town.  They separate the women and men and take everyone to concentration camps.  to make matters worse she is then separated form her mom and grandma and brought to a school that will teach her to be a good German girl.  She is lonely and very scared.

After the people in charge think she has learned all her lessons she is adopted by anew German family.  She lives with a new mom and dad and has  a sister and brother as well.  She is treated well enough but still remembers where she came from.  Each day she forgets more about her old life.  She got used to the new home but deep down still misses her old life and real family.  She was also given a new name.  She is called Eva and is a good German girl.  This book does come full circle but you will have to read it to see what happens.

This book was interesting but not the best I have read.  It was scary to see a glimpse of what was really happening during WWII.  It was long and a bit difficult to concentrate on though.  If you are into historical books you would enjoy this. book  If you are looking for an easy read you may want to go back to the book shelf.

Scary School, by Derek the Ghost

Publisher:  HarperCollins

Pages:  256

Source:  Review copy from publisher

Genre:  MG, Humor

Scary School would be the perfect book to read aloud to the class at the beginning of the new school year.  As a teacher I’m always looking for that book that will hook my reluctant readers.  This is that book.  Imagine a school where monsters and humans go to school together.  Imagine that all of your teachers are monsters.  Hey, the students already think teachers are monsters for giving homework so this isn’t a far stretch of the imagination.  Imagine you are on a tour of the school with your tour guide Derick the Ghost.  He had died the previous year in a terrible accident at the school.  The new kid, Charles Nukid thinks everyone is real friendly when they holler, “Hey new kid”.

The teachers and other members of the school are wonderful to read about.  I laughed and laughed  when I read about Nurse Hairymoles.  She can cure whatever ails you. 

However, she makes sure you get something that is even worse.

The Ghoul Games were cool.  We are always talking about starting our school year by building community with our students so they learn up front to get along.  This book is a subtle way to teach students life lessons such as; no one is better than anyone else just because they are different. 

Will I recommend this book to my student?  You bet I will.  Currently I have an electronic version.  However, I will be purchasing a copy for my shelves along with a copy of the sequel “Monsters on the March”.  The illustrations by Scott M. Fischer are absolutely wonderful. 

Check out the book and then purchase the second one, to be released March 26.  This is a definite must read.  It is a book both young and old will enjoy.

Student Saturdays: Revenge of the Gnomes - R.L. Stine

Publisher:  Scholastic
Pages:  144
Genre:  Middle Grade Horror
Student Reviewer:  Lauren

Goosebumps Revenge of the Gnomes is written by R.L. Stine.  It is about a family with two kids and the dad is obsessed with tacky yard decorations.  So one day they buy two gnomes.  At night the kids hear the gnomes scrumaging through the garden but the parents don't believe them.  The main characters are the two gnomes, the dad, and the two kids. In Palm Springs there was a gnome hunt and some were mean gnomes and some were nice.