There’s a sad sort of clanging from the clock in the hall
And the bells in the steeple too
And up in the nursery an absurd little bird
Is popping out to say, “Cuckoo”
Regretfully they tell us but firmly they compel us
To say goodbye to you
I thought that the beautiful music from one of my favorite musicals, The Sound of Music, would convey my message pretty well. Yes it’s true, I will no longer be a regular blogger on Mackin Books in Bloom. I have found another position that is closer to home.
I have really enjoyed my time here at Mackin, and I hope that my posts have helped to expand your collections! I have really enjoyed writing about angels, dystopian fiction, picture books, and so much more. Thanks to my fellow bloggers for giving me the unique opportunity to blog about what I already love to read! *And who knows..you might still see me every once and awhile on here!*
In closing I would just like to highlight my top 6 (you didn’t think I could do just 5, did you?) favorite posts that I did over the past year. Feel free to check them out again if you would like:
-This was probably my all-time favorite novel of the year. Tahereh Mafi is uber-talented, and I cannot believe we have to wait a whole year to read her 2nd installment. This one is a ‘do not miss’!
-When I started working at Mackin, I had no idea that ‘angels’ would be so popular! Titles are still coming out such as Rapture, the final book in the Hush, Hush trilogy, Heaven, and many more. Who knew that angels would have such staying power?
-Who knew that one could get so much joy by reading a line such as this: “Nice to Meetcha! You smell delish!/Wanna share my water dish?” Being the goofy animal-lover that I am, is probably why I enjoy these much more than the average person. But, you have to admit that kids will love them too!
-This book is another one of my favorites from this year. It had all of the elements that I love in a novel, paranormal, fantasy, royalty, suspense..I could go on! Kimberly Derting is so gifted, and I loved my author interview with her as well. Don’t forget to check out The Essence, which comes out in January 2013. Check out the cover (below)..can you say gorgeous? I am dying to read this one, since she left us with such a cliffhanger in The Pledge.
-I know..here we go with the animal stuff again. It fascinates me how much the animal kingdom is able to accept other species as their own. It’s heartwarming, and a little heartbreaking because I wish people would be more that way.
-Amazing doesn’t even totally compliment Brenna Yovanoff’s new novel. When she writes, she is able to completely engulf you into a world that is so unknown to you, yet familiar. Daphne is now one of my best-loved heroines, even though she is half-angel/half-demon. On a side note, Brenna’s interview was a pleasure to do. She was easy to work with and so willing to answer all of the questions I had. I cannot wait to see what she has in store for us with Paper Valentine.
Congratulations, Ms. Provence–you are the winner of an autographed copy of Bitterblue by Kristin Cashore. Please e-mail us your address at booksinbloom@mackin.com, and we will send it out to you today. And thank you to everyone who commented!
“She blinded me with Science”..I bet you are humming the chorus right now, since it is quite catchy! Science fiction is definitely all the rage right now (Hunger Games, anyone?), so I wanted to highlight some new titles that you may have missed. Your teens will be amazed by tales of time-travel, courageous young women, and cyborgs. Enjoy!
Tempestby Julie Cross. 2012. 9780312568894.
If you are looking for a time-travel novel that is written in blockbuster movie fashion, Tempest is your ticket! Nineteen-year-old Jackson is a normal guy, getting a college education and enjoying time with his girlfriend Holly. And he just so happens to be able to jump through time without anything changing in present time. Everything changes when Holly is shot. Jackson is transported into the year 2007 and is forced to meet Holly again for the first time.
Pandemoniumby Lauren Oliver. 2012. 9780061978067.
The second installment in Oliver’s Delirium series will surely have fans eagerly awaiting the thrilling conclusion to this trilogy. Pandemonium picks right up where Delirium left off in the aftermath of Lena escaping to the Wilds. Lena is no longer the innocent, somewhat naive girl we once knew. She’s defiant and courageous—a fighter. Readers will enjoy the underlying theme of love winning out over prohibition in this amazing novel.
Cinder by Marissa Meyer. 2012. 9780312641894.
In this first book of the Lunar Chronicles, Cinder is a cyborg mechanic living in New Beijing while a plague sweeps the Earth. She is regarded as a second-class citizen with a secret past, whose life becomes intertwined with the handsome Prince Kai. Suddenly she finds herself at the center of an intergalactic struggle and a forbidden romance. Fans of fractured fairy-tales will love this new, futuristic twist on the classic Cinderella story.
Stevie Wonder’s famous song “Superstitious” always makes me think of supernatural novels. I guess I am just one of those people that has to relate song titles to books. (Have you noticed the last couple of my posts?) Even though vampire books have become a little lackluster for the moment, novels with supernatural elements are still very popular. Angels, Speakers, ghosts, and the Underworld are just a few of the things you will be introduced to in these fictional novels for teens. Enjoy!
Everneath by Brodi Ashton. 2012. 9780062071132. (Gr 10-12.
What would you do if you only had six months to say goodbye to loved ones, as well as find redemption? Meet Nikki Beckett, who has just returned from six months in the Everneath (otherwise known as the Underworld). Her one wish is to reconnect with her boyfriend, Jack, the person who was most devastated by her disappearance. There’s only one person standing in her way: Cole, the irresistible immortal who lured her into the Everneath in the first place. As Nikki’s time on the surface is limited, she is forced to make the most painful decision of her life: find a way to stay with Jack, or return to the Underworld and become Cole’s queen.
Dead of Winterby Chris Priestly. 2012. 9781599907451. Gr 7-12.
If you are looking for a creepy read that sends shivers down your spine, Dead of Winter is the book for you! After his mother’s death, Michael is invited to spend Christmas with a wealthy guardian in a large and abandoned country house. His immediate feeling upon arrival is that something is not quite right—especially when he sees a ghostly woman in the frozen mists. Michael soon realizes that the house has many secrets, dead and alive, but there are more dark secrets to come.
Hallowed by Cynthia Hand. 2012. 9780061996184. Gr 8-12.
Clara feels like destiny is playing a mean trick on her. When we left her in Unearthly, she was training for months to face the fire she had seen in her visions. In the end, she couldn’t possibly prepare for the choice she was forced to make. In Hallowed, she is torn between her love for Tucker and what she and Christian are destined for. In this compelling follow-up novel, Clara struggles with a new revelation: Someone she cares about will die unexpectedly. With an uncertain future, how will Clara change a loved one’s fate for good?
Shattered Soulsby Mary Lindsey. 2011. 9780399256226. Gr 10-12.
Lenzi begins to hear voices and has visions of gravestones and of a boy with steel gray eyes. Just as these things start to get louder and more intense, she meets Alden, a boy from her dreams. He explains that she’s a reincarnated Speaker—a communicator of the dead, and that he has been her Protector for centuries. Now Lenzi is forced to choose between her present life and her destiny with Alden, before time runs out.
Fallen in Love: A Fallen Novel in Stories by Lauren Kate. 2012. 9780385742610. Gr 9-12.
Fans of Kate’s Fallen series will love these four never-revealed stories of their favorite characters. Fallen in Love is a collection of short stories, set in the Middle Ages, featuring central characters from the main books. Each story provides valuable insight into each character and how their lives intertwine with the epic love story of Daniel and Luce. A must-read for fans who are eagerly anticipating Rapture!
Is your graphic novel collection in dire need of some new titles? It’s your lucky day! Tweens and teens will love reading about Greek mythology, dragons, cowhands, rebels, and vampires. Check out the newest and best graphic titles for yourself (or your students)!
Hades: Lord of the Dead by George O’Connor. 2012. 9781596437616. Gr 5-8.
This amazing graphic novel tells the story of the famous God of the Underworld, who lures the beautiful Persephone into his lair. In the Olympians series, O’Connor uses information from primary documents in his re-tellings of these Greek myths. Action, drama, and romance make this series a perfect companion for fans of Percy Jackson!
The Last Dragon by Jane Yolen, illustrated by Rebecca Guay. 2011. 9781595827982. Gr 6-12.
Tansy, the youngest daughter of the village healer, discovers fireweed, a plant that was last seen 200 years ago when dragons roamed the Earth. Shortly after this discovery, her father goes missing, leaving only his burned herb pouch behind. The town decides that the only logical solution is to find a hero to fight the dragon. Will the village find a hero, or will Tandy have to use the skills of the entire village to save them all? Don’t miss this wonderful folktale.
Best Shot in the West: The Adventures of Nat Love by Patricia C. McKissack and Frederick L. McKissack, illustrated by Randy Duburke. 2012. 9780811857499. Gr 5-10.
Did you know that about a quarter of actual cowhands were African-American? This is a story about the champion horse breaker and rifle shot, Deadwood Dick. Otherwise known as Nat Love, he was a contemporary ‘Billy the Kid;’ born a slave in 1854, he eventually gained his freedom. He won recognition as a cowboy and mastered many things including sharpshooting, driving, and roping. A wonderful, inspirational story that celebrates the life of a legendary American.
Uglies: Shay’s Story by Scott Westerfeld, illustrated by Devin Grayson. 2012. 9780345527226. Gr 7-10.
Fans of Westerfeld’s Uglies and Pretties will enjoy Shay’s narration in this graphic novel spin-off. Shay, a young rebel, travels to the world ruins past the city, where she finds other teenagers wanting to escape their strict lives. Soon she must make a compelling decision: accept the way her society works and get the operation, or be true to herself.
Twilight: The Graphic Novel: 2 by Stephenie Meyer, illustrated by Kim Young. 2011. 9780316133197. Gr 7-12.
The second volume of Twilight: The Graphic Novel completes the graphic adaptation of Stephenie Meyer’s bestselling novel. Bella has finally uncovered the mysterious secret about Edward Cullen, and has embraced her feelings for him. Will he be able to protect her from a rival clan of vampires, especially the tracker, James? Or will Bella have to make the ultimate sacrifice to protect everyone that is dear to her? An amazing companion to the Twilight Saga, this graphic novel is complemented by Young’s gorgeous artwork.
Have you always wanted to be like Samantha from Bewitched? I definitely have, and I am not giving up on that dream either! Cate and Kendra are definitely not the nose-twitching type of witches, but they are exciting all on their own. Welcome to two different worlds, one in the fairy-tale realm and the other in 1896 New England. Once you visit each world, you just might not want to come back to reality!
Born Wicked by Jessica Spotswood. 2012. 9780399257452. Gr 9-12.
Cate has always known that her future would consist of two choices: a life-long commitment to the Sisterhood OR marriage. In her world, the brutal Brotherhood hunts down witches—which in turn are either sent to an asylum or a prison ship, or are executed. Cate and her two sisters have been hiding their secret for years—that they are witches. Not only does she bear the responsibility to protect her sisters, but Cate also uncovers an unexpected prophecy that will challenge the very framework of the Brotherhood.
Bewitchingby Alex Flinn. 2012. 9780062024145. Gr 7-12.
Kendra has had quite the life of an immortal. She changed an arrogant boy into a misshapen beast. She was hanged when she tried to rescue some children from a gingerbread house. And that little mermaid she found in the Titanic lifeboat? Don’t even go there! Now a girl named Emma needs help, which might just involve an enchanted pumpkin or two. As fans from Flinn’s Beastly know, when it comes to Kendra, all bets are off when she starts bewitching.
In honor of The Hunger Games, I just had to do a post about survival novels. And if you are wondering…yes, I am going to the midnight showing (I am that person). Survival novels have always fascinated me. The first one that I remember reading is Lord of the Flies, and being so intrigued by the whole concept of British boys on a deserted island. To this day, I always compare similar novels to my favored classic. I hope you enjoy my newest and best survival novels, and remember: “Happy Hunger Games! May the odds be ever in your favor!”
Variant by Robison Wells. 9780062026088. 2011. Gr 8-12.
Benson thinks he has won the jackpot when he finds out that he won a scholarship to attend Maxfield Academy. Little does he know that his previous situation in foster care wasn’t so bad after all. Nothing is as it seems at Maxfield Academy, and the first lesson you learn is: Trust No One. Fans of The Maze Runner series will enjoy Variant for the thrilling ride!
After the Snow by S.D. Crockett. 9780312641696. 2012. Gr 8-12.
What would it be like if winter never ended? Willo and his family live deep in the wilderness very far from the commanding eye of the government. One day, Willo arrives home to find his family gone without a trace. Not knowing if they were taken by the government or by scavengers, his survival skills are put to the ultimate test. Many hard choices will lead Willo to discover his true place in this tough, frozen world.
The Way We Fall by Megan Crewe. 9781423146162. 2012. Gr 7-12.
Coughing, hysteria and eventually death are all caused by the virus that has taken over Kaelyn’s neighborhood. Using a diary-style narrative, the reader is given an inside look at Kaelyn’s fears and thoughts as the town is quarantined. A poignant story of survival and how one girl’s courage challenges all the things she fears most.
***And don’t forget to check tomorrow to find out the third winner of our month-long anniversary contest!***
What do Amelia Earhart, Sandra Day O’Connor and Dr. Sally K. Ride all have in common? They were all women that made a difference in women’s history. Amelia Earhart was the first woman to fly solo across the Atlantic. Sandra Day O’Connor was the first woman justice, appointed by President Reagan. Sally K. Ride was the first American woman to be sent into space. All impressive women that are talked about and well-known. I decided to focus this post on women who haven’t been featured as often (especially in picture books), but are equally important to women’s history. I hope you enjoy and find out something new about women that have paved the way for the rest of us! Happy Women’s History Month!
Marching with Aunt Susan: Susan B. Anthony and the Fight for Women’s Suffrage by Claire Rudolf Murphy. Illustrated by Stacey Schuett. 2011. (K-3)
This amazing picture book focuses on an important moment in the life of ten-year-old Bessie Keith Pond. In 1896, Susan B. Anthony visited Berkeley, California, to encourage women to work for a state referendum that would give them the right to vote. When Bessie complains about not being allowed to do things that boys can, Anthony responds, “Women’s votes can help change the world.” In turn, this motivates Bessie to join Anthony at the rally to see what the future might be like. Endnotes are included, with factual information about the real Bessie, Susan B. Anthony, and the suffrage movement.
Watcher: Jane Goodall’s Life with the Chimps by Jeanette Winter. 2011. (PS-2)
This read-aloud picture book about the world’s authority on chimpanzees is a majestic introduction for young animal lovers. The story opens with five-year-old Jane sitting in a chicken coop, pondering where eggs come from. From there we follow Jane’s life chronologically through her years in the African forests, to her worldwide movement to save these primates that face extinction. The poetic quality of the text and the childlike illustrations will be sure to fascinate children and adults alike. A wonderful addition to any biography or science unit!
Here Come the Girl Scouts!: The Amazing All-True Story of Juliette ‘Daisy’ Gordon Low and her Great Adventure by Shana Corey. Illustrated by Hadley Hooper. 2012. (K-2)
March 12th will be the 100th anniversary of the Girl Scouts, and what better way to celebrate than by reading aloud this essential picture book! Juliette “Daisy” Gordon Low was an adventurous little girl who later started the Girl Scouts. She really believed that girls could do anything, and her belief eventually spread around the world. The simplified biographical descriptions and vintage illustrations will entertain all who read it! I especially enjoyed the Girl Scout values that were incorporated onto each page, since it added another wonderful element to the story. A great book that incorporates breaking barriers and setting new standards!
And don’t forget to check out our one-year anniversary contest. We will be choosing our first winner next Friday, March 9. To enter, just let us know what you like about our blog—or what you think we could do better. We enjoy hearing from you!
I don’t know about you, but I wish I had more time to enjoy the beauty of nature. Last weekend while I was ice fishing, being in the great outdoors (or pop-up fish shack) really made me think about how we take nature for granted. While I was sitting and waiting for a perch or sunfish to grab my line, I enjoyed looking off into the distance and seeing the ravens fly about and announce their presence. I listened to the trees sway as the wind whispered through them and across the ice. I even admired the beautiful sunfish that I ended up catching. Their elegant purple hues mixed with browns and grays. My favorite part was freeing them into the open water below, as they splashed with independence. Nature is an amazing thing, and I know that from now on I will strive to appreciate it every chance I get.
And Then It’s Spring by Julie Fogliano. Illustrated by Erin Stead. 2012.
Looking for a book to fit into your spring story-time schedule? Look no further! And Then It’s Spring will enchant you as well as your audience. Fogliano uses poetic prose to capture the serenity of gardening, the burden of late winter, and the promise that must be invested in order to see seeds come to life. Amazing illustrations by Caldecott winner Stead are a wonderful addition to this beautiful story. Don’t think that this story is all seriousness though; it’s not! Expect to see stomping bears and lumpy gardens, for a touch of playfulness with an underlying message.
When Blue Met Egg by Lindsay Ward. 2012.
One morning, Blue wakes up and spies a strange looking Egg in her nest. Not knowing what to do with it, Blue decides to journey throughout New York City to look for Egg’s mother. Unfortunately, Egg’s family cannot be found, but Blue never gives up. As a huge fan of NYC, I really enjoyed the setting of When Blue Met Egg. To make it even better, the end papers include small ‘telescope views’ of the different places that Blue and Egg visit. I also really loved Blue’s matter-of-fact attitude. For example: “Blue knew they wouldn’t make it in time if she tried to carry Egg, so she decided they would do what anyone would: take the subway uptown.” Her optimism was infectious and a great role model for kids. There are so many more things I could say about this lovely gem of a story, but I will let you read it to find out!
Outside Your Window: A First Book of Nature by Nicola Davies. Illustrated by Mark Herald. 2012.
This exquisite volume of poetry captures all of the sights and sounds of a child’s interaction with nature. Eating crisp apples, or watching birds overhead (among other things) will encourage children to explore the world around them. Outside Your Window is a striking reminder of the natural world outside our windows, just waiting to be observed. A wonderful title to add to any science collection, or just to enjoy on your own.
“Bringing the gifts that my ancestors gave, / I am the dream and hope of the slave. / I rise. / I rise. / I rise.” ~ Maya Angelou, Still I Rise.
Whenever I think about Black History Month, I always think of this amazing quote from Angelou. She eloquently states that she has learned from her ancestors’ history and lives her life with their hopes and dreams (as well as her own) at the forefront. It’s a very inspirational quote that we can all learn from. Keeping Still I Rise in mind, each of the titles that I have chosen has an impressive message that people of all colors and creeds can appreciate. If you are looking for similar titles, check out my ALA Mock Youth Media Awards post (specifically the Coretta Scott King Award picks), as well as Lindsey’s Historical Fiction for Elementary School post.
Ghetto Cowboy by G. Neir. Illustrated by Jesse Joshua Watson. 2011.
Twelve-year-old Coltrane is always getting in trouble at school, and his mother cannot take it anymore. She decides to drive him to Philadelphia to meet his father for the first time. In Philly, Cole is in for many surprises! He learns that his father is part of a group of black urban cowboys who save horses from slaughterhouses. They use the horses to teach the neighborhood kids how to be responsible for the care of another life. The kids groom and feed the horses as well as help with the upkeep of the stables. In exchange, they get to ride the horses as payment. I really enjoyed the fact that this story is based upon an actual group of urban black horsemen in North Philadelphia. A wonderful and inspirational story for children and adults, it will have you cheering and crying at the end!
Never Forgotten by Patricia C. McKissack. Illustrated by Leo and Diane Dillon. 2011.
An African folktale mixed with historical fiction tells the story of an 18th century West African boy, Musafa, raised by his blacksmith father and the Mother Elements (Earth, Fire, Water and Wind). One day Musafa disappears and is captured by the slave traders. The Mother Elements try to save him, but to no avail. Luckily, the wind is able to bring Musafa’s father news that he is still alive and working as a blacksmith. McKissack’s Coretta Scott King honor book will haunt you in many ways, and the free-verse will beat across the page at you like a drum. An amazing story with beautiful acrylic and watercolor illustrations. A must for any library collection!
Little Rock Girl 1957; How a Photograph Changed the Fight for Integration by Shelley Marie Tougas. 2011.
A worthwhile and honest approach to the events surrounding the Little Rock Nine’s attempt to integrate Central High. There are 64 pages of clearly addressed history, which is appropriate for its target audience (5th-8th graders). The book concentrates not only on the events of the three years of attempted integration, but on other things such as what happened with the photographer, the students, and many of those who opposed their chance at education (such as Hazel Bryan, who will forever be known as the lewd girl following Eckford). Little Rock Girl is an excellent resource for those looking for more information on this aspect of the Civil Rights movement.
Belle, The Last Mule at Gee’s Bend: A Civil Rights Story by Calvin Alexander and Bettye Stroud. Illustrated by John Holyfield. 2011.
This story centers around the people of Gee’s Bend, Alabama, and the part they played in the struggle for civil rights for all citizens. This community, or “Benders” as they are called, were motivated by a visit from Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. to take the ferry to Camden to register to vote. Upon their arrival at the river, they are stopped by the white sheriff who has shut the ferry down. So the Benders pack up their wagons and hitch up their mules, Belle included, and make the trip to register to vote. As you can imagine, it was not a peaceful resolution. In April 1968, Gee’s Bend is saddened to hear of the assassination of Dr. King, but some of that grief is eased when they find out it was Dr. King’s wish to have mules pull the wagon with his coffin. Belle and Ada, the mules of Gee’s Bend, became part of history in tribute to the late civil rights leader. The story is framed around a young boy named Alex, who hears the whole story from Belle’s owner. Young readers will relate to Alex as he realizes that the people he’s learned about were not just characters in a book; they were real people. A fantastic nonfiction picture book that belongs on every library and classroom shelf.
“You can’t touch me,” I whisper. I’m lying, is what I don’t tell him. He can touch me, is what I’ll never tell him. But things happen when people touch me. Strange things. Bad things.”
What would it be like not to touch anyone for exactly 264 days? Juliette knows all too well. The last time she touched someone, The Reestablishment locked her up in a mental institution for murder. As she sits locked in a cell, her world is falling apart. Birds no longer fly, food is hard to find, and diseases are in abundance. Juliette might just be the solution to this chaotic world. The question is, will she choose to be a warrior or a weapon?
Shatter Me was one of the most hyped Teen debuts of 2011. I couldn’t wait to get my hands on it, and I promise you will not be disappointed. With hints of Hunger Games and X-Men, I was not able to pry myself away from this fast-paced post-apocalyptic/dystopian America. Shatter Me takes a different approach in this dystopia because of its electrifying villainy, jeopardizing choices, and paranormal twists. Mafi’s writing is not quite like anything I have read before. Her style includes lyrically written text along with breathtaking plot twists. The use of imagery and metaphors, are almost chilling in the way they are written. I also enjoyed the prose that is written as a stream of consciousness from Juliette’s point of view. Every thought is documented, which makes it feel as if you are reading her every thought. Many of her thoughts are strike outs, which is a very interesting technique:
“I always wonder about raindrops. I always wonder about how they’re always falling down, tripping over their own feet, breaking their legs and forgetting their parachutes as they tumble right out of the sky toward an uncertain end. It’s like someone is emptying their pockets over the earth and doesn’t seem to care where the contents fall, doesn’t seem to care that the raindrops burst when they hit the ground, that they shatter when they fall to the floor, that people curse the days the drops dare to tap on their doors. I am a raindrop. My parents emptied their pockets of me and left me to evaporate on a concrete slab.”
The strike outs provide a cue to the reader of her inner struggle with who she really is. This technique was refreshing and unique and it made me really in-tune with Juliette.
For those of you who enjoy pulse-pounding romance, there is plenty of that as well. Adam is by far one of the most well-spoken male leads that I have read about in a long time. (Take that Edward!) You might even find yourself smitten by a handsome psychotic villain named Warner. Don’t get me wrong, Warner does horrible things, but he does them in order to survive. I will leave it up to you on whom you would deem worthy of Juliette.
Shatter Me also gives readers a taste of what is to come in future novels as well as many unanswered questions: How did Juliette develop her abilities? Who are the other people trapped in the Reestablishment prison with her? Check out Shatter Me for a whole new dystopian experience!
(Official Shatter Me Book Trailer courtesy of Harper Collins)
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