The Wild Girls by Pat Murphy

The Wild Girls is about Joan, a girl who reluctantly moves to a new neighborhood. In the forest nearby, she discovers an eccentric girl who refers to herself as the “Queen of the Foxes”, or Fox for short. Joan and Fox become fast friends, and spend their time exploring and imagining. As Joan grows closer to Fox, and meets Fox’s father, Gus, she begins to learn more about herself and discovers a love for writing.

I was quick to judge when reading The Wild Girls: within the first two chapters I had already dismissed it as a trivial, juvenile book that wasn’t likely to be remotely unique. I began to find the story interesting and enjoy it a bit more when the girls join a writing program, and when Joan’s conflict with her family was brought more into focus. Altogether, readers of realistic fiction might be inclined to follow the colorful characters of Joan and Fox, but others might find the story somewhat bland. I would rate this story a 2.5 out of 5 stars.

Review by Bear Xiong

Works Cited

"The Wild Girls Cover." Online image. LibraryThing. 29 Jan. 2009 http://www.librarything.com/work/book/41099428

Boost by Kathy Mackel

I really enjoyed the book Boost by Kathy Mackel. This book is about sports and how some people turn them into more than just fun. Savvy is a star basketball player and her older sister Callie is a flyer on a cheerleading team. Although their sports are very different, they are both looking to boost their game. When illigal steroids are found in Savvy's gym bag, she says they are not hers but no one seems to belive her. Meanwhile, her sister, Callie, is stuggling to keep her position as the star flyer on the team even after she is told she is getting too heavy and needs to drop some weight. How far will both girls go to stay on top? You'll have to read Boost to find out!

Review by FredrickO'Charles

Works Cited
"Boost Cover." Online image. LibraryThing. 23 Jan 2009 http://www.librarything.com/work/book/40842502

Trouble by Gary Schmidt

Henry Smith is just your average kid. He has a mom, a dad, sister Louisa and a brother named Franklin. Franklin is a rugby star who promised to climb the mountain Katahdin with Henry. Henry’s life is quite uneventful until a car hits Franklin. Franklin looses his arm and is rarely conscious in the hospital bed. The entire family goes into depression. Louisa locks herself in her room and refuses to come out, Henry’s father just stares out the window, and Henry’s mother tries to put on a brave mask but Henry hears her cry herself to sleep at night. Henry immediately hates the man who hit Franklin, Chay Chouan. When they go to court to see what happens to Chay, the court declares him innocent and just takes away his license for a few months. Henry is furious that the man who tried to kill his brother is off the hook. As Chay leaves the courtroom he looks up at Louisa and she begins to cry. Henry decides that in honor of Franklin he is going to climb Katahdin. Will he make it, and what’s up with Chay and Louisa? To find out these answers and more read Trouble.

I give the book 3 out of 5 stars because the book was excellent once the action started but until that point it was slow. I have to admit that the author set up the plot very well but there were a lot of unnecessary details that dragged down the plot. Overall I thought the book was average with an occasional glimmer of extraordinary writing.

-Review by SilentLikeALamb17

Works Cited
"Trouble Cover." Online image. LibraryThing. 13 Nov. 2008 http://www.librarything.com/work/4124215

Sweethearts by Sara Zarr

Jennifer Harris has turned her life around. Once the outcast, the girl who was spurned by her classmates becomes social Jenna Vaughn. She hides bitter memories from her new friends and boyfriend. One of those memories was of her best and only friend, Cameron Quick. She constantly recalls an incident between them which has repeatedly haunted her. Now, eight years later, it is Jenna’s birthday, and Cameron unexpectedly enters her life again. Jenna now has to cope with suppressing Jennifer Harris and the secrets that have been kept from her by the people she loves.

Reading the inside cover of this book, the plotline did not appear particularly unique to me, but I decided to give it a chance. Now that I have read it, I still think that it isn’t the most creative or engaging idea for a story. The first several pages lured me in a bit, but as the book progressed I didn’t find that it had a real focus. It didn’t leave me with a distinctive feeling at the end either. I did not connect with the characters as much as I would have liked.

Overall, I would give Sweethearts a rating of 2 out of 5. Although I considered it slightly below average, those who enjoy romance might like this story.

Review by Bear Xiong

Works Cited
"Sweethearts." Online image. LibraryThing. 17 Oct. 2008 http://www.librarything.com/work//edit/37132168

New Blood by Peter McPhee

New Blood by Peter McPhee is a very interesting and quick read (167 pages). Callum, a high-school aged immigrant from Scotland, has moved to Canada because of a horrible incident between himself and some thugs from his old, dangerous neighborhood. Callum’s whole family is now living with his older brother Ewan and his wife, Vickie. Callum soon finds himself between a rock and a hard place once again after he gets into a fight with the toughest group of guys at school on the first day. Callum is fortunate, however, to have found two new best friends; Aidan, the rebel, and Tyler, the technology buff. It seems that Callum has bitten off more than he can chew this time. He is in for a lot of surprises living on Morley Avenue. From a cute girl who has an abusive family member, to putting soap in a fountain, to pictures on the internet of Callum wearing a kilt, you never know what could happen next in New Blood.

I thought that New Blood was a relatively good story, but the storyline was not as good as some other books that I have read. It didn’t seem as if the plotline really came together in the end to serve a meaningful purpose. The ending of the book did not really satisfy me. Overall, I would give this book three stars because even though the plotline was not my favorite, the characters were well-developed and the book ended up to be very interesting. I would definitely recommend this book to those readers who are into teenage conflict stories. I usually would not pick out a book like New Blood so it was a somewhat new experience for me.

Review by BH

Citation
"New Blood Cover." Online image. LibraryThing. 13 Oct. 2008 http://www.librarything.com/work/4951479

How Ya Like Me Now?

A book with a couple guys playing video games on the cover? This cover art definitely has some appeal for some of Highland's students! I guess it did for me too as I brought this book home to read over the summer. I am glad I did, I really liked Brendan Halpin's How Ya Like Me Now.

Eddie has been taking care of himself and the household for more than a year. After his dad died, his mom turned to painkillers and soon developed an addiction. When the whole situation unravels and Eddie's mom goes to rehab, Eddie moves in with his aunt, uncle and cousin, Alex, in Boston. He goes to school at CUE, an alternative high school where students are called "associates" and the whole school is run more like a place of business. At CUE Eddie feels it is ok to be smart and achieve. This is a quick engaging read about Eddie's struggle to heal and fit in at a new school with friends and maybe even find romance. Eddie and Alex, though really different at first, find they have a lot to learn from each other and grow to rely on each other.

Image Citation
"How Ya Like Me Now cover." Online image. LibraryThing. 21 July 2008 http://www.librarything.com/work/book/33585758

Does My Head Look Big in This?

The last few books I've read have been fluffy (How My Private Personal Journal Became a Best Seller) or just a bit strange (Frannie in Pieces). As a reader, when I'm involved in a book that I enjoy I have a hard time putting it down. I can't wait to finish it and find out what happens to the characters. I was pleased that the book I most recently pulled off my summer reading pile, Does My Head Look Big in This? by Randa Abdel-Fattah, hooked me in to its world.

Here's what I wrote about the book on my library thing page:
Amal decides to wear a hijab (Muslim head scarf) full-time. She is really worried about how she'll be accepted and perceived in public, especially at her prep school, especially by her crush Adam. There is an interesting cast of characters, and Amal is a strong, likeable girl. Sometimes the message got a bit heavy-handed. However, it is not often you get a Muslim teenager as the narrator in a YA book. I enjoyed the book - a touching read with Amal learning a lot of life lessons during her junior year of high school.

Please leave a comment if you've read this book or if you have a recommendation for a book that has really hooked you in this summer.

Image Citation
"Does My Head Look Big in This? Cover." Online image. Library Thing. 15 July 2008 http://www.librarything.com/work/book/33324401

How my Private, Personal Journal Became a Bestseller

I was in the mood for a light, girly book this afternoon. And I got just that with How My Private, Personal Journal Became a Bestseller by Julia DeVillers.

Jamie's journal is accidentally turned in to her English teacher instead of her assigned essay. It's not a spill my guts and secret kind of journal, more of a story about high school life and the way she wishes it could be. Her writing, about an independent girl who has the power to flick mean girls and put them in their place, is a hit and her teacher happens to be connected into the publishing industry. In a whirlwind, Jamie's book is published and is hotter than hot. Soon Jamie is jet setting around to interviews and events. But she still has to deal with her everyday life - encounters with her crush, friend dramas, the mean girl at school, and family issues. This was a good read for a sunny summer afternoon.

Shug by Jenny Han

It looks like there are some good books that are 2009 Caudill Award nominees. I read Shug by Jenny Han last weekend, and I thought it was so good! I talked to several Highland girls this week, and all of them really liked it too.

Here's what I wrote about the book on my LibraryThing page:
Shug (Annemarie) is getting ready to start junior high. When the story begins she has just discovered that she is love with her best friend, Mark. However, in junior high everything is different. Her parents are not getting along, her mom is drinking a lot, her sister is out of the house as often as possible, and she is worried about what will happen with her best friend Elaine, who is clearly meant to be in the popular crowd. I loved the story with her arch-enemy Jack. This was just an all around enjoyable, touching read. I'm glad it is on the Caudill list! The girls at my school are really going to love it.

Image Citation
"Shug cover." Online image. LibraryThing. 16 May 2008 http://www.librarything.com/work/book/30408308.

Comeback Season -- Could this be the year for the Cubs?

A big thanks to my friend and fellow librarian, Katie Kirsch, for getting me a copy of The Comeback Season signed by the author. If you are a fan of the Chicago Cubs, you definitely should check this book out!

Ryan's dad died suddenly when she was in elementary school. His loss has left her reeling for years. One of the things her dad left her with is a love for the Cubs. When Ryan ditches school to attend opening day, she runs in to Nick, a new boy at school, at Wrigley Field. They begin a friendship that turns to romance which helps both of them get through some tough times. Above all, they keep hoping that maybe this will be the Cubs' year.

Image Citation

"The Comeback Season cover." Online image. LibraryThing. 24 April 2008 < http://www.librarything.com/work/book/29732377>.

Dairy Queen and The Off Season

Over break I read The Off Season by Catherine Murdock. I won a whole box of brand new copies in a book club contest! This is the title the 8th grade Lunch Bunch is reading for our April meeting. DJ is the only girl playing varsity football around. Her life is going along smoothly, so smoothly in fact she feels like the other shoe is about to drop. And it sure does. On top of discovering her family's money troubles that may put the future of their farm in jeopardy, her kind-of boyfriend never wants be seen with her in public, her best friend has stopped coming to school, she hurts her shoulder, and her oldest brother has been seriously injured in a football game. DJ deals with all the turmoils with sincerity. This book was a joy to read!


The Off Season is the continuation of DJ's story. When I saw the first book, Dairy Queen, come back into the library last week, I just had to pick it up. I was not disappointed. I really enjoyed reading the first part of DJ's story too. Although I think I liked The Off Season just a little bit better.

I'm looking forward to the book club discussion of the book later this week!


"Dairy Queen Cover." Online image. LibraryThing. 6 April 2008 <
http://www.librarything.com/work/book/29135398 >.
"The Off Season Cover." Online image. LibraryThing. 6 April 2008 <
http://www.librarything.com/work/book/28485852 >.

Miracle on 49th Street

On Friday, I happened to open Miracle on 49th Street by Mike Lupica before I was going to put it back on the shelf. I started to read a couple pages and soon I was hooked. I could tell it would have a feel-good ending , but it perfect for a holidays as the big scene takes place by the Christmas tree in New York City.

Here's the review I posted on my LibraryThing page:
Molly Parker's mom, Jen, has just lost her battle with cancer. Before she died, she gave Molly a series of letters. One of the letters reveals the identity of Molly's father, who happens to be none other than Josh Cameron, one of the biggest stars in the NBA.
Molly is determined to get to know Josh. She is resourceful, persistent, and sneaky when she feels it necessary. She develops a relationship with Josh that goes through a series of ups and downs. Molly is looking for family, and Josh doesn't really seem to believe her story.

This is a feel-good read that kept me turning pages to discover if Molly and Josh ever learned to accept each other and make peace. ( )

If you read this book, leave a comment about what you thought.

Image Citation
"Miracle on 49th Street cover." Online image. LibraryThing. 15 Dec. 2007 .

Zen and the Art of Faking It

When I was at the ISLMA (Illinois School Library Media Association) Conference in Springfield, IL, a week ago, I picked up a couple of advanced reader copies from a publisher in the exhibit hall. One of the books was Zen and the Art of Faking It by Jordan Sonnenblick. I started reading, and I got pulled into the story right away.

San Lee is new to the school and looking for his niche. After going through the pros and cons of a number of different possible identities, he becomes an accidental Zen master. He falls in love with Woody, a folk-singing beauty who he is paired up with for the social studies project. I REALLY liked the characters in this book. All of them, even the adults, were really interesting and managed to have depth. The book was written with a great sense of humor and heart.

I know many Highland students have read and enjoyed Sonnenblick's first novel, Drums, Girls, and Dangerous Pie. Those people will definitely want to check out Sonnenblick's latest.

Image Citation
"Zen and the Art of Faking It Book Cover." Online image. Jordan Sonnenblick. 11 Nov. 2007 .

New Books for Fall

I really love when new books arrive at the library. I ordered a bunch of new titles over the summer, and one of the very first things I did when I came back to school was to open the boxes of books to see what new things we'll be adding to the Highland collection.

I was busy getting the library ready to open after school one day, when I picked up one of the books off the cart. An hour or so of reading later, I realized I was really enjoying the book I picked up!

The book was Janet Tashjian's Fault Line. Here's the review I wrote on my LibraryThing page:
Becky is a smart, funny, driven seventeen-year-old. When she meets Kip, an aspiring comic, she totally falls for him. Although when he starts to make her choose between him and her friends, becomes more and more controlling, and seems to turn on her for no reason, she starts to wonder if this is the relationship for her.
Interspersed throughout the narrative are notes-to-self Becky makes and Kip's journal entries that give more insight into what each character is thinking. A powerful exploration of an abusive dating relationship.

All of the new books that are being added to the Learning Center's collection this August and September will have purple tape on the spine and will be shelved on the "New Books" shelf. Add a comment to this post with your feedback on any of the new books you read.