Smackdown

February 14, 2012

Literature Smackdown Savvy and Scumble by Ingrid Law (would be good for map)
 * Perfect by Ellen Hopkins** - mature content. Written in verse. Kids enjoy a different style of writing.
 * Matched by Ally Condie** - if kid like the Uglies by Westerfield, this is a good alternative. Realistic fiction meets fantasy. Will be at least a trilogy. Second book is Crossed and third will be out this spring. Available via Scholastic. (Junior High/High School)
 * Conspiracy 365 by Gabrielle Lord** - new series avaiable through Follett, Barnes and Noble or Usborne. Twelve books. Suggested that you will need at least two sets.
 * Cirque DuFreak by Darren Shan** - Hooks many kids on reading
 * Scorpio Races by Maggie Stiefvater** same author as Shiver but very different. Appropriate for upper middle school and up.
 * Want to Go Private by Sarah Darer Littman** about internet predators. Shows process of grooming a child by a predator with actual text. Gives very clear picture of how predators latch onto insecurities of kids who are smart. High School kids due to sex scenes included.
 * Boy Toy** by Barry Lyga - Similar story about a boy who has affair with his teacher but struggles to see his role as victim. Very mature content. High School.
 * Ni-ihau The Last Hawaiian Island. Ruth Tabrah** The only way to get there to live is to marry someone who is there. Can't even visit there unless you are invited. Nonfiction.
 * Girl of Fire and Thorns by Ray Carson**. About girl wo is younger of two princesses and is married off at 16. Action involves reader. Growth of Elise's character from self-absorbed teen to mature young woman. Middle-High school.
 * Amulet (series) by Kibuishi** most popular in middle school. Action/adventure. Graphic novel. 4 in series, with 5th coming soon. Middle School.
 * Smile by Raina Telgemeier** Dental accident changed life and is humorous. Very popular for middle schools. (graphic novel).
 * American Born Chinese by Gene Yang** - Three coming of age stories. Graphic novel for high school. Content fine, but probably appeals most to older kids.
 * Charlie the Ranch Dog** by Ree Drummond (the Pioneer Woman) - Elementary picture book
 * Sapp Brothers Story by Lee Sapp.** Tough Times, Teamword and Faith. Nebraska native.
 * Because of Mr. Terupt by Rob Buyea** 5th grade teacher told from point of view of different students. (intermediate Golden Sower for next year)
 * Anne Frank the Anne Frank House Authorized Graphic Biography by Ernie Colon** Graphic novel. Geared toward older kids.
 * Goodnight ipad** - picture book
 * Mind Gym: An Athlete's Guide to Inner Excellence** by Gary Mack and David Casstevens a collection of short stories by professional athletes -to try your thoughts to be positive. Ties to athlete stories to strengthen your mind vs. your body.
 * Drive by Daniel Pink**

Bev: Julia Cook is presenting at Norris $500 Presents on good character and responsibility. If interested, email Bev: beverly.doeschot@nsdtitans.org if you would like to attend on March 21st at Norris. She will send you the schedule.

Request to film e-reader workshop.

This is the Media Center Smackdown Page

@http://yournextread.com - Helps find books that connect to authors or titles you like. Fiction Connection - Helps find books. Can fliter by genre, reading level, etc.

Shmoop: "Cliff's Notes" 21st Century Style

Huliska Beith - illustrator who spoke at Norris. $800 for 3 talks with no additional expenses

In a Heartbeat This one by Loretta Ellsworth can get to you...a teenage girl needs a heart transplant. After she receives her new heart from another teen girl that died, she begins taking on some of her characteristics.

Drum Girls & Dangerous Pie by Jodan Sonnenblick After Everafter by Jodan Sonnenblick About 8th grade boy with kindergarten brother who gets cancer. Talks about 8th grade boy's experience with life trauma. Second book is from perspective of younger brother who is now in 8th grade.

Unbroken by Laura Hilldebrand (also author of Seabiscuit). About Louis Zamperini who ran in 1936 Olympics, WW II vet, etc.

The Absolute True Diary of a Part-time Indian by Sherman Alexie true voice of 15 year old boy Please Stop Laughing at Me by Jodi Blanco great book club book with young ladies at high school level. Boys check it out after book talks. Great book at start of school year. Has a follow-up book for adults on how to help kids who are being bullied.

19 minutes (Boy who commits school shooting after being bullied) by Jodi Picoult recommended for teachers.

The Evolution of Calpernia Tate - How to get kids to read it? Set pre-1900s. Very long, but good so how to get kids to read it?

Night of the Spadefoot Toads - hard getting kids to read it, but good book.

A Tale Dark and Grimm If you like the Sister's Grimm books you'll like this one too. Adam Gidwitz puts a real twist on the Hansel and Gretel tale you heard as a child...more gory...more weird.

War Horse by Michael Morporgo - upper elementary and middle school. Movie coming out. WW I. Like Black Beauty in that it's written from the horse's perspective. Fairly violent as many of the riders are killed along the way.

Departure Time by Trus Mautti Batchelder Award - books translated to English Similar to Alice in Wonderland - set in dream like hotel with animals. alternates chapters between hotel and character's real life

The Vanishing of Catherina Linden by Helen Grant - Alex or Prince award Good tone, pace, etc. Creepy at the end. Good for German students, but for others interested in Germany was well.