Maria's Mélange

Here are three books you absolutely want to put into your middle grade library this year!  The Stolen Moon  (Chase Garrety #2) by   Rachel Searles   (Goodreads Author) Hardcover, 368 pages Expected publication: January 27th 2015 by Feiwel & Friends ISBN 1250038804 (ISBN13: 9781250038807) Goodreads Blurb: This is what the boy is told: - His younger sister has an otherworldly (and sometimes annoying) ability. - The starship he now lives on has been infiltrated. - His friend Parker is working on the network hack of a lifetime. This is what Chase and Parker fear: - They won't be able to save the world in time. My Thoughts: Stolen Moon is an excellent science fiction novel for middle grade readers who like action packed adventure. We have a little more action for the girl characters in this one... but I'd still like to see that increase in book three. Students who enjoy space science fiction will definitely find a new and beloved home in...

It's Monday! Welcome to my little corner of book heaven. Here's what I read last week. Don't forget to visit the lovely hosts of this meme - Teach Mentor Texts and Unleashing Readers . There are links to a LOT of posts there! Must Read in 2015 titles: (will be counting both in Pop Sugar challenge but debating the category still) I listened to this one, and it was fabulous! I chuckled at many of the musical theater references. I cringed at the way Nate was treated by those around him. My only concern with using this in elementary is the number of instances of gay bashing slang. Will it be too much for 4th? 5th? Is this a book I keep for my 5th graders? I have a few students I know will like this one (5th graders) and I'll seek their opinions. LOVED IT! Jackaby has a real Sherlock vibe, and I loved the urban fantasy environment. I'll be reading the rest of this series as it comes out. CYBILS READING: This week I read Gaijin (historical fi...

What if you could live forever? Would you even want to? Those simple questions are at the very core of Tuck Everlasting , but they are also questions that have driven humans to explore, experiment, and create since our earliest records. We seek the fountain of youth. We create more effective medications to combat our illnesses. We write books and screenplays exploring the lives of those who can live beyond the span of a human lifetime. Is it the fact that we know it will never be truly possible that leads us to create immortal characters who are filled with loneliness and regret? Consequences of Eternal Life The Highlander movie shows us the pain and suffering that comes when one partner is young and immortal, while the other cannot help but grow older. Bonus points for a cool Queen song to accompany a traumatic movie scene. The Elves of Middle Earth grow bored and restless over their long lives. More of them than we could imagine give up their longevity to spend a s...

It's Monday! Welcome to my little corner of book heaven. Here's what I read last week. Don't forget to visit the lovely hosts of this meme -  Teach Mentor Texts  and  Unleashing Readers . There are links to a LOT of posts there! Must Read in 2015 I listened to this one - and it's a gem! The narrator was wonderful, and the story was so imaginative. I'm glad I put this one on my list. The Shadow Hero is also on my Must Read list - but it's a Cybils contender so I can't discuss it :) Cybils Short List I can't talk about what I think about these titles - but here are the ones I've read this week. Picture Books: So glad I made the time for this one. It's full of great information and beautiful illustrations! A nice overview in simple, accessible language for younger students. Currently Reading: Audiobook - Better Nate than Ever (MustReadin2015) eBook - Pride & Prejudice...

This is my third year of selecting a "one little word" to guide me.  In 2013, my word was "Create". I felt it really did focus me, and help me consciously choose activities that gave me creative outlets. In 2014, my word was " Savor ". Looking back on last year, I DID have a lot to savor. I had my last full year as a den leader for my younger son. He'll cross over into Boy Scouts in early March. While I'm looking forward to not having a den, I loved the time I spent with him. Even the camping - with the chilly mornings and lack of nearby potty facilities - was all worth it. Playing with his niece I had two lovely weeks visiting with my sister's family in her home in Ohio, and another two weeks with them here at Christmas. Sunny days reading by the pool. Watching my niece and nephew learn and grow. Smiling as my own sons spent time reliving their own "little kid" years by playing with them. Hitting the shops with my ...

Welcome to my little corner of book heaven. Here's what I've read recently (though it's been a month since my last update). Don't forget to visit the lovely hosts of this meme - Teach Mentor Texts and Unleashing Readers . There are links to a LOT of posts there! Picture Books Too much pink & blue - but a good message about including boys and girls together in fun and games. Very cute! Lovely story about connecting to nature and family. Gaiman - beautiful storytelling. Interesting, but abrupt ending. My baby niece picked this one out. Sweet short tale about really seeing those around us. Comics Intriguing new series, though the beginning was quite puzzling. Young adult (but seems okay upper middle grade so far) The Stolen Moon  - out January 27th  The sequel to The Lost Planet ! I think book two is better than the first book (which doesn't happen very often). The story is exciting and quick paced. Exce...

Just one more post on my favorites from last year - and then I promise I'll jump right into all of this year's reading. Science Fiction / Urban Fantasy Cress The first two books in this series made it onto my "not published in 2014" list. I'm so thankful I got an ARC of this book, and that looking at that book got me moving on reading the series. I love the science fiction spin on the fairy tales and I LOVE the characters. I can't wait for Fairest and Winter to come out this year! Firebug I just adore Lish McBride. I love her snarky dialogue and I love her characters. Review and interview: http://www.mariaselke.com/2014/09/firebug-blog-tour-q-and-giveaway.html If you want a little taste of her writing style, check out this short story. It has the main characters from Firebug. It doesn't spoil anything from the book and it doesn't expect you to know the plot already.... http://www.tor.com/stories/2014/12/burnt-sugar-lish-...

I keep trying to add books to this list, so I think I should just post it and be done! It's an odd mixture of styles and levels.  I've actually read several from the list already, but I'll wait until the first update to share my thoughts.  Title Author Category Genre Period.8 Crutcher, Chris YA Realistic Fiction Feed Anderson, MT YA Science Fiction September Girls Madison, Bennett YA Fantasy Hansel and Gretel Gaiman, Neil MG Fairy Tale Poisoned Apples: Poems for You, My Pretty Heppermann, Christine YA Poetry Circa Now Turner, Amber McRee MG Realistic Fiction Caged Graves, The Salerni, Dianne K. MG Historical Fiction Handbook for Dragon Slayers Haskell, Merrie MG Fantasy Unbound, The Schwab, Victoria YA Dystopian Wynde Barr, Tricia YA Science Fiction Adventures in Graphica Thompson, Terry Professional Nonfiction Attachments Rowell, Rainbow Adult Realistic Fiction Cure for Dreaming, The Winters, Cat YA Historical Fiction Night Gardener Auxier, Jonat...