SPLIT IMAGE by Mel Glenn Posted by Ashley, D--8th Grader

SPLIT IMAGE, by Mel Glenn
AR: Yes
Interest Level: Upper Grades

Split image is about a girl named Laura Li. She is Asian, and she have everything--she's beautiful, popular, lovable, and has a picture perfect life. Or so everyone thinks, anyway. She has a split-life in a lot of ways. On the outside, everything looks perfect. In reality, her dad is never around and her mom makes her take care of her older brother because he is sick.

This is a great book--and it's very easy to read. It's a story written in poems, and from different character points of view.

OK PETTUS! GET READY, GET SET, READ!! Posted by Jeff Mathis

But OK, for real! We finally have a book club! The name, for right now, is "Pettus High School Library Book Club, but we might decide to change it. (hint, hint!) We made a blog just for the book club: http://pettuslibrarybookclub.blogspot.com/. We, would love to have you join the book club--Right now there are about eight students interested. We are trying to decide between two books at the moment...there is a poll posted on the book club blog. I am hoping we can meet at the high school library every Wednesday during High School lunch. During book club meetings we will eat lunch and talk about the book we are all reading. (Everyone will read the same book) Right now we are trying to figure out how we are going to pay for the books. We have had a few people volunteer to donate money--and as soon as we have enough, and we know who is going to be in the club, Mrs. Schauer will order the book and we'll start reading.

If you have any questions, comments, or suggestions, email me at angel_of_angels@yahoo.com, or Mrs. Schauer at tschauer@pettusisd.esc2.net. Or you could just stop me and talk to me, or go by the library and talk to Mrs. Schauer.

Thanks!
-Jeff

WANTED: READERS Posted by Mrs. Schauer

If you are interested in being part of a high school book club, let me know. What exactly does a book club do? Well, basically, we'll decide that once we get our group together and figure it out! First, we will decide on a book that everyone wants to read. Once we choose the book, I'll order enough copies of it so that everyone will have one of their own. Then, we'll read, and meet once a week to talk about what we're reading....Interested? Let me know!

Kiss & Blog by Alyson Noel Posted by Cat P, 8th Grader

KISS & BLOG, by Alyson Noel
AR: Yes
Interest Level: Middle/Upper Grades

This is a very good book about two girls named Sloane and Winter who are considered losers. When Sloane gets accepted to the "A" table in the cafeteria, Winter finds herself all alone. Then she meets a boy who is considered to be an even bigger loser than she is. He won't leave her alone, and she starts to like him, but then she gives another girl her permission to go out with him--which is a huge mistake because she starts to realize that she really is in love with the guy--even though everyone else thinks he's a loser. Winter starts a secret blog where she writes about everything--the guy situation, the "A" table, and lots of other stuff. To find out more, you'll have to read the book...and you should...it's a great book!

Farewell to the Old English Biddie*

As I sit here typing this, I still can't believe it. A legend of English Literature will no longer walk the halls of Pettus High School. Future Juniors and Seniors will not have the privilege of listening to the perspicacious* pontification* of our beloved, illustrious*, if sometimes (admittedly) cantankerous* and crotchety* Mrs. Karen Johnston.

After years of tenaciously fighting her deteriorating health in her quest to enrich the great minds of upperclassmen here in Pettus, she has finally decided enough is enough--she must retire in order to maintain her health and quality of life. While I know this is the best decision for Mrs. Johnston, I am saddened almost beyond words by the realization that she won't be here anymore.

This wonderful lady and I go back more than ten years in our friendship, and we've had our share of laughter as well as tears. Knowing her as I do, I know that her heart is breaking with the knowledge that she will no longer be here for the students of Pettus High School. I know that this decision was the hardest decision of her life--and she didn't make it lightly.

Mrs. Johston pushed her students--sometimes beyond what they thought they (or anyone else!) thought they were capable of. If there is one special talent she has, it's making classic literature comprehensible and even likeable to people who otherwise would not have a clue. Her sardonic* wit and sarcasm are legendary...which leads me to the reason behind this blog...

What are your favorite memories of Mrs. Johnston? Do you have a favorite line that she always used? Let's take some time to do our own reflecting and pontificating on our beloved Mrs. Johnston.

My favorite line: "You're just a bunch of gargooters...and to think y'all are the future of America..." (gargouters? How do you spell that and just what is a gargooter anyway?)

Now's your chance...post your favorite memory or recollection of Mrs. Johston....Just hit "comment" and type away! Remember, Mrs. Schauer has to approve all comments...so keep 'em clean!

* Biddy: a fussy old woman
* Perspicacious: having keen mental perception and understanding
* Pontificate: to express opinions or judgments in a dogmatic way
* Illustrious: highly distinguished; renowned; famous
* Cantankerous: difficult to handle
* Crotchety: bad-tempered
* Sardonic: cynically mocking