Bloody Jack, posted by Mrs. Schauer

BLOODY JACK, by L.A. Meyer
AR: Yes
Interest Level: Middle/Upper Grades
Audiobook Available in HS Library

I knew that several of my students had read all five books in this series, but they didn't really grab my attention---and the list of books on my "have to read" list always seems to be growing, so I never got around to reading this one. Then, before I left on a trip to Sam Houston, I asked Dr. L. to recommend an audio book for my drive. She had just come back from ALA, where she had been on the committee that awarded BLOODY JACK an Odyssey Honor Award, (for more info, click on the link at the bottom of this entry) so that is what she recommended. Wow! What a fantastic listen! I will admit that I stopped listening on about disc 5, because I wasn't paying attention and got lost. Then, other stuff (like my kids)took over the audio in my car and I never finished it. Anyway...During TAKS testing I decided to pull the book off my shelf and find the place I went astray. I ended up reading the rest of the book and LOVED it. After listening to most of it, I was able to hear the narrator's voice in my head while I was reading it, which was an added pleasure.

Bloody Jack is the story of an orphan girl names Mary Faber who struggles to survive on the streets of 18th Century London after her entire family dies. She manages to escape a life of begging in the streets by posing as a boy and being hired on as one of the ship's boys on the British warship the H.M.S. Dolphin. She is hired because "he" can read--and signs on under the alias Jack ("Jacky") Faber. She and the other ship's boys enter into a brotherhood of sorts...but she's always having to hide her true gender from them. Sticky situations ensue....I won't give away any of the story, but what a fantastic book. I can't wait to listen to the rest of this series!




http://www.ala.org/ala/yalsa/booklistsawards/odyssey/2008odyssey.cfm

Maximum Ride The Angel Experiment, posted by Amannda M, 8th Grader

MAXIMUM RIDE, THE ANGEL EXPERIMENT, by James Patterson
AR: Yes
Interest Level: Middle and Upper Grade
Vocabulary Quiz Available

This is the first book in a series, and if you're looking for a fast paced book, James Patterson has written just the book for you! The characters are Max, (Maximum Ride) Fang, Iggy, Nudge, and Angel. What makes these kids different is that they are genetically different more along the lines is that their DNA is half human and half bird so they have bird-like abilities and wings. They are on the run from the school (you find out what kind of school if you read the book) with more messed up kids chasing after them like wolves--pun intended. As they are on the run more things lift them up and others come crashing down. I won't give you the story, you'll have to read it yourself to find out. So get going on this book--I promise you you'll finish it quick because you won't be able to put it down!

A Child Called It, posted by Cat P, 8th Grader

A CHILD CALLED IT, by Dave Pelzer
AR: Yes
Interest Level: Upper Grades
Vocabulary Quiz Available
Literacy Quiz Available

This is a very good book it is very sad though it is a book that you will feel depressed but your emotions will change throughout the book you will like the different themes and characters although the mom is very weird and you will not understand her because I didn't but this is a VERY good book based EXTREME child abuse!!!!!!

Cirque Du Freak, posted by Calleigh W, 8th Grader

CIRQUE DU FREAK, by Darren Shan
AR: Yes
Interest Level: Middle and Upper Grades
Vocabulary Quiz Available

This is a book that the point of view turns around a lot. Sometimes you think one thing is going to happen and then you change your mind. It all starts off when they sneak out to go to a freak show. Then one of them notices that one of the freaks is a vampire. So after the show he goes back and he wants to become one. But I don't want to tell you the rest because then you will know.

The Boy From the Basement, posted by Cat P, 8th grader

THE BOY FROM THE BASEMENT, by Susan Shaw
AR: Yes
Interest Level: Middle to Upper Grades
Vocabulary Quiz Available

The boy from the basement is a very intense book, although it was very confusing so if you can comprehend easily it is a book you need to read. This book is about a boy whose father would put him in the basement for a punishment. He was never exposed to the real world and knew nothing about himself except his first name.