This Dark Endeavor by Kenneth Oppel

The is the story of Victor Frankenstein when he was a teenage boy. Victor's twin brother, Konrad, is dying. Victor and his friends are desperate to heal Konrad. They make frequent trips to the The Dark Library, attempt alchemy and ancient remedies, and consult with a man with a questionable past. This is fascinating interpretation of the young Dr. Frankenstein. It is modern story with plenty of adventure and romance. This is the first book in the series.

Teen Read Week 2012

This week is Teen Read Week. The theme is scary books/horror genre. Watch the video of classmates and teachers as they talk about the scariest book they've ever read. Come check out a scary book...if you dare!

: PBS LearningMedia

: PBS LearningMedia

Lost Voices by Sarah Porter

Fourteen-year-old Luce has had a tough life, but she reaches the depths of despair when she is assaulted and left on the cliffs outside of a grim, gray Alaskan fishing village. She expects to die when she tumbles into the icy waves below, but instead undergoes an astonishing transformation and becomes a mermaid. A tribe of mermaids finds Luce and welcomes her in—all of them, like her, lost girls who surrendered their humanity in the darkest moments of their lives. Luce is thrilled with her new life until she discovers the catch: the mermaids feel an uncontrollable desire to drown seafarers, using their enchanted voices to lure ships into the rocks. Luce possesses an extraordinary singing talent, which makes her important to the tribe—she may even have a shot at becoming their queen. However her struggle to retain her humanity puts her at odds with her new friends. The first book in a trilogy, Lost Voices is a captivating and wildly original tale about finding a voice, the healing power of friendship, and the strength it takes to forgive.

Changeling by Philippa Gregory

I read this book in one sitting. It was impossible to put down and I really enjoyed it! I like Philippa Gregory's adult books, especially her Tudor novels. This book takes place in the 1400s. Luka has been assigned the job of inquirer by a secret order appointed by the Pope. He is sent to investigate a nunnery and finds that things are not as they seem. -- Mrs. Beddingfield The characters are excellent. I can't wait for the sequel.

Of Poseidon by Anna Banks

Galen is the prince of the Syrena, sent to land to find a girl he's heard can communicate with fish. Emma is on vacation at the beach. When she runs into Galen — literally, ouch! — both teens sense a connection. But it will take several encounters, including a deadly one with a shark, for Galen to be convinced of Emma's gifts. Now, if he can only convince Emma that she holds the key to his kingdom . . . Told from both Emma and Galen's points of view, here is a fish-out-of-water story that sparkles with intrigue, humor, and waves of romance. (From the Publisher)

THE FALSE PRINCE is the thrilling first book in a brand-new trilogy filled with danger and deceit and hidden identities that will have readers rushing breathlessly to the end. In a discontent kingdom, civil war is brewing. To unify the divided people, Conner, a nobleman of the court, devises a cunning plan to find an impersonator of the king's long-lost son and install him as a puppet prince. Four orphans are recruited to compete for the role, including a defiant boy named Sage. Sage knows that Conner's motives are more than questionable, yet his life balances on a sword's point -- he must be chosen to play the prince or he will certainly be killed. But Sage's rivals have their own agendas as well. As Sage moves from a rundown orphanage to Conner's sumptuous palace, layer upon layer of treachery and deceit unfold, until finally, a truth is revealed that, in the end, may very well prove more dangerous than all of the lies taken together. An extraordinary adventure filled with danger and action, lies and deadly truths that will have readers clinging to the edge of their seats. (From the Publisher)

Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo

Great book, excellent premise, strong characters, lots of adventure, and a sweet romance. It was a fun read.

Michaela Schirra -- IT Multimedia -- Book Trailers

The book, Anna and the French Kiss, is about a girl named Anna. Her father sent her to boarding school.....in Paris. Anna is the least bit excited. When she leaves, she leaves behind her best friend Bridgette and her crush, Toph. Once she gets to Paris, she meets a girl named Meridith and a guy named Etienne St. Clair. Now, she must choose.......Toph or Etienne? Read the book and find out!!!!

Taylor Thompson -- IT Multimedia -- Book Trailers

The Good Neighbors is a graphic novel by Holly Black. The main character, Rue, lives in a world of fairies. When her father is framed for murder and her mother disappears, a family friend comes to stay with her. She learns more about herself, and her parents. Things that were easy to see, and things she wasn't supposed to.

Tiger's Curse is the first in the Tiger's Curse Series which is a 5 series book. Kelsey travels across India to help a newfound friend. There's a ton of magic, culture, tigers, and fun.



Tiger's Curse is the first in the Tiger's Curse Series which is a 5 series book. Kelsey travels across India to help a newfound friend. There's a ton of magic, culture, tigers, and fun.

Reggie Hill - IT Multimedia - Book Trailers

Farmer Brown is going to prepare for the Corn Festival. He needs all the help from the barn animals to get the festival ready, but duck doesn't want to help them. Farmer Brown designs a picture into the cornfield for the festival but so does Duck. They are in for a great suprise.

Lerch is a handsome fish that has no friends and no one wants to talk to him. Until a unexpected guess helps him to find his love and his best friend.

Christine Kharkevitch -- IT Multimedia -- Book Trailer

Take a journey with Jack to get to the princess’s 10th birthday party. Bake a cake and then pass monstrous creatures to see if the cake arrives in one piece. Clever Jack Takes the Cake is an adventurous story filled with suspense, creativity, and happiness.

Sydney Pegram -- IT Multimedia -- Book Trailer

This amazing book is the journey of a girl named Anna. Her parents send her to boarding school, in Paris, forcing her to change her whole entire lifestyle. She leaves behind her friends and family. While beginning her new school life, she meets many people that eventually become her close friends. Back at home she has a huge crush on a guy named Toph. While is in Anna is in her new school, she meets a guy name Etienne St. Clair. She has to choose between the two people she has come to love. Who will she choose? Read to find out!!!

Laney Elders -- IT Multimedia -- Book Trailers

Michael Stevens really did not want to go to Camp Woodlands for summer camp, but his parents encouraged him to go anyway. Michael was originally reluctant to have a good time and meet new people, but his dad kept sending him letters asking him to give camp a try and be pateint. After a while, Michael opened up and made new friends. Now when Michael would write his dad from camp he would tell him how much fun he was having and about his new friends. Michael even decided that next year he would possibly go to Camp Woodlands for a longer amount of time. Sometimes when you try something new, the results are great.

Brian Howell -- IT Multimedia -- Book Trailers

In this weird picture book Shark and Train compete against each other in everything from burping to pie eating. Who do YOU think will win, Shark or Train?

Mrs. Chicken can't see her wings in the puddle where shes taking her bath, so she walks down to the river where she can admire all of herself, but she doesn't know that Crocodile is there waiting for dinner. Will Mrs. Chicken think fast enough to outsmart hungry Crocodile? Or will she be eaten?


Mrs. Chicken and the Hungry Crocodile

Wade Strother -- IT Multimedia -- Book Trailers

Desmond likes to disappear, and hide in the cleverest of places. But when a new student named Gloria arrives at his school, Desmond finds himself noticed for the first time. Can Gloria help Desmond get used to life in the spotlight??

Sam - I - Am tries to convince his friend to eat Green Eggs and Ham. But his friend does not want to eat them anywhere. Well Sam-I-am convince his friend??

Jack Wiesen -- IT Multimedia -- Book Trailers

The Titanic Sinks by Barry Denenberg is about the story of the Titanic. This books goes from the very first day the Titanic was build to the day it sank in the middle of the Atlantic. It also goes into detail about the passengers and the details of the crash and design of the ship.

The Cat in the Hat is by Dr. Seuss. This story is about two siblings that have to pick up all of the snow, and the cat shows up to help them. At first, he makes a mess but he later has many helpers and he finished the job.

Girl of Fire and Thorns by Rae Carson

Young adult fantasy fans will not be disappointed. This is an interesting story with a likeable heroine. I will definitely read the sequels!

Chime by Franny Billingsley

This story is different than the other YA stuff out there. I can see why it's up for the National Book Award. With equal parts romance, mystery, and fantasy, this story is unique and beautifully written.

Legend by Marie Lu

Gripping and fast-paced with likeable characters. This book will transfer well into film.

The Looking Glass Wars by Frank Beddor

Do you remember the story of Alice in Wonderland? Well, this isn’t it. This is the story of Alyss Heart of Wonderland, but it’s a very different story than what you’ve been told.

Wonderland is a land full of imagination and there are two types of imagination – white and black. White imagination is good imagination and Alyss has one of the greatest imaginations anyone has ever seen. Black imagination is dark and evil and illegal under Queens Genevieve’s rule.

The story begins when Princess Alyss is just 7-years-old. The court is celebrating Alyss’s 7th birthday when Redd Heart, Genevieve’s evil sister, shows up with her army and begins to wage war on the palace. Redd Heart practices black imagination and has used her imagination to create awful war machines. Redd is able to quickly take out the palace guards, King Nolan, and Queen Genevieve. Alyss is able to escape through the pool of tears into another world and away from her evil aunt Redd.

Alyss struggles in this new world to keep her memories. Over the years she begins to believe she just imagined Wonderland. In her absence, Redd has taken over as queen and has turned Wonderland into a very dark and scary place. Will Alyss be able to return and claim her rightful throne and bring Wonderland back to a state of peace?

Find out for yourself in the Looking Glass Wars.
Fantasy/Steampunk

Variant by Robison Wells

Benson Fisher has been moved around from one foster home to another his entire life. In an effort to escape his grim situation, he applies for a scholarship to Maxwell Academy. After arriving at Maxwell, Benson quickly realizes that this school is a much worse prison that CPS; one that he might die in. Escape is impossible, but it is his only chance of surviving.

A wonderful suspense novel with plenty of twists. The male protagonist makes this book appeal to both boys and girls. The ending will leave you with your mouth hanging open.

The Scorpio Races by Maggie Stiefvater

The Scorpio Races by Maggie Stiefvater is a fantastic book. Not being a fan of her earlier work, I wasn’t sure what to expect. In this latest book she has crafted her writing and storytelling into a fascinating tale. I’ve seen Scorpio Races described as a mix of fantasy and mythology, which it is, but it’s so much more. This book is about loss, determination, love, and growing up.

The story takes place in the fictional island of Thisby, which seems Irish, although that’s never stated. The time period is in the early part of the 20th century...not your typical setting for a fantasy novel. What makes this story magical is the legend of the capall uisce. The capall uisce are horses that are meat eaters and come ashore on Thisby in October, becoming both objects of fear and awe for the locals and tourists alike. There are a few brave men that attempt to capture and race the capall uisce in the annual November 1st Scorpio Races. Many of these men will be killed by these horses, but they still come out every year and try again. These men are drawn to the sea and to these fearsome creatures with a similar passion that drives these sea horses to this particular island.

Puck Connelly has her own reasons for racing in the Scorpio races. Her mother and father were killed by a capall uisce while fishing the year before, and her older brother has just announced that he has decided to go to the mainland, leaving Puck and her brother to fend for themselves. Her decision is reinforced when she finds out that the landlord will be evicting the Connellys from their home after the races. Puck can’t fathom leaving the island of Thisby. Thisby is her home, and it is where she belongs.

Puck Connelly’s decision to race is met with resistance by the men of Thisby. She is the first female to ride in the races, and she has chosen to ride her own mare.

Sean Kendrick’s father died racing a capall uisce named Corr. Sean has a very special bond with Corr and has won three races with him. Unfortunately, Sean has only ridden Corr for his boss and, therefore, has no money of his own. Sean is known for his connection to both the capall uisce and the ocean. He is described as having one foot on land and the other planted firmly in the sea. Sean has a simple dream...to make enough money to buy Corr from his boss and live in his own house.

As they train for the races, the relationship between Puck and Sean develops from mutual admiration into a deep connection. The legendary capall uisce has shaped both of their lives, and they both love the island and their horse. However, only one of them can win the races.

Like Thisby, the story flows at an indirect and unhurried pace. The final pages of this novel left me amazed and tearful. Stiefvater has written a book that shows love in many ways...love for a particular place, love for an animal, and love between two people. This book is easily at the top of my “top five” list for 2011.