Go Big or Go Homeby Will Hobbs
Brady and his cousin Quinn love extreme sports, but nothing could prepare them for the aftermath of Brady's close encounter with a meteorite after it crashes through his Black Hills, South Dakota, bedroom. Did you know that this author visited our school four years ago? I was surprised when he mentions Decorah in this book. Kinda cool... We do have eleven other adventure books by Will Hobbs in our school library that you might enjoy reading, too.
The Beef Princess of Practical Countyby Michelle Houts
Libby is excited about raising calves in preparation for the steer competition at the county fair. However, her mother is more excited about her entering the Beef Princess pageant. The setting is Indiana but the story could have taken place right here in Iowa. You'll be entertained by the ups and downs of Libby's experiences at the Practical County Fair.
The Chicken Danceby Jacques Couvillon
Don Schmidt, the narrator of this book, is big on chickens. He becomes the youngest person to ever win the chicken-judging contest in his small town of Horse Island, Louisiana, and goes from outcast to instant celebrity in his middle school and his community. Mrs. Bigler told me about this funny book after her son read it last year.
Luckyby Rachel Vail
Some girls have all the luck. Pretty, popular, and rich, Phoebe and her four closest friends are getting ready to graduate from middle school and plan a lavish eighth-grade graduation party. Unexpectedly, Phoebe's family is hit with a financial crisis that completely changes their lives. How far will Phoebe go to keep up her image as a lucky girl? I have to admit I was clueless when the author used the word " snarkiness" in the book. I thought she had made up the word but my curiosity made me look in up in Webster's and yes, the word "snarky" is there.
Six Inningsby James Preller
Fan of baseball will enjoy this exciting game. Two little league teams battle for the championship while Sam, a player who is now in a wheelchair, calls the play-by-play action instead of participating in the game. Make sure you don't peek at the scoreboard until the end of the game!
Waiting for Normalby Leslie Connor
Addie lives in a small trailer on a busy city street with her mother, never knowing how long- a few hours, a few days, a week- her irresponsible mother will be gone. You will love Addie's spunk and spirit as she tries to cope with her challenging life.
The Last Olympianby Rick Riordan
This is the final book in the popular "Percy Jackson and the Olympians" series. The first book, The Lightning Thief, was the 2009 Iowa Teen Award winner and the Percy Jackson movie based on this book will hit theaters February 12, 2010. In The Lightning Thief, Percy discovers he is a demi-god. His mother is human, but his father whom he has never met is the god Poseidon. Then Percy discovers that his best friend Grover, is also a mythical creature, a satyr, half human, half goat. Things just keep getting stranger and Percy and his friends end up on a wild cross-country adventure involving gods, goddesses, and mythical monsters. There are five books in the series so there is plenty of reading to keep you busy until next February when the movie comes out.
Speaking of the Iowa Teen Award, do take a look at the new 2009-2010 poster on display in our library and Mrs. Bigler's room or checkout the ITA website. These book titles were chosen by middle school students like you to be put on the list. We do have these books in our school library. You are ALL invited to participate in voting for your favorite book. Remember you need to have read at least two of the books to vote on April 1st.
Happy Reading and ENJOY!
