Thursday, December 19, 2013

Around the world in 80 days by Jules Verne

Before there were airplanes and high speed travel, Phileas Fogg, an English gentleman best 20,000 pounds that he can travel around the world in 80 days. En route he meets a beautiful Indian Princess gets mistaken for a notorious criminal and is pursued by a detective with a warrant for his arrest. follow his fantastic adventures through four continents in his daring race against time. It's a fast paced, action-packed, high-spirited journey filled with romance, danger and adventure.

The Mystery of the Screaming Clock by Alfred Hitchcock

The Three Investigators discover a sinister clock with an alarm that sounds like the scream of a woman in mortal terror. Who could have made such a clock -- and why? Jupiter, Pete, and Bob immediately embark on a search to discover the origins of the mysterious clock. When they come across a run-down house in Hollywood, they find an entire room full of dreadful clocks -- with time running out!

Net Force By Tom Clancy

In the year 2010, computers are the new superpowers. Those who control them control the world. To enforce the net laws, Congress creates the ultimate computer security agency withing the FBI: the net force.
A Union jack appearing on computer screens all over the world is just a harbinger of the danger to come. As cyberspace is thrown into chaos, several computer experts suffer strokes while hunting the deadly hacker in virtual reality. One of them is the net force's own Jay Gridley. And now the net  force operatives must track down a man capable of cracking every computer code in the world-and pitting nation against nation...

A Clash of Kings by George R. Martin


A comet the color of blood and flame cuts across the sky. And from the ancient citadel of Dragonstone to the forbidding shores of Winterfell, chaos reigns. Six factions struggle for control of a divided land and the Iron Throne of the Seven Kingdoms, preparing to stake their claims through tempest, turmoil, and war. It is a tale in which brother plots against brother and the dead rise to walk in the night. Here a princess masquerades as an orphan boy; a knight of the mind prepares a poison for a treacherous sorceress; and wild men descend from the Mountains of the Moon to ravage the countryside. Against a backdrop of incest and fratricide, alchemy and murder, victory may go to the men and women possessed of the coldest steel . . . and the coldest hearts. For when kings clash, the whole land trembles.

Tuesday, December 17, 2013

Sphere by Michael Crichton

In the middle of the South Pacific, a thousand feet below the surface of the water, a huge vessel is discovered resting on the ocean floor.

Rushed to the scene is a group of American scientists who descended together into the depths of the sea to investigate this astonishing discovery.

What they find defies their imaginations and mocks their attempts at logical explanation.  It is a spaceship of phenomenal dimensions, apparently undamaged by its fall from the sky.  And, most startling, it appears to be at least three hundred years old...

Friday, December 13, 2013

Secret Honor By W.E.B. Griffin

W.E.B. Griffin is "probably the best man around for describing the military community"(Tom Clancy). Now he brings his special flair for combining high drama and real heroes to a crackling new adventure in the World War II series that began with Honer Bound and Blood and Honor. In 1943, an undercover American OSS agent penetrates Argentinian high society-and befriends a Nazi pilot with ties to a plot that could bring the war to a standstill : the assassination of Adolf Hitler.

The Harper Book of Princes

The Harper Book Of Princes collected by Sally Johnson  is a collection of fairy tales that contain a prince as the main character. Filled with adventure, bravery, and romance, this book contains many different stories that explore different emotions and plot lines. Brung to life with interesting illustrations and wonderful writing, this book is enjoyable if you just want a fun read. Most, if not all, of the fairy tales included in the book aren't as well known as others like Cinderella. Some stories it includes are: Prince Rabbit, Prince Ahmed, The Crystal Bowl, and, my favorite, The Happy prince.

A Game of Thrones by George R. Martin

Long ago, in a time forgotten, a preternatural event threw the seasons out of balance. In a land where summers can last decades and winters a lifetime, trouble is brewing. The cold is returning, and in the frozen wastes to the north of Winterfell, sinister and supernatural forces are massing beyond the kingdom’s protective Wall. At the center of the conflict lie the Starks of Winterfell, a family as harsh and unyielding as the land they were born to. Sweeping from a land of brutal cold to a distant summertime kingdom of epicurean plenty, here is a tale of lords and ladies, soldiers and sorcerers, assassins and bastards, who come together in a time of grim omens.


Here an enigmatic band of warriors bear swords of no human metal; a tribe of fierce wildlings carry men off into madness; a cruel young dragon prince barters his sister to win back his throne; and a determined woman undertakes the most treacherous of journeys. Amid plots and counterplots, tragedy and betrayal, victory and terror, the fate of the Starks, their allies, and their enemies hangs perilously in the balance, as each endeavors to win that deadliest of conflicts: the game of thrones.

Thursday, November 21, 2013

Catherine

Catherine is tired of struggling musicians befriending her just so they can get a gig at her Dad’s famous Manhattan club, The Underground. Then she meets mysterious Hence, an unbelievably passionate and talented musician on the brink of success. As their relationship grows, both are swept away in a fiery romance. But when their love is tested by a cruel whim of fate, will pride keep them apart?

Chelsea has always believed that her mom died of a sudden illness, until she finds a letter her dad has kept from her for years—a letter from her mom, Catherine, who didn’t die: She disappeared. Driven by unanswered questions, Chelsea sets out to look for her—starting with the return address on the letter: The Underground.

Told in two voices, twenty years apart, Catherine interweaves a timeless forbidden romance with a compelling modern mystery

Dark Watch by Clive Cussler

Juan Cabrillo and his motley crew aboard the clandestine spy ship Oregon have made a very comfortable and very dangerous living from working for high-powered Western interests. But their newest clients have come from the Far East to ask for Cabrillo's special brand of assistance.
They are a consortium of Japanese shipping magnates, and their fortunes are being threatened by brutal pirates trawling the waters of Southeast Asia. Normally, such attacks on the high seas are limited to smaller ships and foreign-owned yachts easy targets on the open ocean. Now, however, giant commercial freighters are disappearing. Cabrillo suspects that the pirates have joined forces to take down the bigger ships. But when the Oregon confronts the enemy, he learns that the pirates predations hide a deadly international conspiracy a scheme of death and slavery that Juan Cabrillo is going to blow out of the water...

The Fellowship Of The Ring by J.R.R Tolkien

The dark, fearsome Ringwraiths are searching for a Hobbit. Frodo Baggins knows that they are seeking him and the Ring he bears—the Ring of Power that will enable evil Sauron to destroy all that is good in Middle-earth. Now it is up to Frodo and his faithful servant, Sam, with a small band of companions, to carry the Ring to the one place it can be destroyed: Mount Doom, in the very center of Sauron’s realm.

Rot and Ruin by Jonathon Mayberry

In the zombie-infested, post-apocalyptic America where Benny Imura lives, every teenager must find a job by the time they turn fifteen or get their rations cut in half. Benny doesn't want to apprentice as a zombie hunter with his boring older brother Tom, but he has no choice. He expects a tedious job whacking zoms for cash, but what he gets is a vocation that will teach him what it means to be human.

Thursday, November 7, 2013

House of Hades by Rick Riordan

At the conclusion of The Mark of Athena, Annabeth and Percy tumble into a pit leading straight to the Underworld. The other five demigods have to put aside their grief and follow Percy's instructions to find the mortal side of the Doors of Death. If they can fight their way through the Gaea's forces, and Percy and Annabeth can survive the House of Hades, then the Seven will be able to seal the Doors from both sides and prevent the giants from raising Gaea. But, Leo wonders, if the Doors are sealed, how will Percy and Annabeth be able to escape?

Haiku Moment

Haiku Moment an Anthology of Contemporary North American Haiku edited by Bruce Ross is a wonderful book filled with all different lengths of Haiku. They range from one page to several, and each one has its own rhythm and theme that makes it interesting. This book can either be very interesting or very boring depending on of you like Haiku, and what mood you are in.

Thursday, October 31, 2013

Realistic Visionary:A Portrait of George Washington by Peter Henriques

In Realistic Visionary the renowned George Washington scholar Peter Henriques seeks to humanize the first president without diminishing him. Henriques’s Washington makes mistakes, is sensitive to criticism, and is slow to accept blame, but he is also the greatest man of his age, a relentless pragmatist who could nonetheless envision what a free and united America could be for "millions unborn."


Rather than revisiting Washington’s life in its entirety, Henriques constructs a biographical portrait by addressing the vital themes and events through which Washington the man is revealed. What emerge most clearly in Realistic Visionary are Washington’s successful struggle to channel his monumental personal ambition into public service and his unrivaled ability to turn his ambitious visions for the fledgling nation into reality.

Thursday, October 24, 2013

Little House In the Big Woods By: Laura Ingalls Wilder

Wolves and panthers and bears roamed the deep Wisconsin woods in the 1860's, Still Laura Ingalls' father preferred to live miles away from the nearest neighbors. So Pa built a snug log cabin for Ma, Laura, Mary, and Baby Carrie. He hunted and trapped and farmed. Ma made her own cheese and sugar. All night long, the wind howled lonesomely, but Pa played his fiddle an sang, keeping the family safe and cozy.

Pastwatch by Orson Scott Card

In one of the most Powerful and thought-provoking novels of his remarkable career, Orson Scott Card interweaves a compelling portrait of Christopher Columbus with the story of a future Scientist who believes she can alter human history from a tragedy of bloodshed and brutality to a world filled with hope and healing.

Thursday, October 10, 2013

Reached By: Ally Condie

After leaving Society to desperately seek The Rising, and each other, Cassia and Ky have found what they were looking for, but at the cost of losing each other yet again. Cassia is assigned undercover in Central city, Ky outside the borders, an airship pilot with Indie. Xander is a medic, with a secret. All too soon, everything shifts again.

The Shadow of the Hegemon by orson scott card

The War is over, won by Ender Wiggin and his team of brilliant child-warriors. The enemy is destroyed, the human race is saved. Ender himself refuses to return to the planet, but his crew has gone home to their families, scattered across the globe. The battle school is no more.

But with the external threat gone, the Earth has become a battlefield once more. The children of the Battle School are more than heroes; they are potential weapons that can bring power to the countries that control them. One by one, all of Ender's Dragon Army are kidnapped. Only Bean escapes; and he turns for help to Ender's brother Peter.


Peter Wiggin, Ender's older brother, has already been manipulating the politics of Earth from behind the scenes. With Bean's help, he will eventually rule the world.

The Castle of Llyr by Lloyd Alexander

In the imaginary kingdom of Prydain, Princess Eilonwy must leave her friends to go to the Isle of Mona for training as a proper princess. Because Eilonwy has magical powers, she is sought by Achren, the most evil enchantress in the land. Shortly after her arrival on the Isle of Mona, something sinister and secret befalls her. Eilonwy's loyal friends--Taran, the Assistant Pig-Keeper; Flewddur, the bard; and Prince Rhun, her intended husband--realize her peril and set out on an exciting and terrifying mission to rescue her. They encounter great forces of evil as well as private--sometimes painful--revelations in the course of their journey.

Thursday, September 26, 2013

The Black Cauldron By Lloyd Alexander

Taran is joined by an engaging cast of characters that includes Eilonwy, the strong-willed and sharp-tongued princess; Fflewddur Fflam, the hyperbole-prone bard; the ever-faithful Gurgi; and the curmudgeonly Doli--all of whom have become involved in an epic struggle between good and evil that shapes the fate of the legendary land of Prydain.

Xenocide by Orson Scott Card

The war for survival of the planet Lusitania will be fought in the hearts of a child named Gloriously Bright.

On Lusitania, Ender found a world where humans and pequininos and the Hive Queen could all live together; where three very different intelligent species could find common ground at last. Or so he thought.

Lusitania also harbors the descolada, a virus that kills all humans it infects, but which the pequininos require in order to become adults. The Startways Congress so fears the effects of the descolada, should it escape from Lusitania, that they have ordered eh destruction of the entire planet, and all who live there. The Fleet is on its way, a second xenocide seems inevitable

The Speaker for the Dead by Orson Scott Card

In the aftermath of his terrible war, Ender Wiggin disappeared, and a powerful voice arose: The Speaker for the Dead, who told the true story of the Bugger War.

Now, long years later, a second alien race has been discovered, but again the aliens' ways are strange and frightening...again, humans die. And it is only the Speaker for the Dead, who is also Ender Wiggin the Xenocide, who has the courage to confront the mystery...and the truth.


.

Ender's Game by Orson Scott Card

In order to develop a secure defense against a hostile alien race's next attack, government agencies breed child geniuses and train them as soldiers. A brilliant young boy, Andrew "Ender" Wiggin lives with his kind but distant parents, his sadistic brother Peter, and the person he loves more than anyone else, his sister Valentine. Peter and Valentine were candidates for the soldier-training program but didn't make the cut--young Ender is the Wiggin drafted to the orbiting Battle School for rigorous military training.

Ender's skills make him a leader in school and respected in the Battle Room, where children play at mock battles in zero gravity. Yet growing up in an artificial community of young soldiers, Ender suffers greatly from isolation, rivalry from his peers, pressure from the adult teachers, and an unsettling fear of the alien invaders. His psychological battles include loneliness, fear that he is becoming like the cruel brother he remembers, and fanning the flames of devotion to his beloved sister.


Is Ender the general Earth needs? But Ender is not the only result of the genetic experiments. The war with the Buggers has been raging for a hundred years, and the quest for the perfect general has been underway for almost as long. Ender's two older siblings are every bit as unusual as he is, but in very different ways. Between the three of them lie the abilities to remake a world. If the world survives, that is.

Thursday, September 19, 2013

The Da Vinci by Dan Brown

An ingenious code hidden in the works of Leonardo da Vinci.

A desperate race through the cathedrals and castles of Europe.

An astonishing truth concealed for centuries . . . unveiled at last.

While in Paris, Harvard symbologist Robert Langdon is awakened by a phone call in the dead of the night. The elderly curator of the Louvre has been murdered inside the museum, his body covered in baffling symbols. As Langdon and gifted French cryptologist Sophie Neveu sort through the bizarre riddles, they are stunned to discover a trail of clues hidden in the works of Leonardo da Vinci—clues visible for all to see and yet ingeniously disguised by the painter.


Even more startling, the late curator was involved in the Priory of Sion—a secret society whose members included Sir Isaac Newton, Victor Hugo, and Da Vinci—and he guarded a breathtaking historical secret. Unless Langdon and Neveu can decipher the labyrinthine puzzle—while avoiding the faceless adversary who shadows their every move—the explosive, ancient truth will be lost forever.

Monday, September 16, 2013

Safe Haven by Nicholas Sparks

When a mysterious young women named Katie appears in the small North Carolina town of Southport, her sudden arrival raises questions about her past. Beautiful yet self-effacing, Katie seems determined to avoid forming personal ties until a series of events draws her into two reluctant relationships: one with her plainspoken neighbor, Jo; and another with Alex, a widowed store owner with two young children. Despite her reservations, Katie slowly begins to relax her guard, putting down roots in the community and becoming increasingly attached to Alex and his family. But even as Katie begins to fall in love, she struggles with the dark secret that still haunts and terrifies her… a past that set her on a fearful journey across the country, to the oasis of Southport. With Jo’s support, Katie eventfully realizes that she must choose between a life of transient safety and one of riskier rewards…and that in the darkest hour, love is the only true safe haven.

Thursday, September 12, 2013

The Grapes Of Wrath by Steinbeck

The Grapes of Wrath is a landmark of American literature. A portrait of the conflict between the powerful and the powerless, of one man’s fierce reaction to injustice, and of one woman’s stoical strength, the novel captures the horrors of the Great Depression and probes into the very nature of equality and justice in America. Although it follows the movement of thousands of men and women and the transformation of an entire nation, The Grapes of Wrath is also the story of one Oklahoma family, the Joads, who are driven off their homestead and forced to travel west to the promised land of California. Out of their trials and their repeated collisions against the hard realities of an America divided into Haves and Have-Nots evolves a drama that is intensely human yet majestic in its scale and moral vision, elemental yet plainspoken, tragic but ultimately stirring in its human dignity.

The Magicians Nephew by C.S. Lewis

This is a story about something that happened long ago when your grandfather was a child. It is a very important story because it shows how all the comings and goings between out world and the land of Narnia first began. 

The Poem An Anthology edited by Greenfield, Weatherhead, and Garratt

The Poem an Anthology edited by Stanley B. Greenfield, A Kingsley Weatherhead, and Robert F. Garratt is a book composed of poetry by famous poets such as William Shakespeare, John Donne, William Wordsworth, and Robert Browning.  The poems range from sonnets, songs, and portions of plays, as well as medieval poetry up to the 1950s. The poems range in length, from 3 or 4 stanzas to 3 or 4 pages. There is a type of poem in this book for everyone who enjoys such things.

The Book of Three By Lloyd Alexander

Since The Book of Three was first published in 1964, young readers have been enthralled by the adventures of Taran the Assistant Pig-Keeper and his quest to become a hero. Taran is joined by an engaging cast of characters that includes Eilonwy, the strong-willed and sharp-tongued princess; Fflewddur Fflam, the hyperbole-prone bard; the ever-faithful Gurgi; and the curmudgeonly Doli—all of whom have become involved in an epic struggle between good and evil that shapes the fate of the legendary land of Prydain.

Fatal Alliance (Star Wars: The Old Republic) by Sean Williams

From across the galaxy they’ve come: agents of both the Republic and the Sith Empire, an investigating Jedi Padawan, an ex-trooper drummed out of the Republic’s elite Blackstar Squad, and a mysterious Mandalorian. An extraordinary auction has drawn them all together—in quest of a prize only one can claim. Each is prepared to do what he must to possess the treasure, whose value may be the wealth of a world itself. None intend to leave empty-handed. All have secrets, desires, and schemes. And nothing could ever unite them as allies—except the truth about the deadly danger of the object they covet. But can Sith and Jedi, Republic and Empire—enemies for millennia—join as one against the certain doom of the galaxy?

STAR WARS TAKES FROM THE MOS EISLEY CANTINA Edited by Kevin J. Anderson

In a far corner of the universe, on the small desert planet of Tatooine, there is a dark, nic-i-tain-filled cantina where you can down your favorite intoxicant while listening to the best jazz riffs in the universe.  But beware your fellow denizens of this pangalactic watering hole, for they are cutthroats and cutpurses, assassins and troopers, humans and aliens, gangsters and thieves....

Friday, September 6, 2013

Harry potter AND THE SORCERER'S STONE

 He has never been the star of a Quidditch team, scoring points  while riding a broom far above the ground. He knows no spells, has never helped to hatch  a dragon, and has never worn a cloak of invisability. All he knows is a miserable life with the dursleys, his horrible aunt  and uncle,  and their abomidable son, Dudley---  a great big swollen, spoiled bully. Harry's room is a tiny closet at the foot of the stairs, and he hasn't had a birthday in 11 years. But all that is about to change  when a mysterious letter arrives by owl messanger: a letter with an invitation  to an incredible place that Harry--- and anyone who reads about him---   will find un unforgettable.    For its there that he finds not only friends, airiel sports, and magic  in everything from classes, to meals, but a great destiny that's been waiting for him.... if Harry can survive the encounter

Thursday, September 5, 2013

THE SWORD IN THE STONE by T.H. White

The Sword in the Stone is the first novel in The Once and Future King, T. H. White's epic fantasy re-telling of the Arthurian legend. 

CROSSED by Ally condie

In search of a future that may not exist and faced with the decision of who to share it with, Cassia journeys to the Outer Provinces in pursuit of Ky— taken by the Society to his certain death—only to find that he has escaped, leaving a series of clues in his wake. Cassia’s quest leads her to question much of what she holds dear, even as she finds glimmers of a different life across the border. But as Cassia nears resolve and certainty about her future with Ky, she faces yet another life-changing decision. Nothing is as expected on the edge of Society, where crosses and double-crosses make the path more twisted than ever.

The BlackFoot Trail

The BlackFoot Trail by Charles G. West is a historical novel. Despite his apathy towards white folks, mountain man Joe Fox reluctantly agrees to lead a group of settlers through the Rockies to Oregon. Taken aback by their appreciation, he soon finds himself enjoying their company- especially the attentions of young Callie Simmons. That is, until her parents warn Joe to keep his distance.

But they should have worried about Max Starbeau. A wolf in Sheeps clothing, he travels with the party until the opportunity arises to steal and murder- and then to kidnap Callie for good measure. When the settlers find themselves unable to track Starbeau, the once again turn top Joe Fox- who owes them nothing but will do anything for Callie.



Star Trek Destiny Book 1 Gods of Night by David Mack

Half a decade after the Dominion War and more than a year after the rise and fall of Praetor Shinzon, the galaxy's greatest scourge returns to wreak havoc upon the Federation -- and this time its goal is nothing less than total annihilation.
Elsewhere, deep in the Gamma Quadrant, an ancient mystery is solved. One of Earth's first generation of starships, lost for centuries, has been found dead and empty on a desolate planet. But its discovery so far from home has raised disturbing questions, and the answers harken back to a struggle for survival that once tested a captain and her crew to the limits of their humanity.
From that terrifying flashpoint begins an apocalyptic odyssey that will reach across time and space to reveal the past, define the future, and show three captains -- Jean-Luc Picard of theU.S.S. Enterprise, TM William Riker of the U.S.S. Titan, and Ezri Dax of the U.S.S Aventine -- that some destinies are inescapable.

Ghost Beach By: R.L.Stine

Jerry can't wait to explore the dark, spooky old cave he found down by the beach. Then the other kids tell him a story. A story about a ghost who lives deep inside the cave. A ghost who is three hundred years old. A ghost who comes out when the moon is full. A ghost who is haunting the beach. Just another stupid story right?

World War Z by Max Brooks

The Zombie War came unthinkably close to eradicating humanity. Max Brooks, driven by the urgency of preserving the acid-etched first-hand experiences of the survivors from those apocalyptic years, traveled across the United States of America and throughout the world, from decimated cities that once teemed with upwards of thirty million souls to the most remote and inhospitable areas of the planet. He recorded the testimony of men, women, and sometimes children who came face-to-face with the living, or at least the undead, hell of that dreadful time.World War Z is the result. Never before have we had access to a document that so powerfully conveys the depth of fear and horror, and also the ineradicable spirit of resistance, that gripped human society through the plague years.

Tamar By Mal Peet

In the "Hunger Winter" of 1944, two undercover operatives parachute into Nazi-occupied Holland. They are spies of the Allied forces, sent to provide support for the Dutch resistance movement.

Half a century later, a fifteen-year-old girl named Tamar inherits a box from her grandfather containing a series of clues and coded messages. out of the past, another Tamar emerges--a man involved in the terrifying world of resistance fighter-- and she is his namesake. His is a complex one of passionate love,jealousy, and tragedy set against the daily fear and casual horror of the Second World War. Unraveling it will transform Tamer's life.

Tuesday, August 6, 2013

Welcome back!

School is back in session!  What was your favorite book you read over the summer?  Let us know here (and of course, tell us why you enjoyed it).

Friday, June 7, 2013

The Call of The Wild By Jack London

The Call of The Wild is Jack London's most popular novel. Set in the frozen wastelands of the Yukon, it tells of the magnificent dog buck, who is a loyal pet until cruel men make him a pawn in their feverish search for the gold of the Klondike.Brutally clubbed and beaten into serving as a sled dog, Buck finds the blood of his wolf ancestors rising within him until he breaks free to roam the Alaskan wilderness as leader of a ferocious wolf pack.

The Cat Who Knew Shakspeare

There's something rotten in the small town of Pickax--at least to the sensitive noses of newspaperman Jim Qwilleran and his Siamese cats Koko and Yum Yum. An accident has claimed the life of the local paper's eccentric publisher, but to Qwilleran and his feline friends it smells like murder. They soon sniff out a shocking secret, but Koko's snooping into an unusual edition of Shakespeare may prove CATastrophic...because somewhere in Pickax a lady loves not wisely but too well, a widow is scandalously merry, and a stranger has a lean and hungry look. The stage is set for Qwilleran, Koko, Yum Yum, and the second act of murder most meow...

Friday, May 31, 2013

The Complete Guide Manga by Jason Thompson

The Complete Guide Manga by Jason Thompson is filled with information about manga: When it first started to be popular in the U.S., the differences between manga and American comics, different styles, and reviews on all American translated manga up to 2007. This book has plenty of good, concrete information. If you are interested in anime or manga, I recommend this book. Or, If you have never read manga before and wish to find a good one, this book will help lead you in the right direction. Although, I do not recommend the book to younger children for it gives images of manga and some of them are not appropriate for ages under 13.
                   I really enjoy the way the book is formatted, and the way it is written.It is easy to find the information I am looking for, and it is easy to understand.

Friday, May 24, 2013

Little House in the Big Woods by: Laura Ingalls Wilder

Wolves and panthers and bears roamed the deep Wisconsin woods in the 1860's. Still, Laura Ingalls' father preferred to live miles away from the nearest neighbors so Pa built a snug cabin for Ma, Laura, Mary and Baby Carrie. He hunted and trapped and farmed. Ma made her own cheese and sugar. All night long, the wind howled lonesomely, but Pa played his fiddle and sang, keeping the family safe and sound.

This is an extraordinary book to me. It seems fun to live with Laura, Ma, Pa, Mary and Baby Carrie. It seems like they had a feast back then. Did they have more than us? Or is it the way that Laura wrote the book?

Friday, May 17, 2013

The Princess Bride by William Goldman

The princess bride has always been a favorite in my family. I personally have seen it at least five times. I always sort of knew there was a book but never really considered reading it. Recently as I was skimming the shelves of the ATA library looking for a new reading expedition I noticed the three words in gold colored print "the Princess Bride". I immediately picked it up and began reading. At first I was surprised by the book. It started out as more of a quick life summary of William Goldman, in Goldman's own words. When I finally reached the begging of the book (William Goldman's life was fairly interesting so I continued reading) I realized how superbly they made the movie. Quite frequently I hear people complain the movie is so much worse than the book. I myself have used the same rant on occasion. With the Princess Bride there is not much to complain about between the book and the movie.

Alex Rider:Ark Angel by Anthony Horowitz


The sniper’s bullet nearly killed him. But Alex Rider managed to survive . . . just in time for more trouble to come his way. When kidnappers attempt to snatch a fellow patient from the exclusive hospital where Alex is recovering, he knows he has to stop him. But the boy he saves is no ordinary patient: He is the son of Nikolai Drevin, one of the richest men in the world. The eccentric billionaire has been targeted by Force Three, a group of eco-terrorists who claim his project Ark Angel—the first luxury hotel in outer space—is a danger to the environment. Soon Alex discovers that Force Three will stop at nothing to destroy Ark Angel, even if it means sending four hundred tons of molten glass and steel hurtling down to Earth and killing millions . . . unless Alex can stop them.

Friday, May 10, 2013

Star Trek Gods of Night

Half a decade after the Dominion War and more than a year after the rise and fall of Praetor Shinzon, the galaxy's greatest scourge returns to wreak havoc upon the federation with only one thing in mind total annihilation.

Elsewhere, deep in the Gamma Quadrant, an ancient mystery is solved. One of Earth's first generation of starships has been found dead and empty on a desolate planet. But its discovery so far from home has reopened some disturbing questions. 

The answer for these questions will define the future and show three Federation captains that some destinies are inescapable.

Friday, May 3, 2013

The Lotus Eaters by Tatjana Soli

The Lotus Eaters by Tatjana Soli follows the story of a lady named Helen Adams. They are in the middle of the war, and her being a photographer wanted to stay and see the end result; hoping to get pictures of the way it turns out for good money. However, her plans soon change when her boyfriend, Lihn, gets shot. Having bought medicine at the black market, she knows she wont be able to get any more medicine soon. Changing her mind, and her goal for the man she loves, she decides to escape with Lihn. But an obstacle stands in their way: men stand at all points of evacuation, shooting people who try to escape the town. Will they be able to make it out alive?

The Worthing Saga by Orson Scott Card

       It was a miracle of science that permitted human beings to live, if not forever, then for a long, long time.  Some people, anyway.  The rich, the powerful- they lived their lives at the rate of one year every ten.  Somec created two societies: that of people who lived out their normal span and died, and those who slept away the decades, skipping over the intervening years and events.  It allowed interstellar Empires to be built.
       It came near to destroying humanity.
       After a long. long time of decadence and stagnation, a few seed ships were sent out to save out species.  They carried human embryos and supplies, and teaching robots, and one man.  The Worthing Saga is the story of one of these men, Jason Worthing, and the world he found for the seed he carried.

Last Command: The Thrawn trilogy



The embattled Republic reels from the attacks of Grand Admiral Thrawn, who has marshaled the remnants of the Imperial forces and driven the Rebels back with an abominable technology recovered from the Emperor's secret fortress: clone soldiers. As Thrawn mounts his final siege, Han and Chewbacca struggle to form a coalition of smugglers for a last-ditch attack against the empire, while Leia holds the Alliance together and prepares for the birth of her Jedi twins. Overwhelmed by the ships and clones at Thrawn's command, the Republic has one last hope--sending a small force, led by Luke Skywalker, into the very stronghold that houses Thrawn's terrible cloning machines. There a final danger awaits, as the Dark Jedi C'baoth directs the battle against the Rebels and builds his strength to finish what he had already started: the destruction of Luke Skywalker.

Dracula by Bram Stoker

Jonathan Harker travels to Transylvania for a business deal with a Romanian nobleman, only to find himself ensnared in the horrific world of Count Dracula, a mysterious man with an evil secret. Worst of all, the Count is now headed toward London-and Jonathan's beloved Mina. Can this monster be destroyed? 

This is an exciting book! First Jonathan is doing business with Count Dracula then he’s a prisoner, killing vampires in London!  I really like this book because, vampires, detail and horror. I love horror and scare. If this book was longer, I would be reading it now! This book is part horror and part mystery. 

Monday, April 29, 2013

Prince Caspian By C.S Lewis

Sequel to the Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe, Prince caspian tells the story of a young prince born into an empire where fairy tails and storys of the past are strictly forbidden. The young prince is then guided on a journey to reveal the past in the most exciting and and suspensefull stories you'll ever read.

Friday, April 19, 2013

Gregor And The Curse Of Warmbloods

WITH TWO PROPHECIES FULFILLED,

Gregor is now focused on the prophecy of Blood, which calls for Gregor and the " Princess," Boots, to return to the Underland to help ward off a plauge. His mom agrees to let them go- on the condition that she travel with them.
When they arrive in the subterranean city, the plauge is spreading- one of Gregor's family is stricken. Only then does he  understand his role in the prophecy. He must summon all his power to the end of biological warfare, or the warmblood creatures of the underland will die.

Ranger's Apprentice The Lost Stories By John Flanagan

This book is the eleventh in the series and is comprised of multiple stories. These stories are answers to questions that fans have asked throughout reading the entire series. This book has answered some questions that I have had since starting the series more than 5 years ago. This book is all about filling in details that the author couldn't add into his previous books. the stories don't exactly go in order though, there are ones from before the series began and after it had ended and it really shed light on so many inquiries that I had had. This  is Young Adult fiction so its really a breeze to read yet I still enjoy this novel very much.

Seven Wonders: The Colossus Risesby Peter Lerangis


Just one boy . . .
Jack McKinley is an ordinary kid with an extraordinary problem. In six months, Jack is going to die.

Just one mission . . .
After Jack collapses in the middle of a busy street, he's whisked off to a strange hospital in a strange place. There are armed guards and weird kids and fantastic creatures, not to mention no parents, no phones, and no possibility of escape. The place is run by an odd professor named Bhegad, who tells Jack that what's killing him is a genetic trait inherited from the prince of a long-lost civilization. It's destroying Jack by making him too strong too fast. He'll need to stay strong, though—because it's up to him to save the world.

Just one problem . . .
That long-lost civilization sank when seven magic Loculi were stolen and hidden around the world. Now Jack and his friends must find the Loculi before they fall into the wrong hands. If they don't, they'll never be cured, that lost world will rise, oceans will be displaced, and life as we know it will pretty much end.

Seven wonders
No one ever asked Jack if he wanted to be a hero. He just has to be one. One kid. One mission. One big problem. 

Saturday, April 13, 2013

The Mzungu Boy by Meja Mwangi

Kariuki knows the land around his African village well -- the forest, the rivers, the grassy plateu where Zebra, Gazelles and Wildebeasts live. Thats where he and his new freind Nigel go hunting for Old Moses, the ugliest, oldest and meanest warthog in the whole world.

But it turns out that Old Moses is not the biggest danger that awaits the two boys. There are dangerous men in the forest, and Nigel is the mzungu boy, the grandson of the ruthless and powerfull local  landowner.

A story about freindship and adventure set in Kenya before independance, at a time when people were rising up against British rule.

Friday, April 12, 2013

The False Prince

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 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.

Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe

Things Fall Apart tells two intertwining stories, both centering on Okwonko, a "strong man" of an Ibo village in Nigeria. The first, a powerful fable of the immemorial conflict between the individual and society, traces Okonkwo's fall from grace with the tribal world. The second, as modern as the first is ancient, concerns the clash of cultures and the destruction of Okonkwo's world with the arrival of aggressive European missionaries.

Friday, April 5, 2013

The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe by C.S Lewis

During the war for Britain, four children were sent to another part of England to escape the continuous air strikes. During their stay, they discoverd a wardrobe in a spare and so their adventures began. This is a wonderfull story, combining a White Whitch, a lion called Aslan and the recovery of Narnia from the never-ending winter.

Beyonders part one: A World Without Heros


Jason Walker lives a predictable life: going to school, playing baseball, volunteering at the local zoo—until one day he falls through a tunnel near the hippo tank and ends up in a new, utterly foreign world. In Lyrian, the people dress differently, behave differently, and all live in fear of their malicious Emperor, Surroth. But in Jason’s search for a way home, he learns of a magical, ancient word that could destroy the terrifying Surroth.
With his accidental knowledge of one of the word’s six syllables, Jason finds himself in great danger and must embark on an epic quest to discover the remaining syllables and take down his powerful new enemy. Jason and his companion, Rachel—a fellow Beyonder who also arrived in Lyrian suddenly and without understanding why—must face challenges to their bodies, minds, and hearts and encounter places and people they can barely believe are real.

Friday, March 29, 2013

how good riders get GOOD by Denny Emerson

This book is exactly what you need to become a better rider. It's a smart, honest, on-target kick-in-the-pants, guaranteed to rev your engines as you see how a few changes in your life, a few smart choices and strategic moves, can transform you from a run-of-the-mill rider into a GOOD one.

How does Denny Emerson know what makes a good rider? For one thing, he IS one--he is the only rider in the world to have won both a gold medal in international eventing and a Tevis Cup buckle in endurance.Plus, he's been around great riders, and taught those on their way to becoming great, for over 40 years.

How will what Denny knows help YOU become a good rider? Its simple, really. He's boiled the whole thing down into seven broad "areas of choice" that collectively determine whether you are a "gonnabe"--you're going to get it done--or whether you'll be stuck into the "wannabe" category for decades.

You'll examine how your choices of riding sport may or may not be the best for who you are and where you live, and how those frustrating hurdles known as "life circumstances" don't necessarily hold you back like you think they do. Plus, find out how to build a strong support team by winning people to your cause and choosing the right teachers and mentors.

Analyze your physical self (your body, how it is formed and how you care for it.) and your intellectual self (your "horse smarts" and how you are adding to them.. or not) and apply the results to your "gunnabe-good" equation. Learn to take a good hard look at your partner--your horse-- and think critically about his ability to help you attain your riding goals. In addition, discover the nine key character traits of successful riders and how you can learn to call each one of them your own.


Of Mice and Men

Of Mice and Men is a revered classic written by Nobel- prize winning author John Steinbeck in 1937. It portrays the tragic story of George Milton and Lennie Small, two companions trying to make a living. Their goal is to raise enough money to buy their own plot and settle down on a small farm. Of Mice and Men takes place during the great depression in Soledad, California.

Vermont Wild: Adventures of Fish and Game Wardens Volume three by Megan Price

 Wacky, true stories of a cagey cougar, Battlin' beavers, wily woodchuck, jinxed snowmobile, hapless poachers, legendary warden, Red Hooper, and his dog, Smokey and many more...

Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck

This classic story of a pair of unlikely friends is probably the most moving of Steinbeck's novels. A discerning comment on the loneliness and alienation of California's farm laborers in the 1930's. Of Mice and Men is also a gripping tale of a man's selfless love for another.
lennie,a lumbering hulk of a man with the mind of a child, and his caretaker and good friend, George, dreaming of owning a farm together. Now the boss' son has a flirtatious wife, and guileless lennie is no match for her. And as friends George and lennie has to make the most difficult decision of their lives.

Monday, March 25, 2013

Safe Haven By: Nicholas Sparks

When a mysterious young women named Katie appears in the small North Carolina town of Southport, her sudden arrival raises questions about her past. Beautiful yet self-effacing, Katie seems determined to avoid forming personal ties until a series of events draws her into two reluctant relationships: one with her plainspoken neighbor, Ho; and another with Alex, a widowed store owner with two young children. Despite her reservations, Katie slowly begins to relax her guard, putting down roots in the community and becoming increasingly attached to Alex and his family. But even as Katie begins to fall in love, she struggles with the dark secret that still haunts and terrifies her... a past that set her on a fearful journey across the country, to the oasis of Southport. With Jo's support, Katie eventually realizes that she must choose between a life of transient safety and one of riskier rewards...and that in the darkest hour, love is the only true safe haven.

Sunday, March 17, 2013

Legend

What was once the western United States is now home to the Republic, a nation perpetually at war with its neighbors. Born into an elite family in one of the Republic's wealthiest districts, fifteen-year-old June is a prodigy being groomed for success in the Republic's highest military circles. Born into the slums, fifteen-year-old Day is the country's most wanted criminal. But his motives may not be as malicious as they seem.
From very different worlds, June and Day have no reason to cross paths - until the day June's brother, Metias, is murdered and Day becomes the prime suspect. Caught in the ultimate game of cat and mouse, Day is in a race for his family's survival, while June seeks to avenge Metias's death. But in a shocking turn of events, the two uncover the truth of what has really brought them together, and the sinister lengths their country will go to keep its secrets.

The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien

Bilbo Baggins is a hobbit who enjoys a comfortable, unambitious life, rarely traveling any farther than his pantry or cellar. But his contentment is disturbed when the wizard Gandalf and a company of dwarves arrive on his doorstep one day to whisk him away on an adventure. They have launched a plot to raid the treasure hoard guarded by Smaug the Magnificent, a large and very dangerous dragon. Bilbo reluctantly joins their quest, unaware that on his journey to the Lonely Mountain he will encounter both a magic ring and a frightening creature known as Gollum.

Thursday, March 14, 2013

The Clan Corporate by: Charles Stross

Miriam Beckstein has gotten in touch with her roots in The Family Trade and The Hidden Family, and they have nearly strangled her.
A young, hip business journalist from Boston, she discovered that her family comes from an alternate reality, that she is very well connected, and that family is too much like the mafia for comfort. In addition, women are family property and are required to breed more family members with a unique talent to walk between worlds; however, she has tried to remain an outsider and her own woman. And start a profitable business in a third world that she has discovered, outside the family reach.
She fell in love with a distant relative, but he's dead, killed saving her life. There have been murders and betrayals. Now, however, she may be overreaching. And if she gets caught, death or a fate worse is around the bend. There is, for instance, the brain-damaged son of the local king who needs a wife. But they'd never make her do that, would they?

Thursday, March 7, 2013

Robinson Crusoe by Daniel Defoe

A storm at sea... a doomed ship... a sole survivor... here is Daniel Defoe's immortal tale of a young merchant seaman cast ashore on an uninhabited tropical island, destined to spend twenty-four years in isolated loneliness. But more than a story of man against nature, Robinson Crusoe is a penetrating study of a universal problem--man against himself. In this great work Defoe introduces us to an immature Crusoe, floundering as aimlessly through life as he later is to flounder helplessly in the grip of a savage sea. We share his struggle for survival; feel his despondence at hearing no human sound but the echo of his own despairing prayers;suffer his hostility toward a god he fells has unjustly forsaken him. And at the end of his long ordeal we witness a rebirth: We see a mature Robinson Crusoe who has doggedly conquered his environment and rekindled his faith in his Savior... a Robinson Crusoe who has finally master himself.

Monday, March 4, 2013

Avalon Web of Magic By: Rachel Roberts

Deep in the woods, a secret place beckons...What if you found it - and it changed your life forever?
Emily: She's the shy one, the new girl in town. She doesn't believe in magic.

Deep in the woods, magical animals are living - and dying. What if only you could save them?
Adriane: She's the strange girl, the outsider. She doesn't believe in friends.

Deep in the woods, magic is gathering... What if only you could use it - or misuse it?
Kara: She's the spoiled, snobby, and popular one. The magic believes in her. And two girls who can't stand her need her desperately.

Welcome to a world where magic is real and friendship is everything.

Kara, Adriane, and Emily are mages but they don't know it. Emily's the healer, Adriane is the warrior and Kara is the blazing star. Ozzie is looking for these three girls! All the animals from Phel's and Ozzie's world came to Phel to be healed from the "Black Fire." The Black Fire comes from the Manticore, an evil monster who follows magic and destroys it with the black fire.  Kara, Adriane, and Emily are all my favorite characters but my two real favorite characters are Ozzie and Phel. Ozzie is an elf who fell through a portal and is turned to a talking ferret! Phel is a purple bear that is made of magic.

Thursday, February 21, 2013

Universe by DK

This book talks about how the Universe was formed based on scientific facts and lots of research. This book has three main parts: an introduction a guide to the universe and a section based on the night sky. It was a very long and intense book to read/study. I liked it because it has lots of pictures and really good visual imaging. It can tell you about a scene and I can see it in my minds eye. It is really informative and has lots of detail.

Life Without Limits

Born without arms or legs, Nick Vujicic overcame his disabilities to live an independent, rich, fulfilling, and "ridiculously good" life while serving as a role model for anyone seeking true happiness. Now an internationally successful motivational speaker, Nick eagerly spreads his central message: The most important goal is to find your life's purpose and to never give up, despite whatever difficulties or seemingly impossible odds stand in your way. Nick tells the story of his physical disabilities and the emotional battle he endured while learning to deal with them as a child, teen, and young adult. "For the longest, loneliest time, I wondered if there was anyone on earth like me, and whether there was any purpose to my life other than pain and humiliation." Nick shares how his faith in God has been his major source of strength, and he explains that once he found a sense of purpose -- inspiring others to better their lives and the world around them -- he found the confidence to build a regarding and productive life without limits. Let Nick inspire you to start living your own life without limits.

Tamer By Mal Peet

In the "Hunger Winter" of 1944, two undercover operatives parachute into Nazi-occupied Holland. They are spies of the Allied forces, sent to provide support for the Dutch resistance movement.

Half a century later, a fifteen-year-old girl named Tamar inherits a box from her grandfather containing a series of clues and coded messages. out of the past, another Tamar emerges--a man involved in the terrifying world of resistance fighter-- and she is his namesake. His is a complex one of passionate love,jealousy, and tragedy set against the daily fear and casual horror of the Second World War. Unraveling it will transform Tamer's life.

Thursday, February 14, 2013

Dark force Rising


The dying Empire's most cunning and ruthless warlord--Grand Admiral Thrawn--has taken command of the remnants of the Imperial fleet and launched a massive campaign aimed at the New Republic's destruction. With the aid of unimaginable weapons long hidden away by the Emperor on a backwater planet, Thrawn plans to turn the tide of battle, overwhelm the New Republic, and impose his iron rule throughout the galaxy. Meanwhile, Han and Lando Calrissian race against time to find proof of treason inside the highest Republican Council--only to discover instead a ghostly fleet of warships that could bring doom to their friends and victory to their enemies. Yet most dangerous of all is a new Dark Jedi, risen from the ashes of a shrouded past, consumed by bitterness... and scheming to corrupt Luke Skywalker to the Dark Side.

the Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde

The Picture of Dorian Gray is a masterpiece of literature that has survived the trials of time again and again. Originally Oscar WIlde underwent much controversy over his explicit scenes and homoerotic content. Finally the book gained fame and is now used in comprehensive English classes all over the world. It shows the life of a young and stunningly handsome man by the name of Dorian Gray. Gray is susceptible to influence and Lord Henry Wotton take advantage of this. Lord Wotton turns Dorian Gray into the young, lively, and beautiful person he always dreamed of being.

Thursday, February 7, 2013

Field&Stream THE TOTAL OUTDOORSMAN MANUEL BY T. Edward Nickens

Hunt Better: How to track a buck, make the toughest shots and master bow hunting and knife skills.
Fish Smarter: Advice on the best techniques for fly fishing  bait casting  and spinning, as well as surefire ways to get the most out of your motorboat, canoe, or kayak.
Survive Anything: Whether you fall through thick ice  are swept away by a raging river, or have a stare down with an angry bear, these skills mean the difference between life and death.
Camp Anywhere: Tested and proven expert tips to help you stay warm, eat well, and build a fire in any situation in record time.

Secret Soldiers by Philip Gerard

They were Eisenhower's secret weapon-an elite troupe of 1,100 artists, actors, electronic wizards, designers, and writers drawn from the New York art world and colleges like the University of Chicago  These men created dazzling theatrical battlefield ruses, fooling the German High command into attacking the wrong place, defending the wrong bridgehead, even retreating from phantom attackers conjured by radio scripts, sound effects, a handful of convincing actors, and inflatable armored divisions. Douglas Fairbanks Jr. helped pioneer the tactics of this unlikely band of heroes, which included future fashion king Bill Blass, abstract painter Ellsworth Kelly, and artist Hal Laynor. Drawing on recently declassified records, interview, diaries, and letters.

Star Wars: Heir to the Empire by Timothy Zahn

It's five years after Return of the Jedi: the Rebel Alliance has destroyed the Death Star, defeated Darth Vader and the Emperor, and driven out the remnants of the old Imperial Starfleet to a distant corner of the galaxy. Princess Leia and Han Solo are married and expecting Jedi Twins. And Luke Skywalker has become the first in a long-awaited line of Jedi Knights. But thousand of light-years away, the last of the emperor's warlords has taken command of the shattered Imperial Fleet, readied it for war, and pointed it at the fragile heart of the new Republic. For this dark warrior has made two vital discoveries that could destroy everything the courageous men and women of the Rebel Alliance fought so hard to build. The explosive confrontation that results is a towering epic of action, invention, mystery, and spectacle on a galactic scale--in short, a story worthy of the nameStar Wars.

Dracula by Bram Stoker

Jonathon Harker travels to Transylvania for a business deal with a Romanian nobleman, only to find himself ensnared in the horrific world of Count Dracula, a mysterious man with an evil secret. Worst of All, the Count is now headed toward London-and Jonathan's beloved Mina. Can this monster be destroyed?

So far this is a great book. It is exciting and I can't put it down! Anybody who likes vampires should read it. There is a small book that tells the story. So far my favorite character is the Count. A vampire. In the other book Lucy got bit. (A friend of Mina's) If that part comes, I can't wait.

Thursday, January 31, 2013

Gregor and the marks of secret

My favorite things are the comedy and adventure of  the series, like  the children learning the  underland creature's language, and Gregor and Luxas friendship.



 My favorite character is Luxa. she is my favorite because  she is protective and because of  her common sense and her sometimes loving behavior and when she is tired. She is also pretty, and Luxas hair in the book it says its soft.





Why I followed the series so far is because  it is awesome,  funny and you always want to know about whats next. You won't ever regret reading the series of Gregor the over lander books.



 The book is also funny  because you never know when the comedy will spit out of their mouths.The jokes, the words, even the way the're doing stuff is funny, like Boots being silly with  Hazard and Temp and how Boots is not afraid of  any underland animals like Butterflies,Lizards, Ants, Rats, Spiders, scorpions, fireflies. Boots loves them all. Because Boots thinks the're funny, cute and silly it's dangerous for all of them protecting Boots.

The Lord of the Rings part II: The Two Towers By: J.R.R. Tolkien

          The Two Towers, the second book of J.R.R. Tolkien's three volume epic, The Lord of the Rings, continues the story of Frodo Baggins- the brave and gentle hobbit upon whom the fate of Middle-earth depends. We pick up where The Fellowship of the Ring left off:: with Frodo alone responsible for ridding the world of the dangerous ring he inherited from his cousin Bilbo-- a ring for which Sauron, the Dark Lord, is restlessly searching. The first part of The Two Towers traces the deeds and perils of each member of the Fellowship after Frodo has gone his way-- from Pippin and Merry's kidnapping by Orcs to the adventures of the noble Aragorn and the wizard Gandalf, which bring them to Orthanc, the indomitable tower of the greedy Saruman.
            The book's second part follows Frodo's terror-fraught travels through the hills of Emyn Muil and the Dead Marshes to Mordor, Sauron's hellish stronghold,where Frodo must try yo destroy his burden at last. On the journey he is accompanied by his intrepid servant Sam, and he seemingly tames the slithery, unscrupulous spy-turned-guide, Gollum. Approaching the Dark Lord's realm, things look less gloomy as he briefly joins forces with the Men of Gondor and learns of a secret passage into Mordor. But Frodo enters what he hopes will be the last phase of his odyssey only to be attacked by the voracious giant spider, Shelob; he loses the ring and is captured by the enemy-- just as the looming war between good and evil, a long-expected contest of epic proportions, is beginning. The Two Towers is the stuff not only of classic myth, but also of modern fairy tale-- delivering the profound impact of both. As the Times literary Supplement wrote after the book was first published in England in 1954, "Such a timeless story must be told in timeless prose. Dr. Tolkien manages this difficult feat very well. . . . Even a single read will not be quickly forgotten."

The Color Purple by Alice Walker

Life wasn't easy for Celie. But she knew how to survive, needing to get by.
Then her husband's lover, a flamboyant blues singer barreled into her world and gave Celie the courage to ask for more-- to laugh, to play, and finally-- to love.

Thin Air by Robert Parker

I haven't started reading this book yet but it was suggested to me by another mystery lover. Previously I have read Sherlock Holmes novel called  A study in scarlet which I found very intriguing but I needed a break from that style of writing so I decided to pick a more modern mystery. I did like the Sherlock Holmes book that I read but I wanted something that was less complicated like this Robert Parker book.

Monday, January 28, 2013

Gregor the Overlander, Gregor and The Prophecy of Bane, The Curse of the Warmbloods, and Gregor and the Marks of Secret by Susanne Collins

Why I recommend it: it's funny, it's full with adventure, and survival skills, and it never seems to get old. It's a great book to read to someone  or to read alone. and it's for all different ages.

What book I'm on: the 4th book of the series.

Why I like it: It's hands down interesting.  You always want to know what's next, and it makes no sense.  That's why it's funny.

What I dislike about it: when the people cry or get killed.

Main characters: Gregor, Boots, Ripred , Luxa, Hazard, Ares, Thalia.





 

Sunday, January 27, 2013

The Prophet of Yonwood by Jeanne DuPrua

It’s 50 years before the settlement of the city of Ember, and the world is in crisis. War looms on the horizon as 11-year-old Nickie and her aunt travel to the small town of Yonwood, North Carolina. There, one of the town’s respected citizens has had a terrible vision of fire and destruction. Her garbled words are taken as prophetic instruction on how to avoid the coming disaster. If only they can be interpreted correctly. . . .

As the people of Yonwood scramble to make sense of the woman’s mysterious utterances, Nickie explores the oddities she finds around town—her great-grandfather’s peculiar journals and papers, a reclusive neighbor who studies the heavens, a strange boy who is fascinated with snakes—all while keeping an eye out for ways to help the world. Is this vision her chance? Or is it already too late to avoid a devastating war?

The People of Sparks by Jeanne DuPrau

When teenagers Lina Mayfleet and Doon Harrow lead their people up out of the Earth, fleeing their dying underground city of Ember, everything is new and a little frightening to the refugees--the sun and the moon, birds, trees, fire…and the people of Ember are strange to the 322 citizens of Sparks, one of the few towns on Earth to survive the time of The Disaster. How can they feed and house the 400 Emberites, the leaders of Sparks wonder, when they have just begun to be able to feed themselves comfortably? But if they don’t, these underground people with no survival skills will surely die in the wastelands. They take them in as best they can, but grumbling and bad feeling grows on both sides.

The City of Ember by Jeanne DuPrau

It is always night in the city of Ember. But there is no moon, no stars. The only light during the regular twelve hours of "day" comes from floodlamps that cast a yellowish glow over the streets of the city. Beyond are the pitch-black Unknown Regions, which no one has ever explored because an understanding of fire and electricity has been lost, and with it the idea of a Moveable Light. "Besides," they tell each other, "there is nowhere but here" Among the many other things the people of Ember have forgotten is their past and a direction for their future. For 250 years they have lived pleasantly, because there has been plenty of everything in the vast storerooms. But now there are more and more empty shelves--and more and more times when the lights flicker and go out, leaving them in terrifying blackness for long minutes. What will happen when the generator finally fails? Twelve-year-old Doon Harrow and Lina Mayfleet seem to be the only people who are worried. They have just been assigned their life jobs--Lina as a messenger, which leads her to knowledge of some unsettling secrets, and Doon as a Pipeworker, repairing the plumbing in the tunnels under the city where a river roars through the darkness. But when Lina finds a very old paper with enigmatic "Instructions for Egress," they use the advantages of their jobs to begin to puzzle out the frightening and dangerous way to the city of light of which Lina has dreamed.

Friday, January 25, 2013

Mossflower A Tale From Redwall By: Brian Jacques

When the clever and greedy wildcat Tsarmina becomes Queen of the Thousand Eyes and ruler of the peaceful woodlanders with an iron claw, bringing every otter and hedgehog, every mouse and squirrel to its whimpering knees.
But then the brave mouse Martin and the quick-talking mousethief Gonff meet in the dungeon of Kotir Castle. With the aid of all the woodlanders, the two escape and resolve to end Tsarmina's tyrannical rule. Joind by Dinny the mole, Martin and Gonff set off on a dangerous quest for Salamandastron, mountain of dragons, where they are convinced that their only hope, Boar the FIghter, still lives. . . .
This is our test blog to be sure that Morgan and I have properly added ourselves to the blog site.
Here we go.

Thursday, January 24, 2013

Red Scarf Girl

In 1966, twelve year old Ji li Jiang had everything: brains, the admiration of her classmates, and a bright future in  Communist China. But that year China's leader, Mao Zedong, launched the cultural revolution, and Ji li's world began to fall apart. Over the next few years, he family was humiliated by former friends and neighbors. They lived in constant terror of arrest, and when he father was finally detained, Ji li faced the most difficult dilemma of her life. This is the true story of one family's courage and determination during one of the most terrifying eras of the twentieth century.

Thursday, January 17, 2013

Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte

An orphan who endures a harsh childhood, Jane Eyre becomes governess at Thornfield Hall in the employment of the mysterious Mr Rochester.

Tuesday, January 15, 2013

The Hobbit

Bilbo Baggins is a hobbit who enjoys a comfortable, unambitious life, rarely traveling any farther than his pantry or cellar. But his contentment is disturbed when the wizard Gandalf and a company of dwarves arrive on his doorstep one day to whisk him away on an adventure. They have launched a plot to raid the treasure hoard guarded by Smaug the Magnificent, a large and very dangerous dragon. Bilbo reluctantly joins their quest, unaware that on his journey to the Lonely Mountain he will encounter both a magic ring and a frightening creature known as Gollum.

Thursday, January 10, 2013

STAR WARS X-WING ROGUE SQUADRON By Michael A. Stackpole


Its very name strike fear into enemy hearts.So when rebel hero Wedge Antilles rebuilds the legendary Rogue Squadron, he seeks out only the best-the most skilled, the most daring x-wing pilots. Through arduous training and dangerous missions, he weeds out the weak from the strong, assembling a group of hard-bitten warriors willing to fight, ready to die Antilles knows the grim truth: that even with the best x-wing jockeys in the galaxy, many will not survive their near-suicidal missions. But when Rogue Squadron is ordered to assist in the assault on the heavily fortified imperial stronghold of Black Moon, even the bravest must wonder if any at all will survive….

Arthur Spiderwicks Field Guide to the Fantastical world Around You

In the book Arthur Spiderwicks Field Guide to the Fantastical world Around You by Tony Diterlizzi and Holly Black it gives lots of information about several different types of mythical creatures. It not only gives the habitats, but the social groupings, and sometimes food, and the appearances. I really like this book because it not only gives me great ideas for my stories, but it gives fresh new take son mythical creatures that seem perfectly plausible. Also the illustrations add to the interesting things about the book.

Little House in the Big Woods by Laura Ingalls Wilder

Wolves and panthers and bears roamed the deep Wisconsin woods in the 1860's. Still Laura Ingalls' father preferred to live miles away from the nearest neighbors. So Pa built a snug cabin for Ma, Laura, Marry and Baby Carrie. Pa hunted and trapped and farmed. Ma made her own cheese and sugar. All night long,l the wind howled lonesomely, but Pa played his fiddle and safe, keeping the family safe and cozy.

This is a great book so far. It is interesting and detailed!

Vermont Wild written by Megan Price


This series is a collection of real life stories told to Megan Price by Vermont Fish and Game Wardens. This is a fun collection of entertaining stories that are even written in the same dialog as they were told. I like these because some day I want to become a game warden and I am hoping to learn from their mistakes instead of mine. I can also relate to most of the stories in stupid thing that I have attempted so that also makes me laugh. I recommend this book to anyone who appreciates the outdoors. 

White Fang by Jack London

White Fang is the titular character and a novel by American author Jack London. First serialized in a magazine, it was published in 1906. The story takes place in Yukon Territory, Canada, during the Klondike Gold Rush at the end of the 19th-century, and details a wild wolfdog's journey to domestication.

Tuesday, January 8, 2013

The Simarillion by J.R.R Tolkien

In this epic saga by Tolkien it shows the early history of middle-earth and tying in characters like Galadriel, Elrond, Isulder, and Sauron.
Known as the the "Bible of Middle Earth"; it tells of things such as: The Songs of Eru and Melkor, of the creation of Middle-Earth, and of Feoner the Elf, Morgoth the Destroyer, and Illuvatar the Creator, Turin the Tall, and of course of Simarils the jewels the hold the light of the two threes of Valinor.

Sunday, January 6, 2013

The Hobbit by J.R.R Tolkien

Bilbo Baggins was a hobbit who wanted to be left alone in quiet comfort.  But the wizard Gandalf came along with a band of homeless dwarves.  Soon Bilbo was drawn into their quest, facing evil orcs, savage wolves, giant spiders, and worse unknown dangers.  Finally, it was Bilbo-alone and unaided-who had to confront the great dragon Smaug, the terror of an entire countryside!

Thursday, January 3, 2013

The lotus Eaters

In the Book The Lotus Eaters By Tatjana Soli, the main character Helen is walking down through a desert town when she noticed a starved child crying. Having a photographers eye; she is about to take advantage of this opportunity and snap a shot when a bicyclist speeds towards the girl. Running up to her and pulling her out of the way, Helen then can not seem to get a word out of the starved child about where her momma is. Picking up the girl covered in urine, with nothing to cloth her but a shirt, she stands there for 15 minutes until an angry mother finally comes to retrieve the child. I really like this book even though I am not very far in it. From the first sentence it grabs at the readers attention, with words of death and time running out. I cannot wait to see what happens next.

Unsolved Mysteries in Science by John Malone

Despite all the advances by science in the twentieth century, as the twenty-first century begins we face a universe of unanswered questions. Join John Malone as he leads us on an entertaining and enlightening excursion into such mysteries as:


What's inside the earth?
How do we learn languages?
How did the universe begin?
How many dimensions are there?

The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain

The adventures of Huckleberry Finn is a great story of adventure written by Mark Twain during the time of slavery. It takes place in the South on the Mississippi and really gives the reader a good feeling of what life was like. Along with it's counter part the Adventures of Tom Sawyer, this book is one of my personal favorites in literature.