Judge by the Cover

And the winner is...

2010-02-03T12:02:00.001-08:00

Marin Z.! Thanks for your entry and Great job on illustrating some major points within the novel Hunger Games. My favorite little addition... the electric fence!

Keep your eyes out and hopefully more of you will get to participate in any other contests!

January/February Book

2010-01-20T11:42:00.001-08:00

I'm sure you've all been gnashing your teeth and biting your nails just waiting to see what book this would be!

The book for the next month an a half is an old novel by S.E. Hinton called The Outsiders. This is an interesting story centered around three brothers and their group of friends that call themselves the Greasers. Ponyboy (the narrator and youngest brother) watches and experiences the hatred that comes from social differences as he tries to figure out what's all that different between the Greasers and their sworn enemies, the Socs.

When S.E. Hinton (or Suasan Eloise) wrote this book she was only 15 years old and was published at 16. (just a little inspiration for all you young writers out there!) There is a lot of insight and an interesting style. Another bonus--you should be able to find this one at almost any library!

A couple ideas of what to comment on:

1) If you were part of either group, would you be a Soc or a Greaser? How do you think you would view those in the other group?

2) What would you consider the main conflict in the book? What's the main event?

Don't forget as well that the fan art competition is going on until the end of this month. TWELVE DAYS LEFT!

Until later, good days and happy reading!

Parents:

This book is more along the lines of a very mild PG-13 (which is actually the same rating as the movie). There is some drinking and violence between the two groups, but really hits a good message home in the end of it all. If you're nervous about the content this would be a good one to read with them and talk about some of the events that occur. (Or just refresh yourself with the movie... it's not the best thing in the world, but it's accurate enough!)

Day Late and a Dollar Short!

2010-01-13T11:28:00.001-08:00

Hello out there! It's been a crazy holiday and an even crazier start of semester! With the return to your own finals, I have been thinking of what to do (now that we're almost half way through January!)

First... the contest. We're extending the date until the END OF JANUARY! All entries should be in by the 31st and winners will be announced by February 5th. If you want a chance at a free homework pass, look at the entry with the details for the contest and get working on it ASAP.

For the book, we're going to split January between December's book (get commenting if you've read Artemis Fowl) and February's book will be posted on th 16th.

Hope you're all enjoying the January month!

Contest!

2009-12-17T10:07:00.000-08:00

Hey everyone! As promised, we're going to have a fun holiday competition!

It's an art contest, so get your paint, pencils or anything else you use to create something beautiful and get ready!!!

The idea for this came from a project I did this semester in school. In one of my art classes, I was introduced to a process called Printmaking. You carve into something until you have an image you want. Everything left is inked and then pressed on paper. (Some of you may have done this with potatoes when you were younger.)

I bought one of the tools and happened to have the story of The Phantom Tollbooth on the brain. What I ended up with were a couple illustrations from my favorite moments in the book. I decided to continue this series for the rest of my final project.

When you draw, paint, etc... based on a favorite movie, book or TV show, this is known as fan art. For this competition you will get to create your own fan art.

The rules:
1) You may use any form of art you'd like-- drawing, painting, graphic design (on the computer), collage or any other way to do art that you can think of.

2) The fan art MUST be based on either a book you've read from this blog (Artemis Fowl included) OR a book you've read in class.

3) All submissions must be sent to the following email by JANUARY 15TH: rieriereads@gmail.com

4) Have fun with it!

All submissions will be highlighted on the blog next month as well as the winner getting a homework pass! Since you have until the middle of January, you can also wait to see if the next book is more inspiring to you, but I would take advantage of the winter break before you get all the last minute semester projects to take care of!

Here are some examples from my printmaking:

Digitopolis

Playing the Sunset

Digitopolis

Demon Mountains

December- Artemis Fowl

2009-12-07T11:29:00.000-08:00

I figured with all the school reading going on, we could manage a fun book for this month.

Artemis Fowl is about a twelve year old criminal mastermind (which I'm sure some of you fancy yourselves as). He's out to steal the fairy gold.

Now before you think this is some story about a fairy princess who must be saved by the handsome prince and that there are rings and hobbits involved... do not be fooled! The fairies use technological advances as their form of magic and live underground, since the humans would only exploit them. Humans such as Artemis Fowl.

There are dwarfs who eat through soil and centaurs who rig up computers that can provide for surveillance for the LEPrecon team.

As usual, a couple ideas for commenting (though do not feel restrained by these):

1) How does Colfer differ from most fantasy? How does he bring fantasy to a world-like setting?

2) In the first book, there is a conflict of fairies vs. Artemis. Who do you root for and why?

3) Which characters did you most relate to?

Eoin Colfer is one of those authors whose humor and wit shines through the work. About a month ago I was able to go to an author signing where he talked for about an hour before. Check here soon for clips from that author signing as well as a competition that will be announced in the middle of this month! A free homework pass for Mrs. Teemant's class will be the grand prize!

Until then, good days and happy reading!

Parents: This book has a nice PG rating this month. The only thing that I could see receiving objections is the bit of bathroom humor concerning one of the characters. Quite literally, he eats through dirt and bodily functions are mentioned in how the dirt comes out.

Still, it's rather mild compared to even movies such as Shrek. One of Eoin Colfer's main goals is to write books boys would read. If you have any reluctant readers, this is a great one to start with for this reason.

November wrap up

2009-11-30T10:17:00.000-08:00

I hope a few of you got to enjoy this book.

In a recent event I attended with author Eoin Colfer (you'll see more on him soon), he mentioned how growing up you have a "golden shelf" and certain books, movies, games, etc get put on that shelf. They aren't necessarily even good in the general view of things. Sometimes they're downright awful, but they're still on the golden shelf. On my golden shelf sits Ann Rinaldi's entire collection.

When I was in seventh grade, I read one of her books, then another, then another. That summer when we went to Alaska I found myself picking up as many of her books as I could. I can attribute my love of reading to three people: My mom, my grandmother and Ann Rinaldi.

Now when I read anything by her, I notice the formula-- there's a certain pattern in her writing that is fairly consistent. With more mature eyes I can see the flaws in the writing and the weaknesses within the plot. Unlike when I read other books of lesser quality, though, I'm far less critical.

Girl in Blue is one of her best pieces. There are still moments that are formula based which make it apparent who the author is. But it still doesn't matter.

I hope all of you can find an author that's like this for you. Someone who gives you a passion for reading, even if some day down the line you turn back and recognize it wasn't the most literary piece-- just something you loved.

November Book- Girl in Blue

2009-11-02T15:36:00.000-08:00

A little birdie told me that Historical fiction is the subject being studied right now and that there are specifications on what has to be read on your own. In light of this, the November book is historical fiction!

I tried to think of a book that was still gender neutral, and while it's not perfect in that aspect, I believe I have succeeded!

Girl in Blue-- by Ann Rinaldi-- is a book about a girl living in the Northern States who leaves her family, where she is going to forced to marry a man she despises, to join with the Union Army. Not only does she have to face war, opponents, bombs, gangrene, and other such horrors, she must do it all while under the pretense of being a man.

This has some great moments and an unexpected turn. I can't say much more without giving it away.

Some ideas on what to comment on:
1) What would be the hardest thing about pretending to be the opposite gender?
2) What was the cause for fighting? Would you consider it a good cause or a bad one?
3)Describe Sarah's character and how the war changes her.

Enjoy! Good days and Happy Reading!

Parents:
This is a PG book. While the themes are that of war, there is little if anything that can be considered graphic. There is some internal thought about the worries over getting caught, but this again is minimal.

Phantom Tollbooth Conclusion

2009-10-30T17:03:00.000-07:00

This book is such a good promoter of learning and education!

The part which is a personal favorite of mine is where they "jump" to the island of conclusions. I love that there are so many other people there, since we know we have all done this at one point or another. You may have noticed many of the puns and plays on words within this section, but there is one you may not yet be familiar with:

When the man who welcomes them tells them how to return to where they were before, he tells them to "swim through the sea of knowledge". Next he reassures them not to worry, because most people come out dry. The phrase "get your feet wet" is what he's referring to. If you get wet, that means you're gaining experience.

The symbolism where Milo and Tock both come out wet--meaning they've learned from their experience-- versus the Humbug being dry-- meaning the experience didn't effect him-- is the perfect example of education vs. schooling.

I hope that each of you decides you want an education. Anyone can get a diploma, you have the opportunity to get something infinitely more valuable.

Thanks to all who have read an posted! The next book will be up within the next few days.

Good days and happy reading!

Rie

October Novel

2009-09-29T09:41:00.000-07:00

My favorite kinds of books are one filled with plenty of wit and plays on what we take for granted. Enter The Phantom Tollbooth. This is a book about a boy named Milo who is bored. He's beyond bored... he's lethargic. (Sound familiar anyone?)

On one of his very boring days, he comes home to find a tollbooth sitting in the middle of his bedroom. With nothing better to do, the very dull and dreary Milo enters an adventure across a land filled with some of the most bizarre things he's ever seen. With the help of the Humbug and a Watch Dog named Tock (don't mention "killing time" around him), Milo sets out to bring Rhyme and Reason back to the land.

Some ideas on comments:

1) What was your favorite cliche used within the novel? How did the author twist it to be taken literally?

2) What message is the author trying to send about the importance of knowledge?

3) Where would you most like to visit in the land beyond the tollboth?

These, of course, are just ideas. Comment in whatever way you wish, but I would love to see what you think (good or bad) about this book!

Good days and happy reading!

Parents:

This is definitely a G rated book. This is actually a very fun one for adults as well! If you're going to read along with any of the books, I would highly suggest this one.

Hunger Games Conclusion

2009-09-27T08:27:00.000-07:00

A little birdy told me many students were reading this book this month. Good! This is a great example of great writing. I also hope many of you will continue and go get your hands on a copy of Catching Fire which was my big read for the month.

These are some of the best Young Adult (or YA) literature that's been put out there in ages. As with any true page turner, the characters are well developed enough to move the plot forward. Instead of one event just leading to another, it's the character's choices that propel movement. Even in events that seem run by nature, it's the choices of Katniss and the other players in the game that determine how it effects them one way or another.

I certainly hope everyone who read this book (and perhaps its sequel) couldn't put it down!

If you haven't finished this one yet, do enjoy. October's book will be announced Tuesday September 1st. Until then, good days and happy reading!

September Novel

2009-08-14T22:37:00.000-07:00

I debated long and hard about the first book to choose. There is this strange phenomenon in our society about gender roles. Due to womens' rights movements, "girl power", and powder puff football it has become perfectly acceptable--in fact encouraged-- for girls to challenge their normal gender roles and do things that were unexpected. A woman can fix a car, wrestle along side her guy friends, and be a top executive. Somehow, we've missed the boat on allowing this to go the other way. While girls can be a part of many "guy sports", boys are ridiculed if they're into dance, crafts, or anything dubbed "girly".

Alas, this mentality has pervaded into literature. While a girl can read Harry Potter or Lightning Theif without a second thought, boys steer clear of books with a female protaginist or covers that look like girls are heavily involved at all. (This is a proven pattern seen by publihers. In fact, Bloomsbury and Scholastic decided to use the initials 'J.K.' instead of Joanne Rowling because they were afraid boys wouldn't read her books if they knew a woman wrote it.) So, in the spirit of helping break other barriers, I hope the boys won't set this book aside as a 'girl book' simply because the protaganist is female.

Hunger Games is an amazing story. It is one of the best I've read in ages. Written by Suzanne Collins (who also wrote the Gregor series), this is a story about a civilization in the future. With certain references, it becomes aparant that the country Hunger Games is set in--run by a city called "the Capital"-- is a future North American continent. Because of a rebellion in this fictional country's history, every year they hold the ultimate reality show: the "Hunger Games". A boy and girl teen from each district--there are twelve-- are sent to represent their home area. In these games, they have to survive nature... and each other. (Do I have all the guys on board yet?)

There is thrilling, edge of your seat action. Each page brings new concerns, new dangers. Though there is a little romance (stay with me guys) this is ultimately about an individual's struggle to keep what little freedom she has in a time and place where all her rights have been lost.

Here are a couple things to think about and comment on once you've finished the book:

1) Are there any references that give you an idea where different districts/Capital may be?
2) What kind of "real world" characterisics are within the story?
3) How does Katniss see herself compared to how others see her?

Good days and Happy Reading!

Parents:
Here's where you get a heads up to what's being recommended on an "appropriateness" level. I will never recommend a book I wouldn't feel comfortable giving preteens I know, but I hope--and believe-- you want to be involved in all media in your children's life. Including books.

I'd give Hunger Games a PG-13 rating simply based on topic. There is no language and no heavy sexual content, but a little kissing. The violence is surprisingly light considering the premise, but there is some blood, dangerous situations and some graphic descriptions.

I will try to base all 'ratings' on what it would be if it were directly translated to film.

Welcome

2009-07-26T10:20:00.000-07:00

Every school year I get at least one call from my mom that goes something like this:

"I have a boy in my class that is a pretty high reader. What kind of books can I help him get at the library?"

I then go through a mental list of books a 13 year old boy might like. Later it might be a girl who loves vampires or a reluctant reader.

Although she's a reading teacher-- and well-read herself-- my mom's time is limited to those books that she's reading in preparation for her lessons. Having worked at a bookstore, I was able to get a large resevoir of books in my hands. Besides this, I'm more partial to read many teen books, rather than filling my bookshelves with strictly adult titles.

While working at the bookstore, I also found that parents had a similar problem as my mom-- no time to read the books their kids are reading. I can't tell you how many times I had to talk parents out of books that were far too inappropriate for their pre-teens and help them find something that would similarly interest their kids. Books, afterall, have no rating system.

This blog is here to help both parents and teens find books outside of required reading from school. Each month I will post a new book, giving a short description. I'd love to see what others thought of it and will post my own thoughts on the book at the end of the month.

I hope everyone has fun with it. Good luck, and happy reading!