Tuesday 11 October 2011

NEW BOOKS ADDED TO THE DISPLAY

GIRL IN THE ARENA by Lisa Haines

It’s a fight to the death—on live TV—when a gladiator’s daughter steps into the arena
Lyn is a neo-gladiator’s daughter, through and through.  Her mother has made a career out of marrying into the high-profile world of televised blood sport, and the rules of the Gladiator Sports Association are second nature to their family.  Always lend ineffable confidence to the gladiator.  Remind him constantly of his victories. And most importantly: Never leave the stadium when your father is dying. The rules help the family survive, but rules—and the GSA—can also turn against you. When a gifted young fighter kills Lyn’s seventh father, he also captures Lyn’s dowry bracelet, which means she must marry him... For fans of The Hunger Games and Fight Club, Lise Haines’ debut novel is a mesmerizing look at a world addicted to violence—a modern world that’s disturbingly easy to imagine.

 CRYPTUM: HALO (Forerunner Saga #1) by Greg Bear



100,000 years ago, the galaxy was populated by a great variety of beings.
But one species--eons beyond all others in both technology and knowledge--achieved dominance. 
They ruled in peace but met opposition with quick and brutal effectiveness.
They were the Forerunners--the keepers of the Mantle, the next stage of life in the Universe’s Living Time.
And then they vanished.
This is their story.


Bornstellar Makes Eternal Lasting is a young rebellious Forerunner. He is a Manipular, untried--yet to become part of the adult Forerunner society, where vast knowledge and duty waits. He comes from a family of Builders, the Forerunners’ highest and most politically powerful rate. It is the Builders who create the grand technology that facilitates Forerunner dominance over the known universe.  It is the Builders who believe they must shoulder the greatest burden of the Mantle--as shepherds and guardians of all life.
Bornstellar is marked to become a great Builder just like his father.
But this Manipular has other plans.

LOLA AND THE BOY NEXT DOOR by Stephanie Perkins

Budding designer Lola Nolan doesn’t believe in fashion . . . she believes in costume. The more expressive the outfit -- more sparkly, more fun, more wild -- the better. But even though Lola’s style is outrageous, she’s a devoted daughter and friend with some big plans for the future. And everything is pretty perfect (right down to her hot rocker boyfriend) until the dreaded Bell twins, Calliope and Cricket, return to the neighborhood.

When Cricket -- a gifted inventor -- steps out from his twin sister’s shadow and back into Lola’s life, she must finally reconcile a lifetime of feelings for the boy next door.




 RAIDER'S RANSOM by Emily Diamand


Because of climate change, much of 23rd-century England is underwater. Poor Lilly is out fishing with her trusty first mate, Cat, when greedy raiders pillage the town--and kidnap the Prime Minister's daughter. Her village blamed, Lilly decides to find the girl. Off she sails, in secret. And with a ransom: a mysterious talking jewel. Along the way she forms a wary friendship with Zeph, a punky raider boy. "If I save the Prime Minister's daughter," Lilly reasons, "he's sure to reward me." Little does Lilly know that it will take more than grit to outwit the tricky, treacherous piratical tribes!

We also have the sequel, Flood and Fire, in the library.



ASHES by Ilsa J. Bick

Alex has run away and is hiking through the wilderness with her dead parents' ashes, about to say goodbye to the life she no longer wants to live. But then the world suddenly changes. An electromagnetic pulse sweeps through the sky zapping every electronic device and killing the vast majority of adults. For those spared, it's a question of who can be trusted and who has changed... Everyone still alive has turned - some for the better (those who acquired a superhuman sense) while others for the worse (those who acquired a taste for human flesh). Desperate to find out what happened and to avoid the zombies that are on the hunt, Alex meets up with Tom - an Army veteran who escaped one war only to find something worse at home - and Ellie, a young girl whose grandfather was killed by the electromagnetic pulse. This improvised family will have to use every ounce of courage they have just to find food, shelter, while fighting off the 'Changed' and those desperate to stay alive. A tense and involving adventure with shocks and sudden plot twists that will keep teen and adult readers gripped.

 THE UNBECOMING OF MARA DYER by Michelle Hodkin

Mara Dyer doesn't think life can get any stranger than waking up in a hospital with no memory of how she got there. It can. 

She believes there must be more to the accident she can't remember that killed her friends and left her mysteriously unharmed.There is.

She doesn't believe that after everything she's been through, she can fall in love.
She's wrong.




NEON GENESIS EVANGELION: CAMPUS APOCALYPSE by Mingming


Dark Horse is proud to present the second manga series in its Neon Genesis Evangelion line, Neon Genesis Evangelion: Campus Apocalypse!

Shinji Ikari's parents are gone, and he lives with his legal guardian, Ryoji Kaji, while attending the private NERV Academy. But no one ever told Shinji about its secrets... or that he'd find his fellow students Kaworu, Rei, and Asuka out on the streets late at night - fighting with sword, spear, and whip against an enemy that looks very human, but who Kaworu insists are beings called the Angels...


We have all four books in the series! 


WHERE SHE WENT (If I Stay #2) by Gayle Foreman

It's been three years since the devastating accident . . . three years since Mia walked out of Adam's life forever.

Now living on opposite coasts, Mia is Juilliard's rising star and Adam is LA tabloid fodder, thanks to his new rock star status and celebrity girlfriend. When Adam gets stuck in New York by himself, chance brings the couple together again, for one last night. As they explore the city that has become Mia's home, Adam and Mia revisit the past and open their hearts to the future - and each other.

Told from Adam's point of view in the spare, lyrical prose that defined If I Stay, Where She Went explores the devastation of grief, the promise of new hope, and the flame of rekindled romance.
 



BLACK SWAN RISING by Lee Carroll

When New York City jewelry designer Garet James stumbles into a strange antiques shop in her neighborhood, her life is about to be turned upside down. John Dee, the enigmatic shopkeeper, commissions her to open a vintage silver box for a generous sum of money. Oddly, the symbol of a swan on the box exactly matches the ring given to her by her deceased mother. Garet can't believe her luck and this eerie coincidence until she opens the box and otherworldly things start happening. . . .

 

Monday 3 October 2011

YOUR BOOK REVIEWS

Several students have expressed an interest in writing and publishing book reviews on this blog.  I'd be delighted to post reviews because there is no better way to choose a great book than through word of mouth recommendations. Unless anyone strenuously objects, I'd like the review policy to be that only thoughtful, specific and generally positive reviews will be found here. Every book has its weaknesses and you are welcome to point those out, but the real purpose of the reviews is to help your fellow students find good books to read. Besides, a book that one student dislikes might be another's favorite, yet one scathing review might prevent anyone else from ever picking up that book again.

Your reviews do not have to be lengthy. You should begin with an introduction to the main characters, the setting and the plot. Set the scene and hint at future twists, but no spoilers please. If you know the genre or type of literature (paranormal, fantasy, romance, mystery, thriller, science fiction, humour, survival, dystopian, steampunk, relationship issues etc.) make mention of it.

Next, explain what you most liked about the novel. Try to be specific and provide examples where you can. If you simply say the story was interesting, you're not telling us much. But if you describe the characters as multi-dimensional, realistic and compelling and the plot as original, suspenseful and surprising, we have a much more clear impression. You can mention some weaknesses at this point, but they should not overshadow the novel's strengths.

Finish with a recommendation. What kind of reader would be most drawn to this story? Is the novel appropriate for a certain age group or for anyone? Does the novel put forward an important theme or lesson about life? Is this a series book that will have readers looking for the sequels? Is this a book that will change a reader's life?

Once you have written your review, email it to me at Christine.Schmor@mpsd.ca. I will edit it for spelling and punctuation (not content) and post it on the Review Page.

Every day I have students come in to tell me about the amazing books they just finished. Other students listen in and then pounce on the returned books to discover the magic for themselves. The Review Page could open up this inspiring experience for all of the students at HPSS. Can you think of a book you could recommend? Write a review!

Sunday 2 October 2011

AWESOME OCTOBER!

I love the golden days of October filled with the fragrance of burning leaves and the cold prickle of approaching winter.  The clear, glassy light throws everything into a sharper, more vivid focus. People's eyes brighten and their skin becomes more luminous. It is also a great season for cuddling up with a terrific story, a cup of something hot and sweet, and a purring cat (if one is handy.)

There are a number of great books being released this month. The second book in Rick Riordan's new series, The Heroes of Olympus, should be in the library next week. It's called The Son of Neptune and promises to be every bit the adventure of the first book.










Also, coming soon to your favorite library is Destined, the sixth and last novel in the wickedly popular paranormal House of Night series by P. C. Cast.















Last year, James Dashner published  two amazing books, The Maze Runner and  its sequel The Scorch Trials. Now comes the final book in this prison dystopian trilogy, The Death Cure. Read it if you dare!


For those who love fantasy romance (and there are many of you), be sure to look out for the final book in Becca Fitzpatrick's series beginning with Hush, Hush. Silence starts where Crescendo left off. You won't be able to put it down!

Beautiful Chaos is the newest book in Kami Garcia's southern gothic series, The Caster Chronicles.   Romance and mystery, who could ask for more?








 I am pleased that virtually all of the books mentioned in earlier posts are now out on loan. Many of them are already out for the third and fourth time this year. Don't worry that there will be nothing left for you as I'm still processing and ordering wonderful books. The new books display is seriously out of control, and it's about to get even bigger. Come down and peruse the books or ask for a recommendation. I solemnly promise to find you a book you will love.