Paper Hearts by Ali Novak

"I'm sorry," he said, slowly untying the ribbon that held his mask in place. "It's just-I didn't want you to think of me any differently." 

Somehow I kept my mouth from falling open. I knew his face, but my mind couldn't accept that he was the person looking down at me. 

"My real name is Alec."

Felicity has her entire future planned. Ever since her older sister ran away, she's had the full weight of her mother's expectations on her shoulders. So she works hard to get straight As and save for college. 

Except sometimes the best things in life are unplanned-like when Felicity meets a handsome, masked stranger while she is volunteering at a charity masquerade ball. She never thought he'd flirt with her. And she certainly never thought he'd turn out to be a member of the world-famous Heartbreakers band, Alec. 

Then Felicity uncovers a shocking family secret. Suddenly, she, Alec, and her two best friends are off on a road trip to find Felicity's missing sister. And she's about to discover that unexpected turns have a peculiar way of landing her right where she needs to be...

 Why you should read this book:

• This is the next book in the series The Heartbreak Chronicles.  I loved the first (The Heartbreakers) so much that I picked up this one immediatly.
• Romantic and fun!
• If you are a fan of boy-bands, this is your type of book.
• As you know, I am a sucker for books where a famous person/prince/billionaire falls for a normal person!
• Interested in what Book 3 will be like?  Check out the next book by Ali Novak on the story platform Wattpad: 
  https://www.wattpad.com

Coming Soon! Paper Hearts will arrive in our summer book order.

The Heartbreakers by Ali Novak

"When I met Oliver Perry, I had no clue he was the lead singer for The Heartbreakers. And he had no idea that I was the only girl in the world who hated his music."

Stella will do anything for her sick sister, Cara-even stand in line for an autographed Heartbreakers CD...for four hours. She's totally winning best birthday gift this year. At least she met a cute boy with soft brown hair and gorgeous blue eyes while getting her caffeine fix. Too bad she'll never see him again.

Except, Stella's life has suddenly turned into a cheesy love song. Because Starbucks Boy is Oliver Perry – lead singer for the Heartbreakers. And even after she calls his music crap, Oliver still gives Stella his phone number. And whispers quotes from her favorite Disney movie in her ear. OMG, what is her life?

But how can Stella even think about being with Oliver – dating and laughing and pulling pranks with the band – when her sister could be dying of cancer?

Why you should read this book:

• Romantic and fun!
• If you are a fan of boy-bands, this is your type of book.
• A light read that also addresses deeper issues of family and self-discovery.
• I am a sucker for books where a famous person/prince/billionaire falls for a normal person.

Find The Heartbreakers in our OverDrive e-book library!

Love, Life, and the List by Kasie West

Seventeen-year-old Abby Turner’s summer isn’t going the way she’d planned. She has a not-so-secret but definitely unrequited crush on her best friend, Cooper. She hasn’t been able to manage her mother’s growing issues with anxiety. And now she’s been rejected from an art show because her work “has no heart.” So when she gets another opportunity to show her paintings, Abby isn’t going to take any chances.

Which is where the list comes in.

Abby gives herself one month to do ten things, ranging from face a fear (#3) to learn a stranger’s story (#5) to fall in love (#8). She knows that if she can complete the list, she’ll become the kind of artist she’s always dreamed of being.

But as the deadline approaches, Abby realizes that getting through the list isn’t as straightforward as it seems . . . and that maybe—just maybe—she can’t change her art if she isn’t first willing to change herself.

Why you should read this book:

• The list Abby makes would be fun to try- what can you do to get "more depth" out of life?
• A love story about falling in love with your best friend- I love a good romance novel!
• Thinking about what makes good art.  Can you make good art without intense feelings?
• I have liked all the books I've read by Kasie West; our library has most of them.

Find Love, Life, and the List in our library at: ROMANCE F WES

Saints and Misfits by S.K. Ali

There are three kinds of people in my world: 

1. Saints, those special people moving the world forward. Sometimes you glaze over them. Or, at least, I do. They're in your face so much, you can't see them, like how you can't see your nose.

2. Misfits, people who don't belong. Like me--the way I don't fit into Dad's brand-new family or in the leftover one composed of Mom and my older brother, Mama's-Boy-Muhammad.
Also, there's Jeremy and me. Misfits. Because although, alliteratively speaking, Janna and Jeremy sound good together, we don't go together. Same planet, different worlds.
But sometimes worlds collide and beautiful things happen, right? 

3. Monsters. Well, monsters wearing saint masks, like in Flannery O'Connor's stories. 

Like the monster at my mosque. People think he's holy, untouchable, but nobody has seen under the mask. 

Except me.

Why you should read this book:

• It may put you outside your comfort range.
• Saints and Misfits reinforces that though we are all different, we are also alike in many ways
• I wonder if all Muslim communities are like the one in the book.  Do Muslim communities in the US function differently from the Muslim countries I've lived in? I wonder what the differences and similarities are.
• It's full of "real-world" issues like bullying, friendship, growing up, racism and religion.

Find Saints and Misfits in our library at: REALISTIC F ALI

The Great Alone by Kristin Hannah

Ernt Allbright, a former POW, comes home from the Vietnam war a changed and volatile man. When he loses yet another job, he makes an impulsive decision: he will move his family north, to Alaska, where they will live off the grid in America’s last true frontier. 

Thirteen-year-old Leni, a girl coming of age in a tumultuous time, caught in the riptide of her parents’ passionate, stormy relationship, dares to hope that a new land will lead to a better future for her family. She is desperate for a place to belong. Her mother, Cora, will do anything and go anywhere for the man she loves, even if means following him into the unknown. 

At first, Alaska seems to be the answer to their prayers. In a wild, remote corner of the state, they find a fiercely independent community of strong men and even stronger women. The long, sunlit days and the generosity of the locals make up for the Allbrights’ lack of preparation and dwindling resources. 

But as winter approaches and darkness descends on Alaska, Ernt’s fragile mental state deteriorates and the family begins to fracture. Soon the perils outside pale in comparison to threats from within. In their small cabin, covered in snow, blanketed in eighteen hours of night, Leni and her mother learn the terrible truth: they are on their own. In the wild, there is no one to save them but themselves. 

In this unforgettable portrait of human frailty and resilience, Kristin Hannah reveals the indomitable character of the modern American pioneer and the spirit of a vanishing Alaska―a place of incomparable beauty and danger. The Great Alone is a daring, beautiful, stay-up-all-night story about love and loss, the fight for survival, and the wildness that lives in both man and nature.   

Age Range: Adult

Why you should read this book:

• This book made me want to move to Alaska, though I doubt that I am cut-out to survive in the wilderness.  Maybe I'll just go visit...
• The Great Alone is a lot of sad, but it is also a bit of happy too.  I was not depressed after reading the final pages.
• The character "Large Marge" is one of my favorite characters in the book.
• My book club read this book last month. It is written for adults.

Find The Great Alone in our library at: REALISTIC F HAN

The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas

Sixteen-year-old Starr Carter moves between two worlds: the poor neighborhood where she lives and the fancy suburban prep school she attends. The uneasy balance between these worlds is shattered when Starr witnesses the fatal shooting of her childhood best friend Khalil at the hands of a police officer. Khalil was unarmed.

Soon afterward, his death is a national headline. Some are calling him a thug, maybe even a drug dealer and a gangbanger. Protesters are taking to the streets in Khalil’s name. Some cops and the local drug lord try to intimidate Starr and her family. What everyone wants to know is: what really went down that night? And the only person alive who can answer that is Starr. 

But what Starr does—or does not—say could upend her community. It could also endanger her life.

Why you should read this book:

• Starr is a strong female lead character.
• It was an interesting look into race and racism in the United States.
• It made me wonder what it would be like to be of a different race in the United States.  Is this book is an accurate account?  I wonder not because I disbelieve it, but because I have never experienced it.
• I thought about protests and why they work, or don't work.  What makes an effective protest?

Find The Hate U Give in our library at: REALISTIC F THO

One of Us Is Lying by Karen M. McManus

(Amazon.com)

OMG!  I never use that acronym, but that's how much I loved One of Us Is Lying by Karen M. McManus.  I finished it in two days, staying up late and getting up early to see what happened next.  

Here's part of the blurb from Amazon.com: 

On Monday afternoon, five students at Bayview High walk into detention.

Bronwyn, the brain, is Yale-bound and never breaks a rule. 

Addy, the beauty, is the picture-perfect homecoming princess. 

Nate, the criminal, is already on probation for dealing.

Cooper, the athlete, is the all-star baseball pitcher.

And Simon, the outcast, is the creator of Bayview High’s notorious gossip app.

Only, Simon never makes it out of that classroom. Before the end of detention Simon's dead. 

One reason I liked this book is that usually, I can guess the ending very soon after the book started.  I didn't guess this ending until over halfway through the book and even then, I wasn't entirely correct.  A great mystery told from four different viewpoints.  Who's lying?

Find One of Us Is Lying in the library at: MYSTERY F MCM

Welcome Back!

(CC0 geralt- pixabay)

I hope you had a great summer!  

Come visit the MS/HS library to see all the new books that have arrived.  While you're here:

• Don't forget to return your summer reading BINGO form if you participated.
• Leave an emoji book review of titles you read over the summer.

Summer Reading

SUMMER READING LISTS

Here are links to the summer reading lists.  You can also pick up printed copies of these lists in the library.  We are open from 10:00-2:00 for most of the summer.

ALSC Summer Reading List for Grades 6-8:

Young Adult Reading List (adapted from YALSA) 

Don't forget about summer reading bingo for middle school students! 

Get your BINGO card in the library.

HAVE A RELAXING SUMMER BREAK!

Alex, Approximately by Jenn Bennett

Image from: Amazon.com

Alex, Approximately is a modern teen take on the movie "You've Got Mail."  (If you haven't seen it, you should!) Every chapter starts with a quote from a classic movie, which is fun.
Bailey moves across the country to the same California town as her online crush and fellow movie buff, Alex.  In order to scope him out first, Bailey doesn't tell him she's moving to his town and proceeds to spend the summer searching for him using clues from his messages.
Then, Bailey meets irritating surfer-boy Porter at her summer job and slowly begins to fall for him.
Now she has to decide between Porter, who is hiding a secret of his own, and Alex.  But...things aren't always as they seem because Porter is Alex!  (This is not a spoiler because it says so on the book jacket!)
I finished this book in 2 days.  It's an easy, fun summer read.   Find it on my recommendation shelf or in the library at: ROMANCE F BEN

Summer Reading Bingo!

PTA is sponsoring Summer Reading BINGO for middle school students.  Complete the bingo board over the summer and win prizes!  Pick up your BINGO card in the library or download and print below.  Happy Summer Reading!

Prizes:

For 3 BINGOs (three lines): 

1 Chatime Drink

For 6 BINGOs (six lines): 

Pizza Party Invite

For Full BINGO card: 

Entry into a drawing for a $50 Gift Card from Amazon

Flying Lessons and other stories edited by Ellen Oh

Image from Amazon.com

This is a great collection of short stories  by very popular authors. All are diverse stories with a wide variety of characters facing many different personal struggles.  Most students will find a story in here that "speaks to them."
Short stories are often overlooked, but Flying Lessons and other stories is great choice because:
1. You can finish a story in one night.

AND

2. You may be inspired to read some of the longer novels by these authors.  We have works by them all in the library!

Try out Flying Lessons and other stories.  Find it on my recommendation shelf or at: SHORT F FLY

AudioBookSync

Get your free Audiobooks this summer (April 26-July 25) from AudioFile at www.audiobooksync.com  Two free audiobooks each week throughout summer for teens aged 13+.

You need the OverDrive App to listen to the audiobooks.  OverDrive is also the service we use for our school eBooks and audiobooks and we have over 1300 titles available.  Check some out this summer!

The Gentleman's Guide to Vice and Virtue by Mackenzi Lee

(Amazon.com)

I liked this book.  I wasn't sure I would because the plot/characters weren't what I was expecting.  Because I can't do it justice with me own words, I am going to copy the blurb from Amazon.com.  I know, it's the cheat book review.  Come see me in the library if you'd like to know more about the book!  It's an enjoyable read about a trip through Europe.

Henry “Monty” Montague doesn’t care that his roguish passions are far from suitable for the gentleman he was born to be. But as Monty embarks on his grand tour of Europe, his quests for pleasure and vice are in danger of coming to an end. Not only does his father expect him to take over the family’s estate upon his return, but Monty is also nursing an impossible crush on his best friend and traveling companion, Percy.
So Monty vows to make this yearlong escapade one last hedonistic hurrah and flirt with Percy from Paris to Rome. But when one of Monty’s reckless decisions turns their trip abroad into a harrowing manhunt, it calls into question everything he knows, including his relationship with the boy he adores.
Witty, dazzling, and intriguing at every turn, The Gentleman's Guide to Vice and Virtue is an irresistible romp that explores the undeniably fine lines between friendship and love.

Find this book in our library at: HISTORICAL F LEE 

Stranger Than Fanfiction by Chris Colfer

 Stranger Than Fanfiction by Chris Colfer was my first spring break read and one of our new books to arrive in the mid-year library order. 

I am admitting my age, and lack of TV series knowledge, by saying I did not know Chris Colfer was an actor in Glee until I conducted a quick Google search about him.

I picked up this book because I  have a weakness for books about famous people and thought: "TV star on a road trip...sounds fun!"  Plus, it had just arrived in the mid-year order and I love new books.

Stranger Than Fanfiction was a fun book and the best part about it were following the storylines/lives of all five characters.  The stories of each character are a bit over-the-top but that is what makes it fun and also thought-provoking because I think all readers can find something relevant to their life in the life stories of the characters.

Try this book out for a fun read!

Find Stranger Than Fanfiction in our library at: REALISTIC F COL

Beat the Band by Don Calame

(Image from Amazon.com)

Beat the Band is the second book in the Don Calame's series that began with Swim the Fly.

Another hilarious book by Don Calame that made me laugh out loud!  It's the beginning of tenth grade and Coop gets a semester-long project in health class about safe sex.

He's paired with "Hot Dog" Helen for the project and decides the only way to win back his reputation is to win the Battle of the Bands contest at school.

Unfortunately, none of his band members actually play an instrument.  "Will Coop regain his “cool” before it’s too late? Or will the forced one-on-one time with Helen teach him a lesson about social status he never saw coming?" (Amazon.com)

A very funny book that is great for middle and high school boys!  Find Beat the Band, and the rest of this series, in our library at: HUMOR F CAL.

Welcome back!

Welcome back to a new school year! 

What did you read this summer?  I read all three books in the The Conspiracy of Us trilogy by Maggie Hall and it is my new favorite!  More on this exciting trilogy soon... 

All three books are available in the library.  

Call Number: MYSTERY F HAL

Where is Ms. Shuborna?

You know it's almost summer holiday when you issue bills for lost textbooks and they magically start reappearing!!

Have a great summer break!

Summer Reading List

 (Newport News Public Schools, 2017)

Need something to read this summer?  Find ideas at these websites:

2017 ALSC Summer Reading Lists - The Association for Library Service to Children publishes recommended summer reading lists for children from Birth-Grade 8.  Find a printed copy of the Grade 6-8 list in our library!

YALSA Book Finder- Need a new YA book?  The Young Adult Library Services Association is designed for teens from 12-18 and can suggest some great summer reading!

Here is what is on my summer reading list so far:

(Amazon.com)

(Amazon.com)

(Amazon.com)

Works Cited:
Summer Reading. Digital image. Newport News Public Schools. Newport News Public Schools, 2017. Web. 24 May 2017. <http://sbo.nn.k12.va.us/summer/>.