Backlash by Sara Darer Littman

He says: You're an awful person.
He says: What makes you think I would ever ask you out?
He says: The world would be a better place without you in it.

Lara just got told off on Facebook.


She thought that Christian liked her, that he was finally going to ask her to his school's homecoming dance. They've been talking online for weeks, so what's with the sudden change? And where does he get off saying horrible things on her wall? Even worse - are they true?

It's been a long time since Lara's felt this bad, this depressed, this ugly. She's worked really hard to become pretty and happy - and make new friends after what happened in middle school.

Bree used to be best friends with overweight, depressed Lara, but constantly listening to Lara's issues got to be too much. Secretly, Bree's glad Christian called Lara out. Lara's not nearly as amazing as people think. But no one realized just how far Christian's harsh comments would push Lara. Not even Bree.

As online life collides with real life, things spiral out of control, and not just for Lara. Because when the truth starts to come together, the backlash is even more devastating than anyone could have ever imagined  

I thought the premise for this book was fantastic. A 15-year-old girl named Lara is friended by a senior boy named Christian. They begin corresponding back and forth on IM. While Lara has never met Christian in person, she is immediately drawn to his good looks and caring personality. When Christian suddenly turns on Lara it shocks. He writes on her wall that the world would be a better place if she were not in it. This devastates her and she tries to to commit suicide by overdosing on pills. Th I thought the premise for this book was fantastic. A 15-year-old girl named Lara is friended by a senior boy named Christian. They begin corresponding back and forth on IM. While Lara has never met Christian in person, she is immediately drawn to his good looks and caring personality. When Christian suddenly turns on Lara it shocks. He writes on her wall that the world would be a better place if she were not in it. This devastates her and she tries to to commit suicide by overdosing on pills. The ramifications of Lara's suicide attempt affects many people around her including; her sister, Sydney, parents, her former best friend, Bree, Bree's parents, and Bree's brother, Liam. While, I think the message about cyber bullying is important, I thought the book was slow moving, dull, and predictable. Nothing new is ever revealed from the middle of the book on. Ultimately, it is a big whine fest by all the different characters about how everything got so out of control. There is nothing inappropriate in the book, so it is fine to recommend to female adolescents.

May B. by Caroline Starr Rose

 I’ve known it since last night:
It’s been too long to expect them to return.
Something’s happened.

May is helping out on a neighbor’s Kansas prairie homestead—just until Christmas, says Pa. She wants to contribute, but it’s hard to be separated from her family by 15 long, unfamiliar miles. Then the unthinkable happens: May is abandoned. Trapped in a tiny snow-covered sod house, isolated from family and neighbors, May must prepare for the oncoming winter. While fighting to survive, May’s memories of her struggles with reading at school come back to haunt her. But she’s determined to find her way home again.

Caroline Starr Rose’s fast-paced novel, written in beautiful and riveting verse, gives readers a strong new heroine to love.

"May B" is a fantastic historical fiction book for adolescents. It is written in verse and tells the tale of a 12-year-old girl who finds herself alone on the Kansas prairie in a sod home. May is sent to work for a young married couple. When the wife runs off, the husband chases after her. Neither of them return and May is left alone and trying to survive. For such a simple story, it has enough suspense and flashbacks to keep the plot interesting. There are also plenty of new vocabulary words that students can look up and learn. A definite must-read!

This Journal Belongs to Ratchet by Nancy J. Cavanaugh

A debut middle grade novel about a girl named Ratchet and her quest to make a friend, save a park, and find her own definition of normal. Ratchet tells her story through the assignments in her homeschool journal.


If only getting a new life were as easy as getting a new notebook.
But it's not.

It's the first day of school for all the kids in the neighborhood. But not for me. I'm homeschooled. That means nothing new. No new book bag, no new clothes, and no friends – old or new. The best I've got is this notebook. I'm supposed to use it for my writing assignments, but my dad never checks. Here's what I'm really going to use it for:

Ratchet's Top Secret Plan
Project Goal: turn my old, recycled, freakish, friendless, motherless life into something shiny and new.

This year, I'm going make something change.

I gave this book 4 stars not because I personally found it entertaining, but because I think apprehensive struggling readers will definitely like it. "This Journal Belongs to Ratchet" is about a girl named Rachel...aka Ratchet, who is homeschooled by her eccentric mechanic father. The two of them are always moving into fixed users and because of this, Ratchet has never had a true friend. Through a variety of different writing assignments ranging from poetry , to essays and even freewrites.......Ratchet lays out a plan in which she learns about her late mother, makes a real friend, and tries to save Moss Tree Park from being cut down and turned into a strip mall. The variety of writing styles makes the book flow very quickly and the plot will keep readers hooked.

 Three Times Lucky by Shelila Turnage

A hilarious Southern debut with the kind of characters you meet once in a lifetime

Rising sixth grader Miss Moses LoBeau lives in the small town of Tupelo Landing, NC, where everyone's business is fair game and no secret is sacred. She washed ashore in a hurricane eleven years ago, and she's been making waves ever since. Although Mo hopes someday to find her "upstream mother," she's found a home with the Colonel--a café owner with a forgotten past of his own--and Miss Lana, the fabulous café hostess. She will protect those she loves with every bit of her strong will and tough attitude. So when a lawman comes to town asking about a murder, Mo and her best friend, Dale Earnhardt Johnson III, set out to uncover the truth in hopes of saving the only family Mo has ever known.

Full of wisdom, humor, and grit, this timeless yarn will melt the heart of even the sternest Yankee.  

All in all this was a fun book to read because of the quirky characters, unique voices, and wide variety of humor. Moses....aka Mo, is a 6th grader who lives with her "adoptive" parents; the Colonel and Miss Lana. They found Mo floating in the river after her mother sent her down river as a baby. Mo's friend, Dale helps her try to solve the case of who killed Mr. Jesse. The more the two discover, the more complex the case becomes and other people start to go missing. I would recommend this title to more mature adolescent readers due to the dialects and description of Southern culture. Definitely a fun setting.....but the plot starts to drag about half way through.  This book can be found in the Evans IMC.

 Head Games by Mariah Fredericks

Reality? I'd give it a C-.

That's what fifteen-year-old Judith Ellis thinks, anyway. Reality is her former best friend not talking to her this year. Reality is her dad living three thousand miles away. Reality is what happened outside 158 West Seventy-first Street, New York City.

To Judith, fantasy rules. Particularly in the Game, which she plays online with a bunch of strangers she knows only as the Witch, the Drunken Warrior, and Irgan the Head Case. In the gaming world it's strictly alternative identities. No one knows who you are, no one gets too close.

But one player in the Game is coming after her -- and he's a lot closer than Judith guesses.

Close enough to see her, close enough to talk with her.

Close enough to like her.

"Head Games" started very strong and I was intrigued by Judith's ability to live in reality and in her virtual world online. When she is almost killed off in her virtual video game, Judith becomes intrigued and curious about the player who almost took her out. Surprisingly this "online player" is actually quite close in proximity in Judith' real world. Later in the book, we discover more about Judith's background and why she lost a close girlfriend. The book just has too many problems and internal struggles for the protagonist. It became difficult to buy into Judith's issues. We also are left very confused as to whether or not she has really worked through them. The ending felt very rushed. This book can be found in Mrs. Brown's classroom library.

 Ghostly Gallery by Alfred Hitchcock 

"Good evening, and welcome to Alfred Hitchock's Ghostly Gallery..." So begins the introduction to this marvelous book for young readers presented by none other than the master of the macabre himself, Alfred Hitchcock. Following his invitation to "browse through my gallery", readers will find ghoulish ghost stories "designed to frighten and instruct" -- instruct, that is, about the strange existence ghosts must endure! Stories include Miss Emmeline Takes Off by Walter Brooks; The Valley of the Beasts by Algernon Blackwood; The Haunted Trailer by Robert Arthur; The Truth About Pyecraft by H.G. Wells; The Isle of Voices by Robert Louis Stevenson; and more. Parents and kids can't help but chuckle at Hitchcock's comment, "I don't want to appear disloyal to television, but I think reading will be good for you." Contains some very spooky two-color illustrations by Fred Banbery.  

I positively loved this collection of haunting ghost stories compiled by the one and only Alfred Hitchcock. Some stories were better than others, but all were written superbly. Some of my favorites included "The Haunted Trailer" by Robert Arthur, "The Truth About Pyecraft" by H.G. Wells, and my favorite...."The Waxwork" by A.M. Burrage. What I especially like is how the book introduces students to classic authors from the literary cannon. Each story can be read in one sitting or class period. There are creepy drawings to go with some of the scenes as well. I highly recommend this book!

A Crooked Kind of Perfect by Linda Urban

Ten-year-old Zoe Elias has perfect piano dreams. She can practically feel the keys under her flying fingers; she can hear the audience's applause. All she needs is a baby grand so she can start her lessons, and then she'll be well on her way to Carnegie Hall.

But when Dad ventures to the music store and ends up with a wheezy organ instead of a piano, Zoe's dreams hit a sour note. Learning the organ versions of old TV theme songs just isn't the same as mastering Beethoven on the piano. And the organ isn't the only part of Zoe's life in Michigan that's off-kilter, what with Mom constantly at work, Dad afraid to leave the house, and that odd boy, Wheeler Diggs, following her home from school every day.

Yet when Zoe enters the annual Perform-O-Rama organ competition, she finds that life is full of surprises--and that perfection may be even better when it's just a little off center.

A positively adorable book about an 11-year-old girl named Zoe Elias who dreams of playing the piano at Carnegie Hall and being labeled a prodigy. When her dad goes to buy a piano, he ends up purchasing a D-60 organ instead. Nothing ever goes quite perfect for Zoe because she must deal with girl-drama at school and the harassment of a boy named Wheeler. Lots of humor in this quick read. I would highly recommend this title to apprehensive female readers.  This book can found in Mrs. Brown's classroom library.              

Home of the Brave by Katherine Applegate

Kek comes from Africa. In America he sees snow for the first time, and feels its sting. He's never walked on ice, and he falls. He wonders if the people in this new place will be like the winter - cold and unkind.

In Africa, Kek lived with his mother, father, and brother. But only he and his mother have survived, and now she's missing. Kek is on his own. Slowly, he makes friends: a girl who is in foster care; an old woman who owns a rundown farm, and a cow whose name means "family" in Kek's native language. As Kek awaits word of his mother's fate, he weathers the tough Minnesota winter by finding warmth in his new friendships, strength in his memories, and belief in his new country.

Bestselling author Katherine Applegate presents a beautifully wrought novel about an immigrant's journey from hardship to hope.

"Home of the Brave" is about a young boy named Kek who is brought to the United States to live with his aunt and cousin, Ganwar. Kek must leave his home country of Sudan after his brother and father are killed in a vicious attack. Kek is unsure if his mother is alive or dead and is overwhelmed by the sheer vastness and fast-paced world of Minnesota. When Kek sees an old cow at a nearby farm he starts to feel more at home and realizes that helping others may be just what he needs to escape the nightmares from Sudan. It is a fast paced book written in free-verse. It will appeal to both male and female students who are apprehensive about reading or just looking for a quick read.  

The Prank by Ashley Rae Harris

By the time I looked up, he had already fallen off the roof. And then I heard this wailing sound. It sounded like a girl crying. Pranks make Jordan nervous. But when a group of popular kids invite her along on a series of practical jokes, she doesnt turn them down. As the pranks begin to go horribly wrong, Jordan and her crush Charlie work to discover the cause of the accidents. Is the spirit of a prank victim who died twenty years earlier to blame?

"The Prank" is targeted for struggling adolescent readers. I still had to give the book one star because the writing was so poor. The characters are underdeveloped, the explanation behind the apparent "ghost" is unclear, and the reactions from the adults and students to death are unrealistic. Jordan is a junior who wishes she were part of the in-crowd. When Briony invites her to help take part in some Homecoming pranks against a rival school, Jordan can hardly resist. Unfortunately, horrible things start to happen to the teens and it may be because of a ghost. A corny book to say the least, but still one that I will recommend to lower level students because of its short length and lower Lexile.

Going Vintage by Lindsey Leavitt

When Mallory’s boyfriend, Jeremy, cheats on her with an online girlfriend, Mallory decides the best way to de-Jeremy her life is to de-modernize things too. Inspired by a list of goals her grandmother made in1962, Mallory swears off technology and returns to a simpler time (when boyfriends couldn’t cheat with computer avatars). The List:
1. Run for pep club secretary
2. Host a fancy dinner party/soiree
3. Sew a dress for Homecoming
4. Find a steady
5. Do something dangerous
But simple proves to be crazy-complicated, and the details of the past begin to change Mallory’s present. Add in a too-busy grandmother, a sassy sister, and the cute pep-club president–who just happens to be her ex’s cousin–and soon Mallory begins to wonder if going vintage is going too far.

When Mallory discovers that her boyfriend, Jeremy has been cheating on her with a girl online she is devastated. Mallory thought Jeremy really cared about her, but had actually been carrying on a secret romance on the side. So Mallory decides to follow a list that her grandmother wrote in 1962. Some things on her list include: starting a pep club, sewing her own homecoming dress, finding a steady, etc. In addition, Mallory decides to abandon ALL technology that did not exist in the 1960s. This means no computers, Internet, cellphones, microwaves, and modern clothes. Throughout this process, Mallory discovers more about herself and the people around her than she ever thought possible. This is a fantastic book recommendation for adolescent females. The story idea is original, funny, and really makes you think about whether technology has been helpful or hurtful to our society. Fun book, but could have been a little bit shorter as the plot development drags in some parts.  

Kerosene by Chris Wooding

A novel of rage, confusion, and release from an extraordinary young author.

"Kerosene" is about a high school boy named, Cal. Cal is shy, awkward, and ignored by his peers. His only friend is Joel, who he has known since childhood. Unfortunately, even Joel is pulling away and hanging around with a tougher group of young men. When the school's most popular girl named Emma and a new girl named Abby play a trick on Cal, it becomes more than he can bear. In fact, Cal turns to fire as a way to cope with his problems. His obsession with fire starts to get out of control. I liked how the plot left me guessing about what would happen next. The "fire" themed chapters provide the reader with an opportunity to predict about what will happen in the plot. The theme of the book also illustrates how people can be pushed to their limit with devastating results.  This title can be found in Mrs. Brown's classroom library.

Me, Earl, and the Dying Girl by Jesse Andrews

Greg Gaines is the last master of high school espionage, able to disappear at will into any social environment. He has only one friend, Earl, and together they spend their time making movies, their own incomprehensible versions of Coppola and Herzog cult classics.

Until Greg’s mother forces him to rekindle his childhood friendship with Rachel.

Rachel has been diagnosed with leukemia—-cue extreme adolescent awkwardness—-but a parental mandate has been issued and must be obeyed. When Rachel stops treatment, Greg and Earl decide the thing to do is to make a film for her, which turns into the Worst Film Ever Made and becomes a turning point in each of their lives.

And all at once Greg must abandon invisibility and stand in the spotlight.  

Where do I even start???? This book made me laugh, cry, and held my attention the entire time. "Me, Earl, and the Dying Girl" is about Greg who is a senior in high school. Throughout his entire educational career, Greg has tried to remain invisible. He doesn't like excessive attention, he doesn't want to be labeled as part of any particular social clique, and dislikes school. Greg has always struggled when it comes to girls and ultimately makes a fool of himself in front of them by talking about alien barf or something of that nature. Greg's only "sort-of" friend is a black student named Earl. The two boys discovered the art of film-making after watching a German foreign language film that belonged to Greg's dad when they were in elementary school. As kids, Greg and Earl start re-making some of these films as well as creating new films of their own. When Greg's mom tells him that a fellow classmate of his, Rachel, is dying from leukemia he is coerced in spending time with her to make her feel better. Ultimately, spending time with Rachel is going to change Greg's life forever......and possibly not in a good way.
Don't confuse this book with John Green's "The Fault in Our Stars". There is no real deep revelation or sappy scenes to endure. The subject of death is handled in such a unique and comedic way by author, Jesse Andrews. The F-word is used multiple times and there are some crude sexual jokes, but they are necessary in helping to build the characterization of Greg and Earl. I LOVED this book and will definitely be seeing the movie ASAP. This book will be recommended to my more mature students. Definitely a great high school title. 

If You Come Softly by Jacqueline Woodson

Both Elisha (Ellie) and Jeremiah (Miah) attend Percy Academy, a private school where neither quite fits in. Ellie is wrestling with family demons, and Miah is one of the few African American students. The two of them find each other, and fall in love -- but they are hesitant to share their newfound happiness with their friends and families, who will not understand. At the end, life makes the brutal choice for them: Jeremiah is shot and killed, and Ellie now has to cope with the consequences..

"If You Come Softly" is about two sophomore students who attend a private, prestigious school in Manhatten, NY. Jeremiah is a young black male and Ellie is a white, Jewish girl. When the two bump into each other in the hallway it is love at first sight. Their connection is undeniable. The two must find a way to build a relationship while fighting against the prejudice and racism which strives to drive them apart. The book is a quick read and would appeal to apprehensive readers. This would also be a great book for any African American students, even boys, Jeremiah plays basketball and there are lots of sports descriptions. There is nothing inappropriate in this book, so it would be great for any age in middle school.  This book can be found in Mrs. Brown's classroom library.

Life, After by Sarah Darer Littman

Dani's life will never be the same again.

After a terrorist attack kills Dani's aunt and unborn cousin, life in Argentina - private school, a boyfriend, a loving family- crumbles quickly. In order to escape a country that is sinking under their feet, Dani and her family move to the United States. It's supposed to be a fresh start, but when you're living in a cramped apartment and going to high school where all the classes are in another language - and not everyone is friendly- life in American is not all it's cracked up to be. Dani misses her old friends, her life. Before. In addition, she must deal with an angry father who seems more like a stranger every day.

Just when Dani is about to break, she meets a boy named Jon, who isn’t like all the other students. Through him, she becomes friends with Jessica, one of the popular girls, who is harboring a secret of her own. And then there’s Brian, the boy who makes Dani’s pulse race. In her new life, the one After, Dani learns how to heal and forgive. She finds the courage to say goodbye and allows herself to love and be loved again.   

 

 "Life, After" is a good book to recommend to Hispanic female students or students who may have immigrated to the United States from other countries. Dani is a sophomore girl from Argentina. When "The Crisis" hits the country her family as well as thousands of others are forced into poverty. Dani's family decides to move to New York and essentially start their lives over again. Dani must say goodbye to her boyfriend, Roberto, her best friend, Gaby, and the culture of Buenos Aires. At her new school, she must learn fluent English, overcome persecution/bullying, and help her father overcome his depression. The book covers a wealth of various types of conflicts. It is entirely school appropriate and I loved the use of foreign language throughout. There is so much students can learn about Argentina, 9/11, and the struggles immigrants face.  This title can be found in Mrs. Brown's classroom library.

 Sources of Light by Margaret McMullan

 It's 1962, a year after the death of Sam's father--he was a war hero--and Sam and her mother must move, along with their very liberal views, to Jackson, Mississippi, her father's conservative hometown. Needless to say, they don't quite fit in.
    People like the McLemores fear that Sam, her mother, and her mother's artist friend, Perry, are in the South to "agitate" and to shake up the dividing lines between black and white and blur it all to grey. As racial injustices ensue--sit-ins and run-ins with secret white supremacists--Sam learns to focus with her camera lens to bring forth the social injustice out of the darkness and into the light.

"Sources of Light" is an historical fiction book which takes place in Jackson, Mississippi during the Civil Rights Movement in 1962. Samantha aka "Sam" is a fourteen-year-old girl living with her professor mother after her father is killed in the Vietnam War. Sam and her mother have a black maid, Willie Mae who helps with the chores around their house. When Sam starts school she begins to witness the horrific racist acts against black people. She witnesses first hand the segregation between blacks and whites. When her mother's photographer boyfriend, Perry gives her a camera to use, Sam begins documenting the acts of violence against the blacks and even the whites who are helping to fight for equal rights. Lots of facts are shared throughout the book and a powerful theme is learned at the end. Some plot points were a little off topic, but the book wraps up nicely. A great recommendation for middle school female readers.   

 Monster Museum by Alfred Hitchcock

Contents:
Introduction: A Variety of Monsters • essay by Alfred Hitchcock
• The Day of the Dragon (1934) • novelette by Guy Endore
• The King of the Cats (1929) • shortstory by Stephen Vincent Benét
• Slime (1953) • novelette by Joseph Payne Brennan
• The Man Who Sold Rope to the Gnoles (1951) • shortstory by Margaret St. Clair [writing as Idris Seabright ]
• Henry Martindale, Great Dane (1954) • shortstory by Miriam Allen deFord
• The Microscopic Giants (1936) • shortstory by Paul Ernst
• The Young One (1954) • novelette by Jerome Bixby
• Doomsday Deferred (1949) • shortstory by Murray Leinster [as by Will F. Jenkins ]
• "Shadow, Shadow, on the Wall ..." (1951) • shortstory by Theodore Sturgeon
• The Desrick on Yandro (1952) • shortstory by Manly Wade Wellman
• The Wheelbarrow Boy (1950) • shortstory by Richard Parker
• Homecoming (1946) • shortstory by Ray Bradbury (variant of The Homecoming)  

I just love the Alfred Hitchcock short story collections. "Monster Museum" is definitely strange and not for those who don't like fantasy, a little gore, and some messed up plots. Overall, the stories are a bit long to be taught in one classroom lesson. Most would have to be taught over a two day span to allow for a thorough reading and then discussion/analysis. I still think there are a few pieces I could pull and use with my 7th graders. Another great, rare find! For a longer, creepy tale I would use "Slime" by Joseph Payne Brennan. Other good stories from the collection include; "The Man Who Sold Rope to the Gnoles" by Idris Seabright, "Henry Martindale, Great Dane" by Miriam Allen deFord, and "The Wheelbarrow Boy" by Richard Parker

 The Truth About Alice by Jennifer Mathieu

Everyone knows Alice slept with two guys at one party.

But did you know Alice was sexting Brandon when he crashed his car?

It's true. Ask ANYBODY.

Rumor has it that Alice Franklin is a slut. It's written all over the bathroom stall at Healy High for everyone to see. And after star quarterback Brandon Fitzsimmons dies in a car accident, the rumors start to spiral out of control.

In this remarkable debut novel, four Healy High students—the girl who has the infamous party, the car accident survivor, the former best friend, and the boy next door—tell all they know.

But exactly what is the truth about Alice? In the end there's only one person to ask: Alice herself.

"The Truth About Alice" is like "The Spoon River Anthology" where many voices are weaved together to tell the whole story. When Alice attends a party at Elaine's house a rumor is started that she slept with both Brandon Fitzsimmons and Tommy Cray. Her reputation is even more destroyed because Brandon dies in a car accident a few days later. The cause possibly being her continuous texting to him. Girls begin writing horrible things about Alice in a stall in the girls' restroom. Alice even loses her best friend Kelsie. The only person who will even speak to her is the class nerd, Kurt Morelli. As each student shares their side of the story, the real truth is revealed about what actually happened. This book should only be read by older students or those who are mature enough to handle the sexual jargon, curse words, and mature themes. The topic of abortion is also discussed. I really enjoyed this book and I like the powerful theme of telling the truth and not getting sucked up into vicious rumors.  This book can be found in Mrs. Brown's classroom library.

 Boy Meets Boy by David Levithan

This is the story of Paul, a sophomore at a high school like no other: The cheerleaders ride Harleys, the homecoming queen used to be a guy named Daryl (she now prefers Infinite Darlene and is also the star quarterback), and the gay-straight alliance was formed to help the straight kids learn how to dance.

When Paul meets Noah, he thinks he’s found the one his heart is made for. Until he blows it. The school bookie says the odds are 12-to-1 against him getting Noah back, but Paul’s not giving up without playing his love really loud. His best friend Joni might be drifting away, his other best friend Tony might be dealing with ultra-religious parents, and his ex-boyfriend Kyle might not be going away anytime soon, but sometimes everything needs to fall apart before it can really fit together right.

This is a happy-meaningful romantic comedy about finding love, losing love, and doing what it takes to get love back in a crazy-wonderful world.  

I have to start by saying that I love David Levithan.  Mrs. Brown meets David Levithan could be a story in itself! :) The book "Boy Meets Boy" is about a sophomore in high school, named Paul. Paul is completely comfortable with his homosexuality and so are his friends and family. He has gone through a handful of relationships, but it is not until he meets the new boy, Noah that Paul finds himself truly in love. Unfortunately, Paul's good hearted nature causes him to make two tremendous mistakes with his ex, Kyle and his good friend, Tony. When Noah finds out, he questions Paul's intentions and pulls away out of fear of being hurt. There are so many vibrant and interesting characters in this book. I love the way Levithan handles a homosexual relationship in such a school appropriate way. There is nothing questionable or overtly sexual in this book. One line that particularly jumped out was, "I wonder if it's possible to start a new relationship without hurting someone else. I wonder if it's possible to have happiness without it being at someone else's expense" (pg. 59). The quote really makes one stop and think about the effect relationships and then breakups can have on a person. Is it possible to ever find true love, without hurting someone else? Great discussion prompt. I also loved these two quotes as well; "I could point out that it isn't always easy knowing who you are and what you want, because then you have no excuse for not trying to get it" (pg. 147) and "A note is an update or an entertainment. A letter is giving of a part of your life--an insight into your thoughts beyond mere observations" (pg. 166). Ahh...so true! Thank you Mr. Levithan, couldn't have said it better myself. :)  This book can be found in Mrs. Brown's classroom library. 

I Robot by Isaac Asimov

The three laws of Robotics:
1) A robot may not injure a human being or, through inaction, allow a human being to come to harm.
2) A robot must obey orders givein to it by human beings except where such orders would conflict with the First Law.
3) A robot must protect its own existence as long as such protection does not conflict with the First or Second Law.

With these three, simple directives, Isaac Asimov changed our perception of robots forever when he formulated the laws governing their behavior. In I, Robot, Asimov chronicles the development of the robot through a series of interlinked stories: from its primitive origins in the present to its ultimate perfection in the not-so-distant future--a future in which humanity itself may be rendered obsolete.

Here are stories of robots gone mad, of mind-read robots, and robots with a sense of humor. Of robot politicians, and robots who secretly run the world--all told with the dramatic blend of science fact and science fiction that has become Asmiov's trademark.

"I Robot" by Isaac Asimov is part of the mentor text collection which is part of the 7th grade SchoolWide curriculum series purchased by our school district. Surprisingly, the book is essentially a series of short stories about robots and their impact on the futuristic world. One of my favorite quotes was, "Every period of human development has had its own particular type of human conflict--its own variety of problem that, apparently, could be settled only by force. And each time, frustratingly enough, force never really settled the problem. Instead, it persisted through a series of conflicts, then vanished of itself,--what's the expression, --ah, yes 'not with a bang, but a whimper', as the economic and social environment changed. And then, new problems, and a new series of wars.--Apparently endlessly cyclic." (pg. 200). The book is extremely challenging and would be good a fit for gifted/advanced readers. My favorite story in the collection would be the first one, "Robbie". If you are looking for a classic, sci-fi, challenging text....this one is for you!  This title can be found in the Evans IMC.