Fall Semester Favorites

Article posted January 23, 2008 at 08:12 PM GMT0 • Reads 77

Fall Semester Favorites

Some of my favorite books from my reading First Semester 2007-2008



Peak by Roland Smith

An exciting adventure novel with great climbing sequences set on Mt. Everest and New York City skyscrapers. The characters and their challenges are very real.



Lawn Boy by Gary Paulsen

When this twelve year-old receives an old lawn mower for a birthday gift he has no idea how his life will change. Incredibly hard-working and trusting this boy seems more like Bill Gates or Donald Trump than a typical kid.



The Arrival by Shaun Tan

This wordless graphic novel has incredible illustrations that bring to life the strangeness of the immigrant experience. While there is no text, there is much to learn and rereading is imperative.



Elsewhere by Gabriel Zevin

Elsewhere takes a mind boggling look at life after death with rich characters and beautiful complex personal relationships.



I am the Wallpaper by Mark Peter Hughes

Sometimes we want more than anything to be noticed. This novel reminds us to be careful what we wish for.



Life as We Knew It by Susan Pfeffer

Priorities shift from dating and other weekend distractions to survival when a cataclysmic event shakes the earth.



Rules by Cynthia Lord

Striving for order and clinging to hope that her brother can be cured of autism, Catherine makes us laugh and cringe with the series of rules she writes for her brother.

Sixth Grade Booktalk January 2008

Article posted January 23, 2008 at 09:00 PM GMT0 • Reads 33

No More Dead Dogs by Gordon Korman

Wallace Wallace who cannot tell a lie, will not back down from his negative book review. Mr. Fogleman won’t back down either. Every day spent in detention with Mr. Fogleman represents a missed football practice for Wallace. Who will back down first? How will this battle of wills change Wallace? Mr. Fogleman? The drama club where Wallace must serve his detention? The football team?



Stuffed by Eric Walters

Ian Cheevers never dreamed his plan to launch a boycott against Burger Boy restaurants would be so popular. Just as he begins to get excited about his far-reaching influence, he is threatened with a law suit by the popular restaurant. Will Ian back down? How will Ian deal with the growing pressure from the powerful lawyers and from his classmates?



The Education of Robert Nifkin by Daniel Pinkwater

Left alone to sink or swim as he enters high school, Robert has a lot of growing up to do without much direction or structure. Daniel Pinkwater is hilarious as always.



Toning the Sweep by Angela Johnson

Emily and her mother are visiting Grandma Ola in Arizona for the last time before she moves back east to live with them. Grandma Ola moved to Arizona the day after her husband’s funeral more than fifty years earlier. This book paints a brilliant portrait of three very strong and complex African American women.



Nzingha: Warrior Queen of Matamba by Patricia McKissack

Nzingha must choose between her place as a traditional woman or as a wise and assertive leader—a role dominated by men in late 16th century Namibia. Nzingha’s choices will have far reaching effects on her family and her village. What will her choices cost her? Will she have regrets? Written in diary format with great historical background information at the end. Part of The Royal Diaries Series, associated with the Dear America Books.



Love That Dog by Sharon Creech

A novel in free verse, Love That Dog shows Jack’s emerging confidence as a writer. Creech uses allusions to Robert Frost, William Carlos Williams and others to advantage in this sweet, lyrical story.



The Boxcar Children by Gertrude Chandler Warner

The first in the classic series for young people, this book shows a young parentless family struggle to survive through hard work and cooperation. It is sweet book in a pleasant series that has entertained generations.

Article posted June 25, 2008 at 03:04 PM GMT0 • Reads 43

Summer Reading Ideas: Mr. Porschet's Picks

Article posted June 25, 2008 at 03:06 PM GMT0 • Reads 63

Mr. Porschet’s List



Avi

The Book without Words

In this medieval fantasy novel there is a battle between good and evil that revolves around one man’s quest to become immortal. Can Sybil, a poor orphan with no one there for her, overcome the evil plan that threatens her and others?



Eoin Colfer

Artemis Fowl

Often compared to James Bond or Sherlock Holmes adventures, the Artemis Fowl Series follows mysteries and adventures through a world of fairies and other magical creatures.



Christopher Paul Curtis

The Watson’s Go to Birmingham 1963

The summer road trip from Michigan to Alabama is a laugh a minute for Kenny and his family until they see the ugliness of racism on the front lines of the Civil Rights Movement first-hand.



Cynthia DeFelice

The Ghost of Poplar Point

Ally, known by some as a ghost magnet must solve this strange ghost mystery before it’s too late. In the process, Ally and Dub uncover a centuries-old secret, the destruction of a Seneca village at Poplar Point—and come up with a plan to share it. The Intriguing plot and great characters make this a real treat as are DeFelice’s other novels.



Nancy Farmer

The House of the Scorpion

In a troubled world, plagued by cruelty, the opium trade and unethical cloning, Matteo must use his wits to survive and maintain his innocence.



John Feinstein

Last Shot: A Final Four Mystery

Aspiring sports journalists Seth and Susan win the ultimate sports trip—tickets to the Final Four, not just to watch the games, but total access to the players and coaches. When they discover the story of a lifetime, do they investigate the scandal or will they intimidated by threats?



Sharon Flake

The Skin I’m In

This gritty inner-city novel follows Maleeka Madison and her struggles through a year at school, along with new teacher, Miss Saunders. Each character faces challenges that make it difficult to find her place. Realistic dialogue and strong characters make this a great novel, like all of Sharon Flake’s books.



Jack Gantos

Joey Pigza Swallowed the Key

If there’s a way for ADHD Joey Pigza to get into trouble, he’ll find it. From pencil sharpeners to field trips, bus rides to meetings with the principal, Joey always has a way of pushing buttons and getting a strong reaction—always, even when he is trying to be good. All four books in the series are excellent.



Tim Green

Football Genius

Troy White has the uncanny ability to anticipate exactly what play a team will run on offense before the play starts. He wishes this strange talent could help in some way—to improve his beloved Atlanta Falcons or to help him move from the bench of his football team. Can he make use of his ability? Will it be more trouble than help?



Dan Gutman

Jim & Me

This newest installment of the “Baseball Card Adventure” series focuses on the great Jim Thorpe, two-time Olympic Gold Medalist (decathlon, & pentathlon) who also played professional Football, Baseball and Basketball.



Margaret Haddix

Among the Hidden

In this futuristic novel, 12 year-old Luke has spent his whole life in hiding. He faces tough questions in a battle for survival.



Brian Jacques

Redwall

The first in the series, this medieval-style animal fantasy features an epic struggle between good and evil, pitting heroic mice and their allies against villainous rats.



Mike Lupica

Heat

Michael Arroyo is very close to achieving his dream of pitching in the Little League World Series. When his father dies and he is alone with his brother, things seem pretty bleak, but he is tough. Now, on the verge of ultimate success will rumors kill his chance to play?



Gordon Korman

No More Dead Dogs

Wallace Wallace who cannot tell a lie, will not back down from his negative book review. Mr. Fogleman won’t back down either. Every day spent in detention with Mr. Fogleman represents a missed football practice for Wallace. Who will back down first? How will this battle of wills change Wallace? Mr. Fogleman? The drama club where Wallace must serve his detention? The football team?



Walter Dean Myer

Monster

Accused of participating in a murder, Steve Harmon narrates the story of his trial and incarceration in the form of a written screenplay. With realistic dialogue and vivid emotion, Myer really explores his protagonist’s character. Is Steve still a person, or is he (as the judge says) another “Monster?”



Garth Nix

Keys to the Kingdom

Seventh Grader Arthur Penhaligon's school year is not off to a good start. On his first day, he suffers an asthma attack while running cross country and dreams that a mysterious figure hands him a key shaped like the minute hand of a clock. However, when he wakes up, he still has the key. That's when strange things begin to happen. This is the first of seven in the series.



Ken Oppel

Airborn

This fantasy novel set in 1800s England is not unlike the works of Jules Verne and revolves around the investigation of flying creatures, which most cannot see, from the windows of flying airships.



Gary Paulsen

Lawn Boy

Receiving a decrepit lawnmower as a birthday gift from his eccentric grandmother changes everything for this 12 year-old with a little luck and an entrepreneurial spirit.



Marjorie Rawlings

The Yearling

In this is classic, Pulitzer Prize-winning novel, Jody Baxter Grows up. Living in rural Florida, Jody is no stranger to nature and animals. His adventures, especially with his pet deer bring good times as well as some tough lessons.



Rick Riordan

The Lightening Thief

In this first installment of the “Percy Jackson & the Olympians” novels we meet Percy Jackson, an ADHD, wise-cracking, first-person narrator on a quest for his own identity. Interactions with gods & goddesses and other famous characters make this fast-paced, humorous adventure a natural choice for mythology lovers.



Roland Smith

Peak

This is much more than just an exciting adventure novel with great climbing sequences. Set on Mt. Everest and New York City, our protagonist faces very real challenges and comes to terms with his father, himself and finds his place in the world.



Jerry Spinelli

Maniac McGee

Winner of the 1991 Newbery Medal, maniac McGee is one of Jerry Spinelli’s great books. McGee is a fantastic character he has a knack for untying knots, for running mile upon mile and for uniting his community. Maniac McGee is a great book about a great character who brings out the best in all those who surround him.



Mildred Taylor

Roll of Thunder, Hear my Cry

Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry tells the story of one African American family, fighting to stay together and strong in the face of brutal racist attacks, illness, poverty, and betrayal in the Deep South of the 1930s. This Newbery Award Winner is the first of four in the series.



Mark Twain

The Adventures of Tom Sawyer

This classic boyhood adventure includes buried treasure, a murder mystery and too many other elements of high adventure and survival to list. The book is set in the early American South during slavery and touches on the inequality of slavery. It is a wonderfully entertaining book with a huge conscience and great preparation for more serious classics.



Gabrielle Zevin

Elsewhere

15 year-old Liz learns that she is dead early in this strange, thought provoking novel. Gabrielle Zevin captures readers’ interest as she explores the what-ifs of the afterlife.



All the authors listed here have written other good books. They are all widely available at libraries.