Divergent

Divergent by Veronica Roth
Lexile: 700
Pages: 496
Genre: Dystopia, Science Fiction

On the day she turns sixteen, Beatrice must make a choice that will define the rest of her life.  Will she stay with the Abnegation, the selfless, the ones she has been with her entire life? Will she select the Dauntless, the brave, the ones who live life for adventure, the ones she has always admired? Or will she choose one of the other factions in society? Beatrice knows that no matter what she chooses, her life will never be simple because she is divergent.  Instead of having a clear path laid out for her, she has a choice.  And that makes her dangerous in the eyes of many.

Divergent is the first book in a trilogy that tells the story of a futuristic United States.  In order to make our country "better," big changes have been made.  But as in every society, there is an undertone of rebellion, whispers of revolution.  This book is packed with adventure.  You are right there with Beatrice as she makes her decision and lives with the consequences.  I look forward to reading the other books in the series.

Rating: 4 out of 5

The Maze Runner

Lexile: 770 - Pages:  374 - Genre:  Science Fiction/Fantasy

Thomas wakes up and finds himself in a box that opens to the Glade, a home for what appears to be made up of only teenage boys.  Like him all boys came to the Glade by the metal box and have no memories of their past life.  All they know is that they need to survive and solve the mystery of the Maze so they can go home before the Grievers get them.  One day the box opens and a girl is present.  The Gladers world is turned upside down when the girl tells them the end is near and they must find a way out of the maze or die.

I loved this book.  James Dashner is a excellent writer that hooks the read in the first few pages.  I would highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoyed the Hunger Games.  I actually feel that it is better than the Hunger Games.  I can not wait to start reading the second book to see what happens to Thomas and the Gladers.

Rating: 5 out 5 (I stayed up all night to finish the book.)

The One and Only Ivan

The One and Only Ivan by Katherine Applegate
Genre: Fantasy
Pages: 320
Lexile: NA

Although Ivan is a gorilla, he doesn't live in the jungle.  Instead, he lives inside a run-down mall with a few other animals.  For the most part, Ivan is satisfied with his life until one day Ruby arrives.  She's a baby elephant, and Ivan and the other animals can't stand the thought of her growing up inside of the mall.  When you care about someone else, you can make yourself do things you never would have dreamed to be possible.

Once again, I have fallen in love with an animal story.  The simplicity of the story telling and the depth of the emotion draw in the reader.  This was a story I could not put down until I was finished.  More than anything, you will want the animals to be successful, to make their dreams come true.  You can't help but imagine that the real Ivan would have loved this story, too.

Rating: 5 out of 5

Wonder

Wonder by R.J. Palacio
Lexile 790
310 pages
Genre: Realistic Fiction

I won't describe what I look like.  Whatever you're thinking, it's probably worse. 
August is definitely not like anybody else.  He's never gone to school even though he is entering fifth grade.  He hardly has any friends.  And his face is severely disfigured.  It's the kind of face that you can't help but stare at if you were to pass him on the street.  When August decides to actually go to school for middle school, everyone is worried.  How will he do? Will he be made fun of? How will the other students react? August's presence at the school has far-reaching repercussions beyond what anyone could have imagined.

We've been told to not judge a book by its cover since we were young.  We all try to live by those words, right? But what would you do if you were faced with someone who was so obviously different? This book is told from multiple perspectives including August, his sister, and other students in the school.  It shows that no matter how hard we try, sometimes human nature is hard to overcome.  In this case, human nature is judging a book by its cover.

Rating 5 out of 5

The Underneath

The Underneath by Kathi Appelt













Lexile: 830
Pages: 311
Genre: Fantasy

A calico cat is abandoned on the side of the road.  It would be a bad situation if she were on her own, but she is about to have kittens.  With nowhere to turn, she seeks shelter in the unlikeliest of places.  She befriends an old dog and lives with him underneath the porch.  However, the dog's master is an abusive, ornery man who would just love to get his hands on some kittens to use as bait for hunting.  After the kittens are born, it is difficult to keep them contained in safety of the Underneath.  One day, they go out exploring and are discovered.  Life changes forever in that one moment, for the story is much bigger than the Underneath.  The story spans time, animals, humans, the forest.  The story connects us all.

I used to say that I didn't like animal fantasy stories.  I'm starting to think I will have to recant that statement because I loved this book.  Although the main characters are animals, it really is a redemption story.  When you make a mistake, a huge mistake, how do you recover? How do you fix what is broken? How do you find what you have lost? Told from multiple perspectives, The Underneath will make you believe in the power of family and love.

Rating: 5 out of 5

Seriously... 40 books?

40 books.  It sounds daunting.  When you think about how many books you read last school year, do you even come close? I bet many of you are wondering if this is even possible.  I'm here to tell you it is.  And this blog is here to help.

You don't have to give up your social life, quit your sports team, and move into the library for sixth grade in order to reach the 40 book goal.  If you follow these simple tips, I promise you the 40 book goal is attainable.

First, read every day at school and every night at home.  At school, you will have reading class at least every other day.  At home, set aside a time and place to read EVERY NIGHT.  This is your homework for Language Arts, so take it seriously.  Even if it is just ten or fifteen minutes, it will help you reach the goal.

Second, steal moments to read.  It can be difficult to carve out reading time in big chunks, so make time wherever and whenever you can.  Carry a book with you to all of your classes.  When you have down time or when you finish your work early, pick up the book.  When the teacher has to answer the phone or while you are waiting for her to finish helping another student, pick up your book.  When you're riding the bus, pick up your book.  During commercial breaks of your favorite television show, pick up a book.   I'll let you in on my stolen reading moments... I read while I blow dry my hair and when I brush my teeth.  Put together, that adds up to between ten and fifteen minutes a day that I steal to read.  I even have a little bookstand on my bathroom counter to help me keep my page.  I'm not kidding.

Finally, read books that you love.  Take the recommendations of friends, teachers, and family.  Read award winners.  Find book lists to complete.  Visit this blog and find books that interest you.  Do whatever it takes.  40 books is within your grasp if you put your mind to it.