Banished by Sophie Littlefield

Description from the author's website:

Sixteen-year-old Hailey Tarbell can't wait for the day she'll leave Gypsum, Missouri, far behind, taking only four-year-old Chub, the developmentally-delayed little boy her cruel drug-dealing grandmother fosters for the state money. But when a freak accident in gym class leaves a girl in critical condition, Hailey feels drawn to lay her hands on the injured girl and an astonishing healing takes place. Before Hailey can understand her new powers, a beautiful stranger shows up...just in time to save her and Chub from hired killers. A desperate race begins, with Hailey as the ultimate prize: there are those who will stop at nothing to harness her gifts to create an undefeatable army of the undead. Now it is up to Hailey and a small but determined family of healers to stand up to the unbelievable and face the unthinkable. 

Check out other books by this author. 

From Mrs. Coyle:

I usually listen to audiobooks, but I wanted to make sure this was a good book for our shelves, so I picked it up with the intention of reading the back and skimming through a few pages, only I couldn't put it down! From the first page, I was drawn in, wanting to know what would happen to Hailey and her little brother.  It reminded me of a suspenseful movie, not quite like a horror movie, but  very intense. There were some gruesome zombie descriptions, that made me cringe, but that just shows the author's ability to create an image in your head. I think this is a good book for middle school readers, especially those that like to read about supernatural and magic abilities.

I have already requested the next book "Unforsaken" from the public library, and I can't wait to read it and tell you about it.

Happy Reading! 

Spring is Here!!!

Yay! Spring is here and one of my favorite things to do is find a nice place, under a big tree and read a good book.

 I have started reading YA books again after my winter of mostly knitting hats. I just started reading What my Mother Doesn't Know by Sonya Sones. I haven't gotten that far into it yet, but the similarities between the book and my life are too weird. The girl's name is Sophie and they call her Soph Doph. That is what I call my daughter. There are many other similarities and I can't wait to be able to read even more.

Conversation Heart Raffle WInner!

Congratulations to N. Delgado, winner of our February Raffle. .  For the month of February, we asked students to write the Title of each book they read on a small heart and we hung them up on Giant hearts on the door. For each one they filled out, they received a raffle ticket. The photo is just one of the hearts that we filled with book titles! Our lucky winner received a free ice cream at lunch, and will be able to choose a book from our book fair in April, for free! We are brainstorming more raffle/promotions for our spring Book Fair, which will be held here starting April 26, 2012, so we will keep you posted on that!

Have a great Monday, and Happy Reading!

What's new?

Back in September, a student, M. Gaskell, who is also this weeks reader of the week, gave us a cactus plant. We were so excited when we came back from February Vacation to find it had grown a flower!
It inspired us to learn more about Cactus flowers! What inspires you to find out more about something? Sometimes a book, movie, and especially a lesson in class, can spark your interest, and you will want to know everything you can about that subject.  The students learning about the Holocaust in 8th Grade have been coming in looking for more information and survivor stories, for example.

It is always a good thing to fill your brain with knowledge, no matter what the subject.

In other news, the book that has gone "viral" here at Calcutt, is The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins! Unfortunately, we only have 1 copy of each book in the series, so they are hard to come by.  So, Mrs. Coyle has set up a section of books that are similar to The Hunger Games.  But, we have learned that the  Central Falls Public Library is back to using the Ocean State Libraries Network system, so you are now able to use your library card to request books from other libraries! Remember, Use your public library, it will save you money!!!

Our last few readers of the week have been D.Jiminez, N. Delgado, and  W. Chinchilla.Great Job, keep up the good reading!

We will be announcing our winner of the "Conversation Heart" Raffle soon .  For the month of February, we asked students to write the Title of each book they read on a small heart and we hung them up on Giant hearts on the door. For each one they filled out, they received a raffle ticket.
Thanks for visiting!

Review: Million Dollar Throw by Mike Lupica

In honor of the Super Bowl, here is a review on Million Dollar Throw by Mike Lupica

 To learn more click here.

Nate Brodie is nicknamed "Brady" not only for his arm, but also because he's the biggest Tom Brady fan. He's even saved up to buy an autographed football. And when he does, he wins the chance for something he's never dreamed of - to throw a pass through a target at a Patriots game for one million dollars.

Nate should be excited. But things have been tough lately. His dad lost his job and his family is losing their home. It's no secret that a million dollars would go a long way. So all Nate feels is pressure, and just when he needs it most, his golden arm begins to fail him. Even worse, his best friend Abby is going blind, slowly losing her ability to do the one thing she loves most - paint. Yet Abby never complains, and she is Nate's inspiration. He knows she'll be there when he makes the throw of a lifetime.

From School Library Journal

Grade 6–8—Lupica delivers another smooth, well-paced, character-driven novel.  With the support of his family and friends, he fights his way back and regains the confidence he needs to face the challenges in his life. While the serious issues raised about the effects of economic uncertainty on families are resolved a tad too easily, youngsters are likely to accept this as just a good, entertaining read.—Richard Luzer, Fair Haven Union High School, VT

So have you read this book? Tell us what you think!
-Mrs Coyle 

Review of Crossed by Ally Condie and Reader of the week!

Happy Friday! 1st, Our Reader of the week for the past week and a half was T. Galvin, Great Job! Next week will be D. Jiminez, but she doesn't know it yet!
For the month of February (Library Lovers Month?) we are trying to see how many small conversation hearts with book titles as their "conversations" that we can fit into a GIANT conversation heart! We will have heart related prizes, also, so come in and tell us what your reading!

As for the book Crossed, by Ally Condie which is the sequel to Matched.
I just finished listening to this book yesterday, and I have mixed feelings about whether I thoroughly enjoyed it or not.I like for endings to tie up loose ends, but of course when there is yet another book in the trilogy, you have to be left hanging a little.  I will say that if you didn't read Matched, you might be a little lost, but Crossed introduces new characters and takes on a story all it's own, so you do get caught up in that. Overall a good read if you like dystopian adventure!
From the jacket:
In search of a future that may not exist and faced with the decision of who to share it with, Cassia journeys to the Outer Provinces in pursuit of Ky - taken by the Society to his certain death - only to find that he has escaped, leaving a series of clues in his wake.
Cassia's quest leads her to question much of what she holds dear, even as she finds glimmers of a different life across the border. But as Cassia nears resolve and certainty about her future with Ky, an invitation for rebellion, an unexpected betrayal, and a surprise visit from Xander - who may hold the key to the uprising and, still, to Cassia's heart - change the game once again. Nothing is as expected on the edge of Society, where crosses and double crosses make the path more twisted than ever.
 Thanks for reading, feel free to leave comments or questions!---Mrs Coyle

Reader of the Week update

Seventh Graders are still our top readers!!
For the Week
12/11 S. Vega
1/9     S. Toro
Great job! Keep up the good work, and if anyone needs suggestions for what to read, ask someone who's been reader of the week, chances are they'll name a few books for you!
Happy Reading
Mrs. Coyle