REVOLUTION by Jennifer Donnelly

Jennifer Donnelly has done it again with REVOLUTION. Another near perfect book. I've only read one of her other books, A NORTHERN LIGHT. Totally different but brilliant as well. I loved them for different reasons but give both 5 of 5 stars.

Andi blames herself for her younger brother's death, and, maybe unconsciously, her parents estrangement. But she's angry and deservedly so. Her passion is music but her father doesn't hear it. She is researching an 18th century composer Amade Malherbeau. (Whom I believed to be real, he's not. Ms. Donnelly made him up.) Andi's research and a mysterious discovery leads her to a young girl during the French Revolution. You, the reader, get to go back and forth from Andi's life and Alex's life.


Maria, from West Side Story. Sing it. Hear those 3 notes? Ma♪ri♪a♪. Before I read REVOLUTION, I didn't know why I love minor notes and chords, I just knew they moved me. Those three notes are called a triad. From Wikipedia: triad - three-note chord consisting of a "root" note together with the third and fifth above it. Music is just part of REVOLUTION, but for me, it's very important.


In an interview with her at Booktunes I quote, "I wanted very much to make the point of the power of art to sustain. I love the idea of reaching back to our artistic ancestors for help and comfort and guidance. I’ve been sustained by the work of other writers my entire life. Andi is sustained by generations of musicians, stretching from Johnny Greenwood all the way back to Malherbeau (a fictional 18th-century French composer I conjured for this book). If there’s one thing I really want to get across to readers, especially teenage readers, is that this priceless legacy – be it music, or paintings, or books – exists. And it exists for you. If things are bad, take hold of it and let it carry you."


Sometimes, I don't always "get" why a book moves me. I mean, I know what moved me. The music moved me but it was the connection to the music. It took this article for me to understand that connection, that it SUSTAINS me and it can help my students to know that it can sustain them, too.

HUNGER GAMES Fever!

The United States as we know it no longer exists. In its place stand 13 districts. Each year two names are drawn from each district, one girl, one boy, between the ages 12-18 to compete in a gladiator-type contest to the death. It is broadcast live on television for all to see. A gruesome reminder of the hungry times, in hopes that it will never happen again. The games takes place, ironically, in the prosperous Capitol, lead by President Snow.


From bleak district 12, Katniss and sister Prim are fatherless after an explosion in the mines. The sisters' mother has a break down, which Katniss can't, or won't, forgive. Katniss and her best friend Gale hunt in the forbidden woods to put food on the table for their families and trade in the black market. Horror strikes the family again as they hear young Prim's name drawn for the Hunger Games. Katniss immediately volunteers to replace her. Peeta, the baker's son, is the chosen boy. Soon, they are sent off to train and prepare for the Hunger Games, each knowing that only one can come out alive.

It's been a long time since I've gobbled up a trilogy this fast. My hubby has the fever and is now finishing the last book. My angst was so great, that I wrote sticky notes to let him know how I was feeling on certain pages. Many, many times I wanted to turn to the last page and end my torture. But I persevered. I made it.

Suzanne Collins has written, perhaps, the book that will entice girls to read a fantasy genre without vampires. And once the boys discover it, they will be racing to tell their friends, too. But kids aren't the only ones reading these fast paced, well written books, as I've witnessed adults raving and sharing.

Rumors for the movie are already circulating, realizing we are late in discovering the tomes. The young female star from True Grit, Hailee Steinfeld, is one of the favorites to play Katniss.


Ms. Collins never sugar coats, yet elegantly, showing us the brutal horrors of war, while we, as the reader, can do nothing but watch it unfold and marvel at her story telling. Nothing in these books is predictable, none of it is easy. If you start this series, be sure to have all three books handy. Trust me. 1 THE HUNGER GAMES 2 CATCHING FIRE 3 MOCKINGJAY

Books My Grandson Henry Loves

Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus by Mo Willems. Pigeon has been a favorite since he was very little. He used to flail his little arms at the "LET ME DRIVE THE BUS!" page.

Knufflebunny, Knufflebunny, Too, Knufflebunny Free by Mo Willems.

How Do Dinosaurs Say I Love You by Jane Yolen

Any of the Skippyjon Jones books by Judith Byron Schachner.

Story of Ferdinand by Munro Leaf.

The Quiet Book by Deborah Underwood

Splat the Cat by Rob Scotton

Twitter, You Make Me Sad

Okay, for a lack of a better word (or better writing...sigh...) sad is NOT correct. What would better describe how I am feeling? Frustrated? Intimidated? Being left behind (I know, three words)? It stems from my late blooming, getting back to teaching late in my life.

But not even Twitter can make me EVER regret the years I stayed home with my kids. They remind me of this by living the wonderful lives they lead. So I do have that. Proud? Indeed. They are, and will always be, my first passion.

But my second passion(s), kids, reading, teaching, being a librarian, has led me to discover other kindred spirits in the most unlikely place. Twitter. But everyone on Twitter that I follow have such the upper hand. I feel so far from their expertise, experience, and yes, geekiness. It is my pursuit of said nerdom that I lack but want so much! Woe is me! See, would a geek say "woe"? I think not.

As I say to my students, "Patience, young Jedi," I AM learning on Twitter. But again, time lifts it's mighty beast of a head. SO MUCH INFO, SO LITTLE TIME!

Right now, I've been up since 5:30, 3 and 1/2 hours. Do I have my shower yet? Nyet. Have I actually accomplished anything? Well, if you count getting caught up with Donalyn, Paul, and Patrick, then that would be an affirmative. "Isn't that nice," you say, "catching up with your dearest and closest of friends". Well, no, that would be Diane, Gail, and Ann. These are my new "friends". My Twitter friends, who teach me so much and yet leave me in the dust.

Back to that patience. I teach tech classes all day long as well as our gifted and talented students. I live with my retired hubby of 35 years. I have an adorable grandson, Henry. Plus my family and friends and OTHER passions: Colorado State University, Colorado Avalanche, golfing, Las Vegas (thank you for the IPad I am tapping away on), MUSIC, my IPad and IPhone, the internet, Facebook, Pandora, my blog, blogs I follow, and now, Twitter. Do you see where I'm going with this?

TIME...where do I find the time, that seems to disappear in a blink the older I get?

GAHHHH!

"Just cut back on some of those, you idiot!" you say? Are you mental? Or is it you just don't know me?

I'm afraid that's it, you don't know me or if you do, you'd know that I'd rather poke myself in the eye with a hot poker chip, er, than give up any of this.

Patience, my young Jedi...you and me, together.

Skulduggery Pleasant by Derek Landy

So...have you been listening to me about just how GOOD young adult books can be? Have you gone out and TRIED some of these books? Because if you haven't, what the heck!? Go browse the YA section at your nearest library. Do I sound insistent, maybe a little worried? Well, of course! I don't want you to miss some of the best writing around. But, thankfully (notice the Thanksgiving segue?), my students are gobbling (#2) them up and that's what matters...to me, anyway. 

The current YA book that I am devouring is SKULDUGGERY PLEASANT by Derek Landy 12 year old Stephanie is dumbfounded when she inherits her author-Uncle's estate. At this point she has no idea that he was murdered. Suddenly, she is attacked but then saved by a detective known as Skulduggery Pleasant. Funny thing is, he's dead. And nothing but a skeleton. A well-dressed skeleton with a dry, sarcastic sense of humor. A skeleton who can throw fireballs. Now THAT was unexpected!

Derek Landy is a young author from Ireland who thankfully (#3) read WAY too many fantasy books and comics in his youth. And still does. This makes for one of the most action-packed, hilarious, page-turning, fantasy-lovers-dreams-come-true kind of book.

Don't be turkey (#4) and miss this book that kept me surprised, laughing, entertained, and wanting more! Gratefully (#5, last one, I promise) there are several sequels waiting for me and YOU!  YAY BOOKS!

I'm on Twitter Now, Check It Out!!

I'm hoping it will work this time!

Read this from my friend Natasha!

RANTS FROM MOMMYLAND: Borrowing from the Library...and Life

Scott Westerfeld's Books

I must, must, must thank teacher Donalyn Miller, author of THE BOOK WHISPERER, for recommending  Scott Westerfeld. Go to his website and see REALLY cool videos. I can't wait to show the 5th graders!

I read his UGLIES series (scroll down) a couple of years ago but had not read any of his other books. Donalyn's 5th graders highly recommended THE MIDNIGHTERS series and I am hooked! . The first book is subtitled THE SECRET HOUR.

Here's a blurb: A few nights after Jessica Day arrives in Bixby, Oklahoma, she wakes up at midnight to find the entire world frozen, except for her and a few others who call themselves 'midnighters'. Dark things haunt this midnight hour - dark things with a mysterious interest in Jessica. The question is ... why? The Secret Hour is a compelling tale of dark secrets, midnight romance, eerie creatures, courage, destiny, and unexpected peril.

From Scott's website: Uglies

Uglies is set in a world in which everyone has an operation when they turn sixteen, making them supermodel beautiful. Big eyes, full lips, no one fat or skinny. You might think this is a good thing, but it’s not. Especially if you’re one of the Smokies, a bunch of

radical teens who’ve decided they want to keep their own faces. (How anti-social of them.)

Uglies is a trilogy-plus-one, with Extras being a “companion novel” and told from a different point of view. All four Uglies books have been New York Times bestsellers!

Then there's his LEVIATHAN series that really sounds intriguing:

Prince Aleksander, would-be heir to the Austro-Hungarian throne, is on the run. His own people have turned on him. His title is worthless. All he has is a battletorn war machine and a loyal crew of men.

Deryn Sharp is a commoner, disguised as a boy in the British Air Service. She’s a brilliant airman. But her secret is in constant danger of being discovered.

With World War I brewing, Alek and Deryn’s paths cross in the most unexpected way…taking them on a fantastical, around-the-world adventure that will change both their lives forever.

This man must write 24/7...go check out the REST of his books, I'm sure you'll find something that will delight you!