When Katie Gillian and her mother move from Houston to a small Texas town, they never imagine that violence and intrigue will interrupt their six - month stay. Could two bodies found have anything to do with newspaper articles Katie's reporter mother is writing - or with the shadowy figures Katie has noticed lurking outside her house at night? (back cover) This is a fast paced action filled mystery that keeps the reader guessing! Excerpt: Pages 1 - 3
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"This novel in verse based on true events tells the story of a boy’s harrowing experience on a lifeboat after surviving a torpedo attack during World War II. With Nazis bombing London every night, it’s time for thirteen-year-old Ken to escape. He suspects his stepmother is glad to see him go, but his dad says he’s one of the lucky ones—one of ninety boys and girls to ship out aboard the SS City of Benares to safety in Canada. Life aboard the luxury ship is grand—nine-course meals, new friends, and a life far from the bombs, rations, and his stepmum’s glare. And after five days at sea, the ship’s officers announce that they’re out of danger. They’re wrong. Late that night, an explosion hurls Ken from his bunk. They’ve been hit. Torpedoed! The Benares is sinking fast. Terrified, Ken scrambles aboard Lifeboat 12 with five other boys. Will they get away? Will they survive? Based on true events and real people, Lifeboat 12 is about believing in one another, knowing that only by banding together will we have any chance to survive." (Summary courtesy of Good Reads) Excerpt: Pages 15 - 17 & 97 - 98 Matt is missing. Bonnie's kindergarten age brother left his classroom to use the bathroom —and disappeared. A police dog traces his scent to the curb, where he apparently got into a vehicle. But why would Matt go anywhere with a stranger? Overwhelmed with fear, Bonnie discovers that her dog is gone, too. Was Pookie the dog used as a lure for Matt? Bonnie makes one big mistake in her attempt to find her brother. In a chilling climax on a Washington State ferry, Bonnie and Matt must outsmart their abductor or pay with their lives. Excerpt: pages 16 - 18 Robie travels a lot, especially from Hawaii to the Midway Atoll (a group of Pacific islands) where her parents live. However, Robie will soon find out that the cargo flight she boards at the last minute will be nothing but ordinary. Chaos breaks out when a storm hits and the engine suddenly cuts out. The copilot Max instructs Robie to put on her life jacket and she sees him struggle with a life raft. And then all of a sudden they're in the water, fighting for their lives. Max pulls her onto the raft and that is when the real struggle begins. They have no water and only a bag of skittles for food. The waters are also infested with sharks and there is no sign of help on the way. Will help ever come and will it be in time if it does? This is a fast paced thriller that you will not be able to put down. (excerpt: pages 25 - 29) FYI: this book is considered M for mature. "Brady loves life on the Chesapeake Bay, crabbing and oyster fishing with his friends J.T. and Digger. But developers and rich summer families are moving into the area, and while Brady befriends some of them, like the DiAngelos, his parents and friends are bitter about all the new construction. Tragedy strikes the DiAngelos’ when their kayak overturns in the bay, and Brady's left wondering if what happened was more than an accident. Soon, Brady discovers the terrible truth behind the kayak’s sinking. He must decide whether or not to share his secret when it means that his life, and th lives of his friends and family, will never be the same..." (back cover) Priscilla Cummings weaves a suspenseful tale of three teenagers caught in a wicked web of deception. Red Kayak is definitely a book for those interested in the mystery genre. Excerpt: pages 26 - 29 "Alex and Conner Bailey's world is about to change. When the twin's grandmother gives them a treasured fairy - tale book, they have no idea they're about to enter a land beyond all imagining: the Land of Stories, where fairy tales are real. But as Alex and Conner soon discover, the stories they know so well haven't ended in this magical land - Goldilocks is now a wanted fugitive, Red Riding Hood has her own kingdom, and Queen Cinderella is about to become a mother. The twins know they must get back home somehow. But with the legendary Evil Queen hot on their trail, will they ever find the way? The Land of Stories: The Wishing Spell brings readers on a thrilling quest filled with magic spells, laugh - out - loud humour, and page - turning adventure." (Inside Front Cover) Excerpt: pages 59 - 61 "Consumed by their hectic and separate lives, fifteen year old Claire and her mother communicate through notes on the refrigerator door, each one reflecting the day - to day drama of school, relationships, work, and chores... Yet the pattern of their daily routines soon become extraordinary when a crisis overtakes their lives and redefines their relationship forever. Powerful, heartfelt, and unforgettable, Life on the Refrigerator Door delivers universal truths about love as it weaves a story about the fabric connecting mothers and daughters." This is a perfect book for someone looking for something a little different. The entire story is told through short notes left on the door of the refrigerator. It offers a glimpse into the struggles of growing up through an engaging and creative format. Definitely a fan favourite of my past students. FYI: Some mature content to be aware of. Excerpt: Pages 26 - 30. "Four kids. One mountain. They come from all across America to be the youngest kid ever to climb Everest. But only one will reach the top first. The competition is fierce. The preparation is intense. The challenge is breathtaking. When the final four reach the higher peaks, disaster strikes -- and all that separates the living from the dead is chance, bravery, and action." Everest Book One: The Contest is a thrilling adventure trilogy from Gordon Korman about a number of kids competing to be the youngest person to ever reach the top of Mt. Everest. Although not officially based on a true story, the book is still quite realistic at times. It'll definitely make you want to read book 2 and 3 of the series. Excerpt: Pages 1 & 2 Unbroken by Laura Hillenbrand tells the remarkable true story of Louie Zamperini. This story begins by chronicling Zamperini's path that takes him to the 1936 Olympic Games in Berlin, Germany. At the games, his impressive running accomplishments even catch the attention of Adolph Hitler. The book then fast forwards to World War II where Zamperini the athlete becomes an airman. He trades his track cleats for life aboard military aircraft upon enlistment. Life changes in an instant for Zamperini one May afternoon in 1943, when his military plane crashes into the Pacific Ocean. The crash leaves behind a trail of debris, an oil slick, blood, and the men in enemy territory. Ahead of Zamperini lie thousands of miles of open ocean leaving him and his surviving crew-mates to drift into the unknown aboard a tiny raft. This is a captivating story that tells of one Zamperini's immense courage and will to survive. Definitely a page turner that is complemented by a number of photographs. Each page will leave you wondering the fate of Zamperini. Book Excerpt: page 36 - 37 &100 Guts: The True Stories Behind Hatchet and the Brian Books is a non-fiction book written by Gary Paulsen. It is about some of Paulsen's life adventures, including learning how to hunt, dog sledding in blizzards, and being in a plane that stalls mid air. He discusses the inspirations of his life and the way they helped to create events for his character Brian Robeson. Excerpt: Pages 6-11 FYI: This book is rated m for mature. |
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