A Monster Call: a Novel by Patrick Ness

As the Lone Star Reading List for 2012 arrived, I could hardly wait to read some of the selections. I recently finished A Monster Calls: a Novel by Patrick Ness, Inspired by an idea by Siobhan Dowd. Wow! The story and the sketches are powerful and beautiful! The story begins as Conor shares some of the details of his recurring nightmare and details of his mother's battle with cancer. His life at school isn't much better, as he must deal with constant bullying by classmates. When things couldn't get worse, Conor is visited one night by a real monster in the form of a yew tree. The tree monster shares three stories with Conor and makes Conor promise that he will share his own story at the end of the three tales. To find out the truth about Conor and his mother, check out A Monster Calls: a Novel. You'll be hooked!

Dragonfly by Julia Golding

As the story opens in this fantasy novel, readers discover that a marriage is being arranged between Ramil Lagan ac Burinholt and Taoshira, Fourth Crown Princess of the Blue Crescent Islands. However, the arranged couple cannot stand the sight of each other. Just as they find a way to get away from each other, they are both kidnapped, and a marvelous journey begins. The journey includes battles, dangerous situations, and a little bit of romance. Will Ramil and Taoshira be able to work together to save themselves, or will they cause more problems? Check out this fantasy novel!

Divergent by Veronica Roth

In a futuristic society, people are divided into five factions: Erudite, Abnegation, Dauntless, Candor, and Amity. At the age of sixteen, students may choose to live with their families in their current factions or choose to move to another faction that better suits their lives. Beatrice has a tough decision to make. Will she remain her family or move to another group? How will her decision change her future?

Personal Thoughts: Wow! Fantastic books! Beatrice is a strong character, and the story is fascinating. Make plans to read this new Lone Star 2012 book!

Author Visit

Jordan Sonnenblick, author of Drums, Girls & Dangerous Pie, After Ever After, Zen and the Art of Faking It, and Notes from the Midnight Driver, visits the PHMS Library on Monday, January 23rd. For more details, visit the PHMS Library!

Sean Griswold's Head by Lindsey Leavitt

In order to help Payton Gritas deal with her father's MS diagnosis, Payton begins to visit the guidance counselor at her school. The counselor tells Payton to begin a focus journal, making her focus on other areas in her life. Who/What will be the object of her journal? For the past several years, Payton has looked at the back of Sean Griswold's head, since due to their last names, she sits behind him. So, Sean Griswold's head and Sean Griswold become the object of Payton's focus journal. Needless to say, Payton learns quite a bit about Sean, and in the process, their relationship blossoms. What will happen when Sean realizes that he is the focus of her journal?

Personal Thoughts: Lindsey Leavitt's book made me laugh out loud! Payton's honesty about Sean's head and her feelings were believable and realistic! If you enjoy a lighthearted read, pick up Sean Griswold's Head.

Girl, Stolen by April Henry

Cheyenne Wilder, a blind teenager sick with pneumonia, rests in the backseat of her stepmother's car. Tragically, the car is stolen, making Cheyenne a victim of kidnapping. Even though she promises that she cannot see anything so she won't share information with the police, Griffin, the criminal, takes Cheyenne back to his house where his hostile father and friends must decide what to do with Cheyenne. Upon discovering that Cheyenne is the daughter of Nike's president, Griffin's father decide to ask for ransom. Will Cheyenne sit back and wait for the money to be delivered? Will she receive any help along the way?

Personal Thoughts: I loved April Henry's novel! I was on the edge of my seat the entire time, and sometimes I even found myself cheering for someone besides Cheyenne. If you like suspense and action, read Girl, Stolen.

Epitaph Road by David Patneaude

Have you ever wondered what would happen if women ran the government? In David Patneaude's Epitaph Road, Kellen, a fourteen-year-old boy, lives in a world of women. A disease killed off most of the men, causing some men, including Kellen's dad, to move to colonies far away. When Kellen's mom encourages him to get away from the city for a few days, he knows he must check to see that his dad is stiff safe from the disease. On his journey to find his father, Kellen's discoveries are surprising and thrilling.

Personal Thoughts: I wasn't certain what to expect when I first started reading Epitaph Road, but I was immediately engrossed in the story. Each chapter begins with an epitaph for one of the deceased men. I then followed Kellen on his journey to discover the truth, and to be honest, I was surprised! If you enjoy science fiction and dystopian thrillers, you will love this book!