Overdrive

Friday, December 10, 2010

Cinda Williams Chima

We have a treat for the 8th graders. Cinda Williams Chima is coming to visit in January. For those of you who do not know, Chima has written The Heir Series, The Demon King, and the latest, The Exiled Queen. Below are two trailers for her books....ENJOY!!!
(You can also visit her website at: http://www.cindachima.com/.)


The Demon King



Thursday, December 9, 2010

Bruiser by Neal Shusterman



I have read many books by Neal Shusterman...Schwa was Here, Darkside of Nowhere, Full Tilt, and my favorite, Unwind. But I have to say this one may be my new favorite.

"Inexplicable events start to occur when sixteen-year-old twins Tennyson and Brontë befriend a troubled and misunderstood outcast, aptly nicknamed Bruiser, and his little brother, Cody." But it goes so much beyond this.

How would you feel if you did not feel any pain...physically or emotionally? All you felt was neutral. Sounds great...right? Or is that what makes life worth living, the good and the bad??

Come check this book out and I promise you will not be disappointed!!!!!!!

Beastly by Alex Flinn


So, over the break I read Beastly by Alex Flinn. Take Beauty and the Beast and modernize it and you have this amazing book. I was a little leary of it thinking it would get boring since I know the outcome, but boy was I wrong. I LOVED IT!! The movie adaptation was supposed to come out over last summer, but it is now coming out over Spring Break, and you will see me in line. Enjoy the trailer!


Monday, November 29, 2010

Gearing Up for the Holiday Season!

I love this time of year. It is just starting to get cold enough to Something else that also gets me is that every year there is a certain book that I love to read. I have read this book so many times that it is falling a part, but it is now a tradition with me. (Come see me to find out what it is!)

Over the break, I was able to read two out of the three books I wanted to. Beastly puts a new twist on the classic Beauty and the Beast. All We Know of Heaven is about two best friends who are in an accident. Only one survives, but it becomes a case of mistaken identity. Both of them I would highly recommend.

Now I am on to some of the newer novels in the library, such as Bruiser by Neal Shusterman.

Tuesday, November 16, 2010

Breaktime= Extra Reading Time


As we get close to a break, I just wanted to make sure that each of you have a great book to read over the break. I know you think I am crazy to suggest that you read during break, but what I have found is that this is the time when you are at your least stressed and your mind takes in these great books. With a new shipment of books that has just come in, Stafford has many, MANY selections. Please come on in and see me!

(You might be asking what is Mrs. Lassley reading for the break? On my list are Beastly, All We Know of Heaven, and The Demon King.)



Monday, October 25, 2010

Gordon Korman is Coming!

Do not forget to bring your copies of Gordon Korman books to Stafford on Thursday! He will be speaking with all the students as well as signing your books.

Friday, October 22, 2010

Book Trailers

As many of you know, I am finishing up my master's right now. One of my projects recently was to create a book trailer for a Michael Printz award winner. The Printz award is given to the top young adult book. Many great books have been on here. Please visit the site and check them out. (Hint: I made the one for The Disreputable History of Frankie Landau-Banks.

http://printzpreviews.blogspot.com/

Thursday, October 21, 2010

Laurie Halse Anderson


On Monday, Stafford had the honor of hosting Laurie Halse Anderson. She has written books, such as Fever 1793, Wintergirls, Speak, Chains, and Forge. So many times, authors come just to talk about the books that they have written. It was refreshing to see an author come in and talk about the research that goes into writing a book. From killing and cooking a rabbit, to walking around in the snow in just her socks, Laurie Halse Anderson has done it all!.



Tuesday, October 19, 2010

Way Too Long!

It has been way too long since I have been on here. Talk about a busy time in the Stafford Library. Between Book Fair, author visits, and Frisco Reads, October has been a CRAZY month. And yes, I know it is only half over. Over the next couple of days, keep coming back and checking out the blog. I will be adding book reviews, information about authors, and information about happenings in the library.

Tuesday, September 21, 2010

It's a Book!

I was sent this video by a fellow librarian, and found that this is where many of you come from. Enjoy!!


Monday, September 20, 2010

Frisco Reads

The time is growing near! Frisco Reads is on the horizon. There is going to be so many great things going on there that you will not want to miss it. Please check out this Frisco Reads website for details: http://friscoreads.com

Hope to see you there!

Sweethearts By Sara Zarr




This weekend I read this wonderful book called Sweethearts by Sara Zarr. Jenna is a normal 17 year old girl. She has friends, even a boyfriend. What they do not know is that she is harboring a secret... eight years ago she used to be the most unpopular girl in school, being fat, having a speech problem, and not friends. That is until she met Cameron Quick. Cameron and Jenna were inseparable growing up, both loners with a troubling home life. But then Cameron disappears, and Jenna thinks he is dead. Now 8 years later, he shows back up and Jenna does not know what to think.

This book really surprised me. What started out as a book that I had to read, turned into a book that I could not put down. The level of friendship between Jenna and Cameron will break your heart, but also renew your faith that there are friends like that our there.

Girls... A MUST READ!

Friday, September 10, 2010

Short Week, LOTS of Books!

Although this has been a short week, I have been book hungry. For those of you who do not know what this is, it is where you just cannot get enough books. You just want to read all the time. This week I finished Where the Red Fern Grows, Copper Sun, The Disreputible History of Frankie Landau-Banks, and The First Part Last. Each one was very different, but SO good.

One of the things that I noticed about myself is that the book covers really grab my eye. On The Disreputible History of Frankie Landau-Banks, the front cover really turned me off to the book. Now that I have read it, I am in love with it.

Have you guys noticed that sometimes the book cover make or break the book for you? Is there a book that you have read anyway despite the cover?

Friday, September 3, 2010

I,Q: The White House


This was a great addition to the I, Q series. The White House starts off right where Independence Hall ended. Q and Angela are staying at the White House, and they even get to meet the president....in their pajamas. This book only takes place over one day, but only Roland Smith could pack so much into 24 hours!

Surprise 8th grade Author















I am so excited to share this with you guys! One of my favorite authors is coming to Stafford on October 18th. Laurie Halse Anderson has written many award winning books such as Chains, Fever 1793, Speak, and Wintergirls. She will be with us from 1:00-1:45. Any 8th grade student who would like to have lunch with her, please come see me!

Thursday, August 26, 2010

Mockingjay in all of its glory!

Last night I stayed up late to finish Mockingjay, and let me tell you guys something....Suzanne Collins does not disappoint. I was really wondering if she could finish off the series in just one book, but she did it.

Mockingjay starts off in District 13, where we find Katniss trying to deal with her injuries and knowing that Peeta was left behind. All of the Districts are trying to fight the Capital, but Katniss does not know if she wants to be apart of it.

Will the districts finally be free from the Capital? Can Katniss find Peeta, and if not, can she live without him? How is Katniss going to deal with Gale? Can Katniss become the Mockingjay that everyone expects her to be?

Come reserve Mockingjay to find out!

Tuesday, August 24, 2010

Mockingjay






IT IS HERE!
I do not know about you guys but I am so excited about this book coming out! I have copies but I will be waiting until Monday to give it out. (I have to get them in the computer.) First come, first serve!!

Monday, August 23, 2010

New Series

As I was reading The Red Pyramid, I remembered that I needed to give everyone this website. At the following website (with password), you read the first 2 chapters of the new series by Rick Riordan, Heroes of Mount of Olympus. The first book, The Lost Hero, comes out on October 12th. The first two chapters have me hooked already. Check it out!

http://www.camphalfblood.com/
password: newhero

Monday, August 16, 2010

Welcome Back!

Welcome Back Spartans!

As I am writing this, I keep thinking how different this year is going to be for you and for me. Many of you saw me in the classroom and some of you even had me as a teacher. Now my classroom has just expanded! I am SO excited to be in the library and I have so many ideas I am busting at the seams!

This summer I had a chance to read a lot of books. I will not be reviewing all of them, but under my Library Thing to the left you can see all of the books that I have read. Right now I am reading The Red Pyramid by Rick Riordan. (We have multiple copies!)

I plan on seeing each of you over the next couple of weeks, but come on by and say hi!!!

Mrs. Lassley