The Best Reader:
best

As of tomorrow (January 1st) there are three days left to donate a review to benefit my struggling readers. Despite it being the holiday, many bloggers/readers are staying in to participate in "Reading Into The New Year ". But really, when we say "reading" that could mean twittering (most likely) and reviewing (hopefully). If that's you, please spread the word, maybe even donate a review!

If you'd like to spread the word via Twitter please copy/paste this message:

"Donate a Review for the Holidays! Win DELIRIUM! http://bit.ly/gPEpxI @google"

Or put your own spin on it — as long as you have the url and the @google. Here's why: for every tweet to spread the word you'll be entered in a giveaway of ARCs. You don't have to follow the blog, you don't have to donate a review, just spread the word and you can win one of the following:

• ARC of "Revolution"
• On The Compulsive Reader's Favorite Books of 2010: : Review
• ARC of "I'd Know You Anywhere"
• On Presenting Lenore's Best/Most Memorable Reads of 2010
• ARC of "Russian Winter"
• On Beth Fish Reads Top Reads of the Year: : Review
• ARC of "Girl in Translation"
• Take Me Away's Most Memorable Character: : Review

It's that time of year, Twitter and my GR is buzzing with the excitement of another year gone and another year here. With all the upcoming Reading Challenges and Goals for the new year, I can't help but feel motivated and ready (whether my classroom is or isn't is another question). Yesterday I looked at all the books I read and came up with my top ten favorites. Feeling a little extra motivated I even made a video — beware: it is my first video, and while I'm extremely proud of it, it isn't perfect.

Books mentioned:

10. Shade by Jeri Smith-Ready
9. Shiver by Maggie Stiefvater
8. Hush Hush by Becca Fitzpatrick
7. Beastly by Alex Flinn
6. Before I Fall by Lauren Oliver
5. Matched by Allie Condie
4. I Am Number Four by Pittacus Lore
3. Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher
2. Some Girls Are by Courtney Summers
1. The Hunger Games by Suzanne Colli ns

After making that list I still felt like something was missing, like that list alone didn't sum up 2010. I continued to think about it this morning and then it hit me: it isn't always the books that mean the most, sometimes it's the authors. I read 65 books in 2010 and the above are my favorite reads, but what about my favorite authors? The authors who were crazy kind, excited to talk to me, and who were full enthusiasm?

Here are my top authors of 2010:

• Lauren Oliver — Besides being an awesome writer, you were so approachable at BEA and I was so impressed when you remembered my name when you say me randomly walking around!
• Shannon Delany — You single-handedly were the reason Sheila and I made it to the Author Event at BEA where I met so many great women! You were so friendly, understanding, and patient with my back and forth Twittering to find where you all were. I so appreciate everything you did and can't wait for your second book.
• Courtney Summers — Your books never cease to amaze me, but I'll never forget your Author Interview with my struggling readers (and they never will either). You really demonstrated to my students that authors are people too — no matter how famous! Thank you!
• Denise Jaden — Girl, "Losing Faith" rocked my socks off but you are just as outstanding (if not more!). You have such an outreach to readers and bloggers, I am so impressed!
• Violet Haberdasher — I loved "Knightley Academy" and the main reason I bought it at BEA was because of how approachable you are! You were so friendly and excited to be at the NYC library! I can't wait for book two!
• Simone Elkeles — I haven't even read one of your books (yet), although I do have all of them on my bookshelves and in my classroom. Your books are books that I don't have to pitch to students — they pick them up, love the cover, love the synopsis, and come to me later saying "I loved this novel! Give me another one like it!" At BEA you were so friendly and even joked about me actually being a teacher because of my size (true story, my students think the same thing!). You gave me two signed posters and they were the first posters up in my classroom. My students can't believe I met you! Thank you so much for giving a first year teacher some credibility!
• Shari Maurer — I still need to read your book (I know, I'm behind), but I love your enthusiasm for reading and for struggling readers! I will never forget at BEA how willing you were to talk to me about my students (and I hadn't even met them yet!). Thanks!
• Karen Essex — I read a review of "Dracula in Love" on a blog and commented that I really wanted to read your novel but had gone to BN and it was $25, within a half an hour later you had emailed me and asked if I'd like a copy for review. It was one of those moments that my students said, "That didn't just happen, did it?" And it did. Thank you for being so awesome!
• Simmone Howell — My first Australian author! I am so excited to read your books in the near future! Your enthusiasm for reading and for students means a lot to me!

1. Knightley Academy — Bought
2. The Deathday Letter — Gift
3. Pretty Little Liars — Bought
4. Finding Forrester — School
5. Shade — BEA
6. To Kill A Mockingbird — School
7. Fall For Anything — Review Copy
8. Intrinsical — Review Copy
9. The Eternal Ones — Library
10. Dracula in Love — Review Copy
11. Captivate — Bought
12. The Legend of Sleepy Hollow — Audio via Gutenberg
13. The Dark Divine — BEA
14. The Ivy — BEA
15. Matched — Review Copy
16. Need — Bought
17. Mockingjay — Library
18. Losing Faith — Review Copy
19. The DUFF — BEA
20. 13 to Life — Bought

Plus, when I "empty" these shelves maybe I can get a Nook!:)
What about you? Have you noticed any reading trends?

“It isn't okay to write "smutty" for "smutty's" sake, it is okay to write a little bit racy and still deliver a good story, a story with characters that students can relate to — Shaun Hutchinson did this with 'The Deathday Letter." — Miss Remmers
The clock is ticking... Ollie can't be bothered to care about anything but girls until he gets his Deathday Letter and learns he's going to die in twenty-four hours. Bummer.
Ollie does what he does best: nothing. Then his best friend convinces him to live a little, and go after Ronnie, the girl who recently trampled his about-to-expire heart. Ollie turns to carloads of pudding and over-the-top declarations, but even playing the death card doesn't work. All he wants is to set things right with the girl of his dreams. It's now or never...
Why I read this: The cover really appealed to me. I don't think I even read the (awesome) synopsis until I actually sat down to read it months after receiving it.
Plot: The plot of this novel is definitely one of a kind. The easiest way to describe it is simply saying that the story is set in an alternate reality, one much like our own except 24 hours before you die you receive a mysterious Deathday letter. This it the situation Ollie is faced with — what does he do with the last 24 hours of his life. Even before the first page I was sucked into this novel as a result of the brief prologue (although I don't think prologue is the best word). I found this book to be a complete page turner — a book I read in one sitting.
Characters: The characters of this novel, especially Ollie, are so honest and real. The tone of this novel, because of the strong characters, was fantastic — very much like the tone of "The Duff. " Together, the tone and the characters, made this novel. Ollie thinks, acts, and speaks like a teenager; in the beginning I thought that no one really acted/thought like that... but after consulting the fiance, it turns out that most teenage boys' brains are occupied by two things: sex and girls. Beware: I have never heard of or read so many inappropriate jokes in my life — but this is precisely why my struggling male readers will love this novel: it was written for them.
Cover: Absolutely ADORE!
Random Thoughts: I loved Ollie's Grandma! For such a small character she was developed extremely well.
Final Thoughts: While filled with sex jokes and inappropriate insinuations, this book will be PERFECT for my male students. It's racy enough to be "rebellious" but has a great enough story and, dare I say, moral to be appropriate for school. My girls loved "The Duff" because it was real and honest and my boys will love "The Deathday Letter" for the same reasons. Both of these novels are could be "border-line" school appropriate, but this is due to the honesty and relatablity of the novels. I'm lucky to have such a great school librarian and administration who would put these books on the shelves even if I didn't ask. The question is this: would you rather have loads of books on the shelves that students don't read because they can't relate to the characters and the characters don't sound like them or are you willing to take a risk on a novel that, depending on the school or community, is "questionable" but that the students will devour and still receive a good story? It isn't okay to write "smutty" for "smutty's" sake, it is okay to write a little bit racy and still deliver a good story, a story with characters that students can relate to — Shaun Hutchinson did this with "The Deathday Letter."
*Before reading "The Duff" and "The Deathday Letter" both books were already on our school library's shelves.
Originality: 10/10 Ending: 10/10 Characters: 8/10 Plot: 9/10 My reaction/enjoyment: 9/10 Theme: 9/10 Imagery: 9/10 Setting: 5/5 Voice: 5/5 (AMAZING sense of voice) Style: 5/5 Tone: 5/5 (Tone was absolutely fantastic!) Cover: 10/10 Overall: 94/100 A
To the FTC, with love: Gift

I'd like to welcome Sandy, from Pirate Penguin's Reads, as this week's Guest Reviewer!

*********************

From Amazon.com...

"For Nora Grey, romance was not part of the plan. She's never been particularly attracted to the boys at her school, no matter how much her best friend, Vee, pushes them at her. Not until Patch came along.
With his easy smile and eyes that seem to see inside her, Nora is drawn to him against her better judgment. But after a series of terrifying encounters, Nora's not sure who to trust. Patch seems to be everywhere she is, and to know more about her than her closest friends. She can't decide whether she should fall into his arms or run and hide. And when she tries to seek some answers, she finds herself near a truth that is way more unsettling than anything Patch makes her feel. For Nora is right in the middle of an ancient battle between the immortal and those that have fallen — and, when it comes to choosing sides, the wrong choice will cost her life."
When I received Hush Hush in the mail, I was ecstatic! I've only heard good things about this book and once I read the excerpts on Simon & Schuster, I knew that I had to read this book.

I'm happy to say that I was not disappointed. Hush Hush delivers the enticing story of Nora Grey, a no-nonsense sophomore who gets paired up in biology class with Patch, the mysterious and arrogant bad boy that we all hate (and love... even if we don't want to admit it). With his dark eyes and mocking smile, Patch both thrills and terrifies Nora... unwilling to let him affect her, Nora tries to counteract her growing attraction by everything she can to stay away from him. But Nora can't push Patch out of her thoughts because after meeting him, scary things start happening and Nora can't shake off the feeling of someone's eyes watching her every move. Her paranoia increases when she realizes that whenever something bad happens, Patch has the habit of always being there, waiting for her with a mischievous smirk. Despite her better judgment, Nora finds herself falling for Patch... but soon discovers that Patch's secrets are darker and graver than she ever imagined-and that now she plays a part in his dangerous game.

I loved Hush Hush. I couldn't put it down, not for a second! I enjoyed watching Nora verbally spar with Patch; he was probably the most maddening, evil, infuriatingly conceited character I've ever come across. But that didn't stop me (or Nora) from finding him quite alluring... I understood why Nora wanted to simultaneously smack him in the face while wanting to fall into his arms; you can't help but like Patch, despite his roguish ways. His unpredictability was what kept me turning the pages... As for Nora, I found her to be a great character and it was funny to see how Patch affected her. She went from cool and collected to hot and bothered the moment Patch entered the room! Their attraction was sizzling, and Patch just made it scorching.
So if you're looking for a dark, edgy romance with shots of mystery in between, Hush Hush is the book for you! I'd definitely recommend this novel to anyone who wants to get their pulse racing, whether it be from fear or swooning. Patch will make sure of that for you.

****************** Sandy, thank you so much for such an awesome review! Please visit Sandy at Pirate Penguin's Reads and share some book love! Please view her original review as well!

I beat the storm home last Saturday and have spent the week at home. While it seems like I haven't gotten a lot accomplished, I have. I successfully reattached my 'enter' key and reinstalled Word. I lost most of my music (about 8GB) while trying to transfer music from my iPod to my PC (I've come to terms with said loss) and had a pick me up by having Santa bring me a new iPod Touch (not that I know how to use it yet). I have seen three movies in theaters since last Sunday including: "A Christmas Carol" (let down), "The Princess and the Frog" (surprisingly amazing), and "Sherlock Holmes" (slight let down). Last Sunday my phone broke and they were sending me a new one. It was supposed to arrive on Wednesday. It is now a week later and I still do not have a working phone — but again, I've come to terms. As you can tell, I had a pretty rough week (in regards to technology). Slowly (but surely) things are starting to look up.

This week I reviewed "Inside Out, " "The Source of Miracles, " "Elmer the Christmas Elf, " "A Christmas Carol: Special Edition, " "I Used to Know That, " and "Cracked Up to Be. " As a result, this has probably been one of the most productive weeks (in regards to blogging/recreational reading) that I have had since August. I'm SO enjoying it. "The Source of Miracles " was one of the best books I've read in such a long time! I can't shut up about it! I did read/finish "Love You, Hate You, Miss You" as well — the review is coming. I did have to abandon two books that have been hanging over my head all semester. I've had both of them for months and I've continually tried to pick them up and read them — but I was forcing myself to do it. And I can't condone forcing myself to read when I have such an awesome bunch of books to read. So, I'll be passing them on (hint hint). Stay tuned.

Sadly, part of the 8GB of music lost included "Confessions of a Shopaholic." I wasn't too far into it though so I'm not too upset about it. I'll probably look for it at the library. I also didn't do an "In My Mailbox" post as I haven't received anything (not even a phone)! But I do know that I have a book or two waiting for me back at school that I will get sometime this week when I head back for New Years.

Cassie was this week's Guest Reviewer — donating her review of City of Bones. Please share some book love and visit her at Happy Book Lovers.

My new holiday campaign to collect Guest Reviews has been a great hit — we've acquired 44 reviews! Thanks to everyone who has donated! Campaign ends January 4th and is open to absolutely everyone! I have four more Guest Reviews to post (scheduled) but those are only the ones that I received via email. Many people only left a link on Mr. Linky — which I guess is okay and it is still appreciated. I just feel more like I'm plagiarizing then — but reviews are reviews and the more the better.

I gained three followers this week and now have 34 amazing followers. Welcome and Thank you!

My list of books to read/things to do during break:

• Read "Inside Out"
• Read "Elmer, the Christmas Elf"
• Post all the Guest Reviews I've received for My Holiday Book Review Campaign
• Finish "The Source of Miracles" (Review)
  
• Read "Lucifer Rising" (Review)
  
• Read "Comfort Living" (Review)
  
• Read "I Used to Know That" (Review)
  
• Read "Some Girls Are" (ARC — Goodreads Winner)
  
• Read "The Van Alen Legacy" (Library — Momma Remmers)
  
• Read "Love You, Hate You, Miss You" (Library — Momma Remmers)
• Read "Truly, Madly: A Novel" (ARC — Goodreads Winner)
• Read "Jennifer Johnson is Sick of Being Single" (Library — Momma Remmers)
• Read "Sea Change" (Library — Momma Remmers)
• Read "Jumping off Swings" (Library — Momma Remmers)
• Read "Before I Die" (Library — Momma Remmers)
• Read "Embellish" (Review)
• Read "Gone" (Library — Momma Remmers)
• Read "Cracked Up to Be" (Library — Momma Remmers)
• Read "How to Buy a Love of Reading" (Library — Momma Remmers)
• Read "Oh.My.Gods." (Library — Momma Remmers)
• Read "Dark Places" (Library — Momma Remmers)
• Read "Nothing But Ghosts" (Library — Momma Remmers)
• Read "Isabelle's Boyfriend" (Library — Momma Remmers)
• Read "The Grand Sophy" (Library — Momma Remmers)
• Read "Once Bitten, Twice Shy" (Library — Momma Remmers)
• Read "Shelter Me" (Library — Momma Remmers)
• Read "Ransome's Honor" (Library — Momma Remmers)
• Read "Poltergeist" (Library — Momma Remmers)
• Read "Girlfriend Material" (Library — Momma Remmers)
• Read "Wicked Lovely" (Library — Momma Remmers)
• Read "According to Jane" (Library — Momma Remmers)
• Read "Catching Fire" (Library — Momma Remmers)

What did you finish this week?

"This book has changed my life... [and] inspired me to depths that no other book has." — Miss Remmers

From Amazon.com...

"The real secret to creating and sustaining an abundant, joyous, and fulfilled life has been hiding in plain sight — in the power of the prayer that unites two billion Christians worldwide, the prayer that each one of them knows by heart.
True happiness and success can't just be wished for. The real secret to fulfillment lies in using the Lord's Prayer as part of an ongoing spiritual practice that leads to real and lasting change in the soul — change that will manifest itself in earthly, tangible ways. Each chapter in The Source of Miracles is a guide to one of seven steps in that process, corresponding to a primary teaching of the prayer: faith, surrender, service, abundance, forgiveness, obstacles, and love. Each chapter also includes meditations, affirmations, and other activities designed to help readers work through life's challenges. In her bestselling fiction, Kathleen McGowan has popularized the world of Christian esoterica, a unique place where New Age and Christianity meet, making ancient teachings new and powerful. The Source of Miracles harnesses the wisdom of those traditions at a time of great material and spiritual uncertainty, when the need for signposts on the road to success has never been more acute." This book did take me an extremely long time to read — BUT that was because of finals and the hectic life I lead as student. I really read this book in two sittings, and these two sittings have changed my life. This book has changed my life. The book's message is one that seems so obvious, so generic, but Kathleen McGowan successfully explained the message in a way that made me, as a reader, want to change my life (not tomorrow, not next week, but now). This book inspired me to depths that no other book that I've read has. This book made me want to become a better person and try harder to do what was necessary.

At times the message was daunting and overwhelming. I felt as though there was so much I needed to do, so many lists to make, so many exercises to complete to make myself better. But in time, I realized that growth is growth, and growth is one step at a time. So I put made use of my "nerdy English major/teacher sticky tabs" (13!!) and strategically placed them throughout this book with every intention of returning to them and studying the pages more thoroughly.

I have made use (for the first time) of the Sticky Note application on my computer, writing down verses, phrases, and exercises found in this book and I know that I will definitely be rereading this book in the future to further instill it's awesome message. As a result, with this book, I may have went a LITTLE overboard with my favorite quotes — but its such an inspiring book!

Favorite Quotes:
"The Lord's Prayer is now, as it was when Jesus lived, the incorruptable formula for personal and global transformation" (2).
"With faith and love, all things are possible" (14).
"Don't edit yourself. Dare to dream, and dream big" (58).
"Not one minute of your life has been wasted because each experience you have had brings you to this very moment as the person you are today. All of it matters. Bless your past for the lessons you have learned so that you may seize your future" (58).
"It is human nature to wait for a safety net to appear before taking a death-defying leap" (61).
"When you encounter obstacles and everything seems to be an uphill battle, it is usually an indication that you are out of alignment with your spiritual purpose and need to do some adjusting" (70).
"He took the cow" (76).
"If you truly believe everything happens for a reason, you will never have a bad day" (76).
"Every good deed neutralizes a bad one.
Every act of service eliminate an act of oppression.
Every prayer for peace eradicates an impulse of war" (88).
"Lack is not your natural state; you feel it when you are spiritually unbalanced" (105).
"You must be prepared to release with love and forgiveness those who have hurt you" (150).
"Do all things with love and love will do all things" (175).

Because of the obvious "God/prayer" theme, this book would not be suitable for book shelves. And as much as I want everyone to read it, I cannot part with my book. I have a feeling that this book will sit on my bedside table for a very long time and will continually be reread and marked up with sticky notes and note cards. I am purchasing a copy for my Grandmother, my mom, and her five sisters for Christmas and I very much, from the bottom of my heart, recommend YOU purchasing this book: Give the Gift of Prayer, Faith, and Miracles. (And yes, I made that up)

HUGE thanks to Julie at FSB Associates for sending me this life changing book.

While I am grading research papers, my literary content-based posts are going to be lacking. So how's this for a visual?

Today I went to Best Buy. Because it's the holiday season and shoppers are abound, I parked way out in the middle of nowhere — literally with no cars on either side of me. When I returned, I had to meander my way through this:

There were still loads of other spots available out in the boonies (for people who like to walk) as well as spaces closer to the store! I mean if I were any "bigger" I would have had to crawl through the passenger side! I got to thinking: what if I were someone "bigger" and "older" and wouldn't be able to crawl through the passenger side! While the thought didn't exactly make me angry, I was just annoyed at the inconsiderateness of others. So I did what any polite North Dakotan would do:

For the record, while it was tempting to purposefully door ding — I withheld the temptation.

"Not only a page turner, but a 'stay-up-all-night-to-finish' book!" — Miss Remmers

From Amazon.com...

"Love ties them together. Death can't tear them apart.
Best. Birthday. Ever. At least, it was supposed to be. With Logan's band playing a critical gig and Aura's plans for an intimate after-party, Aura knows it will be the most memorable night of her boyfriend's life. She never thought it would be his last.

Logan's sudden death leaves Aura devastated. He's gone.

Well, sort of.

Like everyone born after the Shift, Aura can see and hear ghosts. This mysterious ability has always been annoying, and Aura had wanted nothing more than to figure out why the Shift happened so she can undo it. But not with Logan’s violet-hued spirit still hanging around. Because dead Logan is almost as real as ever. Almost.

It doesn't help that Aura’s new friend Zachary is so understanding—and so very alive. His support means more to Aura than she cares to admit.

As Aura's relationships with the dead and the living grow ever complicated, so do her feelings for Logan and Zachary. Each holds a piece of Aura's heart…and clues to the secret of the Shift."

Why I read this: The cover was definitely a "draw in" for me, plus the synopsis, and the author is amazingly approachable and funny — the recipe of a great read!

Plot: Set in "post-Shift", where anyone born after the Shift can see and communicate with the dead, "Shade" is a fantastically riveting read that intrigues readers from the beginning. The idea alone that the young are so separated from the older generation because of this "dis/ability" is alluring enough when you take into consideration how anyone under the age of 17 today assumes they are so disconnected from my generation or older. The plot was unlike anything I had ever read and I couldn't get enough of it.

Characters: I really connected with Aura's character; I can definitely see why she wants to get rid of her "ability" and I love how persistent she is to find the truth. This novel is so heart-breakingly honest, especially during the trial. My emotions throughout the novel ranged from "Oh my gosh are they really... " and "Oh he didn't... " (at the beginning), to mortification and embarrassment (towards the end), and finally settled at "I need the next book!" (the last page). These characters were so real to me that I felt like I had went on this journey right along with Aura, Logan, and Zach.

Speaking of Zach, he definitely gets my vote (can you say "sweetheart"!). His whole story line was definitely intriguing, page turning, and completely surprising.

Cover: This cover is SO eye-catching and alluring, before even meeting the author or reading the synopsis I knew I wanted to read this book due to the beautiful cover.

Random Thoughts: I'm just going to say... I need the next book.

Final Thoughts: I am so upset that I let this book sit on my bookshelf for seven months. It was so fantastic! Not only a page turner, but a "stay up all night to finish" book! I definitely recommend this novel to readers of all ages who are looking for an exciting read. I love this book so much it'll be my first classroom book talk for the New Year! Definitely read this novel.

Originality: 9/10
Ending: 10/10
Characters: 10/10
Plot: 9/10
My reaction/enjoyment: 10/10
Theme: 10/10
Imagery: 10/10
Setting: 5/5
Voice: 5/5
Style: 5/5
Tone: 5/5
Cover: 10/10
Overall: 98/100 A

To the FTC, with love: Received at BEA 2010

Last week I conquered the Christmas Stockings on a Curtain Rod project, this week I attempted to conquer conquered the Christmas Card Wreath. Remember I'll leave a link to how to do the project, but this post is more or less meant to show you how it actually turned out for an uncreative, not artistic person.

When I saw this Christmas Card Wreath (link to the Pinterest Page) , I knew I wanted to try it. I had just received two Christmas cards in the mail and wanted to display them but didn't know how. While I did have to purchase most of the supplies for this project, much like the Stockings on the Curtain rod, the supplies were not expensive. I had a wire hanger in my closet but I did have to buy clothes pins, red beads, ribbon, glue, wire cutter (strong pliers), and green spray paint (for a complete list of supplies and the step-by-step instructions, please visit Gwenny Penny) .

The first thing I think you should know (that is left out) is that if you are only making one wreath — a small can of spray paint will do. However, if you are planning on making a wreath for a gift or (as I am) are throwing a "Create a Christmas Card Wreath" Party — you'll need multiple cans of spray paint. I started out with a small can and I ran out and had to purchase more. The clothes pins were easy to find at Walmart and were very inexpensive, as were the rest of the supplies. I did have to purchase a wire cutter (pliers) as my pliers were a flat end and didn't really cut through anything. I also bought Krazy Glue, but I'm wishing I would have just bought fabric glue*.

You should also know that spray paint is sticky. I painted the clothes pins on Thursday night and by Saturday night, while they were dry, they were still a bit sticky and it was very hard to get off. Maybe creative people know that, but as an uncreative person who doesn't deal with spray paint often — this would have been nice to know.

Actually putting together this project was fairly easy: red bead, green clothes pin, red bead, green clothes pin and so on and so forth. When I got to the last few beads and pins it got interesting. The Krazy glue I bought wasn't sticking to the metal clothes hanger. So I ended up manipulating the clothes hanger to wrap around the end (in a very unattractive way) and then wrapping the hanger with the red ribbon. I then used the ribbon to make a make-shift hanger (not like in the original post directions) and used the Krazy glue to put the two pieces of fabric together*.

Here is my project:

I'm not 100% happy with it as my hanger is less circular and more "hot mess." Also, I think I'm going to add a bow to make the wreath a bit more complete — but I haven't figured out how to create a bow yet (something the original post left out or assumed I would know how to do). Some of my pins put pressure on the other pins — I don't know if this is because my hanger is too small or not, but the pins are a bit cramped.

As a person who doesn't deal with clothes pins on a regular basis, I also wish someone would have told me that they won't stay "pin down" on the wire, they constantly need to be manipulated. But once they are hung the pins use the wall as support and stay where I put them. I also wish I would have spent more time painting the pins. But because I had people coming over on Sunday to make the wreaths and I didn't know that the spray paint took so long to dry, I didn't have time to turn my box with the pins on it upside down and get the underside of the pins green as well.

Overall Verdit: This project definitely wasn't as easy as it looked and my finished product is no where near as beautiful and put together as the example. But it doesn't function well and once I figure out how to make a bow, I think this project will come together quite nicely. I'm glad I attempted it, but it was definitely a "figure it out as we go" type of deal in regards to the left out helpful pieces of information.

Also, my ribbon is probably too big.

Edit: I tried my best to add a bow. I'm still not very happy with it and have changed my Verdict to BUST. There are some other great ideas to display Christmas cards and I'm just not feeling it. It's not circular and the bow is and ribbon is complete chaos — you can call me an uncreative perfectionist if you'd like.:) But unless it's perfect and I'm proud of it, I'm just not sure I want to display it in my house as part of the decor haha.

"I'd consider this book one of the best-kept-secret new releases of the month." — Miss Remmers

Release Date: December 27th, 2011
Publisher: Zonderkidz
Challenges: 100+ Reading Challenge, eBook Challenge

"Martyr---otherwise known as Jason 3:3---is one of hundreds of clones kept in a remote facility called Jason Farms. Told that he has been created to save humanity, Martyr has just one wish before he is scheduled to 'expire' in less than a month. To see the sky. Abby Goyer may have just moved to Alaska, but she has a feeling something strange is going on at the farm where her father works. But even this smart, confident girl could never have imagined what lies beneath a simple barn. Or what would happen when a mysterious boy shows up at her door, asking about the stars. As the reality of the Jason Experiment comes to light, Martyr is caught between two futures---the one for which he was produced and the one Abby believes God created him to have. Time is running out, and Martyr must decide if a life with Abby is worth leaving everything he's ever known."

Beginning to read "Replication," I had no idea what what I was getting myself into. I hardly knew the plot line and I hadn't seen it in the blogosphere at all; needless to say, I was a bit hesitant. But soon after starting this book, I couldn't put it down.

I was surprised at how well it was written and how fast I became enveloped and committed to the plot and characters. I finished this book in one day and couldn't wait to tell you all about it because it is so different from anything else I've recently read. Written in a "present day" society where cloning is an underground illegal operation, Williamson did a fantastic job of creating multi-faceted characters and a multi-dimensional plot. While a few of the characters were "similar," they were so perfectly different at the same time!

If I had to say one less than brilliant comment about this book — it would be "the God references." While cloning is definitely an issue of ethics and we couldn't really have ethics without some sense of religion, I sort of felt like that at points "God" and his ethics were sort of just dropped in the dialogue. It reminded me of "Beowulf" and how down the line when this oral tale was being written some monks inserted some religion lines throughout the story. It just didn't always flow well.

That being said, the first time God was mentioned in this book I couldn't help but roll my eyes and think, "Oh no, what's this?" I don't know why that's my first reaction to God being mentioned in a YA novel. I'm Christian, I enjoy Christian music, I attend church, and overall consider myself a "faithful believer." But in YA books so often it comes off as overly pious and apparently I have issues with the overtly pious. In this book, however, the mention of God and God's way was not read as arrogantly pious rather as genuine concern and an honest need of guidance — which was refreshing.

Overall, I'd consider this book one of the best-kept-secret new releases of the month.

What are your thoughts on religion in YA? I think I'm going to blame society for this particular quirk of mine (in regards to my involuntary flinch). I grew up in a "quiet Catholic" community so we didn't talk about our faith and we hardly ever said the word "God" outside of church, Sunday school, and prayers. I think society may have trained me to shun away from the word. Even at work, obviously as a teacher, I am very careful not to bring "the G-Word" up. Whether that's right or wrong, I'm not sure. But I think this "quiet Catholic" attitude has made its way into my reading habits as well. Speaking (or reading) about God is almost taboo it seems. Why is that? Do we train our children for that? Or have things changed?

Also, in case you were wondering:

My fingers are crossed as well, Jill!

-Visit Jill around the web here: Website | Goodreads
-BUY THE BOOK: Amazon | Kindle | Barnes and Noble | Nook

To the FTC, with love: eGalley received from NetGalley

"'To Kill a Mockingbird' is full of colorful characters and a timeless plot — it's no wonder that it has lasted 50 years!" — Miss Remmers

From Amazon.com...

"A lawyer's advice to his children as he defends the real mockingbird of Harper Lee's classic novel—a black man charged with the rape of a white girl. Through the young eyes of Scout and Jem Finch, Harper Lee explores with rich humor and unswerving honesty the irrationality of adult attitudes toward race and class in the Deep South of the 1930s. The conscience of a town steeped in prejudice, violence, and hypocrisy is pricked by the stamina and quiet heroism of one man's struggle for justice—but the weight of history will only tolerate so much. "

Why I read this: I had to teach it so I guessed I had better read it.

Plot: The plot of this timeless classic, I'll admit, starts slow. Like my students, I struggled with "TKM" in the beginning as well; I attempted to read it several times over the summer after returning from BEA. Finally, I inter-library loaned the audio and finally I was able to get into it. I hate to say it, as an English Major and a teacher, but I don't know if I would have ever gotten through this novel without the audio. Finally, around chapter 10, I started to get into the chapter stories even though I didn't know how there were connected at the time. At the end of the book, I actually picked up the novel to read it because I could read faster than I could listen.

Characters: By the end of this novel I felt completely connected to the characters, especially Atticus. I loved Atticus, like so many others, and everything he stood up for. He is the best fictional parent I have ever read. Many times throughout the novel I found myself thinking of the respect that Scout and Jem had for him as a parent and as a person — how the whole community respected him. I understand now why we have three "Atticuses" in the elementary school this year.

Cover: The cover of this novel, at least the old school version, is outdated (obviously) and I think could deter any reader from picking it up.

Final Thoughts: I can definitely see why this book is a classic and I am so glad I didn't let it's title, language, and reputation as a "classic" deter me from reading it. "To Kill a Mockingbird" is full of colorful characters and a timeless plot — it's no wonder that it has lasted 50 years!

Originality: 10/10
Ending: 10/10
Characters: 8/10
Plot: 8/10
My reaction/enjoyment: 7/10
Theme: 9/10
Imagery: 10/10
Setting: 5/5
Voice: 5/5
Style: 4/5
Tone: 4/5
Cover: 5/10
Overall: 85/100 B

To the FTC, with love: Received at BEA 2010 and through the Library/School

"Be prepared when picking up this addicting novel: it is the most honest and utterly raw novel I have ever read." — Miss Remmers

From Amazon.com...

"When Eddie Reeves’s father commits suicide her life is consumed by the nagging question of why? Why when he was a legendary photographer and a brilliant teacher? Why when he seemed to find inspiration in everything he saw? And, most important, why when he had a daughter who loved him more than anyone else in the world? When she meets Culler Evans, a former student of her father’s and a photographer himself, an instant and dangerous attraction begins. Culler seems to know more about her father than she does and could possibly hold the key to the mystery surrounding his death. But Eddie’s vulnerability has weakened her and Culler Evans is getting too close. Her need for the truth keeps her hanging on... but are some questions better left unanswered?"

Why I read this: After adoring "Cracked Up to Be " and "Some Girls Are " and interviewing Courtney Summers, I knew I had to read "Fall for Anything."

Plot: The plot of this novel, like all Summers' novels, is fast moving and completely addicting. I couldn't put this book down. I found myself crying throughout the novel at it's realness (yes, I cried during 6th period). Even though you know the outcome, he's dead (right?), you will it to not be true — to have an alternate ending (much like "Before I Fall "). I kept willing the book to go faster in order to find the next nonsensical clue.

Characters: I think all of the characters in this novel, even the father, are extremely strong and real. Eddie and her mother's pain are honest and excruciatingly sad. I couldn't help but become curious about Culler Evans and found myself in love with his image — that sympathy card was so... perfect and honest. I adored Milo, Eddie's best friend, and couldn't help but want to date him myself (shh, don't tell Dan). But not everyone is who they seem in "Fall for Anything."

Cover: This cover is amazing! It's so dark and completely captures the tone/mood of the story.

Random Thoughts: The ending of this book was so honest and almost anticlimactic — it was perfect.

Final Thoughts: This book did not disappoint — it was absolutely perfect. I was surprised at the ending, almost foolishly so. After reading this book my school librarian and the student who begged me to email Courtney about an interview wrestled over the book to see who got to read it first (no student was harmed prior to reading this novel) and the librarian won (after promising to have it to the student in 24 hours). This teacher didn't like it because it was so heartbreakingly honest; the student adored it because of it's honesty. Be prepared when picking up this addicting novel: it is the most honest and utterly raw novel, fiction or non, I have ever read. With a topic like this, I would expect nothing less from Courtney Summers.

Originality: 10/10
Ending: 9/10
Characters: 9/10
Plot: 10/10
My reaction/enjoyment: 10/10
Theme: 10/10
Imagery: 10/10
Setting: 5/5
Voice: 5/5
Style: 5/5
Tone: 5/5
Cover: 10/10
Overall: 98/100 A

To the FTC, with love: Received from the Author

"Fall for Anything" will be released on December 21st, 2010

This week I'd like to welcome Gina from Book Dragon's Lair as our Guest Reviewer.

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The Summer of Cotton Candy — Debbie Viguie
A Sweet Seasons Novel, book 1

From Amazon.com...

"Sixteen-year-old Candace thinks her vacation is ruined when her father forces her to apply for a job at the local amusement park, but when she meets a mysterious “Lone Ranger” there she finds love and learns the value of true faith and friendship."

Candace and her best-friend-since-kindergarten have plans for the summer before their senior year. Plans that DO NOT include working. However, Candace's dad says get a summer job because I won't be giving you any money this summer. Yikes! To make matters worse, the best friend is wealthy and is willing to pay for EVERYTHING if Candace doesn't work.

Candace applies at a local amusement park and gets the 2nd to last job available and it seems that everything goes downhill from there. So many things but finding out what happens & how she gets out of trouble is part of the fun of this book.

Candace, who hates to be called Candy, gets her name tag on her first day of work and it says Candy. Well, Sue's name tag says Mary so at least they kind of got it right. Candace is a church-going girl and her schedule doesn't always allow her to attend services with her family. Church going but not preachy or scripture quoting, just a nice girl who has some bad things happens and prays to God for help.

This book is fun as well as funny. There are many growth experiences and Candace is not the only one doing some growing. This is book one in a series of four and I would read the rest even if they didn't fit in so well with my challenge.

The main character maybe be going into her senior year of high school but I'd let my 5th grader read it if they had the skill. Candace dates, even kisses, but the book is so clean and sweet I'm going to loan it to some church friends & my MIL.

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Gina, thank you so much for such an awesome review! I really appreciate it!

Make sure to visit Gina and check out her original review!

As Thanksgiving break comes to a close and I realize I have (I refuse to count) a whole lot of school days until Christmas break, I think it's only fitting to start the week off with a vocabulary literary post rather than a review (and I haven't finished anything — yet).

I guess with two teachers as parents I grew up with the understanding that if you are smart, you talk smart. If you want to be smart, you talk smart. If you pretend you are smart by talking smart, people will assume you are smart. (How is that for confusing?) My parents often advised me to use a $5 word. For instance, my mother hates the word "sucks". When I was in high school I let that word slip and, boy, did she have a come back for me: "Reagan, can't you come up with a more intelligible word? You sound like a vacuum cleaner." When I asked her what word would be appropriate she replied, "Well, inhales profusely would be a better, more literal, response."

How silly is that! But to this day I remember it crystal clear (and I hardly ever say "sucks"). I find myself using the $5 word strategy with my students. Two words I can't stand and don't tolerate are "gay" (in a derogatory descriptive sense — "That's so gay") and the R-word (as in "you r__________"). When my students use these words in my presence the first couple of times I redirect them: "What other word could you use?" etc. By the middle of October my students realize these words are not tolerated and if I need to (I seldom do) I make a call home. By November/December, these words are no longer used. Even if it's only in my classroom, I still feel like I've made somewhat of an impact. Of course, a few students have fun with it and retort with a more literal term: "That is so homosexual" (then I, of course, question it's logicality and I have a whole other can of worms that has been opened).

There are very few things I really try to drive home to students (it's not the plot of "To Kill a Mockingbird" or even literary terms) and this is one area in which I refuse to bend.

But anyway, I digress.

$5 words. I think by using "$5 words" instead of "sucks" and "gay," students appear more intelligent (who am I to judge their actual intelligence). When I explain this to students, they often say "Why is it important to appear intelligent if we're not?" The first time I heard this I was completely flabbergasted. Who doesn't want to at least appear intelligent (especially if your intelligence is actually in question!)? I mean, honestly! I'm not saying carry around a thesaurus; I am saying make a conscious effort to better your vocabulary.

I remember the first time I really grasped this concept of the $5 word; I was in college and I was proofreading my best friend's paper (English major) and I saw the word "societal." It's not a huge or complex word, but I was so impressed. I knew she was intelligent (obviously) before I read the paper, but to this day I try to fit "societal" in whenever I can in conversation.

My point is: $5 words don't have to be huge and I don't demand that students be extremely literal ("inhales profusely" — really?). But what other $5 words (that are applicable) can I share with them? "Societal" was the word for me that really struck this $5 word concept home. Is there a "smart" $5 word you catch yourself using regularly?

Happy Thanksgiving! — I wanted to have a unique review for this special day, and thanks to Bancroft Press I have the perfect book! I hope you all enjoy your Thanksgiving!

From Amazon.com...

"Ever since his mother left, life has't been easy for Heath Wellington III. Between his father's (Junior's) bouts with alcoholism and literary rejection, and Heath's own wrongful suspension from school, there hasn't been all that much to be thankful for.
But following the tragic death of estranged grandfather Senior, father and son alike stand to inherit a life-changing fortune... with one catch. Heath and Junior must spend the next three months managing Senior's bed and breakfast, located in the same Massachusetts home Junior has spent the last eight years trying to escape. Upended from his everyday life and relocated to a town where everyone knew and loved the grandfather he can't even remember, Heath finds an inn full of some of the strangest people he's ever met, such as: * Winsted, the old, wise Jamaican man who used to lead the prayers in Senior s factory; * Mrs. Farrel, an elderly woman giving away her late husband's fortune letter by letter; * Mustang Sally, the muscle-bound, tattooed grease monkey who doubles as a children's author; * And Carter, the silent TV news junkie and secret Harvard graduate. And, at a nearby school is Savannah, Junior's first love, and her adorable, autistic daughter, Tori. But most of all, there's Junior himself, vinegar to Heath's oil. As Heath adjusts to his new world, what he needs most is to start anew with his father, to understand that Junior, too, is dealing with loss, and to realize that, even in the most tragic of times, there's a lot in life to be thankful for." This story is unlike any that I have ever read. It's a remarkable story about coming together as a family and recognizing what you need to be thankful for — but... without the cheese. Sometimes stories like this lay on the cheese and it gets to be a bit... annoying really. There are certain situations that could potentially have some cheese, but Time Whitney definitely writes with ease and make the situation believable and flawless (without the cheese). This is something I (and my students) appreciate. Thank you Tim!
But anyway... I am so glad that Bancroft Press sent me three copies. I will definitely be keeping one for my classroom and I am so happy to have sent two other copies on. This is such a beautiful holiday read — and a quick read too! There aren't a lot of books out there about Thanksgiving, so I'm extremely happy to add this book to my holiday bookshelf (yes, it exists).
The tenenants that you will meet when reading "Thanksgiving at the Inn" may be the best part of the book. Be prepared.:) I think my favorite was Sally — a tattooed biker/loving children's artist. His part of the book is... it's just phenomonal.
I very much highly recommend this book. Thanks again to Bancroft Press who sent it to me.
Favorite quote: "Sometimes life isn't fair, but it's what you do with your life that defines you" — Sally

I am always amazed at how many people don't know the term "interlibrary loan." My mom, as a librarian, is similarly amazed. I often think, if I didn't grow up with a mom-librarian, would I know the term?

What is Interlibrary Loaning?
Today, almost all libraries offer interlibrary loaning. It's basically a FREE service that enables the library card holder to borrow a book from another library. This other third-party library can be in the same system of libraries that you belong to (if you live in a larger city) or can come from across the state (if you live in a rural area).

Who can interlibrary loan books?
You'll have to check with your library, but I'd be amazed if a library didn't offer this service. If your library does offer interlibrary loaning anyone with a library card can go online and request books.

How fast do the books come and how will I know when they arrive?
In my area, within a week. But this is again dependent on your own library system. I receive an email when books arrive for me from other libraries, but, again, different libraries do different things.

I really love this service because, being in a smaller area, my library often times doesn't have exactly what I'm looking for. It's extremely convenient to have my library's website in a separate tab as I meander through my Reader and highlight books that I want to read. It can also be very dangerous (I limit myself to how many books I can request at once). Interlibrary loaning is a great way to broaden your library loaning and expand from the shelves of your local library. Due dates are generally very similar to if you were to have checked the book out from your own library.

When I was working on my senior thesis paper a couple years ago in college I used this system exclusively in order to track down all the very topic-specific books that I needed (my topic was on Harry Potter and my local university had ZERO nonfiction books on the series — gah). It was a great way to retrieve all the sources I needed and without purchasing them all (can you imagine!).

Again, I use my library's website to interlibrary loan books and request them through my own library on a daily basis. If you're looking for a visual "how to" — here you go. But remember, all libraries are different and, really, the best person to ask, is your favorite librarian.:)

If you find a book you like that is not available at your local library, request the item.

Requesting is fairly simple.:)

Nothing to complicated about it.:)

See the massive amount of audiobooks I need to pick up this weekend?
Any questions?

I'd like to, yes ONCE AGAIN, welcome this week's Guest Reviewer, Leslie from That Chick That Reads! This is Leslie's third week in a row as a Guest Reviewer. Leslie, sincerely from the bottom of my heart, thank you for helping me in my mission of spreading the love of literacy. You are an inspiration.

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From Amazon.com...
"How far will Rose go to keep her promise?
The recent Strigoi attack at St. Vladimir’s Academy was the deadliest ever in the school’s history, claiming the lives of Moroi students, teachers, and guardians alike. Even worse, the Strigoi took some of their victims with them... including Dimitri. He’d rather die than be one of them, and now Rose must abandon her best friend, Lissa—the one she has sworn to protect no matter what—and keep the promise Dimitri begged her to make long ago. But with everything at stake, how can she possibly destroy the person she loves most? "

Everyone that knows me knows that Richelle Mead is my favorite author of all time and Vampire Academy is my favorite series ever! So I have been anxiously awaiting the arrival of this novel! I mean it had me so on edge that I couldn’t sleep the night before! So when the release morning came, I was pretty much first in line at the book store.

The cover of the book is breath taking beautiful and best of all it’s a hardcover! Although it does annoy me a little that the other 3 aren’t hardcover but I think I could get over it.

Anyway so this book is set in Russia, which was amazing! The people she meets, and of coarse the glimpses of the old Dimitri we get throughout the entire novel were very hard to read, well at least for me anyway. He is and will always continue to be one of my favorite characters in the novels, as well as Rose, Lissa and Adrian.

This wasn’t my favorite book of the series but it does come in second. I didn’t want to read it fast as I wanted to be like Georgina Kincaid (reference to her other character in the Succubus series) who read only 5 pages a day because she wanted to savor the characters and events in the books, but after like chapter 10 or so I couldn’t put it down and I ended up just reading the book in like 2 days.

A lot and I mean a lot of the stuff that you end up finding out about you are like whoa! Didn’t see that coming! Now I’m waiting yet again another 8 months for the next installment which is set for May 18th, 2009! Anyway, I don’t want to get into all of the certain events without giving anything away just because I nearly died when I read a spoiler on goodreads before it was even set to release so I’ll just stick with that. Anyway, I’ll rate this book 4.5 out of 5 paws (or should I say fangs;) )

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Thank you so much Leslie for such an AWESOME review! I've been meaning to read this! But I should start at the beginning of the series I think.:)

Make sure to visit Leslie at That Chick That Reads. Check out her original review. Thank you so much!

If you read my review of Rafe Esquith's book, "Lighting Their Fires," you know that I absolutely loved his book. Esquith has reinspired me to be the best teacher that I can be. Thanks to Caitlin, from FSB Associates, I am able to post this article for you all to get a taste of Esquith's writing. I highly, HIGHLY, recommend that you purchase this book if you are a parent or an educator. Very few books I will recommend to buy, as I am a firm supporter of my library — but I just couldn't help but highlight the inside of this book.

Five Tips to Help Your Child Develop Their Natural Gifts By Rafe Esquith,

It'd be nice if there was a secret I could tell you about how to instantly make your kids more successful in school and life. But there is no magic pill, only that old stand-by, hard work. And the funny thing about that is, you can't force kids to work hard. I suppose you could try, but I've rarely seen anything useful come from kids whose parents had to hold their noses to the grindstone. If there's something close to a secret, perhaps it's this: Kids work hard when they want to work hard, and this happens only when are motivated to do so by some positive internal goal, and not by fear or because they are worried about disappointing others. They work hard because they value hard work. Instilling kids with values like this is the first step the long road to real success.

But that doesn't mean there's nothing you can do to make this happen. Here are five ways to put your kids on the path to extraordinary:

Toot Your Own Horn. Ask anyone who knows me and they'll tell you I sound like a broken record when it comes to spreading the gospel of music education. Put simply, every child should play an instrument, and parents should make whatever sacrifices are necessary to put a flute, trumpet, guitar, or tuba in their kid's hands. I don't have room here to list all the valuable skills that playing music can help develop, but one of the most important is the ability to listen to others: to make great music, a child must learn to pay attention to what others are playing. Doing so improves focus and teaches a valuable lesson about collaboration.

Be the Example. We've probably all seen a parent yelling at her kids to be quiet and perhaps chuckled to ourselves about the mixed signals sent by this gesture. It seems like an easy lesson: for kids to understand why things are important, you have to be consistent. But this isn't just situational advice. Kids mirror parents and adults in far more depth than we often realize. They internalize our values by watching what we do, which is why it's essential that we live the way we want them to live. We can stress the importance of being on time until we're blue in the face, but if we're constantly late to pick them up from school, that's what they're going to remember.

Great Books are Great for a Reason. Kids have two backpacks: the physical one they carry their books in, and the mental backpack where they store all the lessons and experiences they'll use to help make decisions. A paperback copy of To Kill a Mockingbird won't take up much room in the first one, but the wisdom contained within this book can be carried in the mental backpack for a lifetime. There are lessons here about choosing generosity over selfishness, making the right choice even when it's the difficult one, and standing up for your beliefs. I also recommend Thornton Wilder's fantastic play Our Town, and anything by Shakespeare (important note: kids are never too young for Shakespeare). A kid with a library card has the world at her fingertips, and when parents read with her, they can serve as map to help make sense of that world.

Do Unto Others. Volunteering is a great way to build character and teach values while making an important contribution to the community. Working at a soup kitchen on Thanksgiving, visiting an elderly person at a retirement home on a regular basis, or planting trees and helping to beautify your town are all great ways to help kids learn about the importance of selflessness and humility. I know several families who volunteer together on a holiday schedule: on each day off, they pick a different activity and spend a few hours volunteering together. This way, parents get to be the example, reinforcing the positive message.

Patience, My Dears. In today's on-demand world, kids are taught that anything worth having can be had instantly. This is an incredibly bad lesson, and parents must work to counteract this by instilling kids with patience and focus — the skills that will let them buckle down to achieve the truly great things that invariably take much time and effort. I've found that gardening is an excellent choice when it comes to teaching patience. Kids see that reaching their goal is a slow process, one that requires dedicated care and attention at every phase. And since they get to watch their garden grow as they tend to it, they learn that the real pleasure is in the process (though ripe tomatoes are certainly also a pleasure, and tasty!).

You may have noticed that most of these "success" tips don't have anything to do with school. That's because making kids extraordinary people is the first step toward making them extraordinary students. All follows from values and character, and in working to instill these, you'll create kids that you — and the rest of the community and country — can be proud of.

©2009 Rafe Esquith, author of Lighting Their Fires: Raising Extraordinary Children in a Mixed-up, Muddled-up, Shook-up World Author Bio Rafe Esquith, author of Lighting Their Fires: Raising Extraordinary Children in a Mixed-up, Muddled-up, Shook-up World, has taught at Hobart Elementary School in Los Angeles for twenty-four years. He is the only teacher to have been awarded the president's National Medal of the Arts. His many other honors and awards include the American Teacher Award, Parents magazine's As You Grow Award, Oprah Winfrey's Use Your Life Award, and People magazine's Heroes Among Us Award. He lives in Los Angeles with his wife, Barbara Tong.

For more information, please visit www.hobartshakespeareans.org

"It was fast paced and unpredictable; I sped through this novel while at the same time willing myself to slow down." — Miss Remmers

From Amazon.com...

"Sixteen-year-old Yara Silva has always known that ghosts walk alongside the living. Her grandma, like the other females in her family, is a Waker, someone who can see and communicate with ghosts. Yara grew up watching her grandmother taunted and scorned for this unusual ability and doesn't want that to be her future. She has been dreading the day when she too would see ghosts, and is relieved that the usually dominant Waker gene seems to have skipped her, letting her live a normal teenage life. However, all that changes for Yara on her first day at her elite boarding school when she discovers the gene was only lying dormant. She witnesses a dark mist attack Brent, a handsome fellow student, and rushes to his rescue. Her act of heroism draws the mist's attention, and the dark spirit begins stalking her. Yara finds herself entrenched in a sixty-year-old curse that haunts the school, threatening not only her life, but the lives of her closest friends as well. Yara soon realizes that the past she was trying to put behind her isn't going to go quietly."

Why I read this: I was offered to participate in an ARC Book Tour, something I'm generally not too crazy about. But after looking at the cover and reading the description, I figured I'd give it a go.

Plot: The plot was what made this book for me. It was absolutely fantastic. It was fast paced and unpredictable; I sped through this novel while at the same time willing myself to slow down. "Intrinsical" is unlike any other book I've read; there were times that the plot was almost too full of depth and I found myself having to back track — but this only added to the plot and was never a waste of time. I did struggle a little bit with the idea of "Wakers"; it could have been explained more thoroughly. The plot of this novel definitely had me thinking and considering all the possibilities.

Characters: I did have a hard time liking the characters; there wasn't any one thing that bothered me or one thing that I would have changed — I just didn't like them. I had a hard time relating to them. I found the language that they used to be slightly unbelievable; for instance, being so completely upset at your best friend with one sentence and completely forgiving and lovable the next sentence. It just seemed a little too "fictional" for my taste there.

Cover: At first glance the cover is interesting, but it isn't until after you've read the novel that you realize the significance.

Final Thoughts: This is definitely a "love" for me, despite is charactorial flaws (I made that word up, but I can't find a "real" word that fits better so I'm leaving it). This a fantastic novel that somehow "slipped" through the mainstream bibliophilic world, but rightfully deserves it's spot in Barnes and Noble (I didn't see it at my local store). "Intrinsical" is one of those amazing book finds that you don't expect. I highly recommend this novel to anyone looking for something unique and different than any other book.

Originality: 10/10
Ending: 9/10
Characters: 7/10
Plot: 10/10
My reaction/enjoyment: 10/10
Theme: 10/10
Imagery: 10/10
Setting: 5/5
Voice: 5/5
Style: 5/5
Tone: 5/5
Cover: 9/10
Overall: 95/100 A

To the FTC, with love: Part of an ARC Book Tour