The Seventh Most Important Thing by Shelley Pearsall

A book created from the imagination of a true work of art she had seen 25 years ago.  Wow!  It's incredible, and I absolutely LOVED The Seventh Most Important Thing by Shelley Pearsall!

This is a story of a boy trying to make sense of the world after his father is killed in a motorcycle accident - caused by his drinking problem.  Arthur is faced with 120 community service hours to help the Junk Man.  This Junk Man, as he's known around the neighborhood, is based off the real James Hampton.  Mr. Hampton is on a mission to create the Throne of the Third Heaven based off his visions he had while serving in the war. He wanted to create something beautiful out of death and war.

He creates a list for Arthur to collect for him to use, which at first Arthur has no idea what the Junk Man is even doing.  On his first Saturday of community service, Arthur gets a note printed on a piece of cardboard that says,
     ST. JAMES LIST OF THE SEVEN MOST IMPORTANT THINGS.
          1. LIGHTBULBS
          2. FOIL
          3. MIRRORS
          4. PIECES OF WOOD
          5. GLASS BOTTLES
          6. COFFEE CANS
          7. CARDBOARD

Arthur is so very grumbly about this project, but what's so cool about this book is how the author crafts her story into each of these items helping him mature and realize how great life is.  The ending is perfect!  And I also enjoyed the Author's Note with information about where her idea started and how this real piece of art can be found at the Smithsonian American Art Museum.  She even includes pictures, which I wish were in color.  But that would just make the book cost more, and I would rather more people have access to this fantastic read.

YES, this book belongs in a middle school library!  So far it has my vote for the Sequoyah Winner for 2018.  You've got to read it!

   
     

The Sacred Lies of Minnow Bly by Stephanie Oakes

“Anger is a kind of murder you commit in your heart.” If this is true, I’m a daily murderer. My heart is more full of blood than I ever imagined.” 
― Stephanie Oakes, The Sacred Lies of Minnow Bly

As you can clearly see from the quote from this Sequoyah book, it's going to be a heavy one - and it is.  I'm a little surprised it was selected for the Intermediate List and not for high school.

This book starts off with a girl covered in blood from a crime she committed.  It slowly unravels to reveal her life has been a one filled with lies as her parents joined a religious cult when she was just a small child.  Realizing her life is a horror, as she scheduled to marry the "prophet," she finally stands up for herself.  Her punishment - her own father must chop off her hands at the wrist.  She struggles to escape and finds herself in prison.  Through the kindness of those around her, she learns to read, ask questions, and think for herself.

This is a hard read, with gruesome tales of a crazy life among people willing to believe in a "prophet."  There's language and "real" scenes of life in  a girls' juvenile detention center.  It's a well written book, but only for those mature readers.

orbiting jupiter by Gary D. Schmidt

This one's going to be difficult to explain without giving away too much of the story line, but I'll do my best.

So far orbiting jupiter by Gary D. Schmidt is this year's tear-jerker for 2018 Sequoyah Intermediate Book List.  It's a quick read, but not for those wanting an easy read.  I guarantee you'll be crying, so have tissue ready when you sit down to read it.  Nonetheless, what a great book!  Difficult themes carry the plot along, and it doesn't shy away from any of it.  You'll be rooting for Jack, the narrator, his parents, but mostly for Joseph.  He's had a difficult life, and Jack's family has taken him in as their foster son.

I love the way Schmidt hints at the difference this family makes in the young boy's life.  Plus, Jack just seems like a great kid too.  The book covers real subjects and will cause readers to pause before making judgments about others - at least I hope so!

Even though it covers heavy issues, this book is a great addition to middle school libraries.

Shadowshaper by Daniel Jose' Older

Another Sequoyah title, and it's an adventurous one... kind of creepy... you'll want to keep reading to see how it ends.

Sierra is Puerto Rican, and it opens up with her painting a mural on the side of an abandon building in her neighborhood.  She's spunky and has some colorful, but great friends.  There's a new guy in town, Robbie, who is also an artist. Before heading out for the summer's first party, she goes to check in on her grandfather, who recently had a stroke and hasn't really talked much.  He keeps telling her he's sorry, he so sorry.  She tries to get her Abuelo La'zaro to tell her what he's sorry about and gets this cryptic message to finish the mural quickly... because they're coming... you must do it quickly... the shadowshapers are coming - and then weirdly he tells her to get Robbie to help her finish.  He doesn't even know Robbie!

Sierra goes to the party and finds Robbie, and, as she's explaining how she needs his help, a super creepy guy shows up at the party. Robbie tells her to run and hide because they're already here.  She has no idea what's going on and suddenly the creepy guy starts calling her name.  She ends up losing him, but not after being completely confused by what's happening.

I won't give away too much more, but know that she does do her research - good girl, Sierra!  Lots of cultural myths woven in the story line.  I honestly thought I had already read this year's spooky title, but this one will definitely be a favorite for those wanting something scary.  I definitely recommend this book title for a middle school library collection, and will have no problems suggesting it as a great Sequoyah read this year.

A Step Toward Falling by Cammie McGovern

I've got a whole stack of 2018 Sequoyah Intermediate List books that I'm trying to get through before my summer break is over. Want to be prepared for middle schoolers this year!

A Step Toward Falling by Cammie McGovern is one I would give to the more mature readers.  Subject mature is a sensitive one, with one of the character, a developmental disabled student getting raped at a football game.  It starts off a little disjointed with two of the three main characters narrating.  Of course, there's Belinda, which is the girl who is attacked.  The other narrator is Emily.  She witnesses the attack, but doesn't do anything to help.  This goes against what she knows to be true - after all, she helped co-found her high school's Youth Action Coalition.  The whole point of this club is to bring awareness to the needs of others.  A bit of a hypocrite.  The third main character is a football star, Lucas.  He's in the popular crowd and total opposite of Emily.  He's the second person to witness Belinda's attack, but he does nothing as well.  Both Emily and Lucas are faced with performing community service hours in the hopes it will bring attention to themselves and others that not helping victims is the wrong choice.  They both must help out with the "Boundaries and Relationships" workshops held once a week at the Lifelong Learning Center for people with disabilities.  

The book has the underlying theme of Pride and Prejudice, Belinda's favorite movie, running through it.  Both Emily and Lucas don't want to like each other, but as the story progresses they start to understand and appreciate their strengths and weakness.  You'll also be rooting for Belinda, who also discovers love and acceptance.

Even though the book might start off a little rocky for some readers, the character development and story line can make a positive impact for our students.  It'll shine some light on understanding people with disabilities.  They have plenty to offer the world too!  Everyone deserves a chance to shine!  This book does belong in a middle school collection, and I would recommend it to mature students - especially ones needing to see things from another person's perspective.

Looking for Me by Beth Hoffman

I just finished Looking for Me by Beth Hoffman.  This was the book chosen for next Book Club, and, even though it took me awhile to finish it, I enjoyed reading it.  I probably would not have picked this book - and that's one of the great things about being a part of a Book Club - but I'm so glad I read it. Our last book was a thriller.  I will admit it was written very well, the images and plot were a bit much for me.  While the others did enjoy the intensity, we all agreed for something a little more light hearted.  Julie and her husband love to go to estate sales, and even rented a space at an antique mall. Things were going well, so they decided to open their own antique shop - why shell out money to rent storage space and a booth, just pool the money together for a space to rent and fulfill the dream of owning their own shop.  It's adorable, by the way... Dog and Duck Antiques and Gifts.  I can't remember which one discovered this book on the many lists we looked through, but, after reading the description about the main character owning her own antique store, it seemed like a great choice.

Ken and I went to see the new store about 3 weeks ago.  You can easily tell they've been hard at work, and we had fun visiting and shopping.  Julie asked me if I had finished the book, and I had to sadly admit I hadn't even started it.  She said she enjoyed it and loved how it corresponding to her own life while starting their antique shop.  She said there's also a side story woven throughout.  With that we left the store with our "new" treasures and my intent on reading this book.

The author has a way with words, so that you truly understand the depth of the characters.  I won't give away much more of the book, except to state the people are "real" with "real" issues and you can't help but feel their highs and lows.  My favorite quote - "My mother used to say that each day was a gift and how we chose to unwrap it would determine our happiness."  It is my hope that during a personal struggle - because we all have them! - I will remember these words.

The Readers of Broken Wheel Recommend

I discovered this book during our Spring Book Fair.  I was thinking it might be a possibility for Book Club.  

The Readers of Broken Wheel Recommend by Katarin Bivald was a delightful adult read.  A little predictable with a few variations, but the cast of characters did not disappoint.  It makes a great vacation book, and leaves you feeling good about life.  I also enjoyed reading about the author at the end.  While she claims there's nothing in common with her main character, apparently her family and friends disagree.

The story starts off with an introverted Swedish woman, Sara, arriving in Iowa to meet her pen pal, Amy - who just passed away.  She literally goes straight to the funeral.  The townspeople insist she stay at Amy's house, and then they continue to do nice things for her.  Sara decides to return the kindness by opening up a book store, where books are either just given away or super cheap.  It's through this book connection that Sara finds friendship in this tiny farm town in Iowa.  But time is not on her side as her travel visa is about to expire.  I won't give away the rest of the story, but, like I stated before, pretty predictable.  

If you're looking for a carefree read, then this might be just the book you're looking for.

Crazy Life as a School Librarian in 2016-17!

So I just finished a great book and wanted to post about it on my blog.  Then I noticed the last date for an entry was back in Sept. 2016.  In my defense... this school year has been crazy busy!  Without an assistant and trying to maintain the library, teach lessons, collaborate, and utilize the MakerSpace has nearly driven me insane.  There simply is no way to do it ALL!  Even now I haven't closed out the library for this past school year.  I have already resolved there's no way to do a repeat this upcoming school year.  I'm going to have to take a step back and re-evaluate what is simply and must and the rest will have to go by the wayside.  That's just the way it goes in the land of not adequate funding for education, otherwise known as the state of Oklahoma.

With that off my chest... I can go back to book reviews and other highlights of my middle school library.