Plot Summary: Miranda and Sal are best friends. Growing up in 1970’s New York City together, these 6th graders know which route to take home from school, when to cross the street to avoid groups, and know to walk around the block one more time instead of entering their apartment building if they see a stranger lurking around out front. They even stick together to elude the crazy man that hangs around in front of their building since he sometimes shouts things out to them. Until that day—the day that Sal is suddenly punched in the stomach by one of the boys in front of the garage for no apparent reason. Sal stops talking to Miranda, starts avoiding her and quickly ducks away whenever he sees her. What’s going on? For as long as she can remember, it has always been Miranda and Sal—for sleepovers, homework time, and back and forth to school. Miranda is not sure what she has done wrong to make Sal not want to be her friend anymore.
During the story, Miranda often refers to her favorite book that she is reading for perhaps the hundredth time, A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L’Engle. She often describes parts of the book as well as the characters. Miranda admits that she identifies with Meg, the girl in the story, who is looking for her father probably because Miranda herself doesn’t know her father.
One day, a mysterious slip of paper shows up in Miranda’s apartment—a letter that reads “I am coming to save your friend’s life, and my own. . . you must write me a letter.” Miranda receives several other letters and wonders who could be sending these messages? And how does the letter writer know everything that goes on?
Combine the mysterious letters, the crazy man on the corner, and Sal’s odd behavior, and there is quite a mystery to unravel.
Genre: Mystery
Suggested age range: 10 through 14
Subjects/Themes: Time Travel, Friendship, A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L’Engle,
Awards: Newbery Award 2009
Reviews: *Starred review* in Booklist, as well as a very positive review from School Library Journal.
Annotation: Fans of A Wrinkle in Time and other books in The Time Quartet Series will really enjoy this story. The stories have a connection that is intriguing.
Please watch this video of the author discussing her book!
Can't get enough of the Guardians of Ga'Hoole series? This new title provides secrets and histories that are uncovered for the first time!
Jeff Ross's new title in the Orca Sports Series will excite snowboarders with its treacherous adventure through a blizzard.
The domo website is popular since tweens are able to create their own animated videos to share with others on the website, as well as to watch videos made by other members. It's free to join, and the site is monitored. If a member writes or creates anything that is deemed inappropriate because of language or content, they are removed, not to return as that user. Of course, it would be simple to create another account with a different email address, but if they break the rules, they will be removed. The site has many interesting videos on it, and some book trailers made by tweens. The video process is fun, and it's obvious that tweens enjoy it by the number of videos that have been created by users.
Plot Summary: What is interesting about this book is that Judge Jacobs presents numerous cases involving teens of all ages and discusses the initial situation, the reaction by school administration, the legal process that was taken, and the final outcome. He also follows up by discussing what the teen is doing now and how the incident has affected their lives. For example, several of the cases that he discusses are situations where teens created websites in order to heckle/badmouth teachers, administrators or fellow students. Jacobs discusses whether or not rights of the people involved were violated and what can or cannot be done. Did these individuals break the law? Or are they simply exercising their first amendment rights of free speech? It is a lot more technical than you think. These cases clearly show how intricate and individual each situation is. One of the questions asked is whether or not school was disrupted due to these websites? That is one of the many deciding factors in whether or not the student can be charged with breaking the law. Many of these cases are landmark, so pay close attention.
Plot Summary: Princess Mia decides that she wants to volunteer her time during spring break to help with Housing for the Hopeful. This five day trip to West Virginia with many of her classmates, including her boyfriend Michael, will be a good experience for her. Not to mention that she will get to spend five whole days with her boyfriend and no parents! Well, the principal and teacher will be there, but still, won't it be romantic? First she must convince her mother to let her go, and she knows for sure that Grandmere will not be happy about it, especially if she has to miss her princess lessons.....The trip starts out with Lily's boyfriend puking all over the bus before they even got through the Lincoln Tunnel.... Her boyfriend will not want to kiss her if she smells like throwup. Is this a sign that things will not go as planned? Or will Mia learn what the trip is truly about?
Plot Summary: Kate, Michael and Emma have been orphans for as long as they can remember. They have spent ten years of their lives being shuffled from one orphanage to another. They are told that there last name is simply "P." What they want most is to stay together and to find out what has happened to their parents. Kate, being the oldest, vaguely remembers her mother asking her to promise to take care of her younger brother and sister until her parents can return. Now they have arrived at what seems to be the worst possible orphanage ever and have stumbled upon a book that appears to be a portal to a magical world. Unusual things begin to happen and before they know it, Kate, Michael and Emma are pulled into a battle between good and evil. Who is Dr. Pym, the man who is the master of their new home? Will they ever figure out what happened to their parents? This book is the beginning of an adventurous trilogy, and once you start reading it, you will not be able to put it down!
