Last Shot by John Feinstein

Last Shot: A Final Four Mystery
by John Feinstein

Stevie Thomas and Susan Carol Anderson have won a trip of a lifetime -- to cover the Final Four tournament being held in New Orleans. And, they get to cover the game as reporters! Quickly, Susan and Stevie discover that someone is trying to blackmail star player Chip Graber into throwing the championship game. The two college reporters team up to track down the culprit!

Pick up Last Shot by John Feinstein for a fast-paced, sports mytery.

Small as an Elephant by Jennifer Richard Jacobson

I keep thinking I’ll post a film of myself giving a booktalk. I don’t know why I haven’t. It’s almost the end of summer! I think I need someone to come in and hold the video camera.

Instead, I will write out my booktalk.

Small as an Elephant
Jennifer Richard Jacobson
Published by Candlewick Press, 2011

Jack love elephants. His first real memory is seeing an elephant at a circus.

Jack was hoping that on their way to their campsite at Acadia National Park, his mom would stop by York Wild Animal Kingdom so he could see Lydia, the park’s elephant.

That is what caused the argument between mother and son. This vacation was supposed to be really fun. A great get-away before Jack starts school. Yet on that first morning when Jack wakes up and walks out of his tent, he discovers his mother has abandoned him. She took the food and left Jack with about $12. That was the money he had saved for souvenirs!

I wasn’t sure I’d like this book because I thought it would be really depressing, but it wasn’t. I was hooked from page 1.

“Elephants can sense danger. They’re able to detect an approaching tsunami or earthquake before it hits. Unfortunately, Jack did not have this talent. The day his life was turned completely upside down, he was caught unaware.”

The story follows Jack as he makes his way from Acadia National Park back to his home in Boston, hoping no one will notice him. All he has for company on his long journey is a small toy elephant. He keeps himself company by remembering facts about elephants.

I’ve been a big fan of Jacobson’s ever since I read Winnie Dancing on her Own. Jacobson is a gifted writer.

What have you been reading?

GAMING NIGHT AT THE LIBRARY!

On Thursday, July 28 at 6:30 p.m. the Library will host another GAMING EVENT. We have a variety of gaming devises, both old and new to choose from. Hope to see you there!

TEEN BOOK GROUP TONIGHT

Just a reminder that tonight, Thursday, July 14 at 6:30 pm is the YA Book Group. This informal gathering is a chance to talk about what you’ve been reading so far this summer. If you are planning on attending, email me (mrsc@scarborough.lib.me.us) or call (883-4723. Option 3) to let me know.

What are YOU reading this summer?

Early Monday morning on January 10, 2011 In San Diego the winner of the Michael L. Printz Award was announced. This award is for a book that exemplifies literary excellence in young adult literature. It is named for a Topeka, Kansas school librarian who was a long-time active member of the Young Adult Library Services Association.
So what book one this year’s Printz Award?

Ship Breaker
by Paolo Bacigalupi
Published by Little, Brown and Company,
a division of Hachette Book Group.

In Ship Breaker, near a drowned New Orleans ravaged by hurricanes and global warming, Nailer and his young crew eke out a meager existence by scavenging materials on the ship-littered coast.

It is a taut, suspenseful novel that is also a relentless adventure story featuring Nail who risks his life to rescue the swank girl, Nita. Bacigalupi artfully intertwines themes of loyalty, family, friendship, trust and love.

As I read this book I kept waiting for it to get boring, but it never did. Page after page I found myself forgoing sleep in order to get to the amazing ending. Yes, I did expect what happened, but because the writing was so gripping I overlooked the predictability.

If you want a great book to curl up with this summer, try Ship Breaker!

Ship Breaker is about a dystopian society. Other science fiction books you might enjoy include: Uglies by Scott Westerfeld, House of the Scorpion by Nancy Farmer, Trash by Andy Mulligan, Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins, Exodus by Julie Bertagna, and Z for Zachariah by Robert C. O’Brien.