Tag Archives: book reviews

“Wake”

Posted on March 9, 2015 by Victoria Waddle

Wake by Lisa McMann Janie started being pulled into other people’s dreams when she was eight. At least, that’s when she noticed it. By the time she’s eleven, she’s sure that the dreams are wrecking the quality of her … Continue reading →

Posted in Family Problems, Fiction, Hi-Low/Quick Read, Romance, Supernatural, Young Adult Literature | Tagged book reviews, death and dying, dreamers, dreams, family problems, friendship, hi-low reading, high school students, Lisa McMann, nightmares, parent-teen relationships, supernatural, Wake, YA fiction, YA literature | Leave a comment

“The 5th Wave”

Posted on March 6, 2015 by Victoria Waddle

The 5th Wave by Rick Yancey There are two reasons I needed to read The 5th Wave. One is that it’s going to be a movie, and that’s always exciting in teen books. But the greater reason was that … Continue reading →

Posted in Family Problems, Fiction, Movie Tie-In, Over 375 pages, Sci-Fi/Futuristic, Young Adult Literature | Tagged 5th Wave, alien invasion, book reviews, movie tie-in, Rick Yancey, sci-fi, science fiction, The 5th Wave, YA fiction, YA literature | 1 Comment

Throwback Thursday: Bullying: “Give a Boy a Gun”

Posted on February 26, 2015 by Victoria Waddle

I’m thinking about my book talks with Read 180 classes tomorrow. I read Give a Boy a Gun for the first time last night–it stands the time of time. Still compelling. Give a Boy a Gun by Todd Strasser … Continue reading →

Posted in Controversial Issue/Debate, Family Problems, Fiction, Hi-Low/Quick Read, Human Rights Issues, Read 180, Young Adult Literature | Tagged book reviews, bullying, Common Core standards, death, family problems, friendship, hi-low reading, parent-teen relationships, Read 180, reluctant readers, school problems, school shooting, Teen Issues, Todd Strasser, YA fiction, YA literature | 1 Comment

New series for struggling readers: Urban Underground and Cutting Edge

Posted on February 25, 2015 by Victoria Waddle

I’m looking forward to talking to our READ 180 classes this week about some of the series we’ve added for teens who are improving their skills. here are a few that I like, with a review of a book from … Continue reading →

Posted in Hi-Low/Quick Read, Read 180, Uncategorized, Young Adult Literature | Tagged book reviews, Cutting Edge series, If You Really Loved Me, parent-teen relationships, Read 180, reluctant readers, Teen Issues, The Only Brother, Urban Underground series, YA fiction | Leave a comment

Adult Nonfiction: Common Core: “Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can’t Stop Talking”

Posted on February 17, 2015 by Victoria Waddle

Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can’t Stop Talking by Susan Cain You know you’re going to enjoy this book when you read the ‘Manifesto for Introverts’ that follows the cover page. It includes ten points. My … Continue reading →

Posted in Non-fiction | Tagged Adult books for teens, book reviews, CCSS, Common Core, Common Core standards, creativity, empathy, famous introverts, introverts, nonfiction, Quiet, social skills, Susan Cain, thinkers | Leave a comment

Common Core: Adult Nonfiction: “Deep Down Dark”

Posted on February 11, 2015 by Victoria Waddle

Deep Down Dark by Hector Tobar Although you are very young, you may remember the collapse of the San Jose Mine in Chile back in August 2010. This was such a huge news story. Thirty-three men were trapped in … Continue reading →

Posted in Family Problems, Historical Fiction/Historical Element, Human Rights Issues, Multicultural, Non-fiction | Tagged Adult books for teens, book reviews, Chile, Common Core, Common Core standards, Deep Down Dark, Hector Tobar, miners, mining, mining accidents, nonfiction | Leave a comment

Reason to Breathe

Posted on February 3, 2015 by Victoria Waddle

Reason to Breathe by Rebecca Donovan Emma—Emily—Thomas is good at hiding despite the fact that she’s very involved in school. She’s a straight ‘A’ student and the editor of the school newspaper as well as a track and basketball star. … Continue reading →

Posted in Controversial Issue/Debate, Family Problems, Fiction, Human Rights Issues, Over 375 pages, Romance, Sports, Young Adult Literature | Tagged affluent teenagers, alcoholism, book reviews, child abuse, children of alcoholics, death, friendship, high school students, mental abuse, orphans, physical abuse, Reason to Breathe, romance, Teen Issues, YA fiction, YA literature | Leave a comment

The Ontario Teen Book Fest is in March!

Posted on February 2, 2015 by Victoria Waddle

March 21, 2015 9 AM-5 PM Colony High.

Posted in Adventure Stories, Biography/Memoir, Controversial Issue/Debate, Faith-Based/Religious Element, Family Problems, Fiction, Multicultural, Non-fiction, Young Adult Literature | Tagged autobiography, biography, book reviews, family problems, gay teens, Ontario Teen Book Fest, realistic romance, romance, YA fiction, YA literature | Leave a comment

“Shadow and Bone”

Posted on December 31, 2014 by Victoria Waddle

Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo Alina is an unlikely heroine. A lonely orphan whose only friend is fellow orphan Mal, she is raised without love or concern for her welfare. Both are recruited into the Ravka army as … Continue reading →

Posted in Adventure Stories, Fable/Fairy Tale/Fantasy, Fiction, Romance, Supernatural, Young Adult Literature | Tagged adventure, book reviews, Fantasy fiction, good v. evil, Leigh Bardugo, magic, mythology, Russian mythology, Shadow and Bone, supernatural, Teen Issues, YA fiction | 1 Comment

“The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer”