I
have decided this year to use the theme "Something Old,
Something New" to choose books for my weekly blog. This will
give me an opportunity to catch up on some of the books already in
the Lakeview IMC collection that I haven't read yet as well as talk
about some of the new books we are working to get ready.
Starting
with something old, I just finished reading Accomplice by Eureann
Corrigan. This realistic fiction book poses the question "Have
you ever done something that seemed so simple, but became so
complicated?" Two New Jersey high school girls, Finn and Chloe,
learn from the school counselor that it is very difficult to be
accepted by east coast colleges unless there is something
extraordinary about you. The girls decide that they will fake Chloe's
disappearance and possible kidnapping and Finn will find and rescue
her. While Chloe hides out in Finn's on-vacation grandmother's
basement, Finn pretends to be upset by her best friend's
disappearance. Finn finds the charade harder and harder as time goes
on and the disappearance case becomes national news. Even being
interviewed for a TV show doesn't make Finn's job any easier. When a
fellow student is questioned by the police as a person of interest,
Finn is ready to confess all. Chloe keeps Finn on the original plan,
but can the girls continue on their timetable and complete the
rescue?
Among
the new books available for checkout this week is Ship Breaker by
Paola Bacigalupi. Set in the near future when ocean levels have risen
and drowned cities and quantities of some metals and fuels are
extremely limited, we meet Nailer, a young boy who is a member of a
scavenger team, a group that explores wrecked ships in the Gulf Coast
area and collects copper wiring and other reusable materials.
Surviving a powerful hurricane Nailer finds a beached clipper ship
with a lone survivor -- a young girl of a wealthy family. Should
Nailer strip the clipper ship for all it's worth or should he rescue
the girl and perhaps, get a reward leading to a better life.
Buried
on our bookshelves you may have missed Breadcrumbs by Anne Ursu. The
author likes to blend classic fairy tales and fantasy elements in her
books. The title of this book makes me think of Hansel and Gretel.
Like that classic fairy tale there is a boy Jack and a girl Hazel.
They are not brother and sister, but as next door neighbors they have
a very strong, close friendship. One day when Jack suddenly
disappears, Hazel decides
she must rescue him. On her journey to find Jack, Hazel meets people
and animals from several fairy tales who try to help or prevent her.
Blended with all the fantasy is the realistic story about Hazel and
Jack having problems at school and at home.
