Lone Star Reviews 2011

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Donut Days by Laura Zielin is about a girl named Emma Goiner who is determined to win a college scholarship by writing the best article on "Donut Camp." If only that was her only concern. In addition to her journalistic aspirations, Emma is dealing with spiteful former friends, her mother possibly being fired, and her friend who told her he loved her is visiting from college and is now really hot!  Did I mention that the person trying to get her mom fired is also the father of this recently hot boy?  It's complicated :)
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The Prophesy of the Sisters by Michelle Zink takes us into the Victorian world of twin sisters Lia and Alice.  In this Gothic tale, Lia attempts to unravel the mystery surrounding her parent's untimely death and the unusual mark that recently appeared on her wrist.  Upon translating a hidden book in her father's library, Lia learns that she comes from a long line of female twins that have unique powers.  One twin has the ability to allow Satan to return to earth, while the other has the ability to bar him.  Join Lia as she prepares to do battle against her own sister for all of mankind.



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The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate by Jacqueline Kelly is this year's lemon.  By far, the Lone Star list has generated some of my favorite books with very few exceptions.  Even more surprising is that this book is a Newbery Honor.

This book is set in the early 1900's Texas (which may be why it was selected in the first place) staring Calpurnia and her reclusive grandfather.  Having obtained a copy of the highly controversial book, The Origin of Species from her grandfather, Calpurnia begins work on cataloging the species around her eventually leading her to discover a new species of plant.  Read it for yourself to see if this coming of age story is for you!
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The Roar by Emma Clayton is set in a futuristic England where citizens live behind a militarized wall to protect them from disease ridden animals that hunger for human flesh.  At least, that is what they are told.  Mika has long suspected that his world is not what it seems to be ever since his twin sister Ellie mysteriously disappeared last year.  Join Mika as he looks for his sister and the truth.
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 The Season by Sarah MacLean stars Lady Alexandra, her aristocratic family and friends set in 19th century England (1800's for you non-history buffs).  Alex, as she prefers to be called, is about to enter her first social season as a part of London's elite.  Too bad she is revolted by the whole idea of attending parties and dinners for the sheer purpose of finding a spouse.  Luckily, her 2 best friends share her values that are oddly 150 years ahead of their time.  Oh, and her childhood friend Gavin's father may have been murdered.  Good thing Alex has a murder mystery to solve since finding a husband is the last thing she wants to do! 


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 What if every small thing in your life had greater significance, a larger meaning?

When You Reach Me by Rebecca Stead is not only on the Lone Star reading list, it is also this year's Newbery winner.  It is easy why this book is so honored.  It is as simple as the ups and downs of friendship and as complicated as time travel. 

It all started the day Sal was punched resulting in Sal no longer being Miranda's friend.  Miranda receives a letter stating, "I am coming to save your friend's life, and my own." Needless to say, Miranda is shocked and worried about what the author of the letter knows and how the letter got in her apartment.  As the story unfolds before her, Miranda learns that there is no such thing as a coincidence and small everyday occurrences can have long term consequences.

"We walk around happily with these invisible veils hanging down over our faces.  The world is kind of blurry, and we like it that way."  Are you ready to lift the veil?
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 The Demon King by Cinda Williams Chima. The Kingdom of Fells is a kingdom of contrast; from the ancient mountain city of Fellsmarch ruled by the clans to the capital of Fells Kingdom, a shadow of its former glory surrounded by slums.

Two characters represent each part of the kingdom.  From the north is Han, a former thief lord and adopted son of the clans, is attempting to support his mother and sister honestly, a feat not easily managed in the corrupt city.  And Raisa, the princess heir of Fells.  Raisa struggles to find her own identify amongst the two different parts of her life, her father's clan life in the north and her mother's powerful life as Queen of Fells. 

Forces are in motion that will soon throw these two together, a force that is eerily reminiscent of the time when Queen Hanalea sacrificed her life to save her kingdom from the powerful wizard known as the Demon King. 
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 Graceling by Kristin Cashore.  Katsa was born with a Grace, a grace to Kill; a gift indicated by her different colored eyes.  She was unmatched in her skill accepting those who were also graced. Niece to King Randa of the Middluns Kingdom, Katsa is accustomed to settling disputes for her uncle by either threatening or killing those who crossed him.

But lately, Katsa has been pursuing other interests like leading the Council.  The Council is a secret organization created by Katsa to anonymously spread justice throughout the seven kingdoms.  Recently Katsa led a council mission to rescue Prince Tealiff of the Lienid Kingdom from King Murgon.  Why he was kidnapped, Katsa didn't know but she was sure it has something to do with the graced Lienid she met in the courtyard of Kim Murgon's court.
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The Hunt for the Seventh by Christine Morton-Shaw. Jim, his sister Sally, and his dad move in to the servants quarters of Minerva Hall, a historic property in England where his dad will be the new head gardener.  Being the eldest, Jim knows that he is supposed to be good and help his family transition to their new life following his mother's death, but he is unable to tear himself away from the mystery of the children of Minerva Hall.  Haunted by the tragic history of 6 children that died on the estate, Jim is compelled to find the yet unknown 7th victim.




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 The Red Blazer Girls: The Ring of Rocamadour by Michael D. Beil follows the adventures of Sophie and her gal pals are asked to solve the mystery of "The Ring of Rocamandour" by their reclusive neighbor.  This mystery requires the knowledge of mathematics, art history, puzzles, and English literature.  Fortunately, the newly formed "Red Blazer Girls" possess all of these skills. Isn't that fortunate? 

For a good, old fashioned, but not out of date mystery pick up this book!


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Girlfriend Material by Melissa Kantor- Kate is your typical 16 year old.  Good at some things, insecure about others.  An aspiring writer and varsity tennis player, Kate hopes to spend her summer at her best friend's house writing for her summer workshop and playing tennis to prepare for next season.  Unfortunately, her mom has other plans.  Due to the recent problems her parents have been having, Kate's mom has decided that the two of them will spend the entire summer in Cape Cod so that she can "find herself."  If only her mother could find herself, by herself.  Forced into a summer at her mother's college friends beach house would not have been so bad, but the only girl her age at the house, Sarah hates her- for no reason!

And to complicate matters further, there is this really cute boy who is friends with Sarah.  Maybe this summer will not be so bad after all  . . .
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Bull Rider by Suzanne Williams is about a 14 year old boy named Cam.  Cam comes from a long line of famous bull riders.  But is Cam a bull rider?  Absolutely not.  He is an skateboarder.  Until his brother Ben comes home from Iraq with a hole in his skull.  Cam's tough, bull riding champion, super-hero older brother Ben is now struggling with flashbacks, physical and mental recovery from his tour.  Overcoming these obstacles is quickly becoming too much for Ben.  Cam and his family fell helpless as they watch Ben struggle through his recovery.  Ben is starting to think that even walking again is hopeless.  Cam's family needs a miracle to encourage Ben.  Cam hears of a contest to ride an impossible bull named Ugly.  If Cam can ride Ugly, maybe it will inspire him to keep trying.
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Slob by Ellen Potter - Is a heartwarming story of a twelve year old boy named Owen Birdbaum. Owen is a near genius (just one point shy on his IQ test). Owen is also overweight for his age- 57% over by his doctor's count. Funny thing is, he didn't use to be that way. Two years ago, Owen looked like everyone else in his class and then something happened. To solve this mystery, Owen creates a device that uses a satellite dish and an amplifier to see what happened that fateful night.

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POP by Gordon Korman. Marcus is new in town, never a good place to be entering your junior year in High School particularly if you plan to try out for quarterback and they already have one. Oh yeah, and they had a perfect season last year. And, their quarterback just happens to be the son of a very famous NFL player. Marcus quickly learned that in order to survive on the team, he would need a new game plan.



Just when this realization is sinking in, Marcus meets Charlie, an affable 50 something who loves football. After football practice at school, Marcus gets extra practice with Charlie at a local park where they throw, catch, and tackle. Soon, Marcus is getting so good he is able to try different positions on the team, making himself a valuable player and a nuisance to the team's quarterback.  Marcus also has a new girlfriend that just so happens to be the quarterback's ex.

Things are going pretty well for Marcus except for one thing- Charlie.  First of all, he keeps on calling Marcus, Mac even though he has corrected Charlie numerous times.  Second, he seems to be behaving like a teenager; acting irresponsible and unreliable.  Normally this wouldn't be a problem since Marcus is a teenager himself, but lately Charlie has been getting him into trouble with the police.  Now Marcus has to solve the mystery of Charlie- why is he acting like a child and how did he get to be so good at football?
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Just finished North of Beautiful by Justina Chen Headley.  It was a beautiful story of a girl named Terra who struggles daily with matching her insides with her outsides; a struggle that I feel that most normal adolescents go through at some point.  Terra (named after parts of a map like her brother Mercator are named by their world-famous cartographer father) is burdened by a rather hideous, hereditary port-wine mark on her cheek.  Like her peers, Terra is obsessed with perfecting her outside as much as possible.  For her, this regiment includes early morning work outs and elaborate face make up to hide her stain.  Terra's life map was all planned out: go to a Liberal Arts University to hone her artistic ambitions and use her ART to flesh out both family and inner-personal issues.  And, through her ART create a personal MAP that not only describes where she has been, but also where she is going.  All cardinal signals were pointed to her well-planned future when Terra accidentally runs into Jacob (with her car); an adopted teenager with a clef lip scar shielded by his Goth exterior.  Through their intertwined life discoveries; Terra learns how to follow her life course that is off the charts.

Summer Reads so far . . .

The Short Second Life of Bree Tanner by Stephanie Meyer.  In this novella, Stephanie Meyer offers her fans a glimpse of life through the eyes of Bree Tanner, a newborn vampire.  Bree is an unwitting part of Victoria's vampire army set on destroying Bella and the Cullen clan. As Bree learns to navigate her second life as a vampire, she soon discovers that all is not as it seems.  For one daylight will not kill her, only make her really shiny.  Also, the purpose of her existence.  Follow Bree as she discovers her true purpose.

Recent Reads

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Get Well Soon by Julie Halpern is an interesting look into the life of a teenage girl living in a mental hospital.  

Anna Bloom is depressed.  Really depressed.  Not surprisingly, Anna's parents feel unequipped to deal with it and ship her off to a mental hospital.  Initially, Anna's depression is not alleviated by being forced to leave her home, family, and friends for the company of other depressed teenagers in a hospital.  Her experience in the hospital is described through an never mailed letter to her best friend Tracy.

As soon as Anna learns the rules of the hospital, she is shocked to learn that she actually feels comfortable there.  Anna makes friends, develops a crush, and even begins loosing weight.  Don't think the absurdity of Anna's seemingly superficial progress is lost on her- she is well aware.  Follow Anna's touching, and often funny, journey through what she calls the "looney bin".

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Keeping Corner by Kashmira Sheth is a beautiful poetic book about a young Indian widow named Leela.  Following her husband's untimely death, Leela must "keep corner" for an entire year of morning.  During this time, she must wear widow's clothes and stay inside the home.  Leela is fortunate to be allowed a tutor to continue her studies even though she is a widow.  Although Leela did nothing to cause her husband's death, she is condemed for life.  Unable to remarry and a virtual pariah in her community.

Set in the time period of Ghandi, Leela is soon inspired by current events.  Through the leadership of Ghandi, the people of India are protesting the unfair colonial rule of the English.  Among other things, Ghandi preaches equality of the sexes.  And although her father follows Ghandi's example of non-violent protest of English law, he cannot seem to reconcile Ghandi's beliefs concerning women in society.  Can Leela convince her father to allow her to continue her studies to become a teacher?
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The Schwa Was Here by Neal Shusterman is the prequel to Antsy Does Time from 2010's Lone Star List.  Here we are introduced to Antsy, a quirky Italian American boy living in the Bronx.  This book's adventures start out when Antsy notices a boy in his class, Calvin Schwa, who has the amazing ability to go unnoticed by most people.  Antsy says that his friend Calvin Schwa is, "functionally invisible" and calls it The Schwa Effect.  Scientifically testing the Schwa effect soon consumes Antsy's spare time testing different aspects of the Schwa effect like: If the Schwa was in the Boys bathroom in a cat costume and an orange sombrero, singing, "America the Beautiful," will anyone notice?  Or will the Schwa effect be more powerful than security at the airport?  These experiments eventually lead to the Schwa being dared to "borrow" something from the neighborhood's boogey-man.  Will the Schwa survive an encounter with old man Crawley or will the Schwa effect leave Calvin invisible?

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"It takes a graveyard to raise a child." ~ Audrey Niffenegger. 
"The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman is about a boy named Nobody, Nobody Owens.  Nobody's lives in a graveyard and is being raised by ghosts.  Initially, Nobody, who goes by Bod, is originally allowed to live in the graveyard to escape a murderer who recently slayed his entire family except for Bod.  While Bod is hiding out in the graveyard he gets to learn all kinds of skills like fading and cold spots; all of which will come in handy when the Jacks track him down to finish their business . . .

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An Abundance of Katherines by John Green.  Colin is a former child prodigy with a problem.  He has been dumped 19 times by a girl named Katherine.  Not the same Katherine, mind you, but the trend is alarming.  Being rather smart, Colin attempts to create a mathematical equation that will determine not only the outcome of his past relationships, but also his future ones.  Follow Colin on his journey to discover whether or not math can be applied to matters of the heart.

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Coming Soon- Lone Star List 2010

 So far I have already ready read Written in Bone: Buried Lives of Jamestown and Colonial Maryland. Right off the bat, major kudos to TX librarians for choosing something so obviously not about TX history.  (I am sorry, I should have previously stated that I am a Maryland native that had moved to TX almost 4 years ago for her husbands job.  A Maryland/East Coast girl at heart and stubbornly anti all things TX as more of a protection than anything else since TXness is very pervasive).  This book is an amazing combination of archeology and applicable history.  Having been to both Jamestown and St. Mary's, I consider myself an enthusiast on the subject.  This book tells the intricate story of these two middle colonies as told by their colonists; from the grave.  Excellent read!  And, being from MD and having been born in VA have nothing to do with my positive review of this awesome book!!

 Recently, I have started North of Beautiful.  Very intriguing.  The main character is attempting to find her inner beauty by following her own personal fate map.  More to come- Susan

"2010 Texas Lone Star Reading List

Alexander, Jill S. The Sweetheart of Prosper County. Feiwel and Friends, 2009.

Beil, Michael D., The Red Blazer Girls: The Ring of Rocamadour. Alfred A. Knopf, 2009.

Burg, Ann E. All the Broken Pieces: A Novel in Verse. Scholastic Press, 2009.

Cashore, Kristin. Graceling. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2008.

Chima, Cinda Williams. The Demon King. Disney/Hyperion Books, 2009.

Clayton, Emma. The Roar. Chicken House, 2009.

Dashner, James. The Maze Runner. Delacorte Press, 2009.

Headley, Justina Chen. North of Beautiful. Little, Brown, 2009.

Kantor, Melissa. Girlfriend Material. Disney/Hyperion Books, 2009.

Kelly, Jacqueline. The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate. Henry Holt, 2009.

Korman, Gordon. Pop. Balzer + Bray, 2009.

MacLean, Sarah. The Season. Orchard Books, 2009.

Morton-Shaw, Christine. The Hunt for the Seventh. Katherine Tegen Books, 2008.

Potter, Ellen. Slob. Philomel Books, 2009.

Stead, Rebecca. When You Reach Me. Wendy Lamb Books, 2009.

Taylor, Greg. Killer Pizza: A Novel. Feiwel and Friends, 2009.

Walker, Sally M. Written in Bone: Buried Lives of Jamestown and Colonial Maryland. Carolrhoda Books, 2009.

Williams, Suzanne Morgan. Bull Rider. Margaret K. McElderry Books, 2009.

Zielin, Lara. Donut Days. G.P. Putnam's Sons, 2009.

Zink, Michelle. Prophecy of the Sisters. Little, Brown, 2009.

The Texas Lone Star list is a recommended reading list developed by public and school librarians from the Young Adult Round Table. The purpose of the list is to encourage students in grades 6, 7, or 8 to explore a variety of current books. The Lone Star list is intended for recreational reading, not to support a specific curriculum. Due to the diversity of this age range, Texas librarians should purchase titles on this list according to their individual collection policies. Each book on the list has been favorably reviewed for grades 6, 7, or 8 in a professional review source."

Lone Star Reviews!

Antsy Does Time by Neal Shusterman is a fantastic story starting Antsy (an unfortunate by unique nickname for Anthony, a Catholic boy living in Brooklyn).  Antsy is going about his normal Thanksgiving Day routine of watching the Macy parade when his normal world comes to a screeching halt.  His friend Gunnar announces, rather nonchalantly that he his dying from a rather sudden and equally unknown disease called Pulmonary Monoxic Systemia.  Forced with the grown up reality of dying, Antsy decides to start a time drive for his friend Gunnar.  Suddenly a personal decision becomes a school wide phenomena that effects not only his social standing at school, but also his dating life.  Read to learn more . . . .


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 The Great Wide Sea by M. H. Herlong- Ben and his brothers have barely begun to mourn their mother's death when his father makes a stunning announcement.  They are selling their house, buying a sailboat, and will spend the next year sailing around the Bahamas.  Ben's father stubbornly continues with his plan in spite of his son's protests. 

Convinced that his father doesn't care about his wishes, Ben's frustration evolves into hatred.  Then one night, his father disappears from the boat leaving Ben to take care of his brothers and leaving his feelings for his father unresolved.
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 Unwind by Neal Shusterman- This futuristic novel is set in the United States following the second civil war over abortion.  The war came to an end following the passage of a law making abortion illegal, but late term abortion legal through the process called "unwinding."  Between the ages of 13 and 18, parents can legally sign up their child for unwinding, the process by which all parts of the body are divided and remain living in other bodies.  Follow the 3 main characters: Connor, who is slated for unwinding because he is a "trouble" child; Risa, who is being unwound to raise money for the orphanage who raised her; and Lev, who is being tithed, sacrificial unwinding for the "good of humanity."

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 Suck it up by Brian Meehl- Morning McCobb is no ordinary vampire.  He is a vegetarian vampire and a member of the "International Vampire League."  League vampires are what you would call reformed vampires.  They do not drink human blood, only animal blood.  They don't even kill animals, animals are merely farmed for their blood.  The IVL vampires are seeking to re-enter human society as a minority group and Morning has just been selected to be the vampire to do it.  Join morning on his quest for vampire equality in this hilarious book that doesn't "suck."

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Gym Candy by Carl Deuker- Mick Johnson probably received his first football lesson in the womb. Even if this seems impossible, I am sure it was attempted anyways.  Mick's father was a champion high school and college football player, an he expected no less of his equally talented son.  For Mick, merely doing well was not enough, Mick had to be the unquestioned best at football. And Mick would do ANYTHING to be the best.  Read on to find out what lengths he will go to and the consequences of his choices.

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The Dead and the Gone by Susan Beth Pfeffer- For Alex, Wednesday started out like any other day.  He was at work waiting tables at the neighborhood pizzeria in NYC, when an asteroid hit the moon bringing it closer to earth. This collision set of a chain reaction of events including tidal waves, earthquakes, floods, and volcano eruptions all over the world.  On top of everything, Alex's mother never returned from work at the hospital, his father never returned from the funeral in Puerto Rico, and he hasn't heard from his brother Carlos, who is in the Marines.  Although only 17, Alex is now the "man of the house" and must do everything he can to keep his two sisters alive!

Before any of this occurred Carlos had attended Vincent de Paul, an exclusive Catholic School, where he is a scholarship student.  Somehow, being a minority Hispanic student at an school full of preppy, rich kids, no longer seemed to be his biggest problem.

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 The London Eye Mystery by Siobhan Dowd stars brother and sister Ted and Kat.  They are both anxious and excited to meet their cousin Salim for the first time.  Wanting to impress their slightly older and definitely cooler cousin, Ted and Kat take Salim to the London Eye, a giant ferris wheel that allows visitors to see the city of london from a birds- eye view.  While waiting in line for tickets to the London Eye, a stranger offers Salim a free ticket claiming he has a fear of heights.  Kat and Ted wait for their cousin when the ride is over.  Ted is sure he did not see Salim get off.  Where did he go?

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 The adoration of Jenna Fox by Mary E. Pearson.  Jenna Fox woke up from a year and a half coma 2 weeks ago.  She is recovering from her accident at a remarkable rate.  She regains the ability to walk and speak in mere days.  But she has no idea who she is.  Join Jenna on the search for her identity and the secrets from her past.

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Diamond Willow by Helen Frost is about a girl named Willow and her beloved dog Roxy.  Diamond willow is set in a small native american village in remote Alaska.  Willow loves nothing more than spending time sledding with Roxy and the other dogs in her families pack.  When an accident nearly blinds Roxy, Willow goes to extremes to save her only to discover that her close friendship with her dog is even deeper that she could ever imagine.

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The possibilities of Sainthood by Donna Freitas is about an Italian-American girl named Antonia who wants to be a (living) saint.  Not that she is a goody-goody or anything.  Antonia is simply driven to help the vatican come up with new saints that will more specifically help those in need.  Like the patron saint of first kiss and kissing.  Very funny book that also includes tips for how to make a Catholic school uniform look "hotter"! 

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The Compound by S. A. Bodeen- After news of a nuclear missile is heading for his hometown, Eli at first felt lucky that he was his father's son, a billionaire has built a safe haven underground for his family to wait out the nuclear holocaust.  Unlucky, that his grandmother and twin brother did not.  Eli's father was the builder, organizer, and decision maker in the compound and Eli doesn't question his father decisions.  Until one day when Eli catches his father in a lie, the compound feels less like a haven and more like a prison.
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The Red Necklace by Sally Gardner.  This is an engaging story set at the beginning of the French Revolution in France.  The main character Yann, has the unique ability of throwing his voice and sometimes reading minds.  His mysterious abilities and exotic looks stem from the murky and scandalous gypsy heritage. Yann knew the instant he met Sido, the tragic heiress, that he would do anything to save her. 


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How to be NOT Popular by Jennifer Ziegler is is my first lone star book for the summer! It was a great read. Maggie is moving, AGAIN! This time her hippie parents are dragging her off to the capital of Texas. Away from her friends and more importantly her boyfriend, who could be the ONE. Because this will likely be a temporary high school, Maggie decides that instead of trying to be popular, she will do everything in her power to be UNPOPULAR. Read this book to see if her plan works!







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Found by Margaret Peterson Haddix is the first installment in the new series, "The Missing." The story begins with an unlikely mystery. On her first day working for the airline, Sky Trails, Angela is already terrified of loosing her job when a plane appears out of nowhere at an airport gate that should have been empty. This would have been strange enough, but upon further investigation, Angela discovers that the plane is entirely empty, except for 36 infants occupying individual seats on the plane. Thirteen years later, an adopted boy named Jonah receives an anonymous letter informing him that he is "one of the missing." His new friend Chip receives the same letter, on the same day. Except, Chip is not adopted, or is he?



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Waiting for Normal by Leslie Connor. Addie life is far from normal. She lives with her mom or "Mommers" as she calls her in their new home, a faded yellow trailerhome. Recently separated from her step father and two half sisters, Addie striving for normalcy. Achingly true to life! Highly recommended to all who strive for "normal."

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Airman by Erin Colfer is about a boy named Connor who was born flying, literally! He was born in a flying ball on at the World's Fair in Paris in 1878. Ever since then, Connor has vigorously per sued his dreams of building the world's first powered flying machine. If only he hadn't been falsely accused of plotting to kill the beloved King Nicholas and imprisoned in the dreaded diamond mines!










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The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins is the first book in the series "Hunger Games." 16 year old Katniss has learned how to survive in harsh nation of Panem on the land formerly known as the United States. Seventy years ago, an uprising of the people failed to overthrow the nation of Panem resulting in an even stricter laws designed to break the people's will. To commemorate Panem's victory over the rebels, the annual Hunger Games is held. Teh Hunger Games take 2 adolecents from each of the twelve districts to fight to the death. The participants are chosen by lottery, one boy and one girl.

Katniss has single-handedly fed her sister ever since her father passed away. How will Katniss protect her little sister when she is selected for the Hunger Games?



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Evolution, Me, & Other Freaks of Nature by Robin Brande is about a girl named Mena entering her first day of high school only all of her old friends HATE her. And why? She won't tell us yet, but there are hints.

1. the incident involved a letter she wrote to a boy named Denny
2. all of her former friends are from church
3. she is banned from church
4. if she had the chance, she would do it again

On top of all of this drama, Mena's former friends have decided to boycott learning Evolution in Biology class because it clashes with their beliefs in Creationism. Normally, Mena herself may have participated in their protests, but she is no longer a part of her church group. Now Mena has to decide what she believes on her own.


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Other favorite reads

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The Thirteenth Tale by Diane Setterfield is about Margaret Lea, a young biographer given the much sought after authorized biography of Vida Winter. In the past, Ms. Winter has always answered questions about her personal life with a different fictional story! Read this book to find out the truth about Ms. Vida, IF she tells the truth this time!
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The Historian by Elizabeth Kostova

This is a great book if you are fan of Dracula! A teenage girl finds "accidentally" stumbles upon a collection of letters belonging to her father. She hopes that by reading the letters and following their clues she might solve the mystery of her missing mother and help heal the wounds of her heart-broken father.




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This book is what the movie, How to Deal, is based on. Halley, a normal high-school girl, trying to deal with her boyfriend that her mom hates and her best friend's pregnancy all while still in high school!












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Lonestar Book Challenge!

The L.A. class that reads the MOST Lone star books this summer, will receive a pizza party at lunch at the end of school year AND a "Fine Free Pass" from the library. This pass can be used for LIBRARY FINES!

2009 Lone Star Reading List

The Adoration of Jenna Fox, Pearson
Airman, Colfer
Antsy Does Time, Shusterman
The Black Book of Secrets, Higgins
The Compound, Bodeen
the dead and the gone, Pfeffer
Diamond Willow, Frost
Evolution, Me & Other Freaks of Nature, Brande

Found (The Missing, Book 1), Haddix
The Great Wide Sea, Herlong
Gym Candy, Deuker
How Not to be Popular, Ziegler
The Hunger Games, Collins
I, Q.: Independence Hall, Smith
The London Eye Mystery, Dowd
The Possibilities of Sainthood, Freitas
The Red Necklace: A Storyof the French Revolution, Gardner
Suck It Up, Meehl
Unwind, Shusterman
Waiting for Normal, Connor

For more information about Lone Star:
http://www.txla.org/groups/yart/lonestarlists.html