Legend by Marie Lu

California Young Reader Medal Nominee for 2014-2015

Author's Book Trailer

This gripping, dystopian novel tells the entire tale from two points of view.  The chapters alternate between June's perspective and Day's.  The reader senses, and waits, for their paths to cross.  The setting is the future western states, now know as the Republic, a nation at war with its neighbors. 

June is a 15 year old prodigy, born into wealth and groomed by the Republic army.  Day, on the other hand, was raised in the slums and is referred to as a criminal.  There is no real reason for their lives to cross paths, but they do; it is difficult as a reader to put the book down, sensing the meeting will happen soon.

Day is simply trying to keep his family together and survive, but he is thrust into June's world as she seeks to avenge the death of her brother, Metias.  This unlikely pair begin to unravel the mysteries of not only Metias's death, but also the evil workings of the government he was serving at the time of his death.    

The novel is fast-paced and full of twists and connections.  The alternating perspectives places the reader inside the minds of both characters in a way that brings each to life.  If you enjoy dystopian novels, like The Hunger Games series, you will enjoy this novel as well as the sequels, Prodigy and Champion.
Mrs. Flores  

Excerpt from the novel:  

DAY

"In other words the Republic has no idea what I look like.  They don't seem to know much of anything about me, except that I am young and when they run my fingerprints they don't find a match in their databases.  That's why they hate me, why I am not the most dangerous criminal in the country, but the most wanted.  I make them look bad (Lu 2)." 

Girl Stolen by April Henry - TeacherTube

Book Trailer:  Girl Stolen by April Henry - TeacherTube

As a sick Cheyenne waits in the family SUV at a pharmacy for her step-mother to pick up some medicine, the Cadillac Escalade she is waiting in is car jacked.  An unsuspecting Griffin is in for more than one surprise:  He discovers that Cheyenne is in the car and that she is blind.  This adds to the terror of her plight, both for her and the readers.  She is in no shape to fight, blind and sick with pneumonia, but she is resourceful and determined to survive.  The fact that she is the daughter of a Nike CEO adds to the intensity of the story, and the value of Cheyenne as a hostage.

The novel is suspenseful and gripping from start to finish.  Told from two different perspectives, both Cheyenne's and Griffin's, the reader really gets to know both characters.  Griffin is not like his father, who has dragged him into the mess they are in; Griffin wanted to let Cheyenne go in the dark, but as soon as his father realized through the media who she really was, he saw the girl as a way to a wealthy future.
Mrs. Flores

The Fault in Our Stars by John Green

California Young Reader Medal Nominee for 2014-2015

This novel confronts the ugly reality of teens battling cancer.  It does not create euphemisms to avoid the harsh side effects of treatment or the depression often associated with this illness.  It is a raw and honest look into the lives and hearts of teenagers fighting an often deadly battle.  That being said, it is also a story of connection, hope, empathy and love.  Hazel, reluctantly falls in love with the witty and intelligent Augustus Waters.  Their connection begins in a cancer support group and follows both their relationship and the struggles and triumphs of the various members of the group.

I found the novel to be engaging and realistic.  I loved the fact that I could really gain access to the individual personalities of these characters, forcing me to read just one more chapter when I should have been asleep.  The characters were smart and well read.  There were several references to novels that I had read. The story is consuming, and although I was at times afraid to know what would happen next, I could not wait to read on and find out for myself.
Mrs. Flores

View the link below for a Book Brief podcast on this novel.

Episode 01: The Fault in Our Stars

Book Trailer

To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee

Set in the deep south during the Depression, this novel poignantly reveals racism in America during that time.  The reader sees the story through the eyes of Scout Finch, a curious tomboy learning about the community she lives in, the people who inhabit it, and how life is not always fair, despite one's best intentions.  Scout begins to see the hate in her own community and struggle, like her father, to understand.

This novel is one of my personal favorites.  It is an amazing coming of age story where the young Scout learns that the people in her hometown are not all as they seemed.  She watches first hand as her father, Atticus attempts to open the eyes of the people of Maycomb, while doing his best to raise his own children to view all people equally.

View the Link Below for a book trailer:

Mrs. Flores TKM