Books by Blei: Mockingbird (moking-burd)

Mockingbird

by Kathryn Erskine

Recommended by: Emily W.

This is one of the best books I have ever read. Caitlin has Asperger's. Her brother dies. Caitlin looke up the word "closure" and realizes that is what she needs. Her dad is no help at all. She is working on finding friends. I hope you love it like I do!

This book was: AMAZING!

I would recommend this book to: Everyone.

A/R Level:  3.6 MG

A/R Points: 5 points

 

I rate this book:

Books by Blei: Skin

Skin

by Rick Jasper

Recommended by: Emily W.

This is a really good book. It has a little bit of mystery, a little bit of love, and a little bit of murder. You will read a part of a journal of a boy who has a lot of similiar problems as the main character. This is an amazing book. I think you will like it.

This book was: AMAZING!

I would recommend this book to: Everyone.

A/R Level: 3.9 MG

A/R Points: 2 points

 

I rate this book:

Books by Blei: Silhouette of a Sparrow

Silhouette of a Sparrow

by Molly Beth Griffin

Recommended by: Summer B.

This book is about 16-year-old bird-lover Garnet going to Excelsior, Minnesota, for a summer vacation. She stays with her aunt and cousin in a hotel and wants to get away from their prying eyes. So she gets a job at a hat store and meets a beautiful, young and talented girl, Isabella. This book's writing is truly amazing and is a great read. The only down side is that it isn't long enough!!!!

This book was: AWESOME!! I loved it!

I would recommend this book to: Anyone.
 

I rate this book:

Read My Book, 2013

Turning into Books!

 

Sydney W. has been reading so much, she is turning into a book!

RMS Book Fair is February 19 and 21

The whole school is excited about our Book Fair on Feb. 19 and 21.
It will be held during conferences, so come and meet your student's teachers and then stop by to shop our fair! At the Book Fair you will find the latest and finest titles for kids, as well as

books of interest to parents. Mark your calendar for these events where the whole family can join in the fun. And, you can contribute books to your child's classroom library.

 The Book Fair is a great way to get everyone excited about reading.

Here's a brief video that highlights the big dreams that can be realized through family reading:

Book Fair Video
 

See you at the Book Fair!

 

Teacher Reads: The Iron King

Check out what Ms. Armandariz is reading:

 

The Iron King

by Michael Northrup

Recommended by: Ms. Armandariz

The book The Iron King by Julie Kagawa is the story of a girl who doesn't fit in. She doesn't fit in because she is a fairy princess. She is the daughter of Oberon and lives the fairyland of Shakespeare's "Midsummer Night's Dream". She is a very strong character and fights to protect her brother.

I liked this book because: it is filled with action, drama, love, and someone almost dies a couple of times.

I would recommend this book: I would definitely recommend this book!

Teacher Reads: TRAPPED!

Another one of our fabulous teachers reading!

 

Check out what Ms. Bandy is reading:

Trapped

by Michael Northrup

Recommended by: Ms. Bandy
The book Trapped by Michael Northrop is a really cool book. I mean it, its cool.
The book takes place in a high school where 7 students are trapped during a terrible snow storm.
It snows for over a week and the students are trapped in their high school after they choose
not to take the bus home. The power goes out and the students must figure out how to work
together and survive.


I Liked this book because: It used a lot of foreshadowing, so it made me
want to read to find out exactly what is going to happen. The book made me think about
what I would do if I was trapped
in a school during a monster snow storm, how I would survive.

I would recommend this book: I would definitely recommend
curling up under a warm blanket with some hot chocolate with this book!

 

The Fault In Our Stars Book Trailer

Watch this great book trailer for one of our RMS Hot Reads:

The Fault in Our Stars by John Green

Books by Blei: Chime

Chime

by Franny Billingsley

Recommended by: Summer B.

Briony's stepmother was murdered two months ago. She is very sad about it, but Eldric comes along to brighten her spirits. Briony cannot love, cannot cry, cannot like herself because of the things she has done -- the things she's done through jealousy. Briony is a witch and can't control her powers. This book is mostly about Briony figuring out the truth to everything and about Eldric and her misadventures.

This book was: Magical! Seriously - witches and ghosts.

I would recommend this book to: Anyone who likes fantasy.

A/R Level:  4.4 UG

A/R Points: 13 points

I rate this book:

Books by Blei: Looking for Alaska

Looking for Alaska

by John Green

Recommended by: Summer B.

This touching story is about a 16-year-old boy named Miles who heads to a boarding school where he meets the beautiful Alaska Young. He and his new friends do some pranks and have the best time of their lives -- until one incident that turns everyone around. This story is about relationships, pranks, and getting over tragedies that we can't control. This book (like all John Green's books) is touching, and beautiful and one of my favorites. You can't get this story out of your mind.

This book was: One I will always remember!

I would recommend this book to: ANYONE!

A/R Level:  5.8 UG

A/R Points: 11 points

I rate this book:

Books by Blei: Savvy

 

Savvy

by Ingrid Law

Recommended by: Christyna Y.

A savvy is a magical power the Beaumont family possess, flowing through generations. Their special supernatural power strikes when turned thirteen. Mibs thirteenth birthday is a few days away, when a horrible accident happens to her poppa. On her birthday, her savvy unfolds itself and she learns of truth and secrets her savvy holds. Determined her savvy can save her poppa, she runs away from home on a pink bus, but she doesn't run awsay traveling alone. She travels with her brothers, and not-yet friends. They have an adventure that's beyond imagination. But is Mibs really going to be able to wake her poppa? Or has her foolishness gotten everyone into big trouble?

This book was: A magical twist!

I would recommend this book to: Adventure lovers.

A/R Level:  6.0 MG

A/R Points: 9 points

I rate this book:

Books by Blei: Bronxwood

Bronxwood

by Coe Booth

Recommended by: Shantel S.

This book was very interesting. Tyrell's father comes back into his life and tries to tell him he's not a man; he's a boy. Tyrell is very tired of female problems, but finds a specialone. Tyrell gets himself in trouble with some people. Will Tyrell step up and be a man?

This book was: The best!

I would recommend this book to: Every Middle School kid who is interested.

A/R Level: 4.6 MG

A/R Points: 12 points

I rate this book:

Books by Blei: An Abundance of Katherines

An Abundance of Katherines
by John Green

Recommended by: Summer B.

High school graduate Colin Singleton (and child prodigy) just got dumped by his 19th Katherine. So, to make him feel better, he and he best friend go on a road trip where Colin ends up discovering a way to mathematically calculate how long your relationship with someone will be. They end up meeting a new girls Colin may like - but her name isn't Katherine. How could you break the Katherine habit? This is a great story that will keep you laughing the whole time!

This book was: Funny - I loved it!

I would recommend this book to: Anyone, especially John Green lovers!

A/R Level:   5.6 MG

A/R Points:  points

I rate this book:

Books by Blei: Payback

Payback
by Paul Langan

Recommended by: Missy W.

Tyray Hobbs was the school bully and got everything he wanted from kids, including fear, until Darrell Merier came around, embarrassed him and he lost everything. He broke his hand and his home life isn't going well. Everybody is against him. It's the complete opposite of before. He wants revenge to bring Derrell down. The only thing he know will work is a gun.

This book was: One I did not want to stop reading!

I would recommend this book to: Middle School students and up!

A/R Level:  4.7 MG

A/R Points: 3 points

I rate this book:

Books by Blei: Chasing Brooklyn

 

Chasing Brooklyn
by Lisa Schroeder

Recommended by: Alexa J.

After Lucca dies, Brooklyn and Nico enter a triathalon. Brooklyn was Lucca's girlfriend. Brooklyn is running away from the bad things in her life. Nico helps find peace through running. Will she find comfort and peace?
Read and find out!

This book was: Written in "verse" style

I would recommend this book to: Anyone who needs to find peace

A/R Level:  3.1 MG

A/R Points: 4 points

I rate this book:

Books by Blei: Where You Belong

 

Where You Belong
by Mary Ann McGuign

Recommended by: Shantel S.

Fiona doesn't know where she belongs. When Fiona's mother was evicted from their Bronx apartment, she tries to go to her dad's house. She thought he was going to go abuse her like he did the other times when he was drunk. She ran away from his house and slept in the park. She was walking around the street and found a friend, Yolanda, who begged Fiona to stay at her house. Where does Fiona decide to stay?  Read and find out!

This book was: Very interesting!

I would recommend this book to: People who love to hear about history.

A/R Level: 4.2 MG

A/R Points: 6 points

I rate this book:

 

Teacher READS! - We are the Ship

Here at Robbinsdale Middle School we love seeing everyone read, teachers and students!

 

Check out Mr. Courtney reading

We are the Ship: The Story of Negro League Baseball

by Kadir Nelson

This book is one of our featured books in February.

 

"We are the ship; all else the sea."
-Rube Foster, founder of the Negro National League 

This is the story of great athletes and determinded owners
in the confines of racial discrimination.

It tells the story of wins and losses,
triumphs and defeats both on and off the field.

Most of all, it is the story of hundereds of unsung heroes
who overcame segregation, hatred, terrible conditions,

and low pay to do the one thing they
loved more than anything else in the world:
play ball.

Mr. Courtney used it in one of his classes.

Come in to the Media Center and check it out!
 

Mr. Courtney loves the artwork as well.

Here are some of the amazing illustrations found inside:

Leroy "Satchel" Paige

Smokey Joe Williams

Josh Gibson on deck


Josh Gibson

Kansas City Monarchs dug out

Books by Blei: Stolen Children

Stolen Children

 

by Peg Kehret

Recommended by: Lovelee S.

This book is about a girl named Amy, who was babysitting a little girl named Kendra. Kendra is four years old. They are both kidnapped. The kidnapping goes wrong.
Read this book to see if the kidnappers get away or if they get caught!

This book was: One of the greatest books I've ever read!!

I would recommend this book to: Both boys and girls who love a mystery.

A/R Level: 4.6 MG

A/R Points: 6 points

I rate this book:

Books by Blei: Okay for Now

Okay for Now

by Gary D. Schmidt

Recommended by: Caiden Gray

Doug is moving to the stupid town of Marysville, NY because of his father's new job. He thinks that it's a stupid town until he comes to find a painting of the Arctic Tern. After awhile he gets a job at Spicer's Deli and meets Lil which turns into more than a friendship. At the end he thinks of Marysville in a different way other than just a stupid town.

This book was: Really good!

I would recommend this book to: People who like real-life stories!

A/R Level:  4.9 MG

A/R Points: 11 points

I rate this book:

Books By Blei: Paper Covers Rock

 

Paper Covers Rock

by

Recommended by: Summer B.

Alex Stoff's bestfriend died and he was a witness. He lies to avoid getting kicked out of boarding school. His friend, Thomas, died while jumping in the river - but he was drunk. Alex tries to keep his secret - but Mrs. Dovett saw what happened. Question is, how much did she see?

I personally didn't like the style of the book. It's set in 1982 and Alex loves English. I think he used too many references to older books. I think this book could be for the right person though.

This book was: Not my favorite.

I would recommend this book to: People who love literature.

A/R Level:  5.7 MG

A/R Points: 7 points

I rate this book:

RMS Hot Reads February 1st

RMS Hot Reads for the Week of 1/28/13 - 2/01/13

1. Between Shades of Gray By Ruta Sepetys	2. Witch & Wizard(Graphic Novel) By James Patterson	3. Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Cabin Fever By Jeff Kinney	4. Aria(Graphic Novel) By Kozue Amano	5. Between Light & Dark(Graphic Novel)
6. Big Nate: Out Loud By Lincoln Peirce	7. Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Ugly TruthBy Jeff Kinney	8. The House on Mango StreetBy Sandra Cisneros	9. I Heart You, You Haunt Me By Lisa Schroeder	10. Lockdown: Escape From the Furnace By Alexander Gordon Smith

Grade rank by book check-out:

#1 - 6th Grade - 191 students checked out

#2 - 7th Grade - 148 students checked out

#3 - 8th Grade - 124 students checked out

Top 5 Book Requests on Hold:

1. Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Third Wheel (Diary of a Wimpy Kid, #7) - Jeff Kinney

2. Insurgent (Divergent, #2) - Veronica Roth

3. Reached (Matched, #3) - Allyson Braithwaite Condie

4. Mark of Athena (Heroes of Olympus, #3) - Rick Riordan

5. The Fault in Our Stars - John Green

Fun Fact:

As of January 25, 2013 the RMS Media Center has had 1,620 students check out library materials, for a total of 10,178 items checked out since the first day of school!