Crosss My Heart and Hope to Spy

Title:

Carter, Ally. Cross my heart and hope to spy. Hyperion Books, 2007. ISBN 9781615585199.

Summary:

Cross My Heart and Hope to Spy is a contemporary realistic fiction mystery book. Cammie Morgan is a sophomore at an exclusive all-girls school called The Gallagher Academy. It also happens to be a spy training school. This year, however, the school is invaded by…boys. In an attempt to train operatives to work with the opposite sex, Gallagher Academy has teamed up with Blackthorne, a spy training school for boys. During the semester, Cammie befriends Zach. When the alumni list, which contains all names of spies trained at Gallagher, is stolen, Cammie, Zach, and friends must team up to recover the disk before it is sold to the enemy. Can the Gallagher Girls and Blackthorne Boys discover the culprit before it’s too late?

Analysis:

I thought this book was a pretty good book. Even though the girls are at an exclusive school, they still go through situations that other girls do- such as shyness in meeting boys, jealousy, picking on each other, etc. One difference is, of course, the classes offered. A normal high school would not have classes on covert operations, leave girls in the middle of Washington D.C. with no directions except to make it to a designated location by 5:00 without any “enemy” operatives following you, or classes in explosives. One thing I did not like about the book is that it is a sequel. Some sequels can refer back to the first book, give enough relevant information about the story, and make it pertain to the second. This book did not do that. The references to the first novel gave little information, did not always pertain to the story, and were mentioned so frequently, that it was frustrating.

The characters were realistic enough in the way they talked to each other, tried to solve their problems, and even in Cammie’s relationship with her mother. Cammie’s mom is the head of the school and an ex-spy, so the relationship is not typical, yet they eat dinner together on a regular basis and try to maintain a sense of normalcy. The good vs. evil plot comes in to play when the list of names is stolen and Cammie is accused because she was not where she was supposed to be. Readers must work through the clues, conversations and actions of the characters to discover who the real culprit is. There is no real violence in the story. Role-playing, hand-to-hand combat techniques, and weapons training is part of the story, but no one gets hurt. One problem that is dealt with in an interesting way is the boy/girl relationship. Most girls and boys feel uncomfortable around the opposite sex. They usually feel as if they are the only ones that are experiencing the lack of confidence, strange feelings, etc. However, in this book, the boys and girls have been brought up in boarding schools, studying special curriculum. They have not had the chance to be around the opposite sex on a regular basis. This book shows that working together, trust, and learning about the opposite sex is a challenge to all.

Reviews:

VOYA April 2008

It is always a little nerve wracking to read the sequel to a book one truly enjoyed. Happily this reader was able to turn the last page with a smile and an excited, anxious feeling about waiting for the next Gallagher Girl book. There is still plenty of suspenseful action and supportive female friendships, but this time, how a girl spy can learn to flirt with a boy (spy) gets more attention. Because Cammie is a girl who has great spy skills, her awkwardness and cluelessness when she is around boys should give anyone hope. It is difficult to imagine what teen girl would not want to read-and reread-this second book in a butt-kicking series.

School Library Journal

Chick lit? You bet, but it's well written and well plotted. Cammie and her friends are admirable, and there's enough intrigue and G-rated romance to satisfy teens and tweens.

Awards:

New York Times Bestseller

Publishers Weekly Bestseller

Connections:

To read Cross my heart and hope to spy and other books online, visit http://www.onread.com/book/Cross-My-Heart-And-Hope-to-Spy-191684

To find out more about the author visit http://www.allycarter.com/

To learn how to become a spy visit https://www.cia.gov/

If you liked this book, you might enjoy:

Masterpiece by Elise Broach

The E-mail mystery by Carolyn Keene

The ruby in the smoke by Philip Pullman

Gilda Joyce, the ladies of the lake by Jennifer Allison

Sammy Keyes and the curse of Mustache Mary by Wendelin Van Draanen

Picture:

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Darkside

Title:

Becker, Tom. Darkside. CPI Publishing Solutions, 2007. ISBN 9780545037396

Summary:

Jonathan Starling is a 14 year-old boy who almost lives alone. His mother is gone, his father ignores him-when he isn’t “sick.” He is taken care of by a kind woman who lives down the street. Jonathan’s dad has “episodes” where he lays almost comatose for days. His dad calls it “the darkening” (p 21). During one of his episodes, Jonathan discovers that his dad has been looking for a place called Darkside. A man in the room next to Jonathan’s dad is murdered, Jonathan is kidnapped, and his house is trashed. Jonathan escapes to finds the entrance to Darkside, only to discover that he is in worse danger than before. Darkside is filled with evil of every kind. He meets a werewolf, a vampire, criminals and murderers. Then he discovers that he is half Darkside. Will he find his mother in Darkside? Will he ever get out alive? Why does everyone seem to want Jonathan and his dad dead?

Analysis:

I picked this book for several reasons. One is that it is the beginning of a serial, and I like to read serials if I can start with the first one. The second is that it sounded like a good story for my kids, both boys. Darkside is a modern fantasy book. It has an imaginary world, Darkside, that can be accessed through special portals from the “real world.” Supernatural beings exist in Darkside. Werewolves, vampires, and other creatures all live there. While it is difficult to do, some of the creatures can come out of Darkside, and some people can enter into it. It does have the six motifs of modern fantasy. Magic: Darksiders exhibit superhuman strength and speed and turn into werewolves and vampires. Other Worlds: Darkside is another world, although it exists on the periphery of the “real world.” Darksiders say that Lightsiders don’t see the entrance because they don’t want to see the evil. Good vs. Evil: Jonathan represents the good in the story. He wants to save everyone he can. Even when a Darksider tries to kill him, all Jonathan wants to do is escape alive, not get revenge. Evil is represented by the place, Darkside, but especially Vendetta, the vampire in the story. Heroism: Jonathan’s hero quest is to find Darkside to see if he can help his father’s episodes. He is helped on the quest by two unlikely characters- Carnegie, the werewolf, and Raquella, a servant of Vendetta. Special character types: Werewolves and vampires are main characters in the book. It also includes characters from the past. Jack the Ripper’s descendents are the leaders of Darkside. Fantastic Objects: Vendetta uses a special knife to cut his victims before he drinks their blood. It is supposed to protect him from diseases.

I liked this book. It was fast paced and exciting. Jonathan’s character was developed so that you would feel pity for him and cheer him on when he faced huge obstacles. The underdog must always win. Of course, there are a few totally unbelievable moments in the story like surviving the fall into a tank of starving barracudas and jumping off of an express train and living to tell about it. Overall, a good book to read.

Reviews:

Booklist February 1, 2008

This fast-paced, unrelentingly entertaining story has plenty of suspense and lots of scares; there are a number of side plots, but the narrative never becomes confusing.

Library Media Connection 2008

The drama is action packed, and the story will draw both reluctant readers and fans of dark action

School Library Journal 2008

The plot is engaging, but the descriptive prose is Becker's real strength. "Darkside" is imaginative and "Lightside" is a fine description of London.

Awards:

Winner of the Waterstone's Children's Book Prize 2007

Connections:

To learn more about the Darkside, visit http://www.welcometodarkside.co.uk/index.tao?PageId=home

To learn more about the author visit http://www5.scholastic.co.uk/zone/authors_t-becker_biog.htm

If you liked this book, you might enjoy:

Coraline by Neil Gaiman

Mirror Mirror: Twisted Tales by Silverman

The Revenge of the Shadow King by Derek Benz and J.S. Lewis

Night Terrors by Jim Murphy

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Mod 6 Side by Side

Greenberg, Jan. Side by Side: New Poems Inspired by Art from Around the World. New York: Abrams Books for Young Readers, 2008. ISBN 9780810994713

Summary:

Side by Side is a collection of poems about art from around the world. Poetry inspired by art is also known as ekphrasis. Most of the poems were written especially for this book. Each poet was asked to write a poem in their native language about a piece of artwork in their native country. Poems written in other languages were translated into English. Thirty-three countries and six continents are represented through poetry, translation, and art.

Analysis:

Greenberg appeals to teen readers through a mixed media of art and universal themes in poetry such as nature and childhood memories. She also invites the reader to keep a notepad close by and write their own response to the art, therefore involving them in the book. Greenberg divides the poems into four categories: Stories, Voices, Expressions, and Impressions. In Stories, the poet looks at the art and imagines a story. In Voices, the poet becomes the subject of the artwork and speaks as the subject. In Expressions, the poet depicts the interaction between the artwork and the viewer. In Impressions, the poet describes the elements of the artwork, such as lines, symmetry, color, etc. VOYA says, “they perform an engaging duet of words and visuals on the page.”

Reviews:

School Library Journal 2008

"It creates cultural bridges and celebrates the genius of inspired translation."

Booklist 2008

"...the moving, often startling poems invite readers to savor the words and then look closely at each image."

Awards:

Booklist starred review

IRA Notable Book for a Global Society 2008

Connections:

For more information about the author visit http://mowrites4kids.drury.edu/authors/greenberg/

For a virtual tour of an art gallery visit http://www.wga.hu/

For an interactive world map visit http://globalis.gvu.unu.edu/

If you liked this book, you might enjoy:

Revenge and forgiveness: an anthology of poems by Patrice Redd Vecchione

Poetry U.S.A. by Paul Malloy

Ego-Tripping and other poems for young people by Nikki Giovanni

Edgar Alan Poe by Edgar Allan Poe

Here in Harlem: poems in many voices by Walter Dean Myers

A wreath for Emmett Till by Marilyn Nelson

Picture:

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Mod 6 Crank

Hopkins, Ellen. Crank. New York: Margaret K McElderry Books, 2004. ISBN 9780689865190

Summary:

Seventeen year-old Kristina Snow visits her deadbeat dad on a court ordered visit to Albuquerque. While there, she meets handsome Adam, the monster – Crank, and Bree, an imagined, bolder personality. Upon return to Reno and her mom, Kristina tries hard to maintain her normal life. Straight A’s, responsible, an all around good kid; but Bree has other plans. Spurred on by Bree’s outgoing, spontaneous risk-taking, Kristina/Bree finds herself in the clutches of the monster-crystal meth. She soon learns that “Crank is more than a drug. /It’s a way of life. /You can turn your back. /But you can never really walk away.”

Analysis:

Crank is a realistic free verse novel. Hopkins keeps the reader involved in the novel in several ways. The poems, according to School Library Journal are “masterpieces of word, shape, and pacing, compelling readers on to the next chapter in Kristina’s spiraling world.” Each page’s poem is different format from the page before, with shapes that accompany the topic, such as a question mark when Kristina is making an important decision as well as split columns that can be read as one or two separate poems. Kristina’s character is well developed in her decline into addiction. Details of escalating behavior from simple drug use to lying to her family, buying and selling the drug, and a total change in habits and friends explain her change in character. This gripping story of drug abuse will be remembered by readers of all ages. VOYA says, “Hopkins delivers a gritty, fast-paced read while effectively portraying the dangers of substance abuse without sounding pedantic or preachy.” The fact that the novel is loosely based on Hopkins’ own daughter’s fight with substance abuse only makes it more real.

Reviews:

Booklist 2004

"Readers won't soon forget smart, sardonic Kristina; her chilling descent into addiction; or the author's note, which references her own daughter's struggle with the monster."

Publisher's Weekly 2004

"...she creates a world nearly as consuming and disturbing as the titular drug."

School Library Journal 2004

" This is a topical page-turner and a stunning portrayal of a teen's loss of direction and realistically uncertain future."

Awards:

Quills Award nominee (Crank)
Book Sense Top 10 (Crank)
NYPL Recommended for Teens (Crank)
PSLA Top Ten for Teens (Crank)
Charlotte Award (Crank)
IRA Young Adult Choices Award (Crank)
Kentucky Bluegrass Award (Crank)
SSLI Honor Book Award (Crank)
Nevada Writers Hall of Fame Silver Pen Award
Gateway Readers Awards winner (Crank)

Connections:

For more information about the author visit http://www.ellenhopkins.com/

For more information about narcotics anonymous visit http://www.na.org/

A teen site about dealing with addiction http://kidshealth.org/teen/your_mind/problems/addictions.html

If you liked this book, you might enjoy:

Crashboomlove: A novel in verse by Juan Felipe Herrera

Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson

Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher

Go Ask Alice by Beatrice Sparks

The Truth about Forever by Sarah Dessen

Smack by Melvin Burgess

Candy by Kevin Brooks

Ttfn by Lauren Myracle

Picture:

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Mod 6 What My Mother Doesn't Know

Sones, Sonya. What My Mother Doesn't Know. New York: Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing, 2001. ISBN 9780698841149

Summary:

Fourteen year-old Sophie has only two reliable people in her life- her best friends, Rachel and Grace. Her mother hides out in the basement eating chocolate and watching soaps. Her father is gone away on business trips, a lot. This is the story of her first true love. And her second. And her third. A rollercoaster of romances, cyber dating, family fights, and friendships.

Analysis:

In this realistic, teen-angst, free verse novel, Sones latches on to the emotions and speech of teen girls. Using poems that can stand alone, but flow together to make a story allows readers to read short periods of time and still progress through the story fairly quickly. “Each one strikes a chord that fluidly moves the reader on to the next episode,” says VOYA. The novel deals briefly with some difficult topics such as anti-Semitism and divorce, but not to any depth or resolution. The main focus is on friendship and acceptance, especially as Sophie’s latest boyfriend is not really boyfriend material, so she must choose between her new boyfriend and her long time friends. Sophie’s character develops as she asserts her independence. She buys a slinky black dress to wear to the dance, without her mom’s permission. She takes herself on a stay-cation when all of her friends leave for Christmas vacation. She also drops the cute boys who are progressively pushing her for more than kisses for the more homely, but more thoughtful, Murphy.

Reviews:

School Library Journal 2008

"Told in Sophie's own free verse poems, the story moves and evolves quickly in a satisfying and tantalizing manner."

Publisher's Weekly 2001

"The author poignantly captures the tingle and heartache of being young and boy-crazy."

Booklist

"The very short, sometimes rhythmic lines make each page fly."

Kirkus 2001

"The verse format allows Sophie to interrogate and explore her feelings and relationships with quintessentially teenage ferocity."

Awards:

winner of the Iowa Teen Book Award (2005 -2006)

named by the American Library Association as one of the Top Ten Most Challenged Books of 2004 and of 2005

Michigan Thumbs Up Award Honor Book (2002)

unanimously chosen an American Library Association Best Book for Young Adults (2002)

unanimously chosen an American Library Association Top Ten Quick Pick for Reluctant Young Adult Readers (2002)

named an International Reading Association Young Adults' Choice (2003)

named a Booklist Editor's Choice (2001)

voted a VOYA Top Shelf for Middle School Readers (2003)

Pennsylvania Young Reader's Choice Award: YA Recommended Title (2003 -2004)

named a New York Public Library Book for the Teen Age (2002, 2003, and 2004)

named a Texas Lone Star State Reading List Choice (2003 – 2004)

named a Top Ten Editor's Choice by Teenreads.com (2001)

named a Bookreporter.com Best of 2001 for Teens

chosen a Junior Library Guild selection

chosen a Scholastic Teen Age Book Club selection

chosen a Scholastic Trumpet Book Club selection

chosen a Scholastic Book Fair selection

nominated for the following state awards:

Volunteer State Book Award (TN) (2004 – 2005)

Utah Children's Choice Beehive Award (2003 – 2004)

Garden State Teen Book Award (NJ) (2003 - 2004)

Pennsylvania Young Reader's Choice Award (2004)

Rhode Island Teen Book Award (2004)

South Carolina Young Adult Book Award (2003 – 2004)

Missouri Gateway Reader's Choice Award for Teens (2003 – 2004)

Wyoming Library Association Soaring Eagle Book Award (2003 -2004)

Connections:

For more information about the author visit http://www.sonyasones.com/

For an online poetry writing workshop with current poets visit http://teacher.scholastic.com/writewit/poetry/

For tips on teen dating safety visit http://www.teenhelp.com/teen-issues/teen-dating-safety.html

If you liked this book, you might enjoy:

The truth about forever by Sarah Dessen

Along for the ride by Sarah Dessen

True believer by Virginia Euwer Wolff

Love, Stargirl by Jerry Spinelli

The it girl by Cecily Von Ziegesar

The realm of possibility by David Levithan

Ttyl by Lauren Myracle

Picture:

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Mod 5 A Northern Light

Donnelly, Jennifer. A Northern Light. Orlando: Harcourt, 2003. ISBN 9780152167059

Summary:

Promises, promises, promises. Sixteen year-old Mattie Gokey has made plenty of promises. She promises her dying mother that she will always take care of her father and sisters. She promises Royal Loomis that she will marry him. And she promises Grace Brown, a guest at the Glenmore hotel where she is working, that she will burn a pile of letters. Now she is stuck living in poverty, engaged to a man that may not love her for who she is, and carries around a stack of letters for a woman who has turned up dead. Using the true story of Grace Brown’s murder in the Adirondack Mountains of New York, Mattie uses her love of words and Grace Brown’s letters to discover herself, her dreams, and which promises must be kept and which ones can be broken.

Analysis:

Donnelly keeps readers captivated in this historical fiction novel by alternating between Mattie’s time spent at the Glenmore Hotel and flashbacks from the previous year until they catch up to each other. Mattie is worried about graduating from high school, passing her tests, and being accepted into college. She spends time learning vocabulary with Weaver, the only other graduating student as well as the only African American boy in the town. “Mattie's strength, courage, and love of learning mark her as a captivating heroine” according to VOYA. Donnelly weaves Mattie’s struggles around the true and tragic story of Grace Brown. Publisher’s weekly says, "The author's ability to recast the murder mystery as a cautionary tale for Mattie makes the heroine's pending decision about her future the greatest source of suspense.”

Reviews:

Booklist

"In an intelligent, colloquial voice that speaks with a writer's love of language and an observant eye, Mattie details the physical particulars of people's lives as well as deeper issues of race, class, and gender as she strains against family and societal limitations."

School Library Journal 2003

"Donnelly's characters ring true to life, and the meticulously described setting forms a vivid backdrop to this finely crafted story. An outstanding choice for historical-fiction fans, particularly those who have read Theodore Dreiser's An American Tragedy."

Awards:

Carnegie Medal Winner, United Kingdom

Los Angeles Times Book Prize Winner

Borders 2004 Original Voices Award Winner

Named a Printz Honor Book by the ALA

Awarded a De Gouden Zoen Honor, The Netherlands

Named a Top Ten Best Book for Young Adults by the ALA

Named a Best Book of 2003

Connections:

For more information about the author visit http://www.jenniferdonnelly.com/

To read more about Grace Brown and Chester Gillette visit http://www.trutv.com/library/crime/notorious_murders/classics/chester_gillette/index.html

For games and quizzes using SAT vocabulary visit http://www.sheppardsoftware.com/web_games_vocab_sat.htm

If you liked this book, you might enjoy:

Postcards from No Man’s Land by Aidan Chambers

Send Me Down a Miracle by Han Nolan

Kingdom of the Golden Dragon by Isabel Allende

My Antonia by Willa Cather

Gallows Hill by Lois Duncan

A Foreign Field by Gillian Chan

Picture:

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Mod 5 The Book Thief

Zusak, Markus. The Book Thief. New York: Alfred A. Knopf, 2005. ISBN 9780375931000

Summary:

Nine year-old Liesel Meminger believes her life is over. It is 1939 in Nazi Germany. She and her brother are on their way to Molching, Germany to live with a foster family. During the train ride, the brother dies. After he is buried in the snow-covered ground, Liesel finds a book, The Grave Digger’s Handbook, and it changes her life forever. Obsessed with learning to read, Liesel becomes the book thief. Upon arriving in Molching, Liesel lives with Hans and Rosa Huberman. Hans, the fun-loving painter and accordionist teaches her to read. Rosa, the stern, swearing laundress secretly loves her. Liesel spends her days reading and playing with her friend Rudy while keeping a secret. A Jew is hiding in their basement. Liesel earns her title of book thief by stealing the books she needs to continue to learn to read until she ultimately writes her own book. Narrated by Death, who, according to VOYA, is impressed with Liesel as she “makes a profound impression on him, and he carries her words with him everywhere he goes.”

Analysis:

The Book Thief is a gripping story of intense danger yet the reader is warned in advance of what is going to happen from the narrator, Death. The main character, Leisel is realistic in that she misses her mother and brother, gets into fights at school, steals to keep from being hungry, and steals to fill her need for words. She also grows to love the stranger, Max, who is the Jew hiding in their basement. Set in 1939 Nazi Germany, there is real fear of searches from the Gestapo, air raids, and of not being accepted into the Nazi Party. Tragedy (and death) is the main theme of this story as Liesel seems to lose everyone close to her during the war. As the narrator, Death is obsessed with the tragedy and deaths surrounding Liesel as she grows.

Excerpt:

Liesel reversed.

Cautiously.

She took the first few steps backward, calculating.

Perhaps the woman hadn’t seen her steal the book after all. It had been getting dark. Perhaps it was one of those times when a person appears to be looking directly at you when, in fact, they’re contentedly watching something else or simply daydreaming. Whatever the answer, Liesel didn’t attempt any further analysis. She’d gotten away with it and that was enough.

She turned and handled the remainder of the steps normally, taking the last three all at once.

“Let’s go, Saukerl.” She even allowed herself a laugh. Eleven-year-old paranoia was powerful. Eleven-year-old relief was euphoric.

***A LITTLE SOMETHING TO ***

DAMPEN THE EUPHORIA

She had gotten away with nothing.

The mayor’s wife had seen her all right.

She was just waiting for the right moment.

Reviews:

School Library Journal 2006

" Zusak not only creates a mesmerizing and original story but also writes with poetic syntax, causing readers to deliberate over phrases and lines, even as the action impels them forward...An extraordinary narrative."

Booklist 2006

"It's Liesel's confrontation with horrifying cruelty and her discovery of kindness in unexpected places that tell the heartbreaking truth."

Awards:

NOMINEE 2006 - Commonwealth Writers Prize for Best Book (South East Asia & South Pacific)
WINNER 2007 - ALA Best Books for Young Adults
WINNER 2007 - Michael L. Printz Honor Book
WINNER 2007 - Book Sense Book of the Year
WINNER 2006 - Horn Book Fanfare
WINNER 2006 - Kirkus Reviews Editor Choice Award
WINNER 2006 - School Library Journal Best Book of the Year
WINNER 2006 - Publishers Weekly Best Children's Book of the Year
WINNER 2006 - Booklist Children's Editors' Choice
WINNER 2006 - Bulletin Blue Ribbon Book
WINNER 2009 - Pacific Northwest Young Readers Choice Master List

Connections:

For more information about the author visit http://www.randomhouse.com/features/markuszusak/

To watch an interview with Mark Zusak visit http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m7B8ioiZz7M

Visit the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum at http://www.ushmm.org/

For more information about the Holocaust, visit the Jewish Virtual Library at http://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/holo.html

If you liked this book, you might enjoy:

Dream Merchant by Isabel Hoving

Same Difference by Siobhan Vivian

By the Time You Read This, I’ll be Dead by Julie Anne Peters

Hear My Sorrow: The Diary of Angela Denoto, A Shirtwaist Worker by Deborah Hopkinson

An Innocent Soldier by Josef Holub

Chase by Jessie Haas

If I Just Had Two Wings by Virginia Frances Schwartz

In My Hands: Memories of a Holocaust Rescuer by Irene Gut Opdyke

The Boy in the Striped Pajamas by John Boyne

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