far far away ( 369 Pages)

Tom McNeal is another new YA author to me. I actually fought with the reading of this book, because in the first few pages the reader is introduced to a ghost. I don't do ghosts. I don't do vampires. Sorry, guys. But there was something about this ghost (named Jacob), and I fell in love with him. By the end of the book,  I found myself in tears- not the things one wants to do just before going to sleep. No body present to hear my snores...But I digress. Jeremy Johnson Johnson is the main character along with ghost Jacob. Also Jeremy's school mate, Ginger to become his girl friend as the plot thickens, is an absolute hoot. She is part tomboy, part tease, and is absolutely delightful. The two teens get into some trouble, and as the plot continues, it unfolds and an unbelievable mystery develops. I found myself holding my breath as well as my seat. This is a terrific read. I was very aware of the language(s) used throughout and found myself thinking this author speaks the way people really speak.  Your students will adore it and so will you.

All The Truth That's In Me ( 274 Pages)

What an interesting read Julie Berry has created! I always enjoy discovering an author I've never read before, and this jewel did not disappoint. Written in short "chapters" each numbered with Roman numerals, it tells the story through the main character, Judith as she "speaks" to the young man she has been in love with her entire life. So why those two words in quotes? Some of the "chapters" are only a few lines long and some are about a page and a half. This offers multiple opportunities: 1) teaching Roman numerals to students is one which will serve them well- especially if any if them become crossword puzzle addicts as I have! 2) Judith can not really "speak" since her tongue has been cut off by a cruel man who has abducted her. Who this man is and why he performed such cruelty are explained over the course of this novel. As teachers continue (I hope) to point out the organization of text to students, this example is certainly both new and interesting. Students will enjoy the novel, as I did.