The Small Adventure of Popeye and Elvis

The Small Adventure of Popeye and Elvis
by Barbara O'Conner
Published: 2009
ISBN: 978-0374370558

Have you ever been so board that you might die? Popeye has felt like this for a long time, living with his grandmother in Fayette, South Carolina. Life changes when a motor home gets stuck in the mud near their house. Popeye befriends, Elvis, the boy of this loud, eccentric, and interesting family. The two decided that they are in need of an adventure, which begins when they see a boat made of chocolate milk containers, filled with secret messages, float by in the creek. They need to find out who is sending these? What do they mean? This is an American adventure, which many young kids dream about. Part of their adventure is realizing what they have in life is better than they think and they build a friendship on very little.

Waiting for Normal

Waiting for Normal
by Leslie Conner
Published: 2008
ISBN: 978-0060890902

Addie is a 12-year old girl who wants something simple…to be normal. However, her mother is doesn’t make it easy. Her mother is bipolar and nothing is easy with her, she’s either high or low, but never normal. Things have gotten worst since “Mommers” divorced Dwight, Addie’s stepdad, and her half sisters moved away. This is just the beginning of “Mommers” erratic and neglectful behavior. Addie’s hope and courage to find something more pushes her to survive in this depressing environment. This is a sad story of child neglect and selfishness, but its heartwarming feeling that there is always something to look forward to when there are people who love you. At times this story is difficult to read, but you won’t want to put it down. This is another California Young Reader Medal Nominee 2011-2012.

Every Soul a Star

Every Soul a Star
by Wendy Mass.
Published: 2008.
ISBN: 978-0316002561

All three of them saw the same solar eclipse, but all three have a different story to tell. Ally, Bree, and Jack are all at Moon Shadow Campground when the witness the eclipse, but all three are very different. Bree is an aspiring model who only thinks about her reputation, Jack an artist type who loves to read, and Ally’s family owns the campgrounds, where she lives a sheltered life. The three characters cross paths through the story, but each chapter is a narrative of one of them. All three began to grow and learn more about themselves. This is a wonderful coming of age story, where the characters are well liked and are relatable to many different readers. This is a California Young Reader Medal Nominee for 2011-2012.

RIDEMAKERZ- website

RIDEMAKERZ

http://ridemakerz.com/

RIDEMAKERZ is a virtual community where kids of all ages can create and race, customize cars. Students have the ability to make all different types of cars, using all different features to make their favorite car. The site is a safe, monitored site for kids to. There is no chat capability, however the site did create a way to communicate through “Z-motes.” Larry Andreini, the CEO describes it as “we have developed car-centric phrases and effects called Z-motes, which can be used for communication and expression.” This site is directed toward boys, who have an interest in building, race, and model cars. This allows boys to have the freedom to be creative, learn from experience people in the car industries, and learn more about cars. This is a fun, unique and well managed site for tween boys.

Nancy Drew Graphic Novels: Girl Detective

Nancy Drew Graphic Novels: Girl Detective
By Stefan Petrucha and Sho Murase
ISBN: 978-1597070003 (one of many)
Graphic Novel


The classic mysteries that captivated young girls for years have been revamped. Nancy Drew has a new look and so do the pages of her novels. Nancy Drew is busy solving mysteries and crimes, but through a comic book format. This graphic novel attracts tween girls to read graphic novels, which they rarely read. Girls are able to relate to the young, brave and smart Nancy Drew, as they did many years ago, but now she has come across the pages in full form. Each story has a new mystery and new adventures. There are twenty one new mysteries to choose from, however I do feel that these take away from the idea of creating one’s own setting and creating one’s own pictures in your head. To interest the boys they have also re configured the Hardy Boys into graphic novels.

Beyonders: A World Without Heroes

Beyonders: A World Without Heroes
By Brandon Mull
Published 2011
ISBN:978-1416997924
Fantasy Fiction

Jason is just your average 13 year-old boy, but all this changes when he falls into the mouth of a hippopotamus and finds himself in a mysterious world. This new world is called Lyrian, which is ruled by an evil wizard, Maldor. When Jason comes across a book made from human skin, his average life changes. As he and Rachel, both beyonders, search for the magic word which will stop Molders evil rule and help save Lyrian and the heroes who live there, which have been under his power for too long. The book is full of adventure, magic, and excitement, like Brandon Mull's previous books. This is the first book in Mull's new series, his second series after his widely popular Fablehaven. Students love this fantasy fiction, with original characters and adventure.

Dork Diaries

Dork Diaries (3 Titles, soon to be 4th)
1) Tales From a Not so Fabulous Life (2009)--978-1416980063
2) Tales From a not so popular Party girl (2010)--978-1416980087
3) Tales From a Not so Talented Pop Star (2011)--978-1442411906
by Rachel Renee Russell
Fiction

Nikki J. Maxwell is just starting a new, private school and like most new girls, is having trouble finding friends. Through her diary we hear all the trials and tribulations she endures as she tries to be friend the popular girl McKenzie, crushes on the hot boy, is denied a cell phone from her mom, plays tricks on her little sister, and finds friends that aren't her first choice, but are perfect for her. With black and white drawing and a narrative approach, this book is very similar to Diary of a Wimpy Kid, by Jeff Kinney. Kinney’s popular series target boys, where as Dork Diaries is geared toward girls. In each of Russell’s diaries, we see how tween girls deal with the complexities of life and growing up. The fourth book will be released in June 2011, and a 5th in the fall of 2011. My final thought about the book is, although these books are highly popular, I was concerned that the main character, Nikki, acted out "mean girl" behavior. I do not feel this is a good message for tweens.