The Secret of the Fortune Wookiee

The Secret of the Fortune Wookiee

By: Tom Angleberger

Angleberger, T. (2012). The secret of the Fortune Wookiee: An Origami Yoda book. New York: Amulet Books.

Summary and Response:
In this third novel in the series, we find Dwight has been suspended from school. Without Dwight and the origami yoda, Tommy, Sara, Kellen, and Rhondella feel lost. One day a Sara comes to school with a Chewbacca fortune teller. She claims that Dwight has given it to her since the yoda is gone. The kids all use the Chewbacca fortune teller to help them make decisions and get out of everyday tough situations. There are numerous Dwight sightings and eventually they find out that Dwight is miserable at his new school. They figure out a way to help and win back Dwight, This is a great story that involves typical normal issues for middle schoolers. The only set back is that you need to have seen the Star Wars movies or else you might be a little lost with some of the references. 

Ungifted

Ungifted

By: Gordon Korman

Korman, G. (2012). Ungifted. New York: Balzer + Bray.

Summary and Response:

This is a delightful read. It makes you smile and laugh. Donovan Curtis is an average boy who has a knack for getting into trouble. One day Donovan bites off more than he can chew when he accidentally sets a huge metal sphere hurtling through the gym doors, causing major damage. Donovan is caught but before punishment can be given he slips out and is accidentally placed in the Academic School for Scholastic Distinction. Here Donovan struggles to fit in but soon develops friendships and even though his IQ is not off the charts his creative thinking helps these geniuses out of tough spots. He helps bring them all closer together as well as gains a deeper understanding of himself. Donovan is soon found out and is placed back into his regular school, but is now at peace with himself and on a better track. This is an ideal book for grades 6-8.

Leviathan

Leviathan

By: Scott Westerfeld

Westerfeld, S., & Thompson, K. (2009). Leviathan. New York: Simon Pulse.

Summary and Response:
I have never read what is considered "steampunk" writing. I must say that I will definitely be reading more. Leviathan takes place in an alternate futuristic history. It follows two main characters, Alek, who is the heir to the throne; and Deryn, who is a female disguised as a male to be able to be an airman. This story does include historical fact in a distorted sort of manner. The events in the story are what precipitate WWI. The society as they know it is divided into two parts, the Clankers and the Darwinists. There is much discussion and focus set on the aspect of technology and nature. This story lends itself to be a great discussion starter on technology versus natural sources. This story has the same feel of Ender's Game, which I suggest as another novel to read if you enjoy this. 

Code Name Verity

Code Name Verity

By: Elizabeth Wein

Wein, E. (2012). Code name Verity. New York: Hyperion.

Summary and Response:
This is a historical fiction story about Maggie and Queenie fighting during WWII. Queenie tells us the story through first and third person because of switching so much between the past and present. She has been captured by the enemy and in turn for her giving up "spy" information they allow her to write out an almost memoir like notes that tells of her and Maggie. The last part of the story is told by Maggie and gives us insight into how she became a pilot and more importantly the secrets that the Nazi's are not supposed to know. I had trouble getting into this story but do see the importance of highlighting a much overlooked area of woman in history. There is so much out there on wars and the men involved and much less on the woman who have joined and fought in the wars. This would be a great story to use with a nonfiction piece of writing about woman spies and pilots, being able to compare the characteristics of the characters to the real life woman military members. 

Uglies

Uglies

By: Scott Westerfeld

Westerfeld, S. (2005). Uglies. New York: Simon Pulse

Summary and Response:
Tally Youngblood is a fifteen year old girl who is ready to have her surgery that will transform her from an ugly into a pretty. In her society, that has suffered through a major catastrophe, feels that everyone should be physically altered to have features that are considered non threatening. What Tally does not know is that the surgery also alters their personality. Tally decides to go see her best friend Peris but on the way meets Shay and David. Shay decides not to have the surgery and runs away to "The Smoke", a place where people who decide to stay "ugly" live out in the wilderness.  Tally soon finds herself caught between friendship or beauty. This is a science fiction novel and in the popularity of the dystopian society novels I would highly recommend this novel to my 7th graders who have loved The Hunger Games series and the Divergent Series. 

Deadline

Deadline

By: Chris Crutcher

Crutcher, C. (2007). Deadline. New York: Greenwillow Books.

Summary and Response:

Deadline is a novel that will make you cry from beginning to end. It will change your perspective on life and question your actions from the day you begin reading this story. Ben Wolf is beginning his senior year of high school and has big plans. The one thing he did not plan on was during a routine physical discovering he has a terminal illness that will end his life before the school year is over. Ben makes a difficult decision not to tell his family or friends. As the school year begins and gets under way, Ben starts making changes in how he lives and views his last moments. He speaks his mind, plays football, and goes after the hottest girl in school, Dallas Suzuki. Ben does finally tell his family and friends and suffers through some heartbreaks, mainly Dallas being extremely upset at him for not telling her in the beginning. Ben does die before the end of the novel and you are left with that feeling of emptiness. Ben has definitely made me question if I am doing everything I could be with my moments here. This novel would best suit from 15 on up. It would be a great discussion starter for having students analyze their own life and life decisions. 

Please Ignore Vera Dietz

Please Ignore Vera Dietz

By: A.S. King

King, A. S., & Alfred A. Knopf, Inc. (2010). Please ignore Vera Dietz. New York: Alfred A. Knopf

Summary and Response:
This novel is a great read for any student who might be experiencing troubles at home or has a friend that is headed down the wrong track. Vera and Charlie have lived next door to each other for their entire lives and have developed a strong kinship. Vera is being raised by only her father and is often stifled by him and his desire for Vera to mature early and quickly. Charlie lives with both his parents but must endure his fathers verbal and physical abuse on both him and his mother. As Vera and Charlie head into the end of their high school years Charlie heads down the wrong path and ends up dating an extremely troubled girl, Jenny. Charlie gets caught up in this type of life and shuts Vera out. The story is told after Charlie has died and Vera knows the secret circling his death and the pet store fire. Vera "sees" Charlie everywhere and over the course of the novel she comes to terms with her friend, his death, and making the wrong semi right.