Edward Michael Groverton, or Em, as he is known is devastated when his father suddenly dies. At the funeral he sees a man with a gun. Things begin to really get strange when their house is broken into and only his father’s study is ransacked. His mother encourages him to go to France with a friend of his father and his daughter, Charlotte. What he discovered about his father and Nostradamus leads the three of them on a dangerous journey through London and eventually to Arizona. This fascinating tale, a mixture of fantasy, science, and politics will keep the reader engaged right to the end. Lexile 730 |
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In the first book of the Lunar Chronicles, Cinder, we left Cinder as it was revealed to Prince Kai and the world that she is a cyborg. Now Cinder is on the most wanted list as she escapes from prison with the help of a cocky pilot named "Captain." Meanwhile, Scarlet is a girl who lives on a farm with her grandmother. Her grandmother is kidnapped and Scarlet fears for her life. Scarlet begins to unravel mysteries and secrets that suggests her grandmother is somehow involved in the situation with the infamous Cinder and the lost Lunar princess conspiracy. Cinder gradually begins to discover her origins, what happened to her real family, and the role she plays in the future of Earth and Lunar. Lexile: 810 Author's Website Series: Scarlet, Cinder, Cress Juliette has been locked up for 264 days. She lives amongst 4 walls, 1 window, and 144 square feet of space. This becomes her life. Solitude, loneliness, and her notebook. She does not know why she is locked up and has no idea who took her. All she knows is that her touch is deadly. Lethal, in fact. Her own parents gave her up and the community she grew up in wants nothing to do with her. She has killed before, on accident, but that does not matter. What matters is she is dangerous, a weapon, and a monster. The world outside of Juliette’s cell is polluted. There are no birds, no animals. Livestock and other sources of food have been poisoned and the world’s population is starving to death. The weather no longer has seasons and oxygen is low – almost running out. The Reestablishment has promised a better future for citizens. According to this regime, the weak must be destroyed and only the strong deserve life. That is, until one day another cellmate arrives. After going 264 days without speaking, Juliette is frightened. His name is Adam and neither will admit why they are locked up. Juliette feels an immediate draw to Adam but cannot touch him for fear he will die if she does. Shortly after their stay, the doors open and both are taken away. Juliette does not admit that she remembers Adam from her childhood. Adam does not admit that he was put in Juliette’s cell for a reason. The Reestablishment offers Juliette a deal: help us and we will help you. In this novel, Juliette learns that her lethal touch may be a power that can be used for good. But how does she tame it? How can she use it to fight the cowardice that runs the Reestablishment? Shatter Me is an origin story at its finest; showing the making of a heroine from an unlikely place. (Book Talk Author: Jaime Rogers, Colorado Blue Spruce Award, 2015) Author Website Lexile 650 Audio Book Talk by Nancy Keane "This futuristic novel is set in a Gulf Coast shanty town where teenaged Nailer works as a shipbreaker, scavenging copper wire from beached oil tankers. The work is hard, dirty, and dangerous. And even when he makes his quota, Nailer barely makes enough money to get by. To make matters worse, Nailer’s father is an abusive drunk who is prone to unpredictable rages. Like all of the shipbreakers, Nailer dreams of a “Lucky Strike” – finding a pocket of oil or other valuables that can he can sell for a hefty profit. It’s the only possible way out of a life of scavenging. After a massive hurricane (a Category Six “city killer”) nearly wipes out his village, Nailer discovers a beached clipper ship filled with unimaginable riches – and a badly injured, beautiful girl. Nailer is ready to steal her jewelry and leave her for dead. But then she opens her eyes and claims to be the owner of the ship. Now Nailer is faced with the decision of a lifetime - should he scavenge the ship for its wealth, or rescue the girl? If he chooses to save her, can he protect her (and her riches) from his father? And just why was she out on the open seas during a city killer? This is a fast-paced thriller with plenty of action and suspense. It’s science fiction for everyone who isn’t sure if they really like science fiction!" – Amy Pickett (Pennsylvania Young Reader's Choice Awards, 2011-2012) Author Website Series: Ship Breakers, Drowned Cities "In this third book in the bestselling Lunar Chronicles series, Cinder and Captain Thorne are fugitives on the run, with Scarlet and Wolf in tow. Together, they’re plotting to overthrow Queen Levana and prevent her army from invading Earth. Their best hope lies with Cress, who has been trapped on a satellite since childhood with only her netscreens as company. All that screen time has made Cress an excellent hacker – unfortunately, she’s being forced to work for Queen Levana, and she’s just received orders to track down Cinder and her handsome accomplice. When a daring rescue goes awry, the group is splintered. Cress finally has her freedom, but it comes at a higher price than she’d ever expected. Meanwhile, Queen Levana will let nothing prevent her marriage to Emperor Kai, especially the cyborg mechanic. Cress, Scarlet, and Cinder may not have signed up to save the world, but they may be the only hope the world has." Cinder Book Talk Scarlet Book Talk Author Website If you enjoy YA dystopian fiction, then you might enjoy this novel set in the future during a time when a world war is being fought in space by machines rather than on the planet. Tom Raines wants to be more than a boy drifting from casino to casino with his loser, gambling father. Tom never knows from day-to-day where he will sleep or when his next meal will be. Tom is often forced to use his genius skills at virtual gaming and illegal gambling to provide for the two of them. Due to Tom's exceptional virtual gaming skills, he is tapped by the government for a special training program for teens at the Pentagonal Spire. Tom is excited to finally prove that he is worth something and for the opportunity to build a better life. But is the opportunity worth what he must give up to be a part of the Intrasolar Forces?
Audiocast Book Talk by Nancy Keane Book Trailer Author's Website In Vortex, the sequel to Insignia by S. J. Kincaid, Tom and his friends have been promoted to mid-level trainees. They have increased responsibilities, more intense training, and more humorous pranks pulled on the lower-level trainees. However, Tom's loyalties are put to the test as he becomes more aware of the corruption surrounding him. Will Tom sabotage his career to fight against the corruption?
Author's Website Imagine waking up in an elevator with no memory of your past and no idea where you are. The only thing you can remember is your name. This is what happens to Thomas. As the doors opened, Thomas is greeted by a glade surrounded by stone walls and a group of boys. Like Thomas, none of the boys can remember anything about their past. The Glade is surrounded by a giant maze and the boys are trying to solve the puzzle and find a way out. But, the maze is a dangerous place, patrolled by monsters.
Book Trailer Author Website: James Dashner Series: The Scorch Trials, The Death Cure, The Kill Order (Prequel) Reading Level: 5.3 "Will loves to dig. So when his father suddenly disappears down one of the tunnels he's dug, Will knows he's got to go after him. But he has no idea how many surprises wait for him underground."
Strange, pale, musty-smelling men in long coats, hats and sunglasses are appearing around town. An unexplainable glowing orb turns up at the museum that Will's father works in. The tunnel Will and his friend, Chester, are digging is mysteriously blocked. Will's father discovers that a row of townhouses has an extra flue between each house that extends far into the ground. Will's father disappears one night down a tunnel he was secretly digging. Will and Chester go in search of Will's father. What awaits them below the town of Highfield? What happened to his father? Read Tunnels to discover the dangerous secrets living below London. T unnels - Book Trailer Tunnels - Scholastic Video Book Talk Tunnels - Website Reading Level: 8.4 |