Blanket Drive : Success!

 Great job Bulldogs! Between the 7th grade students and the Bulldog Newsers, you donated 90 blankets for the kids in Mexico! I am SO proud of you! The blankets have been delivered and will go to Mexico on Sunday, Dec. 18th.

We've got Spirit...

Tie & Mustache Day was a HUGE Success!

Great job ASB team- and for all those who participated in the pep assembly and dance!  It was a great day at the Vista Academy.

Julie Wolfe Interview

Wednesday, December 14th: Julie Wolfe ~ Survivor Redemption

Survivor contestant and jury member Julie Wolfe will be here! Ask for your chance to get a ticket for this HOT lunchtime event. This event is by invitation only.

Julie's Bio:

Name (Age): Julie Wolfe (50)
Tribe: Zapatera
Current Residence: Oceanside, Calif.
Occupation: Firefighter
Personal Claim to Fame: Winning the World Championship Outrigger Canoe Race in 1996 and 1998. The race is 41 miles long from the Island of Molokai to Oahu.
Inspiration in Life: All of the U.S. Soldiers that are away from their families defending our country and our freedom.
Hobbies: Outrigger canoe paddling, stand-up paddling and motherhood.
Pet Peeves: Laziness and bullies.
3 Words to Describe You: Hard-headed, outspoken and spoiled.
SURVIVOR Contestant You Are Most Like: Ashley from Survivor China. She was a strong outspoken woman whose mouth got her voted off the first episode.
Reason for being on SURVIVOR: To win a million dollars and make a better life for my daughters. I want to be a role model for my girls to show them they can achieve their goals and dreams.
Why you think you'll "survive" SURVIVOR: My experience as a firefighter has made me mentally and physically strong.
Reason why you think you will be the sole SURVIVOR: I'm very likeable. I think I can outwit the other contestants to vote off people other than me.

More »

Blankets for Kids

Bring a Blanket...Warm a Child!

The Bulldog News team, along with VAVPA 7th graders, are collecting blankets for needy children in Mexico ~ I challenge each one of you to bring at least one for the cause.  I will collect blankets until December 18th- then I will deliver them to the people in charge of the collection. They need around 400 blankets...so let's do our share to help these kids!

Zentangle Art is coming...

Get your Sharpies ready... more examples to come...!

Net Galley Review: Stolen Away

Title: Stolen Away

Author: Alyxandria Harvey

Publisher:  Bloomsbury Children’s Books

Pub Date: 1-17-12

ISBN: 9780802721891

“What the hell was that thing?” he finally gasped.

“Kelpie,” I answered.

“So, you get a Fae prince, El gets a hawk, and I get a psychotic water horse who tries to kill me? How is that fair?’ He coughed again.  “You guys haven’t even read Lord of the Rings,” he said again, disgusted.  Pg 263

Seventeen–year-old Eloise Hart knows nothing about the world of Faery until she is kidnapped and held captive by the King of Faery, Lord Strahan. With the help of her friends Jo and Devin, Eloise fights back and learns the truth about her family connection with the Fey. An unexpected twist arrives when a mysterious and handsome young man named Lucas appears to protect and serve Eloise. She learns to trust him, but as the danger increases, so does her newfound love for her courageous Fae knight.

Stolen Away is filled with hysterical one-liners mixed with Faery charm- creating the perfect combination for a best seller. If you liked Holly Black’s Tithe, you will fall in love with Stolen Away.

Campus Kindness

It may not be yours... and you might not want to do it... but picking up trash on our campus makes it a better place for you and for me.  Please remember to put trash where it belongs- in the trash can. Don't pass up trash on the ground~ pick it up. Your simple act of campus kindness will go a long way! Keep our campus clean Bulldogs!

Tiger's Voyage by Colleen Houck

Looking for a good read?

Colleen Houck has written an amazing series that I HIGHLY recommend.  Tiger's Curse, Tiger's Quest, and Tiger's Voyage offer suspense, emotion, well-developed characters, excellent figurative language, and of course...romance! Get to your nearest bookstore and pick up this fantastic series!  My review will follow in just a few days!!!

Red Ribbon Week

Vista Academy Celebrates:

Red Ribbon Week

Make smart choices
Don't let others negatively influence you... ever!
Stand up for what's right, and be proud!
Don't compromise your character for anyone or anything.

Do the right thing when EVERYONE is watching~ and when no one is watching. 

Don't talk about what's right- DO what's right.

Be the Difference ~ and Make a Difference. 

Cinda Chima Author Visit

Cinda Williams Chima

Author and Book Goddess!

Today's visit with author Cinda Williams Chima was outstanding!  We learned a lot about what inspires her, the writing process, publishing, and even a little about her personal life. Look for more pictures on the News and Fun Pics pages, and stay tuned for the video segment that includes her special Bulldog News interview with Hannah.

Chima-Nix-Williams Event

Wednesday, October 26th

6-8PM

Come meet these wonderful authors and add their books to your collection.

Simone Elkeles Event

I wanted to give a BIG Bulldog Thank You to New York Times best selling author Simone Elkeles for coming to our school and book signing event.  We enjoyed our time with you- and kids around the campus are already digging into your books! Watch for the video interview to be posted on our News link. 

Net Galley Review: Tris and Izzie

Title: Tris and Izzie

Publisher: Egmont USA

Pub Date: 10-11-11

ISBN: 9781606841730

Author: Mette Ivie Harrison

Category: FICTION-JUVENILE

http://tweentribune.com/content/tris-and-izzie

“Good work, Izzie,” she said. “Amazing work, actually. I don’t think I’ve ever met anyone who survived an attack by a slurg.” She kissed me and rubbed her cool hands over my hot forehead. “Except you dad.”

            That was all I remembered for three days.  Pg. 82

If you’re a real witch, you don’t need to visit www.lovepotionsandmore.com to find a love philtre.  Unfortunately Isolde, or “Izzie,” is just a normal girl that wants to help out her best friend who is down on her luck.  Never in her wildest dreams could she of imagined that her measly attempt at magic would unleash a secret that would change her life forever. Izzie learns that she IS magical, and as a result, she connects with Tristan, the newest student at her high school.  He sees her magic, and he knows her past. Soon Izzie realizes that she must put aside the life she has been living to face her destiny.  With Tristan at her side, Isolde reaches inside herself to find and control the magic that has been dormant since the death of her father.

Together, Tristan and Izzie walk into the dragon’s lair to confront the evil being that took the lives of their loved ones. Can Izzie learn to use the powerful magic inside of her in time to save her life and Tristan’s?  Or will they die like their fathers before them in the dragon’s fire?

Triz and Izzie is a quick read that tweens will enjoy. The plot is somewhat predictable, making this a good [but not great] read.  I liked the idea of the undiscovered magic within Izzie, but plot points were revealed early, resulting in little suspense between the characters. 

Simone Elkeles Signing

Put it on your calendars... this Thursday~ Simone will be signing books at the Oceanside Barnes and Noble from 6-8 PM. See you there!

Bulldog News Tee & Sweatshirt Design

Here are the designs for our News Tee and sweatshirts!  Thank you Paul Bordas for helping us! Kids- if you're writing checks, please make them payable to : Paul Bordas

Net Galley Review: Crave

Title:  Crave: The Clann

Publisher:  Harlequin

Imprint:  HarlequinTEEN

Pub date: 10/25/2011

ISBN: 9780373210350

Author:  Melissa Darnell

Category: FICTION-JUVENILE

http://tweentribune.com/content/crave 

         “You were born freak.  That’s more than enough reason to make every member of the Clann hate you for the rest of our lives.  Now get .Out. Of. Our. Way!” pg. 21

Getting married in the fourth grade is an exciting adventure- especially for Savannah Colbert and her best friend, Tristan Coleman.  Unfortunately, the honeymoon is cut short when Savannah’s friends, including Tristan, abruptly cease all contact with her.  Now in high school, Savannah still hurts from the incident, and to make things worse, she continues to harbor a secret and forbidden crush on Tristan.  Savannah begins to experience extreme pain when Tristan is near her, and following her 16^th birthday, she becomes extremely ill. Savannah learns that she is a Clann member, just like Tristan, and that her sickness is caused by magic clashing in her body.

Tristan knows he is forbidden to speak to Savannah, and is carefully watched by the Clann. When Savannah comes back from being sick, Tristan feels an attraction so strong he cannot resist her. Ironically, every male in Savannah’s high school falls for her, and her “gaze daze” eyes hypnotize every boy in sight. Unaware of her Clann status, Tristan and Savannah start to see one another, but the secrets they uncover about their love, their families, and the Clann could shatter their chance at a relationship forever. 

“O.M. Freakin’ G.”… I LOVED this book! It has all the right ingredients for a best seller: strong characters, forbidden love, addicting plotline…and hysterical one-liners.  The relationship between Tristan and Savannah is electrifying, like “red velvet cake, chocolate meringue pie.. and apple pie a la mode combined”. Tweens…teens…and YA fans everywhere are in for a treat with Crave. Melissa Darnell~ you hit a grand slam!

I give this book my highest rating: A+

Author Signings in October

Simone Elkeles ~ October 13th from 6-8

Cinda Williams Chima~ October 26th from 6-8

Oceanside Barnes & Noble

2615 Vista Way, Oceanside CA

Come meet two of the HOTTEST YA authors in the teen book scene!

Wishes and Ice Cream

Cold Stone Make-A-Wish event on Sept. 27, 2011

Check out the Community Service link for more pictures and info!

Thank you Bulldog News and VAVPA families for making this event so successful! We helped raise close to $1,000 for the Make-A-Wish Foundation of San Diego... how COOL!

Marco... you are SO COOL! Thank you for being YOU!

Can YOU go the Distance?

Finding and Achieving your personal best..

Last week we talked about setting goals- and that your job this year [and for the rest of your lives] is to work hard- do your personal best- and INVEST in your own success.  As we approach Benchmark #1~ I want to encourage you that no matter what your track record has been in the past , you have the opportunity to change your academic success today. Not only will I encourage you- I EXPECT you to work hard~ no complaints! You + me =WE... and together, we will do great things!

Nerd Day-Complete Success!

Nerd Day was a HUGE success!  The costumes were totally geektastic- and the pep assembly ROCKED! The Amazing Cheeto Head game was so much fun- thank you to the kids who wore the shower caps & threw the Cheeto balls! Great job ASB! Go to the Fun Pics link for more pictures!

Net Galley Review: Every Other Day

Title: Every Other Day

Publisher:  Egmont USA

Pub Date: 12/27/2011

ISBN:  9781606841693

Author: Jennifer Lynn Barnes

Category:  FICTION-JUVENILE-Action and adventure

            Who was I kidding? By the time the ouroboros symbol appeared on a person’s skin, it was too late for medical science to intervene.  The only thing that could save Bethany Davis’s more-popular-than-thou, oh so-charming personage was a trade, and even that was supposed to be pretty much impossible. But hypothetically, if the chupacabra did find someone it liked better, it might leave Bethany before it sucked all of the life out of her.

And if that person happened to be me…pg 43

            Kali D’Angelo goes to school, has a father, and is normal in every way… every other day that is.  On the “other” days, she is a fierce hunter, seeking out supernatural creatures to spill their blood. An unfortunate side effect to her condition is the inability to make and keep friends, until she moves into a new town where she is asked by her father to look out for Bethany Davis. Kali realizes that Bethany is “marked” and will soon die unless she invites the blood-sucking demon to enter her body instead. It takes the bait, and along with the demon comes a group of friends that have Kali’s back [Whether she likes it or not].

            Another addition inside her body [keeping company with the blood-sucking demon] is Zev- a voice of reason in her head. He is a mystery to Kali, and as she is forced to learn about her past, she also learns more about Zev and his mysterious connection with her life. Between fighting hellhounds, zombies, basilisks and ice dragons, Kali learns to trust her friends- and understand who [and what] she really is. In order to stop the illegal and immoral reproduction of preternatural creatures, Kali and her friends willingly walk into danger and risk their lives to rid the earth of these evil beasties.

     I loved this story.  It was so good, I read it in one sitting.  Jennifer’s style of writing is so fresh and clever, readers young and old will devour it.  Kali’s character kicks butt- [literally] and I cheered for her from the first page to the last. Every Other Day is a refreshing, addicting read that will thrill YA readers everywhere.  The zombie killing, hellhound whooping action will have you hooked immediately!

I give this book an A+ … it’s a winner!

Character Counts!

Your Character Counts 

Fairness

Responsibility

Citizenship

Respect

Caring

Trustworthiness

Every Day, All Year Long!

Get Your Geek On!

Nerd Dress-Up Day

September 21st

Find the geek inside you and dress-up for our Nerd Spirit day on September 21st.  Come join us at lunch for geeky games and loud music for our first ASB pep assembly. You can't miss us... we will be on the small stage by the handball courts.

Net Galley Review: Eve

Net Galley Book Review

Title:  Eve

Publisher: HarperCollins

Pub Date: 10/04/2011

ISBN: 9780062048509

Author: Anna Carey

Category: FICTION - JUVENILE: Science Fiction, Fantasy,& Magic

            “I’d read once about amputees, and how they had pains where their arms or legs used to be. Phantom limbs, they were called. I’d always thought that was the best way to describe my feelings about my mother. She was now just an ache for something I’d had and lost.” Pg. 36 

  

            The year 2032~ most people on earth had died from a deadly disease…the plague.  Those who didn’t, the orphans, had no idea of life beyond The School walls, trusting that the education they were receiving was right and true. Eighteen-year-old Eve was one day away from graduating at the top of her class, until one of her classmates tells her that there is only pain and suffering waiting for all female graduates. After sneaking over the walls and seeing the truth for herself, Eve runs away from her hidden future and into the arms of another runaway, Caleb. She is terribly frightened of him, for she had been taught that all men were wicked, and would abuse her if given the chance. Caleb earns her trust and brings her to an underground shelter where she learns a terrible truth…that the corrupt leader, the King, wanted her personally.

            The King’s soldiers tirelessly pursue Eve, no matter how fast or far she went.Through it all, Eve discovers that despite her corrupted education, love is possible, and that a world without love would be miserable.  

            Eve is an interesting book. I found myself intrigued by the disturbing futuristic concepts it explored. Some of it was hard to read, but the glimmer of hope and new found love keeps you turning the pages. I liked Caleb a lot as he saw the possibilities in Eve even when she was positive that he had bad intentions. I wasn’t ready for the book to be over- the ending came unexpectedly.  I predict that readers are going to demand book two immediately as this one has an unresolved ending!

I give this book a B. Some of the content might be inappropriate for tweens, but teens 14 andolder will enjoy the read. 

Cold Kiss: Net Galley Review

Title:  Cold Kiss

Publisher:  HarperCollins

Imprint:  Harper Teen

Pub. Date:  09/20/2011

ISBN:  9780061996221

Author:  Amy Garvey

Category:  FICTION-JUVENILE-TEEN

            “Just like some musical prodigy can play Mozart at age three or whatever, we can tap into a kind of energy that other people can’t. That’s all…”

            That’s all.  Like it’s no big deal that my mother can make flowers grow, and Mari can change the color of her hair at will, and I can [almost] lift myself off the ground and set things on fire.  And, you know, raise my boyfriend from the dead.”  Pg. 29

        Wren and Danny- two teenagers madly in love…but there is one big problem for this couple: Wren is alive, and Danny isn’t.  Wren has always known that she harnessed magical power, and although her female family members have similar attributes, no one talks about it.  When Danny, Wren’s boyfriend, is killed in a car accident, Wren decides that she can’t live without him. After creating a spell, Wren visits Danny’s grave and brings him back from the dead.  Being together again should be wonderful, but hiding your un-dead boyfriend is difficult, and things go from bad to worse as Danny starts to remember the accident… and his death.

     Wren feels alone and uncertain until Gabriel, a new student, comes into her life. He is attracted to more than just her sparkling personality, and together they work to free Danny from his miserable un-dead life.

     Cold Kiss is an entertaining read packed with noteworthy characters and just the right touch of magic.  Teen readers will love this book, for it will give them an unusual look into relationships and how life [and death] complicates things.  There is some language and mature situations, so I recommend it to teens, not tweens. 

I rate this book a B