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

Net Galley Review: The Iron Knight

Title: The Iron Knight

SubTitle: Book 4 in the Iron Fey Series

Publisher: Harlequin

Author: Julie Kagawa

Pub Date: 10/25/2011

ISBN:9780373210367

            “I want to become…mortal,” I said in a low voice.  My stomach recoiled, hearing those words for the first time.  “ I promised someone…I swore I would find a way to survive the Iron Realm, and I can’t go there as I am.” The witch raised an eyebrow, and I drew myself up, fixing her with a cold stare. “I want to become human…”  pg. 11

  Ashallayn’darkmyer Tallyn, last prince of the Unseelie Court, has sworn an oath to his true love Meghan Chase, the Iron Queen that they will be together.  Before Meghan entered into his life, Ash never let anyone or anything break through the icy barriers surrounding his mind and heart.  In order to be with her, Ash must do the seemingly impossible~ travel to the end of the world to earn the one thing fey and magic folk do not have… a soul. Without it, he cannot live with Meghan, for the Iron Kingdom she rules burns him.  Ash starts off on his quest, but he is not alone. Traveling with him is his regretful friend/enemy Puck [that he has vowed to kill], Grimalkin the knowledgeable cait sith, Ariella, the knowledgeable seer and lost love, and the legendary Big Bad Wolf, offering strength and protection to the group.

            Surviving the quest is the challenge, and all five travelers commit to helping Ash see his way through the River of Dreams to the end of the world, where he will have the opportunity to run the gauntlet and earn a soul. Ash is strong, but has no idea what it will take to become human. He must leave behind his magical ways and embrace the uncertain vulnerability of humanity.  What Ash realizes is that accomplishing his quest not only offers him mortality, it offers him the chance to change his life forever…with love.

            Julie Kagawa has outdone herself with The Iron Knight. I loved the first three books in the Iron Fey series, but I loved LOVED this book. Ash is the star, and because of Julie’s superb writing abilities, I felt like I was on the quest with him. I experienced the emotions along with the characters, and I could see the River of Dreams and the dream debris through the words on the page. The strong motifs of friendship, sacrifice, and destiny kept the plot exciting, deep, and emotional. Almost as brilliant as Ash is Puck- the comic relief in the story. His one-liners and ability to joke in deadly situations made me laugh- and wish that he was also finding what Ash was so desperate for, true love. This book is magical, and needs no glamour or spell to entice you. The words, the characters, and outstanding writing is the magic that makes The Iron Knight one of the best books I have ever read.

I give this book my highest rating: A+

Bulldogs with SPIRIT!

VAVPA Bulldog ASB

did an AMZING job this morning leading the K-8 Boogie! Everyone was getting funky and criss crossing to the Cha Cha Slide. It's going to be a great year!

BIG Lots Check Presentation

Thank you to all the VAVPA families and Bulldog News team members who came to Big Lots yesterday! It was a lot of fun to accept the check for our school; I am so proud of my students for producing the winning video! Congratulations to the Bulldog News team for winning $2,456.00 for our school arts program.

Photos by Anthony Carrasco- freelance photographer and former Bulldog News member!

Matched by Ally Condie

Matched

Ally Condie

Penguin Group

ISBN 978-0-525-42364-5

YR fiction

“Cassia Reyes, the Society is pleased to present you with your Match. “

           

I smile as Xander’s face appears on the portscreen immediately following the recorded message….I reach up to touch the words Courtship Guidelines on the screen, but before I do, Xander’s face darkens and then disappears. The portscreen beeps and the voice says again, “Cassia Reyes, the Society is pleased to present you with your Match.”

My heart stops, and I can’t believe what I see. A face comes back into view on the port in front of me. It is not Xander. Page 34-35

     Have you ever wondered what life would be like if everything was determined for you? If you didn’t know any different, it might not bother you if your meals, activities, occupation, and even your marriage were predetermined.

     Cassia, a young teen ready to be Matched, trusts that the Society’s system works.  She is ready to start her relationship with her Match Xander without question, until a mysterious glitch plants doubt in her mind. For a brief second, Ky Markham’s face flashes on her screen, and Cassia wonders if this unusual boy was meant to be her true Match. As she struggles to learn the truth, she keeps the dying words of her grandfather in her heart….

“It’s all right to wonder….”

     Ally Condie’s dystopian romance proves that finding true love, however dangerous, is worth the risk.  Cassia finds the strength to question her prearranged destiny, and to believe in the forbidden poetic words, “Do not go gentle into that good night.”  Condie’s Matched is a futuristic thriller that will leave you questioning the rules and cheering on love.

Other books:  The Yearbook Trilogy, Being Sixteen, and Freshman for President, and Crossed