Rock for the Paws

Top 10 in the Nation!

Leave Only Footprints...

Congratulations to our KWN Bulldog News team for their Top 10 win in the national KWN Panasonic Video competition! Cross you fingers... top 4 winners will be announced by March 23rd. Good luck BDN! You ROCK!

Food for Thought..

Enough said.

Net Galley review: Hollyweird

Title: Hollyweird

Publisher: Flux Books

Pub Date: May 08, 2012

ISBN: 9780738719252

Author: Terri Clark

            “I won,” I whispered excitedly. “I. Won.”

            “Oookay,” she said, looking unnerved by my abnormal ebullience. “Whadja win?”

            “Only just a once in a lifetime, miraculous, I-still-can’t-believe-it dream come true. I, my dear best friend, am taking you” –I pointed to her – “to L.A. during summer break.  You’re looking at the Grand Prize winner of EnterTEENment Magazine’s Meet Dakota Danvers Contest.  We’re talking all expense paid trip, six sunny days and five balmy nights in Cali and we get to do a photo shoot with Dakota himself.” Pg5

Aly King feels like she has died and gone to heaven when she learns that she is the grand prizewinner of a date with the hottest movie star on the planet.  She invites her best friend [and self-proclaimed word savant] Desi to take the trip of a lifetime from Colorado to Hollywood, California. The only hitch in the plan is that Aly’s spoiled and pampered older sister Missy must come along to chaperone the girls.  Waiting at the airport is Jameson Dagon, a gorgeous, nineteen-year-old limo driver with chiseled cheekbones and an “adorable cleft chin”.  He takes the girls to the Hollywood set of Paranormal P.I where the infamous hottie Dakota Danvers is waiting for them.

Things don’t turn out so great for the girls once they realize that Dakota IS too good to be true. Their first hint comes when Aly watches his mocha brown eyes turn into glowing balls of fire. Jameson confirms their fears and explains that Dakota is [get ready for this…] the son of Satan. He also reveals that Hollywood isn’t what is seems, and that his job is to figure out what’s going down before things get out of hand.  The girls’ Hollywood dream date turns into a life or death mission to stop the son of Satan and save the world. 

Hollweird is one of the most entertaining books I have ever read. I laughed throughout the whole book- and the hysterical one-liners kept me thoroughly entertained. From “Yo-ho-hell-o! Honk the hottie horn” to “It’s all verbit!’ the characters’ large personalities will completely entertain you. Jameson’s optimistic attitude inspires the pessimistic Aly, and together they create an absolutely angelic couple. Hollweird is the next hot teen read that everyone will be talking about!

Great Year so Far...

It's been a great year so far with my amazing Bulldog News team! Up next, air bands "Rock for the Paws" benefiting the SPCA !

Net Galley Review: Lies Beneath

Title: Lies Beneath

Publisher: Random House Children’s Books

Pub Date: June 12, 2012

ISBN: 9780385742016

Author: Anne Greenwood Brown

            “Do you think it’s warm enough to swim? She asked.

            “For you, maybe.” I said. “You have a higher tolerance than anyone I’ve ever met.”

            “Including you?”

            “Definitely including me. I’ll be staying on the beach.”

            “Oh, don’t be such a baby.”

            “We’ll see.” I took a risk and grabbed her hand. The familiar tingling sensation tickled up my arm to my heart, and the fluorescent pink glow pulsed out of her shoulders, spreading over her body like a perfect outline. I dropped her hand, and the glow dimmed to a rust-colored shadow. Interesting. She was happier when I held her hand. Pg. 159

Calder White is a legend…literally! As a merman, Calder sees humans as “Happy, shiny lures” full of optimism, excitement, and joy, all emotions he cannot personally experience.  While drowning a victim, Calder absorbs the vibrant human auras into his skin, stealing the warmth and joy from their hearts into his own.  Calder is not alone; he lives part of the year with his 3 sisters, and as they return to Lake Superior for the winter, revenge is on their minds.  Jason Hancock is their target, for he is responsible for their mother’s death. The plan is simple: Calder must make the acquaintance of Jason’s daughter Lily and use her as bait. Even though his only responsibility is seduction, murder, and mayhem, he strays from the plan. Instead of eliminating Jason Hancock's daughter, he falls in love.

Now Calder is forced to choose between the only family he has ever known and the girl he loves. The mental thread that binds the mermaids together is strong, but the unexpected lure of love tempts Calder to forget revenge and focus on the freedom that only forgiveness can bring.

Lies Beneath is an entertaining read with a fresh take on the legends of mermaids.  I wasn’t sure I would like the idea of “aura sucking” merpeople, but with Calder, it totally works. From the start he fights the temptation to kill, knowing that abstinence would eventually force him to hunt again. His struggle with his own morality makes him an extremely likable character, and I found myself cheering on the relationship between Calder and Lily.  This book combines the magic of mermaids with the mystery of unexpected love- making it the perfect read for tweens and teens everywhere.

FTBT Review: The Goddess Test

Title: The Goddess Test

Sub Title: The Goddess Test Series: Book I

Publisher: Harlequin

Pub Date: 2011

ISBN: 9780373210268

Author: Aimee Carter

            “Why the tests? “ I said. “Why are they necessary?”

            “Because,” he said.  “The prize is not something we give out lightly, and we need to make sure it is something you can handle.”

“What’s that?”

“Immortality.”  Pg 106

            Kate Winters has it tough; her mom is dying of cancer and Kate is her only caretaker. Following a move back to her mother’s childhood home in Eden, Kate goes through the motions of starting a new high school while continuing to care for her mom. Making friends is last on her list of priorities, but following a cruel prank, Kate finds herself faced with a serious problem: mean girl Ava is dead, and Kate is the key to saving her. While administering CPR, a mysterious man named Henry appears and offers Kate a deal: he will save Ava’s life if Kate promises to read the Greek myth of Persephone and return to him in two weeks. She agrees, and Ava miraculously comes back to life. For Kate, this is where normal ends and extraordinary begins.

            As promised, Henry returns to Kate after two weeks and takes her to his home. Overwhelmed and confused, Kate complies, but she soon finds out what Henry is really asking her: to be Queen of the Underworld, and to rule with him for 6 months of the year. Before she can marry Henry, Kate must pass a series of tests to see if she is worthy of becoming immortal. If she succeeds, she will not only earn the right to rule the Underworld with Henry, she will keep her mother alive for a little bit longer. For Kate, passing not only means the difference between life and death, it could determine if she is capable of finding true love.

            The Goddess Test offers a fresh look into the tragic love story of Persephone and Hades, with a few major changes. Henry [Hades] is on the verge of losing hope, but decides to give love one more try. Kate is made for Henry, literally, and must accomplish the seemingly impossible: winning Henry’s heart when it has belonged to Persephone since the dawn of time. The love story between Kate and Henry is so enchanting, you will find yourself unable to stop reading until the very last page. Fans of Greek mythology will devour this book, and if you love a love story, The Goddess Test delivers!

I give this book an A+, my highest rating. Aimee Carter, you ROCK!

Net Galley Review: Goddess Interrupted

Title: Goddess Interrupted

Subtitle: The Goddess Test Series: Book II

Publisher: Harlequin

Pub Date: March 27, 2012

ISBN: 9780373210459

Author: Aimee Carter

            “Kate.”  He spoke in a normal voice, but it reverberated through the room, amplified by Henry’s power or the structure of the hall or both.  “As my wife, you have consented to take up the responsibilities of the Queen of the Underworld. You shall rule fairly and without bias over the souls of those who have departed the world above, and from autumnal equinox to spring of every year hence, you shall devote yourself to the task of guiding those who are lost and protecting from harm beyond their eternal lives.”

“…Do you accept the role of Queen of the Underworld, and do you agree to uphold the responsibilities and expectations of such?” said Henry   pg56

            Kate Winters has experienced a lot of change in her life; she is now immortal, and is soon to be crowned Queen of the Underworld.  But these changes aren’t as difficult as trying to figure out the complicated relationship with her husband [and God of the Underworld] Henry. Her struggles to win over his guarded heart puts Kate face to face with the one person who could ruin it all: Persephone, Henry’s first love.

            As an epic battle brews, the gods and goddess are forced to work together to contain Cronus, King of the Titans. Kate attempts to help, but her newbie status puts her in harm’s way. As Kate fights for her life, she also fights for love, but does she have the patience and persistence to stay in the Underworld when her husband’s loyalty and love is in question?

            Goddess Interrupted is a fantastic and addictive read.  Carter combines old-school Greek mythology with a modern day twist, giving this classic story the perfect mythology makeover. In book 2, Kate brings all of her strengths and insecurities with her as she constantly struggles to figure out Henry. Always “dark and mysterious”, Henry’s behavior is strangely charming.  Because of the unpredictable plot and interesting characters, I simply could not put this book down.  I loved it, and I cannot wait to get my hands on the next book.  Goddess Interrupted ends with an unexpected twist, which will cause you to email Aimee Carter and shamelessly beg for book 3. In fact… I have already done that myself! I give this book my highest rating: A+, and as soon as it is released, I will personally purchase multiple copies to share with my students.

Aimee Carter… you ARE a goddess!

Net Galley Review: The Book of Blood and Shadow

Title: The Book of Blood and Shadow

Pub: Random House Children’s Books

Pub Date: April 10, 2012

ISBN: 9780375868764

Author: Robin Wasserman

             I leaned closer, hating myself for noticing the smell, cloyingly sweet and ripe. “I’m sorry. I don’t understand.”

            “Your. The. One.” He punctuated each word with a fist against the blanket. “Your blood.” And then those nonsense words again that seemed to mean so much. “Lay da chee!”  pg 96

            Nora Kane is not your typical high school student. Her ability to read and translate Latin manuscripts places her as a research assistant to a senile professor at Chapman Prep. She is given the responsibility to translate sixteenth-century letters written by Elizabeth Weston in hopes that she will discover hidden clues to the whereabouts of the Lumen Dei, an ancient religious artifact.

            Nora realizes early on that her involvement with this project has put her life in danger, along with the lives of her friends Chris, Max, and Adrienne. Her fears are confirmed when her professor suddenly falls ill and one of her best friends is murdered. She runs for her life, ending up in Prague, the birthplace of Elizabeth Weston. Every letter Nora translates answers one more piece to the puzzle, and as Nora learns century- old secrets, blood is spilled and friends die. The question is… who is responsible, and is the Lumen Dei meant only for God, and not for man?

            I LOVED THIS BOOK.  The mysteries within its pages are complicated and unpredictable, and as I read, I felt like I was in an Indiana Jones movie- sitting on the edge of my seat the whole time.  Wasserman writes with such descriptive detail, it feels as if you are in the adventure with the characters.  This book also poses serious ethical questions, making you think about the possibilities [and consequences] of man possessing something that is not meant for humanity.  Thanks to the unpredictable plotline and the exciting search for century-old treasure, I give this book my highest rating: A+.  One warning though: once you start reading, you will not be able to put it down!

Net Galley Review: Endure

Title: : Endure

Pub: Bloomsbury Children’s Books

Pub Date: May 08, 2012

ISBN: 9781599905549

Author: Carrie Jones

            “He’s in love with you.”  She watches my face and says all mock angry, “Do not roll your eyes at me, young lady. He is. And it isn’t some weird I-am-a-pixie-king-and-you’re-my-queen-love.  It’s like Willow and Tara kind of love, like Spock and Kirk, like Jack and Kate on Lost, like Princess Leia and Han Solo or Olivia and Peter on Fringe.”

“…It doesn’t matter.”

 “…Zara White, since when has love ever not mattered?” pg 36

            Zara White has a lot on her plate, including fighting and rounding up evil pixies all while trying to stop the apocalypse from happening.  To add to her stress, she must also figure out the complicated relationship with her ex-boyfriend [and sometimes wolf] Nick and her commitment and growing affections towards her fairy king Astley.  Zara must prepare herself and others for a battle prophesized to start the ending of the world. Will her pixie status help her survive, or will her strong character and ability to “look beyond the ugly” save the world? 

            Endure is the fantastic conclusion to the Zara White story. The pixie-pounding action takes you to Hal and back, holding your interest on every page. Astley is truly Prince Charming in pixie clothing, and his love for Zara is captivating.  Zara’s strong character and commitment to love helps her see past evil, even in the midst of battle.  I absolutely loved this book, and I give it my highest rating: A+

Carrie Jones, you are amazing! 

KWN Video Shoot

The KWN Video Shoot at the Oceanside Pier was a success! Watch for the completed competition video by February 2nd, 2012.

Net Galley Review: Halflings

Title: Halflings

Publisher: Zondervan

Pubdate: Feb. 01, 2012

ISBN: 9780310728184

Author: Heather Burch

         “Wow.” She studied the spot and wiggled the finger; no burning, no stinging, just fresh, pink skin.  “What was that?”

         “Another perk.” He laughed. “Misleading though. I can’t do anything when it’s life threatening.”

         “Amazing.” She examined the digit. Angel kisses. He’d just dusted her skin with angel kisses. How many girls on the planet could say that?  “Do you think this is where the term ‘Kiss it and make it better’ comes from?”

         He smiled. “Maybe.”

         She cocked a brow. “My other hand hurts…” pg 139

         Seventeen-year-old Nikki didn’t believe in angels, that is until three devastatingly handsome men suddenly appear when her life is threatened by demonic beings.  Nikki soon learns that Mace, Raven, and Vine are Haflings, part heavenly being and part human, who have sworn to protect and guard the human race.  As they work together to unravel a puzzling mystery, Nikki starts to fall for Mace, which is strictly forbidden. Mace understands that there are severe penalties if he lets himself fall in love, but the strong attraction he feels tempts him to give in, despite the eternal consequences. 

         As the mystery unfolds, Nikki learns that her parents are involved with a wealthy businessman who is controlling their every move. With newfound knowledge that proves she is the target in an evil scientific plan, Nikki is forced to choose between her old way of life and the new, uncertain life with the Haflings. One choice will put her life at great risk, and the other will change her life forever.  

         Haflings is a fantastic and fresh read that captivates you until the very last page. The relationship between Nikki and Mace is electric, and the chemistry between them is enhanced because of their forbidden love.  YA readers everywhere will love this book; it’s a winner!

Net Galley Review: New Girl

Title: New Girl

Publisher: Harlequin

Imprint: Harlequin Teen

PUB date: Jan 31, 1012

ISBN: 9780373210428

Author: Paige Harbison

         As soon as we touched, it felt like an electrical current ran through me. I remembered the touch of the boy on the stairs the night before and wondered if this was him.  I glanced sideways, not wanting to make it obvious that I was looking at him…pg 42

         Being the New Girl at school can be difficult, especially when the school rules includes school uniforms, no interdorm visitations between boys and girls, no social networking sites, and no cell phones.  “It was like prison, without visitors.” Pg 17   Unfortunately, being the new girl is the least of Callie’s worries.  Upon arrival at the prestigious Manderly Academy, Callie realizes that her spot became available due to the mysterious disappearance of Becca Normandy, an extremely popular student at the Academy. She’s immediately compared to Becca, especially by her new roommate, Dana. Callie places the final nail in her social coffin when she gravitates towards Max Holloway, who just happens to be Becca’s ex-boyfriend. 

         The New Girl covers many of the social situations teens experience including the pressure to fit in and belong. Once thing I found interesting was the alternating point of view, from the infamous Becca Normandy to the new girl Callie. Plot points are slowly revealed as Becca tells her story, and when the two stories intertwine, the mystery is finally solved … or is it?

         This book will definitely appeal to teens because it has all the right ingredients for a YA bestseller: realistic teen drama, forbidden love, and a mystery that keeps you turning pages.  Due to mature content, I recommend this book for teens and adult readers. 

Back to Reality

Are You Ready to Rumble? 

Fill your backpacks with fresh supplies...make sure you have an independent reading book ready to go... and be ready to ROCK the ELA Benchmark #2 this week. Remember- YOU control your destiny- and YOU are responsible for delivering your personal best every day, no exceptions. I can't wait to see you!

Happy New Year! 

Winter Break Reading

Sooo....your only homework over the break was to READ READ READ! Hopefully you did just that, and are ready to share some great books with me when we return on January 9th. I will bring the books that I have read to share with you! Look for my latest book reviews to be posted in the next few days.