The Forbidden Library/ The Shootout

Elizabeth recommends The Forbidden Library by Django Wexler.  This book is about girl named Alice.  When her father's ship goes down at sea, she is sent to live with her Uncle Geryon.  Although his large library is off limits for Alice, she is lured into the library by a talking cat.  When she opens one of the books, she finds herself inside the book where she needs to defeat the creatures within in order to get back home.  Elizabeth says, "It is mysterious, action-packed, and exciting.  It is a very good book!"  This book can be located at the Volusia County Public Library in DeBary and Deltona.

Chance just finished reading Shoot-out by Mike Lupica.  This book is about Jake who is a star soccer player.  He ends up on the worst team!  It is extremely difficult for him as his team continues to get beat throughout the season.  Jake learns what it means to be a good leader for his team both on and off the field. Chance said, "I like this book because it is a story about a kid who loves soccer.  He tries so hard and then one day it all of his hard work pays off."  This book can be found at Mrs. Baker's classroom library along with many other books by Mike Lupica.

Mrs. Baker's Blurb: Volusia County Public Library

Did you know that we have a fantastic public library?  I know that many of you have used the public library before, but if you have not, you should give it a try.  Sometimes they have books that are not in our school library or in my classroom library.  If you are looking for a specific book, you can use their website to find out if the book is available before you go.  The public libraries in Deltona and DeLand both have huge children and teen sections with lots of books.  Use the following link to explore our public library and discover what all is available. http://volusialibrary.org/

The Familiars/ Dead City

Anu recommends The Familiars by Andrew Jacobson and Adam Jay Epstein.  This book is about an orphan cat, Aldwyn, who is chosen by a young wizard, Jack, to be his familiar.  Aldwyn claims to be magical, but the other familiars quickly determine he is not telling the truth.  When Jack and two young wizards are captured by the evil queen of Vastia, Aldwyn and the other familiars set out on a journey with magical adventures and hilarious mishaps in order to save the young wizards from the evil queen.  Anu says, "I like The Familiars because it's about witches and wizards going on quests with animals, who are their companions.  I like books with magic and powers!"  This is the first book in the series, and it can be found at RSMS library.

Nicholas recommends Dead City by James Ponti.  Molly Bigelow is not your typical tween.  She is a student at the Metropolitan Institute of Science and Technology, but she is also a zombie hunter.  Molly is one of the most feared zombie hunters in New York City thanks to her deceased mother's gifts that were passed down to her.  Now, Molly finally has a fierce and loyal group of friends, the Omega, who join her on action-packed adventures to save New York City from zombies.  Nicholas said, "I like it because it is suspenseful and action-packed with lots of cliffhangers."  This book is the first in a series and can be located at Mrs. Baker's classroom library. 

Mrs. Baker's Blurb: Presidents's Day

Presidents' Day is Monday!  NO SCHOOL!  This Presidents' Day pick up a good book about a past president and learn.  James Swanson has written fantastic books about presidents.  I recommend "The President Has Been Shot!" about the death of President John F. Kennedy and Chasing Lincoln's Killer about significant events in the death of Abraham Lincoln.  James Swanson does extensive research before writing, and he produces surburb literature!  Check it out!

Doll Bones/ The Maze Runner

Breanna recommended the award winning book, Doll Bones by Holly Black. This story is about three friends, Alice, Poppy, and Zach.  They enjoy playing  a game with pirates, thieves, mermaids, and warriors.  Ruling over the game is the Great Queen.  She is a doll made of China that curses those who displease her.  Once they enter middle school, Zach decides it is time to give up the childish game, but Poppy begins to have nightmares about the Great Queen.  The Queen demands to be buried or she will make their lives miserable.  The three friends set off on a journey to lay the Queen to rest, but nothing on the journey goes quite as planned.  Breanna said, "I like this book because it is full of adventure.  It is funny and scary!  If you like adventure, you will like this book!" You can find this book at the RSMS library or in Mrs. Baker's classroom library.

Several students have written recommendations for The Maze Runner by James Dashner. In this book, Thomas can't remember anything but his name as he wakes up in an elevator that is going up. Once the elevator stops, Thomas enters the Glade, a community of boys surviving completely on their own. The boys are constantly being threatened by Grievers in the Maze that surrounds the Glade. The boys are about to give up hope of ever finding their way home when an unconscious girl unexpectedly arrives. Her arrival changes everything.  Jackson said, "This book was really good! The story was so interesting.  I like the dystopian genre. If you like dystopian novels, then you will like this one, too!" Olivia said, "The book had lots of action.  It also has a movie you can watch after you finish reading the book.  Both the book and the movie were really good!" This book can be found in Mrs. Baker's classroom library.

Mrs. Baker's Blurb: USA Test Prep

Our school has purchased USA Test Prep to help students better prepare for the FSA Exam.  This site can be accessed at school and at home. You can even use it on your phone! This is a great resource to help you practice computer skills needed to complete the FSA.  You can play games, take test, and practice reading and writing skills.  Don't miss out on this invaluable tool! Use the following link to access the site. http://www.usatestprep.com/Home

Gallagher Girls/ Kingdom Keepers

Taylor recommends I'd Tell You I Love You, But Then I'd Have to Kill You.  This is the first book of the Gallagher Girls series by Ally Carter. This series is about Cammie Morgan, the Chameleon, who is a student at the Gallagher Academy for Exceptional Young Women.  On the outside the school seems like a normal boarding school for wealthy girls, but in reality it is a top secret academy for spies in training.  Although Cammie and her friends are in training, they find themselves in dangerous situations that force them to use all their spy training to overcome great odds.  Taylor says, "I really like this book because it has a lot of action and suspense.  I also like the relation between Cammie and her friends.  It is a really good book!"  This series can be located at Mrs. Baker's classroom library or the RSMS media center.

Gabe recommends the Kingdom Keepers series by Ridley Pearson.  Five Florida teens are used as the models to create holograms for guides in the Disney Parks, but when the technology backfires, the teens are transported into the parks after hours.  Once in the park, the teens face dangerous Disney villains and witches who threaten the future of Disney.  Gabe says, "The Kingdom Keepers is a great series for anyone who has ever been to Disney.  The books are fun and excited through the whole series."  This series can be located at the RSMS library.

Mrs. Baker's Blurb: FSA Practice Test

The Florida State Assessment (FSA's) are just around the corner!  Don't panic, but be prepared.  One way to do that (other then read, read, read) is to take a practice test found on the FSA website.  The format of the questions are different than the FCAT.  It is not just multiple choice anymore.  Use the following link to access the practice test to learn more about the types of questions that will be on the test: http://www.fsassessments.org/training-tests