BOOK OF THE WEEK: Heartbeat by Sharon Creech

If there is one thing that Annie likes to do, it is run. She likes to run for herself and hear her steady heartbeat. It seems like running is the only thing that makes sense among all the changes that are happening in her life: her mom is pregnant, her grandpa is forgetful, and her best friend, Max, is always moody. Annie knows that she cannot control any of these things, but what she can control is her running. But will running really help her get through all these changes that are happening in her life? Is she running away from these changes so that she does not have to deal with them?
This book is interestingly written in poetry form, so it took a little while to get used to it, but once I did, I could not put it down! I think middle school students would be able to relate to strained frienships at a time when all you need is a friend to talk to, especially when there is an unexpected turn of events. In times like these, it's nice to know that family and friends will always be there for you.

Also by Sharon Creech: Walk Two Moons

Also check out Sharon Creech's website: www.sharoncreech.com

BOOK OF THE WEEK: Do the Funky Pickle by Jerry Spinelli

Eddie, Sunny, Salem, and Pickles are four students who form an unlikely friendship at Plumstead Middle School. The school dance is coming up,and Eddie wants to ask Sunny, but he is very much in love with her and cannot bring himself to ask her to the dance. When he finally gets enough courage (with a little help from Pickles) to ask Sunny, she says no, and Eddie is unsure about what to do next. He asks Salem for advice, and together they write a letter to Sunny explaining how Eddie feels about her. Somehwo the letter is taken, rewritten to sound hurtful and mean, and posted in the school hallway message board for all to see, including Sunny. Now Eddie is really in a bad place. What part did Weasel, a bully at school, have in rewriting Eddie's letter to Sunny? Will Salem and Pickles be able to help Eddie straighten things out with Sunny? Will the frienship between Eddie and Sunny survive? Will the four friends be able to maintain their friendship?
I could hardly put this book down! It kind of hit home because I work with middle school students, and there definitely can be a lot of drama in middle school! I think students would be able to relate to the characters and situation in the book. Frienships and secret crushes are big in middle school, and it could be nice (and funny) to read about how someone handles these situations.
Other books in this series are:

• Report to the Principal's Office
• Picklemania

Jerry Spinelli also wrote the books in the Stargirl series.

Check out his website: www.jerryspinelli.com

BOOK OF THE WEEK: Dear Mr. Henshaw by Beverly Cleary

It started in second grade when Leigh Botts' teacher read his class a book by Mr. Boyd Henshaw, who became Leigh's favorite author. Leigh continues to write to Mr. Henshaw, and when he gets to sixth grade, he has an assignment to write about a favorite author, so he automatically thinks about Mr. Henshaw and asks him about his life and career. Mr. Henshaw advises Leigh to keep a journal to help with his writing. It is through these letters and Mr. Henshaw's responses that Leigh deals with his parents' divorce, being the new kid in school and not having any friends (except Mr. Fridley the custodian), and trying to figure out who is taking his lunch. This book is told through Leigh's letters to Mr. Henshaw and entries in Leigh's journal. These letters, his journal, and Mr. Fridley help Leigh realize that if he wants things to change, he is going to have to change a little bit of himself as well. Things will not happen unless he does something to help make them happen.
I liked the way this book was written-a series of letters and jounal entries. We never actually read Mr. Henshaw's responses to Leigh's questions or letters, but we infer what he said from Leigh's other letters. I think this is a good book to read if someone is dealing with divorce and being new to a school. Things will not just be handed to you simply because you want them; you have to work at what you want to get what you want.

Check out Beverly Cleary's website at http://www.beverlycleary.com/

A Collection of Books by Judy Blume

Check out my 15 book collection at this link!

Also take a look at Judy Blume's website at http://www.judyblume.com/

BOOK OF THE WEEK: Louis Braille: The Boy Who Invented Books for the Blind by Margaret Davidson

Told in narrative form, complete with dialogue and illustrations, this is the biography of Louis Braille, who invented braille, and alphabet for people who are blind. It tells about his life as a very young boy and how he first became blind, his struggles, overcoming those struggles, and being determined to invent an efficient alphabet to make books for people who are blind and help them learn. Throughout his life, Louis did not give up and did not let anything get in the way of achieving his goal.

I think it's interesting how people can feel dots and understand what they mean. It was also interesting to read about how braille came about and how Louis did everything and anything he could to help people who are blind have materials to read. I think students might be interested in how braille was invented...after all...I often see students touching the classroom number signs outside their classrooms and "reading" the braille on the signs.

http://www.jacketflap.com/persondetail.asp?person=101651

BOOK OF THE WEEK: Joey Pigza Swallowed the Key by Jack Gantos

Joey Pigza has a hard time sitting still, paying attention, and following the rules. It's hard for him, especially when his medication wears off after lunch. Joey knows he is a good kid. His classmates and office staff like him, and he's a nice boy, but sometimes he just can't control himself, and that's when he gets in trouble or accidents happen. It seems like the harder he tries to do something good, something bad ends up happening instead, but it is not his fault. He just needs the right dose of his medicine. Mrs. Maxy, his teacher, and Mrs. Jarzab, the principal, say that the school downtown will help him learn to make good decisions, behave, and stay focused, but will going to that school really help Joey?
I could not help rooting for Joey! He seems like someone I would have wanted to know: nice, funny, and not afraid to tell people what is on his mind. He really is a good kid, and he does try hard to be good and stay out of trouble, but he can't help it when things go wrong. I think students would also root for Joey and even laugh as he gets himself into a few sticky situations and tries to get out of them.

Another book about Joey Pigza is Joey Pigza Loses Control.

http://www.jackgantos.com/

BOOK OF THE WEEK: Rowan of Rin by Emily Rodda

Rowan is a bit of a coward and a weakling; he knows this, and so do the people of Rin, who are known for their courageous nature. More than anything Rin wants to be able to live up to his father, who died a hero saving his family. His chance comes when something is disturbing their source of water from the mountain, and the six bravest citizens of Rin dare to climb the mountain and fight the dragon that lives there. They have a map, but only Rowan can see it; when anyone else holds it, it disappears. Will Rowan be able to keep up with the brave members of the expedition to fight the dragon and save Rin and its citizens?

I don't typically read these types of stories, but I really enjoyed this one. I could empathize with Rowan; who hasn't felt scared at one time or another? Even though the people (even his mom)doubt him, he is determined to help save Rin at any cost. I think students would like this story, especially if they enjoy reading fantasy stories that involve fire-breathing dragons.

http://www.emilyrodda.com/