Saturday, November 10, 2007

Mock Newbery: Freak by Marcella Pixley

Title: Freak
Author Marcella Pixley
Review: Booklist September 15, 2007
ISBN: 978-0-374-32453-7

Twelve-year-old Miriam is considered a freak by the popular girls at her middle school. Eventually she explodes and fights back after doing so she learns that she and her tormenter have more in common than she thinks. It's unfortunate that a teacher who plays a small and rather weak part in the book has to point this out for her to take notice. This book is a good read and a powerful book, but it just skates on the surface of a really deep issue.

The plot is normal and predicable. Wierd girl, picked on, no adult notices...or if they do they don't do anything, she attempts to tell her parents, no help, explodes....comes into her own, and in the end some reconsiliation is made with the main bully.

Many girls will love it and I recommend it, but not something that rocked by world.

Wednesday, November 07, 2007

Let's talk about the books!

All are welcome to join us on November 13, 14, and 15 to chat about the Mock Awards online. At these chats you can ask any questions you may have for the Youth Services Committee about the awards.

Chat with us...

...on November 13 at 11 a.m. EST: Mock Caldecott discussion
...on November 14 at 11 a.m. EST: Mock Newbery discussion
...on November 15 at 11 a.m. EST: Mock Printz discussion

You do not have to work for a BCCLS library in order to participate in the chats. No matter where you're from, we're happy to have you. To join the chats, go to http://www.bccls.org/TeenTalkTuesdays and click the link to enter when you're ready to join. Chatting with us only requires a web browser (IE, Safari, and Firefox all work well with our chat program), no AIM or YM or Meebo or anything.

Hope to see you there!