Sarn, Amelie. I LOVE I HATE I MISS MY SISTER

Sarn, Amelie.
I LOVE I HATE I MISS MY SISTER
New York : Delacorte Press, 2014
IL YA 
ISBN 0385743769
Two sisters are very different but very close.  Sohane is in her last year of high school and is very serious about her studies.  Her sister Djelila is a year younger and loves playing basketball, wearing tight jeans and makeup.  And her boyfriend.  The girls live in France in a housing project with many other Muslim refugees.  France has outlawed the wearing of head scarves by Muslim girls in school.  But Sohane decides that she wants to wear one and is expelled from school when she refuses to take it off.  On the other side of the issue, Djelila is being harassed by the boys in the housing complex for being too modern.  The two side of the issue lead to a tragic outcome.

Podcast: https://spark.adobe.com/video/XEBdcQr8gR4Ip

Carbone, Courtney. DARCY SWIPES LEFT

Carbone, Courtney.  DARCY SWIPES LEFT
New York : Random House, 2016
IL YA
ISBN 1101940522
One of my favorite classics is Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen.  It is a romantic love story between Elizabeth Bennet and Mr. Darcy.  Have you read it? Well, not like this you haven't.  Imagine the story told entirely in text messages and emojis.  How will that change the story?  Or will it?  And don't worry if you are not all that fluent with text.  There is a glossary at the back! 

Podcast: https://spark.adobe.com/video/bzsxJrZMsWxXC

Garner, Em. CONTAMINATED

Garner, Em.  CONTAMINATED
New York : Egmont USA, 2013
IL YA
ISBN 1606843540



Imagine a diet soda that helps you lose weight!  Of course it becomes popular.  Who doesn't want to enjoy a soda and also lose a few pounds?  The drink becomes so popular that the company can't keep up with the demand.  They cut a few corners to make the main ingredient. Unfortunately they discover too late that there are some side effects to the contaminated drink.  Well, side effects is a bit mild.  It turns perfectly normal people into raging, violent animals.  During the first wave, many of these affected people are killed.  But then the "connies" as they are called are able to be controlled by drugs and shock collars.  The public is encouraged to claim their relatives and take them home.  Velvet has been caring for her younger sister since her parents became "connies".  Her dad was killed but now she learns that her mother is still alive and available for placement.  People are still terribly afraid of the connies and don't want them around.  Can Velvet find the courage to take care of her mother? Will she and her sister be safe if she does?  

Podcast:  https://spark.adobe.com/video/26hLVWKY3mfJG

Waudby, Jeannie. ONE OF US

• Waudby, Jeannie.
• ONE OF US
• New York : Running Press Teens, 2015
• IL YA
• ISBN 9780762457991

K lives in a group home and will soon be on her own as she ages out of the system.  Her parents were killed in a bombing years ago.  Then the unthinkable happens.  On her way to school, another bomb explodes and she is caught in this one.  She recovers but her life is about to take a dramatic turn.  She falls for a young man who convinces her to infiltrate the Brotherhood, the plaid-wearing group that has been responsible for the bombings in the past.  K is given a new identity and moves into the school with the Brotherhood.  But what she finds is not what she expected.  As she gets to know the teens in the Brotherhood, she becomes torn between the two groups.  Who is on the right side?  The Brotherhood or the Citizens?

podcast:  https://spark.adobe.com/video/r1wTi0E4

Vande Velde, Vivian. 23 MINUTES

Vande Velde, Vivian.
23 MINUTES
New York : Boyds Mills Press. 2016
IL YA
ISBN 1629794414

Have you ever done something and wished for a do-over?  Maybe it was something embarrassing that you would love to erase!  What would you do if you suddenly had the ability to do just that?  Zoe isn't sure why she got the ability to turn back time but she knows it saved her best friend's life.  And got her classified as crazy and now she is stuck in a group home.  When she ducks into a bank to get out of the rain, she finds herself in a very bad situation.  Should she use her ability to play back 23 minutes and change things?  Or walk away?  What if she makes things worse?

Podcast:  https://spark.adobe.com/video/ryQm1Q44

Book of the day 05/10/2016

• Salt to the Sea by Ruta Sepetys

  Sepetys, Ruta. SALT TO THE SEA New York : Philomel Books, 2016 IL YA ISBN 0399160302 This is the story of four young adults whose lives intersect during a horrible time. It is 1945 and they are all involved in World War II. And they all have something to hide. Florian is a Prussian who is carrying something precious and in fear of getting caught. Joana is a 21-year-old Lithuanian who has had some medical training and is being pressed into service as a medic. Emilia is 15 and from Poland. If they get caught, Emilia will be killed. And finally there is Alfred, a German soldier who writes letters back home that exaggerate his role in the war. The fate of all four converge as they board a boat that is taking refuges to safety. This novel is based on a little-known event in history.

  tags: podcasts ya

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Book of the day 04/27/2016

SYLO by D. J. MacHale

MacHale, D. J. 

SYLO 

New York : Razorbill, 2013 

Amidst suspicious quarantine orders for a

seemingly nonexistent virus, a martial takeover by an organization called SYLO, and a new drug that gives dangerous strength to the user, everyday life is suddenly turned upside down for high school football player Tucker Pierce and his entire island community. Tucker makes the risky decision to escape to the mainland state only to find that the mysterious situation is even more extensive than he imagined. The sequels are STORM and STRIKE. (Booktalk by Louisiana Young Readers' Choice Committee, 2016)

tags: podcasts blueduke ya louisiana

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Book of the day 04/21/2016

The Darkest Path by Jeff Hirsch

Hirsch, Jeff.

THE DARKEST PATH 

New York : Scholastic, 2013 

IL YA 

ISBN 0545512239 

In this futuristic dystopia, a militant cult called the Glorious Path has begun a rebellion in the southern states that is threatening to overthrow the US government completely. Using violence and brainwashing, the organization is constantly recruiting new members against their will. Callum and his brother James have survived for years in this environment, but Cal finally seizes an opportunity to escape, attempting a dangerous mission to return home with a stray dog as a companion. (Booktalk by Louisiana Young Readers' Choice Committee, 2016)

tags: podcasts blueduke ya

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Book of the day 03/31/2016

We Were Liars by E. Lockhart

Lockhart, E. WE WERE LIARS Delacorte, 2013 Cady has always looked forward to summers on her family’s private island; it’s the only time she sees her cousins Johnny and Mirren and their friend Gat, and the four are an inseparable group, happy being teenagers and unconcerned with inheriting the family’s riches or upholding reputations. The summer they are all fifteen, Cady suffers an accident, leaving her with headaches and memory loss, confused at the strained relationships and secrets everyone seems to be keeping from her when she is able to return to the island at age seventeen. (Booktalk by the Louisiana Young Readers' Choice Committee)

tags: podcasts ya blueduke louisiana

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Book of the day 03/30/2016

• To All the Boys I've Loved Before by Jenny Han
  Han, Jenny. TO ALL THE BOYS I'VE LOVED BEFORE Simon and Schuster, 2014 Sixteen-year-old Lara Jean Song finds writing therapeutic. In fact, she has gotten over five crushes by writing an unsent love letter in her diary to each boy. When the letters disappear and somehow reach their addressees, one of whom is a close friend of Lara Jean and the ex-boyfriend of her sister, Lara Jean will do anything to show that she no longer has feelings for the boys, including pretending to date one of them, paradoxical though it may seem. (Booktalk by the Louisiana Young Readers' Choice Committee)
  tags: podcasts ya louisiana

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Book of the day 03/29/2016

• Red Rising by Pierce Brown
  Brown, Pierce. RED RISING New York : Del Rey, 2014 IL YA ISBN 0345539788 Darrow, a member of the low class Red clan, had always followed the rules, working to prepare Mars for the excess population of Earth. Before his wife was killed by the government, he would never have considered rebellion against the upper classes. Now though, he has been recruited and is prepared to go undercover, working his way to the top of the Gold class in order to overthrow them, no matter what it takes. (Booktalk by the Louisiana Young Readers' Choice Committee)
  tags: podcasts ya louisiana

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Book of the day 03/28/2016

• When I Was The Greatest by Jason Reynolds
  Reynolds, Jason. WHEN I WAS THE GREATEST New York : Atheneum Books for Young Readers, 2014 IL YA ISBN 1442459476 Ali and his friends, brothers Noodles and Needles, refuse to be defined by the stereotypes in their Brooklyn neighborhood. Ali keeps busy by learning to box, just as Noodles does reading comic books, and Needles gets his name not from any type of injection but from the knitting needles he carries to help control the symptoms of Tourette’s Syndrome. Despite their good intentions, what will happen when the three find themselves in a dangerous situation at an exclusive party? (Booktalk by the Louisiana Young Readers' Choice Committee)
  tags: podcasts ya blueduke louisiana

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Book of the day 03/25/2016

• Nearly Gone by Elle Cosimano
  Cosimano, Elle. NEARLY GONE New York : Kathy Dawson Books, 2014 IL YA ISBN 0803739265 Nearly Boswell has many reasons to keep a low profile; the last thing she wants is to become a target for bullying at school, or worse. Her mom works as an exotic dancer, but Nearly’s strange talent, the ability to experience the emotions of other people when she touches them, has the potential to draw much greater unwanted attention. Though she risks revealing all of this by getting involved, when a series of murders begin to occur, Nearly might be the only one who can solve them. (Booktalk by the Louisiana Young Readers' Choice Committee)
  tags: podcasts ya louisiana

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Book of the day 03/24/2016

• I'll Give You the Sun by Jandy Nelson
  Nelson, Jandy. I'LL GIVE YOU THE SUN Dial Books, 2014 Fraternal twins and artists Jude and Noah narrate this story of loss, love, guilt, and family. Noah’s viewpoint reveals the twin’s lives at age thirteen while Jude’s portion is told from three years later. The two narratives slowly reveal the circumstances that shape the twins, driving them apart and ultimately bringing them to a greater understanding of themselves and one another. (Booktalk by the Louisiana Young Readers' Choice Committee)
  tags: podcasts ya louisiana

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Book of the day 03/23/2016

• How It Went Down by Kekla Magoon
  Magoon, Kekla. HOW IT WENT DOWN New York : Henry Holt, 2014 IL YA ISBN 0805098690 African American teen Tariq Johnson has been shot and killed by Jack Franklin, a white man, after exiting a convenience store. This is the only fact known for certain by the media and investigating officials. Community members, friends, family, eyewitnesses, and police all give their accounts of how it went down, each providing pieces of conflicting stories in this complex novel. (Booktalk by the Louisiana Young Readers' Choice Committee)
  tags: podcasts ya blueduke louisiana

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Book of the day 03/22/2016

• Fake ID by L. R. Giles

  Giles, L. R. FAKE ID New York : Amistad, 2014 IL YA ISBN 0062121847 Nick Pearson, formerly known as Steven and originally called Tony Bordeaux, is a member of the witness protection program. Moving to Stepton as the Pearsons is his family’s last chance at protection after a series of identities are ruined by the chronic criminal involvement of Nick’s father. Even though the whole family is seemingly focused on staying out of the spotlight once and for all, Nick must decide whether or not to risk their safety by investigating a conspiracy and the death of a new friend. (Booktalk by the Louisiana Young Readers' Choice Committee)

  tags: podcasts ya louisiana

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Book of the day 03/21/2016

• Don't Even Think About It by Sarah Mlynowski

  Mlynowski, Sarah. DON'T EVEN THINK ABOUT IT New York : Delacorte Press, 2014 IL YA ISBN 0385906625 If sophomore class 10B seems more closely-knit than any other group in the school, it might be because they secretly share telepathic powers. This unexpected side effect of receiving a contaminated batch of flu vaccinations allows each student to hear the thoughts of others. Knowing the secrets, insecurities, test responses, and everything else that passes through the minds of their classmates leads to both hilarious and uncomfortable situations. (Booktalk by the Louisiana Young Readers' Choice Committee)

  tags: podcasts ya louisiana

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Book of the day 03/20/2016

• Untwine by Edwidge Danticat

  Danticat, Edwidge. UNTWINE New York : Scholastic, 2015 IL YA ISBN 0545423031 They say that when identical twins Isabelle and Giselle were born, they were holding hands. The doctor needed to untwine their hands. And they have been inseparable ever since. No they don't do the twin thing where they dress alike. And they don't have the same classes in school. They each have their own interests. But they are very close. When a horrible traffic accident separates the twins in a tragic way, can things ever be the same?

  tags: podcasts blueduke ya

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Book of the day 03/19/2016

• 100 Sideways Miles by Andrew Smith

  Smith, Andrew. 100 SIDEWAYS MILES New York : Simon & Schuster, 2014 IL YA ISBN 1442444959 With the exception of his uncontrollable epileptic episodes, the scars on his back that serve as physical reminders of a childhood tragedy, and the unwanted attention he receives as a result of being the inspiration for his father’s hugely popular science fiction novel, sixteen-year-old Finn Easton is content with his life. Still, when the girl of Finn’s dreams moves across the country, Finn and best friend Cade embark on a wild, hilarious, and unauthorized road trip under the guise of a college visit. (Booktalk by the Louisiana Young Readers' Choice Committee)

  tags: podcasts ya louisiana

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Book of the day 03/16/2016

• Orbiting Jupiter by Gary Schmidt

  Schmidt, Gary. ORBITING JUPITER New York : Clarion Books, 2015 IL YA ISBN 054446222X Jackie is 12 years old and living a relatively normal life. Until his family is joined by 14 year old Joseph -- a foster kid who has real issues. He has been in juvie and now his case worker wants him to experience family life. Joseph is pretty quiet and not open to anyone. As the days go by, Jack sees Joseph coming out of his shell and learning to trust again. But Joseph has one goal in mind. He needs to find his baby daughter. Yes, that's right. He is only 14 but he has a baby out there somewhere who he wants to raise. Could that even be possible? How could a 14 year old raise a baby?

  tags: podcasts blueduke ya

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Book of the day 03/08/2016

• The Trouble In Me by Jack Gantos

  Gantos, Jack. THE TROUBLE IN ME New York : Farrar Straus Giroux, 2015 IL YA ISBN 0374379955 Jack Gantos has never shied away from using his own life as a basis of his stories. Written as fiction, this is the story of Jack during the summer before eighth grade. When he gets involved with next door neighbor Gary, he gets into all sorts of trouble while trying to impress Gary. This is not a good thing and it is the beginning of Jack's life that led to some very bad choices.

  tags: podcasts blueduke ya

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Book of the day 01/29/2016

• Free Verse by Sarah Dooley

  Dooley, Sarah. FREE VERSE New York : G.P. Putnam's Sons, 2016 IL 5-8 ISBN 0399165037 Sasha has suffered many loses in her short 13 years. First her mother left the family. Then her father was killed in a mining accident. Her brother Michael gave up his dream of leaving their small town to stay and take care of Sasha. But he too is gone. Michael has died in an accident and now Sasha is alone in the world. She is sent to live with Phyllis, a nice woman who takes in foster children. It isn't easy for Phyllis. Sasha is a handful. She runs away. She breaks things. She gets into fights. But through it all, Phyllis stays by Sasha's side. Sasha is drawn to 9-year-old Mikey who lives next door and has lots of issues of his own. When Sasha joins the school's poetry club, she finally finds something in her life that makes sense. Will poetry be Sasha's voice?

  tags: podcasts blueduke ya

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Book of the day 01/27/2016

• Drowned City by Don Brown

  Brown, Don. DROWNED CITY : HURRICANE KATRINA AND NEW ORLEANS New York : Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2015 IL YA ISBN 054415777X On August 29, 2005, everything changed for the people of New Orleans. Everyone was watching Hurricane Katrina for days as it tracked towards the city. It was unthinkable that this could happen. But it did. The storm was massive and hit with such tremendous force that there was no escaping the fury. There were many mistakes made by the those in charge that made thinks worse. When the storm was finally over, more than 1,400 people had lost their lives and things would never be the same. Live the horrible event as it crashes into the city.

  tags: podcasts blueduke ya

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Book of the day 01/20/2016

• The Hired Girl by Laura Amy Schlitz — Adobe Voice

  Schlitz, Laura Amy. THE HIRED GIRL Somerville, MA : Candlewick, 2015 IL YA ISBN 076367818X Fourteen year old Joan Scraggs sees a horrible future ahead of her. Her father has forced her to drop out of school to work around the farm. She loved school and her teacher who had encouraged her to read and learn. But since Joan's mother passed away, Joan is forced to do all the cooking, cleaning, laundry as well as looking after the chickens and the vegetable garden. He father shows her no affection and her brothers are slobs. Joan just can't imagine that she will be cooking and cleaning for these men for the rest of her life. So she does what she sees as her only hope. She runs away and heads to the city of Baltimore. Hired girls can cook and clean and get paid $6 a week. After a long train ride, Joan finds herself alone in the dark and not sure where to go after the train is delayed. What was she thinking? How did she think a dirty girl from a hardscrabble farm in Pennyslvania could ever hope to become a respectable educated girl in the city?

  tags: podcasts ya blueduke

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Book of the day 01/15/2016

• A Death Struck Year by Makiia Lucier

  Lucier, Makiia. A DEATH-STRUCK YEAR New York : Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2014 IL YA ISBN 0544164504 It is 1918 and the United States is involved in the First World War. In Portland, Oregon Cleo and her family believe they are too far west to be affected by the Spanish flu that is striking people on the east coast. They have heard about the devastation that this disease has played in Europe and in the soldiers returning from war. Cleo is told to stay at her boarding school until her family returns from a short trip but she decides that she will be better off at home than stuck at school so she sneaks off. Within one day, the influenza epidemic has found it's way to Portland and that 200 people are affected. At home, she learns that the Red Cross is looking for volunteers to help with the influenza epidemic. She musters up her courage and volunteers to help by going door to door to find those too sick to ask for help. This sounds like a noble cause until reality hits.

  tags: podcasts blueduke ya

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Book of the day 01/11/2016

• Edge by Roland Smith

  Smith, Roland. EDGE New York : Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2015. IL YA ISBN 0544341228 Peak Marcello made headlines for his attempt to be the youngest person to climb Mt. Everest. At the top, Peak decided that his sherpa deserved the honor more than he did. It has been awhile since that time and he has tried to live a normal life -- whatever that is. When one of the richest men in the world offers him a chance to be part of a massive climbing event, he and his mother decide to take part. Two hundred teens from all over the world will be taking part in the Peace Climb. They will be working in small groups and will be climbing different mountains but all are scheduled to summit the same day. Peak's group will be climbing in war-torn Afghanistan. Peak is not exactly thrilled at this idea but he is assured that they will be safe. He will be working with his old film crew from Everest as well as his Sherpa friend Zopa. There will be body guards along also. His team consists of four other teens -- one of which happens to be the daughter of an important French diplomat. Surely they wouldn't send her into a dangerous situation. Or would they? Climb along with Peak as he finds himself in a very different sort of danger.

  tags: podcasts blueduke ya

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Book of the day 01/07/2016

• Pieces of Why by K. L. Going

  Going, K. L. PIECES OF WHY New York : Kathy Dawson Books, 2015 IL 5-8, RL 4.9 ISBN 0803734743 Tia is a 12-year-old girl living in New Orleans. Her favorite thing to do is to sing. She is part of a gospel choir and she loves everything about the choir. Until it happens. One night as they are rehearsing, shots ring out near the church. A car jacking has led to a murder of a child. Tia is suddenly flooded with memories of her father. Her father who is in prison for the murder of a young girl. As much as Tia's mother has tried to protect her from this, Tia is wanting to know more. And the other members of the choir have learned about Tia's past.

  tags: podcasts blueduke ya

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