It's Monday! What Are You Reading? 4-21-14

Thanks to our dynamic hosts: Jen at Teach Mentor Texts and Kelle at Unleashing Readers.
Head to either blog to find reviews as well as dozens of links to other blogs filled with reviews!

Hello Vacation!  If you're enjoying a week off I wish you a wonderful, energizing and also restful break from your regular schedule.

Books I Read this Week:

The Quantum League: Spell Robbers by Matthew J. Kirby
Scholastic Press, 2014
Science Fiction
263 pages
Recommended for grades 4-6

Right off I was reminded of 2013's The Ability, a story where kids are honing in on a mental power within themselves.  This time the kids are called actuators, and are able to manipulate molecules into weather phenomena or various other physical changes and manifestations.  And, like in The Ability, our main male character has to leave his single mother behind in order to pursue his training.  This time things are not as on the up and up though, creating a main character that feels no loyalty to his new trainers.
Filled with double crossing, and double agents, young readers will never know what is coming next!  
The book ends with a total cliff hanger, so be on the lookout for book 2.
The only thing I found odd was that the book is set to a backdrop of reality, but departs so completely midway through the book, in a way that drastically separates the two parts of the story. 

Zombie Baseball Beatdown by Paolo Bacigalupi
Little Brown Books, 2013
Sci-fi/Thriller
304 pages
Recommended for grades 4-8
Audio read by Sunil Malhotra

Zombie Baseball Beatdown is on the 2014-2015 Maine Student Book Award reading list, though it was one I hadn't read prior to our final voting meeting.  Why didn't I read it...well, there were so many titles on our "short" list, and this one just didn't strike me as being a contender.  Yes, I based a lot of judgement on the cover and subject matter!
And after listening to the first few minutes of the book I thought I had been right.  Main character Rabi uses the word "suck" at least half a dozen times, which really turned me off of the story immediately.  But of course I kept listening, and thank goodness.  Not too far into the story Rabi's mother scolds him for using the word "suck."  Ok, we got that ironed out.  The rest of the story is one awesome journey through relationships, racial issues, the topic of illegal immigration, and of course, zombies!!

The writing is great, and Sunil Malhotra does a phenomenal job bringing the book to life in its audio version.

I'm Currently Reading:


On Deck:

I'm excited to be hosting a stop in The Dyerville Tales blog tour!  Be on the look out for a chance to win a signed copy of the book!  On May 6th stop by for a guest post written by M. P. Kozlowsky!



Thanks for stopping by!  Have a wonderful week :)


Comments

  1. Okay, you sold me on the zombies. I will have to give it a try. I don't generally read the zombie books, but I will look for it. Thanks!

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    1. I don't usually read them either! Actually, it might be my first zombie read ever...and I'm glad of it :)

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  2. I want to read The Dumbest Idea Ever but I just need some reasons to move it up my TBR! I'm glad Zombie Baseball Beatdown was better than how it's being depicted. Have a great week! -Earl!

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    1. Often times my TBR pile is rearranged when I have a book with a library due date...and I just got that one in, so I had to move aside some I own to make room for my new library books! My TBR pile is a very physical presence in my home :)

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  3. I've heard a couple of people talk about The Dyerville Tales now. Guess it's one to look for :) Have a great week!

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    1. Yes, I've been excited to begin this one. I loved Juniper Berry, so I've got high hopes :) Thanks for stopping by!

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  4. Loving The Quantum League! I'm always looking for great Middle Grade reads, and you've given me a bunch to add to my TBR :). New follower, and thanks!

    Jessica @ Hopelessly Devoted Bibliophile

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    1. Thanks Jessica! Happy to find other devoted readers! I will be sure to pop over to your page too! Thanks for stopping by :)

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  5. So glad to read the positive review of Zombie Baseball Beatdown. I was thinking of reading it for The Hub's Reading Challenge, but I was prejudiced against title and cover as well! Think I'll order to read aloud to my son. Looks like your review convinced several readers to give it a try!

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    1. Ha, those darn covers! They are SO influential! And of course, that same cover that might make some adult readers go: ugh, will make young readers go: awesome!!

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  6. Very interesting to hear about Zombie Baseball Beatdown - well it's a Paolo Bacigalupi title - if only for that I would totally give it a chance. Glad to hear that it picked up for you somewhere in the middle. The Dyerville tales looks mighty interesting too. :) Thanks for sharing all these.

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    1. OK, Zombie is my first Paolo Bacigalupi title, but now I've got to go look up his other works since you are leading me to believe I should already know about them ;) Hope you have a great week!!

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  7. I couldn't put The Dyerville Tales down--what a great book! Enjoy!

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