Saturday, November 23, 2013

The Hypnotists

Jackson Opus's life is about to go crazy.  Without warning the people around him begin to do crazy things.  Soon he discovers he has hypnotic ability.  He can bend people to do pretty much whatever he wants.  This is why he needs training at Sentia with Doctor Elias Mako.

But is Mako all he seems, and will Jax learn the truth and develop his hypnotic abilities in time?  Read Gordon Korman's newest book to find out!  This is the first book in a planned series, so look forward for more of Jax's adventures.

Also, don't forget Gordon Korman will be at the Book Festival on March 8!  Check out the Facebook page for more information!


Gaby, Lost and Found

Gaby Ramirez Howard is struggling to get along without her mother.  It's been three month's since her mother, an illegal immigrant, was deported to Honduras.  Since that time Gaby has been struggling to get through each day hoping for the time her mother will return.  For now her dad has moved in, and he's supposed to be taking care of her, but she spends most of her time alone, and sometimes he even forgets to provide food for her.

When she and her classmates start volunteering at the Furry Friends animal shelter, Gaby is happy to find something to take her mind off her troubles.  Gaby begins writing profiles for the animals to get them get adopted.  She loves all the animals, but one cat in particular captures her heart.

Feather's owners abandoned their declawed cat at a rest stop.  By the time Feather gets to the shelter she is sick and malnourished.  Gaby instantly feels a connection to the Feather.  But will she go too far in her efforts to protect the cat, and will she be able to face the truth about her mother?  Read Angela Cervantes's new book to find out.  Animal lovers and anyone who's ever felt alone will identify with Gaby and her struggles.


Friday, November 22, 2013

I saw Catching Fire last night at the special double feature premier, and it was amazing!  I loved it!  Here is another trailer; you should all go see it this week while you're enjoying Thanksgiving!

And if you still haven't read the books, what are you waiting for?  Get busy!  Here is the link to Suzanne Collins's website, and here is one to the movie site.




Wednesday, November 20, 2013

Freakling

Taemon's world is divided.  Those with psi live in Deliverance where everything is done with telekinetic ability.  The duds, those without psi, live in the colony, ostracized from the city and all it's wonders.  Following an accident, Taemon loses his psi.

He is terrified that people will discover his secret.  Because they know he will be sent away if anyone discovers the truth, Taemon's parents try to cover for him when possible, but it's hard to live without psi in a world where no one uses their hands--not even to eat!  Even Taemon's bullying older brother tries to hide the truth because his doesn't want the stain of a dud brother.

It's not until Taemon is banished to the colony that he begins to see things in a new light.  Maybe being psiless isn't so bad, but maybe he isn't as psiless as he thinks.  Everything has always believed about his life and his people will come into question, and it will be up to him, a freakling, to prevent a war and countless deaths.

Can Taemon save himself and everyone else?  Read Lana Krumwiede's debut novel to find out!

Wednesday, November 13, 2013

Maleficent!

Ok, I know this technically isn't a book, but it's based on the fairy tale, and you all know how much I love those!  Angelina Jolie is looking pretty creep!  Can't wait!


The Templeton Twins Have an Idea

Are you a Lemony Snicket fan?  Do you like funny stories with lots of action?  If so, you will love this book!

When the Templeton Twins and their inventor father move to a new town and university for a new teaching position, they have no idea how crazy their lives are about to become.

As the professor's first speech, Dean D. Dean shows up protesting that Professor Templeton stole one of his ideas.  Professor Templeton tries to calm the man down, but Dean is insistent, and things are soon out of control!  With a strict nanny, a ridiculous dog, and nefarious identical twins bent on kidnapping and extortion, this is one adventure you won't be able to put down!

You'll love this first book in the serious by Ellis Weiner, illustrated by Jeremy Holmes. and narrated by a snarky and mysterious narrator!


Thursday, November 7, 2013

Divergent Movie Trailer!

Here is the official first trailer for Divergent!  Kate Winslet is in this movie?!  What?!  If you haven't read the books yet, get busy!  Here is my review of Divergent and Insurgent.  Allegiant is available for checkout in the library, but I haven't read it yet.

Now, without further ado, here's the trailer:

Monday, November 4, 2013

Long Lankin

There's a secret buried in Bryers Guerdon.  It's been haunting this village for more than 400 years, taking children, destroying lives.  It's been asleep for decades, but now it's hunger has been awakened, and Long Lankin is hunting.

It's 1958, and Cora and Mimi have been sent to live with their Great Aunt Ida in the tiny village of Bryers Guerdon.  It's clear Auntie Ida doesn't want them.  Her reaction to their arrival is almost violent, and the girls are terrified by her ancient crumbling home with its locked doors and nailed shut windows.  But there is no where else to go.

Auntie Ida warns them against going out on the marshes, and especially to never go into All Hallows, the ancient nearly abandoned church and cemetery.  But local boys Pete and Roger tell the girls they go there all the time, even though they've been warned not to.  What could it hurt?
There are strange markings inside the church, and four-year-old Mimi wants to leave.   The older children enjoy the thrill of exploring the spooky old building and grounds until Cora thinks she sees someone watching.

Have the children unwittingly unleashed an ancient terror on the village?  No one wants to talk about it, but Cora knows something is wrong.  A monster is stalking the village, and the dead have returned to the world of the living.  Long Lankin is looking for another victim.

This slow boil of a horror story is truly creepy!  I couldn't put it down, and I couldn't go to sleep.  Pay attention, this is the kind of subtle thriller that is all in the details, and a true connoisseur of dark fantasy and classic horror will recognize the warning signs and sense the approach of the beast.  Read Lindsey Barraclough's debut novel if you aren't too afraid.


Slated

Kyla is 16 years old, but she might as well be a baby for all she knows about the world.  Her lifetime experience started when she woke up in the hospital a few months ago.  Now it's time for her to leave the hospital and meet her new family.

Kyla has been slated.  In the near future teenage criminals get one more chance, one last option.  Slateds have been erased, their memories, their identities.  They are now clean slates like Kyla and the other slateds.

But something is wrong.  Kyla is not like the others.  She doesn't wear a happy grin and overlook unpleasantness.  From the beginning, she's had terrible nightmares that bring her dangerously close to the edge.  Like all slated, Kyla wears a Levo which monitors her emotions.  If you get too upset, unhappy, or angry, you risk seizure.  Try to remove it, and you risk death.

Unlike the others, Kyla questions the problems she sees around her and worries about the other slateds, especially Ben.  It isn't long before she realizes that slating isn't just used on criminals, and it doesn't always happen through official channels.  The more truth Kyla and Ben discover, the more they put themselves at risk.  Can they survive discovering the truth?

Read Teri Terry's debut novel to find out!  Fans of dystopia like The Hunger Games, Divergent, and Legend will enjoy this book.