Well; since my last post, I have not only finished "The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks", I have begun and finished "The Power of Six" by Pittacus Lore. 

Let me begin with "Henrietta".  This is definitely a High School/Adult read but the publisher will be releasing a "Young Reader's Edition" next October.

Last year, I read "I Am Number Four" by Pittacus Lore before it came out as a movie.  I have not yet seen the movie but would most definitely suggest the book.  If you would like to learn more about the series, click HERE.  After the first, I anxiously awaited the release of "The Power of Six" this year.  The story continues with John Smith, now a fugitive as well as alien running from the evil Mogadorians along with "Six", another of the 10 children sent to earth from the planet Lorian to help save their planet.  I admittedly don't usually read Science Fiction but can't wait until August of 2012 when "The Rise of Nine" is released.  For a video clip on the release of book 3, click HERE.

Now, on to my next book ... I haven't decided on a title yet. 

"Forgive My Fins" ... A very nice read!

Well, I am making progress toward my goal of reading a book a week this year.  I have now finished "Forgive My Fins" and have moved on to a Nonfiction title; "The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks" by Rebecca Skloot was suggested by a colleague for a possible student read.  Yesterday, was the first day I opened the book and after reading for about a hour, I am on page 80.  This is a title with significant content but easily understood.

A brief summary:  You may or may not have heard of Henrietta Lacks but you or somebody you know has probably benefited from something her family did not even know about ... You see, Henrietta was diagnosed with cervical cancer.  The Doctors took some of her cancerous cells without her knowledge.  It was those cells that helped developed, among other things, a vaccine for polio!  The book takes the reader through a multitude of issues including ethics, race, medicine, and healing.  A definite suggestion -

For more information about the book, author, and content click HERE

"Perfect Chemistry" Done ... "Forgive My Fins" Next ...

I finished "Perfect Chemistry" and am the type that does not usually read the sequels BUT I am actually waiting for "Rules of Attraction" to come back so I can read it.  I still maintain that it is totally a book that boys would be interested in as well as girls.  Sex, drugs, gangs, love, and growing up all have a part in the book. 

Over the weekend, I picked up "Forgive My Fins" by Tera Lynn Childs.  Click HERE for more information about the author, etc.  I am nearly done and although I did not enjoy it as much as "Perfect Chemistry", it is still something that I would suggest as a "good read". 

As the book begins, it is a bit confusing but quickly becomes clear.  Lily, is a mermaid heir to the throne of Thalassinia who has moved in with her aunt on dry land after she finds our her mother was human.  Lily has another secret; she is also in love with Brody and would love to go to the big dance with him.  She finally gets up the nerve to ask him only to be turned down.  Meanwhile, Lily's annoying neighbor and classmate Quince (who secretly likes her) hatches a "plan" to help her win Brody over ...

The plan doesn't go as Lily expects and she finds herself having to explain to Quince why, after he kisses her, he notices changes ... changes that require him to drink salt water and have a saltwater bath each day!  You will have to read the book yourself to find out what happened to Quince, why Lily is so angry, and what they do about it.



My New Read - "Perfect Chemistry"

So; I have been a bit behind in my goal of reading a book a week.  The last title I chose, Cheesie Mac, fell short for me and I returned it. 

At the beginning of this week, I picked up "Perfect Chemistry" by Simone Elkeles.  It is rarely on the shelf so when it was returned and there was not another student waiting, I decided to give it a try.  The first thing that struck me was that, although only read by girls, it is TOTALLY, a boy book as well.  Think "West Side Story" set in the present; Bad boy, good girl.  Forced to be Chemistry partners, Brittany and Alex come from opposite sides of the track and cannot stand to be around each other ... or can they? 

So far, so good and I should be finished reading it today.  I would suggest it as teen romance with gang activity, and drugs, guns, sports, and school all wrapped up in one.  A definite suggestion by ANYBODY (both girls and boys). 

For more information about the author click HERE or to see the book trailer rap for Perfect Chemistry, click HERE.