Happy Almost Banned Books Week! In preparation for Banned Books Week, I have been putting together a display of books that have been challenged or banned in 2009-2010 (as per the ALA Banned Books in 2009-2010 publication). I'm pulling the books that we have in our library that are on the list and sticking a "Beware of the Book" sticker that I made on them and putting them together in a display. Geography Club is one of the books on the list. I remember talking about it in YA Lit this past summer and was intrigued, so I picked it up for myself. In a nutshell, it is about a group of gay and lesbian high school students that meet together at school to connect with one another under the guise of meeting for "Geography Club" (which they amusingly conclude is a safe name b.c no high schooler in their right mind would willingly join a club called Geography Club). I've just begun reading; have you read it?

Mamba Point by Kurtis Scaletta

One of the deadliest snakes in the world is the Black Mamba, found in parts of Africa.  It is aggressive, venomous and huge -- growing to be up to 12 feet in length.  People hope to never see a Black Mamba in their lifetime.

What if one of those snakes decides to make you its friend?  This is what happens to Linus Tuttle in Kurtis Scaletta's new book Mamba Point.  The snake likes to hang out with Linus; to be petted, talked to, and played with just like a puppy dog or a kitten.  What could possibly go wrong??

Grades 6-10
If you like this, you might also like: Savvy and Scumble by Ingrid Law

Princess Academy by Shannon Hale

Have you ever felt like people underestimate you?  They might think you’re weak or just can’t get the job done?  Do YOU ever doubt yourself?  Feel like you don’t belong or wonder what your place is with your friends. . .your family? 

What if you got a chance to prove to everyone around you and YOURSELF that they were wrong about you?  Fourteen-year-old Miri gets the chance to do just that in Shannon Hale’s story Princess Academy. 

Now I know some of you are thinking, “Hooray, a princess story!”  And I know that some others of you are thinking, “Great, a book about a princess school.  What do they do?  Have long hair growing competitions and practice waiting to be kissed by a prince?”  Not a chance!  The girls in this story are fierce!  If you like books with bandits, rats, and clever tricks, you’ll enjoy this book.  If you like books where girls save the day, you’ll LOVE Princess Academy.


Perfect for Grades 6-10.


 To view an interview with Shannon Hale, click here!  Courtesy of Adlit.org