No Parking At The End Times by Bryan Bliss

Interest Level: 8th grade and up

Reading Level: not rated
Lexile: not rated
Genre: realistic fiction

Currently on pg.124, chapter 9

Abigail and her family are living in their van. Her parents have sold all their worldly possessions and have driven across the United States to join a cult. I chose to read this book because I thought homelessness should be a topic that is represented in the LRMS library collection. I wanted to make sure that this particular book was not too heavy and was appropriate for the middle school level. I believe the idea that the family is homeless due to the parents' desire to join a cult keeps this book firmly in the fiction realm. I think that if the author had the family lose their assets due to gambling or poor investments it would be more realistic.

The author has made the characters interesting and endearing. I care what happens to them.

Honey by Sarah Weeks

Interest Level: 3rd - 6th grade

Reading Level: 4.8 grade
Lexile: 830L
Genre: realistic fiction

Finished the book

I read "Honey" over spring break. This 152 page book was by the author that won last year's Oregon Reader Choice Award for the book "Pie." Melody is the main character. She is in 6th grade, I believe. Her mother died in childbirth. She over hears her father on the phone call someone 'Honey.' She and her friend, Nick, must find out who 'Honey' is.

The Astronaut Wives Club by Lily Koppel

Finished the book

I give this book 4 out of 5 stars. If you like history, you will enjoy this non-fiction novel. The author does a good job showing the strain the space program puts not only on the astronauts themselves but their families as well. I liked how the author gave a 'where are they now' wrap up at the end.

The Astronauts Wives Club by Lily Koppel

Currently on pg. 104, chapter 7

The author has introduced the Mercury 7. Alan Shepard, Gus Grissom, John Glenn, Scott Carpenter, and Wally Schirra have all made their space flights. Now Koppel has introduced the New Nine or the Gemini 9. These are 9 new astronauts and their wives.

The book is very interesting. I am enjoying the historical aspect of the book.

The Astronaut Wives Club by Lily Koppel

Interest Level: Adult

Reading Level: not available
Lexile: AD no code available
Genre: non-fiction

currently on pg. 1, chapter 1

I really enjoyed "The Help" by Kathryn Stockett. I like historical fiction. Although this book is not fiction, I find the historical aspect of it appealing.

Abundance of Katherines by John Green

Currently on pg. 10, chapter 2

So not, putting this book in the LRMS library collection. I am not even continuing to read it.

An Abundance of Katherines by John Green

Interest Level: 8th grade and up

Reading Level: 6.2 grade
Lexile: 890L
Genre: realistic fiction

Currently on pg. 8, chapter 2

I, again, am reading a John Green at the request of students in hopes that it can be added to the collection. And so, I read on.

In Between by Jenny B. Jones

Finished the book

I would give this book 4 out of 5 stars.

I liked it. I could relate to the main character, Katie. Although I don't have the apprehension regarding God and faith that she does, I do relate to the casual manner in which she prays. I think that the author does a good job of weaving the Christian teachings into the story without it being the focus of the story and thus reading like a sermon.

In Between by Jenny B. Jones

Currently on pg. 118, chapter 23

Katie is struggling to find her footing in the small town of In Between, Texas. She has gotten into a bit of trouble and now must suffer the consequences and hopefully learn from her mistakes.

I read on the back of the book that the author was a four-time Carol Award winner. I had not heard of the Carol Award so I did some research. The Carol Award honors the best Christian fiction published in the previous calendar year. Jones was honored in 2008 for this book in the category of Young Adult.

So far, I am enjoying the book.