Another Idea - Witch and Wizard by James Patterson

I just saw this new book by Patterson on Amazon. Kids love his sci-fi stuff. His adult writing is fluffy beach reads but this new book for teens sounds intriguing. Look at the review.

The world is changing: the government has seized control of every aspect of society, and now, kids are disappearing. For 15-year-old Wisty and her older brother Whit, life turns upside down when they are torn from their parents one night and slammed into a secret prison for no reason they can comprehend. The New Order, as it is known, is clearly trying to suppress Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Being a Normal Teenager. But while trapped in this totalitarian nightmare, Wisty and Whit discover they have incredible powers they'd never dreamed of. Can this newly minted witch and wizard master their skills in time to save themselves, their parents--and maybe the world?

I need to get off of Amazon.com

Suggestions

What about "If I Stay" by Gayle Foreman? I just realized that all of the books read and taught in 8th grade are very boy centered. There are reasons behind that but I'd like to read a book beyond Twlight that has strong female voice. I heard this is similar to "Lovely Bones" which I loved. There is a review below.

Starred Review. The last normal moment that Mia, a talented cellist, can remember is being in the car with her family. Then she is standing outside her body beside their mangled Buick and her parents' corpses, watching herself and her little brother being tended by paramedics. As she ponders her state (Am I dead? I actually have to ask myself this), Mia is whisked away to a hospital, where, her body in a coma, she reflects on the past and tries to decide whether to fight to live. Via Mia's thoughts and flashbacks, Forman (Sisters in Sanity) expertly explores the teenager's life, her passion for classical music and her strong relationships with her family, friends and boyfriend, Adam. Mia's singular perspective (which will recall Alice Sebold's adult novel, The Lovely Bones) also allows for powerful portraits of her friends and family as they cope: Please don't die. If you die, there's going to be one of those cheesy Princess Diana memorials at school, prays Mia's friend Kim. I know you'd hate that kind of thing. Intensely moving, the novel will force readers to take stock of their lives and the people and things that make them worth living. Ages 14–up. (Apr.)

Suggestions for December Book?

Any suggestions? I heard Wednesday Wars is supposed to be good. I'm open. I promise to be wrapping up "The Graveyard Book" by the end of November. Next Week!

Oh Gosh!!!!!

I've given up on listening to The Graveyard Book. While the accents are intriguing the reader is just too slow. My plan is to finish up by the end of November. How does everyone feel about that? I'm only halfway through the novel and I feel like I'm still in the exposition. WHERE IS THE RISING ACTION? WHAT IS THE PLOT? While the person at Barnes and Noble said there were allusions throughout I'm concerned that maybe she didn't know what an allusion is.... If she was talking about the Ghouls - technically those were just references to historical people not allusions. I'm still struggling with what I could actually teach through this novel. I promise to plow forward.

Is anyone enjoying this? Will it get better?

Now on the adult side I am reading two books I'm really enjoying. "Her Fearful Symmetry" by the same author as "The Time Traveler's Wife". Symmetry is spooky and entertaining. I'm really enjoying the characters; plus it's set in London - one of my favorite places. Another novel I'm reading, which is also set in London, is "The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie". Very cute with a fun 11 year old protagonist. I might recommend it to some of my 8th grade female readers.