This blog has been created as a tool to encourage students to engage in recreational reading. Through social discussion, students gain better insight and comprehension.

11.15.2010

They Never Came Back- Cooney

A case of mistaken identity or is she really a long-lost cousin who either truly doesn't recognize him or is trying to hide in plain sight?  Tommy is sure she is Murielle, his cousin.  It's been a long time since he last saw her but this girl is a dead ringer for her.

Cathy Ferris signed up for an accelerated language course this summer.  Even though it means car-pooling with Spencer and his mom, Mrs. Tartaglia, she made the commitment and is working hard along with seven other Latin students.  How could Tommy have just walked up to her like that at lunch?  Now instead of worrying about tonight's homework assignments these super students will be researching the unsolved case of Murielle and her embezzling parents.  

Project Sweet Life- Hartinger

Dave, Curtis, and Victor are looking forward to summer vacation.  They are fifteen, the summer of the optional job. Right? Well, not according to their fathers who also happen to be good friends.  The boys get together in their "club house" to discuss their imposed summer situation where instead of coming up with employment opportunities they hatch a plan to make money without taking on summer jobs.  They call their plan "Project Sweet Life."  The boys are very creative when it comes to ideas for fake jobs and ideas for making money.

The book is a fun read.  While their schemes are pretty "out there" at times,  I had no problem with the fact that the young men really put twice the effort into their plan then they ever would have had to by simply going to work.  I also know they never would have learned the lessons they did along the way.