The Chemist gets 3.5 Stars {adult lit, mystery, action}

I have a couple confessions to start with today. 

First, I actually liked Twilight and felt the character development was well done.  Though, the remaining books were downhill for me.  I read them, but they were not as good.  I also watched the first couple movies.  I even ran a half marathon while listening to the Twilight movie.  I highly recommend listening to a movie you know while running a race.  It was fun and helped me keep my pace.    
  
Second, I HATED The Host.  Seriously, it was so long and dragged on and on and on.  I actually stopped reading it twice, but eventually finished the book. 

Third, I was dreading having to read The Chemist for my book club.  I hated The Host and it looked as long as that previously hated book, and I was just not super stoked about reading another Stephanie Meyer book.  In my eyes she was a One-Hit-Wonder.  However, people all have their own opinions.  I know there are some strong Meyer fans.  

Fourth, I was actually surprised with the fact that The Chemist was better than I thought it'd be.  I actually didn't hate it, and I even found parts of the story to be enjoyable.  

The Chemist by Stephanie Meyer gets 3.5 out of 5 Stars from me, and that is surprisingly good for a book I had extremely low expectations for.  All in all, there were several things I liked and several things I didn't like.    

I felt the spy novel based around chemistry was cool and unique; I always loved chemistry. so this was cool.  I liked how the main character was a small girl physically, but she was smart and won a lot of the time.  Brains can most definitely take you places.  I thought Alex's excitement for a common gray car was pretty funny.  I liked the characters, and even found myself liking Val for what she had to offer.  As well, I liked the overall storyline, even with all of it's imperfections.   Honestly, this book exceeded my expectations; it was a fun read with a pretty decent pace. 

Plus, I really enjoyed the epilogue, and especially loved where they ended up moving to.  Love that state! 

I felt the quick attachment Danny had for Alex to be a bit ridiculous; it was a little much a little too soon.  Alex's feelings went from pushing Danny away to truly caring for him seemed abrupt.  I felt some of the action scenes seemed a bit quick and abrupt.  I had to go back and read it again b/c I wasn't sure what happened.  I know action scenes can be hard to write, but it's important to write it well if you are writing a spy/action novel.  For the most part the pacing of the story was well done.  There were a few here and there moments in the book, especially the beginning, that drug a little slow, but overall not too bad.  It's honestly a fun read.       

As far as content is concerned, there were a few swear words, but overall it was a pretty clean read.  

Happy Surprisingly Decent Adult Literature Action, Spy, Mystery reading! 

The Chemist by Stephanie Meyer
Rating: 3.5/5 stars
Best For: Adults
Worth a Check Out: Yes.
Buy It or Not: No.
Read Aloud: No.
Book Club Discussion Topics: Is the use of chemistry unique in Spy Novels? The Host was a long book, a little drug out in some areas.  Do you feel The Chemist was drug out (no pun intended)? Why are strong female characters so important for women and teen girls to read?  Was the epilogue one of the best parts of the book? Did Meyer write the action parts of the story well, or did it feel rushed and confusing?  Who was your favorite character and why? 


As always, I'd LOVE to hear your thoughts on this read? 

Summer Reading for Sixth (6th) and Seventh (7th) Graders

For all of those soon to be middle school or junior high students aka for all of those kids going into 6th and 7th grade the Summer Reading Book Lists below are for you. 

This list is also for all of those parents with a kid going into 6th or 7th grade.  Trust me, you both need this list.  Plus, you parents will enjoy these books just as much.    

Reading is fun, rewarding, entertaining, and critical.  If you are a "reader" you know this all ready.  Summer Reading is all of those things and more b/c it helps keep kids where they are at "educationally" over the summer and prevents them from "losing" too much.  

If you want to help your kid the most this summer, you don't have to spend a thousand dollars for expensive camps.  All you need to do is get them a library card, go to the library and get great books (or reserve them online), and let them read (or read with them).  Plus, the library has great summer reading programs that you can sign up for and earn great prizes including free books.

Kids need to keep reading in the summer.  Parents need to help their kids by encouraging them to read and even reading with them.  

If you have a girl or boy who does not like to read, aka a reluctant reader, let them choose  a book from the lists below, and read the book along with or to them.  They are all great books that you both will enjoy, and reading a book with and to your child can help light the fire to reading.

A reluctant reader is just someone that hasn't figured out how amazing reading is.  Trust me, I was a reluctant reader all the way through my undergrad.  A great book or series can get that love for reading started, but you need several great books to really get the blaze of reading going.  

For your convenience, here are the previous book lists for younger kids: 

• Summer Reading Book Lists for Kindergarten and First Grade
• Summer Reading Book Lists for Second and Third Grade
• Summer Reading Book Lists for Fourth and Fifth Grade

However, this week I am giving you... 

 Great Summer Reads for Kids Going Into...

Sixth (6th) Grade:

Knucklehead: Tall Tales and Mostly True Stories of Growing Up Scieszka by Jon Scieszka

A hilarious book that boys and girls will both love.  This book/memoir is great for R\reluctant readers b/c they can easily relate, as well as be shocked by some of the stories, that Scieszka shares.  Jon Scieszka is a great author of picture books (The True Story of the 3 Little Pigs) as well as chapter books (Time Warp Trio) that kids love.  This is a peek into his hilarious and crazy upbringing.  You and your child will both be laughing. 

Stargirl by Jerry Spinelli 

Stargirl is one of my all time favorite books; I read this to every class I taught at the beginning of the year.  It's great for teaching that it's okay to be an individual.  Girls will mostly read this b/c of the title, but if a teacher or parent reads this to their boys they will love the story as well.  

Maniac Magee byJerry Spinelli 

Another great book by Spinelli that boys will read on their own as compared to Stargirl.  Though, girls will enjoy this book as well.  A great, Newbery Medal Winner book teachers, parents, and students will all appreciate and enjoy the well writing and fabulous story.  This book is another good reluctant reader book.  

A Series of Unfortunate Events by Lemony Snicket

There are 13 books total in this fun clean series about some orphaned kids/siblings that go through some truly unfortunate events b/c of a not so nice uncle.  This book is great for vocabulary development; Snicket often uses large words and always defines them. The Bad Beginning is the first in the series. 

From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler by E.L.Konigsberg

Another Newbery Winner and a book that both boys and girls can enjoy.  This mystery story is about a brother and sister that run away and live at the museum.  It's incredibly entertaining, fascinating, and you can really learn a thing or two from it.  Love this book!

Hatchet by Gary Paulsen

A fabulous adventure series that boys love and girls do too.  This classic book may be one you have already read, but it's worth another read.

  

The Watsons Go to Birmingham-1963 by Chirstopher Paul Curtis

Let me just say this book is fabulous, and the Newbery Honor Winner medal on the front should tell you that as well.  A great historical fiction that everyone should read at least once. 

Code Talker: A Novel about the Navajo Marines of World War Two by Joseph Bruchac

This historical fiction, which a book about WWII is sure to attract boys, is absolutely fabulous.  The reader not only learns a ton about code talkers, but the storyline is absolutely fabulous. 

Among the Hidden by Margaret Peterson Haddix 

Is the first book in the Shadow Children Series, a fabulous series that both boys and girls love. Set in a future/dystopian like society where a family is only allowed to have 2 children.  This book and series is action filled with fabulous writing.  A great classroom read aloud parent/child read aloud. 

For Kids Going Into...

Seventh (7th) Grade:

Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

The first in a dystopian trilogy, that has been made into a movie and therefore very popular.  It can be quite graphic, violence wise, and therefore some parents choose to wait to let their kids read it.  Press here for my review/thoughts. 

The Giver by Lois Lowry

A classic and to some considered the first dystopian book.  The Giver is well written, clean, and all around a great discussion book.  Adults and kids enjoy this book, and it is a great audio book for any summer roadtrips.  The movie is coming out at the end of the summer so it would be a fun book to read before.  Press here for my review.

Fever 1793 by Laurie Halse Anderson

Another great book by a great author.  This book set in the late 1700s in Philadephia is a book that will fascinate you and keep you talking.  It'll also make you weary of mosquitos.  A great book to read with others and discuss.  

The Maze Runner by James Dashner

Is the first book in this action series.  The ending is surprising and quite the cliff hanger, so have book two, The Scorch Trials, nearby.  This action book is also being made into a movie this year, but the book is always better so read it first. Press here for my review.  

Moon Over Manifest by Clare Vanderpool

This Newbery Winner is absolutely fabulous!  The writing and storyline is captivating.  It may take a second to really get into the story, and it may not be a story a 7th grader would gravitate to, but it is fabulous and highly recommended. For my review, press here. 

The Goose Girl by Shannon Hale 

This book is the first of the Book of Bayern Series, a fantasy series that is completely clean and completely fabulous.  This series is geared towards girls, and I highly recommend it. For my review/thoughts press here.  

When you Reach Me by Rebecca Stead

A great book and a Newbery Medal Winner.  This book is well written, captivating, a realistic  mystery with a touch of fantasy.  The main character, Miranda, has a interesting life in NYC, but since she is a girl boys will usually be turned away from the book.  However, it's not a girly book b/c there is plenty of action, suspense, and intrigue. 

Happy Reading!

As always, holler if you need/would like a more specific book list for your child.  Though, to be honest all of these books are fabulous and you could easily make this list your own Summer Reading List. 

MeganRuth

I.Q. Independence Hall

I am a fan of Roland Smith.  He is a great writer and really nice man.  When I lived in Denver I volunteered to help an author at the CCIRA, a large state wide reading conference.  I was assigned to Roland Smith, and I was excited.  While volunteering I also got to meet Jon Scieszka at the event.  Scieszka was funny and personable in real life just like he is in his books.  Scieszka and I had a constant joke about texting.  He said his thumbs were too fat for both of them to fit on the iPhone screen; therefore he was handicapped in regards to texting.  However, I was pretty darn speedy b/c my thumbs were just the right size, so I could smoke him in a texting contest, but it isn't nice to pick on him b/c of his thumb handicap.

Anyway, enough of that side story.  I love meeting authors and getting a chance to get tho know them a bit better than their bios or what you read on their websites.  Authors are much bigger celebrities to me than the ones we see on the silver screen.  However, I am a librarian and a lover of books; therefore, authors are my kind of celebrities.  While I was the CCIRA conference I was assigned to Roland Smith.  I went to his book signings and helped him with various things like water and snakes.  I went to his lectures to make sure everything was set up and he was good to go with the projector and whatnot.  It was easy, and fun to talk with him.  I would highly suggest you taking up the opportunity to volunteer in such a position if it is possible.  Through volunteering I met Roland Smith.  We talked about his books, and he signed (with a personal message) many of the books I owned and bought.  He is awesome that way.

I like Smith b/c he is a nice guy, a great author, and writes books that both boys and girls can enjoy.  Plus, he writes with just enough detail to really teach you a thing or two about the topic.  You can tell Smith knows a lot about the topic he writes; and from talking and listening to his lectures he does a lot of research for each and every book.   For example, if you ever read Peak you will learn so much about the equipment needed to climb Mt. Everest that you will feel you are able to go and do it yourself.  You won't be able to, but you will think you can.  Peak also includes so many details about the horrendous weather conditions found on Everest.  Theway Smith writes makes you feel like you are a part of it all; I think that is a sign of a good author.

I just finished re-reading I.Q: Independence Hall.  It is the first in his I.Q series.  The Books are as follows: Independence Hall, The White House, Kitty Hawk, and Alamo.   The fourth in the series, Alamo has just recently been published.  If you are teacher looking for a good read-aloud book for you class this one is great. I think third grade through 6th grade could enjoy this book as a read aloud.  As far as reading and interest levels of this book for independent reading purposes I would say I.Q. Independence Hall is great for 4th-8th grade.  You could probably get away with some 9th graders reading it, but it is definitely better for the upper elementary and middle schools.  I think this is a great middle school spy novel for both boys and girls.  Those girls that love the Gallagher series will enjoy this one.  Those boys that love Anthony Horowitz's books will enjoy this I.Q. series.  It's an all around enjoyable spy fiction book that both parents, teachers, and kids will enjoy.  Plus, there is a really great website for the book that teachers, students, parents, and kids can enjoy the content, get some lesson ideas, play games, listen to the music of "Match" (mentioned  in the book), and more.  Overall, I'm going to give it a 4.5 out of 5 stars.

I'm pretty stringent with my star system.  I can't give around 5 stars to every book.  In my rating system a 5 star book is absolutely amazing; it must be clean, have original content and storyline, a page turner, great character development, and everyone, boys, girls, young, and old can enjoy it.  A five star book is a book that you won't soon forget, and it leaves you with that happy and satisfied feeling.  With that being said,  I did say that I enjoyed this book, and that is 100% correct.  I did say that it is good for both boys and girls and a range of ages.  I will say that the book is action driven, but there is enough character development to keep the reader attached and involved with the characters.  I do appreciate I.Q: Independence Hall  being completely free of bad language and sexual content.  However, there is a smidgen of violence if you are super picky but it is mostly tae kwon do kicks and a car crash.  Basically this book is clean and parents and teachers should have no concerns about children reading it.  The only reason I would say that the book lost a half a point is b/c it was a bit slow at first, and I felt that the book didn't grab me to turn to the page as drastically as a 5 star book does/should.  However, I'm being pretty picky here.  This book is great!  

Goodreads had the best book summary I could find:
"Fame has arrived for rockers Blaze and Roger! Just married, leaving Los Angeles, and touring the United States with teenagers Q (Quest) and Angela in tow, the excitement heightens in Philadelphia when Angela realizes she's being followed. Q soon learns the secret about Angela's real mother - a former Secret Service agent.


Readers are thrust into current issues affecting the world in this edge-of- your-seat, modern-day mystery adventure. I, Q readers will be immersed in the work of U.S. Secret Service, the Mossad, and the MI5. But who are the good guys and who are the bad guys? What happens to this newly formed family if Angela's mom is not dead?"

If you are looking for a great read-aloud in your classroom, a new book to read with your son or daughter, or you just want a fun but fast read check out I.Q: Independence Hall.  It'll meet and exceed all of your expectations.  If you like this book, check out his many other books encompassing a wide array genres.  Also, check out his website, and like him on Facebook.  He has a great presence there and does contests for free books every month on his website.  I've also read/heard that he is wonderful at school visits as well as Skype talks.  Go check him out.  He's pretty awesome as well as his books!