Confessions from the Principal's Chair


Book Description

In Denver, Robin (a.ka. Bird) is in with the cool clique. They wear the same clothes, talk the same way, and pick on the same girls. But when her Mom hears about a cruel prank against a less popular girl, she isn't going to tolerate the Queen Bee behavior. Within 24 hours, she pulls up stakes and moves them both to Prairie Dog, Oklahoma. Bird is positively furious, and she's going get revenge on her hippy artist mother. In fact, revenge is the only thing keeping her going in the remote town. How she's going to get it, though, she's not sure yet. When she goes to register at the local middle school, she's mistaken for the interim school principal. Who is Bird to correct the mistake when a prank like this will really get payback on her mom? Though she won't be able to pull this off forever, Bird's determined to make her mark on the middle school before she's found out. But life in the principal's chair is going to give her quite an unexpected change in perspective.







Wart


Book Description

Stewart has plenty of reasons to dislike his new art teacher, Wanda Gibbs. Not only did she give him the awful nickname "Wart" at school but she has also started dating his dad. She must have placed his dad under some sort of spell, which is entirely possible since, according to her very own son, she also happens to be a witch. But nobody, including Stewart's father, will believe this outlandish accusation, even though Wanda suggests that if Stewart will support her, she might use her magic to his benefit. Stewart can't help but notice his athletic ability mysteriously improves every time Wanda shows up at his basketball games. Is it really magic, or is it just Stewart's imagination? It's going to take a lot of ingenuity to solve the mystery of Wanda Gibbs.




Assassin


Book Description

Bella isn't evil. But even people with good intentions can end up doing bad things. Especially when they meet people with the power to persuade them to do almost anything, like John Wilkes Booth-the most charismatic and famous actor of his time. So when Booth sets his sights on Bella, an assistant seamstress to Mary Todd Lincoln, to help with his plot to kidnap President Lincoln, he is able to persuade her to betray her president and even turn her back on the boy she has loved her entire life. Bella believes Booth is only trying to force the North to release Southern war prisoners, and will not harm her dear friend Mr. Lincoln. But the kidnapping plot fails, and now Booth will stop at nothing--even if it means harming Bella in the process. Anna Myers has crafted a provocative new look at the Lincoln assassination through the eyes of both a young White House insider and the assassin himself. An author's note provides the historical background to this tragic event.




Social Readers


Book Description

A compilation of over 50 reading project ideas, including implementation ideas and examples, helping to promote lifelong reading habits while meeting the social and interactive needs of today's youth. Social Readers: Promoting Reading in the 21st Century is about making reading meaningful to the Web 2.0 generation through active engagement and socially interactive projects. Organized into four broad categories—entertainment, active participation, control and choice, and technology—the book offers more than 50 specific project ideas for promoting reading in the classroom, school, library media center, or public library. Each project includes a description, cost estimate, planning time needed, suggested supplies, and instructions for running the project successfully. Topics such as sharing, involvement, book promotions, social networking, and developing informed readers are also covered. A preface and introduction provide an overview of the needs and preferences of the current generation of students, a discussion of the necessity for socializing reading, and insights into how to use the book effectively. Bottom line: Social Readers will help librarians and educators change their practices to accommodate the ever-evolving needs of today's students.




Spy!


Book Description

Coming of age during the American Revolution, Jonah is torn between honoring his Loyalist father's dying wish and taking up the cause of his Patriot neighbors. Inspired by his young, charismatic teacher, Nathan Hale, Jonah begins to question his family's beliefs. When a decision he makes leads to Nathan's execution, Jonah must live with the damage he has caused and learn to fight for what he knows to be right. Anna Myers's revolutionary war tale brings fresh meaning to the words "I only regret that I have but one life to lose for my country," blending all the excitement that comes with battle and espionage with a thought-provoking plot about Jonah's ethical dilemma.




Time of the Witches


Book Description

Orphaned at the age of four, Drucilla finally has a place she can call home with her new family, the Putnams, of Salem Village. But when a new reverend and his family move into town with their servant Tituba, life takes a strange and dangerous turn as accusations of witchcraft swirl. Dru is overwhelmed by the fervor of lies and the power of groupthink among the other girls in town; reluctant to turn her back on the Putnams, she utters her own accusations. Only her best friend Gabe sees through the deceit, but it may be too late for Dru to protect the truth, and innocent people will pay the ultimate price. Guiding readers through the confusion of this frightening historical event, Anna Myers weaves a compelling story that will captivate teen readers.




Hoggee


Book Description

Howard Gardner is starving to death. All spring and summer, Howard and his older, more charming brother Jack worked as hoggees, driving the mules that pulled boats along the Erie Canal. In a misguided attempt to outshine his brother, Howard chooses to stay behind in Birchport for the winter to save his traveling money and send it home to his family. After his winter job falls through, Howard fears that he might not survive the winter. As desperate as Howard is, he is haunted by the sadness he sees in the eyes of Sarah, the granddaughter of the man who keeps the mules. Even though she's older than her two sisters, she never speaks, and she seems completely disconnected from the world. Sarah's family won't discuss her problem with outsiders, but Howard longs to help her in any way he can, and his quest to do so eventually reveals to him how he truly compares to his brother. Once again, Anna Myers has crafted a moving, nuanced coming-of-age story set against the backdrop of an intriguing historical era.




The Grave Robber's Secret


Book Description

In Philadelphia in the early 19th centry, Robby Hare's father forces him to help with an unthinkable task-robbing newly filled graves of their contents to sell to the medical college. Despite his interest in the doctor's research, Robby swears never to rob another grave, even if his mother relies on the money they bring in. When William Burke and his daughter, Martha, come to live at their boarding house, Robby's father becomes caught in a broader web of evil. Could his father and Burke be murdering people to provide bodies for medical science? Determined to expose their scheme, Robby must be brave enough to enter the graveyard one more time.




Tulsa Burning


Book Description

I NEVER HAD ME BUT THREE friends. Last spring right after I turned fifteen, I lost one and almost lost the other two. I lost Rex, Isaac nearly died, and I near about lost Cinda because of impure thoughts. Until last spring, I never knew much about hating or about how wanting revenge eats away at your insides. Truth be told, there’s a bunch I didn’t know until last spring. Sometimes I wish awful bad that I had never had to learn.