young adult Archives - Page 94 of 103

myhouseisalive.s
My House Is Alive!: The Weird and Wonderful Sounds Your House Makes
by Scot Ritchie (Author / Illustrator)

Booktalk: What’s that sound? Starting with a simple question, My House Is Alive! takes readers on a tour of the basic inner workings of a house and explains the scientific reason for the knocks, thumps, bangs, and booms we hear.

Two spreads are devoted to each scary sound: the first shows the source of the noise as imagined by a small boy — a monster, giant insect, or other wacky creature — and the second explains the reality behind it.

Snippet:

MHASample

The garage door can make a lot of noise. The door’s motor is attached to a chain. It pulls the chain one way to open the door and the other way to close it. Push a button and — presto –the door rumbles open!

It’s STEM Friday! (STEM is Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics)

propertyofthestate
Property of the State: The Legend of Joey
by Bill Cameron (Author)

Booktalk: Joey Getchie has been property of the state longer than he was in parental custody. But he’s a survivor, and he has a Plan: graduate high school and get out of the foster care system before it eats him alive. He bonds with Trisha, another foster, who seems to have lucked out when it comes to foster parents. A false accusation leads to a physical clash with his foster father, so Joey flees to Huntzel Manor, where he works part time. He takes up unauthorized residence and keeps a low profile, hoping to avoid attention. But attention arrives in the worst possible way: a classmate is seriously injured in a hit and run accident, and Joey becomes the focus of the investigation. Why shouldn’t he be? He had a violent confrontation with the same classmate just last year. And of course, he’s a kid with a criminal record. Except of course, he isn’t.

Snippet: “Joey?” Mrs. Petty’s voice is calm, as always. I realize I’m staring at the photo of Mr. Cooper. He looks more at home in the saddle than he does behind his desk. I turn to Mrs. Perry.

“What?”

“The computer?”

“What about it?”

They exchange a look. I’ve missed something.

“No laptop, one month. You need to hand it over.”

In my arms, my backpack gathers sudden weight.