fiction Archives - Page 644 of 705

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.

ayearinournewgarden
A Year in Our New Garden
by Gerda Muller (Author / Illustrator)

Booktalk: Anna and Benjamin’s family has just moved into their dream house and even though it’s in the middle of a busy town, it has a beautiful big garden for them all to enjoy. Soon the family has made plans for their perfect garden — Mum wants a lawn and a terrace, Dad wants to help the birds and insects, Benjamin wants to plant beautiful flowers and Anna wants to fill the garden with tasty vegetables. Join Anna and Benjamin as, with a little help from their neighbour, they spend a year learning about all the wonderful things you can do in a garden; planting, harvesting, playing, enjoying picnics and spotting wildlife.

Snippet: People get hot and thirsty in the summer and so does the garden. The children had to water it everyday. Luckily, there were plenty of fun ways to do the job — and cool down at the same time.