The 2013 Lone Star Book List is available at the GMS Library!

Lone Star Book List 2013 on PhotoPeach

City of Bones Movie!

Get More: Jonathan Rhys-Meyers, Jamie Campbell Bower, Movie Trailers, Movies Blog

August 23, 2013 is the Movie Release Date!  Are you as excited as I am?

Rocking Around!

So, just in time to sing "Rocking Around the Christmas Tree,"  one of our fabulous Gator families donated a comfy rocking chair for our new reading nook.  Thank you so much Henderson family!  I know my bookworms will be lined up to try it out!

Book Trailers

For the past several weeks, the library aides worked on making their first book trailer.  Through peer and self evaluations, they nominated these two for your viewing pleasure.  We hope you enjoy them.  

Lightning Thief

Michael Vey

Student Review - Nevermore

Book Title: Nevermore

Book Author: James Patterson

Reviewers: Daryl Hall and John Oats

Why would you recommend this book? We would recommend this book because James Patterson is an incredible author and the series is amazing! It's an easy read and a great time. It's natural to fall in love with the characters, and you won't want to put it down.

What did you like about the book? The plot was really interesting and intense, and the characters (specifically the guys) are awesome!

What did you dislike about the book? THE ENDING.

Final thoughts about the book? It was the last book in the (Maximum Ride) series , but the ending wasn't quite what you would expect. We would've made a few minor changes to it, but overall it was worth the wait and it remains one of our favorites!

Student Review - The Lost Hero

Book Title: The Lost Hero

Book Author: Rick Riordan

Reviewer:  McKenna Young

Why would you recommend this book? It had you off the edge of your seat and you never wanted to stop reading. After the 1st book you had to start the 2nd one immediately because it got you so curious about what would happen next.

What did you like about the book? Everything, the plot, the setting, the characters, the feeling it gave you. You know it's just fantasy but it feels so real, you feel like you are one of the characters in the book. It makes you think you are there experiencing everything that the characters are.

What did you dislike about the book? Honestly, nothing, I loved every little detail about the book. It was just so exciting.

Final thoughts about the book? If you love Greek Mythology or any kind of Mythology this is the book for you. If you love being on the edge of your seat and feeling what the characters feel and experience what they do, this is the book for you. I would give it 5 out of 5 stars!

Book Fair Previews!

The Book Fair is coming the week of October 30!
Here are some preview videos to some of the books that will be here for purchase:

Student Review of Life As We Knew It

Book Title: Life as We Knew It

Book Author: Susan Beth Pfeffer

Reviewer:  Courtnie Stone

Why would you recommend this book? I would recommend this book because it has a really good concept and makes you think about how lucky you are and not to take things for granted.

What did you like about the book? I liked the idea of the book, with the moon being knocked out of orbit and the whole world changing because of it, and I liked the way it was written, which was in a diary form.

What did you dislike about the book? I didn't really like how her sentences were kind of dull and that some parts were exaggerated a little too much and too long.

Final thoughts about the book? I loved the book because of the overall idea of it; it is about something you generally wouldn't think would happen. I wish the book had some more exciting events and not as much time in between exciting events.

Overdrive Now Available on Nook

Good news! You can now get overdrive on your Nook, making reading FREE ebooks even easier! See the article below for details. http://www.digitalbookworld.com/2012/overdrive-now-available-on-nook/

Want to be a student book reviewer?

If you would like to spread the word about a good book you have read, click the link to fill out the form at the bottom of this page.  I will contact you by friscoisd email and let you know when your review will be posted to the blog.

Thanks for participating!

Student Review - The Dark Divine

Mackenzie M's review:

The Dark  Divine is about a girl, Grace, who find her brother's long lost ex-best friend Daniel. Grace does not know why they are not friends anymore and she is going to do anything she can to find out. Grace then starts to butt (sic) into Daniel's life more than her own brothers life(Jude). Grace's relationship with Jude falls apart, because Grace uncovers a secret. At the end of the book Grace finds out everything that she had intended to find while sticking her nose into something it didn't belong in.

4 STARS (out of 5)

I'm back, and I bring good news!

Hello Gator Readers!
I am back from maternity leave, and I have had the best time seeing all of your shiny faces today!  I wanted to see if you heard the big news.  One of our favorite books is being made into a movie...did you hear?  I am so excited to see this fabulous book come to life in movie form.
I am only sad that we have to wait until March 21, 2014.  Yes, you read that correctly.  A full year and a half must be waited until we can see what Triss and Four look like!
If you have not yet read Divergent, by Veronica Roth, come get a copy ASAP!  It is one of the rare books that I gave a five star review to.  All three of GMS's copies are currently checked out, but stop by the library, and I can show you how to get on the waiting list for a copy!

Need a Book for Summer? Try an Ebook! (beware of becoming a zombie)

Authors and More Authors!

I was so excited to attend my first Texas Library Association Conference this year!  I got to meet so many authors, and I know you love them, too, so I thought I would share.  I have talked to many of you about how awesome it was to meet on of my favorites since high school (Orson Scott Card) and one of my new favorites (Veronica Roth).  If you haven't heard me go on and on about the authors and their books, come find me in the library, and I will be happy to tell you about it!

Lone Star Book Club Meeting

The last meeting of the year is during lunch on Tuesday, May 8.  I hope you will be able to make it!  Feel free to bring goodies to celebrate the great year we have had!  Also, I have a small survey for you to take to tell me how we can do a better job next year, which you can find here:
https://docs.google.com/a/friscoisd.org/spreadsheet/viewform?formkey=dFVNUFd5ME01ZEdkT1JEc0E3dFVMX0E6MQ#gid=0

Show Your Book Club Pride

Mrs. Miller and I decided to wear our new Lone Star Book Club Shirts today.  I hope you will wear yours with us on Fridays for the rest of the year.

School Library Month

Did you know April is School Library Month?  We are celebrating by rewarding students for coming to the library. Every time you come to the library during the month of April, you get to fill out a ticket (one a day).   Drawings will be held from the tickets every Friday and FIVE prizes will be given away.  In addition to the student prizes, teachers will also be rewarded.  I hope you will come in, get a ticket, and "may the odds be ever in your favor!"  As a bonus for the readers of this blog, for week two through four, I will also draw a SIXTH prize from anyone who leaves a comment below.  Please enter only once a week.

April's First Week Winners:

Magan J.

Lauren K.

Drezick S.

Rachel E.

Olivia J.


April's Second Week Winners:
Jacob H.
Sierra F.
Taylor E.
Vanessa K.
Suki T.
SPECIAL DRAWING FROM BLOG WINNER: Courtnie S.


April's Third Week Winners:
Skyler N.
Tyler D.
Ben H.
Garett L.
Lauren P.
SPECIAL DRAWING FROM BLOG WINNER: Carter Y.


April's Fourth Week Winners:
Seth M.
Emma E.
Elise A.
Reign W.
Chris N.
SPECIAL DRAWING FROM BLOG WINNER: Courtnie S.

CONGRATULATIONS!

National Poetry Month

Did you know you can make poems out of anything?  Mrs. Chetty and Mrs. McCoy were inspired to make poems out of book titles.  Here is what they came up with:

STRAYDOG, Briar Rose, out of  patience, once was lost. Three little words, land of hope, a dog’s purpose, wait for me, unbroken. FOUND.
Flat broke, Violet Ranier almost got struck by lighting, holding up the Earth, north of Beautiful,  the year my parents  ruined my life. POP! No cream puffs!

We would love to see some of the poems you create!  Bring them by the library and we will be glad to display them!

PINK OUT in the Library

Yesterday, as I was getting ready for my ILA classes to come visit the library, I assumed it was going to be a "normal" day.  Even before the tornado lockdown in the afternoon, it turned out to be not a normal day at all.  The morning began with a lot of pink.  Did you see the kids yesterday walking the GMS halls in pink?  The first class that came to the library had many kids wearing pink, so, of course, I had to ask.  They told me they were wearing pink to support one of their friend's moms who was battling breast cancer. How awesome are they?  I was so inspired by these kids, I wanted to tell you all about it.

Donated Books

The GMS Library is so happy to announce that we just got some new books in!  We were able to do so by the generous donations of the following people and families.  Thanks so much for your contributions!  This week, as the ILA classes come to visit, the students will be able to check out these new books.

The Burnett Family

The Lazar Family

Catherine Rothman

Shayla Williams

Jonathan Granier

The Cuff Family

Queens of Hunger Games

Congratulations to the following winners of our Hunger Games Trivia Contest:

Sara A.

Hannah J.

Francesca V.

Mrs. Stark

NEW Hunger Games Giveaway!!!!

Hey Gators!  I have a new giveaway for you this week!  One of our great moms donated a couple of The Hunger Games Tribute Guides just for you! (and yes, it does have pictures of Peeta!) Enter a comment below letting me know why you want it, and I will enter you in the random drawing.  I will draw on Friday morning, so be present to win!
UPDATE!  WE have 2 winners:  Brie B and Carter Y!  Congratulations!

Hunger Games Excitement Continues...

Have you stopped by to see all of the decorations the library aides did for The Hunger Games?  The trivia contest has been a hit, and I can't wait to see who is crowned queen or king.  Keep checking back because...I may have ONE MORE GIVEAWAY before the week is up!

Crazy for Hunger Games GIVEAWAY

Around the GMS library, we are crazy for The Hunger Games!  We are decorating the library in the many motifs of the book, creating contests, and making plans to see the movie as soon as possible.  We knew we loved Hunger Games, but we just might have found something to top our love.  Have you seen the new line of nail polish from China Glaze? What do you think?  Awesome or Over the Top?
(pictured above is Electrify, my personal favorite, which I will be happy to giveaway a brand new bottle to those of you who leave a comment below.  I will pick a winner by random number)
UPDATE!  We have a winner!  Congratulations to Alisha K!

Briony vs. Maya

I have been reading some good books lately!  Inspired by one of the blogs I read, I thought instead of just telling you about the books I would have the two main protagonists face off.


Briony, the main character of Chime, by Franny Billingsley, is a self-professed witch.  She lives at the turn of the 20th century in a small town outside of London.  There is nothing that she hates more than herself, and works hard each day making sure she pays for her past mistakes.  It is only through a mysterious stranger that Briony is able to learn the truth about herself and possibly begin to forgive herself.  This book is captivating, spell-binding, and a whirlwind read.  I loved every minute of it and hope you will, too!



Maya, the main character of Karma, by Kathy Ostlere, is similar to Briony in that she is beautiful and has a mysterious, magic sense to her.  She struggles with her identity, as Briony did, as well, but Maya's struggle stems out the fact that she is a foreigner to everyone.  Her parents two religions force her to feel as though she belongs to no one and that no one is able to understand her.  As   the story progresses, Maya meets a stranger who helps her find the forgiveness she seeks.  In that way, these two characters are very similar, but at first read, you might find that they are worlds apart.  Don't be fooled by Karma's 500 plus pages, it is a fast-paced read that with each new twist begs you not to put it down.

So, now the face off!  I challenge you to read both Chime and Karma and tell us which character you like best.  Maybe we can have the winner face off with a character from a new book?

Jordan Sonnenblick talks about Curveball!

On Jordan Sonnenblick's website, he has a new video of him talking about his new book, Curveball!

Library Aides for 2012-2013

Congratulations to the new library aides for the 2012-2013 school year.  

If you are wondering if this is you, stop by the library and check out the list!  We are looking forward to a great year next year!

Lone Star Book Club

T shirt Design is chosen.  Come pick up your order forms in the library.  Also, check out the LSBC page on this blog.  It has been updated with the latest meeting pictures!

Book Club Updates

Guys Read Club webpage has been updated with pictures from this week's meeting.  Our next meeting is February 21.  Hope to see you there!

Lone Star Book Club will have its next meeting on February 14.  Isn't that sweet?  Come by and get a pass, so you can join us during lunch on Valentine's Day, talk about books, and eat

Love Your LIBRARY!

Have you noticed the new decorations in the library?  We are all decked out for LOVE YOUR LIBRARY month, and we hope you will stop by to express why you love your library.  There are forms on the front desk that students and staff have been filling out.  When we get those, we add them to the "I Love My Library Because..." display.  Also, we have caught many of you loving the library in pictures this year.  The case outside the library shows off many of you while you were in the library.  Stop by and see.

Author Visit

We had a great author visit this year! I am so excited that everyone got to meet Jordan Sonnenblick, and the kids have told me how much they enjoyed hsi presentation. I can't thank the students and staff enough for making this such a wonderful experience!

Wonderstruck by Brian Selznick

I read the best book over the weekend...Wonderstruck, by Brian Selznick (the author of The Invention of Hugo Cabret).  I loved this book so much that I wanted to share it with you.  Below, I am putting the trailer of Mr. Selznick talking about creating the book, but I want to tell you my thoughts first.  This book mixes both text and pictures and the lives of two people living worlds apart.  I love the way Mr. Selznick takes all of the different elements and blends them so perfectly.  Pick up Wonderstruck at your favorite library and let me know what you thought!

Want to see some more great trailers?  I put all of the ones I could find for the Lone Star 2012 on the bottom of this page.  Check them out!

Jordan Sonnenblick will be here January 24!

I am so excited that January 24 will be here soon...you know why, right?  Jordan Sonnenblick is coming!  As a school we have been trying to read his books to prepare for his visit, and I think it will be great to hear his speak.  If you haven't read at least one of the books below, I hope you make it your goal to do so before JANUARY 24.  Want more info about our visiting author?  Visit his website!

Lone Star Book Club Meets Tuesday

For all of you Lone Star Book Club (or Lunch Bunch) members, we are meeting Tuesday!  I am so excited because the new LS books are in and I am saving them for you!  Also, if you have ideas for our T-shirt, get those to Mrs. Chetty ASAP, so we can decide which we will choose at our meeting on Tuesday.
See you soon!