Edith Smith's Reading Blog

  I remember when I read Fahrenheit 451 back in high school. I always thought the saying that 451 degrees was the temperature at which books burn was so cool. This authorized adaptation of Ray Bradbury's famous masterpiece makes this story much more accessible to younger readers. In a dystopian world where firemen don't put out fire, but use them to burn books, the reader meets Montag. Montag is a fireman but he finds himself at a crossroads when he begins to ask why books are burned? Has it always been like this? Should it stay like this? Can he live with himself and still remain a fireman? The artwork in this book is beyond unbelievable. I loved this book so much. Kids will love it too! There are a lot of things to love and discuss about this book. Censorship is definitely a top theme? Who should have power to censor books? Should anyone or any one group? If so, what should be censored and why? I am really excited to discuss these topics next year in the soon to be formed Ray

  Imagine escaping world catastrophe via a space ship only to realize you and your fellow passengers, many of whom are kids, may be doomed anyway. That's what happens in Alone Out Here  by Riley Redgate. Leah Chen, the daughter of the President of the United States, finds herself in a leadership group with the ship's captain. Together, they try to trouble shoot any and every little problems that comes up with the hastily put together ship, only to find out that they are surely low on food. When arguments rise up among the rest of the shipmates, Leah realizes that the pilot of the ship may not really have everyone's best interest at heart. The only question is, does she have the voice to stand up for what is right? And, does she really even know what is the right course of action? How can anyone know in this situation? Redgate does a great job detailing the isolation and loneliness that must be present in a situation like this. The trouble is, some of the shipmates feel help

  This book is pretty dark and intense, with a very serious plot. That said, it is a book a lot of older kids will love. After a very chaotic year at school where her social life was basically ruined by the cool kids, Neve goes off to a camp for girls and meets Diane. On the last night of camp, Neve and Diane joke about getting rid of each others' problems back home. When Neve returns to school the following school year, she walks in to a hallway of crying kids. It turns out the the girl who ruined Neve's previous school year was found murdered, and Neve is now the prime suspect. Neve is just as shocked as anyone, only things get worst when her cell dings with a text from an unknown number saying "Your turn."  Is it possible Diane really went through with what they had joked about? Is there any way Neve can clear her name when she had every motive to actually get rid of her former best friend turned rival? This book will keep you guessing and the surprises don't s