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Sidekicked by John David Anderson

3/5 Stars

Pros: In a world of superheroes and super villains, middle grade students are trying to come to terms with their own superpowers. Andrew's friends all have amazing powers, but all he gets is heightened senses, which he doesn't think is very "super". If you like a slice of life style of book coupled with characters that are just like you and your friends, then this book is for you! If you've ever wondered what your school life would be like with superpowers, this novel would be a good choice.

Cons: Sidekicked can move a little slowly at times, but once you get into the plot, you'll be hooked. If you do not enjoy Marvel movies, then I would not recommend this story for you.

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With not nearly enough power comes way too much responsibility. Andrew Bean might be a part of H.E.R.O., a secret organization for the...

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Extraordinary Means by Robyn Schneider

4/5 Stars

Pros: This book has a wonderfully dark sense of humor coupled with intense amounts of sarcasm. So if you are sassy and like unconventional romances, then you will enjoy this book about a group of friends who meet in a Tuberculosis ward. The characters are funny and very realistic.

Cons: Portions of this book can be a little sad or intense, so if you're looking for a lighthearted read, then this might not be the best book choice for you. There are also some moments where the dialogue tends to slow down.

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When he's sent to Latham House, a boarding school for sick teens, Lane thinks his life may as well be over. But when he meets Sadie and h...

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What Light by Jay Asher

3/5 Stars

Pros: If you like Hallmark Christmas movies then this is the book for you. Follow the story of Sierra's quest for a Christmas romance all while she's trying to figure out if her family will still run their Christmas tree shop into the next year. This book is definitely for fans of cheesy, sappy, young adult romance.

Cons: The story can be incredibly predictable, especially if you've read a lot of young adult romance novels before. Also, if you just generally do not like romance novels or movies at all, this is not a good book choice for you.

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Read 4,005 reviews from the world's largest community for readers. From Jay Asher, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Thirteen Reasons Why, comes a ro...

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Fire From the Rock by Sharon Draper

4/5 Stars

Pros: This novel is a historical fiction retelling of the events of the Little Rock 9. Sylvia and her friends and classmates are relatable and compelling. The problems that they face as young adults are ones that many teens still encounter to this day.

Cons: Sometimes the pacing of the story seemed to drag and slow down. Readers also find themselves frustrated with Sylvia's choices and ideas. If you prefer a fully fictional story, then this might not be the best choice for you.

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Fire from the Rock has 1,511 ratings and 230 reviews. Austin said: The book Fire From the Rock by Sharon M. Drapper made in 2007 is a wonderful Historica...

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The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas

5/5 Stars

Pros: This book is the new hot thing circulating around the movie theaters and through social media! Follow Starr as she works to navigate between her two different circles: Her Caucasian school friends and her African American family members /friends. Starr has to decide if code switching between her different circles is the right choice, or if she should let down her walls and show the world who she really is.

Cons: If you are not a frequent reader, you might find this book a little lengthy. Also there is some language and violence within the novel.

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It is not preachy at all. But then again it is a topic that can stand to be preached about since lots of people seem to miss the point, and are not emIt is not preachy at all. But then again it is a topic that can stand to be preached about since lots of people seem to miss the point, and are not empathetic AT ALL. ...more
This is a wonderfully told story, with lots of different perspectives. Thought provoking. It does not capitalize on the social/political/racial issues. Although, all 3 need attention, because we STILL deal with these issues everyday.(less)

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It is not preachy at all. But then again it is a topic that can stand to be preached about since lots of people seem to miss the point, and are not emIt is not preachy at all.

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Connor would like to recommend Welcome to Marwencol by Mark Hogancamp & Chris Shellen!!

4/5 Stars

Pros:  This story is about a man who was a U.S. Navy, who came back and struggled to get back into everyday life. He gets beaten up and gets amnesia, but recovers through his art. In the end, he remembers a little bit of his past, but not all. Another cool thing about this book is that it has a movie coming out soon!!

Cons: One thing you might not like is that the book deals with some violence.

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/8538051-welcome-to-marwencol?ac=1&from_search=true

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I Am Princess X by Cherie Priest
5/5 Stars

Pros: This book is perfect for October because it's a little bit spooky and suspenseful while also having a great sense of humor! It's a mix of graphic novel pages and prose, so if you're not the type of person who can read for very long periods of time, the graphic novel portions give your brain a nice break. The 🤬 mystery within the story keeps you hooked and waiting, not so patiently, to see if May will solve Libby's 🤬!

Cons: It's honestly quite hard to come up with any negative qualities this book might possess! Maybe the only one might be that if you're looking for a novel that provides you with the answers to the conflict quickly, this isn't the book for you. As a reader, you need to be willing to ride through the twists and turns of the plot with the main character. That's part of the success of the suspense of this novel!

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Last post we talked about how it's important to make sure that we're keeping track of the setting and characters of a story as we read it. One way that you might do so, other than the sticky notes I mentioned last time, is to keep a running plot diagram while you read.

The plot diagram helps readers to keep track of the FIVE key points of a story's plot. The exposition, rising action, climax, falling action, and resolution. If you can identify all five of these points within a story, chances are, you will be able to better recall and retell the story as a whole!

We'll be working on this in my English classes this week, but in case you'd like a little preview, this post will always be here :)

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As we move into the month of September, many of you will be starting to read some short stories in your English class.

Make sure when reading your short stories, or any story at all, that you keep track of the SETTING and the CHARACTERS! This will help you to better understand what is happening in the plot of the story, as well as the conflict going on.

Sometimes, keeping a pack of STICKY NOTES next to me as I read, helps me to mark down important information in the story. I can also use them for when I get confused.

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The Seventh Wish by Kate Messner
4/5 Stars

Pros: If you're looking for a novel set in upstate New York, during the chilly Winter months, this book is the perfect read for those last hot weeks of September! The main character is a young, middle school aged girl who's just trying to navigate her life and how she fits in with her family.

Cons: There are themes of drug use that center within the novel, however, the family comes together to support the person with the addiction, and gets them the help they need to become clean. The beginning of the novel was a bit slow, but if you can make it through the first 25 pages, then you're in for an exciting ride!

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The Seventh Wish has 2,400 ratings and 592 reviews. Joy said: My 7th grade friends... I will purchase a copy for everyone on my team (and even take pictu...

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Welcome to 8th and 9th grade English with Miss Hopkins! I look forward to meeting and getting to know all of you this school year.

Our Padlet will have helpful websites and study pages. I will also do a monthly book recommendation! When you need help or are looking for more English resources, this Padlet is your best resource.

We will have a lot of fun as a class, but we will also be doing a lot of hard work as well. I will come into our room and give you my all every day. All I ask is that you meet me halfway.

In our room, it's all about respect, honesty and effort. If you are doing your best with these three things, you'll find success in my room!

I hope you had a great summer! Let's get to reading and writing!!

- Miss Hopkins

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A quick link to all of Miss Hopkins' Google Classrooms. Click here to find your classroom and current assignments.

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A quick link to the Kahoot student login page!

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Join a game of kahoot here. Kahoot! is a free game-based learning platform that makes it fun to learn – any subject, in any language, on any device, for all ages!

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The Seventh Most Important Thing by Shelley Pearsall
4/5 Stars

Pros: If you're looking for a novel about redemption, the importance of doing the right thing and family support, then this is the book for you! A quick, easy read - the text is large and the words aren't terribly challenging. The main character is in 9th grade, so he's roughly your age.

Cons: There are a few sad moments during the novel, so if you're looking for an overwhelmingly happy novel, then this might not be your first choice.

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It was a bitterly cold day when Arthur T. Owens grabbed a brick and hurled it at the trash picker. Arthur had his reasons, and the brick ...