Winter Break Reading

Don't forget to stop by the library to stock up on some books for winter break.  You can also use our eBooks to read on your own device by going to http://bit.ly/2g7eWv8 and selecting Milpitas High.  Login with your school username/password. 

Monday Morning Book Review--Stars Above

Stars Above by Melissa Meyer covers the early years of the characters in the Lunar Chronicles series.  Find out how Cinder got to New Bejing, and when did Wolf transform, and more.  Nine short stories provide the reader a glimpse into the Lunar world fans have grown to love.  The book also contains a preview of Meyer's newest book based on Alice in Wonderland.

Monday Morning Book Review--What We Saw

What We Saw by Aaron Hartzler--Kate remembers some of the party she attended at one of the star basketball player's house, but she drank too much to remember all of it.  Ben got her home safely after doing shots with Stacey, but no one made sure that Stacey got home safely.  In fact, pictures of Stacey appear online and rumors spread.  Kate begins to wonder what really happened that night.  A realistic look at the consequences of actions and figuring out the real story--are the basketball superstars to be believed or the girl with the questionable reputation?

For more on consent--watch this video.

Monday Morning Book Review--First & Then

First & Then by Emma Mills--Anyone that enjoys reading contemporary teen stories will enjoy this book.  Devon starts her senior year of high school with a new "brother" that's a freshman, her longtime crush doesn't return her feelings and somehow she's caught the attention of the star football player.  Senior year provides many ups & downs in Devon's life.  

Monday Morning Book Review--The Only Thing to Fear

The Only Thing to Fear by Caroline Tung Richmond--What if Hitler had won World War II?  This alternative history story set in the Eastern American Territories explores the concept of a world under Nazi control.  An underground rebellion still exists but they've never quite been able to gain the strength they need to take control back from the German's.  Zara wants to join the rebellion but her Uncle doesn't want her involved.  When Zara witnesses the death of two people close to her she decides she's had enough.

Monday Morning Book Review--Calvin

Calvin  by Martine Leavitt  Seventeen-year-old Calvin knows he's the "real" Calvin, as in Calvin and Hobbes.  After all, he was born on the last day the comic strip appeared.  He had a tiger named Hobbes until he exploded in the washing machine, but Hobbes still talks to him.  His bestfriend/girlfriend is named Susie.  It explains so much or does it?  Calvin  decides to cross a frozen Lake Erie to reach Bill Watterson to draw one last strip that will set him free.

Monday Morning Book Review--Atlantia

Atlantia by Ally Condie--Rio has always wanted to leave Atlantia behind and go Above where there is earth and sky.  Unfortunately, she has promised her twin sister that she will never leave her so when the time comes to choose Above or Below, she chooses below.  Her sister then does the unthinkable and chooses Above leaving Rio behind to figure out why...why is she trapped in this undersea world and why did Bay leave her and what does her Aunt know?

Monday Morning Book Review--Hello, Goodbye and Everything In Between

Hello, Goodbye and Everything In Between  by Jennifer E. Smith--Do you need to say Goodbye to your first love?  If you're both leaving for college in the morning, how do you spend your last night together?  Claire and Aidan are headed to opposite coasts for college and this book chronicles their last night together.  Once again, Jennifer Smith explores a realistic premise to a satisfying end. 

Monday Morning Book Review (on Tuesday)--All American Boys

All American Boys by Jason Reynolds & Brendan Kiely--Everyone should read this book!  No matter your age, gender, ethnicity this story needs to be told, discussed and challenged.  Rashad is an ROTC student who stops by the local market for some snacks on his way to meet up with friends.  Suddenly, things go awry and Rashad is on the wrong end of a policeman's wrath.  Quinn and his friends are hoping to should tap someone for some alcohol at the local market when he witnesses Rashad's arrest.  The policeman has been a mentor to Quinn and how does he reconcile what he saw with the guy he knows?  Reynolds and Kiely write Rashad & Quinn's stories in alternating voices that speak directly to our world today.  The book raises more questions than answers but definitely makes you think.  READ IT! 

Monday Morning Book Review--American Born Chinese

American Born Chinese by Gene Yang--Three stories in one great book.  Jin is the only Chinese American in his school and he really likes the all-American girl.   The story of the Monkey King takes from a famous Chinese Fable.  Danny hates when Chin-Kee comes to visit because he fills all the stereotypes and it's embarrassing.  Author and Illustrator Gene Luen Yang takes three unrelated stories and brings them together in a beautifully crafted graphic novel.  Last week, Mr. Yang (a San Jose resident) was selected as the Library of Congress' National Ambassador for Young People's Literature.  Read his acceptance speech.

Monday Morning Book Review--50 Years, 50 Moments

50 Years, 50 Moments:  The Most Unforgettable Plays in Super Bowl History  by Jerry Rice & Randy O. Williams

Football fans and Super Bowl buffs alike will enjoy reading the moments that made the contests great.  Read anecdotes from the players involved on both sides of the ball.  Statistics fans will enjoy the detailed stats on each match profiled.  Approaching  Super Bowl 50 to be held in Santa Clara it's a great way to get yourself ready for some football.

Monday Morning Book Review--See Me

See Me by Nicholas Sparks--Colin's life hasn't been easy.  He controls the anger and violence inside of him by cage fighting.  When Colin comes to Maria's rescue on the side of the road, little did they know where this chance encounter would take them.  Maria's own past makes it hard for her to trust and Colin can't quite believe he and Maria can make it work.  When Maria starts receiving strange flowers  and messages their relationship is tested even further.   A good read with a few twists.

Monday Morning Book Review--More Happy Than Not

More Happy Than Not  by Adam Silvera--What if you could erase part of your life?  The Leteo Institute will do just that...Aaron thinks that if only he could change things in his life he'd be happy.  His dad's death, his relationship with his girlfriend, his brother and his friends might all be better.  Silvera's story takes you on an emotional ride through Aaron's journey with some poignant moments.

Monday Morning Book Review--The Martian

The Martian  by Andy Weir will appeal to anyone who loves a good, entertaining story.  Mark Watney is left behind on a space mission to Mars.  Follow along with Mark as he tries to survive being stranded on a distant planet with no way to let anyone know he is alive.  Science fiction fans will love this book, but anyone who enjoys the thrill of adventure will appreciate Mark's dilemma and his novel ways of solving problems.  Yes, the Martian is in theaters now but the book is an entertaining read.

Monday Morning Book Review--Sweet

Sweet by Emmy Laybourne--Laurel joins her friend Viv on a cruise to launch a new diet sweetener guaranteed to help the user lose weight.   BUT the new sweetener isn't exactly what the company promised and things begin to go horribly awry.  Should this product make it to market?  Only those on board know what's happening...A refreshingly different look at big business, the pressure to be thin and celebrity culture wrapped up in a story that will keep you turning the pages.  

Monday Morning Book Review--Off the Page

Off the Page--Jodi Picoult and Samantha van Leer continue their mother/daughter writing team to continue Delilah & Oliver's story.  Now that Oliver is out of his book and living in the same town with Delilah, how does he adjust to the life of a teenage boy versus the prince in the fairy tale?  Follow along as the two navigate the trickiness of a relationship when one  of the couple isn't exactly real.  You don't need to have read Between the Lines to appreciate this story.

Monday Morning Book Review--The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian

The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie  follows Junior's life as he leaves the reservation near Spokane, Washington to attend the local "white" high school.  Based on Alexie's own life experiences this novel explores the conflict of cultures between trying to fit in at home and at school.  
This  is Banned Books Week and this book has been on the list of Banned and Challenged books for several years due to the following "reasons: anti-family, cultural insensitivity, drugs/alcohol/smoking, gambling, offensive language, sex education, sexually explicit, unsuited for age group, violence. Additional reasons: “depictions of bullying”."    

Monday Morning Book Review--Infinite in Between

Infinite in Between by Carolyn Mackler--Gregor, Jake, Mia, Whitney and Zoe are in the same Freshman orientation group.  They decide to write letters to their future selves and to meet at the end of their Senior year to read them.  In between, high school happens.  All of the ups, downs and challenges of life of a teenager confront each of the characters in various ways.  Mackler captures the voices of five distinct teens and how their lives intersect over the course of the four years.  An authentic look at high school and those years where you grow into adulthood.

Monday Morning Book Review--Kissing in America

Kissing in America by Margo Rabb--Eva loses herself in romance novels after the death of her father much to her mother's dismay.  Along comes Will and her romantic fantasies seem to come true. She and her best friend embark on a cross-country journey by bus and Eva learns life doesn't always imitate the romances she loves.  A fun read with quirky adventures that make you consider what love really means.

Monday Morning Book Review--In the Unlikely Event

In the Unlikely Event by Judy Blume.  Imagine seeing not one but three airplane accidents in the same year.  Based on real events in New Jersey in the 1950s in the town where Judy Blume grew up, she writes a fictionalized account of various members of the community coping with experiencing the tragedy.  The primary character was a young teenager when the crashes happened returning home to mark the anniversary of the event.  Fans of Judy's children's books, should enjoy this more grown up story even with the tragic premise.