Among the Impostors by Margaret Peterson Haddix

I was introduced to Margaret Peterson Haddix by a middle school teacher last year. I read the first book in her Shadow Children series (Among the Hidden) and loved it. I didn't get around to reading the others in the series (there are seven books in the series) as they were constantly being checked out of the library by the 5th and 6th graders.

The series is centered around Luke - a third child in a society where only two children are allowed. Third children (shadow children) are forced to hide from the Population Police in case they are seen, found out and killed. Luke lives in a rural area and because a new housing development has been built close to his house he has to stay hidden all the time and is not even allowed to play outside. Despite this, Luke makes a friend who is also a shadow child and his life suddenly becomes extremely complicated and confusing.

Among the Imposters is the second book in the Shadow Children series and Luke is out of hiding for the first time in his life and using a fake name and identification at Hendricks School for Boys. He is forced to endure bullying and teasing from his room mates and is bewildered by the layout of the school and they way his classmates and teachers act. He discovers an unlocked door and the chance to be outside again and his life at Hendricks School for Boys changes dramatically.

This series is full of twists and turns and just when you think you have it all worked out another secret is revealed. The Shadow Children series would make a great read aloud from grade 4 up and I know from experience was read and recommended by many 5th and 6th graders.

Pictures of Hollis Woods by Patricia Reilly Giff

I spent yesterday afternoon reading this book and as I was reading I felt very familiar with the book, almost like I had read it before. When I chose the book off the shelves in the library I had no recollection of ever having read or seen the book before. When would I have read this book before? I can only guess that when I lived and worked in NC I worked with a super librarian who was always reading and recommending YA books to me...I must have read it way back then.

I loved this story of Hollis Woods. A simply written story of a young orphan, Hollis Woods, who wants and wishes to belong to a real family but has never found one that she fits into. Written in the present time but also flashing back to different events in her life with different foster families that she has spent time with. The story is woven through the pictures that Hollis Woods has drawn. It is these pictures that make Hollis finally realize that she does belong and it is these pictures that show Hollis what being part of a real family means. The story is filled with twists and turns that will keep any reader (of any age grade 4 and up) on the edge of their seats. This book would make a superb classroom read aloud too.

Who? What? Where? When? How?

Okay, so I haven't been posting on this blog regularly and I know I have no followers but this blog was intended as an experiment with blogging and to maybe eventually become part of an online 'Professional Learning Community."

As I am no longer working in the role of librarian the name of this blog no longer makes sense but I am going to continue with it anyway. I have decided that this year (from now on until June) I will blog about picture books and young adult fiction that I have read. At least then I will have my own online record of wonderful children's books to refer back to. Here at Graded www.graded.br there is a fantastic library filled to the brim with great reads so I shouldn't have a problem getting my hands on good books.

Even though I am no longer working as an elementary school librarian I am always checking Tara's blog http://techlibraryclassroom.blogspot.com/ and her book blog http://mstara.edublogs.org/ for inspiration.

So, let's see if I can stick to the plan and fill this blog with posts about books I have liked (or not).