Dead to You by Lisa McMann

This is the story of every family's worst nightmare... a seven year old son, abducted from his own front yard. Years spent searching, always hoping, never believing the worst.

This is the story of what happens when that little boy returns home nine years later. When he doesn't remember the house, his family, his best friend. When he feels the need to protect his abductor Ellen/Eleanor, even though she later abandoned him. When his little brother doesn't believe it's really him.

This is the story of Ethan De Wilde.



Insurgent by Veronica Roth (Divergent trilogy)

As the second book in the Divergent trilogy, I couldn't wait to get my hands on Insurgent and immediately pre-ordered it after finishing book one!

In Divergent, sixteen year old Tris was faced with the decision to stay in her current faction (the selfless Abnegation) or switch to a faction that realizes what she wants and needs in life. Her decision is life-changing, to say the least. Thankfully, Insurgent picks up right where Divergent leaves us hanging... the factions are at war and Tris is struggling with the loss of her faction, family and friends. As Tris drowns in her loss, she begins to make reckless choices that put her relationship with Tobias/Four, and her life itself, in immense danger. Written with just the right touch of emotion and conflict, and certainly leaving us wanting for more, I highly recommend Insurgent to those who enjoyed the first book of this trilogy.  I would not suggest it as a standalone title.  Start with Divergent and you will be hooked, waiting for book three's release in 2013.  Definitely deserving of five stars!!!!!

Just getting started, right at the end...

As this school year winds down, I think about all that's been accomplished and what lies ahead. A personal goal for the upcoming school year is to develop an online presence for my students and faculty to enjoy.  So here's to a hopeful beginning...

(Special thanks to Elliot S. for ingeniously creating the name of my blog!)