The Book Shelph.Weebly.Com!!!

Go to thebookshelph.weebly.com for the new book shelph!!! It is still in the creating process, but I figured you deserved to see the work in progress!

The Book Shelph

The Book Shelph will be moving tomorrow! The middle school thing wasn't working out at all, so there will be a new genre coming August 26!All of the content will be removed from this blog. Stay tuned until then!

Ashley

Update

So sorry I haven't been posting! I started school and it is really stressing me out. It's the weekend though, so I will catch up on blogging!

First I will start off with a nice prompt:






 There has been a change in the new Book Shelph. The whole "Place for all Middle Schoolers" just wasn't working out. Plus I'm in my last year in junior high anyway. I will have a new post on the new theme for the blog, don't worry, it won't change anymore!

I'm reading a super awesome book that will be coming, plus another one I just finished, so stay tuned!

Now for some way cool links...

How many of  you are TOTALLY PSYCHED for this?  

How to write a great essay about anything

DIY locker accessories

What that IPAD is doing to kids

I saw these and thought they were all worth posting. Have a fantastical weekend!!

Ashley

Daily Prompt

Daily Prompt

Daily Prompt

Daily Prompt

Daily Prompt

Reading as a Writer

The best thing a writer can do is read. Read, read, read. Take notes of different styles, word choices, rhythm, and technique. Many of my different styles of writing have been inspired by books I've read. As a writer I have a much different outlook on books, I'm much more critical. It's a good thing, I think, to read horribly written books. Just more motivation to write a better one!

Finding "Clean" Books

Finding clean YA novels is hard. With so much violence, gore, sexual stuff, language, etc... My method used to be to pickup a random novel and start reading. When I felt uncomfortable, I would stop. But whats the point when I already know whats in it? So my dad and I came up with a plan. I would email him a book I wanted him to look up. No more browsing or googling. Some books have "stuff" in it and I can simple skip  that page. I had gotten twelve new books from the library last month and only two were ones I could read. If your wondering, my parents aren't being paranoid or overprotective. They understand the things I can and can't read, and I do care. Finding appropriate novels is hard. But in my opinion its worth it.

PS--A reason why I haven't been posting book reviews is because we have been so busy traveling. Starting this next week, I hope to have some posted though.

Ashley 

Book Review: The Autobiography of Bill Peet

The Autobiography of Bill Peet

Bill Peet was an artist who worked with Walt Disney from the beginning years of the company. While this book is aimed for a younger audience (grades 3-5) it was pretty awesome! He illustrates the book himself with funny cartoons and witty comments. I would recommend this book for any audience, but particularly artists.

Content: Nothing

G, grades 3 and up

*I won't be able to post until Monday, just an FYI

Floorplanner.com

Floorplanner.com is a free way to design and scale an interactive Floorplan. How does this have to do with anything? Floor planner can help you visualize and customize your setting! How cool is that? A castle courtyard, an underground office--anything! Plus it's free! Try it out and let me know what you think.

Ashley

The Book Shelph is......MOVING!!!

The same time I will expand my genre, the Book Shelph will be moving to a new URL. In the middle of august, the Book Shelph will look more like a website, and will have new and cool features. The genre will expand as I mentioned In a previous post. Continue to help me spread the word!!!!

Catch up Post

I have been in the middle of nowhere with no wifi, so that's my excuse for not posting :)

School is just around the corner! Nervous? Excited? I'm feeling pretty excited, my new website will be posted in just three weeks! I'm working on it and loving how its coming out.

This will be a rush post, I'm visiting family right now. But here is a preview of future posts I've been planning:

*A website I found that will help you will your story planning!

*Writing Nonfiction

*A book review for artists

*Sharing Writing

*Reading as a writer

*Starting a Blog

Gotta go eat! Hope this gets you excited!

Ashley

Tranistion Words, etc. etc.....

And, in addition to, furthermore, moreover, besides, than, too, also, both-and, another, equally important, first, second, etc., again, further, last, finally, not only-but also, as well as, in the second place, next, likewise, similarly, in fact, as a result, consequently, in the same way, for example, for instance, however, thus, therefore, otherwise.

Daily Prompt

Expanding Genre Coming Fall!

Hey guys! I'm home, my house smells like soap, I'm going swimming, and then hanging out with friends tonight. I am happy. I am also excited to let you know that The Book Shelph will be expanding its genre coming this fall! I will still post books and writing, but also homework helps, fun locker ideas, ways to take notes, etc. The Book Shelph will be a place for all middle schoolers to hang out, whether they care about books or not! Please spread the word, send emails, post on facebook, I would appreciate anything!!

Thank you so much guys!!

Ashley

Book Review: Texting the Underworld

 





















Texting the Underworld by Ellen Booraem

Summary:(amazon)

Perpetual scaredy-cat Conor O'Neill has the fright of his life when a banshee girl named Ashling shows up in his bedroom. Ashling is--as all banshees are--a harbinger of death, but she's new at this banshee business, and first she insists on going to middle school. As Conor attempts to hide her identity from his teachers, he realizes he's going to have to pay a visit to the underworld if he wants to keep his family safe.

"Got your cell?"
"Yeah . . . . Don't see what good it'll do me."
"I'll text you if anything happens that you should know."
"Text me? Javier, we'll be in the afterlife."
"You never know. Maybe they get a signal."

My Thoughts:

This was a really weird book based on the Celtic Religion. Weird as it was, it was also exciting, funny, and interesting. It was really slow at some parts, and crazy fast at others. The main character bothered me, he was just SO wimpy! Ashling was HILARIOUS, I loved her. I loved grump, Glennie, and the parents also. The writing was fine, nice and simple. Overall it was a fun book, but you have to just be patient at some scenes :)

Content: Cautious--one kissing scene, mildly scary elements, smoking references.

My Rating: 4 stars (I really liked it)

PG, 12 and UP

What makes you Happy? (prompt)

Hello There! Today's prompt is a little bit different. What makes you happy? Your family, summer, good food, friends, laughs...make a list! Then create a character who fears and despises all of those things, but is still a great person.

Book Review: Faith, Hope, and Ivy June

 
























Faith Hope and Ivy June by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor

Summary: (amazon)
  
When push comes to shove, two Kentucky girls find strength in each other.Ivy June Mosely and Catherine Combs, two girls from different parts of Kentucky, are participating in the first seventh-grade student exchange program between their schools. The girls will stay at each other’s homes, attend school together, and record their experience in their journals. Catherine and her family have a beautiful home with plenty of space. Since Ivy June’s house is crowded, she lives with her grandparents. Her Pappaw works in the coal mines supporting four generations of kinfolk. Ivy June can’t wait until he leaves that mine forever and retires. As the girls get closer, they discover they’re more alike than different, especially when they face the terror of not knowing what’s happening to those they love most.

My Thoughts:

I was really excited to read this and was disappointed. The title will make no sense. The writing is nice and it flows, I really enjoyed the characters. There was a lot of spunk and wit woven into the diary entries.  But the connection and growth in between Ivy June and Catherine is missing. When the trials hit, there are no emotions for the reader. Overall I liked the characters but the author didn't consider the reader. I think it would be a great discussion book, and its a nice and short read.

Content: Near to none--girl makes crude joke, boy\girl interactions

My Rating: 3 stars (it was decent)

PG, 12 and UP