Dead Girls' Dance by Rachel Caine

Summary:

The second book in the Morganville Vampires series "Dead Girls' Dance" leaves off exactly where "Glass Houses"ends. Claire Danvers a super smart sixteen year old who is going to college in Morganville and her roommates, Michael who is a ghost by day and human by night, Shane the hunky unemployed protector, and Eve the vampire hating goth. They all find themselves in the middle of a human-vampire war involving Shane's father Frank Collins and the vampire community including Eve's ex-boss Oliver and the reigning vampire queen Amelie. Will Shane get pulled into his Father's revenge war or will he be set free by his roommates Eve, Clarie, and Michael?

My Opinion:

I really enjoyed the first book of this series "Glass houses" and was excited to read the sequel, but unfortunately I was disappointed with "Dead Girls' Dance". I felt the plot never went anywhere and a couple of times I thought to myself "where is the story going?". For most of the novel I felt like Caine could have summed it up in a few chapters than dragging the story out to 200+ pages. I felt the book could have been saved if there was a little more action, I enjoyed the last 50 pages because finally the plot thickened and Caine had me on the edge of my seat. But again this didn't happen until the last 50 pages. Overall "Dead Girls' Dance" was unorganized and boring, missing its action and vampire mayhem until the last few pages. I am not sure if I will read the third installment "Midnight Alley" of the Morganville Vampires series, maybe if my pile of books to read decreases!

Morganville Vampires Series by Rachel Caine
The Glass Houses

Dead Girls' Dance

Midnight Alley

Feast of Fools

Lords of Misrule

Carpe Corpus

Sea Change by Aimee Friedman

Summary:
Miranda Merchant loves science and all things logical which doesn't make her much different from her Mom who is a doctor. That is until she spends the summer at The Mariner her grandmother's house on Selkie Island. Where Miranda discovers her mother's family history, especially her striking resemblance to her grandmother. Miranda tentatively arrives at Selkie Island because of it's mysterious surroundings and legends but as soon as she sets foot in the old dusty Mariner, her uncertainty is washed away by the sea salt air and clear breeze. The summer wouldn't be complete without a boy crush, and Miranda has her eye on Leo a sun drenched blond who meets her on the beach. Leo doesn't seem to be the typical boy, there is something about him that stands out? She notices the colors red and gold painted on his house, sea figures adorning his porch, and he seems to appear out of no where when Miranda is on the beach? All signs showing Leo might just be a merman? Can Miranda look past her hard science and logic and really believe in such creatures?

My Opinion:
I was very anxious to read "Sea Change", but unfortunately I was very disappointed with the story. "Sea Change" had a great underlying story of Miranda falling for a merman, this idea in itself was very original, but Friedman really didn't develop the plot any differently then the other bazillion teen love stories. I was teased a little too much as a reader. Miranda never finds out if Leo is truly a merman and for me this was a disappointment. I know that Friedman left this affirmation out for the readers own imagination to run with the idea, but I am the type that loves to get to know other worldly creatures during a story. I would have been more curious about the story if Friedman included more of the myths and history behind the oceanic creatures of Selkie Island. For instance Leo's character could have been more developed by elaborating on these myths and histories. Overall "Sea Change" did include an average coming of age story with Miranda going from a closed analytical responsible teen to an open, self aware teen, leaving Selkie Island a whole new girl. I enjoyed the relationship and bond that formed between Miranda and her mother. Because of their experience on Selkie Island they both softened and blossomed into tranquil women. Having Miranda and her mom share in this change created a life long bond that will always stay in their memory whether they are on Selkie Island or in their native New York City.

Opposite Storytime on Friday September 25, 2009

Storytime this week was Opposites, overall it went well, although I think the theme would be more appropriate for older kids. This is hard during our storytime because we have all ages attend. We had a few today that were Pre-K that seemed interested but then the toddlers were easily getting distracted.

Books:

Big, Bigger, Biggest by Nancy Coffelt

A great book, which I feel illustrates opposites very well, while also learning about animals. The book is quite long for the little ones so I would use the book for older ages Pre-K and up.

Domino by Claire Masurel Illustrated by David Walker

A cute short book that is good for all ages. The illustrations are soft and super adorable. I had the kids count and bark during the story. "Domino" is very interactive.

Mimi's Book of Opposites by Emma Chichester Clark

Also a great book for the younger ages and illustrates opposites well. Sibling monkeys demonstrate opposite by doing the opposite of each other. Demonstrates brother and sister bonds especially the younger brother and older sister type. Simple and easy to read!

Songs:
Shake My Sillies Out by Raffi
Turn Around by Hap Palmer (Great opposite song)

Fingerplays:
I did the following "opposite" fingerplays!

Open, Shut Them- Action of Open and Shut illustrates an opposite!

Open, Shut them,

Open, Shut them,

Give a tittle Clap!
Open, Shut them,
Open, Shut them,
Hide behind you Back!
Creep them, Creep them,
Slowly upward, right up to your cheek.
Open wide you shiny eyes,
And through your fingers peek.
Open, Shut them,
Open, Shut them,
Give a little clap!
Open, Shut them,
Open, Shut them,
Lay them in your lap.

Eensy Weensy Spider- Doing different sizes of spider help identify opposites!
Eensy Weensy Spider
Climber up the water spout.
Down came the rain
And washed that spider out!
Out came the sun
And dried up all the rain,
And Eensy Weensy Spider
Climber up the spout again!
(Then do "Itsy Bitsy Spider" and make really small movements with a small voice)
(Then do "Great Big Hairy Spider" and make really large movements with a large voice)

-Next storytime will be "All About the Library"-