Eye of the Storm

This book by author Kate Messner is a future meteorologist's dream. Jaden lives in a world where giant storms are an everyday occurrence and her dad is at the forefront of the latest meteorology technology to study these storms. Or a least everyone is made to believe that it is what Jaden's father does. He has even created an entire community safe from the monster tornadoes that are destroying farmland all over Oklahoma. Jaden is spending the summer with her father and his new family while she studies meteorology in his "Eye On Tomorrow" school for young meteorology students. They are said to take the best and the brightest to study storms to hopefully someday find a way to stop these out of control storm systems. Jaden soon realizes not all is what it seems in this quiet StormSafe community when she meet Alex a local farm boy who is also going to the school. Alex lives on a nearby farm outside of the community and his main goal is to find a way to stop these storms that keep destroying parts of his farm.  He gets Jaden on board with the project and the science/detective works begins. The more research Jaden and Alex do the more they realize that there is something very strange about these large storms and that they might not be normal natural disasters.

This is a wonderful book for Tweens and Teens especially those who love science. Kate Messner clearly spent time with a meteorologist in order to use correct language and storm science in the book. It also leads to a lot of great questions that could be explored in a science class. There is a nice mystery element to keep the reader guessing what is really going on in this community which helps keep the interest of less science orientated teens. The bit of teen romance, in a sweet and innocent way, adds interest to the characters and also helps to attract a broader audience. This book is worth reading and if nothing else will be a creative and original take on a teen literature.

Grumpy Cat

I bought this book a few years ago on a bit of a whim since I love cats. It was one of those days I was at the book store pulling things that looked interesting and new. After I brought it home, I sat down to actually read it and was pleased I had picked it up.

Grumpy Cat is a book about a cat that everyone thinks is grumpy, but he is really just lonely. The other cats never even try to play with Grumpy Cat because he looks too grumpy. This all changes one day when Grumpy Cat gets stuck out in the pouring rain. He is soaked and soon looks down and sees a little kitten has taken refuge between Grumpy Cats paws. When the rain stops, Grumpy Cat tries to walk away from Kitten, but Kitten thinks she has found a friend and follows Grumpy Cat. Grumpy Cat tries to lose Kitten in many different ways, but Kitten just keeps following and trying to play. Finally Grumpy Cat climbs up a tree, and while Kitten is trying to reach him she starts to fall. Quickly, Grumpy Cat catches her and makes sure she is safe. Then, he even goes and gets a fish for them to share. Grumpy Cat and Kitten from then on become best friends.

This book is obviously for very young children. I have found this book especially good for Pre-K and Kindergarten students at the beginning of the school year. We talk about getting to know someone before deciding what you think about them. Many young students are shy their first year of school, and some just haven't learned how to make friends. This book leads to a good discussion on how to help children learn to make friends. Students also enjoy the large pictures and fall in love with Grumpy Cat.