Photos from THE FINAL WORD 2010

A HUGE THANK YOU to our hosts!

 

THE FINAL WORD 2010

We had a beautiful day for travelling to Smithville Christian High School for our book club celebration "THE FINAL WORD 2010".  Many thanks to Mrs. de Groot-Dröge for hosting and organizing our day.  

All the various book clubs votes were tallied for the final total of the winning novel for our book clubs.  Megiddo's Shadow and The Boy in the Striped Pajamas, with both 4 votes each are tied for third place.  The book of Negroes came in second with 9 votes and the winner with 28 votes is THE HUNGER GAMES by Suzanne Collins.

A presentation by Mr. Eric Walters author of many novels for young adults was enjoyed by all.

THE FINAL WORD 2010 is coming SOON....

Celebrate reading and being an active book club member by attending THE FINAL WORD 2010!!! Hosted by Smithville Christian High School on Thursday March 4, 2010.  Featured author Eric Walters will be there!  The winner of the voting for the "Christian High School Book club book of the year" will be announced.  Join us for a day of celebration!  Contact your own participating Christian high school librarian for more information.

HOW TO LEAVE A COMMENT

You can now leave a comment by using anonymous.  Please put your first name and your school letters at the end of your comment.

The FINAL WORD 2010

Join us on Thursday, March 4, 2010 when we meet with the other book clubs at Smithville CHS and celebrate books with author Eric Walters.

Safe as houses by Eric Walters

From the Publisher

The date is October 15, 1954. Thirteen-year-old Elizabeth, who lives in the Toronto suburb of Weston, is a typical grade 8 girl. She has a secret crush on a boy in her class and she thinks Elvis Presley is "dreamy." Elizabeth also has a part-time job babysitting an adorable little grade 2 girl named Suzie, and Suzie's not-so-adorable grade 6 brother, David. Elizabeth's job is to walk Suzie and David home after school and then stay at their house with them until their mother gets home from …+ read moreThe date is October 15, 1954. Thirteen-year-old Elizabeth, who lives in the Toronto suburb of Weston, is a typical grade 8 girl. She has a secret crush on a boy in her class and she thinks Elvis Presley is "dreamy." Elizabeth also has a part-time job babysitting an adorable little grade 2 girl named Suzie, and Suzie's not-so-adorable grade 6 brother, David. Elizabeth's job is to walk Suzie and David home after school and then stay at their house with them until their mother gets home from work. David resents Elizabeth because he thinks he is too old for a babysitter, and he goes out of his way to make life miserable for her.

On this particular evening, however, Elizabeth has more than a badly behaved boy to contend with. It is on this October night that Hurricane Hazel roars down on Toronto, bringing torrential rains that cause extensive flooding. David and Suzie's house is on Raymore Drive, a street that will be practically wiped out by the floodwaters.

David and Suzie's parents are unable to reach the house, which means the children's safety on this most deadly of nights is Elizabeth's responsibility. She finds herself increasingly isolated. They are surrounded by rising water. The electricity goes out. The phone goes dead. Still, Elizabeth is sure they will be safe as long as they remain in the house.

But are Elizabeth and the children really as "safe as houses"? Before this terrifying night is over, Elizabeth and David will have to learn to communicate and cooperate if they are to save their own lives and Suzie's. Their survival in the midst of one of Canada's worst disasters will depend upon their resourcefulness, maturity and courage.

About the Author

Eric Walters published his first novel, Stand Your Ground, in 1993, and has since become one of Canada's best known and most prolific writers of literature for children and young adults. He has had 39 novels published, including Safe as Houses. Eric's books are available in places as far away as Australia and New Zealand, and have been translated into French, Dutch, Japanese and Chinese. Eric's novels have won more than 30 awards; among them the Red Maple, Blue Heron, Snow Willow, tiny Torgi and …+ read moreEric Walters published his first novel, Stand Your Ground, in 1993, and has since become one of Canada's best known and most prolific writers of literature for children and young adults. He has had 39 novels published, including Safe as Houses. Eric's books are available in places as far away as Australia and New Zealand, and have been translated into French, Dutch, Japanese and Chinese. Eric's novels have won more than 30 awards; among them the Red Maple, Blue Heron, Snow Willow, tiny Torgi and Ruth Schwartz awards. Eric has also received awards from the Canadian Library Association and UNESCO. He is the only writer who has won the Ontario Library Association Silver Birch Award three times. A long-time teacher, Eric still interacts with children and teenagers, doing presentations that blend storytelling, drama and audience participation. In his research for Safe as Houses, Eric interviewed people who had survived the great storm, and incorporated some of their actual experiences into the story.

Megiddo's shadow by Arthur Slade

Fueled by anger at the death of his two brothers in World War I, 16-year-old Edward abandons his ailing father on their farm and leaves Canada to enlist. After proving that he can tame any wild horse, he's is sent to Jordan to fight with the Cavalry.

Luckily, his horse is the extraordinary Buke; in battle, a trooper's horse is the key to life and death, and his true companion. In the harsh desert, Edward is grateful for the camaraderie of his tent mates, Cheevers and Blackburn,and letters from Emily, a nurse he met at base camp. As they close in on the enemy Edward finds that the glory and noble vengeance he seeks is replaced by the horror of war and the realization that he must fight not only to survive, but also, to kill.

About the Author

Arthur Slade is the author of Dust, a national bestseller and the winner of the 2001 Governor General's award for children's fiction, the Mr. christie's Book award and the saskatchewan Book award. His novel Tribes was acla Young adult honour Book and was nominated for five other literary prizes. He is also the author of Monsterology, the Canadian Chills series and Northern Frights series. Arthur Slade and his wife and daughter live in Saskatoon. Visit his website at www.arthurslade.com.