Imagine, you are sitting in Ms. Battle's classroom and she suddenly disapears. One second there and the next... gone. What would you do? How about if everyone over the age of 18 "poofed" out of thin air? In Gone, you will get to read a first hand account, in a dystopian universe. Will kids be able to survive on their own? When your 18th birthday arrives do you disappear? There are so many questions to be answered. They quickly discover they are trapped in some sory of dome, that they cannot see out of.

Sam has been delagated as the leaded of the community of kids- a job he did not ask for or want. With food supplies dangerously low, secrets come out, and magic is discovered. This is the first book in a 9 book series. Every page keeps you guessing. Follow Sam on his jounrey to find out what is happening in Perido Beach and if the parents ever come back or if the kids self-destruct without suppervison.

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Ms. Battle's Opinion:

I love, love, this series. Besides The Hunger Games, this is my favorite young adult series. I have read all 9 books and own them all if you are interested in reading the series. I recommend this series for 5th grade and older students. As the series progresses, the story becomes dark.

Tragedy struck in 1937, now are all the guest of Hotel Ruby destined for the same fate?

Audrey and her brother, Daniel, just lost their mother three months ago. No one is handing it well. Their dad is shipping them off to live with their grandmother, who they have only met a handful of times. During the trip, the family takes a stop at the Hotel Ruby to rest for the night. They noticed the weirdness right away. Their short detour quickly becomes a three night stay. To a forver stay?

Daniel and Audrey have become fascinated with the longterm guests of the hotel. The workers of the hotel warn Audrey of the strage occuraces and beg her to say away from the guests. Only Audrey is dying to get an invitation to the mystery party that happens every night. Her father and Daniel have recieved an invitation, why hasn't she? She also needs to find out what is going on with creepy concerige. Audrey has a lot of questions before she can leave this hotel. If she can ever leave.

Mrs. Battle's Opinion:

This story is chilling. It left me up at night. I did not expect what happened to happen. In the words of Joey Tribbian, "Put that book in the freezer!!" I had no idea what was actually happening in the story till the final few chapters of the book. I thought I knew- then out of nowhere the truth is revealed.

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ELAGSE8RL2: Determine a theme and/or central idea of a text and analyze its development over the course of the text, including its relationship to the characters, setting, and plot; provide an objective summary of the text.

This book has opened my eyes to the pain and trials that Central Americans and Mexicans face trying to find a new life in the states. I was under many assumptions about immigration and immigrants. I have learned that many immigrants try multiple times to get into the states. Some are deported back to their home country, turn right around and try again. Enrique tried the jounry 8 times to get to his mother. That is the common goal on this deadly journey, to find the mothers that have left them. Most want to know if their mothers still love their children. It has been 11 years since Enrique's mother left to find a better life in the states. She told her self she would be gone for one year at the most- that was 10 years ago and she has never been back. She sends money, clothes and toys for her kids, but nothing fills the ache in their hearts for their mother. Once Enrique realizes his mother is never coming back, he makes the decision to find her himself. His journey is not easy and left tears in my eyes multiple times. I praise Sonia Nazario, the author, for daring the exact journey Enrique took to find his mom. It is very dangerous, but Sonia did it to have the most accurate account of Enrique's jounrey.

Mrs. Battle's Opinion:

I have a new perspective after reading this book. This journey is one that I did not know occured. I was ignorant to the fact that many mothers leave their children in hopes for a better life.

Standards Related:

ELAGSE9-10RI3: Analyze how the author unfolds an analysis or series of ideas or events, including the order in which the points are made, how they are introduced and developed, and the connections that are drawn between them.

ELAGSE11-12RI3: Analyze a complex set of ideas or sequence of events and explain how specific individuals, ideas, or events interact and develop over the course of the text.