Thursday, June 28, 2012

Do you like to read? Do you like to share your opinions with fellow readers? Do you want to expand your reading horizons and discover great new books? Welcome to the HFHS Abe Awards Program!

Each year, Illinois teachers, students, and librarians create the Abraham Lincoln Illinois High School Book Award List. Students who read at least four of the books on the list are eligible to vote for their favorite title.  We invite you to get involved by reading the Abe books, adding your reviews to this blog, and attending our special events throughout the school year.

Here's How to Get Started:

  • Register. You may stop in the library, send an email to jharper@hf233.org, or use the online registration form (link on the right).  
  • Read and Blog. Read and blog about at least four books by February 1st.  To use the blog, scroll down to find the book you want to comment on.  Choose "Anonymous" as the "Comment As" option, then sign just your first name and last initial at the end of your blog post. In your post, be creative! Tell us why you did or did not enjoy the book, comment on a favorite character or a connection you made, compare it to other books you've read...just don't tell us too much and spoil the book for other readers.
  • Attend Special Events. Meet fellow Abe readers at our Kick-Off (date), our Halfway There party, and the Abe Finale, complete with prizes and special awards!

Anna and the French Kiss

By Stephanie Perkins
Anna's father decides to send her to an elite American boarding school in Paris for her senior year.  Tell us what YOU think about this book.

Bruiser

By Neal Shusterman
Eerie events start to occur when twins Tennyson and Bronte befriend Bruiser, a troubled and misunderstood outcast.  Tell us what YOU think about this book.

The Chosen One

By Carol Lynch Williams
In a polygamous cult, Kyra is chosen to be the seventh wife of her uncle.  Tell us what YOU think of this book.

Clockwork Angel

By Cassandra Clare
Tessa must search for her missing brother in Victorian London's supernatural underworld.  Tell us what YOU think about this book.

Dark Song

By Gail Giles
Ames' new boyfriend seems so perfect, but he soon reveals a deadly dark side. Tell us what YOU think about this book.

Finnikin of the Rock

By Melina Marchetta
Finnikin must avenge his murdered royal family.  Tell us what YOU think about this book.

The Help

By Kathryn Stockett
With the civil rights movement growing around them, three women start a movement of their own. Tell us what YOU think about this book.

Impulse

By Ellen Hopkins
Three teens with three different issues connect at a mental hospital in Reno, Nevada.  Tell us what YOU think about this book.

Impossible

By Nancy Werlin
To save the life of her unborn daughter, Lucy must break an ancient elfin curse by performing three impossible tasks.  Tell us what YOU think about this book.

Leviathan

By Scott Westerfeld
Steampunk classic features an Austrian prince on the run from the Clanker Powers who are attempting to rule the world with mechanical machinery.  Tell us what YOU think about this book.

Little Brother

By Cory Doctorow
A young computer hacker fights back against the new police state created after a major terrorist attack on San Francisco.  Tell us what YOU think about this book.

Lockdown: Escape from Furnace 1

By Alexander Gordon Smith
Can Alex survive the brutal and eerie Furnace Penitentiary?  Tell us what YOU think about this book.

Matched

By Ally Condie
In Cassia's society, the government dictates everything: what to wear, what to eat, where to live...and whom to marry.  Tell us what YOU think about this book.

The Monstrumologist

By Rick Yancey
Will Henry chronicles his unusual apprenticeship with a scientist who hunts and studies real-life monsters. Tell us what YOU think about this book.

North of Beautiful

By Justina Chen Headley
Terra struggles with issues of inner and outer beauty.  Tell us what YOU think about this book.

Paranormalcy

By Kiersten White
It's Evie's job to capture paranormals for the International Paranormal Containment Agency.  Then she discovers she might not be as "normal" as she thinks she is.  Tell us what YOU think about this book.

Riker's High

By Paul Volponi
A New York City teen attends high school in jail, on Rikers Island.  Tell us what YOU think about this book.

Ship Breaker

By Paolo Bacigalupi
In a dystopian future, Nailer scavenges shipwrecks to survive.  One day, he finds something that changes his luck, and his life.  Tell us what YOU think about this book.

The Sky is Everywhere

By Jandy Nelson
In the months after her sister dies, Lennie discovers the strength to follow her dream of becoming a musician.  Tell us what YOU think about this book.

Thirteen Reasons Why

By Jay Asher
Clay receives a box containing 13 cassette tapes recorded by Hannah, revealing 13 reasons why she took her own life.  Tell us what YOU think about this book.

War

By Sebastian Junger
Gritty true story follows a platoon of Americans through a 15-month tour of duty in Afghanistan.  Tell us what YOU think about this book.

Will Grayson, Will Grayson

By John Green and David Levithan
Two teens, two towns, one last name, and lots of drama.  Tell us what YOU think about this book.