home



=//**Welcome to our online classroom!**//=

This is the launch page for Licking Valley High School's Literature Circles, where groups of students get together in person and online to read and discuss literature they've selected.

Currently, we're in the group-forming stages. Students: If there's a book you'd like to read for lit circles, post a quick blurb about it on this page and link to a discussion thread. (Let me know if you need a hand doing that). Then, other students can browse your thread for more information, or to sign up as a group member.

One note about posting your group-starter idea: //**Please do your best to indicate whether multiple copies of your book idea are available**//. You can search the LVHS library as well as the Licking County Library information related to copies, and talk to me about whether we have copies as well.

**__ It is ultimately your responsibility to obtain a copy of your chosen book! __** Once we settle on clear groups, you'll be required to participate in online discussions regarding your book. There may be other assignments as well.

Please note: It is impossible for Mr. Caton, Ms. Stout, and Mrs. Vandersommers to pre-read every book that you might select. It is YOUR responsibility to make your parents or guardians aware of your book selection. If there are any concerns about this, please talk with your teacher.

By: //Sharon M. Draper// Description: The death of a high school Basketball star Rob Washington in an automobile accident affects the lives of his close friend Andy, who was driving the car, and others in the school. Group Memebers: Sarah Miller, Samantha Faught, and Kashaena Mitchell ||
 * [[image:TearsofaTiger.jpg width="133" height="200"]] || Tears of a Tiger


 * [[image:http://rgr-static1.tangentlabs.co.uk/media/9780142401750/dreamland.jpg width="138" height="201"]] || //Dream Land,// Sarah Dessen

Why do so many girls allow themselves to get into abusive relationships--and what keeps them there? In this riveting novel, Sarah Dessen searches for understanding and answers. Caught in a trap that is baited with love and need, Caitlin must frantically manage her every action to avoid being hit by the hands that once seemed so gentle. All around her are women who care--best friends, mother, sister, mentor--but shame keeps her from confiding in any of them, especially Cass, her brilliant older sister, whose own flight from home had seemed to point the way.


 * Group Members: Luanna McClain and Morgan Harris and Jordan Eitel** ||


 * [[image:http://t0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:G90snL-PJ2CurM:http://www.freewebs.com/the-cullen-clan/twilight.jpg width="140" height="189" link="http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.freewebs.com/the-cullen-clan/twilight.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.freewebs.com/the-cullen-clan/&usg=__ykIIM2jxAoCcJYaUSZ5iPJPz2l4=&h=500&w=334&sz=20&hl=en&start=17&um=1&tbnid=G90snL-PJ2CurM:&tbnh=130&tbnw=87&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dtwilight%26hl%3Den%26safe%3Dactive%26sa%3DN%26um%3D1"]] || //Twilight//, Stephenie Meyer

Bella Swan's move to Forks, a small, perpetually rainy town in Washington, could have been the most boring move she ever made. But once she meets the mysterious and alluring Edward Cullen, Bella's life takes a thrilling and terrifying turn. Up until now, Edward has managed to keep his vampire identity a secret in the small community he lives in, but now nobody is safe, especially Bella, the person Edward holds most dear. Deeply romantic and extraordinarily suspenseful, //Twilight// captures the struggle between defying our instincts and satisfying our desires. This is a love story with bite.

Copies: Two in LVHS Library, others elsewhere, but typically in high demand


 * Group Members:** ||


 * [[image:kite-runner.jpg width="133" height="214"]] || //The Kite Runner//, Khaled Hosseini

Amir is an upper-class Pashtun who has a conflicted friendship with Hassan, the son of his father’s servant. Much of the book centers on Amir’s guilt over an incident from his childhood and his struggle to redeem himself.

Copies: 2 in Mrs. Vandersommers' room, more available through LVHS media center and local libraries.

[|Discuss]


 * Group Members:** ||


 * [[image:White_Fang.jpg width="139" height="207"]] || //White Fang//, Jack London

This classic literary tale follows the life of a wolf in the great Northwest. White Fang must learn to survive in the wild, fighting other wolves, scavenging for food, and surviving harsh winters, but his journeys also take him into the world of domesticated animals. It's a short book and not too challenging to read.

Copies: 3 in Mr. Caton's room, more available through libraries and for free online.

[|Discuss]


 * Group Members:** ||


 * [[image:mrcaton:A_Civil_War.jpg width="135" height="209"]] || //A Civil War: Army vs. Navy -- A Year Inside College Football's Purest Rivalry,// by John Feinstein

What I like so much about this nonfiction book is not so much the football passages--though there are lot of them--but the way you get to see what life is like for students at the military academies. It's tough. Tough academically, tough physically. And that's not even counting what happens at football practice.

Copies: 4,all taken in Mr. Caton's Room

[|Discussion thread]


 * Group Members:** ||


 * [[image:mrcaton:The_Eye_of_the_World.jpg width="123" height="187"]] || //The Eye of the World//, Robert Jordan

Three small-town boys suddenly find themselves at the center of events leading up to the Great Battle at the end of time. This is one of my favorite fantasy series. It has great characters--including strong women characters which are often missing in fantasy stories. It's a long book, but the adventure is worth it.

Copies available: 5, in Mr. Caton's room.


 * Group Members:** ||


 * [[image:mrcaton:Fallen_Angels.jpg width="127" height="180"]] || //Fallen Angels,// Walter Dean Myers

This book is the story of a small group of soldiers trying to survive the Vietnam War. It looks at both the struggles of war as well as race relations within the army during Vietnam. One note: the book includes mature language and themes.

Copies: 8, in Mr. Caton's room group page [|Discuss]


 * Group Members:** ||


 * [[image:mrcaton:along_for_the_ride.jpg width="135" height="190"]] || //Along for the Ride,// Sarah Dessen

Newly graduated Auden goes to live with her father, his new wife and their baby for the summer in the beach town where they live. Auden obtains a job at a local boutique and is introduced to the world that she missed out on in high school: the world of girls, friends, gossip and guys. While wondering the nocturnal town one night, Auden realizes that she is not alone. She meets a fellow insomniac, Eli, and together they embark on different journeys together. For Auden, it's to experience that carefree teenage life she was denied and for Eli, it's to face (and forget) the guilt he feels in a friend's death.

Copies: ???

[|Follow me!] ||


 * [[image:Darth_Maul_-_Shadow_Hunter.jpg width="133" height="198"]] || //Darth Maul: Shadow Hunter,// Michael Reaver

There are dozens and dozens of books out there based upon the //Star Wars// series. This one tells a tale of Darth Maul - one of the villains from //Episode I: The Phantom Menace -// that doesn't appear in the films. There are several //Star Wars// books that are good reads; this one is fairly easy to get your hands on.

Copies: 1 Mr. Caton's room, five or more at the Newark library.


 * Group Members: Gage l, Brooklyn C, Jessica J** ||


 * [[image:http://www.westerncounties.ca/books/newteen/storm.jpg width="144" height="218"]] || //Stormbreaker//, Anthony Horowitz

A teenager named Alex Rider has just found out his uncle died in a car crash and was told he would have survived if he had been wearing a seatbelt. From the very beginning Alex felt this was very suspicious because he knew his uncle was always very careful and safe. Throughout the beginning of the story he finds clues that lead him to suspect his uncle died a different death than what he had been told. He finds out some information about his uncle that he didnt know before,

Copies: Two at Licking County Library


 * Group Members:** ||


 * [[image:A_Wrinkle_in_Time.jpg width="184" height="250"]] || //A Wrinkle in Time//, Madeleine L'Engle

In this classic fantasy tale, Meg Murray's father--a reknowned scientist--mysteriously disappears, leading Meg and her friends and family on a journey to--what else?--save the universe.

Copies: 3 in Mr. Caton's room, more available through libraries.

[|Discuss]


 * Group Members:** ||


 * [[image:glory_field.jpg width="124" height="200"]] || //The Glory Field//, Walter Dean Myers

//The Glory Field// is the story of an African-American family, from being taken from Africa into slavery through the years to modern times. It's a novel of racism, struggle, and and determination. Students tend to like Myers' pull-no-punches style.

Copies: 20+, in Mr. Caton's room

[|Discuss]


 * Group Members:** ||


 * [[image:Murder_on_the_Orient_Express.jpg width="140" height="203"]] || //Murder on the Orient Express//, Agatha Christie

Christie is well-known as a master of dectective and mystery tales. The famous dectective Poirot finds himself on a train (//The Orient Express//) that is stopped by an avalanche. The action picks up when Poirot discovers another passenger has been stabbed 12 times. ..

Copies: 6, in Mr. Caton's room

[|Discuss it], mystery fans.


 * Group Members:** ||


 * [[image:Anthem_Cover.jpg width="166" height="208"]] || //Anthe//m, //Ayn Rand//

Mankind has entered another Dark Age, where humans have lost a sense of individuality, technological advances have all but stopped, and learning has regressed--(people once again believe the world is flat.) Though unhappiness is against the law, so is having a friend, and some are burned at the stake for uttering the Unspeakable World. The main character, known as Equality 7-2521, begins to question this world and long for something more.

Copies: 20+, in Mr. Caton's room; audiobook and full text free online.


 * Group Members:** ||


 * [[image:n306148.jpg width="185" height="234"]] || //Shiver//, Maggie Stiefvater

For years, Grace has been fascinated by the yellow-eyed wolf that saved her from its pack when she was a child. Sam, bitten by a wolf as a boy, is that wolf. Long obsessed with each other at a distance, they finally meet after a wolf hunt (inspired by the apparent death of a local teen) sends a wounded and temporarily human Sam into Grace's arms. Their young love is facilitated by Grace's hands-off parents Once upon a time, I would've leaped at the rare opportunity of curling up with Mom on the couch. But now, it sort of felt like too little, too late, Grace muses), but threatened by two linked crises: the fact that Sam will soon lose the ability to become human and the instability of a new lycanthrope. Stiefvater skillfully increases the tension throughout; her take on werewolves is interesting and original while her characters are refreshingly willing to use their brains to deal with the challenges they face.


 * Group Members:**

[|Shiver Discussion] ||


 * [[image:http://lh3.ggpht.com/_AS3Nr1ChgcU/ScvXvtklbkI/AAAAAAAABts/xJhMfu13nxg/s288/DopeSick.jpg]] || //Dope Sick//, Walter Dean Myers

Walter Dean Myers writes about a kid named Lil John YEEEEEEEEAAAAHHHHHHHHHHH. Lil John needed cash fast so he makes a drug deal and it goes bad. Now Lil John is on the run. He would do any thing to change what he did.

Copies: Three in the English department


 * Group Members: Chody Barcus, Kanye Finklea** ||


 * [[image:Artemis_Fowl_first_edition_cover.jpg]] || //Artemis Fowl//, Eoin Colfer

Eoin Colfer describes his book, //Artemis Fowl//, as "//Die Hard// with fairies." He's not far wrong.

Twelve-year-old Artemis Fowl is the most ingenious criminal mastermind in history. With two trusty sidekicks in tow, he hatches a cunning plot to divest the fairyfolk of their pot of gold. Of course, he isn't foolish enough to believe in all that "gold at the end of the rainbow" nonsense. Rather, he knows that the only way to separate the little people from their stash is to kidnap one of them and wait for the ransom to arrive. But when the time comes to put his plan into action, he doesn't count on the appearance of the extrasmall, pointy-eared Captain Holly Short of the LEPrecon (Lower Elements Police Reconnaisance) Unit--and her senior officer, Commander Root, a man (sorry, elf) who will stop at nothing to get her back.

Copies: 4, in Ms. Stout's room

[|Discuss!]


 * Group Members:** ||


 * [[image:http://www.rosenbach.org/shopsite/media/AliceBook.jpg width="227" height="299" caption="external image AliceBook.jpg"]] || //Alice's Adventures in Wonderland,// Lewis Carrol

Alice is sitting by the bank of a stream, bored, when she notices the White Rabbit dressed in a waistcoat scurrying along. The rabbit stops to pull a pocket watch out of its waistcoat pocket, mutters to itself that it will be late for something, then scurries off and disappears down a hole. Alice follows the rabbit down the hole, and suddenly finds herself falling, though not so fast that she is in any danger... She finds herself in Wonderland.

Copies: Free, online


 * Group Members:** ||

group: Kailey Rutherford, Brooke Bennett, Meaghan Romine, and Halley Anderson
 * [[image:http://www.yourmoviestuff.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/12/Dear-John_290.jpg]] || Dear John, Nicholas Sparks

Dear John Group Page ||

Books with multiple copies to be added to the above list. If you're interested, earch the internet for more information until we can get a synopis and image listed above.

//All Creatures Great and Small//, James Herroit (4 copies in Mr. Caton's Room)

//Conquerer's Pride//, Timothy Zahn (2 Copies in Mr. Caton's room)

//Dark Dude//, Oscar Hijuelos (3 copies in the English dept.)

//Deeper//, Gordon and Williams (3 copies, English dept.)

//Eric//, Doris Lund (5 copies, Mr. Caton's room)

//Farenheit 451,// Ray Bradbury (2 in Mr. Caton's room, several at Newark Library)

//The Fellowship of the Ring//, J.R.R. Tolkien (4 copies in Mr. Caton's room)

//Goldengrove//, Francine Prose (4 copies, English Dept)

//I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings//, Maya Angelou (4 copies in Mr. Caton's room)

//Lyonesse//, Sam Llewellyn (2 copies, English dept.)

//My Antonia//, Willa Cather (10 copies in Mr. Caton's room)

//The Picture Bride//, Yoshiko Uchida (10 copies in Mr. Caton's room)

//Starclimber//, Kenneth Oppel (3 copies in English dept.)

//Treasure Island,// Stevenson (3 in Mr. Caton's room, others easily available)

//Twelfth Night//, Shakespeare (3 in Mr. Caton's room, free online)

//Watership Down//, Richard Adams (3 copies Mr. Caton's room)