Gamers Are Readers - Recently Updated Pages

Gamers Are Readers Home

lindseywesson — Wed, 01 Apr 2009 10:36:34 CDT

This wiki is a companion site to presentations presented by Lori Easterwood and/or Lindsey Wesson on gaming in the libraries. Both Lindsey and Lori are equally committeed to promoting gaming in libraries as they are to conserving our Earth's natural resources and as such, ask that you print out only what you need. Thanks!

Click here to see the article Lindsey and Lori wrote for School Library Journal.

We are continuously loading information into this wiki, so keep checking back for more information

Books for Gamers

Brochures

Links

Presentation

Connecting the Wii to a Projector

Contact Us

Books with Gaming Plots

lindseywesson — Tue, 03 Feb 2009 15:08:19 CST

The following titles have gaming plots or contain a gaming element to them.

The Worldweavers Series - Alma Alexander

User Unfriendly -Vivian Vande Velde

Heir Apparent - Vivian Vande Velde

Virtual War Chronologs series by Gloria Skurzynski

Epic and Saga by Conor Kostick

Discordia by Dena K. Salmon

Head Games by Mariah Fredericks

Brainboy and the Deathmaster by Tor Seidler

39 clues by Scholastic

Cathy's Book and Cathy's Key by Sean Stewart and Jordan Wiseman

Connecting the Wii to a Projector

lindseywesson — Thu, 04 Dec 2008 09:51:06 CST

The following is a painfully simple step-by-step guide to connecting a Wii to a projector and setting up a two person bowling game. A Microsoft Word version is available here. This guide assumes that you already know how to turn on your projector.

Disclaimer: I am not a professional techie, nor am I incredibly adept at all things technical (as is evidenced by the wonky way some of my pictures turned out). As such, I am not responsible for anything that may go awry due to the following directions.

You will need all of the items on the left in order to set up a game of Wii bowling using a projector

*Wired Sensor Bar: comes with your Wii and is not ideal to use with a projector.
*Wireless Sensor Bar: is sold seperately, but is ideal to use with a projector

Note: The nunchuks are not needed for a game of bowling.

Not pictured: Wii Sports Disc and projector

Before Step 1: Plug in your Projector (do not turn it on just yet) and set your projector and Wii side-by-side in the proper location.

STEP ONE:
Plug the Wii's power cord into the Wii and into your outlet

(I recommend a surge protector, because my husband says so. I think the main purpose is because the surge protectors usually have more than one outlet)

STEP TWO:
Plug the Wii's AV cord into the Wii and then plug the 3 color-coded prongs into
the appropriately colored outlets on the projector

**If using a Wireless Sensor Bar, skip to Step Five
STEP THREE:
Plug the Wii's Sensor Bar cord into the appropriate outlet on the Wii

(it is orange in its recessed part, though frankly, each of these
cords can only go in their proper outlet)

STEP FOUR:
Position the Wii's Sensor Bar as close to the screen as you can get it

Note: The sensor bar needs to be at waist level in a set-up like this, and while
this works fine it is not ideal. I highly recommend purchasing a wireless sensor
bar. They average about 20 bucks and are well worth it to clear space for your gaming
area. (See next picture.)

STEP FIVE (Only for those using the Wireless Sensor Bar):
Position the Wireless Sensor Bar below the screen and turn it on.

Note: try to elevate the sensor bar for best results. You may still have to play around
with the Sensor Bar settings, for more detailed instructions, click here.

At this point, turn on your Projector.
STEP SIX and SEVEN
Insert your Wii Sports disc into the Console, which will automatically turn it on.

Since presumably everything is working fine, I'm going to desist with the whole "steps". Also, the Wii is great about walking you through the next part. Instead of saying "follow the directions", I will give some hints and tips.

Press "A"

Just give it a few seconds - this is just one of the many safety warnings the Wii
gives, in case you are a klutz like me.

Press "A" and "B" at the same time, just like the diagram shows.
When demonstrating this with a new player, I call this "the squeeze"

Move your "hand" over "Bowling" and hit "A"

When selecting the number of players, pay attention to how many wii controllers are highlighted. If it is just one controller, but you choose 2 players, the controller will have
to be passed back and forth between players. Which is fine, but if you have more controllers, simply hit any button on the controller to turn it on (note: don't press the power button on the controller as that will turn the whole console off)

Many of the other Wii Sports games require more than one controller to be turned on.

Now we're in business!!

(A)
When choosing players for your game, you may have some Mii's stored, such as the four on the left (I'm the fetching Mii in blue); however, when playing with a group, you will most likely choose "Guest". Place your "hand" over "Guest" or the Mii you wish to use and press "A".

(B)
These are the "guest" Miis you can choose from. Place your "hand" over the Mii you wish to choose and hit "A".

(C)
Because you aren't using a saved Mii, this message will pop up. Just move
your "hand" over "Yes" and hit "A".

(D)
For this screen, "R" is the default. That means that this player is right-handed or
plans on operating the controller with their right hand. If this is the case, simply select "OK" by placing your "hand" over the "OK" and hitting "A". If you need to change any of the selections to accommodate a lefty, place the "hand" over the appropriate "L" and hit "A". Select "OK" when you are finished.

You will need to complete steps A-D for every person that is playing.

Once you have completed steps A-D for all of the players, a screen similar to this
one will confirm your players. If everything is okay, move your "hand" to "OK" and hit "A".

If not, you may change one or more of the Mii's by choosing "Change"

Another safety warning. Simply hit "A".

Note: the "A" in the bottom right of the screen is flashing at this point. When that happens,
it means that you can hit "A" instead of selecting anything by moving the "hand".

Before bowling your first frame, you will need to do the "squeeze" again.

This screen lets you know whose turn it is. That player will hit "A" to bowl his/her
frame.

Note: Remember that this "A" will be flashing, letting you know that you just have to hit "A" instead of moving your "hand" and selecting anything.

This is the way I like to demonstrate how to bowl:

First I explain that "B" is what I like to call the "trigger" (this tends to register better with beginners). As I am demonstrating, I say: "Pretend that the controller is the bowling ball and the trigger is your fingers in the hole. So, your starting position is holding the ball (indicate controller) *here* (like the diagram to the left) and your fingers are in the holes (indicate that the trigger is pressed) so press the trigger and hold it. When you bowl, you keep your fingers in the hole until you are ready to let the ball go, so keep the trigger pressed until you are ready to release the ball." Then I demonstrate. "Like this (as I follow through with my bowl I say) hold, hold, hold, and release the trigger (when I release the ball)." Then I demonstrate again (unless by some miracle I get a strike on the first bowl).

The second demonstration explains how to use the arrows and is the shortened version:
"Controller Up. Press the trigger. Hold and Bowl. Release."

Note: Since I am using the first frame to demonstrate - that takes away from player one's play time (unless you are player one). Usually, this isn't a bad thing because I tend to bowl an okay score, but it is worth mentioning that whoever player one is might have to sacrifice their first frame for demonstration purposes.

Happy Bowling!

Brochures

lindseywesson — Thu, 04 Dec 2008 08:47:19 CST

Below are links to brochures that Lori and I created in Microsoft Word. These are for helping gamers find books that they are interested in and may be reproduced and used in your library or classroom for educational purposes only.

Action and Shooter Booklist
Tri-fold brochure featuring titles that would be a good recommendation for fans of Action and Shooter Games. Last updated October 2008.

Adventure and RPG Booklist
Tri-fold brochure featuring titles that would be a good recommendation for fans of Adventure and RPG Games. Last updated October 2008.

Simulation and Strategy Booklist
Tri-fold brochure featuring titles that would be a good recommendation for fans of Simulation and Strategy Games. Last updated October 2008.

Gaming in your Library Links brochure
This brochure contains links and titles of library gaming resources. The brochure was created for trainings and workshops for how to start gaming programs in libraries. Most of the links included in this brochure can be found here. Last updated December 2008.

Presentation

lindseywesson — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 11:22:42 CST

Please contact us for permission to use any of our presentation materials. We are happy to share, but want to make sure that the material is used appropriately.

Gamers Are Readers Presentation

Contact Us

lindseywesson — Fri, 31 Oct 2008 17:51:28 CDT

Lori Easterwood
leasterwood@saclibrary.org

Lindsey Wesson
lindseywesson@mac.com

Links

lindseywesson — Fri, 31 Oct 2008 17:42:33 CDT

Below are links that were covered in our presentation and other links that pertain to library gaming.

Gaming Vocabulary
Infopeople's Gaming Glossary
About.com's Internet Gaming Glossary

Videogame Ratings and Reviews
Gamespot
Gamespy
Teen Ink
Game Rankings

Booklists and Other Teen Reader's Advisory
Gaming at Your Library wiki
Teen Reads

Gaming in Your Library
100 Resources for Gaming in your Library

Action and Shooters

lindseywesson — Fri, 31 Oct 2008 15:49:11 CDT

The following titles have elements in common with Action and Shooter videogames. They contain one or more of the following elements:

Suspense
Combat/warfare/fighting
Heightened physical abilities
Gadgetry
Science Fiction/Fantasy

If you would like a print brochure that includes some of the titles listed below, click here.

Grades 4-7

Alcatraz Versus the Evil Librarians—Brandon Sanderson
Alcatraz Smedry is the klutzy 13-year-old hero trying to save the world from a group of evil librarians.

Artemis Fowl – Eoin Colfer
Boy-genius Artemis Fowl kidnaps a fairy for the gold ransom and ends up with his hands full as he must contend with the feisty fairy, trolls, dwarfs and the Lower Elements Police.

Eager – Helen Fox
The Bell family’s experimental new robot Eager, must help young Gavin uncover the secrets of the sleek and eerily smart BDC4 robots that are becoming popular among the wealthy families.

The Golden Hour—Maiya Williams
Thirteen year old Rowan and his friends must travel back in time to revolutionary France in order to save his younger sister before the golden hour.

H.I.V.E.: The Higher Institute of Villainous Education—Mark Walden
Otto Malpense and his other genius friends choose to not be the world’s next supervillains and must escape their captors.

Jimmy Coates: Assassin – Joe Craig
11 year old Jimmy suddenly receives superhero-like physical abilities and must use them to outwit a mysterious organization that has kidnapped his parents.

Larklight – Philip Reeve
Siblings Art and Myrtle must battle evil forces to save each other and the universe in this original Victorian tale set in outer space.

The Misadventures of Bartholomew Piff: You Wish – Jason Lethcoe
Eleven year old Benjamin Bartholomew Piff is granted unlimited wishes and a chain of events is set in motion that threatens the magical realm of wishes and curses.

The Navigator—Eoin McNamee
One day, the time in Owen’s world shifts and he must help the Resistors in their battle to defeat the Harsh from stopping time and ending the world that Owen knows.

Peter and the Starcatchers – Dave Barry
Orphaned Peter and his friends must fight pirates, storms, and evil kings onboard the NeverLand, a ship carrying a mysterious trunk.

Savvy—Ingrid Law
Mibs must use her newly obtained magical power, or “savvy” to journey to the hospital and save her father.

Simon Bloom, The Gravity Keeper—Michael Reisman
An 11 year old boy discovers a book that allows him to bend the laws of physics and must protect it from those who want to use it for evil.

Spy Force – Deborah Abela
Max’s imaginary SpyForce world comes to life in this series complete with spies, adventures and thrills.

True Meaning of Smekday – Adam Rex
Gratuity “Tip’s” mother is kidnapped by aliens and it is up to Tip and Boov, her alien mechanic friend, to find and save her mother.

Grades 8+
Airborn - Kenneth Oppel
Aboard the airship, the Aurora, Matt and Kate discover winged creatures, battle pirates and get shipwrecked on an uncharted island.
T
he Dangerous Days of Daniel X—James Patterson & Michael Ledwidge
Daniel X must use his superhuman abilities to protect a list inherited from his murdered father in order to save the world from intergalactic threats.

Evil Genius – Catherine Jinks
Cadel Piggot must use his super genius hacker skills to flee the Axis Institute for World Domination, a school for would-be villains.

Fight Game—Kate Wild
After getting caught by the police, Freedom Smith must infiltrate an underground fighting club targeting teenagers.

The Fire of Ares—Michael Ford
Lysander must battle his way to fulfill his destiny as a Spartan warrior.

Hollow People - Brian Keaney
Two dreaming teenagers break the ultimate law and must join with rebel forces to save themselves and their world.

Hunger Games -Suzanne Collins
In Panem, each district sends one boy and one girl to appear in an annual televised event called, "The Hunger Games." The terrain, rules, and level of audience participation may change but one thing is constant: kill or be killed.

Icecore: A Carl Hobbes Thriller—Matt Whyman
Carl’s computer hacking lands him in a high security, Arctic prison for terrorists.

Sleeper Code - Sniegoski
Tom discovers that during his blackouts he is being trained as a ruthless assassin. This discovery makes him the target for assassination.

Spy High – A.J. Butcher
Spy High is a special high school that teaches its students the most modern skills in combat-training, computer hacking and espionage.

Starship Troopers – Robert Heinlein
Johnnie Rico enlists in the Federations army to fight interstellar aliens but first must survive the grueling boot camp.

Storm: The Infinity Code—E.L. Young
Three talented teens join forces to dismantle a deadly global weapon and the psychotic scientist who created it.

Stormbreaker – Anthony Horowitz
Alex Rider is blackmailed into working for the Special Operations Division of Britain’s MI6

TIM, Defender of the Earth—Sam Enthoven
Tyrannosaurus: Improved Model (TIM) is a terrifying monster to most, but friend and ally to three teenagers trying to save the world.

Truancy—Isamu Fukui
A group of former students, called the Truancy, must fight against the autocratic Mayor and his deadly Educators.

Uglies by Scott Westerfield
Tally is forced to flee her beautiful, technologically-advanced world with nothing but a hoverboard and an encoded map to help her.

Xenocide Mission – Ben Jeapes
Joel’s surveillance team is attacked during routine maintenance on a spacecraft and the young officers must fend for their lives on a nearby planet.

The Young Bond Series – Charlie Higson
This series follows the adventures of a young James Bond.

Strategy

lindseywesson — Fri, 31 Oct 2008 15:47:59 CDT

The following titles have elements in common with Strategy videogames. They contain one or more of the following elements:

Decision Making
First Person
Puzzles/Riddles/Codes
Suspense
Mystery

If you would like a print brochure that includes some of the titles listed below, click here.

Grades 4-7

Chasing Vermeer - Blue Balliett
As Petra and Calder are drawn clue by clue into a mystery, they must draw on their powers of intuition and their problem solving skills to solve a crime that has stumped the FBI.

The City of Ember series - Jeanne DuPrau
When the city’s storerooms run out of food and the lights begin to fail, it’s up to two teens, Lina and Doon, to decipher the fragments of an ancient parchment and find a way out of Ember.

The Game of Sunken Places - M.T. Anderson
Gregory and Brian must develop a strategy to defeat a dangerous board game that has come to life before their time runs out.

The Hound of Rowan - Henry H. Neff
Students at the Rowan Academy must win magical scenarios on The Course to hone their skills and move up levels in the school.

The London Eye Mystery - Siobhan Dowd
Ted and Kat follow a trail of clues across London in a desperate bid to find their cousin.

Mysterious Benedict Society – Trenton Lee Stewart
After passing a series of mind-bending tests, four children are selected for a secret mission that requires them to go undercover at the Learning Institute for the Very Enlightened.

The Name of this Book is Secret – Pseudonymous Bosch
Cass and Max-Ernest discover the lost diary of a dead magician and must follow the riddles and clues within it to solve the mystery surrounding the magician’s death.

The Puzzling World of Winston Breen – Eric Berlin
To solve a very old scavenger hunt, Winston Breen and his family must overcome mysterious threats, mutual mistrust, and ruthless participants.

The Riddles of Epsilon - Christine Morten-Shaw
Jess encounters an eerie presence in an abandoned cottage, and it begins to lead her through a series of creepy riddles.

The Seems: The Glitch in Sleep—John Hulme
When a Glitch makes its way into the Department of Sleep, Becker is called in for his very first Fixer assignment and he’s got to get it right. But this Mission is tricky, and his regular Tools aren’t up to the test.

Tomorrow Code - Brian Falkner
Tane and Rebecca begin to receive encoded message from their future selves! Something has gone terribly wrong and they must decode the messages to save their future.

The Westing Game - Ellen Raskin
An unlikely assortment of possible heirs must solve the mystery of the eccentric millionaire’s death before claiming their inheritance.

Grades 8 and up

And Then There Were None - Agatha Christie
10 strangers are lured to Indian Island by a mysterious host. Unable to leave the island, the guests begin to share their darkest secrets--until they begin to die.

The Chaos Code - Justin Richards
Matt and Robin must re-discover the ancient code that ruined the city of Atlantis and prevent it from falling into the hands of an evil man bent on destroying the modern world.

Dream Spinner - Bonnie Dobkin
Jori’s little sister has been missing for months when Jori stumbles upon a strange house and meets Professor DePris, who shows her a magical tapestry woven with dreams.

Endymion Spring – Matthew Skelton
Time periods intertwine as Blake Winters comes to realize the vital importance of the book he possesses – one that is sought after by a mysterious society.

Grimpow: The Invisible Road - Rafael Abalos
Grimpow's journey begins with a discovered stone - a centuries-long journey that has driven sane men crazy, turned peaceful men violent, and made strong men powerless. No man has ever unlocked its secrets. But no boy has ever tried.

I am the Messenger - Markus Zusak
Nineteen-year-old Ed Kennedy’s disappointing life changes suddenlt after he thwarts a bank robbery and beings to receive anonymous missions to help others.

The Outcasts - L.S. Matthews
Five outcasts fall into another reality when on a field trip from school. How many will make it back to the world as they know it?

Steel Trap: The Challenge - Ridley Pearson
Steel is both blessed and cursed with a remarkable photographic memory. This gift puts his life in danger as he becomes embroiled in a twisted game of bribery and theft.

Thieves Like Us -Stephen Cole
Jonah, a teenage computer genius, a group of similarly gifted teens are being used by an odd millionaire to solve a series of clues.

Simulation

lindseywesson — Fri, 31 Oct 2008 15:47:12 CDT

The following titles have elements in common with Simulation videogames. They contain one or more of the following elements:

Reality or Altered Reality
Historical settings
Decision Making
First Person
Strategy

If you would like a print brochure that includes some of the titles listed below, click here.

Grades 4-7

Flip - David Lubar
Twins Ryan and Taylor discover mysterious alien disks that allow they to "flip"--to become legendary heroes from the past.

Gate of Days - Guillame Prevost
Sam Faulkner now knows his father is trapped in Vlad Tepes's castle, but he can't save him without the seven coins that will allow him to direct his travel to the right year in Time. So he sets off on a desperate journey through the ages to collect the coins -- to the oracle at Delphi, Pompeii before Mt. Vesuvius -- even Chicago in 1932, where he meets his seven-year-old grandfather.

Hatchet - Gary Paulsen
Thirteen-year-old Brian Robeson is on his way to visit his father when the single-engine plane in which he is flying crashes. Suddenly, Brian finds himself alone in the Canadian wilderness with nothing but a tattered Windbreaker and the hatchet his mother gave him as a present -- and the dreadful secret that has been tearing him apart since his parent's divorce.

Lawn Boy - Gary Paulsen
Lawn boy’s mowing business becomes a full-fledged enterprise, complete with a prize-fighter, but can Lawn Boy manage it all?

Swiss Family Robinson - Johann David Wyss
A shipwreck; a deserted island; a single family, wondering if they can survive.

The Time Cavern - Todd Fonseca
When ten-year-old Aaron moved from the big city to the middle of Amish country, he felt transported to a different and simpler time and place. But after finding a faded and long forgotten diary page of a boy gone missing over one hundred years earlier, Aaron began an adventure more wondrous and exciting than he could have ever imagined.

Grades 8 and up

Flight: A Novel - Sherman Alexie
About to commit a devastating act, the young man finds himself shot back through time on a shocking sojourn through moments of violence in American history. (Mature content)

Full Tilt - Neal Shusterman
When an invitation-only carnival turns out to be no joyride, Blake must complete seven deadly rides in order to survive and save his brother.

Nation -Terry Pratchett
Mau and Daphne are the only survivors after a giant wave sweeps the island village away. They struggle to stay alive and build a new village.

Neptune’s Children - Bonnie Dobkin
A day at the fabled amusement park Isles of Wonder turns deadly when a world-wide biological attack kills every adult, leaving behind only the kids to fend for themselves.

The Outcasts - L.S. Matthews
Five outcasts fall into another reality when on a field trip from school. How many will make it back to the world as they know it?

Something Wicked this Way Comes - Ray Bradbury
This is the story of a diabolical carnival that wreaks havoc on the lives of the people of a small Illinois town

Time’s Chariot - Ben Jeapes
Rico Garron is in trouble –- again. What starts out as a routine expedition back to five thousand BC, turns into the first murder investigation in living memory. A complex spiral of subterfuge, intrigue and powerplay begins to unravel, and now the entire future of the world is at stake . . .

Adventure and RPG

lindseywesson — Fri, 31 Oct 2008 15:46:22 CDT

The following titles have elements in common with Adventure and RPG videogames. They contain one or more of the following elements:

Magic or Supernatural elements
Journey or Quest
Interesting characters
Mystery/Suspense
Science Fiction/Fantasy
Good vs. Evil plot

If you would like a print brochure that includes some of the titles listed below, click here.

Grades 4-7

The Black Book of Secrets – F.E. Higgins
Ludlow Fitch has run from a frightening past into a mysterious present as the apprentice to a pawnbroker who trades in secrets.

Book of Lies – James Maloney Marcel must work with three other children to master his powers and reclaim his memory, and uncover the mysteries of the orphanage.

Chronicle of Prydian series – Lloyd Alexander
Taran embarks on an epic journey in the magical land of Prydian.

Cyberia - Chris Lynch
In a world where pets are technologically-enhanced and can speak, it’s up to Zane to help them find their real voice.

Dark is Rising – Susan Cooper
11-year-old Will is the only remaining “Old One” and he must use his new magical powers to fight the evil forces threatening his world.

Devil’s Breath -David Gilman
After surviving an assassin’s attempt on his life, Max ends up in Namibia, searching for his father.

The Earthsea series -Ursula LeGuin
Sparrowhawk becomes a magician’s apprentice and realizes that his destiny is far greater than he realized.

Horns and Wrinkles – Joseph Helgerson
When her cousin grows a horn out of his forehead and his parents turn to stone, Claire takes off an adventure to help set things right.

The House of Power—Patrick Carman
As the three lands of Atherton begin to merge, Edgar must protect the book that could change everything.

The Last Dragon—Silvana De Mari
Yorsh, the last elf, must team up with the last dragon to fulfill a prophecy.

The Leven Thumps series – Obert Skye
Leven Thumps and his magical cohorts set out to prevent the evil Sabine from succeeding in his nightmarish plot.

Maddigan’s Fantasia – Margaret Mahy
12-yr-old Garland’s world gets very weird when two time-travelling brothers arrive to help her guard a mysterious talisman.

Percy Jackson series – Rick Riordan
A modern retelling of Greek mythology, this book sends 12-yr-old Percy Jackson on a journey to stop a disastrous feud between the gods.

Sea of Trolls – Nancy Farmer
Jack must embark on a journey filled with troll-bears and giant spiders to save his little sister from being killed by the half-troll queen.

Septimus Heap, Book One: Magyk - Annie Sage
Jenna, the newly discovered princess, and the mysterious Boy 412 have to work with a motley group of magical allies to save her land.

Underland Chronicles – Suzanne Collins
Gregor finds himself in Underland, a parallel world with giant cockroaches, where he must protect his little sister and fulfill a dangerous prophecy.

Grades 8 and up

Eragon – Christopher Paolini
Eragon must learn to fight and use magic against gigantic humanoid warriors and monsters in order to avoid the long arm of the king

Gem X -Nicky Singer
When Maxo discovers a wrinkle in his genetically-modified perfect fact, he must journey into the world of the Dreggies to find a cure.

The Haunting of Alaizabel Cray – Chris Wooding
Thaniel, a wych-hunter and Cathaline track down the fearful creatures that lurk in the Old Quarter of London.

The Magician: The secrets of the Immortal Nicholas Flamel - Michael Scott
Every day without the Book of Abraham the Mage, five teenagers age one year. The teens must master their powers to track down the book.

Mortal Engines – Philip Reeve
15-yr-old Tom is forced to survive in the treacherous Out-Country where he bands together with tother teenagers to stop the destructive Mayor.

Oracle Prophecies—Catherine Fisher
Mirany must join forces with Seth, a young tomb-robbing scribe who knows the secrets and hidden passages of their land, if she is to defeat the treachery that grips the kingdom.

The Princess Bride - William Goldman
“Fencing, fighting, true love, strong hate, harsh revenge, a giant, lots of bad men, lots of good men, rodents of unusual size, death, lies, truth and miracles” are found in this classic fantasy.

Ropemaker – Peter Dickinson
Twins Tilja and Tahl must face dark forces and evil magic to protect their home.

The Cronus Chronicles series – Anne Ursu
Charlotte and Zee learn that in a world overrun by Nightmares, Pain, and Death, the fate of every person -- living and dead -- is in their hands.

Storm Thief - Chris Wooding
Rail and Moa are ghetto teens that must fight the evil Protectorate to uncover the secret of their doomed city.

Traitor Game - B.R. Collins
Michael and his friend Francis’ secret passion for Evgard, the fantasy world they have created together, is threatened when their secret is discovered.

The Warrior Heir—Cinda Williams Chima
Jack’s inner warrior is suddenly awakened and he must prepare for the death tournament he was fated for.

The Wee Free Men - Terry Pratchett
Armed with only a frying pan and her common sense, young witch-to-be Tiffany Aching must defend her home against the monsters of Fairyland.

The Wind on Fire Trilogy – William Nicholson
Led by their prophetess mother, twins Bowman and Kestrel travel with the Manth people to their promised land, struggling along the way.

Sports and Racing

lindseywesson — Fri, 31 Oct 2008 15:23:48 CDT

Hover Car Racer series - Matthew Reilly

Mystery At… series - John Feinstein’s

Stolen Car by Patrick Jones
Patrick Jones takes readers for a ride in this dynamic story about good friends, bad boys, and fast cars.

Books by:
Matt Christopher,
Chris Crutcher,
Mike Lupica

Books for Gamers

lindseywesson — Fri, 31 Oct 2008 13:50:23 CDT

The following booklists provide titles that gamers may enjoy based on the type of videogame that they like to play. In most cases the lists are broken up into the very broad age ranges of Grades 4-7 and 8 +.

Action and Shooter
Adventure and RPG
Books with Gaming plots or elements
Simulation
Sports and Racing
Strategy
Survival/Horror

For more booklists for gamers, try these links:
The Denver Public Library's "Books for Gamers"
Corvallis Benton Public Library
Beth Galloway's list of books for gamers
http://gaming.ala.org/resources/index.php?title=Books_for_Gamers#Book_Lists
The Video Game Librarian Reading List for Gamers