First Chapter Friday: Ollie in Between

In this week's installment of First Chapter Friday, Mr. Chambers reads Chapter 1 of Ollie in Between by Jess Callans, another one of the books on this year's Texas Lone Star List. This title previously won the Stonewall Honor Award, a distinction given to books of exceptional merit relating to the LGBTQIA+ experience.

In our next First Chapter Friday of the school year, Mr. Chambers read the beginning of Blood in the Water by Tiffany D. Jackson, another one of the books on this year's Texas Lone Star List.

In our next installment of First Chapter Friday, Mr. Chambers reads the first few pages of Shadowed by Carl Deuker. Shadowed is another book featured on the Texas Lone Star List for this year.

In the most recent installment of Short Story Tuesday, Mr. Chambers reads "Click-Clack the Rattlebag" by Neil Gaiman. This story revolves a young boy describing the terrifying Click-Clacks to his sister's boyfriend, who is babysitting him for the first time.

On our latest episode of First Chapter Friday, Mr. Chambers reads the first chapter of Boy 2.0 by Tracey BaptisteBoy 2.0 follows Coal as he moves in with the McKays, his new foster family, after an incident with his previous family forced him to leave. Coal is confused about a recent event in which a gun was pulled on him, the police chased him down, and he vanished before their eyes. Can Coal learn more about his new powers as he seeks to finally find a permanent place to call home?

In the newest installment of Short Story Tuesday, Mr. Chambers reads "The Lady or the Tiger" by Frank R. Stockton. This story revolves around a barbaric king and his system for justice that seems flawless until his daughter is involved in the latest trial.

On our latest episode of First Chapter Friday, Mr. Chambers reads the first chapter of The Myth of Monsters: Medusa by Katherine Marsh. The Myth of Monsters follows siblings Ava and Jax as they embark on an adventure to the Accademia del Forte, a mysterious international boarding school in Italy. Soon they will discover the secrets that are kept at the Accademia, and how the Olympian gods were the ones who originally founded the school.

On our latest episode of First Chapter Friday, Mr. Chambers reads the first chapter (and change) of Caraval by Stephanie Garber. Caraval follows sisters Scarlett and Tella as they embark on a journey to the yearly Caraval - a mysterious invitation-only performance in which the audience participates. After Tella is captured and revealed to be part of this year's game, Scarlett must do whatever it takes to find her.

This is a recording of Mr. Chambers reading chapters 1-10 from The Giver by Lois Lowry.

Originally recorded back in 2020, for this week's Select, Mr. Chambers will be reading a short story called, "The Bet" by Anton Chekhov. This short story attempts to answer whether it is worse to be put to death or live the rest of your life in prison.