Tomorrow, When the War Began

Marsden, John. Tomorrow, When the War Began. New York City: Scholastic Inc., 1993. 276. (Action-Fiction)

When Ellie and her friends go camping, they have no idea that their lives are going to be changed-forever. It starts off okay, despite a not so tragic food shortage and some secret crushes. But when they get back home, something is wrong. The animals are starving and no-one is around. A few days later they find that that their home country of Australia has been invaded. What will they do, fight to save their friends and family, or hide and save themselves??

I thought that this was a great book and anyone who liked the book or movie Red Dawn. The group of teenagers that are playing a dangerous game of cat-and-mouse really did inspire me because it shows what a group of desperate and determined group of people can do in terrible situations.

Reviewed by: Starfox15

A Long Way Gone: Memoirs of a Boy Soldier

Beah, Ishmael. A Long Way Gone: Memoirs of a Boy Soldier. New York: Sarah Chrichton Books, 2007. 229 pages. (Nonfiction / Memoir)

This book is about a group of African boys who live in Sierra Leone, Africa. There is a terrible war going on and you can’t trust anyone. You always suspect the worst, which is that everyone around you is rebels. Ishmael Beah is a 9 year-old boy who is just trying to find his family. His village, Mattru Jong, has been taken over by rebels who would take a red-hot bayonet and carve the letters RUF (Revolutionary United Front) on your stomach. This meant you were not only scarred for life, but you could never escape the rebels. If you went into a village, you would be unwelcomed and thrown out. He will never be the same. What will happen next? You’ll have to read it for yourself.

I would recommend this book to anyone and everyone because, even though there is bad language and lots of blood and violence, everyone should know what it’s like to be in a war and why we should be grateful that we are alive today. Because of its goriness, blood and violence, you should probably not read this book if you are easily sickened or saddened.

Reviewed by: Jazzy GB

The Clique

Harrison, Lisi, The Clique, 2005, Alloy Entertainment; new York city, 251 pages. (Romance / Fiction)

Massie Block is the queen bee at Octavian country day (OCD), and known for her infamous pretty committee consisting of her three best friends Alicia Rivera, Dylan Marvel, and Kristen Gregory. But when she is told by her parents that her itinerary has been changed due to a meeting with new comer Claire Lyons Massie thinks what could be more important than shopping for the New Year? Claire Lyons is a Florida chick, and is dying to fit in. so what is her plan become friends with the queen. Clair does some pretty mean things to become friends with Massie. She sneaks into Massie’s bedroom and IM’s Massie’s friends pretending to be Massie. And Claire’s plan worked she got Kristen to tell her she was poor and she told Dylan that her legs were fat (super sensitive about her weight). And Claire was in and Massie was out. Life was luxurious for Claire. She got a free cell phone from Alicia and unlimited shopertunities with the new pretty committee. Everything was going Ok but then Claire’s worst nightmare happened. Massie finds out about Claire’s idea to make people like her and become the new trend setter. Massie somehow find out that Claire set her up. But Massie will be Massie and convinces the pretty committee that she had nothing to do with it. So she gets dumped by her only friend Layne for cancelling their plans to hang out with the pretty committee and the story ends with Claire wishing for new clothes, more friends, Massie’s approval, and richer parents. Will Claire’s wishes come true or will her life in Westchester be more out than Burberry? Read the next book in the series Best friends for never.

I think this book is a book all teenage girls should read. It shows that you should never change for any one and there is more to life than designer clothes and rich friends. I suggest to all girls to read this series. It will teach you a lot about friendship and making tough decisions.

Reviewed by: KR12