Reading Rebels HJH

Catalyst

2011-11-15T13:29:00.000-05:00

Anderson, Laurie Halse. Catalyst. New York: Viking, 2002. 323 pages. (Realistic Fiction)

Kate Malone is a straight-A student, math geek, and is obsessed with chemistry. She lives with her dad and her brother, and her mom died when she was very young. Kate has a boyfriend and two absolutely wonderful best friends. So far, in her life everything is going perfectly, (except for her mom) and she feels as if she can handle anything. Until her neighbors, the Litches, house burns down, and her dad lets them move in out of “the goodness in his heart.” Teri and her little brother have to sleep in her bedroom, and Teri always gets in trouble, fights with people, and is very inconsiderate. Kate is in her senior year of high school, and she only applied to one school, MIT. She is very anxious and stressed because she hasn’t heard from them. Her life is getting ruined more and more by the seconds that tick by. Then it blows up.

I really enjoyed this book because it’s not just about girls who are freaking out about a pimple, buying the wrong shade of lip gloss, or gaining a pound. It’s about a girl who experiences thing that happen to normal people. I really like how it showed that even if someone is perfect, there world can be torn apart. This book makes you really look at people differently, and try to see what they are really made of, and not just what other people see at a glance. I would positively recommend this book to anything.

Reviewed by: LESH

The Alchemist

2011-11-15T11:31:00.001-05:00

Scott, Michael. The Alchemist. New York City: Delacorte Press, 2007. 375 pages. (Fantasy)

Nicholas and Perenelle Flamel are immortal. The Book of Abraham the Mage, the most powerful book ever to exist, has kept them alive for centuries and without it they will age one year for every day. So it’s a problem when Dr. John Dee gets his hands on the book- all of the book but two pages. He’s missing those two pages thanks to Josh Newman and his twin sister Sophia Newman, and he will stop at nothing to get them. Anyone in his way is history.

This book is highly addicting and extremely unpredictable. Its twists and turns leave you aching for more. Don’t miss the second book in the series, The Magician.

Reviewed by: DancingPenguin96

Pictures in the Dark

2011-11-15T11:27:00.000-05:00

Cross, Gillian. Pictures in the Dark. New York: Puffin Books, 1998, 208 pages (Fantasy / Horror)

Charlie just got involved in a photography class. He has developed a special interest in the class… especially for the girl that just joined, Jennifer. Jennifer’s brother is the outcast of the school. He is always being picked on because of his “Evil Stare” Charlie tries, at first to stick up for him, but later on, Peter ends up stealing Charlie’s famous picture of the river at night. The thing about this picture that makes it so special is that an unknown, wild animal is causing orange ripples in the black water.

I liked this book because it kept you turning the pages to find out what happens next. I really despised Peter as a character. Peter is a creep and mysterious and when he stares at people, strange things happen. I like how at first everything seems so confusing and nothing comes together till near the end.

Reviewed By: Deviantdrawer12

Chicken Soup for the Teenage Soul 2

2011-11-15T11:23:00.000-05:00

Chicken Soup for the Teenage Soul 2. Florida: Health Communication, 1998. 324 pages. (Inspiration / Non-Fiction)

Chicken Soup for the Teenage Soul 2
Is a book written by teenagers.
When you read its stories you are whisked away
And sucked into the pages.

Don’t be surprised if it makes you realize
A whole new side of you.
After reading of all the tragedies and mistakes,
You may see life through a different view

Some stories are of love,
Some are of hate.
Others are on kindness,
Question or debate.

When you read it,
Don’t worry about how you dress or look
Just choose to experience
A whole new kind of book

This series is incredible. It really makes you realize how much others can be in pain and you may not even realize it. The Chicken Soup… series is great in how it’s written by hundreds of different teenagers and even adults. Some of them are the popular type, others are misfits, and some are in pain. From all of those different points of view you can begin to understand people better. I recommend the Chicken Soup for the Teenage Soul series for all teenagers (especially girls) of any shape, size, knowledge, or ability.

Reviewed by: DancingPenguin96

That Summer

2011-11-15T10:49:00.000-05:00

Dessen, Sarah. That Summer. New York: Penguin Group, 1996. 198 pages. (Drama / Romance)

For fifteen-year-old Haven, she can’t stand the fact that she is almost six feet tall and still growing. She and her older sister Ashley had to go through her mom and dad’s divorce, which isn’t always easy. But the hard part about it was that, that summer her dad was getting re-married to Lorna Queen the local television newscaster. The “Weather Pet” as Haven likes to call her. Also that summer Ashley was going to get married to Lewis Warsher, who Haven doesn’t really think suits Ashley at all. Then one day when Haven was working at the mall she saw Ashley’s old boyfriend, Sumner Lee. When Haven saw Sumner she remembered back when her parents were together and happy. When Ashley was nice and carefree. And everything was the way she liked it, or not…

I would and wouldn’t recommend this book to anyone because it’s a good book, but it didn’t keep my interest at all, and it’s not something I would want to read again.

Reviewed by: PrivilegedReader

Things Not Seen

2011-11-15T10:06:00.000-05:00

Clements, Andrew. Things Not Seen. New York City: Penguin Books, 2004. 251 pages. (Fantasy)

Bobby Philips is a normal 15 year old boy who lives in Chicago. One morning, he wakes up invisible. Not knowing how this happened, Bobby turns to his parents, the Professor (mom), and the Physicist (dad). Soon it becomes a race to figure out how Bobby became invisible and make him visible again because people start to wonder where Bobby is. Later, he meets Alicia, a blind girl. She begins to help him find out how he became invisible. Bobby starts telling her things and trusting her, but what happens if the government were to find out about the invisible boy? How are they going to find out what turned Bobby invisible and reverse it? You can read the story and find out.

This book was O.K. At some places in the beginning it would move slowly, but it was fun to read. Andrew Clements is a good author for young adults. All of his books are exciting.
Reviewed by: DeidaraSama1

The Book of Story Beginnings

2011-11-15T10:03:00.000-05:00

Kladstrup, Kristin. The Book of Story Beginnings.Cambridge, Massachusetts, 2006. 360 pages. (Fantasy)

After moving from her apartment to a house in Iowa, Lucy learns that her family all the way back to her great uncle lived in the house which the towns people called “The Brick”. Her Aunt Lavonne had lived in the house till she died and that’s when her family had moved there. She knew that her great uncle had one night disappeared from the farm house into the ocean, but everyone knows that there’s no ocean in Iowa. Lucy’s Dad told her about a little book that Oscar (her great uncle that had disappeared) had wrote in. The book had little story beginnings that Oscar had wrote years ago, one of them was a boy who lived in a small farm house in Iowa looked out his window one night and saw an ocean, on the shore there was a boat just the right size for him, he got in and sailed away. That story, Lucy realized came true according to Oscar’s sister, her aunt Lavonne, but she couldn’t ask her because she was dead!!

I highly recommend this book: it’s funny and so random! I would read another book by this author because she keeps her imagination wide open and always makes serious things hilarious.

Reviewed by: Sabine's World

Lily’s Crossing

2011-11-15T09:25:00.001-05:00

Giff Reilly, Patricia. Lily’s Crossing. NY: Yearling Books, 1999. 208 pages.

This is a story about four main characters Lily, Albert, Grandma, and Dad. This all takes place during World War II on a beach in Rockaway. Lily is faced with a problem her friend is going work for her father in Michigan. Lily’s father is also thinking of fighting in the war in France. Albert, Lily’s new friend, has left his sick sister in Europe. Lily and Albert solve their problems by try going to France in a rowboat. That really didn’t work out so when the war ended they sent letters to his family members. Read this book to see how it ended.

If I were to describe this book in ten or more words it would be dry but kind of interesting in a way. There was really nothing there to keep my from reading on to further chapters or even finishing the book…There were so many times I wanted to put the book down, but since I didn’t have time to start another book, I read on.
Reviewed by: Sky's the Limit

New Moon

2011-11-15T09:23:00.002-05:00

Meyer, Stephenie. New Moon. New York: Hachette Book Group, 2006. 563 pages. (Vampire Romance)

Bella Swan has her past with Edward in the Forks. She fell completely in love with him. Then, Edward moves away, leaving her with practically no explanation. Next thing she knows, her world is crumbling right into the hands of Jacob Black, her new best friend. She tries to hide her misery from herself by covering it with fun and smiles with Jacob. But when Jacob becomes something bigger, badder than any vampire, her misery returns, and her father is left to deal with her, right after his friend’s death. Bella thinks Edward has no feelings for her anymore, but what she doesn’t know; Edward knows everything that’s going on.

I fell in love with this book as soon as I read the first paragraph. Stephenie Meyer has a way of pulling you in, and never letting you out. Sometimes I hated to read it, because I knew that I soon as I opened that cover back up, I’d be gone. I’d get so lost in reading that I didn’t even realize where I was or what I was doing. I would recommend New Moon to anyone who wants to get lost in a thrilling romance. It is one of the best books I have ever read.

Reviewed by: PinkPopper

Chicken Soup for the Teenage Soul

2011-11-15T09:20:00.000-05:00

Canfield, Jack; Hansen, Mark; Kirberger, Kimberly. Chicken Soup for the Teenage Soul. Florida: Health Communications, 1997. 334 pages. (Non-Fiction / Inspirational)

Chicken Soup for the Teenage Soul is full of 101 stories of love, losses, life, learning, and achieving submitted by all types of different people. In this book you can find comfort, get help if you need it, experience others’ pain, and learn from others’ experiences. It is a book to cry about, laugh about, and talk about. The subjects covered in this book are: Relationships, Friendship, Family, Love and Kindness, Learning, Tough Stuff, Making a Difference, and Going for it!

This book is truly touching. It made me laugh and cry (I cried more than I laughed). It opens up a whole new part of you that you never noticed before.

Reviewed by: DancingPenguin96

Tomorrow, When the War Began

2011-10-27T11:33:00.001-04:00

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

2011-10-27T10:51:00.001-04:00

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

2011-10-27T10:50:00.001-04:00

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

Boneshaker

2011-09-07T20:36:00.001-04:00

Priest, Cherie. Boneshaker. NY: Tor Books, 2009. 416 pages. (Steampunk / Alternative History / Sci-Fi)

What would have happened if the Civil War had lasted 16 years, not 4? What if the “Incredible Bone-Shaking Drill Engine” destroyed Seattle? What if the Boneshaker released a blight that slowly killed those who inhaled it, turning them into rotting zombies? Cherie Priest combines all this into a must read book and a wonderful new series.
Mad inventor Leviticus Blue built the boneshaker to mine gold in the Klondike but when he tested it for the first time, it ran amok destroying Seattle and releasing the Blight which turned the population of the city into zombies. Years later Blue's son, Zeke, goes into the ruins of the now walled city to clear his father's name. His mother Briar Wilkes follows him on an airship to bring him back and save him from the Blight that is still eking its way to the surface. When she discovers that people still live in the remains of the city among the walking dead lead by the mysterious Dr. Minnericht, an inventor rumor says is her dead husband, her plans of rescue become a race against the living and the dead.

WOW! This nonstop book gives Stephen King a run for his money as the leading horror writer. You'll turn the last page way too soon and want to return to the wonderfully detailed, horrific world of Boneshaker. Thankfully the Clockwork Century Series continues in Clementine, Dreadnought, and the upcoming Ganymede.

Reviewed by: DisreputableDog

The Sweet Far Thing

2011-09-07T19:46:00.002-04:00

Bray, Libba. The Sweet Far Thing. N.Y.: Random House, 2007. 832 pages. (Fantasy/Romance)

The Sweet Far Thing was a dramatic ending to the esteemed trilogy of the Gemma Swan series. In this book the Winterlands are threatening to take over the peace of the realms and are trying to take the magic that Gemma now holds. The alliances are being threatened with mysterious deaths and the clear blue sky is now a blood red sea of clouds. Gemma’s friendships are on the rocks and her love life is not how it used to be. Her father is addicted again, and always there is the still sad reminder of her mother s tragic death. Then, when it seemed that it could get no worse, something tragic happens. A forsaken birth of May has come, and the wrong people are coming out of the wrong door. Spence and its girls are in grave danger and Gemma doesn’t know if she can save them.

This book was a traumatic ending to the wondrous series. It was full of love, adventure, war, and loss. It had a little something for everybody in it. Even though it was full of happy times, I feel that it had twice as many sad times in the book. I will tell only this, I cried for hours after reading the last hundred or so pages. I give this book the label of traumatic. But, it would also be non-stop action because even though it was horrifically sad, it also was jam packed with action. I would only recommend this book to the people who have read the other two books in the trilogy because it would give too much away. But, if you have read the other two, then I recommend that you do read it because it caps off the series in a great way.

Reviewed by: HiJen

20,000 Leagues Under the Sea.

2011-09-07T19:46:00.000-04:00

Verne, Jules. 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea. New York: Baronet Books, 1992. 237 pages. (Steampunk/SciFi)

The book I read was 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea, by Jules Verne. I really enjoyed this book, because I too enjoy sea life. The story starts off with a “sea monster” that seems to be around 60 feet long and indestructible. It even went through another ship! A sea life expert, Professor Aronnax, and his friends Conseil, and Ned go out on a boat to find this sea monster, which takes them around three months to find. When they see it Ned fires at it, and when it doesn’t die, they knew it wasn’t an animal. It ended up being some of the most advanced technology ever seen in their time. Being able to take people under water for about 4 days was very impressive, (It had to go back up to collect more air, but could eventually go back down for another 4 days). I don’t think I’d be so thrilled being sentenced in the ship for life, so that no one knew about it, but being able to see all the things of the deep that no people on land have gotten to see would be one of my greatest adventures. I think most people that read this book would enjoy it, because of the thrilling ride the book takes you through. It’s safe to say this was one of my favorite books yet, and I hope other readers enjoy it as much as I did.

By: Mator1313

Boomer’s Journal.

2011-09-07T19:45:00.000-04:00

Kelley, R.E. Boomer’s Journal. Florida: Worthington Press, 1995. 160 pages.(Realistic Fiction)

The book Boomer’s Journal is about a boy named Charles Nichols but his nickname is Boomer. He lives with his dad and his step mom in Freel Canyon. His real mom died in a car accident when he was just three. His dad drinks allot and is very harsh when he is drunk. He is an only child and has only one real friend. His only other friend is his dog, Dutch. But when his dad told him to feed his dog less food so he would get the jack rabbit that was in their front yard, he ran away. When they found him way up in the mountains he was torn to pieces. Boomer’s next door neighbor shot him and they buried him in their yard. His friend gave him a golden retriever puppy to cheer him up and to replace Dutch. Boomer hid the puppy for a few days in his bedroom and his step mom new that he had it and was keeping it a secret. When his dad found out he was furious. He said, “There aint no dog that can replace Dutch.”

Reviewed by: Art Freak

The Year of Secret Assignments

2011-09-04T09:26:00.000-04:00

Moriarty, Jaclyn. The Year of Secret Assignments. New York: Scholastic, 2004. 339 pages. (Fiction/Suspense)

The Year of Secret Assignments has

Heated arguments, and

Exciting travels.

You never know what will happen when letters become somewhat

Evil.

A plot begins to help a friend, and soon even more

Rivalries form between Ashbury and Brookfield Schools.

On a trail behind school a shocking

False Identity is found.

Secrets will be revealed, and

Everyone will be surprised.

Come into a world of secret missions, false alarms, and some lock picking.

Re enter the world of high school drama.

Enter, you are welcome here.

Treasure your friends and achievements.

And realize…

Some

Secrets shouldn’t be told,

In case someone without

Good intentions could

Never let you forgive yourself.

Maybe you will overcome, but you should

Enable yourself to because

Not all friends are

True

Some are just there, but true friends are better.

This is an AMAZING book! I could not put it down because of all the new twists and turns. I felt I had to know what was happening next. With all of the twists you can never get bored, I would definitely recommend this book to anyone who likes page turners because this is one! If I were a book reviewer I would give it an A+.

By: crazemonke6

The Big Wander

2011-09-04T08:38:00.000-04:00

Hobbs,Will. The Big Wander. New York: Avon Books, 1992. 181 pages. (Romance/Adventure)

The main characters of the book, The Great Wander, are a fourteen-year-old boy named Clay Lancaster, older brother Mike, and their Uncle Clay Jenkins. The problems Clay and Mike face is trying to find their uncle Clay in the western states who they haven’t seen in years. Mike is getting home sick and misses a girl named Shelia. The truck they bought for seventy-five dollars is starting to breakdown. Clay has fallen in love with a girl, and they have no idea where they are going and money is running out. They try to solve their problems by asking Hubcap Willie and the town’s people to help them find their uncle. Clay talks to Mike about how fun the trip is so he forgets about home and making phone calls all the time. Other interesting facts are that there mom is not even aware they tried to go to look for their Uncle Clay who called looking for her as she is away at Guatemala helping people.

The two brothers, Clay and Mike are the characters that remind me of myself. Clay is adventurous and enjoys the outdoors. Mike is conservative and enjoys being close to home with friends and family. I enjoy being outside like Clay and staying close to home like Mike.

Reviewed By: Bookworm08

Raise Your Voice

2011-09-04T08:27:00.000-04:00

Wasserman, Robin. Raise Your Voice. NY: Scholastic, 2004. 187 pages. (Realistic Fiction)

The book I read was Raise Your Voice. The main characters in the story are Terri, Jay, Paul, Simon, Aunt Nina and Frances. The title of the book is Raise Your Voice because Terri has a great voice and loves to sing in the school choir and just about anywhere. Terri also loves to sing and write her own songs. Terri got invited to Bristol-Hillman Music Conservatory. Only the best people in the country were invited to this summer music school. Her dad, Simon, was not allowing her to go to this school because he didn’t want her in LA all by herself. Since her brother just graduated from school, Terri wanted to get him something for graduating so she got him two tickets to see a band. Terri and her brother Paul snuck out of the house and saw the band. When they were driving on the way back to their house a car went through a red light and smashed into their car. Read Raise Your Voice to find out what happened next.

I would recommend this book to anyone because if a bad event happened to them like it did in the story, then they might relate to the book and realize that they are not the only one that is feeling bad. In the beginning I despised the father for not letting his daughter go to the school, but then I realized that he didn’t let her go because he loved her and didn’t want her to leave because she was his only daughter left. I would read another book by this author because it was a nice topic to write about and had a lot of feeling written in the book.

Reviewed by: April Girl

Hot Hands

2011-09-04T08:22:00.000-04:00

Lupica, Mike. Hot Hands. New York, NY: Penguin Group, 2007. 167 pages. (Sports Fiction)

On of the main characters in my story is Billy Raynor. He plays basketball in a rec. league at the YMCA. Billy is a shoot first, pass second point guard. He plays for the magic with one of the other main characters Lenny DeNardo, the best player on their team. Their coach, also Billy’s dad, is another main character. Him and his wife are just getting through a divorce, so it is very hard for him to remain a good “coach” and father to his three kids. The last main character is Ben, Billy’s younger brother a piano prodigy. This story mainly takes place on the basketball court and in his moms and dads house. The problem in this story is Billy is very selfish player and is becoming a bigger ball hog every game. His dream is for his Team* to win the championship. But when your not acting like a Team* player, there is no way your Team* can win. So he needs to step up and stop acting like a selfish ball hog or his Team* will never win the championship. It is not just on the court were Billy needs to improve, he needs to be a better family player too. By spending more time with mainly his brother Ben. Will Billy become a team player over all on the court and in his home, or will he face the fact that he is not a Team* player? Find out by reading the book. I liked this book so much because it was about basketball. I like books where I can relate to what is happening in the story by using similar stuff I have actually done. This book was a sport that requires a team effort. I liked this book, but u in some places it was to understand the content. If I were to give it an overall grade, it would be A 92.

*****- five players on a basketball team not just ONE!

BY: Sierra

Sleeping Freshman Never Lie

2011-09-04T08:20:00.000-04:00

Lubar, David. Sleeping Freshman Never Lie. NY: Penguin Group 2005. 279 pages. (Realistic Fiction)

Scott Hudson is just starting high school. He has heard many rumors about being a freshman and none of them sound too good. Bullies are just one of the many obstacles Scott has to take on, but when one of his friends moves to Texas, he gets in a fight with the other one, and his mom announces that she is having a baby, the world Scott knew comes crashing down around him. He decides to write a guide to high school for his sibling-to-be, just to make life easier on him. Scott also gets dragged into many things involuntarily. Some of these things, just to mention a few, are writing for the school paper, getting involved with student council, and volunteering for the tech crew of the play. All these things not only overwhelm him, but also cause lack of sleep. All of a sudden a weirdly girl shows up at school, with pins and bracelets on every square inch of her body. Her name is Lee. She shares Scott’s love of extraordinary poems and stories, and the two start to get to know. There is also one Wesley Cobble who drifts into the picture. Wesley is a senior who protects Scott from bullies and gives him rides everywhere, using a different vehicle every time. Suspicious? But as Scott gets to know the two better, he decides what real friendship is, and where his friendship lies.

I really liked this book because of the climaxes that happen not only at the end of the story, but other places in the story as well. It is also an interesting book because you can imagine it happening to anyone in real life as well. The author combines real life experiences with fiction making this story believable and great. The story also combines great humor with wise tips and adventure. I would recommend this book to anyone who likes to read any book.

Reviewed by San Andreas

Danger.com: @6//Bad Intent

2011-09-04T08:13:00.000-04:00

Cray, Jordan. Danger.com: @6//Bad Intent/. NY: Aladdin Paperbacks, 1998. 225 pages. (Thriller)

The book that I read was called Danger.com: @6//Bad Intent/. The main characters are Brian Rittenhouse, Dawn Sedaris, Lobo (who was Brian as well), and Mal Bouchard. The story takes place at their high school, Bloomfield High. The problem they face was that some jocks at their school shot their coach and are on trial for it. There was also strange stuff going on. This stuff was like people are changing and people are dying. People are changing by going crazy; in the story it says “Bloomfield was getting more full of psychos every day.” People are committing suicide and people are killing other people. The characters go about solving the problem by figuring out facts on who did what at their school. Some other interesting facts are that Brian is in love with Dawn, but Dawn is one of the popular girls who only talks to nerds, like Brian, when they need help.

I loved this book, and the series it’s in. I would recommend this book to people because it is a very good book and its one of those stories where it makes you wants to keep reading. If you like mystery stories then this is a book to read. I would also check out the Danger.com series.

Review by: Grace

Ana’s Story a Journey of Hope

2011-09-04T08:08:00.000-04:00

Bush, Jenna. Ana’s Story a Journey of Hope. NY: Harper Collins, 2007. 290 pages. (Nonfiction)

She is 17. She has been abused. She has a child. She is HIV positive.

Her name was Ana and this is her story. The day she was born she was infected with HIV which was transferred from her 16 year old mother. She barely remembers her mother who died when Ana was only three. From there on her childhood was a blur of secrets and very faint memories. She had to keep secrets about her illness and her abuse. She tried hard to forget. She has been from home to home not finding love and safety. When she meets a boy Berto she found both. She opens up her heart and mind to Berto. She has hope and a new beginning.

I loved this book it seems like it could be true even though it was fictional. It could be happening to anyone around us. It kills me inside that people go through this daily. Some people don’t have the guts to say something and stay in that abuse at least Ana has a happy ending.

Reviewed by: x0oSo0x

The Outsiders

2011-09-04T08:04:00.001-04:00

Hinton,S.C. The Outsiders. New York: Penguin Putnam Inc, 2003. 180 pages. (Realistic Fiction)

The Outsiders is about a 14 year old boy named Ponyboy. His parents died when he was young, so he lives with his brothers Darry and his close brother Sodapop. Darry is the oldest, and Sodapop is the middle child. They are all part of a gang called the Greasers, and they are always getting into fights with the Socs. One night Ponyboy and Johnny, a close friend of Ponyboy’s and also in the Greasers gang, were at the park and the Socs jumped them. Usually they were just beat up, but that night, things got way too out of hand.

For me, this book was a little weird, but I guess it was like that because it was very real. My favorite character was probably Dally because he is very dangerous and outgoing, and he made the book much more interesting than if he wasn’t in it. I think that the author did an extremely good job writing it, especially since she was just 16 at the time. I would recommend this book to anyone who loves something very suspenseful.

Reviewed by:(LESH)

Fairest

2011-07-24T22:35:00.006-04:00

Levine, Gail. Fairest. New York: Harper Collins, 2008. 326 pages. (Fantasy)

Fairest is the story of a young girl named Aza. She lives in the kingdom of Ayortha, where beauty and singing are the most important qualities that one must have to be “acceptable”. Aza has the most beautiful singing voice, but is not at all attractive. Because beauty is so important in there, people are scared of her without even knowing her or listening to her singing. Aza lives in an inn with her parents who had adopted her a long time ago when an old woman abandoned her at one of the inn’s rooms. Aza has been helping out with cleaning the inn all her life. One day, Aza looks through a mirror while cleaning a guest’s room. The mirror was the queen’s mirror. Suddenly, Aza was beautiful. She had light peachy lips, dark blue eyes, silky brown hair, and her ragged clothes turned into an elegant gown. Aza was perfect, but the only question now is: Can Aza still sing as beautifully as she used to?

This is one of my favorite fantasy books. The book really got me into it with its suspense, mysteriousness, and charm. The story does not have only one theme going through it, it has tons! There is war, romance, drama, and hatred. My favorite part of the book was when Aza looked through the mirror. With the author’s description of how she looked, I could almost see Aza in my bedroom mirror. Her dreams had come true after so much tragedy and sorrow. This scene has definitely had the greatest impact on me when I was reading this book.

Reviewed by: Kambat

Where the Red Fern Grows

2011-07-24T22:35:00.003-04:00

Rawls, Wilson. Where the Red Fern Grows. New York: The Curtis Publishing Company, 1961. 249. (Realistic Fiction)

Billy wants two coon dogs more than just about anything in the world, but a good coon dog costs money and that is something Billy’s family just doesn’t have. Billy mopes around for quite a while knowing that he most likely won’t get his dogs when he finds a discarded hunting magazine with an ad for registered coon dogs. The problem is that the dogs cost twenty-five dollars each. Billy decides that two dogs is worth however long it takes to collect the money, so he cleans out “an old K. C. Baking Powder can” and gets busy trapping the Ozark Mountains where he lives, picking berries and doing just about anything he can to fill his new bank. Even after he gets the dogs there’s still the training to be done. What adventures will Little Ann, Old Dan and Billy get into when the training is over?

This is an amazing story about a boy, his dogs, and their love for each other told through their adventures together and their team work when the trail gets hard. I would definitely read more books by Wilson Rawls because I found this novel to be a very good story that was very well written.

Reviewed by: B man

Downriver

2011-07-24T22:34:00.002-04:00

Hobbs, Will. Downriver. New York: Bantam Doubleday Dell Publishing Group, Inc., 1991 204 pages. (Survival/Adventure)

Jessie’s dad has decided to send Jessie to “juvenile delinquent camp,” she calls it. Jessie used to do so well in school and is now skipping classes in her sophomore year in high school in the first month of school. Also, she has been in two car accidents being below the age of driving and hangs out with guys a few years older than her. When in Hoods in the Woods, or Discovery Unlimited, they travel all around for 9 months, not just hiking, but anything you could imagine. No one likes the leader, Al, because they all have to go rafting on the flat, slow river, San Juan River, just so Al could get a permit. Al steps out of the van to make sure everything is set, and everyone in the van decides to drive away and leave him. They end up going to the Grand Canyon because they had all the gear for rafting on a river, and they thought that people looking for them wouldn’t think to check there. All seven kids go through many tough situations where they have to stand for what they think is right, not just what Troy, the “leader,” says. Al finds them and tries to set them up because they were in trouble, but they always find a way to get away from him.

I selected this book because it looked like a book of adventure. I really enjoyed the story, and I thought it was well plotted out. Nothing happened too fast, but nothing happened to slow. There was always sometime in the book where I could think about what had already happened and. I could never tell what was going to come next, and I was just as surprised as the characters when something big happened. When I don’t have a book to read in free time, I know I can count on Will Hobbs’s books to keep me fascinated!

Richie Rich

Do You Know The Monkey Man?

2011-07-24T22:34:00.001-04:00

Butler, Dori. Do You Know The Monkey Man? NY: Scholastic Inc., 2005. 193 pages. (Mystery)

Do You Know the Monkey Man was about a girl named Samantha Wright who did not know her father all her life because he disappeared when she was only three years old. He disappeared right after Sam’s twin sister died in the old quarry……. Or did she?!Now she is thirteen and wants to find him. She sets about looking for him by asking around her family, looking at the library and going to see a psychic who said her twin sister was alive . None of these things help Sam find her dad, but out of nowhere her friend said she could find a detective online. They found a detective and emailed him. He emailed back three days later and said that he thought that he had found a match! Sam called him but he didn’t answer so she left a message saying who she was. He never called back so Sam called him again four days later……….and the phone number was changed. Will Sam ever find her dad, or if her sister is still alive???

I enjoyed this book because I was drawn into it. Dori made this book a suspenseful and sensitive take on a family’s crisis brought on by a thirteen year old girls search for the truth! I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys meaningful stories. Including guys, just because the book is about a girl’s story doesn’t mean guys won’t like it just as much as I do!!

Lexi Swartzenegger

Danger.com: @6//Bad Intent/

2011-07-24T22:34:00.000-04:00

Cray, Jordan. Danger.com: @6//Bad Intent/ NY: Aladdin Paperbacks, 1998. 225 pages (Thriller)

The book that I read was called Danger.com: @6//Bad Intent/. The main characters are Brian Rittenhouse, Dawn Sedaris, Lobo (who was Brian as well), and Mal Bouchard. The story takes place at their high school, Bloomfield High. The problem they face was that some jocks at their school shot their coach and are on trial for it. There was also strange stuff going on. This stuff was like people are changing and people are dying. People are changing by going crazy; in the story it says “Bloomfield was getting more full of psychos every day.” People are committing suicide and people are killing other people. The characters go about solving the problem by figuring out facts on who did what at their school. Some other interesting facts are that Brian is in love with Dawn, but Dawn is one of the popular girls who only talks to nerds, like Brian, when they need help. I loved this book, and the series it’s in. I would recommend this book to people because it is a very good book and its one of those stories where it makes you wants to keep reading. If you like mystery stories then this is a book to read. I would also check out the Danger.com series.

Logan@Wolverine.Xmen

Closer Than Ever

2011-07-24T22:31:00.000-04:00

Gunn Jones, Robin. Closer Than Ever. MN: Minneapolis, 1955. 152 pages. (Romance)

Sierra Jensen and her dearest friend are celebrating their graduation from Christen high school, and they all are accepted to Rancho Corona University. Sierra’s friend Paul, is coming to Sierra’s graduation. Paul and Sierra were very close friends for a long time. Did their likes grew into love?

Everything was going perfect, the lobster was cooking, Sierra’s friends were decorating Sierra’s house, and Sierra’s brothers went mini golfing so that they can’t mess up the party. But the only thing that was missing is Paul! Where is Paul? Sierra was having a felling that something bad happened to Paul. Sierra older sister and Paul’s older brother went to the airport to see if Paul was there waiting for a ride to Sierra’s house. But he wasn’t there! Is Paul kidnapped, killed or ever in the hospital? Sierra didn’t know what to do, and the party has to start! Everyone in the house went down to their knees, and prayed so that Paul is safe.

A lot of the things that happened in the book happened in my life, like when Sierra was waiting for Paul come to the graduation, she was praying to God that Paul is all right and safe. My family and I were waiting for my cousin, Natalya to come our house but her airplane wasn’t there, went my dad got there! My dad called home and told my family that Natalya wasn’t there. So my grandpa made my whole family go on our knees, and pray that she would show up. And she showed up about 2 am.

DeanMyers

Maximum Ride: The Angel Experiment

2011-07-21T18:06:00.000-04:00

Patterson, James. Maximum Ride: The Angel Experiment. New York: Hachette, 2006. 413 pages. (Sci-Fi / Thriller)

I bet you have never run away from werewolf like creatures who were programmed just to destroy you. I also bet that you have never experienced what it’s like to have wings and soar through the sky. Well, I can’t say the same for Maximum Ride. Her and her 5 friends, Angel, Fang, Gasman, Iggy, and Nudge, are all 98% human and 2% bird. They all have wings. They escaped from a laboratory called the School and are on the run. At the School, they genetically altar kids into any kind of creature imaginable. Which is how Max and her gang ran into the Erasers. Erasers are part dog. They have hairy faces, razor sharp teeth, and claws. But they’re no match for Max and her best friends. Join the ride as you become a part of the experiment and follow Max through obstacles only she could face. You’re in for a shock.

This is an absolutely amazing book. Once I started, I could never put it down! It’s totally action packed from beginning to end. A must read for ALL! It’s written so well, you see it as a movie in your head. Maximum Ride is full of non stop action, amazing plot twists, and weird creatures. This is the first in the incredible series. James Patterson, the author, calls this book “My favorite story, and probably my best”

All My Duck in a Row

Saving Grace

2011-07-21T18:05:00.001-04:00

Spencer, Katherine. Saving Grace. N.Y. Parachute LLC, 2007 246 pages. (Realistic Fiction)

In this story a girl named Grace lives with her family. During the summer Grace’s brother Matt was driving in his car to go get milk at the fast mart, when he was on his way home he ran into a tree and died. Ever since the accident Grace has been really upset. When she goes back to school she is a little annoyed and a little sad because, everyone around her keeps asking if what happened is true and if she is okay. As she went to sit with her friends at lunch, a girl walked into her, and Grace spilled her lunch on Philomena. The girls sitting at the table next to the scene were laughing. Their names are Dana, Lindsay, and Morgan they were….. well I guess you can call them the popular group. After Philomena walked away Dana called Grace over to the table and they talked, she invited Grace to come over to her house after school. Grace accepted the offer. Ever since her brother’s death she has been begin to do negative things. Hanging out with the “popular” group was probably not the best choice she has made. When they were hanging out Dana made Grace an alcoholic drink. Then Grace started dancing with Dylan. When Dylan and Dana’s step mom show up, she takes everyone home. As the story goes on Grace gets worse. If you want to see if she will get better then you should read this book.

I liked this book because it teaches you that you have the ability to make the right choices. It is a good book and it has a lot problem solving in it. I think that it is good reading material. If you like Drama then you should read this book.

Reviewed by: laxlady014

Half Human

2011-07-21T18:05:00.000-04:00

Half Human. New York: Scholastic Inc., 2001. 212 pages. (Fantasy/Short Stories)

Have you ever heard of centaurs? What about mermaids? There have been myths about half humans for centuries. This book takes myths from authors Bruce Coville, Nancy Springer, D.J. Malcom and others. They are writing about things that are caught between two worlds. One of my favorites is Princess Dragonblood by Jude Mandell. It is about a girl born from a desperate queen tricked into drinking dragon blood. Eleanor looks human at first, but she has slight ridges on her back, long talon like nails, and a warlike personality. At thirteen, she is forced to meet her dragon father, coming to him his enemy, but leaving as his loving daughter. Eleanor, like all the other beings in this book must struggle to find her own true identity.

This is a pretty good book. Some of the stories I really liked like Princess Dragonblood, Becoming, and The Hardest, Kindest Gift. But others I didn’t like at all. In all, I think they were imaginative and creative.

Smiles A lot

The Sweet Far Thing

2011-07-15T17:00:00.001-04:00

Bray, Libba. The Sweet Far Thing. N.Y.: Random House, 2007. 832 pages. (Fantasy / Romance)

The Sweet Far Thing was a dramatic ending to the esteemed trilogy of the Gemma Swan series. In this book the Winterlands are threatening to take over the peace of the realms and are trying to take the magic that Gemma now holds. The alliances are being threatened with mysterious deaths and the clear blue sky is now a blood red sea of clouds. Gemma’s friendships are on the rocks and her love life is not how it used to be. Her father is addicted again, and always there is the still sad reminder of her mother s tragic death. Then, when it seemed that it could get no worse, something tragic happens. A forsaken birth of May has come, and the wrong people are coming out of the wrong door. Spence and its girls are in grave danger and Gemma doesn’t know if she can save them.

This book was a traumatic ending to the wondrous series. It was full of love, adventure, war, and loss. It had a little something for everybody in it. Even though it was full of happy times, I feel that it had twice as many sad times in the book. I will tell only this, I cried for hours after reading the last hundred or so pages. I give this book the label of traumatic. But, it would also be non-stop action because even though it was horrifically sad, it also was jam packed with action. I would only recommend this book to the people who have read the other two books in the trilogy because it would give too much away. But, if you have read the other two, then I recommend that you do read it because it caps off the series in a great way.

JenJen

Super Models of the World Party Girl

2011-07-15T17:00:00.000-04:00

Calhoun, B.B. Supermodels of the World Party Girl. New York: Random House Inc., 1994 168 pages. (Realistic Fiction)

The book that I have chosen is called Super Models of the World Party Girl. It is about a girl named Cassandra. She has always dreamed about being a model. She normally gets everything she wants so when she is given the chance to compete with a bunch of other amature models she has a hard time believing that she might not get her way like she normally does!

This book is alright. I read the first one so I thought id give this one a shot. The first one is better :-D but this one was okay.(about 7 out of 10). Cassandra was a bit of a snob and it got me mad! But it was a good book!

Reviewed by Pass the Time

Angels in Pink: Kathleen’s Story

2011-07-15T16:58:00.000-04:00

McDaniel, Lurlene. Angels in Pink: Kathleen’s Story. New York: Laurel Leaf Inc. 192 pages. (Romance)

Kathleen McKensie has never had a boyfriend. EVER. But when her bossy best friend Raina St. James makes her join the Pink Angels summer hospital volunteer job, that boyfriend problem might change. Right on the first day she catches the eyes of Carson, the two main doctor’s son. She makes herself not think about him because of her very ill mother. Kathleen cooks, cleans, and helps her mother when she’s not at the hospital. But when her mother is unconscious because of a blood problem she finds that Carson and his parents are the only ones to help. Will Kathleen and Carson form a bond? Or will she be boyfriend less for the rest of her life? Find out in the 1st book of the Angels in Pink series.

Wow! That’s all I can say about this book. Lurlene McDaniel makes images that pop into your head. Also I think this book helps you balances family and friend responsibilities. Most girls should read this because they can realize that even though you have a problem at home you can still have fun with your best friends outside of home. So people who want to learn lessons, read this book! And read Raina and Holly’s Story in the 2nd and 3rd books of the series!

Channee

Angels in Pink: Raina’s Story

2011-07-13T16:54:00.000-04:00

McDaniel, Lurlene. Angels in Pink: Raina’s Story. New York: Laurel Leaf Inc. 190 pages. (Romance)

Raina St. James’ life is going perfectly for the beginning of her junior year. Her two best friends Holly and Kathleen have crushes, they love their volunteer jobs at the hospital as Pink Angels, and Raina and her boyfriend Hunter are the perfect couple. Well all this changes when Raina’s ex boyfriend Tony moves back to her school and threatens to ruin what she and Hunter have. Soon secrets unfold and Raina learns she has a long-lost sister her mother never spoke of! Soon enough Raina’s world turns upside down and she and Hunter have broken up and she has a new sister to deal with. At least she has Holly and Kathleen to lean on. But will she and Hunter forgive each other? And will she get used to having a sibling? Find out in the 2nd book of the Angels in Pink series.

This book is the kind of book I can’t put down! Page after page you find out something new! Angels in Pink definitely teaches you that even through struggles you have family and friends to lean on. Lurlene McDaniel’s has an amazing gift of writing and makes you never want to stop reading her books. I LOVE this book and I think teenage girls should read it to learn that everyone makes mistakes! After you read this book get the 3rd book in the series: Holly’s Story. I advise people to read this book!!!!

Channee

Bloomability

2011-07-13T16:53:00.004-04:00

Creech, Sharon. Bloomability. New York: HarperCollins Publisher. 273 pages. (Travel Fiction)

Dinnie Doone has traveled all over the U.S. But one place she hasn’t traveled is Switzerland. So, her parents arrange for the Aunt Sandy and Uncle Max to take her there for a year so she can learn their family history. At first Dinnie thinks it’s kidnapping. But once she meets Lila a little spitfire and Guthrie her crush things look a little brighter for her. Once she goes to school she meets tons of people and learns tons of languages. Her winter is full of skiing and learning Italain. People keep telling her Switzerland is her home. Will she realize how much she loves Switzerland or will she be homesick from America forever?

Bloomability is an amazing book. It really teaches you how much family, friend, and your home is important to you. I love how the author shows all the detail in everything. It has so many lessons and can be funny in some parts. All I can say if you want to read about how important your home is to you, read this book!!!!

Channee

Princess in the Spotlight

2011-07-13T16:53:00.003-04:00

Cabot, Meg. Princess in the Spotlight. New York: Harper Collins Publishers Inc. 257 pages. (Romance)

Mia is just getting used to being the Princess of Genovia since her father got his curable cancer. Somehow interviews, autographs, and royal dinners are getting easier! But when she finds out her mother is pregnant and marrying her Algebra teacher her whole world turns upside down…again!!!!! I mean her life is complicated enough already! On one regular day as she is moping about her life she gets a secret admirer note. Who is it from??? Will Mia accept her mom getting married and having a baby and find out who her secret admirer is? Or will she have a lovless life and dispise the baby and her stepfather? Find out in this funny, amazing book!

This book is halarious! Every girl who needs help on friendship, divorced families, and accpeting herself should read it! The author really shows and expresses how Mia’s life is so you can imagine it in your head. Sometimes a chapter can get really boring but the author makes the boring chapter jump into a huge event in the next chapter! I love this book so much and Meg Cabot has done an amazing job making a sequal to Princess Diaries!! So I really suggest that people read this book!

Channee

The Princess Diaries

2011-07-13T16:53:00.002-04:00

Cabot, Meg. The Princess Diaries. New York: HarperCollins Publishers Inc. 283 pages. (Romance)

Mia Thermopolis is a five-foot-nine geek. She is flunking algebra, her crush doesn’t even know she exists, and to top it all off her mom is dating her algebra teacher!!! One day she finds out her dad is coming to visit…and that he has cancer. No worries for her though because it can be treated. But when she visits him at the plaza hotel and thinks what is a normal lunch doesn’t turn out to be one. SHE IS THE PRINCESS OF GENOVIA!!!!!!!!!! And it turns out that she has to move to Genovia with her father! There, she will rule along with her father and go to a fancy college that is not her first choice. You might think she is excited…but think again she is NOT at all excited to become a princess. She tries to keep it from everyone as long as possible. But when she gets a makeover things change. Boys start liking her, teachers treat her as royalty, and her bestfriend Lily can visit the palace! Will she like this new life at all? Or will she become scared and chicken out on becoming a princess? Find out in the next book in the series!!!!

This book is such a page turner. Every time I flip the page I want to read more and more. It’s about an everyday girl becoming a princess; I mean who wouldn’t want to read that? This book also teaches you that if you believe in yourself you and do anything! It’s also funny and can make you giggle out loud. I definitely recommend this book to teenage girls because not only is it funny but it teaches you good lessons in life! So read this amazing, funny, fantasy book!!!!!

Channee

Bratfest at Tiffany’s

2011-07-13T16:53:00.001-04:00

Harrison, Lisi. Bratfest at Tiffany’s. New York: Little Brown and Company. 227 pages. (Realistic Fiction / Romance)

Massie Block just got back from her summer vacation and finds out her school, Octivian Country Day (OCD) has turned into Briarwood Octivian Country Day! Boys from their highschool have transferred to her school!!! But that is not good for Massie, she makes her bff’s Kristen, Dylan, Claire, and Alicia go on a Boyfast or no boys what so ever! She thinks boys make them look like idiots and less popular. But once Massie, Kristen, Claire, and Dylan go into an overflow classroom, Alicia can finally flirt with her major crush Josh! But once Massie finds out Alicia has been with Josh it tears them apart! Will Massie stop fussing over the boys?

I think this book is amazing! It is full of comedy, drama, and friendship. This book teaches girls to not let boys or anything come between them. One reason I think girls should read this book is because it is a page turner, you can’t stop reading all of the drama that happens! Also, Lisi Harrington really shows in her writing what a teenage girl’s life is like. So all I can say is, READ THIS BOOK!!!

Reviewed by: Channee

Loser

2011-07-13T16:53:00.000-04:00

Spinelli, Jerry. Loser. N.Y.: Scolastic Inc, 2002. 218 pages. (Realistic Fiction)

The main characters in this book are Donald Zinkoff and his parents. This story takes place in a small town. The problem that Donald faces is, trying to get through elementary school with a good reputation and a lot of friends. But there are many problems with this because he laughs at almost anything, he has a problem with his stomach that makes him throw up 3-5 times a week, and one day at the end of 4th grade his life gets scared forever. At the end of the last and most important race of the day he causes his team to lose the championship. He is the slowest kid in class and after the 2 fastest kids in 4th grade give him about a 10- 15 yard head start he still loses and his team comes in last place. For the next few school years he tries to make a good new reputation in school.

One interesting event that happens in this book is one day while Donald is 7, his father takes him on a take tour son to work day. Donald’s father is a mailman and that’s what Donald had always wanted to be ever sense his father got the job. While Donald is delivering mail that he made himself over the past week he comes to this one house with a really old man staring blankly up the street. After Donald asked his father about the mysterious man, his father told him that the man has been staring for 32 years waiting for his brother to return from the war.

I thought this book was one of Jerry Spinelli’s better books because he described things very vividly, and was very specific in his sentences. If I rated this book I think I would personally give it a 6-8 because it was simple and well written. If I was to give this book a one word description I would say it’s interesting because it takes you through a lot of the different stages in the main characters life. One other thing I really liked about this book was the cover because it sticks out so much. The front and the back cover are of a chalk board with the word Loser on both but on the back is partly erased so it keeps you wondering.

Dangling on the Edge

Frindle

2011-07-08T09:20:00.002-04:00

Clements, Andrew. Frindle. N.Y.: Alladin Paperbacks, 1996. 105 pages. (Realistic Fiction)

The main characters in this book are Nick, a fifth grade boy, and his fifth grade English teacher, Mrs. Granger. The story takes place in a town called Westfield, in an intermediate school. The problem Nick faces is that he and his teacher disagree about a new word that he invents. His teacher loves using the dictionary and always encourages her students to do the same. One day Nick asked Mrs. Granger why words are called what they are called. She responded by saying “Words are what they are because we say they are.” While walking home from school one day, Nick saw a pen on the side of the road. He picked it up and came up with a great idea. He would call it a “frindle” and use that word all day in school the next day. To do this, Nick called all his friends over to his house and made them sign an oath saying that from now on they would use the word “frindle” instead of “pen.” One interesting event that happened in this book is that in the middle of Nick’s battle with Mrs. Granger over his use of the word “frindle” Mrs. Granger put a notice up on the school bulletin board that said that any kid who used the word “frindle” had to stay after school and write “I am writing this punishment with a pen.”

I thought this book was one of the most interesting books I’ve ever read. I would recommend it with anyone who likes stories about mean English teachers who give you homework on the first day of school. This book was so well written that I would read any other book by Andrew Clements. The characters in this book were very easy to picture and the story very easy to follow. This made the book interesting to read. This book made me want to keep reading and reading until I finished it.

Dangling on the Edge

Learning to Breathe Again

2011-07-08T09:20:00.001-04:00

Trent, Tammy. Learning to Breathe Again. NYC: Thomas Nelson, 224 pages. (Non-Fiction / Self Help)

The book Learning to Breathe Again is a biography about the life of Tammy Trent, a Christian singer. The main charters are Tammy, Trent Tammy’s husband, and their families and friends. This book has a lot of settings because it is a bibliography. A lot of it took place in Hawaii though. Tammy’s husband Trent died in Hawaii on a cruise. He went scuba diving and never came back up. Tammy had to try solving this problem by moving on and becoming a Christian singer. I myself have met her in person and have gone to a few of her concerts. The day before Trent died; they were talking about having kids. Trent proposed to Tammy with a Happy Meal at McDonalds. The girls who worked there all knew what was going on, so they were all laughing and smiling at Trent. Tammy thought they were flirting with him, so she got really angry. I mean until she found the ring. Tammy Trent had to change her name, so she took his first name as a last name.

The charter that I liked most and look up to was Tammy, because she has a lot of perseverance. I myself know what it feels like to lose someone so close to you: my mom died when I was only about four years old. My whole family including my new mom helped me right through this. I would recommend this book to anyone in the mood for a sad, happy, heart breaking, and most amazing book.

Reviewed By: Reed254

The Wide Window

2011-07-08T09:20:00.000-04:00

Snicket, Lemony. A Series of Unfortunate Events: The Wide Window. New York City: HarperCollins publishers, 2000. 214 pages. (Suspense)

Violet, Klaus, and Sunny Baudelaire are three orphans with a huge fortune that their parents left behind on a new adventure. They are going to live with their Aunt Josephine, who is a widow. Their aunt lives on a hill towering above Lake Lachrymose held up partially by the cliff, and partially by wooden stilts. Josephine has an obsession with grammar, and has many irrational fears, some including the doormat to her house, because someone could trip on it and break their neck. Another is touching any doorknob, because she is afraid of it shattering into a million pieces, and one of them will hit her eye. She will not answer the telephone, because she fears electrocution. Aunt Josephine will also not turn on the oven, because she fears it will burst into flames, and she is afraid of realtors for no apparent reason.When the orphans arrive at Aunt Josephine's house, Hurricane Herman is about to arrive.

I liked this book a lot, because I think that it was a short book, but all the things happening make it seem much longer than it is. Also, since the book is full of activity, it keeps your interest, and you can read it very quickly. The book uses many big words, and I am very glad that they define them right after they use them. I also like how many of the names of things are alliterations- such as “Curdled Cave,” and “Damocles Dock.” The suspense keeps moving because Count Olaf never gets captured. I would certainly recommend this book to anyone who likes fantasy- fiction books.

Reviewed By: Scooterocks87

The Island of the Blue Dolphin

2011-07-08T09:19:00.000-04:00

O’Dell, Scott. The Island of the Blue Dolphin. NY: Dell Yearling, 1960. 184 pages.(Historic Fiction / Survival)

This story takes place on an island in the middle of the Pacific Ocean. The island is said to look like a fish that is sunning itself in the vast sea. There are many dolphins and otters swimming around the island while sea elephants and sea birds walk around on land. Many Indians once lived on this island. They lived a happy life until one day when they left for the east, one girl was left behind. This is the story of Karanan, a young Indian girl just trying to survive and waiting for her family to come back and find her. Year after year she waits for the ship to return to the island, but it never comes. While she waits, she has to find food, build a shelter, make weapons, and most important, fight off her enemies, which are the wild dogs that live on the island. This story is a tale of her survival and her adventure on The Island of the Blue Dolphins.

I selected this book because I love a great adventure book and this book was more than great. Once I thought I knew what was going to happen next, the book took the story and turned it right around. This book kept me on my toes the whole story.

Reviewed By: hockeysniper13

A Great and Terrible Beauty

2011-06-16T09:57:00.004-04:00

Bray, Libba. A Great and Terrible Beauty. NY: Declorate Press, 2003. 416 pages. (Fantasy / Romance)

This book is about a girl named Gemma Doyle who has returned to England to go to Spence Academy, a boarding school that teaches girls how to be a proper wife in the 1800’s, after her mother’s tragic death in India. She has just discovered that she has the ability to go into other realms and can see visions. She then learns about the order, a group of people who have the same abilities that she does, that have been lost thanks to Circe, an evil power-hungry thing that wants all order members dead, especially Gemma. Along the journey of her visions, Gemma encounters a little girl who gives her the diary of Mary Dowd. To Gemma’s surprise the diary’s still with her in the morning when she wakes. Soon Gemma befriends Felicity, Pippa, and Ann. They decide to start an order of their own. Now all magic of the realms is loose and trouble could be at hand, but that doesn’t concern her. She will leave those troubles out of her mind for at least little while, hopefully.

If I had to describe this book in one word it would be astounding. This book was all around amazing. It had a romance, mythical, and very dramatic theme to it. With the loving realistic characters and well written plot, all most anyone would enjoy this book.

So1cc5er

The Sign of The Beaver

2011-06-16T09:54:00.003-04:00

Speare, Elizabeth. The Sign of The Beaver. NY: Bantam Doubleday Dell, 1984. 135 pages. (Survival)

The main characters of this book are Matt and Attean. The story in Maine. The problem Matt faces is he is left in the woods alone for about 6 months because his dad had to get his mom, sister, and little baby sister back where he used to live. The problem is that he is alone with no one. But about 2 months after his dad left an Indian comes from out of the woods his name is Attean. An interesting thing that happened was that Attean would come over to his house almost every day to learn how to read and write. In return Attean would teach Matt how to catch fish without a fishing poll or make a bow and arrow or something like that. Then Attean and his tribe had to move because there food was moving north and Attean asked if Matt wanted to go with them.

I think that this author would be teacher. I think that this author would be a good teacher because she could teach about the outdoors. She could teacher about the outdoors because of all thing about the outdoors she talks

Reviewed by: GlibGibb

Shug

2011-06-16T09:51:00.004-04:00

Han, Jenny. Shug. N.Y.: Simon and Schuster Children’s Publishing, April 25, 2006. 256pages. (Realistic Fiction / Romance)

The book I chose to read is Shug by Jenny Han. Shug’s real name is Annemarie Wilcox. But her mom, dad and sister call her Shug. They call her that because it’s short for sugar and it means “sugar and spice and everything nice” and lots of mothers call their babies Shug. This story takes place in Clementon, New Jersey and it was the end of summer and they’re beginning school, seventh grade actually. The problem Annemarie faces is she is in love with her life-time friend, Mark Findley. She has to go about this “problem” while Jack Connelly, the boy she’s hated for quite some years, was bothering her.

If you want to know the ending, read this book, ‘cause I’m not giving the rest away. I selected this book from a book order, and I’m glad I did. It’s my new favorite book. This book makes you want to keep reading, and reading, and reading.

Reviewed by: Tinkerbell14

Two Way Street

2011-06-16T09:38:00.002-04:00

Barnholdt, Lauren. Two Way Street. New York: Simon Pulse, 2007. 288 pages. (Romance / Realistic Fiction)

Two Way Street is a book that tells each sides of an ex’s story. Jordan has his story which surprisingly, is totally different from Courtney’s. Which Courtney doesn’t know quite yet.

Courtney McSweeney is heartbroken. She placed her world around a boy, and he lied. Jordan Richmond just broke up with his girlfriend, Courtney, and her dad keeps bugging him. Jordan and Courtney are going to the same college together and had planned a trip together for 3 days in a car before they broke up. 3 days, two exes. Something bad is bound to happen.

On the first day of the trip, Jordan was late. Either he is going without her, or he is doing it to annoy Courtney, because so far, it was working. Jordan pulls in the driveway just as Courtney’s dad is coming down the stairs. Jordan looks like he just woke up and he explains that he had packed for college just that morning. Courtney had been packed for weeks. That tells you a lot about Jordan. This is a great book about two exes that absolutely hate each other in the beginning and then towards the end Jordan tells Courtney the real reason he broke up with her and they both realize that they were meant to be together. This is a great book that tells both sides of the couple’s story, and strangely, each side is different, but in the end, both stories match. I would definitely recommend this book for someone who wants something with a lot of emotion and twists.

Reviewed by Jlee007

Speak

2011-06-08T13:27:00.005-04:00

Anderson, Laurie Halse. Speak. New York: Farrer Staraus Giroux, 1999. 198 pages. (Realistic Fiction)

How harmful can an end of the summer part be? The answer: extremely! Melinda Sordino and Rachel bruin were best friends until the unfaithful night they decided to attend a senior party where the worst thing, besides murder, happened to Mel; she was raped by Andy Evans. Mel calls the cops on the party and everyone knows she was the one who did it, but no one knows why. Her first year of high school starts out horrible, but only gets worse. Before Mel thinks things can get any worse, the unimaginable happens.

Laurie Halse Anderson did an amazing job writing Speak. It leaves you feeling empathy for the main character even though she’s fiction. To even be able to begin to understand how a girl like Mel must feel is impossible. The book is a great read as long as you have time because once you open the book you won’t be able to put it down!

Reviewed by: BlueBerryBuddy

Kissed by an Angel

2011-06-08T13:25:00.003-04:00

Chandler, Elizabeth. Kissed By An Angel, The Power of Love, Soulmates. NYC: Simon & Schuster, 1995. (Romance / Suspense)

Tristan and Ivy. They met at a wedding, Ivy’s mother’s wedding. They fell in love.

Death came too soon for him… a car accident-
was it really an accident?

Now Tristan is Ivy’s guardian angel, he knows she’s in danger. But how can he reach her when she no longer believes in angels?

Ivy lost her boyfriend and her belief in angels in a car accident. Now she can only lean on one person, the only one who truly understands what she’s going through. But as time goes on, she slowly starts believing in angels again, and she realizes that the one who helped her through might be the one to end it all.

This was a really great book! It’s good for people that like suspenseful, chilling books, but also like romance stories. It’s not one of those books that are obvious, but when you think you know how it’ll end, everything changes and you’re left wondering again. I recommend this to almost anyone who doesn’t mind a creepy book.

DancingPenguin96

Blue Moon

2011-06-08T13:23:00.003-04:00

Noel, Alyson. Blue Moon. New York City: St. Martin’s Press, 2009. 284 pages. (Supernatural Suspense / Romance)

Ever has entered the world of the immortals with Damen. Just as it seems like they are to have all of eternity to be together, Damen gets sick. That would be normal, but immortals don’t get sick, they don’t sweat, and they don’t forget. And Damen’s been doing a lot of all that lately. In fact, he acts as though he and Ever were never together, as though he doesn’t care about her. Just when she is heartbroken and alone, Roman shows up and messes with everything, chilling her with his sunny facade. Desperate, Ever travels to Summerland for some answers. Watching the past and future unfold in a temple in Summerland, Ever is forced to make a decision she never knew existed, a decision that involves her true love, or changing the past…

This book was a wonderful continuation to the story of Ever and Damen. As the second book in the immortals, it was as addictive, suspenseful, and twisting as the first book in the series: evermore. With this author, a happily ever after is not exactly guaranteed. Don’t miss the next book in the series: Shadowland, coming out February 2010.

Reviewed By: DancingPenguin96

Evermore

2011-06-08T13:22:00.003-04:00

Noel, Alyson. Evermore. New York City: St. Martin’s Press, 2009. 301 pages. (Supernatural Suspense / Romance)

Ever’s family died in a tragic car accident, yet she escaped alive. But since Ever woke in the hospital, she’s been able to see people’s auras, hear their thoughts, see the future, and know a person’s life story by touching them. In order to drown out all the noise and chaos in her head, she blasts her iPod and hides under her hood at school, making her a freak and a total loser in the eyes of her classmates. Then she meets Damen. He’s exotic, gorgeous, dark, dangerous and totally in to Ever. As Ever gets closer and closer to Damen, she can’t help but feel like she’s looked into his dark eyes before, that there’s something not quite right about this gorgeous guy who seems to know so much about her. That there’s more to him than just a pretty face…

This book was really captivating! I’ve never read any of Alyson Noel’s books before, but she’s an amazing author! There’s so much suspense, but it’s not a creepy thriller book, which is good. It’s also not an over-the-top romance. It’s really cool because it’s about the supernatural, so it’s never boring. I recommend this book to anyone who likes fantasy.

DancingPenguin96

The Magician

2011-06-08T11:32:00.003-04:00

Scott, Michael. The Magician. New York City: Random House Children’s Books, 2008. 464 pages. (Fantasy)

Sophie and Josh Newman were two regular teenagers. Except for the fact that they are twins. And the fact that they are the twins from a legend, prophesized to learn the elemental magics and save the world.

Sophie has had her powers awakened and has learned the first elemental magic: Air. Along with her brother, Josh, Nicholas Flamel, and Scathach, she travels to Paris to learn the second elemental magic: Fire. But Dee has more than a few tricks up his sleeve, and he’s willing to do just about anything to capture the twins.

Trapped on the abandoned island, Alcatraz, Perenelle Flamel is a prisoner of Dee. Although she’s a prisoner, she’s far from helpless. Along with the help of ghosts on the island, she befriends many centuries’ old enemies to defeat whatever Dee throws at her. But will it be enough to get her off the island and save her life.

This series is truly amazing! It has so much detail, and so many things going on at once, but it’s not hard to keep up. It’s never boring, and just when you think a character is gone forever, they show up and surprise you again. Make sure you read the first book: The Alchemist, and the third book: The Sorceress. These books are definitely worth your time.

Reviewed by: DancingPenguin96

On the Run Book 1: Chasing the Falconers

2011-06-08T11:29:00.002-04:00

Korman, Gordon. On the Run Book 1: Chasing the Falconers. New York: Scholastic, 2005. 154 pages. (Thriller / Action / Adventure)

Meg and Aiden Falconer escape Sunnydale after Aiden sets the whole farm on fire “accidentally.” They become fugitives who are innocent of no crime. With their parents in prison for life after being framed, no one will take the Falconer kids in. Aiden and Meg must find their way across the country without getting caught to prove their parents innocence and get their lives back. They discover that while on the run, there is no way to stay free without breaking laws, can they do it?

Chasing the Falconers, was an interesting book and caught my attention. It’s an easy read for the junior high age group, but still draws you in. I would definitely recommend this book to someone who likes to read about action and adventure.

Reviewed by: BlueBerryBuddy

Peak

2011-06-08T11:25:00.003-04:00

Smith, Roland. Peak. New York City: Scholastics Inc, 2007. 246 pages. (Adventure)

Peak Marcello is in major trouble. He was caught climbing the Wentworth Building in NYC and he has been charged with criminal trespass, vandalism, reckless endangerment, a kid’s life… the judge lets him off the hook- for a fine of $150,000, probation until he turns 18, and he must disappear. His dad, who hasn’t been in touch with Peak for years, offers to take him away for a while. Peak is thrilled to be with his dad, but sad to leave his mom, stepdad, and twin sisters. His dad has more than a few surprises for Peak, and it turns out he only offered to help out to benefit himself.

This book was breathtaking! I knew it had good reports, but I didn’t think it would be anything as good as it was. It was an exciting adventure, but it was also about friendship and deceiving. The characters where each so different and original, and the plot was different than any other I’ve ever read. I would’ve rather it had a different ending, but it was very heroic and emotional. All around an excellent read! A five star book!

Reviewed by: DancingPenguin96

The Lost Symbol

2011-06-08T11:22:00.004-04:00

Brown, Dan. The Lost Symbol. New York: Double Day/Random House, 2009. 509 pages. (Thriller / Mystery)

Washington D.C: 7:00 pm.

Robert Langdon, Harvard Professor and symbologist, received a call from the secretary of his longtime friend and mentor: Peter Solomon. He said that Peter needed a favor: Langdon was to present a lecture in DC… to a very important bunch of people. When Langdon arrived he did not find what he expected to-not even close. He learned that if he did not act quickly, Peter may suffer the deadly consequences.

This book was phenomenal! Dan Brown is my favorite author, and there’s a reason his books are international bestsellers. For anyone who was enchanted by The DaVinci Code or Angels and Demons, this book will captivate you once again. Like the two books I just mentioned, this book stars Robert Langdon, but all of the other characters are different. This book involved Noetic Science, proving that human thought can affect matter, which is fascinating. In my opinion, the villain in The Lost Symbol is the most complex, chilling antagonist yet. His passed is revealed only at the end of the book in the most thrilling scene. This book is filled with secrets, suspense, and deceiving. This book surpasses every other book in complexity and writing style. To say that this book is a five star book would be a serious understatement. A must read thriller!

Reviewed by: DancingPenguin96

The Bar Code Tattoo

2011-06-08T11:18:00.002-04:00

Weyn, Suzanne. The Bar Code Tattoo. New York City: Scholastics Inc., 2006. 265 pages. (Sci-Fi / Thriller)

Kayla Reed lives in a harsh world- the future. The government has made it law to be tattooed with a bar code. Kayla and other resistors know that this tattoo has the ability to ruin your life, or bring you to the top of the social ladder. If your genetic code has any hint of a disease, or is anything less than perfect… everything you have worked for will be taken away. Kayla and the Drakians, a group of bar code tattoo resistors, have been trying to figure out the reasons behind so many tragic things that have been going on, and the truth is worse than they ever imagined.

On a scale of 1-10, I would say this book was an 8.5. It was very riveting, suspenseful, and even heartbreaking at times. I think it was a creative and original book, but the writing technique was not quite A+. All around it was a great book, but it could have used a little work on dialogue to make it seem more realistic.

Reviewed By: DancingPenguin96

Counting on Grace

2011-06-08T11:15:00.002-04:00

Winthrop, Elizabeth. Counting on Grace. New York City: Wendy Lamb Books, 2006. 215 pages. (Historic Fiction)

Grace is a doffer, working a right-handed job… but she’s is left-handed. The slowest doffer in her family, she costs her family money they need to pay off bills. The one day in the week Grace has to look forward to is Sunday. After Mass she and her friend Arthur walk to the schoolhouse to take private lessons with their teacher, Miss Lesley. Arthur grows restless with his time spent in the factory, so he hatches a plan to escape to Massachusetts, where they won’t let underage workers in their mills. Grace knows she can’t join him, and she can’t imagine helping to close down the mill, either. The mill is the only work they know, the only work they’re good at. Without the mill, or even just without Grace in the mill, her family wouldn’t be able to pay the bills, or to stay in their house. But when Lewis Hine, a photographer and children’s rights worker, comes along with a camera, Grace will have to choose which path to take: a life in the mill or to work to change her life.

I usually don’t like historical fiction books, but this book was great. I had previously started it a couple of years ago and hadn’t finished it. But this year we were discussing Immigration, factory work, and child labor in SS and I remembered this book. The fascinating thing about this book is that it was based on a picture of a ten year old girl named Addie Laird from a mill in Vermont. The picture was taken by Lewis Hine, and was the inspiration for this book. Although the facts in this book are historically accurate, it is still an adventure that I encourage you to explore. The plot is heartbreaking at times and cheerful at others… and it has a very satisfying ending.

Reviewed By: DancingPenguin96

Prophecy of the Sisters

2011-06-08T11:14:00.003-04:00

Zink, Michelle. Prophecy of the Sisters. New York City: Hachette Book Group, 2009. 343 pages. (Fantasy / Mystery)

Lia Milthrope is in the strangling grasp of an ancient prophecy, too complicated for her to understand. Her twin sister, Alice, however, has known of this prophecy ever since she was a child. The voices of the lost souls whispered to let them through to this world before she could even understand her loved ones, they taught her to harness her powers even before she could talk, and they taught her to fly the Plains, the place in between our world and the place beyond, even before she could walk. A complicated pregnancy led to a mistake in the prophecy, and now it is not Alice’s choice to let the souls in to this world or not, it is Lia’s. The things that have protected Lia from the souls for so long has been destroyed by them, and the thin protection left by her mother has been destroyed by her own twin sister. Lia must leave behind the easiness of her old life and take on this responsibility, for if she makes the wrong choice, the souls will come. For her, for everyone.

Prophecy of the Sisters is an intricately woven tale of life, love, and death. I really loved this book! It was a mystery, but it didn’t lose the emotional factor to suspense and fear, though it was suspenseful. It is quite obvious the work and time put into creating this work of literature, for everything is well thought out and not rushed. I was unable to stop reading from start to finish. I was disappointed in the ending, it was sort of like a cliff hanger, the conflicts were not solved and there was no battle as they promised. But this book was published in 2009, so I’m sure there will be a sequel to conclude the story properly. I recommend this book to anyone who loves suspenseful, emotional stories.

Reviewed By: DancingPenguin96

Hush, Hush

2011-06-08T11:12:00.003-04:00

Fitzpatrick, Becca. Hush, Hush. New York City: Simon and Schuster Children’s Publishing, 2009. 391 pages. (Thriller / Romance)

Nora Grey lives in a farmhouse with her mother, never had a boyfriend, and is best friends with Vee. This is how it’s always been. Little does she know, a switch in the biology seating chart will put all that at risk.

Home alone one night, Nora wakes up to find a shadowy figure outside her bedroom window. The next day she hits a man in a ski mask with her friend’s car, but when she tries to show her friend the damage, it’s gone. The more strange things that happen, the more Nora feels weary of her new biology partner, Patch. He seems to know more about her than her closest friend and the more distance she tries to put between them, the more she feels herself being pulled in. When her mind fails her more than once, she begins to think she is going crazy. Determined to find out more of Patch’s past, she confronts him. The answers she receives will be enough to make her never want to be near Patch again, but that’s not quite what he has in mind.

This book was phenomenal! It was suspenseful and completely unpredictable. One thing I really liked was that it led you to believe one thing, and then the story took a completely different turn. I really liked the characters and how they were all so different from each other. One thing I feel I should mention is that this book reminded me a lot of Twilight. It had a similar character plot and the feeling of danger was much the same, but the romance was flip flopped. It started as a thriller, but sort of swerved toward romance, so it was very interesting! A great read, I finished it in less than a week!

Reviewed By: DancingPenguin96

Rampant

2011-06-08T11:10:00.003-04:00

Peterfreund, Dianna. Rampant. New York City: HarperCollins Publishers, 2009. 402 pages. (Fantasy)

Astrid Llewelyn has a boyfriend, a job, and a crazy mother. Life couldn’t get any more complicated, at least that’s what she thinks. One night, her boyfriend is attacked by a unicorn and that’s when her life changes forever. When her unicorn-fanatic mother finds out there is a unicorn hunting training camp in Rome, she packs up her daughters belongings and ships her off. Astrid arrives to find a crumbling building and an overwhelmed caretaker, but she stays, knowing her mother wouldn’t let her return home yet. As the other hunters arrive, she finds they all have one thing in common, ashamed of it or not. Her cousin, Philippa Llewelyn, also arrives, and together they find their way outside the crumbling building to the unknown world beyond. In the city, they meet Seth and Giovanni, two Americans in Rome at school. Each time they meet, that one little thing that allows them to be hunters is jeopardized, until it is finally broken. With one hunter down, the remaining huntresses find themselves in all the more danger, and every time they meet the unicorns, they have to be prepared to give up their lives, and the lives of others.

This book was phenomenal! It was so different from most books, and it had many, intertwining, and twisted paths that were unknown until the very end. I could not put this book down; it was written so well and was so suspenseful. For anyone who enjoys fantasy, this is a must read! I would give it a five star rating, because I simply cannot find anything to criticize!

Reviewed by: DancingPenguin96

Wicked Lovely

2011-06-08T11:07:00.003-04:00

Marr, Melissa. Wicked Lovely. New York City: HarperCollins Publishers, 2007. 328 pages. (Fantasy)

Aislinn knows a secret not many people know: out world is largely inhabited by faeries. The only reason she knows this, much as she wish it weren’t true, is because she has the Sight. The Sight allows her to see the Faeries around her, even without their glamours, when they would otherwise be invisible to humans. As fascinating as this may seem, she is miserable with the Sight. Her grandmother, living in constant fear of the faeries, is always threatening to take away her freedom if Aislinn breaks any of the rules:

#3: Don’t stare at the Faeries
#2: Don’t speak to them
#1: Don’t ever attract their attention

Certain rules have always kept Aislinn safe from the faeries, but as two begin to stalk her, those rules seem to crumble, and she is left completely vulnerable to their sheer power. The male knows too much about her, and suddenly everything is in danger: her best friend, her freedom, even her mortality.

This book was truly and uniquely magical! The author did a fantastic job of describing most of the character’s looks, personalities, and actions. The only character I didn’t have a mental picture of was, ironically, the main character, Aislinn. There were some descriptions of her, physically, but they were not in enough detail to make much of a difference. This book was original and creative, and I recommend it to anyone who likes fantasy. Five stars!

Reviewed By: DancingPenguin96

Paper Towns

2011-06-08T10:50:00.004-04:00

Green, John. Paper Towns. New York City: Penguin Group, 2008. 305 pages. (General Fiction / Mystery)

Quentin Jacobsen lives a small life in Florida with his parents and his friends, Radar and Ben. His routine days happily blend into each other until one night. While in his room, Margo Roth Spiegelman, a school legend, climbs into his room, and for one night, into his life. Together they embark on a journey of revenge. After spending the whole night out, they return, and Quentin in left wondering what their new relationship will be like at school. With high hope, he arrives at school to find disappointment. Margo isn’t there. And the next day, the same. With everyone looking for her, the cops, his classmates, and her parents Quentin finds a trail of clues. Clues which he is sure are for him. With nothing to lose, he follows.

What a great book! I loved it because it was original, insightful, and creative. The material John Green wrote about letting everybody be who they are, because they will never be perfect and they will never be you, really made me think. I loved the characters in this book, they were interesting and different, and most of all, they were real. I feel like this story is only giving me a glimpse of a true story, that’s how real the characters are. This is a great read for anyone who likes a highly intuitive, romance, and adventure book!

Reviewed By: DancingPenguin96

The Goose Girl

2011-06-08T10:46:00.005-04:00

Hale, Shannon. The Goose Girl. New York City: Bloomsbury USA Children’s Books, 2003, 2005. 383 pages. (Fantasy)

Anidori- Kiladra Talianna is Crown Princess of Kildenree. On the day of her father’s memorial service, her mother, queen of Kildenree, announces that Ani’s brother is now Crown Prince of Kildenree. Confused and angry, Ani confronts her mother only to receive an unbelievable answer. Her mother has arranged for her marriage to a prince in a neighboring country, Bayern, to keep peace between the nations. Betrayed and ashamed, she agrees and, with a large guard, she sets off towards Bayern. On their trip, all is not as it has always seemed at the castle and Ani is forced to run for her life, leaving behind friends and enemies. Arriving in Bayern, she is forced to take a job tending to the King’s geese, as nobody knows who she is. As the winter months drag on, Ani finds herself realizing a sense of belonging she never felt in her own home. But nothing seems to go right for Ani as the enemy is hot on her tail. So, grabbing every witness she can, she heads to confront the king and her enemy.

Shannon Hale has done it again! This masterpiece is just one of the four books making up The Books of Bayern. This book was filled with secrets and was so gripping, it actually had me rooting for Ani and analyzing her decisions instead of just reading along. I love all of the characters, Ani especially. Instead of being a shallow, unreal character, she evolved into someone complex and real, so real that it almost seems as if she is really out there somewhere. It is a wonderful fantasy that can be placed with the best of them.

Reviewed By: DancingPenguin96

The Everafter

2011-06-08T10:45:00.003-04:00

Huntley, Any. The Everafter. New York City: HarperCollins Publishers, 2009. 144 pages. (Afterlife / Fiction)

Maddy Stanton is dead, yet her existence remains. In a place she calls Is. All around her float objects she lost in her life, and with them she can travel back to the moment she lost them. As she rediscovers more and more of her life, she realizes she can change some things just with her willpower, but she struggles with some remaining questions: Who are the spirits she senses around her? Why can’t she remember her life? And, most importantly: How did she die???

I loved this book! It had such a unique and original plot that it was irresistible. It is interesting to see, as the book goes on, how the main character, Maddy, changes in her thoughts, values, and goals. One aspect I really liked was that the author set certain boundaries and rules throughout the book and stuck to them, so it made it seem more orderly, instead of random. I really liked how this book had a suspenseful side, but not in a creepy thriller way. The mystery of Maddy’s death was hanging there throughout the whole book, and the ending was shocking, and completely unexpected! I love this book, as it is completely unlike any other book I have ever read.

Reviewed By: DancingPenguin96

Eli the Good

2011-06-08T10:40:00.003-04:00

House, Silas. Eli the Good. Somerville: Candlewick Press, 2009. 295 pages. (General Fiction)

In the summer of 1976, Eli Book was 10 years old. He lived with his beautiful mother, his war-traumatized father, his rebellious older sister, and his trees. With his best friend Edie right next door, this was going to be a great summer. The first sign was his beloved Aunt Nell coming to stay with them for the summer. A former war protester, she and his father, a Vietnam veteran, often had clashing beliefs. Day after hot day passed, and Eli fell into a happy routine of swimming, reading, sitting with trees, dancing with his mother, and listening to records. Though the summer seemed perfect, it was gilded. Eli’s beloved aunt was fighting something that could take her down once and for all, his father was fighting the after affects of the Vietnam War, his mother and his sister were constantly bickering, and his best friend was having family problems. As the summer rolled along, Eli discovered how magical is to be a child, and the complications of growing up.

What a thought provoking book! I really loved this story because it grabbed a hold of me and pulled me into this small town. It seemed very realistic because, although many things were going on, it didn’t have one big adventure. It had many important, but little things going on, and sometimes, life just went on as normal. It seems like it didn’t really have a normal story plot with the rising action, climax, falling action, and resolution, and if I was asked what the climax was in this story I wouldn’t know what to say. The plot seemed more like how life would really be in a summer in a small town. All of the aspects of the book came together to make me wonder if this was based on a true story, that’s how real it seemed. I think this book would be a great one to read in class because it talks about many important issues and about growing up. I loved this book and I would give it a 5+ star rating!

Reviewed By: DancingPeguin96

The Iron King

2010-10-13T14:18:00.002-04:00

Kagawa, Julie. The Iron King. Ontario: Harlequin Teen, 2010. 363 pages. (Fantasy)

Meghan Chase is your average outsider. Living in the middle of the wilderness and showing up to school with overalls every day, she doesn’t have many friends. She has one, to be precise. Robbie Goodfell has been her best friend ever since she and her family moved to that area. When things start getting strange, Meghan realizes how little she knows about him, her best friend. She’s never been to his house, she’s never met his family, and when her brother turns wild and the most popular girl in school starts oinking, Meghan turns to Robbie for answers. The truth she’s about to find out is out of this world- literally. She’s is forced to leave behind all she’s ever known to join a world of fairies, glamour, binding oaths, and wicked rulers. The task starts out as finding her brother and ends up as killing a ruler before they kill her. Will she succeed?

Whoa! I don’t know what to say! I really enjoyed this book, it’s characters where very realistic and the plot was great! I liked how there where many different conflicts in this book, and many things happening behind the scenes that you don’t find out about until later. The two supporting characters where each so different and intriguing that they pulled me deeper and deeper into the plot, ever more so than the main character herself. This is an extraordinary book and I highly recommend it to fantasy lovers. And if you love this book and are aching for more, read the next book The Iron Daughter.

Reviewed By: DancingPenguin96

Uglies

2010-10-13T14:16:00.003-04:00

Westerfeld, Scott. Uglies. New York City: Simon and Schuster Children’s Publishing Division, 2005. 425 pages. (Sci-Fi)

Look pretty or not?
Tally asks.
Have a brain or not?

New pretty town, great.
Other choice?
The outdoors, the Smoke.

Wild, crazy...why? Freedom
Not too hard.
Follows friend on chase.

Specials will come.
Bonds will be tested.
Brains will fry.

Who will die?
Will the Smoke really croak?
Read and see.

The book Uglies is a fast but good read. It keeps you turning the pages all the way through. I would recommend this book to almost anyone. Uglies is about a girl Tally who meets a new friend, Shay, after her old friend Perris is turned pretty. All Tally ever wanted was to be pretty until she met Shay. Shay did not want to be pretty, instead she wanted to go and live in the “Smoke” where no one is pretty, which means no one is ugly. Tally has to face Specials and decide who she is fighting for. Will Tally become pretty, will the Specials find the Smoke, will Tally and Shay manage to stay friends after the betrayal? Read Uglies to find out.

Reviewed by: Bot Fly Babe

Guys Write For Guys Read

2010-10-13T14:09:00.001-04:00

Scieszka, Jon. Guys Write For Guys Read. NY: Penguin Group, 2008. 272 pages. (General Fiction/Non-Fiction)

Guys Write For Guys Read
Is a book you must read

About boys lives
How they live
The mistakes they’ve made

Authors
Illustrators
Cartoons and comics
It has them all

Many stories
From many authors
From screw-ups to true Genius

Jon Scieska
And the gang
Will not let you down

I liked this book because of the different stories, but some were kind of boring. Most of the book was great, but there were points that were boring and uninteresting. There is no plot-line, just a bunch of stories put together, but it was fun to read all the different stories about different people. I liked this book and recommend it to anybody that wants to read an interesting book.

By: Gumby

Ender's Game

2010-10-13T14:06:00.002-04:00

Card, Orson. Ender's Game. New York: A Tor Book, 1977. 324 pages. (Sci-Fi)

Ender, Ender, what do you see?
I see Peter trying to kill me.

Peter, Peter, what do you see?
I see Valentine defending Ender.

Valentine, Valentine, what do you see?
I see Colonel Graff taking Ender from me.

Graff, Graff, what do you see?
I see Ender becoming the best.

Ender, Ender, what do you see?
I see war making me mad.

War, War, what do you see?
I see Valentine helping me.

Valentine, Valentine, what do you see?
I see Peter controlling me.

Peter, Peter, what do you see?
I see the buggers coming for me.

Buggers, Buggers, what do you see?
I see the world and Ender coming for me.

World, World, what do you see?
I see Ender saving me.

Ender, Ender, what do you see?
I see death because of me.

Death, Death, what do you see?
I see Graff helping make me.

Graff, Graff what do you see?
I see Mazer Rackham helping me.

Mazer, Mazer, what do you see?
I see Ender being better than me.

Ender, Ender, what do you see?
I see war, tearing me apart.

War, War, what do you see?
I see life being ruined because of me.

Life, Life, what do you see?
I see Valentine getting away from the worst.

Valentine, Valentine, what do you see?
I see Ender coming with me.

Ender, Ender, what do you see?
I see me finally finding my place in the universe.

Ender's Game is one of the best books I've ever read! The beginning is sketchy and then as you read on it explains everything in bits and pieces so by the end of the book you completely understand everything you read! Ender's Game is a good example of how enemy's, sometimes, aren't so different after all and if you are the bigger person and learn to set aside differences and step up to the plate then you will find that you can live your life to the fullest!

Reviewed by: MurkyWaters

Coraline

2010-10-13T13:59:00.005-04:00

Gaiman, Neil. Coraline. New York: Haper Collins, 2002. 163 pages. (Fantasy/Suspense)

Coraline is in her new home which seems very

Ordinary and boring but, is

Really quite extraordinary! Only after she finds the

Alternate world lying beyond an unnoticeable door she realize this. In that world is where the

Look a likes of her parents live and when her other mother decides Coraline should stay

In the other world with her she kidnaps Coraline’s parents leaving her with no other place to go. At first

Nothing goes wrong but as days go by Coraline finds that everything is wrong! She finds

Everything is the opposite in this world and she misses her parents but, where are they?! Will Coraline find them or will she be stuck in this strange other world with the Other Mother forever?

I liked this book and would recommend it to anyone because it’s very creative and catchy. After I started reading it I didn’t want it to end. I think it’s something anyone can and should read. It’s a little creepy and dark but I think that’s the best part. Still it wouldn’t be too scary for someone else.

Reviewed by: Gwyneth

Twilight

2010-10-13T13:56:00.007-04:00

Meyer, Stephanie. Twilight. NY: Little, Brown and Company, 2005. 498 pages.(Vampires/Romance)

Edward Edward what do you see
I see a teacher Teaching me

Teacher Teacher what do you see
I see my Students ignoring me.

Students Students what do you see
I see the Cullens walking towards me.

Cullens Cullens what do you see
I see Jasper hunting with us

Jasper Jasper what do you see
I see Alice loving me

Alice Alice what do you see
I see the Vampire coming for us

Vampires Vampires what do you see
I see James running with me

James James what do you see
I see Bella she looks good to eat

Bella Bella what do you see
I see Jacob Black wanting me.

Jacob Jacob what do you see
I see my love not loving me.

I would recommend this book to a million people. This book takes you on a wild ride. When you read this you think that you’re Bella in a world of vampires and love.

Reviewed by: Rockem!Sockem!Robot!

When You Reach Me

2010-10-13T13:27:00.001-04:00

Stead, Rebecca. When You Reach Me. New York: Wendy Lamb Books. 2009. 197 pages. (Science fiction, mystery fiction)

A young and innocent sixth grader, Miranda walks home from school with her best friend Sal. They pass by a garage and out comes a group of boys. Marcus, one of those boys walks toward them and gives Sal a good hard punch for absolutely no reason. After that weird things happen. The spare key to her Miranda’s mom’s apartment is gone and she keeps finding notes that say, “I am coming to save your friends life and my own but first you must write me a letter.” Miranda soon realizes that it’s up to her to save someone’s life. If only she had written sooner.

When You Reach Me is a really good book. I’m not really big on mysteries, but it was just really great. The end is the best part when things unravel and you find yourself going, “Ohhh, I see.” The way the author sets up the story is totally cool. I loved this book, and I think anyone should read it.

By: Peacelvr52

Wuthering Heights

2010-09-29T12:19:00.003-04:00

Bronte, Emily. Wuthering Heights. New York City: HarperCollins Publishers, 2009. 427 pages.

This classic tale of undying love begins to be retold to Mr. Lockwood through a series of stories told to him by a servant, Ellen Dean. His interest is sparked when, staying at Wuthering Heights overnight, he finds a diary of Catherine Linton. The story begins at Wuthering Heights, many years ago.

Cathy Earnshaw and Heathcliff grew up under the same roof, best friends, almost inseparable. When Mr. Earnshaw passed away and Cathy’s brother, Hinton, took over Wuthering Heights as master, Heathcliff was forced to give up his education and work. The chance meeting of Cathy and the Lintons, who lived at Thrushcross Grange, shifted her entire future. Although she still remembered Heathcliff, she preferred Edgar Linton’s polished background to Heathcliff’s primitive ways and tainted past. Her blossoming relationship with Edgar wounded Heathcliff and drove him further and further away from her. By the time the time of Catherine and Edgar’s engagement, Heathcliff knew Cathy was too wild for weak and timid Edgar Linton. But, the wedding was inevitable and soon Cathy had moved to Thrushcross Grange with Edgar. Their relationship took a turn for the worse and soon Cathy was dead leaving a child, Catherine Linton, in her place. With his only true friend and love gone, Heathcliff grew bitter and resentful. He knew he would only be at peace once again when he was with his one and only love once again.

Wuthering Heights is an amazing work of literature! The selfish, spiteful characters really made me worked up, and though I kept waiting for them to get what they deserved, they never did! Even a peaceful death didn’t seem like enough of a punishment when the characters almost waited for death. But the selfish, heartless characters in this book were so plentiful; I could almost sympathize with them regardless of their selfishness. I feel like the characters were very realistic and this book captured the hatred in people and the reality that many that many times, cruel people never get what they deserve. The language in this book was so rich and expressive it made modern books seem dead and lacking. Although at the beginning I found it very hard to understand and follow this book, towards the end I grew used to it and it seemed normal. If only all language were this alive and expressive! I recommend this to all, for it will change the way you look at books!

Reviewed By: DancingPenguin96

The Invention of Hugo Cabret

2010-09-29T12:09:00.006-04:00

Selznick, Brian. The Invention of Hugo Cabret. New York City: Scholastic Press, 2007. 525 pages. (Historic Fiction/Graphic Novel)

Hugo Cabret is alone. His father died in a fire and his uncle left and was found at the bottom of a river. He lives at the train station in hiding. In a small apartment inside the walls of the station he lives alone and twice everyday he makes his rounds and checks on every clock in the train station. Every day, after his rounds he works on the automaton his father had started to rebuild and fix. Following the precise diagrams in a notebook that his father had drawn, he tries to finish the job his father had started. Hugo steals his parts from a toy booth run by an old man. He has always managed to take what he needed and get away, until today.

Caught.

The old man takes his notebook and shoos him off. Without his notebook, Hugo is nothing. A lost soul. He has no purpose, until he finds out a way to get it back. He works for the old man at the toy booth and everyday he feels himself closer and closer to his notebook. But as he works, he feels himself growing more and more attached to the old man and his granddaughter, Isabelle. But all is not as it seems. The puzzle pieces are matching up a little too perfectly considering his family had no relations with the old man’s family. Hugo and Isabelle set off on a mission to learn a shocking truth and dig up the past.

The Invention of Hugo Cabret is truly one of a kind! There are 158 pictures in this book which help to tell the story incredibly. The details are amazing! The storyline of this book is intriguing and satisfying. I have read this book several times and it is the kind of story you will never get tired of. I recommend this book to all, as I have never seen another book like it. A five star rating from me!

Reviewed by: DancingPenguin96

Prophecy of the Sisters

2010-09-29T11:20:00.007-04:00

Zink, Michelle. Prophecy of the Sisters. New York City: Hachette Book Group, 2009. 343 pages. (Fantasy)

Lia Milthrope is in the strangling grasp of an ancient prophecy, too complicated for her to understand. Her twin sister, Alice, however, has known of this prophecy ever since she was a child. The voices of the lost souls whispered to let them through to this world before she could even understand her loved ones… they taught her to harness her powers even before she could talk… and they taught her to fly the Plains, the place in between our world and the place beyond, even before she could walk. A complicated pregnancy led to a mistake in the prophecy, and now it is not Alice’s choice to let the souls in to this world or not, it is Lia’s. The things that have protected Lia from the souls for so long has been destroyed by them, and the thin protection left by her mother has been destroyed by her own twin sister. Lia must leave behind the easiness of her old life and take on this responsibility, for if she makes the wrong choice, the souls will come… for her, for everyone.

Prophecy of the Sisters is an intricately woven tale of life, love, and death. I really loved this book… it was a mystery, but it didn’t lose the emotional factor to suspense and fear, though it was suspenseful. It is quite obvious the work and time put into creating this work of literature, for everything is well thought out and not rushed. I was unable to stop reading from start to finish. I was disappointed in the ending, it was sort of like a cliff hanger… the conflicts were not solved and there was no battle as they promised. But this book was published in 2009, so I’m sure there will be a sequel to conclude the story properly. I recommend this book to anyone who loves suspenseful, emotional stories.

Reviewed By: DancingPenguin96

The Comet’s Curse

2010-09-29T11:04:00.005-04:00

Testa, Dom. The Comet’s Curse. New York City: Tom Doherty Associates, 2005. 224 pages. (Sci-Fi)

The human race is in trouble… a deadly particle from a comet’s tail is threatening everyone’s life who is over the age of 18. As one final act, they come together to build a space ship… This space ship is different than any other ever built. It will travel for five years to a distant planet called Eos holding 251 teenagers, none over the age of 16. Although some people are seriously against this project, the takeoff goes smoothly. Everything is perfect: the teens, the ship, the emotions… Everything except one. There is an adult aboard the ship, who is threatening their lives, their crops, their ship… And he is insane. Desperately the teens try to defeat the intruder, for they are the Human Race’s last hope.

This book is remarkable! It has an intricately weaved plot, it is suspenseful, and the truth is shocking! I really liked the characters and how different they each are. This is one of those books that I could almost see a movie in my head of what was happening in the book. There are so many things to find out, that it’s hard to put the book down. The next book in this series is called The Web of Titan. In my opinion this book is worth five stars!

Reviewed by: DancingPenguin96

The Astonishing Life of Octavian Nothing Traitor to the Nation

2010-09-29T10:51:00.004-04:00

Anderson, M.T. The Astonishing Life of Octavian Nothing Traitor to the Nation. Somerville, MA: Candlewick Press, 2006. 353 pages. (Historic Fiction)

Octavian and his mother live in The College of Lucidity, dressed in finery, and given music and language lessons. This would be normal in 1775, except that they are African Americans. Octavian has been oblivious of his surroundings for his whole life, until now. He begins to wonder why he and his mother are treated like wealthy citizens and not slaves, like the other African Americans at the College. He questions why he is studied by the men attending the College of Lucidity, and why he is given the finest of treatment. When his curiosity cannot be suppressed, Octavian quickly learns of the secrets behind his treatment at the college. He begins to hate his life at the College, for what seemed to be a freedom before, turned out to be transparent.

If anyone is thinking about reading this book, I would not jump to recommend it. It is very well written and it is a great idea, but it is just SO boring! The back of the book made me think it would be exciting and captivating, but I had learned why he is treated as he is by the 50th page, and the other 303 pages were not intriguing at all. It took me a VERY long time to finish this book, simply because there was no interest to keep me reading. The author is very talented in wording the book, though, and he had some very moving passages in the book. For example:

“And they imprisoned me in darkness; and though there was no color there, I still was black, and they still were white; and for that, they bound and gagged me. “ -Page 316

This book is very highly rated, though I don’t know why, so I’m sure there are some people who would read and absolutely love it, I am just not one of them.

Reviewed By: DancingPenguin96

The Bar Code Tattoo

2010-09-29T10:39:00.003-04:00

Weyn, Suzanne. The Bar Code Tattoo. New York City: Scholastics Inc., 2004. 250 pages. (Sci-Fi)

Kayla Reid is amidst a great national change. There is a new form of identification in the United States of America. The Bar Coe Tattoo. Just like on a cereal box, people all over the country are getting a series of lines tattooed onto their wrist. Few people find reason to resist at first, it’s will only make life easier, right? But as time progresses people learn there is much more than just your name and birth date in these codes. And for some families these things are enough to ruin their whole life. Faced with betrayal, and heartbroken at the loss of three of the closest people in her life, Kayla finds refuge with other resistors. As the bar code tattoo becomes a law in the US everyone who doesn’t have it is committing a crime. It’s time to fight.

I would say this book was pretty good! I love the idea, and it is very original, but the writing is lacking some detail. It kind of skips from one event to the next, not taking enough time to explain things in depth. The characters are good, but they’re not extremely original... they’re just people you’d expect to find in any other book. Other than those few things, I found this book extremely enthralling. An exciting plot made up for the weak points. Don’t miss the next book: The Bar Code Rebellion!

Reviewed by: DancingPenguin96

The Lovely Bones

2010-09-29T10:36:00.004-04:00

Sebold, Alice. The Lovely Bones. New York, NY: Little, Brown and Company, 2004. 328 pages. (Thriller)

This book is about a girl named Susie Salmon. She had a nice life, good friends. A cute guy. And a supportive family. But a man that lived in her neighborhood changed all that forever.

This man did whatever it takes to get what he wants. But this man didn't have it easy when he was little. His dad was a bad person, so he and his mom left him. They lived in a truck. So when he grew up, he did whatever he wanted. including taking young Susie's life. This book is about life and what happens afterward.

bball~luff

Fight For Life

2010-09-29T10:34:00.005-04:00

Anderson, Laurie Halse. Fight For Life. New York, NY: Schoolastic, 2007. 135 pages. (Non-Fiction)

Maggie Mackenzie helps her grandmother with her job as a vet for her own clinic. But when her rich, snobby, and rude cousin comes to stay with them, things get worse. Maggie isin't the best at school. She gets bad grades, but her excuse is, "But the animals need me!" So her grandmother kicks her out of the clinic until her grades are up.

Just after gran bans Maggie from the clinic, all these sick and injured puppies are rushed in. This cant be good, but she can't do anything about it. She's been banned and that's that! So gran hires all these kids from school and even her cousin, Zoe! Maggie has to find out where all these puppies are coming from before more puppies die.

Reviewed By: bball~luff

Turnabout

2010-09-29T10:32:00.004-04:00

Haddix, Margaret Peterson. Turnabout. Published in the USA: Aladdin Paperbacks, 2002223 pages. (Genre: Sci-Fi)

In the year 2000, Melly and Anny Beth are old and ready to die. But they were offered the chance to be young again by participating in a top-secret experiment called Project Turnabout. They agreed. They received injections that made them grow younger and to them it seemed a miracle. But when the injection kept making them get younger and younger, younger than the scientists planned it to be, it turned out to be deadly. Melly and Anny Beth ran for their lives. Now it’s 2085 and Melly and Anny Beth are back to being teenagers. They have no idea what will happen if they go all the way back to when they are infants. But they know they will soon be too young to take care of themselves and they need to find someone to help them before time runs out once and for all. Their families think they’re dead, the scientists are on a hunt to find the girls, and they have no one to go to. Now that their parents and grandchildren passed away or old, they can’t go to them or they’ll ask too many questions. The technology now-a-days is over the top and they have to buy everything with a credit card. But if Melly or Anny Beth does, the scientists will be able to track them down and take them back to the lab. Anny Beth buys food with money and she has to sign a paper telling why she should get her change back. She insists the person just keeps the money but they want to be fair. They want her to fill in her phone number and address so they could contact her about her money but she refuses and races out of there. In the end, they find a relative that takes them in and waits until they are infants so she can take care of them.

I selected this book by the reviews and reading the back. It sounded like an interesting book and I was drawn in by the future technology. I did enjoy this book and if I was to grade it, I would give it an A!

Reviewed by: walt22

Twilight

2010-09-29T10:30:00.001-04:00

Meyer, Stephanie. Twilight. New York City: Little, Brown and Company, 2005. 498 pages. (Vampire/Romance/Thriller)

Bella Swan has given up her sunny Arizona life to live in rainy, dreary, and always cloudy Forks, Washington. The first day at her new school is miserable, as is everything else in Forks. While sitting with her newly made friends at lunch, she sees five people across the cafeteria. Sitting together, they are beautiful beyond compare. They neither eat, nor speak, but they seem to still be involved in some sort of communication. One of her new friends tells her they were all adopted by a doctor at the hospital. Their papery, chalky white skin is exactly the same, they have the same deep circles under their eyes, and their irises are the same jet black. But despite these similarities, they are strikingly different. One, a tall blonde, Rosalie, another, a big brawny muscular boy, Emmet, also a short pixie like girl, Alice, and a stiff boy with wild hair, Jasper. Although they are all gorgeous and statuesque, none of the first four are the one who catch her attention. It’s the last one, the one with bronze colored hair, tall and thin, yet still muscular, that holds her attention. Edward Cullen. As if he can sense her gaze, he turns in a swift motion to stare at her. In that moment, she knows he is anything other than human. And so begins the unconditional love of Edward and Bella. The lion and the lamb. The vampire and the human.

Although this was my fourth time reading this book, it still captivated my interest. I do adore this series, with its highly imaginative characters, unexpected events, and complicated romances, but after reading it through four times, I realize some of the dialogue is a little unrealistic, and the words aren’t as well put together as some other author’s. I believe the reason this book is one of the most popular with teens is because of the extraordinary plot and creative traits given to the pretend species Meyer created. I would still recommend this series to fantasy and romance lovers.

Also in this series are New Moon, Eclipse, and Breaking Dawn. If you fall in love with this series, you’ll love The Host, also by Stephanie Meyer.

Reviewed By: DancingPenguin96

New Moon

2010-09-29T10:28:00.003-04:00

Meyer, Stephanie. New Moon. New York City: Little, Brown and company, 2006. 563 pages. (Vampire/Romance/Thriller)

Bella Swan is ready to give up her human life to be with Edward Cullen. She dreams of belonging to his family, of becoming a vampire. All of those dreams are crushed when Edward leaves her forever. It will be as if I never existed. Dazed, the months fly by as she floats through them, numb and broken, until Jacob Black comes into her life. Her personal sun. He helps to ease the pain of the wounds he left behind. Bella clutches onto him as the pain eases, but only in his presence. Without him near, she is empty. Slowly she begins to laugh again, following him on dangerous missions. She happily goes along with every dangerous idea of his, for every time she does something life threatening, she can hear Edward’s furious voice in her head. Only then can she think of him without the pain. Only when her personal sun begins to fade does she realize something is wrong. Jake doesn’t return her calls, won’t see her, abandons her. When she does see him, he is cold, so longer warming her with his presence. In his absence, Bella is restless, so she decides to do something he promised he would do with her. Cliff diving. Atop the cliff, she inches closer to the edge, warming herself with his furious voice. And she jumps. At the bottom of the cliff, she is submerged in icy water, and loses any wishes to ever again resurface. She sees his face, and that is enough for her. The decision to jump could cost Bella her life, though she won’t die from drowning. If the end comes for her, it will be in Edward’s arms.

My fourth time reading this book, it is the time I have most enjoyed it. It has always been my least favorite book in the series, for the simple reason that Edward is absent for most of the book. But now as I have read it again, I am beginning to see the ingeniousness of this plot. Also, I see what an important character Jacob proves himself to be in this book. I think Edward had to leave sometime in this series because Bella seemed too helpless when he had always been there. But after he left, she proved herself to be quite a strong character. I have always been more of an Edward fan than a Jacob fan, but Jacob is becoming more prominent in my mind each time I read this series. This book definitely took a while for me to get warmed up to, but I can now truly appreciate it.

Reviewed By: DancingPenguin96

Eclipse

2010-09-29T10:26:00.004-04:00

Meyer, Stephenie. Eclipse. New York City: Little, Brown and Company, 2007. 629 pages. (Vampire/Romance/Thriller)

For Bella Swan, time is running out fast. She has to make a choice between her best friend, Jacob Black, and her love, Edward Cullen. A half-crazed vampire desires nothing more than Bella’s death and gets closer to her goal every day. The most important decision of her life lies ahead: vampire or human? Edward seems content to leave her human and let her get old, but Bella has other plans. She longs to be a Cullen, to be a vampire. It’s not much of a decision, considering the Volturi, ancient vampire guardians, are counting the weeks until her transformation to an immortal. There are dozens of newborn vampires running rampant in Seattle. Thirsty and crazed, they are killing more and more people every day. It seems to Bella as if it’s coming at her from all sides these days. Even with a vampire family and a werewolf pack intent on keeping her alive and mortal, how long will she last?

Way to go Stephenie Meyer! I always felt as if Meyer’s books were a straight and narrow lane with no intersecting conflicts, but this book defied that. She did a good job of intertwining a couple of different conflicts and made them come together in the end, and that’s what gives this book interest to incline me to read it five times! This book, I feel, is the most dynamic book in the saga because of this. A great read for romance and thriller lovers!

Also in this series: Twilight, New Moon, and Breaking Dawn. If you love this saga and are thirsty for mare of Meyer, read The Host.

Reviewed By: DancingPenguin96

Breaking Dawn

2010-09-29T10:25:00.003-04:00

Meyer, Stephenie. Breaking Dawn. New York City: Little, Brown and Company, 2008. 754 pages. (Vampires/Romance/Thriller)

Bella Swan has given up her normal human life to join the world of the supernatural. Edward Cullen, the love of her life, has convinced her to marry him, much to her dismay. But she has not agreed without a compromise. As soon as they are married, he has to fill his side of the bargain. With the wedding days away, Bella can’t help but worry what this event will do to her forever best friend, Jacob Black. As she walks down the staircase, train trailing behind her, she is symbolically leaving behind her old life to join the Cullens. The night couldn’t get any more perfect, when Jacob shows up, painful as it is. Thanks to Bella’s big mouth, the moment of perfection is ruined and she sinks back into worry. Not that there’s much room to worry about him, when there are people to meet and dances to be danced. Finally Edward whisks her away and off to their honey moon. Bella’s side of the deal is filled and she can’t help but bask in the perfection of being Bella Cullen. There is only one problem, though, a problem that just might take her life away with it.

Well, this is certainly a drama filled way to end the Twilight saga with a bang! This book is very different from the others in the Twilight saga in that it is written from two different points of view in different sections in the story. Also, in the other books there was always one major conflict, but in this book there were at least four conflicts. I enjoyed all of the drama in this book, there was hardly any down time. I can’t help but marvel at the complex vampire covens, talents, and relationships. This gave me a new appreciation for the imaginary species Meyer created.

Reviewed By: DancingPenguin96

Wicked

2010-09-29T10:21:00.002-04:00

Maguire, Gregory. Wicked. New York: HarperCollins Publishers, 1995. 406 pages. (Fantasy)

Everybody knows the Wicked Witch of the West. Her plot to get her dead sister’s shoes from Dorothy ended up killing her. And, of course, we were all glad when she died. We were rooting for Dorothy. But how did the Wicked Witch of the West become so evil? Did she have a real name? What about a mother and a father? The truth is she grew up fairly normally. Her name was Elphaba. She had a mother and a father, though the second was unknown for a time. And she grew up in Munchkinland and Quadling Country with her mother, until her death, her father, Frex, her sister, Nessarose, and her brother, Shell. She was born green, as her sister was born with no arms. She was accepted into Shiz University along with Nessarose and Galinda. There at Shiz, their futures unfolded.

Elphaba- The Wicked Witch of the West
Nessarose- The Wicked Witch of the East
Glinda- The Good Witch of the North

Three childhood friends, three witches working towards different causes. What went wrong?

This book was a masterpiece of literature! It was very difficult to follow at the beginning, but if you stick to it your patience will be rewarded. It is very interesting to have The Wizard of Oz told from a different point of view. I know I will never watch that movie again with the same mind set. Whereas as before I was rooting for Dorothy, now I will be rooting for Elphaba. Maguire does a great job of having her start out as a poor, helpless, innocent, little child and in the end, she is almost as heartless as she seems in the movie. Still, knowing her past and so much she lost it is impossible not to feel pity for her. One of the most famous villain’s story, retold!

Reviewed By: DancingPenguin96

Ttyl

2010-09-29T10:16:00.002-04:00

Myracle, Lauren. Ttyl. New York City: Amulet Books, 2004. 209 pages. 9Realistic Fiction/Drama)

The first day of tenth grade for Zoe (zoegrl), Maddie (madmaddie), and Angela (SnowAngel)is a great start to the year. They vow they will never be torn apart. But they had no way of knowing how popularity games, jerky boys, and flirty teachers would be involved. They try to stick together, hard as it is, but when the last straw is pulled, their friendship is really put to the test. In the end, will they be able to pull together to save each other, when no one else can? Read ttyl to find out!

This book is so unique because it is told entirely in instant messages! The characters tell the whole story through IMs! I really like the storyline in this book, because the friendship that was vowed never to be broken is put to the test for each of the girls, but they each come through in the end. Lauren Myracle does a great job of making the characters unique and seem real. Zoe, Angela, and Maddie each have their own style of IMing and it adds life to the characters. It is fun to see, as the book goes on, how the characters change and mature, as if they really are getting older each time I read the series. This is a fun book to read, and I guarantee there is no other like it!
Also in the series: ttfn and l8r, g8r!

Reviewed By: DancingPenguin96

Ttfn

2010-09-29T10:13:00.001-04:00

Miracle, Lauren. Ttfn. New York City: Amulet Books, 2007. 230 pages. (Realistic Fiction/Drama)

For Zoe, Maddie, and Angela, their friendship has taken a lot of effort to keep it alive. Friends since the seventh grade, they are determined never to part. But this is harder said than done, for eleventh grade will provide many hurtles for them to overcome. First, Angela finds out news that will change her life. Will she go with the flow, or do something about it? Then, Maddie gets caught up with a bad group of kids and gets in trouble with the law. Zoe, usually goody-goody-toe-shoes, takes a dare which lets loose her wild side. All three of the girls come across bumps in the road, some bigger than others. Will their friendship prevail?

What a cool series! It is told entirely by Zoe, Maddie, and Angela through their instant messages to each other. It is such an interesting format because, although the instant message conversations are very drama filled, you find out about recent events through the retellings to each other, so you really have to follow along. The characters really gained depth in this book. I like how each of the characters’ personalities are so different. Zoe is the good girl, Angela is the drama queen, and Maddie is the wild rebel. I definitely recommend this book; it’s one you won’t forget!This is the second book in the series, so don’t miss the first, ttyl, and the third, l8r, g8r!

Reviewed By: DancingPenguin96

L8r, g8r

2010-09-29T10:08:00.002-04:00

Miracle, Lauren. L8r, g8r. New York City: Amulet Books, 2007. 274 pages. (Realistic Fiction/Drama)

Maddie, Zoe, and Angela are back, this time as seniors. As all of the dramas of past years melt away new dramas arise and old foes resurface. Zoe makes a stand to be less passive about what she wants, Angela has some major guy trouble that has her down in the dumps, and Maddie struggles with some very big decisions while also trying to support her friends. And all three of them have to deal with the school bully, Jana. As college looms before them, Zoe, Angela, and Maddie find that their futures will split them apart physically, but that maybe their friendship is worth the extra effort to stay together in spirit.

Out of this whole series, ttyl, ttfn, and l8r, g8r, I think this is my favorite. The whole series is told entirely in IMs, but this book takes on new depth. The characters each age and mature while their personalities are defined, the adventures and hurtles they overcome take on new meaning, and their faith to each other is amplified. This book is a great way to end the series!

Reviewed By: DancingPenguin96

Pretties

2010-09-29T10:07:00.001-04:00

Westerfeld, Scott. Pretties. New York City: Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing Division, 2005. 370 pages. (Sci-Fi)

Tally Youngblood is an authentic criminal. Even after all of her sneaking out and awesome pranks as an ugly, she is still here in New Pretty Town, a Pretty at last. In Tally’s world, once you turn 16, you get an operation that makes you perfect and pretty. But recently, Tally and her new friends have been suspicious of something else that changes when you get the operation. Something that makes you obey everyone in the city, something that makes you not be able to think for yourself, something that would lead to a need for a cure- a cure for pretty-mindedness. The more Tally hangs out with Zane, leader of the Crims, the more they think there was more to their past than they know. But why can’t they remember? What is wrong with their brains?

This is such a thrilling book! I have read it at least four times and I still love it! This book takes place in the future and the imagination the author has of how the world will be is breathtaking. I really like this series because all of the inventions that are key in the story are actually plausible and well thought out. Instead of surfboards flying through air magically, they have electromagnetic lifters that push against the city’s magnetic grid. It seems so real, as if in a hundred years this really will happen. The characters in this book are so independent and unique it seems as though this book gives me a glimpse of the future and the events that take place. An awesome read!

Reviewed By: dancingPenguin96

Specials

2010-09-29T10:05:00.001-04:00

Westerfeld, Scott. Specials. New York City: Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing Division, 2006. 372 pages. (Sci-Fi)

Tally Youngblood has been through a lot since she was an ugly, staring across the river and dreaming of being a pretty. But when her dream came true, Tally still wasn’t satisfied. Along with the help from the New Smoke, her old boyfriend, and all of her crim friends, Tally Youngblood escaped the city- again. But when a tracker showed up in her boyfriends tooth, she forfeited her freedom in order to stay with him. Back in the city, she was transformed into a special and everything changed.

Being a special, everything was icy. The world took on a whole new perspective. Even Tally had changed. Her bones and muscles have been strengthened to turn her into an unbreakable fighting machine. But when her faith to Zane, her boyfriend, goes a little over the edge and she and her friend ruin all of the city’s defense weapons, the unthinkable happens. With the city at war, Tally has no choice but to enter the lion’s den and confess what she did. But will they listen?
*************************************************************************************
This book is phenomenal! The plot twists and turns unpredictably, and the characters are swift thinking and terrifying! The main character in this book is so three dimensional and changing. It is very interesting to see, as the series continues, how Tally changes. In Uglies, the first book in the series, Tally is a heartwarming, average character. In Pretties her brain is messed with and she turns into a shallow, self centered bubblehead. She slowly rewires her brain and cures herself, but again, in Specials, Tally’s brain is tampered with and she turns into a dangerous superior fighting machine, disgusted with everyone who is not in her clique. She manages to cure herself yet again. These transformations are what keep this series fresh and interesting no matter how many times it is read!

Reviewed By: DancingPenguin96

Extras

2010-09-29T09:57:00.001-04:00

Westerfeld, Scott. Extras. New York City: Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing Division, 2007. 417 pages. (Sci-Fi)

Imagine a place where society is based around fame. Hovercams, personal and commercial, swarm the air capturing every moment. Those with good stories to put on the feeds grow popular. The more a person’s name is said in the city, the higher their face rank and the more power they hold. But not everyone lives like this. There are those who live in obscurity, face ranks in the six digits or more. Extras.

Aya Fuse is an extra, a nobody. The world doesn’t know she exists, but they will. For a couple of day, Aya tracked a secret clique. The Sly Girls. She followed them into a storm drain to an underground lake at a construction site. That’s where the deal was made. Take her hovercam and go home, never to see the Sly Girls again. Or let her hovercam be dropped into the lake and join the Sly Girls. Aya forfeits her hovercam, the only consistent thing in her life. Gone. As her time with the Sly Girls extends, Aya finds herself standing on top of moving magnetic- levitation trains and taking risks she wouldn’t have dreamt of before. But her enjoyment is clouded by the fact that she’s deceiving them. Hovercams and button cams capture every one of their tricks, without them even knowing it. But their little pranks turn into something completely different when they come across a weapon like no other. A weapon to destroy the world. And this city killer is just what Aya needs in order to have the fame she has always wanted.

What a fabulous futuristic book! The imagination that went into this book swept me into the future and into the middle of this fame-crazed city! One thing I really love about this series is that the people of our time are referred to as Rusties. In this series, we almost destroyed our world and wiped out our own species, but some survived and escaped into the wild. This futuristic world is very careful about their environment and not messing with the wild. The thoughts and opinions of Westerfeld are portrayed very obviously in these novels and it puts thought into the readers mind as to what will become of our polluted and damaged earth. It makes for a very interesting read. I recommend to any and all!

Reviewed By: DancingPenguin96

Wintergirls

2010-09-29T09:09:00.002-04:00

Anderson, Laurie H. Wintergirls. New York City: Penguin Group, 2009. 278 pages. 9Realistic Fiction)

Lia is alive. Barely. Her best friend, Cassie, is dead. But she’s not gone. She haunts Lia whispering promises and cheering her on as Lia continues her journey to dangerland. 100. 95. 90. 85. 80. 75. 70. She is less and less. Her body weighs less than her spirit, imagination, and hope. Even those are withering away. Her body begins to panic as it becomes lighter and lighter. In the hospital, in the car, on the floor. Cold. Blood seeping from her fresh cuts. Cassie cheers her on every step of the way. Until the end. Just when Lia finally has something to live for, she may be out of chances.

This book actually made me feel despair as if it were my life that was spiraling out of control. I found myself rooting for this made up character at some times and not understanding her at others. Lia’s mind is so twisted and out of control I lose track of reality as I follow her down her dangerous path. The character seems so real that I had to remind myself that she’s only a figment of the author’s imagination. It is strange and terrifying to see into the mind of an insane person. This book is the first in a while that got an extremely strong reaction out of me because of how helpless and defenseless Lia is against herself. This book is powerful and educational and showed me how hopeless some peoples’ lives become in the face of mental illness. I highly recommend this; it is something you are sure to remember.

Reviewed By: DancingPenguin96

Chains

2010-09-29T09:07:00.002-04:00

Anderson, Laurie Halse. Chains. New York City: Simon and Schuster Publishing Division, 2008. 300 pages. (Historic Fiction)

Isabel has been draped in chains, tied to chains, and fighting chains all of her life. A slave during the American Revolution, no one seems to have a spare ear to listen to her plead for freedom. But when her little sister is sold, Isabel learns that some things are worth fighting for, and some chains must be broken. As the war rages on, both sides are desperate for help, whether it be spies, nurses, or messengers. And when her future is seriously threatened by her masters, Isabel realizes that she is on no side of the war, but will help whoever can promise her freedom.

This novel is so heartbreaking and shocking is left me breathless and praying for this rebellious and brave girl who was marked a slave by the color of her skin. I love how, in this book, the characters are each so different in what they value. For example, Isabel values freedom and cherishes family; while her master, Madam, values money and enjoys seeing others suffer. The characters in Anderson’s novels always surprise me by the depth they seem to have. Laurie Halse Anderson is a magician when it comes to words and I have no doubt you, too, will be swept away with her enchanting characters and powerful words.

Reviewed By: DancingPenguin96

Song of the Sparrow

2010-09-29T09:04:00.003-04:00

Sandell, Lisa Ann. Song of the Sparrow. New York City: Scholastics Inc., 2007. 383 pages. (Fantasy)

Sixteen year old Elaine is a woman, the only woman who lives in the army encampment led by young Arthur. Her father and brothers, friends and crushes, march off to each battle with their heads held high, leaving Elaine behind. Only she does not stay. She follows them and watches as the battle unfolds before her eyes, eyes that were not meant to see such horrid things. A woman’s eyes. And after each battle she heals her adopted brothers with herds and leaves. She mends their clothes and cooks their meals. Although she lives with many, she is alone. She is alone with these men whom she loves, but they could not truly understand her as a woman would.

Then Gwynivere comes along in her fancy dresses and tightly laced shoes and proves the opposite of the female friendship Elaine was wishing for. Only when the girls are faced with the future deaths of their loved ones can they work together to save them.

Although this book was interesting, it was a little too different. It was almost told in verse and this caused many necessary details to be left out leaving me with not enough to develop a good mental picture of the things in this book. Also, the events that turned out to be the very core of this book seemed rushed and not well planned out. The writing style seemed inexperienced and not thought out enough. This book turned out to be somewhat of a disappointment, and I do not recommend it.

Reviewed By: DancingPenguin96

Sold

2010-09-29T09:01:00.001-04:00

McCormick, Patricia. Sold. New York City: Hyperion Books, 2006. 263 pages. (Realistic Fiction)

Lakshmi lives in Nepal. Her family has no money, not even enough for a tin roof. When the monsoons wash all of her family’s crops away, Lakshmi is told she must go to the city to find work. She is brought into the hands of rough child labor, eating away at her childhood. She keeps a diary and keeps track of when she will have paid off her debt and will be able to leave, although there is information she is missing. Mumtaz, the harsh woman who oversees the child labor, has a perfected plan on how to keep the girls in debt to her forever. And although the children think they are earning money for their families, Mumtaz makes sure not a single cent will ever reach their homes. Will Lakshmi ever escape? When the time comes, will Lakshmi be willing to give up this new life for something she has almost forgotten?

This chilling book intertwines one girl’s childhood with the harsh child labor trade. Her journey, which starts out as a noble cause to help her poor family, is heartbreaking as it turns out to be a trap with no easy way out. The cultures shown in this book have such differences from the cultures we are used to and it almost feels like a different world. Lakshmi was created as a strong, willful girl, yet also naïve and trusting. This character is very easy to relate to, and it is strange to hear of her young journeys in such an unforgiving world. This is a superb book, and I highly recommend it!

Reviewed By: DancingPenguin96