The Borrible Go For Broke by Michael de Larrabeiti

Borribles are runaway children who don't want to grow up. They get their names from adventures. But the greatest adventure is The Great Rumble Hunt.After a note that gets passed to Charlotte about a horse that saved their life during the Great Rumble Hunt, Charlotte gets together with the rest of the Hunt members and tries to save the horse. When things go terribly wrong and they end up in Wendle territory, warrior borribles that would love to kill them, their only hope is to trust a borrible that was a Wendle. Will the borribles ever make it out alive??

This book was a very good book. It was really tense for me and there was always action so it kept me reading. There was a big plot that was unraveling and I tried to guess it but it was very hard because of dips and turns. The author wrote very well and it captured my imagination. I wish to see pictures of the borribles because it is hard to imagine them.

Rating (0 - 10 scale): 9
Reviewer Age: 11
Reviewer City, State and Country: Lutherville, Maryland U.S.A.

True Confessions of a Hollywood Starlet by Lola Douglas

Morgan Carter is a teen Hollywood actress. She becomes addicted to drinking, and almost dies from it. Her mom, Bianca, finds out and wants Morgan to get back on track with her life. She sends Morgan to go live with her friend in Fort Wayne, Indiana for a year and go to an actual high school there. Morgan is devastated. What will she do in such a lousy place like Fort Wayne? She knows it's for the best, but Morgan still thinks her mom sent her away so she wouldn't have to deal with Morgan herself. But after Morgan gets there, she finds that Fort Wayne isn't as bad as she thought it would be. So no one will realize she is actually Morgan Carter, Hollywood starlet, she dyes her hair, wears fake glasses, and calls herself Claudia Miller. Yeah, school isn't that fun, but she kind of likes staying with her mom's friend, Trudy, who is the closest thing to a motherly figure that she's ever had in her life. She finds a friend after a couple of weeks of school, and also finds out that someone might even think she's cute. But then things start going downhill again. Her grades are slipping, she's been skipping school, and there have been more reporters than usual around town. Did someone actually know where she was? After all the secrets, will she be found out?

“True Confessions of a Hollywood Starlet” by Lola Douglas, was a great read!! I could not put it down. Morgan told her story through journal entries, and she told it very well. I found myself laughing at her various experiences and firsts as she tried to play the part of an average American girl. I found myself overwrought with sadness and sympathy for “Claudia” with all the secrets she had to keep, and all of her thoughts she had that she didn't belong anywhere. All I can say is, I can't wait until the sequel comes out! Anyone looking for a good book, read "True Confessions of a Hollywood Starlet!"

Rating (0 - 10 scale): 9
Reviewer Age: 14
Reviewer City, State and Country: Celestine, Indiana USA

Darrien's Rise by Paul McCusker

When Anna and Kyle’s uncle comes over for a visit he tells them about an abandoned haunted house in the woods. Kyle and Anna decide to go find it but they never thought about what would happen when they found it. When they enter the house, they decide to explore throughout the house. Kyle looks through the keyhole on a door upstairs and sees what he believes is a ghost. He tells Anna to look for herself and he backs away from the door. Anna looks but doesn’t see anything. All of a sudden, the floor cracks and Kyle falls through the floor. Anna runs into the only place she can, which is the door with the ghosts behind it. After running through the door and the bright white light she realizes she’s not in Odyssey anymore. Kyle also wakes up and realizes that he isn’t in Odyssey anymore either. How will they ever get back to Odyssey, or is it even possible to return? Find out in this awesome book called Darrien’s Rise.

I loved Darrien’s Rise, the first book in the Passages Series by Paul McCusker. It was one of the best books I have ever read and I can’t wait to read the rest of the books in this series. I didn’t want to put this book down because it was so good. It is a Christian-based book and very adventurous. The characters had many different personalities that made the story even more interesting. I recommend this book to all ages. I hope and think that whoever reads Darrien’s Rise will enjoy it as much as I did.

Rating (0 - 10 scale): 10
Reviewer Age: 12
Reviewer City, State and Country: Upper Strasburg, PA US

The Dark Flight Down by Marcus Sedgwick

In the Dark Flight Down, Boy has survived while his old master Valerian, a powerful magician, is dead. He is saved by Kepler, Valerian’s enemy. In Kepler’s possession is The Book, the most powerful and dangerous thing in the world. And the Emperor Frederick wants it to become immortal. Boy is kidnaped by the imperial guards and taken to the palace, and it’s up to Kepler and his friend, Willow to save him. In the palace, he finds himself in danger from the Phantom, a creature housed in the palace. In time, Boy finds out the truth about his past and it’s up to him and Willow to find a way to escape.

I thought that this book was really interesting. I haven’t read a good horror book in a while, so it was a nice change. I actually didn’t know that there was a prequel to The Dark Flight Down, but I’m curious to check it out now. I loved the setting of the book and the characters were interesting too. Once I started reading, I wanted to find out about Boy’s past. This may seem like it’s for younger readers, but everyone should give this a try!

Rating (0 - 10 scale): 8
Reviewer Age: 19
Reviewer City, State and Country: Philadelphia, PA USA

The Mark of Zorro by Johnston McGulley

In old California with the missions, there is a new highway man abroad. His name is Senor Zorro. Rumor says that he punishes those who have done wrong. Though the Govenor and his captain and general track him down, Senor Zorro Always finds a way to escape and continue his mission to bring justice back. As the crimes for Senor Zorro reach an all-time high, the town is in turmoil, and there is more injustice than ever. Who is this Senor Zorro, and will justice ever be returned?????

I loved this book. This book had a lot of adventure, which is the biggest reason that I loved it. Every second there is a big, exciting event happening, and it didnt seem as though the book was dragging on. There was also aa mystery to who Senor Zorro was, and even though I figured it out early in the book, it was still enjoyable.

Rating (0 - 10 scale): 9
Reviewer Age: 11
Reviewer City, State and Country: Lutherville, Maryland U.S.A.

The Good, the Bat, and the Ugly by Paul Magrs

A story laced with the twists and turns of British humor, The Good, The Bat, and The Ugly is the latest book written by Paul Magrs. Jason’s father was a famous puppeteer in his day, but now he is a washed up old grouch. When he implies Jason to take up the family business of puppets, everything goes mad. Soon everything is in a mess when his father is dragged off to jail, and Jason’s older half-brother Barry gets involved. On top of that, Jason’s father’s old puppet is calling to him from the attic, and mysterious puppet murders start happening all over town. The web becomes even more tangled when the devil himself gets involved. It’s a story of insanity, betrayal, ‘fancying’, hell, and most of all, puppets.

The book was good, but somewhat weird. I didn’t find it to be as wildly hilarious as it was made out to be. I believe that the whole situation of the book is what is supposed to be funny. Although it is told in an enchanting first person, the book dips in and out of utter madness. I tend to be more attached to the protagonist when they tell the story. Therefore, it is harder to enjoy the calamity that Jason goes through. I also find the circumstances of him falling in love with a grown woman sort of weird, and maybe it’s supposed to be that way. Although, by far, my favorite sequence is the ‘mamazon.com’, epilogue which features different characters of the book making comments. Overall, the book is enjoyable and holds your attention from start to finish, but it is not the most mainstream. Those looking for an offbeat British read are sure to find what they are looking for in The Good, The Bat, and the Ugly.

Rating (0 - 10 scale): 7
Reviewer Age: 12
Reviewer City, State and Country: Greencastle, PA USA

Invisible Threads by Annie and Marie Dalton

Invisible Threads, by Annie and Maria Dalton, is the story of a mother and daughter dealing with all the trials and tribulations that they went through when they were 16. Carrie-Anne is having trouble at home trying to get along with her adopted parents, and trying to find her place in the world. She thinks that if she has a chance to find her biological mother, she could get a better sense of who she is and where she's from. Meanwhile, Naomi, Carrie-Anne's biological mother, tells us the story of when she was 15. She lived with her unsteady mother, trying to keep a grasp on reality, trying to be a normal teenager, but always having to comfort her mother after her mother had a sort of mental breakdown. After Naomi's mother found an on again-off again boyfriend, Naomi decided that she shouldn't have to be her mother's babysitter. She chose to go have some fun at a party with some of her friends, and did something she knew she shouldn't have done. So Invisible Threads takes us on through their separate journeys, reminding not only Carrie-Anne and Naomi, but also the reader that even if we may not want to acknowledge it (as in Naomi's case), we are all connected by invisible threads that make up our family tree and our history.

This was a very good book. It really took you through all the controversy and all of the emotions that Carrie-Anne and Naomi went through at specific moments in the book. I thought that Invisible Threads very well written, and anyone who's ever been seeking answers to who they are and where they came from, should read it. I recommend, though, to be about 13 or 14 before reading this book.

Rating (0 - 10 scale): 7
Reviewer Age: 14
Reviewer City, State and Country: Celestine, Indiana USA

I Am The Wallpaper by Mark Peter Hughes

When Floey Packer writes something in her diary, you know it's the truth. (In her diary, she writes about everything from her crush on her friend Wen to her plans for the future, supercool, noticeable Floey Packer.) That is, until her two gross cousins come over to her house to stay for a month! Within days, the contents of her diary are on the Internet for the world to read. Within hours, www.floeysprivatelife.com has gathered thousands of readers from all over the country. Floey must not only deal with the results of these disastrous web postings, but also decide whether or not the new and improved Floey is better than the old, wallpaper Floey. Along the way to enlightenment Zen-style, she finds humor in many situations, uses a jar of Deep Wild Violet hairdye, and even gets a bit of romance!

I enjoyed reading I Am the Wallpaper because it was a fun and lighthearted book that nevertheless had a solid storyline that kept me wondering how on earth Floey would overcome her latest batch of problems. I would recommend this book to almost anyone looking for a sweet story, though it may be a bit mature for the younger readers. I could not change anything about this book to make it better! Mark Peter Hughes has really mastered the "13-year-old-girl's-diary" style...I found myself drawn into the trials of Floey's life from page one.

Rating (0 - 10 scale): 9
Reviewer Age: 14
Reviewer City, State and Country: Ellicott City, Maryland USA

Upstream by Melissa Lion

Melissa Lion tells a very real story about an Alaskan girl named Marty in her senior year of high school whose joie de vivre is somewhat diminished by a summertime tragedy that has made the rest of her town uneasy and awkward around her. Marty feels trapped in her current life and unable to escape the judgments of her fellow villagers until she meets Catherine, a new arrival from California. Catherine encourages Marty to apply to college, to gather up her life, to start living again. Now all that remains to be seen is...will Marty allow herself to move on?

I thought that Upstream was an interesting read because it gave me a look into the daily life in a place I've never been. I would recommend this book to anyone who would like to try out a book that, while not challenging, moves past what one normally would read in a book. Melissa Lion gives readers the essential details that allow them to connect somewhat to the characters. Although the ending was the best possible for this book, I was still left "hanging" because all characters, save for one that the book closes on, were introduced in the final chapter of the book. Other than this, the ending fit the book very well.

Rating (0 - 10 scale): 7
Reviewer Age: 14
Reviewer City, State and Country: Ellicott City, Maryland USA

The Power of One by Bryce Courtney

In this book we are introduced to a little boy, who is sent to boarding school when his mother has a mental breakdown. On the first night of boarding school, the little boy is woken up in the middle of the night and urinated on by the Judge and the jury(this is how the little boy refers to them) because he is a Rooinek and all of the other students are Boers and hate Rooineks. In the morning, he wakens to find that he urinated in his bed, and when he washes off the Judge and jury discover his hatless "snake", and from that moment on the little boy's name becomes "Pisskop." Pisskop eventually overcomes his bed wetting, but with news of Hitler's doings, the Judge and jury decide they want to become Nazis, and their first prisoner is Pisskop. Pisskop undergoes many torture sessions, and discovers ways to lesson them by helping the Judge with school. When the end of the year comes, all is not well, the chickens on his grandpa's field are disease ridden and his grandpa has to sell the farm and move to a town. On Pisskop's journey to the new town he is given a new name, Peekay, and discovers his dream of becoming the welterweight champion. But when he gets to town, he learns of a drastic change in lifestyle, and he must learn to adapt.

This book's setting took place in South Africa when Hilter was in power in Germany. The book was really good because it showed you how all the different races and cultures were being treated. It showed you that people would hate someone because they were a kaffir(a black tribesperson), and even at times just kill them because of it. The book also was really good because it showed how people would work together during tough times, and harsh conditions, and put away their differences for a common goal. I liked the book because it had someone winning boxing matches against a person twice their size, showing that small can triumph over big, and also the fact that not everyone would only befriend someone from their own culture, race, and religion, but because they liked the person inside. This book showed that to win you couldn't rely on strength alone, you needed to fight first with the head then with the heart.

Rating (0 - 10 scale): 8
Reviewer Age: 14
Reviewer City, State and Country: Tucson, Arizona, United States of America

Becoming Chloe by Catherine Ryan Hyde

The world is an ugly place to Chloe, originally named Wanda Johnson. Chloe has seen and lived through painful events that she will not even tell Jordy, her best friend. Jordy can't decide what to make of Chloe. Jordy first meets Chloe when she was getting raped and he saved her from the rapist, and ever since he has taken care of her. Jordy has had a painful past, where he ended up abandoning his family, and trying to make it on his own. Money supply is bad for Jordy, for he can't work for fear Chloe may harm herself. When times get real tuff for Jordy and Chloe, Chloe brings up the idea of killing herself because there is no beauty in the world. Jordy, who doesn't want Chloe to kill herself, decides to try and convince her there is beaty in the world. So off they go to find the beautiful things in the world, but in the end will the beauty be enough to stop Chloe from killing herself?

The story is very heart moving when we learn of the bond of friendship, and how we will do anything to protect the things and people we love. In this book we learn that beauty isn't just the big things like Niagra Falls, but also the small things like rain and fire. But as Chloe points out there is beauty in the ugly things and ugliness in the beautiful things. I liked this book because of the way it not only showed the world as this beautiful place but because the book showed you the ugly things, like how people can beat you up for no reason at all. In this book we learn of how people will do nice things for no apparent, and also how the small things hurt us the most. This book was really awesome because it showed you how almost everyone is willing to do something to help each other, and because it was about never backing down from the things that happen to you, you just need to keep on trucking.

Rating (0 - 10 scale): 10
Reviewer Age: 14
Reviewer City, State and Country: Tucson, Arizona United States(USA)

The Cure for Crushes by Karen Rivers

In the continuation of the greatest year of Haley Harmony’s life, she suffers through a series of traumatic events, the first of which is when she encounters her long lost mom who has since converted to a nun. Her jobless father now has to find a job, and along the way meets Melody, the much younger girlfriend (MYG). Her best friend, Jules, is dating the boy she’s had a crush on since 9th grade and is also a contestant on the tv show, Who’s the Prettiest of the All? while her other friend, Kiki, is mysteriously absent. Also, Haley has a boyfriend, but she cannot stop herself from crushing on every unavailable guy she meets. To top things off, hypochondriac Haley seems to have every disease possible and no way to cure them.

Haley learns a lot about herself throughout the second half of her senior year. I thought that this book, while slightly unrealistic, was a fun read. Haley is a character that we can all relate to. Once I started reading The Cure for Crushes, I couldn’t put it down. I would definitely recommend this to anyone who needs a laugh.

Rating (0 - 10 scale): 8
Reviewer Age: 18
Reviewer City, State and Country: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania USA

Talisman of Zandria by Christine Norris

The very first time Ivy Peterson disobeys her parents by going into the woods alone to search for what she thinks is a fairy, her life turns upside down. She is chased by bullies into the unknown part of the forest and gets lost. When Ivy wakes up from tripping, rolling down a hill, and hitting her head (which causes her to faint), she doesn’t know where she is. Ivy was in a whole other world named Zandria. Then this boy named Connor comes along and says he will help her find her way home, but when he asks where she lives he finds out she lives in the Otherside. They go to Arden’s house to get him to help, but the gate leading back to Otherside doesn’t open. Ivy, Conner (an apprentice), and Arden (a wizard) set out in search of finding the Talisman that opens the five gates leading to and from Zandria.

I think Talisman of Zandria is an awesome book that is filled with lots of adventure. I like that as soon as the characters think they have one problem solved the author throws in another one. The characters were kind of different compared to the ones in other books I have read. I enjoyed reading this book and I hope everyone who reads this book will enjoy it as much as I did. I recommend Talisman of Zandria to kids 9-12 years of age who enjoy reading fantasies and fairy tales, and I hope to be able to read the sequel when it comes out.

Rating (0 - 10 scale): 9
Reviewer Age: 12
Reviewer City, State and Country: Upper Strasburg, PA US

Exile by Grace Cavendish

The time is the Elizabethan age. The setting is the Queen’s Palace. The plot? A stolen ruby. Lady Grace Cavendish is one of Queen Elizabeth’s maids of honor. She is also, secretly, the Lady Pursuivant, or detective. The newcomer at the palace, Banoo Yasmine- a noble whose kingdom has been taken by a murderer, carries the Heart of Kings. This precious ruby marks the ruler of her kingdom, Sharakand, and the Banoo fled with it following her father’s death. When the Heart of Kings is stolen, it is recovered in a laundry maid’s basket and she is taken to the dungeon. However, the laundry maid is also Lady Grace’s best friend Ellie, and Grace is determined to prove her friend’s innocence. Can she find the true thief in time to save Ellie, or is Ellie not the innocent laundry-maid Grace thought her to be?

Exile is a marvelous blend of history and mystery. The reader is constantly trying to figure out who the true thief is, first one person, then another is considered and rejected. Lady Grace’s diary reveals clues throughout the novel, and the reader is always trying to piece them together. Page after page, Grace Cavendish’s spellbinding story allows the reader to enjoy a fictional, but slightly historical lesson as they try to unravel the mystery. Upper-elementary students will especially love Exile; the fifth book in the Lady Grace Mysteries.

Rating (0 - 10 scale): 9
Reviewer Age: 13
Reviewer City, State and Country: Chambersburg, PA USA

Chloe Leiberman (Sometimes Wong): A Novel by Carrie Rosten

Chloe Says: DO: Read this book if you, like me, love any and all things related to clothing, shopping, designing, and accessorizing, and believe that everything should always go together but never be too matchy-matchy. DON'T: Spend all your money on clothes! Leave some for my book! Chloe Leiberman (Sometimes Wong), A Novel by Carrie Rosten, is full of fun and quirky do's and don'ts like the one above, and has an hilarious fashion-obsessed-enhanced air to it. Chloe (self-described as “Chinese-Jewish WASP with tons of style) is in the middle of her senior year with no post-grad plan. She lied to her parents about applying to academic colleges and taking the SATs, something that is a no-no in the Wong-Leiberman household. She has a dream of going to Central Saint Martin's, a designing school in London, but her dreams stop short because, not only is her self-esteem low, her parents do not agree at all with Chloe that fashion is a reasonable and respectable career. So when Chloe drops the bomb to her parents about not applying to any colleges and not taking the SATs and such, she decides that it's for the better right not to keep her fashion dreams to herself. So, on through the book, Chloe takes us along with her on her journey (her very, uh, let's say, unique journey) to finding herself and to fulfill her dream.

Although it was written in third-person narrative, it felt as if Chloe herself was talking, because the dialogue was so funny! I thought the beginning was kind of slow, because it takes you a little while to get used to Chloe's hyper fashion-obsessed behavior. If you are looking for a different type of book than the usual, this is for you! Don't read this, though, if you aren't into fashion, 'cause that's what the book's all about!

Rating (0 - 10 scale): 7
Reviewer Age: 14
Reviewer City, State and Country: Celestine, Indiana USA

Up And Running: The Inspiring True Story of a Boy's Struggle to Survive and Triumph by Mark Patinkin

There's nothing more refreshing than reading a true story told well.

That's exactly what you get when you read "Up and Running."
Andrew was only six years old when he came down with the disease - setting in within twelve hours, shutting down his vital organs, covering him with purple and black boils and sores, and eventually causing both of his legs to be amputated. The astounding part is not just that he survived, but that he never stopped fighting.

I never thought I could imagine a fraction of what it would be like to see someone you love suddenly fall ill with a life-threatening disease like bacterial meningitis, and fight to recover and begin a new life. But after reading Mark Patinkin's telling of that very story, I feel like I was there every step of the way: standing over young Andrew's hospital bed with the doctors, worrying and fretting next to his parents Rebecca and Scott, praying alongside his family members and friends.

The book is told simply and honestly. It doesn't heroify Andrew - more than he deserves - or his family: at times they do lose faith, get angry, and want to quit. And the book doesn't sugar-coat the seriousness of the illness. At times I was more than disgusted to be reading some of the descriptions of his condition, surguries, or painful physical therapy sessions. And many times I laughed out loud at the pure kid-ness of Andrew's personality and some of the things he said. This was the truth of the situation. This was real, and it feels like it happened not to a distant person in a far-off place, but to your neighbor, your playmate, your friend.

I would recommend this book even if you think you're not the biggest fan of non-fiction. "Up and Running" reads like a story; but it's even more powerful because it's a true one.

Reviewed by Beckie Sheffield for Flamingnet Book Reviews

Midshipwizard Halcyon Blithe by James M. Ward

In Midshipwizard Halcyon Blithe, the sixteen-year-old protagonist, Halcyon, is a tall, white-haired Arcanian midshipwizard on his marine tour of duty. Before he enters his touring sea dragon ship, the Sanguine, Halcyon Blithe places a good-weather spell on himself to ensure that good weather will smile upon him on his first tour. As expected, the weather is beautiful and the seas are calm. But Halcyon can’t hold the bad weather off forever. It seems that a storm has been building up behind Halcyon’s spell. When it finally breaks through the spell, the seas and the weather rage. Halcyon’s living sea dragon ship is tossed and thrown about on the rough waves. Captain Olden asks Halcyon to check the dragon’s heart chamber, to make sure no seawater has touched the heart. Just as Halcyon enters the heart chamber, he sees an officer run out of the other entrance. Halcyon studies the dragon’s heart and finds that blast-gel—a gel that is used as gunpowder—has been rubbed all over the dragon’s hot, beating heart. He knows that the heart could explode in seconds, killing the dragon that keeps the ship afloat! What should Halcyon do? Who is the saboteur of the ship? Will Halcyon be punished for his well-meaning fair-weather spell that has brought such woe and pain to the sea dragon and its crew? Read Midshipwizard Halcyon Blithe to find out!

I really liked Midshipwizard Halcyon Blithe. I think that it could have used less profane language, but then again, it is a story with sailors in it! The best part of the book was when Halcyon learned that he could talk to sea dragons, which helps him form a bond with his ship. Since this is a sea-adventure book, I would recommend it to anyone who liked Treasure Island or who enjoys stories of adventure and peril in general and at sea.

Rating (0 - 10 scale): 8
Reviewer Age: 11
Reviewer City, State and Country: Saugerties, NY USA

Tofu and T. Rex by Greg Leitich Smith

A present-day Texas school district has a troublemaker on its hands. Fredrika Murchison-Kowalski, or Freddie for short, is a vegan and believes strongly in liberating animals, but she goes too far when she nearly burns down the school’s football stadium trying to liberate the bull mascot. She is quickly shipped back to her native Chicago where she must live with her grandfather and her cousin Hans-Peter. They live in a traditional Eastern European neighborhood with lots of sausage, pets, and fur. On top of that her grandfather, or Opa, owns a deli/butcher shop where Freddie is forced to work. She is re-admitted into the prestigious Peshtigo School of Chicago. Her cousin desperately wants to get into the school because of its wonderful paleontology program. The vegan and the carnivore must learn to live in harmony to achieve both their goals.

The book was good and it presented two good arguments. I couldn’t decide which I agreed with since I am a vegetarian but I am not a vegan. I also saw the culture involved with the meats eaten by the Polish. The book was written in a light, moving style and it did not dwell on any one thing for too long. I enjoyed the two points of view of both characters and some of the hilarity of Freddie’s activism. It was a bit simple and not really too developed but it contained some really funny parts and some very true arguments. If you enjoy both giggles and gasping, you’ll like this book. From being chased by bees to the emancipation of frogs to an accidental severing, this book certainly earns a ‘funny mark’.

Rating (0 - 10 scale): 7
Reviewer Age: 12
Reviewer City, State and Country: Greencastle, PA USA

The World of Eldaterra, The Dragon Conspiracy by P. R. Moredun

The time is 1895. Chief Professor Corrik is working on a case that involves the murders of pregnant women. Can he handle the truth, and is he brave enough to stop the culprit? The time is 1910. Eldaterra is in trouble. Portals between the Old World and the New World only open on rare occasions, and even then, few people can see them. While James is walking on the beach, he sees a strange arch; one that he is sure wasn’t there before. When he steps through, he is taken to another world- the Old World, Eldaterra. As James soon finds out, he is the only one capable of saving Eldaterra- if he chooses to help, he could save a world, which would involve extreme danger. If he chooses to return home, the enemy will almost certainly kill him just because they know that he can see the portal. With the help of a brave dog that can talk, a large bear that can also talk, and two dwarf brothers whose goal in life is to either die in their attempt to help James and become legends, or live in the attempt to help James and become heroes. Can James stop the evil that began 15 years ago and prevent the destruction of Eldaterra, before time runs out?

The World of Eldaterra, The Dragon Conspiracy is amazing. While the reader is trying to figure out one mystery that occurred in 1895, another adventure is unfolding in 1910. Are there links between the two? Page after page, The Dragon Conspiracy reveals new facts and new problems, new lies and new dangers. P. R. Moredun has created a fantasy world that is enveloped in mystery.

Rating (0 - 10 scale): 10
Reviewer Age: 13
Reviewer City, State and Country: Chambersburg, PA USA

The World of Eldaterra, The Dragon Conspiracy by P. R. Moredun

The time is 1895. Chief Professor Corrik is working on a case that involves the murders of pregnant women. Can he handle the truth, and is he brave enough to stop the culprit? The time is 1910. Eldaterra is in trouble. Portals between the Old World and the New World only open on rare occasions, and even then, few people can see them. While James is walking on the beach, he sees a strange arch; one that he is sure wasn’t there before. When he steps through, he is taken to another world- the Old World, Eldaterra. As James soon finds out, he is the only one capable of saving Eldaterra- if he chooses to help, he could save a world, which would involve extreme danger. If he chooses to return home, the enemy will almost certainly kill him just because they know that he can see the portal. With the help of a brave dog that can talk, a large bear that can also talk, and two dwarf brothers whose goal in life is to either die in their attempt to help James and become legends, or live in the attempt to help James and become heroes. Can James stop the evil that began 15 years ago and prevent the destruction of Eldaterra, before time runs out?

The World of Eldaterra, The Dragon Conspiracy is amazing. While the reader is trying to figure out one mystery that occurred in 1895, another adventure is unfolding in 1910. Are there links between the two? Page after page, The Dragon Conspiracy reveals new facts and new problems, new lies, and new dangers. P. R. Moredun has created a fantasy world that is enveloped in mystery.

Rating (0 - 10 scale): 10
Reviewer Age: 13
Reviewer City, State and Country: Chambersburg, PA USA

Exile by Grace Garendish

Banoo Yasmine was exiled from her homeland and is now needing a loan from Grace's queen, so she can try to rebuild her wealth. In return for the loan Banoo gave the queen the most precious treasure of all, The Heart of Kings. When people find out that that jewel is the fake one, people go every trying find it. The next day it is found in Grace's good friends laundry bins, Ellie the laundry maid. Now Ellie must go and find the true thief.

This was a great book. The author had a great style of writing that moved fast. The book kept me reading and was a great mystery. Every time I thought I knew who did it, it turned out I was wrong. The book had every part of a good story in it.

Rating (0 - 10 scale): 8
Reviewer Age: 11
Reviewer City, State and Country: Lutherville, Maryland USA

Mocassin Thunder

Joy Harjo, Sherman Alexie, Cynthia Leitich, Richard Van Camp, Linda Hogan, Joseph Bruchac, Louise Erdich, Greg Sarris, Lee Francis, and Susan Powers invite readers to understand today’s Indian through these intriguing stories. Middle and high school students will recognize the experiences of growing up, facing peer pressure, and coming to terms with individual identity. In “How to Get to the Planet Venus” Joy Harjo’s heroine travels from the safe arms of the man in the moon as a child to reaching Planet Venus as an almost responsible young woman. Alexie Sherman shows how a family’s stories can change to fit history. “A Real-Live Blond Cherokee and His Equally Annoyed Soul Mate” wins a prize for a title that tells almost all of the story while encouraging readers to examine stereotypes of appearance. Kevin Garner in “The Last Snow of the Virgin Mary” walks a thin line between his ambition to become a teacher and his drug addiction until one side wins. The grandma in “Crow” exhibits far more generosity of spirit than the well-dressed, limo-riding woman who tries to coerce the sell of the house and everything else. Maybe money isn’t the answer to life’s troubles. For the heroine of Susan Power’s “Drum Kiss” the leap from wishing for C.S. Lewis’s kingdom of Narnia in the back of a wardrobe to an understanding of her tribe’s animal stories brings real friends and reemergence of self-acceptance. Together these stories give life to memorable characters.

Moccasin Thunder is a welcomed addition to short story collections and offers an introduction to respected writers whose other works will be equally inviting. I hardily recommend this book for middle and high school students who want to read of other adolescents’ travels toward adulthood.

Rating (0 - 10 scale): 9
Reviewer Age: 58
Reviewer City, State and Country: Timonium, MD US

Confessions of a Boyfriend Stealer

Confessions Of A Boyfreind Stealer is the online diary of Genesis Bell, sixteen and half year-old ex-best friend to CJ Thompson and Tasha Dombrowski and aspiring television producer. Normally known as one of The Terribles, when caught 'stealing' her best friend's boyfriends, things change. No longer a Terrible, Genesis sets about setting the record straight, in the form of an online blog. Genesis, the more reserved, less fiery and in-your-face friend of the three, was always the one how kept things in control; she kept secrets, mended broken hearts (the hearts of the boys her friends so heartlessly dumped, not her friends who didn't need or want any sympathy) and was the nice one. In this book she learns more about herself and comes several steps closer to her dream of producing documentries and reality shows; when she films the party of the year.

This book, although aimed for an older audience; the scenes being a little unsuitable for anyone under 13, is likely to entertain the younger more. The plot is very ambitous and hard to believe at times, while the writing can be patching is some places and the characters pretty shallow; never the less this book was enjoyable and easy to read into spare moment. While the book screams of a sequal (the blog of Genesis's ex best friend CJ, which is mentioned on the first page), I believe that when the time comes I will read it. If you feel like an easy read, something that isn't serious and won't have you pondering about the meaning of life, then this is the book for you - sweet, spunky, you can not help cheering Genesis on, nor cringing at her stupidity at times.

Rating (0 - 10 scale): 6
Reviewer Age: 15
Reviewer City, State and Country: Bristol, England

The Fire Thief by Terry Deary

This book begins with Prometheus (yes the Greek Titan) escaping his bonds of captivity. Then he flies two million years into the future (around 1858) trying to escape the fury of the gods. In this future he meets a boy and his uncle. Jim, the boy, is an orphan that Edward, the uncle, adopted. They are actors (and thieves) whom befriend Prometheus. Will Prometheus be able to escape the wrath of the gods? Will Jim and Edward be able to help him? Find out by reading Fire Thief.

I found this book highly entertaining. It had many, many funny parts in it. The footnotes at the bottom of the pages made it even more hilarious*. I also enjoyed how the two stories (Ancient Greece and Eden City 1858) were combined together. It was a fairly easy-to-read book and isn’t very big, so I think you should take a few hours and read Fire Thief. Anyone who needs a good laugh should read this book.

*Things like this would be at the bottom of the pages, except that they would have something funny written on them.

Rating (0 - 10 scale): 9
Reviewer Age: 12
Reviewer City, State and Country: Denair, California United States

I am Alive and You are Dead A Journey into the Mind of Philip K. Dick

This book was a fascinating read about an author named Philip K. Dick who was a very uncommon breed. Carrere takes the reader through the journey of this man’s life from the infant death of his twin sister, to the multiple marriages he experienced, to his upsetting lonely death. Throughout all of this, the reader learns of how involved the human brain can truly be, especially in the case of Philip K. Dick.

Although I had never read any of Philip K. Dick’s work before, Emanuel Carrere’s depiction of his life was quite interesting. However, in Carrere’s book, there was some confusion between the descriptions of Dick‘s actual life, and the parts which were only the autobiographical aspects that he had written about in his own novels. The “journey into the mind of Philip K. Dick” was a fascinating journey to take, and without giving too much away, I do not think that any regular person really knows someone of Philip’s character. Perhaps there are some aspects of his enigmatic mind that each one of us holds, but the intricacy that was described in Carrere’s creative way held a hazy difference between the reality and the imaginary. Perhaps these two things can be easily confused, as they seem to have been by Dick, in my opinion. Either way, Carrere wrote an impressive memoir that showed all of the details of Philip K. Dick’s life, when really picked through, and I can assume that the other authors who have written about him could not have done nearly as good of a job.

Rating (0 - 10 scale): 8
Reviewer Age: 16
Reviewer City, State and Country: Towson, Maryland USA

The Seropia Crystal by T. W. Olzinski

When a twelve-year old girl named Riley Benson moves with her family to her grandma’s house for the summer, she soon realizes that it will be the summer of her life. Soon after arrival she finds a chest and a key. Inside she finds a couple of things but the one she likes the most is the seropia crystal necklace. She ventures around her house taking pictures. She goes into the woods and trips on a tree while taking the pictures and to her surprise the butterfly, squirrel, rabbit, fox, and deer she saw in her dreams speak to her and ask her to help them out. They tell her all about how they got there and about why they are there. The animals also tell her that they sent their king to earth to save him and that they need to find him before the evil Tirantus Pirate gets to him or he will be taken prisoner and all the other planets will turn evil. Her necklace glows brighter whenever the king gets closer and she finds out that the king could’ve taken the form of anything. She decides to help the animals and starts her search before she has to go back to her own house at the end of the summer.

This book is awesome! It is very interesting and makes you want to know what happens next. I thought the characters were interesting but kind of like everyday people. I recommend this book to anyone in 3rd-7th grade. I enjoyed reading this book and I hope anyone who reads this will also enjoy it.

Rating (0 - 10 scale): 7
Reviewer Age: 11
Reviewer City, State and Country: Upperstrasburg, PA US

SuperSized Kids by Larimore and Flynt

Obesity in America is of epidemic proportions. This fact is easily affirmed with a quick look on a crowded street. Research shows not only are more people overweight or obese, the overweight keep piling on the pounds. Sadly, this phenomenon is not just an adult problem. In the book SuperSized Kids How To Rescue Your Child From The Obesity Threat, Walt Larimore, M.D., and Sherri Flynt explore the medical consequences of obesity in today's youth and offer their medical experiences, both personal and clinical, as they attempt to tackle this worldwide crisis. Obesity does not discriminate. In fact, as this book so adeptly explains, obesity affects all persons, individually and as a society. The negative health impact is globally catastrophic in addition to financially devastating. Larimore and Flynt, with the use of reality-based case in points, attempt to explain the ravages this disease presents while offering thier medical expertise to assure us this trend can be reversed. With simple medical terminology and easy to follow lifestyle changes, these dedicated professionals make eradicating childhood obesity seem like a real possibility. While exposing probable causes of obesity, the authors are quick to point out modern luxuries and conveniences as the likeliest culprits. Except, instead of assigning blame to society and culture alone, they lay the responsibility and recovery at the feet of the individual. If the purpose of this book is to explain what obesity is, what it does, and how to prevent it, that goal was certainly attained. Larimore and Flynt give the reader every reason to be concerned and become proactive with the weight, current and future health of our next generation.

SuperSized Kids How To Rescue Your Child From The Obesity Threat is one of many books tackling the issue of childhood obesity available today. Written to appeal to parents and caregivers, it sometimes uses over the top scare tactics to get the reader's attention. Although easy to read, the layout is a bit distracting with the pages having sidebars of Recipe For Success, Fifty Ways to SuperSize Your Kids, and/or Food For Thought. Using real life stories to emphasize the subject matter is usually a positive tool used by authors. This book employs too many. Parents who have children struggling with weight want answers and solutions, not necessarily a support group of unknowns. They already know they belong to an ever growing population and if they are reading this book, they are making strides to escape from it. From a clinical viewpoint, this books supplies plenty of facts and figures. What it doesn't do, is make them interesting. With so many other books available with the same subject matter, I suggest looking for another.

Rating (0 - 10 scale): 5
Reviewer Age: 36
Reviewer City, State and Country: Chambersburg, PA USA

Nothing Can Keep Us Together by Cecily von Ziegesar

As usual Cecily von Ziegesar's book if nothing if not exciting, she doesn't stop at the usual; filling her books with scandalous gossip and things us 'normal' people would not do on a whim. Yet, as per usual, the heart of the book truly lies with that of a teenager and the vast amount of money the character's have will never change it - they still have the ups and downs of everybody. With Blair mad at Nate and Serena and focusing instead on Marcus, Lord Marcus that is; an older, British and seemingly better version of Nate and, of course, without the stoner aspect. And while Serena is thrilled at her role in Breakfast At Freds (modern day Breakfast At Tiffanys), which Blair also tried out for, Nate is having his own problems. Things are less then perfect for Vanessa and Aaron, while Jenny ends her boarding school search at Waverly Prep, the new centre of Gossip Girls spin off, The It Girl.

The Gossip Girl books; the glossy magazine of the teen-lit world. I dislike the characters; the fact that there is never a seemingly happy ending (just like life) which I cannot do without, and normally, the lives of the rich do not interest me at all. Yet here I am, reading each novel as soon as I can, and talking about fictional character's lives, with, frankly, as much enthusiasim as a particurlarily intriguing piece of gossip about someone I actually know. I've long ago stopped asking myself why, and have just come to accept the fact that I read and buy these books; and with a cover that matches the inside so perfectly, why should I worry? Nothing Can Keep Us Together, certainly keeps up with the rest of the series and lacks nothing. The ending, though somewhat suprising, seemed neithur un-realistic or untrue to the characters and I accepted it like everything else in the series. This book, although not without it's kinks, is certainly worth reading for any and every gossip girl fan; you will certainly not be disappointed.

Rating (0 - 10 scale): 8
Reviewer Age: 15
Reviewer City, State and Country: Bristol, England

Me, Dead Dad, & Alcatraz by Chris Lynch

Elvin Bishop is a somewhat regular fourteen year old kid, although like every kid, he's a bit different. Along with his widowed mother, Elvin shares a pretty average home. He has two friends, each with their own eccentricities: one has a very parental attitude while the other is so self-absorbed he refuses to use a public restroom. Elvin is enjoying his life until it is thrown into a frenzy by the reappearence of his long believed dead uncle. It isn't a welcome reunion for Elvin. His Uncle Alex's return is a poor attempt to apologize for stealing the Bishop's money. Will Alex be able to win over Elvin to explain why he stole their money? Will Elvin be able to believe him?

Chris Lynch has a very good aspect of a fourteen year old teen. The writing is comical and makes the reader feel as if the main character could be their best friend. Lynch's subtle humor softens the serious nature of the story making it more believable. Me, Dead Dad, & Alcatraz would make an excellent read aloud book for teachers. It keeps the reader involved with its believablity. I recommend this book to kids who enjoy comedy but caution there is some sensitive material.

Rating (0 - 10 scale): 8
Reviewer Age: 12
Reviewer City, State and Country: Chambersburg, PA USA

Shadow Life by Barry Denenberg

In Barry Denenberg's book Shadow Life, the life of Anne Frank and her family is highlighted. The book is separated into four parts, Part one is titled "Living", and it is in Narrative form. The life of the Franks before the war is told like a story. The everyday details of sisters Anne and Margot Frank's lives are explored. Part two is "Hiding". This portion of the story is a series of fictional diary entries by Margot Frank. Margot illuminates the terrors of the shadow life the Franks lived up to the part where they get found by the Nazis. Part three, "Dying" is in constructed in an oral history of the survivors of Aushwitz, Bergen- Belsen, and Westerbork. It tells the story of the Franks last seven months of life, right up to the very end. Finally,"Surviving" Part four is the memories of those who survived the terrible holocaust, and a conclusion to the horrific story of the Frank family.

In my opinion, Shadow Life wasn't a page turner. The format of the book was hard to follow, and it ruined the flow of the book each time the "part" ended. The book was very informational, but for leisure reading, I wouldn't suggest it. The portion of the book told by Margot Frank seemed very fictional and unrealistic. On a scale of one to ten, I'd give this book a 5.

Rating (0 - 10 scale): 5
Reviewer Age: 13
Reviewer City, State and Country: Alexandria , VA USA

Saddles, Stars, and Stripes: Chance of a Lifetime by Debra Kent

What will happen next? Jacquetta’s brothers Marcus and Adam were sent off to fight in the Civil War. Yankees have taken over Vicksburg, seven miles away from her home in Green Haven, so now she has to live with her aunt in Brookmoor. Jacquetta rides away from her aunt’s house on horseback after she decides that she misses her parents too much, but to her surprise the Yankees have taken Brookmoor also and her parents have fled. She sneaks into her horse barn just to find that her servant girl, Peace, is feeding her horses sugar. Peace tells her that the Yankees are going to take the rest of her horses sometime soon and they decide to hide them in the woods. Wit, Peace’s brother, arrives at the location where they hid the horses and tells the girls that Rachel, who lives at Deerfield, would know about her parents’ whereabouts. The girls head off to Rachel’s house and when they get there, she tells them that her parents went to her uncle’s place in Alexandria, Louisiana. The girls and Wit plan to go there next. Peace, Jacquetta, and Wit have some problems along the way but face them together.

Wow, this book is awesome! You will think so too as soon as you read this. Saddles, Stars, and Stripes: Chance Of A Lifetime is a real page-turner and the first in the series. The characters are very adventurous. This was a wonderful book. I recommend this book to kids in grades 3-7. I hope whoever else reads this book enjoys it because I know I did. I look forward to reading more of the books in this series also. Each one is set at a different time, but all have a heroine and a horse in the story.

Rating (0 - 10 scale): 9
Reviewer Age: 11
Reviewer City, State and Country: Upper Strasburg, PA United States

The Mirror of Fire and Dreaming by Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni

Anand is the Keeper of the Conch. He gave up his family and his home so that he can help the world, as a Healer in Silver Valley. His friend Nisha comes with him, the first ever female healer, and the master healer Abhaydatta is one of his instructors. As Anand struggles with his studies, he hears a warning from the wind and views an alarming scene on a wall. The Healers must take action; they know it is their duty to protect the world from the “evil that stirs.” Abhaydatta and a young healer called Raj-bahnu embark upon a quest to find this evil, leaving a heart-broken Anand behind. However, just before he leaves, Abhaydatta gives Anand a pearl necklace that will change color if he is in danger. In yet another alarming scene, Anand views Abhaydatta beside a lake with an unconscious Raj-bhanu at his side. He knows they are in danger, but the pearls are nowhere to be found. The Healer’s Council will decide upon a course of action in the morning, but Anand knows that by then it will be to late. The Conch agrees to transport Nisha and Anand to the lake, but something goes slightly awry. Can Anand find the Conch, Abhaydatta, and Nisha before evil destroys the world?

The Mirror of Fire and Dreaming expresses just how powerful love can be. Adventure, fantasy, and mystery intertwine to form an exciting novel with many important lessons. Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni has created a world of fantasy that involves so many of life’s true feelings and emotions that it seems real; a world full of hardships and triumphs. Readers young and old who love an exciting novel will definitely enjoy The Mirror of Fire and Dreaming, and anyone searching for a book with just the right blend of fantasy and reality has just found the perfect tale.

Rating (0 - 10 scale): 10
Reviewer Age: 13
Reviewer City, State and Country: Chambersburg, PA USA

Eldest by Christopher Paolini

After the war with the kurgals, some leftover Kurgals come back and kill Aijihad, the twins, and Murtagh as an ambush. Nasuada, Aijihad's daughter takes the throne. Eragon is sent to finish his training with the elves. He learns a great deal about magic and life, evrything. But he soon finds out that he is needed for the Varden, that is fighting the empire. They look like they are winning the battle. Until a red dragon with a rider attacks Eragon. With all Eragon's training will it be enough to defeat this new rider?

This was my favorite book of all-time. The author writes in just the right amount of detail that you are not bored, but you understand the book very well. There was so much interesting things going on, I would read for hours at a time. The ending was amazing, and I can't wait for the next book.

Rating (0 - 10 scale): 20
Reviewer Age: 11
Reviewer City, State and Country: Lutherville, Maryland U.S.A.

Call Me Maria by Judith Ortiz Cofer

“Call Me Maria” by Judith Ortiz Cofer is the only book I have ever read in which the theme is wrapped up in a three-word title. It perfectly expresses the feelings of the title character, Maria, a Puerto Rican native who moves from the sunny island to the barrios of New York out of love for her depressed father, despite the fact that such a transition is not best for her. Because of this move, Maria quickly transforms from an ‘allegre’ (happy) Maria to a ‘triste’ (sad) Maria, becoming slightly depressed and continuing in this depression without the reader knowing if she ever gets out of it. Maria’s experiences in the ‘gray, snow, dark, cold, lonely’ barrio include new friends, self-discovery, and realization of human weakness.

The slow beginning of “Call Me Maria” almost condemned the book for me, but it fortunately became more interesting as it progressed. Though Maria has her faults, which included crudity and a mild irreligious attitude, the charm of the desolate loneliness of her personality almost unwillingly pulled sympathy from the reader. I say ‘unwillingly’ in reference to the initial dullness of the story, but this early tedium is forgiven because of Cofer’s unique characterization style that is typified by her use of Maria’s insights into the characters of her friends. The book is composed primarily of characterizations by Maria, all of which together form an interesting if not stellar read. Recommended.

Rating (0 - 10 scale): 6
Reviewer Age: 17

Revenge of Rairarubia by W. Royce Adams

Revenge On Rairarubia, book 4 of the exciting series The Rairarubia Tapes Series, is the book I reviewed. In this book of the tale, Molly Doogan and her best friend, Netty Parmet, are just getting back from Rairarubia, a land from a story that originally was thought up of by Molly and her father. Once they returned, in the circle of nine stones that took them there sat an egg, a LARGE egg. They looked at the huge eggshell in the portal, and they found a small, but very noticeable, crack. In panic, the two take it back to Rairarubia. When they get there, a dear friend named Bovert greets them. He sees the great egg, and he falters. He tells them the danger of the Gremerkles, the large type of bird trying to escape the egg of a jail. As he tells them about the large animal, the roof of the greenhouse collapses, revealing a giant Gremerkle. When all hope seems lost, Queen Romey comes and kills the beast. After the rescue, she tells them a large predicament that involves she and her husband, King Sam: Their daughter, Princess Tracy, has been kidnapped by the Gremerkles. A rescue party is sent out, but Romey gets kidnapped and is infected with a deadly disease. Then another party is sent out: now to rescue them both! A traitor is about. He is seeking his revenge on Rairarubia. Who is the villain? What does he have in mind? Will Molly’s secret of Rairarubia be revealed? The tale goes on…

This reviewer thought that this book was great, even though he did not read any of the other books. This book was very good, but the book could be longer and more descriptive. The story need a lot more detail. But,it is an enjoyable book that can be read by anyone.

Rating (0 - 10 scale): 8
Reviewer Age: 12
Reviewer City, State and Country: Chambersburg, Pennsylvania United States

Crushed by Laura and Tom McNeil

High school is a cruel place, or at least in the eyes of one Audrey Reed. Audrey is not only a social outcast at her new high school,but has unfortunately been placed on Theo Drigg's, the biggest bully in school, list. Does Audrey care though? No, because she has two of her best friends who are there no matter what,a rich father, brains, and for the first time in her life she has a boyfriend. Audrey's life seems to be perfect, but when her dad looses his job, Audrey's world starts to unravel, she is accused of cheating, she looses her big house, and her boyfriend may be the next article on 'The Yellow Paper," an underground article that reveals the secrets of people at school. In hopes to stop "The Yellow Paper" from revealing a secret, that Audrey doesn't even know, about Audrey's boyfriend, Audrey tries to solve the mystery of who is the writer of the yellow paper, and along the way tries to fix her world which seems to slowly be falling into chaos.

In this book I liked Audrey, but was disappointed that she continuely lied to herself and how easily she allowed her boyfriend to influence her. There was a chharacter in the book who I really liked named Clyde Mumsford, who was a great character because he saw his problems and instead of ignoring them tried to fix them. I kept on hoping that Audrey would do exactly what he did and face her problems. When Clyde tries to help Audrey, she acts like a complete jerk to him, and then later on has him beaten up. When Audrey did that I was really angry at her because he was only trying to help. Throughout the rest of the book I was angry at Audrey,because she hurt Clyde, but I couldn't help pitying her because she was loosing control of her world. "Crushed' was an emotional roller coaster for the characters in the book, and also for you, the reader, because the reader gets connected to the characters, and when something bad happens to a character the reader has a reaction that corresponds to how the character feels. I think the authors did a really good job at writing this book because they created these great characters who you couldn't decide if you hated them or loved them.

Rating (0 - 10 scale): 10
Reviewer Age: 13
Reviewer City, State and Country: Tucson, Arizona United States

Roll Call by Malcolm Rose

Amidst the hottest summer on record in a futuristic Britain, a young woman dies seemingly naturally. Though her ordeal was long and painful, no traces of poison were found in her system. Soon after, another woman is stabbed with an unknown object that leaves absolutely no trace. And yet another woman dies in a sauna from an unknown poison. What do the victims have in common? Their name: Emily Wonder. Forensic investigator Luke Harding and his robotic sidekick, Malc, are assigned to the case. Soon another young Emily Wonder vanishes and Luke must rescue her before a wall of water consumes London. The book takes you on a roller coaster ride through poisons that leave no trace, rare diseases, and delicacies that can kill you.

The book was very good, and it is by far infused with the most forensics of any in the Traces series. I certainly learned a lot about the intriguing world of forensics from this incredibly informational book. The book left me wondering until the climactic end. The perilous journey even touches on the science of tsunamis, which shows the book’s wide coverage of subjects. Malcom Rose does a superb job of mixing fact with some of the most interesting mysteries I have read in the Traces series.

Rating (0 - 10 scale): 9
Reviewer Age: 12
Reviewer City, State and Country: Greencastle, PA USA

Lowji Discovers America by Candace Fleming

Lowji, main character in Candace Fleming’s book “Lowji Discovers America”, is a young Indian boy who moves from the big cities of India to a small town in America. The first thing Lowji wants in America is a pet, whether it be a cat, dog, or goat. Unfortunately for Lowji, his family moves into a ‘no pets allowed’ building, where he is supposed to resign himself to not having a pet for a while, at least. But Lowji doesn’t resign himself to life without pets, but instead amusingly maneuvers things so that he can have some, leading to adventures with all sorts of people.

While “Lowji Discovers America” is not a brilliant book, it is a charming one, perfectly suited to young children. I could find nothing seriously objectionable in it, either in style or morality, and enjoyed the read. “Lowji” would be labeled a ‘kiddy’ book by some tweens and all teens, but that is because it is meant for children, not excitement obsessed teenagers (a group of which I readily admit kinship with). This simple tale of an English-speaking Indian boy without pets was a delightful one, and would definitely find some fans among the ten and under set.

Twilight by Stephenie Meyer

Isabella Swan moves to the town of Forks to live with her father. Coming from the city of Phoenix, Bella finds Forks to be a dull town. That is until she meets Edward Cullen, in sixth hour Biology. From the beginning there is a mysterious air about Edward that fascinates Bella. But Edward is not interested in Bella finding out anything about him, instead he keeps a wary distance from her. At the same time he has an uncanny ability of showing up wherever Bella is. Bella asks around about the Cullen’s, and soon hears a legend from a boy from the close by Indian reservation. She becomes obsessed with discovering why Edward and his family are so different from everyone else. What she discovers is so farfetched, yet believable to her. Edward is a vampire. To convince her to keep quiet about her finding, Edward agrees to answer her questions. Through these get-togethers, Edward and Bella form a close relationship. The intrusion of another vampire, a hunter puts Bella in grave danger. Edward goes to extreme lengths in order to keep Bella safe. The hunter makes Bella think that he has kidnapped her mother, so Bella runs away following his instructions. The ordeal she goes through convinces Bella that she also wants to become a vampire so that she can live the rest of her life with Edward. But he refuses to do so. He knows the difficulties of being a vampire and never wants Bella to have to go through it.

Twilight was an enchanting novel. Although it is about 500 pages, the prose is alluring and the book is hard to put down. The novel constantly had me guessing to what might happen next, and surprisingly presented a completely different occurrence. Though I enjoyed the novel immensely, I was rather disappointed by the ending. For such a good piece of work, I expected a more concrete conclusion. However, it does leave an opening for a possible sequel…

Rating (0 - 10 scale): 10
Reviewer Age: 16
Reviewer City, State and Country: Kansas City, Missouri United States

Lord of the Libraries by Mel Odom

Dwellers are librarians. They don’t fight; they protect books. They are quick on their feet and their intelligent minds tell them to hide at the first sign of danger. Jug is a dweller. He is also a First-level Librarian at the Vault-of-all-Known-Knowledge. When the grandmagister is kidnapped while rescuing Jug after a trap is set off in the Vault-of-all-Known-Knowledge, Jug is heart-broken. He goes in pursuit on the ship One-eyed Peggie. However, when the goblinkin ship holding the grandmagister hostage continues past Imarish, the city of the docks, where the grandmagister told Jug to go to find something that was hidden there, Jug has no choice but to stay in Imarish and let One-Eyed Peggie pursue the goblinkin ship without him. Jug sets out on an adventure that is filled with danger, an adventure that no normal dweller would even consider undertaking. But Jug is determined to save the grandmagister, and this quest is the only way. Can Jug conquer his fears of the adventure, his distrust of Craugh, the wizard who revealed his horrible past to Jug, and above all, rescue the grandmagister?

Mel Odom’s Lord of the Libraries is a great read. You are never sure whom you can trust, which leaves readers in suspense throughout the entire book. There are twists and turns from beginning to end, and even when you’re sure you finally know the outcome of one thing or another, something happens that you never expected. Readers who love fantasy and adventure will enjoy this book immensely, as this sequel to Destruction of the Books is an outstanding novel.

Rating (0 - 10 scale): 10
Reviewer Age: 13
Reviewer City, State and Country: Chambersburg, PA USA

The Cloud Chamber

Nate Chance's life was fine. He has a best friend that did almost everything with him. His father taught him everything he knows (which was quite a lot), but after a freak hailstorm killed off the hay crop that would take the family out of debt, everything changed. Nate's mother became a walking vegetable and Nate's best friend doesn't even act like Nate ever existed. Only sister Junie believes that everything will be better. Nate somehow sees a ray of light in his klutzy science partner, Naomi. If they could win 1st Place, they could see their father in a mental hospital on the way to the state finals. Of course, this would never have happened if his father wouldn't have shot himself. But what if this family falls apart before then? Only time will tell.

The Cloud Chamber was one of the saddest books I've ever read! If you read this book because it sounds like a book full of hopes and dreams-- don't. It is sad in a very layered way. You get sad when the father shoots himself and even sadder when Nate's mother stops caring about life. There's a lot more layers that that. The descriptions and imagery in this book were amazing. I had an internal picture in my mind word for word through the entire book. You find yourself relating to all of the characters through your emotional journey. Towards the middle of the book, I hoped and prayed that the character's lives would turn back to normal. Overall I don't really count this as a book, but a life in itself - it was THAT extraordinary.

The Bubblegum Babes' Guide to Sixth Grade by Doreen Lewis

In The Bubblegum Babes' Guide to Sixth Grade, there are four twelve-year-old girls named Meg, Sara, Emily, and Kelly who are best friends and have sleepovers every weekend. The four friends start sixth grade and only see each other during lunchtime. This book tells about how they survive sixth grade together and how they are always there for each other during the best and worst of times. Each of them have different problems which they all help each other get through. After sixth grade ends, Emily will have to move to South Carolina with her grandma for the summer because her parents got divorced. Will this mess up their friendship and if so, what will happen to the Bubblegum Babes group with Emily's leaving? Find out in this wonderful book called The Bubblegum Babes' Guide to Sixth Grade.

I think this book had a good plot. I enjoyed reading The Bubblegum Babes' Guide to Sixth Grade by Doreen Lewis because I'm in the sixth grade too, just like the girls in this book. I recommend this book to girls around the same age as the Bubblegum Babes, which is twelve. The characters were fun to read about because they all had different personalities and were the same age as me. I hope you enjoy reading The Bubblegum Babes' Guide to Sixth Grade because I know I did. This is the first book in a series of books about growing up and friendship, according to the back cover.

Rating (0 - 10 scale): 7
Reviewer Age: 11
Reviewer City, State and Country: Upperstrasburg, PA US

Montmorency On The Rocks by Eleanor Updale

In the sequel to the first book Montmorency, Montmorency now works with Sir Fox-de-Sewlyn as spies for England. Unfortunately, Montmorency must battle his addiction to a foreign drug and meet the man who saved his life in the first book: Doctor Farcett. In getting the doctor and fellow spy to meet, de-Sewlyn arranges for the three of them separately to go to his brother's estate in Scotland where the doctor eventually helps Montmorency get off his addiction, and then he and Montmorency must help a servants' village escape a massive death of dead babies.

Overall , this book was written well, the characters were full of life and the plot was suspensful. I felt that while I was reading it, I was actually in the story. The characters were not bland but were vivid and full of life. The book contains intellegent language but not too hard for any one. I recommend this book to people who wish to read a historical fiction or are interested in spies.

Rating (0 - 10 scale): 8
Reviewer Age: 14
Reviewer City, State and Country: Tucson, Arizona USA

The Seven Wonders of Sassafras Springs by Betty G. Birney

Sassafras Springs is just a boring farming town, assumes plucky young Eben McAllister. Until one day, when his pa challenges him to find the Seven Wonders of Sassafras Springs — in seven days. If he succeeds, Eben’s pa will let him take the trip to Colorado that he has been dreaming of. Aunt Pretty thinks it is a bad idea at first, that Eben should stay home and mind the farm with his pa, but then she agrees because she knows how restless he is. Eben is excited to have found six wonders already — which, by the way, include a life-saving apple ead doll and a real ship in a bottle — when he finds out that a sickness is going through the Colorado town of his destination, and the trip is off. He is very disappointed until Aunt Pretty makes arrangements for him to visit St. Louis instead. Eben is back on track pursuing his goal . . . one more wonder, and he is off to the train station.

Overall, The Seven Wonders of Sassafras Springs is a delightful, energetic story with likable characters. The book has a well-thought-out plot. I usually like science fiction and fantasy books, so I was not sure if I would enjoy this, but The Seven Wonders of Sassafras Springs really surprised me. I enjoyed reading it very much. It was heart-warming in some places, and sad in others, and it was interesting to see how Eben comes to realize that even a small town like Sassafras Springs can have wonders of its own. I would recommend this book to anyone, and readers who enjoyed Farmer Boy by Laura Ingalls Wilder will love this.

Lost Bullet by Malcolm Rose

In book two of the Traces series, we re-join Luke Harding, a forensic investigator, and his robotic sidekick in London. The city has fallen into disrepair and roaming wild animals are reclaiming the city. Amid all this chaos, a war between brown and white people rages. A white boy named Owen is shot and is aided at a hospital. His doctor ends up shot soon after treating him. Is this a brown vs. white crime? Is she killed because she’s a doctor? Is this one of the random crimes that plagues London so often? With the bullet washed away in the rain, Luke must infiltrate one of the most secretive organizations in London to find out the truth.

The book was really good. It requires you to examine your own morals and choose someone with whom to agree. It’s a wonderful mystery story almost impossible to anticipate with every new twist set against a haunting and ominous London. There is a point in the book where I guarantee your palms will sweat and you will block everything else out. A fast-paced story coupled with true forensic techniques makes this a must-read for anyone who favors a good adventure that is feasible.

Rating (0 - 10 scale): 9

Reviewer Age: 12

Reviewer City, State and Country: Greencastle, PA USA

Casa Azul: An Encounter with Frida Kahlo by Laban Carrick Hill

The simultaneous stories of Frida Kahlo following her divorce to Diego Rivera, Maria and Victor Ortiz in their search of their mother in Mexico City, and the wresting match between El Corazon and El Diablo are told by Laban Carrick Hill in Casa Azul. Fourteen year-old Maria and her nine year-old brother Victor board a bus from their small village to go to Mexico City after the death of their grandmother. Maria seeks not only her mother but also the independance she was denied in her village. They meet Oswaldo, the accomplice of the wanted thief Oscar soon after arriving in Mexico City. Although Maria does not trust him, Maria and Victor enjoy adventures together and view Mexico City froma vantage point that few visitors ever see. Maria tells Victor of the matches of El Corazon and El Diablo, famed in Mexico when they are feeling down to keep him excited and entertained. However, this simple story turns out to dictate a lot to each of the characters in Casa Azul. Frida Kahlo's childhood home of Casa Azul is not only magical with her paintings talking and giving advice, but also caring with Fuland and Chico, her monkey and cat. Their animated conversations keep the reader entertained. This episode of art history gives the reader, whether an art lover or not, an intimate look at a famous artist often put in the backgound because of her famous husband Diago Rivera. The satisfying ending makes the novel well worth reading.

Laban Carrick Hill does an excellent job of personifying the name, Frida Kahlo, that students often read in textbooks. The parallel stories especially add to the drama because the reader is constantly wondering about what is happening to the other characters until they finally all meet each other. Casa Azul is a page turner not only because of the depth into which each story is told but more so because of the switching view points. Similar to historical fiction telling the stories of figures of the Revolutionary and Civil Wars, Hill's art fiction draws the reader into the history a lot more than a textbook would and definitely gives a more personable account of a famous person. I doubt that Casa Azul will become a best seller but it is definitely worth reading whether one knows anything about Frida Kahlo or not. I wish the author would have included more historical facts about the Mexican Revolution istead of just hinting at it.

Flamingnet Reviewer Age: 17

Flamingnet Reviewer City, State and Country: Kansas City, MO USA

Framed! by Malcom Rose

In a futuristic Britain, Luke Harding is the youngest Forensic Investigator ever. On the day he is certified, Luke is assigned to a case that is too close to home. A student at the school he attends is murdered with an arrow, and the only fingerprints on the arrow are Luke’s! With his robotic sidekick, Malc, Luke is equipped with everything he needs to deal with a world where people are ‘paired’, cats and dogs are all but extinct, and people with white skin are jeered and teased. Luke must prove himself innocent of the series of murders that all point to him.

I enjoyed the book. Malcom Rose is clearly qualified to write the book, as he is a forensic teacher. The scientific facts are laced masterfully with an entertaining story. The only thing that the story lacks is character emotions. Though the development is fine, and we know exactly the disposition of each character, the feelings of the character leave a bit to be desired. All in all, the book is very good and certainly worth reading.

Rating (0 - 10 scale): 8
Flamingnet Reviewer Age: 12
Flamignet Reviewer City, State and Country: Greencastle, PA USA

Anthem by Ayn Rand

Equality 7-2521 is not like the other brothers. For one thing, he has a head quicker than most. He desires to become a Scholar and question all things. In the society of Equality 7-2521, the worst transgression is to prefer. Nothing is superior. Everything is all the same. Equality 7-2521 makes a huge discovery, but keeps it to him, for it is Uncharted. If the Council found out, he would be severely punished for breaking the law. There he discovers the secrets of the Unthinkable Times and satisfies some of his hunger for knowledge. He meets Liberty 5-3000, a girl, and falls in love without the Council of Eugenics assigning them together. Both of them escape to the Uncharted Forest and realize the power of the one Unspeakable Word.

It was a book that definitely made me think. However, the plot is very similar to that of The Giver. It also contains some elements from The White Mountains. Ayn Rand gives many of the modern-day concepts and items obscure and unclear names.

Rating (0 - 10 scale): 8
Reviewer Age: 12

Alice On Her Way by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor

Alice, a fifteen year old living in Maryland, only has a couple of goals in mind for her near future: getting a date to the Jack of Hearts dance because she and Patrick broke up; going to New York with her friends on their school trip; and getting her driver's license when she turns sixteen. When Sam Mayer, a photographer on the school newspaper with her, asks Alice out, she finds him perfect. Everything goes well with her and her best friends Elizabeth, Pamela, and Gwen until their trip to New York. More of their problems surface and changes are realized. All this takes place in front of a backdrop of her church class "Our Whole Lives" that her Dad signed her up for. Although she dreads going to it in the beginning, she looks forward to it and realizes its importance towards the end.

Like many books written for teenagers today, Phyllis Naylor's Alice on Her Way portrays a teenage girl trying to get along in the world. Naylor's laid back style of writing makes the book relatively quick read. Although this book is not really original in its plot and approach to teen-agers, there is a lot of positive in it. I doubt Alice will make it to the top of the best-seller lists but it is a fun read. Alice can be compared to Meg Cabot's Mia but it is a lot faster paced and Naylor takes a totally different approach to presenting her plot. Overall, Alice on Her Way is worth reading in some spare time.

Rating (0 - 10 scale): 5
Reviewer Age: 17
Reviewer City, State and Country: Kansas City, Missouri USA

Chopstick

Chopstick is the story of Paige Winsome and Kate Kennedy, who both love music. Paige needed a guitar and Kate emailed her back about one she would sell her. When they met up at their dads' same work place, Rainmaker, one of the the largest employers in Snake River Valley, Paige buys the guitar from Kate and invites her to Two Trees, a Chinese resturant and she accepts. When they are done with their meal, they decide that they should have something that symbolizes their love of music. Kate looked around a minute and discovered they could each wear a chopstick in their hair as the symbol and that's how their friendship began. Each girl is in the same singer-songwriter contest to compete for the four dollar prize so that they can give it to charity, as they find out later. Will this contest ruin their friendship or make it better? Find out in this awesome book called Chopstick, the second book of the Friends For A Season series. There are four books in this series and there's a website too at http://www.friendsforaseason.com.

This book is on fire! You will think so too as soon as you start reading Chopstick. I will admit at first it was a little hard to understand until I figured out that Chopstick alternates from Paige's to Kate's perspective the whole way through this book. Each girl is telling the story of their own life and how they meet up with one another and become the greatest friends anyone could ever have. Now if you ask me I think this book sounds awesome and it really is. I think you definitely should buy this book if you like books about competition.
Rating (0 - 10 scale): 10
Flamingnet Reviewer Age: 11
Flamingnet Reviewer City, State and Country: Upperstrasburg, PA US

Princess in Training: Princess Diaries by Meg Cabot

This book is the sequel to Princess in Pink. In this book, Mia has more important things her mind. By important we mean, running for student council against Lana, dumping snails in the Bay of Genovia, and the most important thing of all, doing IT with Michael. With a fantastic show of understanding and smarts, Mia blows the student body away. Michael is an understanding boyfriend and they work it out. Now you may ask, well, what about the snails? Well, you'll just have to find out in Princess in Training.

I think that Meg Cabot has done a good job in portraying Mia's life again. Mia is like a typical high schooler even though she is a princess and faces problems we could face someday and that makes it easier for readers to relate to her. All the song titles and movies are also modern enough that we know them.Each chapter relates to the next and some are even just 5 words long! Also, Meg puts some fun little activities that Mia did into her diaries and you can do it too. As the books progress, Cabot starts putting more adult material in it. I recommend this book for older kids. A very well written book.
Rating (0 - 10 scale): 9
Flamingnet Reviewer Age: 12
Flamingnet Reviewer City, State and Country: Tucson, Arizona USA

Elsewhere by Gabrielle Zevin

Liz had an okay life. She was going to get her learner's permit in about a year, she had a prom coming up, and she had a pretty nice family. Then, one morning she wakes up to find herself on a boat! She meets all sorts of strange characters on the boat. Such as Curtis Jest, a member of her favorite band, Machine, and Thandi, a girl who claims to have been shot in the head. Liz is positive she's dreaming. Liz gets a letter, telling her to visit the Observation Deck. When she gets there, she gazes upon her own funeral. Then she gets it. This isn't a dream. She's dead. Liz struggles in her first year in Elswhere. But, she makes friends, gets a job, and makes peace with her death.

I loved this book! To me, it represented that every cloud has a silver lining. Liz was a great character, sometimes bratty, but nevertheless, she was very sweet. I also loved this book because I love dogs. It would be cool to be able to talk to dogs for a job. After reading this book, I decided that when I die, I would like to go to Elsewhere.