I think Fallout is an excellent story for ages eight to twelve. It does have a few bad words in it, but not enough that it would make you put the book down and stop reading. I think Todd Strasser did a proficient job on ending the book; with the exception that he never says what happens to one character in particular and I think he should have. The main character is a boy named Scott. Todd Strasser did a superior job on making people believe the characters to be real. The book’s chapters are set in a way so that one is about what it is like in the shelter and the next one would be about Scott’s life before the shelter. The author explained what radiation bombs are like. It made me realize how awful it would have been if a bomb had really been dropped. I learned a little more about the Cold War from this book. I recommend you read this book.
Friday, November 29, 2013
A new student review of Fallout
Thursday, November 28, 2013
A new student review of Saving Halloween
The book is well-written and brings the spirit of the Halloween holiday to life. I like that the book deals with bullies, and ways that the girls are able to overcome the threats of those bullies. I like the colorful characters in the Spavento family, and how the mystery was solved in an unexpected way. I did feel that the magic in the book sometimes made the answers to the girls’ problems seem a little too simple. I also felt that a few of the characters could have come across as more authentic. Overall, however, I definitely do recommend Saving Halloween. The book brings the magical spirit of the Halloween holiday to life. It also teaches readers to feel confident about who they actually are.
Wednesday, November 27, 2013
A new student review of The Girl Who Was on Fire (Movie Edition) by Gary Cassel
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A new student review of Omens
Omens is a fantastic book! The plot is fast paced and exciting, and I was hooked from the very first chapter.
Olivia, Gabriel, and the many characters are relatable and realistic, with a nice balance between their positive traits and character flaws. Olivia is resourceful and genuine, and her determination to earn respect and do the right thing makes her a great female lead. Gabriel, the smooth-talking, secretive lawyer is presented as corrupt and untrustworthy, but the reader is given glimpses of his sweet side throughout the text. His growth throughout the story adds to the plot, and enforces the theme of things not always being what they seem.
Although the story is a realistic fiction detective story, references to the supernatural are scattered throughout the text. These supernatural elements provided by the unique town of Cainsville give the story a dark, suspenseful flavor. This added dimension gives Omens the push it needs to stand out.
I would recommend Omens to teens and young adults that enjoy mysteries, suspense, and action.
A new student review of The Girl Who Was on Fire (Movie Edition) by Gary Cassel
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A new student review of Frozen
Melissa de la Cruz's Blue Bloods series didn't impress me very much, so reading Frozen was a delightful surprise. The action in this book starts from page one and never lets you go. There are sea battles, magic battles, and shocking betrayals, just to name a few. There's also a fantastic element of mystery as we slowly learn more about the characters. Their secrets are brought to light one at a time and it was extremely fun to predict what would happen next. Most of the characters are very likable. I particularly liked Nat as she was one of the few female characters and was a tough role model. The one complaint I would have is the speed at which the romance happens. I felt it was a bit contrived, but could see why it happened. Overall, I'd recommend to anyone who enjoys a story with romance, magic, dystopia, sea quests, and of course--dragons!
A new student review of The League
In my opinion, if you love football, this is a good realistic book for ages 10-13. I had a difficult time putting the book down. I wanted to find out what happened to Wyatt and how it would end. I found Wyatt very different from me, which made the book more interesting. I could not predict what decisions he would make. I would strongly recommend this book for boys.
Tuesday, November 26, 2013
A new student review of The Litigators by Gary Cassel
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A new student review of The Litigators by Gary Cassel
With Jason Campbell suffering a concussion last week, Tanney could be in line to back up the much-maligned Weeden on Sunday against the Jacksonville Jaguars. There are no other quarterbacks currently on the Browns' active roster.
Tanney, if you remember from 2011, is a trick-shot artist. This could be the man Browns fans are pining for one drive into a home contest against a 2-8 team:
Monday, November 25, 2013
A new student review of Paper Hearts
The book "Paper Hearts" by S.R. Savell was very different from a lot of stories that I have read. Although I did get lost and confused at some parts, I was really intrigued by the train of events that happened in this book. I sincerely love the main character, but she confused me a little. I didn't know if she was all around mad or just in a depressed state of mind. Same goes with Nathaniel. I understood his emotions but at the end of the story his character took a total turn for the worst. I don't understand why he beat Peter. Did something happen before that and I just happened to miss it or did Peter say something to insult Michelle? I don't know, but like I said it was a fantastic story but could use a little more re-reading.
Saturday, November 23, 2013
A new student review of Brooks Berry in The Case of Myst River by Michael James
Brook Berry in The Case of Myst River is a fantastic book. It has excitement, a great pot twist, and is great for a young children's mystery book. Being the age of 12+, the book was quite an easy read but was very enjoyable. The characters were described very well, being someone who hasn't read the first or second book. This book kept me on the edge of my seat even though the plot was a little predictable. If I was younger, the book would have been more exciting. But overall, this book is great for a kid ages 7-12 who wants a fun, Scooby Doo/Hardy Boys/Nancy Drew type of book.
A new student review of Chasing Shadows
The first chapter of this book got my attention immediately, though as the story went on the excitement began to fade. I kept on waiting for more to happen, but nothing did until the last few chapters.
I do appreciate that Corey’s death wasn’t quickly dismissed as sometimes deaths are in books. I saw the main characters, Savitri and Holly, struggling throughout the entire book to forget Corey’s death, and it seemed real. I also like the fact that it switched from Holly’s point of view to Savitri’s often, so I saw both of their ways of thinking. Overall, the book wasn’t bad, just a bit slow in parts.
A new student review of The Extra
I like this book because of the characters. They were able to be nice and even make jokes when they were in one of the worst situations ever. There was a sense of dreadfulness that hung throughout this book. The entire plot was very excellent. The contrast between ‘good’ and ‘bad’ evened out in the end. I find that it was a good book for one to learn about history and enjoy it at the same time. I don’t recommend it for anyone under the age of 13-14.
Friday, November 22, 2013
A new student review of Kindness for Weakness
This book kept me interested, both with the action and the amazing character development. There were some overdramatized points, but they were used well to add to the excitement of the storyline. This is not the style of book I usually read, but I did enjoy it and it got me interested in similar books and authors. Overall, this book was very good and will keep you thinking long after you've read the final page.
Thursday, November 21, 2013
A new student review of The Kingdom of Little Wounds
I chose this book because I like historical fiction, and I am very interested in how disease was viewed in the past. But this story ended up being very, very different from what I had hoped it would be. It is definitely not a fairy tale or fantasy, even though the cover is beautiful and the design of the inside of the book is gorgeous, too. I read the author’s note at the end before I began to read, so I knew that the disease that was threatening everyone was syphilis. The parts about syphilis were actually very interesting to me, especially the ways that people at the time tried to treat it and the ways they thought that it was spreading.
I was not prepared for the very graphic violence in the book, which made the story more disturbing than interesting. The female characters suffer terrible violence such as rape and torture (in the case of Midi). I think that this is probably realistic for the time, but it really took away from any potential enjoyment that I might have gotten from the book. The author is a very good writer but the story itself is too dark. I would give the overall book only three stars because it was so unpleasant to read and because I think it was a mistake for this book to be listed in the young adult category. I also found all of the characters unlikeable, which made it hard to keep reading.
Wednesday, November 20, 2013
A new student review of Rooftoppers
I enjoyed this book more than a Harry Potter. It was an interesting journey and not the normal kind of book that I would find myself reading. It's not overly adventurous, but you could relate to the heartfelt characters. At the end of the story, I found myself sobbing with joy. I read it like I was a hungry wolf. If you like stories that bring you into the past and take you on the ride of a lifetime, then this is the book for you!!!!!!
A new student review of Rump: The True Story of Rumpelstiltskin
I liked this book a lot. I liked it beacuse it reminded me of the Rumplestilskin story that I know. I wish I could have a magical power too but not have to bargain for it.
Monday, November 18, 2013
A new student review of The Grave Winner
In my opinion the book started off a little boring but then became a very suspensful and interesting book. Once the book became suspenseful I couldn't put the book down. I haven't read a paranormal book like this so I think it is a great addition to the paranormal genre. I would recommend this book to people who like paranormal books or like reading spooky and suspenseful books.
Sunday, November 17, 2013
A new student review of Stryker
Have you ever wondered how death affects someone’s life? Is the goal to overcome that death and rejoice in that person’s life? Or is it to isolate from the world? Stryker by M. M. Wheezee is fantastic book that can be enjoyed by all ages. The plot is exciting. The characters are very relatable, and you get a glimpse on how someone who has lost so much can save the day!
I personally loved the book. I really like how the plot began with a big bang. Right from the beginning, the earthquake occurs and you get pulled right into the plot. There is no extra time wasted on fluff. In many other books, it take 5-6 chapters just to get the plot rolling. Also, the diction the author uses is great. I didn’t get a full description of who Stryker was but all of his emotions gave me an overall concept. All of the characters like sweet, terrifying girl baseball star named Tien Tang are dynamic and are exciting to see how they develop throughout the story. Stryker also develops an immense amount.
This book will keep you turning pages and it will be hard to set it down. This book is perfect for a long car ride or plane ride because it gives you a chance to have a good read in your hand that you won’t have to worry about not finishing. But this book is only available online or on reading tablets. My only complaint is that this book needs to be published soon so everyone can read it. But overall, this book is exciting for a middle school audience and fun for someone who is looking for a good read over the age of 20.
Wednesday, November 13, 2013
A new student review of Open Mic: Riffs on Life Between Cultures in Ten Voices
Life in a different culture can be tough. So ten authors have tried to shed true light on the subject. This is an amazing book that I read in one day. I would recommend it to all my friends. This book is for 12 years and up. If you ever want to know what it's like to live in America coming from a different culture this is the book I suggest.
A new student review of Killer of Enemies
Killer of Enemies was fearsome and full of the best action I have ever read.
The Plot:
As Lozen spends most of her time hunting the monsters, I found it really hard to see where the plot was developing. As the story progressed though, the plot became detectable and riveting. This book was like nothing I've ever read. Compared to most YA literature, this book was like the giant ravenous, blood thirsty raven compared to a normal raven. Yes, most of the story was spent away from people, Lozen was never a boring narrator The story progresses on to the point where Lozen realizes she has to get her family out of there or else they will all be killed. That really raises the stakes and made the book even more suspenseful.
The Characters:
Lozen was a lonely one, so we didn't really get to see the development of anyone but her. Even as she is portrayed as a super girl, she is not stronger than the rest of her family. All the characters seemed to have changed with their world. The Ones were very interesting, especially the Dreamer, who holds secrets that Lozen could never imagine.
The Standout:
The best part about Killer Of Enemies was the action. It was gripping and interesting. Joseph Bruchac made a web of words that no one can escape. Every time Lozen flew through the air while firing a gun, I wanted to jump up and down pumping my fist. The monsters were kick-butt. It was a beefed up western. Also, the Apache history and culture integrated into this book is beautiful. Lozen retells stories from Apache past, and really takes pride in her heritage. Never before has anyone written a story like this.
The Moral:
The Moral of this story is how hard decisions are always there, and even when the world seems dead there is still good people out there. The story was completely appropriate for it's intended Young Adult age group. There was only a little bit of well intended swearing.
A new student review of The Last Superhero by Stephen Altrogge
I liked the book very much and loved the suspense,The action and the twist at the end. I would have made a few more gadgets and put in more fight scenes though.
A new student review of Fangirl
I liked this book a lot. There was a lot of swearing and sexuall talk so think about reading it before you do.
Tuesday, November 12, 2013
A new student review of Conspiracy 365: Revenge
I like this book very much. It is the epilogue of an awesome series. I enjoyed the adventure with a realistic situation. The book had strong characters who worked through their difficulty. Every sentence left me hanging. This book is good for anyone 13+. I recommend it for everyone who has read the series before it.
A new student review of Wild Boy: The Real Life of the Savage of Aveyron
I PERSONALLY BELIEVE THAT THIS IS AN INTERESTING BOOK. I WOULD DEFINITELY READ THIS BOOK SO MANY TIMES. IT WAS INTERESTING THE WAY THE BOY WAS ACTING AND THAT HE KNEW HOW TO DO THINGS ON HIS OWN. HE WAS ABLE TO COMMUNICATE IN WAYS SO THAT SCIENTISTS COULD FIGURE OUT WHAT HE WANTED.
Monday, November 11, 2013
A new student review of Peanut
I really enjoyed reading this book. It was interesting and a quick read. The books format is like comic book, so I found it fun to read something out of my comfort zone and enjoyed reading in new ways. I found multiple things in the book unrealistic, but they had to be to keep the story going. I thought more characters could have been involved, instead of just three main characters that they focused on. My favorite thing about reading this book is the illustrations and looking for close details in them. Overall, I thought Peanut was a good, but not great, book.
A new student review of Wild Boy
In Wild Boy, Rob-Lloyd Jones excels in crafting characters who both irritate and enamour the reader; unlike the household Mary Sue, all too ubiquitous in children’s literature, neither Wild boy nor Clarissa bore the reader with excessive virtue, nor do they repulse him with a glut of vice. Clarissa’s fiery retorts temper her jaw-dropping acrobatic prowess, while Wild Boy’s inextinguishable desire for justice balances a fighting streak a mile wide. Active verbs pepper Jones’ prose, and the novel’s aglow with vivid imagery. Luxuriant in its detail, the historic setting immerses readers in cutthroat Victorian London. Wild Boy by Rob-Lloyd Jones sings with emotion and sparkles with the thrill of a bygone era.
A new student review of When the World Ends...
J.J. Marshall managed to concoct a thrilling plotline with relatable characters in When the World Ends…; a self-published dystopian novel. While self-publishing is quite a feat, it has its downsides as well. The novel had loads of errors; spelling, grammar and punctuation. Although I definitely recommend it to middle school dystopian fantasy readers, I would wait to read it until a later edition because of the errors. The story itself is excellent, so keep it on your list of books to read and get the next edition as soon as you can. If you love dystopian fantasy and science fiction, this book is for you!
Friday, November 08, 2013
A new student review of After Isaac
I recommend this book to any reader who wants to expand their thoughts, and how a family might deal with the trauma of losing a family member. The book had a strong impact on me because of how much effort the parents made to help Aaron, which I have a personal understanding of.
Tuesday, November 05, 2013
A new student review of Apollo's Outcasts by Allen Steele
I think that this was a very good book, the plot was well thought-out and the conclusions tied up my questions. There were some areas that I think should have been spoken about more, one of these areas is when Jamey was able to walk for the first time. This area is discussed very briefly and even though it does say that Jamey had trouble learning how to walk, there is hardly any discussion on the matter until later in the book. But, the plot was amazing and I loved how there was lots of adventure and competition. At the end of the book Jamey also loses a friend. Even though this was the lowest point of the book, I think that it was a very good twist to what would have otherwise been an unreallistic "picture perfect" ending.
Monday, November 04, 2013
A new student review of When the World Ends...
This book was very excellent and exciting. It was long, but packed with action. The Level 1 characters are very likeable and their situation makes you feel bad for them. The Board of Officials that Landon works with are hated by everyone and usually by the reader.