A new student review of Man Made Boy by Jon Skovron

Ravette posted a new student review of Man Made Boy by Jon Skovron. See the full review.

Personally, I absolutely loved Mary Shelley's Frankenstein. This book, in a way, was like an alternate ending to the original novel. The descriptions were, for the most part, quite accurate. I really liked the references to Jekyll and Hyde and the back story about their lineage, and Claire/Sophie's brother, who sought to destroy the last of the Hydes. The time in which the story was set is also interesting, because it gave some insight about how the monsters and creatures abhorred by humanity would be like today and how they'd be treated should they make an appearance. All in all, I enjoyed this book to the fullest.

A new student review of Rain

ReesaOnFire posted a new student review of Rain . See the full review.

Ms Amanda Sun has the same super powers as her characters in “Rain”, because her storytelling swept me up and took me over!

“Rain” was stunning! Ms Sun crafted an intriguing story, a satisfying sequel and a determined troupe of characters.

I thoroughly enjoyed the book. Sun’s characters came off the page and had me reacting with them. I was embarrassed when Katie acted obviously like a foreigner, I was suspicious when Jun came to the scene and curious when “Nii-chan” revealed a new part to the Legend.

Tomo and Katie’s chemistry flew off of the pages—they just clicked, and I loved it.  The heat and love between the two is so strong, that even I believe they could take on the world. But it won’t be easy as Sun’s plot thickens, leaving me impatiently waiting for the next book. The book did seem to rush a bit, so I had to reread it, but I enjoyed every minute of it.

On a sidenote, the paintings in the book were very charming; I thought they were a delicate touch.

I give this book four stars out of five for it's intriguing plot and beautiful characters.

This book was very close to receiving a five out of five from me; I only relented because at times, the book seemed to rush too quickly through certain plot points—I wish they had a bit more time.

A new student review of Amira, Immortal Daughter from Penglai by Lon Dee

AkuaNatio posted a new student review of Amira, Immortal Daughter from Penglai by Lon Dee. See the full review.

I enjoyed reading this book. It captured my interest just by reading the summary. I liked the amount of detail the author used. The description of the area, characters, and animals gave me a clear picture in my head. This story could be something that was passed down for generations. It seems like a classic story to me. Even the characters are clearly defined, and they act realistically. All their actions are a result of an event that occurs in the story. Although I could not relate the characters, I found them similar to other people I know.

 

I would recommend this book to another person. This book is interesting and enjoyable to read. It will also depend on the reader’s preference. If the reader is into fiction books, this would be an excellent book to read. This book contains a classic element and has the appeal of a modern day novel. If you enjoy reading fiction stories that take place in a faraway place, then this book is for you.

 

 

A new student review of Penny's War by Anne Dearle

mustang72 posted a new student review of Penny's War by Anne Dearle. See the full review.

This is a really good and interesting book. I would definitely recommend this book to anyone who likes books about war. This is an interesting book because it is cool to see what someone could have gone through during World War II. This is a hard book to start reading, but when you get about two pages in it gets really good and interesting. This was a really hard book to put down and stop reading. There were a lot of plot twists and conflicts in the story.

A new student review of Fighter's Alley

jotaf posted a new student review of Fighter's Alley . See the full review.

"Fighter's Alley" was a predictable book because when I was about halfway through I could tell what would happen at the end.  The book is not too, too exciting, but is something to read if you’re bored.  It is nothing special and very short (I finished in less than a day and a half).  The characters were not very relatable to me; I didn’t feel like they were believable.  I would recommend this book to boys ages ten through twelve because the book is mainly about boxing, some of the words are a little hard for younger kids, and I don‘t think it would catch the attention of kids over twelve.  

A new student review of Killer of Enemies by Joseph Bruchac

RB26GTR posted a new student review of Killer of Enemies by Joseph Bruchac. See the full review.

My opinion on the book is that it is a very great book because it is very action packed, and it interests me a lot. The book is believable because people could be doing some genetic engineering on animals, and hey, you never know, maybe the genetically engineered animals will rule earth. One of the most credible characters was the main character, Lozen. The reason she is credible is because she uses native type rituals to calmly take down the monsters that rule the earth, and from what I learned is that the natives did special rituals before they went to hunt for food. I could not relate to anyone in the book because I don't think I can take one shot from a .357 magnum so accurately and kill a monster.

I would definitely recommend this book to anyone who likes the action and adventure genre of books. This book is very action packed. If you love action movies or books, then this book is golden for you. Even if you don't like action, just at least give the book a try, hey, one man once said, "Don't judge a book by its cover."

 

 

A new student review of Killer of Enemies by Joseph Bruchac

Lizardeek98 posted a new student review of Killer of Enemies by Joseph Bruchac. See the full review.

I enjoyed the dystopian future theme of this book. The one major flaw that I found with the book was how it was written. It was descriptive and included some interesting details about Lozen's life, but those details were placed at random places throughout the story. Because the details were placed at random, it made it feel like the story was jumping around from one thing to another. Other than this flaw, there isn't really anything else I can complain about. Overall, this was a very interesting book. It combined a couple of my favorite things, such as Bigfoot and dystopian futures. If the one flaw I pointed out earlier was corrected, I would recommend it to all dystopian future fans.

 

A new student review of First Light (Project Five Fifteen) by Samantha Summers

destinyg posted a new student review of First Light (Project Five Fifteen) by Samantha Summers. See the full review.

I didn't really enjoy this book. It's like any other love/romance book; the good girl falls in love with the bad guy. When I read the summary of this book, I thought it was going to be different and exciting. I was wrong. Although I didn't like the book, it is believable. I personally know a girl who has fallen for a "bad boy," and now they're married. So yes, this book is very believable. The characters were also credible. I liked how the characters were real people and not fairies or had magical powers. But I was not able to relate or identify to any of the characters. I would recommend this book to teenage girls. Although I'm a teenage girl and I didn't like the book, I'm sure other girls have different taste in books, and I'm sure a lot would enjoy a book like this. I'm not the "girly girl" type, so maybe I'll recommend this to those girls.

A new student review of Dissever (Unbinding Fate Book One) by Colee Firman

tzahairagunn posted a new student review of Dissever (Unbinding Fate Book One) by Colee Firman. See the full review.

I think this was a great and suspenseful book. Addison Sanders is portrayed as a typical sweet girl who lives a hard but mysterious and fun life. The author makes it easy for the reader to become engrossed in the book and makes him/herself feel exactly what the character is feeling at a certain part in the book. You will not be able to put the book down until it is finished, only to realize that the ending is a cliffhanger which will leave you begging for more. I would recommend this book to anyone who is looking for a great book with a lot of action and suspense.

 

A new student review of Lara's Gift

underwood_bcl posted a new student review of Lara's Gift . See the full review.

This was a book that kept me enthralled from the beginning until the very end.  When I finished I wished it were part of a series and I could keep reading. The author did a great job making the characters seem real and alive.  I liked having the glossary in the back so I could see what the Russian words meant too.  This is a story for all dog lovers but it is also a story for anyone who likes a good book.

A new student review of The Mountain's Depths by Snnaky Sword

Devs posted a new student review of The Mountain's Depths by Snnaky Sword. See the full review.

There was so much action in this book, and the characters were very believable. There were many twists and turns. Soon you find yourself making noises of what you imagine. It was a very exciting book ...5 I can't wait until the next one in the series!

A new student review of Middle School Cool

nictaf posted a new student review of Middle School Cool . See the full review.

Although the beginning was a bit dull, I still loved this funny, amazing book and hope Maiya Williams will keep writing more great books just like this one.  For example, I liked when some of the adults wondered how the flyers for the school got under their windshield wipers when they were parked in their garages.  The characters were funny.  They got put into a setting that showed that kids do not like school.  I agree with one of the characters whose name is Leo.  Schools just do not have accommodations for blind kids, and I hope schools will listen up and make things easier for blind kids everywhere.  Another character that I liked was Ruben because everyone thinks he is a bully, but he’s really a softie at heart and likes to dance.  The last two characters that I want to talk about are Aliya and Taliya.  Aliya and Taliya are twins and used to be connected at birth, so they know what the other twin is thinking without talking.  This is a great book and I would say boys and girls ages 8 and up will love it.

A new student review of Firebolt (The Dragonian Series) by Adrienne Woods

MezokaCapturer65 posted a new student review of Firebolt (The Dragonian Series) by Adrienne Woods. See the full review.

I really liked the premise of this book; dragons and fantasy worlds that are close to our own in some way are very interesting to me.  This book was good, but I feel it had a few flaws.  It seemed that important events were explained too quickly and then the next event started before the reader could get fully invested in the previous one.  This of course didn't ruin the book for me, but it did bother me somewhat.  Another thing that I feel was wrong was that a lot of events were contrived. Granted, in the next part of the series this might be given a better explanation, but as it stands now it seems contrived.

A new student review of Firebolt (The Dragonian Series) by Adrienne Woods

mail4chase@yahoo.com posted a new student review of Firebolt (The Dragonian Series) by Adrienne Woods. See the full review.

Firebolt captured my attention within the first five pages when the dragons attacked Elena and her father. The book had the perfect combination of love, hatred, fighting, and strategy. The storyline was phenomenal and Woods really worked the characters by giving them each their own distinct personality and characteristics. I felt as though I could relate to each character and I understood their role in the book. The only bad thing I noticed in the whole book were a few spelling errors, other than that, Woods put everything I could have asked for into a book. I plan on rereading this one and I can’t wait for the next one to come out. I will read it for sure!

A new student review of Double Take by Laura Kennedy

JesusFreak posted a new student review of Double Take by Laura Kennedy. See the full review.

When I requested this book, I was expecting it to be a swift, enjoyable read.  However, this was not the case.  Brooke’s poor decisiveness made me cringe.  Every decision she made seemed to be the wrong one, and I couldn’t help but wonder what was going on in her mind when she made them.

Another problem I had with this book was the fact that Brooke wasn’t interested in just two guys (a common thing called a Love Triangle), but three guys at the same time.  Out of those three guys, only one seemed like the good guy, and he was the one who slept with Brooke’s mother!

I am overall disappointed in this book; I’d hoped it would rise above my expectations, but it only made me feel like I was wasting my time reading it.

A new student review of The Star Child by Stephanie Keyes

Kakurendo posted a new student review of The Star Child by Stephanie Keyes. See the full review.

Personally, and in my opinion, I do indeed enjoy this book. At some points I do get slightly confused due to lack of description so I cannot get a full picture of what Kellen is supposed to be seeing. I do love fantasy stories and if I haven't known better I'd probably fool myself to believe that it could have been real. The characters are intriguing to watch and planned out very well in what role they are supposed to play. In the book, I couldn't relate with any of the character but that isn't a downfall at all, instead it was nice to read about something different other than what you relate to. As a conclusion, I'm sure that if I ever bought this book it wouldn't collect dust on a shelf. I do recommend this to people who have an extraordinary imagination because this story does rely heavily on it. It is something that keeps the imagination flowing and opens up a completely different style of literature.

A new student review of A Life of Death

stephanieh posted a new student review of A Life of Death . See the full review.

Overall, I enjoyed the story. At times I felt as if it was moving very slow. In total the book was well written and kept me reading for hours. It'a book you just can't put down. There's so many twists and turns and an unexpected ending. The book was fiction, however strangely believable. Kincade seems to have written about a much younger version of him which makes Alex fell so much more real. The main theme is coming of age so it is a great read for teens. Filled with drama and suspense, it has what almost every teen wants in books and reality. Conclusion: I would definitely recommend this book to anyone interested in paranormal stories. It's a quick read and a perfect book to keep you reading for hours. It's very relatable for anyone trying to grow up and find some peace of mind, just like Alex did.

A new student review of OUTSIDE - a post-apocalyptic novel (Outside Series) by Shalini Boland

SupahRae posted a new student review of OUTSIDE - a post-apocalyptic novel (Outside Series) by Shalini Boland. See the full review.

I didn't like this book. Why? Because I really don't like much of anything. I'm extremely hard to please, and I see the negative side of everything. But "regular" people would probably like this book.

 

A new student review of Fabrick

Obot55 posted a new student review of Fabrick . See the full review.

Opinion-

I liked this book, but it's not my favorite. I liked this book because it was interesting in many ways, it also makes you wonder what's going to happen next. This story was not very believable, but it is fiction. The characters were not very credible, except for Clyde because he was the most "normal" one. I did not relate to any of the characters in this book.
 

A new student review of Notes to Self by Avery Sawyer

jules92397 posted a new student review of Notes to Self by Avery Sawyer. See the full review.

I didn't like this book. I I understand the whole mystery of the story is finding out what happened “that night”, but I'm the kind of reader who looks for a lot of detail. There were also no character descriptions. When I read, I need to visualize every character, and every setting in my head. Plus, I get that teens do stupid things… but climbing up an unsafe amusement park ride? Considering I would never risk my life for fun, no I don’t relate to any of these characters.

A new student review of Age of Heroes: The Witch Hunter's Gauntlet

Corderojose10 posted a new student review of Age of Heroes: The Witch Hunter's Gauntlet . See the full review.

I did not like the book because I don't like books about magic. I mean time wouldn't freeze and there wouldn't be intergalactic forces trying to arrest you. Samantha was credible because she tried to live a normal life at first before anything happened. I don't relate to any of the characters because I don't have an imagination and I can't imagine living in a world with magic in it.

Personally I did not enjoy the book, but maybe someone else will. I just wasn't very interested in it. It just all depends on what you like to read. I could recommend it to other people but it's just about what you like to read. Some might like it some might not, oh well.

 

A new student review of When the World Ends... by J. J. Marshall

datboi_flee posted a new student review of When the World Ends... by J. J. Marshall. See the full review.

The main character is Alec Corbett, and he seems like a kid that's very nosey and full of adventure. Also, his father was one of the characters in the story.I didn't get much into my book at the same time. I am a slow reader, and this book didn't keep my interest. I recommend this book to people who like si-fi or fantasy books. I wouldn't recommend this book to slow readers.

A new student review of The Reluctant Knight

aeehrhardt posted a new student review of The Reluctant Knight . See the full review.

I liked The Reluctant knight a lot. In the first few chapters I didn’t really want to continue reading because it was sort of slow. But after that part it got more exciting and interesting. I liked how the chapters switched back and forth between perspectives when the characters were separated from each other. I liked them because I got to follow the different characters’ stories and that made it really clear what was happening. I definitely suggest this book to readers who like adventure and fantasy.

A new student review of Enders

JesusFreak posted a new student review of Enders . See the full review.

When I’d read the first book in the series, Starters, I didn’t think the series could get any better.  I’m happy to say that I was wrong.  Enders is full of excitement, edge-of-your-seat suspense, and an interesting main protagonist.  I find that Callie’s personality is life-like and true, and that her persistence on keeping Tyler safe is beautifully selfless.

One of the main things that I absolutely love is the jacket of the book.  It is beautifully done with bright bursts of colors that almost seem haunting.

I find it easy to connect with Callie throughout the entire book, and I love how she is always looking out for others.  Lissa Price did an amazing job writing this book, and I will definitely be looking for more of her work to read.

A new student review of Heartbeat by Elizabeth Scott

MIZZIQ posted a new student review of Heartbeat by Elizabeth Scott. See the full review.

The tone of this story is very dramatic and moves quickly. It’s not meant to be a masterpiece, but it effectively completes an emotional roller coaster of a book. It starts off with a very improbable situation but makes it seem completely real to the reader. As much as you want to laugh at Emma’s actions, her feelings always come off as genuine. This was a very quick and enjoyable read that was the perfect cup of tea for a snow day. If I had been looking for a more realistic book than I may have been disappointed, as I had to chuckle at some scenes, if only for the fact that the book took itself too seriously. Somehow this all fit together into a sweet teen romance that almost found its way over to being realistic. Realism however, is not what this book was about, and it worked perfectly.

A new student review of Phoenix (Phoenix Elite #1) by Melissa Starr

Angel181916 posted a new student review of Phoenix (Phoenix Elite #1) by Melissa Starr. See the full review.

This book was phenomenal. I could hardly put it down. I cannot wait for the next book to come out. It was very well written and keeps you guessing. It could have used some more closure at some points, other than that it was great. I would recommend this book for a teenager or older readers.   

A new student review of Julius Caesar Brown and the Green Gas Mystery by Ace Hansen

Nightdoesminecraft303 posted a new student review of Julius Caesar Brown and the Green Gas Mystery by Ace Hansen. See the full review.

I think the story was great. It had several twists during the end. My favorite part was when Julius still got some money even though he was the second person to solve the case.This was something I was not expecting.and caught me off guard, I also like the ending because of how there's still another mystery at the end.In adittion, they finally begin to act like a real happy family becuse they learn how to deal with their dad's divorce. All in all, I would recommend other kids to read this book because of the unexpected twists that are in this story.For example, "SPOILER ALERT,"  I did not expect that Julius would buy something like big baggy pants so he wouldn't become embarrased in front of a girl. These pants kept the green gas from leaking out. Even a great solver of mysteries needs to worry about his appearance.

A new student review of SEVERED - A Tale of Sleepy Hollow by Dax Varley

stefan123 posted a new student review of SEVERED - A Tale of Sleepy Hollow by Dax Varley. See the full review.

If you like the headless horseman, then this is the book for you. This book is a good book for people who like horror and action stories. I liked this book a lot, so I think a lot more people will like it too. This book was a little slow, but other than that I loved it. The headless horseman sounded really cool, but I would never want to see him in real life. Would you want to see him?

A new student review of Played

Maemae_ posted a new student review of Played . See the full review.

    When I first started Played I was a little bored, but then it changed. I liked how Sam thought about Riley and her family. I felt like I was involved in the book because the events that happened captured my attention and kept it.  The book was very interesting, and I think it should have a sequel to it.    

A new student review of Why? by Joel Levy

sisto8 posted a new student review of Why? by Joel Levy. See the full review.

I like this book because it has the most fascinating details to science fiction.  It tells the most interesting facts about science that can stump my teacher.  The author was very creative with the explanations and coming up with the questions.  I will definitely be looking for more books from this author.  My little brother and sister read it, and they enjoyed it as much as I did.  I recommend it for anyone 12+.

A new student review of Swim That Rock

muffin posted a new student review of Swim That Rock . See the full review.

I think this book is for readers who LOVE adventure! It is filled with humor and suspense.  The way the authors write this book makes you feel like you are part of the story.  While you are reading, if you close your eyes you can imagine what's going on. This book has an interesting cast of characters.  Jake is headstrong and likes to do things by himself. Jake’s friend Darcy works at the diner but she has a secret no one knows.  Jake’s mother is always worrying. Captain, is a strange man who tries to help Jake. Tommy, Jake’s best friend is committed to helping save the diner.

I LOVE how this book is told from Jake’s point of view because you can really understand how he feels.  I think that this book would be better if the language was a little cleaner, there is some “colorful” language. I would have liked more of an explanation about how his dad went missing.  The reader may be a little frustrated at the end when they are left with some unanswered questions.  

A new student review of Flora & Ulysses: The Illuminated Adventures

RockinR4 posted a new student review of Flora & Ulysses: The Illuminated Adventures . See the full review.

I loved this book! It was one of the funniest books I have ever read! As soon as I started, I couldn't stop. I was hooked and read every chance I had. Kate DiCamillo has a great sense of humor and uses amazing vocabulary. My favorite sentence is, "This malfeasance must be stopped!" Thanks LitPick!

A new student review of The Monster in the Mudball

baseballal posted a new student review of The Monster in the Mudball . See the full review.

I really enjoyed this book. I read it in three days and had a difficult time putting the book down.  The beginning was suspenseful and mysterious.  Zilombo, the mudball creature, was very well detailed and entertaining.  I hope that the author, S.P. Gates, writes a second book.  I highly recommend this book.  I will definitely read it again!

A new student review of And We Stay

Marianna posted a new student review of And We Stay . See the full review.

Best book I have ever read, I loved how fast pace the story was and how it was always evolving. There was loads of foreshadowing that almost made it impossible to put the book down. The story was so descriptive and well written, you could see the characters come to life one page at a time. The protagonist, Emily Beam was forced to cope with her boyfriends loss and the abortion of their child alone, until she started attending Amherst School for Girls. It was not until Emily arrived that her cuts could be slowly stitched together by her best friend and roommate  K.T, her crazy friend Amber, and her wonderful French teacher Madame Cloche. I enjoyed the different bonds they each shared with Emily. However, I think Emily Beam held the strongest understanding and also the purest bond with Emily Dickson's spirit. I also appreciated the fact that Emily's horrific tragedies were able to be made into beautifully captivating poems. It was an inspirational read  that  took your emotions for a roller coaster. I cherished the end because  Emily was finally able to gain closure.

Although transitions from Emily's  past to her present were sometimes unclear. 

I would recommend this to any young adult reader who likes a fast paced book with tons of drama!

A new student review of Warrior Woman: Based on the Story of Nancy Ward by Marlene Sosebee

rileykells posted a new student review of Warrior Woman: Based on the Story of Nancy Ward by Marlene Sosebee. See the full review.

Warrior Woman was a great and very understandable book for the preteen to teen category. It was a great historical fiction book. There were lots of details that made it easy to understand. I love this book; it was very interesting and it made my look forward to reading.

A new student review of Death, and the Girl He Loves by Darynda Jones

R. Mae posted a new student review of Death, and the Girl He Loves by Darynda Jones. See the full review.

Suspenseful, exciting and energetic, Death and the Girl He Loves was an amazing finally to the series. It was as humorous as the other two books, and the action was just as beautiful. I am constantly amazed by Darynda Jones' unique writing style. The book was so loveable, and the twisted ending was fantastic. Lorelei learned to face her fears, stand up for what she loves and change the fate of the world. The characters grew through the whole story, and new characters were introduced. I would recommend the book to students in high school, as there is some mature content. Death and the Girl He Loves is definitely one of my favorites.

A new student review of Death Spiral

PinkyPie0 posted a new student review of Death Spiral . See the full review.

In my opinion, "Death Spiral" was a five star book. It is unique, all in all. In the book it talks about teens and their exposure to drugs and death. You don't usually find these kind of things in books nowadays. People don't realize that there are bad and hurtful things out there. Drugs and death do exist; we just try to avoid paying attention to them. But sometimes we need to be open to these things and remember that there are teens who are exposed to this. I would like to say thank you to the author for opening my eyes and sharing with me a book that touches on these issues.

A new student review of Julian Rigby and the Keepers of Time (Volume 1) by John Grammatico

ckirk19@agcharter.net posted a new student review of Julian Rigby and the Keepers of Time (Volume 1) by John Grammatico. See the full review.

 

 

I liked this book, because the author uses a nice sense of creativity and imagination. I like the part where the author finds a way to make two students who hate each other become friends by making them meet a girl they both like. Even though there were parts of the book I liked, there were some that I found strange. There were events in the book that I did not quite understand. For example, although time was frozen in Delphisola, the inhabitants were not. When their world froze, they could still move, they were not frozen. They were affected though; they stopped aging and creatures could no longer go through metamorphosis.

 

Even though this book fits in the Sci-Fi genre, I think that it may appeal to those who like Fantasy as well, because the book contains fairies and other strange creatures that seem to belong in that genre. In my overall opinion, the story was adventurous and had a fair amount of detail, so I would highly recommend this book for all my friends.

 

A new student review of Anything to Have You

kaiyle posted a new student review of Anything to Have You . See the full review.

I was not a fan of Anything to Have You.  It showed the wilder side of high school which I couldn’t really relate to and didn’t really enjoy.  The storyline was also kind of predictable.   After Natalie's night at the party she can't remember anything and the only person who is acting different towards her is Aiden, so I automatically knew that the person Natalie had slept with was Aiden.  I don't want to give away the rest of the book, but what the author had intended to be a big surprise, was actually kind of obvious through the characters' actions. I wouldn’t recommend this book to anyone.

A new student review of Double Take by Laura Kennedy

VBat posted a new student review of Double Take by Laura Kennedy. See the full review.

Double Take is a short, light read that somehow manages to perfectly capture a teen's struggle between restriction and autonomy. With realistic, likeable characters and multiple game-changing plot twists, the story keeps the reader engaged and excited.

My favorite part of the book is the elderly Laura de France, the fascinating character Brooke meets in the beginning of the story. Laura is a frail old lady, sweet friend, and domineering career coach all at the same time. Her habits and history add something unique to the coming-of-age story template. The complexity of her character's behavior and emotions is what sets Double Take apart from the typical teen girl book. 

My biggest issue with the book is that I have trouble relating to Brooke's life. Her reactions and experiences were believable given her personality, but I could never rationalize putting myself in some of the situations that she puts herself in over the course of the story. However, the way she deals with her struggle for independence and the opportunities available to her are very relevant to the teenage experience, and make up for any lack of connection between her character and myself.

Double Take is a great choice for light reading, with a plot that  vaguely reminds me of But I Don't Want to be a Movie Star, by Margaret Pinder. I would recommend Double Take for pre-teens and teens who enjoy realistic fiction with female main characters. 

A new student review of The Dragon at the North Pole

LegoLover posted a new student review of The Dragon at the North Pole . See the full review.

This is a good book for anyone just starting the series or very deep into it because you can pick up this book and understand what has happened so far.  My favorite part was when the keepers and Emmy went into the Santa imposter’s ice castle at the North Pole.  I liked this part because of the all the details Kate Klimo uses to describe the castle and the sculptures.  I also liked all the adventures and mysteries that were in the story.

A new student review of Get Psyched by Janet McLaughlin

emilyeggers78 posted a new student review of Get Psyched by Janet McLaughlin. See the full review.

I would recommend this book to others! It was great. It was full of mystery and adventure! Some of the parts in the book almost give you goose bumps, and it'll have you sitting on the edge of your seat!

A new student review of Super Zombie Juice Mega Bomb by MJ Ware

disco papaya posted a new student review of Super Zombie Juice Mega Bomb by MJ Ware. See the full review.

I loved the book. I spent so much time reading it. The most interesting part of the book was when the city was invaded by zombie chickens. It inspired me to draw a comic about zombie chickens, but I couldnt draw them, so I did zombie penguins. It was a little confusing at the end. why would lemonade kill a human?

A new student review of The Alien Mind by Virginia Jennings

riggley posted a new student review of The Alien Mind by Virginia Jennings. See the full review.

This book is adventurous. My opinion is that if you ike adventure and sic-fic then you shoould read this book. The sic-fic and fiction stuff that's in the book are ailens and time travel. The book has a bunch of fiction things in it. I can relate to Rivi because I help people like Daniel. I would recommend this book to other people.

A new student review of Extracted (The Lost Imperials Book One) by Sherry Ficklin

jotaf posted a new student review of Extracted (The Lost Imperials Book One) by Sherry Ficklin. See the full review.

I really liked Extracted.  It was very interesting and exciting.  One thing I liked is how well the author developed the characters. One thing I didn’t like about it, though, was that every chapter swapped from Lex to Ember and Ember to Lex, which made it very confusing for me.  This book was sometimes predictable, but most times I couldn’t guess what would happen next.  Good descriptions were used.  I feel there were some editing problems on the editor’s part because some of the words that weren’t in quotations looked like they should have been.  I would recommend this book for ages 12 and up, because the content was a little on the mature side.

A new student review of Cranwood by Jenni Bryer

Kaitlin101 posted a new student review of Cranwood by Jenni Bryer. See the full review.

I thought Cranwood was really good. If you like romance and not knowing what's going to happen next in characters' relationships, then you'll love this book. It also is great for those who like mystery, because you never know what will happen next. The author did a good job; I thought it was beautifully written. She kept my interest throughout the entire book. So overall, it was the type of book where you start reading and you just want to get lost in the book.

A new student review of Get Psyched by Janet McLaughlin

puggles88 posted a new student review of Get Psyched by Janet McLaughlin. See the full review.

I really enjoyed the book "Get Psyched." The book was so descriptive I felt like I was part of it. I felt like the book had so much going on it; never got boring or dull. At certain times throughout the book I felt like I could relate to the characters' emotions. I think most people would enjoy this book because it is a mix of genres like mystery, action, and romance. I would recommend this book to anyone!

A new student review of Finnikin of the Rock

vbobrocks posted a new student review of Finnikin of the Rock . See the full review.

Melina Marchetta’s Finnikin of the Rock will take the reader on a fast-paced adventure through a beautifully created fantasy world.  Finnikin and the rest of the unique cast of characters are believable and keep the novel moving and advancing, while adding depth to the story line through their mixed emotions and constant action.  Not only are the characters excellent, but the writing is also well-done.  The style complements the plot and is a perfect difficulty level for seventh to ninth graders.  Although the very beginning is a little slow, it improves quickly.  Anyone who enjoys fantasy won’t be able to put Finnikin down until they’ve read it all.

A new student review of Undead Heart

tlang posted a new student review of Undead Heart . See the full review.

The story line is amazing, but the details are lacking. I could not picture the characters at all. I do not know what hair color Larry has or even his brother; furthermore, I don't have a clue about their height.  I feel that well developed characters make a story come alive.   With that, I gave it a 3. However, the story line is just great. This is the first book in a series as well. 

A new student review of Will in Scarlet

nictaf posted a new student review of Will in Scarlet . See the full review.

I really liked Will In Scarlet, although I didn’t like the few bad words it had.  It was exciting, scary, and hopeful all in one.  The author used interesting words to entice you to read this book.  Will was a believable character for this genre, as were all the other characters.  I would recommend this book to ages 12 and up.

A new student review of Jade Dreams (Sacred Stones) by Wakefield Mahon

tkh2002 posted a new student review of Jade Dreams (Sacred Stones) by Wakefield Mahon. See the full review.

I liked the story of the book, but I feel like the character develpment was weak. Raven, the main antagonist, came out of nowhere. Her backstory was never explained and I think if her character was better developed the book would be much less confusing. I also wish the relationship between Becca and her parents was played out more. Last but not least, I think the ending was rushed. I had so many questions going through my mind and only a few of them were answered by the last few chapters and the epilogue. Despite the issues I mentioned, I do believe this book could be really good. The idea behind the storyline was great and I got a pretty good understanding of the main characters, but not enough to fall in love with the novel. I would really like to see these changes made and get another chance to read it because I do think it could be great.

A new student review of S'nat Wars by Linda Palmer

peterc posted a new student review of S'nat Wars by Linda Palmer. See the full review.

To me this book was good, but it was a little boring at times. At some times the writer just goes off into another world just to explain little things so thoroughly. But I liked how the bodyguard turned out to love the girl and turn it into something different. Just to think about being in a world with supernatural beings would be awesome and to be born with a heredity from your parents with a supernatural talents would be even cooler.

A new student review of A Really Awesome Mess

taterb26 posted a new student review of A Really Awesome Mess . See the full review.

 A Really Awesome Mess dealt with some pretty deep topics. Themes such as anorexia, bulimia, sexual activity, and depression were often brought up. The authors did an okay job with these sometimes difficult to navigate subjects; however, they could've done much better. For this reason, I'd advise people with triggers to tread lightly into this book. At times, the sheer frankness of one of the main characters (Emmy) made me cringe. Towards the end of the book, this problem ceased. But allow me to restate this; tread lightly into this book with the knowledge that the main character's have some potentially hurtful opinions.

 Teenage love seemed as if it were supposed to be a big part of the book, but it didn't really come up all that much, and when it did, I became increasingly frustrated. This may be attributed to the fact that teenage love is an irritating topic in general to me, but it just seemed much more so in this book than any other. I knew that the authors wanted to get at a touching tale of two love-stricken, mentally screwed teens, but I feel that it should have been a bigger aspect to really accomplish that feat. This wasn't so. The opportunity seemed missed in my eyes---the main part of their 'love' that I noticed was how rushed it was.

 Another angle of this book I did not like was the dialogue; it was sloppy and unrealistic. There seemed to be nothing normal said. Real people say mindless things and rant and talk about random things. Everything said by this book's characters was for the sole purpose of progressing the plot. Now, this is a personal opinion, just as every other part of this review is, so other people may not have a problem with this. It was just something I noticed and wanted to point out.

  My last issue with this book was how unrealistic and cliche it was. The officials at Heartland were irresponsible and wishy-washy and completely unlike how it would be in real life. So many things slipped them by and many actions went without consequence. I was a bit shocked at how blatantly played down some things were.

 Overall, this book was a miss for me. I was excited to read about these two teens and become attached to them as I normally do with characters, but it was near impossible for me to like this duo. I couldn't support them and hope for good for them---I tried and tried, I did. Basically, there were so many aspects of this book that could've been turned into something utterly phenomenal, but sadly, they were overlooked.

 Ugh, this book is just oozing with potential.

A new student review of Formerly Shark Girl by Kelly Bingham

ClarissaAdeleMorgenstern posted a new student review of Formerly Shark Girl by Kelly Bingham. See the full review.

This book was okay.  Like its predecessor, Formerly Shark Girl was told in poems and letters.   There wasn't much conflict or plot, and many of Jane's actions were predictable.  I felt that Formerly Shark Girl was written just to tie up loose ends from Shark Girl.  Having read Shark Girl, I did want to find out what happened to Jane and other characters, so this book felt a lot like an extended ending.  However, I don't think that this book was as emotionally compelling as Shark Girl.   I understand why Jane was so torn between art and nursing.  I also really liked that the reader got to see some of the letters written to Jane to understand the pressure she felt.  I don't think this book was as emotional as Shark Girl.  This is a relatively quick read, and I would recommend it to realistic fiction fans in sixth grade and up. 

A new student review of The Interrogation of Ashala Wolf by Ambelin Kwaymullina

zkraus posted a new student review of The Interrogation of Ashala Wolf by Ambelin Kwaymullina. See the full review.

Out of all the dystopian genre books I've read, I like this idea best. However, I struggled to get through it. When I started reading it, pushing through the first 20 pages was a challenge. I got confused with who was talking and when. The book begins with Ashala being detained. It was difficult for me to connect all the dots. I was completely lost for a majority of the book. Again, I like the idea and plot but I think it could have been written in a clearer way. However, the detail and descriptions really painted a picture in my head. The author also did a good job of describing emotion, which caused me to understand and almost feel the same emotion that the character was feeling. 

A new student review of Every Day After by Laura Golden

SarahLou posted a new student review of Every Day After by Laura Golden. See the full review.

If you feel down you should read this book. It is a very good book and it was a very good inspiration to me. There are a lot of tough situations in this book so it took a while to read and understand what Lizzie was going through. I loved how Lizzie found hope again and fixed her problems by facing her fears, even though this is the opposite of what her dad told her. I am glad I read this book and learned that there are different ways to trust people. This is a good book for ages 10 and up.

A new student review of Quests of Shadowind: Sky Shifter by LA Miller

sharmer posted a new student review of Quests of Shadowind: Sky Shifter by LA Miller. See the full review.

In my opinon, it is a slow moving book at the beinging but gets better as you read on. But overall it is a good book. There is some mystery to it. I think it would be good for 5th and 6th graders and even some 7th graders.

 

A new student review of The Chance You Won't Return

Peace8747 posted a new student review of The Chance You Won't Return . See the full review.

I thought that The Chance You Won't Return was a really good book! There was a few swear words.

A new student review of Seeking the Storyteller by Jessica Walsh

ReesaOnFire posted a new student review of Seeking the Storyteller by Jessica Walsh. See the full review.

Seeking the Storyteller was definitely an intriguing story. It’s plot was great, subplots interesting, and mechanics good.  However this book lacked one key element that caused the book to fail. The key was organization.

Unfortunately the book, which had so much potential with a fantastic plot, interesting characters, and captivating subplots forming, did not have proper order.  I understand that perhaps the authors might have done this on purpose to reflect how, in life, things are hardly clear. But, this is a fictional book. The writing style, also, could use some work but it wasn’t terrible.

My biggest beef with the book was the revelation of Alix’s past.  Alix’s past is a huge part of the book, and personally, I thought that the authors' choice in explaining it left much to be desired. However, that is my opinion.

On the bright side, the ragtag team Walsh and Lawrence created of demons, humans, hunters and victims was fascinating. I kept on wanting more and more of it. One thing this book didn’t fail in (with the exception of Alix’s story) was subplot. Each subplot was great, and it made me wonder about those characters and their stories.

Overall for writing and style I give this book one star—it leaves much to be desired.

For creativity and originality I give this book four stars out of five. 

I recommend this book for fantasy lovers who don't mind a few rushed explanations. 

A new student review of Knowing Jack by Julie Elizabeth Powell

nate329 posted a new student review of Knowing Jack by Julie Elizabeth Powell. See the full review.

I love Knowing Jack so much, and I was hooked right away in the first chapter.  I thought that this book was written perfectly. This is a great  adventure book to read for fun.  But this book has some really big words in it, so if you're going to read it, I suggest that you are at least 13-15 years old.  It also had some violence in it, so be aware.  If I had the chance to go into the world of Jack I would definitely go. 

A new student review of Timmy Failure: Now Look What You've Done

Roho posted a new student review of Timmy Failure: Now Look What You've Done . See the full review.

I like this book because it’s similar to one of my favorite series, Diary of a Wimpy Kid. It’s funny, cool, and awesome. There are jokes in it that I thought were funny. Timmy is a detective, which is what I want to be, and I like mysteries like this one. I picked this book to read because I read the first one and because I wanted to start reading a new book series. People who like the Wimpy Kid and Big Nate books would like this series. They are all diaries that contain humor and adventure.

A new student review of Seeking Dr. Magic by Scott Spotson

JUDGE posted a new student review of Seeking Dr. Magic by Scott Spotson. See the full review.

Some books are just good but I think this as a great Book. This book seeking Dr. Magic is one of my favorite books and I am in 7th grade. It has suspense, a little action, and is overall a great story. This book’s genre is Fantasy. When I was reading this book I often lost track of time. I would definitely recommend this book to a friend and have already done so.

A new student review of Willow

biddlet7346 posted a new student review of Willow . See the full review.

 

 

My opinion about the book is it was boring at first but soon got better. I recommend it be read by older kids or advanced readers. The book is very good and I recommend it to anyone who likes action.  This book should be read  because it is based on facts and shows how people lived long ago.

A new student review of Jawbreaker: Unlock the (U)niverse by Jolene Stockman

VBat posted a new student review of Jawbreaker: Unlock the (U)niverse by Jolene Stockman. See the full review.

Jawbreaker: A Guide to the (U)niverse was a fun, confidence-boosting pep talk.  Extended metaphors, anecdotes and the use of 2nd person made the book easy to read and understand. I enjoyed trying out the "muscle testing," and the bold, confidence-boosting language definitely brightened my mood.

My favorite part about the book is it's light, entertaining tone. The book throws around words like "razamatazically" and "niggles," and includes anecdotes about fish, stealing, and bad job experiences. These elements, along with the confidence-boosting language, make the book perfectly suited for pre-teen and teen girls looking for inspiration in their quest for happiness and self-assurance. 

Despite this light and happy tone, I found some statements in the book to be very off-putting. These bold claims are meant to be empowering, but felt awkward and misplaced.  At one point, the author claims that "You are the center of everything. The world revolves around you." The book continues with the idea that the reader is the most important thing in the world, and even suggests that individuals can "decide exactly what [they] want, order it, and completely relax until it arrives." While I can certainly see the confidence-building potential of these statements, I feel as though they are not particularly relevant in today's society. This line of thinking could easily encourage self-centeredness, and blind trust in "the universe" to deliver our dreams on a silver platter is ridiculous in this economy. 

All in all, I would have preferred to see more practical ways for the reader to achieve their goals included in the book. However, I would definitely recommend this book to pre-teen and teen girls who need a confidence boost, feel stuck in their situation, or want to take some time to get to know themselves.

A new student review of Lunch Lady adn the Schoolwide Scuffle

cowboys1 posted a new student review of Lunch Lady adn the Schoolwide Scuffle . See the full review.

I really enjoy graphic novels, especially funny ones.  This book has a unique storyline.  I like that it made the leaders of the school evil because sometimes I feel my real teacher and principal are mean!  It would be nice to have a super hero like Lunch Lady to come in and rescue me!

A new student review of Brian, His Granddad and the Cup of Ages by P.J. Taylor

sschu5 posted a new student review of Brian, His Granddad and the Cup of Ages by P.J. Taylor. See the full review.

This book was a great book for young readers like me. It had a lot of suspense,I kept wanting to read it even when I knew I couldn't. It was exciting but slightly easy. The hardest part of reading it was that it had funky words. I really think you'll like it.

A new student review of Get Psyched by Janet McLaughlin

katherine posted a new student review of Get Psyched by Janet McLaughlin. See the full review.

I think this book was an overall winner. I enjoyed this book a lot because you could fall right off your chair from laughing so hard. This book is filled with suspense about the main character and her best friend. I think it is good for teenagers, and they will love the things inside.  

A new student review of Storm

underwood_bcl posted a new student review of Storm . See the full review.

Exciting, scary, and wonderful all describe this book.  It is one of those books that once you pick it up you don't ever want to put it down. Once Sebah was on board there was not as much action but I knew if she was discovered things would not go well for her.  This kept me reading to find out what happened. My favorite part is when Sebah is living in a tree because you could not imagine how she could stay alive and when her next meal would come.  I think the author did a great job of making this story seem as if it was really happening.  I know all of these things did not happen to Noah and his family but it did make me think I was living on the Ark with them.

A new student review of The Deepest Blue by Kim Williams Justesen

dancechicka posted a new student review of The Deepest Blue by Kim Williams Justesen. See the full review.

Honestly, this book was disappointing. The character development was certainly not up to par.  The few supporting characters were distressingly weak, and MIKE--Mike is the typical teenage stereotype.  I mean, I know he lost his dad, but that gives the author no reason to totally demolish the character and his personality in a quick succession of fits of anger and moodiness.  It seemed so rushed.  Half the book seemed to be a quick sprint toward the subject that the author REALLY wanted to write about--a courtroom melodrama that everyone saw coming.  And the ending—tied up in sloppy bows, tons of plot lines left unresolved, and a predictable “The End”. Sure, it was a solid book technically speaking--good vocab, descriptive writing, sound structure—but it just didn’t work that way I felt it should have.  Potential abounds—but I felt that Justesen could have done better for herself and the characters she wrote about in this book.

                “I watch the white car pull away from the mortuary, signal, and merge onto the main road….....Maggie softly cries.  I am completely numb.”

                I would recommend this book for ages ten and up, as it only has mild expletives and one sexual situation.  Everything else stays in check pretty well.

                Alone and afraid, will Mike to be able to fight for his right to stay where he believes he belongs—or will his mother finally get her way and rip him from everything he’s ever known?  The Deepest Blue by Kim Williams Justeten is the only way to find out!

A new student review of Girls Like Us

hg2008 posted a new student review of Girls Like Us . See the full review.

When I saw the summary for this book I was very excited to read this because there are very few books written that have Special Education students as the main characters, but sadly I was very disappointed and actually a little disgusted with this book!

I admit this review may be a little bias because I have had many friends labeled as Special Ed and I have been labeled Special Ed as well, so I guess you can say that I took this book a little to heart.

The characters I felt were not that developed and the author's writting I found to be awful.  Yes I understand she was trying to write like she thinks her characters would talk; in real life, however, I don't see the characters talking this way.  It's just not beleivable to me but also I felt like the author was crossing a line with writting like this because some people will assume that all special ed kids write, talk, and act this way as is protrayed in the book. I know this assumption is not true of everyone but its just frustrating because I know there are people out there who will read it that way.

I don't understand why the author wrote this way, why see wanted to make her characters sound stupid because Special Ed kids aren't stupid! I also was frustrated because her characters had no redeeming qualities.

I think the author should have dealt with a little more care and concern. I not saying she should be pc and sugercoat the truth but she should have made the characters somewhat more intelligible.  I know not all Special Ed kids are the same and some have greater difficulty in certain areas than others, but instead of dwelling on those difficulties she should also have found and shown their talents.  I don't believe that the author did this; her writing was very awkard and unintelligible at times.  By doing this she left us a glaring reminder of these characters' difficulties.

Overall I would have to sadly not recommend it. It is not an acqurate or nice portrayal of how great Special Ed students can be!

A new student review of White Hot Kiss by Jennifer L. Armentrout

hollywoodundeaed707 posted a new student review of White Hot Kiss by Jennifer L. Armentrout. See the full review.

I really LOVED the book. I am hoping I can read the second book. From the description of the characters I can imagine everything happening, and they seemed realistic. The wording is very vivid. This is one of the best books I have ever read.

A new student review of Kaleidoscope Me by Hillary K. Grigonis

alphatauri posted a new student review of Kaleidoscope Me by Hillary K. Grigonis. See the full review.

The main story of Kaleidoscope Me takes place over an hour and 33 minutes, but in a burst of narratorial brilliance, Jadyn takes us on a journey through her entire life, flashing back to different points in time, creating a nonlinear narrative. She doesn’t shy away from the emotional events either, and I loved her growth and determination throughout the book. Jadyn is a character that readers can love as well as learn from. Meanwhile, Great-Aunt Nadine is a fantastic foil to Jadyn, and possesses her own strange kind of charm. Her chemistry with Jadyn (or lack thereof!) takes up much of the book, and I relished every moment of it. Strangely, the character I sympathized most with was Jadyn’s father, and I appreciated what felt like his constant presence throughout the novel, creating a feeling of realisticness. Grigonis does a great job of keeping the plot moving and story exciting while developing the characters fully. Kaleidoscope Me is a well-written read that simultaneously explores the courageous theme of growing up and offers inspiration in the form of Jadyn. I highly recommend it to readers looking for a heartwarming and charming book!

A new student review of October Mourning by Leslea Newman

tbrayton posted a new student review of October Mourning by Leslea Newman. See the full review.

October Mourning by Lesléa Newman is a gift to our generation.  Despite it’s small size and dark subject matter, it ingeniously shows us with incredible accuracy the emotions felt by those that witnessed the murder of Matthew Shepard.  It helps us to relive, or to live for the first time, the horrible crime that affected so many people.  This masterful book of poems is filled with lessons for all of us to learn from.  It captures you and makes you really think about the world we live in and how we can try to change it.