A new student review of Faelorehn: Otherworld Trilogy (Book One) by Jenna Elizabeth Johnson

mail4chase@yahoo.com posted a new student review of Faelorehn: Otherworld Trilogy (Book One) by Jenna Elizabeth Johnson. See the full review.

When I first saw how long Faelorehn was, I doubted how good it would be. However, when I started reading it, I became entranced. It is very well written, and the characters are each well developed and explained in full. I would recommend this to any of my friends for sure. The only thing that could’ve improved this story is if it was longer, which is why I can’t wait for the next in the trilogy to come out. The author did a phenomenal job with this story, and I can’t wait to learn more about Meghan and her journey.

A new student review of The Crimson Shard by Teresa Flavin

chinchilla97 posted a new student review of The Crimson Shard by Teresa Flavin. See the full review.

I really enjoyed reading The Crimson Shard, despite the fact that I hadn’t read the first book in the series before. There were a couple references to the first book, but not so many that I didn’t understand what was going on. The story line was fast paced and understandable, with funny characters as well as evil villains. The book is placed in the fantasy genre, but it contains a lot of interesting history about the art of eighteenth-century London as well. I would recommend reading The Crimson Shard, but I would suggest that the first book in the series, The Blackhope Enigma, be read first.

 

A new student review of Stolen Nights by Rebecca Maizel

Lucy posted a new student review of Stolen Nights by Rebecca Maizel. See the full review.

I believe that Stolen Nights was a fantastic book. I was absorbed in the story and unable to remove the book from my sight. I finished it in two days.

 

Stolen Nights was an amazing book to the very end and was able to satisfy me enough to not complain about the story (which I usually do). Leanh, the main character who told the story, allowed the reader to feel what she was feeling from her point of view and what it felt like to be left out in the dark by the person who you love the most. 

 

A new student review of The Green Teen Cookbook by Pam McElroy

Eowyn7 posted a new student review of The Green Teen Cookbook by Pam McElroy. See the full review.

This is an amazing cookbook. Because every recipe was written by a different author, there is a refreshing variety that you don't get from many other cookbooks. The downside of having recipes from all over is sometimes the ingredients that are called for aren't easy to attain. The essays in the front of the cookbook are pretty well rounded and very easy to understand. Some of the recipes are more suited to have multiple people cooking, as I found out while trying to make the chicken chorizo casserole. Overall it is a great healthy cookbook and I would recommend to anyone looking to make their diet a little more green.

A new student review of Deception's Princess by Esther Friesner

GraceK posted a new student review of Deception's Princess by Esther Friesner. See the full review.

In another captivating novel, Friesner makes you understand what having love forced upon you feels like. While a great story, younger readers may find the courtship and romance awkward. I loved it for the quick and witty humor, and cannot wait for her next book.

A new student review of The Tyrant's Daughter by J.C. Carleson

ViviB posted a new student review of The Tyrant's Daughter by J.C. Carleson. See the full review.

 

I liked this book. The plot, though it began slowly, morphed into an intriguing story that I followed and enjoyed a lot. The suspense and mystery combined with the humor of a teenage coming-of-age story and a bit of romance was wonderful.

 

Laila was also a likable character. She was intelligent and interesting, with a touch of haughtiness reminiscent of her royal life. I thought that she was very well-developed, as were Bastien, her mother, and the people from her home country, like Amir. The American characters were somewhat one-dimensional, even though I grew to like Ian and Emmy, friends that she had in the U.S.

 

The ending was a proper one for this book, even though it might not have fully satisfied some. I thought that the writing had just the right amount of descriptiveness and told a compelling tale through first-person narration.

 

The Tyrant's Daughter was a story that I will not forget easily. It was honest, realistic, and unique, and I would recommend it to anyone who would like to read a deeper, more thought-provoking story. Though it is a young adult book, I think that adults could benefit from reading this just as much as teenagers would.

A new student review of The Dark World by Cara Lynn Shultz

Soul2580 posted a new student review of The Dark World by Cara Lynn Shultz. See the full review.

This is a great book to read if you are into demon slaying and magic. I would suggest this to all of my friends, beccause most of them would read it thanks to all the action in it.

A new student review of The Green Teen Cookbook by Pam McElroy

Planeswalker Broniak posted a new student review of The Green Teen Cookbook by Pam McElroy. See the full review.

Many of the recipes in The Green Teen Cookbook are simple and easy things to make. I think that saying it is a "green" cookbook is a stretch, though. Really, how healthy can steak and mashed potatoes ever be?

A new student review of Perfect Summer by Karen King

snehayamsani posted a new student review of Perfect Summer by Karen King. See the full review.

This book was amazing, as it was easy to relate to the characters, and it put a perfect twist on society’s obsession with perfection; but there was one thing about the book that was misleading. When I first saw Perfect Summer, two things popped into my mind: 1) This book was going to be like Uglies by Scott Westerfield, and 2) this book was going to focus on Summer, Morgan’s best friend—I was definitely wrong about the second thing. I really thought the title was misleading because the book really did not have anything to do with Summer. Instead, it focused on Morgan and her brother Josh (the confusion was cleared though as I read the summary on the back of the book). As I read the book, I fell in love with it: King does a great job portraying the dislike of RADs—children with disabilities—in the futuristic society, comparing it to society in the 1960s where children with disabilities were looked down upon. Honestly, King’s book reminds me of a mix between The Memory Keeper’s Daughter and The Uglies. I would recommend this book to anyone 12+, as there is some mature content in the novel.

A new student review of Around the World

Gwendolyn posted a new student review of Around the World . See the full review.

Around The World by Matt Phelan was a magnificent and articulate read. The graphics were picturesque and expressive in a sketchy way, with almost cinematic angles. Matt Phelan’s particular style painted beautiful watercolor scenarios of these three separate adventurers’ experiences. Even without considering the dialogue, this story contains many art pieces worth marveling at. I have admired Phelan’s work for quite some time, including but not limited to another of his graphic novels, The Storm in the Barn. Being an individual who finds history fascinating, along with greatly appreciating different styles of artwork, I was swept away with the authors efforts on this graphic novel.

    My personal favorite was Nellie Bly’s story. She seemed to be a rather intriguing reporter, challenging some of the many gender roles that existed in her era. A quote that she repeats throughout the graphic novel is “If you want to do it, you can do it. The question is: Do you want to do it?” and I think that this very precisely represents what makes these three adventures so inspirational. These three different individuals possessed the same determination and strive. This book was exceedingly educational and led me to research Bly’s, Stevens’, and Slocum’s lives  more thoroughly.

   I thoroughly enjoyed Phelan’s interpretation. I think that he offered a different perspective on Stevens’, Bly’s, and Slocum’s stories that can not be found in any other rendition. The author added a unique view of their journeys, focusing on their motivations. I think that this personal and imaginative approach makes the story more intimate and capturing to the reader. Around The World efficiently binds these three intrepid historical figures together, forming an entertaining, engrossing, and evocative book of determination and adventure. I was highly impressed with this read and would most definitely recommend it!

A new student review of A Force of Will A Shakespearean Fantasy Adventure by D.J. Wallace

cshattan posted a new student review of A Force of Will A Shakespearean Fantasy Adventure by D.J. Wallace. See the full review.

I did not like this book because the the characters speak in old English, but the author narrates the story in modern English, and the clash between the two made the flow of the book choppy.  I liked the storyline. It was interesting to follow the journey of a boy trying to prove himself, only to come home and find that his home has forever been changed.  This could’ve been better, if the writing style of the dialogue was consistent with that of the narrative.  I had trouble trying to get through the story and I skimmed most of it.  

 

I do not recommend this.

 

A new student review of Golden Blood: Time Spirit Trilogy (Volume 1) by Melissa Pearl

charlottetheconqueror posted a new student review of Golden Blood: Time Spirit Trilogy (Volume 1) by Melissa Pearl. See the full review.

This book is genuinely worthy of being called a “romp.” While full of fun scenes (Gemma’s memorable fighting scenes were a wannabe-Katniss’ dream) and studded with swoon-worthy romantic moments, the novel lacked the emotional depth to be anything more than a quick read to waste the afternoon on. The romance was of the sappy, overdone variety that plagues young adult fiction, with the central, ridiculous notion that our two teenage characters (who know nothing about each other) are in love and meant to be together. Parts of it were sweet, but more often than not I was left palming my forehead. This book didn’t leave me with any moral questions or new ideas, although I did spend a considerable amount of time wondering how some of the more comical typos came about. It was pure, thoughtless fun, and there’s absolutely nothing wrong with that. Still, readers looking for a text with a bit more intellectual grit should turn their attention elsewhere.

            The text read more like an uncorrected proof than a published novel. I appreciate Melissa Pearl’s potential, but her prose fell flat when trying to inspire any feeling in me. Even if a character was on their death bed, Pearl’s characters simply didn’t have the emotional range to illicit more than a yawn in the reader. The plot was exciting (though keep in mind I’ve always been a personal fan of the time travel trope), but the occasional holes in the textual fabric were distracting enough to be irritating. There is little to no exploration of the theory for this kind of time travel, which was a big issue for me. I would’ve liked a little more explanation of the time travel lore/community that Gemma acknowledges in passing. There’s a significant amount of suspension of belief required in this plot, and it might’ve felt more legitimate if it had been more fleshed out. Because, seriously, our main character turns into gold dust and travels back in time at her father’s request? Also, there’s a moment in the dialogue where Harrison knows things about the time travel in Gemma’s family before she mentions them. I’m sure it was just a mistake the editor missed, but it pulled me out of the narrative and made me cringe. By far the most egregious part of the plot, however, was the ending. The book ended with no resolution or even an attempt at a full story line, with such an obvious ploy for a sequel that I was tempted to throw the book across the room in frustration. But, of course, I couldn’t, because I read this on my laptop. And I really like that.

Overall, a three star effort with two star results.

A new student review of Invisible

sisto8 posted a new student review of Invisible . See the full review.

This book wasn’t the best.  It is school based, so it has fights, punishments, bullying, etc.  The book was basically just dull.  I didn’t get into the story.  It seemed like what she wanted to get wasn’t exactly enough to make the story interesting.  The characters were good.  Some of them didn’t go with the story well, but they were okay.  The setting was probably the better of the story.  It had good descriptions and directions about where the characters were and where they were going.  Overall, this book was boring with occasional ‘good’ parts.  I don’t recommend this book for people under 12.  

A new student review of Mirage

PokeFan16ganes posted a new student review of Mirage . See the full review.

This book is amazing! As if the first book wasn’t good enough when this book came out and I read it I was so happy! When I read the book I feel like I am with Aluna and her team during the adventure. The book really doesn’t have a set mood/tone because there are so many different emotions. For instance one time Aluna was so happy she let out her biggest secret, but there was also times where Aluna was scared.

The author does a great job of bringing the characters to life. It feels like they are with me! I believe they are real people(Or Creatures) because the author explains them so well that I feel like I can draw a picture of what they all look like.  Another thing is that I like all the characters in the book so I feel more into it.

The narrator was a little more serious than I expected. I really wanted to see the narrator  give a little joke here and there, but it never happened. I would think that the author definitely achieved her goal of entertaining the reader. Also I think the writing is effective and powerful with how much the author went into depth.

 

To be honest with the strengths and weaknesses I feel like it had no weaknesses and had a lot of strengths. One strength I think it has, like I have said a lot, is how well the author took their time to explain how the character looks so you can have a picture in your head.

 

This book is beyond all the other books I have read of the same genre or type. I found this book to be very interesting because at the end of each chapter there would be a cliffhanger and you would want to read the next chapter. Another thing is that I loved the ending because it is going to get the reader to want to read the next book in the trilogy.

 

From reading this book I learned something very important. Perseverance. In the book Aluna didn’t give up in her fights and when her Khan told her to let the Khans’ father win you wouldn’t. I would very much recommend this book to all people! This book is an action packed adventure waiting to be explored!

 

A new student review of Runt

muffin posted a new student review of Runt . See the full review.

I thought that Runt by Nora Raleigh Baskin is an ok book. The book just didn't really reach out to me. I thought that the book should talk more about Stewart's life at home . Maybe an epilogue would help readers understand the book's ending a little better, because I thought that it was a little confusing. It needed to explain more, not just the ending but throughout the whole book so other readers can understand it better too. I recommend it to readers who like realistic fiction and school stories.

A new student review of WhipEye by Geoffrey Saign

nictaf posted a new student review of WhipEye by Geoffrey Saign. See the full review.

WhipEye is a gripping, imaginative adventure from start to finish.  I didn’t want to put it down until the very last page!  Geoffrey Saign wrote WhipEye in a way to make us believe in and root for the characters.  Sam and Jake are two of my favorite characters because they are the heroes of this story, and are relatable to real life.  If this was real life, I’d like these two as my friends.  I would recommend this book for ages 9 and up.  Geoffrey Saign did an awesome job on this book, and I cannot wait to read book two!

A new student review of Three Bird Summer by Sara St. Antoine

lexyroberts posted a new student review of Three Bird Summer by Sara St. Antoine. See the full review.

I loved this book! It was not too challenging. It is a great mystery book. I would recommend this book to friends. In the beginning it was a little boring to me but during the end it was great. I loved everything about this book.

A new student review of Soonchild by Russell Hoban

AudreyCFarrell posted a new student review of Soonchild by Russell Hoban. See the full review.

This book is pretty. I honestly don't know how else to describe it. Filled with gorgeous charcoal illustrations and impressive writing, Soonchild is an amazing thing to behold, less as a story, and more as a work of art. It's one of those books that makes so little sense that it can't help but make sense to you, and is written in a way that does little more than assert what it tells as fact. It's written in a very direct way that makes the nonsensicality of it both entertaining and endearing. I will most likely reread Soonchild several times in the future, as it is one of those books that you feel like you cannot completely understand it until you are thoroughly familiar with it. Fascinating and beautiful, I will be recommending Soonchild to many of my friends and fellow readers.

A new student review of The Golden Day by Ursula Dubosarsky

crabby posted a new student review of The Golden Day by Ursula Dubosarsky. See the full review.

The Golden Day a is quirky and skillfully crafted tale, its rich descriptions complimenting realistic dialogue. The unusual style of writing is engrossing enough to keep a reader’s interest, with vivid images and a pleasing cadence throughout. There is an intriguing exploration of bonds forged in tragedy, and the element of mystery carries the plot smoothly. However, more development is needed in some of the characters, many of which are just real enough to become invested in, but have potential that isn’t quite fulfilled by the time of the story’s conclusion. Overall, though, this is a fascinating and worthwhile read that will leave you wondering what really happened in the past we’ve learned to trust.

 

A new student review of Golden Blood: Time Spirit Trilogy (Volume 1) by Melissa Pearl

tzahairagunn posted a new student review of Golden Blood: Time Spirit Trilogy (Volume 1) by Melissa Pearl. See the full review.

This was an average book. It had an interesting concept and was well writen. The author did a good job leading the book on to a series, but I think the author could do more to develop the two characters' affections for each other. I would not call this book a page turner, but it is not a boring book.

 

A new student review of The Secrets of Tree Taylor

thudson36 posted a new student review of The Secrets of Tree Taylor . See the full review.

The book, The Secrets of Tree Taylor, was an overall great book. I enjoyed how the main character, Tree, was focused and determined on her writing, and I think anybody that loves to write would relate to her as well. The plot of the story was constantly being driven by a new factor or obstacle in Tree’s way to uncover the truth about the shooting. I think Tree’s character was fully developed, you felt as if you knew her. I did think some parts of this book could be slow and boring, but it quickly picked up again. Overall, I enjoyed reading this book and would recommend it to others.

A new student review of The Secrets of Tree Taylor

thudson36 posted a new student review of The Secrets of Tree Taylor . See the full review.

The book, The Secrets of Tree Taylor, was an overall great book. I enjoyed how the main character, Tree, was focused and determined on her writing, and I think anybody that loves to write would relate to her as well. The plot of the story was constantly being driven by a new factor or obstacle in Tree’s way to uncover the truth about the shooting. I think Tree’s character was fully developed, you felt as if you knew her. I did think some parts of this book could be slow and boring, but it quickly picked up again. Overall, I enjoyed reading this book and would recommend it to others.

A new student review of Virginia White by H.L. Cricket

awalker10 posted a new student review of Virginia White by H.L. Cricket. See the full review.

While the book was intriguing in the concept, the execution was somewhat lacking. The story dragged on, and while mysterious, was not particularly engaging. I was not emotionally attached to any of the characters, and Virginia seemed rather flat and two dimmensional. I think the story would have moved along better if it had been shortened a bit; as it was, it was rather tedious to read. I liked the idea of the story, but it became monotonous and tiring after a while, especially as nothing ever seemed to actually happen. Altogether, it was an interesting idea, but needed some work.

A new student review of SCAN by Walter Jury

jotaf posted a new student review of SCAN by Walter Jury. See the full review.

I thought SCAN was an excellent book.  It was very adventurous with descriptive wording.  I thought it was clever the way the authors made it seem so real.  I also really liked that they left it open for a second book.  The one thing I disliked about it is that it had a ton of bad words.  My favorite character was Tate because he is so smart about almost everything and he tries his best at everything he does.  I am going to give this book five out of five stars, but hopefully with the next book there won’t be so many bad words.  I would recommend this book to ages twelve and up because there are lots of bad words, some death, and other mature content.

A new student review of Incinerator

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

I must give this book my applause. Incinerator, by Niall Leonard, was good. With its enticing plot, teasing mystery and splendid characters, it makes the reader hold his or her breath. Leonard did a admirable job spinning the plot together, but particularly with leaving hints and clues throughout the story to reveal the true villain. A wonderful read to keep your brain active, Incinerator flies.                                        Unfortunately I cannot say that it flies smoothly or with flying colors. While I commend Leonard for his work, I can still say it needs work. I have primarily issues with the book: structure.                                      

First off, the format of the book was difficult to read. Throughout the whole book it was only a block of text—no indents or paragraph indicators. I found it irritating and distracting from the story.   A minor detail, but bothersome none-the-less.                                                                                                                    

Second off, the book started extremely slow and dull.  Perhaps this could be attributed to it being a second book in a series, but it was. Even though it was extremely taxing in actions, explanations  and in word choice, the book picked up in the middle.    It had a slow start, which hinders your enjoyment of the book. It was almost confusing for me, the beginning was so different from the rest of the book.                                                                                                                                                                                    

Thirdly, as I previously mentioned, the explanations were frustating.  This may be due to that fact that this book is a sequel. There is lot information not provided for the reader who has not read the first book.  As I read it, I really only knew that Finn’s father died, he got in trouble with a criminal, and now has a load of money.  Until almost the end of the book, that was all I knew.  It was frustrating and confusing for me as a reader.                                                                                                                      

Still, this book was entirely enticing. I enjoyed the plot and Finn’s character immensely. I could see many books or short stories about him. With Leonard’s brilliant plot, his structural, frustrations may be forgiven.  I do strongly suggest that if you read this book you read the prequel, “Crusher”.

A new student review of Guiamo(Chronicles of Guiamo Durmius Stolo)Book1 by Marshall Best

alison_S posted a new student review of Guiamo(Chronicles of Guiamo Durmius Stolo)Book1 by Marshall Best. See the full review.

Although Guiamo paints a fairly vivid portrait of its protagonist's adolescence, Best's prose relies too heavily on summarizing, or "telling, and lacks the description necessary to truly immerse the reader in the novel's plot. Furthermore, this lack of detail impedes the reader's ability to identify with Guiamo. In spite of this, however, readers can't help but root for Best's hardworking, fiercely optimistic protagonist. While Guiamo's plot starts off slow (the novel's first few chapters lack conflict), it accelerates considerably as the book progresses. Best conveys ancient Rome with a stunning level of historical accuracy, and his knowledge of the time period imbues the novel with rare sense of authenticity. Although I can't endorse Guiamo as a fast read, I do, however, recommend it as a satisfying one. 

A new student review of One or Two Things I Learned About Love

Tori posted a new student review of One or Two Things I Learned About Love . See the full review.

Okay, let me start out by saying I picked this book because the cover caught my eye. I was looking for a fun and easy read. But this story bored me and was immensely frustrating. This book bored me because I just didn't like the whole idea of this book. The beginning started out with the fact that she thought she would never get a boyfriend; then it's love at first sight. The author wasn't realistic. Hildly was a character I liked; I didn't like Connor. Connor is to overproctive and greedy. He ges upset over little things with Hildy. Those are just some of he traits about Hidly and Connor.

 

                                                                                

A new student review of Alfred C. Bogeyman by M. Allman

rowan posted a new student review of Alfred C. Bogeyman by M. Allman. See the full review.

THe book was not my kind of book, but it's good for young kids.

A new student review of Jack and the Wild Life by Lisa Doan

kbarberscott posted a new student review of Jack and the Wild Life by Lisa Doan. See the full review.

Jack and the Wild Life was an OK book. It started way too late, and wasn't all that interesting when it got to the action part. I wanted to put the book away. I would have put the action closer to the start, not diving in but taking out the useless information and overly drawn out character development.

A new student review of Perfectly Good White Boy by Carrie Mesrobian

ReesaOnFire posted a new student review of Perfectly Good White Boy by Carrie Mesrobian. See the full review.

I could not finish this book. Even though I was interested in Sean’s development as a character, there was too much crass behavior for me to stand.

Much of the mature content and crass language were unnecessary to the plot. Because of the major focus on the mature content of Sean’s relationships, I was not able to continue this book. I was sorely disappointed; I expected much more. 

A new student review of How to Lose Everything by Philipp Mattheis

tbrayton posted a new student review of How to Lose Everything by Philipp Mattheis. See the full review.

How To Lose Everything by Philipp Mattheis is a harsh and realistic testimony of being a teenager.  It presents the peer pressure that leads to drugs and alcohol, and also, in part, the human thirst for wealth.  Accompanying this is the haunting reality of how fragile friendships can be.  In the beginning, we see four friends with an unbreakable bond, but by the time we close the book, we’ve witnessed the shattering of that friendship, that now resembles puzzle pieces that will never fit together.  All in all, this book is an eye opener worth a read.  It has the ability to bring the reader down to earth and make them think about what they would do if it was them in such a tricky situation.  It causes the reader to really ponder about what they would do if it were they who were enabled to do anything they wanted. And if they had that power, would they abuse it and live with the consequences, or respect it.

A new student review of Blood Oath by T.L. Clarke

sschu5 posted a new student review of Blood Oath by T.L. Clarke. See the full review.

  Blood Oath is about a very adventurous girl who spends the first several years of her life not knowing who she is truly is or where her future is going to lead her. There is a lot of foreshadowing in the book. The story may lead you down one path then change your mind a few paragraphs later. I think it is such a good book because of how T.L. Clarke writes. The book is just an amazing read, and I would recommend this to anyone.

A new student review of Sticky Fingers: DIY Duct Tape Projects by Sophie Maletsky

hg2008 posted a new student review of Sticky Fingers: DIY Duct Tape Projects by Sophie Maletsky. See the full review.

I really like this book! I thought it was fun and creative with lots of cool ideas! The directions were well written and easy to understand. I am going to try many of theses ideas, there aren't any which I really disliked. I also liked how they gave you tips and told you what you would need. I also liked the fact that the had a few full sized patterens in the back that is always great for any crafter!

I would recommend this book for any beginning Duct Tape crafter or even more experienced because I think they would both equally enjoy and benefit from this book!

A new student review of A Drowned Maiden's Hair by Laura Amy Schlitz

dancechicka posted a new student review of A Drowned Maiden's Hair by Laura Amy Schlitz. See the full review.

Against all my reservations at first, I really enjoyed this book.  It was unique and edgy, in theory, with twists and turns that kept you on pins and needles.  Maud was the perfect main character—though she was a younger protagonist, I identified with her almost immediately.  Her fiery will and good heart really set her character development off and running.  I had so much fun watching her grow! The sister’s, on the other hand, were the perfect example of things not being always what they seem.  You never knew what was coming next.  The exposition was tight, the sentence structure flowing and slightly foreboding, adding to the suspense in the book.  I definitely feel like Schlitz has the makings and potential of a wonderful author!  Spiritualism can sometimes be a tricky topic, but Schlitz seemed to attack the topic and navigate it well.  Sometimes, though, it seemed like the plot ran a little weak—some seemingly unrelated events were occurred that I couldn’t quite figure out if they were related or just fillers.  The prose and the simple idea of the book certainly made up for it, though.  In the end, a five-star read that I would definitely recommend!

                “She trusts me,” Hyacinth said……. ”She’s almost ready….”   She brushed her palm against Maud’s cheek.  “You see, Maudy? Do you see why we need you so badly?”  Maud nodded, grave-faced.  She saw.”

                I would recommend this book for all ages, as there is no cursing or impropriety in the book.  However, if the mention of spiritualism bothers you, you may need to look into another avenue.

                Will Maud go along with the Hawthornes charade in her endless quest to find love—or will she let her desire for the truth set her free?  Read A Drowned Maiden’s Hair by Laura Amy Schlitz to find out!

A new student review of Mountains Beyond Mountains

AKFeldman posted a new student review of Mountains Beyond Mountains . See the full review.

In Mountains Beyond Mountains, Tracy Kidder manages to portray Dr. Paul Farmer in an astonishing, yet truthful, manner. While Farmer at times seemed almost impossibly kind and generous, I never once doubted his sincerity or legitimacy. Tracy Kidder effectively hooked me into the amazing life of Dr. Paul Farmer, a difficult feat to accomplish. I recommend this book to anyone who likes reading non-fiction, medicine, social justice, or biographies. You will be positively affected by this inspiring tale. 

A new student review of How to Lose Everything by Philipp Mattheis

Gwendolyn posted a new student review of How to Lose Everything by Philipp Mattheis. See the full review.

How To Lose Everything by Philipp Mattheis was an interesting read. The beginning immediately captured my attention and the story isn’t like anything that I have ever read before. It was well written and featured a perspective that I’m still not sure if I like, but was definitely unique. How To Lose Everything felt muddy and blurred, filled with stressful drug and alcohol ridden events. Based on a true-to-life experience that the author had as a teen, Mattheis’ writing appears blunt, truthful, and shockingly realistic. The events in this novel follow the four teenagers as they each separately react to their newly acquired fortune. I think that what strikes me the most about their story is not necessarily the characters, or even their plot line, but watching how each one individually was impacted once they stole the money. None of these boys have a strong sense of ethical behaviour from the start of the book, and the newly discovered fortune seems to add to their steep downhill slide. Each boy was affected differently, some more tragically than others. The characters weren’t meant to be likeable and that made the book realistic though not necessarily attractive. It was definitely interesting story. The book ended somewhat abruptly. I felt that there was no main conclusion to many of the happenings. However, the main protagonist, Jonathan, seemed to achieve a fresh start from these eerie events and found a new sense of purpose. It was an intriguing read but not one that I feel a need to experience more than once. How To Lose Everything by Philipp Mattheis is a curious, virulent, and ominous book.

A new student review of Magical Mix-ups #3: Grasshopper Magic by Lynne Jonell

cowboys1 posted a new student review of Magical Mix-ups #3: Grasshopper Magic by Lynne Jonell. See the full review.

Abner Willow finds out he has to give a big speech in front of the whole town!  He is worried he will mess up.  His siblings decided he needs to practice being brave. One of the things he needs to do is eat some grasshoppers.  These grasshoppers are born from eggs underneath their house.  The soil in the town contains magic, so the grasshoppers have absorbed some of this magic!  When Abner and his sister eat the grasshoppers something magical begins to happen!

A new student review of Life II by Scott Spotson

AudreyCFarrell posted a new student review of Life II by Scott Spotson. See the full review.

This book got me really excited, as I love thinking about time travel and the theories of time, paradoxes, etc. It is a fantastical concept to write a book about. This alone drove me to read all 650 pages of Life II. And the plot is good, it really is. Sadly, this story was approached in a way that didn't really suit the themes that accompany such an emotionally and physically complex plot line. The dialogue felt very wooden, and inhuman. Ironically, some of the most organic dialogue came from the aliens, rather than the human beings.

Character development is always going to be difficult to write when a plot involves time travel, and reliving past experiences, and reading Life II gave me the distinct suspicion that the author was not entirely prepared to write about the main character, Max Thorning. Any emotional reactions that Max had in the book felt wooden, as if they had been copied and pasted directly from a speculative psychology textbook, and not from the author's understanding of their character. 

It is my personal belief that the writer should always know their character as they would a spouse, or close friend. In order to write of the emotional experiences, thoughts, and actions of a real person, you have to understand that person's emotional experiences, thoughts, and actions. The same goes for fictional characters. Life II's description of Max Thorning felt very disconnected, and quite fictional. It was difficult to connect with the character, or even think of him as anything more than a character in a book.

That being said, I respect the author for approaching a story on such a massive scale. Over 26 years pass from the beginning of the novel to the end. Relationships form and are broken, choices are made, consequences are dealt with. It is enormously difficult to compress that much of a life (of multiple lives, in the context of the book) into written form, though, with the concise writing style used throughout Life II, I am surprised that it took 650 pages to do so. The result was a very readable book. Long, but readable. I do disagree with labling this book "science fiction," as the science fiction is only the set up for what is essentially a life, relived.

A new student review of Sticky Fingers: DIY Duct Tape Projects by Sophie Maletsky

sisto8 posted a new student review of Sticky Fingers: DIY Duct Tape Projects by Sophie Maletsky. See the full review.

This book was a pretty interesting book.  My little sisters enjoyed the projects and wanted to do all of them right away.  I think this book is for kids around the age of 9 to use.  The steps were clear and easy to follow.  I have read other books/instructions on projects like these, but they weren’t nearly as good.  The pictures were nice.  They showed what the step is supposed to look like before and after.  All in all, this book is a fun book for art lovers 8+.

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

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

This book was very moving. It had a good balance of action and dialogue. The protagonist, Jadyn, was relatable and very vividly portrayed. I felt like I knew her!

I had trouble at times keeping up with the flashblacks and time switches, which made focusing on the actual present time story difficult. However, the book's ending really wrapped up all the flashbacks and left me satisfied.

Overall, it was a perfect book for helping understand family dynamics after death, with just the right amount of suspense and real emotion to bring it to life. I'd recommend it for any teens or preteens going through a difficult time of loss or just looking for a realistic story to read again and again. 

A new student review of The Turning

R. Mae posted a new student review of The Turning . See the full review.

The Turning was as addicting as it was inspiring. David Bunn's poetic and descriptive writing style flowed effortlessly. I was completely in awe of his characters, who seemed as real as the fact that you can't eat ice cream everyday without getting fat. And while the plot started out slow, it soon became a page turner. 

 

David Bunn designed his cast of characters to be unique yet relatable. They each faced their own problems and learned their own lessons. The content was never bad, but it was definitely meant for a mature age group. Some of the concepts would be difficult for younger teens to understand.  The book tackled the difficult process of overcoming your past and reaching for God. It shed light on the relationship between God and the media. Also, David Bunn asked the question; would you do whatever it takes?

 

The plot did start out slow, but then you reach a point of no return and join the characters on an epic roller coaster ride. It was inspiring, creative, and thought provoking. I began reading the book without a real idea of what it was going to teach me, but in the end I realized that this book indentifys the questions that we are all afraid to ask. The story was full of debate and action in the sense of fighting for what you believe in. It wasn't a YA dystopian, where the characters solve problems by shooting each other. In The Turning they solved problems the way we do in real life, through words and the media. 

 

Above all of those other things, the writing was the best. It was like David Bunn was weaving an exquisite tapestry right before my eyes. Colorful and insightful, the beautiful wording grabbed my attention and held it. I couldn't stop reading. I was transported to David Bunn's world. 

 

So to finish, it was an absolutely beautiful book, with a realistic plot, identifiable characters, and gorgeous writing. I would recommend this book to mature teenagers who are Christians and non-Christians alike. 

 

 

 

A new student review of Solstice: a novel of the Zombie Apocalypse by P.J. Hoover

Zbot4231 posted a new student review of Solstice: a novel of the Zombie Apocalypse by P.J. Hoover. See the full review.

 It was a really good book. I thought that it was filled with suspense and a good amount of action. If you're looking for a book where you never know when someone could die or someone could save the entire human race, then this is the book for you.

A new student review of Counting to D by Kate Scott

isabel123 posted a new student review of Counting to D by Kate Scott. See the full review.

My opinion is that this novel is interesting because it talks about a teenage girl with dyslexia. I think if you like love/romance novel you should get this book. 

A new student review of Get Psyched by Janet McLaughlin

hannah_marie3701 posted a new student review of Get Psyched by Janet McLaughlin. See the full review.

My opinion about this book is it's very good. I loved it a lot, and I would definitely read it again. Usually I don't like reading, but something about this book sucked me in. I would really recommend this book to my friends.

A new student review of Sticky Fingers: DIY Duct Tape Projects by Sophie Maletsky

LaRayne posted a new student review of Sticky Fingers: DIY Duct Tape Projects by Sophie Maletsky. See the full review.

This is an amazing book that I hope you all get. I particularly enjoyed being able to make homemade gifts. It is good for ages 10 and up. Maltsky did an awesome job at making this book have atmosphere while you are still learning something useful. Although it is not fiction, you will still find yourself not able to put it down. Sticky Fingers is one of the best crafting books out there. So go get some duct tape and start crafting!

A new student review of Where Beauty Lies by Blair Fowler Elle Fowler

icecreamania posted a new student review of Where Beauty Lies by Blair Fowler Elle Fowler. See the full review.

Where Beauty Lies is a decent book with a captivating plot. The story kept me entertained until the end. However, the beginning of the book was dragged out and uninteresting. I felt as if many of the details were unnecessary to the context of the story.  Towards the end, there are many twists in the plot which adds suspense and interest. It is also important to point out this book is very unrealistic. However, I would recommend this novel to young teenagers who enjoy being taken to a dream world.

 

A new student review of Paradox by A. J. Paquette

nictaf posted a new student review of Paradox by A. J. Paquette. See the full review.

I really liked this book, and I love the depth that A.J. Paquette put into it.  This book was so hard to put down that I read it in one and a half days.It was scary, surprising, and fast-paced.  Ana, the main character, is smart, intelligent, and brave.  Todd, her boyfriend from earth, is friendly, kind, and takes risks.  I liked all the characters, but my favorite is Ana.  I would recommend this book to ages 11 and up because of some bad words and bloodshed.  A.J. Paquette made such a good book that I hope that she will write a book two.  

A new student review of The Iron Traitor by Julie Kagawa

Madi posted a new student review of The Iron Traitor by Julie Kagawa. See the full review.

I really enjoyed this book, and I think any other teen who enjoys fantasy would like it as well. In this action packed story, Julie Kagawa tells an engrossing and suspensful tale that kept me on the edge of my seat.

I had not read all the previous books in The Iron Fey series, but it did not affect my enjoyment of the exciting story. The events from the other books were summed up well and concisely in the first few chapters, and you learned more about the characters' past adventures as you read.

The characters were diverse, and while I felt some of their interactions were cliche, they still had some very realistic and complex emotions that I could connect with. Kagawa uses great details in her writing, and I could clearly picture every character and setting.

Though it took me a little time to get into the story, I had lots of fun exploring the mystical lands and intriguing characters I met while reading, and I will definitely be reading more books in the series. 

A new student review of Alpha Goddess by Amalie Howard

fire_galaxy posted a new student review of Alpha Goddess by Amalie Howard. See the full review.

The description of the characters is amazing, it feels like if you look up, they’ll be right there.  The setting was pretty good although it could have been a little bit better.  If you are thirsty for action, adventure or just something good to read, this would be a great book for you. I like how it actually includes real Hinduism stories but with a twist. The description of what was actually happening seemed so real, you could have been running or fighting with Sara. I would recommend this book to all action, adventure, and romance (there isn't a ton of romance, but it is present) seekers.

A new student review of Nine Days by Fred Hiatt

JacksonTruitt posted a new student review of Nine Days by Fred Hiatt. See the full review.

This was a great book full of action and adventure! This book starts off kind of slow introducing the main characters and plot, but once Ethan and Tianna decide to go to Hong Kong the action doesn’t stop until the last page.  There is a lot of suspense while the characters travel the world.  This is a great book because it was based on the true story of Tianna’s father.  I would highly recommend Nine Days to anyone who likes an action and adventure story.  

A new student review of Knowing Jack by Julie Elizabeth Powell

devki2340 posted a new student review of Knowing Jack by Julie Elizabeth Powell. See the full review.

This is a pretty adventurous book. What I don't like about this book is that it leaves out all the other characters and makes you wonder where they have gone, what they are doing, and if they are okay.

A new student review of Bullied by Christopher Smith

rwoods19 posted a new student review of Bullied by Christopher Smith. See the full review.

I really loved this book because it was so much like a real teenager's life. I was sad at the end because Bullied is one of those books that you have to read the next book in the series to find out what happens next, but besides that it was such a great book, and I cannot wait to read more books by the same author!!!

A new student review of The Grave Winner by Lindsey R Loucks

mditzel posted a new student review of The Grave Winner by Lindsey R Loucks. See the full review.

I thought the Grave Winner was a good book. i love how the book made yopu whant tom read more and more. I gave it a 4/5 because I thouight there was some unessisary lanugage in this book. 

A new student review of The Geneva Project - Truth by Christina M. Benjamin

kendrat71 posted a new student review of The Geneva Project - Truth by Christina M. Benjamin. See the full review.

Honestly, I didn't really like this book. Within the first few chapters I knew that it would be a challenge to finish. There were many literary discrepancies that I found difficult to overlook. Within the first few chapters, glaring math errors were catching my attention. The book states that the Flood occurred ten years ago and Geneva was barely one when she was found. However, Geneva assumes herself to be twelve, one year younger than the youngest group of orphaned children that survived the Flood. One of her close acquaintances reveals that he knows his real name, as opposed the the John (or Jane) #__ that every orphan has been assigned. Being in the youngest group, it seems rather sketchy that he could know since he could not have been older than two or three and had undergone a traumatic experience.

The magic aspect, though intertwining with the storyline, seems like it was only added into the last draft as an afterthought. It read like an oval being pushed againt a circle slot; it just didn't fit perfectly.

This book definitely did not make my favorites' list. I really wish that I could have liked it, as the idea was intriguing and unique. Perhaps the next books in the series are better, but I won't be finding out.

A new student review of The Devil You Know by Adrian W. Lilly

Ashez55 posted a new student review of The Devil You Know by Adrian W. Lilly. See the full review.

When I began the book, I really wanted to like it. I'm glad to say the grammar isn't too distracting, though the story got more convoluted the farther in I got. The plot line seems weakly fabricated, adding characters and sinister events whenever it dulls down. I wonder at some of the ridiculous stunts the three friends are forced through, especially the land crumbling to reveal a raging river of death when they try to escape. It maybe would have made more sense to, oh, I don't know, have the demon townspeople who were in hot pursuit round them up. I think the love story is rushed and unnecessary, as was the addition of Vance's family to the cursed deal. Much of the story is a filler, and a boring one at that. I'm thoroughly confused as to why both sets of parents carried their charade through a majority of the book, when it would have benefited them more to lock the children up until the night the ritual was to take place. As they are implied to have done this same thing countless times, I would have assumed they had a plan down pat with no room for error. Overall, I found the idea intriguing but rather poorly executed.

A new student review of The Phoenix Files: Arrival by Chris Morphew

Dsun_ posted a new student review of The Phoenix Files: Arrival by Chris Morphew. See the full review.

I enjoyed this book extremely well. In fact, I did not have to force myself to read this book. It was interesting to see the decisions that Luke would make and how it would affect their lives. The constant cliffhangers kept me reading chapter after chapter. I would recommend this to anyone and I can’t wait to finish the series!

A new student review of Olivia, Mourning by Yael Politis

read_write_eat posted a new student review of Olivia, Mourning by Yael Politis. See the full review.

The story of young Olivia is beautifully written and very gripping. The descriptions of the setting and living conditions were detailed enough for the reader to understand the circumstances without losing the reader's attention. I absolutely loved the drama in this book- it was so emotional and intriguing! There were several twists and turns that kept the story unpredictable and engaging. As for the characters, I appreciated Olivia's strength as a female character and the relationship between her and Mourning was well-developed. Mourning spoke in a dialect characteristic of African Americans in that time period, which at times was difficult to understand. However, it was an integral aspect of his character and made for a more realistic book. Overall, I really enjoyed this book and am eager to check out the sequel, The Way the World Is. I would recommend this book to any fan of historical fiction.

A new student review of Thimble Down by Pete Prown

vbobrocks posted a new student review of Thimble Down by Pete Prown. See the full review.

While Pete Prown’s Thimble Down had an engaging mystery aspect, the overall enjoyment of the novel was diminished by the over detailed and repetitive writing style.  As a teen reader, I found myself bored by the thickly described passages and the frequent reminder of characters’ roles.  Also, it was a challenge to empathize with the main character who was an obese middle-aged fellow, along with the rest of the villagers; it seemed that everyone’s life revolved around food and drink.  There were, however, some interesting plot twists that provided some respite and the plot was well thought out.  Thimble Down would be enjoyed by fifth to seventh graders who enjoy a bit of problem solving but aren’t interested in action/adventure genres.

 

A new student review of Rebels of the Kasbah by Bedelia C. Walton Anna Fonnier Joe O'Neill

Anjel posted a new student review of Rebels of the Kasbah by Bedelia C. Walton Anna Fonnier Joe O'Neill. See the full review.

I liked Rebels of the Kasbah because: 1 it was rebelliousness, 2: the plot was as good as a chocolate bar that melts on your tongue, 3: there was a girl to share the adventures. Could not put the book down. I got busted with my flashlight late at night at least twice. The one thing I didn’t like was that sometimes it was hard to tell who was talking and when, but other than that, everything was great. I would recommend this to 12 and up and to people who like the Fablehaven series by Brandon Mull. I think the author and his team should feel very accomplished.

A new student review of Lupus Rex by John Carter Cash

jotaf posted a new student review of Lupus Rex by John Carter Cash. See the full review.

I really liked Lupus Rex.  It was very descriptive, although it didn’t catch my attention right away and was a little confusing.  About thirty pages in, though, it started to get interesting.  My favorite character was Ysil the quail, who is trying to follow his grandfather’s last request.  I also liked  Gomor the rabbit, who gave his life for his friends.  I would recommend this book to ages 11 through 15 because there are a lot of grisly parts (even though they’re just animals) and it is confusing. I don’t think most kids over 15 would be interested in reading this, although if they liked the Redwall Series, this might be right up their alley.

A new student review of Shark Girl by Kelly Bingham

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

 

This book was very well written.  It tells a sad but heartwarming story, and I hope it encourages kids like Jane that even when you have a disability, it doesn't mean you have to give up.  And even if you don’t have a disability, maybe you just look down on yourself and think you can’t do something, but just remember that you can.  I recommend this book to anyone ages 11 and up, just make sure you feel comfortable with reading gory, tragic books.

 

A new student review of If You Find Me by Emily Murdoch

speedreader789 posted a new student review of If You Find Me by Emily Murdoch. See the full review.

I thought that this book was very suspenseful and a book that is hard to put down after you have started it.   I think the best thing about the book is that you do not know what happened to the sisters before they were brought to their father’s home other than that they were raised in the woods by their mother who has left.  Given the context clues you can assume that they had very little money but they are still very smart.  Throughout the story, the back ground is revealed through Carey’s flashbacks and some of the things that happened are not at all what you would expect. I also liked the setting change.  The girls go from a trailer in the woods to a farm in a rural area.  It is humorous to see how much we see as everyday concepts that they have no idea about such as a hamburger.  The characteristics of the main character in the book are intriguing.  They are developed throughout the flashbacks and the little things that Carey does.  Such as how Carey carries her violin everywhere throughout school.  This shows that she is very protective of some parts of her past even though there are other parts she makes obvious she despises.  If you would like to read a mystery with funny twists this is the book for you.

A new student review of The Winter of the Robots by Kurtis Scaletta

Pikachu posted a new student review of The Winter of the Robots by Kurtis Scaletta. See the full review.

This is an exciting adventure and mystery book. The junk yard setting felt real enough to touch. I liked the main characters a lot because they stuck together no matter what happened.I thought the robot competition was really cool and exciting. The only thing I didn't like about the book was how short tempered Jim's dad was.

A new student review of Moon of the Goddess by Cathy Hird

awalker10 posted a new student review of Moon of the Goddess by Cathy Hird. See the full review.

I thought this book was enjoyable, with a slightly predictable and straightforward plot but likable characters. It was good, but the protagonist was not really my main interest, rather the more minor background characters I feel would have made a better story. Thalassai was a rather weak and helpless maiden who did not have the strong heroine feel about her, that title went to her brother's traveling companion, a healer who served the goddess Eurynome. All in all, the book was good but nothing extraordinary. I did enjoy the references to the Greek gods though, as that was the reason I chose it. Although I know more about ancient Greece than most people, I was still surprised by the reference to the goddess Eurynome, as I had never heard of her before. The conflict between the two gods could have unfolded into something bigger and created a more engrossing plot line, but the simple and straightforward story was actually rather refreshing after so many complex plots of modern books. It was overall an enjoyable book that I would read again. 

A new student review of Splendors and Glooms by Laura Amy Schlitz

dancechicka posted a new student review of Splendors and Glooms by Laura Amy Schlitz. See the full review.

After reading this novel, I find it easy to believe that it won (and rightly deserved) a Newberry Award.  It was wonderful writing; the plot was tight, the prose was smooth, and it had the certain aura of foreboding and eeriness that kept the reader on the edge of their seat.  I immediately fell in love with the characters—Lizzie Rose was the sweet and kind Cinderella; Parsefall the loudmouth street urchin that you can’t help but fall in love with, and Clara is the courteous socialite with a guilt-ridden heart.  Unlike most books, every single character had depth—they each had a story, and I felt the yin-yang symbol was relevant and prominent in this novel—in every good person lies bad, and in every bad person lies good.  The plot was unique and individual, giving you a different twist at every turn.   I also lived all the symbolism—it really added a new dimension to the plot and actually made you think a little.  All in all, a good read that I would definitely recommend for anyone looking for an original book with a suspense-filled plot.

“Clara slept…..She was as lifeless as a pressed flower.  Her mind was empty, free from guilt and terror and grief.  Only the night before, she had spoken of her fear of cold and darkness; now darkness and cold claimed her, and she was not afraid.”

I would recommend this book to all ages, though it does have a haunting undertone and some violent themes, so read at your own risk!

Will Lizzie Rose and Parsefall find a way to free themselves and Clara from Grisini’s clutches?  Or will they all remain under his domain, Grisini making them dance like his puppets on a string?  Read Splendors and Glooms by Laura Amy Schlitz to find out!

A new student review of Splendors and Glooms by Laura Amy Schlitz

dancechicka posted a new student review of Splendors and Glooms by Laura Amy Schlitz. See the full review.

After reading this novel, I find it easy to believe that it won (and rightly deserved) a Newberry Award.  It was wonderful writing; the plot was tight, the prose was smooth, and it had the certain aura of foreboding and eeriness that kept the reader on the edge of their seat.  I immediately fell in love with the characters—Lizzie Rose was the sweet and kind Cinderella; Parsefall the loudmouth street urchin that you can’t help but fall in love with, and Clara is the courteous socialite with a guilt-ridden heart.  Unlike most books, every single character had depth—they each had a story, and I felt the yin-yang symbol was relevant and prominent in this novel—in every good person lies bad, and in every bad person lies good.  The plot was unique and individual, giving you a different twist at every turn.   I also lived all the symbolism—it really added a new dimension to the plot and actually made you think a little.  All in all, a good read that I would definitely recommend for anyone looking for an original book with a suspense-filled plot.

“Clara slept…..She was as lifeless as a pressed flower.  Her mind was empty, free from guilt and terror and grief.  Only the night before, she had spoken of her fear of cold and darkness; now darkness and cold claimed her, and she was not afraid.”

I would recommend this book to all ages, though it does have a haunting undertone and some violent themes, so read at your own risk!

Will Lizzie Rose and Parsefall find a way to free themselves and Clara from Grisini’s clutches?  Or will they all remain under his domain, Grisini making them dance like his puppets on a string?  Read Splendors and Glooms by Laura Amy Schlitz to find out!

A new student review of What We Hide by Marthe Jocelyn

sisto8 posted a new student review of What We Hide by Marthe Jocelyn. See the full review.

This book is okay.  The characters were interesting.  They appeared in a real situation.  The first part of the book was slightly confusing because it jumps from one character's point of view to another.  I personally don’t like that in books because it makes the main character less important to the reader.  The plot was a little out of view.  The book’s plot just didn’t pop out to me like most books I read.  Some sentences didn’t look written in an understandable way.  I kept having to stop and try to understand what the author was trying to say to the reader.  Other than the small random problems, this book is a relatively good book.  I don’t recommend it for people under 14.

A new student review of The Little Woods by McCormick Templeman

sisto8 posted a new student review of The Little Woods by McCormick Templeman. See the full review.

This book was mismarked age wise.  I only read a few chapters and by the end of the few chapters, I decided that nobody under 16 should be reading it.  The language was terrible, the characters were doing illegal activities, and the characters were breaking important rules.  Someone older may find this book very interesting and fun to read, but I don’t think reading bad language and reading about drugs is a fun activity.  The characters were strange people that weren't very likable.  All the teens mentioned in this book were not-so-good people doing not-so-good activities.  This book isn’t really appropriate for someone my age to read.  It is better for people around 16-18 to read.  If someone under 18 buys this book, I suggest having a parent or trusted adult look it over first.  Other than the content problem, this book is probably okay, but since I didn't read past the first few chapters, I don't really know how good it is.