A new student review of The Fog of Forgetting by Genevieve Morgan

lexyroberts posted a new student review of The Fog of Forgetting by Genevieve Morgan. See the full review.

This book was an adventure book. I like how the author put a lot of detail into it, but some parts were a bit boring. The book was confusing and hard to understand at times. There were a lot of things going on at once in the story, which made it confusing. One thing the author could have done differently is have each conflict happen in one period of time instead of having them happen all at once. Although the book was confusing, I liked the plot of the story.  

A new student review of Thomas Jefferson: President and Philosopher by Jon Meacham

Star360 posted a new student review of Thomas Jefferson: President and Philosopher by Jon Meacham. See the full review.

 

Thomas Jefferson: President and Philosopher is a wonderful stepping-stone book for young readers ages 10 and up who have a base in American history. It is told in the classic cradle-to-grave fashion, so there is a lot of material to cover, but there is large print and reasonably sized chapters. The reader is seamlessly guided from Jefferson’s privileged childhood to his dramatic years in politics. Jefferson’s many interests, like his passion for books and archeology, along with his love for the United States, form the backbone of the 320-page book. Kids will enjoy finding such fun facts throughout the book. However, Meacham does not shy away from Jefferson’s problems with married women or the appalling Sally Hemings affair. Readers of all ages will be intrigued by the many photographs, charts, maps, and extra facts about the times that dot the chapters. One of the best parts about the book is that it includes many special features at the end. Among them are excerpts from Jefferson’s notebook, a family tree, a timeline, and a list of places in the U.S. and France that honor him. All of those factors combine to make Thomas Jefferson: President and Philosopher a winning book for curious kids!

A new student review of Lies in the Dust by Jakob Crane

MezokaCapturer65 posted a new student review of Lies in the Dust by Jakob Crane. See the full review.

This is a very serious and atmospheric book. When I first saw it I thought I would have a hard time discerning the characters because of the art style, but it was actually easy because the dialogue was clear and there weren’t many characters to keep track of. Ann was a very good character, and in this short graphic novel I found myself loving her. She is exactly the kind of character I like, loyal but knows where her loyalties belong. The way that the images in the book are set up reminded me of an intense historical movie, and it was very engaging. There was never anything excessive here, everything seemed important and was in its appropriate place. The back and forth in the time periods during which the book takes place helped to further develop Ann as a character, showing us the details of what happened in her past and how people in her current time period react to it. 

Another great aspect to this story was the relatability given to a historical event. Even though nobody reading the book has been through what Ann has been through, the writer still does a fantastic job making the audience feel for her plight and remember times in their own lives that were similar but far less dramatic and disastrous, such as submitting to peer pressure. All in all, what was accomplished in this short graphic novel was more memorable and well thought out than most people would expect, and I loved every page. Because of the intensity and serious tone, I would recommend this book to those in 7^th grade or above, and to those who love historical fiction. Even if one does not like graphic novels, this is definitely one of the best I’ve ever read.

A new student review of Out of the Tunnel by Patrick Jones

carverreader posted a new student review of Out of the Tunnel by Patrick Jones. See the full review.

I feel that this is a well writen book with great morals and a strong concept. I think it will appeal to boys because it's about football and also appeal to teens because it is told through a teen's viewpoint.

A new student review of The Never Girls by Kiki Thorpe

Boomer123 posted a new student review of The Never Girls by Kiki Thorpe. See the full review.

I love how the author added baking treats into this book.  People like to bake delicious treats and sometimes people like to read stories with baking in them.  I also love how four girls travel to a fairy world, through Gabby’s closet.    

I was looking forward to the big block party for the Davidson’s family.  They had so many games and activities to do.  My favorite station that they described at the block party was the game station.  I knew some of the games they wrote about.  My second favorite station was the pet care.  It was fun to read about the big party and it made me feel like I should plan a party too.  If you like fairies and baking you should read this book.     

A new student review of Kate the Great by Suzy Becker

nictaf posted a new student review of Kate the Great by Suzy Becker. See the full review.

Kate the Great is an excellent book and I cannot wait until book two is out.  Suzy Becker outdid herself on this great story.  All the story was very well-described, like when Kate described the students' zombie trance that happens in school.  It's like Diary of a Wimpy Kid, in that it includes cartoon-like pictures and funny comments on the side.  This book is so funny it made me laugh, and it will make you laugh, too.  I would recommend this book for ages eight and up.

A new student review of Spartanica by Powers Molinar

jotaf posted a new student review of Spartanica by Powers Molinar. See the full review.

Spartanica is an awesome book that is chock-full of suspense and action.  I never wanted to put it down.  It was very creative in a way that was lifelike in parts.  The author, Powers Molinar, made the characters very likable. A part in the book that I really enjoyed was when Ty was dreaming his Aunt Andi was making chocolate crepes and bacon for breakfast when he was actually asleep in the woods.  A part I didn't like about the book was that each chapter switched between the perspectives of three people, which made it confusing.   But it wasn't so confusing that I couldn't understand it; it made me pay more attention to each chapter.  This book was so great it left me eagerly anticipating book two.  I would recommend this book to ages eleven through eighteen. 

A new student review of The Forever Song by Julie Kagawa

Lucy posted a new student review of The Forever Song by Julie Kagawa. See the full review.

I really liked the book although I was missing some of the information because I had began with the 3^rd book, not knowing that it was a series. Even if you do start with the 3^rd book, I was still able to know what’s going on after reading more into it. It’s a really great book with an amazing ending that was also bittersweet. It had a lot of emotions and sad scenes, and I cried reading the ending. It’s a really touching book for me. 

A new student review of Vic: Mongol by Jerry Gill

Gwendolyn posted a new student review of Vic: Mongol by Jerry Gill. See the full review.

I took an immediate liking to the protagonist of this book, Vic Challenger. Vic is a confident, astute, curious, and resourceful individual. Although she loves pretty dresses, cloche hats, and the color pink, Vic can take care of herself, doesn't mind getting into messy situations, and doesn't conform to the sexist double standards of her era. She has the most amazing sense of adventure and determination. She reminded me of Nancy Drew in a sense, or of a female Indiana Jones. I admit that I see the better parts of myself in Vic Challenger, even though she is highly fictional. However, apart from Vic, the characters and conversations in Vic: Mongol felt somewhat stiff, bland and hard to connect with. Vic: Mongol by Jerry Gill felt like it wanted to be similar to the classic adventure/mystery stories by Jules Verne, Rudyard Kipling, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, and Agatha Christie that I adore, but unfortunately it hardly lived up to what I wanted it to be. This is why I wish that it could have been a better read, because I see the potential in it. This book felt like a badly written draft. Many of the sentences seem unfinished, oddly phrased, and even missing words. While reading this novel I continually came across grammatical errors. I also came across several run-on sentences, which made it difficult to read without stopping to look over each paragraph a few times. In most cases it felt like either too much unnecessary information was being provided, or the complete opposite where it felt lacking and unfinished. As the author kept adding new adventures, the initial concept of the book became blurrier as it went along. I feel that this book has too much going on at once, to the extent that it lost my interest as a reader. However, I do admire how this novel was definitely unique while still being reminiscent of classic literature. It has a very promising concept and main character, nevertheless I think that Jerry Gill's work could have had alterations before being published. Although a propitious read in theory, I regrettably feel that Vic: Mongol by Jerry Gill is a mediocre novel at best.

A new student review of Seasons of Raina by Milissa Nelson

SarahLou posted a new student review of Seasons of Raina by Milissa Nelson. See the full review.

I really like this book especially when they rented a cabin. It took me a long time to finish it and I’m sorry about that but I did not want to miss anything, there are so many little details. I think that change can be for the best sometimes atleast in this book.  I think that Seasons of Riana is a great book and that there needs to be another one because it kind of was a cliff hanger and because it was a good book.  Season's of Raina encouraged me to try new things and not be shy.            

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

sisto8 posted a new student review of The Green Teen Cookbook by Pam McElroy. See the full review.

I like this book because there are many recipes I haven’t tried.  My younger siblings and I tried several of the recipes.  We enjoyed most of the recipes we’ve tried.  There are a few that we probably won’t make again.  I think the author did a very nice job with easy instructions.  There are some cookbooks I’ve read that give instructions that aren’t complete enough to understand without help from someone who knows all of the cookbook slang.  I really enjoyed this book and recommend it to everyone, especially teens.

A new student review of Fish in the Sky by Fridrik Erlings

tbrayton posted a new student review of Fish in the Sky by Fridrik Erlings. See the full review.

“Fish in the Sky” perfectly outlines the struggle that comes with being a young adult.  It encompasses many of the issues teens and preteens deal with today such as insecurity and bullying as well as many of the common domestic problems that plague our society.  The novel explores the transformation of a child into a young adult through themes of burgeoning sexuality and new-found independence.  A perfect book for those attempting to deal with problems that co-align with those in the book as well as for older readers trying to remember what it was like before they had hair on their chest.  A worthwhile read with a never-ending supply of lessons and interpretations from which to learn.

A new student review of Intentions by Deborah Heiligman

mashagoodspeed posted a new student review of Intentions by Deborah Heiligman. See the full review.

This book started out with a great hook. Rachel's world dramatically changes and so there were so many different ways this book could have gone. I feel like this book went downhill after the begining, however, and I started to not like Rachel as much. This book was a nice short read that kept you turning the pages and the ending was cute. It wasn't the best book and I feel like it could have been more elegantly written but overall it was a satisfying read. 

A new student review of SPANKY: A Soldier's Son by Sue LaNeve

sschu5 posted a new student review of SPANKY: A Soldier's Son by Sue LaNeve. See the full review.

I think this is a really good book because it really shows the relationship between a kid and his dad who is in the army. Spanky shows perseverance, which is a very good character trait. It’s hard when you are down about your dad leaving, but taking care of your mom too just makes it worse. It also has a great storyline because there are multiple small climax’s but the best is the big one.

A new student review of Diamonds in the Rough by Michelle Madow

123evae123 posted a new student review of Diamonds in the Rough by Michelle Madow. See the full review.

This book was an easy read, and flowed smoothly. It touched on the struggles of high school girls, adapting to moving to a new town. Some of the details of the story were a bit far-fetched. Madison's hatred for the sisters is a tad extreme, but overall the book was great, and I would definietly read it again.

A new student review of Disconnected by Lisa Cronkhite

lineabean posted a new student review of Disconnected by Lisa Cronkhite. See the full review.

Disconnected by Lisa M. Cronkhite was an okay book. It had a fairly interseting plot, but it was hard to really empathize with all of the characters. Milly was absolutely interesting, and I honestly did not see any of the plot twists coming up. From that perspective, the book was actually pretty good, but parts of the book were predictable. Overall, it wasn't the most horrible book I've ever read, but it certainly wasn't the best. 

A new student review of Disconnected

DerpyHooves_9 posted a new student review of Disconnected . See the full review.

Dissconnected was an overall okay book. It gripped my attention and I really didn't expect any of the plot turns. It was interesting to visualize Milly struggling against her disorder. I really thought the book was interesting. Anyway this book was super interesting and it was good.

A new student review of The Taste of Snow by Stephen V. Masse

jotaf posted a new student review of The Taste of Snow by Stephen V. Masse. See the full review.

The Taste of Snow is a light-hearted adventure with a little magic mixed in.  I really liked the overall story along with the characters as individuals.  I also liked how the author, Stephen V. Masse, brought into the book some actual Austrian elements like Krampus, who is the dark companion of St. Nicholas, and Kiachl (KEYuh-kul), a sort of fried bread.  A part in the book that I really liked was when Nicole‘s dad told a story about snow tasting like peppermint, chocolate, etc. depending on where you were in the world.  If you like characters to overcome their problems, this book is for you.  I think that boys and girls ages eleven through seventeen would most enjoy this book.

A new student review of Nature's Confession by JL Morin

VBat posted a new student review of Nature's Confession by JL Morin. See the full review.

Corporate personhood is a very real threat, as companies continue to gain legal rights once reserved only for individuals. Environmental problems are a concern as well—air pollution in Beijing is so serious that government officials often suggest citizens wear face masks while walking outside. Social justice and environmental issues are very relevant today, and Nature’s Confession does a brilliant job of imagining the possible results of today’s social ills.

The dystopian, science fiction novel is written from multiple perspectives, including those of Boy, his mother, his sister Kenza, and even an alien dog. The variety of viewpoints give the reader a more complete view of the world the characters experience, and are a huge asset to the story. The incorporation of future-lingo, like “transp” fashion and “manipulatedfat” people, allows the characters’ language and conversations to act as a reminder of this setting throughout the book.

I loved the universe Morin described. While the world clearly reflected our own Earth, there was plenty of thought and imagination put into “Enslaved Earth.” Whimsical inventions-- like an alarm clock that uploads embarrassing baby pictures to the Internet if one doesn't get out of bed in time—and the inclusion of space travel and alien life ensured that the story was entertaining.

The book was not only a fast-paced, entertaining read—the themes of thinking for one’s self, valuing individuality, and the corrupting power of money are woven throughout Boy’s story. The readers are called to think critically about their own lives, and their own role in enabling the greed of the human race. The author’s ability to combine intense social commentary with a genuinely enjoyable reading experience is impressive.

The futuristic setting, regulated society and space travel plot of Nature's Confession reminded me a lot of A Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy, and the regulated society was reminiscent of the society in A Brave New World. Fans of science fiction and dystopian novels will love Nature’s Confession, and I would recommend the book to teens and young adults interested in a fun, thought-provoking read. 

A new student review of Remnants of Tomorrow by Kassy Tayler

nictaf posted a new student review of Remnants of Tomorrow by Kassy Tayler. See the full review.

I ordered Remnants of Tomorrow not knowing it was the third book in a series. I wanted to give this two-stars because I was lost in the story. Because it was well-written, though, I am giving it a five-star rating.  Most of the time I did not know what they were talking about. I would recommend reading the first two books in the series first, or you will be lost in this story like I was.

Kassy Tayler, the author, described the characters very well.  For example, Wren has pale skin and shiny eyes because she was born underground.  This is a decent book and very well described in all areas.  It’s a one-of-a-kind experience, a unique read.  I think this book would be appropriate for ages 11 and up if mystery, romance, and adventure are what you like to read.

A new student review of The Fog of Forgetting by Genevieve Morgan

jotaf posted a new student review of The Fog of Forgetting by Genevieve Morgan. See the full review.

The Fog of Forgetting is a thrilling book with lots of twists and turns.  I really liked how detailed the author, G. A. Morgan, got with the story and the characters.  For example, she gave Teddy a lisp and she gave Chase asthma.  It was a very well-written book.  A part in the book that I really liked was when the kids saw Rysta change into a fish.  My favorite character was Chase because he was always trying to get out of some scrape or another.  I would recommend this book to those who like adventure and are ready to read a book for hours on end.  This is a trilogy, so anyone who doesn’t like to be left hanging may want to wait until the final two books come out to read this one. 

A new student review of Disconnected by Lisa Cronkhite

afarrell posted a new student review of Disconnected by Lisa Cronkhite. See the full review.

I thought this book was very different from most of the books I've read. I very much enjoyed reading this story because you don't know what has happened to her family and you are just as much in the dark as Milly. As Milly grows, you grow. The fact that Milly's worst enemy is literally herslf, makes this book more interesting. You don't see many books where the character has DID (dissociative identity disorder), and it gives you an insight onto what people who have DID go through.

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

cowboys1 posted a new student review of Flora & Ulysses: The Illuminated Adventures by Kate DiCamillo. See the full review.

This book had lots of pictures like a comic strip or graphic novel.  This is great for readers who are around 3-5 grade, especially those that don't like to read regular books.

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

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

I loved how sweet and genuine their romance was and how it developed over time without much of the love-at-first-sight concept. The characters were mostly wonderful: Gemma really changed as a person and time-traveler from the start to the end of the book (as did her sister); on the other hand, Harrison was less than perfect - a hopeless romantic all throughout the story. I also really enjoyed the twists and turns Melissa Pearl weaves into her novel. I was constantly interested and didn't feel like she dragged it out for too long. Also, since I usually don't enjoy books that switch POVs, I was a little skeptical after I got to the first switch. But I didn't have to worry for long because the writing smoothed it out and allowed an even better experience for the reader. My main critique would be that it became more and more predictable as I kept reading, and while this didn't lessen my interest in the novel as a whole, I did skim certain parts. 

A new student review of The Forever Song by Julie Kagawa

iamabooklion posted a new student review of The Forever Song by Julie Kagawa. See the full review.

Right after the second book, I was worried that this series was going to end badly, but it wasn't the case for this book. Julie Kagawa exceeded my expectations on this book. I was so awed at how she wraped up this series. I was on the edge of my seat while reading the Forever Song - that's how good it was. I experienced tons of emotions while reading this story. I was anxious, nervous, happy, and sad! Allie started out to be a weak character but throughout the series she became a strong and powerful character who can do anything and I loved her for that. Although I love this book, I would change one thing about it. I would make it longer than it is because there are mysteries that haven't been solved yet and I want to get more information about what happens after the story ends.

A new student review of The Blackhope Enigma by Teresa Flavin

Ravette posted a new student review of The Blackhope Enigma by Teresa Flavin. See the full review.

My only regret was not picking up this book sooner. It was enthralling. I absolutely loved all the new and exciting ideas surrounding the mysterious painting. Even more, I loved the concept of using sorcery to paint a real, tangible world in an inner layer beneath the painting - and a paradise at that! It contained all sorts of oddities, mythological creatures and alchemic ideas. It was entirely vivid in detail, the settings were all beautifully described. The character development was quite interesting, and fit very well with the story; it flowed smoothly and tied back to the story splendidly. Personally, I loved Sunni and Blaise. I felt a closer connection to them because of their endless curiousity and interest in art. I also had an admiration for Marin, who was an apprentice to the famous painter centuries before. He had a painful past which made me feel empathy for him. This story as a whole affected me on an emotional level, it made me feel like the characters were, in a sense, real. 

A new student review of The Fog of Forgetting by Genevieve Morgan

MezokaCapturer65 posted a new student review of The Fog of Forgetting by Genevieve Morgan. See the full review.

Although not very challenging contextually, this book was fun and light hearted, but still found good moments of seriousness that kept it from being just a simple book through and through.  This book is very focused on the power of nature and the power of the circle of life with the element of daylights.  I think that the element of daylights added a lot to the story, showing how the children are all similar in some ways, like in their intellect and their emotions, and also how they are different. The concept of magic was well handled in this book, with it being distributed among a few individuals rather than being given out or all over the place, which could make a story like this less believable, within context.  One thing that I thought could use some work was the way that the narrator transitions between the thoughts of each character, sometimes several times per chapter.  It seems somewhat disorganized and can make it difficult in some places to remember which character thinks what because of all the back and forth.  Another thing is that events seem to come and go very quickly in this book.  In some places it adds to the urgency of the situations and makes the story fast paced, but in others it seems like more details should have been added.  An example would be a few of the times that the children are traveling alone, and a few days pass by within a page or less.  It just seems like there should be more to them, since traveling is such a prevalent theme in the story overall.  This book definitely made me feel a few years younger and was good at making me recall my feelings and experiences back in that time. I would recommend this to young adults with a taste for stories involving magic and mystery, and to anyone who wants to feel young again.  

A new student review of Long Lankin by Lindsey Barraclough

kanati posted a new student review of Long Lankin by Lindsey Barraclough. See the full review.

Lindsay Barraclough's new book Long Lankin is a thriller novel that keeps you fully engaged for hours at a time. Long Lankin sports a haunting backdrop that only enhances the chilling plot and characters who to leap off the page as you read. The story is written in a darker tone but this very much enhances the plot and helps to keep the reader on the the of their seat until the very last pages. This is also one of the few books I have read in which the author was able to make their book work while constantly change the point of view you read from.  Overall this was a very good book and am excited to see that there already a second book to following this one up and can't wait to see how this story will continue. I greatly recommend this bok to any teenager or young adult looking for an exciting read or even  just a good ghost story.

A new student review of Cameo by Tanille Edwards

123evae123 posted a new student review of Cameo by Tanille Edwards. See the full review.

 This book was one of the most difficult reads of my life. While the cover looks like a book meant for pre-teens or teenagers the perspective of the book changed so many times it was difficult to tell who was talking. Characters would be introduced and then forgotten about until 3 chapters later, and more detail to help me picture the setting of the story would be helpful. Overall, the plot of this book was not bad, it just requires more specificity and details.

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

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

If You Find Me is a heartbreaking page-turner that will have you sitting on the edge of your seat the entire book. You will find yourself crying when Carey cries and laughing when she laughs. Murdoch is an amazing author thats makes you understand the struggle foster children go through as they move from a bad home to a kind loving one. Carey will inspire you and rip you to pieces all at once with her attitude and certain love for her sister. This is a great book for ages 13+.

A new student review of Made For You by Melissa Marr

swalia posted a new student review of Made For You by Melissa Marr. See the full review.

I rated Made for You by Melissa Marr a three out of five because this book was very interesting and fast-paced. I finished this book in two days and was immediately pulled into the mystery of this book. The plot twist at the end was very surprising. During most of the book, I thought I knew who the killer was, but I was very surprised when the actual killer was revealed. I think that the actual killer could have been developed better during Eva’s narration, because he was not mentioned very often. This book is told from Eva’s, Judge’s, and Grace’s point of view. Personally, I liked the different point of views, because each person had different personalities and told the story very differently. I felt that the romance in this book, outshined the paranormal ability of premonitions. Her ability to foresee deaths was hidden behind her love for Nate. If this book was less of a romance and focused more on the magical abilities and mystery of the book I would have rated it a four. I would recommend this book to girl age 14 and older, who like romance and murder mysteries.

A new student review of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang: The Magical Car by Ian Fleming

AKFeldman posted a new student review of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang: The Magical Car by Ian Fleming. See the full review.

I loved this book. I remember watching the movie as a child, and when I saw this book available to review I jumped at the chance to read it. With lucid prose and engaging tales that will enrapture people of all ages, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang is a must-read for all. 

A new student review of Macadoo of the Maury River by Gigi Amateau

moseso posted a new student review of Macadoo of the Maury River by Gigi Amateau. See the full review.

Macadoo of the Maury River is a fascinating book that will keep readers on the edge of their seat until the end. The only critical observation about the book is the slower middle section in which the book loses excitement. Recovery is made, however, because the ending speeds into a dramatic conclusion. The book is told from Macadoo’s point of view, which makes the story entertaining to read. The age limit for the book should be for nine to twelve year olds. Macadoo of the Maury River is a thrilling book that horse lovers everywhere will adore!         

A new student review of Acid

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

This book is one of the best I've read for a while.  With non-stop action and suspense, it had me on edge the entire time I read it.  Jenna Strong is a very likeable, kick-butt character.  Her willingness to fend for herself and take down anyone who got in her way appealed to me.  The lead male character, Max, wasn't the most likeable when the book started.  However, as the book progressed, I began to like him more.  The way he didn't look at Jenna as weak but still cared for her was likeable.

The book cover was also beautifully done.  The effects in the background had amazing quality, and the model on the front matched the description of Jenna brilliantly.

In many books, the description is so long that you begin to lose interest, but this was not the case in ACID.  The author didn't use too much or too little description, just enough so that the reader knew what was going on.

Overall, this book was amazing and I highly suggest it to young adults ages 16+.

A new student review of Winter Falls (Twin Willows Trilogy) by Nicole Maggi

blytheedwards posted a new student review of Winter Falls (Twin Willows Trilogy) by Nicole Maggi. See the full review.

I enjoyed Winter Falls. It kept its thrilling feeling throughout the book. It kept you on the edge, always wondering why or how. It left me wanting more free time to read the book.

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

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

Out of 5, I would give this book an 4. The book is sort of slow at the beginning, but it is okay because it has so many details that need to be explained to understand the rest of the book. It also was a tad confusing for me at times, but it was cleared up in the next chapter. One of my favorite things was that you always knew what Alec was thinking, and it was like his emotions were your emotions while reading this book.

Overall, the book was action-packed, thrilling, and it always kept me turning the page even when I didn't know it.

A new student review of Sliding Beneath the Surface:St. Augustine Trilogy,Book I by Doug Dillon

NathanPechacek10 posted a new student review of Sliding Beneath the Surface:St. Augustine Trilogy,Book I by Doug Dillon. See the full review.

Sliding Beneath The Surface was an excellent book. It had everything in it! History, a little humor, and just the right amount of eeriness. The characters seemed so real. You kind of feel like you know them. I was a little confused in the beginning, but after finishing the first part, I couldn’t put the book down. This is the first book in a trilogy, and I can’t wait to read the next book. I would strongly recommend this book for boys ages 12-16. If you are looking for a good book that’s a little scary, and also a page turner, this is the book for you.

A new student review of The Fire Wish by Amber Lough

alison_S posted a new student review of The Fire Wish by Amber Lough. See the full review.

At first glance, The Fire Wish struck me as little more than the conventional tale of two comically different characters swapping lives. Luckily for me, however, I couldn't have been more wrong; though Zayele and Najwa's trading places unleashes the bulk of our protagonists' problems, Lough's thoughtful, imaginative backstory intensifies this deceivingly simple plot. Though, by alternating between Zayele and Najwa's viewpoints, Lough evokes sympathy for two characters on opposite sides of a decade-long war, she also bogs down the novel's initial chapters. That being said, the book's slow start allowed time for richly developed characters and a vibrant setting. In creating the Jinn's world, Lough blends fantasy and Middle-Eastern culture with finesse. The Fire Wish ends perfectly, treating readers to a conclusion as inevitable as it is unpredictable, though the novel's decidedly optimistic endnote, in some readers' minds, at least, may compromise its authenticity.