A new student review of The Trap by Andrew Fukuda

MezokaCapturer65 posted a new student review of The Trap by Andrew Fukuda. See the full review.

 

This book, like its forerunners, was intense.  For readers who like action and plots that are not fully realized until the end of the story, this series is a good one to pick up.  The majority of this book is action scenes that require the characters to do some quick thinking.  The continuity is kept up nicely and is patched up in some places where I had questions left over from the previous books.  The ending was the kind that I enjoy the most, one which makes the reader reconsider the whole series and rethink everything that was stated about the world.  The ending reveals that the roles of the two primary species of the series, the duskers and the humans, are, in fact, completely reversed from what the characters and the audience believed.  It also reveals the time period in which the story takes place.  I recommend this book to those who enjoyed the previous installments in the series, as well as anyone who enjoys action-packed and suspenseful series.  The only thing which I think could have been explained better was the taking of dusker technology by the future human inhabitants of the world.  The end of the book makes it sound as if Gene and Sissy can recreate what they saw in the metropolis and palace, but we are never given any evidence that they have this capability.  We are also not given an explanation for why it took so long for the human race to develop these technologies, long after Gene and Sissy would be dead.  I would also have liked a more definite end to the story arc of Gene’s father.  It is hinted at the end that he committed suicide after learning about the secret of what he had discovered about his species, but we are never given anything factual.  However, these issues with the story’s credibility did not impede my enjoyment of the book.  The intensity of everything happening and the ability of the writer to make me care about these characters made it very enjoyable.

A new student review of The Mourning Emporium by michelle Lovric

jotaf posted a new student review of The Mourning Emporium by michelle Lovric. See the full review.

I thought The Mourning Emporium was a good book filled with adventure and magic.  The characters were well-developed and almost seemed like they could be real.  One thing I liked about this book was that it started with a quick half-page summary of book one. For those who hadn't read it, it also explained other parts from book one when needed during book two.  A part I liked in the book was when, after the ice flood, Lorenzo knew that he wouldn’t be able to get flowers for his mother’s funeral.  Instead, he carved and painted wooden violets to use.  The author, Michelle Lovric, kept the action going throughout the book, and I didn‘t want to put it down.  I would recommend The Mourning Emporium to ages eleven through sixteen.

A new student review of Trailing Tennessee by Cory Wheeler Mimms

muffin posted a new student review of Trailing Tennessee by Cory Wheeler Mimms. See the full review.

While reading this book I learned a great deal about the Appalachian mountains.  The hiking is difficult and dangerous.  Mother nature tries to stop Eli with lightning, rain, landslides and more.  The book moves at a fast pace with many action scenes that leave you anxious to find out if he makes it out alive.  Mimms does a good job creating a connection between Eli's character and the reader.  Eli’s determination to live up to the Sutton legacy is admirable.  You can’t help but root for him to complete his quest.         

 

A new student review of River of Peril by Susan K. Marlow

moseso posted a new student review of River of Peril by Susan K. Marlow. See the full review.

River of Peril is attention grabbing and it’s hard to put the book down! The author does an excellent job of describing events. She makes if feel as if you were in the book, living the adventure for yourself. Jem and Ellie are the main characters. Jem is Ellie’s older brother. It is easy to imagine them as real characters because of the vivid pictures the author creates. This book would be most enjoyed by nine to twelve year olds. Even though it is a historical book, it does not yield much information about the time period it is set in. However, the plot is simple to understand and makes it a page turner. River of Peril is one book you should read! 

A new student review of The Lucky Ones: A Bright Young Things Novel by Anna Godbersen

123evae123 posted a new student review of The Lucky Ones: A Bright Young Things Novel by Anna Godbersen. See the full review.

This book was so good. With a great undercurrent of danger and suspense and romance this book was a perfect historical fiction novel in my opinion. Using two small town girls from Ohio as some of the main characters was such a glorious way to write this fairytale of a story. These girls traveled to New York, and gained fame and fortune, but not without hardships and downfalls. The author uses the glitz and glamour of New York in the 1920's to create a story full of intrigue and mystery. These girls are a romantisized version of a fantasy that has been written time and time again, with something that sets them apart from the rest of the books about the 20's. The way that you were drawn into their lives and their stories made me never want to put this book down, I wanted it to never end, and that's why I think it deserves a five star rating, because even though I was disappointed it ended, I could not have been happier with the way it ended, or the way it began, or everything in between.

A new student review of Break Out

AnimeLover posted a new student review of Break Out . See the full review.

 This book is for people who are new to romance novels. If you want a book with more romance than action this book is for you.

A new student review of The Beast of Seabourne by Rhys A. Jones

nictaf posted a new student review of The Beast of Seabourne by Rhys A. Jones. See the full review.

The Beast of Seabourne was an amazing read, just as exciting as the first book.  One of the reasons this was such an amazing read was because the author’s descriptions were so clear.  For example, the author, Rhys A. Jones, wrote “Oz felt his scalp contract at remembering when he’d last been in this room...”  The characters felt both well written and believable, and the characters were realistic.  I would recommend reading book one first, but unlike some stories, if you haven’t read book one, you would have a smaller chance of being lost.  This book is for all ages, so enjoy the story.

A new student review of The Obsidian Pebble by Rhys A. Jones

nictaf posted a new student review of The Obsidian Pebble by Rhys A. Jones. See the full review.

Rhys A. Jones did a wonderful job on The Obsidian Pebble.  The book was well written and very believable.  The characters were realistic.  For example, Oz hates math, but would rather do double math for a year than move from his house. The author is British, so a small word list was included for translations, for words like 'hoovering', and 'chemist shop'.  This story uses an 11 year old perspective, which made me feel like I was a part of the story.   This book was so good that I am highly anticipating book two.  It was an unforgettable experience.  I would recommend this book for kids who love mysteries and humor.  
 

A new student review of Life, Love, and Surviving High School by Ann Herrick

Alyssakb99 posted a new student review of Life, Love, and Surviving High School by Ann Herrick. See the full review.

I think this book is good. It has grammatical errors, and I was confused on some parts through the story. I feel that the author needed to plan it out a little better so the reader is not so confused. But overall, it's a good book that can be relatable to high school girls.

A new student review of Cheesie Mack Is Sort Of Freaked Out by Steve Cotler

LegoLover posted a new student review of Cheesie Mack Is Sort Of Freaked Out by Steve Cotler. See the full review.

In Cheesie Mack is Sort of Freaked Out, Cheesie is getting ready for Halloween, and a massive Halloween prank called Plan It, you can find out what it’s going to be about.  With a friend of Cheesie’s brags about the candy he thinks he’ll collect.  His bragging soon leads to an all-out Candy Collecting Contest, with several tricks and tons of treats.  One of them is that a giant reptile, possibly the missing Galapagos Turtle of the science teacher, is roaming the streets.  This book is easily one of Cheesie’s best and is filled with his silly twists on reality!

A new student review of Eyes Wide Open: Going Behind Environmental Headlines

VBat posted a new student review of Eyes Wide Open: Going Behind Environmental Headlines . See the full review.

I wanted to like this book— environmental problems are relevant to many modern social discussions, and I think Fleischman’s insights into our social systems are spot on. Unfortunately, the good information and ideas provided by Eyes Wide Open are hard to follow and understand, due to the unconventional organization of the book. Rather than grouping the information into the type of environmental problem, say, “fracking” and “GMO’s,” Fleischman addresses multiple issues in each chapter, some in three sentence paragraphs. These blurbs do not provide enough explanation of the topic or statistical evidence to be valuable to the reader. He does not elaborate on each topic enough to connect the situation to his main point, which leaves the reader to either figure out the connection themselves, or simply give up reading. 

 

If you can get through the confusing organization, the book does make some good points. The most helpful section of the book is tucked away in the back, almost in the glossary— a section on “How to Weigh Information.” This chapter looks at different sources of information, like documentaries and newspapers, and gives pointers on how to find quality information amongst all of the bad information. This section is more detailed than the rest of the book, and is very applicable to real-world situations.

 

Overall, Eyes Wide Open made for a very unsatisfying reading experience. There are limited facts and explanations for any of the problems or solutions that Fleischman covers in his book, and he fails to present the information in a clear, motivating way. There are a lot of great environmental examples that are briefly brought up within the text, but, without context and a clear direction, it is difficult for the reader to see the overall message of Eyes Wide Open.

 

I would not recommend this book to most readers. Instead, I would suggest reading something like the Sustainable World Sourcebook, compiled by Sustainable World Coalition. Like Eyes Wide Open, this text urges readers to “examine unquestioned assumptions,” but also provides context, statistics, and specific calls to action for the reader. Written with a similar reader-focused style and including fascinating color photographs, the sourcebook is a great alternative to Eyes Wide Open.

A new student review of The Rise of Renegade X by Chelsea M. Campbell

joythean posted a new student review of The Rise of Renegade X by Chelsea M. Campbell. See the full review.

I really liked how the romance was subtle but at the same time, an important deciding factor in the story. The relationship that Damien and his ex-girlfriend Kat has is awkward in the beginning but the smooth writing develops it into something really sweet. The characters' personalities are interesting and funny to read, especially Damien's. I love him because he is sarcastic, a smooth talker, and full of humor. All of these qualities are expertly described in Chelsea M. Campbell's writing, which really adds to the reading experience. It's also really amazing how unpredictable the characters and plot line are; I wasn't bored a single time throughout the novel. My only complaint would be that it was a little too cheesy in some areas the story.

A new student review of The Terrible Two by Mac Barnett Jory John

sisto8 posted a new student review of The Terrible Two by Mac Barnett Jory John. See the full review.

I think that this book was pretty good.  I liked the characters and the setting because they were realistic as well as an important part of the book.  Some books I’ve read seemed to me that the authors randomly chose where the story takes place.  The illustrations went well with the parts of the story being told.   The book was funny because it had lots of unexpected twists and turns.  I recommend this book for kids who are 8-13.

A new student review of The Bodies We Wear by Jeyn Roberts

thudson36 posted a new student review of The Bodies We Wear by Jeyn Roberts. See the full review.

I thought The Bodies We Wear was an overall great book. The plot was well thought out and executed.  The world Faye lives in was explained in a way that was easy to understand, and you can’t help but be pulled in to it. Faye’s character greatly developed throughout the story and as you read, you see the way she learns and matures. I loved the relationship between Faye and Christian and didn’t think it was unrealistic, like some couples in novels. I also felt this novel nicely touched on subjects in today’s society, like drugs and substance abuse. I would not recommend this novel to anyone who dislikes dystopian or action novels. Overall, I thought this was a excellent novel and would recommend it to others.

A new student review of The Goddess Inheritance by Aimée Carter

pavannah posted a new student review of The Goddess Inheritance by Aimée Carter. See the full review.

When I first picked up this book I was afraid it was going to be another Percy Jackson series, but I was gladly mistaken, because this was an entirely new and refreshing take on mythology and the Gods and Goddesses that ring throughout Greek mythology.  Although it needed more character development, and the story dragged a bit, it was still a page turner that kept me up all night!  I would recommend this book for anyone looking for an easy and quick read to fill some time.

A new student review of Reborn by C. C. Hunter

Soul2580 posted a new student review of Reborn by C. C. Hunter. See the full review.

It's a good book if you like the types of paranormal characters like vampires, shapeshifters, mediums, and other things. It has a bit of mystery in it, and some suspense and a little romance. I liked reading the book because it had the different types of the paranormal species, and I could learn more about them and the abilities they had.

A new student review of The Terminals

jotaf posted a new student review of The Terminals . See the full review.

In his young adult thriller, The Terminals, Royce Buckingham has written an exciting smash hit. This is the first book in his new series.  I really thought that The Terminals was an amazingly written book.  It included a whole bunch of the things I enjoy in a book, like action and mystery, but in a more appealing way.  One of the unique parts that I really liked was when Cam’s friend, Mason, left Cam a secret message using the game Stratego.  The one thing I didn’t like about the book was that the ending was a little confusing. It was hard to know exactly who, if any, of his friends died at the end.  I would recommend this book to anyone over age 13 who likes books with action, mystery, and suspense.

A new student review of The Long Haul: Diary of a Wimpy Kid

Lucy posted a new student review of The Long Haul: Diary of a Wimpy Kid . See the full review.

Diary of a Wimpy Kid, The Long Haul is a great book. It was really funny and involved different events that don’t usually happen on a family road trip. Some more humorous events included getting locked outside of the car, a boat that wasn’t even used in the water, cinnamon rolls exploding and a whole lot more that will keep you reading.

A new student review of Paper Things

ALex1x1 posted a new student review of Paper Things . See the full review.

Paper Things was a very heart felt book. There was not much I didn't like about it. From the writing style to the story itself, it was enjoyable. The characters are built up to show how they have grown and others are able to empathize with some of the characters. But it's not just the characters, the story shows how struggling it is to be homeless and how they are treated by the people around them.

 

One thing I didn't like about it was how I couldn't identify with the school since I've never been to a school where one needed to have a leadership role.

 

I would defiantly recommend this story to others for how it gives insight to the hardships of being homeless.

A new student review of Lark Rising by Sandra Waugh

Anjel posted a new student review of Lark Rising by Sandra Waugh. See the full review.

I loved this book! It has definitely earned a place on my favorites shelf. As I read this book, it made me feel the characters and see through their eyes. One of my favorite parts is when Lark takes the orb and feels it shimmer and shine with radiance because her heart is pure. When Lark misinterprets that Gharian, her supporter, was to be with Evie, her cousin, I felt sad right along with her. I did not like all the pain and suffering. I can't wait to find out what happens next. The next book is about Evie and I hope it is as good as Lark Rising. I recommend this book to 13+ who enjoy fantasy, and especially for fans of Brandon Mull's "Fablehaven."

A new student review of It's NOT Just A Dog! by Pam Torres

blackbeauty posted a new student review of It's NOT Just A Dog! by Pam Torres. See the full review.

This book was very interesting. It was a little slow getting to the point, but other than that I thought it was great. I liked it better when the adventure began. It was exciting and dangerous all at the same time.  Madison was both determined and courageous.  She decided to find her dog even though there was danger involved.  She was also caring.  When she got hurt, she only thought of her dog and getting her back.  I thought it was such a good book, that now I want to get the entire series.

A new student review of The Crazy Things Girls Do For Love by Dyan Sheldon

Peace8747 posted a new student review of The Crazy Things Girls Do For Love by Dyan Sheldon. See the full review.

I thought this book was very good. It was a very appropiate book for middle schoolers. I loved how it made you want to keep reading. Suspense was created very nicely by the author.  This book has very few inappropiate parts. I would reccomend this book to people in grades 7-9. I also loved how there was a lot of describing words and details in it.  

A new student review of Thrall: A Daughters Of Lilith Novel (Vol 1) by Jennifer Quintenz

erintaylor215 posted a new student review of Thrall: A Daughters Of Lilith Novel (Vol 1) by Jennifer Quintenz. See the full review.

My opinion the book Thrall is that this is a great story. It has all the perfect ingredients for a great story. It has action and romance.  The author included drama that also happens in some teenage girls lives, which gave it a hint of real life scenario. She had a great pair of friends to help her with her problems. Overall, this story had an great plot.

A new student review of Lord Savage

123evae123 posted a new student review of Lord Savage . See the full review.

I have never liked Romance novels. Period. And I chose this book believeing it was historical fiction, although the title should have clued me in right away. While it was historical, it was way more romance than I was expecting. To me, all romance novels are the same, with the heroine of the story claiming she is free and independent, only to be enamoured by a man that has uncharacteristically good looks and manages to say the right thing. That was the basis of this entire book, and it was quite difficult to read. Maybe if I liked Romance novels better, my opinion of the book would be higher, but suffice to say, if you are looking for a different, refreshing romance novel, this is not it. 

A new student review of Secrets in Stone by Cecilia Johnson

mail4chase@yahoo.com posted a new student review of Secrets in Stone by Cecilia Johnson. See the full review.

I did not enjoy Secrets in Stone. I feel as though the characters were not explained well. In addition to weak characters, Lily's abilities and powers were never fully explained to me, nor was I told how she gained these powers. I want to know more hows and whys. Also, the evil attacking her dimension was never described, and it didn't seem very pertinent throughout most of the beginning of the book. As I read the book, I was never captured by any of the events and I had to force myself to read. It would help if Cecilia Johnson gave more depth and color to the story, color meaning points of interest. The idea is good, but the execution was lacking.

 

 

A new student review of Savage Cinderella by Paula Sharon

joythean posted a new student review of Savage Cinderella by Paula Sharon. See the full review.

I think the love between Brinn and Justin was really sweet, innocent, and genuine in the way it developed throughout the novel. The action scenes were on point and had me jumping on the edge of my chair in excitement. However, the beginning of the novel had me confused and dispirited, for the author just threw me right into some major scenes without enough prior knowledge. I believe the author should've developed the setting and characters more at the start so that the reader could get a better feel and understanding of the whole story.

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

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

By presenting Ann’s story as a graphic novel, Crane and Decker reinvent the familiar topic of the Salem Witch Trials. Though this creative format imbues a dreary subject with much-needed accessibility, a conventional novel may have better conveyed Ann’s psychological anguish; because graphic novels rely almost entirely on illustrations and speech bubbles, Ann’s internal struggle— the book’s supposed focus— never emerged as the central plot point. While Lies in the Dust does capture Ann’s experience of the trials with impressive richness and depth, the book lacks a well-defined plot arc. Decker’s artwork, however, brilliantly echo's the book’s themes: the character’s pupiless eyes reflect Salem’s blindness to the trials’ dubious morality, while the homogenous nature of the town's residents symbolizes the mass hysteria and mob mentality that blinded so many to the witch trials’ horrors. Though Lies in the Dust lacks a centralized story arc, the book’s eloquent dialogue and stark illustrations immerse readers in the Salem Witch Trials, and this graphic novel invigorates an infamous topic with an intriguing new perspective.