A new student review of Chasing Light by Angela Jooste

JesusFreak posted a new student review of Chasing Light by Angela Jooste. See the full review.

                When I began reading this book, I was unsure if I was going to like it. However, as I continued to read it, I found the author’s style of writing to be beautiful. Alternating point of views is hard to write, but she did so wonderfully. Another thing I loved about this book was the amazing cover art. While subtle, it got me interested enough in the book without giving anything away.

                The one complaint I have about this book is that it was hard to remember all the characters, and I easily got their names confused.  About halfway through, I finally got them down; it just took a bit of time.

                Overall, this is a moving book written for older teens that will not disappoint.

A new student review of Taking Flight

Nickyjean posted a new student review of Taking Flight . See the full review.

I loved reading this book, written by Michaela and her adopted mother. It was very interesting to read about Michaela’s life in her own words.  It was written with lots of details, and was very interesting. I especially liked reading about the hardships Michaela had in Africa as a young child.  It made me feel grateful for the life I have!  But even with a hard childhood, she was able to blossom in America into a beautiful ballerina.  She didn’t make excuses about her life, she just became better.

I highly recommend that you read this book!

 

 

A new student review of Suspicion

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

I was a little dissapointed with this book. The story and the plot were rushed, and we barely ever get to see Imogene's character devenlopment as far as her powers go. Plus she crushes on her dead cousins boyfriend, and expects him to like her back (which *spoiler alert* of course he does because who doesn't love the female protagonist). The book was too fast paced, should have been longer and had more plot and character development, and my biggest pet peeve of this book was everyone was okay with Imogene going to England by herself at 17 years old. Her foster parents were against it at first but after promising to skype everyday (which they didn't do) the were super okay with Imogene going back to the place where her entire family had died violently. All in all, two stars was all this book deserved (it got an extra star for having a very very beautiful cover)

 

A new student review of Halfway Home: Drawing My Way Through Japan by Christine Mari Inzer

milesstriker posted a new student review of Halfway Home: Drawing My Way Through Japan by Christine Mari Inzer. See the full review.

This is a wonderful book and I recommend it to all frequent readers.

A new student review of Hetty and the Yeti by Jules Burnett

Sweetfable posted a new student review of Hetty and the Yeti by Jules Burnett. See the full review.

The best part of the book for me was how everything was presented. I liked how certain words were bolded or in italics to emphasize them. To add to the experience of reading, there are many illustrations that show how the characters look, which is really helpful. At the beginning of each chapter is an old Tibetan saying, which was also a nice touch. The overall style of the book was very interesting, and I definitely enjoy reading books like this.

As for the story itself, it was funny at certain points, but never really got too deep into the story, and even when things got tense it never became too scary. The length of the book is really nice for younger readers, who may still want some illustrations to help give context to descriptions given. One critique of mine is that some parts of the story were pretty predictable. But overall the book was a very nice read.

A new student review of Seraphina

jotaf posted a new student review of Seraphina . See the full review.

I think Seraphina is a great book that is worthy of its many awards and praise.  I especially liked that the author, Rachel Hartman, made the characters, and even the world they live in, seem believable.  Something else I loved about the book was, because there was a gap between the prologue and the rest of the story, Rachel added an excerpt at the end that kind of filled in the gap.  Pretty much the only thing wrong for me was that it got off to a slightly confusing start, but after not even ten pages it picked up considerably.  I am eagerly awaiting the day I read book two of this series.  I would recommend this book to anyone who likes mystery, action, and suspense, yet can still take some bad words and a little bit of death.  If you like The Inheritance Series, I really think that this book is also for you.

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

Champion721 posted a new student review of Alfred C. Bogeyman by M. Allman. See the full review.

It is always good to see a character that is willing to take risks to protect others, so I enjoyed reading this short story for how it portrays its characters. Their plan to catch the person who is scaring Sam is a bit silly, and at times not realistic. But I do enjoy seeing the effort they put into reaching their goal. There was some suspense, which was also a good thing. The ending was interesting, so I was satisfied when I finished the short story.

A new student review of The Bunker Diary

crabby posted a new student review of The Bunker Diary . See the full review.

Linus’ narrative makes for a gripping page-turner from the very start. The effectively crafted atmosphere of suspense is maintained throughout the novel, fearful tension saturating every page as Linus struggles to hold onto his sanity, even when his hopes are repeatedly crushed. The Lord of the Flies-esque scenario that develops within the bunker is a clever examination of the human condition, seen through the eyes of an endearing but troubled teenage boy with an authentic voice. Although, while the bunker is merely an intriguing backdrop for a primarily character-driven story, I still found myself disappointed with the lack of resolution in the plot, which was, until the end, building toward a promising climax— a climax that never really happened. The outcome of the story is implied, but the puzzle built throughout the novel is never actually solved. What was a tantalizing mystery was left disappointingly murky, the identity and motives of Linus’ kidnapper remaining unknown. Perhaps this ambiguity was a part of the message that happy endings are unrealistic, but all the loose ends could have been wrapped up much more soundly while still retaining the same impact. Buckle up for a harrowing, fascinating journey— but don’t hold your breath for an exciting conclusion.

 

 

A new student review of Like Water on Stone

Star360 posted a new student review of Like Water on Stone . See the full review.

With the publishing market full of heroic World War I novels that center on England or America, I was very glad to read such a wonderful novel that told the story of the Armenians’ plight. Equally horrible to genocides like the Holocaust, it is a time period in history that deserves more exposure. Dana Walrath’s Like Water on Stone uses four perspectives to give readers a rounded view. That may seem complicated to keep up with, but each distinct voice builds upon the other to create an intricate tapestry. Shahen, Sosi, Mariam, and the eagle, Ardziv, combine vivid threads of youth, maturity, and innocence. The author’s lyrical verse is at once raw and enchanting. It expresses action, dialogue, and thoughts. While free-form, it follows a distinct pattern that binds the story together. Readers not accustomed to reading novels in verse should not give up, as it gets easier to read after a few pages. Symbolism and figurative language are used with a practiced hand, so it is not flowery or overdramatic. There is a mild fantasy element as the eagle follows the children and protects them. I found it intriguing to have a “bird’s eye view” perspective of the complex situation. Like Water on Stone provides a deeply memorable tale of family and freedom best for readers ages thirteen and up.

A new student review of The Shadow Lantern by Teresa Flavin

Ravette posted a new student review of The Shadow Lantern by Teresa Flavin. See the full review.

The amount of detail in this novel was truly astounding. I struggle to find the appropriate words to describe how the Shadowlands from the painted slides and Arcadia from The Marineer's Return to Arcadia actually combined into one "thing." More or less, it was like trying to make sense out of Wonderland. Despite that, I loved the way the story played out. Even more so, I enjoyed Marin and Angus's reappearances; which were unexpected, but pleasing all the same. An even more shocking detail was the reappearance of Lady Ishbel, who had died in the second novel after leaving the labyrinth. She had "reappeared" as a spirit that haunted Sunni for a short time before returning inside the painting. As an added bonus, there was even a little romance between Sunni and Blaise; which I thought was, for lack of a better word, adorable. All in all, I enjoyed this novel to the fullest and I highly recommend the series to anyone interested in art, magic, and adventure.

A new student review of Orion Poe and the Lost Explorer by William Summerhouse

cbill6 posted a new student review of Orion Poe and the Lost Explorer by William Summerhouse. See the full review.

 When I started this book I found it very slow and lacking action in the beginning then towards the middle I started getting sucked in and found it fast and interesting, with the outcome a total surprise. This action-packed novel is amazing when it comes to the wild exploration of epic proportions and bear/wolf things (yes they’re called bearwolves). Oh and for the answer to the question on the back cover in the publishers summary: Flimps are Flimps. Yes I believe this book is interesting, and amazing but the cover ( Don’t judge it BY  the cover) portrays Orion as a 15 year old boy who is strikingly similar looking to yes, Justin Bieber. I suggest this book to anyone who is adjusted to reading violent books, with an age limit of 12 and up.

A new student review of Autumn Falls

Peace8747 posted a new student review of Autumn Falls . See the full review.

I thought it was a very good book! I loved how it kept me reading. The reason why I kept reading was that I wanted to find out what would happen with Reenzie and Autumn. I also could relate to some of the things that happened in the book. That is always a good atribute of a book! 

A new student review of Now That You're Here

alison_S posted a new student review of Now That You're Here . See the full review.

Let's get something straight: I don't like science. Science fiction? Yes. But science class? That's a different story. Yet throughout Now That You're Here, Nichols expertly blends science fiction with, well, actual science, and I (shockingly) found myself enjoying both. Though these gems of quintessential geekiness— think quantum theory, vintage sci-fi, and classic Star Trek— imbue the novel with a (charming) nerdiness, Now That You're Here centers on relationships, more than on research or academia. The romance between Danny and Eevee, for example, motivates most of the characters' decisions, and this unexpected-yet-unforgettable courtship enhances the novel's otherwise predictable premise with a much-needed emotional subplot. But while the Danny-Eevee romance is sure to enchant any teenage girl, Danny's almost-immediate fascination with Eevee does, at times, seem calculated for swoony-ness rather than realism. Then again, I suppose the whole from-a-different-universe thing would excite my interest too.

But Now That You're Here transcends your run-of-the-mill romance novel; while I couldn't help but enjoy Danny and Eevee's storybook romance, Eevee's ever-changing relationship with herself lent the novel an element of psychological complexity not found in more superficial YA romances. Though Danny's parallel world struck me as a tad generic, I still enjoyed Now That You're Here's heartwarming character relationships and charming geekiness.

A new student review of The Prey by Andrew Fukuda

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

One of the most important things that a book needs to do is to bring the reader into the story mentally and make them really care about what happens in it.  This is especially important in a series as the book also has the job of getting the reader excited for the next book.  This book most definitely does that, for me at least.  The right word to describe this book is "intense!" I felt like I needed to rest after reading it and I became so invested in it.  I felt legitimate fear for the characters as they continually faced certain death and became exhausted from their efforts.  In this book we learn more about the bloodthirsty creatures, and also get a name for them: "duskers."  The story of these creatures and their development over the years really intrigues me.  Fukada leaves the reader wondering whether or not the story told about their origin is the truth in a plausible way, which I see as a good thing because it gets me hyped for the next book. The scene near the end, where Sissy is bitten by Ashley June, really got to me.  For me it is probably the most intense moment in the book.  Yet it also raises more questions, which I love.  How did Ashley June get out of the chamber? How did she get bitten? How was she able to get away when surrounded by duskers to have enough time to transform?  It also makes me love her character more, because she's so loyal and strong, but also has a soft side which she is able to transform into another strong point. 

Another great thing about this book was that the danger in it seemed really threatening because it shows the victims of the danger.   One of these victims was a character that the other characters had a strong relationship with.  Too often I find books in which the danger the characters are in doesn’t seem real, because every character gets out just fine.  When reading the ending to this book I became so excited my heart sped up.  I also love that the book was not overly vulgar in any way when there were plenty of opportunities to be vulgar.  It adds more emphasis on the importance of the story.  A pet peeve of mine is that some teen books think they need to be overly vulgar or sexual in order to appeal to teens, which isn’t the case.  It may be for some teens but not the kind you probably want your target audience to be.  This book is not for the faint of heart.  I would recommend it to fans of books such as The Hunger Games, or books which take place on a different version of earth.  These types of books explore threats not experienced in our current world and are able to explore these threats in a convincing way so that we can understand what the situation feels like.

A new student review of Take Me On by Katie McGarry

Lucy posted a new student review of Take Me On by Katie McGarry. See the full review.

Take Me On is a really amazing book that I would recommend for anyone who is interested in high school romances. It has some foul language, but other than that, I believe it is an amazing book. In fact, I absolutely adored the book. I plan on reading all of Katie McGarry's other books that I can find. She’s an amazing writer!

 

A new student review of Running Out of Night

natblue17 posted a new student review of Running Out of Night . See the full review.

I liked the groing friendship that developes between Lark and Zenobia on their journey.  I also loved the added suspense and problems evovling in each chapter.  I really liked the proverbs at the beginning of each chapter foreshadowing the chapter.  

I didn't like how little information of Zenobia we are told.  The author tells that she is separated from her family but she is an important character and I would like to know more about her. The author writes this book in Lark's point of view and she hasn't had proper education so it is often confusing and distracting with all the improper grammar.  

A new student review of The Misadventures of the Family Fletcher by Dana Alison Levy

cowboys1 posted a new student review of The Misadventures of the Family Fletcher by Dana Alison Levy. See the full review.

I like this book because the story and characters were believable.  I would recommend it to anyone who enjoys reading fun fiction books.

A new student review of Tandem

IrishdancerCC posted a new student review of Tandem . See the full review.

I really enjoyed Tandem because it gives a good message about family and it shows that sometimes when you can't walk away from someone, it turns out to be a good thing because you are forced to stay and work things out. You can't just give up. I really liked how the author used humor. She worked it into situations that were serious, and it really showed how the characters became frustrated with each other, but found a way to keep going.

A new student review of Monstrous Affections An Anthology of Beastly Tales

tsarevna13 posted a new student review of Monstrous Affections An Anthology of Beastly Tales . See the full review.

Each story is alluring, capturing ones attention well right from the start. The writing styles are all very different, allowing for unique telling of stories. Holly Black’s story is in a familiar first person. Other stories range from first or second to third person closed and omniscient. A couple well known authors are thrown in the mix to peak interest, but their stories don’t make the rest seem lesser. Brilliant insight from each ‘speaker’ or lack there of, beautiful details that aren’t monotonous, and changes in relatability make this volume a very exciting read. The only issue I found was one specific story, it was very vague and confusing in a way that slows the story down a lot. It felt like it was meant to be an old myth turned modern, but from another language that was then poorly translated. The compilation as a whole was marvelous, Id recommend it to anyone who likes ‘beastly tales’.

A new student review of And in the Morning by Wilson John

ReesaOnFire posted a new student review of And in the Morning by Wilson John. See the full review.

Told through a series of diary entries and letters sent and unsent And in the Morning seizes the reader’s mind and soul as we relive every moment of Jim’s life since the beginning of the Great War (World War I).

Author John Wilson tells a fantastic story.  His research on real letters, diaries and lives of soldiers in the Great War made the story heartbreakingly true as it followed historical events precisely, while his tone and syntax in Jim Hay’s diary entries build a personal bridge for the reader to cross into the horrendous war.  

The hardships and humanity of the Great War are too easily forgotten in our modern world. And in the Morning is a unique historical fiction novel which portrays the life of the amateur solider in a gentle, heart breaking way.  

When reading about the World Wars, there is always an impact. The nature of that particular period in our world’s history is so overwhelming it is nearly impossible to read something about or from that period and not be affected. And in the Morning  is both a historical book on the war giving vivid descriptions and opinions of the time and the fictional first hand account of Jim Hay.  In short, the book was highly effective in its aim  to draw close the reader as it created the perfect looking glass to gaze at the period. The fact that it included letters written from Hay that had both been sent and unsent allows the reader to feel as though he or she is personally there, receiving his letters.

Also notable is Wilson's superb job at maintaining a balance when describing the horrors of war; he did not write in a way that was too explicit for a wide viewership but did not lose the essence of the actions of the time period.  In short, And in the Morning presented a tasteful way of depicting the war while conserving its brutality.

Wilson creates a relatable gateway for young readers to learn about a period of trial in our world’s history through his choice to compile these entries from young Hay. I enjoyed And in the Morning and recommend it for readers aged 15 and up.

 

A new student review of Keepers of Runes and the Tower of Shadows by Andrew Cratsley

Eowyn7 posted a new student review of Keepers of Runes and the Tower of Shadows by Andrew Cratsley. See the full review.

This was a pretty mediocre book, in my opinion. The characters where lovable and fun, but the story line was very derivative. A lot of things were pulled from Tolkien and Dungeons & Dragons. There were quests, spellbooks, mithril, a drunk redheaded dwarf, and a mysterious ranger, to name a few. The plot was a little sketchy, too. There were some events that seemed unlikely. The pattern of healing got repetitive as well. A character gets hurt. It looks like it might be really bad. Nevermind, Reika used magic and they're ok. If this had happened once or twice it would have been fine, but this happens after nearly every battle. That being said, I really love the interaction between the author's characters and how he ties in the prejudices that are a part of human nature. Overall the book was okay. I don't think I'd recommend it to anyone, though.

A new student review of Princess of Thorns

btulips posted a new student review of Princess of Thorns . See the full review.

After reading this book, I thought it was very imaginative and interesting. I thought it was cool to see through the point of view of Sleeping Beauty's daughter. This book was different from most of the books that I have read, and I highley recommend this book if you like a strong female character and action.  

A new student review of Unmade by Sarah Rees Brennan

snehayamsani posted a new student review of Unmade by Sarah Rees Brennan. See the full review.

Unmade by Sarah Rees Brennan is the third book in The Lynburn Legacy. It is well written, the characters are adorable and funny, and the plot is just downright amazing.

 

Brennan does an amazing job with the writing by adding her own intelligent and witty remarks throughout the book. It’s light, funny, heartbreaking, sorrowful, and beautiful all at once!

 

Brennan also does a good job creating the characters. Kami is sassy, funny, witty, and extremely loyal. By far, Kami is probably the most favorable character in the book (though her dad comes to a close second). Brennan also creates undeniable chemistry between Kami and Jared that is true of the saying "opposites attract." Jared’s moodiness reflects Kami’s sassiness and his dark posture brings out Kami’s witty personality. Anyone can see that the two characters balance each other out, even through the ups and downs of their relationship.

 

If I had read the other two books, Unspoken and Untold, I'm positive I would have understood the plot better. Unfortunately, I read the final book of the series without reading the first two. Nevertheless, I liked it. Brennan puts a new spin on magic and sorcery by using modern elements to develop a well thought out story.

 

I did feel that the plot of Unmade moves too fast. Everything seems rushed and too coincidental. I mean Kami just happens to find the boy she loves trapped underground, yet she is able to save him unharmed by her enemies? It just seems too easy.

Overall, I’d give this book a 4 out of 5.

A new student review of The Only Game

Joeldozer posted a new student review of The Only Game . See the full review.

I thought this was a great book. One of the best I have read in a while. I thought it was well planned and written. I have a lot of Mike Lupica's books and this is one of the best.

A new student review of Breakthrough by A. L. Priest

Turbo21 posted a new student review of Breakthrough by A. L. Priest. See the full review.

I liked this book, because it was about football, friendship, and that it is not easy to get what you want.  I liked that there was some humor.  I also liked that at the end of the book it listed other books by the author.

A new student review of Searching for Silverheels by Jeannie Mobley

moseso posted a new student review of Searching for Silverheels by Jeannie Mobley. See the full review.

This book has the perfect exciting and thrilling adventure every book should have. Geared towards girls, Searching for Silverheels is a page turner that will have you on the edge of your seat the whole way through. This historical fiction novel is set during the early years of WW I. Pearl is taught to have respect for her elders, but her rivalry with Josie makes it hard--since she is much older than Pearl. The fact that Josie believes romance and love are silly makes Pearl’s own romance very difficult. Searching for Silverheels is an intriguing story that is perfect for girls ages eleven to thirteen.  

A new student review of Second Thoughts by Cara Bertrand

Lucy posted a new student review of Second Thoughts by Cara Bertrand. See the full review.

Second Thoughts is an okay book. It had a good plot and a good storyline, but it just wasn't something that I was completely interested in. I was able to guess and predict what happened next in the story. It was too simple and easy and wasn't very mysterious enough to me for me to love the book. I would recomend it to someone if they are into the paranormal romance, but to me it wasn't really the best book ever.

A new student review of The Garden of Darkness by Gillian Murray Kendall

jotaf posted a new student review of The Garden of Darkness by Gillian Murray Kendall. See the full review.

I think The Garden of Darkness was a good book full of suspense and mystery.  The author, Gillian Murray Kendall, wrote a reasonably believable story about a post-apocalyptic world. One of the things I liked about it was that the characters felt like they could easily be real.  An instance that I liked from the book was when Clare found Jem, Mirri, and Sarai.  Together they scavenged a bunch of cool items from the city and discovered some useful information along the way.  One thing I didn't like, though, was that it was pretty confusing at the beginning and ending, which at times made it really tough to understand.  It is also slightly creepy with mention of cults and a serial killer.  I would recommend this book to ages thirteen through seventeen because of the content's maturity level.

A new student review of Fig

afarrell posted a new student review of Fig . See the full review.

I thought that this book was very interesting. Especially reading from Fig's perspective throughout out her life until she's nineteen. You see how her life is effected and how it changes her reality and imagination, and her interactions with society.  I loved how you get a inside look on how mental illness effects a family and persons life.

A new student review of Stella by Starlight

Star360 posted a new student review of Stella by Starlight . See the full review.

Stella by Starlight is a fantastic introduction for young readers to segregation in the American South. The main character, Stella Mills, is a brave, inquisitive girl who observes the harsh events going on with an age-appropriate sense of justice. Her occasional flaws in school and uncertainties make her accessible to readers. Stella’s close-knit African-American community is portrayed with vivid detail, from the descriptions of the kids running barefoot to the many classic foods (fried chicken, anyone?). Real events, like the election of Franklin D. Roosevelt, are smoothly twined into the plot to keep younger readers engaged. Charming chapters that are just Stella’s “reporting” and homework assignments use different fonts that feels realistic. As for the novel as a whole, it tackles the issues of racism with suitable tact, but it delves into violence in order for readers to understand how awful life could get for groups being discriminated against. To get entertained with a smart, fast-moving plot and learn some history to boot, read Stella by Starlight.

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

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

Fish in the Sky is composed of beautiful sentences. Descriptions of expansive countryside, dialogue, and introspection create variety in the prose. Although Fish in the Sky is elegantly written, I felt it sometimes rambled for a bit too long and focused heavily on Josh’s maturity, which seemed forced for a thirteen-year old. I enjoyed Fish in the Sky, and would recommend it to anyone interested in an unusual appreciation of a teenage boy’s mind. 

A new student review of CAMP UTOPIA & THE FORGIVENESS DIET by Jenny Ruden

ljos1006 posted a new student review of CAMP UTOPIA & THE FORGIVENESS DIET by Jenny Ruden. See the full review.

This book is kind of offensive, it has fat jokes in it. However, it also shows how Beth overcomes her obstacles. Sometime she loses trust in herself, but regains it again. I gave this book a 3 star rating because it might be offensive to some people and it isn't the best thing i've read in my life.

A new student review of Palace of Lies

Star360 posted a new student review of Palace of Lies . See the full review.

Put simply, I was not disappointed by Palace of Lies! Haddix’s latest novel builds the story of Princess Desmia, a supporting character in Palace of Mirrors. I enjoyed watching how she grew from being constantly skeptical to learning to accept friendship. There is a lively cast of characters that expands gradually to encompass nearly all social classes of the royal kingdoms. Major characters from the series, like Ella, Jed, and Cecilia, make appearances. Of course, so do the villains – evil Lord Throckmorton and crafty Madame Bissel can’t seem to stop grabbing for power. However, a brief recap at the beginning of the book ensures that readers don’t have to start the series in sequential order to understand the plot. The story flows well from those books, but each read is an exciting new adventure with a different princess in the spotlight. The imagery used for the multiple settings and the varied clothing described really helps the reader sink into this royal tale. Many pages of verbal battling plus a dash of phyical fighting adds drama. Palace of Lies is a wonderful read for girls ten and up who love princesses, palace intrigue, and adventure!

A new student review of Eden West

JesusFreak posted a new student review of Eden West . See the full review.

                 When I requested this book for review, I was both intrigued and a bit wary.  Good cult-based books are hard to find, especially when they’re from the cult’s perspective.  I thought that Pete Hautman did an excellent job at portraying a cult.  Throughout the entire book, I was intrigued to learn about the cult and what they thought was the truth.  The main character, Jacob, was an interesting main character.  He wasn’t the average hero like most main characters are in books.  It was a nice breath of fresh air.

                Another thing I loved about this book was the simple yet captivating cover art.  The red on the bottom is a great contrast to the white on the top.

                The only complaint I have about this book is that in places it was a bit slow.  Shortening of description might have helped speed up things a bit more.

                All in all, Eden West is a beautifully written book that tells the way of life when living in a cult.

A new student review of The Counterfeit Father by PV Lundqvist

RockinR4 posted a new student review of The Counterfeit Father by PV Lundqvist. See the full review.

This book was a blast to read! From the first sentence, I was hooked. It was one of the funniest action-packed mysteries I've ever read! I hope this book becomes a series, because I'd love to know all the other adventures Tony experiences. Thanks PV Lundqvist for an awesome read and to LitPick for allowing me the opportunity to review the story!!

This story was so very close to a 5 star rating, but I felt compelled to give it only 4 stars because, in my opinion, it needed more information about the trust.  Knowing exactly what the trust was and why or how it could affect him so drastically would have made this story easier to follow, comprehend, and much more intense.  With that info included, this would have easily been one of the top 5 books on my "Best Ever Read" list !!  Still a great book nonetheless.  

A new student review of The Incredible Space Raiders From Space

O.B. WAN posted a new student review of The Incredible Space Raiders From Space . See the full review.

This book was EPIC! This is one of the best books I’ve ever read. It has adventure, comedy, and not much romance. My favorite part is when Jonah and another Space Raider encounter the Shrieker for the first time. I would recommend this book to boys age 6-10.

A new student review of Ally Ally Oxen Free by M Allman

sschu5 posted a new student review of Ally Ally Oxen Free by M Allman. See the full review.

I really like this book because of how it leads up to the ending. But, also I think this book is good because of the character Tom. He stands up for Nancy when she is teased and almost doesn’t care that the other kids think his summer will be bad. What’s better than a good character is some suspense. I really like a book with suspense, and this book has it. So overall this is a really good book. I would recommend it to anybody.

A new student review of Let's Get Lost by Adi Alsaid

mashagoodspeed posted a new student review of Let's Get Lost by Adi Alsaid. See the full review.

This book has a really interesting storyline. I really enjoyed how it wasn't told in Liela's perspective but instead switched to be in the perspective of the people that she meets on her trip. Some of the things that happen in this book are pretty ridculous and unrealistic and although this is a story it was hard to ignore some of the far fetchedness in this book. This book has a good ending which is good because while reading this book I was worried how they would conclude the story. Overall i didn't love this book but it was a cute read that was easy to read and had a unique story line.

A new student review of The Tightrope Walkers

123evae123 posted a new student review of The Tightrope Walkers . See the full review.

I had so many emotions while reading the book. I loved Dom and hated Dom and was mad at Vincent and in awe of Holly all at the same time. I related to Dominic on a personal level, because he was written to love words. He loved to write and read and it made me connect with him as a character. I saw Holly as a dreamy girl who loved to draw and paint even the most dangerous of things, like the shipyards or Vincent. Her friendship with Dominic had its ups and downs and was a completely believable example of a friendship turned romance. At one point in the novel, just after Dominic went to Vincent because he thought Holly was only friends with him out of pity, I wanted to believe that Vincent had grown up, had stopped being the bully he was in the beginning, but even though the premise of the novel was about change, Vincent was the same. I did find that it was more believable than having all characters change, though, by having the bully of the story attack the two main characters out of envy. When I picked this book I was expecting Vincent to change and the three of them to become friends, and I was pleasantly surprised when that did not happen.