I think Gorgon is the best book in the series so far! This wonderful story was expertly written with an eye for detail like, “We‘re standing under bright sunshine and blue skies on a plain of tall, sweet-scented, green grass waving in a light breeze. A large, pure blue lake sparkles to the north.” The author, Geoffrey Saign, brought all the characters to life. Sam is my favorite character because of her passion for wildlife, and her kindness and compassion for others--animals and humans alike. Gorgon is an amazing book and I cannot wait for book three! I don't think this book is a stand-alone, so I do recommend reading book one of the Whipeye chronicles (Whipeye) first. I would recommend Gorgon to ages 8 and up, and for those who like fantasy and adventure.
Thursday, July 30, 2015
A new student review of Gorgon Book 2 WhipEye Chronicles by Geoffrey Saign
A new student review of Peer Pressure Vs. True Friends! Surviving Junior High Vol. 1 by Dr. Orly Katz
I thorourghly enjoyed this book. Personally, I love this genre, and this did not disappoint. The author managed to keep a light tone throughout, and although the vocabulary was simple, it was quite an intelligent read. My only complaint was that I didn't feel that it was brought to a suitable close. I would definitely reccommend this book to anyone 10+ because I feel that we all have something to learn about not giving in to peer pressure. I salute Dr. Orly Cast for keeping an aspect of humor through the book, and I really enjoyed this read.
Wednesday, July 29, 2015
A new student review of Gorgon Book 2 WhipEye Chronicles by Geoffrey Saign
I think Gorgon is the best book in the series so far! This wonderful story was expertly written with an eye for detail like, “We‘re standing under bright sunshine and blue skies on a plain of tall, sweet-scented, green grass waving in a light breeze. A large, pure blue lake sparkles to the north.” The author, Geoffrey Saign, brought all the characters to life. Sam is my favorite character because of her passion for wildlife, and her kindness and compassion for others--animals and humans alike. Gorgon is an amazing book and I cannot wait for book three! I don't think this book is a stand-alone, so I do recommend reading book one of the Whipeye chronicles (Whipeye) first. I would recommend Gorgon to ages 8 and up, and for those who like fantasy and adventure.
A new student review of The Tooth Fairy Trap by Rachelle Burk
The Tooth Fairy Trap is an excellently written and charming children's book. I would have enjoyed it very much as a child! It's also one of those Junie B. Jones style books, which older children and adults can also enjoy. I found the characters to be interesting and well-dimensioned. For instance, Bradley's pet hamster is grumpy and full of personality. The written messages that Bluna exchanges with the (nicer) children are also extremely genuine and heartfelt. At one point, Bluna wishes that she could play with one of the little girls!
There was not really anything I disliked about the book. I would love to see The Tooth Fairy Trap made into a series if it is not one already. Perhaps Bradley the trap-setter can be reformed.
Note: the illustrations and the author's children's tooth fairy notes at the end were a nice touch.
Monday, July 27, 2015
A new student review of Sophie Kinsella
The one-sentence summary of Finding Audrey is: Teen girl uses video camera to heal from depression and anxiety disorder. But while that description is certainly accurate, there is no way to put all the wit, humor, and love in this book into just a few words. In her first foray into young adult literature, Sophie Kinsella has crafted an entertaining story that is quick to read but difficult to forget.
Audrey may have suffered from depression and an anxiety disorder, but she is blessedly free from Main Character Malady, an unfortunate syndrome in which the storyline consists of a protagonist essentially chanting me-me-me-them-me-me. Not once did I feel that Audrey was bratty, whiny, or self-centered. Her health issues were dealt with appropriate gravity, but they did not weigh down the novel. Kinsella dedicates plenty of time to other characters, making sure that Mum and Dad were not just people who served dinner and drove cars.
The subplot of her older brother, Frank’s, video game obsession was amusing and added comic relief. His love of Land of Conquerors is slightly blown out of proportion, but it’s all in good fun. And if the author can add a little message about balancing your time wisely, why not? Of course, the video game competition also introduced the romantic interest, Linus. The “older-brother’s-best-friend” twist is a common trope, but it made sense given that Audrey didn't go to school or hang out outside. Plus, given that there was no angsty love triangle, I can easily overlook the cliche.
One of the book’s brightest charms is its sense of familiarity. Audrey often speaks directly at the reader in a casual tone, so it seems like you’re having a conversation with a friend. British words like “Mum” and “trainers” remind readers of the UK setting. Pop culture staples, like Harry Potter, The Big Bang Theory, and Scott Pilgrim, also fill the story. Those references make it easy to imagine the characters as real people: Mum watching Downton on Sundays; the family munching Doritos and guac; four-year-old Felix adorably singing the songs from Frozen. Either it’s shameless advertising, or Kinsella really knows how to make her readers feel at home.
Finding Audrey is a gem that is perfect for teen girls looking for a realistic yet romantic read that’s packed with laughs, love, and the power of you.
A new student review of The Whisperer
I thought The Whisperer was a great book! It was filled with action, mystery, and suspense. I liked how the author, Fiona McIntosh, did a great job describing the characters and their lives, like how Lute is a boy who doesn’t really want to be king, but knows that it is his destiny. A part in the book that I liked was when Griff thought up a clever way to get some keys from one of the people in the traveling show. I can’t tell you who it was or what they were for, though, or I would ruin the story; you will just have to read it to find out for yourself. I don’t think there was anything about this book that I didn’t like. I would recommend this book to anyone ages ten through fifteen or anyone who likes adventure books.
A new student review of The Candy Store by Michele Poague
This was a pretty amazing novel. There were many stylistic choices I liked that the author made. I loved the use of 1920s slang, and I did pick up a few neat phrases along the way. However, it was hard for me to believe those phrases were actually used that often! For the most part, all the characters felt realistic, although I did not understand some of Jett’s decisions and impulses. I am basically the age that she was in the novel, and I would never even consider doing some of the things she did. But she did live in a different time, so that may account for some of the differences.
I always love time traveling in novels. The author made Jett’s reaction to this change quite believable. She was quite smart in some of the situations she was put in, and thought of things that I would never have thought of. In the end, I felt I could look up to Jett, despite some of her minor faults. Setting the novel initially in the 1980s was interesting, but I guess that makes it easier for Jett not have to cope with the lack of computers or smart phones!
This novel was a blast from the start until the finish. The relationships the characters had with each other were crafted extremely well, and I was very impressed. It is clear the author put a lot of effort into making both the setting and the characters lifelike. Even though I never lived in the 20s or even the 80s, I felt like I was able to briefly be a part of those eras and have fun with characters that were having the time of their lives.
Friday, July 24, 2015
A new student review of Attack of the Alien Horde (Miles Taylor and the Golden Cape)
Robert Venditti wrote an exciting book with fast-paced, thrilling action. Miles was my favorite character because he was funny and nice. This book had rich descriptions. For example, the author wrote: “Using every ounce of strength left in him, he lifted his shaking arms and stacked his hands in a T.”
I cannot wait for book two! I would recommend this book for ages 8 and up, and for those who like comic books and action.
Thursday, July 23, 2015
A new student review of After Eli by Rebecca Rupp
This book was a short, quick read that I really liked. It was much more interesting than what the synopsis actually said. After Eli is a book of loss and death, and it made me very emotional. The voice of Daniel was very authentic and touching, and I shed a few tears in some moments. The only negative thing about this book was that it had a slow pace and it didn't get to the point straight away. The rest of the book is really good, and I highly recommend it.
A new student review of Tommy Black and the Staff of Light by Jake Kerr
I really liked the book! The magic in the book was my favorite part. I loved the magical powers that Tommy learned - they were really cool! My favorite character was Naomi because she is very determined and works really hard. The book started a little slow but after a few chapters it was more fast-paced and exciting. I would recommend this book to anyone who likes fantasy and suspense.
Monday, July 20, 2015
A new student review of Angels Club by Courtney Vail
I thought this book was cute. I didn't know it was supposed to be for kids younger than 12 when I picked it, but the story turned out pretty good. It had most of the contents of a typical kid book: a perfect kid with a dream and a chance to go with that dream, as well as the sweetest, most desirable ending. Don't get me wrong, I think these kinds of books are awesome for younger kids who are still trying to find their dream. The main character, Jacinda, was a great example for younger readers to try to follow. She was patient, kind, and did volunteer work in her spare time. The setting of a therapy horse farm was pretty unique. I generally enjoyed the book and recommend it for all horse lovers 8+.
Sunday, July 19, 2015
A new student review of The Beast of Cretacea by Todd Strasser
My opinion on The Beast of Cretacea is that the book was awesome. The author, Todd Strasser, was able to get Moby Dick and Avatar into a book that had so much unique quality, that it left me on the edge of my seat and racing to the end of the story. Each chapter provided a new outlook on the world of Cretacea leaving the reader to use his imagination on what would come next. I think it was an amazing book and I would read it over and over again. I also would recommend this book to any young person between the ages of 12-16 who enjoys science fiction. I would not recommend this book to those younger than 12 as there was some pretty harsh language and goriness also. But all in all, I enjoyed the book.
Saturday, July 18, 2015
A new student review of The Candy Store by Michele Poague
The Candy Store
A new student review of Bridge Through Time by Scott Spotson
I think the author must have had a ton of fun writing this novel! I certainly enjoyed reading it. Once I started reading, I couldn’t stop. This book had lots of twists and turns that kept me on the edge of my seat.
I liked how the inventions mentioned in the book sounded so realistic and were carefully described. They didn’t sound like they were made up, even though they were. I enjoyed how each of the characters were introduced, as well as the secrets they each carried.
The writing technique was fascinating! Everything fit together so perfectly. It felt as if the reader was present in each scene. I recommend this book for anyone aged 12 and up.
Tuesday, July 14, 2015
A new student review of Billy Sure, Kid Entrepreneur
It is a great book, with funny parts, suspenseful parts, weird parts, and more cool things. One of my favorite parts is when Billy is showing off the All Ball on TV, he turns the ball into a bowling ball while it is in midair. It was a very funny part. I would recommend the book to 8-10 year old readers. I really liked the book Billy Sure, Kid Entrepreneur!
A new student review of The Candy Store by Michele Poague
Reading The Candy Store was like savoring a bittersweet chocolate bar that has a surprise twist in flavor at the last bite. The novel was a delicious combination of sci-fi time travel, historical fiction, and romance. I don’t usually like time-travel, since I believe it can come off as cheesy or weird. However, in this case it was a clever way to get a realistic peek into the 1920s, a time glamorized by Jay Gatsby, the main character in F. Scott Fitzgerald's The Great Gatsby.
It was clear that Poague did a lot of research for The Candy Store. Joan Jett, banana clips, and Sony Walkmans gave life to the '80s. The Jazz Age part of the novel, which readers may be less familiar with, was also filled with references that made the story pop! Classic novels like The Age of Innocence, expressions like “the real McCoy,” and descriptions of plain and elegant fashions help readers understand life in the '20s.
Jett was a strong character who was a good bridge between the '80s and the '20s. She exuded a rebel, tough-girl image at the beginning, but love from the Watsons helped soften her into a kinder, wiser person. I liked how she retained her can-do attitude and showed real willingness to work and get back to the '80s when she fell into the Dollar Decade. The young Jay and Henry were good reflections of who they would grow up to be. Henry was quite charming, and I can understand why Jett was attracted to him. He wasn’t eighty when she had a crush on him! Jay was really sweet, and she best exemplified the era. The supporting characters, like Jay’s mom or socialite Abigail, also showed readers important aspects of the times, like the country’s general attitude towards women working or acting.
As for the ending – no spoilers, I promise! – it was really unexpected for me. I still enjoyed it, though. When I looked back at the first few chapters, there are some subtle clues that are only clear if you know the end already! I was left with a few questions about the finer points of time travel – did she use a Tardis? a Time-Traveler? a magic peppermint stick? – but nothing that left me too bummed.
I highly recommend The Candy Store. It is the perfect novel for teens looking for a story packed with love, friendship, adventure, history, and romance.
Monday, July 13, 2015
A new student review of Supernova (The Star-Crossed Saga Book 2) by Braxton A. Cosby
I thought Supernova was a good book full of action, suspense, and adventure. I liked that the author, Braxton A. Cosby, was able to build on the characters that he created in book one. I was able to picture them even more clearly in this book.
Cosby used vivid descriptions for both the characters and the action. Also, there was even more action in book two than there was in book one, which made it even more exciting.
A part in the book that I liked was when a huge battle happened near the end. I can't tell you any details, though, or I would spoil the ending. Something I didn't like about this book was that the story seemed to drag on in some parts. I would recommend this book to anyone who liked book one of The Star-Crossed Saga, or who enjoys science fiction and romance.
Thursday, July 09, 2015
A new student review of Molly McDougal Montgomery McGrath and Other Stories by George Cooper
If you like to laugh at silly stories, this is the book for you. To read the whole entire book, it takes about 45 minutes. I think George Cooper is a good author because he writes his stories so that kids can understand them. This book would be good for anyone who likes to read short stories. I think readers who are about 8 or 9 would like this book. Other young readers and those young at heart would enjoy it as well.
A new student review of The Green Teen Cookbook by Pam McElroy
I have always been interested in how to be a good advocate for Mother Nature, and The Green Teen Cookbook is a fine addition to my green library. I was very happy to see that the book is not just a string of recipes, but that it also makes a point to educate teens on sustainable eating. The chapters at the beginning were both interesting and educational, a feat that is often difficult to achieve. The authors do not push readers to stop eating meat; instead, they make suggestions about how to limit meat consumption and have fun eating seasonal foods. Many of the recipes feature fresh or unique ingredients that can broaden a young cook’s horizons. Even if you can’t find a single stalk of celery, you can still make the Oreo Cupcakes!
The authors were also considerate in including tips on how to shop on a budget. As much as I love Whole Foods, the prices are considerably higher than at the supermarket. Teens on a budget (and that’s about 80% of us) can feel comfortable swapping out ingredients and trying fresh new recipes. The recipes include the teen creator’s name and picture, which adds warmth and relatability to the cookbook.
As for the quality of the recipes, I was left with a mixed bag. The Guacamole was the best I’ve ever tried, and I have had a lot of the avocado goodness. The Tuna Salad also made a light, delicious dinner that is perfect for lazy summer evenings. I do not recommend the Apple Chips, since mine burned way before the cooking time was up, nor do I suggest the Miniature Chocolate Cookies, whose mixture was so crumbly it was impossible to roll. Of course, it could have been my oven acting up or a mix-up in ingredients. I don’t expect every recipe to work for me, so I was satisfied with a 2-2 record.
The Green Teen Cookbook may be aimed at teens, but home cooks young and old will benefit from its practical sustainable eating advice and yummy recipes.
Wednesday, July 08, 2015
A new student review of The Tale of Rescue
This book is an excellent choice for more reluctant readers. It is written for any age, comprehensible even for an eight year old, yet complex enough that an eighteen year old would enjoy it. The author does a beautiful job of using descriptive words, allowing the reader to be transported into the story. It is written such that one would easily believe that this story is true. Appropriately, the climax is slightly emotional and urges the reader to love dogs more than before. Any dog lover will adore this book. I highly recommend it.
Monday, July 06, 2015
A new student review of Earthshine by Chad T. Douglas
First of all, I'd like to applaud Douglas for the jaw-dropping amount of cultural detail he weaves into Earthshine. Not only does he craft entire religions, political controversies, and class warfare for his fictional world, he also envisions dazzling architectural innovations and insightful new technologies for this brisk-paced, surprisingly immersive sci-fi novel. Thanks to the astounding depth of Douglas' worldbuilding and the surprising relevance of Genesia's political upheaval (can someone say "energy crisis"?), Earthshine somehow bridges the thirty-five million mile, six-hundred year gap between its Genesian protagonists and its readers back on Earth. The novel's characters, however, don't always share the setting's depth of development—. Although Earthshine's Martian city flaunts mile-high luxury apartments alongside subterranean slums, the novel's characters seldom enjoy similar complexity. Over the course of the novel. Douglas stuffs more characters and subplots into three hundred pages than a three-hundred page book could ever develop or resolve. That's not to say I didn't commiserate with Benni when her love life misfired or long for transhuman Shirro to finally get out of the hospital; I did, however, wish Douglas had shown the reader some vital scenes instead of glossing over them. If you're the kind of person who can't stay in a relationship for more than two weeks, Earthshine is the book for you: the intricate blend of subplots and character arcs quickens the pace while guaranteeing you won't tire of any one character. Don't read Earthshine expecting characters so deep you need a submarine to understand them, but if you're looking for fun, action, and sci-fi wizardry, Chad Douglas has got you covered.
Wednesday, July 01, 2015
A new student review of The Unlikely Hero of Room 13B
The Unlikely Hero of Room 13B, is not one of my favorite books. Nonetheless, Teresa Toten is a very skilled writer. She is able to show every emotion there is to finding love and losing it.
I think that teenagers who are religious and believe religion helps solve problems would prefer this book over teenagers who are not religious.
Most of the characters were very well developed. Toten pointed out many behaviors that those dealing with OCD might have when they feel different emotions. For example, when Adam was nervous or scared he would tap or count in his head.
A new student review of X: A Novel by Kekla Magoon Ilyasah Shabazz
I found this book to be entertaining, but repetitive in a lot of places. I felt that Malcolm's perspective was well-written and helped me to understand his mindset when important events were going on in his life.
While I did find this book to be enjoyable, I also found aspects of it irritating. Malcolm's numerous poor decisions made me angry, but the book was interesting enough to keep me from putting it down. I felt it was the intent of the author for the book to be somewhat aggravating so that the reader would feel a sense of satisfaction when the book reaches its final pages.
The fact that this book is based on actual events presented a problem for me. I found myself constantly questioning which aspects of this story were real and which were fabricated, and it distracted me. I would recommend this book to students 15 and up if they're interested in aspects of black history, but not if they want an accurate representation of Malcolm X's life.
A new student review of Taking Sides by Patrick Jones
This book was pretty good. The characters were realistic. They had depth and meaning behind each of their actions. I occasionally don't see this very clearly in books, but the author had their actions pretty clear. I think the author did a great job on making the book creative. The setting was different from other books I read. It seemed like a mystery novel, with all the different clues, twists, and turns, but it also was like just another fiction book because it didn't have the person acknowledge that they had a mystery. I thoroughly enjoyed and I hope other readers do, too. I recommend it for people 12+.