A new student review of Kissing Atticus Primble by Stephanie Hoina

DLowe21 posted a new student review of Kissing Atticus Primble by Stephanie Hoina. See the full review.

Kissing Atticus Primble, by Stephanie Hoina is a well written book. I really enjoyed the descriptive writing, and this helped me to envision Kathleen`s world. Based on past novels I have read, the author would have established an event, and then based the occurring scenarios on the event. In this novel, I feel as if there is no established event, and that is what makes this book special. The book is just simple and it tells the story of a teenage girl waiting for love. I would recommend this book to a teenager who just wants to get out of whatever is happening in their life and read a wonderful love story. I would rate this book a 4 out of 5.

A new student review of Fighters, Feared and Fallen by N.D. Richman

nictaf posted a new student review of Fighters, Feared and Fallen by N.D. Richman. See the full review.

N. D. Richman is back with a thrilling new addition to the Boulton Quest series! This series is getting more action-packed with every book! The characters are very well described; I was rooting for Thomas throughout this book.

 

I like that N. D. Richman took this book to a new level by changing the setting to a futuristic one. This third book adopted a more sci-fi-like feeling. Because it is the third in the series, and follows the stories of three main characters, it is not a stand-alone book. This series is so addicting; with every addition you can't wait for the next book, because each one leaves you hanging! I would recommend this book for ages 12 and up.

A new student review of The Darkest Corners by Kara Thomas

JesusFreak posted a new student review of The Darkest Corners by Kara Thomas. See the full review.

When I began reading this book, I wasn’t sure what to think of it. I don’t read very many murder mysteries, so I didn’t know what to expect. I’m happy to say that I was amazed by this book. From page one I was hooked on the storyline and Tessa, the main character. The plot twists had my head reeling almost every chapter. It was well written and didn’t bore me once.
All the characters in this novel were interesting in their own way. My favorite character was Tessa, who had a very strong will. She demanded to know the truth at all times, and I felt that that was a very strong character trait.
By far, my favorite part of the book were the last chapters. Though the book was suspenseful throughout the entirety of it, the last chapters really had my head spinning (in a good way).
This book is an excellent read for anyone who likes murder mysteries and who is looking for a great twist-filled book with an excellent writing style and relatable characters.

A new student review of Calamity by Brandon Sanderson

TrickyCrow posted a new student review of Calamity by Brandon Sanderson. See the full review.

This was an amazing book. The story was thrilling and held my attention until I had finished. The end felt a bit rushed when compared to the first two books in the series. It started out slowly, then went to a quick jog and then to a sprint in the pacing of the story line. They dynamic between David and the Epics was interesting. Through the interactions David's true strength is found and his past no longer holds him. There is danger at every turn for David including the dangers of just interacting with Epics even his team members. I had a great time reading this book. Most fictional books have a repeated pattern that leads to a somewhat pradictable outcome, however, this book was inventive and kept me guessing. Calamity provided an amazing end to the Reckoners series.

A new student review of Lark Ascending by Meagan Spooner

ongsai posted a new student review of Lark Ascending by Meagan Spooner. See the full review.

I read this book without previously reading the first two. I had hoped that it would give a little more background at the beginning of this book, even as a third book, but there really wasn't. It took a good while to get and idea of what was going on. Once I understood the setting a little more, I didn't really enjoy the plotline. One of the things that I dislike in fantasy/science fiction books is when authors try to combine mechanics or modern technology with magic. There are some authors who can do it well, but this one was not well done. The boundary between machine and magic just did not flow well, and there was not enough information on the magic's limits. For books like Eragon or the Moratal Instruments, there is a deeper sense of the magical part of the story. In this book, it baiscally said: "Oh, she has magic, and it can break barriers. Yay." Also, the storyline in itself was very predictable. The troubles with her "boyfriend", the trouble with Eve being like the pefect person and making Lark misjudge herself, and the fight against an all powerful organization that thinks it's doing something good for the sake of the nation were all bad renditions of things that I have read before. 

A new student review of A Most Magical Girl by Karen Foxlee

hawkreader10 posted a new student review of A Most Magical Girl by Karen Foxlee. See the full review.

 I would recommend A Most Magical Girl to anyone in grades 4 - 7 who loves fantasy.  The format of this book is a little unusual:  It starts before Chapter 1, first describing Annabel's ability to see the future in puddles, then introducing Mr. Angel.  I found this a bit confusing at first, but it made sense as I kept reading. Overall, the book was a fast, entertaining read.  Even though “A Most Magical Girl” is a fantasy, the characters were realistic and I found myself rooting for them as they tried to complete their quest.    I think fans of Harry Potter will love this book – it has a very similar plot and fantastical feel.   

A new student review of Asleep by Krystal Wade

lovereading posted a new student review of Asleep by Krystal Wade. See the full review.

This book shows that when you do something that goes against rules or morals, there will be consequences.  As Rose finds out things about the asylum, we can see it teaches us that the unseen can be seen; you just need to know how to look and give it time. This book has horror that kids in their teens will love, the romance of a couple that think that they can’t be together, and the mystery of what is to come. Asleep has a meld of everything you could want in a book. I hope you enjoy. Happy Reading!

A new student review of Minotaur by Phillip W. Simpson

O.B. WAN posted a new student review of Minotaur by Phillip W. Simpson. See the full review.

Minotaur was a good, surprising tale. It also changes the readers’ perspective on myths by making them rethink everything. It’s a mix of adventure, romance, and war. There are some sad scenes, like when Asterion’s brother dies, and when Asterion is thrown into the labyrinth. There is also a bit of romance in this book. It’s very sweet. I would recommend this book to readers of the Hunger Games and The Maze Runner.

A new student review of Shades of Blue by Joyce Scarbrough

Melissa32301 posted a new student review of Shades of Blue by Joyce Scarbrough. See the full review.

Sam and JoJo are so sweet together. They're always there for each other, and they put each other first. As they grow up Sam starts changing which scares JoJo. Her best friend has become a muscular teenage boy who started to like JoJo as more than friends. When JoJo finds out about Sam being abused, she tries to help him and get him out of the house, even if it means lying to her parents. Scarborough pulls at your heart and makes you feel so many emotions, from sympathy to heartache. Sam goes through so much because of his step-father and it's so sad to read about. The writing style in Shades of Blue was really easy to follow and I felt as though I was part of the story. I felt a lot of the same emotions as JoJo did. The only thing I didn't like about the book was that JoJo seemed younger than an eighth grader and I felt a lot older than her, when I'm only in ninth grade. 

A new student review of Search (SEEK #1) by Candie Leigh Campbell

Melissa32301 posted a new student review of Search (SEEK #1) by Candie Leigh Campbell. See the full review.

I loved this book. It was a great read! As Keira learned more about the Khayal and fell in love with Johnathan, she became a very relatable character. The relationships and emotions throughout this book were really amazing, and the plot of the story was very fun to follow. I felt like I was part of the story. I can't wait for the next book to come out.

A new student review of Six Kids and a Stuffed Cat by Gary Paulsen

Madiinfl posted a new student review of Six Kids and a Stuffed Cat by Gary Paulsen. See the full review.

This was a quick, easy and enjoyable read.  The characters are very likable and the constant banter between them was perfect for the play version of the story.  I thought it was drastically different than any other piece I have read by Gary Paulsen.

This story will be perfect for a school English class, since it can be studied as a novella and/or a play.  It is for a compare and contrast.

Having a picture of a stuffed cat on the front made me think this story was for upper elementary, but it is clearly written for middle school students.  The wit used would be above most elementary student's heads.  Some of the terms would simply not be understood by younger readers, example "emotionally tone-deaf" when describing how the boy just did not notice the needs of others.

A new student review of My Life Hereafter by Lynette Ferreira

JesusFreak posted a new student review of My Life Hereafter by Lynette Ferreira. See the full review.

This book started off quickly and gained my attention immediately. The plot stayed fast-paced throughout the entirety of the read and I rarely got bored. The main character, Sunel, was a likable and believable character. The majority of teenage girls will be able to relate to the emotions Sunel felt throughout the book.

The romantic relationship in this book could have been enhanced a little more because it felt rushed and unbelievable. I wish it was developed more in order to establish a well-rounded relationship between the characters. Fleshing this out part of the plot would have made the romance more authentic.

Overall, this story is a great read for anyone who likes life-after-death stories with relatable characters and a swift plot.

A new student review of The Mother-Daughter Book Club: Mother-Daughter Book Camp by Heather Vogel Frederick

sakurafrost posted a new student review of The Mother-Daughter Book Club: Mother-Daughter Book Camp by Heather Vogel Frederick. See the full review.

The Mother-Daughter Book Camp was, in my opinion, the best of the seven prequels. It's a fun ride in a beautiful setting and there's something exciting that happens every chapter. From a skunk episode to a luau, this book has it all and more. Although I was sad to see the girls part ways, the book ended with a lot of hope for the future and plans to get together, so I found both plot and ending to be satisfactory. Besides a wonderfully written story, The Mother-Daughter Book Camp also encourages readers to look forward with hope and not fear, as well as advice on befriending enemies.

A new student review of Island Treasures by Alma Flor Ada

ScienceMan18 posted a new student review of Island Treasures by Alma Flor Ada. See the full review.

I think this a good book and gives insight into the life of a girl growing up in Cuba. The book shows the importance of being loved, such as when the Uncle loses his students and the caretaker burns his hand. The book also demonstrates the customs and rituals of another country.

I like how the book was divided into several mini stories that describe the key different parts of her life. I chose to review this book to discover what life in Cuba is like for the girl and the writing described this well.

I think the writing is a little slow paced and did not get to the point fast enough. But overall it was very good.

The book portrays throughout that perseverance is important: no matter what problem the family faced, they would get through it.

There was some mature content as people fake death and there are weapons. The caretaker, Somone, also burns his hands very badly.

A new student review of Earth Girl by Janet Edwards

Reading_Between_The_Lines posted a new student review of Earth Girl by Janet Edwards. See the full review.

The book is well writen and very descriptive, and would be a great read for science fiction and dystopian lovers. It had some places that you could not put the book down. It had romance, action, sadness, and truth all wrapped up in its cover. This book has some places which makes the book more suitable for mature tweens or teenagers (mentions of sex and scary situations), but is a great read as a whole. 

A new student review of Search (SEEK #1) by Candie Leigh Campbell

JesusFreak posted a new student review of Search (SEEK #1) by Candie Leigh Campbell. See the full review.

When I began reading this book, I was very intrigued by the storyline. The author was unique with her imagination and came up with a very interesting story. Though slow in a few parts, the majority of this novel was fast-paced and compelling.

Keira, the protagonist, was my favorite character in the book. She was a strong, powerful woman who frequently had to question where her loyalties lied. I felt that she was a very believable and independent character.

I would personally recommend this for ages 12+ instead of mature young adult. While a good story, the writing style still felt a little bit juvenile.

Overall, it’s an intriguing read that any pre-teen or teen will enjoy.

A new student review of Pyramid Hunters: The Iron Tomb by Peter Vegas

Adelyn850 posted a new student review of Pyramid Hunters: The Iron Tomb by Peter Vegas. See the full review.

I liked this book it wasn't too scary and it had a lot of good ideas, but it was very difficult for me to read because it was very slow in the beginning. I like books that have a nice hooking beginning, then the action starts right away. In this book I liked the intro a lot but then it started to slow down for me. I will say at some parts in the story the detail made the book a lot better, although once you came rear the middle of the story things started to spike up and I could not put the book down. I loved how the author tied some nonfiction facts about Egypt into this story and took it to the next level.

I would recommend this story to readers that like a lot of action and growing suspense level. I give this book a 4 out of five-star rating because overall I liked this book and the idea behind it. but there is a little too much waiting for me.

 

 

A new student review of Packing Evil by P. E. Yudkoff

jotaf posted a new student review of Packing Evil by P. E. Yudkoff. See the full review.

Packing Evil ​was a very well-written book with lots of action that will keep your interest from start to finish. I loved the descriptions in this book; they really made it come alive and pop. For example, these are a couple sentences from the book: “Only the front porch railing was touched by the sun which lit up a row of pointy, red spindles. To Sydney they looked like bloody teeth waiting to grab her.” Also, it was interesting that the author had such a unique way to help out Pack when he was in trouble.

 

The one thing I felt it needed was a bit more structure and build-up in the beginning; it was a little rushed. I would recommend this book to ages 13 and up due to a bit of language, and to fans of books where the heroes have to go through challenges to get to their ultimate goal. Just to warn you, though, it has a cliffhanger ending. Hopefully the second book will resolve some of the questions the reader is left with.

A new student review of Tell Me Three Things by Julie Buxbaum

thudson36 posted a new student review of Tell Me Three Things by Julie Buxbaum. See the full review.

I loved reading Tell Me Three Things. Immediately, I fell in love with the concept of the story and characters. Many interactions between characters, especially between Somebody/Nobody and Jessie, are told through text messages and emails, which made it seem so much more personal and real. The protagonist, Jessie, is very likeable and as a teenage girl, I could relate to many of her feelings and worries. She is a very strong female character, and I enjoyed how as a teenager, she was still portrayed as complex and capable of dealing with tough situations, such as death. Also, Julie Buxbaum did a fantastic job of creating very complex characters and developing their role over the span of the novel. I could tell that the storyline was very well thought out. Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed reading this novel, and would recommend it to others.

A new student review of Fabulous Faith in Meet My Worry Monster by Melissa Webster

Jowill posted a new student review of Fabulous Faith in Meet My Worry Monster by Melissa Webster. See the full review.

This children's book has delightful illustrations that every young child will love. The story is written for very young children, but readers of all ages can relate with the book's message. 

Everyone worries sometimes, and this book encourages the reader to understand how negative worrying can be. It teaches you that you are stronger than you think. What a great message for everyone!

A new student review of Fabulous Faith in Meet My Worry Monster by Melissa Webster

Jowill posted a new student review of Fabulous Faith in Meet My Worry Monster by Melissa Webster. See the full review.

This children's book has delightful illustrations that every young child will love.  The story is written for very young children, but readers of all ages can relate with the book's message. 

Everyone worry's sometimes and this book encourages the reader to understand how negative worrying can be.  It teaches you that you are stronger than you think.

What a great message fpr everyoneo

A new student review of Lily and Dunkin by Donna Gephart

lexygirl1997 posted a new student review of Lily and Dunkin by Donna Gephart. See the full review.

Lily and Dunkin is an amazing coming of age novel. This book gave me emotions I never thought possible from a middle grade novel. Donna Gephart did a lot of research to write this novel and it is apparent thoughout the story. I expecially felt close to Lily in this book and was always excited to read in her perspective. I highly reccommend reading this novel.

A new student review of Gertie's Leap to Greatness by Kate Beasley

moseso posted a new student review of Gertie's Leap to Greatness by Kate Beasley. See the full review.

Gertie’s Leap to Greatness is a well-written story about fifth-grader Gertie Foy. Gertie’s parents do not live together, and although the book never mentions it, it can be assumed that they are divorced. Gertie lives in Alabama with her dad and Aunt Rae.

 

This book was written with clarity and is surprisingly visual. It was effortless to envision the settings in the story. The artistic illustrations that filled the book were a noteworthy asset to this moving story. Covering a variety of emotions, the author focuses on competition and friendship. The climax of this tale is wonderful as it presents the message that each of us is unique and special. 

 

I would recommend this book to anyone under the age of eleven. Being thirteen and reading about a fifth grader made the story and characters a bit difficult to relate to. Even so, it was a pleasurable and uplifting read. Follow Gertie to the highs and lows of fifth grade in Gertie’s Leap to Greatness!  

A new student review of The Stars of Summer by Tara Dairman

lag152 posted a new student review of The Stars of Summer by Tara Dairman. See the full review.

When I got the book "The Stars Of Summer"  and started reading it, I could not put it down. I think the book is a fun read and is very interesting.  The humor is fun and the characters are memorable.  There are enough exciting turns in the plot that keep Gladys on her toes.  This book would be a great choice for a person who likes cooking, or tuning in to food-related entertainment.

A new student review of Key of Behliseth (Bk 1 Sun Child Chronicles series) by Lou Hoffmann

nictaf posted a new student review of Key of Behliseth (Bk 1 Sun Child Chronicles series) by Lou Hoffmann. See the full review.

Key of Behliseth was a great book full of epic twists and turns! Lou Hoffmann expertly wove words together to create this larger-than-life masterpiece. Lou is a very descriptive author, using descriptions to make both the characters and setting come alive. For example, Lucky had “exasperatingly thick hair,” and Maizie "bounced out of the trees like a big ball of animated sunshine.”

This story had all the elements of a five star novel: attention grabbing descriptions, vivid characters, lively action, suspenseful conflict, and a memorable plot, all fused together to capture your attention. Because of the "buffet" of words, it was such a fun book to read! This story was full of action and fantasy, and I loved every word of this work of art! I would recommend this book to ages 12 and up because there is some death and killing.