A new student review of Flamecaster by Cinda Williams Chima

nictaf posted a new student review of Flamecaster by Cinda Williams Chima. See the full review.

Cinda Williams Chima never disappoints, and this book is no exception. This fantasy/action book was written with amazing characters, fantastically described places, dragons, magic, and amulets! Ash is the main character with a fiery attitude, a kind heart, and a deep sense of family.

The descriptions were awesome! One part where I especially loved the description was, “...a place where the northern winds needled the nose and cleared the head for thinking.”

Although this book is an impressive start to a new series, “Shattered Realms,” it isn't a really good stand-alone story. To understand the full storyline, you should read the first series, “The Seven Realms”, before you read this second series. This book has some killing and violent descriptions, so I would recommend this book for ages 13 and up.

A new student review of The History Major by Michael Phillip Cash

PhilipDeGroot posted a new student review of The History Major by Michael Phillip Cash. See the full review.

The History Major is a rather short book, but despite the short nature of the story, it is full of strange twists and many complex elements. Despite the story's complexity, Amanda is the only character that is developed throughout the story, and one of the only four or five characters that provides real importance to the plot. Most of the story is confusing for the reader, but Cash does an excellent job tying everything together into a satisfying ending.

Because of how the story was written, it is nearly impossible to predict the ending before actually getting there, which makes most of the reading rather slow. There are, however, vivid descriptions that allow the reader to picture the setting very well in their head. There are also strong thought provoking themes that leave the reader thinking about the story even after they are done with it, but these themes are also not made clear until the end.

Overall, due to the slow read and confusing nature of most of the story, some people might find it difficult to make it through, but I believe the ending makes it worth it. Because of the good themes and satisfying conclusion, I would recommend The History Major to anyone looking for a shorter story with themes that leave them thinking.

A new student review of Jacmuir: Gestation (Jacmuir Prequel Series Book 1) by Angeline M. Bishop

JesusFreak posted a new student review of Jacmuir: Gestation (Jacmuir Prequel Series Book 1) by Angeline M. Bishop. See the full review.

I have never read the Jacmuir series, so I was unsure of what to expect from this prequel. However, I found that the author explained everything very well, and I felt that I didn’t need to have read the other books to understand what was happening.

The characters were easy to discern so that I didn’t get their names mixed up too often. I favored Xavor more than Natro simply because Xavor felt like a more tender-hearted character to me. Resna seemed like a nice girl, although I would have preferred if the author had given a bit more insight to her character. I would have loved to know more about her.

Even though this novella is under 50 pages, I found that the plot was well written. It kept my interest, and I didn’t feel as if it needed more plotline or suspense.

Overall, this is a great novella, even if you haven’t read the rest of the Jacmuir series.

A new student review of Calamity Jane: How the West Began by Bryan Ney

JesusFreak posted a new student review of Calamity Jane: How the West Began by Bryan Ney. See the full review.

Calamity Jane: How the West Began

A new student review of The Pathway to Dragons: Book I: The Portal to Pyranis by Hannah Hoffman

Ampster posted a new student review of The Pathway to Dragons: Book I: The Portal to Pyranis by Hannah Hoffman. See the full review.

The Pathway to Dragons: Portal to Pyranis was a short, action-packed tale of true friendship and bravery. In this book, Billy must put his trust in Talia, a girl he just met, to help him get his dragon back. I thought that the characters were well developed and sweet. This book had great detail and easy to understand words, which will be helpful for a younger audience.

 

I thought that the author wrote with such character and charm. The characters seemed to jump off the page and fly around me. The drawings were exquisite and really caught my attention. They flowed beautifully with the well-written book, really helping me understand what was happening.

 

The twist with Grandpa Hugo was superb. He was a wonderful sort of mentor character, but he wasn’t the basic old and wise kind. Grandpa Hugo was brave and very strong. My personal favorite character was Talia because of her bravery and independence. Her backstory revealed in the end was a stroke of brilliance.

 

In all, I thought this book was very well written, and I would recommend it to many eight, nine, or ten year olds who love a great adventure.

 

A new student review of Neuron Galaxy by Morphonix Morphonix

hawkreader10 posted a new student review of Neuron Galaxy by Morphonix Morphonix. See the full review.

Making a topic as complex as the human brain understandable and interesting for young children is definitely a challenge! One way Neuron Galaxy succeeds in being kid-friendly is through adorable and colorful illustrations. They will keep kids hooked on the story and help them understand the concepts being presented.

Another way that this book successfully bridges the gap between elementary students and neuroscience is by making comparisons to things that young children can relate to: describing a “baby neuron” as a little character who is lonely and trying to reach out to other “neuron friends.” I also think kids will enjoy the way this book speaks directly to them: “Baby neurons in your brain were growing bigger as YOU grew bigger.” It relates what is happening in their developing brain to new things that they are able to do as they grow: “Your brain...helps you walk and talk and dance and think.”

Overall, Neuron Galaxy does a great job of bringing brain science to a child's level, but a few concepts may still be difficult for young children to grasp, like how many stars there are in the Milky Way galaxy. Some terminology, such as dendrites and axons, is more appropriate for older kids, who I believe could also learn something from this book. Neuron Galaxy was an interesting, quick read that even taught me some new things about my brain.  

A new student review of Alexandra's Secret by Annie Laura Smith

BG posted a new student review of Alexandra's Secret by Annie Laura Smith. See the full review.

I really liked Alexandra’s Secret. The history was great and it gave you a good idea of what spies went through in World War II. The characters are believable and nicely portrayed. They are described in great detail which makes them really come alive in your mind, such as the descriptions of Alexandra and her training as an SSO agent. The storyline of trying to escape from enemy territory was exciting and the suspense kept you alert and ready for what would happen next. It is a thriller, and the suspense of whether or not they'll be caught along with wondering how will they get out of this situation keeps you on the edge of your seat. All in all it is very good historical fiction.  

A new student review of The Career-Minded Student by Neil O'Donnell

Gwendolyn posted a new student review of The Career-Minded Student by Neil O'Donnell. See the full review.

While mainly geared at students leaving high school and entering college for the first time, students of all ages and levels of education can find useful information in O’Donnell’s guide. As someone who went to community college as high-school, I’ve already learned some of the initial advice given from personal experience. However, there were still helpful tidbits of wisdom that will surely make my (and any already experienced college student’s) life easier, including segments on stress and time management.

 

With sections on how to overcome participation anxiety, ways to get the most out of studying, the importance of expressing gratitude as well as asking for help, and more, this handy book acts as a concise guide useful for many future experiences in the education realm.

 

O'Donnell encourages readers to strive for their best, while being clear not to encourage one to work towards a specific career goal, as that is a decision entirely up to the reader. This neutrality of the author makes for a versatile guide with the ability to reach multiple readers with virtually any career in mind.

 

With the statement that “education is an ongoing process,” the author translates a philosophy that learning is infinite, and that rather than be daunted by this fact, one should take comfort in it. By suggesting to pursue one’s interests (and know that it’s okay to change one’s mind), take advice with a grain of salt (as it might not always apply to you), and accept that there will be struggles (resourcefulness is key), O’Donnell makes the idea of working towards one’s ideal career a little less intimidating and all the more exciting.

Without feeling patronizing, The Career-Minded Student gives advice, wisdom, and suggestion, acting as a timeless book for any student of nearly any age or career path.

A new student review of Mind Over Bullies - A MOB Forms by D.K. Smith

Ampster posted a new student review of Mind Over Bullies - A MOB Forms by D.K. Smith. See the full review.

Mind Over Bullies was an intriguing, thrilling book to read. It kept me on my toes begging for more. Smith's writing is beautiful and enjoyable. I personally thought the counterfeiting twist was ingenious. It was intricate and brought so much life to the overall story. The anti-bullying superheroes were amazing and heart-touching. I loved how brave they were and how differently they confronted the bullies.

 

The counterfeiting scheme, the bullying, and the regular drama of high school blended together to tell a story that caught my attention and held it for hours. The mystery left me guessing until the very last page. I thought Margo was a strong-willed and independent protagonist. She didn't let people take over for her, and she learned not to let other people's words get to her. I also really enjoyed how the different stories from around the world from different perspectives came together into one climax. The danger and the emotion gave so much depth to this book that it left me aching for a sequel. The book was very well written and captured the thoughts and feelings of bullied teenagers from around the world.

 

A new student review of Sherpa's Adventure: Saving the Future by Lori Costew

1231713 posted a new student review of Sherpa's Adventure: Saving the Future by Lori Costew. See the full review.

This was an interesting book if you look at it as a guide for young people to look forward to a peaceful world by learning the rules of being peaceful within themselves.

Obviously, the sci-fi loving part of me really enjoyed the story as Sherpa made time hops.  The history buff loved the different people Sherpa met during her hops.  Last but not least, "good prevails over evil" is always a winning concept for me when I am reading!

I recommend this book for readers age 12 through 18 who enjoy adventure and time travel.

A new student review of Shades of Blue by Joyce Scarbrough

zip1 posted a new student review of Shades of Blue by Joyce Scarbrough. See the full review.

Shades of Blue has one of the best plot sequences I've ever read. As you read the book, you find out more and more about each character and get to know them on a personal level. There is also a lot of conflict within the story. The main-characters come to many heart-wrenching realizations that turn their world upside down. After I read this book I found myself wondering, "What happens to Sam and JoJo now?" IF there was a sequal to this book, I can't even imagine what would happen considering the first book is already filled to the brim with storyline. You won't be wasting your time reading this book.

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

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

I thought this book was quite good, although there were a few sections that were really mature thrown in there, like underage drinking and sex references. My favorite part was when Damien plays a hero and a villain at once. If the author was trying to make a suspenseful page-turner, I would say they did not succeed. The book was suspenseful, but the interludes like the party scene are just kind of weird and off topic. I would recommend this book to readers who are mature, because of the underage drinking and sex references.

A new student review of The Surrendered by Case Maynard

JesusFreak posted a new student review of The Surrendered by Case Maynard. See the full review.

The first thing that made me want to read this book was the beautiful cover art. I recognized the artist almost immediately as one who makes fan-made edits, as well as book covers. I love the way the girl stands just outside the fence with her back facing the cover. It’s a really great cover.
The first chapter grabbed me right from the start. I was immediately intrigued as to what might happen next, and how the author would grow the world. Unfortunately, I think that the book was just too short for me to really get a sense of the universe. What descriptions of the world I did get were very well put, however I just felt that, had the story been longer, it would have given me more insight as to how the world worked and all the interesting themes about it.
The main character, Vee, was a very stubborn but likeable character. She wasn’t stubborn so as to annoy, but stubborn enough that she didn’t back down easily. I felt that she obeyed only when she absolutely had to, but tried to do what she thought was right at all times.
Overall, this book had an interesting storyline and an amazing protagonist, however I think it should have been longer to fully immerse the reader in the world.
 

A new student review of Heavy Sketches Among Worldly Distractions by Red Rohl

Gwendolyn posted a new student review of Heavy Sketches Among Worldly Distractions by Red Rohl. See the full review.

It’s similar to the humor style of The 13-Story Treehouse series by Andy Griffiths in that it’s likely to amuse younger readers more so than older ones. However, this doesn’t mean there aren’t sections of intrigue for readers of all ages, as Rohl seamlessly incorporates autobiographical anecdotes and miscellaneous facts between cartoony doodles.

 

Put together in a scrapbook format with a sketchy style, Rohl’s organization of this book is easygoing and interactive. The only con is that it is sometimes difficult to decipher, making the covered page overwhelming to focus on in a few sections. Horror vacui, meaning the fear of empty spaces (a term used in reference to visual art often when describing an artwork with little to no bare sections) is a fair description of Rohl’s youthful graphic novel. Each reader’s preference for this style will most likely vary.

 

While mainly geared at children from eight to thirteen, some parents might appreciate a content warning, as some of the heavier subjects discussed feel questionable for readers under thirteen. Mentions of meth, even though discouraging its use, might not be considered age-appropriate by some parents.

 

With cut and pasted drawings of pirates, zombies, Vikings, monsters, and Abraham Lincoln, accompanied by playful lettering and casual commentary, this unique memoir is fast-paced, conversational, and creatively compelling.

 

The perfect read for reluctant readers, Heavy Sketches Among Worldly Distractions captures and engages with overflowing pages of subtle educational facts and tidbits of random information, balancing plenty of humorous anecdotes, inspiration and advice for young artists, and somewhat heavier topics in a lighthearted and affable way.

A new student review of This Is Not The End by Jesse Jordan

zip1 posted a new student review of This Is Not The End by Jesse Jordan. See the full review.

My opinion of this story is that it took a long time to really get into the story. It is boring at the beginning as the plot unfolds, but once you learn more about the characters and see some of the action, it gets really interesting. There is also a lot of action in this book, but it isn't gory, which is good because most "action books" feature blood and death, while this book just has a few fist-fights and a lot of debating/arguing. When the main character realizes what his "job" is, the book is a lot more interesting. If you stay with the book though, it has a really good ending and plot twist.

A new student review of Button Nose the Sad Little Bear by Gina LoBiondo

Jowill posted a new student review of Button Nose the Sad Little Bear by Gina LoBiondo. See the full review.

Beautiful illustrations that look like they are drawn with colored pencils, along with real photographs of the bear and children, add charm to this story.

The way the bear was loved, lost, and then loved again reminded me a lot of the movie Toy Story. 

Part of me wanted the characters to have names instead of generic titles like Sad Bear or Little Girl. However, as I got to the end and found out Little Girl's true name, I understood why she wasn't named earlier.

The photographs at the end made the story even more endearing. They were a wonderful addition to the book!

Any child or adult who has had a favorite toy will be touched by this book!

A new student review of Ollie's Odyssey by William Joyce

moseso posted a new student review of Ollie's Odyssey by William Joyce. See the full review.

This unique story and plot line makes a wonderful and captivating book. From the start, Ollie’s Odyssey demands the reader’s attention, instantly relating the characters to real life. The way the author creates and develops Billy and Ollie as actors in the story is amazing. Despite Billy being only six years old and Ollie being a stuffed toy, it is impossible not to grow attached to the characters.

 

The plot of the story is unique and inventive. Never before have I read a book with such interesting details even though it appears to be a children’s book. An evil clown, a wonderful relationship between a boy and his stuffed animal, evil henchmen, unexpected allies, the list goes on! This book is definitely one to read! Ollie’s Odyssey will remind one and all of the wonderful adventures we used to have with our stuffed animals when we were young.