Sophie only wants to be normal but it is nearly impossible because her parents are famous horror moviemakers that are obsessed with the occult. They move her to the modern day Halloween town of Mythic. Sophie makes friends with a group of girls and the local geek, Paw Pudnowski. Sophie notices there is something evil crippling the town about Mythic. Sophie will need her friends more than ever to save the magical town she has grown to love.
This book wasn't a page-turner, but it was very good. My favorite part was the unexpected twist at the end. It leads you up to one thing and at last minute changes it. The authors gave this book a unique style that is unlike any other book I have ever read. My favorite character is Sophie. I like her just because of her actions and sayings. This is definitely a book to put on your summer reading list.
Content:It has some content that deals with love and adult feelings.
Rating (0 - 10 scale): 7
Reviewer Age: 14
Reviewer City, State and Country: Carlisle, Pennsylvania United States
Friday, June 01, 2007
Dreamquake by Elizabeth Knox
Laura Hame, a young dreamhunter and daughter of the most famous dreamhunter of all, must get to the bottom of the government’s maniacle scheme. She and her family know the government has something to do with the disappearance of Laura’s father, as well as torturing convicts and rigging elections with the use of dreams. Laura and her cousin Rose soon discover a secret rail line heading straight in to the Place, a desolate and mysterious land where a select few people can enter and bring dreams back to the outside world. Nothing as big as a railroad had ever been built into the Place, so Laura’s family knows it means trouble. Throughout the story, as Laura learns more about the secrets hidden deep inside the Place, she worries about her future as a dreamhunter and how she is going to reveal the government’s secret plans to the public. Mysterious things are going on, both in and outside the Place, and Laura needs to find a way to fix them.
In this sequel and final Dreamhunters book, there is exciting plot twists, thought-provoking events, and questions from the first book are all answered. Because Dreamquake is the second novel, the first book really needs to be read first. It will make the stories more enjoyable, and if you don’t read them in order, it will be somewhat confusing. In my opinion, the first book was more exciting, but Dreamquake certainly completed the series and made it come full circle. The tone and events happening in the two books are somewhat different, but Dreamquake is a good ending to the series. All confusion is sorted out in the end, and it is finally discovered what the Place really is and why it is there. Dreamquake is well written and a good book, so I recommend the Dreamhunters duet to any fantasy lover.
Content: Though the majority of this book is fine for young readers, the book contains a couple scenes that have material only appropriate for older children. Probably not ok for kids under 13 or so.
Rating (0 - 10 scale): 7
Reviewer Age: 14
Reviewer City, State and Country: Fairview Hts, IL USA
In this sequel and final Dreamhunters book, there is exciting plot twists, thought-provoking events, and questions from the first book are all answered. Because Dreamquake is the second novel, the first book really needs to be read first. It will make the stories more enjoyable, and if you don’t read them in order, it will be somewhat confusing. In my opinion, the first book was more exciting, but Dreamquake certainly completed the series and made it come full circle. The tone and events happening in the two books are somewhat different, but Dreamquake is a good ending to the series. All confusion is sorted out in the end, and it is finally discovered what the Place really is and why it is there. Dreamquake is well written and a good book, so I recommend the Dreamhunters duet to any fantasy lover.
Content: Though the majority of this book is fine for young readers, the book contains a couple scenes that have material only appropriate for older children. Probably not ok for kids under 13 or so.
Rating (0 - 10 scale): 7
Reviewer Age: 14
Reviewer City, State and Country: Fairview Hts, IL USA
Thursday, May 31, 2007
Lorenzo and the Turncoat by Lila and Rick Guzman
Lorenzo and the Turncoat, by Lila and Rick Guzman, is about Lorenzo Bannister, a former member of the Continental Army, now a doctor. The book starts out as a British general, Robert Hawthorne, is throwing a party in honor of the British Army's latest victory. In the middle of the party, a messenger bursts in, telling Hawthorne that his cousin has been hung for treason by Colonel Galvez, leader of the Spanish Army, in New Orleans. Hawthorne sets out for New Orleans on a mission to clear his family name. Meanwhile, Dr. Lorenzo finishes a pleasant lunch with his fiancee, Eugenie, and heads to work. When he arrives, he meets with a most curious patient, Charles Peel. Charles has been having strange migraines. After prescribing Charles some "medicine," Lorenzo walks home as a hurricane is starting to brew. Unfortunately Lorenzo is approached by Colonel Galvez, who notifies him that Eugenie has been kidnapped! Will Hawthorne clear his family name? Will Lorenzo rescue Eugenie? Read Lorenzo and the Turncoat to find out!
I thought Lorenzo and the Turncoat was a great book even though it is not of the usual Sci-Fi/Fantasy genre that I usually enjoy. The book was filled with historical events, times, locations, and people, which was interesting. The only thing I did not care for in the book was the excessive detail in places. But all in all it was a really good book. I would recommend Lorenzo and the Turncoat to anyone who enjoys reading about the Revolutionary War or who liked the book Octavian Nothing: Traitor to the Nation, by M. T. Anderson.
There were some references to sex and sexually transmitted diseases that parents (or teachers) might want to be aware of.
Reviewer Age:12
Reviewer City, State and Country: Saugerties, NY USA
I thought Lorenzo and the Turncoat was a great book even though it is not of the usual Sci-Fi/Fantasy genre that I usually enjoy. The book was filled with historical events, times, locations, and people, which was interesting. The only thing I did not care for in the book was the excessive detail in places. But all in all it was a really good book. I would recommend Lorenzo and the Turncoat to anyone who enjoys reading about the Revolutionary War or who liked the book Octavian Nothing: Traitor to the Nation, by M. T. Anderson.
There were some references to sex and sexually transmitted diseases that parents (or teachers) might want to be aware of.
Reviewer Age:12
Reviewer City, State and Country: Saugerties, NY USA
Lorenzo and the Turncoat by Lila and Rick Guzman
Lorenzo and the Turncoat, by Lila and Rick Guzman, is about Lorenzo Bannister, a former member of the Continental Army, now a doctor. The book starts out as a British general, Robert Hawthorne, is throwing a party in honor of the British Army's latest victory. In the middle of the party, a messenger bursts in, telling Hawthorne that his cousin has been hung for treason by Colonel Galvez, leader of the Spanish Army, in New Orleans. Hawthorne sets out for New Orleans on a mission to clear his family name. Meanwhile, Dr. Lorenzo finishes a pleasant lunch with his fiancee, Eugenie, and heads to work. When he arrives, he meets with a most curious patient, Charles Peel. Charles has been having strange migraines. After prescribing Charles some "medicine," Lorenzo walks home as a hurricane is starting to brew. Unfortunately Lorenzo is approached by Colonel Galvez, who notifies him that Eugenie has been kidnapped! Will Hawthorne clear his family name? Will Lorenzo rescue Eugenie? Read Lorenzo and the Turncoat to find out!
I thought Lorenzo and the Turncoat was a great book even though it is not of the usual Sci-Fi/Fantasy genre that I usually enjoy. The book was filled with historical events, times, locations, and people, which was interesting. The only thing I did not care for in the book was the excessive detail in places. But all in all it was a really good book. I would recommend Lorenzo and the Turncoat to anyone who enjoys reading about the Revolutionary War or who liked the book Octavian Nothing: Traitor to the Nation, by M. T. Anderson.
There were some references to sex and sexually transmitted diseases that parents (or teachers) might want to be aware of.
Reviewer Age:12
Reviewer City, State and Country: Saugerties, NY USA
I thought Lorenzo and the Turncoat was a great book even though it is not of the usual Sci-Fi/Fantasy genre that I usually enjoy. The book was filled with historical events, times, locations, and people, which was interesting. The only thing I did not care for in the book was the excessive detail in places. But all in all it was a really good book. I would recommend Lorenzo and the Turncoat to anyone who enjoys reading about the Revolutionary War or who liked the book Octavian Nothing: Traitor to the Nation, by M. T. Anderson.
There were some references to sex and sexually transmitted diseases that parents (or teachers) might want to be aware of.
Reviewer Age:12
Reviewer City, State and Country: Saugerties, NY USA
Wednesday, May 30, 2007
Kiss and Blog by Alyson Noel
Winter and Sloane have been best friends FOREVER. They grew up as neighbors and even when Sloane moved to a different area of town, they still maintained their constant friendship. The summer before sophomore year, both girls decide they are tired of being at the C table, they want to be popular; they want to join the A table girls. As the year begins and Sloane is becoming more and more popular, Winter realizes she has lost the opportunity to become popular and she has also lost her best friend. Struggling through, Winter finds herself with a new group--people she can really call friends. Kiss and Blog by Alyson Noel is a novel about friendship and love and what is worth fighting for.
A fun and easy to read book, Kiss and Blog is the perfect summer novel. A book filled with drama and organic smoothies, Winter is a great protagonist, a realistic and free-loving girl. She takes you along for a wild ride during the fall and winter of her sophomore year and you will find yourself turing each page in anticipation. Although not a "metally challenging" book, Kiss and Blog is a great book to blow off some steam and hit the beach.
Content:2This book contains minor drinking, smoking, and some strong language is used.
Rating (0 - 10 scale): 8
Reviewer Age: 15
Reviewer City, State and Country: Concord, Massachusetts United States
A fun and easy to read book, Kiss and Blog is the perfect summer novel. A book filled with drama and organic smoothies, Winter is a great protagonist, a realistic and free-loving girl. She takes you along for a wild ride during the fall and winter of her sophomore year and you will find yourself turing each page in anticipation. Although not a "metally challenging" book, Kiss and Blog is a great book to blow off some steam and hit the beach.
Content:2This book contains minor drinking, smoking, and some strong language is used.
Rating (0 - 10 scale): 8
Reviewer Age: 15
Reviewer City, State and Country: Concord, Massachusetts United States
Bad Girls Club by Judy Gregerson
In a family torn apart by a mom’s mental illness, Destiny and Cassidy are the ones who have to suffer. All is calm when their mom is in her right sense. But now she is increasingly becoming more and more delusional. And memories continue to haunt Destiny. Memories she had been ordered to forget. Destiny needs to get out of the house before she goes crazy; the darkness is coming for her. It’s already grabbed Cassidy, and Destiny doesn’t know what to do to get the darkness to relinquish its hold. She sees the effects that it has on her mother. And it isn’t good. Will they make it out of the house alive? Or will they be prisoners of the darkness forever?
I can use one word to describe this book. Shocking. The fact that the dad won’t believe that any thing is wrong is just truly horrifying. And the story that happens at Crater Lake is just… Shocking. That is the only word I can say to describe this book. But Judy Gregerson also wrote this book very well, making it even better. I never wanted to stop reading this book, and stayed up until midnight to finish this book because it was so wonderful. Perfect for a summer read, and perfect for anyone to read. I think it will appeal to anyone. One of the best I have ever read.
Rating (0 - 10 scale): 10
Reviewer Age: 12
Reviewer City, State and Country: Casa Grande, Arizona United States of America
I can use one word to describe this book. Shocking. The fact that the dad won’t believe that any thing is wrong is just truly horrifying. And the story that happens at Crater Lake is just… Shocking. That is the only word I can say to describe this book. But Judy Gregerson also wrote this book very well, making it even better. I never wanted to stop reading this book, and stayed up until midnight to finish this book because it was so wonderful. Perfect for a summer read, and perfect for anyone to read. I think it will appeal to anyone. One of the best I have ever read.
Rating (0 - 10 scale): 10
Reviewer Age: 12
Reviewer City, State and Country: Casa Grande, Arizona United States of America
Quantum Prophesy: The Awakening by Michael Carroll
Ten years ago all the superhumans disappeared fighting Ragnarök and his super battle tank. In Great Britain on the tenth anniversary of Mystery Day marking the day when all superhumans disappeared Colin Wagner and his friends Danny Cooper and Brian McDonald are hanging out when Danny moves inhumanly fast to save Brian's sister from being hit by a bus. Colin is shocked when he finds out about his parents past and that they were some of the most famous superheoroes along with Danny's dad. Soon after finding out that all superhumans retired or disappeared because Ragnarök created a power damper machinge Colin's powers start to manifest. Kidnapped along with Danny and his parents Colin is sent to Florida where he begins to control his new found powers of superhearing and superstrength. Escaping form his captors Colin is stranded all alone in Florida where he meets up with a car thief who helps him meet the former superhero and friend of his parents' Paragon. Trying to rescue his parents and his best friend from rerising villains and old heoroes Colin has to cross a foreign country all by himself.
Quantum Prophesy: The Awakening by Michael Carroll is a very good book. Not many books except fo comics recently actually had specific super heroes, normally they are just the protagonist vs. antagonist. I enjoyed the twists in the plot that were unexpected and the not completely obvious characterization like when Victor Cross was being introduced the author said how he typed really fast and the keys were almost all worn out except for delete and backspace. This book is good for mainly guys because it has some plot to it and has a few action/fighting scenes. I also like how they have unusual superpowers most of the time there is superstrength and flight, but in the book Danny Cooper slows down his perspective of time. Overall I really enjoyed reading Quantum Prophesy: The Awakening by Michael Carroll.
Rating (0 - 10 scale): 9
Reviewer Age: 13
Reviewer City, State and Country: Eastchester, New York United States of America
Quantum Prophesy: The Awakening by Michael Carroll is a very good book. Not many books except fo comics recently actually had specific super heroes, normally they are just the protagonist vs. antagonist. I enjoyed the twists in the plot that were unexpected and the not completely obvious characterization like when Victor Cross was being introduced the author said how he typed really fast and the keys were almost all worn out except for delete and backspace. This book is good for mainly guys because it has some plot to it and has a few action/fighting scenes. I also like how they have unusual superpowers most of the time there is superstrength and flight, but in the book Danny Cooper slows down his perspective of time. Overall I really enjoyed reading Quantum Prophesy: The Awakening by Michael Carroll.
Rating (0 - 10 scale): 9
Reviewer Age: 13
Reviewer City, State and Country: Eastchester, New York United States of America
Dragons From The Sea by Judson Roberts
The book Dragons from the Sea is set in the year 845. The main character is a "beardless youth" named Halfdan. Halfdan really wants to become a soldier on a ship and go raiding, but many people don't take him seriously because of his youth. Then he meets a captain of a very fine ship and impresses him with the shooting of his bow. The captain agrees to let him join his crew. Halfdan then learns that all the ships and soldiers are going south to the Franks to make war. Will he prove his worth to the rest of the crew in Frankia?
With the book referring to the Vikings I really enjoyed its fictional and historical values. The book was exciting up to the very last page. I definitely thought it was good the book was written in first person. Since it had only one main protagonist you were able to understand his feelings and get to know him better. If you are in to the medieval set books you'll like this. You can also check out the author's website, www.strongbowsaga.com, to find out more about the Vikings and the times they lived in.
Rating (0 - 10 scale): 9
Reviewer Age: 13
Reviewer City, State and Country: Chambersburg, Pennsylvania U.S.A.
With the book referring to the Vikings I really enjoyed its fictional and historical values. The book was exciting up to the very last page. I definitely thought it was good the book was written in first person. Since it had only one main protagonist you were able to understand his feelings and get to know him better. If you are in to the medieval set books you'll like this. You can also check out the author's website, www.strongbowsaga.com, to find out more about the Vikings and the times they lived in.
Rating (0 - 10 scale): 9
Reviewer Age: 13
Reviewer City, State and Country: Chambersburg, Pennsylvania U.S.A.
Life As It Comes by Anne-Laure Bondoux
Fifteen year old Mado is in a tragic situation. She has lost both her parents in a car accident and now lives in the hands of her twenty year old sister, Patty. Mado has always been more responsible than Patty and the two sisters balance each other--fun and loving, responsible and hardworking. Life has no true direction, the sisters are just attempting to move through their loss. That is, until Patty tells Mado she's pregnant. Issues must be taken care of and the two sisters head off the the country to spend some time away from Paris before Patty gives birth. There they fall in love with two Dutch boys and Mado lets loose and has fun. The peaceful times come to a close when Patty's baby arrives. This story is about a young girl who is influenced by the circle of life much more than anyone around her. A story about love, death, and peace, Mado juggles the things in her life that are the most important.
This book was great! Mado was a wonderful character, she discovers the true nature of living. Anne-Laure Bondoux brings her readers along for a wild ride in an unexpected adventure of two young girls trying to survive on their own. I couldn't put the book down--I was intrigued from the start. Patty was a fascinating character whom you found yourself loving and hating--just like any older sister, and Bondoux created wonderful and beautiful images of the French countryside in my mind. It was a great read, I will hope everyone gives it a try!
Rating (0 - 10 scale): 9
Reviewer Age: 15
Reviewer City, State and Country: Concord, Massachusetts United States
This book was great! Mado was a wonderful character, she discovers the true nature of living. Anne-Laure Bondoux brings her readers along for a wild ride in an unexpected adventure of two young girls trying to survive on their own. I couldn't put the book down--I was intrigued from the start. Patty was a fascinating character whom you found yourself loving and hating--just like any older sister, and Bondoux created wonderful and beautiful images of the French countryside in my mind. It was a great read, I will hope everyone gives it a try!
Rating (0 - 10 scale): 9
Reviewer Age: 15
Reviewer City, State and Country: Concord, Massachusetts United States
Friday, May 25, 2007
Skate by Michael Harmon
Morrison High in Spokane, Washington has no place for anyone but the sports teams. Ian McDermott is a punk skater. His little brother Sammy is a fourth grader who is slow in school and doesn't do well. Ian has to keep up in school and care for Sammy everyday. When Ian was four years old, his father left his home. Then, Sammy was still developing in his mother, and she was starting to smoke crack. They struggle to simply eat because their mother leaves no money for them, even on the rare days she is home. Finally, when Ian punches his gym teacher for being a jerk, they run away. They try to run away to see their father in Walla Walla, Washington. When they meet him he sets things straight for both Sammy and Ian. However there are many challenges in between.
I absolutely loved this book. Michael Harmon started his first book off extremely well. The characters show so much feeling, thought, and emotion. Skate was a very easy read and a page turner. This book reminded me of Homecoming by Cynthia Voigt. They both had kids that were running away due to their mothers and encountered many struggles along the way. I recommend this book to anyone who wants to read about odd kids fitting in with others or adventures.
This book mentions drugs, violence, and has some swearing in it.
Rating (0 - 10 scale): 8
Reviewer Age: 13
Reviewer City, State and Country: Carlisle, Pennsylvania United States of America
I absolutely loved this book. Michael Harmon started his first book off extremely well. The characters show so much feeling, thought, and emotion. Skate was a very easy read and a page turner. This book reminded me of Homecoming by Cynthia Voigt. They both had kids that were running away due to their mothers and encountered many struggles along the way. I recommend this book to anyone who wants to read about odd kids fitting in with others or adventures.
This book mentions drugs, violence, and has some swearing in it.
Rating (0 - 10 scale): 8
Reviewer Age: 13
Reviewer City, State and Country: Carlisle, Pennsylvania United States of America
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