The book starts out with a bored young boy sitting in a room. He seems to be in punishment, and has received instructions to not break the mirror in the room, which otherwise only sports a chess set and a chair. Bored, he appears to begin daydreaming, or hallucinating, or actually dreaming, and the white king piece begins talking to him. Events lead into events, and very soon, he's in the mirror, talking to the chess pieces, his mysteriously young grandmother, and a thief. It's only then that he learns that inside the mirror are all the reflections of a person when they first looked into it. Eventually, though, he's awakened, and let out of the room by his mother.
I wonder if the translation is word for word; occasionally, artistic merit can be lost if that's done. I really wasn't terribly fond of the book. It was, perhaps, too redundant, and the storyline seems a little too much like Into the Looking-glass to seem terribly original to me. However, it's written in a very nice way, considering the narrator, and it's clear that it's more of a memory than something that's actually happening. The redundancy does seem a lot like memory, and I appreciate this, although it wasn't my favourite book.
Rating (0 - 10 scale): 6
Reviewer Age: 13
Reviewer City, State and Country: Mahomet, Illinois United States of America
Saturday, September 29, 2007
The Lacemaker and the Princess by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley
The Lacemaker and the Princess follows the story of Isabelle, a girl from a family of poor lacemakers who are trying to make ends meet. When she is spotted by the Queen at the palace and taken to be a playmate for the young princess, she is glad to be free for a while at least of her strict grandmother and poverty-stricken home. The princess (daughter of Marie Antoinette) is like the rest of the royalty, oblivious to all the needs and suffering of the French people. Whispers of rebellion and revolution swirl about spurring discontentment, even in Isabelle's own brother. Can the two girls remain friends even when their classes clash?
This book was an OK read. I was not able to connect to the characters very much. I felt that the princess would be an intriguing character if the author had let us see into her mind now and then the same way as Isabelle's. I had a hard time finding motivation to continue reading. However, fans of historical fiction or Marie Antoinette may find it interesting and fresh. It is a quick, easy read that young readers will probably enjoy for the glimpses it gives into the time period.
Rating (0 - 10 scale): 5
Reviewer Age: 16
Reviewer City, State and Country: Moscow, ID USA
This book was an OK read. I was not able to connect to the characters very much. I felt that the princess would be an intriguing character if the author had let us see into her mind now and then the same way as Isabelle's. I had a hard time finding motivation to continue reading. However, fans of historical fiction or Marie Antoinette may find it interesting and fresh. It is a quick, easy read that young readers will probably enjoy for the glimpses it gives into the time period.
Rating (0 - 10 scale): 5
Reviewer Age: 16
Reviewer City, State and Country: Moscow, ID USA
Naomi and Ely's No Kiss List by Rachel Cohn and David Levithan
This book is about two best friends, Naomi and Ely, who grew up together in the same apartment in New York City. Ely loves Naomi, but Naomi is in love with Ely. The friends have been through a lot together in their lives, mainly with family problems, but the problem that faces them now is much different. Naomi's boyfriend, Bruce The Second, wasn't on the No Kiss List, but Ely kissing him was inexcusable. This one action puts Naomi and Ely's relationship over the edge and may end "Naomi and Ely" forever. The chapters point of view switches between characters, which is done very well, you are able to get an idea of what each character is thinking in a simple way.
Naomi and Ely's No Kiss List was an interesting book. It was not my favorite, but it was written very well. It talks about the bonds of friendship and betrayal. It was funny and sad at the same time, and I feel that a lot of people can relate to this book.
Content: This book has a lot of sexual content therefore I do not recommend it for young readers.
Rating (0 - 10 scale): 7
Reviewer Age: 14
Reviewer City, State and Country: East Islip, New York United States
Naomi and Ely's No Kiss List was an interesting book. It was not my favorite, but it was written very well. It talks about the bonds of friendship and betrayal. It was funny and sad at the same time, and I feel that a lot of people can relate to this book.
Content: This book has a lot of sexual content therefore I do not recommend it for young readers.
Rating (0 - 10 scale): 7
Reviewer Age: 14
Reviewer City, State and Country: East Islip, New York United States
Manderley Prep by Carol Culver
We know and love Cinderella, the beloved fairy tale that has been made into multiple movies and mutiple versions. And here is a version of the cinderella story that all teens and young adults will love. Maderley Prep is the newest, twenty-first century story of a girl (Cindy Ellis) who dreams of being someone big and great, while having to live with her super evil stepfamily. Oh ya, and in this version of Cinderella, Prince Charming is a hot soccer-playing jazz pianist, And he likes Cindy! Will Cindy be able to survive her rude, snobby private school long enough to go see her Prince Charming at the Masquerade ball? And what about after the dance...
Manderley Prep is a refreshing new version of Cinderella that captivates everyone who picks up the book and won't let go until you finish it. It was a delight to read, and is a book to be enjoyed by many in the near future. Carol Culver relates to what high school is like today, and how hard it is to deal with those snobby brats that populate the school hallways. Plus I loved how insted of Cindy losing a glass slipper, she loses her cellphone! It's just another way to prove that Culver knew what she was doing when she wrote the book.
Rating (0 - 10 scale): 9
Reviewer Age: 13
Reviewer City, State and Country: Casa Grande, Arizona Unites States of America
Manderley Prep is a refreshing new version of Cinderella that captivates everyone who picks up the book and won't let go until you finish it. It was a delight to read, and is a book to be enjoyed by many in the near future. Carol Culver relates to what high school is like today, and how hard it is to deal with those snobby brats that populate the school hallways. Plus I loved how insted of Cindy losing a glass slipper, she loses her cellphone! It's just another way to prove that Culver knew what she was doing when she wrote the book.
Rating (0 - 10 scale): 9
Reviewer Age: 13
Reviewer City, State and Country: Casa Grande, Arizona Unites States of America
What If You Broke All The Rules by L. Ruckdeschel and S. James
The book I read was What If You Broke All The Rules by Liz Ruckdeschel and Sara James. This was a different type of book than usual. It's called "a choose your destiny novel". This basically means that you get to choose what the main character, Haley, does by turning to the specific page. There is still a plot, though. It starts out on Christmas Day. You get to choose which New Years' Eve party Haley goes to, what she does on her birthday, and where she goes over Spring Break. All the while, her parents are absent, too busy with work to pay attention to Haley and her younger brother, Mitchell. Utimately, you get to decide Haley's fate as she continues on during her Sophomore year.
Even though this book read differently than most books, it's still a good read. Some books of the same type aren't well written and can be boring. But this book actually had a plot. I was able to relate well to the main character because we are the same age. Even if you don't like this type of book, you should still read it because the protagonist, Haley, is very likable. Also, you can read this book many times, choosing different things for Haley to do.
Rating (0 - 10 scale): 8
Reviewer Age: 15
Reviewer City, State and Country: Aston, Pennsylvania United States
Even though this book read differently than most books, it's still a good read. Some books of the same type aren't well written and can be boring. But this book actually had a plot. I was able to relate well to the main character because we are the same age. Even if you don't like this type of book, you should still read it because the protagonist, Haley, is very likable. Also, you can read this book many times, choosing different things for Haley to do.
Rating (0 - 10 scale): 8
Reviewer Age: 15
Reviewer City, State and Country: Aston, Pennsylvania United States
The Band: Holding On by Debra Garfinkle
The band is barely holding it together. With there latest stunt over with, everyone is trying to pick up the pieces. Tracie is going to do whatever it takes to get her ex-boyfriend Carter back. But will she get hurt in the process? Mark is the luckiest guy alive. He and his girlfriend Lily are getting more serious but will one mistake cost him his girlfriend and the band? Sienna can barely hold it together. She is trying to help Tracie with Carter, but she falling for him herself. Will the band be able to hold it together or will it all unravel?
Opinion: This is the second Band book in the series, and having read the first one I know what’s going on. I liked it just as much as I liked the first book. I thoroughly enjoyed reading about these characters and what they are going through. But the author also seems to put some suspense in there. It’s like a soap for the teens!
Rating (0 - 10 scale): 8
Reviewer Age: 12
Reviewer City, State and Country: Minooka, IL
Opinion: This is the second Band book in the series, and having read the first one I know what’s going on. I liked it just as much as I liked the first book. I thoroughly enjoyed reading about these characters and what they are going through. But the author also seems to put some suspense in there. It’s like a soap for the teens!
Rating (0 - 10 scale): 8
Reviewer Age: 12
Reviewer City, State and Country: Minooka, IL
Tuesday, September 25, 2007
A Nameless Witch by A. Lee Martinez
Being born undead, she didn’t exactly have too many options to what she could do with her life. Fortunately, a witch named Ghastly Edna rescued her from her cellar to come live with her and taught her how to hide her flawless beauty behind the disguise of an old crone. However, events turn against her and the witch is forced to move to Fort Stalwart with a demonic duck named Newt, a troll named Gwurm, and an enchanted broom. When a White Knight arrives with the warning of a horde of goblings that are approaching the Fort, the witch realizes that great and terrible events are coming about. The witch and the White Knight must combine forces on a quest to stop an insane sorcerer from destroying the present world and recreating his own while learning more about their true inner selves.
Funny, witty, and filled with black humor, “Nameless Witch” was an amusing book to read. Although some parts may have progressed a bit slow, it was definitely a “page-turner” for me. This book does very well with detailed use of imagery but in some cases, the vocabulary and descriptions may not be appropriate for younger readers. However, the book is still written very well and even though there are many books about quests to stop evil, A. Lee Martinez wrote an original version of this common theme. The ending was a bit disappointing to me because the book was set up to lead towards a different sort of ending, but it was refreshing to read a book that was not cliché. I think this is a great book to read for fun and amusement and is sure to put a smile on your face.
Rating (0 - 10 scale): 7
Reviewer Age: 14
Reviewer City, State and Country: Tucson, Arizona United States
Funny, witty, and filled with black humor, “Nameless Witch” was an amusing book to read. Although some parts may have progressed a bit slow, it was definitely a “page-turner” for me. This book does very well with detailed use of imagery but in some cases, the vocabulary and descriptions may not be appropriate for younger readers. However, the book is still written very well and even though there are many books about quests to stop evil, A. Lee Martinez wrote an original version of this common theme. The ending was a bit disappointing to me because the book was set up to lead towards a different sort of ending, but it was refreshing to read a book that was not cliché. I think this is a great book to read for fun and amusement and is sure to put a smile on your face.
Rating (0 - 10 scale): 7
Reviewer Age: 14
Reviewer City, State and Country: Tucson, Arizona United States
Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher
Clay Jensen finds thirteen mysterious tapes on his doorstep. When he starts listening to them, he is suprised to hear Hannah Baker's voice, since she committed suicide recently. As he listens, he learns that the tapes reveal the thirteen reasons why Hannah committed suicide. The most shocking part is that he was one of the reasons, even though he was in love with her. Listening to these tapes could change how he views his classmates and how he remembers Hannah forever.
This book was written very well and was a very good book. The way the story was told partly through tapes added to the story. The story was very depressing and at some spots it almost seemed vindictive. However, the ending is sweet as well as sad. It made me want to cry but also smile. I would recommend it only if you are prepared for a deep, bittersweet novel.
Content: I would only recommend this book to mature readers who are willing to read about and deal with the thought of suicide. It was very thought-provoking and depressing at parts, so make sure that you are prepared to read it.
Rating (0 - 10 scale): 8
Reviewer Age: 13
Reviewer City, State and Country: Royersford, Pa United States
This book was written very well and was a very good book. The way the story was told partly through tapes added to the story. The story was very depressing and at some spots it almost seemed vindictive. However, the ending is sweet as well as sad. It made me want to cry but also smile. I would recommend it only if you are prepared for a deep, bittersweet novel.
Content: I would only recommend this book to mature readers who are willing to read about and deal with the thought of suicide. It was very thought-provoking and depressing at parts, so make sure that you are prepared to read it.
Rating (0 - 10 scale): 8
Reviewer Age: 13
Reviewer City, State and Country: Royersford, Pa United States
Sunday, September 23, 2007
Taken by Edward Bloor
Taken by Edward Bloor is a very gripping novel about the kidnapping of Charity Meyers. Charity is a young girl living in a wealthy neighborhood called The Highlands in 2035 when kidnapping is a dominant business around the country. Normally, the kidnappers give the parents twenty-four hours to pay the ransom, or else they kill the child and send home a body part. But for some reason, Charity's kidnapping does not follow the normal procedure, something has gone terribly wrong. Did her parents not pay the ransom? Or were they not following the rules set by the kidnappers? In her life changing experience Charity finds out who she is and what her place in the world is.
Taken is a very gripping and suspenseful book that keeps you hanging until the last sentence. The plot is very intriguing and holds on to you, making you want to just keep reading. The story is very well-written but I felt that some of it was kind of confusing. The ending, especially, was enigmatic and I had to read it over a few times before I understood what had really happened. Other than that the book is an amusing read that is entertaining and enjoyable.
Rating (0 - 10 scale): 6
Reviewer Age: 13
Reviewer City, State and Country: Champaign, Illinois USA
Taken is a very gripping and suspenseful book that keeps you hanging until the last sentence. The plot is very intriguing and holds on to you, making you want to just keep reading. The story is very well-written but I felt that some of it was kind of confusing. The ending, especially, was enigmatic and I had to read it over a few times before I understood what had really happened. Other than that the book is an amusing read that is entertaining and enjoyable.
Rating (0 - 10 scale): 6
Reviewer Age: 13
Reviewer City, State and Country: Champaign, Illinois USA
Saturday, September 22, 2007
101 Things You Need to Know...and Some Things You Don't by Richar and Tracey Turner
Have you ever wondered why we dream? Or maybe why cockroaches can live for weeks without its head? These are just 2 of the 101 things you need to know (and some you don’t) in this book. Every single entry in this book is true, and will mostly be liked by younger kids. This book is very interactive, and there is a “form” to fill in after each of the 101 things discussed in this book. If you complete a form, you can take a star sticker from the back of the book, and put it on that page! A very colorful book, each page asks a question, which is answered in a few brief paragraphs below. The questions touch many different subjects and ideas, and therefore, you are bound to come across interesting facts you have never heard about before. Amaze your friends! Quiz your parents! Most importantly, have fun!
Even though there are many amusing items I had no idea about before, I believe that the authors did not target the older audience. Throughout this book, the mood of the book seemed to be appropriate for kids from 10-12. It is a bit complicated for most people younger and too relaxed for those that are older. The forms make the book very interactive. Even though I did not complete the forms, it would take much longer to complete it than to read the short paragraph descriptions right beside it. Therefore, in my opinion, the balance in this book is questioned. Furthermore, the facts are presented in random page numbers even though they are categorized, which makes the flow of this book more complicated to grasp. All and all, this book is colorful, interactive, and fun. It gets the general ideas across, which you can use to amuse and quiz your friends and families.
Rating (0 - 10 scale): 7
Reviewer Age: 13
Reviewer City, State and Country: Urbana, IL USA
Even though there are many amusing items I had no idea about before, I believe that the authors did not target the older audience. Throughout this book, the mood of the book seemed to be appropriate for kids from 10-12. It is a bit complicated for most people younger and too relaxed for those that are older. The forms make the book very interactive. Even though I did not complete the forms, it would take much longer to complete it than to read the short paragraph descriptions right beside it. Therefore, in my opinion, the balance in this book is questioned. Furthermore, the facts are presented in random page numbers even though they are categorized, which makes the flow of this book more complicated to grasp. All and all, this book is colorful, interactive, and fun. It gets the general ideas across, which you can use to amuse and quiz your friends and families.
Rating (0 - 10 scale): 7
Reviewer Age: 13
Reviewer City, State and Country: Urbana, IL USA
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