The Rule of Won

Caleb Dunne is a self-pronounced slacker. After his brush
with the law last winter, his overly-motivated semi-
girlfriend Vicky insists that he begin attending "craves".
These are meetings for the new club modelled after the
popular book The Rule of Won. At first, Caleb embraces
the way and is ready to "imanifest" until his brain falls
out, but before long, the group starts to take on an
almost cult-like appearance and Caleb opts out. This
seemingly harmless idea that you can get whatever you want
by just believing starts a movement that gains popularity
throughout Screech Neck High. It becomes apparent that if
you aren't with the club then you are against it.
Bullying, violence and stealing are just some of the
various tactics these club-members employ to get their
point across and it's time for someone to take a stand.

Stefan Petrucha has a wonderful ability to make the
characters come to life. Caleb, among others, has
wonderful depth and a witty manner that entertained me
throughout this book. Its language also drew me into the
book and allowed me to visualize the various settings. One
of the downfalls of the book is that I am unable to
connect with some of the references to other sources that
are made. Besides this, the book was an enjoyable read
and is suitable for both boys and girls.

Reviewer
Age:15

Reviewer City, State and Country: Richmond,
Virginia United States of America

Deathwish

Deathwish by Rob Thurman is the fourth book to the Cal and Niko Leandros series following Nightlife, Moonshine, and Madhouse. Half-human Cal and Niko Leandros, the main characters in the series, continue their story of dealing with mythical beings with new problems in New York City. The brothers are yet again faced with the threat of their monster heritage, the Auphe (elf family), who are bloodthirsty for revenge. Worse still is the mystery surrounding their newest client, a vampire named Seamus, who was killed before the brothers could find out the identity of Seamus' stalker. This story, along with the past books, is a mysterious urban fantasy filled with twists.

This book has an awesome storyline and describes each page with detail. The storyline makes more sense, however if the previous three books are read first. Deathwish also has mature language and some disturbing details and therefore, is more for young adults. The storyline is very captivating overall. Deathwishs' genre is fantasy, mystery, and a bit of horror.

Note: Mature language and some disturbing details.

Content: 3
Rating: 7
Reviewer Age:12
Reviewer City, State and Country: Colleyville, Texas USA

What They Always Tell Us by Martin Wilson

Martin Wilson's What They Always Tell Us is a story about the lives and formation of brothers who are living through the ordeal known as high school. James, a senior, knows exactly where he's going and who he is, and he's happy with this knowledge. Alex, James' younger brother, doesn't and isn't. This vast difference is the main reason James and Alex are no longer close. That is until their ten-year-old
neighbor befriends them both and pulls them together with the mystery of who keeps parking outside his house at odd hours.
What They Always Tell Us is a great book for boys, if a bit ordinary. Wilson really captures relationships between males of all types and ages. James' frustration with his ordinary life portrays any senior's feelings of being stuck in Small town, USA. And Alex's identity crisis could be that of any teenager's. An interesting read for those bored boys out there.
The rate of the book's content is a 3 for its graphic, semi-sexual scenes and mature content.
Reviewer Age:17
Reviewer City, State and Country: Penacook, New Hampshire United States of America

Nation by Terry Pratchett

Mau was just coming back from his coming of age ritual when the big wave came. The wave wiped out everything in the Nation- people and animals alike. The wave also crashed the English vessel, Sweet Judy, into the Nation and killed all of her crew- all, that is, but Daphne. Daphne and Mau meet, and soon after that survivors from other islands in the chain arrive. They bring word that the Raiders- a cannibalistic tribe from the farthest island- are going to each of the islands in the chain, one by one, and looking for people to kill. They have a new chief, too: First Mate Cox, the leader of an attempted mutiny on the Sweet Judy which Daphne witnessed. Mau has to fight Cox in a battle to protect all the islanders from death and slavery- but Cox is a clever leader and a strong fighter.

Nation was a brilliant and detailed book which should be an addition to every library. It shows the shock and grief of losing everyone in his life and then the recovery and hope of starting over. The story is a bittersweet one with many good life lessons set into the foundation subliminally. And, despite the beginning of the story, the overall tone is actually joyful and in good spirits most of the time. Because: When much is taken, something is returned.

It is labeled as ages 12 and up, due to religious questioning and the initial subject of losing so many things.

Reviewer Age:14

Reviewer City, State and Country: Colleyville, Texas USA

WWW:Wake by Robert J. Sawyer

"WWW: Wake" by Robert J. Sawyer is a thrilling book. The
story mainly follows a girl with a unique case of
blindness that just so happens to be a polymath. She gets
in contact with a Japanese researcher that implants a
device in her left eye. Afterwards, she begins to see the
world wide web before she sees the real world. As Sawyer
explains, she sees the internet in its abstract nature,
not how regular people see browsers, websites, and
whatnot. Later, it becomes clear to her that the internet
she encountered was actually a being. The girl teaches
this being how to communicate and eventually finds solace
in its futuristic company. Intermittently dispersed
throughout the novel are sub-plots; the reader understands
the importance of these as the story progresses.

This
book is surprisingly good. Readers feel sympathy for the
main female protagonist and begin to identify with other
characters. However, there are sexual innuendos scattered
throughout the book that could have been omitted.
Additionally, there are some obscenities in the novel
related to certain characters' diction. If "WWW: Wake"
didn't have such a well-thought out plot, readers would
have had the urge to put it down.

Reviewer Age:17

Reviewer City, State and Country:
Staten Island, NY USA

Almost Astronauts: 13 Women Who Dared To Dream by Tanya Lee Stone

Most everyone has heard of the Mercury 7, the first human spaceflight program in the Untied States. It lasted from 1959 through 1963, and the goal was to beat the Russians in putting the first human in orbit around the Earth. Everyone pretty much knows John Glenn, Scott Carpenter, and the rest of the crew that trained, but very few people know of the thirteen women who trained and never got to go into space. Jerrie Cobb was the first woman pilot to take all the same tests that the men took, and even scored higher than the men! Not only did they create a path for female astronauts, but they also played a very important role in WASP (The Women Air Force Service Pilots) and other rights for women in the 1960s. These thirteen women should be honored and remembered throughout American history.

This was an excellent book! Tanya Lee Stone did a great job in her research and interviews for this book. I am so glad that she wrote this book, because I never knew anything about these women who fought to be part of the space project with NASA. This book would be a good source for a book report or research paper for anyone. I would recommend it for ages eleven and up.

Reviewer Age: 14

Reviewer City, State and Country: NM, USA

MY BROTHER ABE by Harry Mazer

Have you ever wondered what Abe Lincoln's life was like when he was a kid? If so, My Brother Abe is a good book for you. In this book Harry Mazer writes from Sally Lincoln's, Abe's sister, point of viewand you are reading her diary. This book is easy for kids to understand because it is written like a kid would write something. You also get to see the problems the Lincoln kids had to face every day, from moving to bickering amongst themselves.

My Brother Abe was a pretty good book, but there were some boring parts. It was a good easy read. If anyone wants a book they could read in an afternoon, I would recommend My Brother Abe. If you aren't at all interested in history, don't read My Brother Abe. If you like historical fiction or enjoy learning about presidents then this book is the right book for you.

Reviewer Age:12

Reviewer City, State and Country: Harleysville, PA USA

The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman

Nobody Owens knows he is different. But now, he's finally learning just how different he really is. After his family was killed one night by an ancient and secret organization, Nobody, now known as Bod, has been raised in the graveyard. He has gained some gifts from the inhabitants, such as the ability to Fade out of sight. But now, 13 years later, the same people who killed his family have set out to finish the job. Bod must save himself and his friend- but it comes at a price.

The Graveyard Book is full of fascinating components and dynamic characters. Neil Gaiman has done it again- another great book full of twists and turns. The people are so realistic and true that one can almost reach out and touch them; the settings make so much sense and give the story an easily identifiable background. Although the tone is dark and the beginning of the book is a bit scary, it just makes the book even better. I would recommend this book for those around the age of 10 because of this.
Attempted murder and advanced views.
Reviewer Age:14
Reviewer City, State and Country: Colleyville, Texas USA

Ben 10 Alien Force by Cartoon Network

Ben Tennyson is back and better than ever. Five years after putting the Omnitrix, a device that he uses to transform himself into an alien, away for good, he is called into action. Grandpa max has been kidnapped and Ben is the only one who can save him. With the help of the Omnitrix, his cousin Gwen, his former nemesis Kevin Levin, and an alien, he goes on a search for Grandpa Max.

This graphic novel is illustrated very well, but the actual story was written in a very choppy way. It is a very good book for younger kids who dislike reading, but want some form of entertainment. It was a short read, not much actually happened in this first book. This is good for anyone who likes the Ben Ten TV show and/or movies.

Reviewer Age:15

Reviewer City, State and Country: Shippensburg, Pennsylvania USA

The Awakening by Kelley Armstrong

Chloe, who turns out to be a magical science experiment, can see and talk to ghosts. That's because she happens to be a necromancer. She runs away from Lyle House, where she was previously kept by members of The Edison Group, the group that actually genetically altered her. She's not alone. With her are Simon, a sorcerer; Derek, a werewolf; and Tori, a witch; not to mention her dead ghost friend Liz. Their goal is to find Simon and Derek's father, who could possibly help them retain their freedom. Along the way, Chloe and Derek run into a rather disgruntled pack of werewolves, the group has to evade capture, and injury, several times, and Simon and Chloe just may like each other.

Wow. After reading The Awakening, I was quite pleasantly surprised. The Awakening was even better than The Summoning, the first book in this amazing series. Twilight lovers that would have liked a little more action, or fans of the City of Bones series, would really enjoy The Awakening. It was well written, incredibly suspenseful, and there was never a slow moment. Overall, the plot is excellent and the characters seem like real people. I would definitely recommend The Awakening to anyone interested in a work of fiction with suspense, werewolves, and dynamic, well-thought-out characters. I can't wait for the next installment in this incredible series!

Reviewer Age:16

Reviewer City, State and Country: Charleston, SC USA