Elissa's Quest by Erica Verrillo

Thirteen-year-old Elissa has a very special gift: she can speak with animals. She doesn't think much of her unique ability but keeps it a secret as her nana advised. Not knowing who her real parents are, she stays with an all-knowing healer in the quietly pleasant valley of High Crossing. News arrives of a royal guest coming and Elissa is invited to the royal banquet. There she meets a mysterious nobleman named Lord Falk who says that he has come for her. Having no choice but to go with him, Elissa leaves her beloved home to travel across the desert to the Citadel many miles away. After learning that she is a bargaining tool for Lord Falk's kingdom, she is held captive by a devious Khan who wants her hand in marriage. She meets and makes friends with a very unusual servant girl and together they run away to try to find their way home. Along the way Elissa learns of her fate from the wise Blue People and the Healers. Will Elissa be able to take on her destined duty or will she choose to go home while the chance still exists?

Elissa's Quest is a unique fantasy full of talking animals and rivalry that will surely appeal to young readers. I think that the author did a very good job at being descriptive and unfolding the scenes. It was hard for me to get into the story at first and I found it somewhat boring and slow-paced since I am of an older age. I thought that a lot had occurred throughout the story but it felt like not much had really happened because the events only lasted a few pages at most and there wasn't a lot involved with each event. I think that the idea for this trilogy was pretty very different and Elissa being able to talk to animals made it more interesting. There wasn't enough action during each scene and the setbacks were solved too quickly and simply but she did add some very silly parts, which added a good laugh to the read. The wording was well-chosen for the reading age suggested, which was 9-12. Overall, I recommend this story to younger children who are looking for a fun and amusing read.

Reviewer Age:15

Reviewer City, State and Country: Upper Strasburg, Pennsylvania United States

Alein Feast by Michael Simmons

In this science fiction, William comes home one day to find his parents eaten by aliens. All that is left of his parents are their feet. Planet Earth has been invaded and the aliens are destroying the human race. Sophie, one of Williams's friends, is also shocked to find her parents gone. They were not eaten though; Sophie's parents were kidnapped by the aliens. William and Sophie, with the help of Uncle Maynard, worked together to find Sophie's parents and save the world from disaster.

I found the storyline to be a little slow. This book is definitely for basic readers. A young reader might be okay with the plot. However, I think anyone over nine will find the book boring. I felt the writing to be unimaginative and lacking detailed descriptions.

Reviewer Age:16

Reviewer City, State and Country: Lemoore, CA 93245

Falling in the Garden by Walter G. Klimczak

Meet Michael Sullivan and Ashley Haddow. Just two average American teenagers that meet on a summer break. There's just one thing separating them: 53 years. The book begins with Michael's best friend Joe moving away. He lives in a fairly secluded area surrounded by a forest with his mother. Carrying on with the explorations and adventures he and his best friend had in the forests, Michael discovers that he when he is in a certain place, he can speak to Ashley Haddow. They are the same age, but the year is 1946 according to Ashley, not 1999. Because they can only speak, Michael tries to find out more about who Ashley is. Ashley can't help him much, because her father has sworn her to secrecy regarding their location. The story continues and as their friendship grows, so too does the mystery of how and why they can communicate with each other.

The novel is a romance with a twist that makes their relationship very unique and interesting. Although the book starts off a bit slowly, it provides a good look at Michael's life before the events and definitely sets the scene for the story. Once the two main characters meet, the book picks up pace and I couldn't stop reading. I really loved how Walter Klimczak used such brilliant descriptive language throughout the whole book, allowing readers to imagine a very beautiful, detailed setting. Also, the characters were easily likable and are very believable. Overall, I really enjoyed reading this book and would recommend it especially to anybody who enjoys a nice, descriptive, romantic novel with a bit of mystery added to it.

Reviewer Age:16

Reviewer City, State and Country: Brisbane, Queensland Australia

Episodes: My Life in Syndication by Blaze Ginsberg

Blaze Ginsberg is a high functioning autistic teenager. In his book, Episodes: My Life in Syndication, he lets you into his world of celebrity crushes, Thanksgiving dinners, freshman through senior year of high school and his many trios of friends. The book is set up like T.V. episodes, giving you the cast, a summary of the "episode", air date, soundtrack listings and much more. Episodes starts off at Blazes freshman year at a new school for autistic kids. Throughout the book, Blaze travels to games with the schools sports teams, crushes on Hilary Duff and Sara Paxton, attends Vista View College, works at a grocery store and much more.

I thought the book was a little boring. The idea of it is interesting, but the plot does not have a hook that brings you in and makes you wonder what will happen next. While I was reading this, I thought it needed more to keep the readers attention. Through each "series" (chapter) Blaze tells you about his days and what happens. I found that it was dull and boring. I wouldn't recommend this to others if they want a book with action or an exciting plot.

Reviewer Age:14
Reviewer City, State and Country: Finksburg, MD USA

The Calligrapher's Daughter by Eugenia Kim

This story takes place in Korea in the twentieth century. Najin Kan is a spirited young woman with great potential in education. Her mother thrives to see her succeed, but her father, being a traditional Korean, is reluctant about the idea of a young girl going to school. Then he decides her education is well, he wants to marry her to an aristocratic family. Her mother is so against it, she sends Najin away to be an companion to a young princess. But shortly after, the king is murdered, and the princess has to leave. When she returns home she pursues her education, and does something she never expected, finds love, but after just one day after her marriage, a declined passport separates them for years. Will Najin ever be able to find her love again?

I found the characters in this book to be quite amusing, especially how the father acted toward Najin. I also found the ending very interesting, I never would have guessed that it would have taken Calvin and Najin so long to find each other. I was also surprised that she told Calvin all her secrets. Although the ending was well-written I didnt like the beginning, because a lot of times I found myself day dreaming. I also felt that some parts just dragged on. I would recommend this bookﾠ to anyone who likes realistic-fiction about Chinese life, and history in the twentieth-century.ﾠ

sexual situations

Reviewer Age:13

Reviewer City, State and Country: Springfield, Ohio USA

My Name Is Jason. Mine Too. by Jason Reynolds and Jason Griffin

My Name Is Jason. Mine Too, is a story about two men who make their way living as artists. Their story is told in a book of poems and paintings. Each poem and painting symbolize a different chapter in their lives. As artists, friends and practically brothers, both Jasons decide to write a book together. This book shows the struggle of how they had to live on their own in a fun, interesting way.

My Name Is Jason. Mine Too, is a great book. I was disappointed when I finished because I wanted there to be more. While reading this book I don't think I put it down once. Every page was different. They were creative, interesting and they were all unique. This book does not compare to any books I have read lately. The books I have read have not been based on art, while this is filled with different types of poetry and paintings. I think the only weakness I found was in one of the poems I didn't understand its concept. Other then that I thought it was interesting and might be one of the only books I have liked all the way up to the end.

Reviewer Age:15

Reviewer City, State and Country: Sandy, Oregon United States

The Uninvited by Tim Wynee-Jones

Mimi Shapiro is running. Running away from a disturbing first year at NYU to a small and creepy town in Nowhere, Canada. She hopes that while there for the summer, she can get her first screen play written, while coming to turns with what happened to her in the previous year.

Though nothing can stay perfect for long. When arriving at her father's deserted old summer house she finds that someone else is living there too. Her long lost half brother, a half brother that has been having his own problems, as of lately. Problems that involve a mysterious stalker who has been leaving him presents of dead birds and snake skin.

Can the two of them make it through the summer? Will they get to know each other the way only siblings can? Will they catch the stalker before their lives come to a crashing halt? Well, I guess you'll have to find out for yourself, in The Uninvited by Tim Wayne- Jones.

Only one adjective comes to mind after reading this page turning thriller: Wow! The Uninvited is a book that mixes mystery and getting to know long lost siblings in a fresh and fantastic new way. I was constantly trying to figure out how everything tied together. The characters were my favorite part of this story. They were well developed, likable, and funny. Plus, Tim Wayne-Jones' writing was pretty darn good. I loved how he slowly told the past of the characters and the stalker by reveling their secrets one at a time. Overall, The Uninvited is a definite must read for all teens and adults.

Reviewer Age:13

Reviewer City, State and Country: Mountain Top, PA USA

The Science Fiction Hall of Fame by Ben Bova

The Science Fiction Hall of Fame: Volume 2A contains a plethora of novellas establishing the foundation of the science fiction genre, circulating from topics as diverse as the civilization of Jupiter to interpretations of physiological and psychological phenomena. Although the prominence of certain inclusions is incongruent, all of the insertions feature storylines acutely parallel to those found more recently, and all retain a dramatic bearing on the molding of the paranormal artificial genus. Authors including John W. Campbell, Lester del Rey, Henry Kuttner, and H. G. Wells contribute such eminent and illustrious offerings as Call Me Joe, Who Goes There?, Universe, and The Time Machine. Indeed, the quality of the novellas in The Science Fiction Hall of Fame: Volume 2A may only be met by the sheer quantity and breadth of them.

The Science Fiction Hall of Fame: Volume 2A consists, in the words of the dust jacket, of the greatest science fiction novellas of all time, [as] chosen by the members of the Science Fiction Writers of America. Although similar claims are often featured on a multiplicity of novels and compilations, on this particular anthology the veracity of that statement proves staunch. The sheer quality and the variety of latitude in the insertions proves most impressive. An array of distinct tones, moods, and writing styles are present, proving to allow appeal to all readers, while the wealth of details, settings, and stratagems allows for a diversified and refined experience. The preponderance of the anthology proves profoundly satisfying and rewarding, sure to gratify science-fiction discriminatories and tyros homogeneously. Overall, a pleasure to experience, and a necessity to those whose bookshelf space remains contested.

Contains some violent, frightening, and mature themes.

Reviewer Age:15

Reviewer City, State and Country: Shrewsbury, MA USA

Simply Irresistible by Jennifer Bash

In the world, little girl dream about growing up to be rich, popular, and being on television. In those dreams, the girls they want to be may not have the best lives. The girls they want to be might want to have your lives. Why would that be? The answer lies within Simply Irresistible. Casey McCloy is new kid to the Upper East Side of New York City, and when her and the popular Madison Macallister sign up for a reality TV show, Casey becomes the new IT girl of reality TV. Madison, on the other hand, is not so happy about Casey as she steals her predicted spotlight, and imediatly makes Casey an enemy. When Casey moves in, she steals away Madison's love interest, Drew. As both girls compete for Drew's love, dirty things come up, as they realize what Drew is thinking. Both Phoebe, Casey and Madison's friend, and Drew are thinking about the same thing, their parents affair. When the ties of friendship between Sophie and Phoebe are tested, when Sophie catches Phoebe making out with her brother at her birthday party. As the book switches views between all the friends, can all the obstacles be avoided, or will they trip over them all.

This book written by the view of a teenager that grew up in the Upper East Side, and has seen the ups and downs of the rich and popular. Jennifer Banash has a great background knowledge to write the book. I believe that the book's age to aim for is between thirteen and eighteen year old girls. Girls younger then the aimed age might not understand all the big words and would get easily confused. This book rated from one to ten would be a 6. My reason for a middle rating is that the book does not have one main problem, it has many, and that is way to much. Also, I feel that all the problems aren't solved and the problems just get worse. The ending of the book ends with a brand new problem. If the book does not have a sequel, then the book has a unfinished story. Over all it was an okay book.

Reviewer Age:13

Reviewer City, State and Country: Lake Bluff, Illinois United States

The Charioteer of Delphi by Caroline Lawrence

Nubia, Flavia, Lupus, and Jonathon have returned to Rome to visit Flavia's uncle, Senator Cornix, and to watch the racing at the celebration of the Festival of Jupiter. Just days before leaving for Rome they meet a strange young boy named Scopus. Scopus becomes a stable hand in the stable of the Greens and invites his new friends to Rome. A famous racehorse has suddenly gone missing just days before the races begin and the four friends set out to find him. No sooner have they found the first horse than another one goes missing. Superstitions and other accidents take their tole on the racers and the horses. One disaster follows another and one of the four friends must make a life changing decision.

THE CHARIOTEER OF DELPHI is the twelve story in THE ROMAN MYSTERIES series by CAROLINE LAWRENCE. I really enjoyed reading this book and it has piked my interest in the rest of the series. The plot line is relatively simple in my opinion, but there are some unique twists that you would not have expected. The characters are well-described and easy to relate to. I find Nubia to be my favorite. She's honest, hard-working, brave, and does what's best for those she loves. I think that this story is more suitable to 9-12 year old children, but that's just me. It just seemed a little too simple and straightforward for my taste.

Reviewer Age:14

Reviewer City, State and Country: Braintree, Massachusetts United States