The Battle of the Red Hot Pepper Weenies by David Lubar

Two kids get in a pepper eating contest in the school cafeteria, a Thanksgiving Dinner is interrupted by giant turkeys, and a carnival ride turns into a blender! Even more disturbing than that, when a girl doesn't have a date for the school dance, her dad makes her one...

David Lubar did an excellent job putting together these short stories. What's nice about reading a book of short stories is that you can quit for a while and come back to the book without forgetting what happened in the beginning of the story. Lubar tells each story in its entirety within two pages or so and the stories are not related. The reader could read the stories in any order. Here are some stories that the reader definitely does not want to miss: The Battle of the Red Hot Pepper Weenies.

The book is very short and I read it in two days. I liked almost all the stories, only a few were boring. Overall, the book is very amusing. I am eager to read the other books in the series and am anxious for Lubar to write more. I would recommend this book to anyone who wants a quick, funny read.

Reviewer Age:12
Reviewer City, State and Country: Merino, Colorado USA

Snow Queen by Emma Harrison

Aubrey has some expectations when she leaves Florida for the first time to join her best friend Christie, at her grandparent's Vermont inn, the Spotted Owl. She expects snow, she expects to win the hockey shot competition at the local carnival, and she expects to have a fun vacation with her best friend. What she does not expect, however, is to participate in the Snow Queen pageant, to meet an uber cute guy, or be sabotaged by his word-that-rhymes-with-witch-y younger sister. Added to all that, the Spotted Owl's existence is being threatened by the local resort, owned by the parents of the very guy Aubrey is crushing on! So now, the girl who is most comfortable in her roller blades and holding a hockey stick in her hand is forced to navigate a sea of heels and sequins while attempting to juggle her friendship, her romance, and scheming pageant girls at the same time. Talk about out of her element! Tenacious Aubrey eventually rises to the task but not before a number of mishaps and falls on the ice.

This book is perfect for curling up with under a warm blanket and with a mug of hot chocolate or stretched out on the beach listening to the roar of the ocean. We often hear about summer romances. Now it is time for a winter romance! I received it yesterday and read more than half of it before bed. I was ecstatic when I received the news of a snow day today, because I was then able to finish it this morning. Harrison has a talent for writing so that a person wants to see what the characters do next. You never have an idea what headstrong Aubrey is going to say or how she is going to react and it keeps a reader entwined in the story. <

Reviewer Age:16
Reviewer City, State and Country: Leverett, MA USA

Swordplay

Swordplay is a collection of 17 stories revolving around the
world of swords. These stories range from ancient samurai
swords to long medieval swords cast by mythical dwarves.
Swordplay gives one of the deadliest weapons a center stage
in multiple time periods (past and present) and various
locations around the world (from Basra to Hollywood).This
wide variety of stories about cursed daggers and famous
cutlasses opens the imagination of readers to a much broader
perspective of swords in our everyday lives. These stories
show swords as great weapons, invaluable artifacts, and
centerpieces of incredible legends.

What impressed me most about Swordplay is the ability of the selected authors to compose such a broad center for stories about swords. A
small proportion of the stories in this book is epic tales
of a majestic sword in a fantasy realm. Instead, most of
these stories take place in the present day but discuss a
historical sword. One example is a story about the
excavation by a U.S. soldier in Iraq of the sword that
protected the Garden of Eden. Another example is the
ignorant sale of the sword belonging to the Musketeer
D'Artagnan. Despite my hope for more epic sword tales, this
change in the way swords are viewed was very refreshing and
enjoyable. My favorite story in the book was about the
origin of the tale of King Arthur and Excalibur. What
intrigued me was the unique way the author approached the
legend, and this creative approach to sword tales is what
makes this book so enjoyable. I recommend Swordplay to
those with a vivid imagination and an interest in ancient
weaponry.

Reviewer Age:19
Reviewer City, State and Country: Eden, Minnesota USA

Three Witches by Paula Jolin

Aliya, Gillian, and Simona all were involved with the same guy, but in different ways. Trevor Saunders is dead and they all still have things they need to say to him. These three girls are very differnet and Trevor is the only thing that brings them together. Aliya was in love with him, even though her parents don't approve because of her religion and race. Gillian needs the money he never gave her. Simona wishes that she didn't get drunk and scream at him on that horrible night when he died. Trevor is not coming back. How will these girls be able to contact the dead? Can they do it?

This book was written by Paula Jolin, who had a very creative plot. This book was interesting, yet it could get a little boring and confusing at times. The ending definitely interested me. This story could be realistic at points. People may have different relationships with certain people than others so I could definitely relate to Three Witches. It had a supernatural plot so I would recommend this book to any young adults who are interested in a story which includes that popular item.

Reviewer Age:13
Reviewer City, State and Country: Fairborn, Ohio USA

World's End by Erica Verrillo

When Elissa hears of her father's plans to hold a royal ball in her honor in order to find her a suitor and send away her friends so they won't get in the way, she cant believe her ears and decides that rebellion is the only option. So Elissa, the new princess of Castlemar, hops on a boat, the wrong one to be exact, and winds up at the destination of the highest mountain in the world, the home of the Windsinger. While trying to avoid the dreaded marriage, Elissa ends up having to try and save her friend from certain death but ends up needing to be saved herself; what a turn of fate! Elisa ends up getting kidnapped by pirates on her way home to Castlemar and sent to the end of the world, otherwise known as World's End. How will she ever save the world and fulfill the prophecy of the Phoenix if she's kidnapped on some unknown island? Sometimes plans do go wrong.

I really enjoyed World's End, the third and last installment of the Phoenix Rising Trilogy written by Erica Verrillo; a great conclusion for a great trilogy. I was very impressed at how much the author's writing had improved from the first story to the last. She wrapped up the story very well and left me with few questions, if not none at all. The happy ending pleased me very much and I was grateful for how the events fell into place. I would definitely recommend this author and the Phoenix Rising Trilogy and I'm looking forward to reading more of Erica Verrillo's future novels.

Reviewer Age:16
Reviewer City, State and Country: Upper Strasburg, PA USA

Rich Again by Anna Maxted

"Rich Again" by Anna Maxted is as trashy as trashy gets. What little plot there is revolves around Emily, Claudia, their beaus, and their rich, estranged family members. Emily is obsessed with her crush and, being fourteen, readers don't think much will come of it. However, Maxted goes all out to describe horrifically grotesque [pre-marital] sex scenes with the minor. Additionally, Claudia's persona is that of a helpless woman whom needs fulfillment from a man for her existence and even obtains an eating disorder for said reasons. As the book progresses, there is some imminent danger as the family's rich empire is vaguely thwarted, but that ends predictably.

There is so much risque material in this book that readers can skip a good sixty pages and not miss anything other than repugnant sex acts. Also, teen pregnancy is taken lightly in the book, with one part even discussing abortion as perfectly normal. Young girls may see the fashionable cover and think they are to read of glamorous escapades through boutiques, but that is not the case. Readers are better off dismissing all 462 pages of this atrocity and picking up something else that will do more for their self-image and vocabulary.

Swearing, sexual scences, drugs, alcohol...

Reviewer Age:18
Reviewer City, State and Country: Staten Island, NY USA

Far From Gringo Land

The summer between your last year of high school and your first year of college can be filled with new experiences. But for Rick Dresner, it will become life-changing.
Traversing the border between the United States and Mexico, this Colorado native immerses himself in a new culture while helping family friends, the Romeros, build a house. Unexpected challenges await him though. Cultural differences shock his brain and readers are engaged in pondering differences not usually thought of. For those
looking for an eye-opening read or just a good book, this is one to be sure and pick up.

This book really got me thinking. What are the differences between American culture
and the cultures of other countries? It was quite a shocker for me, a pet-lover, to find out that animals are not kept as pets unless they perform services like being a watchdog. But despite the shocks, this book was an engaging read, drawing me farther and farther into Rick's trip to Mexico. I was satisfied with what I read and have learned a lot. I encourage all readers who are interested in foreign countries to give this book a look.
Reviewer Age:16
Reviewer City, State and Country: Mineola, TX U.S.A.

The Youngest Templar

The Youngest Templar is an intriguing story about a young squire during the Crusades who has been tasked with returning the legendary Holy Grail to England. With no ship to take, he must take the land route with his friends, including his friend Robard, who is a banished archer with great skill. Also with them is a Hashashin assassin, who has great talent in camoflauge. Along their amazing journey, they meet French outcasts (who are running away from someone but not telling who).

I thought this book was very interesting. It got me thinking, because I had never read a book that took place during the Crusades. To me, it gave a perspective into a world that was more interesting than Star Wars. I ended up buying the first book because I liked this one so much.

Content: 1
Rating: 10
Reviewer Age:13
Reviewer City, State and Country: Chippewa Falls, WI USA

Conspiracy 365 by Gabrielle Lord

On December 31st, fifteen year old Callum Ormond heard his name being called by a stranger he didn't even know. Before he could run away he shouts out to him "They killed your father. They're killing me! You must go into hiding until December 31st next year." After hearing those devastating words, he must uncover the mysterious history of his family and do so by using the few clues his father left behind. Now being framed for a crime he didn't commit, Callum is the most wanted fugitive and not just by the authorities. While Callum races against time to uncover the secret, he must also be aware of the people who are willing to get to him by any means necessary. Will Callum uncover the dark secret which his father died over? Will he even survive the next 365 days?

Wow.. that's all I pretty much have to say about this book! It got directly to the point at the beginning, and it started picking up pace immediately. It sort of reminded me of a Bourne Identity, but the story is totally different. It was definitely a quick read because it only took me a couple of hours to read, but it sure keeps you on the edge of your seat. I definitely think this book is a best seller series in the making, and anyone who likes books with tons of action and a mysterious twist to it will really enjoy Conspiracy 365. I would recommend this for ages 12 and up

Reviewer Age:14
Reviewer City, State and Country: Ruidoso, New Mexico USA

The Choir Boats by Daniel A. Rabuzzi

The Choir Boats by Daniel A. Rabuzzi takes place in a small village in London during 1812. Barnabas McDoon is a humble merchant who works with his best friend, Sanford, in their trading company. One day Barnabas finds a box on his door step. Inside this box is a key, a note, and a book called Journies and Travels to Yount and the Realms Within. The note tells Barnabas that he is needed in the land of Yount-- a world where only a few people know how to get there-- and the key is needed to save Yount and our human world. This note also says that if Barnabas needs any further information, he should meet two representatives from Yount at the Piebald Swan (a local pub). If they were not interested in going to Yount, he should not go to the Piebald Swan. Barnabas and Sanford decide to meet these representatives where they are told that they must leave their home and travel to Yount to save it. The two friends are skeptical at first, but when a wizard from Yount called the Cretched Man kidnaps Barnabas' nephew, Tom, Barnabas realizes that a journey to Yount is imperative! Thus begins the voyage to Yount.

The Choir Boats by Daniel A. Rabuzzi is a very interesting, somewhat challenging read. Since the story takes place in 1812 in London, the book is a harder read due to the British slang and dialogue of this period. Additionally, many small facts are thrown at readers that makes it hard to keep the events straight in the plot. Writing in the point of view of 3rd person omniscient gives readers insight into the minds of all the characters which can be very useful for telling a story, but due to this book's British dialogue, it becomes overly confusing. However, the book was understandable overall. Mr. Rabuzzi uses wonderfully, descriptive words to help us envision his characters and the surroundings. Take one of his main characters, Barnabas McDoon, for example. Rabuzzi describes a middle-aged man who is starting too bald who has an obsession with vests. Rabuzzi does a wonderful job helping us get to know his book's main characters, but he could have used a little more work with the supporting characters. The voyage to Yount takes up most of the book and overly prolongs the arrival to Yount that readers are anticipating. Some of the conflicts that occur on this voyage do not seem to be important. They simply stretch out the plot unnecessarily. Thus, I was slightly disappointed when the story finally brought the reader to Yount. It wasn't as wonderful or as dangerous as the beginning parts of the book implied. It did not seem worth the wait. More detail about the land features and other surroundings would have made this fantasy land more real to the reader and would have made this parallel world more magical. However, Rabuzzi rallies back and ends his book in a wonderful way, making sure readers will anticipate his next book. He leaves some unanswered questions, but not too many which makes the anticipation for the sequel begin to build. The Choir Boats is a great book for anyone interested in fantasy that involves religion. I'd definitely recommend this book for anyone looking for a challenge in reading.

Reviewer Age:14

Reviewer City, State and Country: Paynesville, MN United States of America