Meanwhile by Jason Shiga

"Meanwhile" by Jason Shiga is one doozy of a graphic novel. The main character is a boy whose journey starts out with ordering ice cream. Readers make decisions that lead to different pages with different scenarios, the first of which is as simple as chocolate versus vanilla. The boy then goes on to meet a mad scientist with many inventions. The story diverges yet again when the reader decides which device the boy will tinker with. More diversity comes when new characters emerge--some of which are directly correlated with a doomsday of sorts. The story goes on in many directions afterward.

This book is remarkably creative. The cartoon slides do not progress in a linear fashion; rather, they are discombobulated and connected with lines. Also, the tabs on the sides that protrude from each page make this interactive book fun to flip through as the story progresses. The style of art is quirky and fun for young children. After going through just a few of the boasted 3,856 story scenarios, readers will not be surprised to read on the last page of the book that the author graduated college with a degree in pure mathematics.

Reviewer Age:18
Reviewer City, State and Country: Troy, NY USA

Half Broke Horses by Jeannette Walls

Jeannette Walls's book Half Broke Horses is the true story of Walls's grandmother, Lily Casey Smith. Growing up on a ranch in Arizona with her parents and two younger siblings, Lily felt there was something more in life for her. At a young age, she began teaching and traveled across the country. Half Broke Horses takes the reader through Lily's life from work, to marriage, to raising her own family. It's a true testament to the struggle women had during the Great Depression.

Out of all the books I have reviewed for Flamingnet, Half Broke Horses is my favorite. The true accounts of Lily's life were so detailed, it almost felt like I knew her. Walls was able to portray Lily's thoughts and emotions through a first-person narrative. Lily's life was so extraordinary. She lived every day to its fullest and truly lived to the statement, "Live like you were dying." This book has inspired me to do the same. I can't just live every day thinking of what could I do, but instead, do it. I can't rave about this book enough. I got my mother to read it, and she loved it just as much as I did. Anyone who wants to read an inspirational book, without wanting to be preached to, this book is for you.

There are some curse words in the novel.

Reviewer Age:18

Reviewer City, State and Country: Villa Hills, KY USA

Shadow of the Dragon by Kate O'Hearn

Shadow of the Dragons has a little bit of everything, romance, mystery, adventure, and more. Kira and Elspeth are the main characters that are leading a rebellion to abolish an unfair law. During their adventure, they visit the future, past, and back to the present following a prophecy. This is a interesting book and every page leaves you wanting more. With an unexpected ending, this book is wonderful to read!


Shadow of the Dragons caught my attention from page one! I can honestly say I didn't want to put it down. The main characters (Kira and Elspeth) really are exciting and make the story all the better. The author, Kate O'Hearn, really excelled on this story. The story is not only original and exciting, but it also presents a unexpected twist. This book left me wanting more, and I would strongly recommend it to anyone.


Reviewer Age:13

Reviewer City, State and Country: Mineola, TX Wood

CancerVixen by Marisa Acocella Marchetto

Marisa Acocella Marchetto draws on her experience as a cartoonist for Glamour and The New Yorker to write and illustrate this graphic novel. Cancer Vixen is Marchetto's memoir, describing her fight with cancer. Marchetto starts off before her diagnosis, with her exciting Manhattan life then takes you step by step through her journey with cancer. Marchetto takes a comedic approach to a very tough subject. Cancer Vixen tells an "overcoming cancer" story in an upbeat and inspirational way.

Cancer Vixen by Marisa Acocella Marchetto puts a funny spin on a tale about overcoming cancer. Marchetto, a big city fashonista, takes you throughout her journey with friends, doctors, needles, her mother and great shoes. Marchetto is witty, honest and real. The characters all grab your attention, especially her overbearing mom and loving fianc￩. Marchetto's colorfull drawings add to the story and bring everything to life. But, even though it is full of bright colors it is a heavy topic that Marchetto is able to respect. I thoroughly enjoyed the book and hope to read more from Marchetto.

CancerVixen dove into a very deep and emotional topic and describes in detail doctor visits and procedures.

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

The Locust and the Bird: My Mother's Story by Hanan Al-Shaykh

This is a true story. Kamila Al-Shaykh, the author's mother, lived in Lebanon. Kamila's father left her family when she was young. Soon after, Kamila, her mother, and her brother moved to Beirut, the capitol. There, they lived with an old, strict family. When Kamila's sister, Manifa dies, Kamila is promised to Manifa's widower at the tender age of nine. At 13, she is married against her will to Abu-Hasan, Manifa's widower. She gives birth to her first child at age 15,but she does not love Abu-Hasan. She loves Muhammud, a 17-year old boy. Two years later, she gives birth to Hanan, the author. Things grow tight and tempers run high between her family and Muhammud. Kamila dreams of eloping with Muhammud, but she can't bear to leave her two daughters. Will she ever be able to marry her true love and begin the life she imagined?

I think this is definitely one of the better books I've read. It draws the reader in because it has so much new information. It's all about how life was in the typical Lebanon household. I think that because they were, and are so poor, that they have so much pleasure in small things. Just going to the movies, drinking coffee, and smoking cigars were wonderfully engaging pastimes. The book clearly expresses the emotions and tragedies of Kamila. The book is so sentimental. At the back of the book, There is an old, faded photograph of Kamila and Muhammud. You can see the youthful joy and happiness in them. It makes me want to cry. I think the author did that purposely, to make us remember her mother by writing each detail in a way that makes us want to mourn for Kamila. I think it is a wonderful book, and I would recommend it to people who are looking for a bit of a romance, but also some adventure.

There is lot's of cussing, and mention of sex. Also an inappropriate scene of romance.

Reviewer Age:11
Reviewer City, State and Country: Eagle River, AK United States

People of the Sword by Neil O'Donnell

People of the Sword is about druids, goblins and knights. In this book all of these people are enemies, but when Crarnock takes the lead of all the goblins he turns them on the humans. Knights and druids have to work together to beat him. It’s a never ending race between good and evil. This is an action adventure book with a little mix of romance in it also.

I found that the beginning of this book was a little hard to follow, and the characters at the beginning were not well explained. As the story went along I started to follow more and more and it made more sense.

It’s a great book with lots of action and fighting scenes and a little romance. The author was great, but it really wasn’t my type of book. He did make me feel like I was apart of it all and was engaged in all the fighting. The book had a serious tone, and he made the characters fit well together. I wouldn’t say that this was my favorite book, but I would recommend it to anyone who loves action.

Reviewer Age:13
Reviewer City, State and Country: Mineola , TX USA

King of RPGS 1 By: Jason Thompson

Shesh Maccabee is the hard-core gamer of the University of California in Escondido. Aided by Theodore Dudek, Shesh makes his name as the ultimate gamer. But with a dark twist. Every time he plays a game his split personality takes over and turns him into his character. In Dudek's eyes, this is the number one gaming skill, but it lands Shesh in a deadly dilemma with Gavin Slane. How will Shesh ever manage college?

Poor Shesh! All this because of a game. The King of RPG's was a book I could really enjoy. All the artwork was really cool along with the story board. Anyone who loves the wonderful world of gaming will love this book.

Reviewer Age:13
Mineola, Texas America

Hunger by Michael Grant

Hunger is a thrilling sequel to Michael Grant's book Gone. It's a fictional story showing how kids survive when everyone above 15 disappears. But survival is the least of their problems. More and more children are developing strange powers. This causes a split between the normal and power ridden kids. On top all the civil war threatening to boom Sam, the leader of the Perido beach, is trying to protect his side from Caine, his twin brother, and his gang. Not to mention the darkness trying to kill them all. As the society and food starts to run low things crumble, war rages, and blood will be drawn.

This book is great for any one who enjoys a good story. Michael Grant is a fantastic writer and has treated us with a new prize indeed. This story keeps you hocked from the beginning, always begging for more. I would, though, recommend reading Gone first. It is the first novel to the 'Gone' collection. Hungry really showed how much order, communication, and maturity are needed for the everyday society we live in. So if your ever in a hungry mood for a new fascinating book, pick up Hungry by Michael Grant. 5 stars to this one and two thumbs up!


Reviewer Age:14
Reviewer City, State and Country: Germantown, TN United States

In Shade and Shadow by Barb and JC Hendee

In Shade and Shadow is the first installment of the second
series in the ongoing Saga of the Noble Dead. Since
returning from her last journeyor's assignment two seasons
ago, Wynn Hygeorht has found it difficult to adjust to life
in the guild; not to mention much of the order envies her
for bringing back one of the greatest treasures in the
guild's history. But things stir up in Calm Seatt after two
sages are killed and a translation folio is stolen by an
unknown suspect. Many investigations are initiated by
Siweard Rodian, captain of the Shyldfalches, as it is his
duty and determination to solve the murder of the two sages.
However, as Captain Rodian digs deeper into the mystery, he
feels there is more to the translation project than meets
the eye. Wynn is also curious about the death of the two
sages and believes they were killed by a Noble Dead. During
one encounter with the Noble Dead, she is protected by a
majay-hi, or wolf, which she later discovers is the daughter
of Chap and Lily who was sent to protect her. Around the
same time, Wynn runs into a past friend, Chane, who is an
undead. The three work together to figure out the meaning
behind the stolen translation folios while also attempting
to vanquishing the Noble Dead yet they discover a hidden
truth in return.

This book is surprisingly good and very
descriptive, but it is one of my harder books to get into at
first. The plot is nicely woven together and very
interesting but I found it was the author's writing style
that took me awhile to get used to. The author liked to add
many miscellaneous little details that strayed from the main
topic, which consequently became confusing at times. Other
than this, In Shadow and Shadow is a great book for young
readers and has a captivating plot that will keep you
turning the pages!

Reviewer Age:14
Reviewer City,State and Country: Knoxville, TN United States

The Amberstone: Saving the Flame

In the early years of the Planet Vale, a healer named Alma is forced to become a flame inside an amberstone. When Carrie leans on a meteorite in her rock garden, she is pulled onto the planet Vale, where she finds the Amberstone. Alma speaks to Carrie, begging her to go to Lobo the Gray Wolf. Carrie and Alma have to brave an old manor, floods, and even people they thought were friends. However, with the help of Alma, Carrie finds friends in places she never thought possible.

I thought this book was very good. The author did a great job of having Carrie find courage within herself. There were a few problems though. To understand thoroughly the book, you really should read the prologue, and it I thought it took until chapter 5 for the story to become exciting. Another thing that might be a problem for some readers is that you see through the eyes of so many different characters that the story can get a little confusing. The plot was great; Carrie and Alma have to face obstacles that make the book interesting. I would recommend this to anyone looking for a new adventure.

Content: 1
Rating: 7
Reviewer Age: 10
Reviewer City, State and Country: Rockwell City, IA USA