Faithful by Janet Fox

Margaret "Maggie" Bennet has an elegant life amongst the elite families in Newport, Rhode Island. But when Maggie's father tricks her into going on an excursion to the wilds of Yellowstone Park to look for her mother, Maggie realizes that they are in Montana for an entirely different reason. A reason, that Maggie is desperate to find out. Alone and isolated in a dangerous wilderness, Maggie must discover what she wants most: freedom or a life she's always known. Fox's debut novel, Faithful, is a thrilling and heartwarming story of love, discovery, and of course, faithfulness.

The first time I laid eyes on Faithful's book cover, I immediately thought: majestic fear of the unknown. That's exactly how Maggie feels when she first arrives in Yellowstone, uncertain with a desire to conquer the mysteries surrounding the park and her mother's disappearance. Faithful is a great book; not only because it was written quite nicely, but because of the sense of adventure within the pages. The image of Yellowstone is very dominate throughout the story - as it should be - and Maggie's devastation and anger can be felt on a very personal level. I couldn't help but cheer Maggie on as she battled for freedom as the men around her continually tried to control her. When you start this book, you must understand, back then (even in 1904), a woman's future was deeply nestled in the will of a man's. Maggie is at their mercy; sometimes she had to make sacrifices that a 21st century girl would never dream of doing. Even though Faithful is in fact a historical fiction, I wouldn't hesitate to recommend it to someone who doesn't normally read that genre. Faithful is not all about the time period (even though it is important), it's about knowing what you want and standing up for it. Overall, I absolutely loved Maggie, the adventure, Yellowstone, and the discoveries Maggie made along the journey. I am whole heartedly looking forward to seeing more fiction by Fox.

Reviewer Age:17
Reviewer City, State and Country: , NM United States

Stringz by Michael Wenberg

For Jace Adams life has never been really easy for him. His mother moves them from place to place always looking for a better job. Jace on the other had moves from school to school, sometimes four schools in one year. The only thing that can keep him sane is his cello, and whenever he plays his cello Jace goes into a different world. His most recent move is to Seattle. When money is tight at home Jace decides to go to downtown Seattle to play his cello for some extra money. When Jace is finished for the night he collects his belongings and starts to count his money. Jace soon finds out that someone threw in a hundred dollar bill with a business card attached to it. What will happen to Jace? Will he call this guy who gave him a bribe ? Find out when you read Stringz.

I love the beginning of this book it is very comical but still very true. The author did a great job in the setting, characterization, and overall concept of the book. I believed that I was in high school as a freshman all over again. Also I felt that the main characters where my best friends and that they were truly human beings. The writing of the book was very easy to read and very effective. I feel that this book was very interesting. Anyone who likes to read a good book that shows the hard ships of a young person and also an amazing cello player then this book is for you. If you also like coming of age, comedy, and some serious moments stuck into a book you would also like this too. All in all a very good book that I recommend everyone to at least pick up and read.

Some drug references.

Reviewer Age:17
Reviewer City, State and Country: Northport, NY USA

All Star by Jane Yolen

Honus Wagner was born February 24, 1847 in Chartiers Pennsylvania. He went to school all the way to 6th grade but stopped there. After 6th grade, Honus went to work in a coal mine with his dad. He and his family always played baseball on Sundays because it was his father's day off.
When Honus was still young, he signed up to play on a real team. He was so fast that he had to carry a teammate so he wouldn't pass him. His brother, Al, already played professional baseball and got Honus a deal to play too. Honus set two records in the World Series and one still stands today. When people sold his card in cigar packs, he didn't like it so they stopped printing them. Honus died on December 6, 1955. Now his cards sell for nearly $3,000,000.

Overall I thought this was an excellent book. Jane Yolen did a good job of summarizing Honus Wagner's life. The book is very short and is only about 30 pages but it is still very good. I think this book would catch the attention of boys more than girls just because it is about a boy's sport, but girls would like it too. If you like nonfiction biographies then this book is for you.

Reviewer Age: 13

Reviewer City, State and Country: Merino, Colorado U.S.A.

Princess of Glass

Princess of Glass, a retelling of Cinderella, is a companion
novel to Princess of the Midnight Ball. In this book, Poppy
and her unmarried sisters are sent to different countries
through a royal exchange program of sorts, to promote better
relationships between countries and, hopefully, result in
some marriages. A second aspect of the story is Elenora, a
girl who went from riches to poverty when her father's
business transactions did not pay for their lifestyle and
both her parents died. She changed her name to Ellen, and
started working as a maid. Somehow, she always ruins
whatever she does. One day, an invitation to a royal ball
comes to the Seadown household where Poppy is staying with
her cousins and Ellen is working as a maid. It invites all
the eligible women in the household, and Ellen insists on
going. Ellen does not go to the ball, but a mysterious Lady
Ella does.
This book is as good as, if not better than,
Princess of the Midnight Ball. The suspense steadily builds
as Poppy gains information, but still has no idea how to put
a stop to Lady Ella. There are some sketchy ideas that could
use elaboration, but overall the story makes sense. There is
also a side love story, adding to the plot. Although you
don't need to read the first book, there are references in
this book to tie the stories together. Princess of Glass is
an amazing way to twist Cinderella into a completely new
story.

Reviewer Age:14
Reviewer City, State and
Country: Milwaukee, WI USA

Shooting Kabul by N. H. Senzai

In N.H. Senzai’s debut novel, we see a flash of what it would be like to be a Muslim family in the U.S. during 9-11. Fadi, now entering middle school, has to deal with bullies, honor, and the guilt of knowing that it was his fault that his baby sister was left behind in their escape from the Middle East. Will Fadi, with the help of his new friends and teacher, be able to find and rescue her from a country torn by war on the other side of the globe? This book takes us through issues that are still prominent today. With many people, the Middle East is a hot subject. Senzai explains points of interest in Middle East history and politics from the experiences of this twelve year old boy.

This story gave me a new perspective of looking through someone else’s eyes on events that I myself witnessed. This flashback style plotline jumps around a little, but gives the book the feeling of a photo album of Fadi’s life during this trying period. This wasn’t the first book I’ve read on the Middle East, but it is the first book I’ve read pertaining to these modern day issues. It helped me understand that just because someone is of a certain religion, it doesn’t mean that they agree with radicals who believe that Americans need to die. I enjoyed the book immensely and would recommend it to anyone ten years and up!

Reviewer Age:17
Reviewer City, State and Country: Provo, Utah U.S.A.

Freaksville by Kitty Keswick

Kasey Maxwell has the gift of sight. Her gift has been passed down by generation in the women of her family. Kasey normally doesn't like using her gifts but when it brings her to the cute British exchange student, Josh, she doesn't mind as much. Kasey can also talk to ghosts, so when she finds that her school theater is haunted, she investigates. But when Kasey and her friends get stuck inside the theater, she wonders how far the ghosts will go and if they will ever get out.

'Freaksville' was an okay book. I didn't think that the story line was very original, and it was kind of a mix of 'Romeo and Juliet' and 'Twilight'. I did get a good understanding of the characters and how they thought, so they seemed pretty realistic. I wouldn't really recommend the book to anyone.

Reviewer Age:14
Reviewer City, State and Country: Brownsburg, Indiana United States of America

My Bonny Light Horseman by L. A. Meyer

In My Bonny Light Horseman, Jacky Faber faces many dangers
such as a dangerous battle at sea and a close to death
visit to the guillotine. She comes close to death many
times and every time she wiggles her way out. When she is
captured by her old enemy from British Intelligence, she
is placed as a dancer in a nightclub to get secrets out of
French officers who frequent there. She soon blows her
cover though and is forced to follow Emperor Napoleon
Bonaparte into war. The thing is, this time death might
not let her go as easily.

My Bonny Light Horseman was a page turner and I loved
it. Throughout the whole book I felt I was there with
Jacky Faber. Dancing alongside her, following her into
war, I could really picture every detail. I also loved
Jacky s personality. She was brave, kind, and smart in her
own kind of Jacky Faber way. The book had a lot of mature
content and I would suggest it for the older readers.
Overall My Bonny Light Horseman was an amazing book and a
great read.

I gave the book a content rating of
3 because there were a few words and mature content
that would not be appropriate for younger kids

9

Reviewer
Age:12

Reviewer City, State and Country: Panama City,
Florida United states

Men's Stage Monlogues and Scenes by Lawrence Harbison

This book contains the best stage monologues and scenes for men from stage productions in 2009. Since there are many different pieces in this book, it is not possible to give a plot summary. But the book is filled with many dramatic pieces that deal with issues ranging from having a parent walkout on their son to teen pregnancy. There are also comical pieces that are sure to make people laugh when reading. Also, there are pieces that are dramatic AND funny. The scenes have only two actors, both of which can be read as male parts, or male and female. The monologues sometimes contain pauses, which indicate that someone is speaking. This book can be used to entertain or as a reference for finding audition pieces.

I really enjoyed reading the different pieces in The Best Men's Stage Monologues and Scenes for 2009. I enjoyed reading the comic parts, and often became emotional reading the dramatic parts. I think that this is more of a reference book than a book with a plot. However it is still entertaining for people who love to read powerful passages from plays. Anybody with an understanding of theatre will love to read these pieces from familiar playwrights like Don Nigro, and from newer playwrights like Jonathan Rand. This book is great for anyone who is interested in the high school activity called Speech. The comic and dramatic pieces are perfect for that activity. In conclusion, this book contains many great pieces for teens through adults. This book is a great reference for any aspiring actor, or professional actors looking for fresh, new audition pieces.

Reviewer Age:15
Reviewer City, State and Country: Paynesville, MN USA

Dormia by Jake Halpern & Peter Kujawinski

Dormia, by Jake Halpern and Peter Kujawinski is a terrifying adventure. Twelve-year-old Alfonso Perplexon is an ordinary boy - while he's awake. However, in his sleep Alfonso can climb 200-foot-tall trees, tightrope-walk on telephone wires and grow a Dormian Bloom that is the key to saving a legendary land called Dormia. When Alfonso's Uncle Hill comes to visit, Dragoonya Plants of War attack the bloom. Alfonso, Uncle Hill, Judy and Pappy escape the Dragoonya Plants in a very old airplane. Alfonso and Uncle Hill then book passage on a rickety old ship which will take them to Barsh-Yin-Binder, the closest port to the Ural Mountains, in which Dormia is hidden. After reaching Dormia with one missing and one blind companion they realize Dormia is under attack from the Dragoonya, their greatest enemy. Will they be able to fight off the Dragoonya? More importantly, will they be able to replace the founding tree of Somnos before it's too late?

This book was so good I was sorry I couldn't read it while I was asleep. It was very easy for me to imagine being one of the characters. I liked their different personalities and their fearlessness. I especially liked Resuza. She seems to like telling Alfonso, "You don't know a lot of things." Bilblox is also very funny. He is always refering to Resuza as "your girlfriend" in Alfonso's case. I found it interesting that the whole plot was focused on a bloom where the petals change colors every six minutes. If you like warfare, adventure, a small bit of romance and sleep-drivers, this is the book for you!

Reviewer Age:11
Reviewer City, State and Country: Lake City, IA USA

Prowling the Seas by Pamela S. Turner

Describing the adventure of the seas through animals, Pamela S. Turner brings a wave full of education to children. Within this wave, is the story of a tuna fish, turtle, shark, and seabirds. These sea creatures serve as a gateway of knowledge to children, in a simplistic way. Using these taged organisms, she weaves in the treatment of oceans and how each organism is important.

I thought that this book was a good way to provide knowledge to children in an understandable way. Everything was age appropriate and held pictures to perk their interests. It gives the reader information on the organisms and the facts about the ocean. There are diagrams that are simple enough for a child to understand and get something out of it. I would recommend this to children to provide easy awareness and education.

Reviewer Age:17
Reviewer City, State and Country: Carlisle, PA United States