The Undrowned Child by Michelle Lovric

Teodora has been long anticipating her trip to Venice, a place where she feels she belongs. She has come from Naples with her adoptive parents, and is eager for an enchanting vacation in the little city. Teo is touring a charming old-fashioned Venetian bookshop when one of its volumes falls on her head. Venice turns out to be more than meets the eye as Teo begins to unlock centuries-old secrets that have led the ancient city into perilous danger.
I liked this book! It' s a little slow to take off, but once it does, it's an interesting story that ties into Venice s history and gives it a magical twist. If you 're someone who likes details to be perfect, parts of this story might bother you: The characters often accept undeniably magical and impossible situations and don 't question it. Personally, I didn' t mind and still found this story to be a satisfying read that taught me a little about Venice and told a good story at the same time. The young heroine in this tale will charm readers of all ages. An overall good read!

Reviewer Age:12
Reviewer City, State and Country: Tigard, OR USA

The Lily Pond by Annika Thor

Stephanie finds herself a year older and still in Poland. Her parents still suffer in war-ravaged Germany, trying to survive. So when Stephanie gets the chance to continue her schooling beyond six years she does everything in her power to be able to stay at the school on the mainland. Stephanie is staying with a fairly rich couple that rented her foster parents' cabin the summer before. She soon begins to fall in love with the couples son, who is five years Stephanie s senior (he' s nineteen, she s fourteen). In the end Stephanie is accused of cheating on a test, and Sven, the couple's son, tells Stephanie something that devastates her so much she is willing to give up her education, which would help her have a better life

At first I was kind of disappointed in this book, but then around the second or third chapter things started to pick up, and the book began to have more action. Soon it was as if someone had glued my eyes to the pages of the book and I couldn 't put it down.
The ending did surprise me, when it came my mouth formed an O shape. I was stunned I would have never thought they' d be friends again (Stephanie and Sven). I thought Stephanie would' ve been to embarrassed to show her face again, I thought she was going to just wallow in her pity, but this ending literally left me there thinking WOW, I never would' ve guessed this book was going to take me by surprise. I 'd rate this book out of ten ponds, eight ponds. I really believe you wouldn' t regret picking this book to read (if you' re a girl.) because of the romance in it.


P.S. I also think the author left all loose ends tied up at the end of the book, and this book taught me that nothing is always easy, but if you persevere that things will end up all right.


Reviewer Age:13
Reviewer City, State and Country: Nampa, Idaho U.S.A

Over the Edge by Norah McClintock

When Peter (a person from Chloe's school) is found dead at the bottom of MacAdam's lookout, nobody knows if he jumped.... or if he was pushed. And to top it all off, Peter's mother seemed to think that Chloe was a friend of Peter's, when Chloe barely even noticed him. Will Chloe find out what really happened to Peter?
Although this book was good, it was my least favorite of the whole series. It didn't have as much action as the other ones in the series. This book was still amazing, though! It just didn't answer a few questions I had at the end of the book.... such as, what happened to Mrs. Flosnick? What happened to Lise's father? What happened to Daria? What happened to Matt? Although there were a few questions unanswered, I didn't figure out the ending before it happened (like I did with the other books in the series). The ending was a complete surprise to me. This book was very good (other then the unanswered questions), and I suggest you read it! :)
I rated this 2 because there are some violant scenes that may be too much for the younger age.
Reviewer Age:12
Reviewer City, State and Country: Yucaipa, CA USA

Spirits of the Noh

Kara Harper and her friends survived a nightmarish summer fighting to stop the Kyuketsuki. They succeeded in closing his window into our world. The demon left them with a curse that would draw demons that would exact the revenge of the Kyuketsuki. After months of dread, things seem to be back to normal. School was back in session, and people were moving on, but the darkness is looming. Worry starts to arise when two students go missing after working on the play Dojoji for Noh Club. The official theory is that they ran away together, but after Miiho is attacked they know something more sinister is afoot. There is a demon in Miyazu City that seems to be only interested in the Noh Club kids. Kara and her friends decide to attempt to protect the club members after the violent murder of the play's star by the demon, Hannya. In this pursuit Miho is kidnapped and wakes up trapped in the Hannya's lair. To find out what happens read "Spirits of the Noh" by Thomas Randall.

"Spirits of the Noh" is a riveting story that has the reader holding their breath up to the last page. This book can be a little complicated at first if you have not read the first book. If you want to have a better understand you really should read the first book, "Dreams of the Dead". The story flows from one point of view to another without warning. Each of the characters has a distinct personality that seems to bleed through and blend with the other character's perfectly. I would recommend this book to anyone who would like a thrilling read with hints of mystery, romance, and the supernatural.

There are some graphic scenes described.
Reviewer Age:16
Reviewer City, State and Country: Makanda, Illinois USA

The Space Merchants

Book Title: The Space Merchants
Author: Frederik Pohl and C.M. Kornbluth
ISBN: 9781250000156
Summary: In an overpopulated, future Earth, Mitch Courtenay is a star-class copywriter in a world run by business. He has been given the job of advertising an ad to attract colonist to Venus by the Fowler Schocken advertising agency that he works for. Venus has just been judged to be hospitable, even with the harsh climates. Mitch’s relationship with his wife, Kathy, is in turmoil. His relationship with his boss, however, is strong because Fowler Shocken is giving Mitch the most important job that the agency has ever been a part of. The Taunton agency is fighting for the right to have Venus and will do anything to get it. However, Mitch’s career takes a turn for the worst after a betrayal leaves him with nothing and he may never have the same life again.
Opinion: I really liked this book. The author used a good setting of how the world could easily turn into. The characters fit very well into the setting and plot of the book. I would have liked the author to explain some of the products in the book a little more clearly such as the anti-soot plugs and what they were used for. The twist that the author put in the book had me turning the pages just to find out what he does next. I would recommend this book to anyone who likes science fiction and/or dystopian novels

Content:1


Rating (0 - 10 scale): 7
Reviewer Age: 13
Reviewer City, State and Country: Springfield , Ohio United States

The File on Angelyn Stark

Book Title: The File on Angelyn Stark
Author: Catherine Atkins
ISBN: 9780375869068
Summary: “You think you know me?” This is how Angelyn Stark would respond to meeting a new person. As an outsider, you would not know much about Angelyn. Sure, at school, kids see the bad girl side of her, the one that doesn’t mind getting in trouble. But what happened to the good girl, the one that studied with Mrs. Daly after school when she was younger? And why does she hate Mrs. Daly’s grandson, Nathan, so much? What did Nathan do to make Angelyn’s mom and step-father hate her? And then there is Mr. Rossi, Angelyn’s World Cultures teacher that says Angelyn is “one smart girl.” Angelyn hates teachers, but Mr. Rossi doesn’t act like a teacher…he’s more of a friend. But how friendly will Angelyn and Mr. Rossi become?
Opinion: The File on Angelyn Stark was a good read, but the title of the book left me confused. When I first started reading the book, I thought that a file of records would have a significant meaning in the book, but there never was a file. Although I was confused by the title, I liked the book and thought that Angelyn was an interesting character. I never knew what she would do next, which left for an exciting plot. However, the book was a little slow at some parts and, to me; the author took awhile to let you know some major events that would affect the plot. All in all, the book was a good read. I would recommend this book to girls 14 and above, due to some language and sexual content.

Content:2
Contained profanity and sexual content. Also involved a student-teacher relationship.

Rating (0 - 10 scale): 7
Reviewer Age: 14
Reviewer City, State and Country: Springfield, Ohio USA

Unto the Breach

Book Title: Unto the Breach
Author: Sidney Gale
ISBN: 9780557687640
Summary:

Unto the Breach By: Sidney Gale

This book may not seem like something you would pick up at the library and read, but you definitely should. Sidney Gale offers us a story into which the readers quickly become interested.  While the rest of the students in their class attend a school-sponsored camping trip, three students, along with their teacher, decide instead on a boating trip around Lake Ontario.  When things go terribly wrong, three young kids fight to stay hopeful.  Will the boys make it back in time before their beloved teacher Mr. Benson goes to sleep with the fishes?   In this book, the story picks you up off your feet and into the life’s of these three kids. Unto the Breach by Sidney Gale is definitely a story any sailor, or non-sailor for that matter, will love.
Opinion: This book by Sidney Gale was awesome. The story honestly made me feel something, which is something that every author should want to achieve when writing.  Honestly, I can say that when I was reading this, I felt scared for the kids.   Sidney Gale has definitely achieved something in his writing. Unto the Breach could give a different feeling to  all of us, but to figure that out, first you’re going to have to prop up a chair and open Unto the Breach to find out.  You definitely should!

Content:1


Rating (0 - 10 scale): 7
Reviewer Age: 13
Reviewer City, State and Country: ENON, Ohio United States of America

Silver Zombie

Book Title: Silver Zombie
Author: Carole Nelson Douglas
ISBN: 9781439167816

Summary: Carole Nelson Douglas does a wonderful job at combining companionship, action, and a little romance to spice things up. Although this journey starts in Vegas, Delilah, her partner Ric, and her half wolfhound companion Quicksilver go to Kansas to learn more about Delilah's past. It doesn't take long before Delilah begins to realize trouble lies ahead of her. She is soon dealing with zombie cowboys, weather girl witches, and a Hollywood fanatic. Although all of the battles Delilah faces, she is forced to face her biggest fear yet. This yellow brick road trip seems to have taken a wrong turn.

Opinion: In my opinion, this book was alright, but not one of my favorites. It was very difficult for me to read. I really enjoy the basic idea of the plot, but the way the author uses states the sentences doesn't really draw you into the book fast enough. The first few pages get you going, but the following pages don't pull through for me.   The one thing I loved about the book is how the author combined companionship, Delilah and Quicksilver, Romance, Delilah and Ric, along with action throughout the story. Maybe it was because I have not read the earlier books in the series, but this book did not jump out at me.

Content:1


Rating (0 - 10 scale): 4
Reviewer Age: 13
Reviewer City, State and Country: Enon, Ohio USA

Taken at Dusk by C.C Hunter

In the book Taken at Dusk by C.C. Hunter, Kylie thinks that now that she has gotten away from the sadistic vampire her life will get easier. Now she just has to figure out whatshe is. On top of that, she has two boys chasing after her. Lukas and Derek are both great for her , but how can she decide? Her newest ghost is an amnesia afflicted woman who can 't remember anything except that someone is going to die. Will Kylie s world come crashing down or will she learn to accept how she is?

This book was good. I didn't t likethat the book was written in third person. This made it somewhat hard to get engaged in the book. Overall, the characters were developed very well throughout the whole book. I would recommend this book to people who liked VampireAcademy, House of Night series, Hush, hush, Nightshade, Fallen and Hex Hall.

Reviewer Age:14

Reviewer City, State and Country: Northglenn, CO U.S.A.

Lovetorn

Lovetorn


Recently, I read the ethnic novel, Lovetorn, by Kavita Daswani. Times are tough for Shalini, a sixteen year old Indian girl freshly uprooted from her native country, India, to the United States, where her father now has a position in a nationwide company. Used to her extended family always surrounding her and the comfortable life she has always lived, Shalini is in for a rude awakening when she moves to Los Angeles, where her now-immediate family starts to slowly fall apart. Her mother, pining for her familiar Indian home, is slowly slipping into a state of depression.Shalini, on the other hand, is new to this way of life, and is shunned by what seems like herentire new school, just because she is different. Also, she is not only homesick for India and the shelteredlifestyle she once lived, but now is missing her fiance, Vikram, whom she has been betrothed to since her third birthday. She is constantly thinking of him until she meets Toby. Finding she is woefully attracted to the handsome yet radical flute player, Shalini is trapped between her duty and her desire for love. She had once believed she and Vikram were meant for each other, but Vikram has never made her feel the sensations she now experiences when she sees Toby. Just starting to fit in, Shalini is fearful that if anyone hears of her engagement even her new flame, Toby--she will be an outcast once more. Guilty about her infatuation with the swashbuckling soloist, Shalini does not know which way to turn. Suddenly there are just too many decisions to make.

"He was staring at me. I looked away to avoid his gaze. I was barely breathing. He felt so close, so touchable. The air between us felt heavy, unmoving."


I was really disappointed in this book. All you heard about was Toby. Shalini's obsession with him was maddening! The book actually started out good for the first fifty pages until Toby waltzed into the plot. Then it just kind of got into a pattern-- She likes Toby, then feels guilty that she doesn't love Vikram, she likes Toby, then she feels guilty about Vikram...it just goes on and on. I honestly had to motivate myself so I could get through the next chapter! It seemed like she had nothing better to do than sit in her room fantasizing about Toby. I really wish that the novel focused a little bit more on the other secondary characters and would hone in on their stories more. It was all about Shalini and of course, her knight in shining armor, Toby. One thing I really liked about this book was that it exceptionally portrayed the insecurities of a new student and the difficulty people have accepting new cultures or anyone who is not like them, for that matter.

"I glanced up and saw Sasha and Magali standing by the door, both staring straight at me, huddling close to each other and laughing."

I would recommend this book for ages eight and up, partly because of the vocabulary and partly because of the story plot, which would be difficult to follow for younger readers. I assure you there are no sexual situations in this book, and the content is sparkling clean.





This book is all about how hard it is to fit in, especially when people have a narrow mind when it comes to accepting different ethnic groups, just because they are not alike. Shalini tries to break through all these barriers, and then has the choice to try and forgive those who once tormented her. Trapped in between these two countries, will Shalini finally find her place in her strange new world?



Age:12
Leopold, Missouri United States of America