A new student review of Birdie by Tony Rosa

MIZZIQ posted a new student review of Birdie by Tony Rosa. See the full review.

For the most part this was a very boring story. I'd suggest taking your time with it even though it's small. There are meanings that you can take from it--whether the author intended them or not. I think that most people can identify with some parts of all the characters. The old man and Mark have a true friendship which is heartwarming. The story doesn't really leave you anywhere. It's more of a story of a kid learning to move on even though he makes mistakes. There's a few flashbacks which were interesting. I wouldn't particurly reccomend this book. It's a lot like the books I usually read so trying to beat some of my favorites are hard---all that to say I wouldn't NOT read it...I just think it was more of a debut book. (Not sure if it was or not.) So the story had meaning and some parts I throughly enjoyed. The ending was almost worth it....however I was glad it was so short.

A new student review of Lunch Lady and the Picture Day Peril by Jarrett J. Krosoczka

LegoLover posted a new student review of Lunch Lady and the Picture Day Peril by Jarrett J. Krosoczka. See the full review.

Krosorzka brings us another heroic tale from the school cafeteria, of the Lunch Lady and her sidekick Betty.  As always, “Lunch Lady and the Picture Day Peril” is full of nutritious lingo that will make you laugh and your tummy growl.  Once you start this adventure, you'll find yourself unable to put it down.  I liked how creatively the Breakfast Bunch came up with a plan.  What I really loved about this book is how Krosorzka not only writes lots of details but draws them into the background of nearly every scene.

A new student review of The Crimson Shard by Ravette

Ravette posted a new student review of The Crimson Shard by . See the full review.

It was a wonderful and very enthralling read. I enjoyed the details the author used to describe eighteenth-century London; it made it much clearer and easier to visualize. I also liked how  Sunni and Blaise enjoy drawing and art, because I felt that I could relate. I also really liked the characterization, because every character had a very distinct and different personality from one another.

A new student review of And Then I Found You: A Novel by pandagirl312

pandagirl312 posted a new student review of And Then I Found You: A Novel by . See the full review.

Arguably my favorite thing about this book is its organization. Instead of telling the story straight through, Callahan Henry jumps from place to place, year to year. She gives you a snippet of young Katie, present-day Kate, and present-day Luna. This really gives balance and structure to the story. The book kind of ended all at once; all the conflicts were resolved within the last pages. However, the story is one readers will enjoy.

Secrets of Tamarind by Nadia Aguiar

The fact that it has taken me months to "get around" to reading this book just might tell you how I thought it was.  I kept picking it up and putting it down, picking it up and putting it down, you get the picture. The tone of the book, I felt was over all appropriate for the story, a light adventure tone, and the characters were believable for their ages (Maya,16, Simon,14, Penny,5), the plot, good, but the voice for the story was boring.  In my opinion the author did not live up to what is a great plot and what could have been an excellent book.  In school, english teachers tell you to always put details in your stories because it provides for a more interesting book and helps the reader visualize the story.  I generally agree with this, except for the details in this book.  The author OVER-detailed everything. Even things that were unnecessary to detail, making it very hard to get through certain areas. That doesn't go to say that there were never areas I didn't enjoy.  I thought there were great characters and I enjoyed the interesting names of the locations they went to, other peoples names etc.  Maybe if I had read the first book in the series I would of been more immersed into the book, but I really doubt it.  I would not recommend The Secrets Of Tamarind to others because the writing style is dull and not very interesting or enthralling.  I am fourteen so maybe a younger reader would enjoy this. 
Maya, Simon and Penny return to Tamarind, the mysterious island they first encountered in The Lost Island of Tamarind(Book one in the series), after alarming messages from their friend Helix and strange deceased animals washing onto the shores of Bermuda.  The three children and Helix board the Pamela Jane (the family boat) and sail to Tamarind only to find the Island to be invaded by the Red Coral a mysterious, private and dangerous organization.  The children discover the island in chaos as the Red Coral is invading and destroying homes looking for the valuable and magical element, Ophalla.  The children go on a quest to save and restore Tamarind to its former glory, before it's to late.Reviewer Age:14Reviewer City, State and Country: Annandale, VA United States

I AM MORE THAN JUST A GIRL by Leah Oviedo

I Am More Than Just a Girl is an empowering book all about girls, for girls. This book is dedicated to allowing girls to be themselves, be safe, and live happy healthy lives. It includes lots of cute graphic images and plenty of space for journaling. Topics covered in this book include beauty, self defense, anger management, confidence building techniques, and so much more. Every girl should know how to deal with everyday things like these and this e-book is the perfect resource for them.

 I really didn' t get a whole lot out of this book. There was a lot of information that was good, but I kept feeling like I was being forced to read a pamphlet at one of my old girl scout meetings. I felt like they were pushing the journaling a little too much too. I thought, originally, this was just a nonfiction, possibly historical, book about empowering women, not a journal to write down my feelings in. Overall, the information was good, I didn' t necessarily learn anything new, but I could see how it could be a use to others.  Younger girls may want to consult with an adult before talking about more serious topics in this book such as eating disorders and sexual abuse. Reviewer Age:16Reviewer City, State and Country: Hopkins, MI United States

We Are Savages (eBook) by Jessie Atkin

Tris has never felt like anyone. Her parents want her to be more ladylike, and she has no friends except her dog, Mars. But that all changes on a mysterious night when Tris falls down the sewer into an amazing world full of children that call themselves savages. Fireflies that fly above the children s' heads light everything and kids sleep at any time they want to. But that' s not even the weirdest part. There are no adults. Join Tris on an adventure where she' ll meet some pretty weird kids and monsters that snack on children.

To tell you the truth, this book did not intrigue me very much. It was hard to continue on with the book, and I felt like I was being forced to read it. When I was reading, I didn't have any of those " ooh" or "ah" moments that make a book really good. I didn't feel the emotion from the characters like I have in many other books I have read. Even though you were supposed to feel bad for Tris for a chunk of the book, I could not really empathize with her. Overall, this book did not intrigue me, and I did not enjoy it very much.

Reviewer Age:10
Reviewer City, State and Country: Charlotte, North Carolina United States

The Shining City by Fiona Patton

The Shinning City takes place in a world where Gods rule over the people who dwell inside the God-wall.  A newly rising God, Hisar, must stake his claim in the world, but he is not without struggles. From the hovering threat of hungry spirits to the mortal battle moving closer and closer to Anavatan, it is even more important that he comes  to his full powers.  But he is not to fight the battle alone.  Three children of prophecy: the seers Spar and Graize and the warrior Brax have sworn to help him if only they can get past the animosity and distrust among themselves in order to help the young God to survive.  The third book in Fiona Patton' s Warriors of Estavia is a thrilling and mystical adventure cast in a fantastical world that expounds the bond between gods and men. 

This book by Fiona Patton is well written and an enticing novel that caught my eye just by the title.  Patton will blow you away with her dexterous descriptions and delectable dialogue.  It is a dense book that requires the reader to pay attention.  Therefore, I would recommend starting with the first book of the trilogy to prevent getting lost in the complex prophecies and characters.  Patton has created a new world that is both mysterious and enthralling.  This fast-paced novel will not leave you disappointed. 

Reviewer Age:16
Reviewer City, State and Country: Middlebury, CT USA

Guy Langman, Crime Scene Procrastinator by Josh Berk

Guy Langman is a quiet, self-centered, 15-year-old with one friend, Anoop. Nothing much has ever interested Guy, except for girls and sleep. His friend Anoop convinces Guy to sign up for the Forensics Club at school, but he insists only to meet girls. After a few weeks of detective training, Guy begins to enjoy, and become good at, detective work, especially lifting fingerprints. And when someone breaks into his recently deceased dad' s pirate treasure, The Forensics Club is called on to solve a real crime. As they search for evidence and answers to the mystery, they uncover another crime scene. After another week or so, The Forensics Club must compete in a competition against their rival school to solve a fake crime, until Guy and Anoop find a real dead body along with some suspicious fingerprints. As Guy uncovers more secrets about his father's past and begins to piece together the boy 's death and the coin robbery, Guy makes new friends and uncovers new things about himself.

Guy Langman: Crime Scene Procrastinator is a funny, page-turning story that keeps the reader engrossed throughout the entire book. The plot starts out a little slow but picks up after the first couple chapters. The author expertly combines mystery and crime-solving with the life of a grief-stricken teenager. By creating a sad and lonely main character, the author is able to develop both Guy' s and his friend s' character traits and personalities. I extremely enjoyed this book and found myself not being able to put it down. I enjoyed the rich but humorous plot and narration, but I was also able to pick out clues while reading the book. I believe that Josh Berk did a fantastic job, and I would love to read another one of his stories.

I would give this book a 2 for content because there are some more mature things going on such as crime and emotional difficulties and high school conversations. If someone younger than about 12 wanted to read this, I would recommend parent guidance.

Reviewer Age:14
Reviewer City, State and Country: Parker, Colorado USA

Ruby (eBook) by Amanda Burke

Ruby is a book about a girl named Ruby who has a gift. This gift is not one that she knew of for most of her life, only recently has her gift arisen in her. Ruby is special, her gift provides her with abilities beyond human capabilities. She was known as a witch. Ruby is a witch from one of the most powerful witching families in the world, the Sullivan clan. As a child, she and her grandmother would practice magic, but when her father found out, he took her and forced the grandmother to plant a spell that stops Ruby from using her powers. The grandmother had a different idea though, she put the spell on Ruby, but made it so that when she turned 18, the spell would lift and Ruby would be able to use her powers again.  Her father was a man who hated wizardry and witchdom, even though he himself was one, so he kept his identity as well as Ruby s own identity secret during the time she couldn t use her magic. Then one night, a few days after Ruby turned 18, Ruby s father was found with his insides cut out and his blood covering the wall. So now she must find her grandmother, and accept the truth of who she is. She must learn to control her magic and use it stop the evil that is threatening to destroy the world as we know it. It is up to Ruby and her cancer-ridden grandmother to perfect her abilities and accept her fate.I loved this book! I loved it so much, I finished the whole thing in one day. It kept me intrigued with high action, but also wasn t too much. The book was amazing, but the prologue could be a little more interesting, I almost wanted to put the book down until I got to chapter one. The author could change the wording from old English to today s form of English because a lot of teens and young adults don t really know that form of English anymore.  Other than that, I felt the book itself was spectacular and I hope the author writes a sequel. I would definitely recommend this book to anyone who wishes to read it. It will keep anyone intrigued, from 8-100 years old. Reviewer Age:13Reviewer City, State and Country: Charlotte, North Carolina USA