A new student review of Diary of a Part-Time Ghost by Vered Ehsani

EmilyFredricks posted a new student review of Diary of a Part-Time Ghost by Vered Ehsani. See the full review.

Diary of a Part Time Ghost by Vered Ehsani, Published 2011. The setting of this book was in the house of the main character, and also Boston during the American Revolution. The main Characters are Ashish Kali, and Sara. Ashish is a young teenage boy who lives in Modern time. Sara is one of Ashish's Ancestors who lived during the American Revolution. Kali is the 'bad guy' of this book. He is the person who is trying to take the book from Ashish throughout the book. The main conflict is between Ashish and Kali. The problem is that Ashish has a very important book that Kali needs to get a hold of in order to get out of the American Revolution time period. I liked the story line. I found it to be very interesting and creative. I also liked how the story was an easy read. I didn't like how short the book was. I found that some of the ideas could have been developed more to make the book longer but over all I did like the book.

A new student review of A Red Sun Also Rises by Mark Hodder

Raphael posted a new student review of A Red Sun Also Rises by Mark Hodder. See the full review.

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A new student review of Plague in the Mirror

nlsings posted a new student review of Plague in the Mirror . See the full review.

In books, the improbable is allowed to occur.  The reader can suspend disbelief for the story, he or she can believe that time travelling ghosts can pop up out of nowhere, or that best friends can become boyfriends.  Perhaps the reader can even believe that teenage girls can follow their ghost-twins back in time to escape the stress of their parent’s crumbling marriage.  Or that those same teenage girls can meet steamy painters, and fall into a deep, meaningful relationship all during the time of the Black Plague.  But really, are we meant to believe all of this at once?  Even the most imaginative and creative books need some sort of grounding, or at least good writing to carry it though.  Some of the most far-fetched books attain that status by being so realistic, with only one slightly different aspect.  The author can then take this subtle change and run with it.  Simplicity is best.  This book is an overload of ideas, that all collide to create a massive pile up.  I would not recommend it, unless you enjoy being bombarded with a jumble of partially formed concepts.  

A new student review of Maggot Moon

rmaehill posted a new student review of Maggot Moon . See the full review.

 

Though in some ways simply written, I found Maggot Moon to be a very powerful book.  Although its syntax and diction was basic enough for middle schoolers, its language and imagery was coarse and crude, reflecting the lives the characters lived.  This originally turned me off the story, yet as I continued reading, I found that the excellent character development and themes of courage and rebellion in the story overpowered any negative effect the grammar had originally had on me.  The themes and ideas presented in the story, though dark and sometimes depressing, were truly adult, and I can say that the story made me cry in the end.  I would recommend it to any high school reader who would like a quick yet thematically and emotionally powerful read.

A new student review of The Watch That Ends the Night: Voices from the Titanic

dancechicka posted a new student review of The Watch That Ends the Night: Voices from the Titanic . See the full review.

I am really at a loss at how to describe this book.  It was stunning.  Amazing.  Heartbreaking.  Powerful.  It was all the same yet completely different.  This book was an emotional rollercoaster for me.   I’m usually an impassive reader, not really letting the words affect my emotions, but, somehow, this book broke that shell I built around myself.  I laughed with the first-class promenade and cried with the little child in the lifeboat that heard the endless moaning of the dying as they sank below the surface of the merciless ocean.  This novel was organized into stanzas, with a new character’s viewpoint at every page, which made it even more influential.  I was just so moved by this great piece of literature.  It changed me.  I felt like I was right there, felt like I could feel the terror of the passengers as the ship sank below the surface to its final resting place, felt the anguish of the few who made it to safety but lost their loved ones to the sea.  It made me realize how so many lives can be altered in just one moment, how many lives are already on the twisted path of fate.  There are a lot of characters in the novel, which can be confusing, but you get the hang of it by the middle of the story.  This book was wonderful and I would highly recommend to anybody searching for a good read.

                “We could still make out the Titanic’s brightly lit outline......And then it was gone altogether.  Then the moans.  There was no one voice that stood out.  From that distance it was just a horrific roar.”

                I would recommend this book for ages eight and up because it is quite a long book and a higher reading level is required.  This book has no profanity or any compromising situations.

                Have you ever wondered what it would be like to be one of the doomed on the RMS Titanic?  The Watch That Ends the Night by Allan Wolf will give you just that!

A new student review of Eternal

kaiyle posted a new student review of Eternal . See the full review.

I thought this book was well written.  There were several mysteries throughout the book that kept you reading until the very end.  The characters were relatable and well developed.  I would recommend this book to anyone who likes romance novels with a little adventure thrown in.

A new student review of Maybe I Will

VBat posted a new student review of Maybe I Will . See the full review.

Maybe I Will was an interesting, fresh look into a topic that is relevant to many teen readers.  

While it threw me off a little in the beginning, not knowing Sandy's gender gives the reader the freedom to relate to the main character in the way they feel most comfortable. The first-person point of view made this gender-unspecific character possible, and provided for intimate looks into Sandy's thoughts and feelings. 

Sandy was a well developed character. I enjoyed reading about the Peter Pan auditions, and getting a glimpse into Sandy's life before the abuse. Details about Sandy's interactions with friends and family throughout the story gave the story depth and added heart to the story. The way that Sandy was betrayed by his/her friends stirred real anger and a whole range of additonal emotions. 

I would have liked for Cassie and Troy to make a few more appearances in the middle of the story, and perhaps add a bit of external conflict to keep the story moving at a faster pace. 

All in all, Maybe I Will is a fantastic story that stirs reader emotions and shares a meaningful story. I would reccommend it to teenagers who enjoy realistic fiction and books like Speak.

A new student review of Charm & Strange

MIZZIQ posted a new student review of Charm & Strange . See the full review.

I was enthralled with this book and sometimes just simple phrases that were just in the right spot. The author uses suspense to their incredible advantage. To me Charm & Strange spoke about healing. But the coolest thing for me was what it showed through the characters: that it's okay to be broken when you're hurt. And you don't have to be totally healed to move on with your life. The character was in a sense going crazy, but the author didn't critisize that or make it seem wrong...even before you knew the cause. It makes me think that she felt very deeply about the subject and her characters. That is very cool. I loved how the characters were developed and how I could change my opinion about someone so suddenly. The book was a little journey.

 

There were things about it that bothered me of course :). Namely some language used. Because of this and a few ways some things were described it did rub me the wrong way. It didn't make me dislike the book, but it didn't make me love certain aspects of it. I think it's just a case of taking the good out of it and the story and the wonderful characters and trying to leave the rest. Characters after all can't be perfect. :)

A new student review of Ashes of Twilight by Kassy Taylor by Kassy Tayler

Ravette posted a new student review of Ashes of Twilight by Kassy Taylor by Kassy Tayler. See the full review.

This was a beautifully, and intelligently, written novel. It was definitely an enthralling read. I loved the character development and how the characters changed throughout the story. I also liked the plot and how the suspense never ceased. I also enjoyed reading about a realistic, and very creative, type of world where people are physically restricted. Lastly, I liked the character Wren because she was one of many who thought about the escape from the dome, yet the first to act on it; which made her admirable.

A new student review of Road Trip

Bunnyrabbit posted a new student review of Road Trip . See the full review.

  Gary and Jim Paulson bring the statement, "road trip," to a whole new level. On a route to save a border collie, Ben and his father travel through the west. Bringing along a troubled friend, a mechanic, and a unique waitress. But a strange car following them and a car on fire in the middle of nowhere bring this gang of misfits into a dangerous situation. Adding a new dimension to a father and son road trip offers many life lessons everyone can use. For example, how a family can be brought back together and new friendships made on just one trip. This action packed book will have you hooked and wanting more.