A new student review of Alice Parker's Metamorphosis - Book 1 of the new adventure series for children

aeehrhardt posted a new student review of Alice Parker's Metamorphosis - Book 1 of the new adventure series for children . See the full review.

I think that the book was good but I think that the first half wasn’t very exciting and it didn’t have enough action because nothing was really happening. But then it got more and more exciting and I think that it was very good in the second half. I liked the way the author built up excitement and in the end everything works out. Overall I think it was a pretty good book. I recommend this book to people who are willing to wait for something exciting to happen. 

A new student review of Charis: Journey to Pandora's Jar

ekallen posted a new student review of Charis: Journey to Pandora's Jar . See the full review.

I find Charis: Journey to Pandora's Jar an intriguing book, capturing details perfectly and describing the gods exactly how I imagine them. It also includes a good mix of action and drama, some romance, too, when Gabe kisses her once or twice.

A new student review of More Than This

rachweatherman posted a new student review of More Than This . See the full review.

The book is really very grim, yet has plenty of depth and complexity; both Seth's recollections and the place he's in now are pretty bleak. There are flashes of dark humor now and then, but that's about it. All considered, I thought the story was very enjoyable and thought-provoking, and well worth a read. The writing quality is really top-notch and there is never a dull scene. It makes you want to keep reading and reading and reading. I would recommend this to anyone, especially those who like sci-fi, post apocalyptic books. and ponder what might come after.

A new student review of The Freedom Maze

vbobrocks posted a new student review of The Freedom Maze . See the full review.

The Freedom Maze by Delia Sherman is a well written and understandable novel.  Reading it felt natural and it was easy to relate to Sophie while she struggled to succeed.  There was a lot of dialogue in a more Southern slang style, but it made sense and wasn’t too obscure or confusing.  It is difficult to write a novel combining so many elements; time travel, history, growing up, and regional details and language; but Sherman managed to do it and create a cohesive, enjoyable tale.  I personally enjoyed the historical aspect of Sophie’s journey with all of the excellent insight to one of America’s toughest times.  It is unlike any book I have ever read with both history and fantasy, although I found that the history stood out above the fantasy.  Therefore, I would recommend it to 7th and 8th grade girls who enjoy historical fiction; it really is written more towards girls than boys.  Also, it is currently an advance copy novel through Candlewick Press, but it has been published before through a smaller company.  The Freedom Maze was an excellent and well written historical novel that should definitely be considered by middle school girls.

A new student review of Juvie

cheyenne21 posted a new student review of Juvie . See the full review.

This book is about a teenage girl who has to push past her family issues and the experinces in juvie that she has to face. I especially appreciated it when Watkins wrote moments of pre-juvie experiences within the text.  That fact allowed me to react internally and take a deep breath before being thrown back into the experiences of the juvie system.  I really enjoyed this book and the story line.

A new student review of Charis: Journey to Pandora's Jar

cjsynnes posted a new student review of Charis: Journey to Pandora's Jar . See the full review.

This book was very well written!  I loved how the book altered characters and changed the perspective of the story so many times!  Sometimes I found myself deep in thoughts about the book.  I loved all the “sitting on the edge of your chair” suspense and all the scary sacrifices they (the characters) made for each other.  I would say this story is a mythological adventure, but also partially a love story!  So, what i’m trying to say is this is a wonderful story, and it is well worth reading!

 

A new student review of The Social Code by Sadie Hayes

amjones474 posted a new student review of The Social Code by Sadie Hayes. See the full review.

 

The Social Code by Sadie Hayes is a suspensful book that will make you never want to put it  down. I loved this book. This book made me feel like I was right in line with the characters. This book was very easy to read.  The layout of the book is very much appreciated with the short chapters.

A new student review of The Royal Ranger (Ranger's Apprentice )

alphatauri posted a new student review of The Royal Ranger (Ranger's Apprentice ) . See the full review.

This book was a welcome surprise for me since I thought that the Ranger’s Apprentice series had ended with Book 11, The Lost Stories. To my delight, I found a completely new adventure! This marks the first time in which Will acts as a mentor, and it’s such a refreshing change to see his journey come full circle. John Flanagan did a perfect job characterising Will as a mentor. The titular Royal Ranger’s transformation was also detailed very well. At the beginning of the book, she’s a spoiled brat, but soon begins to learn important skills and metamorphoses into a bold girl. Her and Will’s relationship also changed from icy to heartwarming. One notable feature about the book is that Halt and Horace don’t play a key role in it, but I loved how this symbolised the changing of the guard.  The writing is in the style that is to be expected of Flanagan--although, in this volume, I wish he’d show a bit more rather than telling. Overall, this was an action-packed book that distinguishes itself from other volumes in the series, and it will make you hope for more new adventures in the series. I highly recommend it to anyone who’s a fan of some good medieval fantasy!  
 

A new student review of Kizzy Ann Stamps

underwood_bcl posted a new student review of Kizzy Ann Stamps . See the full review.

I enjoyed reading this book because it helped me understand how blacks were treated many years ago.  I have never read a historical fiction book from this time period.  I was surprised at how discrimination affected so many things.  For instance whites were allowed to have big libraries and African Americans only had worn out books in a small library. I was surprised how people treated KizzyAnn and her brother.   I have brother and a sister from Ethiopia and I never knew that African Americans  were not treated fairly.  When I visited Ethiopia no one was unkind to me.  This book helped me see how things used to be. I would like to learn more about this time. 

A new student review of Starstruck

alison_S posted a new student review of Starstruck . See the full review.

As portrayed alternately through the eyes of Margaret, Gabby, and Amanda, Shukert's old Hollywood offers readers a refreshingly holistic view of stardom. From Gabby's overdosing on diet pills to Amanda's graveyarding as call girl to the studio executives, Starstruck illustrates both the injustices and euphoria of 1930s celebrity. Although spot-on period details encamp this novel firmly in pre-WWII Hollywood, the characters are anything but archetypical fixtures of the era. Rather, Margaret, Gabby, and Amanda are as timeless as they are complex, individuals in whose lives I see the reflection of my own. Deftly paced, Starstruck enthralls the reader, while also allowing time to savor the expansive, luxuriantly-detailed world Shukert has created. Resplendent with intrigue, romance, and poignancy, Starstruck by Rachel Shukert is historical fiction at its finest.