The story of young Olivia is beautifully written and very gripping. The descriptions of the setting and living conditions were detailed enough for the reader to understand the circumstances without losing the reader's attention. I absolutely loved the drama in this book- it was so emotional and intriguing! There were several twists and turns that kept the story unpredictable and engaging. As for the characters, I appreciated Olivia's strength as a female character and the relationship between her and Mourning was well-developed. Mourning spoke in a dialect characteristic of African Americans in that time period, which at times was difficult to understand. However, it was an integral aspect of his character and made for a more realistic book. Overall, I really enjoyed this book and am eager to check out the sequel, The Way the World Is. I would recommend this book to any fan of historical fiction.
Friday, June 06, 2014
A new student review of Olivia, Mourning by Yael Politis
A new student review of Thimble Down by Pete Prown
While Pete Prown’s Thimble Down had an engaging mystery aspect, the overall enjoyment of the novel was diminished by the over detailed and repetitive writing style. As a teen reader, I found myself bored by the thickly described passages and the frequent reminder of characters’ roles. Also, it was a challenge to empathize with the main character who was an obese middle-aged fellow, along with the rest of the villagers; it seemed that everyone’s life revolved around food and drink. There were, however, some interesting plot twists that provided some respite and the plot was well thought out. Thimble Down would be enjoyed by fifth to seventh graders who enjoy a bit of problem solving but aren’t interested in action/adventure genres.
Thursday, June 05, 2014
A new student review of Rebels of the Kasbah by Bedelia C. Walton Anna Fonnier Joe O'Neill
I liked Rebels of the Kasbah because: 1 it was rebelliousness, 2: the plot was as good as a chocolate bar that melts on your tongue, 3: there was a girl to share the adventures. Could not put the book down. I got busted with my flashlight late at night at least twice. The one thing I didn’t like was that sometimes it was hard to tell who was talking and when, but other than that, everything was great. I would recommend this to 12 and up and to people who like the Fablehaven series by Brandon Mull. I think the author and his team should feel very accomplished.
A new student review of Lupus Rex by John Carter Cash
I really liked Lupus Rex. It was very descriptive, although it didn’t catch my attention right away and was a little confusing. About thirty pages in, though, it started to get interesting. My favorite character was Ysil the quail, who is trying to follow his grandfather’s last request. I also liked Gomor the rabbit, who gave his life for his friends. I would recommend this book to ages 11 through 15 because there are a lot of grisly parts (even though they’re just animals) and it is confusing. I don’t think most kids over 15 would be interested in reading this, although if they liked the Redwall Series, this might be right up their alley.
A new student review of Shark Girl by Kelly Bingham
This book was very well written. It tells a sad but heartwarming story, and I hope it encourages kids like Jane that even when you have a disability, it doesn't mean you have to give up. And even if you don’t have a disability, maybe you just look down on yourself and think you can’t do something, but just remember that you can. I recommend this book to anyone ages 11 and up, just make sure you feel comfortable with reading gory, tragic books.
Tuesday, June 03, 2014
A new student review of If You Find Me by Emily Murdoch
I thought that this book was very suspenseful and a book that is hard to put down after you have started it. I think the best thing about the book is that you do not know what happened to the sisters before they were brought to their father’s home other than that they were raised in the woods by their mother who has left. Given the context clues you can assume that they had very little money but they are still very smart. Throughout the story, the back ground is revealed through Carey’s flashbacks and some of the things that happened are not at all what you would expect. I also liked the setting change. The girls go from a trailer in the woods to a farm in a rural area. It is humorous to see how much we see as everyday concepts that they have no idea about such as a hamburger. The characteristics of the main character in the book are intriguing. They are developed throughout the flashbacks and the little things that Carey does. Such as how Carey carries her violin everywhere throughout school. This shows that she is very protective of some parts of her past even though there are other parts she makes obvious she despises. If you would like to read a mystery with funny twists this is the book for you.
A new student review of The Winter of the Robots by Kurtis Scaletta
This is an exciting adventure and mystery book. The junk yard setting felt real enough to touch. I liked the main characters a lot because they stuck together no matter what happened.I thought the robot competition was really cool and exciting. The only thing I didn't like about the book was how short tempered Jim's dad was.
A new student review of Moon of the Goddess by Cathy Hird
I thought this book was enjoyable, with a slightly predictable and straightforward plot but likable characters. It was good, but the protagonist was not really my main interest, rather the more minor background characters I feel would have made a better story. Thalassai was a rather weak and helpless maiden who did not have the strong heroine feel about her, that title went to her brother's traveling companion, a healer who served the goddess Eurynome. All in all, the book was good but nothing extraordinary. I did enjoy the references to the Greek gods though, as that was the reason I chose it. Although I know more about ancient Greece than most people, I was still surprised by the reference to the goddess Eurynome, as I had never heard of her before. The conflict between the two gods could have unfolded into something bigger and created a more engrossing plot line, but the simple and straightforward story was actually rather refreshing after so many complex plots of modern books. It was overall an enjoyable book that I would read again.
Monday, June 02, 2014
A new student review of Splendors and Glooms by Laura Amy Schlitz
After reading this novel, I find it easy to believe that it won (and rightly deserved) a Newberry Award. It was wonderful writing; the plot was tight, the prose was smooth, and it had the certain aura of foreboding and eeriness that kept the reader on the edge of their seat. I immediately fell in love with the characters—Lizzie Rose was the sweet and kind Cinderella; Parsefall the loudmouth street urchin that you can’t help but fall in love with, and Clara is the courteous socialite with a guilt-ridden heart. Unlike most books, every single character had depth—they each had a story, and I felt the yin-yang symbol was relevant and prominent in this novel—in every good person lies bad, and in every bad person lies good. The plot was unique and individual, giving you a different twist at every turn. I also lived all the symbolism—it really added a new dimension to the plot and actually made you think a little. All in all, a good read that I would definitely recommend for anyone looking for an original book with a suspense-filled plot.
“Clara slept…..She was as lifeless as a pressed flower. Her mind was empty, free from guilt and terror and grief. Only the night before, she had spoken of her fear of cold and darkness; now darkness and cold claimed her, and she was not afraid.”
I would recommend this book to all ages, though it does have a haunting undertone and some violent themes, so read at your own risk!
Will Lizzie Rose and Parsefall find a way to free themselves and Clara from Grisini’s clutches? Or will they all remain under his domain, Grisini making them dance like his puppets on a string? Read Splendors and Glooms by Laura Amy Schlitz to find out!
A new student review of Splendors and Glooms by Laura Amy Schlitz
After reading this novel, I find it easy to believe that it won (and rightly deserved) a Newberry Award. It was wonderful writing; the plot was tight, the prose was smooth, and it had the certain aura of foreboding and eeriness that kept the reader on the edge of their seat. I immediately fell in love with the characters—Lizzie Rose was the sweet and kind Cinderella; Parsefall the loudmouth street urchin that you can’t help but fall in love with, and Clara is the courteous socialite with a guilt-ridden heart. Unlike most books, every single character had depth—they each had a story, and I felt the yin-yang symbol was relevant and prominent in this novel—in every good person lies bad, and in every bad person lies good. The plot was unique and individual, giving you a different twist at every turn. I also lived all the symbolism—it really added a new dimension to the plot and actually made you think a little. All in all, a good read that I would definitely recommend for anyone looking for an original book with a suspense-filled plot.
“Clara slept…..She was as lifeless as a pressed flower. Her mind was empty, free from guilt and terror and grief. Only the night before, she had spoken of her fear of cold and darkness; now darkness and cold claimed her, and she was not afraid.”
I would recommend this book to all ages, though it does have a haunting undertone and some violent themes, so read at your own risk!
Will Lizzie Rose and Parsefall find a way to free themselves and Clara from Grisini’s clutches? Or will they all remain under his domain, Grisini making them dance like his puppets on a string? Read Splendors and Glooms by Laura Amy Schlitz to find out!