A new student review of The Dark World by Cara Lynn Shultz

Soul2580 posted a new student review of The Dark World by Cara Lynn Shultz. See the full review.

This is a great book to read if you are into demon slaying and magic. I would suggest this to all of my friends, beccause most of them would read it thanks to all the action in it.

A new student review of The Green Teen Cookbook by Pam McElroy

Planeswalker Broniak posted a new student review of The Green Teen Cookbook by Pam McElroy. See the full review.

Many of the recipes in The Green Teen Cookbook are simple and easy things to make. I think that saying it is a "green" cookbook is a stretch, though. Really, how healthy can steak and mashed potatoes ever be?

A new student review of Perfect Summer by Karen King

snehayamsani posted a new student review of Perfect Summer by Karen King. See the full review.

This book was amazing, as it was easy to relate to the characters, and it put a perfect twist on society’s obsession with perfection; but there was one thing about the book that was misleading. When I first saw Perfect Summer, two things popped into my mind: 1) This book was going to be like Uglies by Scott Westerfield, and 2) this book was going to focus on Summer, Morgan’s best friend—I was definitely wrong about the second thing. I really thought the title was misleading because the book really did not have anything to do with Summer. Instead, it focused on Morgan and her brother Josh (the confusion was cleared though as I read the summary on the back of the book). As I read the book, I fell in love with it: King does a great job portraying the dislike of RADs—children with disabilities—in the futuristic society, comparing it to society in the 1960s where children with disabilities were looked down upon. Honestly, King’s book reminds me of a mix between The Memory Keeper’s Daughter and The Uglies. I would recommend this book to anyone 12+, as there is some mature content in the novel.

A new student review of Around the World

Gwendolyn posted a new student review of Around the World . See the full review.

Around The World by Matt Phelan was a magnificent and articulate read. The graphics were picturesque and expressive in a sketchy way, with almost cinematic angles. Matt Phelan’s particular style painted beautiful watercolor scenarios of these three separate adventurers’ experiences. Even without considering the dialogue, this story contains many art pieces worth marveling at. I have admired Phelan’s work for quite some time, including but not limited to another of his graphic novels, The Storm in the Barn. Being an individual who finds history fascinating, along with greatly appreciating different styles of artwork, I was swept away with the authors efforts on this graphic novel.

    My personal favorite was Nellie Bly’s story. She seemed to be a rather intriguing reporter, challenging some of the many gender roles that existed in her era. A quote that she repeats throughout the graphic novel is “If you want to do it, you can do it. The question is: Do you want to do it?” and I think that this very precisely represents what makes these three adventures so inspirational. These three different individuals possessed the same determination and strive. This book was exceedingly educational and led me to research Bly’s, Stevens’, and Slocum’s lives  more thoroughly.

   I thoroughly enjoyed Phelan’s interpretation. I think that he offered a different perspective on Stevens’, Bly’s, and Slocum’s stories that can not be found in any other rendition. The author added a unique view of their journeys, focusing on their motivations. I think that this personal and imaginative approach makes the story more intimate and capturing to the reader. Around The World efficiently binds these three intrepid historical figures together, forming an entertaining, engrossing, and evocative book of determination and adventure. I was highly impressed with this read and would most definitely recommend it!

A new student review of A Force of Will A Shakespearean Fantasy Adventure by D.J. Wallace

cshattan posted a new student review of A Force of Will A Shakespearean Fantasy Adventure by D.J. Wallace. See the full review.

I did not like this book because the the characters speak in old English, but the author narrates the story in modern English, and the clash between the two made the flow of the book choppy.  I liked the storyline. It was interesting to follow the journey of a boy trying to prove himself, only to come home and find that his home has forever been changed.  This could’ve been better, if the writing style of the dialogue was consistent with that of the narrative.  I had trouble trying to get through the story and I skimmed most of it.  

 

I do not recommend this.

 

A new student review of Golden Blood: Time Spirit Trilogy (Volume 1) by Melissa Pearl

charlottetheconqueror posted a new student review of Golden Blood: Time Spirit Trilogy (Volume 1) by Melissa Pearl. See the full review.

This book is genuinely worthy of being called a “romp.” While full of fun scenes (Gemma’s memorable fighting scenes were a wannabe-Katniss’ dream) and studded with swoon-worthy romantic moments, the novel lacked the emotional depth to be anything more than a quick read to waste the afternoon on. The romance was of the sappy, overdone variety that plagues young adult fiction, with the central, ridiculous notion that our two teenage characters (who know nothing about each other) are in love and meant to be together. Parts of it were sweet, but more often than not I was left palming my forehead. This book didn’t leave me with any moral questions or new ideas, although I did spend a considerable amount of time wondering how some of the more comical typos came about. It was pure, thoughtless fun, and there’s absolutely nothing wrong with that. Still, readers looking for a text with a bit more intellectual grit should turn their attention elsewhere.

            The text read more like an uncorrected proof than a published novel. I appreciate Melissa Pearl’s potential, but her prose fell flat when trying to inspire any feeling in me. Even if a character was on their death bed, Pearl’s characters simply didn’t have the emotional range to illicit more than a yawn in the reader. The plot was exciting (though keep in mind I’ve always been a personal fan of the time travel trope), but the occasional holes in the textual fabric were distracting enough to be irritating. There is little to no exploration of the theory for this kind of time travel, which was a big issue for me. I would’ve liked a little more explanation of the time travel lore/community that Gemma acknowledges in passing. There’s a significant amount of suspension of belief required in this plot, and it might’ve felt more legitimate if it had been more fleshed out. Because, seriously, our main character turns into gold dust and travels back in time at her father’s request? Also, there’s a moment in the dialogue where Harrison knows things about the time travel in Gemma’s family before she mentions them. I’m sure it was just a mistake the editor missed, but it pulled me out of the narrative and made me cringe. By far the most egregious part of the plot, however, was the ending. The book ended with no resolution or even an attempt at a full story line, with such an obvious ploy for a sequel that I was tempted to throw the book across the room in frustration. But, of course, I couldn’t, because I read this on my laptop. And I really like that.

Overall, a three star effort with two star results.

A new student review of Invisible

sisto8 posted a new student review of Invisible . See the full review.

This book wasn’t the best.  It is school based, so it has fights, punishments, bullying, etc.  The book was basically just dull.  I didn’t get into the story.  It seemed like what she wanted to get wasn’t exactly enough to make the story interesting.  The characters were good.  Some of them didn’t go with the story well, but they were okay.  The setting was probably the better of the story.  It had good descriptions and directions about where the characters were and where they were going.  Overall, this book was boring with occasional ‘good’ parts.  I don’t recommend this book for people under 12.  

A new student review of Mirage

PokeFan16ganes posted a new student review of Mirage . See the full review.

This book is amazing! As if the first book wasn’t good enough when this book came out and I read it I was so happy! When I read the book I feel like I am with Aluna and her team during the adventure. The book really doesn’t have a set mood/tone because there are so many different emotions. For instance one time Aluna was so happy she let out her biggest secret, but there was also times where Aluna was scared.

The author does a great job of bringing the characters to life. It feels like they are with me! I believe they are real people(Or Creatures) because the author explains them so well that I feel like I can draw a picture of what they all look like.  Another thing is that I like all the characters in the book so I feel more into it.

The narrator was a little more serious than I expected. I really wanted to see the narrator  give a little joke here and there, but it never happened. I would think that the author definitely achieved her goal of entertaining the reader. Also I think the writing is effective and powerful with how much the author went into depth.

 

To be honest with the strengths and weaknesses I feel like it had no weaknesses and had a lot of strengths. One strength I think it has, like I have said a lot, is how well the author took their time to explain how the character looks so you can have a picture in your head.

 

This book is beyond all the other books I have read of the same genre or type. I found this book to be very interesting because at the end of each chapter there would be a cliffhanger and you would want to read the next chapter. Another thing is that I loved the ending because it is going to get the reader to want to read the next book in the trilogy.

 

From reading this book I learned something very important. Perseverance. In the book Aluna didn’t give up in her fights and when her Khan told her to let the Khans’ father win you wouldn’t. I would very much recommend this book to all people! This book is an action packed adventure waiting to be explored!

 

A new student review of Runt

muffin posted a new student review of Runt . See the full review.

I thought that Runt by Nora Raleigh Baskin is an ok book. The book just didn't really reach out to me. I thought that the book should talk more about Stewart's life at home . Maybe an epilogue would help readers understand the book's ending a little better, because I thought that it was a little confusing. It needed to explain more, not just the ending but throughout the whole book so other readers can understand it better too. I recommend it to readers who like realistic fiction and school stories.

A new student review of WhipEye by Geoffrey Saign

nictaf posted a new student review of WhipEye by Geoffrey Saign. See the full review.

WhipEye is a gripping, imaginative adventure from start to finish.  I didn’t want to put it down until the very last page!  Geoffrey Saign wrote WhipEye in a way to make us believe in and root for the characters.  Sam and Jake are two of my favorite characters because they are the heroes of this story, and are relatable to real life.  If this was real life, I’d like these two as my friends.  I would recommend this book for ages 9 and up.  Geoffrey Saign did an awesome job on this book, and I cannot wait to read book two!