A new student review of Let's Get Lost by Adi Alsaid

sarah.g posted a new student review of Let's Get Lost by Adi Alsaid. See the full review.

Quirky and unforgettable, Let's Get Lost features unexpected plot twists and interesting characters reminiscent of authors like John Green. The settings are picturesque backdrops that the characters fit right into. The narration is strong and lively with a clear, distinct voice and style. Through this, the characters really stand out on their own. Your heart instantly goes out to the five protagonists, especially Leila, who is fierce and unrelenting in her efforts to help others, despite the dark secrets she hides within herself.

A new student review of The Kingdom of Little Wounds by Susann Cokal

tlang posted a new student review of The Kingdom of Little Wounds by Susann Cokal. See the full review.

It says that this book is for young adults, but I think this way too advanced for most young adults. This book contains high vocabulary, adult scenes, and speaks in older English. Not like Shakespeare, but I think older than that. It took me a while to understand all that the characters were talking about by how things were said, so I was not hooked into the story line. There's a lot going on through this book with each character, so it is filled with action, lust, betrayal, heart aches, enemies, power, and friendship.

A new student review of Between Two Worlds by Katherine Kirkpatrick

bookgirl1289 posted a new student review of Between Two Worlds by Katherine Kirkpatrick. See the full review.

I liked Between Two Worlds and found it interesting but questioned some of the aspects of Inuit life represented. The story was based on the life of a real young woman who had contact with Robert Peary, but the historical record was from the point of view of white explorers. I felt that Billy Bah and some of the other Inuits were represented as very in awe of the white men, which I don’t think is necessarily accurate. There was, especially in the latter half of the book, some interesting character development in Billy Bah as she decides to take her life in a non-traditional direction. The plot moved very slowly, though, and the characters did not have individual personalities. Taking all into consideration, I thought that Between Two Worlds was a well-written story, and I would recommend it for girls 13 and up.
 

A new student review of The Fog of Forgetting by Genevieve Morgan

kingc20 posted a new student review of The Fog of Forgetting by Genevieve Morgan. See the full review.

My opinion of this book is that everyone should read it so they know how to be true to themselves. I really like that in the book it shows you what could happen if magic was at the fingertips of the world's would-be conquerors--what could happen if Hitler had the power to change anything he wanted. This book also gives you different points of view from one person to another. I think that the shifting of point of view is good because it shows how many sides to a conflict there can be. I would read this book so that you can learn that one of life's lessons is to be true to yourself.

A new student review of Winter Falls (Twin Willows Trilogy) by Nicole Maggi

McTower posted a new student review of Winter Falls (Twin Willows Trilogy) by Nicole Maggi. See the full review.

This book was truly captivating from the start. The  author made me feel like I was right in the middle of the best book ever made. The vocabulary was perfect for the recommended age. The reader is instantly pulled into the book within the first few paragraphs. It is definetly one of the top 3 best books I have ever read. 

A new student review of Beetle Boy by Margaret Willey

sisto8 posted a new student review of Beetle Boy by Margaret Willey. See the full review.

I think this book was somewhat okay.  The author had the main character going back and forth between past and present.  It was hard to follow and stay completely interested in the story.  I liked the younger Charlie more than the older Charlie because the older Charlie wasn’t easy enough to understand.  Other than that, the story in and of itself was pretty good - it was sort of cute.  I found it slightly unorganized because of the many stories placed in a random way throughout the book.  I don’t recommend this book for kids under 13.

A new student review of Smash: Trial by Fire by Chris A. Bolton

nictaf posted a new student review of Smash: Trial by Fire by Chris A. Bolton. See the full review.

I loved SMASH Trial by Fire.  Chris A. Bolton has produced a thrilling page-flipper that will leave you wanting more.  I really liked when Smash, a.k.a. Andrew, tossed the dodgeball at the bully after he got his super strength.  I also enjoyed the part where Smash barely escaped from Magus.  There was one drawback.  It left the story up in the air at the end.   I’m sure this is a lead-in to a second book.  If you like manga, graphic novels, or stories with superheroes, this book is for you.  I would recommend this book for ages 7 and up.  

A new student review of Smash: Trial by Fire by Chris A. Bolton

nictaf posted a new student review of Smash: Trial by Fire by Chris A. Bolton. See the full review.

I loved SMASH Trial by Fire.  Chris A. Bolton has produced a thrilling page-flipper that will leave you wanting more.  I really liked when Smash, a.k.a. Andrew, tossed the dodgeball at the bully after he got his super strength.  I also enjoyed the part where Smash barely escaped from Magus.  There was one drawback.  It left the story up in the air at the end.   I’m sure this is a lead-in to a second book.  If you like manga, graphic novels, or stories with superheroes, this book is for you.  I would recommend this book for ages 7 and up.  

A new student review of My Own Revolution by Carolyn Marsden

Star360 posted a new student review of My Own Revolution by Carolyn Marsden. See the full review.

My Own Revolution is an excellent example of historical fiction. The conversations between the four friends sounded real, not fake. I laughed alongside them and got worried when there was a new plot twist. While there was the quibbling and frustration that typically accompany friendship and dating, it was all relevant to the story. Never did I feel that the author was scrabbling for extra words to print on the page. In fact, I enjoyed reading about the characters and plot so much that I wish there had been a few more chapters to draw out the tension. A positive note about the story was how Marsden slipped in little bits of trivia about the times. It added to the local color, and you could tell that the author had done her research. For a smart, believable read that won’t leave you disappointed, pick up My Own Revolution.

A new student review of Uncertain Glory by Lea Wait

Star360 posted a new student review of Uncertain Glory by Lea Wait. See the full review.

The dawn of the Civil War gets a fresh face with Uncertain Glory. Joe and his friends prove to be excellent channels for writing about the various aspects of a nation in chaos. As the rich local color proves, they are in many ways different from twenty-first century teenagers. But their rebellious, brave, and patriotic essence will settle well with today’s readers. Though the novel is targeted to readers aged ten to fourteen, the story is not simplistic. Wait has no qualms about adding in lots of Civil War data. That allows the reader to truly understand what is going on and how frightening it was for the people living it. The novel also delves into topics that are not always mentioned in Civil War books. Besides the expected issues of loyalty and racism; opium addiction and the Spiritualist movement add an unexpected dimension. I was also pleased to discover that the story is partially based on true events, so I was able to learn about the real Joe Wood. Uncertain Glory is a moving story about people that not only stand at the brink of adulthood, but at the edge of a dying era.