A new student review of Intentions by Deborah Heiligman

mashagoodspeed posted a new student review of Intentions by Deborah Heiligman. See the full review.

This book started out with a great hook. Rachel's world dramatically changes and so there were so many different ways this book could have gone. I feel like this book went downhill after the begining, however, and I started to not like Rachel as much. This book was a nice short read that kept you turning the pages and the ending was cute. It wasn't the best book and I feel like it could have been more elegantly written but overall it was a satisfying read. 

A new student review of SPANKY: A Soldier's Son by Sue LaNeve

sschu5 posted a new student review of SPANKY: A Soldier's Son by Sue LaNeve. See the full review.

I think this is a really good book because it really shows the relationship between a kid and his dad who is in the army. Spanky shows perseverance, which is a very good character trait. It’s hard when you are down about your dad leaving, but taking care of your mom too just makes it worse. It also has a great storyline because there are multiple small climax’s but the best is the big one.

A new student review of Diamonds in the Rough by Michelle Madow

123evae123 posted a new student review of Diamonds in the Rough by Michelle Madow. See the full review.

This book was an easy read, and flowed smoothly. It touched on the struggles of high school girls, adapting to moving to a new town. Some of the details of the story were a bit far-fetched. Madison's hatred for the sisters is a tad extreme, but overall the book was great, and I would definietly read it again.

A new student review of Disconnected by Lisa Cronkhite

lineabean posted a new student review of Disconnected by Lisa Cronkhite. See the full review.

Disconnected by Lisa M. Cronkhite was an okay book. It had a fairly interseting plot, but it was hard to really empathize with all of the characters. Milly was absolutely interesting, and I honestly did not see any of the plot twists coming up. From that perspective, the book was actually pretty good, but parts of the book were predictable. Overall, it wasn't the most horrible book I've ever read, but it certainly wasn't the best. 

A new student review of Disconnected

DerpyHooves_9 posted a new student review of Disconnected . See the full review.

Dissconnected was an overall okay book. It gripped my attention and I really didn't expect any of the plot turns. It was interesting to visualize Milly struggling against her disorder. I really thought the book was interesting. Anyway this book was super interesting and it was good.

A new student review of The Taste of Snow by Stephen V. Masse

jotaf posted a new student review of The Taste of Snow by Stephen V. Masse. See the full review.

The Taste of Snow is a light-hearted adventure with a little magic mixed in.  I really liked the overall story along with the characters as individuals.  I also liked how the author, Stephen V. Masse, brought into the book some actual Austrian elements like Krampus, who is the dark companion of St. Nicholas, and Kiachl (KEYuh-kul), a sort of fried bread.  A part in the book that I really liked was when Nicole‘s dad told a story about snow tasting like peppermint, chocolate, etc. depending on where you were in the world.  If you like characters to overcome their problems, this book is for you.  I think that boys and girls ages eleven through seventeen would most enjoy this book.

A new student review of Nature's Confession by JL Morin

VBat posted a new student review of Nature's Confession by JL Morin. See the full review.

Corporate personhood is a very real threat, as companies continue to gain legal rights once reserved only for individuals. Environmental problems are a concern as well—air pollution in Beijing is so serious that government officials often suggest citizens wear face masks while walking outside. Social justice and environmental issues are very relevant today, and Nature’s Confession does a brilliant job of imagining the possible results of today’s social ills.

The dystopian, science fiction novel is written from multiple perspectives, including those of Boy, his mother, his sister Kenza, and even an alien dog. The variety of viewpoints give the reader a more complete view of the world the characters experience, and are a huge asset to the story. The incorporation of future-lingo, like “transp” fashion and “manipulatedfat” people, allows the characters’ language and conversations to act as a reminder of this setting throughout the book.

I loved the universe Morin described. While the world clearly reflected our own Earth, there was plenty of thought and imagination put into “Enslaved Earth.” Whimsical inventions-- like an alarm clock that uploads embarrassing baby pictures to the Internet if one doesn't get out of bed in time—and the inclusion of space travel and alien life ensured that the story was entertaining.

The book was not only a fast-paced, entertaining read—the themes of thinking for one’s self, valuing individuality, and the corrupting power of money are woven throughout Boy’s story. The readers are called to think critically about their own lives, and their own role in enabling the greed of the human race. The author’s ability to combine intense social commentary with a genuinely enjoyable reading experience is impressive.

The futuristic setting, regulated society and space travel plot of Nature's Confession reminded me a lot of A Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy, and the regulated society was reminiscent of the society in A Brave New World. Fans of science fiction and dystopian novels will love Nature’s Confession, and I would recommend the book to teens and young adults interested in a fun, thought-provoking read. 

A new student review of Remnants of Tomorrow by Kassy Tayler

nictaf posted a new student review of Remnants of Tomorrow by Kassy Tayler. See the full review.

I ordered Remnants of Tomorrow not knowing it was the third book in a series. I wanted to give this two-stars because I was lost in the story. Because it was well-written, though, I am giving it a five-star rating.  Most of the time I did not know what they were talking about. I would recommend reading the first two books in the series first, or you will be lost in this story like I was.

Kassy Tayler, the author, described the characters very well.  For example, Wren has pale skin and shiny eyes because she was born underground.  This is a decent book and very well described in all areas.  It’s a one-of-a-kind experience, a unique read.  I think this book would be appropriate for ages 11 and up if mystery, romance, and adventure are what you like to read.

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

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

The Fog of Forgetting is a thrilling book with lots of twists and turns.  I really liked how detailed the author, G. A. Morgan, got with the story and the characters.  For example, she gave Teddy a lisp and she gave Chase asthma.  It was a very well-written book.  A part in the book that I really liked was when the kids saw Rysta change into a fish.  My favorite character was Chase because he was always trying to get out of some scrape or another.  I would recommend this book to those who like adventure and are ready to read a book for hours on end.  This is a trilogy, so anyone who doesn’t like to be left hanging may want to wait until the final two books come out to read this one. 

A new student review of Disconnected by Lisa Cronkhite

afarrell posted a new student review of Disconnected by Lisa Cronkhite. See the full review.

I thought this book was very different from most of the books I've read. I very much enjoyed reading this story because you don't know what has happened to her family and you are just as much in the dark as Milly. As Milly grows, you grow. The fact that Milly's worst enemy is literally herslf, makes this book more interesting. You don't see many books where the character has DID (dissociative identity disorder), and it gives you an insight onto what people who have DID go through.