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

sisto8 posted a new student review of The Green Teen Cookbook by Pam McElroy. See the full review.

I like this book because there are many recipes I haven’t tried.  My younger siblings and I tried several of the recipes.  We enjoyed most of the recipes we’ve tried.  There are a few that we probably won’t make again.  I think the author did a very nice job with easy instructions.  There are some cookbooks I’ve read that give instructions that aren’t complete enough to understand without help from someone who knows all of the cookbook slang.  I really enjoyed this book and recommend it to everyone, especially teens.

A new student review of Fish in the Sky by Fridrik Erlings

tbrayton posted a new student review of Fish in the Sky by Fridrik Erlings. See the full review.

“Fish in the Sky” perfectly outlines the struggle that comes with being a young adult.  It encompasses many of the issues teens and preteens deal with today such as insecurity and bullying as well as many of the common domestic problems that plague our society.  The novel explores the transformation of a child into a young adult through themes of burgeoning sexuality and new-found independence.  A perfect book for those attempting to deal with problems that co-align with those in the book as well as for older readers trying to remember what it was like before they had hair on their chest.  A worthwhile read with a never-ending supply of lessons and interpretations from which to learn.

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.