A new student review of Book of the Sky God (Volume 2) by Laura Markowitz

Site Admin posted a new student review of Book of the Sky God (Volume 2) by Laura Markowitz. See the full review.

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

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

This cookbook was well organized, and appealing photos add color to the recipes.  I tested several of the recipes.  Some of my favorites were the energy bars and the Caesar salad.  I made the apple chips but I had to shorten the cooking time because they started burning.  A few of the recipes’ directions could have been more specific (For example, multiple recipes didn’t specify which size baking dish to use.), but overall the instructions had enough detail for an amateur cook who doesn’t know many fancy cooking techniques.  Because different teens contributed each recipe, a wide variety of cuisines and diets (vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, etc.) is included, which makes this book useful to practically anyone—and not only teens.  I would recommend this book to anyone, young or old, who wants to eat a little healthier and reduce their carbon footprint.

A new student review of Circus Mirandus by Cassie Beasley

Boomer123 posted a new student review of Circus Mirandus by Cassie Beasley. See the full review.

I am almost 10 years old and this book was difficult for me to read.  My mom had to help me, there were a lot of words I didn’t know.  We read most of the book together.  I like books like the Land of Stories and I thought this was going to be like that but it was very different.  It was a little slow and I expected there would be many big adventures.  My favorite parts were the stories about Circus Mirandus, I wished there were more of them.  

I did like all the characters. Micah is very nice and finds a great friend in Jenny.  Grandpa Ephraim is interesting with all his wonderful stories, he’s a pretty great grandfather.  Aunt Gertrudis is not nice.  She doesn’t believe in magic and thinks Micah and his grandfather is foolish for believing in it.

I would recommend this book to anyone who likes fantasy books about believing in magic.      

A new student review of Our Wild and Precious Lives by A.G. Russo

Sweetfable posted a new student review of Our Wild and Precious Lives by A.G. Russo. See the full review.

I thought this book was a very interesting and engaging read. From the very beginning, I felt immersed in the world the characters were living in, even though I have never lived in a situation anywhere close to the one Tom and Melly found themselves in.

That is the great thing about books like this one. I had the opportunity to feel like I lived in a different time than my own, and felt that I could have easily been in this difficult situation myself. The characters' problems were so realistic. They helped the reader understand that the difficulties the characters endured are universal.

An aspect of the novel I enjoyed was the military terms used; I learned a thing or two from reading the terminology. Although, at times it was a bit difficult for me to keep track of all of these terms. The same thing was true of the characters. They were all very interesting, but it was hard to remember who was who at times. However, I found myself invested emotionally in these characters, and really enjoyed learning about their lives and their struggles.

The one thing that I could really connect to in the novel was the experience of having a sibling that you love. I know exactly what it is like when you rely on your sibling for support and even protection. This is one of the most special feelings in the world. After reading this book, readers with siblings will be able to relate to the incredible bond and trust between siblings. For those who don't have any, the bond will still be understood. 

A new student review of Our Wild and Precious Lives by A.G. Russo

Star360 posted a new student review of Our Wild and Precious Lives by A.G. Russo. See the full review.

It’s rare to find a book that so vividly portrays the strong relationship between a brother and sister. In books for teen girls, the brother is often a hook to meet the cute love interest; in books for teen boys, sisters are usually minor characters. In Our Wild and Precious Lives, Tom and Melly’s love and devotion to each other was a touching storyline that reminded me of Jem and Scout’s bond in To Kill a Mockingbird. Having both young male and female perspectives gave the book an unexpected dimension, though Melly is the main focus.

 

Melly McCarron was a spitfire! She had an enthusiasm for life that could not be contained, and as she grew older, she became a remarkable young woman. But her pro-feminist spirit and quick tongue could not save her from falling into a relationship that was, at best, complicated. Wes, her boyfriend, was certainly not my ideal man. Readers will have strong views on the outcome of her youthful affair.

 

Brother Tom was less willful than Melly; his strength came through endurance and keen observations. In the dysfunctional McCarron family, he served as the reliable one. The few years he had on Melly were evident, since he made far less impulsive decisions and could see beyond a first impression.

 

I was surprised and pleased that in Our Wild and Precious Lives, the parents get to share their story as well. Jim and Lina could have simply been unimportant, irritating parents, but their past is threaded though the story and makes the novel stronger. Jim’s PTSD and Lina’s OCD have heartbreaking causes that trace back to the Second Word War. It was curious to think of how one moment can trigger a chain of events that both create and destroys lives. 

 

The story spans several years in Tom and Melly’s high school careers, so many supporting characters pass through the pages. Each has an important story to tell, and even the most seemingly insignificant person can twist the plot at an unexpected moment, whether it be the Hawaiian librarian or the pompous jock. Some, like sweet Gwen and gentle giant LJ, became my favorite characters.

 

History buffs will be thrilled with the many Cold War and 1960s references dropped in the book. Never fear: the information is not dull, nor does it feel like a duty textbook. There are many German words used, and the local color gives the novel an authentic flavor. Teens and adults can learn something new, whether it be a teen slang phrase or the architecture of an old European castle.

 

It’s helpful to point out that Our Wild and Precious Lives doesn’t have a conventional plot. I’d be hard pressed to find an exact rising or falling action, and there could be several perspectives on which scene is the climax. It reminded me of a TV show – there’s a point to the story, but it flows with the characters’ lives, not a single mystery or issue. 

 

In this dramatic saga of love, family, and hope, the McCarron siblings learn to define themselves during the critical years of the Cold War.

A new student review of Harper Madigan: Junior High Private Eye by Chelsea M. Campbell

sschu5 posted a new student review of Harper Madigan: Junior High Private Eye by Chelsea M. Campbell. See the full review.

I think this book is very good for kids to read for many reasons. First of all, the story has so many twist and turns it will keep you guessing until the very end. Second, the plot flows so smoothly by mysteriously it will seem like that is what was supposed to happen and that you should have seen it coming- but you won’t. Third, it is an exciting tale of adventures and past mistakes that come together to make the emotions real. And last but not least, the author describes it so clearly you can imagine it right in front of your eyes. It was one of the best books I have ever read.

 

A new student review of The Dragon Dreamer by J S Burke

sakurafrost posted a new student review of The Dragon Dreamer by J S Burke. See the full review.

I did not enjoy reading this book. The plot was repetitive; a problem arises, the dragons and octopi work together to solve it, and after a few mistakes, the conflict is resolved with minimal loss. There is little to no suspense, and the book became predictable after a few chapters. The characters were not very well developed, and I did not get attached to them. The Dragon Dreamer would please a younger audience, but I think anyone who is 11 years old and up would be easily bored by this book.

A new student review of Uncertain Glory by Lea Wait

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

This is a fantastic story for anyone who imagines themselves as a writer someday, Joe is an inspiration.  I enjoy historical fiction books and this one did not disappoint.  I moved through the story pretty quickly.  I especially like that the story is based on actual events.  The characters are very believable and keep the reader interested in the story.

A new student review of WhipEye by Geoffrey Saign

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

Whipeye was an amazing book, with vibrant characters, great descriptions, and a great balance of funny scenes and serious scenes. The characters really felt like real people and when they were in danger I felt like I cared about what happened to them. One of my favorite scenes is when Sam first learns how to use Whipeye and she sees how powerful it is. The power of the staff can move, bend, and grow the trees and plants in the forest to trap things, and she uses it numerous times throughout the book. The first time she uses it, it is a great scene because it is suspenseful at first, and then amazing to find out what Whipeye can do. I really enjoyed the book and would recommend it to kids ages 9 and up, but it is a great book for anyone to read.

 

A new student review of From a Distant Star by Karen McQuestion

swalia posted a new student review of From a Distant Star by Karen McQuestion. See the full review.

From a Distant Star by Karen McQuestion was a very enjoyable book. It kept you interested throughout the whole book and made you want to keep reading. The author did a great job of describing the characters. I especially enjoyed how the author portrayed Lucas, because for the majority of the book, Lucas was not actually “alive”, so we did not get to see what he was like for ourselves. Instead, the author brings the character to life by characterizing him through memories.

I also liked how the author made us question humanity through Scout’s questions. Several times throughout the book, I stopped to think why we did things like judge people before we even meet them.

At some points in the story, I thought that the setting could have been described a bit better, but overall the setting was adequate and didn’t bring down the story.

The tone and theme were both about being hopeful, which I thought fit the story well.

This book was told from 2 different point of views- Emma’s and Scout’s. I liked how we got to see how Emma felt about an alien living in her boyfriend’s body, while also seeing what it was like to experience an unknown planet for the first time.

Overall, I thought this book a good read and that there were no major flaws. I would recommend this book to anybody age 12+.