The Mousehunter by Alex Milway

Emiline is a well-known mousekeeper who has always wanted to go to sea. She gets the opportunity almost by accident while visiting the docks. She volunteers to capture a Sharpclaw Mouse onboard privateer Devlin Drewshank's ship, and he asks her to stay on as his own mousehunter. On their quest to capture the pirate Mousebeard, they encounter fearsome storms, giants, an eccentric forgetful inventor, one near hanging, and all manner of mice. Will Emiline ever be normal again?

Though Mousebeard was a bit of a clich and I found the ending too abrupt to be satisfying, my overall response to the book was very positive. The writing was effective. I could easily see the setting if I closed my eyes and the vocabulary was not difficult. Hopefully the author will write continuing adventures of these interesting characters.

Reviewer Age:13

Reviewer City, State and Country: Lusby, Maryland USA

Wild At Heart by Michael Morpurgo

This book contains twenty-one animal stories, most being excerpts, written by the likes of Jack London, Oscar Wilde, and E.B. White. From a spider that saves a pig, to Noah and his ark, this book provides some well-known excerpts from "Charlotte's Web", "Noah's Ark", and "The Call of the Wild", to lesser known stories and authors. It also contains a non-fiction excerpt from Darwin's "The Voyage of the Beagle". There is also one poem at the beginning of the book, called "The Birds Began to Sing" by Janet Frame. All of the stories contain similar themes: animals.


This book bored me to death. Since all the stories were so short, none of the characters developed. To be honest, I never finished the book, since I was far enough into it that I realized that only a person forced to read this book would read it all the way through. I had trouble writing the above summary. I can't really blame it on the author, Michael Morpurgo, since all of the stories were written by other people but edited into one book by him, but the stories were very dull. I will mention that "The Snow Goose" by Paul Gallico was an improvement from the rest of the book. Rhayader and Frith both grow as characters in their own ways. The topic was interesting and relatively original. Compared to the rest of the stories, it's a masterpiece. It's so great I plan on one day getting the full story, since it was just an excerpt. Even the excerpt from Charlotte's Web can't save this book from dullness, though I praise the author for trying.

I wouldn't really suggest this book to anyone unless they were SERIOUSLY in love with animals, even though I am as well and I didn't enjoy it. Since most of the stories are mostly classics (such as Call of the Wild and Charlotte's Web), I guess a person interested in literature classics would be interested in the book as well.

Reviewer Age:12

Reviewer City, State and Country: Denton, Texas United States

Captain Wentworth's Diary by Amanda Grange

Captain Wentworth's Diary by Amanda Grange highlights the beauty of lost love through the eyes of Frederick Wentworth. The book imitates Jane Austen's novel Persuasion, a story about Anne Elliot, daughter of a baronet in nineteenth century England, and Frederick Wentworth, a navy officer in England's war against Napoleon's France. Captain Wentworth's Diary gives readers of Persuasion a glimpse at the story through Frederick's eyes, and what happens when he leaves Somerset. The story spans eight years, the summer of 1806, when the young lovers meet, and then returns to the summer of 1814, after the war. In the beginning, Wentworth travels to his brother Edward's home for his brief shore leave. He is carefree and young, desiring to meet the pretty young ladies of town and dance frivolously with them at parties. Then his eye lands on the timid but intellectual beauty, Anne Elliot. Frederick admires her mind, her beauty, and her ability to endure such a horrendous family. The couple falls in love over the summer, however the people in Anne's life persuade her that the love cannot last. In frustration and anger, Wentworth flees, back to the sea. When the story returns, Wentworth has risen in the ranks, the war is over, and he returns to Somerset as a captain. He visits all the old haunts, reliving hard memories. Can old love be reborn? Captain Wentworth's Diary is the tortuous tale of past love and future questions

Persuasion is one of my favorite novels, and the primary reason is because Anne Elliot is a wonderful heroine, her inner beauty is as powerful as her looks and her charm. Captain Wentworth's Diary was a much harder read because Frederick Wentworth is not a natural hero. He struggles with his decisions, with his pride, and with the characters surrounding Anne. He becomes jealous of men she talks with, angry with her family, and hateful towards Lady Russell for ruining their engagement. The story is of lost and found love, but does Anne deserve a lost soul like Frederick? His voice and actions cost the story. He was a hard character to like, even if he did love the perfect woman. The novel itself is well written, but Persuasion is a hard act to follow.

Reviewer Age:17

Reviewer City, State and Country: Concord, MA United States

Pease, Love, and Baby Ducks by Lauren Myracle

Fifteen year old Carly attends a private school, lives in a gated community, and can have all the expensive clothes that she wants. But what Carly wants is to be different and for people not to see her as a rich girl. So when her younger sister Anna turns Barbie doll pretty over the summer, it's hard for Carly to create her own image. As Anna begins high school, Carly must cope with a changing relationship with her sister, and rediscover the bonds of sisterhood that have been there all along, even if she couldn't see them.
I thought this book was so cute. Having a younger sister myself, I could relate with Carly. Sisters don't always get along, but they love each other no matter what, which was a major theme throughout the book. Even though Carly or Anna would get into all kinds of shenanigans, they each had each other to turn to for help and support. I liked reading about these two sisters, a simple story of the bonds of siblings. Peace, Love and Baby Ducks is also very funny; I would find myself laughing almost every other page. Just a sweet and heartwarming story that will make you want to give your sister (or brother) a hug.
Reviewer Age:17
Reviewer City, State and Country: Aston, Pennsylvania United States

Freaked

This book is about a teen-aged boy who was great in school... until he got mixed up with drugs. He was kicked out of so many schools that he was finally sent to a boarding school. There, he lives with his roommates who are also into drugs. The main character gets involved with the wrong people and hurts his future.

I didn't really like this book because I don't like reading books with people and drugs; it's a bad thing to get involved with. However, the story itself was good. The characterization was well done. I learned who the characters were and I could picture what they looked like in my head.

Reviewer Age:18

Reviewer City, State and Country: Newville, Pennsylvania U.S.A

Inchworm by Ann Kelley

Young Gussie is a twelve year old girl and already she has endured more stress and life threatening situations than anyone should have to go through. Back in the hospital, Gussie's transplant went smoothly and she now has a new heart and lungs; although they seem foreign, they are very healthy. Her color has returned and she is delighted at the sight of being a normal young girl. She can breathe right again. Nightmares come and go. Friends come and go. She misses her cats deeply. She is going through changes and she begins to wonder if these new organs are what are making her think and feel differently. Her doctor and the pamphlets said that she wouldn't have any characteristics from the donor, but she begins to wonder. It finally comes time for Gussie to go home and she hopes she will be able to attend school. The rest of her life will be full of tending to her new organs so they won't be rejected. All around her are these changes and she is only twelve. The problems that seemed so precious in the beginning are now long gone and new ones she never thought of are arising.

I found that this book was very well-written. I think that the age group for this book is appropriate for ages between 10 and 12. The character in the story is twelve years of age but I feel as if the author is portraying her far more mature than she is. Her words are not mature but her vocabulary is very developed. This book was not a book that I could stick to. I found myself distracted at times. Although I wanted to sit down and read it, I could not force myself. I would not recommend this series of books for anyone with advanced reading abilities.

Reviewer Age:16

Reviewer City, State and Country: , PA USA

George Washington by James A. Crutchfield

George Washington: First in War, First in Peace by James A. Crutchfield is a biography of this nation's first president. Washington grew up in Westmoreland County in the 1730s and 1740s. He was responsible for starting started the French-Indian War, when, as a Major of the Virginia militia on May 27, 1754, he fired upon French soldiers at Great Meadows in western Pennsylvania. The first battle was a defeat. In fact, most of his battles were defends. His only four major military victories in the American Revolution were the battles of Monmouth, Trenton, Princeton, and Yorktown. Washington spent most of the Revolution worrying that his men were fed, paid, and trained and were content during the winters of war. Washington for most of his life wanted to experiment with agricultural methods and build his dream home at his plantation, Mount Vernon, Virginia. The biggest gap in Washington's busy public career was from December, 1783 to the Constitutional Convention at Philadelphia in the summer of 1787. On April 30, 1789, Washington becomes the nation's first president. He enjoyed large popularity. He strengthened the federal government, toured the states of the Union, secured the borders of the United States against Native Americans attacks, and keep Americans from dying on European battlefields. After his presidency, he lived at Mount Vernon until his death on December 14, 1799. Throughout the book there are sub-notes on the parable of the cherry tree, on his wife Martha Washington, the betrayal of his trusted general and friend, Benedict Arnold, Washington's conflicting views on slavery, and the Virginia Dynasty, which is because four of the first five presidents were Virginians.

I give George Washington: First in War, First in Peace by James A. Crutchfield an 8. This book is an excellent compact biography of Washington for younger readers. One thing that struck me about this book is how little of Washington's life is generally known compared to other historical American figures. In comparison to his importance, little is commonly known about the man aside from a few well established myths. The bad side of this compact book is the dry writing style. It would be hard writing a more emotional biography of Washington because he was a non-emotional character. This may lead to the dry feeling of the book.

Reviewer Age:18

Reviewer City, State and Country: Urbana, Illinois United States of America

Cold Hands, Warm Heart by Jill Wolfson

The book Cold Hands, Warm Heart by Jill Wolfson, is a book about two teenagers whose lives suddenly collide. Fifteen year old Dani was born with her heart on the wrong side of her body. She has missed out on her whole childhood. Dani always ended up getting sick and was put back in the hospital. Her heart is ready to shut down and worse case scenario she has two weeks to live, unless she gets a transplant. Fourteen year old Amanda is a gymnast. She is perfectly healthy and is the best gymnast in her league. Amanda is up on the high bar when she suddenly faints. Her perfect health, gymnastic skills, and perfect life are about to change forever.

Cold Hands, Warm Heart by Jill Wolfson is a fantastic book! This book can not compare to any book I have read lately. The book was hard to put down and it kept me reading on. Some strengths that I noticed were the authors use of mood and imagery. The mood was a big part of the book that held my attention. In parts of the book I felt angry, sad, and mostly happy; especially when the character were happy. The use of Imagery was great, it painted a vivid picture in my mind and made it easier to follow along. I found the book interesting and I loved the ending. I loved how everything worked out in the end, but it was in the way I least suspected. I learned many things by reading this book. I learned about the heart and medical terms. I recommend this book to anyone who loves happy endings.

Reviewer Age:14

Reviewer City, State and Country: Sandy, OR USA

Breathless by Lurlene McDaniel

Travis Morrison is a champion diver and the most popular boy at school. His life is perfect. He has the best girlfriend, a great best friend, and a family that cares a lot about him. Everything is going great until a day at the lake with his girl, his best friend, and his sister. Travis is looking for a challenge and tries a silly stunt dive off of a cliff, it goes completely wrong. Travis's life is changed forever. Travis has always been sure of himself and wants to decide the course of his life on his own. He hopes the people that he cares about the most will help him accomplish this decision. When things get even worse, who can he count on to make things better?

Breathless is a remarkable story about being strong when things get hard. As I read it, it became impossible for me to stop reading. This book is breathtaking and intense. I was filled with many emotions as I read it. Breathless is a book about courageous people and I recommend it to all young adult readers.

Reviewer Age:13

Reviewer City, State and Country: Fairborn, Ohio USA

Lucky by Cecily Von Ziegesar

When life is already perfect and you have almost everything your heart has ever desired, can not getting one thing you really want ruin your entire life? Well for most people the answer is no, but for Phoebe that answer is a whole other story. Phoebe had a bad feeling that something was awry when she came home early after school and her mother was home, but thinking that nothing bad could happen to her, she decided to just think nothing of it. Well, that was until Phoebe's mother took her shopping to look for the perfect dress for her perfect graduation (from middle school and 8th grade) party that she and her perfect friends were throwing. This was only a few days after her mother had announced that she had lost her job, but Phoebe figured that they could get through the crisis since she was the spoiled rich kid who had the best friends, the best family, the best clothes--the best of everything, really--and just the best life she could have. So once they arrived at the fancy store and she tried on that green dress that she had cut the picture of out of the Teen Vogue so long ago and knew it was the one, she thought life couldn't get any better, and she was right because from that point on it only got worse. Her embarrassment at the ritzy store, because they wouldn't accept any of her mother's credit cards was bad enough, but when her father told her that she had to cancel her party all together because they could no longer afford it, Phoebe thought that it was the end of the world. Not wanting to lose her best friend, Kirstyn, aka Miss Popularity, by letting Kirstyn find out about her financial crisis and how her family was on the brink of becoming poor, as well as becoming the main target of everyone's pity, she decided that covering up the truth and lying about it (and continually lying about her deep crush on Luke as well) would save her friendship, but it did quite the opposite. Now Phoebe, friendless, boyfriendless, and green dressless, having decided to handle everything on her own, may just not have that so-called perfect life after all; and until she learns to rely on her friends and family rather than just herself, she will never have that perfect life again. So before you answer no to that seemingly simple question from the first sentence of this paragraph, you should read Phoebe's story and see just how one perfect green dress can really change a person's life.

I really liked Lucky written by Rachel Vail. I thought that it was kind of hard to relate to the characters though because their lives are way different than mine in many different aspects. I liked the characters and I thought that it would be really cool and easy to be friends with them, and most of them were pretty well developed but some of them I wouldn't have minded a few more details and descriptions about them and their lives and personalities. The almost too rare occasions of romance thrown into the book added a nice bit of spice to Phoebe's tale, not to mention a fun way to keep me interested the whole way through the story. I was left with a few questions such as what ended up happening with her mother's job, which I'm hoping will get answered in one of the next two books of this teenage trilogy. I recommend this novel to younger teenage girls who like drama with a twist of love thrown in.

Reviewer Age:15

Reviewer City, State and Country: Upper Strasburg, PA USA

Valor's Trial by Tanya Huff

Set in the future were humans and a few other races join together in war. Gunnery Sergeant Torin Kerr’s life takes a turn for the worst when she finds herself in an underground enemy camp. She knows she isn’t the only soldier down there, but she also knows that she is the only person that still has the free will to escape. Can she set free enough soldiers to fight their way out of enemy grounds? Torin is determined to get herself and her soldiers out, but she has no idea how it could affect the entire war.

Valor’s Trial had a good story line but it was almost impossible to follow. She uses military terms and big words throughout the story, making it very hard for young readers to understand and comprehend. I did like how detailed she was, though. It made me feel like I was actually underground with her. I would not recommend your reading this book without reading the first three books in the Confederation series. It will definitely help you understand it a lot better. If you really like military science fiction than this is the book for you. If you are looking for a quick read, don’t pick this book. It took me three times longer to read this book than any book I have ever read.

Reviewer Age: 13

Reviewer City, State and Country: Tipp City, Ohio United States

The Magician's Daughter by S.C. Butler

It has been ten years since Reiffen, Ferris, and Avenderraised the siege of Rimwich and killed two of the threeWizards. Now, Ferris and Reiffen are married and raisingtheir daughter, Hubley. Their peace is haunted with the fearthat the last Wizard, Reiffen's old teacher and enemyFornoch, wants to kidnap Hubley. Reiffen's paranoia turnshim against everyone he loves. Now, with the help of hermother and all her friends, Hubley must try to save herfather from himself.

S.C. Butler's novel, The Magician'sDaughter, is the epic conclusion to the Stoneways Trilogy.The writing is fluid and poetic. Butler's mammothimagination helps launch the reader to places unheard of orseen before. In truth, the book starts off slow, but thetension quickly develops as Reiffen's fears push him closerto madness. Overall, it's an intriguing book that leaves thereader satisfied. I would definitely recommend this book andtrilogy to others.

Reviewer Age:23

Reviewer City,State and Country: Owings Mills, MD USA

Maid War Chronicle by Ran

When a kingdom is doomed for destruction the only people to save the price are his maids! They must get him out and seek refuge in a fort a little ways off. Though before they go they must go to the shrine of Martin. This is where the 12 holy weapons of their kingdom are held. Are these maids fit enough in order to receive these weapons or will they fail and do their real job which is pouring tea. Join the court maids and the prince on an adventure you will never forget.

This book was great though in the beginning it was a little boring because the book was setting down facts the reader should know. After this though it was great. The contrast of war with maids made the whole storyline funny. It was also interesting what the choices they had to make to keep the prince safe. I also loved how the author tied in the stories of the individual maids in because there was no stop it flowed nicely. All in all a great manga. Recommend this for any manga fan or a person that wants to start manga though may be a little bit more suited for women!

Some nude scenes and some inappropriate words for children

Reviewer Age:16
Reviewer City, State and Country: Northport, New York USA

Children of the Dawnland by Kathleen O'Neal Gear

Children of the Dawnland takes place in Canada and most of North America around 12,900 years ago. It's about a twelve-year-old girl named Twig, who has exceptional Dreamer powers. She has terrible nightmares about the world ending with a flash of green light and a meteor. But her mother discourages her training to become a Dreamer because she fears that Twig will become too powerful and be cast out of the tribe like Cobia and Screech Owl. Despite her mother's wishes, Twig goes to see Screech Owl for advice and to become a Spirit Dreamer. While Twig tries to become a Spirit Dreamer but fails, Thornback Raiders attack the camp of Twig's tribe. Twig later finds her friend, Greyhawk, and together they set out in search of Cobia's cave for help with the upcoming Doomsday.

I liked Children of the Dawnland mostly because it reminds me of a series that I enjoy very much. The Warriors series, by Erin Hunter, is similar to Children of the Dawnland because the plot of the story mostly revolves around spiritual themes, much like the "prophesies" the medicine cats' have. In the Warriors series, the medicine cats' dreams allow them to predict the future and receive signs, which is like Twig's vision of the world ending. Children of the Dawnland also has the same general way of life as the Warriors series where the characters have names and daily rituals that connect to the environment. I would recommend this book to fans of the Warriors series because of the similarities in theme and suspense.

Reviewer Age:12
Reviewer City, State and Country: Round Rock, Texas, United States

Buggy Crenshaw and the Bungler's Paradox

Buggy Crenshaw is an imaginative 11-year-old girl. She enjoys writing, and in her stories she always ends up saving the world. When her family moves to Lloyd’s Hollow after her father blows up her garage, her eyes are opened to world she never knew existed, including the battle between Good and Evil that is going on. She also learns a little bit about magic and can’t wait to get her Talisman, or a special charm that helps in the use of magic, on her 12th birthday. Who knows? Maybe Buggy is more powerful than she seems. Maybe Buggy is truly meant to save the world. Read Buggy Crenshaw and the Bungler’s Paradox to find out!

Buggy Crenshaw and the Bungler’s Paradox is a very interesting book for fantasy lovers like me. There were a few boring parts in the book, but once the ride started, there was no getting off. I learned that to really get into this book, you have to use your imagination, just like Buggy. This book is also appealing to people who like to write. Since Buggy is a writer, her mother is always giving her word games and a Word-of-the-Day, where Buggy has to use the word of the day in all its different forms. That game taught me some new words. Overall, I think that R.M Wilburn did an amazing job with this book!

Content: 1
Rating: 8
Reviewer Age:12
Reviewer City, State and Country: Harleysville, PA USA

Is It Still Cheating If I Don't Get Caught by Bruce Weinstein, Ph.D.

"Is It Still Cheating If I Don't Get Caught?" by Bruce Weinstein, Ph.D. is essentially a modern self-help ethics book. It discusses common teenage issues and teaches teens how to think, not what to think. The author's main points revolve aroung five life principles. They are to be respectful, be fair, be loving, do no harm, and make situations better. The book has a question and answer type feel, almost like an advice column.

Oddly, the book does not talk much about cheating. For readers that expected a look inside the minds of those that cheat, they did not get that. Still, the book was interesting and flowed well. The diagrams in the book were facetious and kept the book informal. Overall, the book is practical and pleasant to read, even if the contents are a bit surprising.

Reviewer Age:17

Reviewer City, State and Country: Staten Island, NY USA

Negima!? Neo 1

Negi Springfield is a ten-year-old boy wizard who just graduated from magic school in England. This boy prodigy is given the confusing, mundane challenge of teaching English for an all-girls school in Japan. The only rule that Negi is not allowed to break is that he cannot use magic. However, when one of his students is supposedly attacked by a vampire, Negi must save his class and defeat the vampire, without alerting the girls to the fact that he is a wizard!

I thought this manga was extremely interesting and entertaining. The plot line was one that I thought that I had read about multiple times, yet the author was able to put a spin on the vampires and magic idea. I believe that the characters could be real life people and some of the situations could be ones that normal people could be placed into. I thought that the humor placed throughout the story balanced out the action and the seriousness that is in the novel. I would recommend this novel to anyone who enjoys manga or a well-written tale about a boy wizard.

Reviewer Age:15
Reviewer City, State and Country: Pottstown, PA United States

If We Kiss by Rachel Vail

Finally, after all this time of her best friend, Tess, pestering her to start kissing, Charlotte (aka Charlie) finally gets kissed, but of all people to have kissed her, it was the one she despised the most. Before school officially started, Kevin grabbed Charlie (who's never really felt the need to kiss anyone) by the hand, pulled her to the side of the building, and gave her a kiss that would change her life and the way that she sees Kevin forever. Being too embarrassed by having been gotten caught by Mr. Herman (a ninth grade teacher) for kissing him, Charlie waits too long and decides not to tell Tess what had happened and just to forget that it ever occurred; too bad her feelings aren't letting her forget though. Charlie falls drastically in love with Kevin after that awful but yet totally amazing event and so does her best friend. Charlie, having not told her bff about the kiss and her newfound feelings for Kevin, hooks up her new crush and her best friend against her will. Sneaking around and lying to her best friend just to get closer to Kevin (and maybe acquire one more delicious kiss) certainly doesn't help her relationships at all, well maybe not with Tess, anyway. A few days later during diner, Charlie finds out about the secret relationship that her mom and Kevin's dad have been having and starts freaking out when they announce that over Christmas break Charlie and her mom are going to stay with Kevin's family in their nice home away from home in Vermont. Will this trip be a nightmare for Charlie, or a dream come true?

The everyday drama and deceit of teenagers; you gotta love it! I don't think that I personally would want to be Charlie, she has way too many problems in her life, but she did seem like she could be a fun person to be friends with if you can get past all of the lies she told. I think that Charlie was somewhat easy to relate to since we are around the same age and deal with some of the same issues such as boys and friends. I think that some of the plots were pretty well-written but some of them were very much undeveloped and ended way too quickly that I couldn't at times even really get a feel for what was occurring at the time in the story. I think that Rachel Vail did a pretty good job of writing this book, and I think that If We Kiss is one of the better stories that she has written. I liked how the author threw in a few different surprises along the way, which certainly helped to keep this story interesting. I also liked the cover that the author chose for this novel; it's very cute. Since I am getting older, If We Kiss got boring at times and didn't always appeal to me, therefore I think that girls around the ages of like 10-14 would enjoy this book the most.

There was some usage of alcohol.

Reviewer Age:15

Reviewer City, State and Country: Upper Strasburg, PA USA

Deader Still by Anton Strout

Simon Canderous begins settling into his new job at the Department of Extraordinary Affairs (DEA), and before he knows it, Simon is thrown into a mystery like no other. As an officer of the Paranormal Police, his first official case is an unforgettable one: a vampire incursion. It has been 737 days since a vampire has even been mentioned in the DEA, and it turns out that on his next case, things might get a little tricky. To add to the trouble, a former friend and criminal, Mina, appears in town and tries to encourage Simon to join in on a painting heist. If you like vampires, zombies, retractable bats, secret agencies, and troubling foes, Deader Still by Anton Strout is the book for you!

I thoroughly enjoyed Deader Still by Anton Strout. Even though this is a sequel to the novel, Dead to Me, you can still read Deader Still and understand the plot. While reading this, I went through lots of twists and turns never expecting what was going to happen next; everything was unpredictable! Deader Still is an incredible page turner and is very hard to put down. I highly recommend this novel to anyone who likes paranormal mysteries.

Language, extremely violent scenes and situations that may be unsuitable for some children.

Reviewer Age:12

Reviewer City, State and Country: Osseo, Wisconsin United States

The Last Days of the Romanovs by Helen Rappaport

This book is about the Romanovs and the terrible ordeal they experienced. Tsar Nicholas and his family ruled over Russia during World War 1. Tsar Nicholas and his family were forced into hiding when the people revolted because the Tsar wouldn't help them get food or water. Tsar Nicholas then took his family to Ekaterinburg to go into hiding. The events that took place ultimately led to the death of the Tsar Nicholas and his family. The author's purpose is to illustrate the chain of command linking Lenin to the execution of the Romanovs. This book has history, adventure and mystery.

The author achieved her goal. She taught me that there was more then one person responsible for the murder of the Romanovs. This book was very powerful, but difficult to read. It would be better suited for adults. If you are a young adult who would like to learn about the history of the Romanovs, I would recommend this book to you. If you are person that doesn't care for history, then I wouldn't recommend this book to you.

I would rate this book a three due to the execution that took place and the adult language.

Reviewer Age:16

Reviewer City, State and Country: Chico, Caifornia USA

Christian the Lion by Anthony Bourke

"Christian the Lion" by Anthony Bourke is a fun little book. It documents the story of two friends adopting a baby lion. Their tale continues up until the point when the lion is sent to Africa to live in the wild. However, the bulk of the plot centers around the lion Christian living with John and Ace. Reading about the lion getting used to being in a city is interesting. It is also very cute to read about how he entertained himself.

Consisting of only 120 pages and a full spread of photos, this book is a quick read. It is quaint and excellent for a dull afternoon. The vocabulary is simple for young readers, but older readers still find the story charming. At the end of the book, there is even a whole set of pages full of fun facts on lions and animal endangerment in general. Overall, this book is a great read and will leave readers with a smile on their face.

Reviewer Age:17

Reviewer City, State and Country: Staten Island, NY USA

Kisses and Lies

In the book Kisses and Lies by Lauren Henderson, sequel to Kiss Me Kill Me, Scarlett Wakefield is tracking down the murderer of Dan McAndrew, her crush that she kissed at an A-list party. As soon as she kissed him he dropped dead. She later finds out that he was allergic to nuts and at that very party she ate chips with peanut oil in them. If only Dan had his EpiPen on him, which would have saved him, but someone stole it from him.

Scarlett and her friend, Taylor McGovern, who's goal is to become a private investigator, try to figure out who killed him and why. But when Scarlett visits Dan's family and stays at their castle for a few days, the case gets more complex. Signs point in different directions and anyone in the castle could be the murderer...

I found this book very interesting. For example it takes place in Britain and has a lot of places and traditions that average Americans wouldn't think existed. This includes castles and manners (you have to say things slower and add in "if you wouldn't mind", "please" and, "thank you".) I also found it confusing at parts where you think one person is the murderer, then it completely changes and you have no idea who the murderer is, but that's what makes a good mystery.

Overall, I'd recommend this to anyone looking for a good book, even if you aren't into mysteries.

recommended for 14 and up has some sexual content (e.g. Dan had porn pictures of every girl he dated)

Reviewer Age:13

Reviewer City, State and Country: Norristown, Pennsylvania USA

Lord of Misrule

In the book, Lord of Misrule by Rachel Caine, the main character is Claire. Claire and Amelie, the vampire leader and some body guards attempt to rescue Myrnin who is a very intelligent vampire. He is on the side of the good vampires. He had an antidote to cure all vampires of a certain disease. In order to rescue him Claire and Amelie have to fight Bishop and Amelies father. Claires friend Eve disappears into a warehouse. In the end Bishop thinks he has won but is surprised to find out he has not really won after all.

This is a great book. It's the fifth book in the series but is also stands alone and makes sense by itself. It is filled with suspense and action all the way to the end. I like reading about vampires and this book held my attention.
Age:12
Leopold , Missouri United States

Portrait of a Lady by Diane A. S. Stuckart

Upon returning to the city Milan, Dino and Vittorio, apprentices to Leonardo, stumble across a motionless woman lying at the base of the city's guard tower. Dino is really Delfina disguised as a boy so she can be an apprentice to Leonardo da Vinci, the great artist/painter who is her mentor. While looking into the woman's tragic death they discover that her identity is Bellanca, Caterina's servant, and on Bellanca's person they find four extravagant tarrochi cards, the very ones that belong to Caterina, the contessa. Caterina is in love with her dog as well as her sacred tarrochi cards that had once belonged to her mother, therefore she holds them very dearly. A few days later as Dino and Leonardo go in search of Lidia, another of Caterina's servants, to question her about the death of her fellow servant, they also find her at the base of the tower, but to their great shock, Lidia is dead. Leonardo is suspicious of the two ladies' deaths and has reason to believe that Gregorio, the Captain of the guard, was the murderer. So, in order to gather some clues and learn the truth about these strange deaths, he ironically disguises Dino as a girl, and sends her to the castle to be a servant to Caterina, all the while also spying on her and Gregorio to learn the truth. A lot of mysterious things occur at the castle and hidden secrets are everywhere. Leonardo is assigned by Moro, the contessa's cousin and keeper since her parent's died, to plan a masquerade ball, which is actually a secret marriage for Caterina, who has no idea about Moro's marriage plans for her, and the person of Moro's choice. Leonardo gives Dino until the date of the masquerade ball to learn what truly happened to the women, but with the date of the ball coming ever so closer, will the truth ever be unmasked before it is too late?

This is one of the best books that I have ever read! Portrait of a Lady contains romance, lies and deceit, hate, treachery, love, truth, many tears of sadness and joy, well just about every emotion out there, and ones that I never knew existed! It is just filled with so many emotions it is difficult to describe. The conclusion was a huge surprise; I had no idea that it was going to be such a heart-wrenching, truth-telling, and tear-jerking/teary-eyed ending; what a conclusion! The author, Diane A. S. Stuckart, did an awesome job at writing this novel; it felt so much like I was actually living Delfina's life that I literally experienced all of the same emotions she did. This book was very intriguing; it kept my mind open, alert, and focused the whole time, as I was wanting to see what very surprise and/or secret meeting with the stunning Gregorio lay around the corner. I'm greatly looking forward to reading The Queen's Gambit, which was also written by this amazing author, and any other books that she writes in the future. These books are spectacular and should be read by everyone, but I mainly recommend Portrait of a Lady to older girls and women.

There were some sexual references.

Reviewer Age:15

Reviewer City, State and Country: Upper Strasburg, PA USA

Patient Zero by Jonathan Maberry

Joe Ledger, a leader of the Echo Team for the DMS (Department of Military Service), was a cop but is now a hero. Joe is in charge of a group of four other fighters who all had to go on their first mission after only one day of training. The Echo Team fights infected dead people called walkers. Walkers are dead, zombie-like creatures who feed on living flesh. On the Echo Team's first mission, they arrived at an old meat packing plant in Delaware. There they fought many walkers and left the plant deserted. On their second mission, they fought so many walkers that all of the men ran out of ammunition. This group of men, the Echo Team, are faced with many heart-racing challenges of saving the world from walkers.

Patient Zero is a fairly good book, but it can be hard to follow at times. I did enjoy this book, because it had lots of action and suspense. I would recommend Patient Zero to anyone interested in war, zombies, action, suspense, and risk-taking characters.

Reviewer Age:12

Reviewer City, State and Country: Fairborn, Ohio USA

The Girl From Junchow by Kate Furnivall

Lydia and Alexei lost their father several years ago. Now, the two are reuniting in an effort to rescue their father from an unknown camp in Russia. Their relationship is strong; neither sibling wants the other to be alone or be at risk of getting hurt. Lydia finds that the location of their father is in Moscow. Alexei does not know whether or not to believe that is true. Together, and with help from trusted companions, they search for their father. Meanwhile, Lydia's love, Chang An Lo, knows more about their father than either of the two. Chang An Lo rushes to aid Lydia and keep them safe.

I really enjoyed the historical context that is found in The Girl From Junchow. I did not know that it was a sequel to another book, The Russian Concubine, and that made it a somewhat confusing book for me to read. The descriptions of the characters and plot were well-written enough for me to understand their relationships from the previous novel. I liked how the chapters would switch from one character's perspective to the next. This gave me insight on what each character was specifically feeling and thinking. I recommend this series to anyone interested in Stalin-controlled Russian times or historical fiction.

The book has swearing and violence.

Reviewer Age:15

Reviewer City, State and Country: Carlisle, Pennsylvania United States of America

Secret Subway by Martin W. Sandler

"Secret Subway" by Martin W. Sandler is a non-fiction book from National Geographic. It tells the story of a scientst called Beach, whom first thought of a subway system. Historical characters are cited, like Edison and Tweed, while other lesser known figures are mentioned. The book accounts the marvelous journey of Beach with his subway cars propelled by pneumatic science (air pushes the car back and forth in the tunnel from a giant fan).

This book is somewhat scientific but does not go too into depth as it is a children's book. However, some parts just don't make sense. Some pictures have words written over them from other sites, and one picture is omitted completely with just a box in its place. Also, each page has the same caption in some language that is definitely not English. Aside from that, the text is wonderful.

Reviewer Age:17

Reviewer City, State and Country: Staten Island, NY USA

Blackbringer by Laini Taylor

Magpie Windwich is a faerie with the seemingly impossible mission to save the world. She and her feathered friends hunt down escaped devils that the humans have been releasing. Now, she comes upon a devil like no other, a dark force only few know. With faerie people who have forgotten their own legends and the Djinn, creators of the earth, mysteriously gone, where is one small faerie to start? Well, maybe Magruwen, the King of the Djinn.

Blackbringer is an extremely well written book. Taylor created wonderful characters, especially Magpie that spunky, stubborn faerie that made the book come alive. Each character brought spark to this book and it was a perfect example of a fantastic multi-view story. I can imagine Taylor's world of faeries, the castle, spider caves, and the whispering old trees. I give five stars.

Reviewer Age:12

Reviewer City, State and Country: Lake Bluff, IL United States of America

The Beautiful Stories of Life by Cynthia Rylant

"The Beautiful Stories of Life: Six Greek Myths, Retold" by Cynthia Rylant and illustrated by Carson Ellis is a pleasant book. It puts the stories of Pandora, Persephone, Orpheus, Pygmalion, Narcissus, and Psyche into modern language. While the stories are all different, some characters' names are mentioned in several scenarios. The text flows as readers revisit Greek tales that captivate their imagination.

This book is a quick read; with under seventy-five pages, it can easily be read in a day. Its black and white pictures are beautiful, but the reader is left wanting to see more. The vocabulary is simple, with the hardest word being philandering. There are some sexual innuendos, but they are not at all graphic. They refer to married couples sleeping in the same bed and loving each other. The euphemisms aren't explicit, but parent guidance is suggested.

slight sexual innuendos

Reviewer Age: 17

Reviewer City, State and Country: Staten Island, NY USA

Post Grad by Emily Cassel

Post Grad opens up on the eve before Ryden Malby's college graduation, where
Ryden and her best friend, Adam, are playing a typical game of "Who would
you rather be?" Ryden is anything but nervous about her upcoming graduation,
since she has an amazing, if she must say so herself, plan for the future.
First, do a great job in high school. Then, get a fantastic scholarship so
she doesn't bankrupt her parents. Next, don't do anything appalling to lose
said scholarship. Finally, graduate and get a sweet job at a publishing
house in Los Angeles; Happerman & Browning, to be exact. As the weeks go on,
Ryden still doesn't have a job at Happerman & Browning, well, make that at any publishing house. She loses her chance at having a cute little apartment.
And last but not least, she has to move back in with her parents. They are crazy people and she's always tried to distance herself from them. Ryden wonders if life will ever be the way she wants it to be.

To be truthful, I wasn't expecting a whole lot from this novel. A sweet
quick novel, yes, but not the addicting read that it turned out to be. It
had me constantly flipping the pages, laughing at Malby's quirks and
wondering what would happen next. The whole Malby family, and Adam, of
course, were a great set of well rounded characters. I especially liked
Ryden because we are both similar in our overachieving ways. Though the plot
was predictable at times, it threw a few twists that I didn't see coming.
Overall, Post Grad is a great read for the summer. I look forward to seeing
the movie adaptation of this, which comes out this summer, as well as
reading more by Ms. Cassel.

Reviewer Age:13

Reviewer City, State and Country: Mountain Top, PA USA

A Magic Of Nightfall by S.L. Farrell

A Magic of Nightfall by S.L. Farrell is the second book in his fantasy series, The Nessantico Cycle. 25 years after the events in the first book, A Magic of Twilight, a boy king, Audric ca'Dakwi, rules over Nessantico with the advice of Regent Sergei ca'Rudka. He is the grandson of the legendary Kraljica Marguerite ca'Ludovici. But, Audric has a serious illness and there are those who wish for his death, leaving the Sun Throne open for claiming. The Holdings has split and the Concenzian Faith has two different rulers, each claiming the other to be illegitimate. In Nessantico's main rival, the city of Firenzcia, dispute over who shall be the next Hirzg has created a dangerous sibling rivalry. Ana ca'Seranta rules as Archigos in Nessantico while Semini ca' Cellibrecca claims the same title in Brezno. The Numetodo are accepted and respected in Nessantico while in Brezno they are viewed as vile heretics. Here lies one of the main difficulties in creating a united faith. Allesandra ca'Vorl, forgotten daughter of Hirzg Jan, plots and schemes for both her son's and her own sake, and the Tehuantin warriors thirst for revenge. Unexpected twists and assasinations will forever change the course of Nessantican history and its people.

The characters in A Magic of Nightfall by S.L. Farrell are believable and amazingly real to the reader. I enjoyed reading this book very much and would recommend it to almost anyone. There are points where I lost interest, but they were few and far between. I specifically liked how the author made each chapter about one particular person and their own experiences. It helped me connect with the character a lot better than if he had done it differently. The unexpected decisions of many of the characters and their flaws made them stand out to me and seem more real. S.L. Farrell did an amazing job with this book and it will always stand out to me.

I gave this book a Content Rating of 2 because there are certain implications and descriptions that may not be suitable for some readers. Whether or not this book would be appropriate depends on the maturity of the reader.

Reviewer Age:14

Reviewer City, State and Country: Braintree, Massachusetts United States of America

Reckoning by Arvin Short

Reckoning is about a boy, Albie, who stops a well known killer. Everyone in town knows Albie and his two friends, Norbert and Leonardo, who spend most of their time at the caves at the edge of town, Norbert's house, or the pool. When they go anywhere in town, they are normally met by Larry and Butch, the town bullies. Albie is faced with either standing up to the bullies or trying to control his outrageous temper.

On one trip to the caves, an Indian appears at their camp. Johnny Killbird tells them stories of wars that happened way back when, then he disappears. The boys plan another trip to the caves, but when they get there, a killer is there.

Reckoning is an interesting book. I liked the way the author planned the events in the story, and how he ended the book with a not-so-happy ending. Happily ever after isn't true in real life. That is why I think Reckoning is the best book I have read so far.

Reviewer Age: 13

Reviewer City, State and Country:
Brownsburg, Indiana, United States

Gringolandia by Lyn Miller-Lachmann

Daniel Aguilar has moved to the United States as an outcast. His father, Marcelo, was arrested in Chile for political reasons, and like so many other political prisoners, tortured. Released after five years in prison, Marcelo is allowed to return to his family in the United States. Marcelo is not the Papa who Daniel remembers though; while being tortured, Marcelo became partially paralyzed. Daniel wants to reconnect with his father, but can not. His father yearns for Chile, and Daniel soon gets caught up in this longing.

Gringolandia tackles a hard subject to talk about openly, but Miller-Lachmann does it extremely well. The characters are well crafted, each with their own unique personalities, which I understood and liked. Marcelo, Daniel, and Courtney Larkin may not have magical powers, but all three have the power of hope for the country Chile. While Daniel and Courtney tell the story, Marcelo is the glue that holds the story together. His experiences in Chile are revealed in a steady trickle throughout the book, right up until the end. The horror of these events kept me glued to the book, waiting for the wrongs done to Marcelo to come around to the people that organized them. Gringolandia may not be about princes, wizards, or princesses wanting to be rescued, but tells the story of three independent people that believe in themselves.

This book contains torture and sexual content.

Our rating: 9

Age Level: young adult

Flamingnet Content Rating: Adult guidance

Reviewer Age: 14

Reviewer City, State and Country: Brownsburg, Indiana, USA

The Summer I Turned Pretty

For Belly, summers are the only thing that matters. Everything good happens then. During the summer, she gets to see Conrad and Jeremiah, they are the boys that Belly has known since her first summer at the beach house. They've been everything to Belly, brothers figures to crushes. This is the summer that Belly has finally turned pretty and she wants this to be the perfect summer. During this one summer, though, this wonderful and terrible summer, everything changes. As everything changes, the more things end up turning out just the way they should have all along.

In The Summer I Turned Pretty, complex situations are throughout the whole story. You could imagine yourself at the setting. You can imagine the characters as people, too. The author did not give much detail at some points in the story, though. I would've liked to get a better idea in my head about what the beach house looked like and what the characters were wearing. The ending could have been better. The ending made me wonder how things worked out in the end. In an overall review, I enjoyed the book very much. The Summer I Turned Pretty, was a page turner. I learned from this book that sometimes, what you've been wanting has been right in front of you all along. I recommend this book to young, female adult readers that enjoy romances and a some comedy along with it.

Reviewer Age:12

Reviewer City, State and Country: Fairborn, Ohio United States

Samurai7 by Mizutaka Suhou

This Manga is about a town that is threatened by cyborg bandits for it's rice. The town sends out three people to search for some samurai to help defend there village. The three bump into katsushiro which is a guy who was walking around in the town that they went to. They take him as there first samurai. Later they find out he isn't one and that he is just a plain kid. Though in he helps them to get seven samurai to go to the town. Join them on the adventure to see what happens in volume one of this series.

I loved this manga. This was filled with action and had a lot of the Japanese essence with it. For example, this manga is read like a traditional Japanese book which is from right to left not like our books which read from left to right. If you are not used to this you get used to if after a few pages. In the front they taught you about honorifics. This is used after someone's name like -San or -Sama. This manga also uses some Japanese words and they explain them in the back. It also includes a preview of the second volume though it is written in Japanese. I don't know if it will be translated to English when it is on shelves in a store near you. All in all this was a good book that anyone would like. If your looking for some hack and slash or just for information about Japanese traditions, this manga is the right one for you!

In the manga there is some cursing, smoking, and gory scenes.

Reviewer Age:16
Reviewer City, State and Country: Northport, NY USA

Beyond Mars: Crimson Fleet

Beyond Mars: Crimson Fleet is a compelling story that takes you into the 22nd century. A martian evil plots the destruction of all mankind. The evil's growing ferocity only touches at what is to come. Can anything possibly halt this evil in its tracks? What will happen to those who try? That one force is the Martian Fleet and its do or die will to fight.

Beyond Mars-Crimson fleet is a very mood changing kind of book (mood changing as in I like it but a few minutes later you don't then you like it again). I found myself caught up in all the action one minute then wondering if I should keep reading the next. Luckily the action in the book is more memorable then the boring parts. I loved the action and air battle of the future. I also loved how much the author made a difference between book and real time. Sometimes I did get a little lost with some of the futuristic terms not defined enough. I like to read Sci Fi kind of stuff and it kind of kept me reading through out. If you are not a big Sci Fi reader or want to get into Sci Fi, this is not the book for you. Those who are big Sci Fi readers may want to pick up this book.

Reviewer Age:15

Reviewer City, State and Country: Newville, Pennsylvania United States

My Vicksburg by Ann Rinaldi

It is May 1863, and Claire Louise Corbet's beloved hometown of Vicksburg, Mississippi, is being used as a battlefield by the Confederate and the Union Army. When everyone begins to desert the town and move up into caves on the outskirts of town, Claire Louise's family seems to tear apart. Her father is a high ranked doctor for the Confederate Army while her older brother, Landon Corbet, is a doctor for the Union Army. Both her father and her brother are sent to other towns to help doctor people, while her mother is left alone to care for Claire Louise and her younger brother James. Landon returns home with a wounded Confederate solider named Robert, who is hiding a dark secret. Both Clarie Louise and Landon know they must help him before it is too late, but they are battling between what is right for Robert and doing what is right for their reputation. In the meantime, a food shortage occurs and the Corbet family could be on the brink of starvation. Will they make it through the hard times that the war has brought upon them? Read My Vicksburg to see what happens!

Even though I really haven't read too many historical fiction books or even heard of Ann Rinaldi, I thought this was a great book!! It seems you always hear stories about the Union side fighting against the Confederate , but you never hear the stories about a Confederate doctor and his son who serves on the opposite side. Altogether it was an excellent page turner!

Reviewer Age:14

Reviewer City, State and Country: , New Mexico USA

Bloodhound by Tamora Pierce

When fake money appears in the Corus market, Beka Cooper, along with Clary Goodwin, her temporary partner, and her newly obtained scent hound, Achoo, is chosen to investigate the matter. Their search takes them from Corus to Port Caynn, where it seems that there's far more going on than merely fake silver. Beka has to use all of her many skills, such as talking to pigeons and drawing information from gusts of wind, to find the schemer. Along the way, she meets Dale Rowan, a charming fellow that may or may not be the culprit, Hanse, another possible suspect, and Pearl, the rather unsavory Rogue of Port Caynn. Beka's life is a bit changed after this curious episode in the city of Port Caynn.

Overall, this was a very interesting book. The characters, such as Beka and Clary, seemed real. Beka was not a flat, boring character. Instead, she was a believable person with an unusual job. I really liked the terms used such as cove, gixie, cole, and mot, which mean boy, young girl, fake coin, and girl, respectively. As a whole, the book was pretty captivating, especially the language. It was slow moving in a few places, though it wasn't unbearable, and was only for a page or two, which may be expected in a 550 page book. I very much liked Beka's pets, such as Pounce, a cat and constellation, and Achoo, a dog that she rescued from an unkind master. I would definitely recommend this book to any fans of the famous Tamora Pierce and anyone looking for an enjoyable read with quite remarkable language and appealing characters. Bloodhound isn't the typical mystery or adventure. There are aspects of romance, traces of magic, and rather intriguing characters with all sorts of secrets.

Reviewer Age:16

Reviewer City, State and Country: Charleston, SC USA

Other Earths by Nick Gevers

This book is a collection of short stories that focus on the subject of alternate universes. Starting off with a story about what life would be like if the civil war never occurred, we than are introduced to a world where an alternate universe machine is invented. The next story tells of what might have happened if the Incas were never conquered and developed an advanced empire. Following that is a tale about a world where magic exists and the people who posses it are segregated, and than another story about magic, in a entirely different universe. The next short story tells of what might have happened if Hitler won the war, and the one after that, what might happen if religions were commercialized. The next story is set in World War 2, and men in the army are hearing music. After that is a tale about the path one family might have taken if certain events did not take place, and than another story about what might happen if a author discovered alternate versions of himself. Finally, there is a list of alternate universes our world might have taken.

While some of these stories were enjoyable, only a few of them really fit into the genera of alternate universes. In particular, "Csilla's Story" and "Winterborn" seemed to belong to the fantasy genera, and did not relate to the topic of the collection. While most of these short stories are appropriate for children, the story "Dog Eared Paperback of My Life" contained several explicit sex scenes, as well as frequent drug use and inappropriate language. It's extremely adult content makes this book unsuitable for children, which was it's intended audience. Also, the last short story was confusing and all over the place, further throwing off the intended affect of the book. The stories in this book were not memorable, except for the ones that left a bad taste in your mouth. I would not recommend this book for children, however, I doubt adults would enjoy it either, as most of the stories are not written with an adult audience in mind.

Reviewer Age:14
Reviewer City, State and Country: New Tripoli, PA United States Of America

Secret of the Sleepless Whales by Ana Maria Rodriguez

Dolphins can dive to as deep as 200 yards in a single breath. But according to experiments done by scientists, they do not have enough oxygen to make that dive. What is their secret?
Baby mammals need a lot of sleep to develop their brain and body. But baby orcas don't sleep for the first four weeks after birth! Why is that?
Harbor seals often hunt at night in pitch black water. And yet they are able to successfully capture their prey. How is that possible?
Some dolphins are seen wearing sponges on their snouts when hunting on the ocean floor. What could this mean?
In Antarctica, seals have amazing hunting strategies to catch their prey in the cold waters of the Antarctic. Therefore, scientists set out to discover these mysteries by attaching cameras to their bodies. The results provide a promising glimpse to how seals are able to outsmart their prey.
In this book, you would find out the answers to all of these secrets & and more!

This book is excellent for ocean enthusiasts who want to learn something unique about these marine mammals. However, it is very simple and does not go much into detail. Usually, a book of this type would be packed with exciting pictures and graphics. However, this book somewhat lacks in that category. There was one 6-page span where not a single picture was included. Out of the five secrets this book shared, there was one that stood out from the rest. It was about how seals can locate objects in the water with their eyes blindfolded. This story captured my attention and was very informative and exciting. Overall, this book does not provide too much information about the animals themselves. However, this is a great book for those who just want to discover something unique about these marine mammals.
Reviewer Age:15
Palo Alto, CA USA

Sophomore Switch by Abby McDonald

Can a Sophomore Switch make all the difference?

California girl Tasha's Sophomore year was supposed to be
great. She had cool film classes, fun roommates, and a
steady line of possible guys to date. Though, when the
"Hot-Tub Incident" occurs, she only wants to do one thing,
pack her bags, quickly.

Meanwhile, across the country, Emily's life isn't going that
peachy either. Her boyfriend of five months has just broken
up with her because she wouldn't go "all the way." Also, it
seems like she can't fit it in at stuffy Oxford anymore.

So, when they are offered to switch places- houses, schools,
friends- for a semester, both jump at the chance. But will
this make their lives better or just plain
worse?

Sophomore Switch was a fast paced novel filled with
funny situations, well developed characters, and a question
of what it means to be a feminist. I quickly devoured this
novel in two short days, thanks to Abby McDonald's writing
and her two lead characters: Emily and Tasha. I felt that
both were realistic and quirky teenagers, making them
extremely fun to read about. I loved how they each had
traits that any type of girl could relate to. Emily was the
up tight overachiever, while Tasha was the go with the flow
party girl. My only problem with this novel was that the
minor characters such as Morgan, Will, and Ryan were a tad
under developed.

Overall, Sophomore Switch was a well written book that I
suggest to fans of Meg Cabot and Sarah Dessen. I look
forward to reading more by Abby McDonald in the future.
Reviewer Age:13
Mountain Top, PA USA

Rooftops of Tehran - Mahbod Seraji

In 1973 Tehran, Iran's sprawling capital city, Pasha is secretly in love with his betrothed neighbor, Zari. But being best friends with her fiance, who is part of a secret organization to over throw the dictating Shah and their secret police, doesn't help much either. When he is found and murdered they are all thrown into grief, while Zari and Pasha's relationship grows strong. Reality shows Pasha and his friends that life is hard and unforgiving, and drives Zari to make a shocking choice which Pasha may never recover from. And it could change the course of their lives forever.

This book is probably one of the best that I have ever read. It opened my eyes to what life is really like in the Middle East and how not everyone from there are bad. I absolutely loved the characters and the reality of the world, and how it's not always a perfect place, like many others make it seem. It was really emotional how everyone dealt with things, and almost had me in tears. I could not put this book down and dreaded having to stop reading. I totally recommend this to anyone who loves books and great love stories.

Violence and Swearing

Reviewer Age: 14

Reviewer City, State and Country: Minooka, IL, United States

Lamentation by Ken Scholes

This book is the first of a quintet of fantasy novels. The world as imagined in the book is divided into the Named Lands and the Churning Wastes. At the beginning, science, magic, and the entirety of the Named Lands have been controlled by the Androfrancines, a religious order, since the time of the Laughing Madness. The balance of power is overthrown when Windwir, the capital of the Andofrancine Order, is destroyed. As a result, war erupts between the different powers of the Named Lands. Lord Rudolfo of the Ninefold Forest Houses allies with Lady Jin Li Tam of House Li Tam to rebuild the library of the Andofrancines and to fight Sethbert, the man who destroyed Windwir. The war is further complicated when two popes claim power over the remnants of the Andofrancine Order. One supports Sethbert, while the other backs Rudolfo. Misinformation, intrigue, and changing allegiances abound before the war is resolved. The story has a conclusion, but a new plot twist is revealed at the end to encourage reading the next book.

This book was enjoyable but confusing. The viewpoint alternates among ten characters. The many plot twists and the various points of view make the story interesting but also keep the reader in the dark. Even at the end, not all the mysteries are solved. The postlude indicates that more answers will be found in the next novel. This book is recommended for anyone who enjoys novels filled with magic, intrigue, and complicated plots.

This book contains sexual and violent content, though most of it is implied rather than explicit. This book would be best for teenage or adult readers.

Reviewer Age:15

Reviewer City, State and Country: Royersford, PA United States

This Side of Magic by Debbie Dadey

This Side of Magic by Debbie Dadey is a quick entertaining read for kids of all ages. The book is based in a small town and the story revolves around the lives of two kids: Luke and his best friend Penny. When they offer to watch their old neighbor Mr. Leery's cat, Mo, they discover that more lies in the woods behind the neighborhood houses than they anticipated. Not only are strange things happening in the woods, but Mo himself seems to be talking to Penny and Luke. When Mr. Leery returns and is told of the unusual events and informed by the kids that they understand Mo, he tells them a secret that will change their lives. Mr. Leery informs Penny and Luke that they are two of three key holders who hold the power to go into another world when they go into the woods. He tells them this is an important power and that he has been watching them their entire lives to ensure they are ready for this challenge. Penny and Luke are amazed at the power they now hold and it is up to them whether to take on the responsibility of being key holders.

This Side of Magic was an intriguing book with a plot that makes it an easy read and will have kids turning the pages until they are done. Debbie Dadey's style of writing is extremely clear and easy to understand. Penny and Luke are likable characters who seem very real. For instance, when Luke is at school he enjoys playing basketball and Penny loves jewelry of any type. This book is the first of a series and the ending is set up for a sequel. When kids finish this book they will want to go right out and by the next one because the story leaves you wanting to find out the next part of Penny and Luke's journey. This book is appropriate for children anywhere from five up to twelve. It is great for kids who like adventure books or for those who enjoy a touch of fantasy.

Reviewer Age:16
Reviewer City, State and Country: Westerville , OH USA

Supergirls Speak Out by Liz Funk

"Supergirls Speak Out" by Liz Funk is a nonfiction self-help book with all the suspense of a fiction book. It follows the lives of about four identified Supergirls and several anonymous others. By defining what an overachiever is, Funk unravels the mystery of perfection in adolescent girls and how deadly it can be. She also delves into the subject of gender roles. In the twentieth century, girls are pushed to be excellent academics and pretty ideals. So, not only do female teens spend hours studying and overworking, but they also spend hours laying out outfits and straightening their hair. There is also an intriguing chapter on female dynamics and contradictions. For instance, many Supergirls don't know how to act around boys. If they are too smart, boys turn away (so the stereotype goes), and if they are too pretty, boys just use them. Many other engaging questions are prompted throughout the book, covering the controversial issues of depression, eating disorders, and more.

Funk's book is remarkably honest. It provokes readers to look inside themselves and try to love who they are. Girls need to stop dieting, stop trying to please others, stop looking for negative attention from guys, stop thinking they're never quit good enough, etc. While the book may have been more interesting if more girls' stories were included and there were more universities discussed, it is still a page-turner. The book successfully covers the pressures of high school, college, and the workplace. At the end of the book, there is an author interview that discusses Funk's own past as a Supergirl. There are loose sexual associations, but nothing is graphic (they are for the purpose of portraying negative ways to get attention). In the end, girls learn that they should embrace their femininity and ditch the like phrases.

Reviewer Age:17

Reviewer City, State and Country: Staten Island, NY USA

The Secret Life of Prince Charming by Deb Caletti

Deb Caletti's The Secret Life of Prince Charming
tells the story of Quinn, daughter of a heart-breaking
Casanova. With the status her mother, grandmother, and
aunt all women scorned, Quinn and her sister Sprout are
brought up to distrust men and shield their hearts. While
at her father's house, Quinn learns about her father's
dirty little secret involving his past relationships. Her
disgust with her father combined with her own recent
breakup drives Quinn to connect with her stepsister,
Frances Lee. Together, along with Quinn's sister Sprout
and Frances Lee's boyfriend's brother Jake, they set out
on the road to right their father's wrongs. Along the way,
Quinn is able to learn for herself the true meaning of
sisterhood and love.


Deb Caletti truly outdoes herself in The
Secret Life of Prince Charming. As a fan of all of
Caletti's books, I would say that this one is even more
touching and powerful than her others. Quinn's voice
connects with the reader almost immediately, allowing her
exploration to reach deep into the heart of the reader.
While the premise of this book had the potential to get
overly heavy and preachy, Caletti avoids this by managing
to draw in the wisdom of multiple generations in such an
optimistic and endearing manner. My one complaint with The
Secret Life of Prince Charming is that the diary insets
are unclear when they are first encountered. However, once
the reader is able to connect the names of the women to
those that Quinn comes in contact to, these insets
heighten the significance and universality of Quinn's road
trip and Caletti's message.

Content:1


Rating (0 - 10 scale): 10
Reviewer Age: 19
Reviewer City, State and Country: Farmington, CT USA

The Hidden World by Paul Park

"The Hidden World" by Paul Park is a science fiction book. It follows an army general, a fragile princess, and a lascivious hermaphrodite. In an epic war between Germans and Turks, the characters are in the middle of many battlefields. They must try to survive attacks from soldiers, as well as spies. In the end, the characters are victorious, enjoying their splendor.

It is a shame that Park had to ruin his book with explicit material. He writes well, but he just can't stray from the blue material. As the fourth book in a series, the plot is a bit hard to follow. Also, the ridiculously spelled names of minor characters don't help the reader keep track of everybody. The gore is not too comforting, either.

Inappropriate objectification of women and harsh language

Reviewer Age:17
Reviewer City, State and Country: Staten Island, NY USA

Heartbreak River by Tricia Mills

As a new summer begins at her family's whitewater- rafting company, sixteen-year-old Alex can only hope that things will improve. After her father's death and breaking up with her boyfriend, Sean, last year, she feels as if her life is out of control. As the summer progresses, things seem to be looking up for Alex, that is until Sean returns to work as a river guide for her grandfather. Things heat up as Sean and another employee begin to compete for her affections, ultimately ending in tragedy. As Alex is forced to choose between her once-true-love and a new flame, the two face-off in a fatal battle of the elements. However, no matter who she chooses, someone will get hurt. Join Alex in this coming of age novel as she finds out who she is, and what she is to become.

Excellent detail, vivid characters, and complex situations are ever-present throughout this adventure of a novel. I found Heartbreak River to be an inspiring, yet enlightening, novel, and I was able to easily put myself inside of the story. Through the author's descriptions, I could actually picture the river that Alex is so afraid to enter! My overall evaluation of this book would be that it is a must-read for anyone looking to grow as a person. Through reading this novel, readers will learn to comprehend the complex mazes that a death can weave, along with observing the development of a love story that rivals that of Romeo and Juliet. It is safe to say that this summer-adventure will become the next "Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants".

I gave this book a content rating of two because of its sexual situations. Although they are not extraordinarily descriptive, these situations may be slightly grown-up for underaged minds.
Reviewer Age:13
Reviewer City, State and Country: Elkview, West Virginia United States

My Big Nose and Other Natural Disasters by Sydney Salter

My Big Nose and Other Natural Disasters was a great narrative by an average teenage girl with some acceptance issues. (Who doesn't have those?)
After finishing her junior year of high school, seventeen year-old Jory Michaels has three things on her summer to-do list: get rid of the Super Schnozz, find her passion (aka land Tyler Briggs as boyfriend), and learn to drive a stick-shift. When both Jory's friends Hannah and Megan find their "passions", Jory feels she must speed things up a little. When she does, natural disaster follows. If only she can get rid of her big nose everything will be peachy....right?
In this comedic drama about every girl's worst nightmare comes the story of accepting yourself and getting the guy without causing natural disaster.

After reading the first chapter I was hooked! The humor was great, the issues surrounding Jory were so-true and easy to relate to, but she was a little too obsessed with boys for my taste. She was getting rather ridiculous and getting way too desperate. This was the only downside to the book.
Not only do you get to read a fun teenage novel, but you get to be introduced or re-introduced to those life lessons we keep ignoring. Now if only there was a book on how to accept those pesky black-heads. Talk about best-seller....

I recommend this book for teens ages 15+ because of some sexual content/references and teen drinking.
Reviewer Age:16
Reviewer City, State and Country: NM USA

Darling Jim

Imagine picking up a newspaper and reading that 3 women, the Walsh sisters, along with their aunt, are found brutally murdered in their house. As you're reading you find out that the aunt was secretly keeping her nieces locked away in the attic all because of one man, by the name of Jim Darling. Jim Darling is a "Seanchai" or story teller, who travels to different cities in Ireland and tells the same story. As he moves around from city to city, women are mysteriously being murdered. As the story unfolds you find out why the Walsh sisters risked everything, and if "He would love her or kill her".

WOW! This book was amazing, and I could hardly put it down. The characters are so well written, and the plot unfolds beautifully. This is one murder mystery that should be read by everyone. I absolutely loved the Walsh sisters, and as I was reading the book I was fighting for them to succeed in their quest. Unfortunately, I also was fighting for Darling Jim. Christian Moerk makes such a likeable narcissistic male you almost feel bad for him...almost. I highly recommend this book if you enjoy plots that are full of exciting twists and murder mysteries that actually have depth to them.

I rated it a 3 because it has a few sexually explicit scenes, and the language could be viewed as mature, as well.

Content: 3
Rating: 10
Reviewer Age:19
Reviewer City, State and Country: Dundee, Oregon USA

Doom Lake Holiday by Tom Henighan

This is an exciting book about a seventeen year old boy named Chip who goes on a family vacation. His dad has rented a cottage by a lake to spend the time, but crazy, unanticipated things happen and the family moves over to an island where Chip and his family suspect the house is haunted. They get tied up in a mysterious past and Chip is determined to find out what is going on. This is an amazing mystery full of detail and adventure.

I think the author is good at describing the surroundings and the characters appearances. It feels like you are on the island. The main character, Chip, is very realistic and is kind of heroic. He sounds like a nice boy that is determined to find out what is going on on the spooky island. Overall it was a good mystery book. It was a little confusing at the beginning, but once I got into it I couldn't put it down. I think that almost anyone would like this book because it has a little bit of everything: mystery,adventure,ghosts,some history,and even some romance.

Our rating
(0 - 10 scale)
8

Age Level
9-12

Reviewer Age:12

Reviewer City, State and Country: Brownsburg, Indiana United States.

The Diamonds by Ted Michael

At Bennington High School, the Diamonds rule. The Diamonds are the most popular girls at Bennington. They're the ones that guys want to date and who girls want to be. Being a Diamond is the best thing Marni Valentine could ask for. She's best friends with the ring leader, Clarissa. Life seems perfect, until Marni gets too close to Clarissa's ex-boyfriend, Anderson. Big mistake. Now Marni has gone from Diamond to a lower class loser. Even worse, the Diamonds are the new mock trial team and they're delivering their so called justice to anyone in their path. There seems that nothing can be done about the Diamonds. Marni has some dirty secrets about the Diamonds, though, and she's not going down without a fight. After all, the one way to break a diamond is another diamond.
The Diamonds by Ted Michael is not only outrageously funny, but it keeps you on the edge of your seat, wanting more and more. The Diamonds has believable characters. This book shows that sometimes friends aren't always what they seem and sometimes aren't always truthful. The Diamonds teaches you that even if you're an outcast, you can stand up for what you believe in and triumph over all. I recommend this book to all young adult readers.
Reviewer Age:12
Reviewer City, State and Country: Fairborn, Ohio United States

Coffeehouse Angel by Suzanne Selfors

Katrina lives in Nordby, an authentic Scandanavian town, complete with quaint houses, a Solstice Festival, and her grandmother's coffeehouse, where she spends most of her time. One day Katrina sees a homeless man sleeping in the back alley behind the coffeehouse, and she decides to leave him some coffee and pastries. But the homeless man is actually an angel named Malcolm, and he decides to reward Katrina with her heart's desire for her selflessness. After two botched wishes, Katrina is afraid to tell Malcolm what she really wants - because what she wants is him.

Coffeehouse Angel was really cute. I didn't realize that this was a romantic comedy, so I was pleasantly surprised by the humor. Katrina thinks and says some funny things, which makes the book more enjoyable. I liked the fact that Malcolm was an angel, which gives this book an element of uniqueness. The only problem I had was that Coffeehouse Angel started bordering on silly. Some of the character's antics started becoming annoying, rather than being funny. Even so, I liked this book and its humor, but I think serious readers might find the comedy immature.

Reviewer Age:17
Reviewer City, State and Country: Aston, Pennsylvania United States

The Bird by J. Marshall Martin

In this book, The Bird, Tripp takes his Granddad from a nursing home in Seattle to their real home in Savannah, Georgia. To get there Tripp takes his dad's prized possession, a 1962 Thunderbird. Along the way they meet a girl named Angie who does art and is looking for a ride to Denver to get a bus ticket to New York. Also, along the way, Granddad hears his owl screech, the one that saved his life from a lightening bolt. When they get to Savannah, Granddad finishes the carving of his owl,then Tripp and Angie find out Granddad has died.

I liked this book. It was an adventure book. It told about Granddad's early memories. Also it reminded me of my grandpa. The author made me want to keep reading to find out what would happen next.
Reviewer Age:11
Reviewer City, State and Country: Leopold, Missouri USA

Whispers from the Bay

Whispers from the Bay by John Tkac, is an adventure book. The main character, Mike Connelly finds out he can communicate with the dolphins in the Florida Bay. Mike fell into the water; when the dolphins came to help him he realized he could read their thoughts and they could read his thoughts. With the dolphins help Mike learns to study and wins a spelling bee. Mike reads to the dolphins. Mike learns a very important secret about the dolphins. A friend of Mike's disappears and Mike must keep the secret and find his friend.

This book will not go on my list of favorite books. I thought I would like it from the information about the plot but it was difficult to follow most of the time. I think the dolphin names and the italics used when they spoke bothered me. The adventure in the book was not too exciting. I was not drawn into the story right away. I had to keep reading through several chapters before it got even a little interesting. I honestly would not recommend the book to anyone but I am sure there would be others who might like it.

Reviewer Age:11
Reviewer City, State and Country: Leopold, MO USA

The Pearl of the Soul of the World by Meredith Ann Pierce

A pale girl is lost underground. She does not know who she is or how she got where she is, just that the torturous pain behind her ear forbids her from learning anything about her. She then meets the last of the Ancient Ones, Ravenna, who gives her a blazing sword and a pearl that contains the knowledge and soul of the world. Ravenna tells the girl that in order to save the world; she must give the pearl of the soul of the world to the horrible Witch. That's the same witch that has brought a terrible drought upon their fragile world. Join this mysterious girl as she journeys to the Witch's Palace and discovers that sometimes, you must sacrifice all you love for a greater cause.

The Pearl of the Soul of the World was an okay book. If you'd like to read it, just make sure you read the first two books in the Darkangel series, or you'll feel just as lost as the girl in the beginning. At some parts, there was a little too much detail that made you want to skip ahead a few paragraphs, and sometimes there wasn't enough. Sadly, the ending was a cliffhanger, and it left me wishing that this was not the last book in the trilogy! So much was left unsaid and explained. The author's style, however, was beautiful and made up for everything the book lacked. You felt the same pain, sacrifice, and love that the pale girl felt. A great lesson awaits anyone who reads it. I'd recommend The Pearl of the Soul of the World to anyone who likes foreign, magical worlds and fantasy.

Reviewer Age: 14

Reviewer City, State and Country: Coatesville, PA USA

Genshiken by Kio Shimoku

Summary: The "Genshiken Official Book" by Kio Shimoku covers almost everything a fan of the nine volume manga series would want to know. It has corsplay, Otaku ten commandments, fun quizzes, a start-up guide for making your own fanzme, a new story set in the world of Genshiken, and even some Genshiken love!

"Genshiken Official Book" by Kio Shimoku was very educational to me as a newbie. I have always wondered about the anime/manga fandom and this book has taught me a lot. I would recommend this book to people who want to learn about anime/manga or to hard-core Otakus. It was a new type of reading for me and I enjoyed it.

Reviewer Age:14
Reviewer City, State and Country: Mishawaka, IN USA

Hot Girl by Dream Jordan

It's summertime in Brooklyn, New York. Kate is this raggedy tomboy with a police record trying to make it and feel at home in the foster care system. Naleejah is the hot and stylish thing that just moved to Bed-Stuy. Naleejah thinks Kate could use a makeover to please her love time crush, Charles. Then Kate catches Naleejah flirting with Charles. Will Kate change her ways or continue down the path of destruction in Dream Jordan's Hot Girls.
I thought that it was a pretty good book. It was funny at times, like all of the stupid things that Naleejah would make Kate do. I kind of thought that parts were a little bit too ghetto for me. Like how everyone holds everyone else's drugs and how they just hang around in the alleys and get into complete strangers' cars. I do understand that this is really life and it really does happen, but it was a little too much for me. On the other hand, I thought that it was very well writen and descriptive. I felt like I was walking down the streets with Kate in Brooklyn.

Drug and Alcohol reference Sexual content Bad language

Reviewer Age:14

Reviewer City, State and Country: Minooka, Il United States

The Walls of the Universe

John Rayburn's life in small-town Ohio is boring, to put it in the least. That is, before another version of himself from another universe stops in for a visit. This John, John Prime, is tricky and deceitful, and eventually cons John into taking a spin on his broken universe travel device. John soon finds that the device will not allow him to travel back to his home universe, so he settles in one similar to his own. While there, he enrolls in college, and makes two new friends, Henry and Grace. At one point, John mentions an arcade game, pinball, to the two. Amazed at the concept, the pair demand that he help them to build a pinball machine of their own. Despite his doubts, John agrees to help them.
Meanwhile, John Prime's life in Ohio is definitely not taking off. After impregnating and marrying one of John's former suitors, he is bombarded by lawsuits over his design for a "Rayburn's Cube" similar to a "Rubik's Cube". He is reduced to working in a factory, until the idea is finally accepted by a marketing company. However, his newfound happiness is shortlived, as he is soon incarcerated for murder.
Back in universe 7560, John's idea for pinball takes off, and so does a relationship with an old friend named Casey. However, his newfound obsession with recreating a machine to take him home breaks them up for a time, until he comes to his senses. At this point, John discovers some information on the company that sponsors his pinball business that causes him to worry. He then transports himself back to his home universe to retrieve the one person who could help him to defeat the corporate monsters. It is up to himself and John Prime to save the multiverse from complete destruction.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book! Paul Menko's beautiful script wowed me from page one to the end. This book has the potential to become the next Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy. I felt that this book had no weaknesses whatsoever, and never once felt myself yawn as I started a new page. This captivating novel held to an adventurous but scientific theme, and taught me alot about the theories of cosmology and the multiverse. It also challenged me to think outside of my comfort zone, and made me feel as if there could be thousands of universes. I would most definitely recommend this book to others, as the book is a definite attention-grabber!
I gave this book a content rating of "3" because of the sexual situations and extreme language that it contains.
Reviewer Age:13
Reviewer City, State and Country: Charleston, West Virginia United States

Ten Explorers Who Changed the World

10 Explorers Who Changed the World is about ten different
explorers and the adventures they had. It tells facts you
probably all ready knew about the explorers and facts that
you might not be able to find in a textbook. After each
story about the explorer there is a Life Link. A Life Link
tells you how the explorer you read about and the next
explorer are related. For example, after a short story
about Marco Polo there is a Life Link that tells how The
Travels of Marco Polo inspired Christopher Columbus.

This book is well written. I loved the amount of
graphics and captions that there were. The illustrator is
very talented and did a very good job illustrating this
book. I would recommend this book for those who like
history and adventure. I think the Life Links were very
interesting and a good idea. This book would also be a
good reference source for children in fourth, fifth, or
sixth grade to use for a report about
explorers.
Reviewer Age:12: Leopold, Missouri USA

Stitchin' and Pullin

Stitchin and Pullin' is a picture book of several poems. Baby Girl is telling the story. She is telling a story of a quilting group called Gee's Bend. She sits by the group and listens to their stories and songs while she waits for her turn to quilt. Then she makes her own quilt. Her grandma tells her that her quilt should have a story like hers did. So she does tell a story in her quilt. Three strips of brown cotton border her quilt like Gee's Bend is surrounded on three sides by muddy waters. A strip of green symbolizes the fields where their ancesters worked cotton. A large gray square stands for hard times. It also tells about who discovered the Gee's Bend quilts, and how some of the quilts got placed in museums. This book tells the history and story of their community.

Stitchin and Pullin' is a great book. It has very detailed and descriptive poems. One of my favorite poems is about the colors. It talks about what the colors stand for. Some examples are green oozes, orange laughs, pink smiles, and many others. The poems also show how the writer feels for about her grandma, mother, and her cousin. This book is very interesting. I loved this book because it tells the history of her family and Gee's Bend.
Reviewer Age:11
Reviewer City, State and Country: L eopold, MO USA

Lucky Breaks by Susan Patron

Lucky is a 10 year old girl living in a little town
called Hard Pan. Her best friend Lincoln is working on a
secret netting project and might move to England. Lucky's
other friend, Miles, is turning six and his birthday is
around the same time as Lucky. He wants to have a birthday
party for both of them and invite the whole town. Lucky's
mom is French and is trying to become more American. Lucky
is almost 11 and doesn't have any friends who are girls.
When a new girl named Paloma visits, Lucky thinks she might
find another best friend. Lucky is a huge fan of Charles
Darwin and wants to be just like him. She loves going on
adventures and even named her dog after his ship, the HMS
Beagle. When Lucky tries to find to find a missing artifact,
half of a famous brooch in a well, she runs into trouble.
Will she be alive for her birthday party? Read this amazing
story that kept me guessing until the end.
I thought this book was a great story. The only problem was that it
didn't really get exciting until I was at the middle of the
book. I like how the story ends in a way I didn't expect.
The characters and the setting was described well. I could
picture the town and the characters in my mind. I think this
is a great book for people who love
adventures.

Reviewer Age:12
Enon, OH USA

Living With Ghosts by Kari Sperring

Graciel is a failed assassin priest and spy who doesn't accept his abilities. The ghostly shadows around him and even the sorceress who rules him can't be ignored by him. Thiercelin wishes he had his wife's love though she is devoted to the city of Merafi and the ruler. In this ancient city you can't always get what you want. In the city of Merafi their safety relied on a pact sealed by the blood between the land's first king and the land's elemental forces. When the city should be protected to the power of elementals it isn't because a sorceress and a prince have broken the pact. Terror and destruction are to come but the Merafiens don't believe in the elemental powers and are blind to the danger to come. Find out what happens when you jump into this book!

This book had a very slow beginning but if you are into these kind of books it picks up after a while. If you don't like to read a big book that doesn't pull you in, then this is not for you. Some parts were confusing but once you read the whole book you get it. Detail I believe is a big thing in this book. This is a good book to read on a bad day, though of course it depends on the person. Fantasy books...you either like them or dislike them.

There were some parts where depends on the maturity of the reader. Also I recommend adult guidance.

Reviewer Age: 16

Reviewer City, State and Country: Northport, NY USA

Alligator Bayou by Donna Jo Napoli

Loosely based on a true story, and developed as an
exposition on cultural tensions in the nineteenth century,
Alligator Bayou traces the journey of a fourteen year old
Sicilian migrant who is thrust into a milieu hostile to his
very existence. The story revolves around Calogero, the
fourteen year old migrant, and the experiences and
occurrences in the racially-charged town of Tallulah,
Louisiana. During the course of the novel, Calogero attempts
to gain new friends, expire racial and cultural boundaries,
secure his budding love with an African-American girl, and
gradually ease into his transposed town. However, despite
these peaceful pastimes, he is also held beholden to the
violence present in Southern towns toward those of varying
heritage. This violence is visible almost immediately after
the exposition, and dramatically conducts the occurrences of
the preponderance of the novel. In the conclusion of the
novel, Calogero is forced to concede the town he has come to
love in spite of its flaws, and seek a destiny discrete.

It is clear from Donna Jo Napoli's prose and style in
Alligator Bayou that she intended to compose a counterpart
or sibling to To Kill a Mockingbird, or even Uncle Tom's
Cabin, in terms of illuminating racial conflicts typically
ignored in the face of larger calamities. All three novels
hold a surprisingly satisfying plot, richly detailed
characters, and a vividly created medium of venue through
which they are transmitted. It is also clear from Alligator
Bayou that Napoli invested a large sum of time in
painstakingly recreating and archiving the cultural syntax
of Sicilians in America. The novel proves both historically
accurate and emotionally subversive. The plot is compiled of
a multiplicity of domains, ranging from romance and drama to
action, allowing access and enjoyment to fans of all genres.
However, as with all novels, Alligator Bayou retains a
number of blemishes which mark the otherwise vibrant taste.
Although slower early on, the novel increases in pace
dramatically toward the end, creating what some readers
might find an uncomfortable channel which prevents the
attainment of full achievement. Although it is possible this
change in pace was intentional, it still serves as a
detraction from the overall gridiron of the story. Likewise,
certain elements of the novel feel half-baked and clunky
toward the end, as if they offer only superfluous enjoyment
and serve no genuine objective in the storyline. Again,
while this may be intentional to result in a more acute
finale and to sharpen the key themes of the novel, it serves
to disenchant the reader. However, while the novel does
preserve some weakness, it offers overall a wholly
gratifying experience for those willing to ignore the grain
and chuff in search of the diamonds at its
heart.

Violence, references to lynching may be
inappropriate for younger readers, but overall not a major
problem

Reviewer Age:15

Reviewer City, State and
Country: Shrewsbury, MA USA

Dark Destiny by Kym Hackenberger and Melody Lowe

Everyone knows the story behind Sleeping Beauty, but what about the wicked witch who curses the princess? Dark Destiny is the hidden Sleeping Beauty story. Never the favorite child, Princess Elspeth always lived an unhappy childhood. But when Elspeth finds herself betrothed to someone she despises, she finally decides that enough is enough. When Elspeth meets a handsome warlock, she finds herself falling in love and marries him instead. After many years of a happy marriage, a pregnant Elspeth suffers a blow when her former betrothed finds and kills her beloved husband. After that incident, Elspeth has to find a way to avenge her husband's death.

I hadn't really thought about how the story of a villain would be told, so it was great to read a book about just that. I never expected the tale to be told as it was, especially with how closely intertwined Elspeth's story was with Sleeping Beauty and her parents. There were so many interesting characters; including goblins, elves and other fairy tale creatures that added to the mystique of the story. I was expecting to dislike Elspeth throughout, but it's hard not to feel bad for her. For anyone who has wondered what it takes to become a villain, I would definitely recommend reading this book. It's always interesting to know the other side of a fairy tale, so hopefully there will be more novels like this in thefuture.

Reviewer
Age: 22

Reviewer City, State and Country: Philadelphia,
PA United States