A new student review of Apollo's Outcasts by Allen Steele

masha posted a new student review of Apollo's Outcasts by Allen Steele. See the full review.

I think that this was a very good book, the plot was well thought-out and the conclusions tied up my questions. There were some areas that I think should have been spoken about more, one of these areas is when Jamey was able to walk for the first time. This area is discussed very briefly and even though it does say that Jamey had trouble learning how to walk, there is hardly any discussion on the matter until later in the book. But, the plot was amazing and I loved how there was lots of adventure and competition. At the end of the book Jamey also loses a friend. Even though this was the lowest point of the book, I think that it was a very good twist to what would have otherwise been an unreallistic "picture perfect" ending.  

A new student review of When the World Ends...

scifiguy posted a new student review of When the World Ends... . See the full review.

This book was very excellent and exciting. It was long, but packed with action. The Level 1 characters are very likeable and their situation makes you feel bad for them. The Board of Officials that Landon works with are hated by everyone and usually by the reader.

A new student review of The Flame in the Mist by Kit Grindstaff

Rainbow Shard posted a new student review of The Flame in the Mist by Kit Grindstaff. See the full review.

            Disturbing, amusing, and sometimes downright weird, The Flame in the Mist by Kit Grindstaff is a wonderfully spooky romp of a book.  A rural setting gives the story a simple and realistic feel, despite the overpowering factor of the Mist which covers everything.  I liked the new take on the recent trend of all things dark and disturbing, intertwined with just the right amount of humor.  Subtle romance weaves through the story, making it a sweet story as well as an exciting adventure.  All in all, The Flame in the Mist is a book that will be loved by readers of all kinds, loves, and fancies.

A new student review of Escape From Mr. Lemoncello's Library

underwood_bcl posted a new student review of Escape From Mr. Lemoncello's Library . See the full review.

I loved this book and  it is now one of my all time favorites. I had a fun time trying to figure out how they could get out of the library but I could not figure it out until they told me how it was done.  I thought that this book was really well written.  The characters were believable.  Kyle always tried to do the right thing.  He was friendly and kind and tried to include everyone.  Charles was not very kind and very rude.      I don’t know how the author came up with all the clues and interesting adventures he wrote about.   The author was very creative.  The new library sounds awesome!  Now, I would like to read more of Chris Gabenstein's  books.

A new student review of Dance of Shadows by Yelana Black Yelena Black

ClarissaAdeleMorgenstern posted a new student review of Dance of Shadows by Yelana Black Yelena Black. See the full review.

I didn't like this book very much.  The antagonists had unclear motives, and magic was introduced partway through in a way I felt was slightly random.  Foreshadowing was also overly obvious in some instances; for example, it is made obvious to the reader that Vanessa's boyfriend had ulterior motives because of how he acted in some scenes in the book, but Vanessa seems oblivious to this.  However, Vanessa notices immediately that another boy clearly vying for her attention must have other reasons to get her attention.  The book is seems as though it is meant to have a sequel, so not everything is answered in this one and several parts are left entirely unexplained.  In particular, we learn that Margaret was still alive even though all the other missing dancers were dead.  Also, I felt as though Vanessa was saved at the end instead of by her own actions or bravery.  MIddle school readers who enjoy fantasy and reading about dance might enjoy this book.

A new student review of Black Spring

ViviB posted a new student review of Black Spring . See the full review.

Because Black Spring was written in a Victorian style, I found it hard to get into.  After I got used to the style of writing, I found it interesting and well-written.  It made me feel anager, sadness, jealousy and an array of other emotions.  the characters were well-developed - I grew to like some of them and hate others.

However, there were some weaknesses in the character development and plot.  I did not find Hamnel interesting.  I felt that he was just a traveler running away from his life.  I did not understand why the beginning of the story was told from his point of view.  That confused me.  I also didn't understand how the book jacket connected to the book.

Most of the story is told from Anna's point of view.  This may be why the love between lina and Damek seemed slightly fake to me - they seemed more like best friends than two people in love with one another.  Since Anna was being excluded, she couldn't easily protray the love.

Lina's character was also unappealing.  She was temperamental. One minute, she was fine, and the next, she was yelling and angry. Anna should have had more screen-time; she was telling the story about Lina, and I felt like she could have been incorporated more as a constant character to even out Lina's mood swings.

One strength of the book is that is different from many other teen books.  There are a lot of fluffy-type romance books out there for young adults, and this one was obviously different.  As the author wrote the story as a "love letter to Emily Bronte," I might have enjoyed it more if I had read Wuthering Heights and made more connections.

I would recommend this book to eighth graders and up, because anyone younger might not like the Victorian writing.

A new student review of All That's Missing

MIZZIQ posted a new student review of All That's Missing . See the full review.

This book was very moving and very simple. I was really happy that the author was able to convey real emotion without adding unnecessary plots. It was kept to the basics, but it was still very profound and enjoyable. Another thing I was glad for was a happy ending, without everything being perfect. The book was able to show a realistic approach and provide a happy ending. It was uplifting and definitely worth the read.

A new student review of The Grave Winner

R. Mae posted a new student review of The Grave Winner . See the full review.

The Grave Winner was a brilliant, chilling, exciting book.

 

The Plot:

At first I was worried whether or not I would be able to get along with the curious style of this book, it was kind of a cliche that the book starts with the death of Leigh’s Mom, but it works very well to get the plot rolling. I got upset when it started to look as if it was all about the romances, but then I realized that the plot was developing into something incredibly delicious right before my eyes. It was realistic and exciting. I loved the adventure, falling out of windows and spending a bunch of time in the graveyard. I like how Leigh just scratches the surface in this book. You can feel that Lindsey R. Loucks is setting up for the next book. The magic was realistic, it had rules and wasn’t one of those stories about impossible to stop evil that must be stopped. This evil was possible to stop, it just required sacrifice and a little bit of live bait.

 

The Characters:

They were so vivid and funny. Jo, with her vow to not shave until Miguel asked her out, how absolutely ridiculous. It was so weird and yet made Jo totally unique. Leigh has this unquenchable fire to protect her little sister, but they still argue. So true to life! I felt that the fiery romances were annoying, but as the book moved on and Leigh got stronger and moved through her grief, I realized it had been a distraction for her, and yet she still loved both guys, which is setting book two up for a depressing love triangle and the possibility of teams. What’s with teenagers and love triangles? I mean, Twilight, The Infernal Devices, etc... I could go on and on. But anyways, I like both of the guys in this book evenly, Callum and his realness, Tram and his unrealness. Also, they both have pretty cool names.

 

The Setting:

The Grave Winner takes place in the graveyard, except for a few scenes at Leigh’s house and around the town. It’s a localized thing. The characters don’t go gallivanting all over the world. A lot of times the story takes place in dark and freaky places. I loved the graveyard repetitiveness. I have a perfect picture of what it looks like in my head. I could tell you where they were at each moment. It was like the place where the dead rest is where Leigh lives.

 

The Standout:

This book was beat you over the head normal, other than the magic. Normal isn’t  people who are like you and me, because while we are normal, we are not like other people. Leigh and her friends were not like other people, and so therefore they were normal. Leigh likes the color black, she wears black eyeliner and lip stick. She is known for her black combat boots and black shirts. She is unique and different and so she seems real. Jo was the funniest character, she was on the verge of being a complete weirdo. I loved her, I liked how Callum wasn’t magical, how he didn’t have the guts to tell Leigh he liked her. I liked how he sleeps all day, he is normal, and different.

 

The Moral:

I think what the author was trying to get across is two things. The question, what would you give up for the people you love? And if you feel like you desperately want be normal, all you need to do is be different. Leigh was willing to give up her life to protect her friends and family. It scared her, but she knew she would never forgive herself if they died because of her. There was a little swearing, but no making out or anything like that. It was an awesomely gory book. I loved it and can’t wait to read number two!

A new student review of Fallout

thudson36 posted a new student review of Fallout . See the full review.

I think Fallout was a good book. Fallout has a great story line and was well written. The only thing I disliked about the book is every other chapter, it changes from a chapter about Scott's childhood memories to a chapter in the present (while in the bomb shelter). Every chapter ends in a cliffhanger, causing you to want to keep reading and reading. At some times the story could get a little boring, especially when reflecting on Scott's past, but it picks up the pace quickly. Overall, I think Fallout was an exceptional book and would definitely recommend it to others.

A new student review of Coaltown Jesus

dancechicka posted a new student review of Coaltown Jesus . See the full review.

This book was certainly different.  Outside the box.  Unique.  I know when I think of Jesus, I think of angels singing and bright light and larger than life mirages.  But this book portrayed him as a smart mouthed, athletic, and fun individual—and I think that was what made the connection for me.  Sometimes it is hard to understand why God seems to take some good out of the world and replace it with bad—and I think that will always be one of life’s greatest mysteries.  We also have all been affected by death, like Walker and his mother—and affected by the stereotypical beliefs about a certain race or gender—like Jesus.   Koertge did a wonderful job getting those points across.   And for all you reluctant readers--this book was SHORT.  122 pages, to be exact.  It is also written in verse, making it a quick read without many dry or boring parts.  If you’re looking for a brief and easy read, this novel is for you!

                “He was dead.  I found him right where you are now, and he was dead.”  It came out like a wail.”

                I would recommend this book for ages eight and up for mild drug references and a single expletive.  I feel it would be good for younger age groups for its quickness and easy to read format.  The vocabulary is not all that advanced, either.

                Walker can’t deny it—Jesus is in his life now, and he can’t forget it.  So as he struggles to get over his brother’s death, will he finally start healing—or will Jesus disappear and leave him as broken as before?

A new student review of More Than This

VBat posted a new student review of More Than This . See the full review.

I loved More Than This. A mixture of mystery, sci-fi, drama and dystopia, the book is mind-bending  and full of suspense. 

The structure of More Than This is very interesting. I am not someone who typically cares too much about how a story is structured,  but the gradual peeling away of plot layers in this story kept me constantly on my toes as I waited to learn more about Seth's past, and what is really going on. Patrick Ness weaves hints about the truth throughout the book, and brings these hints back to mind (or destroys the prediction they cause) just as soon as you forget them. 

Due to the carefully structured nature of the plot, I feel as though it would take away from reader enjoyment if I commented too much on specific characters or events. However, all of the characters were likeable and realistic, and I felt their strong emotions right along with them. 

The ambiguous ending of the story left me with more questions than ever- but in a good way. Throughout the story, the reader is led to question what is real and what is not, and the ending fits perfectly with that focus. 

I would recommend More Than This to teenagers and young adults who enjoy sci-fi, mysteries, dramas, and suspense! Fans of The Hunger Games will appreciate Seth's survival in the empty world, and others will enjoy the drama of his past life. 

 

 

A new student review of Alice Parker's Metamorphosis by Nicola Palmer

sschu5 posted a new student review of Alice Parker's Metamorphosis by Nicola Palmer. See the full review.

This book is awesome! It has a great plot. It always keeps you hanging which is a great thing because that means you will keep reading. So, this author is great. It is a good book because it teaches kids to persevere through everything like Alice did.

A new student review of Disneylanders

Gwendolyn posted a new student review of Disneylanders . See the full review.

Disneylander’s by Kate Abbot was a sweet, addictive, and touching read. I love Disney, so, when I first saw this title, I was immediately interested! A number of the memories that I have from my early childhood are that of trips to Disneyland. As I read this novel, I discovered that Casey and I share many of the same obscure reasons why we love Disneyland, such as our favorite portrait hanging in the haunted mansion, to that feeling of deep fondness and affection that Disneyland brings us. The similarities between Casey and myself made the read quite realistic and entertaining throughout the entire novel. The author was able to write a book that includes fully formed characters with quite relatable issues and dilemmas, without letting the scenery distract us readers too much from the story, but just enough to let us feel a sense of familiarity. I’ve always been the girl who becomes extremely attached to a well written book and rather passionate towards the characters within. I am pleased to say that Disneylanders fits into the category that I would call well written, with lovely characters. By the second chapter I found that I had developed an undeniable affection for Casey and the situations that she faces throughout the book. The addictive plot line and the assortment of unique, relatable, and realistic characters kept me hooked from beginning to end. I had no desire to stop reading and I didn’t want to put it down! Bert and Casey are a good pair. I think that they compliment each other well. They are able to sympathize, understand, and give advice to one another’s issues and troubles whilst comprehending their own situation a little more at the same time. Their relationship was sweet and it put a nice spotlight on their characters. I liked their honest and true friendship as well. Entertaining, nostalgic and endearing, Disneylanders is an exquisite and unique read. I will most certainly be reading this story many more times in the future.

A new student review of Through the Zombie Glass by Gena Showalter

LISH0985 posted a new student review of Through the Zombie Glass by Gena Showalter. See the full review.

Overall the book was good. There were parts in the book that moved too fast for me, like when Cole and Alice break up and the change in her afterwards. It all happened so fast that I didn't have time to take in what was happening. The fighting scenes could also have a bit more substance to them. I also felt the weirdness between her and the other guy she is seeing visions with should be developed more. One day they can't stand each other and the next they are friends and he's coming over to her house.

A new student review of The Kingdom of Little Wounds

aschoenfeldt posted a new student review of The Kingdom of Little Wounds . See the full review.

Susann Cokal's historical fiction novel, The Kingdom of Little Wounds, begins with an intriguing plot line but failed to interest me as I read further. The original mystery of the princess's death captured my attention, but the other plot points, such as Ava's background and her dealings with the spy ring, left me confused and disoriented. I did, however, appreciate the narrative format, and how the chapters alternated between Ava and Midi's perspectives. I also enjoyed the placement of the stories that were not directly related to the main plot. I would recommend this book only to lovers of both fantasy and historical fiction who do not mind a complicated plot.

A new student review of Sister Mischief

calicool123 posted a new student review of Sister Mischief . See the full review.

I personally loved the book. It showed how different types of people can come together and form great friendships. It was a book everyone can relate to, especially people who feel like they don't fit in. This is a book you can read cover to cover without putting down. I would recommend this book to everyone who needs a little hope. 

A new student review of Splendors and Glooms by Laura Amy Schlitz

Anjel posted a new student review of Splendors and Glooms by Laura Amy Schlitz. See the full review.

This is a truly unusual book, as I have never read a book like this. I was so excited when I finished the book that I ran out of my room screaming to my brother that he had to read it. I continued to talk about the book forever, and I still am, expanding the audience to my mother and father. I felt as if I were one of the puppets in Grisini’s puppet show and continued to feel the excitement of the adventures happening all around me. If you have never read a book with many stories in one, you should read this one.

A new student review of Kid Docs

detectiveginger posted a new student review of Kid Docs . See the full review.

The story ‘Kid Docs’ has an interesting concept about a program that teaches young children medicine so that they can become doctors from a young age (about early teens) and become super-doctors. I liked this idea, and especially the use of medical discourse, even if I didn’t understand many of the terms; it's like another language! I think that the medical words used add dimension to the story ‘Kid Docs’, to give a realistic insight into life working as a doctor and working in a hospital.

‘Kid Docs’ is well written with very few errors, for example on page 42, 'but he breathed when Connor asked him too’; it should be ‘to’ rather than ‘too’. And on page 78, it says ‘Cassie looked at Connor grinned.’ Which doesn’t make sense. Also on page 37, ‘Connor watched Timothy leave the ER, in a wheel chair in his mother's arms’ sounds a bit awkward; did Timothy leave in a wheelchair or in his mother’s arms, or does it mean he left in a wheelchair pushed by his mother?

‘Kid Docs’ is a good story for those who want to read about what it is like being a doctor, or those who like watching medical dramas.

A new student review of North of Nowhere

underwood_bcl posted a new student review of North of Nowhere . See the full review.

This book was both science fiction and a mystery that needed to be solved. I liked that I could not figure out the mystery until the author told what happened. It kept me guessing and interested all through the book. I usually figure out the ending after the second clue in most mysteries. This is probably one of the best books I have read in a long time. I wish this book was a series, I would like to read more just like this one. I have read some of the author's other books about Emily Winsnap and I really liked those too.

A new student review of The Secret of Grey Stone Island by Andrea Louise Koehler

moseso posted a new student review of The Secret of Grey Stone Island by Andrea Louise Koehler. See the full review.

The Secret of Grey Stone Island is a mystery book that is a short story and a quick, enjoyable read.  I could picture some parts in the book when I closed my eyes, but on the other hand during some other parts in the book I could imagine what was happening without closing my eyes! My bedroom became Grey Stone Island, and my bed became a kayak. I’d rate this book four out of five stars. Andrea wrote the book in such a fashion that I could believe Maya and Jago to be real. I like the ending of the story; however, I think that if there is not a sequel to this book, a sequel should be written. I would recommend this book to someone who is looking for a good, yet, short book.         

A new student review of The Iron Traitor

RavenWing posted a new student review of The Iron Traitor . See the full review.

Megan’s family. Sigh. I think they’re all messed up. It’s like a bad case of selflessness. Ash would die for Megan, Megan would die for Ash. And then comes along Keirran…

Sigh.

Not that I didn’t like it. I loved it. There’s nothing Julie Kagawa could write that wouldn’t leave me interested to the end. I admit, the romance between Ethan and Kenzie is kind of repetitive after Megan and Ash, but it’s a whole new world.

Ethan has an all new thought process, all new morals, all new opinions. It’s like falling in love all over again. I could end my review there, but I won’t. I’ll ramble on about my first love for a little longer.

For everyone new to this series, STOP! You should read the original books first, or, at the very least, the first book in this sub series thing. If you just pick up this book “oh, this sounds good” and start reading it, you are going to be oh so confused. The readers who have followed along Megan’s journey, we know exactly how the plot twisted and turned throughout the years. We know there is no figuring out what’s about to happen, there is no bland spot.

So, back to the review. It’s a romance. It’s a comedy. It’s an action packed book.

The first hint of a grey fluff ball will leave you in hysterics.

Would I recommend this? You’re kidding me, right? This is my first love, my motivation. I’ve been following along this adventure for years, and I’d have a meltdown if Megan and Ash completely left us, but I know they never will. I have dreams of a certain cat, and quote a certain pain-in-the ass.

Let me just say, READ IT! Then come reread this review; it’ll make a lot more sense then.

A new student review of Fallout

alphatauri posted a new student review of Fallout . See the full review.

I always love the premise of a good "what if?" historical story, from the brutally realistic The Plot Against America by Philip Roth or the far-fetchedness of Scott Westerfeld's Leviathan. The absurdness of Fallout falls somewhere in between (no pun intended) those two works. It is a terrifying scenario, and Todd Strasser tells the story in a unique, alternating the chapters between the present and the past. We see the characters in their broken state, then flash back to when everything was normal, and realise that they have so much to lose. In this way, Strasser makes you care for all the characters--even when their wishes grow darker. The plot passes by in a whirlwind, packed with both humor and suspense. Strasser's language is sparse and simple, yet the sentences are powerful. The best aspect of the book, is that even after it ends, you are still left thinking about that underground shelter, and what you would have done. And you are still left thinking of the big questions--why does war happen? Why can't we learn from our past mistakes? What if our future is like the past described in this novel?

I highly recommend this novel to anyone who doesn't mind the use of simple language to tell a powerful, emotional, and memorable story. I have never read a book quite like this one. 

A new student review of Midnight Frost by Jennifer Estep

DJ_RESH_RESH posted a new student review of Midnight Frost by Jennifer Estep. See the full review.

I loved this book. Jennifer Estep is now one of my favorite authors. She balances the perfect amount of love, action and comedy on every single page. On some pages I found that I could barely see the words through the tears in my eyes and on others I was laughing until I was out of breath. I love the description in the book. I feel like I am actually inside of it. My favorite character has got to be the talking sword. I feel like that made the book unique. I also loved the character development that happened throughout the book. You could see Gwen blossoming into a brave warrior and that made the book incredible. I would definitely recommend this book.

A new student review of Lunch Lady and the Video Game Villian

LegoLover posted a new student review of Lunch Lady and the Video Game Villian . See the full review.

I both liked and disliked the book.  I have enjoyed all of Krosozka’s other Lunch Lady books, and this one is no different when it comes to his amazing story, drawings, and characters.  I liked the competition of the school election, although I was a little surprised by the results.  I didn’t completely like the way Krosozka chose to end this story.  I wonder if he is concluding the series with this book.  I would definitely recommend this book to anyone looking for a fun graphic novel type book but not interested in getting too deep into a series.

A new student review of A Wounded Name: A Tragedy

kanati posted a new student review of A Wounded Name: A Tragedy . See the full review.

I found Dot Hutchinson's A Wounded Name to be absolutely intoxicating with every word. It is a supernatural tragedy that keeps you on the edge of your seat until the last word. Each character has oddly enduring qualities that make them impossible to forget and about as hard not to love. Hutchinson's use of sensory is amazing in this book; it is almost as if you are standing in the cemetery listening to the song of the Bean sidhe. This book is perfect for any teenager who loves suspense and the supernatural rolled into a bone chilling story of revenge. I know I personally will be keeping an eye on Dot Hutchinson in the future.

A new student review of Kizzy Ann Stamps

moseso posted a new student review of Kizzy Ann Stamps . See the full review.

I think this book is good for dog lovers, but you don’t have to be a dog lover to love this book. It does take a couple chapters to get into the book. Once you get into it though, it’s a definite page turner. If I closed my eyes during parts of the book I could picture exactly what was happening. Jeri Watts (the author) has a voice that contains friendship and a hint of adventure. I’d say the book is for 9-12 year olds. The vocabulary is for that age group. I don’t think I’ve ever read a book that is like Kizzy Ann Stamps. It is a loving adventure and my favorite part of the book is that it’s being written in the form of letters. Jeri Watts did an excellent job on finishing the story; it is not a cliff hanger like some other books. I highly recommend this book!             

A new student review of Open Mic: Riffs on Life Between Cultures in Ten Voices

VBat posted a new student review of Open Mic: Riffs on Life Between Cultures in Ten Voices . See the full review.

This anthology is a bundle of funny, sad and interesting stories that give the reader a taste of "life between cultures." It contains a good mix of humorous stories and serious ones, and the variety keeps the reader on their toes. 

My favorite short story in the collection is "Brotherly Love." In this story, a young Mexican boy has a heartfelt conversation with his older sister. The story explores cultural ideas of what "real" men act like, and gives the reader a chance to connect emotionally with the main character. 

The ten authors who are represented in the book did an excellent job explaining the thoughts and emotions experienced by multi-cultural teens. Some stories made me laugh, others made me sad. The stories shared definitely make the reader question stereotypes- and want to get to know their multi-cultural neighbors better!

This book is  a short, easy read that discusses some hard topics. Written in prose, poetry and even a comic-book format, the anthology has something for everyone. I would recommend this book to pre-teens and teens who enjoy realistic fiction, true stories, poetry, and learning about different cultures. 

A new student review of Worse Things Happen At Sea! by Alan Snow

sisto8 posted a new student review of Worse Things Happen At Sea! by Alan Snow. See the full review.

This book had a very delightful story in it. The story was very original.  I liked it because of the suspense.  I felt like it kept me in suspense through the book.  It is good for children and for older kids alike.  I think anyone who reads it will find a fun tale about the hardships at sea.  I recommend it for 8+.

A new student review of Bending Willow

Archer130 posted a new student review of Bending Willow . See the full review.

Even though it is not a book with a lot of adventure, the bond between the two sisters is one that no one can break. I thought that this book was a very good book that has a lot of emotion and sisterly love. One of my favorite parts in the story is when River, from The Burning Man, gives Riley and Mia their Burning Man names. I thought that this scene was written very well, so I read it many times. Every time I read it, it got even better.

A new student review of Vampyre Kisses by Elizabeth Kolodziej

mikaylamoody68 posted a new student review of Vampyre Kisses by Elizabeth Kolodziej. See the full review.

In my opinion this book was a little slow in the start, but as you gained more understanding of the characters the book become hard for me to put down. To me Vampyre kisses was an overall good book and I can't wait to I read the next one in the series.

A new student review of The Infects

Ravette posted a new student review of The Infects . See the full review.

This was a very fast-paced read. Yet highly enthralling. It wasn't just the typical gore and bloodfest that interested me - though it did help - it was the very realistic idea of how the virus of the "Infects" came to be. Not only that, but the characters also seemed very realistic; especially since they each had very individual personalities. But, most of all, I loved the ending. It was definitely suspenseful and kept me 'on my toes' the entire time; a twist ending.

Highly recommended for zombie/conspiracy/horror lovers.

A new student review of Red Crucible

LaRayne posted a new student review of Red Crucible . See the full review.

Red Crucible puts a reality into the end of the world. It makes you think this is going to happen. That is why I loved it! This book has very little dialogue, yet it still will keep your attention and entertain you on a long car ride. I would recommend Red Crucible to ages 12 and up. It is a great book about the true need of survival matureness and bravery!

A new student review of Rain of the Ghosts by Greg Weisman

bookgirl1289 posted a new student review of Rain of the Ghosts by Greg Weisman. See the full review.

Full of action and mystery, Rain of the Ghosts is a wonderful read for anyone who likes a good, slightly creepy, ghost story. It is a good book for both boys and girls because it has strong male and female characters, Rain and Charlie. It was also very fast-paced and exciting. One of the things that I found rather strange about the book is the fact that it is told by a dog who seems to have supernatural powers. When you are reading you can tell that he has some connection to what is happening but you don’t know what it is. There are several unsolved mysteries but they promise to be solved, hopefully, in forthcoming books. I loved reading this story and found it a wonderfully mysterious story to read. I would highly recommend this book for ages 11 and up as a great adventure/ghost story. It promises to be the first book in a great new series!

A new student review of The Bitter Kingdom

R. Mae posted a new student review of The Bitter Kingdom . See the full review.

Bitter Kingdom was a faultless, magical finale to the Fire and Thorns Trilogy.

The Plot:

One thing that I really enjoyed about the other two books was the strong characters and the realistic plot. Elisa was a queen who felt responsible for her people and she always knew what she wanted. That really affected the plot. When the book starts, Elisa is trying to reach Hector. Since she loves him, that is one of the reasons why she wants to rescue him, but marriage with Hector will help bring peace to the kingdom. Elisa's character has to go through all these struggles to save her people. There were some major twists in the story that I never would have seen coming. I won't tell you the details, but let's just say that you can never truly know God.

The Characters:

I loved Elisa. She is so unique and delightful. She has a good sense of morals and is therefore very enjoyable. The romance between her and Hector was believable, not over done. It was actually really good. Storm turned out to be heroic and interesting. As devastated as I was when some people were killed, it worked out better for the plot and characters that way. I think Rae Carson is really good at killing her characters. I admire that. It made the book even more original. Mara still eludes me. There was a moment when Elisa cornered Cosme and Alodia into a contract of fealty, both of whom are very hard to outwit. For a moment I was upset, but Rae Carson smoothed easily over the scene and brought the toughness back into both of the Queens.

The Setting:

All three of the books had different settings. Separate kingdoms, land types. The desert, the mountains, and in this book the mines. They added a little flair to the scenery and made for good bonding between our main characters. It was also effective for the plot. If Rae Carson would have just continued on with her characters trekking through the snow I would have become very bored. Instead she leads her characters to a place they feel uncomfortable and excited.

The Standout:

Her name was Waterfall. You might guess girly. I say not. She lead our characters through the mines. She was coy, brave and determined. She was my absolute favorite part of the story, along with Red Sparkle Stone. Red was a slave who Elisa, in a way,  accidently buys. She ends up being a priceless addition to the team. She also added a little humor into this otherwise serious book. That is the one thing I would have enjoyed more of. Most of the humor in the book felt stiff and unnatural. It would have made the book almost perfect if I would have been able to laugh a little more. So I liked Waterfall and Red. They are completely opposite. The latter trusting and innocent. The first, cautious, coy and independent.  I loved both of these girls and I think they really made the book better.

The Moral:

What are you willing to give up for someone you don't even know? Elisa was such a great queen because she really felt responsible for her people. During the story she thought about giving up. She could have run away and lived with Hector. But she wouldn't, because she had a responsibility and she wasn't going to be a quitter. That's a good moral to me. Now, the story does imply that Elisa and Hector did more than make out, but Rae doesn't give you all the gross details. Elisa and Hector were married. Also, swearing is not really present in this book. The characters had other ways to express themselves. It was very impressive. 

A new student review of Out of This Place by Emma Cameron

dancechicka posted a new student review of Out of This Place by Emma Cameron. See the full review.

I was dissatisfied, disenchanted, and disillusioned with this book.  It was in verse (like poetry), which I thought was going to make Cameron’s points more hard-hitting and direct.  Most books to use this to their advantage, but in this one it just fell flat.  Cameron did not seem to know when to break apart stanzas or fragment thoughts to really drive the point home.  I believe she would have been much better off writing this book in sentence form—it would have forced her to add details and emotion in this book.  All I felt was disconnect and indifference, no feeling at all.  If you write poetry, you need to use the limited amount of words  allowed and make them count—use commas instead of ands and substitute action verbs for passive verbs.  The only character I could sometimes connect with was Bongo—because he was the only one who felt real.  I do, however, see much potential in Cameron as an author.  She knows what she’s doing—she just didn’t utilize her talent and skills to put together a high-quality book.

                “Can’t say where I’m going, though I would if I knew.  I’d take her with me if I could.  All I can do is pull away from her crestfallen face.  It’s no way to say goodbye.”

                I would recommend this book for ages twelve and up, for some mature comments but not much profanity at all.  This novel also portrays alcoholism, abuse, and drug use.

                Each in their own personal abyss, can these three close-knit teenagers find a way to make their futures look somewhat brighter?  Or will they all end up stuck in the rut in which many of us find ourselves?  Out of This Place by Emma Cameron is the only way to find out!

A new student review of Through the Zombie Glass by Gena Showalter

alphatauri posted a new student review of Through the Zombie Glass by Gena Showalter. See the full review.

When I saw the concept for Alice in Zombieland, the book before this one, my mind rushed with happiness. I'm a fan of both zombies and Alice in Wonderland, so naturally I freaked out. Unfortunately, it didn't quite live up to my expectations. The action took too long to start up and Ali and Cole had very little chemistry together. However, Through the Zombie Glass totally changed my thoughts on the series. All the introducing done in Book One makes the plot in Book Two flow so much better. One of Gena Showalter's greatest abilities is to create so many diverse characters that truly make her worlds feel like real ones. She most certainly did that in Through the Zombie Glass. Ali and Cole were obviously the stars of the show with their suspenseful relationship building, but the other hunters all had their moments. This is a book full of action, romance, mystery, and heartbreak in many ways. I heartily recommend it to anyone who has the slightest interest in zombies or Alice in Wonderland!

A new student review of The Secret of Grey Stone Island by Andrea Louise Koehler

sschu5 posted a new student review of The Secret of Grey Stone Island by Andrea Louise Koehler. See the full review.

This is a great book because Jago and his cousin Maya take responsibility for a theft of something they were in charge of protecting.  It was full of mystery and suspense.  This book teaches kids to take responsibility even though they should have asked adults for help.  It has a great plot and is a good short book for young readers to start reading chapter books.

A new student review of Golden Girl

nlsings posted a new student review of Golden Girl . See the full review.

While this book did lean toward the predictable side, I did enjoy it. I am a sucker for the 20s, and I was pleased with how the author presented the time period. The writing was good, if not sometimes slightly cheesy. Despite this, the book still read well, and I think it is worth the read.  

If you liked Wicked Lovely and The Luxe, then I would recommend Golden Girl, but read Dust Girl first!  

A new student review of Confessions of an Almost Girlfriend

kfc1997 posted a new student review of Confessions of an Almost Girlfriend . See the full review.

Louise Rozett’s Confession series continues with her Confessions of an Almost Girlfriend. The second was even better than the first as Rozett delves deeper into the thoughts and feelings of a teenage girl. Rose steps out of the book and becomes a peer, a guide, and a friend, as you get further and further through the story. Although I felt some details were over-exaggerated, the plot and the writing were flawless. I haven’t experienced anything close to what Rose’s life and love was like, but Rozett definitely makes me wish I could. I would recommend this book to girls in 9^th grade or older. I hope to see a third book come to stores soon! 

A new student review of The Iron Traitor

DJ_RESH_RESH posted a new student review of The Iron Traitor . See the full review.

This is a really good book overall. I love how Julie Kagawa describes the settings. It’s like you can see, hear, feel, touch, smell, and/or taste everything she is describing through her colorful use of vocabulary. Kagawa also creates great personalities and uses those personalities to help influence the choice the characters make, which I really like in books. I’ve read a lot of books where the author creates a great personality and suddenly the author makes the character do something that I would never expect them to do because it’s not who they are and I’m really happy that Kagawa doesn't do that in The Iron Traitor. I also love how Kagawa doesn't drown you in information at one time, she just slowly adds on and explains everything. This isn't my favorite book by Julie Kagawa but I would definitely recommend reading it.

A new student review of Bending Willow

Archer130 posted a new student review of Bending Willow . See the full review.

Even though it is not a book with a lot of adventure the bond between the 2 sisters is one that no one can break. I thought that this book was a very good book that has a lot of emotion and sisterly love. 

A new student review of Cherry Money Baby

calicool123 posted a new student review of Cherry Money Baby . See the full review.

Cherry Money Baby is a book I could read over and over again and never get tired of it. It kept me laughing and there didn't seem to be a dull moment. It was very well written and just coudn't seem to put it down. I would reccomend this book to my friends any day. 

A new student review of Juvie

VBat posted a new student review of Juvie . See the full review.

Juvie is definitely not an uplifting, feel-good book. Rather, it is a dark story that works to define the differences between "innocent" and "guilty." 

The main character, seventeen year old Sadie, is incredibly likeable and immediately draws the reader's sympathy. Her self-sacrificing nature and love for her family make her a perfect character to root for. The unfairness of her situation is described so well that, by the end of the book, I was ready to storm down to the courthouse and tell the judge exactly what I thought of his judging skills. 

The characters introduced were never boring- from the recluse, hoarder father to the middle schooler who beat a boy over the head with a pipe to steal his bicycle, each kept the plot entertaining and unique. In addition to being interesting characters,the various delinquents in the detention center provided a bit of morbid comic relief. 

Juvie is well-written and the plot is captivating, if not necessarily cheerful. I would recommend the book to teens and young adults who enjoy realistic fiction. 

A new student review of Dust Girl by Sarah Zettel

ReesaOnFire posted a new student review of Dust Girl by Sarah Zettel. See the full review.

I enjoyed Dust Girl just as I expected. I chose this book longing for a story of love, adventure, magic and a dash of history.  I had very high expectations for Dust Girl, and it delivered.

Although the story was slow in the first few chapters, things quickly boiled. The author quickly captured my attention on the mystery of the true identity of Callie’s parents. Then, Zettel had me worrying over how Callie's parents' past would affect her. Zettel’s other characters, Jack Holland and Shimmy, also gained my love with their each own interesting and heartbreaking stories.  I also loved how she mixed in historical descriptions of life back in the years of the Dust bowl and Great Depression.  It was magnificently written and I look forward to reading the sequel.

A new student review of Daylight Saving

JesusFreak posted a new student review of Daylight Saving . See the full review.

I figured that since this book was under three-hundred pages, I’d be able to finish it quickly.  I was wrong.  It went on and on, and I didn’t want to read it in the least.  The main character, Daniel, did not interest me at all.  The book didn’t get any better until the last few chapters, and even then it was boring.  I normally like thriller/suspense novels, but this was a snore.

A new student review of Zebra Forest by Adina Rishe Gewirtz

underwood_bcl posted a new student review of Zebra Forest by Adina Rishe Gewirtz. See the full review.

I liked the book and was amazed to find out the author, Adina Gewirtz, has five children. I think it would be hard to be a writer with that many children.  The characters were believable even though they had very different points of view.  There was adventure but not the kind of adventure that makes you want to keep reading until the book is finished.  The adventure is more inside each character as they deal with the issues of forgiveness and what it means to be a family.  It is a good book to read slowly and with a lot to think about as you go.

 

A new student review of Salvation

EmilyFredricks posted a new student review of Salvation . See the full review.

This book is broken into three different books and I would have much rather the book was just done after the first book. After that first book was done, I didn't like what happened after that. After the book ended all it did was describe what happened to Maya in her early life and I didn't want to read it. I thought that if it had ended after the first book, it would have been a lot better and would have gotten a 5 out of 5 stars from me. Over all I liked the first book within salvation but after that I wished I could just be done with the book. I didn't like the last two books.

A new student review of Wild Boy

nowhereman posted a new student review of Wild Boy . See the full review.

Wild boy by Rob Lloyd Jones was a perfect mix of action and adventure. I loved it from the very first sentence. Wild boy reminded me of a mix of Indiana Jones and Sherlock Holmes.  I also loved the setting in Victorian London and how the author described it in great detail.  Another thing that I liked about this book was that the author did an excellent job of developing the characters so that I felt sorry for Wild Boy and his predictement. If you like Sherlock Holmes on a level that's easier to understand,  than you'll realy enjoy this book. I recommend Wild Boy for people 10 and up.

A new student review of Zebra Forest

underwood_bcl posted a new student review of Zebra Forest . See the full review.

I liked the book and was amazed to find out the author, Adina Gewirtz, has five children. I think it would be hard to be a writer with that many children.  The characters were believable even though they had very different points of few.  There was adventure but not the kind of adventure that makes you want to keep reading until the book is finished.  The adventure is more inside each character as they deal with the issues of forgiveness and what it means to be a family.  It is a good book to read slowly and with a lot to think about as you go. 

A new student review of The Red Blazer Girls: The Secret Cellar

Anjel posted a new student review of The Red Blazer Girls: The Secret Cellar . See the full review.

I liked this book a lot. I really enjoyed Sophie's character. She was really funny. There was not as much action in this book as in Nancy Drew or Hardy Boys mysteries, but it was still good. I recommend reading the first three Blazer girls books before this one because it would give you a better sense of the characters' histories.

A new student review of Cherry Money Baby

dancechicka posted a new student review of Cherry Money Baby . See the full review.

Okay, before we start, I have a confession to make—I completely, wholly, utterly judged this book by its title.  I know, I know, I am without shame.  But seriously, when I saw that sassy title--Cherry Money Baby—I knew that I had to give it a shot. And it lived up to the title.  I loved Cherry--she’s foul-mouthed, harsh, unrelenting, and tell-you-like-it-is—and I loved her for that.  Being a small-town girl myself, I could really connect with her.  I understand how small towns can sometimes be—sheltered, biased, yet with a sense of community and strength.  Cusick’s writing was honest and in-your-face.  What really impressed me was his dialogue.  Some writers tend to “overwrite” dialogue—making it sound too formal and structured.  Cusick kept it to-the-point and broken up, so that I felt like this novel really was happening right in front of my eyes.  His vocabulary was colorful and vibrant.  The book was slightly dull at the beginning and at some parts in the middle, but only for a chapter or so.  I really recommend this book for anyone who is interested in a modern novel with a small town twist!

                “The wheel spun free of Cherry’s hands.  Weightless silence.  Then the passenger’s side smashed into the concrete divider.”

                I would recommend this book for ages sixteen and up, for profanity, sexual references, and the use of drugs and alcohol.

                So, will Cherry decide to stay in her simple life….or will she jump into the life of Ardelia Deen feet-first?  Read Cherry Money Baby to find your answer!

A new student review of Reunited

Peace8747 posted a new student review of Reunited . See the full review.

I liked Reunited a lot. It was a really good book and I enjoyed it.

A new student review of Burning

VBat posted a new student review of Burning . See the full review.

Burning is a light read with deep meaning. It explores the many nuances of love and belonging through various situations and perspectives, while entertaining the reader. 

My favorite part of Burning was Lala's cultural background. In order to understand Lala's emotions, the reader must adapt their mindset to accept her family's male-dominated society and traditions. While these customs are foreign to many readers and seem very backwards in modern times, they are important to Lala as a character. A book's job is partly to expand the mind and worldview of the reader, and in this aspect the book is certainly a success.

While the symbolic nature of Lala's sexual rebellion gave the reader insight into her thoughts, I felt that it was overdone and detracted from other important parts of the book. Some of the scenes felt forced, as if the book hoped to attract teen readers by including mature subject matter. I would have prefered to see Lala find her own worth without any involvement from the males in her life.

All in all, Burning told a meaningful coming-of-age story, but occaisionally tried a little too hard to interest teen readers. I would recommend it to mature teen girls who enjoy romance and realistic fiction. 

A new student review of Star Path

scifiguy posted a new student review of Star Path . See the full review.

Star Path is very exhilirating and action-packed. I enjoyed this book a lot.

A new student review of Tidal

mikaylamoody68 posted a new student review of Tidal . See the full review.

This book in my opinion had a good plot. There are alot of twists in this book as well, but I also got bored throughout the book. Every now and again I felt like putting the book down and not picking it up again. As soon as I was about to put the book down, I would get drawn back into the story. When I got to the end of the book I became in love with the story.

A new student review of The Golden Day

aschoenfeldt posted a new student review of The Golden Day . See the full review.

Ursula Dubosarsky's The Golden Day proved to be a thought provoking, complex book that left me with more questions than answers. I am still haunted by the tragic innocence of the little girls, and the insidious chain of events that propel them into adulthood. The time period and setting were intruiguing, but I would have like more of an explanation on the event that sets the novel in motion: the hanging of the man on the morning of Miss Renshaw's disappearance. I enjoyed seeing the friendships blossom between the girls, especially Cubby and Icara, but some events were confusing, such as the death of Icara's mother. The ambiguous ending left me somewhat unsettled, but I would not hesitate to read this book again.

A new student review of Through the Zombie Glass by Gena Showalter

Ravette posted a new student review of Through the Zombie Glass by Gena Showalter. See the full review.

Normally, when the word "zombie" comes to mind, you think of mindless corpses craving brains. That's not the case in the White Rabbit Chronicles; these creatures feast on the life force of a human being, the spirit! I thought that idea alone was enthralling and creative. The story also takes you though a series of twists and turns throughout the plot, trying to make you guess what will happen next. Despite some grammatical errors, this was an excellent read!

A new student review of The Iron Traitor by Julie Kagawa

kaiyle posted a new student review of The Iron Traitor by Julie Kagawa. See the full review.

This book is probably one of my favorites in Julie Kagawa's Iron Fey series.  It's really interesting seeing Ethan as a teenager and how his sister's actions have affected his entire life.  There are a lot of plot twists in this book that you will never see coming and will make you want to read the next book.  I highly recommend reading the other Iron Fey books about Meghan before reading "The Call of the Forgotten" books so that you can understand all the background information on Ethan's life.  And I would recommend this book to anyone who likes romance, fantasy, and adventure.

A new student review of Black Spring

bookgirl1289 posted a new student review of Black Spring . See the full review.

Black Spring is beautifully written and has a plot that will make you want to keep reading even if you know how Wuthering Heights ends (I read a summary of Wuthering Heights because I was really curious about what happened in it, but you can understand this book just fine even if you don't know the story). Some things in this story are the same, but the magic element and strange traditions of the northern plateau make the story different in an interesting way, and there are characters in Black Spring that are much more likable.

Croggon is a wonderful writer and describes the landscape so vividly that it seems terrifying and real. I think she has improved on the original character of Cathy, making it somewhat easier to understand Lina’s actions. Anna, a servant girl who is raised along with Lina, is a great character who tells most of the story, and she makes Lina seem less selfish and more doomed by fate. One of the things that I didn’t really agree with was the idea that Anna thought that Lina wouldn’t have been so selfish if she had not been persecuted as a witch. I don’t think that had much of an effect on Lina since she spent her childhood in the southern country. The Heathcliff character (Damek) is more mysterious, and we don’t find out much about his thoughts or feelings, so I didn't have much sympathy for him at all. But I think the whole obsession/revenge story works better in a fantasy setting because it’s more believable than in real life.

A new student review of Tidal

mikaylamoody68 posted a new student review of Tidal . See the full review.

This book in my opinion had a good plot. There are alot of twists in this book as well but I also got bored throughout the book. Every now and again I felt like putting the book down and to not pick it up again. As soon as I was about to i would get drawn back in . When i got to the end of the book I became in love with the story

A new student review of Alfred C. Bogeyman

sschu5 posted a new student review of Alfred C. Bogeyman . See the full review.

This was a great book! It was about a kid who stands up for his brother. I like that Adrian does that for Sam. It is very kind to do that for anyone especially someone related to you. It had a lot of suspense; I like that in a book. I hope you find this book is as good as I did!

A new student review of Through the Zombie Glass

R. Mae posted a new student review of Through the Zombie Glass . See the full review.

The Plot:

I’m a big fan of fast paced plots and this one really was. The action was heavy and the characters moved smoothly through it.There was this moment when Alice lights herself with the fire that kills zombies. The fire completely covers her body. Gena Showalter describes Alice moving from one zombie to another, floating over the ground and brushing her fingers along them.  It was flawless, and absolutely perfect. Her writing style totally inspires me. Thankfully, the romance didn't totally overpower the story. It just added to it.

 

The Characters:

You know, even though Alice Bell was going through a completely depressing situation, she refused to cave into the darkness. She continued to fight with that kick-butt, stubborn attitude. Through all her troubles she didn’t let anything bring her down. She was desperate to protect the people she loved. The character arch Alice went through practically drove the book. She had to fight her inner self, Zombie Alice, to become fully alive. It was a physical and mental thing. Alice’s boyfriend Cole seemed weird to me. It’s just a personal opinion. I like him, I like how protective he is. I like the sense of power that the author describes emanating off him. That's all cool. It’s just that the guy is a little messed up. He doesn't really appeal to me. He is over protective and super serious all the time. He gets on my nerves. I liked Gavin. He seemed more realistic. His attitude always made me smile, and I really liked the friendship he and Alice developed. That brings me to Kat. Kat is pushy, she makes her friends do things that scare them. She likes to talk, laugh, and pretty much have fun. She reminds me of myself. Except the fact that she is sick. It surprises me Alice isn’t more desperate to find an antidote or something for her best friend's sickness. Alice knows Kat is going to die soon, yet she does nothing about that. I can’t understand it.

 

The Setting:

Unlike the first book, barely any time is spent at school or in homes. Most of the time it’s training in Cole’s barn, fighting in the woods, or another place just as interesting. The scenes seemed awfully depressing sometimes, but not to the point of annoying. It was more on the side of realistic and understandable. Not all of life is happy-go-lucky. I mean, they are fighting zombies!

 

The Standout:

In most books, the romance is overpowering. A lot of people say that is how love works. For some reason though, over powering love exists for the main characters. How do you think all the side-kicks feel about that? Author Gena Showalter wrote this story differently. Almost every character had another half of themselves. Kat has Frosty, Reeve (Alice’s Friend) has Bronx, etc... It goes on and on. Each of them have a unique relationship. It was very realistic and gave the depressing setting a little light.

 

The Moral:

I am a Christian. I don’t like to hide my faith. In the first book the author wrote that she wanted to show the fight between good and evil, that she herself was a Christian. Now, that promise did not withstand. Yeah, in the first book she mentioned church a few times, but it didn’t even fit with the story. the characters' morals seemed askew in this book.  Not only were there very few Christian morals, God wasn’t even mentioned. There wasn’t actually sex, but the characters got pretty close. I’m not sure where the line is, but I think they crossed it. I do like that there wasn't swearing. That made me happy. The fight between the light and the darkness is cool, but as I said, this book didn’t really represent Christianity or how I view it.

A new student review of Horatio's One Wish by Joshua Kriesberg

princessLA posted a new student review of Horatio's One Wish by Joshua Kriesberg. See the full review.

I like this book because I admire the main character, Horatio. He was brave because he wanted to find his best friend Rollic. Horatio was a good friend. I would recommend this book.

A new student review of Of Beast and Beauty

JesusFreak posted a new student review of Of Beast and Beauty . See the full review.

    When I started this book, I found it very boring.  I read ten chapters and it still didn’t pick up.  Around chapter nineteen was where it started to get exciting for me.  I could see Isra and the monstrous, Gem, begin to fall in love.  There were multiple twists that were revealed as well.  Perhaps if the author hadn’t dragged on the sentences as much it would have been entertaining throughout the entire book.
    One of the things I liked about this book was that the idea was intriguing.  I’d heard the story of Beauty and the Beast before, but this book twisted the story into something almost completely different, but with the same concept.
    Another thing I liked about this book was the cover art.  It was beautifully made, and I loved how they didn’t show the girl’s face on the cover so that you could use your imagination to see what she looked like.
    I recommend this book for those who like love stories and mystery.

A new student review of The Osiris Curse

read_write_eat posted a new student review of The Osiris Curse . See the full review.

This was my first Steampunk book, and it was a truly enjoyable experience. Despite not having read the first book in the series, The Lazarus Machine, I caught on quickly and to my knowledge, the sequel was not so much a continuation of the first installment as it was a new adventure for Tweed and Nightingale. The book alternated in points of view- which I have often seen as either hit or miss- and this was definitely a hit! The change in viewpoint helped to build suspense in the story. My one gripe regarding the book is that the romance seemed to distract from the mystery and friendship between Tweed and Nightingale. But overall, The Osiris Curse was an action-packed, suspenseful book that kept me up for much of the night and got me hooked onto Steampunk fiction.

A new student review of Affinity

sabol posted a new student review of Affinity . See the full review.

Amanda Murphy grips you in the inception of her novel, drawing you in within the first couple sentences. She embellishes her story with vivid descriptions and in-depth character development. Although the enigmatic Phoenix, Avi’s love interest, adds mystery to the plot, I found it to be predictable at times with typical high school drama.  Overall it was enjoyable to read and I would recommend it to anyone interested in a fun adventure. 

A new student review of Heart Beat

swimmer1430 posted a new student review of Heart Beat . See the full review.

Elizabeth Scott is one of my favorite authors and she writes great YA contemporary novels. However, her latest book, Heart Beat, was not the one for me. I think Elizabeth Scott writes better "light" novels, as opposed to the heavy and dramatic ones. Heart Beat was a tough read because it's so sad - Emma's mother is brain dead and would not be alive except for the life support keeping her heart beating. Meanwhile, Emma is in a downward spiral and doesn't care about school, her grades or her relationships. What I disliked about the book was that there was no plot. The entire novel was Emma being angry at her stepfather for keeping her mother on life-support. They literally have the same argument four or five times which was redundant. The only part of the plot that progressed was her relationship with Caleb and I still thought it could have been developed more. Overall, I'm disappointed in the lack of both character and plot development - both would have made this novel much better.

A new student review of People Who Said No: Courage Against Oppression by Laura Scandiffio

MIZZIQ posted a new student review of People Who Said No: Courage Against Oppression by Laura Scandiffio. See the full review.

This book made me aware of people and situations I had not heard of and brought to life others of which I had only a little knowledge. It presented facts in simple meaningful ways, but it also caught my interest as it took true stories and added specific fictional situations. The stories enabled me to put myself in that same situation and ask the questions "would I have done that? Would I have been brave enough to stand up for what I believe in?"

A new student review of Hanging In The Stars by Pat Gallagher Sassone

cassidyyyrayneee posted a new student review of Hanging In The Stars by Pat Gallagher Sassone. See the full review.

A new student review of Hanging In The Stars by Pat Gallagher Sassone

sharon posted a new student review of Hanging In The Stars by Pat Gallagher Sassone. See the full review.

I was intrigued by the author's ability to create a realistic, but enjoyable, picture of the high school setting and characters. However, I found myself often struggling with the romantic aspect of the book. I found the young lovers naïve and their blind attraction superficial. The way the book parallels the romance in William Shakespeare’s most renowned play, “Romeo and Juliet,” made the book more predictable. I felt the plot could stand alone, without any literary allusions. Regardless, I praise the author for highlighting controversial issues in her first novel, including the perils illegal immigrants face and child abuse. The author did a fantastic job in bringing out raw, attention-grabbing emotion, while shedding the light on issues concerning people with disadvantaged backgrounds. Not many YA books I have encountered have brought sufficient awareness to such a pressing issue as well as Pat Sassone managed to do in this novel. Overall, I found the book suitable for anyone who enjoys a high school romance, paired with real-life tension and action.

A new student review of Turkey Trouble on the National Mall by Ronald Roy

moseso posted a new student review of Turkey Trouble on the National Mall by Ronald Roy. See the full review.

My overall opinion about Turkey Trouble on the National Mall is that it was an engaging page turner!  The main characters, KC and Marshal, seemed to be real to me; I could put myself in their places.  Ron Roy, the author, made me believe the characters in this book to be real, and I could easily imagine this story to be true because of the pictures.  Ron Roy’s voice was adventurous.  I really didn’t learn anything from the book, because it was fictional.  The vocabulary is age appropriate. I would encourage slower readers to get this book and not advanced readers, as a fast reader I went through this book in one night!  This book is so good I want to read it again.

A new student review of A Matter of Days

crabby posted a new student review of A Matter of Days . See the full review.

This is your classic apocalyptic story with a modern edge. Nadia’s narrative is believable, as is her situation. The pace of the story is perfect, mixing suspense and excitement with occasional lulls used to develop the characters even further. I fell in love with Nadia and Rabbit and felt like I knew them both personally by the end of the story. You’ll find yourself rooting for them to find their way home as they struggle to find where, exactly, that is. It’s a quick read, partly because it’s impossible to stop! Overall an excellent book. 

A new student review of Finnikin of the Rock

sumrsilentmusic posted a new student review of Finnikin of the Rock . See the full review.

Finnikin of the Rock is marketed as fantasy, but unlike other novels in its genre, it’s not overwhelmed by obnoxious magical details or insane action moments. It’s overflowing with good characters, nuanced world-building, and fantastic relationships.

            This novel doesn’t just have a strong female character—it has a strong, manipulative female character that is neither demonized nor worshipped. Many times when an author creates a strong female character, she’s valiant and noble. While Evanjalin is courageous, she’s also cunning. She’s not afraid to withhold information and sneak around in order to get things done. Like a normal human being, she has her flaws and her redeeming points. Even though Finnikin is the title character, Evanjalin manages to steal the spotlight every time.

            The cast of supporting characters is also just as unique. One thing that’s not very prevalent in young adult literature is the influence of adults. However, that’s not the case in this book. Refreshingly, adults have a significant role in this novel. Additionally, each character feels like a person that could potentially exist in real life because the characters are well-rounded, and each has his or her own flaws and strengths.   

            Furthermore, the plot is intricate and intriguing. While many novels make the mistake plot as a backdrop for world-building and magical powers, the plot of Finnikin was actually compelling. In fact, the plot was very applicable to real-life. Instead of being about defeating dragons, it was about the politics of ruling a country. And although it includes princesses and kings, it doesn’t glorify the job of a ruler. Part of what make Finnikin of the Rock such a remarkable novel is because it explores areas that are often neglected by the other books of the same genre. However, the world-building could be hard to take in all at once. There are several countries with bizarre names to keep track of, but that’s one of the things that make this novel amazing.

            The one downfall of this book is that it’s extremely difficult to get into. It’s one of the books where nothing gets explained in the beginning. All these names, situations, and characters are thrown at you, and you have to drown and grapple for a while until your head’s finally above the water.

            This book is absolutely wonderful, and I wish Melina Marchetta would be able to have more mainstream success with her novels. I recommend it for people who love fantasy, or for those who enjoyed Kristin Cashore’s Graceling or Tamora Pierce’s books or for people who love reading in general.    

A new student review of The Hunt for the Well Hidden Treasure

Tenaya posted a new student review of The Hunt for the Well Hidden Treasure . See the full review.

The book was very interesting. It's fun to solve the problems with the group of kids. Although the beginning of the book was a bit slow, by the 3rd chapter it was hard to put down! Although the book is about a group of 7th graders, I think that this book would be most enjoyed by 3rd-5th graders.

A new student review of The Lazarus Machine

scifiguy posted a new student review of The Lazarus Machine . See the full review.

This book was very exciting. I really enjoyed it and I would recommend it to nearly everyone.

A new student review of Alice Parker's Metamorphosis - Book 1 of the new adventure series for children

bamelon posted a new student review of Alice Parker's Metamorphosis - Book 1 of the new adventure series for children . See the full review.

            The story is written by a British woman and there are a lot of British slang and terms that I didn’t understand.  There’s also a lot of characters to keep track of and it can get confusing at times.  There’s not much explanation in the story.  In fact, sometimes I wondered if I had skipped pages.

            There were no characters I was particularly fond of.  Alice rarely feels any joy about anything.  She seems somewhat disassociated, but there’s no reason given for her melancholy.  It’s as if the readers are expected to just take it for granted that because she’s a teenager, she’s unhappy.

            This is a short, easy read, an okay story but nothing special or compelling.  I won’t continue reading the series.  However, I think younger kids, maybe 10-13 years old will enjoy the book.  Younger readers might not get bored with it like I did.

A new student review of Firecracker

avance posted a new student review of Firecracker . See the full review.

The problem for me with this book is that the character was not very agreeable. I didn’t really understand her motivations or actions. She has a bitter view on the world and she treats everyone poorly. Even though she does try to become a better person, and she makes strides towards it, I do not feel she changed enough for the story. The plot of the book was interesting, and the minor character were enjoyable though. Sadly this book was just not the page turner I had expected

A new student review of The Social Code

VBat posted a new student review of The Social Code . See the full review.

This geeky drama is fun and original. The plot is ripe with backstabbing fun, and leaves the reader constantly second-guessing every character. No one's loyalties are clear, and the constant surprises keep the story engaging.  

Amelia is a lovable character, and her passion for coding brings her personality to life. Her sweetness is contrasted by the extreme greed and betrayal that surrounds her, but this only serves to highlight her strong moral compass. 

Adam, while not quite as lovable as Amelia, is relatable and realistic. His aspirations are not inherently greedy, and his romantic relationship with Lisa adds a bit of romance to the thrills of Silicon Valley. It is obvious that he and his sister care about one another, and this dynamic adds depth to the story. 

The Social Code is a modern, techy take on the typical teen novel. Whereas most novels focused on college kids are all drama, this one is drama with a high pressure career environment and thrilling Silicon Valley twists. Hayes leaves just enough loose ends for her readers to anxiously await the second book in "The Start-Up" series. 

*note*  Before reading this novel, I would recommend brushing up on Silicon Valley culture. I was fortunate enough to have read a book involving incubators and investors in San Francisco recently, and my understanding of The Social Code was greatly enhanced by the background knowledge I acquired. 

A new student review of No Other Story by Dr. Cuthbert Soup

avolzer posted a new student review of No Other Story by Dr. Cuthbert Soup. See the full review.

The book is narrated by a character who does not appear in the story until partway through. He addresses the reader throughout the book and makes jokes, but it seems forced. I also had trouble getting into the story. I didn’t really care about the characters for a while, which is probably partly due to me not reading the first book. It is not essential to understanding this book, but it feels like parts of the story are missing. The book does resolve itself, though. There are no loose ends or cliffhangers. Overall, it is an okay book if you want a fun little read, but it is not the kind of book I would remember or reread.

A new student review of Here Dead We Live by Andrew MacQuarrie

dancechicka posted a new student review of Here Dead We Live by Andrew MacQuarrie. See the full review.

Ok, where to begin…..this novel was solid.  Not a classic, not stupendous, not a Mark-Twain-and Jane-Austen-have-nothing-on-me kind of book.  But it was solid, nonetheless.  The good and the bad seemed to kind of balance each other out.  In some parts, in was exciting, invigorating, and refreshing.  At other parts, it was just plain dull.  Sometimes the sentences were awkward and distorted, but sometimes they flowed as a much more experienced writer had written them.  Some parts, especially the end, were powerful and raw.  Some were tired and emotionless. I liked how MacQuarrie tried a wide range of characters that could be easily connected with and understood—it seemed to make the novel move along at a better pace.  It was also very realistic and in-your-face current.  Considering that this is MacQuarrie’s debut novel, I believe it is a good solid read for anyone who is interested in military fiction or just looking for a bit of action in their novels.

“So maybe this war was a waste.  Maybe it was nothing more than a contest between a bunch of rich old men.  Maybe Stephen’s life didn’t mean anything to them.  Maybe none of their lives meant anything to them.”

I would recommend this book was ages twelve and up, for some mild swearing, some sexual references, alcohol consumption, and a plot thread about drugs that runs throughout this book.  There is also a situation where the subject of sexual orientation is debated, so if that bothers you or your child, I warn you now.  To be clear, this book does talk about faith in God and Jesus Christ, so if you are sensitive to that issue, too, you may want to refrain from reading this novel.

So, will Stephen and Ryan each find what their looking for—spiritually, emotionally, and mentally?  Or will they even get out of the war alive?  Read Here Dead We Live by A.M.H. MacQuarrie to find out!

A new student review of Pie in the Sky by Jane Smiley

moseso posted a new student review of Pie in the Sky by Jane Smiley. See the full review.

Pie in the Sky is a slower book so, if you like slower books or love horses, this is the book for you!  If not however, I would advise you to avoid reading this book.  My overall opinion about ‘Pie in the Sky’ is that frankly, it was boring.  I found myself thinking about other books I’ve previously read and I daydreamed some as well.   Jane Smiley made the characters seem almost real, but not real enough that I could imagine them walking through my front door, when some other books do. It takes a long time for the plot to develop. By the time you’re into the exciting stuff the reader is already three fourths through the book!  Jane Smiley’s voice is hard to explain, it doesn’t really fit into a category.  The author might have reached her goal if I knew what it was; the purpose of Pie in the Sky was never made clear.  My overall rating is 2 and a half, but I had to do a 3 star rating.  I really did not learn anything from the book.  I would recommend a 12 and higher reading age since the main character deals with going into high school. 

A new student review of Ruby by Amanda Burke

LaRayne posted a new student review of Ruby by Amanda Burke. See the full review.

Ruby is a great book that i read in one sitting. I loved the setting it just seemed so real. I would recommend this book to all my friends. If you love magic you will love this book. It is a great book for 10-12 year olds.

A new student review of The Vampire Gene (The Iron Trilogy) [Kindle Edition]

Don'tBlink posted a new student review of The Vampire Gene (The Iron Trilogy) [Kindle Edition] . See the full review.

I found this book amazing.  At first it starts off slow, but it captures your attention. I found myself unwilling to put the book down from how much the storyline and action along with the plot expanded and played out. This book left me guessing the whole time, I never knew what was going to happen next. This is a must read!

A new student review of The Sound of Your Voice...Only Really Far Away

Gwendolyn posted a new student review of The Sound of Your Voice...Only Really Far Away . See the full review.

Having enjoyed quite a few of Francis O’Roark Dowell’s works in the past, it was an honor to have the choice to pick her newest book to review. A few years back I read the first two books in “The Secret Language Of Girls” trilogy, highly enjoying them! Since then I have moved on to other books by this author that fit my interest. Therefore, I started this read with high expectations and was somewhat disappointed. I find the first half of the book dull and unable to capture my attention. I wouldn’t go as far as to say it was a slow read, on the contrary it went by considerably fast, but I was rather bored by it. Not thoroughly entertaining. On the other hand, I don’t believe these points should stop anyone from giving it a try. The lack of interest was my fault on some level. This is one of those books that you have to be in the mood for and ready to delve into, and I was not ready in the slightest. I don’t find this to be a bad thing, but just a fair warning. On a positive note, I became aware of myself warming up to the story and the characters later on in the book, after realizing that I can easily relate to both main characters and their insecurities, frustrations, and general teen angst. This realization changed my opinion of the story line. If I had been entertained at the beginning, I may have regarded this book differently. On the whole, I liked “The Sound Of Your Voice, Only Really Far Away” a little. It was a satisfactory, but not exceptionally spectacular read. 

 

A new student review of Beholding Bee by Kimberly Newton Fusco

Anjel posted a new student review of Beholding Bee by Kimberly Newton Fusco. See the full review.

I think this is a great book! It really tells Bee’s story well, and I could feel what she felt in the story. It made me sad in some parts but encouraged me in others. I would give this book four and a half stars. I recommend this book to readers who enjoy loving and caring books.

A new student review of Pawn by Aimee Carter by Aimée Carter

JesusFreak posted a new student review of Pawn by Aimee Carter by Aimée Carter. See the full review.

This is now one of my favorite books. When I first met the main character, Kitty, I thought her to be the weak III she was portrayed as. But when she turned into a VII, everything changed. She was brave and willing to risk her life for her loved ones. I was also never bored while reading this book; it was fast-paced and I finished it within two days. I applaud Ms. Carter’s way of portraying Kitty’s character pretending to be Lila. Kitty was being called Lila so many times that I even began calling her Lila instead of Kitty! I can’t wait to read more of Ms. Carter’s writing and will be eagerly awaiting the sequel to PAWN.