It’s been two years since Armpit’s (now preferring his given name, Theodore) release from the juvenile correction facility, Camp Green Lake. Armpit is living a great life; he has a well paying job, he’s attending summer school to make up for the schooling he’s missed, it appears that his life seems back on track. His greatest obstacle is trying to have a nice reputation when everyone knows you as a ‘big bully’. That’s where Ginny, Armpit’s ten-year-old neighbor, comes in. Ginny has cerebral palsy and together, Ginny and Armpit are learning it takes small steps to go great distances. Armpit is tested in his new life when an old friend from Camp Green Lake shows up with a moneymaking scam. Scalping tickets for the latest teenage sensation, Kaira DeLeon, Armpit finds himself meeting this young star and beginning a chain of events that throws his life out of whack. Will Armpit’s new girlfriend be as perfect as he dreams, or will she be a nightmare he can’t wake up from? Be sure to read Louis Sachar’s sequel to Holes, Small Steps.
Small Steps, Sachar’s sequel to Holes, proves just as entertaining as the original best seller. With its creative plot and satisfying climax this book is an easy read, and a great story if you are in search of a relaxing novel to enjoy. The book is a great read-aloud with simple language, and kids of elementary grades will love it, but I don’t necessarily recommend it to children over 13 or for someone searching for a complex plotline. The book’s best quality, in my opinion, was its theme: Any problem can be solved or fixed, and if you take small steps towards correcting the problem, it proves a lot easier.
Rating (0 - 10 scale): 9
Reviewer Age: 13
Reviewer City, State and Country: Chambersburg, PA USA
Sunday, March 19, 2006
To Light A Candle by Mercedes Lackey and James Mallory
The books starts out with Kellen, Jermayan, Vestakia, and Shalken returning from destroying the barrier that kept the elven lands in a drought. While those four are settling into their old and new lives evil is planting itself within the city of Armethalieh. Armethalieh is has a problem that if not solved could lead to starvation of all of its people, but nothing is being done about the problem because the High Council is more concered about politics than about the good of the city. Cilarnen, a mage of Armethalieh, sees the food problem and with the help of friends plans on fixing the problem. Before Cilarnen and his friends can act on their plan they are caught and charged for treason, and Cilarnen ends up banished from Armethalieh. The only thing that stops Cilarnen from certain death is an elf who helps him get pass the borders of the city and then leaves him in a centaur village. Cilarnen lives his life in the centaur village until one day when the village is attacked by a demon and recieves a message that he must give to Kellen. Kellen is working with the elven army and its allies to rid the elven land of the creatures of the demons that threaten all of the residents in the elven land. The servant of the demon queen has risen in power and plans to help the demon queen gain control of Armethalieh. If the demon queen gains control of the city it could mean the destruction of all the creatures of light.
I liked the book. The characters in it were well written, and every character had their own personality that in the end helped their cause to prevail against the evil demons and the demon creatures. The authors of the book did a really good job at bring the reader into the story by writing descriptive paragraphs that allowed the reader to easily picture the situations and the surroudings of the characters. My favorite part of the book is the ending when the elven army finally learns what the true intent of the demons is. That was my favorite part because the whole book leads up to the elves finally learning what the demons are doing and because that knowledge gives the elves the chance to defeat the demons and save all the creatures of light. The book was really good because it leaves you wanting to read the next in the series so that you can finally learn if light will triumph over darness.
Rating (0 - 10 scale): 10
Reviewer Age: 14
Reviewer City, State and Country: Tucson, Arizona U.S.
I liked the book. The characters in it were well written, and every character had their own personality that in the end helped their cause to prevail against the evil demons and the demon creatures. The authors of the book did a really good job at bring the reader into the story by writing descriptive paragraphs that allowed the reader to easily picture the situations and the surroudings of the characters. My favorite part of the book is the ending when the elven army finally learns what the true intent of the demons is. That was my favorite part because the whole book leads up to the elves finally learning what the demons are doing and because that knowledge gives the elves the chance to defeat the demons and save all the creatures of light. The book was really good because it leaves you wanting to read the next in the series so that you can finally learn if light will triumph over darness.
Rating (0 - 10 scale): 10
Reviewer Age: 14
Reviewer City, State and Country: Tucson, Arizona U.S.
Keeper of the Winds by Jenna Solitaire
Jenna has just lost her last remaining relative, her grandfather. With his death, Jenna has been overwhelmed with secrets from her past. These secrets are the secret to her future.
From the strange man staring at her during her grandfather's funeral to the strange break-in at her house, Jenna realizes that there are people out there trying to harm her. When she finds an ancient board in her Grandmother's trunk, she instantly knows that her life is connected to it. With the help of Simon Monk, she learns the magic of the Boards. Jenna learns that she is in control of the Board of the Winds and has unleased something very powerful. When she is kidnapped and her board is stolen, Jenna has to find a way to find it fast before everything is destroyed.
I was instantly interested by the summary of the novel as well as the cover. I don't usually chose to read mystery novels, so this was a nice change. There is also fantasy in Keeper of the Winds, which creates a really nice balance with the mystery. Once I started reading this, I could not put it down. While it wasn't a short novel, I feel like I read it really fast. I'm happy to see that this is only the first of four books, so I'm looking forward to see where Jenna's next adventure takes her.
Rating: 7
Age: 19
Philadelphia, PA
Priyanka Setty
From the strange man staring at her during her grandfather's funeral to the strange break-in at her house, Jenna realizes that there are people out there trying to harm her. When she finds an ancient board in her Grandmother's trunk, she instantly knows that her life is connected to it. With the help of Simon Monk, she learns the magic of the Boards. Jenna learns that she is in control of the Board of the Winds and has unleased something very powerful. When she is kidnapped and her board is stolen, Jenna has to find a way to find it fast before everything is destroyed.
I was instantly interested by the summary of the novel as well as the cover. I don't usually chose to read mystery novels, so this was a nice change. There is also fantasy in Keeper of the Winds, which creates a really nice balance with the mystery. Once I started reading this, I could not put it down. While it wasn't a short novel, I feel like I read it really fast. I'm happy to see that this is only the first of four books, so I'm looking forward to see where Jenna's next adventure takes her.
Rating: 7
Age: 19
Philadelphia, PA
Priyanka Setty
Octagon Magic by Andre Norton
The dollhouse and rocking horse of old Miss Ashemeade (rumored to be a
witch) are by no means the usual playthings of little girls. That's the point behind Andre Norton's new book, "Octagon Magic." From these "toys,"
eleven-year-old Lorrie Mallard is mentally transported to a forgotten time in the home's history. The mini-adventures Lorrie experiences serve moral lessons applicable to the real world of the new student in town. Using magic as a method of teaching never quite occurred to me and seeing it thus applied, through daydreaming episodes, makes this storyline unique for young and adult readers alike. From an adult perspective I found it hard to stop reading. The story opened in action with teasing by Stan Wormiski (name indicative of his behavior), and continued so throughout its ten chapters.
Lorrie's Canadian background is a bit vague, especially as regards the brief mention of her parents, but otherwise handled well. The book, after all, concerns her future, not her past. Magic is meant to be mysterious, and its
secrets help Lorrie to eventually accept her new environment.
Reviewed for Flamingnet by Sarah Jones
Age: 21
witch) are by no means the usual playthings of little girls. That's the point behind Andre Norton's new book, "Octagon Magic." From these "toys,"
eleven-year-old Lorrie Mallard is mentally transported to a forgotten time in the home's history. The mini-adventures Lorrie experiences serve moral lessons applicable to the real world of the new student in town. Using magic as a method of teaching never quite occurred to me and seeing it thus applied, through daydreaming episodes, makes this storyline unique for young and adult readers alike. From an adult perspective I found it hard to stop reading. The story opened in action with teasing by Stan Wormiski (name indicative of his behavior), and continued so throughout its ten chapters.
Lorrie's Canadian background is a bit vague, especially as regards the brief mention of her parents, but otherwise handled well. The book, after all, concerns her future, not her past. Magic is meant to be mysterious, and its
secrets help Lorrie to eventually accept her new environment.
Reviewed for Flamingnet by Sarah Jones
Age: 21
Anatopsis by Chris Abouzeid
In a coming-of-age, coming-into-powers story, the magical prodigy Princess Anatopsis - Ana for short - must become partners with two most unlikely people. Her fellow student, Prince Barnaby, could be the poster-child for fathers' disappointed hopes, lacking any real magical talent. Ana's servant and friend, Clarissa, likewise lacks any magical talent, being a "mortal." Together, though, they must discover other valuable talents within themselves in order to prepare for the witchery exams and forestall the end of the world of magic as they know it. All in a day's work, right? Maybe, if Mr. Pound never gets involved, but when a member of the near-living-dead is sent to be your tutor, you know there is trouble ahead. As everything Ana holds dear is threatened and changed, she must ultimately rely on her own strengths and talents - and the timely help of remaining allies, of course - to survive.
This wonderfully creative plot is adeptly combined with a descriptive writing style and an astute portrayal of human nature. The complexity of the relationships Ana shares with the other characters in the book, for instance, makes for a lot of character development. Abouzied candidly shows how people really are: complicated. Although, it can seem a bit disheartening at times, when Ana, only thirteen, must wake up to the realities of the world around her. Nonetheless, Abouzeid has written an excellent coming-of-age story that would tug on the heartstrings of anyone who has experienced - or who is experiencing - the confusion of growing up in an imperfect world.
Rate: 8
Age: 21
City: Logan, Utah
This wonderfully creative plot is adeptly combined with a descriptive writing style and an astute portrayal of human nature. The complexity of the relationships Ana shares with the other characters in the book, for instance, makes for a lot of character development. Abouzied candidly shows how people really are: complicated. Although, it can seem a bit disheartening at times, when Ana, only thirteen, must wake up to the realities of the world around her. Nonetheless, Abouzeid has written an excellent coming-of-age story that would tug on the heartstrings of anyone who has experienced - or who is experiencing - the confusion of growing up in an imperfect world.
Rate: 8
Age: 21
City: Logan, Utah
Wednesday, March 08, 2006
The Perfect Distance by Kim Ablon Whitney
Kim Ablon Whitney’s novel, The Perfect Distance follows Francie Martinez, a young Mexican-American woman on her way to the Maclay Finals (the granddaddy of all junior equestrian eventing). Francie trains at the same farm where she is also a groom resulting in prejudice behavior from her barn mates. Through life altering relationships and events Francie discovers that all she needs to win the Finals is confidence.
Having been a competitor at the Maclay Finals, Whitney is able to use personal knowledge to project the stresses of competing to the readers. Whitney explains all the horse jargon, but does it in a way that the novel does not read like a textbook or dictionary. The topics of sex, alcohol, and bulimia are addressed in the novel making it better suited for a more mature audience. Having said that, the vocabulary could be beefed up a little to accommodate an older age group. Being an avid rider, I can say that Whitney’s novel is a true-to-life documentation of the struggles riders face while trying to compete and maintain a 2.5 grade point average.
Reviewed by Jhana Kessell
Towson University
Towson, Maryland USA
Having been a competitor at the Maclay Finals, Whitney is able to use personal knowledge to project the stresses of competing to the readers. Whitney explains all the horse jargon, but does it in a way that the novel does not read like a textbook or dictionary. The topics of sex, alcohol, and bulimia are addressed in the novel making it better suited for a more mature audience. Having said that, the vocabulary could be beefed up a little to accommodate an older age group. Being an avid rider, I can say that Whitney’s novel is a true-to-life documentation of the struggles riders face while trying to compete and maintain a 2.5 grade point average.
Reviewed by Jhana Kessell
Towson University
Towson, Maryland USA
Monday, March 06, 2006
French Kiss by Aimee Friedman
Alexa and Holly are friends who happen to be part of two different social groups. Alexa and her boyfriend Diego are celebrating their aniversary in Paris while Holly is going to England for a track meet. Holly is devastated when she hurt her ankle and is unable to run for the rest of the meet, but then she gets a phone call from Alexa begging her to come to Paris. Taking advantage of the opportunity, she goes over and spends a guilt-filled week there, hoping she won't get caught by her coach and worrying about her relationship with her boyfriend, Tyler. Still caught up in her fight with Tyler, Holly catches the eye of Pierre, Alexa's cousin. Meanwhile, Alexa happens to meet Xavier, a famous artist. Between sightseeing, shopping and hot dates, Alexa and Holly learn the meaning of friendship and love.
I thought that this book was a fun read. French Kiss reminded me a little of Gossip Girl, and while the story is not the same, fans of Gossip Girl should pick this one up. This is the perfect book to get away from real life for a while. The fact that the story takes place in Paris makes it so much more fun to read. This is the pefect guilty pleasure for spring. I'm looking forward to reading the prequel to this, South Beach, next.
Rating (0 - 10 scale): 9
Reviewer Age: 19
Reviewer City, State and Country: Philadelphia, PA USA
I thought that this book was a fun read. French Kiss reminded me a little of Gossip Girl, and while the story is not the same, fans of Gossip Girl should pick this one up. This is the perfect book to get away from real life for a while. The fact that the story takes place in Paris makes it so much more fun to read. This is the pefect guilty pleasure for spring. I'm looking forward to reading the prequel to this, South Beach, next.
Rating (0 - 10 scale): 9
Reviewer Age: 19
Reviewer City, State and Country: Philadelphia, PA USA
The Sword of Straw by Amanda Hemingway
Nathan has problems dreaming. Not just any dreaming, but dreaming himself into another world and universe. But recently Nathan has dreamed himself into a new world he hasn't explored before, with a princess in distress. Her subjects are going away because they think they are cursed by the traitors sword. This sword might be the one out of the 3 object that Nathan needs to collect to make a very powerful spell. But when troubles arrive in both worlds with a bully in school and demons in his dream world, Nathan feels he is doomed for failure.
This was a very suspenful and action packed book. The book was written in a way that it kept me wanting to know more, and it kept me reading. This book was confusing for me because I haven't read the first of the series, and it related to it a lot, so if you're interested in this book read the first one first. This book had a great ending because events turn out in the most odd ways and things you would never believe would happen occured.
Rating (0 - 10 scale): 8
Reviewer Age: 11
Reviewer City, State and Country: Lutherville, Maryland USA
This was a very suspenful and action packed book. The book was written in a way that it kept me wanting to know more, and it kept me reading. This book was confusing for me because I haven't read the first of the series, and it related to it a lot, so if you're interested in this book read the first one first. This book had a great ending because events turn out in the most odd ways and things you would never believe would happen occured.
Rating (0 - 10 scale): 8
Reviewer Age: 11
Reviewer City, State and Country: Lutherville, Maryland USA
Monday, February 27, 2006
Guitar Highway Rose by Brigid Lowry
Rosie Moon, 15, is irritated with her life. Her mom treats her like a 5 year old, her dad doesn't really care, and her younger brother is a nuisance. The best thing about her life is her best friend, Pip, until a rebellious new kid, Asher, comes to school. His parents are seperated, which doesn't help with the move. Asher and Rosie want to get away from it all and when Asher is accused of stealing a wallet, their dreams become a reality. They set off for their "crazy" adventure where they find themselves...and each other.
At first, I was confused by the writing style. The book used words that I wasn't familiar with because the book originated from Australia. The book was also incomprehensible because it jumped to different characters, and I got thoughts and opinions confused. As I read more, it became clear and it was amazing. The plot was well thoughtout. Lowry used superior descriptions for the settings and people. It felt like you were there! The book showed situations that teenagers have to overcome these days. Towards the end of the book, I couldn't put it down. It was supenseful, a definite page turner. Overall, it was an exceptional book. Kids under 13 should not read this book. It had some vulgar language and usage of drugs.
Rating (0 - 10 scale): 9
Reviewer Age: 14
Reviewer City, State and Country: Villa Hills, Kentucky USA
At first, I was confused by the writing style. The book used words that I wasn't familiar with because the book originated from Australia. The book was also incomprehensible because it jumped to different characters, and I got thoughts and opinions confused. As I read more, it became clear and it was amazing. The plot was well thoughtout. Lowry used superior descriptions for the settings and people. It felt like you were there! The book showed situations that teenagers have to overcome these days. Towards the end of the book, I couldn't put it down. It was supenseful, a definite page turner. Overall, it was an exceptional book. Kids under 13 should not read this book. It had some vulgar language and usage of drugs.
Rating (0 - 10 scale): 9
Reviewer Age: 14
Reviewer City, State and Country: Villa Hills, Kentucky USA
Saturday, February 25, 2006
Spacer and Rat by Margaret Bechard
Jack is a kid who grew up on Freedom Station. He works in a bar and can tell the Earthies from the Spacers. He thinks he knows everything about Earthies, but that was before Kit showed up. Kit is just a normal Earthie except for what she carries with her. When Jack finds out Kit's secret, he feels he has no choice but to help her. Even if it is illegal. Even if it means risking their lives in space.
Spacer and Rat, by Margaret Bechard, is an amazing sci-fi story that will keep you not only entertained but surprised as well. I have never read another book like this, but I am hoping more will come out. The characters fit in very well with the story. The description of the scenery was thorough but sometimes difficult to understand. I recommend this book to any reader who is looking for a good sci-fi book.
Rating (0 - 10 scale): 9
Reviewer Age: 13
Reviewer City, State and Country: Chambersburg, Pennsylvania United States
Spacer and Rat, by Margaret Bechard, is an amazing sci-fi story that will keep you not only entertained but surprised as well. I have never read another book like this, but I am hoping more will come out. The characters fit in very well with the story. The description of the scenery was thorough but sometimes difficult to understand. I recommend this book to any reader who is looking for a good sci-fi book.
Rating (0 - 10 scale): 9
Reviewer Age: 13
Reviewer City, State and Country: Chambersburg, Pennsylvania United States
The Bungler's Paradox by R. M. Wilburn
In an excellent beginning to what one hopes will be an excellent series, R. M. Wilburn creates a realm of realistic characters caught in a world directed by imagination - literally. Buggy, heroine of The Bungler's Paradox, is on the brink of turning twelve when her family is "summoned" to Lloyd's Hollow. What follows next is an eye-opening crash course into The-World-Is-Not-What-You-Always-Thought-It-Was 101. Faced with the reality of magic, the indomitable, impressively imaginative Buggy must rely on her budding skills and new-found friends to guide her through what may very well be the coming apocalypse of the world, the final battle between good and evil. Challenged on every side, never completely sure of on whom she can rely, Buggy must "Dream big!"
Imitating the creative style of her protagonist, Wilburn writes as one might dream. Her characters are real, but with a touch of the other-worldly. Similarly, the emotions and reactions in the book are what one would expect in real life, while the events that jump-start them are anything but. Her writing style includes a lot of humor, though her characters can become a bit caustic and brusque in their responses to each other (certainly real-to-life!). And if that's not enough, Wilburn also provides her characters with meaningful relationships, that develop and change as the book progresses - not the least of which are those relationships that Buggy shares with her parents and brother. As the start of her imaginative series, Wilburn simply could not have done better.
Rating (0 - 10 scale): 9
Reviewer Age: 21
Reviewer City, State and Country: Salt Lake City, Ut USA
Imitating the creative style of her protagonist, Wilburn writes as one might dream. Her characters are real, but with a touch of the other-worldly. Similarly, the emotions and reactions in the book are what one would expect in real life, while the events that jump-start them are anything but. Her writing style includes a lot of humor, though her characters can become a bit caustic and brusque in their responses to each other (certainly real-to-life!). And if that's not enough, Wilburn also provides her characters with meaningful relationships, that develop and change as the book progresses - not the least of which are those relationships that Buggy shares with her parents and brother. As the start of her imaginative series, Wilburn simply could not have done better.
Rating (0 - 10 scale): 9
Reviewer Age: 21
Reviewer City, State and Country: Salt Lake City, Ut USA
Anyone But You by Lara M. Zeises
This book is about the lives of a "mixed" family. Sea is a girl that is taken in by her father's ex-wife when he leaves. The story is based on the interchanging of lives between Sea, and her 2 step-brothers; Critter and Jessie. They are all at an age of trying to figure out who they are and where they are going in life. When Sea feels threatened by a new person in Critter's life, she becomes withdrawen and looks for other ways to fill her time. She meets up with a boy named Scott, who shares her interest in skateboarding. During the summer the couples learn that life is not easy, no matter whether you are a boy or a girl. Eventually Sea's father comes back into the picture after many years, and that is when Sea turns to Critter. During the course of this Sea finds herself drawn to Critter as more then just a brother. The book leads to a conclusion that is both understandable due to the closeness of the family, but also that sometimes love is where you least expect it...
The book is very well written and goes at a good pace, you look forward to the next page to see what happens between the characters. I could see from the beginning that Sea and Critter where heading down the path that led them to each other. It's just a matter of reading the book to follow the growth of that relationship. Both their hearts have to be broken before they realize that they have each other both as friends and companions. I would have likes to have had Jessie play a bigger role in the story. Also, the relationship between Critter and Sarah, was much more developed story line then that of Sea and Scott, when it seems that teenage girls go through alot more emotions when it is the beginning of a relationship. I would have liked to have read more on their relationship. Overall the story was well written and all the characters belonged where they were written in. I liked the dynamics of the varying relationships and how they twisted and turned throughout the story.
Rating (0 - 10 scale): 6
Reviewer Age: 15
Reviewer City, State and Country: Dilworth, MN USA
The book is very well written and goes at a good pace, you look forward to the next page to see what happens between the characters. I could see from the beginning that Sea and Critter where heading down the path that led them to each other. It's just a matter of reading the book to follow the growth of that relationship. Both their hearts have to be broken before they realize that they have each other both as friends and companions. I would have likes to have had Jessie play a bigger role in the story. Also, the relationship between Critter and Sarah, was much more developed story line then that of Sea and Scott, when it seems that teenage girls go through alot more emotions when it is the beginning of a relationship. I would have liked to have read more on their relationship. Overall the story was well written and all the characters belonged where they were written in. I liked the dynamics of the varying relationships and how they twisted and turned throughout the story.
Rating (0 - 10 scale): 6
Reviewer Age: 15
Reviewer City, State and Country: Dilworth, MN USA
The Greenstone Grail by Amanda Hemmingway
A world is dying. Its only chance for survival lies with a Great Spell that nobody knows how to perform. What they do know is that they need three objects of power- a cup, a sword, and a crown. Strange things are happening in Eade, a peaceful English town that is home to a boy called Nathan. Nathan has dreams of a world that is contaminated by magic. He gradually realizes that he is dreaming of a real world, a world completely different from his own. The Grimthorn Grail is a cup that once belonged to the Thorn family that is said to have strange powers. The only remaining Thorn descendant wants the cup back and is trying desperately to prove that the original sale was illegal. As Nathan’s dreams become more and more real and he learns about this other world, he realizes the fatal problems that it is facing. The cup comes from the other world, he is sure of it, but he also thinks that it was sent to his world for safekeeping until a need to use its powers arose. Where does the cup truly belong? Can the world be saved?
“The Greenstone Grail,” is the first novel in a trilogy, each focusing on in turn on one of the three powerful objects, each full of unanswered questions. Vivid descriptions bring the story to life as Nathan, his mother, and his best friend discover knew dangers and complications in their quest to set things right. Amanda Hemmingway weaves the story of a world that has an unbelievable problem and a young boy who just might have the power to set things right. Advanced mystery readers will enjoy the many unanswered questions of the book as each different character encounters fears and problems of their own.
Rating (0 - 10 scale): 9
Reviewer Age: 13
Reviewer City, State and Country: Chambersburg, PA USA
“The Greenstone Grail,” is the first novel in a trilogy, each focusing on in turn on one of the three powerful objects, each full of unanswered questions. Vivid descriptions bring the story to life as Nathan, his mother, and his best friend discover knew dangers and complications in their quest to set things right. Amanda Hemmingway weaves the story of a world that has an unbelievable problem and a young boy who just might have the power to set things right. Advanced mystery readers will enjoy the many unanswered questions of the book as each different character encounters fears and problems of their own.
Rating (0 - 10 scale): 9
Reviewer Age: 13
Reviewer City, State and Country: Chambersburg, PA USA
In High Places by Harry Turtledove
In High Places: A Novel of Crosstime Traffic, by Harry Turtledove, is an exciting science-fiction adventure. Khadhija, the daughter of a wealthy Muslim Moorish merchant, is not all that she seems to be, and neither is the world that she is currently in. Khadhija is actually teenager Annette Klein, from the 21st century United States. She and her family are working for Crosstime Traffic, a business that trades merchandise from the alternate timeline- a world where history has taken a different path- to their modern timeline. In this alternate world, Europe is still engulfed in the medieval Dark Ages and greatly contrasts to the “home” timeline. For example, technology is basic, and the Muslims rule and occupy most of Europe, which is disunited into small states. The most significant difference is that in the alternate timeline, slavery still exists without any controversy. Annette and her family are preparing to return to the home timeline, so they travel in a caravan to locate the Crosstime Traffic portal that will send them home. However, bandits capture Annette, her local friend Jacques, and other travelers, and sell them all as slaves. Separated from her family, Annette’s situation becomes even worse: her captors take her and the other slaves and transports them through an unauthorized Crosstime Traffic portal into a land ruled by Khadhija’s own people. She must escape, but it seems as if she will be a slave forever.
In High Places was adventurous and page-turner. The historical analysis was very interesting and this book is perfect for any history buff. It did seem, however, that the author could have addressed the topic of slavery better. The argument made against slavery could have been more complex and powerful. All in all, a good read with an excellent plot, especially on a rainy day.
Rating (0 - 10 scale): 8
Reviewer Age: 13
Reviewer City, State and Country: Aurora, Colorado United States
In High Places was adventurous and page-turner. The historical analysis was very interesting and this book is perfect for any history buff. It did seem, however, that the author could have addressed the topic of slavery better. The argument made against slavery could have been more complex and powerful. All in all, a good read with an excellent plot, especially on a rainy day.
Rating (0 - 10 scale): 8
Reviewer Age: 13
Reviewer City, State and Country: Aurora, Colorado United States
Thursday, February 23, 2006
The Center of the World by Andreas Steinhofel
A coming of age story set in a remote mountain range in Germany; Steinhofel weaves the elegant tale of a seventeen-year-old boy named Phil. Although the novel does deal with Phil's sexuality, it primarily illustrates his tumultuous relationship with his unconventional mother, Glass, and reclusive twin sister, Dianne. From the birth of Phil and Dianne by their teenage mother in the prologue of the story, the family occupies a large estate, called Visible, on the outskirts of a socially repressive and ultra-conservative town. The town not only discriminates against Glass because of her promiscuous nature, but they transfer their criticisms to her two children. Therefore, throughout Phil's childhood, he feels ostracized despite his mother's advice to ignore the harshness of the "Little People," or the people who inhabit the town. Phil does discover refuge in the form of a young and vivacious girl named Kat, who becomes his one and only ally. However, despite Phil's seeming acceptance of his sexuality, he does not believe that his family or his friends would approve of his relationship with a charming and attractive runner, named Nicholas, who becomes his first boyfriend. The novel is written in a first-person narrative with intermittent flashbacks that describe the roots of Phil’s personality.
Steinhofel's greatest accomplishment is that he portrays homosexual relationships as the equivalent of heterosexual relationships. By demonstrating that the journey toward self-discovery of a young gay man is the same as that of a young straight man, Steinhofel shows that discriminatory views on homosexuality are completely unfounded. In addition to vividly depicting Visible’s breathtaking surroundings, his crisp and graceful prose provides insight into Phil’s complex thoughts and emotions. Satisfying the reader with Phil’s self-discovery, Steinhofel does an excellent job of balancing the scales between satisfaction and misery, having and wanting. By the end of the novel, one aches with a confused combination of happiness and grief. Steinhofel and his novel deserve every word of praise!
Rating (0 - 10 scale): 9
Reviewer Age: 15
Reviewer City, State and Country: Kansas City, Kansas USA
Steinhofel's greatest accomplishment is that he portrays homosexual relationships as the equivalent of heterosexual relationships. By demonstrating that the journey toward self-discovery of a young gay man is the same as that of a young straight man, Steinhofel shows that discriminatory views on homosexuality are completely unfounded. In addition to vividly depicting Visible’s breathtaking surroundings, his crisp and graceful prose provides insight into Phil’s complex thoughts and emotions. Satisfying the reader with Phil’s self-discovery, Steinhofel does an excellent job of balancing the scales between satisfaction and misery, having and wanting. By the end of the novel, one aches with a confused combination of happiness and grief. Steinhofel and his novel deserve every word of praise!
Rating (0 - 10 scale): 9
Reviewer Age: 15
Reviewer City, State and Country: Kansas City, Kansas USA
Saturday, February 18, 2006
Georgie's Moon by Chris Woodworth
After Georgie Collins moves to Glendale, Indiana, her dad leaves to go off to Vietnam and promises to send his undying love to her through the moon every night. Georgie becomes friends with Lisa Loutzenhiser and is forced to work with her at the nursing home every Saturday because of the good deeds program the school set up. After Georgie visits Lisa at her house she begins to wonder why Lisa won’t tell her what happened to her older brother, Alan. Is it because something bad will happen to their friendship if Georgie finds out? Find out the answers as Georgie battles through life one day at a time in this fantastic book called Georgie’s Moon.
This book was really good. I’m not a really emotional person but this book almost made me cry, it was so sad. I recommend this book to kids ages 8-12. I think this book was well written and thought out. I think Georgie’s Moon is a page-turner and I couldn’t put it down because I wanted to see what would happen next. I hope to read more of Chris Woodworth’s books soon.
Rating (0 - 10 scale): 8
Reviewer Age: 12
Reviewer City, State and Country: Upper Strasburg, PA US
This book was really good. I’m not a really emotional person but this book almost made me cry, it was so sad. I recommend this book to kids ages 8-12. I think this book was well written and thought out. I think Georgie’s Moon is a page-turner and I couldn’t put it down because I wanted to see what would happen next. I hope to read more of Chris Woodworth’s books soon.
Rating (0 - 10 scale): 8
Reviewer Age: 12
Reviewer City, State and Country: Upper Strasburg, PA US
Carrie's Courage by Norma Jean Lutz
Carrie’s Courage is a wonderful book about a ten-year-old girl named Carrie Ruhle who befriends a Jewish girl named Dvora who has just moved into town. Will Carrie be able to stay friends with Dvora though because her best friend Violet absolutely hates Dvora since she is Jewish? Can Carrie save her new friend from the white-robed Ku Klux Klan who is terrorizing the Jews, blacks, and other immigrants in her neighborhood before it’s too late? Find out as Carrie and her friends struggle with racism in this fantastic book called Carrie’s Courage, which is one of the many books in the spectacular Sisters In Time series.
I think that Carrie’s Courage is a wonderful faith-based book that kids ages 8-12 will enjoy reading. I loved the short, flowing, and very interesting poems the author added to this amazing book. The characters matched their 1920’s time frame very well. I thought that the ending was kind of sad though. If you like American Girl books then I think you will love this brilliant book. I’m hoping to read all of the books in the whole series.
Rating (0 - 10 scale): 9
Reviewer Age: 12
Reviewer City, State and Country: Upper Strasburg, PA US
I think that Carrie’s Courage is a wonderful faith-based book that kids ages 8-12 will enjoy reading. I loved the short, flowing, and very interesting poems the author added to this amazing book. The characters matched their 1920’s time frame very well. I thought that the ending was kind of sad though. If you like American Girl books then I think you will love this brilliant book. I’m hoping to read all of the books in the whole series.
Rating (0 - 10 scale): 9
Reviewer Age: 12
Reviewer City, State and Country: Upper Strasburg, PA US
Saturday, February 11, 2006
Joy Writing by Kenn Amdahl
A little like reading Elements of Style on amphetamines, Joy Writing by Kenn Amdahl, cascades over its pages with enthusiasm for writing. I wanted to take up my pen and buy a box of yellow tablets before I finished reading it. Yellow highlights throughout my copy remind me that there are other writers that I want to read. The examples he chooses are engaging and witty. Much of his advice is common sense: “Revising means making choices.” Some of his advice is surprising, “Let yourself write badly when you create first drafts…” And some of his advice is phrased in a silly way, “…the poet must distract the Colonel Klink/editor within himself. Simply telling him to wait in the closet isn’t enough, we need him in a different time zone.” Most of it is practical; join a writing group. And all of it is written in an intimate, conversational tone as if Kenn were talking directly to the reader. Joy Writing is 160 pages of inspiration for budding writers.
Alice O’Grady, English Teacher, Wilson HS, Long Beach, CA
Alice O’Grady, English Teacher, Wilson HS, Long Beach, CA
Now Starring Vivien Leigh Reid: Diva in Training by Yvonne Collins and Sandy Rideout
After visiting, Annika Anderson, on the set of her movie Danny Boy, Leigh doesn't think she'll ever be like her overdramatic diva mother. As she enters Hollywood for the first time, she doesn't know what to expect. Her first acting class turns out to be a disaster and she makes friends with Karis, the strange girl in the class. But Leigh wants more than that, and soon she's offered a role on a popular soap, Diamond Heights. Acing isn't as easy as it looks, and as Leigh gets into the rythm of things on set, she also begins to develop diva like tendencies. Her behavior tends to be the downfall of her relationship with her boyfriend, her friendship with Karis, and her newfound acting career. And Leigh has to do something to fix everything before leaving Hollywood.
This book was a great continuation to Introducing Vivien Leigh Reid. It's not often that a sequel is as good or even better than the original. Vivien again offered enough laughs and adventures throughout the book. I love the way the story is written and it's really fun to read. It goes by so fast, and once you start it, you can't put it down. I know that I'm looking forward to reading the third book about Leigh when it comes out.
Rating (0 - 10 scale): 10
Reviewer Age: 19
Reviewer City, State and Country: Philadelphia, PA USA
This book was a great continuation to Introducing Vivien Leigh Reid. It's not often that a sequel is as good or even better than the original. Vivien again offered enough laughs and adventures throughout the book. I love the way the story is written and it's really fun to read. It goes by so fast, and once you start it, you can't put it down. I know that I'm looking forward to reading the third book about Leigh when it comes out.
Rating (0 - 10 scale): 10
Reviewer Age: 19
Reviewer City, State and Country: Philadelphia, PA USA
Plenty Porter by Brandon Noonan
As Plenty Porter enters her teenage years in Galesburg, Illinois, she realizes that her large family does not actually know one another. Being the youngest of eleven, no one expects much of her yet she is usually aware of everything that goes on around her. When she befriends the motherless Ed Prindergast, the young son of their wealthy neighbor, she does not realize that she needs his friendship as much as he needs hers. Although Plenty narrates, the story actually revolves around her older sister Marcie and her problems. Plenty knows there is something going on but doesn't know if she can find out what's going on with, Mr. Darcey, her estranged grandfather, Mr. Prindergast, her parents, and her sibligs who each have interwoven lives that seem to leave Plenty, who was plenty, out.
Brandon Noonan relates a novel in which the reader really does not see the end coming. Although the story is narrated by Plenty, the reader wants to know what is going on with Marcie, why her hair falls out. I enjoyed the structure of this novel, which is told in two parts, as well as many chapters. Because the ending was a complete surprise to me, I enjoyed it and it made the novel worth reading. I don't think Plenty Porter is bound to recieive high acclaim, but it is definitely a good read for history lovers and those interested in personal growth in a character or multiple characters.
Rating (0 - 10 scale): 7
Reviewer Age: 17
Reviewer City, State and Country: Kansas City, MO USA
Brandon Noonan relates a novel in which the reader really does not see the end coming. Although the story is narrated by Plenty, the reader wants to know what is going on with Marcie, why her hair falls out. I enjoyed the structure of this novel, which is told in two parts, as well as many chapters. Because the ending was a complete surprise to me, I enjoyed it and it made the novel worth reading. I don't think Plenty Porter is bound to recieive high acclaim, but it is definitely a good read for history lovers and those interested in personal growth in a character or multiple characters.
Rating (0 - 10 scale): 7
Reviewer Age: 17
Reviewer City, State and Country: Kansas City, MO USA
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