At LitPick, we review books from a variety of genres, as well as enjoy promoting reading and writing worldwide among adults and students. We also like connecting authors and publishers with readers.
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
Macbeth by William Shakespeare
I can't really say anything against Shakespeare's storytelling prowess. The graphic novel aspect of Classic Comics version of Macbeth made it much simpler to understand the more difficult parts of the play. It really is the best of both worlds: readers get to experience the integrity of Shakespeare's original text while getting the extra help of the graphics to better grasp the nuances of the play. The lines suddenly jump out with a vivacity that wouldn't otherwise be possible; they come alive. The comics helped make the play more understandable and thus more enjoyable without altering the lines. I would highly recommend it for anyone who wishes to explore Shakespeare, but is too afraid to tackle the challenges of Elizabethan English alone.
The play addressed some darker aspects of human nature...including murdering for the sake of personal gain. Additionally, to portray such things the comics showed some graphic pictures of violence, that younger children might feel squeamish seeing. Finally, Elizabethan english is difficult to understand, especially for younger kids.
Reviewer Age:17
Reviewer City, State and Country: Bellevue, WA USA
Monday, October 20, 2008
The Youngest Templar by Michael Spradlin
By reading the summary of The Youngest Templar I knew it would be about the Crusades. However, I did not expect to read an extremely provoking, fiction story. While the beginning is slightly slow, the additions in plot move swiftly and beneficially in exciting the reader. The vocabulary was perfect for the young adult age group. Also, the character's personalities were intriguing, and the context clues made me want to know more about Tristan. On the downside, many conflicts were left untold and I will have to wait until the second book comes out to find more information.
Reviewer Age:15
Reviewer City, State and Country: Carlisle, Pennsylvania United States of America
Rating: 7
Content Rating: 1
The Otherworldlies by Jennifer Anne Kogler
I loved this book to pieces! The author wrote the story so that it almost seemed like you were there, watching it unfold. The author made the characters very believable, and I loved all the main ones. I think that the story was wrapped up quite nicely, though there was room enough for a sequel, if desired. The vocabulary used was appropriate for middle school and up, though some elementary school kids would understand and enjoy the book as well. This book is different from other vampire books I've read, because the author took the term vampire and completely redefined it. I loved this book, and begged my library to get a copy so that others could enjoy it as well.
Reviewer Age:16
Reviewer City, State and Country: Highland, MI USA
Sunday, October 19, 2008
The Floating Circus by Tracie Vaughn Zimmer
Although historical fiction is not my favorite genre, this book had a relatively interesting story line, with the intriguing theme of trying to find your place in the world. Even though I was interested in Owen, and the descriptions of circus life were fascinating, the main reason that I kept reading the book was to find out what happens to Solomon, a free African American, and former slave. Solomon reveals that he has made terrible mistakes in the past, but he is goodhearted and tries to protect Owen as well as the circus animals from cruel treatment. The author's research is impressive, and her writing is clear, but there were so many subplots--including one involving the Greenes, a circus family whose son Caleb befriends Owen, and also features a depressed mother, and a beautiful, snooty daughter. The ending was disappointing for me as it left too many loose ends hanging, particularly Solomon's fate. I usually read a book in a few hours or days, but this book took weeks to get through as it rambled along and did not hold my attention very well. Even though this book is not at the top of my list I would still recommend it to readers between 9 and 14, especially if they like historical fiction, or are curious about circus life.
Reviewer Age:16
Reviewer City, State and Country: Hingham, MA USA
Saturday, October 18, 2008
My Name is Number 4 by Ting-xing Ye
Wow. Wow and amazingly good. That's really all I can say about this book. For this author to be able to go through what she did and then write about it is truly amazing to me. My Name is Number Four is a shockingly true poetic novel that will have every single person who opens the book unable to put it down. Not only is this book surprisingly easy to fallow, it also educates the reader about the Chinese Cultural Revolution without being boring or sounding to much like a homework assignment. My Name is Number Four may be one of the best books I have read this year.
Reviewer Age:14
Reviewer City, State and Country: Casa Grande, Arizona USA
The Golden Path by Anson Montgomery
I thought the Golden Path was a good book. I thought the beginning was slow, but the more I got into the book, the harder it was to put down. I thought it was a great idea to let the reader choose the decisions the character made and how the book was left with multiple endings. One of the strengths in this book is how it draws the reader's attention further and further into the story. I think a weakness in this book are some parts where the reader gets to decide what happens to the character, I think it becomes more confusing, like where the character can die. You have to find the place where you went wrong and re-read it and make another decision of what to do. I found myself trying to remember my page number or writing it down so I could just go back to that page if I made a mistake. I thought the ending in this book was okay. It left me with many questions but just enough answers to buy the next volume book and read on. I would recommend this book to anyone who is tired of reading the same types of books and wants to try something new.
Reviewer Age:14
Reviewer City, State and Country: Sandy, Oregon United States
Friday, October 17, 2008
The Miracle Girls
the story of 14 year-old Ana Dominguez. Ana has just moved
from San Jose, California to the nearby small town Half
Moon Bay. A few weeks after she starts her freshman year
of high school in this new town, Ana lands herself and
another girl, Riley McGee, in detention after accusing
Riley of cheating on a pop quiz. While there, the teens in
detention are required to write an essay entitled "The Day
My Life Changed" and are then divided into groups of four
to whom they must read their essays. Ana is paired up with
Riley and two other girls, Christine and Zoe. After each
girl reads her essay, they all realize that the four of
them each would have died years ago, but each was saved by
a miracle. Ana and Zoe team up and try to befriend the
other two "miracle girls" and in the end the four
experience adventures that can only be experience with a
true friend.
This book was an exciting, heartwarming page-
turner. The Authors have successfully written an
intriguing story for teens and preteens. The story is both
slightly foreseeable while also being reasonably
unpredictable. The details are vivid enough to let you
easily picture the settings of the story. Also, the
characters are very much real to life. The Miracle Girls
is an excellent book that I would recommend to any teenager
especially girls.
Reviewer Age:13
Reviewer City,State and Country: Marble Hill, Missouri, USA
Papillon
I loved the book Papillon because it was very descriptive of what an everyday life of a teenager would be like if they thought they were in love. I would definitely recommend this book to kids of mature age and good moral standings. It has some graphic details and vivid pictures so some parents may not approve of the children reading it. This book provides real-to-life situations and is very true to what love is like and what happens in relationships. I would definitely recommend this book and trust me you won't be able to put it down once you start to read it.
Reviewer Age:14
Reviewer City, State and Country: Leopold, Missouri United States of America
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
Endless Quest by Bruce Algozin
In my opinion, this book was exciting, but it lacked some crucial parts to it. The idea was a great one and I liked how the author set it up in the beginning. But, once the group got inside the castle, the choices you could make seemed obvious and boring. I did not think this was a very suspenseful book, and at some parts, I had wanted to close the book and give it up. Also, I felt that the story was short and not well described. However, I did like that one wrong turn could lead you the defeat or victory. This is my opinion of the book, Endless Quest 2: Search for the Pegasus
Reviewer Age:12
Reviewer City, State and Country: Baltimore, Maryland United States of America
Rating: 4
Content Rating: 1
Time's Chariot
historical. Its purpose is to entertain. This story is
set in future period called the Home Time. In the Home
Time, it is possible to travel back in time as long as one
is careful not to upset the history of the world. If
history is drastically altered, the time stream will split
and many more people will be created. The main problem
with the Home Time is that it will end in twenty-seven
years and it will no longer be possible to travel through
time. Two field agents, Rico and Su, that escort groups
back in time are swept into a plot involving a murder,
time paradoxes, and dangerous contact with the people of
the past by people at the highest levels of Home Time
society. While seeking the truth, Rico and Su are sent
through time, threatened, and held captive by their Home
Time foes and powerful historical figures. Though the
characters in the book travel through history, the book is
more science fiction and adventure than historical or
factual.
I found this novel very entertaining and
exciting. I read lots of science fiction books and many
contain time paradoxes or time travel, but this one was
unique. It was for a young adult, though not childish,
and more general audience, rather than most science
fiction books that are written for adult science fiction
fans. It was cleaner and less focused on hard science
fiction. The flawed futuristic society is not the focus
of the novel, but it does provide room for thought about
how much people should be controlled. The different
periods of time and alternate histories were enjoyable, as
were the straightforward main characters. There was
enough mystery and intrigue to keep me guessing, but I was
never too confused or lost. The ending has unpredictable
and exciting plot twists. The book is a short and easy
but thoroughly worthwhile read.
There are a few
instances of language and violence.
Reviewer
Age:14
Reviewer City, State and Country: Royersford, PA
United States
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
The Writing On The Wall by Wendy Lichtman
This story was ok, but I thought that it was written for younger kids because the vocabulary was very simple and it didn't possess a very complicated or interesting plot. Since I'm almost fifteen, I thought the book was rather boring and didn't hold my attention for very long. It was an extremely quick read and it only took a few days to finish. The story seems like it should be for kids ages 9-12 but some of the things included like the eight grade math problems make this story seem like it was written for younger teens around 13. I learned a lot of interesting math facts and formulas, which is definitely useful when it comes to getting good grades in Algebra. Overall, this was an ok book, and I recommend it to younger pre-teen girls.
Reviewer Age:14
Reviewer City, State and Country: Upper Strasburg, Pennsylvania United States
The Snake Prince of Montreal by Aliana K. Deveza
This book felt like a Dick and Jane book: I felt like the sentences were very choppy and did not flow well. That was before I read the About the Author section. Turns out it is very good for her age - she is only 11! It had a very good storyline but I think the author could have given more detail. It was a cliffhanger ending, so I am going to have to locate the second book!
Reviewer Age:14
Reviewer City, State and Country: Gearhart, Oregon United States
Escape the Mask by David Ward
My favorite part of Escape the Mask is when the four children (Coriko, Pippa, Bran, and Tia) work together to carry out their escape attempt. I think the story teaches a great lesson about cooperation, without making it seem like an actual "lesson." I liked the way the kids in the story developed relationships with each other in spite of the hardships they were going through. I would recommend this book to kids ages 12 to 15. It was a wonderfully exciting story filled with action and love and conflict -- very entertaining.
Reviewer Age:12
Reviewer City, State and Country: Saugerties, New York USA
Monday, October 13, 2008
Discovering Pig Magic
This book was fun to read. I would recommend it to anyone. It was well written. Julie Crabtree is an amazing author who held my interest and I could not put the book down. I even received approval from my 6th grade teacher to review the book for a report. I am hoping for an A+. My teacher thought it was perfect challenge for young readers.
Reviewer Age:11
Reviewer City, State and Country: Germantown, Tennessee United States
Julie Crabtree
Sunday, October 12, 2008
Kurt Cobain: Oh Well, Whatever, Never Mind by Jeff Burlingame
Although you can only capture a person's essence (especially one like Kurt Cobain’s) to a certain extent, Jeff Burlingame did an astounding job summing up Kurt's life in 134 pages. I would recommend this book to fans of Nirvana, Musical rebels, Kurt Cobain fans, and anyone who enjoys reading about celebrities or tragic stories.
Reviewer Age:15
Reviewer City, State and Country: Raleigh, NC United States
Between Golden Jaws by Tiffany Trent
Between Golden Jaws was a great book full of mystery and intrigue. I was kept on my toes guessing the whole time what would happen next to Corrine. While I was reading this book I was puzzled at how Corrine could possibly get out of the muddle she got herself into. This third Hallowmere novel also managed to reach my high expectations that were set by the excellence of the first two novels. I'm looking forward to reading the fourth book in the series, Maiden of the Wolf, to find out what problems and situations Corrine will find herself in next.
Reviewer Age:8
Reviewer City, State and Country: Upper Strasburg, PA USA
Thursday, October 09, 2008
The Night I freed John Brown by John Michael Cummings
town of Harpers Ferry, young Josh knows he has to
investigate further into an old family secret. The
Richmond's house is a five-story Victorian house, with a
Catholic church built in. The twist is that Josh's
grandmother's house is the exact structure, except it's
hidden by the woods. Josh shows his new neighbor, Luke, the
abandoned house in the woods, and describes the woeful
event that occurred in Josh's grandmother's house. Years
before, someone stole everything from the house and the
church; from the napkins to the bell. Ever since, the house
has been abandoned. A wax figure of John Brown, a
historical abolitionist, overlooks Josh's house. Could he
be the one causing all the bickering in Josh Conner's
house? What about Father Ron, the mysterious pastor? And
can Josh and his brothers solve the mystery of the
Victorian house in the woods before time runs out?
I liked the book. Considering that this is Michael
Cummings's first novel, The Night I Freed John Brown was
great. In the beginning, the story seemed monotonous. It
took me awhile to finally catch on to the book's action.
The story was very easy to predict, although the first
chapter leads you astray, making you think that this was
going to be a ghost story, not realistic fiction. I liked
the parts that held suspense, and the sudden change of
character each person displayed. Overall, The Night I Freed
John Brown was a great book.
Reviewer Age:12
Reviewer City, State and Country:
Osseo, Wisconsin United States
Monday, October 06, 2008
Heck: Where the Bad Kids Go
This book was excellent. The humor found within this novel with its witty observations and clever word play will appeal to young adults and even to their parents. In fact, it would be hard to find someone who doesn't enjoy the nonsensical logic of Heck and the dead men and women who make up the faculty there. The combination of humor and emotion that Dale E. Basye uses to tell this tale is one that will hold you captive until the last page. The only complaint I could possibly give was that it could have been even longer. In conclusion, this amusing and touching story which is about growing up as much as it is about dying, is an excellent choice for readers both young and old.
Reviewer Age:14
Reviewer City, State and Country: Chambersburg, PA United States
Thursday, October 02, 2008
Immortal Prince
Jennifer Fallon, the author, makes you feel like you are in the court and ancient stories. You can see what is going on and you can not wait to find out what happens next. The book’s characters are like real people, you can see their reasoning, desires, and you either hate them or love them just as the author intended. I enjoyed how the story was told from different character’s personalities as their opinions, thoughts and memories all showed the story in a more understanding way. There were many well placed cliffhangers and many plot twists to keep me guessing what will happen next; but it was too long and I started losing my patience and reading it less and less often as it went on. I think the book would be popular if it was shortened a little bit so people slightly younger could read it. It would also help if the book was publicized, because I have not seen it anywhere except my dresser and bookcase. I would recommend this to someone who is very interested in this genre. Overall I enjoyed the book.
The book refers to sexual content which is more implied than graphic although it is held behind a very thin curtain.
Reviewer Age:14
Reviewer City, State and Country: Eastchester, New York United States of America
Wednesday, October 01, 2008
Another Mother's Life by Rowan Coleman
Alison was in love, too. Alison was in love with her best friend's first and only love, Marc. And so Alison ran away with her best friend's boyfriend at the tender age of seventeen, thus irreversibly betraying her closest companion.
Now, nearly sixteen years after the incident that shaped the lives of both Catherine and Alison, their situation is about to take another turn. Alison is moving back to her home town, the very same town in which ever-heartbroken Catherine still resides. Pick up Another Mother's Life, and read a heart-wrenching story of love, friendship, and the true meaning of forgiveness.
I truly love Another Mother's Life. For one, the characters seem real and are easy to relate to. You feel the pain of Catherine's heartbreak and Alison's agonizing decisions. Not only is the story interesting, but it is fun to read. Coleman's writing style is fluid, with just the right amount of description and dialogue. If you've ever been in love, ever been a mother, or even had a friend, this book is for you!
There are some adult situations that may not be suitable for young readers.
Reviewer Age:15
Reviewer City, State and Country: Tipp City, Ohio, USA