Mrs. Matlack’s Book Blurb Assignment
February 4, 2008
Choose a novel from the FICTION section in the HHS Library Media Center. Read it in its entirety and then write a BOOK BLURB which includes your name, the book’s title, author, and date of publication at the top of your post, and a thorough, analytical review. Don’t spoil the ending for future readers, but do share specific elements of plot, character, setting, and theme in your discussion. This is not simply a thumbs up or down, it is your opportunity to share what you especially appreciated (or not) about your novel.
Next, read the book blurbs of others and post at least one response. Keep track of your own posting and be sure to respond to those who comment.
To post your book blurb or to comment on another’s post, simply click the COMMENTS link at the top of a post, write the book blurb, fill out the few must-have fields like your name and email and click SUBMIT COMMENT to publish.
This assignment is due no later than Wed., April 30th!
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March 7th, 2008 at 9:23 am
Title: Forbidden
By: Judy Waite
D.O.P.: 2006
FORBIDDEN is an intriguing look at the world inside religious cults. While most teens won’t be able to directly identify with Elinor’s struggle to think for herself, they will see in Elinor struggles to find an inner self.
Elinor is a Chosen One. There are many people who are a part of True Cause, but few are chosen. Elinor is lucky. So lucky.?.?.
What she doesn’t know, however, is that True Cause isn’t just a religious group, but a dangerous cult headed by a man named Howard who claims to be descended from an ancient group of non-humans. Sound far-fetched? It is, but to Elinor, who has known scarcely anything but True Cause since she was a baby, it’s life.The only thing she knows or thinks she knows.
Each Saturday, members of True Cause have rummage sales, selling the old belongings of new recruits (New Joiners). It is here that Elinor meets Jamie, an Outsider. Jamie isn’t very interested in joining True Cause, but he seems fascinated with learning about Elinor’s thoughts. He questions them at every turn, encouraging Elinor to question both Howard and True Cause and maybe even herself. “think for yourself” Why is she thinking of those moss-green eyes… why can she remember him and why does she have the flash backs? Jamie…BAD THOUGHT. these dreams bad thoughts. why can;t she be happy? So happy.
For some reason, Elinor is drawn to Jamie and continues to meet with him in secret. Then one day, everything changes, and Elinor needs to count on Jamie. Will she leave True Cause, or will she convince Jamie to join with her? why did he leave her a bear? What happened to Rael…. Howard’s body gaurd, all the sick kids and Meryl ( the girl who is shaved and dissapers )? Was this endtime?
All in all the book was somewhat hard to understand at parts but in the end everything fits all the little piece of the puzzle came togther. It was a great book. Anyone who is interested in misterious people that are “higher power” or mind controle, or has a friend they cant get out of thier head (someone random they know but don’t know)would love this book.
March 18th, 2008 at 5:03 pm
Title: Angus, Thongs and Full-Frontal Snogging
Author: Louise Rennison
Date of Publication: 2001
Angus, Thongs and Full-Frontal Snogging is a hilarious look into the life of a suburban English schoolgirl. We follow around Georgia Nicholson and her band of wild friends over the course of a year and laugh as they levitate girls in abandoned classrooms, go to parties as stuffed olives, and follow around sex gods and long, Danish and handsome neighbors.
The main character, Georgie has her mind full of deep thoughts: hot guys, her nose (which, she thinks, leaves something to be desired), her dreadful family, and her small Labrador-sized cat, Angus. If this sort of a character isn’t enough to make you rush to the library and pick up this book, wait until you hear about her adventures.
On one of the days when they’re not raiding department store “tester” perfumes, Georgie and Jas go off to flirt with some cashiers at the fruit and vegetables store. Enter Tom and Robbie, the very attractive brothers who have these girls hung up on lust for a whole year. But they’re not obsessed, they have more important things to think about, like not bursting out laughing in morning assemblies, and pulling shenanigans with their gigantic group of girlfriends.
The story is set in a town consumed by rowhouses and small clusters of stores. We also get a glimpse at Georgie’s all-girls-school, with its hill in the front and tennis courts in the back.
The theme of this book is falling in love, as are many a teenage drama. We also read about Georgie’s maturing process, and her competition with a personal rival for something very important to her.
For a book to brighten a dull day (perhaps Easter break at your grandma’s) I strongly recommend Angus, Thongs and Full-Frontal Snogging.
March 19th, 2008 at 4:09 pm
Title: The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian
Written by: Sherman Alexie
D.O.P.: 2007
The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian, sounds like an odd book right? Well, it is, but it also exciting and mind-boggling. It shows that people with Native American backgrounds are still occasionally treated as second-rate citizens. Or they are not treated equally. Arnold describes what it is like to be a descendant of the Indians, and how it feels to be a poor boy just trying to get out.
Arnold Spirit Jr. is a boy who is at the very bottom end of the totem pole, literally. He’s that skinny kid who has the thick, lopsided glasses, huge hands and feet and an enormous skull. Oh yeah and to top it off, he has a lisp and a stutter. You wouldn’t think life could get any worse, right? Well it does, Arnold lives at the Spokane Indian Reservation where nobody gets to fulfill his or her dreams. Nobody had the money to do what they wanted to do, so they just gave up and tried to make enough money to put food on the table, but that doesn’t always happen.
His community is filled with poverty, alcoholism and mini powwows and Arnold is sick of it. He’s sick of being beat up, being poor and not being understood. There are a few positive perks in his life though: his grandmother is always there for him to give love and advice. And at least he has one friend, Rowdy. Rowdy might be the meanest, toughest kid ever but he understands and protects Arnold. They both love cartoons and Arnold shows his passion of drawing by depicting and emphasizing different events that take place through out this book.
One day during school Arnold gets fed up about not being able to succeed in life with a poorly-funded school, so he makes a life altering choice: to switch schools. He enrolls into Reardon High, a top-notch school that is 22 miles away from the “rez”. After getting over the fact that everyone is going to beat up the odd Indian nerd, Arnold actually starts to enjoy school. He does well in class, makes new friends (including his new girlfriend Penelope) and joins the basketball team.
Arnold goes though numerous ordeals and experiences life at a whole new perspective, a life that his family and community are not accustomed to. It was like Arnold was living two separate lives and his tribe did not like it. They felt betrayed and thought Arnold was running away from his heritage. Arnold did what he had to do, and there’s nothing they could do about it. That’s the life of a Part-Time Indian, and that’s the truth.
March 24th, 2008 at 5:01 pm
Title: So Yesturday
Author: Scott Westerfild
D.O.P: 2007
So Yesturday is a very interesting fun read for many teens, a book I would LOVE to read in school. Scott Westerfeild takes you into the life of a seventeen-year-old girl and boy named Hunter and Jen they take you on a journy through good times and life threatning bad times. And the best part is that all this started with a shoelace!
The main character Hunter who is named throughout the book “cool hunter”—a trendsetter whose job is to find the “latest thing” in the teen world and make it known to everyone as a “must-have” meets a girl named Jen who is said to be a Innovator(defined as the first person to finds something new and supports it) when she dazzles Hunter with her unique way of tying shoelaces.
Hunter takes Jen(who he only knew for a few moments) to a focus group to watch a shoe commericals. Jen then tells Hunters boss some useful information and insightful comments that Hunters boss Mandy asks Jen and Hunter to meet her for lunch in China Town to talk about a big deal. Mandy doesnt meet Hunter and Jen but her phone keeps ringing ominously inside an unused building. Where did Mandy go?
If you like action this book would be great for you on a cold rainy day becuase theres lots of action going on with the two teenagers who travel around New york to discover where Mandy Hunters boss had gone and if there really is a killer. Mixed in with all this action, there is alittle romance for those of you who like that.,Hunter and Jen seem to become close but in what way good,or bad? So Yesturday has its twists and turns, good parts and bad parts but all in all i give Scott Westerfeild and So Yesurday two thumbs up for a great book and i recommend it to those of you who are sick of boring stories and want an action filled romantic filled book.
March 31st, 2008 at 6:59 pm
Title: Born To Rock
Author: Gordon Korman
D.O.P: 2006
Straight A’s, Harvard Bound, Young Republican. These are not words easily associated with Punk Rock, Hardcore, or Smashing through windows on a motorcycle and a samurai sword. 17-year-old Leo Caraway has his ticket punched for early acceptance into Harvard. That is until his dark, gothic friend Melinda asks him to help out her friend Owen who just so happened to score a 180 on an IQ test making him a certified genius, with factors. When the big test arrives Leo has all his hopes and dreams taken away because he is accused of cheating. All because Mr. Borman is Anti-Gay and would love to fail Owen.
With not nearly enough money to pay for Harvard now Leo finally brings the truth out of his mother about his real father. King Maggot, a punk rock god. When his mother was young she spent a whirlwind of a night with the rock legend and that’s how Leo came to be. Leo’s only way out is to ask King for the tuition money. He spends the next few weeks learning about his biological father and even gets kicked out of the Concussed Tours Press Conference. With a call from King’s manager Leo becomes a junior roadie and follows the tour around. With wild adventures in cities like Denver, Kansas City, and Las Vegas, King and Leo become closer as father and son. Intimidated at first by King’s past can he over come his prejudgments? With the most well known theme of “Don’t Judge a Book by its Cover” this book clearly displays this in all forms imaginable
When everything seems perfect, the most tragic event happens to crush Leo’s dreams again. With Melinda and Owen can Leo over come life on tour with punk rock’s most infamous band? With his college career on the line what is he willing to go through?
An overall action packed adventure, this book is a sure read. If punk rock or even rock n’ roll is not your pick of the crop this book is still a rainy day reader. With Gordan Korman’s creative writing style any form of reader will enjoy this book.
April 3rd, 2008 at 3:45 pm
Title: Girls in Pants
Author: Anne Brashares
D.O.P: 2005
The girls are back in Girls in Pants in a fun and action packed story of frienship and love in this continuation of the Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants series. Carmen, Tibby, Bridget and Lena are who they’ve always been, but this time, they’re older, more mature, and wiser (well, not Bridget) but a long train events begins at their high school graduation, right up to the time when they go their seperate ways, and head off to four different colleges.
For Carmen, some knowledge that she discovers leaves something in her not wanting to leave for college in Mass, and caring for Lena’s crazy Greek grandmother who is trapped in the US. Lena starts off the summer with a blazing argument with her father (that lasts the entire summer) over a drawing class mishap. Tibby learns a few things about taking leaps, and a lot about herself. Meanwhile, Bridget is off coaching at a soccor camp, where she encounters an old “friend” and inadvertently wins the heart of one of her players. Weird, right? She and Tibby also learn what it means to love, and to be loved.
Most of this story takes place in Bethesda, Maryland, though Bridget’s portion takes place in rural Pennsylvania at a soccor camp.
Most teenage girls with nothing elso to read, or just wants to curl up in a comfy chair with tea, this book to love and laughs is just the thing needed to enjoy an otherwise long or lonely evening at home with the cat.
April 7th, 2008 at 2:30 pm
Title: The Seeing Stone
Author: Kevin Crossley=Holland
D.O.P: 2001
Arthur de Caldicot is 13 years old living in the year1199 just before the fourth crusade. Arthur must go through many obstacles and the stress of living in medieval. Young Arthur aspires to be a knight but, he does not do well in his yard-skills (particually jousting and swordplay). He does not do well at jousting and swordplay because he is left handed which is consided to be dangerous oddity in Medieval times and so if forced to practice with his right hand.
Another obstacle is that he is the second son of a knight. Making him ineligble of any land his father might have. In addition to all this a strange and powerful character called Merlin gives Arthur the Seeing Stone, which allows him to see the rise and power of the mythical King Arthur.
Their are many twists and turns and I do not want to spoil the ending so go read this engrossing novel yourself!
April 7th, 2008 at 2:34 pm
Title: The Seeing Stone
Author: Kevin Crossley=Holland
D.O.P: 2001
Arthur de Caldicot is 13 years old living in the year1199 just before the fourth crusade. Arthur must go through many obstacles and the stress of living in medieval. Young Arthur aspires to be a knight but, he does not do well in his yard-skills (particually jousting and swordplay). He does not do well at jousting and swordplay because he is left handed which is consided to be dangerous oddity in Medieval times and so if forced to practice with his right hand.
Another obstacle is that he is the second son of a knight. Making him ineligble of any land his father might have. In addition to all this a strange and powerful character called Merlin gives Arthur the Seeing Stone, which allows him to see the rise and power of the mythical King Arthur. Sir John, Arthur’s father says to Arthur: “Who we are isn’t only a matter of blood; it’s what we make of ourselves. And you, Arthur, are fit to be a king!” This is of course the theme of the book, that what we make of ourselves is what we are.
Their are many twists and turns and I do not want to spoil the ending so go read this engrossing novel yourself!
April 9th, 2008 at 5:13 pm
In the novel, Harry Potter and the Sorcerers Stone, Harry is the main character who has 2 friends that are very close to him. His friends are Ronald Weasley and Hermonie Granger. They help Harry when he is in a tight spot. Harry who is a boy who lived from a dark curse and now has a scar on his head that burns when the dark lord is present or near him. He overcomes many challenges.
It all starts when Harry got a letter. Never before he ever got one adressed to him. It says that he is a magician. His uncle and aunt doesn’t like that. Harry goes to become a wizard. He finds it complicated. Many magics to learn and evils to stop. He goes after someone who he thinks is bad, but was wrong. He helps destroy the evil person and return peace to Hogwarts.
April 14th, 2008 at 9:14 pm
The Seeing Stone by Kevin Crossley-Holland was well reviewed. The part of the blog that most caught my attention though was that the main character is left handed. I too am left handed, and although I have never done any medieval jousting or sword fighting, I can relate to Arthur because this truely is a right handed world. Also, the lesson in the book is an important one, about making something out of yourself not because of who your family is, but because of what you are capable of achieving. Anybody can do anything, as long as they work for it and honestly believe that it is possible. This sounds like an interesting book, one that I would definitely like to read.
April 16th, 2008 at 4:14 pm
In his remarkable novel, The Perks of Being a Wallflower, Stephen Chbosky tells the story of a new high school student named Charlie. He has been through a lot in his life so far, like losing loved ones, and there is much more to come to this emotional boy. With starting his freshman year of high school, meeting new people, and being introduced to new things, Charlie has a lot on his plate, and is compelled to let it all out. However, he also needs someone to listen. Stephen Cbosky lets the reader listen to Charlie vent all of his feelings, wants, desires, and obstacles in life. He tells stories both funny and devistating, and jokes both good and bad. In his letters to the reader Charlie says things that most of us keep bottled up inside, and undergoes a magnificent journey from a naive freshman boy, to an experienced warm-hearted friend who can always make you feel infinate.
April 16th, 2008 at 6:27 pm
Girls in Pants, the third novel in the series Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants looks interesting and equally enjoyable. All though I have not read any of the series’ books, I have seen the movie so I have a slight insight of the first summer. This novel sounds like the girls have grown up a bit since that first summer and are still learning about life, themselves and each other. It shows where the four girls paths cross and where they are headed after high school. I would love to find out what antics are shown in Girls in Pants and where Carmen and her girlfriends end up. I most definitely would like to read this series and see how Anne Brashares portrays all of her characters.
April 18th, 2008 at 6:53 pm
In the novel Fly on the Wall, by E. Lockhart the author tells you a story about a girl, Gretchen Yee. She attends a school in Manhattan for arts. She’s a very ordinary girl. She’s also the type of girl who sits alone at lunch, drawing pictures of spider man so she won’t have to talk to anyone. She only has one real friend, Katya, and when she’s busy she has no one to hang out with. Gretchen has a crush on this boy named Titus; however she won’t do anything about it. Gretchen wishes that she could be a fly on the wall of the boy’s locker room. The next morning she wakes up as just that. She wakes up stuck to the locker wall and stays there for most of the novel. Gretchen observes the boys as they come and go for gym class. The book is separated into three parts: Life as an artificial red head, life as a vermin, and life as a superhero. I’m not going to tell you what happens in the end of the book, you’ll just have to pick up a copy for yourself.
I like Gretchen’s character a lot. She’s going to a school where everyone tries to be special, however she’s just ordinary. She’s a comic book fan which makes her fun to read about. I’d greatly recommend this book. Gretchen is a very unique character which made the book very interesting. i think that any type of reader would enjoy this book.
April 18th, 2008 at 6:59 pm
The novel, The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky sounds like a great book. This book seems like it would teach you how to express your feelings, and looks like a book that would be interesting for any reader. i would like to read this book. and maybe even check out other books by Stephen Chbosky.
April 18th, 2008 at 7:31 pm
The theme of the book Harry Potter and the Sorcerers Stone is not everyone in the world is going to like you. Many students don’t like you in particular. Harry finds that out, when he saw a boy picking on someone else and stops it. Harry hates people who picks on others.
April 18th, 2008 at 7:38 pm
In the book The Seeing Stone by Kevin Crossley, Authur is the main character who faces many dangers. Looks like he can’t fight because he is left-handed. When a righty meets with a lefty, they don’t fight. They just cancel each other out. Well, this book is really good. It caught my eyes that a stone can actually help you, in the book.
April 19th, 2008 at 4:06 pm
Title: Wide Awake
Author: David Levithan
D.O.P.: 2006
Not too far into the future, America is about to elect its first homosexual Jewish president, and Duncan is positively ecstatic. He and his boyfriend, Jimmy, had been waiting for this moment ever since Abraham Stein announced his bid for the presidency.
But Stein had won by only one state: Kansas, the conservative governer of which demands a recount when he sees that Stein has won the presidency. Hoardes of people are now gathering to Kansas to protest, Duncan and Jimmy among them. But the opposing party has supported the governer’s demand for a recount, and the conservatives who are against Stein are also gathering in Kansas. Who will come out on top?
I was originally skeptical about this book, for the mere reason that I thought it was a bit out there. “America would never elect a gay Jewish president,” I thought. But in the 60s people were convinced that Americans would never elect a Catholic president, yet JFK is considered one of America’s greatest presidents despite his relative inexperience and his Catholic faith. To bring things into a more modern perspective, people today are convinced that America would never elect a black president or a female president, yet the two Democratic candidates are a black man, Barack Obama, and a woman, Hillary Clinton.
The politics of “Wide Awake” are a big issue today, especially with the current presidential race and the issue of how badly the electoral college and the possible use of superdelegates is going to mess up the election this year (see also: Florida, 2000). Though David Levithan is very obviously biased toward liberals, “Wide Awake” is an interesting read for those who, like me, are interested in politics and/or just like seeing two guys together.
April 22nd, 2008 at 8:53 am
Title: The Boy from the Basement
Author: Susan Shaw
Date of Publication: 2004
Have you ever read a novel and then at the end felt sad, sad that the story had to stop? This is how you would feel when you finish “The Boy in the Basement”. This novel has such an involved plot, in-depth characters, and a great theme that everyone can benefit from and that makes this novel worthwhile.
The novel first starts out with the main character; Charlie, alone in a basement, which is cold, wet, and filled with spiders. One spider in particular seems to not really be a spider but a figment of Charlie’s imagination expressing his fear toward… but this all changes when Charlie sneaks out of the basement and, locking himself out of the house, is forced to survive in a world that he never learned about, outside.
This novel has a different kind of unique writing style than most other books. Susan Shaw must have experienced these feelings herself to be about to write them with such a passion. When reading this novel you are so engrossed in the writings that you may find yourself reading when you should be working (maybe that’s why I got a 70 on that Spanish test…).
“The Boy from the Basement” by Susan Shaw defiantly has my applause; the question is will it get yours too?
April 22nd, 2008 at 9:09 am
“Straight A’s, Harvard Bound, Young Republican. These are not words easily associated with Punk Rock, Hardcore, or Smashing through windows on a motorcycle and a samurai sword.”
Did you need to say anything else Kyle? Born To Rock looks great! I thought making a comment on someone else’s blog was going to be hard, but you made it easy with your great review. The diverse characters and music inspired novel seems to me like a must read, without even picking it up. Thanks for the amazing review that is making me go out and buy a copy of “Born To Rock”.
April 23rd, 2008 at 11:35 am
The Catcher in the Rye is a remarkable book, but there is something specific that sets it apart from most other novels. It is difficult to explain, but the best way to describe it is that rather than simply telling a story, with the narrator telling about events in his life, the Catcher in the Rye does something more. Holden Caulfield (the main character/narrator) talks about past events in his life which have resulted in his being placed in a mental hospital, which is where he is writing from. He also gives his opinions on many topics, especially the people in his life. Among these people are his fellow students at Pencey Prep, the school he attended (only for a short time though, because it is revealed early in the story that he has flunked out of the school, and will soon be leaving). He describes his former roommate, Stradlater, and a young man in the next room over from them, whom Caulfield somewhat affectionately refers to as “Old Ackley.” He has the same attitude to the pupils and professors at his school as he of does to many others: they are, according to him, “phonies.” This is to say that they are stuck up and shallow, and not thoughtful, which is clearly a trait that Caulfield values.
Upon being kicked out of the school located in Agerstwon, Pennsylvania, the main character begins a short journey. He visits a couple of teachers from previous educational experiences and meets up with some friends from his past in New York City. He goes to many extremes to avoid having to go home and break the news of his being expelled to his parents. During this time, Holden Caulfield allows us to read about some of his random thoughts, including one that comes to him as he strolls through Central Park. Of all the sights to see in this extensive park, the hopelessly curious main character cannot take his mind off the ducks that are swimming in a small pond. He wonders, “Where do they go in the winter, when the pond has frozen over?” By sharing this thought, it is almost implied that the narrator has a sort of trust for the reader and has developed a sort of intimate relationship with him or her throughout the novel, the likes of which are not mirrored in many other works of literature, if any.
Although many characters are introduced who Holden dislikes, there is one unlikely person in his life who he has a special bond with, and that is his younger sister Phoebe. He admires Phoebe because she is a mature girl for her young age of 10, and like him, she is unusually thoughtful. The main character is so close to his sister that at one point, he sneaks into his house in the middle of the night just to talk to her, risking being caught by his parents, who would then discover that he flunked out of yet another school.
His main problem, of course, is that he doesn’t care. There are people in the story who tell him that he should get his life in order and take school more seriously, but at first he does not heed their warnings. As he tells his story, many thoughts rush in and out of his head. He goes from being extremely depressed at some times to being ecstatically happy at other times. He goes from being completely drunk and calling people in a drunken stupor to sitting in Central Park taking care of his sister like a responsible young man. While experiencing such extreme highs and lows might change most people greatly, Holden Caulfield is barely affected. He remains what he always was: an opinionated, stubborn high-school aged teen. But his wit, charm, and ability to make the reader think about matters which they never considered to be worth any thought are marvelous and original, because in a way, Holden Caulfield has something that all of us want. He is his own person, and he cares about what he deems important, and nothing else. After being introduced to this young man, small items in my life have taken on new meaning. I’ve never thought about it, but now I can’t help but wonder along with Holden, “Where DO all the Central Park ducks go in the winter?”
April 23rd, 2008 at 11:38 am
this book is a narrative of the past, but i wrote the review as if the main character was telling about events that were happening to him in the present
April 23rd, 2008 at 1:50 pm
Title: It’s kind of a funny story
Author: Vizzini, Ned
D.O.P: 2006
It’s kind of a funny story, by Ned Vizzini is an amazing novel that shows the true meaning of being strong even in the toughest situations. Along with the pressure of getting into a top-notch school, Craig Gilner must deal with all sorts of peer pressures along the way. His decisions later affect him as his attempt at suicide leads him to a psychiatric hospital. This hospital really opens Craig’s eyes as he meets many people who later become his companions. In the midst of all the chaos, Craig settles down to repeat one of his childhood memories; drawing maps. As he goes on with this, the maps get more complex and meaningful.
I’ve never read about a character with a more intricate view on life. As his life speeds ahead, Craig learns the most important lessons. His mind is constantly working, trying to figure out the meaning of every little thing. He is a smart boy who just needed to sort things out. This book is a must for any reader interested in learning about depression, suicide, and life itself. go read it!
April 23rd, 2008 at 1:57 pm
The Seeing Stone by Kevin Crossley-Holland was a well reviewed book, one that I definitely look forward to reading myself. It seems as if this is a book about accepting yourself for who you are, along with it being an adventurous novel. The medieval times also interest me, so I think I will pick up this book and read it!
April 23rd, 2008 at 8:01 pm
The Catcher in the Rye sounds like a good book to read, for the great book review caught my attention. Holden Caulfield was portrayed beautifully as a teenager who doesn’t let anybody or anything distract him. From what it sounds like, the main character probably wouldn’t be stressed out much, since he would just shake off his problems. This “shake-it-off” attitude is what most teenagers need today, because stress can damage your life. This book sounds like a good one to read over the summer.
April 23rd, 2008 at 8:47 pm
I never really was interested in reading “The Catcher in the Rye” despite it being considered a “classic”, but reading the review above is making me curious about it. The line about the ducks especially intrigues me–it seems almost as if the narrator is speaking to the reader, rather than at them. I definitely want to look into that novel now.
April 24th, 2008 at 11:54 am
Born to Rock by Gordon Korman seems like a great book. The plot of a Harvard student with a punk rock father is very compelling and i can not wait to get my hands on this book.
April 24th, 2008 at 4:11 pm
The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian sounds like the quirky book for a rainy day at home. I read all the time, and am running out of books at the library…as most of my friends have loved it, i cant wait to get my hands on it
April 24th, 2008 at 4:13 pm
Angus, Thongs, and Full-frontal Snogging is a positively endearing read perfect for any teenage girl looking for a book of gossip, and some fluff. I recommend this book for any teenage girl looking for a laugh!
April 25th, 2008 at 4:13 pm
Trigger, a book written by Susan Vaught, deals with suicide and how it can affect your life and the lives of others.
17 year old Jersey Hatch had many things going good for him. He was a great athlete, was a straight A student, and had a girlfriend. For some reason, none of that was good enough for him. One night, he took his father’s pistol and tried to commit suicide. However, he did not succeed in dying, but he succeeded in messing his brain, body, relationships, and his life.
Throughout this book, Jersey tries to piece back his broken life. With the help of his family, his friend Leza, and mentor Mama Rush, he finds the reason for which he shot himself in the first place. Also, he throws away the temptation of finishing off his life with his father’s pistol that is still hidden in his house. This book shows how suicide is not the answer to anything, it only makees things worse.
This book was an excellent one to read, it keeps your attention throughout the book
April 26th, 2008 at 11:07 am
In the novel Long Gone Daddy, written by Helen Hemphill, the protagonist Harlan Q takes an eccentric journey, aiming for Las Vegas. To start off, Harlan Q and his father do not really get along. Harlan Q’s father is a very religious man, and his wife follows in his footsteps. For every delightful moment that happens, Harlan Q’s family thanks the higher power for bringing it to them.
The whole point of traveling to Las Vegas was for Harlan O, Harlan Q’s grandfather. He left Las Vegas and went to visit Harlan O and Paps, Harlan O’s son, but passed away when he got to their town. Since Harlan O had spent so much time in Las Vegas, his son, Harlan Q’s father, said that he might roast in damnation. That’s because Paps thinks that only bad things occur in Las Vegas.
When Paps has a very fascinating call with Harlan O’s attorney, he tells Paps about the inheritance he is left with, which are fifty thousand dollars, and an Eldorado convertible. No matter how amazing it sounds, Paps does not want it, because he doesn’t know how Harlan O had received so much money, and the car.
When Harlan Q and his father were on their trip to Las Vegas, where Harlan O had chose to be buried, they run into Warrior. Warrior really is an interesting character, he is very down-to-earth. During this voyage Warrior and Paps get along well, and Harlan Q learns a lot from the conversations they have.
This novel is really heroic, especially when you have mixed thoughts of your religion, and life. It expresses impressive quotes and judgments, it actually cleared things up for me, and it makes you really think about your actions.
Date of Publication: 2006.
April 26th, 2008 at 11:16 am
From what I just read, Angus, Thongs and Full-Frontal Snogging sounds really amazing. It just comes off as something that teenage girls really do and go through, or they would love to do. I want to read it!
April 26th, 2008 at 12:16 pm
Title: Freshman
Author: Michael Gerber
DOP: 2007
What does it take to be “elite”? Do you have to be rich or famous? Hart Fox is not famous and he is definitely not rich but he does get into Stutts University which is one of the most prestigious universities in the world where many famous people, even presidents, went to college. That is actually only partially true. He would have gotten accepted into Stutts with his grades and résumé but Burlington Darlington III decides he wants his son, who could never get into Sutts on his own, to go to there because it will help his campaign for governor. He donates some money to the university and that is all it takes for his son, Trip, to steal Hart’s spot in Stutts. However, Hart outwits Burlington into getting him into Stutts and even paying for his tuition as long as he keeps Trip in school.
Being at Stutts introduces an experience that cannot be found anywhere else. For example, you may think that it is a different world because the math department actually thinks the number nine doesn’t exist and an English professor could find out that a pot-bellied pig wrote all of Shakespeare’s plays, secret societies and conspiracies. Hart sees this strange new world as an opportunity at a fresh start to be more popular. His popularity is actually headed the other way as he becomes labeled “the mad ‘pisser’”.
After Burlington becomes governor he decides he doesn’t care whether Trip stays in school and doesn’t make him look bad. Burlington even decides to get even with Hart after making him pay for his tuition. He actually gets some frat guys to try to kill him. Hart doesn’t know about the whole dying thing but he is very worried about paying his tuition so he decides to get a job in the library. His job is going pretty well and he even meets a preppy vampire, Tabitha, at work and they start to date. Yes a preppy vampire, that’s not a typo. She is actually very helpful and supportive to Hart. She has all sorts of connections with powerful and famous people, from mobsters to celebrities. Who knew being a vampire was so cool?
Hart and Tabitha are part of an unpopular magazine, “The Cuckoo”. The members of “The Cuckoo” do crazy things to make money for the magazine and for Hart. One such attempt to get money is to stage a play in which all of the actors and actresses are naked throughout the play. So, who turns out to be elite this group of students that have the courage and creativity to pull these types of things off or the man who was born rich and cons people? What is going to happen to Hart Fox through his crazy adventures? Is he going to get arrested, killed or become undead? You have to read this book to find out.
April 26th, 2008 at 12:16 pm
Title: Rock Star Superstar
Author: Blake Nelson
D.O.P: 2004
Who would you classify as a Rockstar Superstar? Perhaps the singer of your favorite band is because he or she can sing lyrics that sooth you. Maybe, you assume that you are a Rockstar when you can earn one hundred and fifty dollars on Guitar Hero by playing a song to buy your character a new spiked belt. However, magazines that write about a singer or video games such as guitar hero never show what happens between the lines in a rockstar’s life. Relationships with friends, family, and companions tend to be ignored. This introduces arguments leading to consequences. Welcome to the life of a Rockstar Superstar!
Music is Pete’s life which is essential to be a rockstar superstar. Pete is a high school senior who is trying to deduct his destiny. His life starts out pretty simple. He is a regular high school senior like many in the nation who take life very easily. He is not the brightest kid in the class by far and neither is he the dumbest. He is just normal. However, he has one unique talent within him which he has fun doing. That is playing his Fender Precision Bass. He has fun with it even when he is up at two o’clock in the morning jamming with his rock induced dad. Or, he may just be attending his school jazz band practice. Could this bass playing talent lead to a profession? Unlike many kids in the world, Pete doesn’t care about playing with a band in the hottest clubs or even “getting” the hottest girls. Nevertheless, the one thing he does care about is the quality of his music. But approaching senior year, everything is about to change.
During his junior year, Pete and some of his friends started a small band where they practiced about twice a week. They named the band “Mad Skillz”. Soon, they started playing small gigs like school dances. Once they got an opportunity to play in a birthday party. The gig went well, but some of the band members were disappointed about the pay and started blaming it on each other. This wasn’t the end of the band but more of a short break. In Pete’s jazz band, there is only one other senior and his name was Kevin. He was the drummer. A few days after the argument in “Mad Skillz”, Kevin asks Pete to play with him in his own band with the Carslie Brothers. Kevin says that Billy Carslie is the real deal and that Pete should play with him. At first, Pete just thinks that the Carslie brothers are just rich kids goofing off. Eventually, his dad tells him that by attending a practice, he might learn something new. At first, Pete rejects the sound of music that the band makes but after a few rehearsals, Pete finds something amazing in the sound that the band plays and is hooked. Starting with small gigs, they change their name to “The Tiny Masters of Today”. As their talent grows, so does their fan group. They release a hit single called Rockstar Superstar. Eventually, the song becomes a massive hit that they travel to Seattle to meet with a record company wanting to sign them, but first the “Tiny Masters of Today” must play at a big club and show their worth. Approaching to take their spot is a MTV rip-off band call “Boys Town”. Will the Tiny Masters of Today finally get a record deal? Will they really achieve the rank of Rock star Superstars?
Throughout all this hysteria with his band, Pete deals with his new and first real girlfriend. Margret, a girl who one day sits with him on a bus ride to the mall helps him find new shoes. Then even thought at first despising it, he asks her out on a date. Can Pete handle a girlfriend along with being a band member? Eventually, the conversation about sex occurs between Margret and Pete. What decisions do they make as a couple? Can Pete reject the hot girls following him in clubs that he plays at? Will his relationship last? Read the book and find out! Take the journey in what it must be like to be a rockstar superstar.
April 26th, 2008 at 12:47 pm
Title: Fat kid rules the world
Author: K. L. Going
D.O.P: 2003
Fat kid rules the world, wow, what a dumb title. That is what I thought when i picked it up but then i started reading. The title of the novel makes it sound silly and do not get me wrong, there are plenty of laughs in the book, but there are some very serious discussions. On the first page Troy, the main character, thinks about committing suicide!
The setting is Manhattan, New York. It starts with Troy in front of a subway train stop, thinking if he should jump when it comes, and then he starts to talk about himself, how he is a 300 pound, seventeen year old fat kid with a crew cut and a pessimistic outlook on life. But then he gets distracted by some kid who looks really disgusting sitting down, hunched against a wall at the station. The kid talks him out of taking his life, and they go out to lunch. To Troy’s surprise, the kid turns out to be local legend Curt MacCrae (a legend of punk rock in town).
Troy brings Curt home and to save him from having to tell his dad about suicide, Curt steps in and tells Troy’s father that they are starting a band, called Rage / Tectonics. But there is one problem, Troy does not know how to play the drums.
The story was great and i personally enjoyed it a lot. The novel kept me intrigued because it does reflect the culture of today’s teens, dealing with real problems. It makes the reader visualize the events of the story and feel as if they are watching it happen. I highly recommend Fat kid rules the world to anyone (13 or older because of the content).
April 26th, 2008 at 12:52 pm
The seeing stone looks like a great novel to read, I might have to go pick it up for a read during the summer, medieval times are a ton of fun and this sounds like a good story about Arthur as a boy
April 27th, 2008 at 9:15 am
CROW LAKE
Mary Lawson
January 2003
A unique place, whether real or imagined, fills you with excitement. Mary Lawson’s novel CROW LAKE is a special book that shows the power of sibling relationships. The tragic event of their parents’ passing binds them together. Then, changes in their lives result in conflict within the family. It is interesting to explore nature and the emotions of family members in the novel. However, sometimes it is difficult to remember prior occurrences, for the time period shifts from the past to the present throughout the novel.
Kate Morrison is growing up in northern Ontario in the early 1900s. In her family, the showing of emotions is not well looked upon. Farming families strive for education. Kate has the opportunity to go to school regularly and eventually becomes a zoologist. During her childhood, she goes many times to the ponds on the other side of the railroad tracks with Matt, her brother. She is amazed by the numerous organisms that live there. He teaches her about their movements and the relationships that they have with their surrondings. As an adult, Kate studies snapping turtles, pond skates, and water oatman in her work. It is interesting to explore nature and the feelings of family members.
Kate’s parents die when Kate is merely seven. Matt is seventeen. Luke is nineteen. Bo is one and a half. When they are left parentless, the relatives want to split them up. However, Luke decides that he will stay home and raise Kate and Bo. He gives up a place at a teachers’ college in order to keep the family together. Matt, the smart one, will continue on in school and most likely win a scholarship. They will both work when they can. Thus, starts a year of many new experiences. Luke and Matt fight over the decisions that they make for the family. Luke injures Matt during an argument. Bo and Kate are present during the fight. It takes awhile to rebuild trust. Matt wins a scholarship to a university. He has a relationship with Marie Pye, who faces extreme family troubles. Laurie, Marie’s brother, dies when he falls on the blade of the plow during a fight between him and his father. Matt’s hope for the university falls short due to Marie having his baby, which necessitates him marrying her. He then takes over the Pye farm to support his new family.
Matt has had to find peace in his decision. Luke and Matt have a strong relationship as adults. Matt and Kate have a strained relationship, though. Will a journey to the ponds ensue? I recommend reading this book to answer this question.
April 27th, 2008 at 10:35 am
Title: Rewind
Author: Jan Page
D.O.P: 2005
“Rewind” is an exciting and brain turning book. The entirety of the book is broken up into three parts. Play mode, Rewind mode, and Fast Forward mode. The book begins in play mode where the main theme and plot of the story is set. Pretty much, there is a boy name Liam who wishes to make a band with his two friends C.J and Daz. His plan is to have C.J on guitar, Daz on keyboards, and he would play drums. So they begin there journey of learning to use there newly found talents. Soon after they gain a vocalist named Gemma, and their band is complete.
After a while the band finds that they are ready to compete against other bands.. so they join a contest called “The Battle of the Bands.” Unfortunatly there is somewhat of an accident that occurs during their performance at the contest…
This is where rewind mode begins. Liam finds himself back in 1986. The time when his parents where his age, six months before he was born. He finds out that his parents had a band just like he did and that no one could see him, hear him, or touch him except for a few select people. One of which being this young man named Willy. Liam learns that Willy was once a part of his parents band but was outcasted by the rest of the band members. This is where the problems begin. Liam figures out that the only reason he was sent to the past was to save the life of his mother and fathers best friend Murph. He believes that if he can do that, his life in the present would become a whole lot better. But the only contact he has with the real world is Willy. He finds that it was going to be all that more dificult to fix the problem. Oh, and on top of that, his mom is preagnant, with him. Only, she wants an abortion.
After he completes (or doesn’t complete) his task in the past, Fast-Forward mode begins. He finds himself back in his own time, after being in a coma for nine weeks. This is when he begins to find out about the true dealings that went on in his parents past and whether his parents band stayed together, what happened to Murph, and even… Who his real father was.
April 27th, 2008 at 10:56 am
Straight A’s, Harvard Bound,and Young Republican are certainly words that one would not associate with punk rock or hardcore. That fact in its entirety makes me want to read this book even more. King Maggot is the name of his dad? Believe me when I say that any book that has a character named King Maggot certainly deserves my attention. I noticed that the book was written by Gordan Korman. Formerly, I read the book Interstellar Pig which was also written by Gordan Korman. I enjoyed reading the book due to its intense plot which kept me interested. Due to the fascinating review, I have held high hopes for Gordan Korman’s Born to Rock and plan on reading it in the near future. Man, am I pumped!
April 27th, 2008 at 5:34 pm
I consider decisions to be a difficult part of life. I would have trouble making the decision that Arnold has to make in THE ABSOLUTELY TRUE DIARY OF A PART-TIME INDIAN. Alicia DeGraw’s review of Sherman Alexie’s novel is very thorough. The novel is interesting for it incorporates a continued conflict with Native Americans and the United States government. Arnold chooses to attend a school off of the reservation because he believes he is entitled to a good education. I think it is inspiring that Arnold is making a stand for the rights of Native Americans. This is a book that I would enjoy reading.
April 27th, 2008 at 6:51 pm
Title: Pirates
Author: Celia Rees
D.O.P: 2005
A treasure hunt would sum it up in too little words, insult the integrity, and leave out the more important story. A story of love and discovering one’s self. Pirates tells the Journey of a girl by the name of Nancy Kington, throughout the novel she discovers that there is more than black and white. In every challenge there is something to be gained or learned.
At the age of fifteen, Nancy’s father passes away. To make this circumstance even more difficult the family business suffers a deadly blow. Everything that she has known for her entire life is about to be changed. Her belongings are packed up and she is sent across the world to Jamaica to live on her family’s plantation. No matter how many miles from home she is sent one person will never leave her mind, William, her childhood sweetheart and fiancé. Throughout her entire journey Nancy’s goal is to escape from Captain Bartholome, or as she calls him the Brazilian, who she is supposed to marry, and begin a life with her true love. If only it was that simple. Captain Bartholome is a man who will not let a woman whom he has wagered so much for in saving her family’s business abscond. Subsequently when she runs away with two slaves he follows in pursuit across the world and back to get her.
In running away Nancy looses the only family she has left, or so she thought. Minerva Sharpe one of the two slaves Nancy brought with her bares a secret that binds the two girls together. They are half sisters. Together they journey across the world as pirates hoping to discover a new life. Will Nancy and William reunite or will Boartholome fulfill her nightmares and murder her? The novel keeps the reader in suspense to the very last word. If you want to know Nancy’s fate head over to the library and the read this novel for yourself. Every chapter will captivate your mind and leave you wanting more.
Other great works by Celia Rees are Witch Child and Sorceress. If you loved this one you will love those too!
April 27th, 2008 at 7:23 pm
Title of book: Hoops
Author: Walter Dean Myers
D.O.P: April 1983
The novel Hoops is a very inspiring book. This book is about a boy from Harlem named Lonnie who plays basketball for a street team and wants to play basketball in the NBA (National basketball Association). Lonnie has to deal with a lot in Harlem between fights and arguing with his mother. When Lonnie and his mother weren’t getting along he would spend most of his days at the Grant, which was a runned down hotel he got a job at when he was 16.
In the beginning of the book Lonnie goes over to the basketball courts and a guy is there laying down. The guy wont get off the court and Lonnie thinks the guy smells like bad wine. Lonnie didn’t get along with this guy and he finally got him to leave. The next day Lonnie meets up with his Teammates and they tell him that there is a tournament they wanted to play in. In this tournament the rules said they had to have an older coach. The guy that his friends got too be the coach was the guy who was on the basketball courts that Lonnie was arguing with. Lonnie said he wouldn’t be on the team. The guy on the courts introduced his self as Cal. Cal challenged Lonnie too 1 on 1 and he said that if he wins Lonnie has to be on the team. Lonnie agrees and Cal wins the game of 1 on 1. Lonnie and Cal become good friends and Lonnie finds out that Cal used to be a professional basketball player. Lonnie finds out that Cal stopped playing pro basketball because of making bets and getting into fights. Cal coaches Lonnie’s team and you cant believe what happens so you will just have to read the book to find out the ending. I recommend this book to all athletes and basketball players or just people who want to read a really good book.
April 27th, 2008 at 8:09 pm
The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian is a hilarious book. Junior has such a terrible life, but he manages to stay optimistic with his silly comics, which help the reader keep from going out to the rez and helping him out, or at being his friend. Who cares if he’s not real, it’s a great book, and reading it will make someone as mean as Rowdy want to laugh and cry. I definitely recommend reading it!!
April 27th, 2008 at 8:11 pm
I agree, it is a really hilarious book.
April 28th, 2008 at 10:35 am
Title: Just Listen
Author: Sarah Dessen
D.O.P.: 2006
Just Listen is an excellent teen novel about a girl named Annabel Greene who, on the outside, looks like she has everything. After all, she has a happy looking family. Two older sisters and a mother and father. And she’s a model, appearing in various ads and on calendars. But if you really knew what was going on inside of Annabel, maybe you would think differently. One sister is in New York City, the other has an eating disorder, and she herself is still in turmoil about what happened to her at the beginning of the summer that caused her and her best friend, Sophie, to stop speaking. Then, she meets Owen Armstrong, a boy who seems entirely too obsessed with music and is all about being open and honest. Can he bring Annabel to talk about the thing she fears the most?
This books combines teen romance, family and friend issues and much more into a well blended story line. If you find yourself starting to read this book, I dare you to put it down. I am most certainly going to read more of Sarah Dessen’s work and I highly recomend that you do the same.
April 28th, 2008 at 1:57 pm
Born to Rock by Gordon Korman seems like a great book. Any book that overcomes so many strong stereotypes is definitely worth a read. Stereotypes seem to control our destinies in life. It feels like just looking at someone once for the first time in your life you can immediately realize what that person is destined to do in life. This book appears inspirational. It shows people that people can be whatever they want to be and they can do whatever pleases them. By the way this book is described, it seems one very fitting theme is that you control your own destiny, which is why many people can most likely relate with Leo throughout his journey.
April 28th, 2008 at 2:27 pm
In the novel Fly on the Wall, by E. Lockhart the author tells you a story about a girl who’s name is Gretchen Yee. She attends a school for arts located in Manhattan. She’s a very ordinary girl. She is one of those girls that like to sit alone at lunch, drawing pictures of spider man so she doesn’t have to talk with anyone. She has only one real friend, Katya, and when Katya is busy she has no one else to hang out with. Gretchen has a crush on a boy named Titus; however she isn’t the type of girl that will do anything about it. Gretchen wishes that she could be a fly on the wall of the boy’s locker room so she could see the boys without clothing. The next morning she wakes up, but as a fly on the locker room wall. When she wakes up she is stuck to the locker wall and stays there for most of the novel. Gretchen observes the boys as they come and go for their gym class. This novel is separated into three parts: Life as an artificial red head, life as a vermin, and life as a superhero. The ending is yours to figure out.
I like Gretchen’s character a lot. She goes to school everyday where everyone tries to be noticed but she is just ordinary. She’s has an interest in comic books, which makes her fun to read about. I’d greatly recommend this book. Gretchen is a very unique character which made the book very interesting. Any type of reader would enjoy this novel.
April 28th, 2008 at 2:36 pm
The novel, Just listen by Sarah Dessen sounds like a great book. This book seems like it would teach you not to judge people when you don’t know what they go home to every night. This book seems interesting to any reader. I think I may just have to read it.
April 28th, 2008 at 2:43 pm
“The Boy From the Basement” sounds like a very in dept book. The sense of being trapped in a basement with such horrifying creatues send shivers down your spine. Between the way that the basement was described and the way that this boy seems to imagine such things envelopes my mind with fear. This book sounds like the exciting, heart-stopping thriller that i would enjoy to read.
April 28th, 2008 at 4:12 pm
The Boy from the Basement by Susan Shaw sounds like the kind of novel i like to read. Even though im deathly afraid of spiders, the plot sounds interesting, and i cant wait to read it….hopefully i wont get a 70 on a spanish test because of it though.
April 28th, 2008 at 4:15 pm
The Boy from the Basement by Susan Shaw sounds like the kind of novel i like to read. Following Charlie through his journey from a cold danky basement to the unknown outside world seems intriguing. Even though im deathly afraid of spiders, the plot sounds interesting, and i cant wait to read it….(hopefully i wont get a 70 on a spanish test because of it though.)
April 28th, 2008 at 4:53 pm
title: Eragon
Author: Christopher Paolini
D.O.P.: 2003
Eragon is an excellent novel and I would highly recomend it to all loves of magic, dragons, and war. I can’t say that this is the best book ever written seeing that the only other books I’ve read were the Harry Potter books I can say that this is much better of a story and writing style then that of Harry Potter. I did not find it to be of any real importance or have some lesson to learn but just a enjoyable to read in spare time. I found it to be so good that i am reading the second book, Eldest, which i am naerly finished with only a few chapters left and can’t wait till the third book, brisingr, is released in August.
Eragon is a book about after fall of the riders (the humans and elves that were gifted to have a dragon and super natural powers that jobs were to up hold the law of the land) a mad man named Galibatorix whom killed all but the twelve riders who pledged their loyalty to him. Eragon while hunting for food to this poor farm family the only family left he finds a polished stone which hatches over night to a dragon thus the last dragon rider and bringing the last hope of restoring the old Alagaesia.
Along this journey many misfortions happen to Eragon like the deaths of nomerous people close to him, the incounter with the urgals (ram type humans) in yazuac which results in him learing about magic, the numerous incounters with the ra’zac (vary misterious and super power full beings) his imprisionment by the empire and leads to him having to save a dying elf, and this battles with durza the shade (being posesed by evil spirits) which even with a dragon he seem outmatched. As to whom dies, the out come of the battles, and the fate of the elf I shall not say.
The greatness of christopher’s is shown in how he brings an extent description of the land, Eragon’s hardships and pain, and the vary nature of how magic takes the same energy as if he did it by hand and how Eragon grows from a uneducated farm boy to a smart more mature yet still not fully grown seeing this book is a bildungsroman, and his discribtion of how the elves and dwarves how act, look, think, find important to their culture, and the believes of religion seems to bring them to life and to think that he was only in his late teens and he could write such a wonderous book. However i found the the plot shift from revenge on the ra’zac which seemed pointless of what he would do afterwards to a serious fight for his life and the elves to reach the varden (group of rebeles to stop the empire) alive seemed to large and dramatic for my taste however it seemed important.
As for the second book i did not find it to be as good as the first and as for books three and four I’ll just have to wait till they release and see how they compar to the first two.
April 28th, 2008 at 5:11 pm
the book “the seeing stone” seemed to be the one book here that realy caught mostly due to the fact that i am really in to the whole magic, midevil, or sword fighting those seem to be the only things that interest me. I will have to go and check book out and read it. By what you said this book shall be quiet enjoyable and have and excalent ending.
April 28th, 2008 at 5:25 pm
It happens sometimes, that a person is forced to see life through a few very different points of view. This is how Coriel, also known as Corie has been raised since the summer she was six years old.
That fateful summer, the father Corie never met died suddenly, and so, through a deathbed promise, her Uncle Jaxon came in search of her. It was decided during this first meeting that every summer until she came of age, Corie would live with her half-sister, Elisandra and their late Father’s wife, Greta at their home of Castle Auburn. During the rest of the year, Coriel would live with her healer Grandmother and study to also become a healer. As they grow older, an agreement is made between the girls’ family, also known as the house of Halsing, and that of Prince Bryan. This agreement bargains that, when they are old enough, Elisandra would marry the Prince. To Corie and the other girls who spend time in the castle, this is something any of them would do at the drop of a hat. However, over time, circumstances cause views to change.
Prince Bryan isn’t the only one whose image changes for Corie as she grows though. A childhood friend at the castle named Kent, whom she has always had a strong bond with; she begins to see in different lights. From lasting friend, to trustworthy confidant, to finally, a soul mate who’s love she wouldn’t give up for anything, not even a life in a place like Heaven on Earth. She also begins to see a side of someone that she thought she knew everything about, her beloved sister Elisandra. Unknown to Corie, her sister has never wanted a life as future Queen, and as her dreaded wedding to the Prince looms closer, she begins to make some ingenious, yet very rash plans make her life her own. Corie also sees the lives of the Aliora differently as well. These are gentle creatures that have been taken as slaves by humans. They live in a mysterious land that, although wonderful and blissful, captures people in its wistful image, even if they’ve never laid eyes on the place. Those who have ventured there say that it is truly what heaven must be like. As a young girl, Corie always thought that the Aliora were pleased with the life forced upon them. However, as she grows older, she realizes that no one, not her sister, not the Aliora, not Kent, not even she, must live the life that someone else has set for him or her. We are all free in the end to make our lives ours. In her life at Castle Auburn, Corie doesn’t only learn about others, she also learns about herself, she learns that she is a strong person, and that no matter what, at the end of everything, she has to know that she personally did all she could to make it possible to live their lives their own way.
So, what will happen as Elisandra’s wedding draws ever closer? What will happen to the beautiful Aliora that Corie holds so dear to her heart? What will happen to her? As in all things, only character and time will be able to tell.
April 28th, 2008 at 5:33 pm
Title: Summers At Castle Auburn
Author: Sharon Shinn
Date of Publication: 2001
It happens sometimes, that a person is forced to see life through a few very different points of view. This is how Coriel, also known as Corie has been raised since the summer she was six years old.
That fateful summer, the father Corie never met died suddenly, and so, through a deathbed promise, her Uncle Jaxon came in search of her. It was decided during this first meeting that every summer until she came of age, Corie would live with her half-sister, Elisandra and their late Father’s wife, Greta at their home of Castle Auburn. During the rest of the year, Coriel would live with her healer Grandmother and study to also become a healer. As they grow older, an agreement is made between the girls’ family, also known as the house of Halsing, and that of Prince Bryan. This agreement bargains that, when they are old enough, Elisandra would marry the Prince. To Corie and the other girls who spend time in the castle, this is something any of them would do at the drop of a hat. However, over time, circumstances cause views to change.
Prince Bryan isn’t the only one whose image changes for Corie as she grows though. A childhood friend at the castle named Kent, whom she has always had a strong bond with; she begins to see in different lights. From lasting friend, to trustworthy confidant, to finally, a soul mate who’s love she wouldn’t give up for anything, not even a life in a place like Heaven on Earth. She also begins to see a side of someone that she thought she knew everything about, her beloved sister Elisandra. Unknown to Corie, her sister has never wanted a life as future Queen, and as her dreaded wedding to the Prince looms closer, she begins to make some ingenious, yet very rash plans make her life her own. Corie also sees the lives of the Aliora differently as well. These are gentle creatures that have been taken as slaves by humans. They live in a mysterious land that, although wonderful and blissful, captures people in its wistful image, even if they’ve never laid eyes on the place. Those who have ventured there say that it is truly what heaven must be like. As a young girl, Corie always thought that the Aliora were pleased with the life forced upon them. However, as she grows older, she realizes that no one, not her sister, not the Aliora, not Kent, not even she, must live the life that someone else has set for him or her. We are all free in the end to make our lives ours. In her life at Castle Auburn, Corie doesn’t only learn about others, she also learns about herself, she learns that she is a strong person, and that no matter what, at the end of everything, she has to know that she personally did all she could to make it possible to live their lives their own way.
So, what will happen as Elisandra’s wedding draws ever closer? What will happen to the beautiful Aliora that Corie holds so dear to her heart? What will happen to her? As in all things, only character and time will be able to tell.
April 28th, 2008 at 5:37 pm
Rewind by Jan Page sounds very interesting. To think of how life would be if we actually could go back in time and change the past or to the future and see how our lives would turn out. I would definitely like to check out this book. It sounds like something that would hold my attention and i wouldn’t want to put down.
April 28th, 2008 at 5:42 pm
PIRATES by Celia Rees sounds like an interesting book, with a gripping plot which takes the reader through a life of imperfection seeking perfection. In our world, like in the book, many things can come between us and our dreams. Whether it be money or religion, race or distance, it separates us between what we are and what we want to be. In a perfect world, love and happiness could be sought out with ease, and dreams could become realities in seconds. But in this world, physical and mental boundaries are constructed, either subconsciously, or deliberately. But anything constructed can be broken. So in the book, Nancy breaks those boundaries, and fights for what she wants; the love of her life. This teaches a valuable lesson of life, and I can’t wait until I can read it.
April 28th, 2008 at 6:06 pm
CELL, a novel by Steven King, was a great book that was exciting from the very beginning. You never know what to expect out of Steven King, he always has crazy ideas and twists and turns. Clay (the main character/narrator) is normal guy from Maine who is in Boston visiting. He is standing on the street corner and all of a sudden a woman who was just talking on her cell phone goes crazy and starts attacking the man in the ice cream truck. Meanwhile, two young girls who were also having a conversation on their cell phones start going crazy. One kills herself right away and the other slams her face into a pole until her eye is hanging out of its socket. Within minutes the whole city of Boston is filled with men and woman running wild. Clay begins to think about what could be happening as he is watching all of this right before his eyes. He realizes that right before everyone snaps they are talking on their cell phones. Clay runs into a man named Tom who is not crazy. He and Tom stick together and find a safe hiding place. I won’t spoil the ending for you but CELL by Steven King is definitely an intriguing must read.
April 28th, 2008 at 6:27 pm
Title: “The whole sky full of stars
Author: Rene Saldana, Jr.
D.O.P: 2007
The whole sky full of stars is a great book that teaches you about friendship and family. The main characters in the story are Barry and Alby. Both boys are in the 11th grade and have been best friends for a long time. Before Barry’s dad passed away he used to train Barry in boxing and other fighters as well. When Barrys dad passed Barry was left to be the man of the house, take care of his mother, and do whatever he wanted to the car he and his dad had been working on. When his dad passed Barry and his mother were not doing to well financially and everyday it hurt Barry to see his mother to like this, Barry would do just about anything to help out his mother. One day Barrys friend Alby decides to play cards against one of the best card players in his town and loses five hundred all panicked with the fact if he doesn’t turn in the money he would get hurt by Ciro (the kid he played against) and his gang. Given the two months he has to give 500 hundred dollars to Ciro Alby finds a way he can make the money. Alby finds a local boxer competition and the winner makes a lot of money. Finding out the details Alby selfishly persuades Barry to enter the competition and for Alby to be his manager and make 40% of his winnings.
This story teaches you about true friendship and love in a family. I strongly recommend this book to everyone who just wants to read a good book .
April 28th, 2008 at 7:00 pm
Just Listen by Sarah Dessen seems like a captivating work of literature. It seems that it would be able to catch my attention and keep it. It’s interesting to look inside someone’s mind who everyone thinks has the best life and is perfect. This sounds like a book that would do just that. I also want to find out if she will open up and be honest about everything about her life to the boy. Just Listen sounds like something I would enjoy reading, and am excited about reading it.
April 28th, 2008 at 7:01 pm
Title: 1984
Authur: George Orwell
D.O.P 1949
1984 is one of the most thought provoking books I’ve read in a long time. The question in the forefront of my mind is: “Could this actually happen?” The book 1984 was written many years before the year 1984 and Orwell describes 1984 as the future. This future is a miserable existence for all. The society, that the main character is part of, is run by a powerful dictator called Big Brother. The Thought Police are watching you and your neighbors twenty-four hours a day, waiting for you to slip up and show some sign of individuality. Children have been effectively turned against their parents, joining a group called the Spies at a very young age. The world has been broken up into three enormous countries that are constantly at war with one another. The main character, Winston, lives in what used to be Britain and is now part of a superstate called Oceania. Oceania, governed by Big Brother, is in the same state of treachery and war as the other two superstates. Bombs go off, killing people daily.
Oceania’s government is made up of four Ministries collectively called The Party. The Ministry of Peace deals with war; the Ministry of Plenty is in charge of rationing food and goods; the Ministry of Truth fabricates history so as to ensure Big Brother’s unending correctness; and the Ministry of Love is the policing ministry that deals with arrest and torture. The contradictory naming of the four ministries has to do with a principle implied throughout the entire book called Doublethink. The concept is too complicated for most to understand, but it has to do with two opposites coinciding, but not coinciding, at the same time. The Party slogan is a perfect example: War is Peace, Freedom is Slavery, Ignorance is Strength.
Winston is intelligent and understands that what the Party does is wrong. He remembers events that the Party says did not happen. He wants to rebel. Winston knows that the Party is too strong, however, to be undermined so easily. Winston decides to rebel against the Party in his own way, no matter how small. With the help of his secret love, Julia, Winston sets out to be an individual and break laws without fear of death.
The thing that makes this book so incredible to read is the way that the author convinces you that a society like this one is not so far fetched. He gives very convincing details and keeps you arguing with yourself the whole book. I can’t say that this was an enjoyable book to read due to its grim nature, but I loved reading it because it had such powerful writing and themes. In the end it’s up to you to decide whether or not the idea is plausible. George Orwell wanted to make one thing clear, the story is a warning to everyone who reads it – don’t let it happen.
April 28th, 2008 at 7:30 pm
Title: A Mango-Shaped Space
Author: Wendy Mass
D.O.P. 2003
A Mango-Shaped Space is an exceptional novel that young readers should consider picking up. One thing that particularly stands out about this book is that although Mia (the main character) has an extraordinary and unusual gift the reader can still relate to her feelings of indifference and doubt. All her life Mia has been different, but not many people would know this because she has kept her gift a secret after the horrifying incident in third grade. She had always had trouble with math (which I’m sure many can relate to) and when she had to go compute twenty-four times nine on the board she decided it would be easier to write the numbers in their “correct” colors. To the reader this sounded strange as well as to the students watching her use the colored chalk to fill in the numbers. Her teacher became irritated and asked her to just finish the problem so she could go home, but Mia insisted that the numbers weren’t in the correct colors. The whole class began to laugh and from the back of the room someone yelled “FREAK!” This word has echoed in her mind ever since. That was the day that Mia found out that she was different. She decided to keep quiet from then on. Mia discovered that not everyone saw colors when a word was said or a number appeared on the paper. Also that not everyone had flashes of color appear before their eyes when they heard a sound. Mia liked when this occurred until she found out that this was unordinary.
She kept this a secret and never spoke of it until she couldn’t take it anymore and had to tell her parents. Not to Mia’s surprise they didn’t understand and not only that but now her brother, Zack now knew and would likely tell everyone at school, and her best friend, Jenna, would find out and become angry that she kept this a secret all these years. And even worse her sister, Beth would come around to hear it and that would be the end of Mia’s happiness. The only one that could comfort her now was her beloved cat Mango. Most people thought that she gave her that name because of her eye color, but really it was the color of her purr and meow, a light orange color. Mango was particularly special because Mia believed it was the last part of her grandfather because she found Mango at the funeral and seemed to comfort her in the time of need. Even if the reader hasn’t experienced something this tragic you can relate to the feeling of stability she has in her cat. When Mia’s life is falling apart, her best friend isn’t talking to her, the whole school knows about her secret, and she’s being shuttled around to all these doctors, she finally finds out that there’s a name for this “disease” she has. Then when she finds out there’s a group that has the same thing she becomes more hopeful. After this she begins to contact people from this group, such as Adam, who she emails frequently, and feels a little more secure about her state of mind. She still has her doubts and would rather see no colors when she hears sounds, words, or letters until a tragedy occurs and she loses her ability to see colors. She realizes that she really did enjoy these colors and wants the ability back. She must overcome and recover from the great loss to regain her ability. Will Mia regain her ability? Will her friend, Jenna, ever forgive her? These questions and others will be answered when reading the novel.
Throughout the novel the reader becomes close to Mia and can form a connection between her life and what she’s feeling and personal experiences that the reader has experienced. As the story moves through the ups and downs of Mia’s life the reader begins to feel the highs and lows as well. The bond between Mia and the reader becomes stronger and by the end of the novel the reader feels as if they know Mia personally and have known her all their life. Wendy Mass does a great job creating a plot that continues to keep the reader entranced throughout the novel. The novel is entertaining and touching, and a great read for teens.
April 28th, 2008 at 7:37 pm
dear mrs matlack i enjoyed reading these reviews, especially brians and andrews. why didnt we get to do this as a frosh. please and thank you.
with all my love
the kid that never used to shut up as a freshman
but talks less than ben kling
April 28th, 2008 at 7:46 pm
i just love this book review site!
mrs. matlack, i wish we could have done something like this! it was so fun to read everyone’s reviews, and to see what did or did not appeal to their fellow classmates. i think i’ll be reading these reviews so much i (just might get a 70 on my spanish test).
April 28th, 2008 at 8:02 pm
Fat Kids Rule by K.L. Going and Rock Star Superstar by Blake Nelson seem like books I would read. I’m not much into reading but the music genre interests me. Not to long ago I just finished The Heroine Diaries by Nikki Sixx. This book is a journal of a shattered rock stars life on tour and personal battles with addiction. In addition to Born to Rock I suggest The Heroine Diaries: A Year in the Life of a Shattered Rock Star.
April 28th, 2008 at 8:56 pm
Title: Killing Time
Author:Caleb Carr
D.O.P: 2000
Deception, murder, and manipulation are all words that can be used to describe the novel Killing Time. The year is 2023 and it is known as the information age as the internet is the main source of gathering information for the people of the Earth. One of these people that rely heavily on it is a New York psychiatrist, criminal profiler, and historian Dr. Gideon Wolfe. Gideon soon realizes that internet is not as reliable as it seems to be. He is in his office working on a case when he is approached by the wife of the murdered special effects genius John Price. She comes bearing evidence of not her husband’s murder, but of the murder of the President Emily Forrester in 2018. Even Gideon was left shocked by what he saw on the computer disk left by Prices wife.
Emily Forrester was murdered by an Iraq assassin and the killer was convicted and sent to prison. However, on the disk it shows a man from China killing Forrester. In addition, it shows a scene in a concentration camp with a Mossad agent there as a visitor, not a prisoner. Gideon immediately suspects the images were manipulated so he visits Malcolm Jenkins, an expert in all forms of information manipulation. Malcolm examines the disk and realizes the images are real. Also the name John Kuperman appears after further research. Unfortunately, another tragedy occurs as Max is murdered and no more investigating can occur. Gideon goes and goes to visit Kuperman in the Florida jail.
Gideon arranges a meeting with John to talk about the images. Suddenly Gideon and John are broken out by a group of bandits with high tech weapons and ship. Gideon realizes that they came for him and Kuperman is one of them. He also finds out that the group members are scientific and military experts from around the world with one mission, to show the world that the current form of gathering information is horrible and to stop the mass population from believing anything on the internet. They try to achieve this by manipulating historical events but in a way so that they can be proven false. As the group will soon realize, when you mess with history it can have tragic results.
Caleb Carr does a great job depicting what could happen if we rely too much on the internet and how it can have catastrophic results. People that believe false information can go to great lengths to justify it, but it is not too late for us to change is what Carr is trying to say. The question is, is too late for Gideon and the rest of the group. Killing Time is a suspenseful and action packed novel that any reader will enjoy.
April 28th, 2008 at 10:00 pm
Title of book: the Lastling
Author: Philip Gross
D.O.P: 2006
The Lastling by Philip Gross is a very adventerous and highly original novel. This novel is about a 14-year-old girl named Paris. Paris has a rich uncle named Franklin, that decides to take her on a trip to the Himalayas. On this trip, Paris try’s to prove how mature she is. Franklin and his friends are searching for rare and indangered species. They travel deep into the wilderness, and there they come across a 12-year-old monk named Tahr, that has been on a journey with an older monk named Shengo. They had been there for quite a while, on a survival trip. The young monk Tahr was trying to prove himself to Shengo, and he did well. Tahr told franklin of a vision he had just had of a creature only known of in legends. Franklin and his team are determined to capture this creature alive.
This is an amazing novel that is full of suspense. It should be read by all those seeking adventure. You will love it so much, you won’t be able to put the book down.
April 28th, 2008 at 10:25 pm
The novel It’s kind of a funny story, by Ned Vizzini seems to be very influencial and inspiring. Based on the review above, Ned Vizzini seems to grab the readers attention right away. Some of us can relate to these situations which is what the writer is most likely aiming for. This review makes me want to read this novel. I can certainly say that I have seen some of these situations before. This story would be a good influence on many people, and I think I may even read it. I love how the writer trys to connect with us. Its as if this book is meant to teach us a life lesson.
April 29th, 2008 at 10:25 am
The book, “The Killing Time” was well reviewed. It sounds like a really good book that would be interesting to me.
April 29th, 2008 at 2:22 pm
zena smith
Only in your dreams- a gossip girl novel
Cecily von Ziegesar
copyright 2006 by alloy entertainment
Only in your dreams is about these college gradutes who find out that the world isnt what they hoped it would be. they find love,hate,hope,jobs,and simply life. the four main characters are Blair Waldorf hwom in the begginng of the book is in london with her “new” lover, Lord Marcus. she seeks love,sex and marrige throught this book. Blair is a very passionate person whom loves to go shopping. Everyhting goes okay until Lord Marcus’s cousin comes along. Then Blair desides to go to home town and get a “real” job, with the help of her mother.
Vanessa Abrams i s a very inspiring camera woman. in high school Vanessa was very famous for making short films, but now its time for her to move to the big screen. Ken mogul a big time movie director has called Vanessa up to have her help him film his movies. the movie shes helping him with is called “Breakfast at fred’s”. but on the way of making that movie she hits some bumps on the way.
Daniel humphrey is a librarian at the strand, on eof new yorks biggest bookstores. he really likes his job. he si dating Vanessa. but soon they start fighting because vanessa goes to live with dan. and then moves out on him and he meets this girl named bree. bree is a very athletic person and likes to keep her body in shape.dan plans on taking a very big road trip, across the country. he wishes that his summer will go great before he has to leave everyone to go to college..again.
Nate Archibald is a very calm and cool guy. he is very out spoken. He likes to smoke pot. hes seems to like to smoke it about 3 times a day. since hes not in school rigth now(summer) hes helpin ghis coach fix the shingles on his house. in the middle of the book Nate meets a girl named Tawny. she tends to like to smoke with him but you dont find that out later. Twany and her friends think that nate isnt a city boy but they thoguth wrong.
Serena van der Woodsen gets a new job. she is the star actoress of the movie “Breakfast at Fred’s” isnt that funny, vanessa is the camera woman for that movie? serena falls in love with thaddeus the head actor. shes falling for him, but is he falling for her?
what could possibly happen next ?
April 29th, 2008 at 2:32 pm
i really liked only in your dreams. i liked “The killing time” it sounded like a book that i would like to read. i would like to make a great book. the herion diaries by nikki sixx. i was an awsome book. anyone who is interested in learning about a very hard journey, of a very sucessful rock star.
April 29th, 2008 at 3:29 pm
Title: Trigger
By: Susan Vaught
D.O.P. December 2007
Jersey Hatch is a seventeen-year-old, athletic, popular, good-looking kid, chasing dreams of football and golf in his promising high school career. So why did he try to kill himself? Good question. No answer. Jersey snuck into his father’s bedroom and shot himself in the head, attempting to commit suicide. However, the gun he turned to his own temple did not end his life. The bullet tore into his brain, causing permanent damage, but leaves Jersey alive. With terror, guilt, and — in some cases — anger he is questioned, Why? Why did you try to kill yourself? He doesn’t have an answer, doesn’t remember why. This is what he is determined to discover.
He starts with the people in his life. Mama Rush, a neighbor and grandmother figure to Jersey, tries to help him through the haze that now permanently inhibits his thinking process. Leza, Mama Rush’s actual granddaughter, is one of the only people who will speak openly and honestly with him. He turns to her for help, and soon realizes his former best friend is furious with him. Todd holds little respect and a great deal of contempt for the struggling, puzzled Jersey. Trying to find the trail that led to his suicide attempt, Jersey tries to find out why.
His parents are walking on broken glass, always acting strangely and tiptoeing around. His brain damage makes him say and do strange things that put his parents on edge. And teachers. School life isn’t any easier for Jersey either. The students treat him distantly, and were it not for Leza, he wouldn’t have friends at all.
He slowly starts to uncover parts of his misty past, mostly by eliminating possible reasons for trying to kill himself. Over and over, he states: “I have this dream where both legs work and both arms work and I don’t have any scars on the outside”. His dreams work to point him in the right direction. He dreams about how he carried out his actions on that fateful day, but they leave him to puzzle out what his reasons were alone.
He won’t ever be the same. He will never be able to run or play sports the way he used to. He can barely even climb up the stairs in his house. He might be able to control his impulsive and impaired speech, but he will never think or speak the way he did before. Can’t go back to what he was before he pulled the trigger. Is it worth it? Should he try to pull his way through everything that surrounds him, or kill himself? One thing is for certain: he won’t fail again.
April 29th, 2008 at 3:42 pm
The novel “1984″ (you can’t underline in these posts!) sounds really interesting and similar to several books I have enjoyed in the past, such as: “The Giver”, “Tunnels”, and the Scott Westerfield series “Uglies”. All of these novels have a society that closely monitors everything the citizens say or do, and discourage independent thinking. Rebellion and the fight for freedom are present in each of their themes. I think that I would be absorbed and interested in “1984″.
April 29th, 2008 at 3:59 pm
Born To rock sounds like an interesting book. When we think of people that are Harvard bound, we tend to think of them as perfect people that would never take risks in life. The idea of a Harvard student having a dad that is a rock legend seems to almost be impossible which makes this book seem more interesting. This is a book that I would definantly want to read.
April 29th, 2008 at 4:02 pm
I read the book Pirates and I absolutely loved it! It really kept my attention and was very entertaining. To be honest I think I read it in one day I liked it so much. The characters are all well developed and the book is not very predictable. Anyone who likes to read adventure books would be in for a real treat!
April 29th, 2008 at 4:09 pm
Title: Artemis Foul
Author: Eoin Colfer
Date of Publication: 2001
In our world today, understanding controls what is fact and what is fantasy. It is the boundary between imagination and reality. But what if our reality morphed into our imagination? What if some of our deepest dreams became real, as real as the clothes on your back? What if a past belief became a present existence? Well in the book, ARTEMIS FOUL, just that happens. It all starts when a young child prodigy named Artemis Foul begins to believe in something so fanciful that only he could comprehend it. He believes that a race of highly intelligent beings is lurking underneath our footsteps. Since his father’s disappearance, Artemis has had more and more time to devote to solving this crazy theory, but still finds nothing to support it. His plan, though, is to capture one of these mystical beings, and harness whatever abilities it has to offer for his benefit. So, with nothing but a hunch to guide them, Artemis, and his butler, set out to unravel this inconceivable mystery.
Although Artemis may seem like a very devoted boy, there is one thing that will always stick out in his mind – his parents. As I mentioned before, Artemis’ father disappeared when he was only a young boy. Ever since then, Artemis has tried to live a near perfect life, living day by day, but never giving up hope of his father’s return. But as each day passes, the hope of redemption seems more and more remote. To make his situation worse, Artemis’ mother, named Angeline Foul, has been suffering from dementia since her husband’s departure. She still believes that her husband is with them, just as it was in the past. She is bedridden, so Artemis must take care of her, as if she was a young child. Along with the hope of his father’s return, Artemis also hopes for his mother’s restoration to health. But as each day passes, he realizes more and more that the only thing that could, and would, ever cure her is the return of her husband. This all takes its toll on the young boy, with the bedridden mother, with the lack of a father. His determination is fueled by his constant struggle to get by. And his constant struggle to get by makes the reward that much sweeter.
Shortly into this book, the reward is discovered by Artemis himself. While staking out an area of land near a large oak tree, Artemis’ machines notice a life form in the nearby field. Artemis quickly traps the unknown being, and transports “it” back to his mansion (you will later find that the “it” is actually a fairy-like being named Holly). Finally, Artemis’ work is paying off. He has finally captured one of these supernatural beings, and he can now work on harnessing its power. The victory seems so sweet, with nothing but a bright future in front of him. But what Artemis doesn’t realize is that this race of magical creatures does not want to be discovered – and will do everything to stop it from happening.
On top of all of these compelling storylines and deep-seated plots, this book holds something more than the average book. Subconsciously, it teaches one of the greatest lessons in life: “The only way to find the limits of the possible is by going beyond them to the impossible.” This, in plain English, speaks the clear message to do whatever you want in life, disregarding adversities, and fighting for your dreams, whatever they may be. You must not let anything hold you back, whether it be the disappearance of your father, or the illness of your mother. You must go beyond societies’ boundaries to find your true potential. Artemis does this, and even while the odds are against him, he still fights for his dreams. And he succeeded at this. Does he ever succeed in harnessing the creature’s powers? Does the race defeat Artemis, or does Artemis outwit the race? Only reading this amazing book will answer those questions. And once you start reading, you will never want to put the book down.
April 29th, 2008 at 4:51 pm
Title: Twilight
Author: Stephenie Meyer
Date of Publication: 2005
Did you ever think about how you will die? Would you rather die endangering others, or staring the enemy straight in his glinting black eyes? Bella Swan, a 17 year-old teenager from Phoenix, Arizona is moving to live with her father, Chief Charlie Swan, in Forks, Washington. Forks just happens to be the rainiest place in the United States. She found herself at school after a long weekend, talking to Edward Cullen. The perfect sound of his voice, his flawless face made it hard for her to breathe, there was something about him. More and more curious she grew about his strange habits and his sudden absentness. Even though Edward would miss random days of school, weeks sometimes, Edward always seemed to be there to get her out of danger. Edward saved her life, he was her hero, but there was still something about him and Bella was determined to find out.
On a trip to the beach she met Jacob Black, the boy who told her the myth. Bella finds out Edward’s darkest secret, he’s a vampire. Bella pushes her inquiries to Edward, and he confesses to the truth that, “just because we’ve been…dealt a certain hand… it doesn’t mean that we can’t choose to rise above – to conquer the boundaries of a destiny that none of us wanted. To try to retain whatever essential humanity we can” (307). Simply, the Cullens are civilized vampires; they tried not to hunt people, but animals. Edward warned Bella, over and over again that she was in danger. But sometimes, when you’re in love with someone you look past things to be with them. After all, she didn’t consider him a menace to society, he was simply “the vampire who wanted to be good – who ran around saving people’s lives so he wouldn’t be a monster” (204) and what kind of person who wants to be good, can really be that dangerous?
Edward wasn’t a person though; he was a cold and bleak vampire. Over time, Edward and Bella fall in love, putting her in more danger than she could ever know. When more vampires enter the picture, everything goes south. The Cullens do everything to protect Bella, because they are “a large clan of strong fighters all bent on protecting the one vulnerable element” (397), Edward’s only love. Fighting to keep her decorum and not to hurt anyone, Bella finds herself in a pickle. The only outcome of this means death to someone, or something. And here, is where the blood hunt begins.
“Twilight” keeps the reader on edge, wanting to know what will happen. For me, it really put things into perspective. This novel left me questioning life and death, love and hate, and all the emotions in between. When it all comes down to it, would you do what you had to do to save someone you loved? Would you go to all extents to keep someone you loved safe from harm? Would you give up your whole life in one single moment? This book questions your morals more than I expected it would. It’s about going with your instincts, doing what you feel is right. And even if that is the wrong decision in the end, your last thoughts and actions were noble. This is a love story, just not your typical fairytale. It’s also somewhat frightening. What will happen to Bella? Only time and chance will tell. But it’s all for love, so the outcome doesn’t always matter. “So ready for this to be the end… for this to be the twilight of your life, though your life has barely started. You’re ready to give up everything”? (497)
April 29th, 2008 at 5:09 pm
Close Enough To Touch by Richard Peck is an interesting story about High School students. The main character is Matt Moran who is a seventeen year old junior in high school. The only person Matt feels comfortable talking to is a friend named Dory. He does not socialize much in school and spends his spare time working at his job. Matt and Dory have been good freinds for years and she is the only person he looks forward talking to in school.
Matt was in the locker room when he heard the sirens of an ambulance but he didn’t think anithing of it. After school he saw everyone crowding around Dory’s locker. Matt was devastated when he heard the news. Dory was dead. During the break between fifth and sixth period, Dory walked out to the parking lot and fell between two parked cars. She died from a berry aneurysm. She stopped breathing because the arteries feeding the brain were blocked.
School continued but Matt was excused early because he was asked to be a pallbearer at the graveside service. He was dreading the moment that the men from the funeral home opened the door on the hearse. He saw the silver colored coffin. It didn’t seem real to him but it was close enough to touch. Matt was the last person to leave after the service. He didn’t want to walk away from the silver coffin.
Matt was not sure how he was going to cope with this.He was quiet and he didn’t talk to anyone in school. He didn’t even look up when he walked through the hallways. He walked with his head down and counted the squares on the tile floor. Matt was searching for a solution to help him feel better. He considers running away, dropping out of school and getting drunk. Fortunately, he realizes school is the best place to be. Matt didn’t think this was possible, but he met a new friend named Margaret. He really liked her, she was interesting and she was a senior. If you are in suspence and wondering if Matt asked Margaret to go to the Junior Prom I recommend that you read this book.
April 29th, 2008 at 5:12 pm
Title: The Hoopster
Author: Alan Lawrence Sitomer
Date of Publication: 2005
Did you ever know how it feels to be the popular kid? The kid that has all the luck? The kid who’s almost perfect in everything he does? Well The Hoopster proved to me that just because you’re near perfect, doesn’t mean you’re invulnerable to all the problems that you are surrounded by in today’s world. This book takes place in New York, where the main character Andre lives. Andre has it all together: his job, his unbelievable skills on the court, and his love life. Andre also has many friends that support him throughout the novel, but also give him problems that deal with racial discrimination and racism. For example, his cousin Cedric, a comedian, wins the talent show by making the crowd roll on the floor laughing with his racial jokes about black people. Although Andre knows that Cedric is just kidding around, he realizes that it is not right.
At Andre’s job, (a magazine company) his boss, Mr. Jarvin at first doesn’t even know that he exists. But after a few random acts of kindness, he starts to become noticed by his boss. His boss ends up talking him into writing a story that originally was given to an ex-employee about why the world was racist and how to try to overcome it. After many attempts to turn down the offer, Andre accepts, however, he does not believe that his story would be good enough to impress his boss, let alone have it make the next issue of Mr. Jarvin’s magazine.
One day, while Andre is out with his girlfriend, he discovers his younger sister and her friends smoking pot in a secret hideout place. Andre becomes enraged and starts to yell at his sister, who of course, does not listen. Eventually, Andre’s girlfriend, Gwen, who happens to be Latino, begins to yell at his sister telling her that smoking kills and she should not be smoking pot at such a young age. Andre’s sister is not happy about being told what to do by a Latino, so she begins making racial jokes about Latinos directed towards Gwen. Gwen becomes very upset, and leaves the hideout without even saying goodbye to Andre. After witnessing this disaster, Andre is finally able to put his feelings about racism into words, because he himself just had experienced it first-hand. That night, Andre stayed up all night writing the excerpt for the magazine. When he brings in the article to his boss the next day, Mr. Jarvin swears to Andre that this is the best work he has ever seen because he knew that it came “from the heart.” Because this is what the readers want, Mr. Jarvin decides to put Andre’s article on the front page of his next magazine. The article is an instant success, and Mr. Jarvin receives the most fan mail he has ever gotten courtesy of Andre’s article. Andre returns home that night feeling extremely proud of himself that he just wrote the best article his magazine has ever seen, and that he had just received a promotion.
Unfortunately, his great work ended up coming back to haunt him. One night when Andre is alone, he was brutally attacked by four white men who were not happy with Andre’s article and how white people were portrayed as sometimes being racist toward blacks. Andre ends up having to be hospitalized after the beating, and nearly dies. Ironically, Andre realizes that he was beaten up for doing the right thing and trying to prove to people that racism is not right, and that people should try to prevent it from society.
The conclusion of the story is not a sour one (in fact it turns out being a happy one), but you should read the story if you want to know how the rest plays out. This story was very inspiring to me, as it depicts many of the real life situations that could go on to anyone and the problems that we will have to face at some point in our lives no matter what age or race.
April 29th, 2008 at 5:20 pm
Artemis Fowl, by Eoin Colfer, seems like a very sophisticated book that i might want to consider reading in the near future. The plot seems very detailed and suspenseful. In additon, the complexity of the story really captured my attention when i was reading the review. I have seen this book at libraries, book fairs, and many other locations but i never got the chance to read it. After reading the review though, I would like to know exactly what happens with the species that Artemis finds and if he will be able to tame it, or if it will get the better of him. I also would like to find out whether Artemis’ father returns to him and his mother. In short, this review just might have convinced me to start reading, something I do VERY often of course. =)
April 29th, 2008 at 5:27 pm
Title: Close Enough To Touch
Author: Richard Peck
D.O.P. 1981
April 29th, 2008 at 5:56 pm
I’d heard of the book Artemis Foul before, but i never really knew what it was about. It definitely sounds like an interesting read. The over lesson of the book seems liek an important one too. I think I will try to read it now I know more about the book.
April 29th, 2008 at 6:05 pm
The Joy Luck Club
By Amy Tan
Published1989
Every young girl has had an argument with their mother, complaining to them and saying, you just wouldn’t understand. It’s the classic clashing of two worlds. In The Joy Luck Club this clashing of two worlds is more of an explosion, and is one of the central themes to the book.
Four daughters and their mothers are followed throughout the novel telling of their triumphs and failures. The four mothers Ying-Ying, Lindo, Suyuan, and An-mei all grew up in China, each facing perils such as a flood, an arranged marriage, a cheating husband, and their mother being a concubine. All the woman gradually come to be citizens of America and live in San Francisco, raising a family in an American environment and struggle to keep Chinese tradition alive. The four daughter’s stories are also told. June, Waverly, Lena, and Rose tell of their childhoods and how their mother’s tradition inspired and nurtured their lives and made them who they are, for better or worse. Each story is told in the voice of these eight unique and strong women as they traverse through lives twists and tangles always coming back to one thing, family.
Joy Luck Clubs voices are explosive and speak to the reader as if they are sitting next to you. Metaphors are abundant and make your mind spin with their deep meanings. The bond between mothers and daughters is intensely explored. After reading this book you will never look at your mother the same again. If you want to read a complex story that makes your mind whirl this is a book for you. It is very inspiring and shows the might of women and the people they nurture and motivate.
There are many parts to this book and complicated stories to put together. It’s a bit confusing with so many main characters that you start to get a wee bit frustrated, however once you master the names and the stories behind them it’s much more enjoyable. I would recommend this book to mostly girls, because it will make you gain more respect for your mom, no matter what your background is.
April 29th, 2008 at 6:07 pm
A Mango Shaped Space is all of those things plus more. I have read it in the past and by the end I felt as if I had known Mia all my life. I completely agree with this review. It is most defiantly a book worth checking out.
April 29th, 2008 at 6:26 pm
Title of book: Vanishing Acts
Author: Jodi Picoult
D.O.P: 2005
Are you a fan of suspense-filled thrillers? Well if you are, then “Vanishing Acts” is the novel for you. This novel, which is full of twists and turns that keep you on the edge of your seat, is told in four different points of view. Each point of view is told from an important character. The main character, Delia Hopkins leads a wonderful life. She has a beautiful young daughter, is engaged to her childhood best friend, and has a secure job she loves. She has a search-and-rescue blood hound, which she uses to find missing or runaway people. Delia was raised by her single father because her mother “died” or so she believes. Her fiancé, Eric, is representing her father in court and he tells his point of view. Andrew, Delia’s father, tells his side of the story, and the fourth point of view is from Fitz, one of Delia’s best friends.
The trouble starts when Delia realizes there are no pictures from her young childhood in the house. That same night Delia has a disturbing dream that feels more like a flashback than a dream. In her dream she is standing near a lemon tree, while a man calls her “grilla”. This is so haunting because Delia was born and raised in New Hampshire, a climate much too cool for lemon trees. Also, Delia has never heard the word “grilla” before.
A few days later which starts like a normal day, Delia and her daughter Sophie are playing board games while Delia’s father Andrew makes coffee. All of a sudden, there is a brisk knock on the door. “Andrew Hopkins? We have a warrant for your arrest as a fugitive from justice in conjunction with the kidnapping of Bethany Matthews” (25). Delia doesn’t believe a word of this. Heck, she doesn’t even know who Bethany Matthews is. “‘Who is Bethany Matthews?’ my father doesn’t take his gaze off me. ‘You were’” (26).
No one can believe Andrew’s motives for kidnapping his own daughter. When Delia was very young her parents got divorced. Delia’s mother won custody of her. Andrew was allowed to care for Delia on weekends and that’s just what he did. One weekend Andrew picked up Delia and never returned her.
The rest of this exciting book shows what it’s like for Andrew to await his trial in jail and for Delia to accept that her father has lied to her for 28 years and how Delia tries to reconnect emotionally with the mother she has never known. While reading this novel, you will have to make a moral judgment about whether what Andrew did was right or wrong. I really enjoyed reading this book and I’m sure anyone who is a fan of dramatic literature will too.
April 29th, 2008 at 6:37 pm
I read “Catcher In the Rye” when I was in seventh grade and I absolutely hated it! Now, after reading Kirby’s excellent review I might reread it. I think I hated it the first time because I was immature and didn’t understand it. Now that I have grown up quite a bit I will probably like it much more. At first I read it because it was a “classic” now I will read it because i want too. It seems much more intriguing and more relatable to my life. I can’t wait until I have some free time to reread it.
April 29th, 2008 at 6:41 pm
The novel Hoops by Walter Dean Myers sounds like an interesting book to read. I will consider reading this book since I like tp play basketball and I am anxious to find out what happened in the tourament.
April 29th, 2008 at 6:41 pm
Title: Skin
Author: Adrienne Maria Vrettos
D.O.P: 2006
From the beginning of Skin to the very end, Adrienne Maria Vrettos, captivated me with her take on today’s social issues. Peer pressure, eating disorders, divorce, drug use, and young love are some of the topics that Skin puts into focus in this heartwrenching novel.
Donnie is hardly a normal 14-year-old boy. His sister Karen is struggling with anorexia, and his parents’ marriage is disintegrating before his eyes. When his sister befriends Amanda (their new neighbor from Chicago), Donnie hopes that his sister will finally break away from her eating disorder. Unfortunately, once Donnie and Karen’s father abandons them, they’re forced to live with their depressed mother and things get a lot worse. Donnie’s family reaches a breaking point when his father tries to slip back into their lives, but Karen’s life really spirals out of control when Amanda moves back to Chicago.
By the end of the book, Donnie discovers that becoming “invisible” just so he can help his family is the wrong thing to do. Adrienne Maria Vrettos puts life into perspective and shows the pain and angst that someone living with an eating disorder feels. Skin was one of the best novels I have ever read and I strongly recommend it to people who love novels that are full of suspense, sadness, and heartbreak.
April 29th, 2008 at 6:48 pm
I read the Boy from the Basement in seventh grade and really loved it. Since then I have read it several more times and thinks its a really touching novel about the real cruelty lots of children feel.
April 29th, 2008 at 7:06 pm
I read Pirates and I absolutely loved it! The characters were all really well developed and unique. It shows that even though women didn’t have as many rights back then there still was a way to earn respect (maybe not as drastic as becoming a pirate but you know what I mean.). Celia Rees really knows how to weave a great story. She has also written Witchchild, which I really want to read.
April 29th, 2008 at 7:18 pm
The Fighting Ground by Avi explores the experiences of a thirteen year old boy Jonathan, who decides to involve himself in a Revolutionary War battle. The entire story takes place in the course of one day which I preferred in this case because the details were crucial.
Jonathan’s father was wounded in the war and his brother and cousin were generals, so Jonathan was eager to become involved. His father is highly objective to the thought of him going to fight, but like any teenager eager to do something he disobeyed his father, borrowed a gun and fallowed the older men into battle. The troop of 13 Continentals marches miles into a near-by town where the encounter the 30 Hessians they were expecting. The fire fight begins and Jonathan, over whelmed by the deaths and actions unfolding around him runs away into the forest where he’s caught by 3 Hessians. The rest is for you to read. This book was fantastic. It was one of those books you don’t want to put down until you’re done, and that’s coming from a kid who hates reading. If you like war novels or just an edge of your seat book then read The Fighting Ground.
April 29th, 2008 at 7:18 pm
There are many important people in our lives. Do the people that really touch our lives still truely matter when we are gone? This is the question that Eddie from “The Five Peope You Meet In Heaven”, by Mitch Album, finds out the answer to. Eddie spent his entire life working as a maintenence man at a boardwalk amusment park. Still actively working there at age 83, Eddie finds himself looking into the bright light as he experiences a life ending accident. However, shortly after his accident, Eddie surprisingly finds himself not in heaven, but encountering people that have either impacted his life or peoples whose lives he had impacted. While reading this novel, you will travel with Eddie as he learns and discovers more about his past.
April 29th, 2008 at 7:24 pm
The book “The Lasting” sounds like a book full of adventure and suspense. I think it would fun to take a trip to the mountains like Paris and her uncle did. I have never heard of this book before but it sounds like it is worth reading.
April 29th, 2008 at 7:30 pm
1984 sounds like a really interesting book. It’s been recommended to me before, but I didn’t really pay much attention to it. After reading this review, it definitely sounds like something I would really enjoy. It seems like an interesting concept to read about a future that was predicted to actually occur over twenty years ago.
April 29th, 2008 at 7:43 pm
Title: The Usual Rules
Author: Joyce Maynard
D.O.P. 2003
On one perfect, sunny, September morning 13-year-old Wendy’s life is changed forever. Wendy lives with her mother, Janet, jazz-loving stepfather, Josh, and little brother, Louie, in Brooklyn, New York. Wendy and her best friend Amelia are inseparable. Her day starts out normal with Wendy going to school still angry at her mother, for a fight they had last night over whether Wendy could visit her father and a little annoyed at her stepfather. Wendy’s mother, a former dancer, now works on the 87th floor of Tower 1, in the World Trade Center. As the ground shakes and Wendy watches the towers come down over and over again, all she, Josh, and Louie can do is hold on to the hope that Wendy’s mother survived. However as the days pass and it’s never her mother calling, Wendy and her family begin to come to the hard realization that her mother isn’t coming home. Just as this happens Wendy receives a letter from her father, Garrett, asking her to come live with him and his girlfriend in California. Still trying to get past the loss of her mother and make a new life, she decides to go to California. However, Wendy doesn’t realize how hard starting a new life will be or how difficult it will be leaving Josh and Louie behind.
While in California Wendy does make a new life for herself. She doesn’t go to school and spends most of her time at a bookstore or wandering around. The owner of the Bookstore, Alan, has an autistic son, whom he visits weekly. Wendy also happens to meet a teenage mother, Violet, trying to raise her son all on her own. She tells Alan and Violet made-up stories about where she came from and why she is here now. Garrett’s girlfriend, Carolyn, loves cactus’s and longs for the son she gave up for adoption many years ago. And Garrett, so different from Josh, is still just getting used to having a daughter again. Through phone calls from home, Wendy learns just how terribly her mother’s death affected Louie. Louie, who still tells people his mom is on vacation, stopped sucking his thumb and wearing the many costumes he used to wear everyday. Wendy soon goes to visit Tim (Alan’s son) with Alan and makes connections with him as they do laundry (Tim’s favorite activity). Even though Alan still visits Tim, it is just too much for his wife to bear. On a trip to visit her grandmother Wendy sneaks out and meets, Todd, who is traveling the country trying to find his brother who he hasn’t seen in years. Violet has many difficulties trying to raise her son, whom she just wants the best for, and has many thoughts of giving him up for adoption. Right before Christmas, Carolyn gets a call from her son and soon a visit is planned. Carolyn meanwhile is bonding with Violet’s baby. On Christmas everyone ends up at Garrett’s house making it into a grand and crazy celebration. As the holiday’s come and go Wendy begins to see changes in herself and her relationship with Garrett is beginning to improve. During conversations with Amelia, Wendy, sees that life in New York is going on without her. A heartbreaking phone call will bring Wendy back to thinking about Brooklyn and her mother. What will become of Alan and Violet? How will the visit will Carolyn’s son go? Will Todd every see his brother again? Will the relationship between Wendy and her father improve? What has happened in New York with Josh and Louie? And most important where will Wendy choose to live…California or New York? All these questions and more will be answered after reading The Usual Rules.
The Usual Rules is a story told with glimpses into Wendy’s memories and thoughts of her mother. The themes of this novel not only center-around growing up and dealing with loss but also the bonds of siblings and family. Readers will connect with Wendy as she mourns her mother’s death, and when she tries to figure out who and what will now define her family. All the characters deal with a problem related to family. Joyce Maynard does excellent job of getting into the mind of a young girl with a lot of accuracy. Maynard brings to life the real feelings of a girl who just lost her mother and how she would feel as she sets off into a journey of self-discovery and hope. Anyone who has suffered a loss like Wendy will be able to relate to how she is feeling. The Usual Rules is a novel that will make you cry as you to will mourn the loss of Wendy’s mother, but also is one that will show you the hope of a teenage girl. It is a novel that will show you that sometimes “the usual rules just don’t apply”. The Usual Rules is a novel that any teenager should consider picking up.
April 29th, 2008 at 8:11 pm
Title: The House of the Scorpion
Author: Nancy Farmer
Date of Publication: Sometime not too long ago
The House of the Scorpion – good book by the way – is a must read for anybody who has an interest in sci-fi novels or movies. The House of the Scorpion is based in the future, where cloning has been made possible and America split in two. Matteo Alacran, a small and very intelligent boy, is thrown into a insane plot, caught between a young mexican girl and an old drug overlord. Opium, the name of the newly formed country in between Mexico and the US, is a ginormous drug farm farmed by mindless zombies (not really zombies but something similar – read to find out). The House of the Scorpion is a 400 something page long book that expands over a 13 year period, or the beginning of Matteo’s life. Throughout the book Matt learns about himself and why he is so discriminated against. At one point he was so abused that I got angry at the book and didn’t read for a week. The book turns itself around to look more like an action movie, with multiple plot twists and surprises to keep you reading for hours at a time. At some points, however, the book can get very confusing and you may want to look at a website such as sparknotes or something to help you keep track of the nearly 50 different characters. I highly recommend this as most every sentence is jam packed full of amazingly described thoughts and perceptions that Matt has every sentence of the book. As Matt learns and becomes more responsible his thoughts become more complex and add to the intensity of the novel.
After all is said and done, the book makes for a complete puzzle, with all pieces attached and none lost or left behind. Unfortunately, there is not a sequel to this book, so this is the only novel about Matt and his adventures (I really wish there was, the novel kinda feels unfinished). Nancy Farmer does have a few other books to her name such as “A Girl Named Disaster” and “The Ear, the Eye, and the Arm: A Novel”, so I advise that you look into a few of her titles if you enjoyed The House of the Scorpion. Believe me, it would be worth the while!!!
P.S – Hi everybody
April 29th, 2008 at 8:16 pm
Fly on the Wall by E. Lockhart sounds like an intriging book that i would love to read. I’m sure we can all relate to what Gretchen is thinking. Personally i think that it would be the type of book that would be hard to put down, and be a good free read book. I’m definitely going to check this book out to see what happens to her after she becomes a fly on the wall.
April 29th, 2008 at 8:17 pm
Whenever I here the name Artemis Foul I think the book is about chickens. I’m really disappointed to see that it’s not. I actually have LESS of a feeling to read it. Why couldn’t it have been about chickens – then it would have been interesting!
April 29th, 2008 at 8:19 pm
Angus, Thongs and Full-Frontal Snogging seems like a very interesting book! It sounds like a book high school girls can connect too. The adventures of Georgia seem like they will certainly keep my interest! I will definitely look into this book.
April 29th, 2008 at 8:21 pm
I’ve been recomended to read The Five People You Meet in Heaven before but I always ignored the offer. After reading this review I’m having second thoughts about ignoring those offers and might just have to read it. The book was well reviewed and definitely made me want to read it.
April 29th, 2008 at 8:22 pm
Title: The Boy From The Basement
Author: Susan Shaw
Date of publication: 2004
The boy from the basement is an adventure that makes you think. We follow a boy through his life in the basement of his house. All day he is in the basement and briefly in the kitchen and backyard at night.
The main character, Charlie was locked in the basement by his father as a punishment. He is left with no shirt, a pair of his father’s shorts, a towel, and the creeping loneliness of the basement.
Charlie hasn’t seen the outside for a very long time. He has only ever stepped foot in his back yard to go to the bathroom at night and then returned to the basement. Each night when the door at the top of the steps is unlocked Charlie heads upstairs to the kitchen. There he checks for bread and if there are enough slices that his parents couldn’t tell if any was missing, he would take a slice. Usually, he finds a knife in the sink to spread a little peanut butter on the bread. After eating over the sink and cleaning up quietly he sneaks out the back door to go to the bathroom. As he is enjoying the fresh air of the cool night, his worst nightmare unfolds. SLAM! The door swings shut with a gust of wind behind him. Weak and sick from being in the basement he runs to the door to find it locked. Now what? He is lost in his own backyard. While scared of what his father will think Charlie finds a safe haven under a street lamp. Falling asleep from fever he is unaware of his surroundings. He wakes up in a warm bed but not his own.
This intriguing story takes you through a child’s transition from a drafty basement to the immense world we know ourselves. Imagine meeting a young boy, about twelve that hasn’t heard of soccer or Halloween.
This story kept my evenings interesting for a while and I strongly suggest giving the story a chance to keep yours exciting as well.
April 29th, 2008 at 8:25 pm
Kyle here writing again. The book that Max Seiler blurbed about sounds interesting, especially cuz it takes place in 1984. I like that song too, its got a good beat to it. Plus didn’t George Orwell write War of the Worlds? That was a good book too……. I think I will look up this book…….
April 29th, 2008 at 8:28 pm
Life as a Poser: Title
Beth Killian: Author
2006: DOP
Don’t run from your problems is what you’re always told, but in Eva’s case, running turned out to be the best option for her. In Life as a Poser, Beth Killian takes you on a journey of obstacles a teenage girl faces and overcomes. Eva Cordes (the main character and narrator) lives in Alden Massachusetts with her grandparents. She’s a very intelligent, brave, and strong teen struggling to find more answers to her life. Eva doesn’t have it as easy as some of us, her mother abandoned at a very young age, and no one will tell her who her father is.
Boy problems doesn’t just ruin Eva’s reputation at school, it also runs her out of state. She was intoxicated with too much alcohol at homecoming to remember any details from the after party. When all of it worn off, Eva found herself lying in Bryan, a boy from school’s, bed with her beautiful dress torn up to her hips. Everyone that was there, including herself immediately thought they had sex. This lead to neglection at school, and day after day she never heard the end of her huge mistake. This causes her to move out of state to live with her aunt in LA, California, and this event is just the beginning of her journey.
Eva tried to find her mother since she knew she was also living there. In her attempt, she asks her Aunt for a way to contact her or any thing that could help Eva find her mother, but her aunt was no help. Both, Eva and I, were shocked when we found out where her mother actually was. Soon they were arranged to meet and Eva discovers that her mother has been keeping her own daughter a secret, but that wasn’t the only secret she was keeping from Eva. She didn’t even know who her own father was, and Marisela, her mother, wasn’t planning on ever telling Eva. Was there a reason behind all these secrets, or was her mother just a selfish individual stuck up her glamorous life?
Much planning, investigating, and sneaking around helped Eva find out a lot more about her dad, enough to contact him and set up a lunch together. Soon, she makes a huge discovery she never anticipated, and her brunch didn’t turn out the way she imagined it. There was no grace at the table and there were no smiles or laughs, she didn’t even have a chance to meet her father, but of course Eva being the strong girl she is, continues with life and makes it on her own. While all this family problems, and answers were occurring, Eva made huge discoveries about what ruined her high school years. She had seemed to solve that problem and found a better boy to be with along the way. Danny, a very caring, loving, thoughtful guy with a sense of humor soon became her boyfriend, even though they were forbidden to see each other, but love managed to keep them together.
Life in LA didn’t turn out as enchanting as she thought it would be. Her mother denied her existence, and she discovered the harshness of her father’s new family. Her aunt’s telling her who and who she can’t date because of connection that would make her famous. And secrets that Eva deserves to know are still hidden from her. Yeah, she has high-class friends, and a new hott boy, and she’s already got her first commercial which aired world-wide, but sometimes you need more than guys, friends, and money, sometimes you need family, actually more than that…family you can trust. Eva barely has that, but seems strong enough to survive.
April 29th, 2008 at 8:39 pm
The Five Peope You Meet In Heaven, by Mitch Album sounds like a pretty interesting book. However not a book that i might want to read, but someone who is interested in a book about Heaven might want to pick up this book and read it.
April 29th, 2008 at 8:40 pm
CELL by Steven King seems like an interesting book. The review has got me thinking and wondering why everyone on their cellphones are going crazy. I am looking forward to I definately will pick up this book next time I visit the library.
April 29th, 2008 at 8:40 pm
Title: Into The Wild
By: Jon Krakauer
DOP: 1996
Chris McCandless is no doubt a man with a taste for adventure. After Chris graduated from High School he lost contact from his family completely. He gave away his savings of $24,000 to OXFAM International, and began traveling, without his car, leaving his home in Atlanta Georgie, and even burned his money.
April 29th, 2008 at 8:42 pm
Title: That Was Then This Is Now
Author: S.E. Hinton
D.O.P.: 1998
Do you know what it is like to grow up in a tough neighborhood? The book That Was Then This Is Now captures what it is like to be a teen growing up in a tough neighborhood. The main character Bryon has been in a lot of tough situations. The book starts with Bryon and his brother Mark going down to their friends bar to hustle some guys in pool. Mark isn’t Bryon’s real brother. Bryon’s mother took Mark in when he was nine after his parents killed each other. Even if they weren’t really, over the years they grew very close and practically became brothers. Mark would always be stealing stuff and hot wiring cars and things like that but he would never get caught. Bryon never worried about Mark because he knew that Mark could get out of anything.
The two boys were always causing mischief by hustling pool games, stealing things, getting in fights, and doing what ever else they could think of. One night while Bryon and Mark are out goofing off they run into one of their friends M&M. They ask M&M if they can have some money to pay off their coke bill at the bar. He gives them the money and they head off to the bar to pay Charlie. While at the bar they hustle a few games of pool, then they head out to go visit their mom in the hospital. Their mom tells them to go talk to the kid across the hall because he never gets any visitors. Mark goes over to talk to the kid and Bryon goes down to the snack bar. While at the snack bar Bryon meets this girl. At first he doesn’t recognize her and then he realizes who she is. She is M&M’s sister Cathy. After talking for awhile, Bryon asks Cathy if she wants to go to the dance on Saturday night. Cathy accepts and they talk for a little while longer. Then Bryon decides to go upstairs to talk to the kid. After talking to the kid for awhile, Mark and Bryon hitch a ride home.
The next day Bryon goes down to Charlie’s and asks if he can borrow his car on Saturday night. To his surprise Charlie lets him borrow it. When Saturday came around, Bryon drives to Cathy’s house to pick her up. After talking with Cathy’s parents, Bryon and Cathy head out to the dance. When they get to the dance Bryon and Cathy run into a few people they know. Bryon sees one of his ex girlfriends Angela there. They don’t talk much and Bryon is glad of that. They also see Mark there. He is with one of his friends, Ponyboy Curtis. Mark and Ponyboy decide to go out to the car to drink beer and smoke cigarettes. Bryon and Cathy stay inside to dance. All of a sudden there is a big commotion outside. They rush through the crowd to see what has happened. When they get through the crowd, they find Mark laying on the ground out cold. It turns out that Angela had asked some guy to go pick a fight with Ponyboy because he wasn’t interested in her. The guy grabbed a glass bottle and was about to smash Ponyboy with it. Mark had stepped in and he got hit. Bryon gets an ambulance and they take Mark to the hospital. Mark is out of it for a few days but he eventually recovers.
Sometime over the next week Mark was going to see his probation officer. He hot wires the principal’s car to drive there. When he returns the principal catches him and calls the cops. Mark gets off the hook like usual. The next day Bryon and Mark go to the bar to hustle some pool games. When they get there they see a couple of guys playing pool. They ask Charlie about them and Charlie says they can beat them. Charlie warns them to be careful. Bryon wins twenty five dollars playing pool and the two men aren’t happy about it. After the two men leave, Bryon and Mark sit with Charlie and talk for a little bit. The two boys leave. As they are walking past an alley, the two men come out and tell them to come into the alley. The one man has a gun and the other man has brass knuckles. They are going to beat them up. Just then, Charlie comes out with a shotgun and tells them to let the boys go. The boys walk out of the alley and Charlie says “I hope you kids learned something.” Just then one of the two men fires the gun. Charlie is shot in the head and dies. The two men run and get away. After a few days the police catch the men and they are put in prison. Bryon and Mark are emotionally stunned for a few days but they get over it after awhile.
One night Cathy and Bryon are hanging out and they decided to pick up Mark and M&M. Once they pick them up they decide to go down to the ribbon, which is a just a stretch of food places where everyone hangs out. After driving up and down the ribbon a few times, M&M tells them to pull over so he can see some of his friends. He gets out and he runs away. Cathy and Bryon search all night for M&M but they don’t find him. Finally at two in the morning they decide to go back to Cathy’s house and break the news to her parents. Cathy says that M&M left because their dad is always so hard on him. The next few days they keep looking, but never find him.
One night Bryon and Mark decide to go down to the ribbon by themselves. They see Angela there and she is drunk. They pick her up and they buy her more alcohol. Once she passes out Mark cuts all of her hair off as payback for when she made that guy pick a fight with Ponyboy. They drop Angela in her front yard and leave. On the way home Mark tells Bryon that he knows where M&M is. They decide that they will go find him the next day. In the morning Bryon and Mark go looking for M&M. It turns out that he had been hanging out with the hippies at their house. They go in only to find that M&M is not there, so they leave. Bryon goes to hang out with Cathy and Mark goes to hang out with some of his friends. Later on Bryon goes to find Mark at one of their friend’s houses. When he arrives no one is home so he sits on the front steps waiting for someone to come home. While he is sitting there he sees some guys pull up in front of the house. The guys are Angela’s brothers. Angela’s brothers take Bryon and beat him up really bad. When Bryon wakes up he sees Mark sitting next to him asking if he is alright. They decide not to go to the hospital that night. They wait until the next day to go. Mark calls Cathy and lets her know what happened.
A few weeks later when Bryon was better, he and Cathy went to the hippie house to find M&M. When they get there they ask a man if M&M is there. The man says to go inside and ask the red haired man about M&M. They go inside and ask the man where he is. The man says that he is upstairs having a bad trip. M&M was experimenting with LSD and was having an acid trip. Bryon carries M&M to the car and they take him to the hospital where they meet Cathy’s dad. The doctor says that M&M may never return to normal. This sparks a chain of bad events for Bryon. I guess you will just have to read the book to find out what happens.
I thought that this was a very good book and I would recommend it to anyone who liked The Outsiders or any other S.E. Hinton books.
April 29th, 2008 at 8:49 pm
Title: The A-List
Author: Zoey Dean
Date of Publication: 2003
Wealth, fame, love, and lust are all central plots in the novel, “The A-List”. Reading this novel kept me on the edge of my seat at all times and not once did I want to put the book down. I believe that what the author was trying to get across were the effects of Hollywood, wealth, friends, and love on teenage women and not to let it go to your head.
The story started out with young, Anna Percy, whose parents are divorced and she lives with her mother in the wealthy upper-east side in New York. After her internship in New York failed, she decides to move out west with her father to California, hopeful to find a new intership for herself and simply because she is tired of the New York lifestyle and wants to live in California. On the plane ride, after Anna gets drunk and is stuck next to an annoying seat partner who happens to be a record producer, a young, cute, Princeton boy named Ben Birnbaum. He invites her, as his date, to the wedding of the famous actor Billy Sharpe.
After getting off of her airplane and not hearing nor seeing her father, Anna gets concerned and wonders that he stood her up, as well as not meeting her at the airport, he doesn’t meet her in the restaurant he said he would. Anna returns to his house to find him passed out with a bag of marijuana nearby and worries that he didn’t want her in California with him in the first place.
While attending Mr. Sharpe’s wedding with Ben, she meets Billy Sharpe’s daughter, Samantha and her two friends, Delia “Dee” Young, and Cammie Sheppard. All of them dispising her for being with cutie, Ben. Ben and Anna leave together to his father’s boat, where he leaves her passed out alone.
Anna begins to attend Beverly Hills high school with Sam, Dee, and Cammie. Eventually, becoming close friends with Sam and Dee angers Cammie and she believes that Anna is stealing Sam away from her and does not see a good outcome.
I would definately suggest this book to someone, it’s outstanding and always makes you want to read more. It was written for teenagers and has already been a huge success. If you’re in to reading about drama, gossip, love, and growing up, than this is the perfect book for you.
April 29th, 2008 at 8:52 pm
Title: Inside out
Arthur: Terry Trueman
Date of Publication: 2003
A sixteen-year-old Zachary McDaniel Wahhsted with schizophrenia is caught up in a robbery in a local coffee shop where he usually gets picked up after school. With his schizophrenia Zach is confused and doesn’t know what to do so when the cops show up it becomes a hostage situation. With Zach, eight other hostages, two robbers and the police outside Zach is in trouble because he needs to take his medicine quick before “Dirtbag and Rat” show up. Dirtbag and rat are two people only Zach can see because of his schizophrenia.
Now his meds are the only thing that stops him from doing what they say, but in the coffee shop there s now way of getting out or the police coming to help him.
The two people that are robbing the coffee shop are not much older than Zach. They are desperate for money because when there mom was diagnosed with cancer she needs treatment really soon. She is going down hill fast. The kids thought of an idea to rob the a store, they didn’t want anyone to get hurt. They thought if they got the money they could easily pay for their moms treatment and life could get better. Now the only thing standing in the way of their moms new treatment is nine hostages.
Because of Zach’s illness the only thing Zach can do is try to be a friend. It turns out that the only thing the boys truly needed was a friend. When Zach tries to help the boys by calling Dr. Cal Curtis he makes the right decision for them but it may be too late from him.
After reading this book I give it two thumbs up. The book may be short but it has a lot of meaning behind it. The story line is kind of hard to understand because of Zach’s schizophrenia but it all falls into place when you finish. It was a great book. Anyone who likes action packed robberies and a boy who is just trying to fit in and help anyone he can than this is the book for you, but don’t just take my word get out and read it.
April 29th, 2008 at 8:58 pm
The novel, “Just Listen” seems like a book I would love to read. The review on it was just enough to give you insight but not too much to spoil it, and it made me want to know more. Sarah Dessen is one of my favorite authors and one of the only authors that make me want to continuously read on. “Just Listen” sounds like a great book and I look forward to reading it as well.
April 29th, 2008 at 8:59 pm
Title: Into The Wild
By: Jon Krakauer
DOP: 1996
Chris McCandless is no doubt a man with a taste for adventure. After Chris graduated from High School he lost contact from his family completely. He gave away his savings of $24,000 to OXFAM International, and began traveling, without his car, leaving his home in Atlanta Georgia, and even burned his money.
He traveled out west stopping in many places, often taking up jobs such as working at McDonalds, and an Italian Restaurant. He saved up enough money to buy supplies for his trip to Alaska. In April 1992 Chris hitched a ride with Jim Gallien, who took him straight up into Alaska. When he arrived he wondered into the woods starting his journey with 10 pounds of rice, a camera, a .22 rifle, a few boxes of rifle rounds, a book on edible plants, and some camping gear.
He got sick after about two months. He blamed his sickness on wild potatoes. He then died after surviving 112 days. Moose hunters discovered his body. He weighed only 67 pounds when his body was found. Scientists believe that the seeds from the wild potatoes can sometimes carry poisons, and fungus that could have resulted in his sickness and death; others believe he simply died of starvation. The truth is still unknown.
Into the Wild was an inspirational book for me. How a kid can simply leave all he had and start hitching across the country. It takes not only bravery, but also a strong heart to truly leave everything you ever knew behind. I do not think I could make such a strong decision. It was a very adventurous book, and I’m glad my dad made me read it for the assignment. I suggest this book to anyone who enjoys adventurous books, or someone who has yet to read one, because Into the Wild was certainly an amazing book.
April 29th, 2008 at 9:00 pm
I walked into class late today, and Mrs. Matlack was reading a book review that definately caught my attention. Angus, Thongs and Full-Frontal Snogging by Louise Rennison seems like a book any teenage girl would love to read. There are many things I, myself, can relate to. I definately go around smelling all the tester perfumes and sometimes my friends and I do silly things like go around flirting with guys, they might not be working at the fruits and vegetables store, but I can definately relate. Angus, Thongs and Full-Frontal Snogging seems like a very fun book to read while relaxing.
April 29th, 2008 at 9:02 pm
Fat kid rules the world sounds like a really good book. Based on the summary it seams like a book i would enjoy reading. It is similar to the book that i read because it is about teens facing problems. I really enjoyed my book so i think i would also enjoy this book
April 29th, 2008 at 9:05 pm
The review for the Five People you Meet in Heaven by Mitch Albom was very well written. I’ve read the book before, it’s definetaly worth reading, even if you’re not interested in heaven. I think it’s a book that would appeal to anyone, and it gives a lot of insight on what could possibly occur in heaven, or after life.
April 29th, 2008 at 9:06 pm
The book “The Seeing stone” sounds like a cool book because it is based on medieval time when there were knights and sword fighting. But what really interested me was that something so little like be left handed can change so much in how a person can succeed. I think I might have to go read this book so I can see the hole story.
April 29th, 2008 at 9:07 pm
Born To Rock instantly attracted my attention. Music is dear a bif part of my life, and in the same situation as Leo Caraway i believe getting into a good college is something i can accomplish. I am nervous of my passion for music to get in my way of doing what needs to be done, and ruining my future. It sounds like an interesting book to see the life of a roadie as well, and travel to the big cities is something i would love to do.
April 29th, 2008 at 9:14 pm
Title: Deep Dream of the Rainforest
Author: Malcolm Bosse
Date of Publication: 1993
This novel follows the adventures of a young man from England named Harry Windsor, as he joins an expedition into the rainforests of Borneo. It is also about two natives of Borneo, Bayang and Duck Foot (a crippled girl), who set out to find the “big fish”, a vision that came to Bayang in a dream. Bayang and Duck Foot are part of a tribe called the Iban, who believe that every dream they have tells them of the future and that they revealed the secrets of life. The stories of Harry and the two travelers are separate until a warlike tribe called the Kayan attacks the expedition and Harry gets separated from them. He soon crosses paths with Bayang. At first, Harry is sure that the strange natives are going to kill him; he has no idea where they are taking him or what their intentions are. He also distrusts them because Bayang seems to have stolen a locket his mother gave him (this is Harry’s most prized possession).
Harry soon begins to understand and accept the two Iban travelers by learning that most of the things people say about them are not true. At first, Harry thinks of them as savage, mindless, “children of the jungle”; then he sees that they have learned the secrets of the jungle and understand it better than he does. They aren’t violent and savage, but they do seem a little dangerous to Harry.
I won’t say anything more about the plot so I don’t give away the ending. I think the theme of this novel is to not judge a person by what race they are or what you’ve heard about them until you actually get to know them and find out who they are on the inside. This book was a little slow in the beginning, but the action picks up and it gets exciting right up to the end. I enjoyed reading this book because, if nothing else, I can relate to Harry’s longing for adventure and the unknown. Overall, this was a pretty good book.
April 29th, 2008 at 9:26 pm
I have never heard of “The Seeing Stone” before, and it sounds like an awesome book. I love books about medieval times and stuff like that, so I’ll probably check it out.
April 29th, 2008 at 9:35 pm
Title- Inexcusable
Author- Chris Lynch
DOP- 2005
The novel Inexcusable is about a shifty character, Keir, who seems to slip from reality into his inner fantasies, which becomes dangerous for him and others around him. Particulary his good friend, Gigi. As the story moves on it develops his soon to be adult life as he graduates highschool and leaves his life at home. Through the chapters, the novel switches from the previous happenings of drinking and fun good-byes, to the present situation he has gotten himself into with Gigi.
This story brings you through Keirs wonderous, but sometimes problematic, popular life mainly as a football player in his last days of highschool. Parties, drugs, alcohol, and ridculous pranks are shown in his ending year. But, as his almost obsession with Gigi escalates, all these things come to a hault when he so blindly takes it all too far.
Keir seems as if he believes only what is in his head and almost lives in a cloud of fog. Through the pages, it’s as if he is trying to convince the reader as well as himself that he is truly a good man. He does not realize that the drug like affect of his fantasies as well as his creepy, stalker-like affection he has for Gigi has caused him to go too far in his dream world.
This work can make certain people quite emotional and could bore others to death, all depending on what interests you like any other novel. What I have to say about it is that it was interesting. It was strange how immoral the main character can seem, but then you feel pity for how trapt he is in his own mind. I would recommend it. No doubt.
April 29th, 2008 at 9:48 pm
I agree with Kelsey Vincello.
The novel Just Listen by Sarah Dessen is amazing.
It’s my favorite book that I’ve read and, like she said, it is en excellent
teen novel. It really opens your eyes up to different people,
and can really reach out to people.
Yay, read it it!
April 29th, 2008 at 9:48 pm
Title: Letting go of Bobby James, or how I found my self of steam
Author: Valerie Hobbs
D.O.P: 2004
In “Letting go of Bobby James, or how I found my self of steam”, a sixteen-year-old girl named Sally Jo (Jody Walker) is scared and alone after making a life changing decision. As you follow her on her journey, you take a look into her life’s greatest challenges and fears. While attempting to create a new life for herself, she befriends others who in some ways – are in difficult situations themselves. With nothing but sheer determination on her side, she tackles everyday situations. Her experiences teach her courage and help her realize her true inner strength. Sally Jo decides to take her life into her own hands and eventually finds her “self of steam.”
April 29th, 2008 at 9:49 pm
William S. Burroughs
Junky
A.A. Wyn Inc. 1953
As most know, drugs are an unhealthy, and harmful alternative to; fit into a group, deal with problems, or to entertain one’s self. This semi autobiographical novel is based on a young man , no older than 25, living the single life in New York City. He was recently sent home from military duty when the book begins. He is faced with a very common real life situation. A friend he knew from the military come to his apartment one day with syringes filled with morphine. He was able to get it easily since he used to be a medic and was able to fill prescriptions for it. I think this book is great for showing people that humans all have weaknesses, its part of life. Eventually he becomes addicted to a variety of drugs.
Again human emotion really shows through in this novel. The reason i enjoyed this novel is because the emotions characters showed was not the usual fear or sympathy. But a kind of emotion that is shown when trying to survive, thinking your feet and examining a stranger you meet on the street.
This novel really feels like you can control the way the story goes and ends. Of course you can not. Its the descriptions you have to put together in your head and you know exactly the type of person that is written about. This is one of the best novels I’ve read in a long time. i can see myself in the dark filthy crowded streets, as a crumpled news paper scuffs across the ground and a poor man scrambles towards it to see the sports scores.
All may not be interested in this though. It keeps you thinking so it does not make it an easy leisure reading book. you have really got to be thinking about the whole story while your reading it. A small seemingly non important paragraph could, later in the novel, affect it greatly. But it is extremely entertaining. There is quite a bit of violence and foul language used throughout, so if you like happy books, this may not be such a great choice.
This novel kept me involved and guessing from beginning to end. An easy book to read. Not many ’slow’ parts where there are lots of descriptions that aren’t necessary. A great read for someone who is into introspective and true-life novels.
April 29th, 2008 at 9:58 pm
After i read Matt Ecochards review of Fat Kid Rules The World. It made me think of some kind of weird drama on tv. But i really think this book sounds interesting. I like books that deal with personal problems [i have no idea why] but I’m going to check this book out sometime. sounds like a good read.
April 29th, 2008 at 10:01 pm
In reponse to “The Five People You Meet In Heaven”.
Just the first few lines of the review caught my attention. Many times we don’t realize how we take the people in our life for granted, and not knowing how important they really are. Reading the book review made me think about how people can impact your life through your personal experiences. This is a probably a book I’d consider reading and maybe learn some valuable lessons.
April 29th, 2008 at 10:26 pm
Title: Girl of the Moment
Author: Lizabeth Zindel
D.O.P: 2007
In Girl of the Moment, Lily planned to intern at a Museum of Modern Arts in her hometown, NYC. However, once that falls through Lily’s summer seems to be ruined. Her best friend is off at a soccer camp where they’ve always gone together. And to make it worse the boy Lily has had a crush on is there too. Then, her father pulls strings and gets her a job as an intern for Sabrina Snow, the 16 year old Hollywood “it-girl”. Lily’s summer soon turns into high-fashion, and late night parties with Hollywood’s crowd. Sabrina reveals a side Lily doesn’t want to belive. Throughout the entire novel, the reader follows Lily on her summer journey of trying to please the young starlet. She is faced with many challenges of trying to cover Sabrina’s mistakes, pleasing her parents, staying true to herself, and dealing with a suicidal teenager in Morristown, NJ. The teenager, named Taylor, believes that only Sabrina can save her. But when Sabrina becomes too invloved in the glitz and glamour of NYC, Lily is left to deal with the serious issue. Want to know what happens to Lily and Sabrina’s crumbling relationship? Or what happens with Taylor? Read Girl of the Moment and you won’t be dissapointed!
April 29th, 2008 at 10:34 pm
I have read “The Five People You Meet In Heaven” and to this day it’s still one of my favorite books. The way it was reviewed was very to the point and good! It said exactly what I’ve been trying to explain. The book was very touching to me because I have had one of my best friends pass away last December and after reading this book, I hope that if I were to see my five people, like Eddie, she would be one of them. In many ways this book is one many should read to realize the true impact of little things, by people who truely touch your life forever.
April 29th, 2008 at 10:48 pm
“Street Angel”
Rob Batista
D.O.P.: 1998
“Street Angel” is one powerful novel that can relate to present day events that happen in the cities. The book is centered around a victim of gang violence whose name is Moises Colon. He is a 16-year-old honors student attending Brooklyn Technical Highschool.
The main character Moises goes through many tragic events as the story unfolds. From the start of the story he has a nasty scar on his face from when he was attacked on the subway by a hoodlum coming home from school. He was cut with a box knife and had to get 52 stitches. Ever since this happened Moises has been living his life in fear and non-chalantly. He doesn’t care weather he lives or dies and his grades have plummeted. He soon becomes very dependent on his friends. While at a party one night his friend he was with was killed and the other lost an arm and is in a coma. Moises goes into a state of depression and buys a gun to protect himself. This then becomes a problem and he eventually sorts everything out.
The setting of this novel would be the east side of Brooklyn. Moises’ grandmother calls it “Gun Smoke” after all of the shooting that happens there. The area is so bad that during the night when Moises and his brother are in bed, they try to guess the caliber of the pistols that are being fired. Also, on the subway the transit cops are so numbed to the violence, when Moises was cut and bleeding everywhere the cop was as cool as can be about the situation and takes his time calling for an ambulance.
The plot of the story is that as Moises becomes more and more vulnerable and scared the quicker he starts losing people he loves. He must learn to stay focused and strong. Once his mind is set to this he begins to work his way towards a normal life.
Some parts of this story that I liked was the accuracy in relation to events that happen in real life. Also, I liked the suspense that was included in every important part of the story.
I really enjoyed this book and I believe that many people will as well.
April 29th, 2008 at 10:52 pm
“The Five People You Meet In Heaven” is a very popular book, but it does not seem like something i would read, i prefer a book with lots of suspense, i would recommend that book to someone who was a daily reader and enjoys Mitch Album’s style as an author.
April 30th, 2008 at 6:54 am
The Absolutely True Diaries of a Part Time Indian was well reviewed. I also read that book and thought it was great and a little odd, as the review said. I recomend this book to anyone who needs a can’t-put-it-downer when they’re bored.
April 30th, 2008 at 7:30 am
Girl of the Moment seems really good. I love reading books like those, because those are things that really could happen to you, plus drama is good in books it makes you wanna keep reading. I would love to read that book.
April 30th, 2008 at 12:36 pm
Title: Inside out
Arthur: Terry Trueman
Date of Publication: 2003
A sixteen-year-old Zachary McDaniel Wahhsted with schizophrenia is caught up in a robbery in a local coffee shop where he usually gets picked up after school. With his schizophrenia Zach is confused and doesn’t know what to do so when the cops show up it becomes a hostage situation. With Zach, eight other hostages, two robbers and the police outside Zach is in trouble because he needs to take his medicine quick before “Dirtbag and Rat” show up. Dirtbag and rat are two people only Zach can see because of his schizophrenia.
Now his meds are the only thing that stops him from doing what they say and maybe hutrting himself, but in the coffee shop there is no way of getting out or the police coming in to help him.
The two people that are robbing the coffee shop are not much older than Zach. They are desperate for money because when there mom was diagnosed with cancer she needs treatment really soon. She is going down hill fast. The kids thought of an idea to rob the a store, they didn’t want anyone to get hurt. They thought if they got the money they could easily pay for their moms treatment and life could get better. Now the only thing standing in the way of their moms new treatment is nine hostages.
Because of Zach’s illness the only thing Zach can do is try to be a friend. It turns out that the only thing the boys truly needed was a friend. When Zach tries to help the boys by calling Dr. Cal Curtis(his doctor) he makes the right decision for them but it may be too late from him.
After reading this book I give it two thumbs up. The book may be short but it has a lot of meaning behind it. The story line is kind of hard to understand because of Zach’s schizophrenia but it all falls into place when you finish. It was a great book. Anyone who likes action packed robberies and a boy who is just trying to fit in and help anyone he can than this is the book for you, but don’t just take my word get out and read it.
April 30th, 2008 at 2:53 pm
Book title: Playing the Field
Author: Phil Bildner
Date of publication: 2006
The novel “Playing the Field” can be related to most high school students. This is because it is about a female senior named Darcy Miller. While attending Finley High School she was a star player for the girls softball team, but she wanted to win and join the boys team. While going to the Principle Basset (her mothers boyfriend) to ask if she could join he says no because of her gender. Her mother Nathalie quickly takes action and persuades her “lover” to think about it. The answer is still going to be no until the principals’s son, Brandon, who is the star player on the team and also has a crush on Darcy, spreads a rumor that she is a lesbian. Principal Basset being uneasy about sexuality says yes. She struggles through high school being looked at differently because of this rumor, but the fact that her dream has come true keeps her going. After she confronts Brandon over the rumor she understands why he did it, it was to let her try-out for the team. Now with the rumor going, she and her friends have to keep the act up. This is not easy though, especially due to the fact that her ex- best friend, Josh, is gay. Josh is the president of the GSA (Gay-Straight-Alliance) and won’t stand for this charade. With Josh out to destroy Darcy and Brandon’s plan she has to work hard to survive high school, make the team, and most important, keep Josh at a safe distance just to do what she wants to do the most, to play on Finley’s varsity boys baseball team.
There are multiple themes to this story. One of them is to understand each other’s sexuality. This theme is very strongly supported throughout the story but it does not force you to take it from one side. It lets you choose the side you are on. The next theme is no matter what obstacles you must face try as hard as you can to achieve your dreams. Darcy went through a high schooler’s worst fear, social exile. Face the fact, she moved on and gave it her all.
This book was a great book. It very easy to understand for students in high school or who have went through high school. In the beginning it is very slow with constant information, then it all comes together when in the middle of the book. It gets very exciting quickly rising to the climax with lots of problems and obstacles. After this part you are easily sucked into reading the book. I would recommend this book to almost every high school student because it is very easily understood. You shouldn’t read this book if you are very uneasy about different sexuality though, it is a very strong aspect of the book.
April 30th, 2008 at 3:11 pm
Shohei Ogawa
Parasite Pig
William Sleator
William Sleator’s novel “Parasite Pig” was a fascinating science fiction novel based on an ongoing war throughout space over the Pig. The Pig is seen in this book in as an actual one eyed pig-like figure and a board game. This is how Barney and Kate got into there predicament.
The Pig was supposedly going to destroy everything but the species that controlled it. This led to the setting of J’koot a planet like earth just inhabited my monstrous crabs who find that humans are a great delicacy. Barney and Kate did not get there on their own. They were abducted by a giant tape worm that goes by the name of Julian, and a giant wasp by the name of Soma. That is where all the trouble begins.
When they landed on J’koot the first major happens. They get captured and this is where the story gets really interesting. From the point they get captured to the very end of the novel is set in a luxurious castle made for humans. For some reason the crabs treated humans like they were holy and calling the process a “great honor”. However, this great honor was to be eaten! Now about that eaten thing, there was a little bug in Barney’s head called a Madame Toxoplasma Gondii who wanted him to get eaten because she could only reproduce inside a crab’s body. So throughout the story she was trying to get Barney eaten the sooner the better. The rest is for you to figure out or read.
Overall I give this novel 10 out of 10. This is because it kept my attention to it easily. The whole plot was so interesting that it was hard to put down the book. Not to mention it kept me thinking about what if this did really happen. It would scare me a lot. I also learned now through all the thinking that it really is better off not talking to strangers because that’s how everything in this book ended up happening. This novel may be the first novel I have ever reread because it was amazing how I got so into the book. I could actually see the events happening in my head as I read them.
April 30th, 2008 at 3:26 pm
The book that Kyle Beam read “The House of Scorpion” seems like a very good novel. I’m probably going to look into reading it only because i like Sci-Fi and it sounds like an interesting book. Also 400 pages doesnt seem like too much.
April 30th, 2008 at 4:31 pm
Title: OF MICE AND MEN
Author: John Steinbeck
D.O.P: 1937
The best laid plans
Of mice and men
Often go awry
And leave us nothing
But grief and pain
For promised joy
The verses above reveal the core idea expressed in a well known stanza of the Robert Burns poem, “To a Mouse”. It was from this poem that John Steinbeck chose the title for his novel, Of Mice and Men.
The two main characters of this novel, George and Lennie face the harsh reality of a cruel and cold world that doesn’t understand their dilemmas. Lennie has a disorder that only allows him to think on a ten year old level. As a result, Lennie requires George to look after him day in and day out. Without George’s supervision Lennie could get himself into trouble, as he has done many times in the past. Friendship and companionship are what keep George and Lennie together.
When the novel begins George and Lennie are on their way to a job at a ranch that could potentially lead to their dream to own their own place and live, “…off the fatta the lan’…” When George and Lennie arrive at the ranch, they are introduced to a group of ranch hands.
During the beginning of this novel the relationship between George and Lennie was misunderstood by the ranch hands. Slim, the mule driver was the only one who seemed to feel that it was “kinda nice” to see two guys traveling around together. Later on, two other characters, Candy and Crooks, indicated that they need what George and Lennie seemed to already have.
Candy is an old man with only one companion, his old and wretched dog. When Candy loses his dog, the torturous thought of himself being alone for the rest of his life causes him to seek George and Lennie out for future company.
Curly is the ranch owner’s son, he is an aspiring boxer and a short man. Due to his size, Curly’s dreams were shattered. During his life he feels the need to prove himself to people, to do this he picks fights with the largest men he can find. He believes this will earn him respect among his colleagues, but instead of giving him the respect he feels he deserves the ranch hands seem to dislike him more.
Another person who experiences grief and pain for promised joy was Curly’s wife. She wanted to be an actress her entire life but was denied by the obstacles that stood in her way. After her goal was terminated she married Curly as a last result. She almost made it seem as though her life ended along with her dream in this novel.
Crooks seems to be afflicted the most by loneliness because he has no
one, the only things he has are his books and his small room. Says Crooks, “A guy sets alone out here at night, maybe readin’ books or thinkin’ or stuff like that. Sometimes he gets thinkin’, an’ he got nothing to tell him what’s so an’ what ain’t so. Maybe if he sees somethin’, he don’t know whether it’s right or not. He can’t turn to some other guy and ast him if he sees it too. He can’t tell. He got nothing to measure by. I seen things out here. I wasn’t drunk. I don’t know if I was asleep. If some guy was with me, he could tell me I was asleep, an’ then it would be all right. But I jus’ don’t know.” Crooks, is an old man who is forced to keep to himself because of the line of race that separates him from everyone else. Until Lennie came around he had no hope or future, but when he hears of the promise of company he is immediately drawn to the dream of George and Lennie.
In the midst of numerous characters with destroyed dreams there is one who has avoided the sorrow and pain. Slim, a highly skilled mule driver. Slim is the only ranch hand that does not seem to have a problem or dilemma. He seems to have found a place of peace, happiness, and joy in his life; it is almost like he has reached his nirvana. Why would Steinbeck have such a character in this story, a character that contrasts with the many very real and flawed characters on the ranch?
Sometimes, even though it’s not what you want, you have to do what’s best for you and those you love. In the end George is faced with a life-changing decision, a decision that could lead to the end of Lennie’s and his own dream. The time soon comes when he must make his final verdict, would he let this end in tragedy or with the fulfillment of their life long dream?
Still, you are blessed, compared with me!
Only this moment touches you:
But oh! I backward cast my eye
On prospects turned to sadness!
And though forward I cannot see,
I guess and fear!
As a critic I thoroughly enjoyed this novel. I believe the classic setting, the lonesome characters, the tragic plot, and the substantial themes merged to form a first-rate novel. I would highly recommend this book to any of the john Steinbeck fans out there; this is one of his best!!!
April 30th, 2008 at 4:48 pm
“inside out” sounds like a good book. i saw a movie about a hostage who had a mental illness and the police tried to figure out the bits and pieces of the murder from the boys memory. this book sounds almost like that and if it was as good as the movie it must have been good.
April 30th, 2008 at 5:08 pm
Title: Fake ID (A Mystery)
Author: Walter Sorrells
D.O.P.: 2005
April 30th, 2008 at 5:16 pm
The book A Mango Shaped Space, by Wendy Mass, was very well reveiewed. I read it last year and thought that it was a wonderful book. The story get my interest and I felt connected to Mia by the end. By the time I started reading, I could hardly put the book down. You should definitily think about reading!
April 30th, 2008 at 5:20 pm
Inside Out sounds like the perfect book for me. After reading Robert’s review; I was sitting on the edge of my seat wanting more. It seems like it has the perfect amount of suspense, action, and drama for me. The story line sounds fantastic and without a doubt, it will have me holding my breath suspense after every page. I can not wait to find out what happens to Zach and the rest of the hostages! Inside Out will definitely be the next book I check out from the library!
April 30th, 2008 at 7:06 pm
Title: 13 Little Blue Envelopes
Author: Maureen Johnson
Date of Publication: 2005
What would you do if you received 13 little blue envelopes? Would you follow their sketchy directions? Would you travel all around the world just because of what the envelopes said?
Meet Virginia, a teen who desperately needs some excitement in her life. Meet Aunt Peg, Virginia’s aunt who seems to never sit still in one county. Ginny receives 13 blue envelopes, which are numbered from 1-13. Envelope #1 includes instructions to buy a plane ticket to London, holds 1,000 dollars, and tells when to open the next envelope. And who might the writer of the mysterious envelopes be? It’s aunt Peg of coarse. This may seem normal, on the fact that aunt Peg is spontaneous and exciting. You see, Aunt Peg died 3 months before Ginny received the envelopes.
How could someone possibly go on a trip, following words written down in envelopes? (Not to mention there are sets of rules including no cell phone (Ahh!!), music, etc. ) But that’s exactly what Ginny does. She goes right on the plane to London, hoping to experience what her Aunt did before she died. On her journey the envelopes let her explore new places and new cultures. Ginny falls in love, meets a new family member, and even has a run-in with some international police. On her exhilarating journey she learns life lessons, such as to never offer cake to a Roman boy, and finds her true identity along the way. Everything in Ginny’s world changes for the better and it’s all because of 13 little blue envelopes.
I thought that “13 little blue envelopes” was a great story, however I would’ve liked the ending to be a tad different. It was hard to put down and I read it in a matter of days. All in all the story was great and I would recommend it to other teens.
April 30th, 2008 at 7:19 pm
Into the wild instantly caught my attention. I heard of the movie but had no clue it was a book. Now that i know more information about it, it seems like a book id definetly wanna check out. As an outdoorsy kind of guy these things intrigue me. good job on the review Miller
April 30th, 2008 at 7:23 pm
I have previously read “Just Listen” and i thought it was amazing ! I could’nt put it down after I started reading it also. I would definately recommend more of Sarah Dessen’s books because I’ve read some of them and they are just as good if not better than this one. “Just Listen” is a great romance/teen novel. I would definately, definately recommend this book!
April 30th, 2008 at 7:31 pm
I picked up the novel A Mango-Shaped Space, by Wendy Mass in the library and read the first few pages, I wasn’t interested in it when I read the few pages, but now after reading the review about it I might just have to go and take it out of the library. This book seems like you will become close to the character. This novel seems like it will be entertaining and enjoyable to read.
April 30th, 2008 at 7:38 pm
Emily Segreto
Title: Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants
Author: Ann Brashares
Publication: May 2004
The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants by Ann Brashares is a book of absolute friendship. It is about four girls; Lena, Carmen, Tibby and Bridget who are very close friends who are spending an entire summer away from each other. But along with the bond of friendship, the girls a pair of pants they find at a thrift store. This seems perfectly normal, but the jeans happen to fit all the girls even though they are all different sizes. The four all have a turn to wear the jeans and send them to the next person. First the jeans go to Lena who is in Greece visiting her grandparents. Then the jeans go to Bridget who goes to a soccer camp in Baja, California. After her, Carmen, who is visiting her dad in South Carolina, receives the jeans. Last to get the jeans is Tibby who unfortunately has to stay home and work at a drugstore with an obnoxious boss. The pants follow the girls as they make new friends, find love, try new things, and find a piece of themselves.
The theme of this book is friendship. This is relatable because everyone has friends and everyone cares about their friends. This book shows how friends help each other in times of need. Such as when Carmen is upset about her father, Tibby upset about Bailey, Lena not knowing what to do about Kostos, and Bridget chasing the man she can’t have. When the girls finally reunite, they share all their memories and put them on the pants. So, it could be said that the pants symbolize the love and friendship that the girls share.
Throughout the whole book, you can feel the bond the girls share. It’s quite realistic too; the circumstances found in the story could happen to any group of friends. This is a very good book and I would recommend it to anyone who likes books that are realistic and relatable.
April 30th, 2008 at 7:41 pm
Title: Fake ID
Author: Walter Sorrells
D.O.P.: 2005
The novel Fake ID is about a girl named Chasity Pureheart (Chass), who tries to find out about her past, herself, and who she “really” is.
Ever since she was a baby, Chass and her mom would travel from state to state changing names as they get to a new one. They a come to a small town in Alabama where by this time Chass is old enough to understand that their not just moving, but running away from something. Thats when all the problems start to occur………On Chass’ 16th birthday, her mom disapperes not telling Chass where she is going or she is doing.
The police get involved, and start investigating the crime scene of where sha has been, and thats when the discovered her mothers car at an old house abandoned, blood that matched her DNA, and a purse with six ID cards in it. Each ID had a picture of Chass’ mom, but each one also had a different name on it. Cops start to get very suspicious, and instead of helping Chass, they really start to make her feel like a victim in the situation. She decides to take matters into her own hands with the help of her friends and some mystery people???????
During all of this, Chass later finds out that her and her mom are being chased just for a tape that she has no clue about. Chass and her friends also discover some clues about certain places and things. As they go further into all of this drama, they reach a limit where Chass and her friends encounter obstacles, including death threats, and kidnappings where it gets to the point that Chass was digging her own grave and putting her friends and family in danger. Things get easier as the clues start to fit together into one big puzzle piece.
The theme of this story is based on finding who you really are by going through obstacles and challenges whether it be in new situations or during your everyday life. It is also about being loyal and truthful to friends and family, no matter what the circumstances. it may be of some help in a time of need.
I suggest this book to people who love mystery stories and love to get the feeling of thinking about a chapter after you’ve read it. You think that something is going to happen, but it turns out out your wrong, i love getting that feeling. It makes you feel as if you were the main character trying to solve the case yourself. I am also sure that most kids out there could relate to this. Lots of kids are stuck in situations where they think they know who they are, but are not pretty sure, and that leaves them stuck with the question who am I?
April 30th, 2008 at 7:41 pm
Tittle: The Cure
Author: Sonia Levitin
D.O.P: 1999
The Book The Crete is a very interesting book showing how emotions have come over the life of people in the world of Gemm. The world that Gemm 16884 lives is considered to be a utopia. The year is 2407, in this world tranquility and harmony reign over everything else. There is no violence, no hatred nor passions. In this utopia diversity is banished by all, everyone except Gemm.
He finds release and happiness in the forbidden arts of song and dance. His dreams frighten him. He dreams about emotional act which he knows is forbidden. As a cure he is sent back to Germany, the year 1348. He is the son of a Jewish money lender and he is gifted with a talent to play the flute. He lives his life side by side with his music. It is his passion. When the plague comes to his town and it catches him fully caught up in his recent betrothal.
He is unprepared for the tragedy that the pestilence brings with it. Now he is caught up in the tide of others emotions. The emotions of fear, hate, and prejudice. Emotions all brought on by ignorance and insecurity that shock him. I recommend this Book because it shows how emotion lead to pain and tragedy and it also shows what it would be in a world without them.
April 30th, 2008 at 7:43 pm
I really like the review for A Kangoe- Shaped Space. IVe read the book and i really liked it. In the beginging it wax a bit hard to realate to becuse not everyone had the condition the main character has but as the review says, you definaley do gow on the main character and follow her as she kind of grows up. This book is good for anyone, well as long as you dont mind sad books.
April 30th, 2008 at 7:52 pm
After I read Mike Montgomery’s review on Junky, I felt that it could be a book that I could really enjoy. I really enjoy the books that express peoples feelings and their opinions on things. The way the story is explained about a man who gets hooked on drugs are stories of things that can happen in real life.
April 30th, 2008 at 8:01 pm
Blue is for Nightmares.”
Author: Laurie Faria Solarz
D.O.P:2006
Stacey is in her junior year of boarding school. It’s not easy. She’s not the prettiest girl at school, or the smartest, or the most popular. She’s got a crush on her best friend’s boyfriend, and another secret she holds that could ruin there friendship.
Stacey begins having nightmares again. These nightmares are not just nightmares- these dreams are ones that can’t be ignored. These nightmares are like the ones she have three years previously. She ties and wants to ignore them but the last time she ignored them a little girl died. This time they’re about Drea, her best friend, who’s become the center of one seriously psycho stalker.
First Stacey began getting these weird nightmares. Then came weird E-mails and freaky phone calls. Now someone’s leaving drea white lilies – the same death flowers that have been showing up in Stacey’s dreams. Everyone begins thinking it’s just a stupid, twisted game…Until another girl in murdered.
There are no witnesses. Worst of all, no one has a perfect alibi. With everyone as a potential suspect, Stacey turns to the one secret weapon she can trust -the magic taught to her by her grandmother. Will Stacey’s magic be strong enough to expose the true killer, or will the killer make her darkest nightmares come true? The rest is for you to find out.
This was probably one of the best novels i have ever read. It’s mysterious and suspicious. I couldn’t put the book down. Throughout the novel you become close with the character Stacey. You hear the ups and downs of being a teenage girl. Boys, school, and friends. You hear all the experiences that she goes through that many of us out there have gone through ourselves. This book is a must read you will not be disappointed.This is and entertaining and touching novel that I recommend all of you to read.
April 30th, 2008 at 8:03 pm
The Fighting Ground by Avi sounds like it’s a great book. I enjoy watching movies about the war this seems like it’s a book that would keep me interesting due to all the details. I would reccomend a book like this to anyone who is interested in war stories.
April 30th, 2008 at 8:50 pm
Mercier and Camier is a book that makes you feel like you can not figure out what is going on through out the whole book. It just never gives you the attention that should keeps you drawn to a book. Mercier and Camier are two friends that set out on a journey just to get away from everything in their town. An umbrella, a rain jacket, a bike, and a dead bird is all that they have with them through out there long and distracted journey.
Bars are where the two men get halted through out their journey. While they manage to get 5 steps in their journey its like they take 3 steps back from a distraction these certain distractions are bars and beer. Then the one leaving the other fears them and gets them worked up and furious. This makes them look as if they were little kids just looking to find excuses to just stall and do nothing. Then they turn to an umbrella for directions. Which ever way the umbrella points when they drop is the way the direction they will be headed. I’m sure the other couldn’t come up with a better way for them to choose a direction.
Confusion, confusing, and more confusing is what this book was it just seemed never ending because the information could never be grasped. If you want to read a confusing book that makes no sense, this is the book for you.
April 30th, 2008 at 8:53 pm
Into the wild looks like a book i would never want to pick up and read
April 30th, 2008 at 8:55 pm
Its kind of a funny story sound like a very intriguing book. The first thing that cough my mind was that you have to stay strongwilling during tough situations in how the guys life is going through. i would like to read this book now and find out what happens during his life.
April 30th, 2008 at 9:11 pm
Title: The Nature of Jade
Arthur: Deb Caletti
Date of Publication: 2007
The Nature of Jade is a book where you can relate things back into your life. It’s about this girl Jade who had very bad anxiety, and is pretty much scared of everything, until she falls in love. The lovely man she falls in love with, Sebastian, has a baby Bo. However, he has a secret, and when she finds out, things get a little messy. Jade is stuck in between two completely different worlds. She has her simple life as a teenager in highschool, about to graduate. Then this whole different life where she is dating a 20 year old man with a kid! How did she get herself in this mess?
To add on to the drama with that, her parents aren’t going through the best of times. Jade’s mom who gets too involved in her school, literally gets too involved, with a teacher! Jade is lead to humiliation and anger, can you blame her?
She goes through all these ups and downs, and things don’t seem to get much easier for her. Did i mention she never told her parents about the boy? Well, they find out. And that is where everything goes wrong. Jade thought she could trust her mom with something and obviously she couldn’t. Jade’s mom drove Sebastian out of town, and Jade was furious. Sebastion asked her to go with him. What would you do? Whether she goes or not you will have to find out for yourself.
This is a book that will definitely help you with future experiences, and maybe even help you make decision, i definitely recommend it.
April 30th, 2008 at 9:12 pm
Title: The Outsiders
Author: S.E. Hinton
DOP: 1967
The outsiders was one of the best books written by S.E. Hinton. In the outsiders, there are many prolbems. There are social and financiall problems. The story is being told through the main character Ponyboy’s eyes. Him and his other friends are in a gang reffered to as the Greasers. Their gang is the poor gang. the gang from the bad, lower side of town. the gang that they are ‘rivals’ with are the Socs. they are the upper class, rich gang.
There are many problems occuring in the story. Ponyboy is still young. he doesnt live with his parents. thay are out of the picture. Instead he just hangs around with his other gang members. His closest friend and also a gang peer of his is Johnny. johnny is a tough kid. as the story goes along johnny ends up killing a Soc. Of course the Socs dont apreciate this to much and they eventually retaliate. Johnny is eventually found by the dead Socs friend and is killed in vengence. Eventually the Greasers and Socs just have on big ‘rumble’. the greasers come out on top with a little help from some of the other kids in the town.One of Ponyboys other friends Dally is also killed. this tears Ponyboy apart. he is so sad. Eventually ponyboy comes around to things and relizes what had happened and how to avoid the problems in the future. i think that this book was very good, and i may read it again 4 or 5 years in the future, after i forget all the details.
April 30th, 2008 at 9:14 pm
The Five People you meet in heaven sounds like a very interesting book. once i heard the title i was automatically wondering about the people you could possibly meet. I once tried to read it but then i stopped i dont remember why. after hearing about this review, it has motivated me to pick the book up and read it again.
April 30th, 2008 at 10:51 pm
Darrin Pulver
The Phantom of the Opera
By: Gaston Leroux
D.O.P.: 1990
In an opera house of France in 1880, The Opera Garnier, lived a deformed, yet extremely intelligent man, or some believed a “ghost”. The mystery of the ghost is a constant threat to the people and staff of the opera house. The man, or “ghost,” of the Garnier was known as Erik. Erik was talented and well-versed in the classical arts of the opera house. He was familiar with the architecture of the opera house, and used that to his advantage. He was also familiar with extortion. He demanded 20,000 francs per week from the managers. He also insisted that that box 5 seats be left open during the operas.
The original owners of the opera house sold it to somebody else because they grew sick of the constant extortion. The new owners do not believe in the “ghost”. They refuse to pay the money through Madame Giry to Erik. Madame Giry is the instructor of the ballet company, and Erik’s only ally of the opera house. Erik threatens to rid of the opera’s main attraction, Carlotta. Carlotta, was the diva of the opera house. The managers refuse to pay. Erik raises the price. The managers still refuse. Christine Daae, a choral member of the opera company, becomes a temporary distraction to Erik. In Christine, Erik hears the comparison of voices between Carlotta and Christine. This only makes it easier to carry out his threat. He sends a poison pen letter to Carlotta, threatening her if she performs.
Carlotta is also a very arrogant person. The managers insist that she goes onstage. During the performance of Faust, Carlotta is in the leading role as Marguerite. Carlotta, during her aria, becomes more and more frightened of the threats. She pauses and stutters and cannot finish the aria. Christine Daae is pulled from the chorus. Christine Daae finishes the aria. She is now acclaimed as the new Marguerite. This infuriates Carlotta, who threatens to leave the opera house unless Christine is put back into the chorus forever. Erik was also overcome by her performance. He approaches her and promises her that he will take her under his wing.
Another letter is sent to the owners of the opera house. If Carlotta was to perform on stage again, she would not live to see the next day. Carlotta appears the following night as Marguerite. Erik makes good on his promise. The grand chandelier on center stage mysteriously lets loose and crushes her of its weight. Christine Daae is being sought after from her childhood friends, Raoul and Philippe Chagny. An investigation of Carlotta’s death is being performed by the police.
At the same time, Christine is facing internal conflict over Carlotta’s death because she knows Carlotta is dead because of her. Christine is also torn between two lovers, Erik the mystery, and Raoul, her childhood friend. Philippe believes Raoul, shouldn’t be with Christine because she is beneath them, society wise.
Christine is suffering of internal conflict and must be relieved. She leaves for Scandinavia, her homeland, to escape the two lovers, the death of Carlotta, and the animosity of Philippe. After a short period of time, she leaves and returns to France and her beloved opera house.
During a performance of the Masked Ball, where Philippe and Raoul are present to hear Christine sing, Erik joins the play and blends in with the performers. In this short period of time, Erik brings Christine Daae off stage and proceeds to take her to the cellars, under the opera house where Erik lives. No one notices, except for Philippe and Raoul. Both brothers go into quick pursuit to get Christine from being lost underground. Philippe was quicker than Raoul, a big mistake. A great lake exists under the opera house. As Erik is going across on a boat with Christine, Philippe jumps in and drowns. Erik considers it an accident but the police call it murder. Who would believe that this is an accident? One person. The Persian. Everyone believes Christine to be another victim. Erik brings her into his home under the Garnier and professes his love to her. He gives her a golden wedding band as a mock marriage. Christine escapes into the arms of Raoul, who she now becomes engaged to. Erik makes an attempt to take Raoul’s life. His friend, the Persian, now believes that he should inform the police on Erik. Raoul is forcibly brought into the torture chamber under the opera house. Christine is mysteriously there with him now. They’re both frantic to escape this maze of mirrors. After a period of time, they miraculously escape. Christine is abducted once again and is led to believe that she in the bedroom of her fiancee’s dead brother, Philippe.
Erik gives Christine a choice.
Will she marry him or Raoul ?
I felt that this book can be confusing if you don’t pay close attention as you’re reading it. There is no other book like it. It was created from articles found in newspapers from many years ago.
April 30th, 2008 at 10:57 pm
Into the Wild was a movie I had seen a few years ago. I watched it multiple times but never read the book. They seem to be much different. The idea of reading the book interests me.
May 1st, 2008 at 7:22 am
CELL by Stephen King seems like a great book to read. it was reviewed greatly and the thought of people going crazy after talking on their cell phones makes me really want to read the book. I like Stephen King and most of his books so i might just have to read this one.
May 2nd, 2008 at 7:16 am
Fat Kid Rules the World sounds like a great book. I was never really interested in it before but after reading the review on it i think it might be a better read than i first had thought.
It is defiantly something i will have to pick up and read sometime.
May 7th, 2008 at 4:30 pm
In the novel Fly on the Wall, by E. Lockhart the author tells you a story about a girl, Gretchen Yee. She attends a school in Manhattan for arts. She’s a very ordinary girl. Gretchen is the type of girl who doesn’t like to associate with very many people because she’s scared of what they might say. She only has one real friend, Katya, and when she’s busy she has no one to hang out with. Katya starts smoking cigarettes, and Gretchen finds it disgusting. Gretchen has a crush on this boy named Titus; however she’s also scared to talk to him, so she just doesn’t do anything about it. Gretchen wishes that she could be a fly on the wall of the boy’s locker room. Somehow, she wakes up the next morning as just that. She wakes up stuck to the wall of the locker room and at first doesn’t know what to do. She cant believe that her wish really came true. Gretchen observes the boys as they come and go for gym class. She is very interested in their personalities and how they act. In a way you can say, Gretchen Yee is very lucky, she gets to see the REAL Titus, as she examines everything he does in the locker room. The novel is separated into three parts: Life as an artificial red head, life as a vermin, and life as a super hero. I’m not going to tell you what happens in the end of the book, you’ll just have to pick up a copy for yourself.
I like Gretchen’s character a lot. She’s going to a school where everyone tries to be special, however she’s just ordinary. She’s a comic book fan which makes her fun to read about. I’d greatly recommend this book. Gretchen is a very unique character which made the book very interesting. I think that any type of reader would enjoy this book, however I would only recommend this book for mature readers cause E. Lockhart does incorporate many curse words into her writing.
May 8th, 2008 at 10:27 am
Brashares, Ann.
The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants.
If you were one in a group of four best friends who have known eachother for years, would you want to leave eachother for a summer? Well that is exzactly what these four best friends went through.
Before they all left eachother for the summer they bought one pair of jeans. But, not just any pair of jeans, a special pair. These jeans fit all four of them, even though they are all different sizes. With these jeans it gave them the power to create a sisterhood. They all made a pact that they would send eachother the jeans and a letter of how everything is going through the mail.
Carmen went on a vacation to visit her dad. Not everything turned out the way she hoped it would. Bridget went to a soccer camp, and fell for one of the trainers there. Lena went to greece and visited her grandparents there. In greece she met a young man, but the young man was from a family, of which has a family fued with her family. Tibby stayed home, and worked her new job. But at the same time, she tried to make movies with a little girl she met. Tibby’s summer had to be the roughest, considering all of the things that goes on with the little girl. You could never think that such a little kid could be so warm hearted, and change people’s perspective on life.
Everything for the girls were beggining to change, but at that time they didn’t reall realize it. The girl’s summers were pretty stressful. There wasn’t a point in the book where any of them had a easy summer. Carmen went through family problems, while Lena went through family difficulties as well. In the mean time bridget went through all of this guy drama and tibby went through other complications. Putting all of this together, it made the book so good that you didn’t want to ever put it down.
When the girls re-united at the end of the summer, they sat down and talked about what happened. But you can’t solve everything by talking, can you? Most likely not, so they got up and helped eachother deal with what was left of all of the things going on in there life. That’s what best friends are for, right? But not only were they best friends now, they were a sisterhood. Maybe they think it was the pants that pulled them closer together, but what it really was was love for eachother, and caringness about one another.
Through and through this book was amazing. If I ever just wanted to read a book out of random, I would defiantly read this again.
May 8th, 2008 at 10:31 am
I have read the book the outsiders, and i agree with mike on his comment. I loved that book. It was the type of book that was really interesting and had you wondering what was going to happen to the charechters next.
May 13th, 2008 at 10:17 pm
Title: Flipped
Author: Wendelin Van Draanen
D.O.P.: 2001
Flipped is a great journey into the lives and point of views of a young boy and girl who have always had an awkward relationship with one-another. We step into their minds as they react to their every day conflicts, their drama filled relationships, and their dysfunctional lives at home.
Bryce is an adolescent who was very judgmental when he was younger, but as he grows up; different events and misfortunes make him question what he used to believe was right and these occurrences make him grow as a person and allow him to mature.
Julianna is carefree, heedless, jubilant girl who has always loved Bryce. As she moves on through her life; Bryce rejects her simple acts of kindness and she begins to question who Bryce really is.
One day while in the library, Bryce decides he has to explain to his best friend Garrett; why he has been acting so strange around juli. Bryce lets it all out and also tells Garrett about her fathers mentally challenged brother, after hearing this; Garret makes a cruel comment about her. At that moment Bryce changed, he became infuriated. He debated whether he should deck Garrett or just let it go and play along, so nobody would find about his feelings for Juli. In the end he chooses to go along with it and he laughs, little did he know Juli Baker heard the whole thing.
The most important theme of this book is looking beyond outside appearance. When they were younger Bryce and julianna only looked at each others outside appearance, opposed to their inner appearance. Julianna only saw Bryce for his looks and his blue eyes, and Bryce only saw julianna for her unkept house and her blithe appearance.
I would definitely recommend this book to anyone who has a special place in their heart for an easy to read, drama packed, conflict filled, love story.
May 18th, 2008 at 8:07 pm
The novel Soul Surfer, by Bethany Hamilton is a book about Bethany herself. It lets you know about how this one surfer girl, survived a horrible attack. As she still is surfing today.
Bethany, a child of 3 being the youngest, has proven you can overcome mostly everything. If it was not for her parents she wouldn’t be surfing today, her parents are what got her into surfing. Her entire family surfs, it makes it fun for them to surf together and help each other become a greater surfer. Bethany has one best friend, her name is Alana, like Bethany Alana surfs too. Bethany would win a lot of surf competitions and enjoy just being in them. She is sponsored by the company Rip Curl thanks to her brother because he was the one that got her to be sponsored. Bethany loves challenges, when there’s huge waves she wants them to be bigger. Her family helps her a lot they encourage her to do better. They are not the kind off family when if she loses they tell her she could have done better, they know she gave it her all. One morning as Bethany, Alana floating no less then 15 feet away, Her brother, Byron and her dad were waiting for the surf to pick up, something happened that would change Bethany’s life dramatically. The water was crystal clear, and clam as could be, almost like swimming in a pool. She was located in the deep waters of Kauai Hawaii, where she and her friend Alana went almost every morning. The waves were not that big so she was just relaxing on her board with her left arm dangling in the cool ocean water. When suddenly there was a flash of gray near her. With no warning at all, in a spilt second she felt pressure and a couple of lightning-fast tugs. She really couldn’t make out any details, but she knew that the huge jaws of a fifteen- foot tiger shark covered the top of her board and her left arm. As she watched in shock the water around her turning bright red. She stayed calm as she paddled toward the beach. She then knew her left arm was gone almost to her armpit.
Bethany was in the hospital for a couple days, but she recovered. People asked her many questions about the attack. She lets everyone know she didn’t even scream, or unlike ones normal reaction to think they would be eaten alive that wasn’t hers. Now she tells more about the attack, as if she had turned her head she would have seen the humongous shark. Bethany Hamilton still lives on to tell about her horrible attack. She is still surfing today, with the help from her family. Bethany has been very brave in this situation. She is a very powerful surfer.
This book was great! I loved every word of it. I also really loved how her family and friends were there to support her, during everything.