February 26th 2009
Review by Kenzie
Who would like this book? People who have read and enjoyed Maximum Ride, the Angel Experiment, or like books with tons of adventure.
Why? In this 409-page book, the flock is back with Max, Fang, Iggy, Nudge, Angel, and Gazzy more driven than ever. They have always wondered where they’re from; now, they have clues, and are left wondering if that’s good or bad. If you’ve read the first book, you know that the flock was created at the torturous School, and they escaped but are constantly tracked and attacked by Erasers, alliances of the School. This time, the lead Eraser, Ari, has a plan- one that involves the capture of Max and slaying of the flock. But Erasers aren’t their only concern. When a flock member is seriously hurt, they are discovered, and- to their dismay- enrolled in school (the real kind). This book has even more real-life experiences, mysteries and betrayals than the first, and you’ll find yourself pining to hear the rest of the story (the following book, Maximum Ride, Saving the World).
The details: 409 p. 2006 Submitted by Kenzie
February 25th 2009
Review by Monica
Who would like this book? Someone who likes futuristic stuff.
Why? Uglies is a story about a girl named Tally who wants to become Pretty. Her friend Peris has become a pretty already and she wants to see him.
She sneaks into New Pretty Town and to the mansion Peris was in. She is almost caught and she escapes but sets off a fire alarm. When she is sneaking back she encounters Shay, who does not want to be Pretty, so she runs off.
Later, on her 16th birthday, (that’s when Uglies turn pretty) she was forced to go after Shay or face never being Pretty.
Uglies has an interesting plot and pulls you in, and it’s hard to stop reading. I really enjoyed it.
The details: Submitted by Monica
February 24th 2009
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Review by Kenzie
Who would like this book? Anyone who likes reading books with fantasy and continuous action. This book keeps your attention and is far from boring.
Why? Maximum Ride, the Angel Experiment is a 422-page thriller. It is about Max and her ‘family’: Fang, Iggy, Nudge, Gazzy, and Angel- also known as the flock. They’re all experiments, made up of 98% human DNA, the other 2% bird. Obviously, this fact sets the flock apart from the average kid, and after escaping the School (the horrific place they were created and tortured) they live in hiding. But when a member of Max’s flock is stolen from alliances of the School, there’s nothing stopping her- or the rest of her loyal ‘family’- from heading straight back to the place they fear most to save her. This, along with the many adventures that follow, make Maximum Ride, the Angel Experiment, the ultimate book for any person seeking an exciting book that is far from ordinary.
The details: 422 p. 2005 Submitted by Kenzie
February 23rd 2009
Review by Peter
Who would like this book? Boys who like thrillers.
Why? Chaos is a thriller fantasy with lots of action. It is the fourth book in Dekker’s Lost Book series. Johnis is a nerd who happened to get chosen to save the world. Johnis is not good at fighting, so he has Darsal and Silvie to help him. The best fighter was Billos, but he died in the third book. They must find the seven Books of History before Teelah, the dark one, does. The Lost Book series is an intense struggle between good and evil. I recommend that you read Chosen, Infidel, and Renegade first.
The details: 253 p. 2008 Submitted by Peter
February 20th 2009
Review by Margo
Who would like this book?
Book lovers who loved his other books, Stardust, and MirrorMask.
Why? When Coraline Jones explores her flat (British for “apartment”) in an old house she finds a mysterious door at the far corner of the drawing room. When she asks where it goes her mother replies “Nowhere dear, it opens onto a brick wall. When this place was turned into flats, they bricked it up. On the other side is the empty flat that’s still for sale.”
But she’s wrong. At night, Coraline opens it again and finds a hallway leading to another door. When she opens it she finds a world that is similar, yet disturbingly different from her own. There’s another mother and father; they want Coraline to stay with and be their little girl. They want to keep her forever! Now she must challenge the gruesome entity that is the other mother in order to save herself, her real parents, and the souls of three other children who had fallen into the other mother’s trap.
The details: 162 p. 2003 Submitted by Margo
February 19th 2009
Review by Audrey
Who would like this book? Girls who love vampire romance.
Why? Alexander reunites Valentine with his siblings, Jagger and Luna. Alexander and Jagger become friends. Raven gets a summer break and visits her aunt in Hipsterville, but she goes to the Coffin Club, and she meets Onyx, Scarlett and Phoenix (who are vampires) there. Raven goes to a different club that is filled with vampires with Onyx and Scarlett and pretends to be a vampire.
The details: 177 p. 2008 Submitted by Audrey
February 19th 2009
Review by Audrey
Who would like this book? Girls who like vampire romance.
Why? Valentine Maxwell is a blood reader. He can read what mortals and immortals are thinking. He becomes best friends with Billy, Raven’s little brother. Raven has to protect Billy. Alexander, Raven’s vampire boyfriend, helps her.
The details: 242 p. Submitted by Audrey
February 19th 2009
Review by Sofie
Who would like this book? People who are interested in the Mughal Empire.
Why? Mehrunissa and her family run away from Persia after her father is deeply disgraced after the new Emperor of Persia decides to tax them and send them to jail. The family joins a caravan and makes their way to India.
The Emperor of India, Akbar, likes Mehrunissa’s father’s spirit and wit and gives him a home and a purse of money and a position in court. Life is looking pretty good for everyone. The Empress, takes notice of Mehrunissa, who is only nine at the time and lets her come and visit the palace everyday.
Soon Mehrunissa grows up and becomes a teenager. She doesn’t care about simple things anymore. She cares about guys. In fact, one guy. The Prince.
The two love each other, but it’s impossible for them to be together. She tries to forget about him, but fails. Will they ever be together? Will the Prince forget about her? Will she be his Twentieth Wife, or just another face in the crowd?
The details: 397 p. 2002 Submitted by Sofie
February 18th 2009
Review by Monica
Who would like this book? People who like dinosaurs, action and suspense. Probably aimed at people in an older audience.
Why? Jurassic Park is interesting: the plot, the characters, and the author’s idea about genetic cloning of Dinosaurs. It’s also an intense book; it’ll keep your attention. As you read farther into the book it gets more suspenseful and intense as the park falls apart and as the dinosaurs attack the people lost in the park. It’s definitely a great book. It’s longer than the movie and has lots of interesting plot twists that will keep you hooked.
The details: 399 p. 1990 Submitted by Monica
The Cal Young Library does not have a copy of this book, but I will be getting one soon.
February 18th 2009
Review by Sofie
Who would like this book? People who are interested in Medieval India.
Why? Mehrunissa is finally married to the Emperor of India, and life for her family is finally looking good. But the Emperor’s second wife Jagat Goisini isn’t so happy. She is jealous of all the attention the new wife is getting. She starts plotting, thinking of things that will hurt her, and allying herself with powerful men. But how far will she go? And what will the Emperor say when he finds out when he finds out woman in his harem?
The details: 383 p. 2003 Review by Sofie
The Cal Young Library does not have this book, but I will order it for next year.