September 27th 2009
Review by Chris
Who would like this book? This book is another of the notorious Harry Potter books. So, I recomend this book to all the Harry Potter fans out there,both boys and girls.
Why? Well, this book isn’t exactly the same “Hogwarts is in trouble and Harry saves the day.” No, this book is the classic wizarding world bedtime stories, all in one, with a review by Albus Dumbledore. Some of the stories include greedy warlocks, a quest that ends up not being needed, three brothers, and a clever witch. These stories show you life lessons as well! So I suggest you read this amazing book by the genius author J.K. Rowling.
The details: 111 p. 2008 Submitted by Chris C.
September 27th 2009
Who would like this book? Girls 13 and up who want a funny book about a girl who has finally gotten the guy of her dreams but will not consent to being the girl of his dreams. Lose yourself for love? Maybe not.
Why? Frankie Landau Banks is now a sophomore at the prestigious East Coast co-ed boarding school, Alabaster. Frankie has “blossomed” in many ways over the summer, and at the start of fall term she is attracting attention from the coolest senior boy, Matthew. Though Frankie is thrilled about this arrangement, she is not so hot about Matthew’s habit of marginalizing her. She really takes exception to his obsession with The Loyal Order of the Basset Hounds, a secret society open only to males, and to which Frankie’s father belonged. Frankie is seriously smart and a great schemer, and she doesn’t waste any of her formidable talents. E. Lockhart gives us Frankie’s point of view of every aspect of life at Alabaster. It’s a great exploration of identity and gender. All the better that it’s also seriously funny.
The details: 352 pages, 2008 Review by Samrarian
September 27th 2009
Who would like this book? Readers 13 and up who like vampires and Twilight and are ready for a more complicated story.
Why? Clary Fray thinks she’s just having a fun night out when she goes to the Pandemonium Club with her friend Simon. Her thoughts tend toward the dark side, so it’s not a total surprise that she witnesses a violent crime. It is surprising that the victim disappears before she can report it, and she’s left with the “criminals.’ Clary’s life turns upside down when she discovers that she can see these beings – Shadowhunters – and normal “mundies” (humans) cannot. When her artist mother, Jocelyn, is kidnapped and implicated in the business of the Shadowhunters, Clary must stay with her new companions. The sparring between Clary and Jace, a Shadowhunter who is too aware of his own good looks and talents, helps the story, as does the welcome appearances by Clary’s tried-and-true mundie friend, Simon. The descriptions of the New York’s vampire underworld are great, but the plot gets bogged down in uneven side stories and tedious explication of the history of the Shadowhunters.
It’s a YRCA nominee for 2010 i the Senior Division.
The details: 496 pages, 2007 Submitted by Samrarian
September 21st 2009
Review by Michael R.
Who would like this book? Both boys and girls who like science fiction or books with young teenage characters.
Why? Ellie is a prisoner in a spaceship. She’s being held there by Mal Gorman, who is threatening to kill her and her brother, Mika. Mika and their parents live in the Shadows, a slum in futuristic London where it’s always dark and very crowded. They live in a fold-down apartment. Mika is being trained to use pod-fighters and is great at video games. This book is great.
The details: 544 p. 2009 Submitted by Michael R,
September 16th 2009
Who would like this book? People who are interested in mythology, fantasy, and fast paced fights - Lightning Thief is for you.
Why? The Lightning Thief is about a boy named Percy (Perseus) Jackson. He goes to a school for people who have problems learning. He’s Dyslexic and he has a short temper. His friend Grover turns out to be a Satyr and he brings him to Camp Halfblood. Chaos has been going on among the gods, so Percy has to retrieve the master bolt and return it to Zeus with his friends Grover and Anabeth.
The details:377 p. 2005 Submitted by Michael
September 13th 2009
Review by Jada
Who would like this book? Teenage-age girls from about 10-17 in age.
Why? Jenny Greenley is the type of girl who could stand in a crowd and just blend in, as if she wasn’t even there. Even though she is silent, so to speak she’s deadly. She holds most of the school’s secrets and problems. She’s one of the best secret keepers in the world, so good that she’s the school newspaper’s anonymous advice column writer. She came up with the biggest secret of all: super gorgeous super star Luke Striker was not only coming to their town but attending their school to practice for a part for a movie as a high schooler. She has to keep his secret identity a secret so that no paparazzi or annoying fans bug him, but when the secret leaks out all goes wrong and Jenny is basically responsible for it.
The details: 291 p. 2004 Submitted by Jada
September 13th 2009
Who would like this book? Readers who enjoyed Found, the first book in the Missing series, will not want to miss this second book.
Why? In a fast-paced though sometimes confusing sequel to Found, Alex and Chip have been sent back to 1483 and discover that they are Prince Richard and Prince Edward V, the two young victims who were imprisoned in the Tower of London by their uncle, Richard III. If you are not familiar with this event in English history, I suggest that you start by reading the Author’s Note at the end of the book. It won’t give anything away and will make it easier to follow the plot. I also suggest that you first read Found so that you can get the background of the characters and why they are traveling through time. Jonah and Katherine from Found are back in Sent. They also plunge back to the fifteenth century, determined to bring Alex and Chip back home. Alex and Chip, though, begin to feel that medieval England is their home, especially as they become involved with the political intrigue that is keeping Chip/Edward V from the throne. I was intrigued by the fusion of their current and past identities, and by Haddix’s work with the vague historical events. It’s a worthwhile reading adventure, but be prepared to wade through some confusing scenes.
The details: 313 p. 2009 Review by Samrarian