Sam and CY students & staff are reading…

Review by Nick H.

Who would like this book? People who like a darker book with criminals would like this book.

The goods on this book:  Cadel lives in Australia. He is a super genius. His main category is computers and electronics programming. Hacking into the school is toooo easy for him, so he hacks the military and government systems. He leaves no trace nor harm. This is him at 7 years old. He only got caught hacking once. His punishment was he could not go anywhere near any computer. He got taken to a psychologist named Thaddus Roth. That is where we start. During their first meeting Thaddus Roth let him go on his computer. He had him meet his real dad and he allowed him to do even more.  If you want to hear what all happens to Cadel, read this page turner. By the end, you will feel like it was the last book in the series, but no, this is only the first one.

The details: 486 pages; 2005     Review by Nick H.

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Review by Jack T.

Who would like this book?  I think that sport fans would like this book.

The goods on this book: Drew Robinson, a high school basketball star, moves to Los Angeles from the Bronx. Drew likes to go to this one park at night and sees someone there. The thing was wearing a grey sweatshirt. It was jumping high and dunking the ball. It was old and Drew thought he was a ghost. Drew does this research project at school about him. Drew asks what his name is, and he said Donald. He didn’t say a last name. Will Drew find out if he is a ghost or is he just some ordinary person? Mr. Gilbert takes care of Drew when he needs something and gives his mom a job. He also gives Drew free things, but Drew gets into an awful accident. Will he be suspended from basketball?

The details: 292 pages; 2012       Review by Jack

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Review by Samrarian

Who would like this book? Thoughtful readers, grades 5 and up, looking for a well-crafted story about friendship, family, and belonging.

The goods on this book: Georges, a 7th grader in Brooklyn, New York, has a lot to handle. His architect father has lost his job and their family has had to move from their house (and his amazing bedroom) to an apartment. His father is pursuing a new career idea while his mom works double shifts at the hospital. At school, Georges dodges bullies and is ignored by his long-time friend. In his new apartment building, he replies to an ad for a spy club and meets Safer, a home-schooled kid obsessed with spying on a man who lives upstairs from Georges. As Georges navigates this new friendship and his family’s new situation, the reader gets to know him well. Rebecca Stead is so good at developing characters that are complex and building plots that twist in very unexpected ways. Both of these traits are in fine form in Liar and Spy, making this quiet book very worthwhile to read and possibly read again.

The details: 180 pages; 2012      Review by Samrarian

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Review by Samrarian

Who would like this book? People interested in the transgender experience and music would appreciate this book. Its content makes it best for 8th grade and up.

The goods on this book: Gabe narrates his own story about transitioning to being the guy that he knows he is even though he was born as a girl and is known to all but his family and best friend as “Liz.” Gabe is counting the days to graduation from high school, when he feels that he can move and establish himself in his new identity. Meanwhile, his friendship with his hip grandfather-type neighbor nourishes his love of music and gains him a gig at spinning discs at the local radio station on Friday nights. Gabe calls his show “Beautiful Music for Ugly Children” and is able to be “Gabe” during this show, gaining a fan club called the Ugly Children Brigade that do his bidding. The narrative pushes toward an inevitable crisis climax that works because of the careful character development that has come before. Gabe’s story is significant to read, and Cronn-Mills includes a helpful explanation of vocabulary related to the transgender experience as an afterword.

The details: 271 pages; 2012       Review by Samrarian

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Review by Lee T.

Who would like this book? I think more of a male audience ages 10-14 would like this book, especially if you like medieval times.

The goods on this book: This book is about how Jaron the King is worried that the pirates and the Avenian army are going to attack their castle. Jaron goes to the pirates to stop them even though everyone tells him it’s a bad idea. Jaron came in disguise to get to the pirates. Jaron went through a lot to get to the pirates. This book is a really exciting, so I recommend reading it.

The details: 331 pages; 2013      Review by Lee T.

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Review by Anne H.

Who would like this book?  This a book for the dark at heart.

The goods on this book: This book is about a girl named Hanna. She likes the not so bad “bad boy” of her school. She watches her little sister Arial. She’s also haunted by the ghost of her deceased best friend who knows how to connect a bunch of brutal murders. Now these deceased victims are reaching out to Hanna from behind the grave. Once they give Hanna enough clues, she knows who it is. Hanna receives her own paper valentine. Is she strong enough to save her sister and take on the Valentine’s Day killer? You tell me. Do yourself a service and read this tale of beauty, love, and heart-shattering sadness.

The details: 304 pages; 2013       Review by Anne H.

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Review by Carsten K.

Who would like this book? Anyone who enjoyed the earlier books in the series would like this book.

The goods on this book: Captured and sent to Skandia to be slaves, Evelyn and Will must survive and escape the slavery. Halt, Will’s master, commits treason so he can be relieved from his duties and save his apprentice. Horace, Will’s friend, flees from battleschool to try to go to Skandia and save him with Halt. Will Will and Evelyn escape, escape past warlike Skandians? Will Halt and Horace get to Will through the Gallican territories? The Icebound Land is a wonderful book about the quest to escape the Skandians and save your friends.

The details: 266 pages; 2006           Review by Carsten K.

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Who would like this book? Readers 12 and up who like the idea of a competition between girls for the heart of the prince in a kingdom set in a dystopian future would love this book.

The goods on this book: America Singer has grown up to be an independent thinker even though she has been raised in a caste-driven kingdom which is the future remains of a destroyed United States. In this kingdom, people are trapped in the caste of their birth and their lives are determined by the definition of each caste. America and her family, as “fives,” have struggles but are not as destitute as sixes through the eights. Her star-crossed love for Aspen, a “six,” is doomed because of his lower caste, and he encourages her to enter the contest for “the Selection” in which girls become contestants for the heart of Prince Maxon. Of course, America enters against her will and wins a place among the first group vying to become the future queen. America finds that her honesty and stubborn, independent spirit set her apart from the other girls. If the reader is able to set aside many unanswered questions about the kingdom and the wider world to be able to focus on the drama of the girls competing for the attentions of the prince, then this book is very fun. Though the book fails to build a future world, it succeeds in creating the tension of a love triangle and the drama of romantic competition. For those who like this book, you might be happy to find an even more satisfying one with a similar theme in Shannon Hale’s The Princess Academy.

The details: 327 pages; 2012    Review by Samrarian

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Who would like this book? All fans of Percy Jackson won’t want to miss this exciting book!

The goods on this book: This new Percy Jackson series does not start with Percy, but that’s okay because the three characters that keep the action going are great! Jason wakes up on a bus headed to a wilderness school for unruly kids, and he seems to be in a relationship with Piper. The problem for Jason is that he can’t remember anything, and the problem for Piper is that she’s not sure about Jason’s feelings. Leo rounds out the threesome on the ill-fated bus trip. They soon discover that their demigod status means that they are in for a dangerous quest with serious consequences for mankind as well as the gods. Their quest, received at Camp Half-Blood amid all the usual teen in-fighting, catapults them into non-stop action. Each of the characters brings unique problems and potential into the plot, and it’s great to experience them meeting and overcoming challenges. I especially like Leo and his heartbreaking backstory and formidable talents with dragon-building. When you start this book, be prepared to not want to put it down and to want the next volume immediately!

The details: 557 pages; 2010      Review by Samrarian

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Who would like this book: Anyone who has read and enjoyed The False Prince would appreciate this awesome book two.

The goods on this book: Not surprisingly, as the kingdom of Carthya mourns the passing of the king and the queen, the newly crowned king, Jaron, must fight off an assassination attempt. With threats mounting from his regents within the kingdom and from neighboring enemies from outside the kingdom, Jaron concocts a crazy scheme to save his kingdom. The book follows this scheme which takes him to the outer border of the kingdom into the heart of the pirates’ lair. His life is continually in danger, and he excels at thrusting himself in front of the point of a sword, a knife, or any available weapon. Though at times he seems immortal, he also lands in some very tight spots that require help from unexpected places. The plot is non-stop action, with plenty of political intrigue and a hint of romance. Be prepared to be left with questions that lead directly to the third book in the trilogy, The Shadow Throne.

The details: 331 pages; 2013              Review by Samrarian

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