Archive for March, 2015
The Fault in Our Stars by John Green
by Sam Arnold-Boyd on Mar.31, 2015, under Grief, Real life, Romance, Student Reviews, Teen Top 10, YRCA
Review by Gracie B.
Who would like this book? Someone 12 and older who likes sad but well-written books and is ready to cry would like this book. Also, if you like romantic or realistic books.
The goods on this book: This book is about a 16-year-old girl named Hazel who is battling cancer in her lungs. Her mom and her doctor make her go to a support group where she meets Augustus Waters and falls madly in love with him. The book follows their journey together. I really liked the book and will most likely read it again. I also think that John Green is a very good writer, and I hope to read another book of his. Although this book is very sad, you should read it. I thought I would be crying for hours. It is not that sad, but you still might cry a little. You should definitely read this if you like romantic, realistic books. So, next time you are looking for a book, read this one!!!
The details: 318 pages; 2012 Review by Gracie B.
The Boundless by Kenneth Oppel
by Sam Arnold-Boyd on Mar.12, 2015, under Adventure, Historical Fiction, Sam's Reviews
Who would like this book? Readers, grades 5 and up, who like adventures with great characters and a historical feel.
The goods on this book: Kennth Oppel’s newest book, The Boundless, invites readers on a fantastical adventure set in 1880’s Canada. What could be better than a story that weaves together a train robbery, a murder, and a circus with the coming-of-age experiences of a boy who is thoughtful, resourceful, and prone to danger?
As the story opens, Will Everett’s father has been away for three years working on the Canadian Pacific Railway. As Will prepares to meet him at the golden-spike ceremony, fortuitous events begin to unfold. First, Will meets Maren, a circus performer who steals Will’s heart and spirits away Will’s prized Sasquatch tooth. Next, Will catches the eye of Cornelius Van Horne, the manager of the railroad, and discovers the perks and risks of having friends in high places.
Three years later, Will’s father is an executive with the railroad. The magnificent train with 947 cars, The Boundless, is ready for its first trek across Canada, “from sea to sea.” One of the cars is carrying the remains of Mr. Van Horne, and the rumor is that the golden spike and other riches are with him, making this funeral car a kind of Pharaoh’s tomb. When Will wanders away from the train during its first stop, he stumbles upon the distinctive key to this car and witnesses a murder. Will and the murderer have a moment of mutual recognition, and then the race is on!
Will encounters a multitude of well-drawn characters and high adventure as he tries to keep one step ahead of the man who wants him dead. Maren gives him a good cover as a circus performer, and as Will deceives others, he tries to figure out whom he can trust. Deftly woven into the action is Will’s growing sense of self and the world around him. His journey from the back of the train to the front, traversing all the social classes, forges his sense of justice.
In The Boundless, Kenneth Oppel fulfills the vision of this magnificent train: characters come alive, history melds with fantasy, and the plot brims with suspense, surprise, and delight. As with all of Kenneth Oppel’s books, don’t miss it!
The details: 332 pages; 2014 Review by Samrarians
Girl Online by Zoe Sugg
by Sam Arnold-Boyd on Mar.10, 2015, under Real life, Romance, Student Reviews
Review by Kennedy H.
Who would like this book? I think mostly girls between the ages of 12-14 would like this book and people who like modern day fairy tales with a little twist.
The goods on this book: From the YouTube star Zoe Sugg, Girl Online is a modern fairy tale of a girl named Penny who suffers from panic attacks and has a pretty rough social life. Instead of sharing her feelings to her friends or family she starts an anonymous blog called Girl Online. Girl Online is where Penny puts her embarrassing stories about her life and her new found love ‘Brooklyn Boy’. Brooklyn Boy is a boy she met when her family went on a trip to New York and instantly fell in love with. Girl Online is the story of Penny and the fun, quirky, and romantic times she has with Brooklyn Boy named Noah. I personally loved reading this book and couldn’t put it down at all! The storyline is great and Zoe’s writing style is really easy to understand and is relatable.
The details: 352 pages; 2014 Review by Kennedy H.
Fire by Kristin Cashore
by Sam Arnold-Boyd on Mar.10, 2015, under Adventure, Fantasy, Student Reviews
Review by Grace N.
Who would like this book? Girls who like Graceling would also like this book, but you don’t need to have read Graceling to like this one. It’s very different from Graceling in many ways, setting, characters, etc. It’s none the more fun to read, though! I’m not sure which one I like better, they’re both so good.
The goods on this book: Fire is the last human monster of her kind: Beautiful, entrancing, with the ability to read and control minds, topped off with impossible red, scarlet, gold and pink hair. But Fire will not be the monster her father was. She refuses to control minds except for self defense, and covers her hair with a plain shawl until she meets Prince Brigan, whose mind is a blank slate she can’t even feel. He takes her away to King City and uses her abilities for good, and she tries to save the kingdom though she never thought she could.
The details: 461 pages; 2009 Review by Grace N.
One White Dolphin by Gill Lewis
by Sam Arnold-Boyd on Mar.09, 2015, under Adventure, Environment, Grief, Real life, Student Reviews
Review by Sophie U.
Who would like this book? People who would like this book are people who like the ocean and dolphins.
The goods on this book: Kara is a girl who loves the ocean. When she realizes that fishers are going to tear up the her reef, she thinks there is nothing she can do to save it. Then a dolphin washes up on shore, tangled in fish nets. She begins to realize that she can do something. With the help of Felix, a strange new boy, Kara might just be able to save the reef. If Kara can save the reef, she will still feel connected to her mother, who disappeared. This book is very fun and exciting.
The details: 338 pages; 2012
Crossover by Kwame Alexander
by Sam Arnold-Boyd on Mar.06, 2015, under Free Verse, Real life, Sam's Reviews, Sports
Who would like this book? People who like basketball and/or love words would like this book. It’s a book for 5th grade and up.
The goods on this book: The words in this novel-in-verse move and flow with whatever action is happening at the time. It might be when Josh, 13, is making seriously great plays on the basketball court. He’s so good, especially with his crossover, that he earns the name “Filthy McNasty.” He’s tight with his twin brother, Jordan, who is also great at basketball. Not surprisingly, their dad had been a professional player when he was younger, until an injury and a refusal to have surgery ended his career. Some significant changes in Josh’s family complicate his life, and following these events and the change in Josh makes for very worthwhile reading. Add in the vibrant poetry and word play, and you’re in for a rich experience!
The details: 237 pages; 2014 Review by Samrarian
The Name of the Star by Maureen Johnson
by Sam Arnold-Boyd on Mar.02, 2015, under Mystery, Student Reviews, Supernatural, Teen Top 10, Thriller
Review by Selah D.
Who would like this book?
The goods on this book: The Name of The Star is a great book. It is a well-spun plot with mystery, action and humor all in one. It follows Rory, an American student from Lousianna attending Wexford, a Britsh school in London. One more thing about Rory: She can see ghosts. When a Jack the Ripper fake strikes, she gets thrown into a crazy adventure of buried secrets under the Tube with a secret department of ghost-seeing police officers. The Name of The Star is book one in the Shades of London Book series. After reading it you’ll be craving more, so luckily there’s book 2 in the book series, named The Madness Underneath. So get ready for a wild ride through modern London in a hunt for Jack the Ripper.
The details: 372 pages; 2011 Review by Selah D.
Graceling by Kristin Cashore
by Sam Arnold-Boyd on Mar.02, 2015, under Adventure, Fantasy, Romance, Student Reviews, Teen Top 10
Review by Grace N.
Who would like this book? I think that anybody could read this book, but girls would probably enjoy it more. It is a great fantasy book with some romance, and has a lot of action and a bit of mystery, too. I feel that it’s a book that 7-9th graders would read more than 6th graders.
The goods on this book: Katsa is Graceling, graced with killing. She’s been able to kill ever since she was eight, when she murdered a man with her bare hands. She works as an expert thug for King Randa- though she doesn’t choose to torture harmless lords and common criminals.
But soon, she learns something more about her Grace – and maybe another’s – that is far more dangerous than her own, and could destroy the seven kingdoms with nothing but words. And with her combat partner Prince Po, with the mesmerizing gold and silver eyes, Katsa must fight for secrets about seemingly kind King Leck, and dare to defy the man she never thought she could.
The details: 471 pages; 2008 Review by Grace N.
