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Review by Cadence

Who would like this book? I think the target audience is mostly teen girls and boys because its written in a way that most teens seem to like.

The goods on this book: The story takes place in the future, where everyone is ugly  until they turn 16, when they get an operation to become pretty and go to live in a different part of town. The main character, Tally, is the last of her friends to turn 16, so she’s left in uglyville by herself. She befriends another girl, who later decides to run away to a place that there are only rumors about. The Smoke. Tally has to decide what to do. I really liked the book. I thought it moved with a pretty good pace and had good imagery.

The details: 406 pp.  2005  Review by Cadence

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Who would like this book? Kids 11+

Why? Percy Jackson is asked to go on this quest and is allowed to bring his two friends, Annabeth and Grover. They go on tons of crazy adventures.They are trying to find out who stole the lighting bolt. If it’s not returned to Olympus by the Winter Solstice, there is going to be a huge war between the gods.They have to battle monsters everywhere. It’s a really dangerous quest. Near the end Grover goes out to find Pan (a god), because everyone thinks he’s dead. It’s a very good book in my opinion.

The details: 377 pp. 2005  Review by Dylan

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Who would like this book? I think that 5th graders and up would LOVE this book.

Why? The book Found has a lot of great detail, and for kids or grown ups who love mystery, suspense, and danger this book is the best! FOUND is about a boy and his friend named Chip and Jonah. Jonah encounters lots of mysterious letters warning about the future to be. Jonah has to meet with a man named Mr. Reardon later and is visited by a mysterious man when he runs to the bathroom. Jonah is told that his life may be on the line as he is one of the 36 babies on a plane. Jonah and Chip then battle much more difficulties along the way. If you want to find out what happens, read the ORCA 2011 nominee FOUND.

The details: 314 p. 2008   Review by Danny L.

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Who would like this book? Anyone who likes an adventure.

Why? Well, this book is about old Greek mythology with a modern twist. The characters, like Percy Jackson, have realistic dialogue and emotions. Many of the characters seem to come alive, and sometimes give you the chills. The plot is very well set up with an unexpected conclusion. Overall, it’s a great book.

The details: 377 p. 2005   Review by Samantha F.

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Who would like this book? Anyone who likes an adventure.

Why? This book is about old Greek mythology with a modern twist. The characters, like Percy Jackson, have realistic dialogue and emotions. Many of the characters seem to come alive, and sometimes give you the chills. The plot is very well set up with an unexpected conclusion. Overall, it’s a great book.

The details: 377 p. 2005   Review by Sarah F.

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Who would like this book? People who like action, adventure, and mystery. This book is popular amongst ages 8-14,

Why? This book is the first book in a series of 5. In this book, the main character, Percy Jackson, fights monsters as he’s the most wanted demigod alive. This book takes you on his journey through Camp Half Blood where he meets friends who share his unique and dangerous way of life.

The details: 377 p. 2005  Review by Keaton

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Submitted by Ashley

Who would like this book: People that enjoy books that don’t always have a ‘happy ending’.  Also people that like adventures, and interesting narrations.

Why? Peak is about the youngest boy to travel up to Mount Everest. It is told from Peak’s view, and he adds some interesting comments throughout the story. Peak hasn’t seen his dad since he was eight, and he isn’t that nice.

Search for other reviews of Peak.

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Who would like this book? Readers who like fantasy, especially the books of J.R.R. Tolkien (and J. K. Rowling!). This book is straight-ahead fantasy and has no literal connection to our own world, but it does have a very deep psychological connection to each of its readers.

Why? Originally published in 1968, The Wizard of Earthsea is one of the original fantasy worlds that have inspired so many other fantasy writers. If you like fantasy, don’t miss this book, the first of a series of four. Le Guin has created Earthsea, a sprawling archipelago in which magic and wizardry is as normal as sailing amongst the islands. Sparrowhawk, the “use” name of the main character, shows great magical power from a young age. After saving his village from Kargish invaders, the mage Ogion comes to take Sparrowhawk as his apprentice, and to give him his true name, Ged. Ged becomes restless with Ogion’s silence and chooses to set out on his own to the school for wizards. Here, Ged’s pride gets the best of him, leading him to make a mistake with dreadful consequences. Le Guin narrates this plot with beautiful, formal prose that fits the serious tone of Ged’s struggles and weaves in powerful themes: names, balance, and the reality of our shadow selves.

The details: 82 p. 1968

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Who would like this book? Part science fiction (masquerading as fantasy), part mystery, with echoes of Frankenstein, this book will appeal to anyone with curiosity about the power of creating life and giving all the power to a few who live on top, literally.

Why? Atherton is a three-tiered universe: the Flatlands, Tabletop, and the Highlands are three levels separated by drastic, impassable cliffs. The people in the Highlands control the sparse supply of water and thus hold all power over the laboring, illiterate people in Tabletop. Edgar, a young boy who barely remembers his father, labors in the fig groves in Tabletop, but is driven to discover the mystery that his father left behind: a book hidden in the cliffs separating Tabletop from the Highlands. Edgar’s desire to find this book motivates him to climb, and he becomes an expert climber. This ability opens forbidden worlds to him. Be ready to lose sleep as you follow Edgar on his quest, and be ready to be frustrated by the ending. I’m ordering the sequel tomorrow!

The details:  352 p. 2007

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Who would like this book? People who want a true-to-life story about how a 6th grade girl copes with her mom’s verbal abuse and finds meaningful relationships in unlikely places would like this book. If you like purple boots, you’ll also want to read this book.

Why? Hope, the 6th grade protagonist of Call Me Hope, lives up to her name even though her mom calls her “Hopeless” and much worse. Inspired by Anne Frank’s writing, Hope devises a point system that helps her gauge the effects of the abuse. Hope likes her 6th grade teacher and is totally excited about camping at Outdoor School at the end of the year. When a cool pair of purple boots in a second-hand shop catch her eye, she seeks to buy them and ends up with two great friends. Hope finds help in many places, but the abuse hurled at her by her mom is still heartbreaking. The good outweighs the bad in this book, and even though it made me really cry at the end, I still felt that it was more of an upper than a downer. It’s a Battle of the Book 2008-2009 selection, probably because the author is from Oregon.

The details: 288 p. 2007

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