Battle of the Books 2012-2013
The Red Umbrella by Christina Diaz Gonzalez
by Sam Arnold-Boyd on Mar.03, 2013, under Battle of the Books 2012-2013, Historical Fiction, Student Reviews
Review by Tae-Hui
Who would like this book? Everybody; there’s no doubt on that (but be prepared, the ones who don’t like violence).
The goods on the book: 14-year-old Lucia is a girl who thinks mostly about the latest fashions and boys. She lives in Puerto Mijares with her parents and little brother Frankie, but that doesn’t last for very long. As the Cuban revolution’s impact on the family increases, her parents make the heart-wrenching decision to send Lucia and Frankie to America – by themselves. Will they be able to survive the new life? And will they ever get to see their parents again?
The details: 284 pp. 2010 Review by Tae-Hui
The Lab by Jack Heath
by Sam Arnold-Boyd on Feb.22, 2013, under Adventure, Battle of the Books 2012-2013, Science Fiction, Student Reviews
Review by Tae-Hui
Who would like this book? For everyone/anyone who likes sci-fi/futuristic/action genres; the perfect book for those who like all of these. This book is also for people who like books like Fever Crumb.
The goods on the book: 16-year-old agent Six of Hearts is the #1 field agent of a corporation called the ‘Deck’ that aims to bring peace to ‘the City’ by eliminating the evil/smart/rich people that are doing something wrong. He has lots of equipment that helps him all the way to field agent compartment (Hearts) agent #1: 20/20 vision, super speed/silence, super strength, high-level intelligence, and best of all, luck. He would be invincible, if not for a fate-changing secret. He was one of the few results of the Project Falcon, an illegal and deadly experiment led by The Lab. As the Deck assigns him a mission that involves The Lab, he has to face the most dangerous mission of all, the mission to protect his identity. Will he be able to succeed the mission? And more importantly, will he be able to survive the aftermath of all of it?
The details: 311 pp. 2008 Review by Tae-Hui
Fever Crumb by Philip Reeve
by Sam Arnold-Boyd on Feb.10, 2013, under Battle of the Books 2012-2013, Science Fiction, Student Reviews
Review by Tae-Hui
Who would like this book? For all who like fast-paced, attention-grabbing plots with a dash of romance and futuristic/heartwarming scenes.
The goods on the book: Fever Crumb, the ‘adopted’ daughter of a person who thinks of doing things only when proved rational, lives in the middle of London; a place called ‘Godshawk’s Head'(which is really a gigantic metal head) with other people who are the same as her father. One day, an archeologist by the name of Kit Solent asks for her, only her, to assist him. While she is working, she is plagued by memories that are not her own. Whose memories are they? And how did it get into her? Read more to find out.
The details: 305 pp. 2009 Review by Tae-Hui
Claudette Colvin: Twice Toward Justice by Phillip Hoose
by Sam Arnold-Boyd on Jan.21, 2013, under Battle of the Books 2012-2013, Bullying, Non-fiction, Student Reviews
Review by Tae-Hui
Who would like this book? Any gender, any age, most recommended for people who are looking for a non-fiction book that also has suspense in every turn. Also for people who want a book that is good enough to make it impossible to get their minds (and their hands, and their eyes) off of it.
The goods on the book: Claudette Colvin, a teenager who grew up in her great uncle’s house, cannot stand watching the black Americans getting service that is nothing compared to the white Americans, and not standing up. One day, she stands up for herself when a white bus driver demands her to give up her seat for a white passenger and stand instead. The driver calls political forces (otherwise known as the police) and they take her to an adult cell, humiliating her on the way. Eventually she gets her bail paid by her great uncle’s and church pastor and gets out of the cell, but the one thing that she really wanted didn’t happen: the desegregation of bus seating arrangements (Getting to sit wherever you want). Will she be able to make her wishes a reality and, more importantly, will she be able to do it safely?
The details: 150 pp. 2009 Review by Tae-Hui
A Wrinkle in TIme by Madeleine L’Engle
by Sam Arnold-Boyd on Jan.11, 2013, under Battle of the Books 2012-2013, Science Fiction, Student Reviews
Review by Tae-Hui
Who would like this book? Any gender, any age, definitely the one for ones who like sci-fi/fantasy books.
Why?
It’s because it has an E-rated plot and is very fast-paced and has thrill in it. Meg, the main character, alongside her brother Charles Wallace and her friend Calvin O’Keefe, sets on an incredible journey that will change her and the whole world’s fate. The ‘Black Thing’ is their main target. To win this game, they must first fight off what the people in ‘Camazotz’, a planet that has given up the fight with the ‘Black Thing’, call IT. The people in ‘Camazotz’ say that IT is their Central central intelligence, but the trio does not know who or what it is. Will they be able to find its identity and, more importantly, be able to fight ‘IT’ off?! This book is really all about love and caring for family members unconditionally. I think that’s what makes this book fit for everyone.
The details: 245 pp. 1962 Review by Tae-Hui
The Red Umbrella by Christina Diaz Gonzalez
by Sam Arnold-Boyd on Jan.06, 2013, under Battle of the Books 2012-2013, Historical Fiction, Student Reviews
Review by Natalie W.
Who would like this book? Anyone 11+ would like it, but I think that a female would enjoy it more because the lead character is a young girl.
Why? In 1961 Cuba, Lucia Alvarez is a fourteen year old girl whose family is against the Cuban revolution. When Lucia’s parents begin restricting her from going outside, she knows that the revolution is stronger than ever before. Lucia’s fashion-forward best friend is even changing. Lucia has to take care of her younger brother, Frankie, when her parents make the heart-wrenching decision to send Lucia and Frankie to the USA alone. This book is a story of learning to be independent and finding yourself. Personally, I loved this book and was fascinated with the history described in it.
The details: 284 pp. 2010 Review by Natalie W.
Under the Blood Red Sun by Graham Salisbury
by Sam Arnold-Boyd on Dec.17, 2012, under Battle of the Books 2012-2013, Historical Fiction, Multicultural Fiction, Student Reviews, War
Review by Ryan
Who would like this book? Kids in middle school would like it. It’s not long and it’s historical fiction.
Why? This book takes place in 1941 around the time of the Pearl Harbor attack in Hawaii. Tomi is Japanese, born in America. He lives with his mom, dad, sister, and grandpa. When the Pearl Harbor attack happens, Tomi doesn’t know what to think of it until his father and grandpa are arrested. So he has to take care of his family now, but he does have the help of all his friends and his baseball team: The Rats. Can he handle all the responsibility, or will he let his family starve?
The details: 246 pp. 1994 Review by Ryan D.
Charlie Joe Jackson’s Guide To Not Reading by Tommy Greenwald
by Sam Arnold-Boyd on Nov.26, 2012, under Battle of the Books 2012-2013, Humorous, Real life, Student Reviews
Review by Chad
Who would like this book? People who who like a good book and would like to read books about not reading.
Why? Charley, the main character, hates reading, so he tries to come up with ways to not read for school. He gets a friend to read books for him, but the friend ratted him out after a few years of reading his books. There are all these situations about reading and girls and drama. So, if this book sounds good, then read it!
The details: 220 pp. 2011 Review by Chad
A Tale Dark and Grimm by Adam Gidwitz
by Sam Arnold-Boyd on Nov.24, 2012, under Battle of the Books 2012-2013, Fairy Tale, Fantasy, Student Reviews
Review by Tyra
A Tale Dark & Grimm is an amazing book. It perfectly combines comedy with horror, and adds in some family drama. It takes the story of Hansel and Gretel, and totally remakes it into something amazing and all it’s own. I would recommend this book to everyone who loves short stories about death and blood, maybe between the ages of 10 to adult. No small children here!
The details: 256 pp. 2011 Review by Tyra D.
A Tale Dark and Grimm by Adam Gidwitz
by Sam Arnold-Boyd on Oct.23, 2012, under Battle of the Books 2012-2013, Fairy Tale, Horror, Humorous, Student Reviews
Review by Kiahra
Who would like this book? People who like creepy stuff.
Why? Hansel and Gretel get their heads cut off by their father to bring Johannes back from stone. Then, they go to a witches house where they almost get eaten. They find a family they like until they find out the man wished his 7 sons into swallows. They tried to set them free, so Gretel cut off her left middle finger. Hansel was gambled off to the Devil and had to go to Hell. Eventually, Hansel and Gretel find each other and they have to kill a dragon. More to come
The details: 256 pp. 2010 Review by Kiahra
