Sam and CY students & staff are reading…

Who would like this book? People, grades 8 and up, interested in historical fiction and especially about the situation in India and Pakistan n 1947, would like this book. It would also appeal to people who like fiction books that are written from multiple points of view.

The goods on this book: Who has any idea what it would be like to be a young woman in India in 1947? This book brings just such a situation to life. Margaret, a British cartographer’s daughter, has arrived with her mother, escaping an uncomfortable situation at home. Though Margaret is at first sullen about her new home, the influence of Anupreet, a beautiful young Sikh girl who works for Margaret’s family, begins to open Margaret’s eyes to the wonder of the culture. Her forbidden attraction to Tariq, a Muslim teen who also works for her family, adds to this growing interest. The narration shifts between the three very distinct voices of these characters. Following the same events through the lens of their different situations is fascinating, and the tensions between the Sikhs and the Muslims as it affects the lives of Tariq and Anupreet are riveting. This book works on the political level, portraying the violent reaction as Britain divides India and Pakistan. It also works on the personal level as these three young people try to work for their dreams in the face of impossible odds.

The details: 278 pages; 2013     Review by Samrarian

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Who would like this book? Fans (grades 7 and up) of dark fantasies with a strong female protagonist will want to take a look at this book.

The goods on this book: Alina, an orphan with no apparent talent or beauty, grows up as best friends with the handsome and talented Mal. Their country, Ravka, is threatened by a horrific darkness that is filled with flesh-eating monsters. When crossing this Shadowfold with Mal and their regiment, Alina manifests a great, special power that has not been seen in ages. This display of power catches the attention of the all-powerful Darkling, and Alina is whisked away to his court to be trained as a Grisha. Here, without her best friend Mal, she must not only learn to use and harness her power, but she must decide who and who not to trust. She is also plagued with the problem of how to get back to Mal. Full of intrigue, action, and just a bit of romance, Shadow and Bone is a book with a satisfying plot and a captivating protagonist. It’s a must-read for fans of dark fantasy.

The details: 358 pages; 2012      Review by Samrarain

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Review by Taylor P.

Who would like this book? I would recommend this book to the people who read the first book Legend. There is a lot of references to Legend in this book. I believe everyone would like it.

The goods on this book: Prodigy starts off with Day, legendary outlaw, and June, miracle prodigy, on a train to Las Vegas. They are in search of Day’s brother Eden, who is being tested on near the border of the Republic and the Colonies. Day needs information, so he goes to the Patriots which are a force working to stop the Republic and bring back freedom. The Patriots agree to give him information if Day will assassinate the new Elector. The trials that Day and June face are crazy! Hope you like it like I did!!!

The details: 374 pages; 2013     Review by Taylor P.

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Review by Jaden L.

Who would like this book? Anyone who is interested in history, particularly people who like to study the era of World War Two. This book is inspirational and will pull at the heart strings of any readers.

The goods on this book: The time is World War Two. Death, the narrator, has never been busier and will become busier still. He become captivated by a girl known as The Book Thief. Her name is Liesel Meminger. Her world as she knew it has been changed. She finds a book at her brother’s gravesite, before she has to go live with a new family. She soon becomes captivated by books and learns to read with the help of her foster father. She steals books from book burnings and the Mayor’s library. I strongly suggest you read this book.

The details: 552 pages; 2005      Review by Jaden

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Who would like this book? Readers, grades 5 and up, who like action, intrigue, and characters who face danger at every turn will love this book, especially if they like the idea that the characters are clans of cats.

The goods on this book: This first book in the Warriors series started an Erin Hunter empire eleven years ago, and with good reason. Into the Wild is just as riveting to read today as it was when it first came out in 2003. The book opens with Rusty, a “kittypet,” restlessly eyeing the woods beyond the boundaries of his owners’ house. When he follows the call to explore the woods, Rusty gets a surprise attack from Graypaw, a Thunderclan apprentice. The leader of Thunderclan, observing secretly, is impressed with Rusty’s reactions and invites Rusty to join the clan. Thus, Rusty becomes Firepaw, and the real adventure begins. Four clans have lived in the woods for generations, following strict laws passed to them from their ancestors. Recently, though, Shadowclan has forced Windclan off their land and is threatening both Thunderclan and Riverclan. As Firepaw learns the ways of the clans, he is plunged into danger and treachery and must prove himself in many ways. The characters of Firepaw and the other cats are well drawn, and their difficult lives lead them to need each other and to try to know who to trust and who to shun. As they prepare for battles, they also maneuver for power within the clan and beyond. Be warned that the authors do not sugarcoat the cats’ battle injuries or the results of their war. Also be warned that once you start this book, it’s really hard to put it down!
This book is a 2015 Battle of the Books selection.

The details: 272 pages; 2003 Review by Samrarian

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Who would like this book? Anyone who has read Legend and Prodigy and like them will want to read Champion.

The goods on this book: It’s always welcome when the third book of a trilogy holds up and does not disappoint. I think that Champion is a satisfying final book for the Legend trilogy. The plot moves quickly with many unforeseen surprises, and I did not predict the ending. June is now a Princeps-Elect in Denver, while Day is with Eden in San Francisco for medical treatment. The Republic is being attacked by the Colonies. The Colonies accuse The Republic of infecting them with the plague and demand that The Republic give them the cure. Anden is desperate to find this cure and enlists June to ask Day to offer Eden as their only hope. The tension of the love triangle between June, Day, and Anden continues with further complications in their individual lives increasing that tension. The minor characters – Tess, Thomas, Commander Jameson – contribute much to the plot and bring out more depth in the main characters. I hope that this trilog is the next movie series!

The details: 369 pages; 2013 Review by Samrarian

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Review by Felix H.

Who would like this book? Ladies and gents ages 11+ who don’t mind some mature content.

The goods on this book: Just narrowly escaping the Republic in Legend, Day and June are thrown once again into another chaotic sequel! This time Day’s leg injury has come back to haunt him; the Patriots (a rebel organization against the republic) agree to help them both, for a price. Riots are breaking loose and a new Elector is handling the wheel of the country. The senators are not happy with his decisions, and so the Patriots decide to take the opportunity to plan an assassination on the new elector, Anden. However, not everything is what it seems with the Patriots, and June is caught in between the long standing loyalty to her country and the newfound respect of her fellow Patriots. Will June follow through?

The details: 374 pages; 2013 Review by Felix

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Review by Nick Y.

Who would like this book? I recommend this book for children 9 years or older. People who like war – friendship stories would like this book.

The goods on this book: During the horrors of World War 1, a young farm horse named Joey goes through the impossible. Sold into the army, he is used for the Calvary at first; then he is later captured to pull weapons, large weapons. Making friends along the journey, Joey hopes to see his most true master and only friend again. Will they see each other again?

The details: 165 pages; 1982

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Review by Mazzy N.

Who would like this book? I think that females 12+ would like this book. People who like romance and fantasy would love this book.

The goods on this book: Nightshade is the first book to Wolfsbane, so check it out before reading Wolfsbane. Calla and Shay ran away and try to make an alliance to win a war against the Keepers. They have to fight for their lives and others, too. They have to make life or death decisions. Will they make the right choices or suffer the consequences? Calla has challenges with Shay and the love between them; hopefully they find a way to deal with it. What happens when they think they can trust someone who betrays them in the end? In the end, they have to do something that could cost their lives just to fix the Keepers’ mistakes. Will everything go as planned or will everything fall apart? Find out in Wolfsbane. I think that this book was really good, and I felt like I could picture what was going on in the book.

The details: 391 pages; 2011    Review by Mazzy N.

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Who would like this book? Serious readers, age

The goods on this book: The Soviet Union invaded Lithuania in 1939 and proceeded to round up many Lithuanians, ultimately causing a third of the entire population to lose their lives. The mother of the author, Ruta Sepetys, survived this ordeal, and her experiences were the inspiration for this very important book. The main character in the story is 15-year-old Lina. Her father, a university professor, is arrested by the Soviet police and taken away. Soon after, Lina, her mother, and her younger brother are forcibly taken from their comfortable home and jammed into a train with other refugees. Living under inhumane conditions with barely enough food and water to stay alive, they are shipped to Siberia and forced to build their own shelter by scavenging materials while working for the Soviet guards who live in comfort. Lina’s mother leads her children and others in maintaining dignity throughout their severe mistreatment, and Lina narrates their story with honest clarity that is heartbreaking and profoundly moving. Lina, through her drawings and descriptions, risks much as she seeks to document the atrocity. Her captivating story is full of details about her own feelings and about the people sharing her ordeal. The Lithuanian genocide did not come to light until after the Soviets lost power in the 1990s, and it is a nightmare that is still not widely known. This book, therefore, is vitally important to read and pass on.

The details: 344 pages; 2011  Review by Samrarian

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