Sam and CY students & staff are reading…

Review by Kyle A.

Who would like this book? People 11 and up of both genders

Why? The Baudelaires are being framed for murdering Jacques Snicket who was thought to be Count Olaf. Now, they are trying to find out about Jacques Snicket, who apparently is part of their family. They are now in the VFD, which is the Volunteer Fighting Disease in a half finished hospital where their sister is kidnapped and her name is changed to Laura V. Bleedioite. Klaus and Sunny Baudelaire have to dress up as doctors and save her.

The details: 255 pp. 2001 Review by Kyle

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Review by Ryan D.

Who would like this book? People around middle school age. It’s meant for both boys and girls. It’s an action/adventure fantasy with some comedy.

Why? Artemis Fowl just got over the Atlantis Complex and has news that Opal has a diabolical plan to wipe out humanity. She eventually escapes prison and resurrects fairy warriors who can possess anything, including Juliet and Artemis Fowl’s little brothers. So it’s up to Butler, Artemis, Holly, Mulch, and Foaly to stop Opal’s plan. I thought this book was very good.

The details: 328 pp. 2012  Review by Ryan D.

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Who would like this book? Girls and some guys, 6th grade and up, who like books about dystopias (think The Giver and Uglies) with a special focus on choosing the right guy.

Why? Cassia has always been happy with her life in the controlled society of her borough. Her parents are perfectly matched with professions that fit their talents. She has been a model student and is on her way to success as a sorter. In her society, every detail of life is controlled – food, schooling, free time, and your mate. Cassia trusts the system completely and is ecstatic when she is “matched” to Zander, her childhood friend. Her perfect life starts to unravel when her beloved grandfather entrusts her with some precious secrets and when a seemingly rogue image appears on her matching screen. As Cassia begins to question the power of her society, she begins to explore her feelings and get to know herself for the first time. I felt that the book could have been more tightly edited, but that’s a small quibble with a book that wrestles with the question of the essential meaning of life through a girl who has to decide between two guys.

The details: 384 pp. 2010   Review by Samrarian

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Click here for a PowerPoint presentation about The Immortals Series by Tamora Pierce. Spoilers alert! The presentation gives away some key events.

The presentation is by Mary Martha.

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Who would like this book? Science Fiction fans who know a lot about video games.

Why? Wade goes to school in the OASIS, a giant video game James Halliday made which allows people to get away from our trashed world. When James Halliday dies he leaves his entire estate and money behind for anyone to get. But they have to find a video game easter egg. Wade, in Oasis, is a normal boy and his name is Parzival. Parzival was the Knight to first find the Holy Grail. Parzival is only a level 3 in the OASIS with no magic or special weapons. As soon as Wade graduates from high school, he will want to become a full time Gunter (Egg Hunter) in the search for the egg. When Halliday died he made the Almanac, and Gunters found notched letters that say
The Copper Key awaits Explorers
In a tomb filled with horrors
But you have much to learn
If you hope to earn
A place among the high scorers
But Gunters are not the only people who want the egg. IOI, or the Sixers, the bad guys, want to take over the OASIS. Read Ready Player One to find out how Wade will stop the Sixers.

The details: 384 pp. 2011  Review by Mason B.

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Click here for a PowerPoint about how Alyxandra Harvey uses point of view in the Drake Chronicles.

This presentation was created by Jennifer M.

Find the Drake Chronicles in the Cal Young Library at FIC Har.

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Who would like this book? Readers, grades 6 – 9, – don’t miss Red Kayak if you are looking for a realistic, suspenseful plot in which the main character has to make a crucial, life-changing decision.

Why? Brady lives on the coast of Maryland in a community struggling with the changing economy. His dad and others struggle to make a living crabbing and oyster fishing. Brady’s best friends Digger and J. T. also struggle, especially Digger, whose family has recently had to sell their family homestead to the DiAngelos, a rich young family who replaced the old house with a new mansion. Mr. DiAngelos buys a red kayak, and one morning the three boys see the kayak heading downstream on a day that is unsafe for boating. Brady wants to call out a warning, but Digger and J. T. argue that he will be fine. Later that morning, Brady is called out of school to join the search for the missing kayak and its occupants – Mrs. DiAngelos and her young son, Ben. From this setup, the story builds with an effective and riveting plot sequence that places Brady in difficult, almost impossible, situations. The first person narration lets the reader feel Ben’s anguish as he grapples with the truth, and the well-drawn minor characters add to the intensity. It’s a great book for discussion because the conflict is believable and it has so much significance for so many people. I found this book to be captivating, thought-provoking, and worthwhile. It doesn’t waste a word with its tight plot construction and full characters.
This book is a 2011-2012 Battle of the Books selection.

The details: 224 p. 2006     Review by Samrarian

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Who would like this book? People who like dragons, magic and adventure.

Why? David, Lucy, Zanna, Liz and the dragon have disappeared after destroying some of the dark fire. Fire World is about a 12 year old boy named David Merriman. He has strange dreams. His dad and Counselor are trying to find out what is causing his these dreams. His Counselor sent David to a librarium to feel better. Read on to find out what happens.

The details: 562 p. 2011   Review by Camille

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Who would like this book? Anyone who likes good mysteries, detective stories, and/or historical fiction with girls who would be independent even if it meant running away.

Why? Enola Holmes, the much younger sister of the famous Sherlock, has enjoyed a free-wheeling childhood in the country under the neglectful eye of their spirited mother. The story begins with their mother’s disappearance and the alarming appearance of both her older brothers from London. They are aghast at the state of affairs at the country estate and at Enola’s lack of “breeding.” When Sherlock makes plans to send her away to a strict boarding school, Enola takes matters into her own hands, using her head to both figure out the clues that her mother left and to pursue a course which would keep her free from the clutches of her controlling brothers. Enola is a great character, and joining with her to solve this mystery is great fun and completely captivating, whatever your age! Go, Enola!

The details: 216 p. 2006    Review by Samrarian

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Who would like this book? Anyone would like this book who are into romance.

Why? This story is the 2nd book of the Immortal series. Damen has fallen sick and it is up to Ever to save him. But she is preoccupied by how strange the whole school is acting. Ever turns to the only person she thinks she can trust, Ava, another mind reading friend. She takes a few trips to Summerland, a wonderful place that is just like paradise. I recommend you read this amazing tale and find out how Ever saves her beloved Damen.

The details: 289 p. 2009    Review by Cheyenne

Suggested for grades 8 and up

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