Thursday, February 27, 2014

A new student review of The Klaatu Terminus

cmason178 posted a new student review of The Klaatu Terminus . See the full review.

I enjoyed this book, but would have enjoyed it more had I read the whole series.  I found that the character development in this story was complete.  It left me satisfied and happy as a series' finale.

 

A new student review of Get Psyched by Janet McLaughlin

Jared_2318 posted a new student review of Get Psyched by Janet McLaughlin. See the full review.

This book is a great book. I have nothing bad to say about it, and I wouldn't change a thing about it. I liked this book because it protrayed honesty and integrity. The thing that thing that made this book great was that it was from a teen's point of view instead of an adult's. To see what the teen goes through is pretty facinating. I recommend this book to anybody who enjoys mysteries.

A new student review of Remind

Ravette posted a new student review of Remind . See the full review.

A beautifully illustrated, and excellently told visual novel. The character development left nothing to be desired. Victuals, the lizardman-turned-cat, consistantly expresses very real emotions of 'want' but remained true to his morals, which made him seem more like a hero. The King was also a typical villain, seeking power and lusting for immortality all in the name of a diety he made up. Simply put, I loved all the characters, good or bad.

A new student review of The Brewster Boys and the Eve of Infamy by Stephen Dittmer

sisto8 posted a new student review of The Brewster Boys and the Eve of Infamy by Stephen Dittmer. See the full review.

I like this book because of the excitement.  After I picked up the book, I didn’t want to put it down.  The characters appeared to be real, lifelike people in a not-so-real scene.  The author did a great job making the unreal scene appear believable right before the reader’s eyes.  I like how they have problems that seem somewhat impossible to solve that they make through anyway.  I recommend it for anyone 12+.

Wednesday, February 26, 2014

A new student review of Book of the Sky God by Laura Markowitz

kfrancke posted a new student review of Book of the Sky God by Laura Markowitz. See the full review.

This is a good book for people who like adventure and mythology. I liked the book because it gave me a nice surprise. I thought it was about the Greek sky god, but it was the Mayan sky god instead. One thing I didn't like about the book was the author didn't tell me when she was changing to a different character's prespective. I liked the book because at the end it put me on the edge of my seat with a touch of mystrey. Overall, this is an enjoyable book to read.

Tuesday, February 25, 2014

A new student review of When the World Ends... by J. J. Marshall

m-and-m-b-baller posted a new student review of When the World Ends... by J. J. Marshall. See the full review.

I would rate this book a four. The dramatic turn of futuristic events and spins really got me into the book. Reading this book from the main character, Alec's, perspective made me feel like I was there. The author described Alec's troubling life through a wonderful chilling spine tickling eerie way. I got goosebumps at certain spots. In certain spots, there were cliff hangers that made me want more. All the futuristic content, such as shuttles, bases on the moon, spheres, laser guns, and the whole package made me think about the possible inventions in the future. I thought, "Could this really happen?" Usually, I'm not that excited about futuristic books, but this book made me cry, laugh, get angry, and smile. When a book makes me feel something, I know it's good. The turn of being a good boy, to a bad boy, to a romantic lover, and back to the cool spy made me happy. I could picture the book very clearly, each scene I could picture what the people, scene, and objects look. This author should publish more futuristic books so I can read them. I've already started to look up the next book in the series. Of course, a book that ends on a cliffhanger requires me to check out the next book. In summary, I think that this book was a mix of life/death, future, rebel/goody goody mix. Alec's situation fascinates me, and I felt I could relate. I cannot wait to make the next read. The only thing I would even dare criticize would be the length. 300 something pages may seem like a lot, but I felt like the author spent a lot of time detailing certain things, and then it would be barely as much information as the recent scene. But I got the plot, and could relate to a character, which is what my goal was. Thank you, LitPick!

A new student review of Yoke: The Bound Trilogy Book I by Eve Ragland

alivyah posted a new student review of Yoke: The Bound Trilogy Book I by Eve Ragland. See the full review.

Yoke is a great book with a lot of surprises. I love that this book has enough romance without going over board. It also has a lot of action and thrill, which keeps you interested. What I didn't like about this book was that it was too much like Twilight, but it was way better. I felt like some of the characters where a little too angry.

Yoke has what every book needs: action, adventure, surprises, and romance.I give this book 4/5 stars and recommend it for ages 12 and up. Have fun reading.

A new student review of Finnikin of the Rock

AKFeldman posted a new student review of Finnikin of the Rock . See the full review.

I did enjoy this book. I think Melina Marchetta did an excellent job of foreshadowing important events to come in the story, while at the same time delivering the occasional "plot twist" and surprise. The characters truly came alive for me. I could picture myself in each one's position, and to me that is what makes a well-written story. I felt their pain and laughed when they laughed. 

Sometimes I thought that the romance between two of the characters (I'm not telling who!) was a little forced or sudden, but towards the end it became more natural. 

The pacing was not too slow or too fast, it was a perfect goldie-lock's standard. Melina Marchetta did a fabulous job describing a certain prophecy, which was my favorite part of the book. 

I did not think the sentences were all beautifully and ornately written, but I loved the simplicity that some sentences had. 

For someone on the brink of requesting/buying this book: GO FOR IT. I do not think you will regret it in the slightest. 

Monday, February 24, 2014

A new student review of Every Day After by Laura Golden

SarahLou posted a new student review of Every Day After by Laura Golden. See the full review.

If you feel down you should read this book. It is a very good book and it was a very good inspiration to me. I loved how Lizzie found hope again and fixed her problems by doing what her dad told her to do and facing her fears. This is a good book for ages 10 and up.

A new student review of The Secret Diamond Sisters by Michelle Madow

GSracegirl posted a new student review of The Secret Diamond Sisters by Michelle Madow. See the full review.

I felt as though the book was really good.  It was the kind of book that when I opened it I was transported to Vegas.  It was as though I was right along side Payton when Oliver broke her heart. I could feel her disappointment, and her anger towards him.  The one thing that really stood out to me was that there was never a dull moment in the book. I never said to myself, “Oh, this part is really boring”. No, I could not stop reading. Also, this book was jam packed with drama. You felt as though you were betrayed by your father, and you could sympathize with Savannah when she had to leave her best friend and move far away and you might not ever see her again.  I loved the format of this book. Madow wrote from different personalities. She wrote from Savannah, Courtney, Payton, Madison, and then she did a little blog every so often.  I could really hear the different voices, and how they were all their own person.  Her descriptions were amazing, there is no other way to say it--the descriptions were really good.  This book is the helpless romantic's dream.

Sunday, February 23, 2014

A new student review of Disneylanders by Kate Abbott

AlexaS posted a new student review of Disneylanders by Kate Abbott. See the full review.

What initially drew me to Disneylanders was its setting—like Casey, I grew up going to Disneyland once every year, and have a fierce love for it. In portraying Disneyland itself, this book excelled. It’s chock-full of references to the rides and areas in Disneyland, and felt like I was there. In fact, every chapter’s title included a reference to some sort of Disney slogan, song, attraction, show, etc. If you love Disneyland, then you’ll definitely get some amusement and enjoyment from this book.

The main problem I had with this book was the main character, Casey. Although I was sympathetic to her in the beginning, I found her naïve and whiny by the middle of the book. I understand that parents can be embarrassing and over-bearing at times, but I found myself cringing at some of the decisions Casey made. She also had this huge issue against this group of girls she kept seeing around Disneyland, just because their bra-straps were showing—an issue I found immature and judgmental. I really only liked Casey because of her love for Disneyland. On the other hand, Bert, Casey’s love-interest, was awesome—his love for his family and his interactions with Casey  (although a bit unrealistic at times) were adorable. I found myself getting bored during the parts with just Casey and her family, and wanting to get back to Bert.

Overall, I think Disneylanders is a cute, well-written, coming-of-age summer read. The ending, albeit not giving a definitive solution to every subplot, was sweet and ended on a hopeful note. I would recommend it to any Disney fan willing to look past the main character’s flaws for a good account of Disneyland.

 

 

Saturday, February 22, 2014

A new student review of The Girl Who Was on Fire (Movie Edition) by Gary Cassel

sunflower posted a new student review of The Girl Who Was on Fire (Movie Edition) by Gary Cassel. See the full review.

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A new student review of The Solar Sea by David Lee Summers

sunflower posted a new student review of The Solar Sea by David Lee Summers. See the full review.

I liked this book. I wouldn't say that it's the best book ever but it kept my attention. To be honest it was rather cliche as far as science fiction goes. The whole thing with the whales made me think of Star Trek IV The Voyage Home because that dealt an awful lot with aliens talking to whales. It actually was rather reminiscent of Stanly Kubrick's 2001: A Space Odyssey. In that they built the Jupiter VIII ship because Discovery told them to go on a trip to Jupiter. In this book they built a ship to go specifically to go to Saturn. Then there's the whole idea that making the ship spin will create gravity on the ship. That was probably the most cliche thing of all in the book. Other than that I thought that the book was very good. It had an easy to follow plot that even those who've never read science fiction could follow. I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a good read.

A new student review of Midnight City by J. Barton Mitchell

leonardo posted a new student review of Midnight City by J. Barton Mitchell. See the full review.

Midnight City is an amazing book. In the beginning, you don't really know how Earth was captured, but you know enough to be able to read and enjoy the book and learn more as the book goes on. The author reveals the right amount of information throughout the book, otherwise there would be a whole history section that wasn't needed. The book is fast-paced and never boring. Once I started reading the book, I couldn't put it down. The characters were original and intriguing because each had their own mysteries and backgrounds that you had to read to find out about. I would recommend this book to anyone who likes action/sci-fi books with a little romance thrown in. Reviewer Age:17 Reviewer City, State and Country: Brownsburg, Indiana United States of America

A new student review of Sleep Before Evening by Magdalena Ball

mbuonarroti posted a new student review of Sleep Before Evening by Magdalena Ball. See the full review.

This was a harrowing and believable book, which I actually really enjoyed! Magdalena Ball writes with such conviction and describes even the grittiest scenes with their own kind of beauty that makes this novel hard to put down. Having never read anything quite like this book before, I was dubious at the beginning. However, upon finishing the novel, I realized that I had been living as Marianne, experiencing her loss, grief and struggles. I lived the painful emotion behind the words of the narrator while sharing the experiences and feelings of Marianne; this sets the book apart. I would definitely recommend Sleep Before Evening to others but possibly to those older than myself. Throughout the novel Marianne is faced with the daunting trials of drug addiction, sex and the fight for survival in the big city. While I thoroughly enjoyed the book, I think it might be better suited to people from 16 up. The words of Magdalena Ball in Sleep Before Evening will without a doubt stay with me for years to come.

A new student review of A Red Sun Also Rises by Mark Hodder

Raphael posted a new student review of A Red Sun Also Rises by Mark Hodder. See the full review.

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A new student review of Storm - The Elemental Series by Brigid Kemmerer

leonardo posted a new student review of Storm - The Elemental Series by Brigid Kemmerer. See the full review.

I would say that this book is the best book I have read in months. I would recommend that any kid that is mature, or the age 11 and up should read this book. It was hilarious and often made me crack up. There was romance; there were scary spots; there were things that I did not expect. Humor, romance, suspense, and a ton more came with this book. I give it 5 stars!

A new student review of The Buried Covenant by Shawn Keenan

leonardo posted a new student review of The Buried Covenant by Shawn Keenan. See the full review.

This is truly one of the funniest books Ive ever read. Some of the situations Jayke gets into are ordinary, but the way he deals with them is anything but! His humor and insight made me laugh more times that I care to admit, and he seemed very relatable. Its been awhile since I've read a story with such life-like characters that I actually cared about, and Shawn P. Keenan did a marvelous job making them seem realistic. Overall, Shawn P. Keenan did a marvelous job with this book. The only complaint I have is that the beginning was a bit slow for my taste. Other than that, this is a must-read for any teenager who wishes to just sit down with a book and have a good laugh.

A new student review of Sleep Before Evening by Magdalena Ball

mbuonarroti posted a new student review of Sleep Before Evening by Magdalena Ball. See the full review.

This was a harrowing and believable book, which I actually really enjoyed! Magdalena Ball writes with such conviction and describes even the grittiest scenes with their own kind of beauty that makes this novel hard to put down. Having never read anything quite like this book before, I was dubious at the beginning. However, upon finishing the novel, I realized that I had been living as Marianne, experiencing her loss, grief and struggles. I lived the painful emotion behind the words of the narrator while sharing the experiences and feelings of Marianne; this sets the book apart. I would definitely recommend Sleep Before Evening to others but possibly to those older than myself. Throughout the novel Marianne is faced with the daunting trials of drug addiction, sex and the fight for survival in the big city. While I thoroughly enjoyed the book, I think it might be better suited to people from 16 up. The words of Magdalena Ball in Sleep Before Evening will without a doubt stay with me for years to come.

A new student review of Midnight City by J. Barton Mitchell

leonardo posted a new student review of Midnight City by J. Barton Mitchell. See the full review.

Midnight City is an amazing book. In the beginning, you don't really know how Earth was captured, but you know enough to be able to read and enjoy the book and learn more as the book goes on. The author reveals the right amount of information throughout the book, otherwise there would be a whole history section that wasn't needed. The book is fast-paced and never boring. Once I started reading the book, I couldn't put it down. The characters were original and intriguing because each had their own mysteries and backgrounds that you had to read to find out about. I would recommend this book to anyone who likes action/sci-fi books with a little romance thrown in. Reviewer Age:17 Reviewer City, State and Country: Brownsburg, Indiana United States of America

A new student review of Deadly Intentions by Lisa Kuehne

Raphael posted a new student review of Deadly Intentions by Lisa Kuehne. See the full review.

This. Book. Was. Absolutely. Brilliant. There is no other way to describe it. It had everything action, romance, intrigue, drama all perfectly mixed together better than your Grandma's cookie batter. There was enough romance to keep me sighing, but it never got to sappy or obsessive. The story progressed beautifully, always keeping me on edge. Besides sometimes being dark and terrifying, Ava had a humorous sarcastic wit, along with an independent spirit. Seriously, this little lady could win the Miss Firecracker Award. Easily. I recommend you read the first book, True Intentions, beforehand, as it will catch you up on what happened before the chaos. I loved how this book had such a wide range of characters. I could at least connect to one of them. The ideas of heaven and the underworld this book portrays are interesting, too,the afterlife, the relationship between angels and demons, the ways mortals are smashed right in between. I also like how the story is told through Ava's point of view it helped me understand the method behind the madness. The vocabulary was fresh and definitely drew you into Ava's plight. After the dynamic ending, I am extremely anxious to read the final book in the series, needless to say. If you love almost having a heart attack from all the suspense in your books, this novel is for you! I keep bouncing up and down in the back of the cargo van but now Stephen and Susan are taking me to face Satan. Since they killed Rick, I suppose they'll have to find another human to end my life and make me one of his immortal followers. I would recommend this book for ages thirteen and up, or for mature readers. The novel did have some mild expletives in it, and casual sexual references. Even though it does talk about God, it is not a faith based book. Will Ava and Sam's relationship survive through all trials and tribulations? Will they be able to save Aiden's soul in time, or will evil rule? Read Lisa Kuehne's new novel to find out! Reviewer Age:12 Reviewer City, State and Country: Leopold, Missouri U.S.A.

A new student review of A Red Sun Also Rises by Mark Hodder

Raphael posted a new student review of A Red Sun Also Rises by Mark Hodder. See the full review.

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A new student review of Storm - The Elemental Series by Brigid Kemmerer

leonardo posted a new student review of Storm - The Elemental Series by Brigid Kemmerer. See the full review.

I would say that this book is the best book I have read in months. I would recommend that any kid that is mature, or the age 11 and up should read this book. It was hilarious and often made me crack up. There was romance; there were scary spots; there were things that I did not expect. Humor, romance, suspense, and a ton more came with this book. I give it 5 stars!

A new student review of 100 Cupboards by 99 Unknown Email

leonardo posted a new student review of 100 Cupboards by 99 Unknown Email. See the full review.

100 Cupboards is N.D. Wilson's first installment in his new fantasy trilogy. He brings to life many new and different characters and this added to my enjoyment of his book. When you read as much as I do you can see similarities in characters from completely different books. I appreciated the uniqueness of Wilsons characters and enjoyed their adventures. One thing that stood out and was impressive was how I was able to connect, and sometimes even feel like, I was participating in this story.

A new student review of 2108: Eyes Open (eBook) by K.L. Glanville

Raphael posted a new student review of 2108: Eyes Open (eBook) by K.L. Glanville. See the full review.

After reading the first few pages of this book, I expected it to be a science fiction dystopian society book, such as 1984 or Fahrenheit 451. Instead, I was surprised with a futuristic alien version of Romeo and Juliet, where Jewel and Forge are kept apart by their species/governments. I thought this book had a good basic plot line, with many random twists, but overall this book was not what I expected. The ending as well felt quite sudden and did not seem to solve most of the problems, probably leaving room for a sequel. Overall this book would probably be enjoyed by any tween girl who would like a new spin on an old idea, however, this will not be one of my favorite books.

A new student review of Two Lies and a Spy

IAmMe posted a new student review of Two Lies and a Spy . See the full review.

Rating: Reread it Twice
I enjoyed Two Lies and A Spy, but I had a few problems with certain parts of the book. I desired additional information on the Agency. I knew practically nothing about the Agency. The only things I knew were the leader and two spies in the organization. I needed more background such as who found it and why. I also thought there could have been smoother transitions in the earlier scenes. I just didn't quite get some of the beginning because of that. Most of it was explained in the middle, so all was resolved. Kat only mentioned Kale in a small portion of the beginning, so I didn't think he was a main character until he popped in in the middle. The story line and the characters were intriguing, but I just didn't love it as much as I thought I would. I liked it though and would be open to a sequel option that seems to be left open at the end.

A new student review of Kaleidoscope Me by Hillary K. Grigonis

JesusFreak posted a new student review of Kaleidoscope Me by Hillary K. Grigonis. See the full review.

When I first saw what the book was about, I was slightly doubtful that I would like it.  I’m more into the post-apocalyptic genre and wasn’t expecting to like Kaleidoscope Me. I’m glad I was wrong. I’ve noticed that in some books the author frequently strays from the pain the main character should be feeling when someone they love dies, but this never happened in Kaleidoscope Me. Jadyn’s pain was real and frequent as someone’s real pain would be. The beginning of the book caught my attention right away and made me very curious to see what would happen next. One of the things that I really liked was that things did not go in a straight order. Throughout the book you experienced what Jadyn’s thought process was like, how she could be thinking about one thing but then that one thought leads back to a memory in the past. I felt connected to Jadyn throughout the book, as if I were right beside her. I even got exasperated at her Aunt Nadine from time to time! Overall, this is a great book for preteens and teens and is beautifully written.

A new student review of Glow (Sky Chasers) by Amy Kathleen Ryan

Donatello posted a new student review of Glow (Sky Chasers) by Amy Kathleen Ryan. See the full review.

While the idea was brilliant, the writing wonderful, and the plot ingenious, the characters annoyed me to no end. One second you liked a character and the next you hated them. It was hard to follow because it was written in three different peoples point of view, who all at least at some point hated one of the other characters. It infuriated me and caused my emotions to go all bipolar. While the characters were lacking the rest of the book was not. It keep me on my toes the whole time, with almost no predictability. The images were stunning and realistic, and the whole story well developed and very authentic. I read in a day because I could not put it down. It was enjoyable and I cannot wait until the next book comes out.

A new student review of 100 Cupboards by 99 Unknown Email

leonardo posted a new student review of 100 Cupboards by 99 Unknown Email. See the full review.

100 Cupboards is N.D. Wilson's first installment in his new fantasy trilogy. He brings to life many new and different characters and this added to my enjoyment of his book. When you read as much as I do you can see similarities in characters from completely different books. I appreciated the uniqueness of Wilsons characters and enjoyed their adventures. One thing that stood out and was impressive was how I was able to connect, and sometimes even feel like, I was participating in this story.

A new student review of 2108: Eyes Open (eBook) by K.L. Glanville

Raphael posted a new student review of 2108: Eyes Open (eBook) by K.L. Glanville. See the full review.

After reading the first few pages of this book, I expected it to be a science fiction dystopian society book, such as 1984 or Fahrenheit 451. Instead, I was surprised with a futuristic alien version of Romeo and Juliet, where Jewel and Forge are kept apart by their species/governments. I thought this book had a good basic plot line, with many random twists, but overall this book was not what I expected. The ending as well felt quite sudden and did not seem to solve most of the problems, probably leaving room for a sequel. Overall this book would probably be enjoyed by any tween girl who would like a new spin on an old idea, however, this will not be one of my favorite books.

A new student review of Singled Out by Sara Griffiths

leonardo posted a new student review of Singled Out by Sara Griffiths. See the full review.

Singled Out by Sara Griffiths is fantastic book that teaches one to never give up, and to fight for what one believes in. It is also the second installment in a series about Taylor Dresden and her dream to play baseball. This story is very realistic in the fact that its main character is a girl who is told she can't do something because she is not a guy. Many girls today are told they cannot do things because they do not have the abilities guys do. This story is a very motivational one, and I suggest it to both guys and girls who believe anything is possible if you try hard enough.

A new student review of The Litigators by Gary Cassel

leonardo posted a new student review of The Litigators by Gary Cassel. See the full review.

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A new student review of Element 238 - The Search for Truth - Episode One by J.H. Soeder

Raphael posted a new student review of Element 238 - The Search for Truth - Episode One by J.H. Soeder. See the full review.

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A new student review of The Wizard Test by Hillary Belli

Donatello posted a new student review of The Wizard Test by Hillary Belli. See the full review.

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Thursday, February 20, 2014

A new student review of A Force of Will A Shakespearean Fantasy Adventure by D.J. Wallace

Chris Purple posted a new student review of A Force of Will A Shakespearean Fantasy Adventure by D.J. Wallace. See the full review.

Wouldn't it be cool to get magical powers that make you stronger, faster, and wiser? "A Force of Will a Shakespearean Adventure" is a mystical, treacherous, and adventurous book. It was hard to stop reading! Some parts were hard to follow. When conversations started, they continued for a while. There is still lots of action, but the conversations tell you more. It was still fascinating!  If anyone is into swords and pirates, magic and monsters, this is for you!

A new student review of Sword of Damocles by Brian Bern

masha posted a new student review of Sword of Damocles by Brian Bern. See the full review.

I really liked the book. It was interesting at the beginning but the real action didn't start until after the first few chapters. I think that It is a good book. There are still mysteries left at the end which make you expect a sequel. Overall I liked the book, but it was not particularly amazing in any way. There were parts that I liked and even though I still had questions at the end, there was enough information to keep me satisfied. I would reccomend this book to younger children, because it lacks real action and crisis situations that older-age group books might have.

Wednesday, February 19, 2014

A new student review of Rituals

ViviB posted a new student review of Rituals . See the full review.

I liked the mystery and intrigue of this book and the way it combined with the other subtle element of magic. I thought that it could have used more character development, but it is the eighth book in a series, so the author probably expects at least a basic knowledge of the characters at this point. Though I would have appreciated more development, the book can be read as a stand-alone.
 
Faye was a great main character to follow. Her scientific mind catalogued and puzzled, and it was interesting piecing everything together with her. The surrounding characters were amazing as well, and the many different point of views, rather than distracting from the story, added to the suspense.
 
The author closed the mystery well, and I liked the subtle hints dropped throughout the book hinting to the culprit. I found the book hard to get into at the start, but it began picking up near the middle, and I was hooked.

A new student review of 100 Cupboards by 99 Unknown Email

leonardo posted a new student review of 100 Cupboards by 99 Unknown Email. See the full review.

100 Cupboards is N.D. Wilson's first installment in his new fantasy trilogy. He brings to life many new and different characters and this added to my enjoyment of his book. When you read as much as I do you can see similarities in characters from completely different books. I appreciated the uniqueness of Wilsons characters and enjoyed their adventures. One thing that stood out and was impressive was how I was able to connect, and sometimes even feel like, I was participating in this story.

A new student review of Storm - The Elemental Series by Brigid Kemmerer

leonardo posted a new student review of Storm - The Elemental Series by Brigid Kemmerer. See the full review.

I would say that this book is the best book I have read in months. I would recommend that any kid that is mature, or the age 11 and up should read this book. It was hilarious and often made me crack up. There was romance; there were scary spots; there were things that I did not expect. Humor, romance, suspense, and a ton more came with this book. I give it 5 stars!

A new student review of A Red Sun Also Rises by Mark Hodder

Raphael posted a new student review of A Red Sun Also Rises by Mark Hodder. See the full review.

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A new student review of Ameca J and the Legacy of Menindus by Paul Xavier Jones

Columbus posted a new student review of Ameca J and the Legacy of Menindus by Paul Xavier Jones. See the full review.

The cast—including Craig and his Bond Girls Naomie Harris and Bérénice Marlohe—sat down at this week's press junket for the film and discussed all things Skyfall, so we've compiled five burning questions whose answers are even hotter.   This is a test.

A new student review of Storm - The Elemental Series by Brigid Kemmerer

leonardo posted a new student review of Storm - The Elemental Series by Brigid Kemmerer. See the full review.

I would say that this book is the best book I have read in months. I would recommend that any kid that is mature, or the age 11 and up should read this book. It was hilarious and often made me crack up. There was romance; there were scary spots; there were things that I did not expect. Humor, romance, suspense, and a ton more came with this book. I give it 5 stars!

A new student review of Disneylanders by Kate Abbott

thudson36 posted a new student review of Disneylanders by Kate Abbott. See the full review.

Disneylanders by Bob Mclain and Kate Abbott was an overall good book. Casey, the main character, was very relatable and in no way portrayed as “perfect.” Through this adventure, you’ll laugh and swoon over the romantic moments between Casey and Bert. I think this book would be even better for someone who loves Disneyland, because the author obviously knows a lot about it and incorporates all of its wonders in this book. There were a couple places where the plot moved slowly, and a couple parts seemed unrealistic, but overall it was a great book that I’d defiantly recommend to anyone that’s looking for a light, fun read.

Tuesday, February 18, 2014

A new student review of Trading Faces by Ann Herrick

Afrommeyer19 posted a new student review of Trading Faces by Ann Herrick. See the full review.

This was a great book. It switched perpectives a lot; that was one thing I really liked. This showed how each individual charcter felt. I also liked that two girls who were nothing alike were able to work together to fix a problem they had. Along the way they learned how to help others.This was such a good book because of the way it related to me with everyone trying to fit in and have fun. I believe many people would relate to this and would enjoy this book very much.

A new student review of Homicidal Aliens and Other Disappointments

NathanPechacek10 posted a new student review of Homicidal Aliens and Other Disappointments . See the full review.

In my opinion, this was a good book for kids ages 11-15.  It was a little difficult to get into, but once you do, you can't put it down.  I liked how it was semi-humorous, and it had a strong ending.  I dislike books that leave the reader hanging.  Keep in mind that there is some adult language used as well as a tremendous amount of deaths.  This book was okay, but definitely not one of my favorites.  I would read the first book, Alien Invasion and Other Inconveniences before reading this one.

Monday, February 17, 2014

A new student review of Lion

Anjel posted a new student review of Lion . See the full review.


This book is an exciting adventure full of mysteries and action packed cycling adventures. I think people who like fantasy, mystery, and biking adventure would enjoy this book. Just by reading this book I know that I'll be watching for and reading all by this author. If you compared The Lion to any other book, compare it to The Key of Koryna. When I wasn't reading, I was daydreaming about the settings about Chinatown and the Golden Gate Bridge. This book is the second in Out of the Ashes series.

A new student review of reGUARDing GRACE by Karen Leppert

Jigub posted a new student review of reGUARDing GRACE by Karen Leppert. See the full review.

This is one of the few books that many teenagers can relate too.  The setting takes place at what seems like a regular high school, paralleling an everyday school day that contains gossip, drama, teenage angst, and even family problems.  What I really liked about this book is that it made me think.  I noticed that the main characters never fully communicated with each other and told the truth about their thoughts.  Personally, I know I have the same struggle and that just added to the fact that I can relate to the person even more.  Leppert does a fantastic job at creating a book that captivates the attention of its reader beginning on the very first page and ends the story in a way that gives the readers satisfaction.  I recommend this book to teenagers that are in dire need of a good read.

A new student review of The Freedom Maze

aschoenfeldt posted a new student review of The Freedom Maze . See the full review.

Delia Sherman's The Freedom Maze never ceased to capture my attention. I especially enjoyed the attention to detail, specifically in the historical information on slavery. The plot was confusing at times, with Sophie's journeys back in time, but the elements of fantasy were well woven into the storyline. I would recommend this book to any lovers of historical fiction, or even those looking for a strong coming-of-age story about a young girl. This is the first book I have read by Delia Sherman, but I enjoyed her clear prose and definitive voice. 

A new student review of Big Brother

alison_S posted a new student review of Big Brother . See the full review.

To Morait's credit, Big Brother excels as entertainment; this novel's whirlwind pace borders on frantic, and its 167 pages all but burst with plot points. But, as a piece of literature, Big Brother falls flat. Though Ash's willingness to remain with Rhonda, despite her abusive ways, certainly merits our admiration, the total nonchalance with which he slaughters his enemies does not. Additionally, every time Ash appears to undergo some sort of character development, he immediately reverts back to his old, gore-crazed ways. Despite the book's enthralling, cutthroat pace, Big Brother's seriously spotty grammar definitely hindered the flow of my reading. Although Big Brother flaunts an ingenious ending plot twist, Morait tries to layer a second plot twist on top of that, propelling the whole ending into randomness and implausibility. Yet, in spite of all its faults, Big Brother evidences Morait's talent as a writer— with some intensive revision, Big Brother could wow readers with its brisk pacing and eerie plot.

A new student review of Seeking Dr. Magic by Scott Spotson

Bkim posted a new student review of Seeking Dr. Magic by Scott Spotson. See the full review.

“Seeking Dr. Magic” is a phenomenal book. After the first few pages, you’ll be hooked. This is a must-read book that you can’t possibly put down! This is a book that the whole family will enjoy. It has mystery, action, adventure, magic of course, and yes, even a little romance. This book deserves six stars, but I give it five because that is as high as you can go. Your satisfaction is guaranteed!

Friday, February 14, 2014

A new student review of Quests of Shadowind: Sky Shifter by LA Miller

jotaf posted a new student review of Quests of Shadowind: Sky Shifter by LA Miller. See the full review.

The book was a little hard to understand at first, but it got easier to understand as I continued to read. It was very exciting and fun to read, though. I couldn't put the book down. Not all of my questions were answered at the end of the book.  I hope the next books in the series answer those. I really like the personalities the author gave the characters: Logan is a pretty good looking boy who enjoys sports and food, and Mindy is a girl who is always scolding Logan and worrying about the future. I think kids ages 11 - 15 would enjoy this book. I wouldn't recommend it to those who are too young to understand some of the themes, or who have a hard time following a complex plot.

A new student review of Little Red Gem by D. L. Richardson

binkers1 posted a new student review of Little Red Gem by D. L. Richardson. See the full review.

​This was a marvelous book. When I read this book it made me realize how a fight could mess up your entire life. This book was a great choice for my style of reading because I enjoy a good romance and drama book. I think anyone who likes romance and drama should consider reading this. The romance and suspense made me want to keep reading the book. I can relate to the book because when I hear something that I didn't want to hear I can get upset just like Ruby did when Leo said he didn't want kids. However, the book was also kind of hard to relate to because some of the experiences that Ruby had didn't really match mine. One expirience that Ruby had and I didn't was Ruby being pregnant.  In general, I really enjoyed reading the book and I would recommend it to any of my friends.

A new student review of 2108: Eyes Open (eBook) by K.L. Glanville

Raphael posted a new student review of 2108: Eyes Open (eBook) by K.L. Glanville. See the full review.

After reading the first few pages of this book, I expected it to be a science fiction dystopian society book, such as 1984 or Fahrenheit 451. Instead, I was surprised with a futuristic alien version of Romeo and Juliet, where Jewel and Forge are kept apart by their species/governments. I thought this book had a good basic plot line, with many random twists, but overall this book was not what I expected. The ending as well felt quite sudden and did not seem to solve most of the problems, probably leaving room for a sequel. Overall this book would probably be enjoyed by any tween girl who would like a new spin on an old idea, however, this will not be one of my favorite books.

A new student review of IntoThin Air by Jon Krakauer

leonardo posted a new student review of IntoThin Air by Jon Krakauer. See the full review.

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A new student review of Singled Out by Sara Griffiths

leonardo posted a new student review of Singled Out by Sara Griffiths. See the full review.

Singled Out by Sara Griffiths is fantastic book that teaches one to never give up, and to fight for what one believes in. It is also the second installment in a series about Taylor Dresden and her dream to play baseball. This story is very realistic in the fact that its main character is a girl who is told she can't do something because she is not a guy. Many girls today are told they cannot do things because they do not have the abilities guys do. This story is a very motivational one, and I suggest it to both guys and girls who believe anything is possible if you try hard enough.

A new student review of The Journey of the Marked by Rebecca P. McCray

burkekat97 posted a new student review of The Journey of the Marked by Rebecca P. McCray. See the full review.

First off, just let me say, I could not put this book down. McCray did a fantastic job at writing this story. The way she had the whole plot set up was amazing! I really liked how she had the back ground of each character right inside the main storyline. Every chapter left you on edge as to what would happen next. There was never a dull moment in this book, even when all seemed quiet, the main characters could not let their guard down.

Thursday, February 13, 2014

A new student review of The Lion Who Stole My Arm

lexyroberts posted a new student review of The Lion Who Stole My Arm . See the full review.

The Lion Who Stole My Arm was a very short book. It was not challenging for me to read. It only took one day for me to read. It only had 81 pages in it . I would recommend this book for someone who would like to read a short,easy book.

A new student review of On the Bright Side: The Starlings by S.R. Johannes

jfahey19 posted a new student review of On the Bright Side: The Starlings by S.R. Johannes. See the full review.

This book is one of the best books I have ever read. On The Bright Side has a perfect mixture of comedy and drama. One moment you may be crying, the next you could be laughing so hard you'll be rolling on the ground! After the first chapter I was hooked; I couldn't even put the book down! I was so shocked over how I could never guess what would happen next, which is usually a problem when I'm reading. I would definitely read this book again in the blink of an eye. This is a great book for teens.

Wednesday, February 12, 2014

A new student review of I Fly by Andrew Hawcroft

CassieK posted a new student review of I Fly by Andrew Hawcroft. See the full review.

This book has given a lot of thought to what you should complain about and what you should think before you decide to leave someone behind. Seeing through Jimmy Cardinal's eyes makes our lives seem like a cake-walk compared to his. Noticing the last name "Cardinal," I saw that this is actually a bird type, which explains his power to fly.

 

A new student review of Sliding Beneath the Surface:St. Augustine Trilogy,Book I by Doug Dillon

neschick posted a new student review of Sliding Beneath the Surface:St. Augustine Trilogy,Book I by Doug Dillon. See the full review.

This is a very good book. I like it so much because there's a lot of action and adventure. Though it can be sort of confusing at times, the mystery about Jeff’s great Grandfather will win you over.

A new student review of White House Wit, Wisdom and Wisecracks by Phil Dampier

VBat posted a new student review of White House Wit, Wisdom and Wisecracks by Phil Dampier. See the full review.

This book delivers exactly what it promises-  a neat package of quotes, trivia and facts about the 44 United States Presidents. Some quotes are funny, others are reflective, and some are inspirational. The book covers everything from Taft's bathtub fiasco to Woodrow Wilson's record number of golf rounds.

My favorite thing about this compilation is the context given to some of the quotes. Knowing the circumstances surrounding each inclusion gave the quotes relevance. I would have preferred a more thorough history of each president and the context of every single quote, but this may have jeopardized the easy-to-navigate organization of the book. 

All in all, this book is a great resource for presidential quotes and trivia. I would recommend it to any student looking for relevant Presidential wisdom for essays, or to the casual reader interested in clever, enlightening tidbits from each presidency.

Tuesday, February 11, 2014

A new student review of 100 Cupboards by 99 Unknown Email

leonardo posted a new student review of 100 Cupboards by 99 Unknown Email. See the full review.

100 Cupboards is N.D. Wilson's first installment in his new fantasy trilogy. He brings to life many new and different characters and this added to my enjoyment of his book. When you read as much as I do you can see similarities in characters from completely different books. I appreciated the uniqueness of Wilsons characters and enjoyed their adventures. One thing that stood out and was impressive was how I was able to connect, and sometimes even feel like, I was participating in this story.

A new student review of The Boundless by Kenneth Oppel

Pikachu posted a new student review of The Boundless by Kenneth Oppel. See the full review.

 
This is the best book I've ever read! I would give it 6 stars if I could. It was really exciting and definitely a page turner.  I can't wait to read other books by Kenneth Oppel.  I like all the different characters and that the story is told from the perspectives of different characters.  The descriptions are really good, I felt like I was a part of the story.  I did not like Brogan, he was horrible.
 
I think Boundless is a good book for kids who like fiction, history and adventure.

A new student review of Believing in Horses by Valerie Ormond

sisto8 posted a new student review of Believing in Horses by Valerie Ormond. See the full review.

I like this book because it has adventure and horses.  They are two of my favorite book topics.  The author wrote this book in a friendly, easy tone.  If she wrote it any other way, I wouldn’t have enjoyed it nearly as much.  I hope that whoever reads this book likes it as much as I did.  I recommend it for anyone 10+.

A new student review of 100 Cupboards by 99 Unknown Email

leonardo posted a new student review of 100 Cupboards by 99 Unknown Email. See the full review.

100 Cupboards is N.D. Wilson's first installment in his new fantasy trilogy. He brings to life many new and different characters and this added to my enjoyment of his book. When you read as much as I do you can see similarities in characters from completely different books. I appreciated the uniqueness of Wilsons characters and enjoyed their adventures. One thing that stood out and was impressive was how I was able to connect, and sometimes even feel like, I was participating in this story.

A new student review of Glow (Sky Chasers) by Amy Kathleen Ryan

Donatello posted a new student review of Glow (Sky Chasers) by Amy Kathleen Ryan. See the full review.

While the idea was brilliant, the writing wonderful, and the plot ingenious, the characters annoyed me to no end. One second you liked a character and the next you hated them. It was hard to follow because it was written in three different peoples point of view, who all at least at some point hated one of the other characters. It infuriated me and caused my emotions to go all bipolar. While the characters were lacking the rest of the book was not. It keep me on my toes the whole time, with almost no predictability. The images were stunning and realistic, and the whole story well developed and very authentic. I read in a day because I could not put it down. It was enjoyable and I cannot wait until the next book comes out.

A new student review of Singled Out by Sara Griffiths

leonardo posted a new student review of Singled Out by Sara Griffiths. See the full review.

Singled Out by Sara Griffiths is fantastic book that teaches one to never give up, and to fight for what one believes in. It is also the second installment in a series about Taylor Dresden and her dream to play baseball. This story is very realistic in the fact that its main character is a girl who is told she can't do something because she is not a guy. Many girls today are told they cannot do things because they do not have the abilities guys do. This story is a very motivational one, and I suggest it to both guys and girls who believe anything is possible if you try hard enough.

A new student review of IntoThin Air by Jon Krakauer

leonardo posted a new student review of IntoThin Air by Jon Krakauer. See the full review.

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A new student review of The Game of Pirate by Ed Wicke

Andrew123 posted a new student review of The Game of Pirate by Ed Wicke. See the full review.

The Game of Pirate was one of those books that was hard to put down.  I found myself wanting to read “just one more chapter” each night.  The hero, Jack, is a character that I could relate to.  He wants to have adventure but isn’t quite prepared for all of the danger that comes with it.  I would recommend this book to anyone who loves adventure.  The beginning and the middle of the book contained loads of great stories, but the ending was too short.  It also ended in a cliffhanger, which I bet the author, Ed Wicke is going to turn into the beginning of a sequel to this book.  If he does, I will be sure to read it!  

 

A new student review of Lost Covenant by Ari Marmell

jarnold posted a new student review of Lost Covenant by Ari Marmell. See the full review.

Everybody should experience the energy I felt as I went on this amazing adventure of suspensful mysteries! This book is a lot about trust and friendship, which I liked. This book's slow start is much different than the exhilarating ending. I was wanting to review another book by the 10th page, but then it gained my interest. It sort of went up and down. It would get interesting, and then it would be low key, interest, no interest, etc. The only negative content in  this book was the language. It was recommended for 12 and up, and this book was clearly meant for older. Other than that, I think people should read it to find out the same crazy ending I experienced.
 
 

A new student review of The Wizard Test by Hillary Belli

Donatello posted a new student review of The Wizard Test by Hillary Belli. See the full review.

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Monday, February 10, 2014

A new student review of If You Find Me by Emily Murdoch

masha posted a new student review of If You Find Me by Emily Murdoch. See the full review.

I think that the plot was easy to follow, but I would not recommend this book. It has content that is not appropriate.The speech used between the characters is vulgar and they don't respect each other at all. I think that  the author had some good ideas for this book and overall it had a plot with a satisfying ending. I liked how everything was summed up well and a lot of questions were answered. The author waits until the last page to put the final pieces of the puzzle together. 

A new student review of Mickey Price: Journey to Oblivion

nictaf posted a new student review of Mickey Price: Journey to Oblivion . See the full review.

I loved this book and I hope that John P. Stanley will make this into a series.  It was exciting, thrilling, fast-paced and extremely fun.  Mickey Price, the main character, is brave and willing to take risks for others.  Another of the characters is Jonah Jones.  Jonah is basically a know-it-all, extremely smart, and likes to read.  I really liked all the characters.  I would recommend this for ages 8 and up, just because of the long words.  This adventure is for all ages. The author did an awesome job on this book.  I think everyone who reads this will enjoy it.

Sunday, February 09, 2014

A new student review of Horse Diaries #10: Darcy

blackbeauty posted a new student review of Horse Diaries #10: Darcy . See the full review.

I have never read one of the Horse Diaries but this book was incredible and I bet the other books are incredible too.  I thought this book was very interesting because it had sad parts, happy parts and exciting parts.  It makes a book a lot more interesting when it has lots of different parts in the book instead of just one of those parts. I think people who love horses will love the Horse Diaries series.

A new student review of Sex & Violence

verybookly posted a new student review of Sex & Violence . See the full review.

I absolutely loved Sex & Violence. It's a book that isn't plot centered but instead character driven and the characterization is done extremely well, making it my favorite aspect of the story. That said, the characters in this book are older teens and it does deal with mature content so I would recommend this book to teenagers ages 16 and up.

Sex & Violence follows Evan Carter after an unfortunate incident in his school’s bathroom. After being brutally assaulted for having a sexual relationship with another student, Evan’s father moves him to his home town. For Evan, moving isn’t anything new but the residents of the town are. Evan’s gone to a number of schools over the past few years and is used to being the guy no one is ever friends with. During his summer in Minnesota, however, things changed. Through no aspirations of his own, Evan ended up befriending the locals in his new town and, probably, had the best summer of his life.

The characterization in Sex & Violence is done beautifully. Although many of the characters say things that are offensive, it’s done in a way that doesn’t feel forced or ridiculous. Throughout the entire novel, the characters felt real. They were characterized consistently and even when they said offensive things, it didn’t feel as though the characters were saying offensive things just to say them. They were convincing.

Sex & Violence follows Evan’s character arc instead of a line of action or plot. Evan’s summer in Minnesota changed his life in more ways than one. Not only did he learn to actually deal with his dad, he made friends (through no real effort of his own), he learned to get along with his dad, bonded with his uncle, and made a lot of changes for the better for himself. 

A new student review of The Journey of the Marked by Rebecca P. McCray

cshattan posted a new student review of The Journey of the Marked by Rebecca P. McCray. See the full review.

I loved reading this book.  McCray pulled me into the world she created, and I was lost in the adventure.  I had trouble trying to put this book down.  When I wasn’t reading, I was wondering what would happen to Eros or Prizene.  I liked how McCray placed old men in the forest, whose purpose was to help the marked reach their destination.  There are people out there who will help those in need, no matter the personal consequence.  This book shows the importance of having friends whom you can trust, who will not only protect themselves, but also watch your back. It also shows how even after you finish the most exciting endeavor, there is always another adventure.

A new student review of The Wizard Test by Hillary Belli

Donatello posted a new student review of The Wizard Test by Hillary Belli. See the full review.

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A new student review of The Wizard Test by Hillary Belli

Donatello posted a new student review of The Wizard Test by Hillary Belli. See the full review.

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A new student review of The Wizard Test by Hillary Belli

Donatello posted a new student review of The Wizard Test by Hillary Belli. See the full review.

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A new student review of The Infects by Sean Beaudoin

swimmer1430 posted a new student review of The Infects by Sean Beaudoin. See the full review.

Zombie books are all the rage right now, so I was looking forward to reading The Infected. According to the book jacket, The Infected is supposed to be a witty and satirical look at current horror genre trends. I could tell the author wanted his book to be commentary on society, but I had no idea what point he was trying to make. The characters had little to no development and were merely engines to move the plot along. I did like the Rules of the Zombie Apocalypse that were scattered throughout the novel and think that was a nice touch. It's true that every book or movie in this genre follows a similar formula, which is part of The Infected's message.  All in all, I think some people will really enjoy The Infected - the writing by itself is pretty good and there are some twists and turns in the plot - but I am just not one of them.

A new student review of Boy on the Edge

ja2014 posted a new student review of Boy on the Edge . See the full review.

The author has a wonderful story plot that shows a troubled boy trying to find a place that accepts him. Fridirik's writing was effective; it made me feel like I was in the book. This book moved me; it showed that people would discriminate against people that look or talk different. I would recommend this book to anybody that likes intriguing books about mistreated children.  Readers are sure to be considerate of people after reading Henry’s story.

A new student review of My Date From Hell (The Blooming Goddess Trilogy Book Two) by Tellulah Darling

LISH0985 posted a new student review of My Date From Hell (The Blooming Goddess Trilogy Book Two) by Tellulah Darling. See the full review.

The book was amazing, with new additions to the Sophie crew making life even more interesting and funny for Sophie. And the major twists the author throws in kept me reading even after I was ready to go to bed. However there were some key points that I thought needed work. The ending of the book seemed rushed. Sophie finds out Fiona is really Demeter; Demeter, who was known to adore her daughter and ended up killing her. I wish there had been more time for that to sink in for Sophie and the reader before moving on to the next big shocker. And when Kai decides to leave her, that came out of the blue. Within the space of a couple chapters, he professes his love, says he knows the difference between Sophie and Persephone, and then proceeds to dump her when he learns that Persephone had betrayed him, meanwhile lumping Sophie in the same boat as Persephone. That didn't sit right. And the big change in Bethany at the end was confusing. I'm sure that it hadn't been two days, and the way Bethany is described sounds like something that would happen with more time. Overall I was greatly pleased with the book.

Saturday, February 08, 2014

A new student review of Risking Exposure by Jeanne Moran

mikeym01 posted a new student review of Risking Exposure by Jeanne Moran. See the full review.

I personally loved the book, but some things about it scared me. An example is you have no freedom of speech. If any of Sophia’s letters had been incriminating, she would have been detained like the rest of her family. I could never imagine living in that fear; the fact that if the party wanted you gone you would be gone makes me question how Sophia felt? The book made my heart race from beginning to end; there was never a dull moment. Sometimes I felt such sorrow for the characters I wanted to stop reading, and wish I could come back to a happier story. If you are looking for a meaningful and realistic story (by that I mean not overly happy), then this is a book for you!     

A new student review of Scared Stiff: Everything You Need to Know About 50 Famous Phobias by Latta Sara

mjanes19@agcharter.net posted a new student review of Scared Stiff: Everything You Need to Know About 50 Famous Phobias by Latta Sara. See the full review.

Though it includes all this, this book has its down sides. In some parts of the book it did not provide enough detail. For example, the section on dolls did not have a way to overcome the fear. This dissapionted me. Also, some parts were not explained. There were some parts that just didn't make sense. Honestly, I thought this book was really boring. The author could have done a better job grabing the reader's attention, and I found the art to be a little sloppy.

Friday, February 07, 2014

A new student review of Firebolt (The Dragonian Series) by Adrienne Woods

Maroon5_LuckyStriker posted a new student review of Firebolt (The Dragonian Series) by Adrienne Woods. See the full review.

This book is amazing and adventurous. I hope that teachers, students, and parents will hopefully agree with me. This book will surprise you at some times, be obvious at other times but the overall story, plots, and traits fit together well and make this astounding.  If you want to know how great this book is don’t just read this review; go read the book for yourself and I promise you, you won’t regret it! Amazing! Adventurous! Suspenseful! Anyone who enjoys these kinds of books will love this.

Thursday, February 06, 2014

A new student review of Teardrop

Juggles1414 posted a new student review of Teardrop . See the full review.

I enjoyed this book, but it was not a page turner. I found I put it down often and came back to it. However, it was a very imaginative and creative story. I was pleasantly surprised because it was a new take on fiction and romance. The author did a great job creating the legend that the story is centered around. I did find the story was a little slow in the beginning. There weren't many conflicts that the character had to face besides emotional instability. Once the plot thickened there was more action. Even though there wasn't a lot of action, there were many emotional ups and downs that the author portrayed very well, especially since she had to do this without making the charactrer cry. Overall, it was a good read.

A new student review of Willow

dancechicka posted a new student review of Willow . See the full review.

This book was a disappointment for me, personally.  I feel like Hegamin can and has capitalized on the potential to become a great author before, but this book was a novice work of hers for sure.  Awkward sentences, underdeveloped characters, below-par vocabulary.  I felt like most of the book was exposition and building tension toward the climax, which turned out to be utterly predictable and rushed.  You knew within the first ten pages what was going to happen in the end—the other 350 pages were just pomp and circumstance, some parts completely irrelevant to the story.  And once the climax came, it was resolved in 5 pages or less—plotlines either tied off or severed within a sentence.  The characters were hard to connect with—I could barely stand Willow at all!  She seems self-centered and horribly wishy-washy and immature.  And her whirlwind romance with the elusive Cato—bah.  They fall in love within a couple of one-line sentences betwixt each other in a hidden journal, and when they finally meet, they are willing to give up anything to be with each other, no matter whose head they have to step on.  Revolting, really.   All in all, an unsatisfactory and dispassionate book that I felt could have been better.

“The man shook Cato’s hand; it took the rest of Cato’s strength before his vision was once again consumed with darkness.”

I would recommend this book for ages seven and up, as it is a clean read and only has a very mild expletive or two.  The vocab, as I said above, is very easy to understand, also.

When Cato begs Willow’s help and offers her freedom, she is faced with a choice—will she accept his offer, or stay rooted to her home in Knotwild, always wondering what could have been?  Tonya Cherie Hegamin has the answers in her new novel, Willow!

A new student review of OUT

cmason178 posted a new student review of OUT . See the full review.

Out is a thrilling novel that leads the reader through a harrowing, heart-pounding tale. Interesting and mind provoking, I enjoyed this tale; however, I do wish that the author had let us get to know the characters and their lives more before he started chunking conflicts.  At the end of the story, I really wasn’t emotionally bound to any of the characters.  Frankly, I didn’t care who died or who lived. I enjoyed the book because I chose to.  I would recommend this book to any reader who needs a book to read out of boredom, but not a book I would rush to my library to grab.

Wednesday, February 05, 2014

A new student review of Firebolt (The Dragonian Series) by Adrienne Woods

DJ_RESH_RESH posted a new student review of Firebolt (The Dragonian Series) by Adrienne Woods. See the full review.

I honestly could not have loved this book more. It was like a breath of fresh air after being crushed by dystopian novel after dystopian novel. My favorite character has to be Blake Leaf! I mean he might have attitude problems and his priorities aren't really in the right place, however I think that just makes him more realistic. I don't know if I’m the only one, but: GO TEAM BLAKE! I don't even know if thats a thing....Anyways, I find Elena really relatable and I think most people will too. She was the shy quiet girl who had her world turned upside down. I really want to hug the author right now and thank her for coming up with this brilliant novel, and am sad I cannot. I’m also impatient because there is absolutely no news on the next book and I don't even know if I can wait a week for it....

Tuesday, February 04, 2014

A new student review of Pendulum by Ciara Knight

mail4chase@yahoo.com posted a new student review of Pendulum by Ciara Knight. See the full review.

Pendulum, was an okay book. I felt that there was too much romance and too little action. Overall, the characters were well-developed and the storyline was well-executed. The action-packed scenes were well-written and exciting, but too few, leaving the entirety of the story drowned in romance. To love-sick girls, this is a good book, but to a teenage boy like me, it is boring and uneventful. I also wish that the characters spent less time in a submarine and more time fighting the queen. In total, the book didn’t meet my expectations and there were many areas where there could be more action and excitement.

A new student review of The Strange and Beautiful Sorrows of Ava Lavender

hg2008 posted a new student review of The Strange and Beautiful Sorrows of Ava Lavender . See the full review.

This was a very good book! I think it's a book everybody should read and it might become a classic, even! I say this for many reasons. The writing of the book is very good, lyric with beautiful prose. It also reminds me of a classic or normal book, what I mean by this is that it reminds me of the books that used to come out, and not all this vampire, pop culture stuff we see now a days (not that anything's wrong with those kind of books). For me this kind of book was refreshing. I really appriciated how the author mixed classic story telling, history, and then a bit of magic or mystery (which the whole aspect of the main character having wings). 

The characters in this book were very good and well-developed. Ava of course was my favorite and I liked how she was the narrator of the story. I also really loved the characters names because they were different and very pretty. The settings were good; they were actual places so there was no doubt that these places exist. I also loved the cover of the book I thought is was very beautiful and attractive. I would highly recommend this book. It's a great read. I also would consider it a must read as well! 

 

A new student review of Sliding Beneath the Surface:St. Augustine Trilogy,Book I by Doug Dillon

dbasilio posted a new student review of Sliding Beneath the Surface:St. Augustine Trilogy,Book I by Doug Dillon. See the full review.

I wasn't a huge fan of this book. Although there were events where the book did catch my attention, it didn't quite keep me interrested for the entire book. I would recomend this book for people who like a book with small events leading up to one big event, with that pattern repeated throughout the whole book. I personaly am very picky when it comes to books. I need a book that will interrest me the entire time. Sliding Beneath the Surface was not the book for me.

A new student review of Enders

tlang posted a new student review of Enders . See the full review.

I believe this is a rather good book, I haven't read the first book yet, so it was kind of confusing, but the book explains enough for me to get an idea. The characters are well-developed, and the details are amazing.  Callie is a strong-willed girl whom everyone will love. She thinks of everyone besides herself, especially her little brother. 

A new student review of Charis: Journey to Pandora's Jar by Nicole Y. Walters

lldoherty posted a new student review of Charis: Journey to Pandora's Jar by Nicole Y. Walters. See the full review.

 This story is very good and the only complaint I have about it is that Charis says "what tha" too much.

  If you liked Percy Jackson, you'll probably like this book. This book gives you the feeling the world isn't going to end any time soon.

Sunday, February 02, 2014

A new student review of Sky Raiders (Five Kingdoms) by Brandon Mull

TheOnlyOreoParadox posted a new student review of Sky Raiders (Five Kingdoms) by Brandon Mull. See the full review.

In my opinion, this book is very heart warming and exciting. I loved the part when Cole became determined to save his friends from the evil clutches of the king. This story is full of suspense and a small bit of gore, but other than that the story is perfect. In the story, Cole has become a bandit and must raid villagers of their most prized possessions. I like the fact that he is accepting this job so he can manage to save his friends. This proves how much he cares. Cole goes through pain just to make sure his friends are safe.That’s what I call true friendship. This book is very motivating, and I would definitely recommend it to anyone who is looking for a book to read. I hope everyone gets a chance to embrace the wonders of this great book. 

A new student review of Kavishar: Reflections In A Wolf's Eyes by L. Kyle

Anastasia posted a new student review of Kavishar: Reflections In A Wolf's Eyes by L. Kyle. See the full review.

My opinion on this book is that it was amazing. The writer, L.Kyle, did an incredible job. When you think one thing is going to happen he surprises you with something that you wouldn't expect. Also he explained things in such a detailed way. If he described the forest, he would describe the color, shapes, and other things. There was always something that kept my attention. Kaviashar had various emotions that were shown well. I think the book was amazing and the writer did a great job.

Saturday, February 01, 2014

A new student review of Get Psyched by Janet McLaughlin

Purplecow130 posted a new student review of Get Psyched by Janet McLaughlin. See the full review.

This was a great book. I could picture myself there in the book and I could feel each characters` emotions, especially Zoey`s. I kind of envy Zoey, knowing that I'm not as strong as her. To be able to keep that kind of information to yourself must drive you crazy but she stood strong. I would totally suggest this book to anyone interested in some mystery and action. This book was fascinating!