Jumper:Griffin's Story by Steven Gould
Griffin O'Connor is completely normal in all respects - except that he can instantly teleport to any place he has visited before. When he was five, he accidentally "jumped." Since then, his life has never been the same. A group of men is out to kill him, and he and his parents move around a lot. He learns to control his jumps. One day, when he was nine, he flinched away from a bully at school - all the way home. That night, some men came to his house. They murdered his parents, but he jumped away. These men could sense whenever he jumped within a certain radius of him. Griffin is rescued by Sam and Consuelo, two hispanics who search for people stranded in the desert. They didn't turn him in, so Griffin lives with them for a while. After returning to his flat and having it blown up, Griffin is taken to Mexico to live with Alejandra, Consuelo's cousin. Griffin is happy for a few years, but then the group of people found him because he had fillings and they used his name. The group tracked him, but he escaped and they didn't know about Alejandra. Then, Griffin decides to live on his own, so as not to put others in danger. He takes an abandoned mine in the desert as his home. Griffin buys a generator and a lot of things needed to survive, and he lives there after blowing up the entrance, so only he can get in or out. Then, Griffin is happy for a while, jumping all over the world and sketching places so he can jump there again. All the while, he kept in touch with Sam and Consuelo. Then, the group of men, who Griffin now knows are called "Paladins," find and kill Sam and Consuelo. After relocating Alejandra and overcoming his grief, he decides to continue his lifestyle. In France, he meets an American, E.V. Kelson. He and E.V. fall in love over the next few months. One day, they went to a dance. Unfortunately, E.V. had been threatened by the Paladins to kill Griffin or her parents would die. Griffin talked her out of it and saved her mother and brother, but her father was already dead. Mortified, Griffin severs ties with E.V. Then, Griffin lures some Paladins to his "Hole" and traps them in it. Once they were in, he opens some propane tanks and lights a few candles and jumps out. All but one of the Paladins die. Griffin learned from one man that they were lead by a man named Roland, but nothing else.
Jumper: Griffin's Story is a great book. It takes place in the present, and it's about an ordinary kid with extraordinary powers. Griffin is such a dynamic and round character that it feels like he is an actual person. Each time someone close dies, he learns a lesson and changes a bit. It's like no story I've ever read. This book gets a ten out of ten from me.
Content: Strong language, Sexual content
Rating (0 - 10 scale): 10
Reviewer Age: 14
Reviewer City, State and Country: Chambersburg, PA U.S.
The Curse of the Campfire Weenies: And Other Warpe by David Lubar
The Curse of the campfire weenies was an exciting collection of warped and creepy tales that sent chills up your spine. The book includes thirty-five tales, some of which are scary, many funny, and others just plain odd. You’ll learn about the frightening Wanderban, what happens when parents count to three, and why some trees can be “unforgiving”. Why do pigeons live in the city, and what happens with magic chalk? You’ll find all the answers and more in the Curse of the Campfire Weenies.
This was indeed a collection of “warped” tales. I liked it because I could relate to most of the stories. Some of them were silly like I mentioned, but others I didn’t understand. I especially liked the last story, Forgotten Monsters, it was creative and hilarious and scary all at the same time. I could actually feel the chill going down my back. I would recommend this book to anyone, except for adults, it’s too silly. Since I read the first two books in the series, I really enjoyed and had respect for the Curse of the Campfire Weenies. It was definitely a great book.
Rating (0 - 10 scale): 8
Reviewer Age: 12
Oblivion Road by Alex McAulay
One cold, snowy day in Colorado five high school friends are coming home from a fun-filled day at the ski resort. However, the trip home does not go as planned when they hit a deer and completely tumble down the side of the huge hill. Hours later Courtey wakes up and doesn't know why she is laying in snow. Jeremy comes to help her and explains what happened. Slowly, everything started coming back to her. The other three friends were still trapped in the car and they had to go back to get them. Although they are near death, when a strange figure starts crawling towards them they decide to help him out because otherwise he would die. They learn that he is an escaped convict who got stuck in the storm. More horrible things happen including someone watching them in the woods. When surviving gets even tougher, everyone starts fighting for their lives and fighting each other. Who will be able to make it back to civilization...alive
I really liked this book by Alex McAulay. It is a really great survival book that isn't just about survival. There are problems that deal with that, but there are even more that deal with friendship and other issues. I really liked the beginning of the book because it starts out explaining that a character is very injured but we don't know why! Things like this force you to read on to figure out what will happen next. It was a pretty quick read with a great variety of vocabulary involved. Another thing I liked a lot about Oblivion Road was that at the end of each chapter, it always left you hanging so you would need to read into the next chapter to figure out your questions. Overall, this was a really great book for people who like survival or friendship stories.
Every once in a while there is a little bit of swearing.
Reviewer Age:14
Reviewer City, State and Country: Carlisle, Pennsylvania United States of America
The Tree Shepherd's Daughter: The Faire Folk Trilo by Gillian Summers
When fifteen-year-old Keelie Heartwood’s mother dies, she is forced to leave her adored California home to live with her insane father at an unrealistic renaissance faire in Colorado. Once she and her escort Mrs. Talbot arrive they start their pursuit for Keelie’s dad in the enormous faire. While searching, Keelie strays and ends up in a majestic fragranced herb shop, but before she gets to explore it, she hears the already angry Mrs. Talbot yelling for her. Once outside she meets many strange people including: mud wrestlers, a snobby, stuck-up fairy princess, an outrageously handsome prince, and of course her father, Zeke. Keelie and her longtime best friend start working on a plan to get her out of this bizarre medieval world filled with freaks-of-nature and back into her beloved state of California. While in the process of plotting her great escape, strange and mysterious things start to occur, and after learning the hidden secret that she’s half elf she doesn’t think she will ever get to return to California. Instead she’ll be discovering the mysteries of the faire, fighting bad guys, and trying to win the heart of her knight in shining armor. So if she thinks she’ll get to sit back, relax, and enjoy the faire, she had better guess again.
I really enjoyed the plot that the author, Gillian Summers, chose for this fantastic fantasy called The Tree Shepherd’s Daughter: The Faire Folk Trilogy. This is one of my favorite books that I have ever read because it was a pretty “clean” book, it had a wonderful plot, and was an overall spectacular novel. I really like how the author decided to make this book into a series and it had a great ending that makes you want to know what will happen in the next story. I can’t wait until the next book comes out and I want to read it ASAP! This is a must-read for all of the book lovers like me out there. I recommend this fabulous novel to everyone but mainly to those who are intrigued by fantasy.
Rating (0 - 10 scale): 9
Reviewer Age: 13
Reviewer City, State and Country: Upper Strasburg, PA USA
The Chess Set in the Mirror
The book starts out with a bored young boy sitting in a room. He seems to be in punishment, and has received instructions to not break the mirror in the room, which otherwise only sports a chess set and a chair. Bored, he appears to begin daydreaming, or hallucinating, or actually dreaming, and the white king piece begins talking to him. Events lead into events, and very soon, he's in the mirror, talking to the chess pieces, his mysteriously young grandmother, and a thief. It's only then that he learns that inside the mirror are all the reflections of a person when they first looked into it. Eventually, though, he's awakened, and let out of the room by his mother.
I wonder if the translation is word for word; occasionally, artistic merit can be lost if that's done. I really wasn't terribly fond of the book. It was, perhaps, too redundant, and the storyline seems a little too much like Into the Looking-glass to seem terribly original to me. However, it's written in a very nice way, considering the narrator, and it's clear that it's more of a memory than something that's actually happening. The redundancy does seem a lot like memory, and I appreciate this, although it wasn't my favourite book.
Rating (0 - 10 scale): 6
Reviewer Age: 13
Reviewer City, State and Country: Mahomet, Illinois United States of America
The Lacemaker and the Princess by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley
The Lacemaker and the Princess follows the story of Isabelle, a girl from a family of poor lacemakers who are trying to make ends meet. When she is spotted by the Queen at the palace and taken to be a playmate for the young princess, she is glad to be free for a while at least of her strict grandmother and poverty-stricken home. The princess (daughter of Marie Antoinette) is like the rest of the royalty, oblivious to all the needs and suffering of the French people. Whispers of rebellion and revolution swirl about spurring discontentment, even in Isabelle's own brother. Can the two girls remain friends even when their classes clash?
This book was an OK read. I was not able to connect to the characters very much. I felt that the princess would be an intriguing character if the author had let us see into her mind now and then the same way as Isabelle's. I had a hard time finding motivation to continue reading. However, fans of historical fiction or Marie Antoinette may find it interesting and fresh. It is a quick, easy read that young readers will probably enjoy for the glimpses it gives into the time period.
Rating (0 - 10 scale): 5
Reviewer Age: 16
Reviewer City, State and Country: Moscow, ID USA
Naomi and Ely's No Kiss List by Rachel Cohn and David Levithan
This book is about two best friends, Naomi and Ely, who grew up together in the same apartment in New York City. Ely loves Naomi, but Naomi is in love with Ely. The friends have been through a lot together in their lives, mainly with family problems, but the problem that faces them now is much different. Naomi's boyfriend, Bruce The Second, wasn't on the No Kiss List, but Ely kissing him was inexcusable. This one action puts Naomi and Ely's relationship over the edge and may end "Naomi and Ely" forever. The chapters point of view switches between characters, which is done very well, you are able to get an idea of what each character is thinking in a simple way.
Naomi and Ely's No Kiss List was an interesting book. It was not my favorite, but it was written very well. It talks about the bonds of friendship and betrayal. It was funny and sad at the same time, and I feel that a lot of people can relate to this book.
Content: This book has a lot of sexual content therefore I do not recommend it for young readers.
Rating (0 - 10 scale): 7
Reviewer Age: 14
Reviewer City, State and Country: East Islip, New York United States
Manderley Prep by Carol Culver
We know and love Cinderella, the beloved fairy tale that has been made into multiple movies and mutiple versions. And here is a version of the cinderella story that all teens and young adults will love. Maderley Prep is the newest, twenty-first century story of a girl (Cindy Ellis) who dreams of being someone big and great, while having to live with her super evil stepfamily. Oh ya, and in this version of Cinderella, Prince Charming is a hot soccer-playing jazz pianist, And he likes Cindy! Will Cindy be able to survive her rude, snobby private school long enough to go see her Prince Charming at the Masquerade ball? And what about after the dance...
Manderley Prep is a refreshing new version of Cinderella that captivates everyone who picks up the book and won't let go until you finish it. It was a delight to read, and is a book to be enjoyed by many in the near future. Carol Culver relates to what high school is like today, and how hard it is to deal with those snobby brats that populate the school hallways. Plus I loved how insted of Cindy losing a glass slipper, she loses her cellphone! It's just another way to prove that Culver knew what she was doing when she wrote the book.
Rating (0 - 10 scale): 9
Reviewer Age: 13
Reviewer City, State and Country: Casa Grande, Arizona Unites States of America
What If You Broke All The Rules by L. Ruckdeschel and S. James
The book I read was What If You Broke All The Rules by Liz Ruckdeschel and Sara James. This was a different type of book than usual. It's called "a choose your destiny novel". This basically means that you get to choose what the main character, Haley, does by turning to the specific page. There is still a plot, though. It starts out on Christmas Day. You get to choose which New Years' Eve party Haley goes to, what she does on her birthday, and where she goes over Spring Break. All the while, her parents are absent, too busy with work to pay attention to Haley and her younger brother, Mitchell. Utimately, you get to decide Haley's fate as she continues on during her Sophomore year.
Even though this book read differently than most books, it's still a good read. Some books of the same type aren't well written and can be boring. But this book actually had a plot. I was able to relate well to the main character because we are the same age. Even if you don't like this type of book, you should still read it because the protagonist, Haley, is very likable. Also, you can read this book many times, choosing different things for Haley to do.
Rating (0 - 10 scale): 8
Reviewer Age: 15
Reviewer City, State and Country: Aston, Pennsylvania United States
The Band: Holding On by Debra Garfinkle
The band is barely holding it together. With there latest stunt over with, everyone is trying to pick up the pieces. Tracie is going to do whatever it takes to get her ex-boyfriend Carter back. But will she get hurt in the process? Mark is the luckiest guy alive. He and his girlfriend Lily are getting more serious but will one mistake cost him his girlfriend and the band? Sienna can barely hold it together. She is trying to help Tracie with Carter, but she falling for him herself. Will the band be able to hold it together or will it all unravel?
Opinion: This is the second Band book in the series, and having read the first one I know what’s going on. I liked it just as much as I liked the first book. I thoroughly enjoyed reading about these characters and what they are going through. But the author also seems to put some suspense in there. It’s like a soap for the teens!
Rating (0 - 10 scale): 8
Reviewer Age: 12
Reviewer City, State and Country: Minooka, IL
A Nameless Witch by A. Lee Martinez
Being born undead, she didn’t exactly have too many options to what she could do with her life. Fortunately, a witch named Ghastly Edna rescued her from her cellar to come live with her and taught her how to hide her flawless beauty behind the disguise of an old crone. However, events turn against her and the witch is forced to move to Fort Stalwart with a demonic duck named Newt, a troll named Gwurm, and an enchanted broom. When a White Knight arrives with the warning of a horde of goblings that are approaching the Fort, the witch realizes that great and terrible events are coming about. The witch and the White Knight must combine forces on a quest to stop an insane sorcerer from destroying the present world and recreating his own while learning more about their true inner selves.
Funny, witty, and filled with black humor, “Nameless Witch” was an amusing book to read. Although some parts may have progressed a bit slow, it was definitely a “page-turner” for me. This book does very well with detailed use of imagery but in some cases, the vocabulary and descriptions may not be appropriate for younger readers. However, the book is still written very well and even though there are many books about quests to stop evil, A. Lee Martinez wrote an original version of this common theme. The ending was a bit disappointing to me because the book was set up to lead towards a different sort of ending, but it was refreshing to read a book that was not cliché. I think this is a great book to read for fun and amusement and is sure to put a smile on your face.
Rating (0 - 10 scale): 7
Reviewer Age: 14
Reviewer City, State and Country: Tucson, Arizona United States
Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher
Clay Jensen finds thirteen mysterious tapes on his doorstep. When he starts listening to them, he is suprised to hear Hannah Baker's voice, since she committed suicide recently. As he listens, he learns that the tapes reveal the thirteen reasons why Hannah committed suicide. The most shocking part is that he was one of the reasons, even though he was in love with her. Listening to these tapes could change how he views his classmates and how he remembers Hannah forever.
This book was written very well and was a very good book. The way the story was told partly through tapes added to the story. The story was very depressing and at some spots it almost seemed vindictive. However, the ending is sweet as well as sad. It made me want to cry but also smile. I would recommend it only if you are prepared for a deep, bittersweet novel.
Content: I would only recommend this book to mature readers who are willing to read about and deal with the thought of suicide. It was very thought-provoking and depressing at parts, so make sure that you are prepared to read it.
Rating (0 - 10 scale): 8
Reviewer Age: 13
Reviewer City, State and Country: Royersford, Pa United States
Taken by Edward Bloor
Taken by Edward Bloor is a very gripping novel about the kidnapping of Charity Meyers. Charity is a young girl living in a wealthy neighborhood called The Highlands in 2035 when kidnapping is a dominant business around the country. Normally, the kidnappers give the parents twenty-four hours to pay the ransom, or else they kill the child and send home a body part. But for some reason, Charity's kidnapping does not follow the normal procedure, something has gone terribly wrong. Did her parents not pay the ransom? Or were they not following the rules set by the kidnappers? In her life changing experience Charity finds out who she is and what her place in the world is.
Taken is a very gripping and suspenseful book that keeps you hanging until the last sentence. The plot is very intriguing and holds on to you, making you want to just keep reading. The story is very well-written but I felt that some of it was kind of confusing. The ending, especially, was enigmatic and I had to read it over a few times before I understood what had really happened. Other than that the book is an amusing read that is entertaining and enjoyable.
Rating (0 - 10 scale): 6
Reviewer Age: 13
Reviewer City, State and Country: Champaign, Illinois USA
101 Things You Need to Know...and Some Things You Don't by Richar and Tracey Turner
Have you ever wondered why we dream? Or maybe why cockroaches can live for weeks without its head? These are just 2 of the 101 things you need to know (and some you don’t) in this book. Every single entry in this book is true, and will mostly be liked by younger kids. This book is very interactive, and there is a “form” to fill in after each of the 101 things discussed in this book. If you complete a form, you can take a star sticker from the back of the book, and put it on that page! A very colorful book, each page asks a question, which is answered in a few brief paragraphs below. The questions touch many different subjects and ideas, and therefore, you are bound to come across interesting facts you have never heard about before. Amaze your friends! Quiz your parents! Most importantly, have fun!
Even though there are many amusing items I had no idea about before, I believe that the authors did not target the older audience. Throughout this book, the mood of the book seemed to be appropriate for kids from 10-12. It is a bit complicated for most people younger and too relaxed for those that are older. The forms make the book very interactive. Even though I did not complete the forms, it would take much longer to complete it than to read the short paragraph descriptions right beside it. Therefore, in my opinion, the balance in this book is questioned. Furthermore, the facts are presented in random page numbers even though they are categorized, which makes the flow of this book more complicated to grasp. All and all, this book is colorful, interactive, and fun. It gets the general ideas across, which you can use to amuse and quiz your friends and families.
Rating (0 - 10 scale): 7
Reviewer Age: 13
Reviewer City, State and Country: Urbana, IL USA
The Education of T.C. Mits by Lillian R. Lieber
T.C Mits stands for The Celebrated Man In The Street, so this book applies to people with minimal knowlage of math. This book is writen in freeverse poetry and is written in two parts. The first part talks about the old way of math: algebra,geometry, calculus, and trig, so if you haven't studied these branches of math yet, you might not get the book. The second part talks about integrating math into the real world. The second portion of the book explains how math can fit into politics and other subjects of that nature.
I was confused most of the entire way. I do not believe that the boook was writen for young adults because, unless you have taken Calculus before, you are lost on page one. One positive thing about the book was the fact that there was a math problem at almost every chapter, so it kept you interested and wanting to find out the answers. Unfortunatly for the readers, the book was written a long time ago, so there might be some issues currently with the computation of the math. This book does go into detail about math and how math applies to politics, so I would not recomend this book for anyone who dislikes math OR has never taken any kind of math besides Algebra 2.
Rating (0 - 10 scale): 3
Reviewer Age: 14
Reviewer City, State and Country: Pottstown, PA United States
Betwixt by Tara Bray Smith
There are three seventeen-year-olds that are not so normal. A mystery has always been with them while sleeping and when awake. Paintings with butterflies always seem to be alive under Ondine Mason's gaze. Another problem is her violet colored eyes. Morgan D'Amici is a beautiful girl who wakes up in her trailerpark home with blood and dirt under her fingernails. Runaway Nix Saint-Michael sees halos of light around people that are about to die. The brighter the ring, the closer it is to their death. Lastly, they seem to never get sick. When they go to a summer party, they learn all about their origins and their linked destinies.
Betwixt was a great book for young adults. It showed a little bit of fantasy that was enough to make me happy. I really only had one trouble while reading this book. That was that in the beginning when Tara Smith was introducing all of the characters, there were too many brought in at once so I quicky forgot who was who and what they were all about. If you read slowly and twice over those parts then you can understand a little bit better. Something I loved was how there were three main characters who were extemely unique and had their own personalities. Overall, the book was a wonderful debut novel for her.
Rating (0 - 10 scale): 7
Reviewer Age: 14
Reviewer City, State and Country: Carlisle, Pennsylvania United States of America
Big Slick by Eric Luper
Big Slick begins with Andrew Lang stealing money from his dad’s dry cleaning company. After he loses that money in a Texas Hold’em game, Andrew steals more in the hopes of winning it back in another poker game. Andrew digs himself in deeper when he finds some “crack” and tries to sell it on the street. This causes Andrew even more trouble and he ends up selling it back to the drug dealer. With his new stash of cash, Andrew takes off to another casino to try to make enough to payback his dad. Andrew wins at the tables and returns home only to find out he’s too late. His Dad already discovered the missing money and punishes Andrew.
Big Slick started slow with details of each poker hand he played. The book gets going then has a few unexpected twists and turns. The book has some questionable content. There are drugs, drinking, gambling, and bad choices. Besides the bad content, the author provides an interesting storyline.
Content: Between drugs and questonable choies this book is for mature readers.
Rating (0 - 10 scale):
Age: 13
Reviewer City, State and Country: Hamilton, OH USA
Drama Club: The Big Production by Peter Lerangis
Drama Club is getting ready for another big production Grease! Everyone is frantic, auditions are going crazy, things are going wrong with the props, and Brianna, Drama Club co president is feeling the pressure. What with auditions swamped, actors going crazy, will Brianna finally burst, and will the show go on despite all this madness?
Drama Club was definitely interesting. I kind of missed out due to it being a series and not reading the previous books but I caught on quick. I enjoyed the drama Drama Club had to go through, ironically enough. I caught myself being caught up in the emotions of everyone. I had lots of fun reading about friendship, hardship, and drama.
Rating (0 - 10 scale): 8
Reviewer Age: 12
Reviewer City, State and Country: Minooka, IL
Foundling by D. M. Cornish
This book is about an intelligent boy who is (unfornunately)named Rosamund. Teased by his fellow orphans at Madam Opera's Estimable Marine Society for Foundling Boys and Girls Rosamund is an outcast who dreams of leaving the Society for good. He gets his chance when a mysterious man named Mister Sebastipole offers him a job as a lamplighter (a person who goes out and lights the lamp that connect the highways). But Rosamund's world is fraught with danger and before long he finds himself in situations he could have never imagined with people that possess powers most of us can only dream of.
This book was excellent. Containing strange places and fantastic creatures this book is worth reading. The characters are a perfect blend of the extraordinary and human. It is exciting and fast paced with lot of interesting plot twists. It was exceptional and the illastrations are amazing. I would reccomend it of fans of fantasy.
Content: There is mild violence.
Rating (0 - 10 scale): 9
Reviewer Age: 13
Reviewer City, State and Country: Chambersburg, PA
Real Princesses by Valerie Wilding
“What is a princess? It’s a favorite dream of many girls to be a beautiful princess, to live in a fairy-tale palace, to wear diamond tiaras, and to dress in fabulous clothes.”
Not quite. Princesses have lots of rules, requirements and expectations burdened on them. They are constantly being watched and judged by the public and they usually don’t get exactly what they want. Most people think princesses are girls who don’t have a care in the world, but that’s not true, they have their problems and things to deal with just like you and I. But, there are also fun aspects of being a “princess”. They usually have opportunities to pursue their interests, sometimes even professionally because they usually have unlimited resources. Some examples in the book include modeling, acting, professional horseback riding, bee keeping, and even the military.
This bright pink and purple non-fiction princess guide was a blast to read! I learned lots about the lifestyles of princesses all around the world. It’s amazing how different African princesses are compared to British princesses. Please don’t let the terms “princess” or “pink” scare you away, once you read this book you’ll realize that they have to deal with a lot and aren’t just frilly pink cover girls. Well, maybe one or two are…
Content:0Rating (0 - 10 scale): 5
Reviewer Age: 15
Reviewer City, State and Country: , North Carolina USA
Choices by Deborah Lynn Jacobs
Kathleen has lost her older brother Nick in a car accident. He was on his way to pick her up from a party that her best friend convinced her to go to. The guilty person in the accident is named Mark, and he walks away with no injuries. At Nick’s funeral, Kathleen meets a mysterious boy named Luke. As Kathleen tries to cope with the loss of her brother, Luke tries to comfort her and also warns her of a so called “shift of universes.” Nick knows of these shifts because he is a fellow shifter, and has been for years. As Kathleen “shifts” through four different universes, usually changing during the night, she is trying to find her real self, and her brother. Through all this, she runs into many obstacles that change her life drastically. Kathleen also has many questions, with answers that no one can give her; she has to find them on her own. Perhaps the biggest questions are: Who is Luke? Whatever happened to Mark? And will the “shifts” help Kathleen find Nick?
I loved Kathleen. She is a perfect example of someone who has fallen on her behind only to get back up again. I tried to put myself in her position of losing one of my siblings, and could not even imagine it. This book helps me appreciate each one of my siblings so much more. Kathleen is a very strong character and I admire her so much. And then there is Luke. I really like Luke, too. He started off a friendship with a lie, but only to protect the other person. He knew how to take control of his problems, and always tried his best to fix them. I did not like Kathleen’s friend Jen—she was rude, very judgmental, and did not give Kathleen’s other friends a chance—however, she was an essential part in understanding Kathleen’s “shifts.” All in all, the book is very good. The author’s choice of writing style may make it difficult for some to keep track of all the characters, but for advanced readers, it is definitely well worth reading.
Stdent reviewer state: Ohio
The Hand That Bears the Sword by George Bryan Polivka
Packer and Panna Throme are interrupted in the middle of their "honey month" by the king's urgent order that Packer must set sail on the Trophy Chase. Three lone ships that are left of the navy fleet go out to sea in an attempt to delay the attack on Nearing Vast from the kingdom of Drammun. Meanwhile, Panna is left behind in the hands of the lustful Prince Mather, who plots to steal her love. As Packer helps to fight the ferocious Drammun Armada, his faith is tested to the limit. He is forced to make the difficult decision to glorify himself or the one who gave him that glory in the first place. Back in Nearing Vast, Panna learns to lay everything down and trust God to show her a way to escape from the evil prince. Through it all, Packer and Panna's examples show others that true power comes from humbling yourself and trusting God to the end.
The Hand That Bears the Sword is the second book in the Trophy Chase Trilogy. It is filled from the first page to the last with action, adventure, and a beautiful portrait of God's perfect love. Some parts are a little bit gory, but other than that it is probobly a most valuable read for teens 12 and up. The plot was laid out very well, using third person, but switching points of view almost every chapter. I enjoyed that because you were able to get to know each character personally. I would highly recommend this book to all fantasy lovers.
Content: faith-based
Rating (0 - 10 scale): 9
Reviewer Age: 13
Reviewer City, State and Country: Chambersburg, PA United States
Demon Envy by Erin Lynn
In this book, a girl named Kenzie accidentally spills some of her acne cream down her bathtub drain. She accidentally opens a demon portal, and a demon, Levi, shows up in her bathroom. He starts helping her to close the portal, and he slips right into an average teenage life. Meanwhile, Kenzie has to deal with him living at her house, and juggle her day to day life, without letting it slip that Levi is really a demon. At the end of the book, she figures out how to close the portal. The only way for her to do that, that she could see, was to drive her parents' mini-van into the kitchen wall. She gets grounded, and the portal is closed.
This book was TOTALLY AWSOME! I liked Levi, because he was always acting as though Kenzie was a little kid and protecting her. I loved the ending because Kenzie drove the car into kitchen wall. This book compared really well to other books I've read, but I don't think it'll be the Harry Potter. I didn't really learn anything from this book, but it was still an awsome read. The vocabulary was appropriate for the ages it was written for. This author's style is awsome, and she tied up all the loose ends and answered all my questions at the end of the book. I don't think this book could have been improved.
Rating (0 - 10 scale): 9
Reviewer Age: 15
Reviewer City, State and Country: Highland, MI USA
Queen Ferris by S.C. Butler
Months after Reiffen was saved from the clutches of the three Wizards, he returns to them. But this time he does it of his own free will, so that he can try and outsmart the Wizards. However, as Reiffen learns more magic, he is forced to do terrible things. When evidence of his deeds emerge, Reiffen’s best friends, Avender and Ferris, begin to wonder if the Wizards have “turned” him. As the countries are destroyed by war with the Wizards, Avender is forced to choose his loyalty. And Ferris struggles between the part of her that still believes Reiffen is good, and the part of her that wants to leave him behind.
At first I couldn’t really get into the book because it was a sequel and I had never read the first one. However, once I started getting deeper into it, I thought the book was really good. I really liked how S.C. Butler switched from Ferris’ point of view, to Avender’s to Reiffen’s. It added to the suspense and kept the book moving. Overall I thought it was a great book, and it is perfect for anyone who enjoys fantasy and magic.
Rating (0 - 10 scale): 7
Reviewer Age: 16
Reviewer City, State and Country: Erlanger, Kentucky United States
Paper Hearts by Deborah Williamson
Imagine having no home, no family members, and only 22 dollars in your pocket. 15 year old Chancy Deel knows exactly how that feels. Chancy hitched here way from Pittspurgh, Pennsylvania to Wenonah, Oklahoma just to find a better life. When she arrives in Wenonah she is surprised by the kindsness of 1 sweet waitress, Corliss, a kind old man whose name is Max, with a dog, and a nice woman in a super market. Chancy doesn't realize it at first but she touched their lives just as much as they touched hers. With just a few simple acts Chancy feels like she has found her home in Wenonah, Oklahoma. Chancy happens to find a nice home with just the right numbers. She sneaks into the garage for a warm quiet night. Come morning Chancy finds that she has stumbled into none other than Max's garage. Max who planned on commiting suicide that day decides to give life a try one last time for a young homeless girl who captures his heart.
When I first started reading Paper Hearts I was expecting a tough girl who would spend the whole book defying everyone, and making enemies in every person she came in contact with. Instead I was completely taken back by the sweet generocity of Chancy Deel. She truly felt bad when she had to steal or lie to someone to make her way in the world. If she had to steal food from a store she would leave little paper hearts with the person who she stole from. I believe while reading this book that you tend to think about the person you are and the person that you are becoming, and it is because of the excellent protagonist that Deborah Williamson has created.
Rating (0 - 10 scale): 8
Reviewer Age: 18
Reviewer City, State and Country: dundee, Oregon USA
Kissing the Bee by Kathy Koja
Senior year is going by faster than anyone can imagine and Dana, her best friend Avra, and Avra's boyfriend Emil are going into a long windy journey that is going to change their lives forever. Dana is working on a project about bees that has her very interested and enthralled. Dana has a full scholarship and is planning to use it. Avra on the other hand has no plan whatsoever except shes leaving and Emil is going along with her. Prom is coming up and tension is starting to build for certain people. But why? Dana has a secret that has her slightly confused and even a little crazy. Will she be able to hold it in?
Wow, this was a really good book! I read it in one night because it kept my attention starting from the first page to the end. It had so many great descriptive details that it made me feel like I was actually there! The author just has such a great unique style of writing that anybody would enjoy this book. The author has a style that just automatically clicks with the reader. My favorite character was Emil. He just had a really sweet personality and he just was really creative and always went with the flow.I did but yet did not like the ending. The author definitely brought the story to a close I just personally thought it would have been somewhat.....different. There is still a piece of information that you want to know thats missing at the end.
Content: In this book there was some language and some adult situations would be better for mature readers only.
Rating (0 - 10 scale): 9
Reviewer Age: 14
Reviewer City, State and Country: Carlisle, PA United States
Clan Ground by Clare Bell
Thakur is concerned about the Red Tongue's power over the clan. Ratha leads the clan but her position is threatened by a newcomer named Shongshar whose life she spares. Thakur and Ratha grow closer as the clan grows strained and the Red tongue and Shongshar grow more powerful. Thakur learns a new way to tame the Red Tongue, but it is met with hate in the clan. As the clan becomes more violently divided, Ratha and Thakur must decide how to regain control.
This novel was very enjoyable. It is one of the best fantasy novels I have ever read, and probably one of the best novels I have ever read in any genre. It is great for someone who loves animals because the characters are animals, but they still have quasi human personalities. It is a generally well thought out novel. Though it is the second book in a series and I would recommend reading the previous one first, I enjoyed the novel despite the fact I had not read the first one. I am going to go back and read the first novel and then continue the series because I enjoyed it so much.
Rating (0 - 10 scale): 9
Reviewer Age: 13
Reviewer City, State and Country: Royersford, Pa United States
The White Giraffe by Lauren St. John
A girl named Martine parents died in a fire so she had to live with a grandma she never knew about in Africa on a wild life preserve. She hears quiet gossip about a magical white girrafe living there, but no one has claimed to see the giraffe. Her grandma didn't believe it but she had mixed emotions about it. One night Martine see's the white giraffe...
In my opinion, I really liked the book because the plot is creative. The whole concept of being orphaned and having to move to Africa with a grandma she never knew about. I also thought the "white" giraffe is a creative twist in Martines life. In those parts it was hardest to put down because it had suspense and creativeness.
Rating (0 - 10 scale): 9
Reviewer Age: 11
Reviewer City, State and Country: Norristown, Pennsylvania United States of America
Genesis Alpha by Rune Michaels
The book Genesis Alpha was about a boy and his brother who even though they lived away from each other always found time to play an internet game called Genesis Alpha together every night. Then one day the boy realized that his brother had left his computer in the middle of the game without turning it off so he assumed something might have happened. You then find out that his brother was accused of killing a girl that went to his school. The police began to think that he had met her on this Genesis Alpha game and that he was doing this to many other girls. The book is mostly about their family trying to figure out if he is innocent or guilty.
Genesis Alpha was a great book and a really fast read. The story line was interesting, but you expect for there to be a big plot twist in the end but really the story goes in a perfect sequence to the ending. I do not think that this book was a good one for the genre it was placed in, however. The book has a vocabulary of about seventh or eighth grade and a highschooler may become bored with it. But, for the middle school crowd it would be a good book to read. It helps you realize that your judgement of someone, even a family member, may be wrong.
Rating (0 - 10 scale): 6
Reviewer Age: 16
Reviewer City, State and Country: Nelsonville, Ohio United States
Bad Idea by Todd and Jedd Hafer
Uggh, a road trip! When 18-year-old Griffin Smith has to leave for college, his dad’s fiance’ decides that the whole family and his best friend, Cole, should drive up to his college in Southern California from their home in Kansas. Leaving his long time crush, Amanda Mackenzie, is really hard for him, but he is also eager to meet the mysterious Carrot, a girl he met online who goes to the same college he will be attending. On their way to college they will have to deal with many devastating problems from muggers to family affairs to a young child’s death. Once he arrives at the California college which he is attending on a running scholarship, Griffin quits his longtime addiction of burning himself with lighters and blow dryers with some much-needed help from his dad. This terrible habit started after his mom left when he was very young; he did it to punish himself for all of the horrible things he did that were not very Christian-like. Join Griffin Smith as he faces life’s tragedies and hopefully finds the best solution to solving each of them.
I think the authors, Todd and Jedd Hafer, did an awesome job at writing Bad Idea: A Novel (With Coyotes), because I didn’t think that I would enjoy this story and I ended up loving it! I thought that it was cool how the authors used coyotes as such a big part of the creation of this book, even though they weren’t actually mentioned a whole lot in the story. I didn’t overly care for the fact that there was a lot of misconduct and wrongdoing in this book, but after realizing how messed up his life was, he became a Christian. Overall, though, I thought this composition was well-written and an all-together amazing story. I recommend this wonderful book to young adults ages 12 and up, but mostly to boys who love running since it is a main topic in Bad Idea.
Content: There was drinking of alcoholic beverages, sexual content and references, smoking, burning their flesh (self mutilation),fighting, and suicide.
Rating (0 - 10 scale): 9
Reviewer Age: 13
Reviewer City, State and Country: Upper Strasburg, PA United States
Vampire Island by Adele Griffin
'Vampire Island' tells the story of three siblings - Lexie, Maddy and Hudson. These siblings aren't your normal kids - or, I should say, your normal vampires. They're fruit-bat hybrids, so they only eat fruit. Although Maddy is starting to develop a further taste for protein. . . . Mysterious (and possibly dangerous) neighbors aside, these three are mostly just trying to survive there normal lives. Masking their identity and special-powers at school is harder than you'd think.
I have very mixed feelings on this book. On the one hand, I loved its dark humor - reminiscent of 'Pure Dead Magic' by Debi Gliori. I thought it was very cool to have a teenage heroine who quotes dead poets. Almost immediately I developed a sort of fondness for some of the characters, Maddy in particular. All that aside, this book was not exactly satisfying. It seemed to leave off too suddenly with too many loose threads. Obviously there's going to at least one sequel if not more, but this particular episode of the story didn't feel finished. The writing was not spectacular to begin with, and this leaving-off made me even more disgruntled. It was an OK read. If you're in the mood for an easy-read with slightly-ridiculous Gothic settings and situations (which I was, strange as it sounds) then you'll have fun with this. Just don't go into it expecting something great.
Rating (0 - 10 scale): 5
Reviewer Age: 16
Reviewer City, State and Country: Moscow, ID USA
Rahta's Creature by Clare Bell
Ratha is a member of the Named, a tribe of cats that has culture and language. However, when lightning strikes and Ratha tames the Red Tongue, she is made an outcast. She runs in with one of the Un-Named, whom she names Bonechewer. She grows up and learns the way of the hunter from Bonechewer, whom she then mates with. She and Bonechewer then go to a meeting of the Un-Named where she pretends to be mute. Much to her dismay, the Un-Named decide to attack her old clan. She is forced to take part as she cannot rejoin them and be accepted. However, Ratha is recognized and then kept from the fighting. Once the clan has been ousted, she and Bonechewer get a den where they stay for the winter. Come Spring, they returned to Bonechewer's territory where she gave birth. Unfortunately, because Bonechewer, although his mother was a Named, was part Un-Named, so Ratha's children were as dumb as many of the Un-Named. In her disappointment, Ratha attacks here children and Bonechewer, who banishes her. Ratha wanders until she runs into Thakur, one of the Named. Thakur takes her to the clan, where she is once again cast away. When lightning strikes, Thakur finds her and convinces her to defeat Meoran, the leader, with the Red Tongue. Ratha does so and becomes clan leader. Using the Red Tongue, Ratha and the other Named drive off the Un-Named raiders, among whom was Bonechewer. Bonechewer dies, and Ratha grieves for him. Then, Ratha takes full leadership of her clan.
Although at first I didn't believe I would like this book, it was surprisingly good. The way that the author makes the cats understand what cats would understand, and not as much as humans, makes it much more realistic. A little foreshadowing goes a long way to make the book a lot better. Each main character is like a real person, changing with the way the plot moves. Ratha's Creature gets an 8 out of 10 from me.
Content: Graphic descriptions of burning and injuries.
Rating (0 - 10 scale): 8
Reviewer Age: 14
Reviewer City, State and Country: Chambersburg, PA United States
The Sam Gunn Omnibus by Ben Bova
Sam Gunn, the most notorious bussiness man, womanizer, adventurer, and friend in the universe, has been lost in a black hole. Jane, the young reporter, is going after the story of his amazing life. She feels this strong connection to him, that propels her onward through all her hardships and obstacles, to get the full story. As the story of his life unravels, Jade comes to admire this man, and all the greatness that he has done and not been given credit for. On and on she interviews, and closer and closer to Sam she gets. But how is this possible when Sam is thousands of miles away, sucked into a black hole?
This was a very good and entertaining book. At the begining however, it was a little slow to start. Once it started speeding up I couldn't stop reading. The book was exciting and very suspenseful. I would try to guess what would happen next, and what would happen in the end. When it was finished, i truly appreciated the book and realized how great of an intricate plot it was. The detail was perfect so that I could clearly paint a picture and see exactly what happened in my head. The book was definetly too mature for kids younger then 13. There was lots of inappropriate references. Overall, if your looking for a book that really gets your mind going, this is a great choice.
Content: Bad language, sexual terms, and multiple other more mature topics.
Rating (0 - 10 scale): 9
Reviewer Age: 13
Reviewer City, State and Country: Lutherville, MD USA
Bone by Bone by Bone by Tony Johnston
It’s 1951 in a southern town when young Malcolm and David meet. The boys quickly become comrades, and share countless, unforgettable adventures. Although the boys are as close as brothers, there is one barrier that eternally separates them: race. Malcolm is black; David is white. David’s father immediately forbids the friendship, which continues in secret throughout their adolescence. Even as their camaraderie persevered, run-ins with the Ku Klux Klan (not to mention David’s father) constantly jab at their unique bond. All the while, David is preparing to follow his father’s footsteps into the medical profession. When doubts about family, goals, and core values arise, David must make a life-altering decision, one that will cost him everything he’s ever known.
Bone by Bone is a work of literary art. Tony Johnston’s empathy towards the characters is apparent, and each individual is seemingly brought to life. Needless to say, the characterization is brilliant. I was captivated by her word choice; her voice throughout the book was smooth, truthful, and at times breath-taking. Though the plot may seem rudimentary, Johnston’s style brings the story to life in a whole new light. Bone by Bone is an outstanding contribution to the historical fiction genre. I was hooked by the first sentence, and mesmerized throughout the rest of the book. I would recommend this book to lovers of language, to those who love becoming the characters, and to all who have ever had a best friend.
Content: This book includes racial violence and language inappropriate for young readers.
Rating (0 - 10 scale): 9
Reviewer Age: 14
Reviewer City, State and Country: Tipp City, Ohio USA
The Secret Life of Josephine: Napolean's Bird of Paradise by Carolly Erickson
Everyone knows about Napoleon, the guy who wanted to take over the world and conquer everything. Well, what do people know about his first wife, Josephine? Not much, really. She’s always in the wings; no one ever thinks about her and her past. When Josephine was a girl, her name was Rose. It actually was Rose until she married Napoleon—he changed it because she needed to sound more French. Rose lived in a tropical paradise, moving to Paris when she was a teenager to marry her cousin. Eventually, her husband dies in “The Terror”, with Rose narrowly escaping the guillotine. After the Terror, Rose marries Napoleon, a famous general with a commanding presence. After that, the rest is history.
Carrolly Erickson made history come to life, but in a new way. I have always heard of Napoleon, but not his wife. She really influenced Napoleon in ways I didn’t think of. Carrolly Erickson’s novel made me think of all these things, and I learned much more about the time period. Because Erickson wrote so descriptively, I was never left in the dark how bad things were during “The Terror” and Napoleon’s rule. Erickson has other historical novels about wives of great rulers, and since I enjoyed The Secret Life of Josephine so much, I have ordered copies of her other books.
Content: Josephine slept with a lot of guys in this book, and Erickson described it. There is also crude language.
Rating (0 - 10 scale): 7
Reviewer Age: 15
Reviewer City, State and Country: Boothwyn, PA United States
Book of a Thousand Days by Shannon Hale
Book of a Thousand Days is a novel based on the fairy tale "Maid Maleen." A lady's maid and mucker (a nomadic peasant with the ability to heal through song), Dashti narrates her story of serving the doomed Lady Saren. Trapped in a tower for seven years unless she agrees to marry Lord Khasar, Saren begins her long imprisonment with Dashti by her side. Dashti writes of the lonliness and desperation she feels as Saren throws herself into silence of sobs or staring blankly at the surrounding brick walls. Visited by the terrible Lord Khasar and the gentle and kind Khan Tegus, Dashti determines that the girls must leave the tower. Book of a Thousand Days is the diary of a young teen who embarks on the adventure of a lifetime.
Shannon Hale writes a beautiful story about a determined young girl. Dashti has mottled features along her face and arms, she is deemed ugly and unlucky. Lady Saren is gorgeous but the spirit of Dashti overpowers Saren's. Based in ancient Mongolia and surrounded by fictional realms, the story of Dashti is a lyrical novel. An adventure that has its readers turing pages with excitement and fear, Book of a Thousand Days is a fantastic fairy tale for teen readers. Twisted with romance and dark fantasy, Shannon Hale writes a story that leaves readers with a slight tingle in their toes.
Rating (0 - 10 scale): 9
Reviewer Age: 15
Reviewer City, State and Country: Concord, Massachusetts United States
They Came From Below by Blake Nelson
Emily and Reese spend their summers in South Point in Cape Cod. Arriving from different areas of the country the two girls can't wait to see each other and spend hours relaxing on the beach and spying on potential boyfriends. When seventeen year old Emily reunites with Reese they begin a summer that is different from any they have ever experienced. Strange occurences prove something eerie is happening in the ocean. When the girls come across two beautiful boys and learn that they are not truly who they say thay are, Emily and Reese's summer turns upside down. Aliens from the depths of the ocean, Steve and Dave have come chasing after a friend that washed up on the beach only recently. Emily and Reese begin to help these strange creatures and what seems like a surreal dream suddenly becomes an effort to save Earth.
They Came from Below is a science fiction/fantasy novel that binds together realistic characters with the strangest of stories. Blake Nelson writes in a rather primitive way, sentences are short and abrupt. There is no feeling of emotion from the novel, just complex and interesting thoughts about life and living. Nelson does a poor job with a female narrator, Emily lacks any real feeling--there is no passion in the novel. Though an interesting storyline and adventure novel, They Came from Below could have used more personality.
Content: Brief mentions of sex and drinking.
Rating (0 - 10 scale): 6
Reviewer Age: 15
Reviewer City, State and Country: Concord, Massachusetts United States
Home Is East by Many Li
After Amy’s Cambodian mother abandons her, Amy is left with her loving, timid, Cambodian father. Her “Once so wonderful” world has been rearranged. The friends that she had had in St. Petersburg, Florida, were left behind when her dad suddenly decided to move them both to California. He begins to drink, gamble and smoke in a matter of hours after Amy’s mom leaves. Amy feels so scared and confused in the mature world her new life in California sucks her into. She battles her drunken father and settles into her life when she can. Then, her life finally becomes pleasurable.
This book was well-written, but traveled at a slow pace. Many Li put lots of passion into the story, but a few chapters off and on were a bit slow moving. I liked the book, but it didn’t exactly grab my attention and hold it as I would have preferred. I recommend this to anyone who likes a challenge from a book.
Content: Lots of alcoholic drinking. Some adult situations that some may not understand. Some frightening situations.
Rating (0 - 10 scale): 7
Reviewer Age: 11
Reviewer City, State and Country: Osseo, Wisconsin United States
Boot Camp by Todd Strasser
Boot Camp by Todd Strasser is about fifteen-year old Garrett. Garrett is very smart. So smart, in fact, that he can skip school and still make honor roll. He's also dating his teacher, who is eight years older than him. Though these are hardly crimes, Garrett is sent to Lake Harmony, a boot camp designed to teach teenagers to obey their parents. Garrett undergoes physical and psychological abuse every day. The only way to freedom is to escape-but how does one break out of a prison?
I thought that Boot Camp by Todd Strasser was an interesting read. It was an eye-opener, because I had never know about these secret boot camps. It was shocking to see the abuse that goes on behind closed doors. Some of the tactics to train teenagers to obey their parents could be considered torture-laying facedown on the floor for days at a time. The book was very sad and radiated helplessness throughout the story--I had no idea how Garrett was going to make it out alive. The books ends on a semi-good note: Garrett's parents come to take him home. The bad part is, Garrett becomes just as brainwashed as the other kids who walk through Lake Harmony's doors.
Content: This book is only for mature readers because there is physical and psychological abuse throughout the story, which may be unsuitable for younger readers.
Rating (0 - 10 scale): 6
Reviewer Age: 15
Reviewer City, State and Country: Aston, Pennsylvania United States
The New and Improved Vivien Leigh Reid by Yvonne Collins and Sandy Rideout
Vivien Reid pretty much blew her career away!! She acted like such a diva and ended up losing her job! But now shes back and better than ever! Shes's back to make things right with her career. While managing all of that she's also helping her mom get ready for her wedding along with who she calls her evil to-be stepsisters! Things are not going as well as planned, in her new role in Freak Force the cast consists of all guys who don't really want a girl there. With all this going on will Vivien be able to contain her inner diva?
This book was okay. It was nothing like other books I've read although it was a cute little story. It didn't really keep my interest! Usually if I'm really into a book I will be reading every night and sometimes late into the night but not for this book. The one thing I did like about this book was the ending! It wrapped the book up very well and brought it to a close. The one thing I learned from this book is you need to think before you speak or you may regret it.
Rating (0 - 10 scale): 6
Reviewer Age: 14
Reviewer City, State and Country: Carlisle, PA United States
Labor of Love by Emily Franklin
As Love Bukowski prepares for her senior year at Hadley Hall, she faces many changes in her life. Love is meeting her mother,
Gala, for the first time since she was an infant, she also discovers that she has a half-sister, Sadie, which she then learns is actually her full sister. All through this, Love is dealing with her once-boyfriend Jacob; however, the definition of the relationship in its current state is unclear. Luckily, Love has her friend Chris, who is dealing with his own relationship issues, and her boyfriend who could possibly end up being something more, Charlie, to help her throughout this chaotic time. In the end, Love finds balance and happiness and learns to accept change as just another part of life.
Labor of Love by Emily Franklin is a wonderful novel that explains that although change is inevitable, it does not always have to be for worse. This main idea made the novel very enjoyable. It helped me to realize that if a person learns to accept change; rather than, try to prevent it, coping will be easier. Also, then novel was funny and a definite page-turner. I felt so wrapped up in Love's life that I felt as if I were living it. I look forward to reading not only the next book in the series, but other books by Emily Franklin as well.
Content: I recommend adult guidance for this book because it mentions sex, and this topic may be inappropriate for younger readers.
Rating (0 - 10 scale): 9
Reviewer Age: 14
Reviewer City, State and Country: East Islip, New York United States
