Farmington Community Library Book Reviews for Teens

Speak, by Laurie Halse Anderson

2012-01-11T16:04:00.001-05:00

The book was pretty good overall. It moved slowly in the beginning and middle and everything happened towards the end. It was also very depressing and negative because it involves a girl who is very depressed and lonely. You don't understand why she is like that until later and it gets better after that.

My rating: 3/5

Wicked: Witch and Curse, by Nancy Holder and Debbie Viguié

2012-01-11T16:02:00.004-05:00

A really good book; an awesome variations of witches and warlocks. A good read--but a bit long.

My rating: 4.5/5

After, by Francine Prose

2012-01-11T16:02:00.002-05:00

This book kept me on edge the whole time. It was really suspensful and creepy but it was a really great book.

My rating: 5/5

Alex Rider: Scorpia Rising, by Anthony Horowitz

2012-01-11T16:00:00.003-05:00

This action-packed finale to an action-packed series was truly amazing. The plot was excellent and the people flew all over the world. It was also hilarious. Any person who likes reading should read this book!

My rating: 4/5

The White Giraffe, by Lauren St. John

2012-01-11T15:55:00.001-05:00

The author's descriptions are absolutely breathtaking. Readers are ultimately kept up with suspense and hooked from the first page onwards. The characters' journey is absolutely amazing. Wonderful book!

My rating: 5/5

Inheritance, by Christopher Paolini

2012-01-11T15:53:00.001-05:00

Amazing, wonderful great book! Last book of the series and best book of them all! Everything ends in this book, it is a must read. Your life will be incomplete if you don't read this book. All questions you've had for years will finally be answered!!

My rating: 5/5

Blood Music, by Greg Bear

2012-01-11T15:52:00.001-05:00

Good book, very scientific and descriptive. The novel kept me reading and wanting to know what happened next. Not very good grammar, seems like not a bunch of editing was done.

My rating: 4/5

Bone Series, by Jeff Smith

2012-01-11T15:49:00.002-05:00

The series starts as light-hearted and funny and gets increasingly intense and detailed. Because it's a graphic novel series, you can really get to know the characters and Smith does a wonderful job with that. If you like fantasy, you'll like this series. The story is intricate and magnificent.

My rating: 5/5

The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, by Stieg Larsson

2012-01-11T15:46:00.002-05:00

Salander is a socially awkward girl with an intense murder follow. She teams up with Blauokist to solve the Locked Island disappearance. The story is great, fast-paced, and bold. For nature readers only.

My rating: 4.5/5

Kill Me if You Can, by James Patterson

2012-01-11T15:44:00.002-05:00

I thought that this was a thrilling read. Through the whole novel there were twists and turns, where mysteries were uncovered that you would not have seen coming; I think this made the book more of a page-turner.

My rating: 4/5

A Man without A Country, by Kurt Vannegut

2012-01-11T15:38:00.002-05:00

Comprised of a series of insights and reflections on his past and present life, Vannegut's novel is ripe with a satirical sort of cynicism and wit and gives the reader plenty to think on and apply it to their own life.

My rating: 5/5

The Secret Life of Bees, by Sue Monk Kidd

2011-11-09T16:32:00.002-05:00

I read this book for summer reading in 9th grade, Honors English. It was an amazing book about a white girl who has lost her mother and finds a home with a family of black women. She learns that there are many women who love her and will act as her mother. I highly recommend this book to all people who love to read.

My Rating: 5/5

Artemis Fowl: The Atlantis Complex, by Eoin Colfer

2011-11-09T16:30:00.002-05:00

If you want to finish the famous Artemis Fowl series, this is a great way to end it. Just kidding! It's not the last book in the series-----but it's the second to last! A bunch of explosions, a bunch of weird alien comments, and old friends save the world over and over again.

My Rating: 5/5

The Castings Trilogy, by Pamela Freeman

2011-11-09T16:26:00.002-05:00

The trilogy is made up of the books Blood Ties, Deep Water, and Full Circle. The books are centered on three main characters: Bramble, a small-town girl who has to run away from her village for a murder she didn't commit; Ash, a "safeguarder," someone who protects rich people from magical beings, who must run away from his evil master; and Saker, an enchanter who wants to raise a ghost army to bring revenge for his people. Follow these three characters as they race to find the Well of Secrets, a prophet who can tell them their future. Epic fantasy + action = a great read!

My Rating: 4/5

102 Minutes - The Fight to Survive Inside the Twin Towers

2011-11-09T16:25:00.002-05:00

For a non-fiction novel, this was really interesting. It took you inside the World Trade Centers and gave you an inside look on what happened on September 11th, 2001.

My Rating: 4/5

The Abused Werewolf Rescue Group, by Catherine Jinks

2011-11-09T16:22:00.002-05:00

It was a good variation on werewolf and vampire lore. It took on a darker tone and is slightly grizzly but a good one none the less. Being a werewolf is genetic and vampirism is a disease or a plague. It's very good; you should read it.

My Rating: 4/5

The Penderwicks at Point Mouette, by Jeanne Birdsall

2011-11-09T16:19:00.002-05:00

It was an excellent book. It had an amazing, stupendous, and very gratifying ending.

My Rating: 5/5

Divergent, by Veronica Roth

2011-11-09T15:26:00.002-05:00

Divergent was a very good book. It was interesting to see how the families were divided into different class structures. Once the person choses a faction, s/he is stuck in it for life. I think that Veronica Roth did a great job of writing this book. This book truly left a lasting impression on my life.

My Rating: 4/5

Portal 2

2011-05-11T15:50:00.000-04:00

A great game with strategy, but it is still an FPS (first-person shooter). Within a few days of playing, you begin to understand the game, just where to put the portals. You will definitely enjoy this game after a quick 2 days of frustration!!

My rating: ***** 5 stars

Artemis Fowl, by Eoin Colfer

2011-05-11T15:49:00.000-04:00

This book was pretty good. The plot, character, and setting were well-developed.

My rating: ***** 5 stars

Angel, by James Patterson

2011-05-11T15:47:00.000-04:00

There was a lot of action. Max reunites with Fang but not on good terms. The plot is actually better than most Maximum Ride books. Angel ends up being the unexpected heroine.

My rating: **** 4 stars

The Dark and Hollow Places, by Carrie Ryan

2011-05-11T15:44:00.000-04:00

The third in Ryan's series about a post-apocalyptic world, it could easily be a stand-alone: Darker than the earlier installments, it is a sad and touching portrait about what humanity means in a world where there is no hope.

My rating: ***** 5 stars

Dreaming in Hindi, by Katherine Russel Rich

2011-04-13T16:11:00.000-04:00

This book is very interesting. It's about an American woman who moves to India to become fluent in Hindi, the national Indian language. She records her adventures with the language, culture, and people. It's a true story and a memoir, and the author is sassy and witty. An enlightening read! My rating: ***** 5 stars

The Happiness Project, by Gretchen Rubin

2011-04-13T16:09:00.002-04:00

This book was great! It was a memoir about a yearlong project of trying to become happier. She was a funny author and was very inspiring. It made me want to start my own happiness project! It's a must read. Check it out!! My rating: ***** 5 stars

Along Came a Spider, by James Patterson

2011-04-13T16:07:00.002-04:00

This book is about the detective Alex Cross. He tries to solve murders. He is assigned to a case of kidnapping where a man named Gary Soneji kidnapped two important kids. I enjoyed this book because it is suspenseful. Nothing is revealed until the very end. I give it a "B+". My rating: ****4 stars

Things Fall Apart, by Chinua Achebe

2011-04-13T16:05:00.002-04:00

This book is set in a village in Africa around the time of colonialism. It tells about a man named Okonkwo. Okonkwo's life falls apart with a series of events. Overall, the plot of this book was pretty good and it was a good book. My rating: **** 4 stars

Scorpia Rising, by Anthony Horowitz

2011-04-13T16:04:00.001-04:00

Behold: The final adventure of Alex Rider!! This novel contains: LOTS of explosions, bangs, and *chaos*! If you have read the series so far, this is a must read. My rating: **** 4 stars

The Phoenix Unchained, by Mercedes Lackey and James Mallory

2011-04-13T16:00:00.004-04:00

This was a really great book! The plot moved forward quickly and was never boring. A boy finds that he can do magic, something no one has been able to do for more than 1,000 years. He and his best friend set out on a long journey that eventually leads to the legendary Elven cities. (Book can be found in the Farmington Community Library Sci-fi and Fantasy Section.) My rating: **** 4 stars

Fall for Anything, by Courtney Summers

2011-03-09T15:44:00.002-05:00

This is an amazing, tightly woven novel that is very intense. Eddie is getting over her father's suicide and her obssession to know why drives her on a journey to the spot where he was last photographed. Tense relationships in the aftermath of her father's suicide which has changed both Eddie and her family and friends.

My rating: ***** 5 stars

Skate 3, by Game Teen

2011-03-09T15:41:00.002-05:00

Great game! Make your own player, tricks, and courses!! You can share your skate parts and do impossible stunts, like flying through air, whacking people, and jumping off buildings.

My rating: **** 4 stars

Girl at Sea, by Maureen Johnson

2011-03-09T15:38:00.002-05:00

If you were torn away from your crush, your job, and your mother and sent on a trip around the world with your crazy father and a few other people, what would you do? Well, if you were Girl at Sea, you would find a new love, a new sister, and a bunch of mystery and adventure to explore. This book was highly amusing and perfect for when you want to curl up with a good read.

My rating: **** 4 stars

The Lucky One, by Nick Sparks

2011-03-09T15:35:00.002-05:00

Very good. Definitely 5 stars. It was simple but exciting and the characters are great. You will fall in love with them right away!!

My rating: ***** 5 stars

Incarceron, by Catherine Fisher

2011-02-09T16:33:00.001-05:00

This book is really good because it has many twists and turns. Also this book shows how enemies can also become friends. This is a really good book.

My rating: ***** 5 stars

Halo - Catyism, by Greg Bear

2011-02-09T16:32:00.003-05:00

Pretty good book, for grades 6 to10. It's confusing, and it's a little bit stupid in some ways if you didn't read the previous books or played the video games.

My rating: **** 4 stars

Dead Space 2, A Video Game

2011-02-09T16:30:00.003-05:00

Obviously the best game this month. It's so scary that you would need your mom to sit next to you! "Necromorphs" pop out of nowhere and if you kind of suck at video games, it will be frustrating, because on the easiest level, I still died a lot. I'm pretty good at video games, so I'm not complaining.

My rating: ***** 5 stars

The Way of Kings, by Brandon Sanderson

2011-02-09T16:27:00.002-05:00

Brandon Sanderson has published yet another fantasy novel! This storyline takes place on the world of Roshar, a rocky land perpetually wracked by immensely dangerous storms. The three protagonists struggle to win over their enemies while trying to keep insanity at bay. Filled with adventure, suspense, and magic, The Way of Kings is a compelling read that will not let you down.

My rating: ***** 5 stars

Wired, by Robin Wasserman

2011-02-09T16:20:00.002-05:00

A tightly-woven story that focuses on the loss of humanity, and what it really means to be human. The sequel to Skinned, this novel develops the idea of Faithers, who are anti-skinners and pro-human. The main character, Lia, feels like she has lost what it means to be human, but then discovers her humanity in the most surprising places. Each more surprising than the last, it is when Lia finds out that her make is not unique to her, and that the group she lives with, who think the "Skinners" are more superior than humans, might be keeping secrets and have an unholy connection with Biotech.

My rating: **** 4 stars

The Body Toxic, by Nena Baker

2011-02-09T16:15:00.002-05:00

This book was really good. It was really shocking, and makes you rethink how you live. It's all about the hundreds of chemicals in our everyday life and the environment. It is interesting, but really scary because of how many companies hide what is in their products and food, and the tragic effects of these chemicals. This is a non-fiction book and research-based, but definitely a must read!

My rating: ***** 5 stars

Perfect Chemistry By: Simone Elkeles

2011-01-12T16:07:00.003-05:00

A cute but realistic romance. It isn't just a cliche, sappy, predictable love story where everything is stereotypical.

Rating: 4/5

The Lost Hero By: Rick Riordan

2011-01-12T16:00:00.003-05:00

This book introduces 3 new characters, but I felt myself missing Percy. I was defiantly hooked throughout this book, and couldn't put it down. It's written in 3rd person and you don't get a view of the characters personality as well as his 1st series. The narrator still knows their thoughts, but it's not as personal. Without comparing it to the 1st series, it was action packed, humorous and emotional. There were some unanswered questions- which left you waiting for the next book!

My rating: 4/5

Spy Glass By: Maria V. Synder

2011-01-12T15:55:00.002-05:00

An action packed finale to the "Glass" trilogy, Spy Glass deals with Opal's story as she deals with the loss of her magic, the disappointment of the mother, and a new conflict brewing in Sandseed Territory.

Rating: 4/5

Scarlet Letter By: Nathaniel Hawthorne

2011-01-12T15:51:00.002-05:00

The Scarlet Letter was a book written in the 1850's. It is about Puritan Society's faults and hypocrisy. It makes up its lack of exciting plot for in-depth symbolism and a glimpse into the demographics of the beginning for our nation.

Rating: 4/5

Sonnets of the Portuguese and Other Love Poems by Elizabeth Barrett Browning

2010-08-21T16:33:00.004-04:00

Sonnets of the Portugese is a collection of classic love poems by Elizabeth Browning. Many are well known, such as "How do I love thee, let me count the ways." I thought that the poems were very well written. I also thought that they got a little repetative at times. It is a good example of classic poetry. Although it is tedious at times, it was worth reading. Rating: 2 out of 5

Yeah! Yeah! Yeah! by Bob Spitz

2010-08-21T16:27:00.002-04:00

Yeah! Yeah! Yeah! is a biography/information book on the Beatles. I learned much about this band's history, and impact on the world of music. One thing that I really loved in the book was its use of pictures and memorobilia to illustrate the events in the Beatles life. It was written in a scrapbooklike format, and this really helped keep my interest. The Beatles had a timeless efffect on the world of music, and Yeah! Yeah! Yeah! displays this fact well. Rating: 3 out of 5

Gilda Joyce, Psychic Investigator by Jennifer Allison

2010-08-21T15:11:00.006-04:00

Gilda Joyce, Psychic Investigator at your service. Ever since her father died, quirky Gilda Joyce has been working hard to sharpen her psychic skills. She's determined to communicate with spirits from the Other Side and become a crack investigator of spooky, twisted mysteries. After wrangling an invitation to visit relatives in San Francisco, Gilda discovers that her dreary, tight-lipped uncle and his stange, delicate daughter need her help to uncover the terrible family secret that has a tortured ghost stalking their home. From poignant to hair-raising and hilarious, this is a behind-the-scenes, tell-all account of the very first case in the illustrious career of Gilda Joyce, Psychic Investigator. Rating: 5 out of 5

Bound by Donna Jo Napoli

2010-08-18T12:03:00.004-04:00

This book, Bound, is like the Cinderella story. The main character whose name is Xing Xing is treated very badly by her stepmother after her father died. Her mother died before her father and her father remarried after his first wife died because he wanted a boy but he never got one. But Xing Xing is their servant, cleaning for them, cooking, doing laundry. The stepmother really didn't regard her as a daughter of her husband and Xing Xing was really sad and just didn't feel like she fit in. Very good book. Rating: 5 out of 5

Regarding the Trees by Kate Klise

2010-04-14T15:57:00.008-04:00

So many things are happening at school during the time of Regarding the Trees. Minnie O. is trying to save the trees from being cut down. Rating: 4 out of 5

The Gollywhopper Games by Jody Feldmen

2010-04-14T15:56:00.012-04:00

The Gollywhopper Games is like Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. Gili wants to win the Gollywhopper Games so he can move to somewhere else. Rating: 5 out of 5

Indie Girl by Kavita Daswani

2010-04-14T15:56:00.010-04:00

In Indie Girl, Indie Konipuddi, a 15 year old girl, wants to become a fashion reporter. Rating: 4 out of 5

Fairy Cube Volume 1 by Kaori Yuki

2010-04-14T15:55:00.004-04:00

In Fairy Cube 1 Ian dies and an evil fairy takes over his body. The evil fairy is called Tokage. Ian wants his body back, but will Ian get it back? Find out more by reading. Rating: 5 out of 5

Demon Diary Volume 5 by Yun Hee Lee

2010-04-14T15:54:00.003-04:00

In Demon Diary 5, Raenef's personality changes into a real demon lord, but no one loves it. Raenef's friends find out who changed Raenef. Rating: 5 out of 5

Demon Diary Volume 4 by Yun Hee Lee

2010-04-14T15:53:00.003-04:00

In Demon Diary 4, Lord Raenef gets challenges by another demon lord for Eclipse. This challenge is not only for Lord Raenef, but also for Eclipse. Rating: 5 out of 5

Demon Diary Volume 3 by Yun Hee Lee

2010-04-14T15:52:00.004-04:00

In Demon Diary 3, Raenef, the demon lord, discovers that he truly is a demon lord. Eclipse finds out more about Chris, the next High Cleric, and why he was sent with Lord Raenef. Rating: 5 out of 5

Home of the Brave by Katherine Applegate

2010-04-14T15:50:00.003-04:00

Home of the Brave is the story of Kek, a boy from Africa, who comes to America alone. His brother and father are killed. Only his mother survives, but no one knows where she is in Africa. Kek has to face many fascinating and wrong things. Rating: 5 out of 5

Demon Diary Volume 1 by Lee Chi Hyong

2010-04-14T15:49:00.003-04:00

Demon Diary 1 finds Eclipse looking for the next demon lord. Rating: 5 out of 5

Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix by J.K. Rowling

2010-04-14T15:48:00.003-04:00

Harry Potter claims that the dark lord is back, but no one believes him except the people who are in the Order of the Phoenix, which is a society battling the Dark Lord's forces. Rating: 5 out of 5

Angels and Demons by Dan Brown

2010-04-14T15:47:00.003-04:00

Angels & Demons was very thrilling and kept me on the edge of my seat the whole time. I highly recommend it. Rating: 5 out of 5

Scarlett Fever by Maureen Johnson

2010-04-14T15:45:00.002-04:00

Scarlett Fever is a weak follow-up to a better Suite Scarlett. It seems to try to emulate the same ideas and themes that were interesting in the first book but most of them just fall flat. However, sparkling characters like Spencer, the chairman Murray, and Amy Ambrose color the book. Rating: 3 out of 5

The Wrestler (Movie)

2010-04-14T15:42:00.002-04:00

The Wrestler was so good! A lot of it was pretty graphic and stuff but the plot was good and I loved the ending. It wasn't generic at all and the acting was very good. NOT GOOD TO SEE IF YOU'RE YOUNG! It would be pretty scary haha. Rating: 4 out of 5

Johnny Panic and the Bible of Dreams by Sylvia Plath

2010-02-10T15:52:00.004-05:00

Although Plath's writing was as paranormal, flawless, and as engaging as normal the order in which her selections were placed was awkward and made little sense with seemingly unrelated essays, short stories, and journal entries thrown together, making the book unreadable as a whole. However, each individual entry was superb and I enjoyed each with no dependence on the subject matter as Plath can make a topic to read about. Rating: 3 out of 5

Gollywhopper Games by Jody Feldman

2010-02-10T15:47:00.004-05:00

I thought The Gollywhopper Games was very good and was an interesting story. It was very similar to Willy Wonka. A boy named Gil is participating in these games. They have to try to solve clues and it keeps you hooked because you want to know whether they will solve the challenge or not. Rating: 4/5

When in Rome (movie)

2010-02-10T15:26:00.004-05:00

When in Rome was about a girl who travels to Rome, Italy, for her sister's wedding and takes five coins out of the "Fountain of Love." Five men magically fall in love with her and the only way to have the spell broken is to return the coins back to the fountain. This movie is cute, hilarious, unpredictable, and a definate must see movie. Rating: 5 out of 5

SeaGlass

2010-01-13T16:00:00.002-05:00

Book: SeaGlass
Author: Maria V. Synder

Review: The second book in Synder's trilogy "Glass" was a disappointing follow up to the first. The action seemed forced and was to similar to her other books. However, twists involving the soul-switch of Urlick and Delvin was intriguing and as always, Synder's voice is shining and melodic.

Rating: 3/5

Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson

2010-01-13T14:37:00.003-05:00

Speak was a good book except it dragged on a bit. It was very descriptive and easy to relate to. Speak wasn't one of the best books I've ever read, but it was pretty good. Rating: 2 out of 5

Black Boy by Richard Wright

2009-11-11T16:31:00.002-05:00

I think this book is very sad. It explains how a boy struggles through racism and family.
RATING: 4 out of 5

Lost (Executive Producers: JJ Abrams, Damon Lindelof, and Jeffrey Lieber)

2009-11-11T16:23:00.003-05:00

Lost is arguably the best TV show ever. Plots include love triangles and drama as well as monsters and time travel. Focusing on the survivors of a plane crash on a mysterious island, these characters have to deal with surviving every day, trying to get rescued, and watching out for a monster terrorizing the island. Heart-wrenching and mind-boggling, each episode offers a unique plot while focusing on one or more characters of the show.

RATING: 5 out of 5

Julie and Julia by Julie Powell

2009-11-11T16:21:00.002-05:00

I think this book was very fun and entertaining, but at times it got a little lengthy, but overall I thought it was very well-written and an easy read.

RATING: 4 out of 5

Lost: Season 5 (Executive Producers: Damon Lindelof and Carlton Cose)

2009-11-11T16:19:00.003-05:00

This season is amazing. Caught up in the mythology of the Island to dealing with the realities of the real world, the characters in the show have big decisions to make all the time. From time travel to monsters, Lost has a unique plot, as well as drama and the perfect touch of romance.

RATING: 5 out of 5

Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson

2009-11-11T16:16:00.003-05:00

This book had a great insight on Melinda's mind, a funny and artistic girl with a dark secret. Being inside her mind is fascinating, and as the story unfolds, you can see the way Melinda grows out of her self-imposed silence, and also as people change the way they feel about her.

RATING: 5 out of 5

The Secret Identity of Devon Delaney

2009-11-11T16:14:00.004-05:00

This book is about a girl that lies to her friend about being popular. Throughout the story, she has to keep her secret about not actually having many friends. It's a really good book because it catches your attention and holds it the whole time.
RATING: 4 out of 5

Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Last Straw, by Jeff Kinney

2009-11-11T16:12:00.003-05:00

This book is a part of a series. It is the 3rd book. This is about a kid named Gregory, who keeps a diary about his everyday life. It is a comedy. I know a lot of people who are reading this series. I would recommend this book to anyone who likes a good laugh.

RATING: 4 out of 5

She's the Man: A movie

2009-11-11T16:11:00.002-05:00

BEST MOVIE EVER! It's really funny and never gets old. Amanda Bynes does a great job of playing a boy and a girl. Two thumbs up!
RATING: 5 out of 5

Oh My Gods by Julia Lynn Childs

2009-11-11T16:09:00.003-05:00

I thought it was a really good book. Pheobe moves to Greece with her mother and goes to a high school where everyone is a god. I thought it was a really good book, especially because of its Greek mythology content.

RATING: 5 out of 5

Love is the Higher Law by David Levithan

2009-11-11T16:07:00.003-05:00

This book deals with teenage relationships shortly following the aftermath of 9-11. Well-written and full of blunt and accurate imagery. I enjoyed how the author approached things realistically although overly it was a story of hope and being brought together in a community. However, the ending was hurried and not all ends were tied together.

RATING: 4 out of 5

Peeps by Scott Westerfeld

2009-11-11T16:04:00.003-05:00

This take on vampires is much different from your normal bloodsucking creature. Infected by a parasite, a boy tries to stop the parasite from spreading any farther. This book is different, intriguing, and keeps you entertained.

RATING: 4 out of 5

The Proposal: A movie

2009-11-11T16:02:00.003-05:00

What would you do if you were to be wisked out of the country? Simple, marry your American assistant ... problem is he hates you. Sandra Bullock and her new fiance go and meet the family and, through funny mishaps, learn a lot about each other. One of the best romantic comedies of the year.

RATING:5 out of 5

Leven Thumps and the Ruins of Alder by Obert Skye

2009-11-11T15:58:00.003-05:00

The Dearth has now managed to open the gateway to Reality, and as he proceeds to Earth, chaos ensues. Leven must journey to the island of Alder, but that seems impossible. How will he journey to Alder and finish "unfinished business"? The odds are against him....

RATING: 4 out of 5

This Lullaby by Sarah Desser

2009-10-14T16:20:00.004-04:00

This Lullaby is about a very upright, straight-faced girl who meets a laid-back rocker. She believes that all relationships are doomed to end, even though she starts to fall in love with him. A great book about love, heartache, and more.

RATING: 5 out of 5

Hate List by Jennifer Brown

2009-10-14T16:17:00.003-04:00

Hate List touches on the difficult topic of a school shooting. It was different from a normal school shooting type of book because of the point of view, which was from the best friend of the person who did it; this was also a person that helped write the list that her best friend shot off of. As the school tries to figure out where the villian who helped write the list was, the main character ultimately learns about herself. I like the way flashbacks were interspersed throughout the book.

RATING: 4

The Warrior Series by Erin Hunter

2009-10-14T16:14:00.003-04:00

The Warrior Series is a great read for middle school aged kids. It is a fictional read, and properly detailed. At first I thought it was stupid, but then I got so interested and couldn't put the book down! I read this 30+ book series this summer. If you like adventure and cliff hangers, this is the book series for you!
RATING: 4.5 out of 5

Farmer Boy by Laura Ingalls Wilder

2009-10-14T16:13:00.002-04:00

Farmer Boy is a great book! People who like to read about prairie days would enjoy this book. Even though it is not a short book it is very detailed.
RATING: 5 out of 5

Alex Rider: Skeleton Key by Anthony Horowitz

2009-10-14T16:11:00.003-04:00

Skeleton Key is an exciting adventure. Alex Rider is back, and he has to stop an evil Russian from fusing a nuclear bomb and blowing up the world. Filled with fast-paced action, this is an awesome page-turner.
RATING: 4 out of 5

The Grim Grotto by Lemony Snicket

2009-10-14T16:10:00.004-04:00

The Grim Grotto is a great book to read if you love mysteries and adventure. The Baudelaire orphans meet the captain of the submarine that is looking for the sugar bowl. They set off together in seach for it and have different difficulties on the way.
RATING: 4 out of 5

The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald

2009-10-14T16:07:00.002-04:00

The Great Gatsby is about a young man who fell in love with a woman before he went to war. The woman he loved only loved rich men, so he figured the only way he could be with her was for him to become rich. He would do anything he could to be with her.
RATING: 3 out of 5

The Illustrated Left Behind: A Graphic Novel of the Earth's Last Days by Tim LaHaye

2009-09-17T15:06:00.002-04:00

Judgment day has come in this Left Behind graphic novel. Russia has launched a full out assault on Israel. It seems the end is near. Then without warning the planes start to explode for no apparent reason. When everything is over not even one casualty is reported. To make things even stranger men, women and children are disappearing all over the workd. If you are a person who likes mystery and suspense this book is for you.

Between a Rock and a Hard Place by Aron Ralston

2009-08-11T20:07:00.003-04:00

Between a Rock and a Hard Place is about a man named Aron Ralston who is climbing in the mountains one day when a boulder fell in between the two rock walls he's climbing through. It smashed his left hand a little and lands on his right hand. Aron is trapped for six days without food and 21 oz of water. He is forced to cut his own hand off with a dull multi-tool. It was pretty grotesque the way Aron described the way he cut his hand off. In the end he hikes a while until he reaches a trail and sees a group of people who rush him to medical care.

The 39 Clues series by various authors

2009-08-11T19:52:00.005-04:00

The 39 Clues books are great reads. They are suspenseful and thought provoking. Each book is written by a different author, so the writing style constantly changes, never boring the reader. The mystery flows nicely through the books and has the readers on the edges of their seats waiting for the next book. My family listened to one of the books on an audio cd together, everyone was entertained. The 39 Clues come highly recommended as a mystery series for all ages. The Maze of Bones, by Rick Riordan is the first book in the series.

The Princess Diaries by Meg Cabot

2009-08-11T19:41:00.003-04:00

The Princess Diaries series is a great series for teenage girls. They're the type of books that you just can't put down. They are full of love, friends, and lots more. I recommend these books to any teenage girl. I finished all nine books in less than three weeks.

The Last Olympian by Rick Riordan

2009-08-07T16:36:00.007-04:00

Throughout the Percy Jackson and the Olympians series, Riordan has used his sense of humor to appeal to readers of every age. He blends Greek mythology and modern culture to create a gripping story. Not only are readers pulled into the action but they are learning about ancient history at the same time. Riordan's book details the triumph of a mere mortal over the Titan lord, Kronos. In any respect, The Last Olympian makes a wonderful conclusion to the series.

Dairy Queen by Catherine Gilbert Murdock

2009-08-07T15:48:00.003-04:00

Dairy Queen is a very fun and humorous book. It's about a girl named D.J. and her life on her family's farm. While training Brian Nelson, quarterback on the Hawley football team, D.J. gains interest in trying out for the Red Bend football team. That could be a problem since she would be playing against Brian, someone who she hated before, but got to know over the weeks and became friends with. That, and other family problems, how will D.J. survive with all of this?

Fangtastic by Sienna Mercer

2009-08-05T15:26:00.004-04:00

In Fangtastic, book 2 of the My Sister the Vampire series, Olivia Abott and Ivy Vega are twins. They only found that out last year on the first day of middle school. Then Olivia found out Ivy was a vampire! Olivia and Ivy have kept the twin secret from their foster parents for a while. The weird thing is, there is more vampires at Franklin Grove Middle School than just Ivy. Now since something strange has happened in the Franklin Grove graveyard with one Franklin Grove student, Serena Star, a newscaster is asking everybody in the school if there's vampires that go there. So Olivia and Ivy switch places and try to save the secret of vampires at Franklin Grove Middle School.

Grip of the Shadow Plague by Brandon Mull

2009-08-05T14:46:00.003-04:00

As the third book in the Fablehaven series by author Brandon Mull, Grip of the Shadow Plague will continue the search for the hidden artifacts by Kendra and Seth. I would give this book a high rating because of the action, suspense, and treachery. This book will give you a chill down your spine but at the same time make you laugh with the funny commentary. I recommend this book to any fantasy lover and even if you don't like fantasy this book will make it seem real. I feel that this book is one of many in a selection of great books. Rating: 4 out of 5

Dracula by Bram Stoker

2009-08-04T20:47:00.002-04:00

I thought Dracula was really good and scary, but I didn't like how in more than half the book, Dracula wasn't even there. I mean, it was still really scary like the part where they were chasing him down but in my opinion it could have been better. I though the descriptions of the vampires were excellent, however! It was so scary I couldn't even read it during the daytime. Rating: 3.5 out of 5

The People of Sparks by Jeanne DuPrau

2009-08-02T17:46:00.005-04:00

The People of Sparks is the sequel to The City of Ember! Lina, Doon, and Poppy (Lina's little sister) were the first to make it out of Ember, the underground city. They went walking during daylight and found a hole in the ground! From the hole they found you could see all of Ember! Lina and Doon wrote a note and tied it to a rock along with the directions on how to get out and dropped it down the hole. In a few days everybody that lived in Ember was out! There were about 400 of them. They walked for a long time. Finally off in the distance they could see a little town. But...what they didn't know was that somebody in the town saw them too. The three council workers did not want more mouths to feed. The people of Ember were assigned the houses they would be staying in for the time being. The rest were put in the Pioneer Hotel. Some of the people had to work. The people of Ember got very little food. One person of Ember really wanted to leave. His name was Tick. Most people of Sparks wanted them to leave too. Torren was the first one who saw them. He had a brother named Casper. Casper was a roamer. His partner was named Maddy. They were going on a trip to an ancient city. Lina stowed away in a large crate in the back of the truck. Casper was going to the ancient city because he thought there was a treasure there. He thought he figured it all out but he didn't. The city with the treasure was Ember and the treasure was the people of Ember. As soon as Lina and Maddy found out they rode off on bikes. Then they met another roamer. They rode with him back to Sparks. Along the way they stopped in other old cities and looked in the houses for old things. Lina found things like a Monopoly board and a magnifying glass. When they got back to Sparks Doon told Lina they were to leave the day after that day and Lina got really mad. The people of Sparks had a weapon! When they were about to go to war the weapon blew up and a huge fure started. Torren got stuck in a tree that was on fire but Doon saved him. The people of Sparks called the fire brigade. Then everyone started helping put out the fire. Lina was the first of Ember to help then almost everybody else from Ember helped too! The only ones who didn't help were Tick and a few of his followers. There was a big meeting at the Pioneer Hotel the day after. The people of Ember were allowed to stay, except for Tick and his followers. They went out to the wilderness and tried to survive. The houses for the people of Ember were to be built behind the fields. From that day forward the People of Ember were to be referred to as the People of Sparks!

The Battle of the Labyrinth by Rick Riordan

2009-08-02T15:07:00.004-04:00

I thought that The Battle of the Labyrinth was a really fantastic book. It was kind of mostly about Greek Mythology and I find Greek Mythology really fascinating. I would suggest this book especially to people who like action and Greek Mythology. The book was also really good because the author was very descriptive. I really enjoyed this book and I hope you would too. Rating: 5 out of 5

Twilight by Stephenie Meyer

2009-08-02T14:55:00.003-04:00

Twilight was the best book ever. Stephenie Meyer made the characters come alive. I felt like I was in the world of the characters and that Bella, Edward and the rest of the characters were in my life. After reading the book I wanted to get up and read the rest of the series. Stephenie Meyer did an awesome job at writing the books. Rating: 5 out of 5

The Red Badge of Courage by Stephen Crane

2009-07-31T17:24:00.003-04:00

The Red Badge of Courage displays the point of view of a young boy who wanted to join in on the battles that had occurred during the Civil War. It takes the reader through the mind of many of those who fought. It takes you through the real life of a soldier. A life filled with contradictions and distrust among the allies. But when it comes time for war with the enemy, all grudges are lifted and unity is formed. Rating: 4 out of 5

Rosa Parks: My Story by Rosa Parks

2009-07-31T15:25:00.005-04:00

I read Rosa Parks: My Story. I really liked the book a lot. I learned about her life. The most interesting part was when she was arrested. Even more interesting was that I got to sit in the same bus as Rosa Parks sat in at the Henry Ford Museum. I am really glad I got to read the book.

Mister Monday by Garth Nix

2009-07-30T16:46:00.004-04:00

Mister Monday, the first book of Keys to the Kingdom, is a definite must on everyone's 'To Read' list. If you don't read it, you will be missing out on a magical and eye-popping journey to defeat Mister Monday. Will Arthur obtain the first key? Accompanied by Suzy and the Will, Arthur will definitely receive the victory! The only thing he will have to worry about if he wins, mortality and Tuesday. Read Mister Monday by Garth Nix, you will not regret it!

The Dragon Princess by E. D. Baker

2009-07-30T16:21:00.002-04:00

The Dragon Princess was so amazing and magical. This book is perfect for somebody who loves magic and suspense. I love how the author used many mythical creatures in addition to the main characters dragon, wizard, bat, and troll. It is always fun to read behind the eyes of a princess. Princess Millie is no ordinary princess though, when she gets really angry she turns into a hideous green scaly dragon. Rating: 4 out of 5