Friday, July 30, 2010

Nancy Drew: Seeing Green by Carolyn Keene

Nancy Drew: Seeing Green by Carolyn Keen was a pretty pathetic third book in the Nancy Drew green trilogy. It started out boring without action until a third of the way through the book. Then Nancy was nearly killed many times. Overall there were so many unbelievable and impossible things that I was tempted to shut the book. I would not suggest this book to anyone.

0 Stars

Rosie

Thursday, July 29, 2010

Inkdeath by Cornelia Funke

This Charming Third book in the Inkheart Trilogy was full of darker magic and more separation. Though it was a well-written and exciting book, some parts seemed over the top. However, I liked it when Moe realized he didn't want to be the Bluejay anymore and Resa became half bird half woman. I will recommend it to anyone who liked the first and second books (and give a tip, It seemed like a boat kind of book and reading it in a boat, especially the ending, gives it more flavor).

4 Stars

Rosie

Inkspell by Cornelia Funke

Inkspell by Cornelia Funke is an interesting read and sequel to Inkheart. I thought it was amazing, but disliked when immortality and death came into play. The plot was well-written and thought out, however hard to believe, and I would suggest it as an excellent read to any of my friends. Charming turnout.

4 Stars

Rosie

Inkheart by Cornelia Funke

I think that Inkheart by Cornelia Funke is a very adventurous and well-written book. The plot was well shaped and the characters could be pictured easily. I liked Dustfinger especially and his role in the story. I could not think of anything that can improve the storyline. I would recommend this book to anyone of any age. I also liked the twists in the plot to keep the reader interested and the story moving.

5 Stars

Rosie

Wednesday, July 28, 2010

Hellsing: Vol. 6 by Kohta Hirano

CAUTION! SPOILERS FOR PREVIOUS BOOKS CONTAINED IN THIS REVIEW.

England is under attack from masses of vampires, and the Hellsing Agency's big gun, Alucard, is busy out at sea. The remaining few people in the Agency are struggling to survive a vampiric assault unlike any seen before.

There is some very witty writing in this volume. There sadly are also a lot of totally mindless action scenes. The art had some wobbly moments, and is very crowded, but otherwise it is pretty solid.

4 Stars
 
Emme

Dramacon: Vol. 1 by Svetlana Chmakova

Christie's first anime convention is not going well. Her driver was insane, her roomies are aggressive and now her boyfriend keeps flirting with skimpily-clad cosplayers! When she finally falls apart and ends up throwing herself at a guy who seems nicer than her good-for-nothing guy, the drama in Dramacon really heats up.

I don't normally like rom-coms, but this was just hilarious! Every convention horror story and cliche rolled into one makes for a fun read. The characters are great and very realistic. The art in this manga is solid, if not exceptional.

4 Stars
 
Emme

Secret of the Andes by Ann Nolan Clark

This is a very good book about a modern Inca boy who lives in a hidden valley. There is a lot he wants but doesn't have. He goes to Cuzco to find what he wants, with his black llama, Misti, and some other llamas. He meets a lot of people who help him, and he is trying to meet his heart's desire.

5 Stars

David

Strange Relations by Sonia Levitin

This is about a girl named Marne who goes to Hawaii. She meets many friends who surf. A friend named Kim also comes with her parents and sisters. Marne's aunt gets hurt and the clinic doesn't know what's wrong. Good book to read in the summer, it is very relaxing.

5 Stars

Eunice

Tuesday, July 27, 2010

Mossflower by Brian Jacques

 In my opinion, this was a great book to read. It pulls you in at the beginning and since it's over 400 pages, it keeps you interested for a longer period of time. Other books from the Redwall series by Jacques are interesting too, but I think that this is one of his best.

5 Stars

Jamie

Flyte by Angie Sage

 This was a truly amazing sequel to Magyk. Angie Sage kept the series going in a flash of excitement, friendship, and mystery. I have always loved cliffhangers and she uses them frequently throughout the book. Although it was not as good as the first book, it was a good story. In my opinion it could've used a better plot, but it was a good story.

5 Stars

Katie

The Heist Society by Ally Carter

 Katarina Bishop tried to walk away from "the life"...the life of being a thief. She was attending Colgan, a boarding school when one day, she is expelled for "stealing"(which she actually didn't do this time). It turns out that her old friends from her con days came back and got her back for another big heist, one that this time involves her father.

I thought this book was smooth and classy, and a good book in all.
 
4 Stars
 
Jessie

Feeling Sorry for Celia by Jaclyn Moriarty

Feeling Sorry For Celia was an absolutley fantastic and whimsical book giving a glimpse into the life of Elizabeth Clarry. It was in the format of letters and such, from letters to her pen pal Christina, postcards from her best friend Celia, who is always running away to places, and loving yet wacky notes from her mother stuck to the fridge. It was hilarious at times and sad at others, and Elizabeth was great and relatable. Loved this book.

5 Stars

Jessie

THR3E by Ted Dekker

 Kevin Parson, a young adult is having a normal life when his cell phone starts to ring when he is in the car. It's a strange call and after that, events start happening really fast. He reunites with an old childhood friend that nobody else can see, and starts getting random messages on his phone that nobody, not even the FBI can track. That is until they corner Kevin at last and find out the real truth about him.

5 Stars

Elijah

The Callahan Cousins: Summer Begins by Elizabeth Doyle Carey

 Neeve, Phoebe, Kate, and Hillary- the twelve-year-old Callahan
cousins-are descending upon their grandmother Gee's rambling seaside estate for a whole summer without any parents! Join the girls as summer begins.

The four cousins are determined to defend the Callahan family's honor, but will they end up as family heroes... or will they be sent home?

5 Stars

Elizabeth

George's Cosmic Treasure Hunt by Lucy and Stephen Hawking

 George's best friend, Annie, needs help. Her scientist father, Eric, is working on a space project-and it's going all wrong. A robot has landed on Mars but it's behaving very oddly. And now Annie has discovered something weird on her dad's supercomputer.Is it a message from an alien? Could there be life out there? How do you find a planet in outer space? And, if you could talk to the aliens, what would you say?


5 Stars

Elizabeth


Monday, July 26, 2010

Trapped by Peg Kehret ( and Pete the Cat)

A pig falls from a truck and the driver doesn’t even stop! Alex and his friend witness the accident and save the pig. Working with the police and an animal rescue group, the kids get permission to keep the pig. After a local tv station runs a story about the pig, the truck driver shows up at Alex’s house, determined to take the pig to slaughter. “Hogman” refuses to allow reporters to film him and he gets furious when Alex’s cat, Pete jumps in his truck. Who is this man? What is he hiding? Read the story to find out!

5 Stars

Elizabeth

My Life in Pink and Green by Lisa Greenwald

This book was really good. It was about a girl who's grandmother owns a pharmacy. She figures out that the pharmacy is going to close. She makes a large step forward to save this buisness.

5 Stars

Lucy

Howl's Moving Castle by Diana Wynne Jones

 Sophie was the eldest of 3 girls, which everyone knows means she is doomed to be unlucky. She is pretty sure that it is just her bad luck turning up again when she is cursed by the evil Witch of the Waste and turned into an old woman. However when she becomes a cleaning lady for the famed Wizard Howl, she thinks perhaps she might be able to find a way out of the curse and maybe even out of her bad luck!

I had seen the anime that was based on this book before reading it, so I basically knew what was going to happen. Even so, it kept me on my toes with interesting plot developments and laughing at the absurdity of some parts and Sophie's dry (but witty!) humor. The characters were great, and more fleshed out and interesting than in the anime. The writing is quick and light, but drags you in and won't let you go until you finish the story.
 
5 Stars
 
Emme

Medicine War by Robert J. Conley

 George was taught medicine by his grandfather long ago, and he
has always used it help others. But, when a stranger turns up on
the Reservation and starts using bad medicine to hurt people and make trouble, George decides he has to fight back. When he kills a white man in a fight after the fellow tried to steal his prize horse, George must go on the run from the US government while still trying to protect his friends and neighbors from an unknown attacker.


This was a very interesting story, and a definite page-turner. I
found most of the characters interesting and the creative ways
that George eludes the Government were entertaining to read. I
eally liked the character interaction and dialogue, they felt very
realistic.

My one complaint was that both the Native Americans and the US
troops and government were rather stereotyped.

5 Stars
 
Emme

Noman by William Nicholson

Ancrea has been destroyed and Seeker has left his once homeland in search of the seven savanters. While searching for them, he discovers Noman, the creator of the Nomana. Noman tells Seeker what he has to do. Seeker faces trouble and has his faith and friendship tested in this last book of the Noble Warriors.
 
5 Stars
 
Elijah

Me. Me, Me by Francine Pascal

I thought this book was ok, but it lacked a lot of
action. I guess it's just that what I really want
to happen (Conner and Liz getting back together)
isn't any closer to happening. But, in this book,
you see Trent and Tia starting to date and being
all lovey and happy toward each other, and the
continuing saga of Ken's bribed scholarship. Also,
some things happen with Jade and Evan. And of
course, it's about Elizabeth getting really busy
doing things for HER that end up hurting other
people and almost ruining some of her friendships. That's about it. It definitely wasn't  my favorite of the series, but it was okay.
 
3 Stars
 
Saily

Diary of a Wimpy Kid by Jeff Kinney

This is a book about a boy named Greg and is tortured by his brother Rodrick. Greg has the cheese touch because he touched the molded cheese near the basket ball hoop.

3 Stars

Steph

The Serious Kiss by Mary Hogan

Libby also known as Bethy, and Elizabeth's dad is an alcoholic.They moved into a retirement home with their Grandma who they didn't know.Their dad thought life would be easier if he said their grandparents were all dead. Later Libby finds out that his dad was a liar. Her brother Rif is smoking cigarettes that he sticks in his hair. Their dad finally goes to rehab, and turns into a normal father. It was a great book!

5 Stars

Eunice

Island of the Blue Dolphins by Scott O'Dell

 This is a book for people that love adventures.The book is about a girl named Karana. She is left alone by a ship and Karana's father died.

5 Stars

Steph

Junie B Jones: First Grade at Last by Barbara Park

A fantastic book for young readers about a girl and its her first day of school and has to write in a journal.She does not like people calling her Junie B. Jones.Then Junie B has to go to school with her new glasses.

4 Stars

Steph

Dark side of Nowhere by Neal Schusterman

This book was a great lesson teacher in some ways. Jonah is on a mission to break every bone in his body. Everyone knows that broken bones grow back stronger, better. His brother Jesse is allergic to alot of things and finally he's made himself as strong as he could get off of protein shakes and excercise. Their family is like a unit. To make all better you have to make one better at a time and if one's sick, they're all sick. In the end Jonah stops breaking and understands that he's helping no one really.

4 Stars

Megan

Break by Hannah Moskowitz

This book was a great lesson teacher in some ways. Jonah is on a mission to break every bone in his body. Everyone knows that broken bones grow back stronger, better. His brother Jesse is allergic to alot of things and finally he's made himself as strong as he could get off of protein shakes and excercise. Their family is like a unit. To make all better you have to make one better at a time and if one's sick, they're all sick. In the end Jonah stops breaking and understands that he's helping no one really.

3 Stars

Megan

Dark side of Nowhere by Neal Shusterman

 Jason starts talking to the weird school janitor and gets into a club with a secret. His freind Ethan  supposedly dies and Jason learns that he might be alive still. Jason joins the club and learns that he is more than human. He meets Paula and starts dating her. Together with his parents, they try to stop the janitor's plan for the club. I thought this book had a weak plot but it still was good.

4 Stars

Erica

Peak by Roland Smith

 This book was terrifc. Great plots. Funny wording. Realistic happenings...Peak Marcello is a 14 year old boy who's an amateur climber. He's arrested one day for scaling Manhattan's Woolworth Building, in an attempt to graffiti his tag-a blue mountain peak-high on the side of it. Instead of being stuck in juvie for his crimes, he is to live with his real father: Joshua Woods and is to 'disappear'. Before the trek to China, where Peak's father runs a commercial climbing operation on the Tibetan side of Mount Everest, Peak's English teacher, Vincent, gives him two notebooks to fill, which will complete his requirements for the school year. The hook here is Peak will try to become the youngest person ever to scale Everest.

5 Stars

Megan

7 Days at the Hot Corner by Terry Trueman

 Scott gets Travis' blood on him and he goes to get a HIV test. The only reason he does this is because Scott learns Travis has a secret.Scott realizes that it doesn't matter and accepts the secret. Scott gets an acceptance in the mail for a major leage baseball team after he graduates. I found this book good because the two guys stayed friends no matter what.

4 Stars

Erica

Break by Hannah Moskowitz

 Jonah is breaking his bones to become stronger for his brother, Jesse. Jesse is allergic to almost everything. Jonah's girlfriend finds out about him breaking his bones and tells the principal. Jonah has to go to a psych ward. I found this book good because the dialect was good and the plot was good.

4 Stars

Erica

White Witch, Black Curse by Kim Harrison

 This book had a great plot but was confusing and boring. A 'white' witch named Rachel Morgan has the memory of her beloved Kisten's death erased for her own good and 6 months later she is bothered by not knowing. She goes through the crime scene and evidence to find any hint of memory from that one awful day. Slowly over time, she regains her memory. At the same time 2 banshees are loose. One has a killer baby and the other is after the first one. At last the banshees are defeated in a way and Rachel finally remembers what happened to her and Kisten.

3 Stars
 
Megan

The Wimpy Kid Movie Diary by Jeff Kinney

 This book is about how a book turned into a movie.
It showed how hard the cast worked on this movie
while writing a book the minimum requirements are
a pad and a pencil while when someone decides to
turn it into a movie they need the whole cast
which has a minimum of 100 people, lots of money
to buy the props. design the setting  and buy the lights
so certain scenes can be shot at different times.
In the scene where Greg Heffley's brother was
having a talk with his "mom" when she found a
exually explicit magazine in his backpack it was
actually night time but the cast shined
flashlights into the window to make it look like
it's noon. When they had to show homes in scenes,
they used actual people's homes so it looks
realistic but the room designers had to design
each room according to each character's
personality. When they used shots of middle
school they used four different middle schools.
They used Shaughnessy Elementary School for their
exterior and court and Van-tech School was used
for it's gym and Templeton was used for it's
hallway, classrooms and auditorium. In the movie
they made it feel like one place, Westmore Middle
School. The graphic designers painted it on and
they made school mascots (Hornet)and a school
newspaper.

I thought it was amazing when you
compare the process of writing a book and turning
that book into a movie. You'll have to read the
whole book to see the other camera tricks they use
but I recommend it for anyone who is interested in
the movie business. Any age could read this book.
 
5 Stars
 
Saily

Saturday, July 24, 2010

Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Dog Days by Jeff Kinney

It’s summer vacation and all the kids are having fun outside while Greg Heffley is inside in his house playing video games.Greg, an “indoor person,” is living out his ultimate summer fantasy: no responsibilities and no rules, but Greg’s mom has a different vision for an summer . . . playing outside and “family togetherness.” I like this book a lot and I would recommend this book to people who are looking forward to laugh!

5 Stars

Neha

Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Last Straw by Jeff Kinney

The book is about Greg Heffley and let’s face it: Greg Heffley will never change his wimpy ways. Somebody just needs to explain that to Greg’s father. You see, Frank Heffley actually thinks he can get his son to toughen up, and he enlists Greg in organized sports and other “manly” endeavors. Of course, Greg is able to easily sidestep his father’s efforts to change him. But when Greg’s dad threatens to send him to military academy, Greg realizes he has to shape up . . . or get shipped out. I love the series sooooooooo much! Its so funny and teaches lessons at the same time. I dont think any book has two of these same things as far as I have read books. There isn't any part I don't like so go Diary of A Wimpy Kid series! Rock it Jeff Kinney!

5 Stars

Neha

Nicky Deuce: Home for the Holiday by Steven R. Schirripa and Charles Fleming

Nicholas Borelli II is in New Jersey. His family is having a Christmas party at their house and Nicky's friends are coming from Brooklyn. Nicky has a dad who is building a condo for the poor and an art studio for artists. He works with a criminal, and he is endangered. It was a great book!

5 Stars

Eunice

Friday, July 23, 2010

Jango by William Nicholson

Seeker and his friends are becoming part of the Nomana, the guardians of the All and Only. Seeker soon finds out that he has unusual powers. The council has a debate and decide that it is best to cleanse him. Narrow Path, one of the council members disagrees with the council and frees Seeker telling him that there is a traitor in their midst. Seeker travels far to find that he is much needed on the island of Ancrea.

5 Stars

Elijah

Boys Are Dogs by Leslie Margolis

 It's the end of summer vacation and Annabelle is hating everything. At her new school, every boy seems to make fun of just her. That is until she gets a dog training book. Annabelle figures she can use the book on boys also and starts finding ways to stop boys from teasing her.

5 Stars

Elijah

Eyes of the Emperor by Graham Salisbury

World War II is going on and on the island of Hawaii, the Americans don't know which Japanese to trust. Eddy Okubo, a 16 year old Japanese boy has two friends in the U.S. Army and he also wants to join. He joins but doesn't get to fight yet. He and some other members of his battalion go to the Mississippi to train attack dogs to smell the Japanese soldiers. The Army believes that the Japanese have a different scent than Americans, but this program doesn't work.
 
4 Stars
 
Elijah

Star Girl by Jerry Spinelli

 At Leo's school there is a girl named Stargirl that just came. She is popular when she first comes, but then she loses friends. Leo and Stargirl are friends in the school year.Then Stargirl moves away from Leo. It was a great book.

4 Stars

Eunice

A Single Shard by Linda Sue Park

 Tree-ear is an orphan boy living in a Korean village in the twelfth century.From when he was about two, he has lived with Crane man under a bridge, living on scraps of food. But one day when Tree-ear sees Min the master potter making pottery, everything changes. When Tree-ear sneaks into Min's pottery workplace and accidentaly breaks a jug, he must work for Min to repay him for breaking the jug. Then he is sent to the king's court in Songdo to show the masters pottery. Little did Tree-ear know that the trip would change his life forever.I really enjoyed this book because it is very detailed and descriptive. would recommend this book to any person no matter what age they were.

4 Stars

Joon dog

Wednesday, July 21, 2010

Julie Tells Her Story by Megan McDonald

Julie Albright's family had just moved into an apartment without their dad.Their mom had just opened a shop called Gladrags downstairs of their apartment.Julie had a family project to do about: My First Memory. It was about my brother and sister, when my mom was my age, when my dad was my age, the best thing that ever happened to me and the worst thing that ever happened to me.She could already interview her dad because she was going to his house over the weekend.Then she could interview her mom and Tracy when she got back.When she got to the part that was the best thing that ever happened to me that was easy for her, it was getting onto the boys basketball team. Then when she got to the part that was about the worst thing that ever happened to me she didn't want to write about the divorce her parents had so instead she wrote going to the emergency room in the biggest basketball game.When it was time to share the family project, Julie couldn't write the report so she lets them hear the tape instead. When Julie gets to the the worst thing that ever happened to me, she told them instead of using the basketball games accident. She told them about the divorce with her parents. It was a good book but not too catchy in the beginning.
 
3 Stars
 
Eunice

Julie of the Wolves by Jean Craighead George

This is a very good book about an Eskimo Girl who runs away from home and ends up living with wolves. The wolves take care of her like a wolf pup. She gives them all names. This story is about survival in a pack of wolves.

5 Stars

David

Tuesday, July 20, 2010

That Was Then, This Is Now by S. E. Hinton

 This is an awesome book that us teens can relate to. It's about two boys who grow up being as close as brothers and one ends up having to make a difficult decision. You won't want to put the book down.

5 Stars
 
Ellen

Dune by Frank Herbert

Dune is the story of a strange world in the distant future, and of Paul Atreides, a boy who fulfills an ancient prophecy. The Bene Gesserit, women trained in special arts and mind tricks, have long foretold of the Kwisatz Haderach, a man who can look inside himself into a place no woman can. Jessica Atreides has her son tested by the gom jabbar, a test of pain, and he becomes the first male ever to pass, signaling that he may be the Kwisatz Haderach. However, shortly after the test the emperor relocates him and his family's entire dukedom to Arrakis, a desert planet known as Dune - currently ruled by their long-time rival house of Harkonnen.

Dune is an excellent novel. Herbert creates a vibrant back drop in Arrakis for a great adventure story.

5 Stars

Rachel

Seeker by William Nicholson

On the island of Ancrea, lives the Nomana who are dedicated to the All and Only. Seeker, who has just turned 16 wants to join them. Morning Star who's mother also joined the Nomana wants to join the Nomana. The Wildman starts to want the Nomana's power when he is confronted by two Nomana. They get rejected but end up going on a journey that is both life threatening and interesting, and this journey could change the Nomana's decision.

5 Stars

Elijah

Artemis Fowl and the Lost Colony by Eoin Colfer

Artemis Fowl and the Lost Colony was a very pleasing book.In the book, demons have been materializing on earth, because a magical time spell that was cast on their island, Hybras, to keep them safe, is now weakening. The demons are appearing on Earth, and if the humans found out about them, then they would find the fairies. So to avoid being found, an elf named Holly Short and a centuar named Foaly have to try to figure out when the next demon will appear and where. But not even Foaly, the genius of the underground can figure out when the next demon will materialize. But they knew one person that could, and that was Artemis Fowl. So when a surprised demon appears at a Sicilian theater,Artemis and Holly are there to meet him. But another person has found out when the demon was going to appear and she is just twelve years old.

I liked this book because it has a lot of action and adventure and also because it has
time travel. I would recommend this book to everyone ten and up, because of minor violence.
 
5 Stars
 
Jaeyoon

Embers by Laura Bickles

This book was quite interesting. The characters were brave and mysterious. Lots of them held secrets and others were needy. I liked the fact that it had suspense and mystery put together making lots of action.  But, at times I thought it was boring because it was all false fact.
 
3 Stars
 
Megan

Hellsing: Volume 5 by Kohta Hirano

 CAUTION! SPOILERS FOR PREVIOUS BOOKS CONTAINED IN THIS REVIEW!

An enemy ship is drifting out at sea, and all the crew have been turned into vampires. They are lead by Rip Van, a vampire with a great deal of battle experience. The Hellsing Organization decides to send Alucard to deal with this problem. The trouble is how to get him onto the ship.

More than half this volume is taken up by an "epic battle
sequence" which is... really boring. I can only think of one scene in this book that was interesting or even amusing. This is definitely a new low for the series.

2 Stars

Emme

Jellicoe Road by Melina Marchetta

 Jellicoe Road is about a girl abandoned by her mother at a young age on Jellicoe Road. The girl ,Taylor Markham later at 17, is finally confronted with her past and its secrets. This book was pretty good except for the fact that I was easily confused at times. The details and emotions were great and easy to sight.

4 Stars
 
Megan

The Ellie Chronicles: While I Live by John Marsden

This book was about a girl named Ellie Linton and her two brothers named Homer and Gavin. They try to strive and live on after their parents and their house guest are brutally shot down and killed while they aren't there. Life is hard and they try to keep what's left of their land and their lives.

4 Stars

Megan

Academy 7 by Anne Osterlund

 Academy 7 was by far the most imaginative book I've read. There was tons of action, a great plot and lots of adventure. What I liked most about this book was the fact that it took place on different planets and it had a mystery in it.

5 Stars

Megan