The Mysterious Benedict Society by Trenton Lee Stewart

When I first picked up this book it looked a little long, but not too long. As I continued I learned that once it gets going it is hard to put down. The characters are all unique, which makes them more interesting, but the beginning is a little boring.

4 Stars
Patience

You Have to Stop This by Pseudonymous Bosch

This book is the last book in the Secret series. I think it is a great ending to a mysterious and thrilling series. Although some events are chilling and unpleasant, it is still  a good story. Some of the characters are difficult to relate to, but that isn't enough to spoil the book.

4 Stars
Patience

The Titan's Curse by Rick Riordan

I really enjoyed this book in the Percy Jackson series, more than its predecessors in fact. It was a  really fun, fast paced read with lots of Greek mythology made more fun and modern.

5 Stars
Jessie

The Last Little Blue Envelope by Maureen Johnson

This book continued the story of Ginny, from "13 Little Blue Envelopes", where Ginny gets an email
from a strange source telling her that he has found the last blue envelope, letters from her dead aunt. Ginny has to fly overseas and traverse throughout Europe to collect pieces that are to be put together as the final wish from her aunt.
I really enjoyed this book, it was a lot of fun to read. I liked how as the plot progressed, the author made me grow to like the antagonist of the story, which was unconventional.

Jessie
4 Stars
 

Have Your Say! YALSA's Teen Top Ten

Read any good books lately? The nominations are in and YALSA is currently holding voting for their Teens' Top Ten list! You have until September 15th to let them know which of this year's books you think every teen should read.

We've got a list of the titles here, there's still time to read a few before voting closes. Leave a comment on the IMO blog and let everyone know which your favorites are!

MVP by Douglas Evans

This book follows Adam Story around the world as he races in a global competition where kids attempt to race around the world in 40 days or less, and can only travel by land or sea.

Trackers and sabotage attempt to slow his process.

I thought this was a really fun adventure story, and would recommend this book to those looking for an exciting journey.

4 Stars
Jessie

Uncommon Criminals by Ally Carter

This book was the sequel to the book Heist Society, also by Ally Carter, and in my opinion this one was not as entertaining.

Kat, a teenage thief, is up to her next big job, stealing the cursed cleopatra emerald. However, the job is harder than it seems as the person she is stealing from is a stellar con woman herself.

I don't know why, but reading this sequel was far less entertaining than the first. the characters seemed less vibrant and amusing, and the plot was pretty predictable.

3 Stars

Jessie

The Code Book by Simon Singh

I would most definitely recommend this book to anyone with any remote interest in codes, the history of codes, or cryptology in general. It made cryptology so much more interesting with stories of where cryptology was used, and this novel was like a history and math lesson rolled into one. Simon Singh is a great writer that made it all enjoyable, and his voice clearly shined through the whole novel.

5 Stars
Jessie

The Mysterious Benedict Society by Trenton Stewart

This book follows the story of 4 precocious young children, Sticky, Reynie, Constance, and Kate,
that join together under a man, Mr. Benedict, and use their own special talents to stop Mr. Curtain
from pretty much world domination.
I feel like this book was written for people youinger than I, but I still enjoyed it nonetheless. It was like a classy childrens novel that anyone can really enjoy, and I loved the riddles and puzzles embedded in the story.

4 Stars
Jessie

The Emerald Atlas by John Stephens

This book was thrilling and packed full with action. The plot is unpredictable, and the details are precise and clever. None of the characters were too perfect. They seemed like people I might meet
in real life. While the story had a satisfying ending, You could tell the story wasn't over.

Five Stars
Patience

A Corner of the Universe by Ann M. Martin

This story was extremely sad. The main character, who is a young girl has to face many situations that she isn't ready to handle. I feel very sorry for her because we all make mistakes, but her mistakes
brought forth terrible consequences. the author of this book knows how to use voice very effectively. So I fell a sort of attachment to the characters.

Five Stars
Patience

Stargirl by Jerry Spinelli

Stargirl is a story about a girl who calls herself Stargirl. It was a little bit at some points because she looses her sense of who she is and who she wants to be. I admire Stargirl because she doesn't care
what people think of her.

Four Stars
Patience