Monday, August 23, 2010

Ella Enchanted by Gail Carson Levine

Ella Enchanted by Gail Carson Levine was a pretty good book about a girl with a problem. I thought the characters were well described and I enjoyed reading about the confusion that happened to Ella. However, I disliked the slow way things happened, and how some parts of the book seemed to drag on. I also dislike most romances and this book, unfortunately, has romance. Happily though, the romance is really laughable. I might suggest this book to younger children who enjoy fantasy.

3 Stars

Rosie

Clover by CLAMP

In this lush cyberpunk manga there are a class of people known as "clovers." These people have the ability to manipulate and control technology and metal, for example building a machine that can perform teleportation or creating a gun apparently out of thin air. The government has ruled that clovers with strong powers are dangerous and must be kept in isolation. They must never grow attached to anyone or discover that they can turn their powers against normal humans.

I'm sure you can imagine how well that plan works!

I have tried about a half dozen mangas by this group, and disliked most of them. This one, however, was very good. The art has a great sense of space, is very consistent and smoothly transitions between places, times and viewpoints. The character designs are a bit bland, but the interaction between them feels very realistic.

4 Stars
 
Emme

The Mysterious Benedict Society and the Prisoner's Dilemma by Trenton Lee Stewart

The Prisoners Dilemma by Trenton Lee Stewart was a good, but unsatisfactory third book in The Mysterious Benedict Society series. The book was written well and the plot was interesting, but it just wasn't really exciting enough to be the third book in this specific series. Nevertheless, I enjoyed it, but the lack of action was disappointing. However, The Prisoners Dilemma showed the usual teamwork and friendship, and I would recommend it to someone who had already read the first and second books.

3 Stars

Roaie

Flyte by Angie Sage

Flyte by Angie Sage is the exciting sequel to Magyk. I loved the way several events could go on at once, but only at the end every piece really fit into the puzzle. I really thought that the main characters were nice, but I noticed that there seemed to be a lot of stealing going on in this story. For some reason a lot of boring parts in the story turned hysterical to me when I read it. I would suggest this book to really anyone and thought it was great. I especially liked when some certain friends were reunited.

4 Stars

Rosie

Magyk by Angie Sage

I thought that Magyk by Angie Sage was a wonderful book full of friendship and surprises. I like the aspect of the beginning having one story and then later learning the one hidden behind it. I could relate to the characters easily and connect them to my friends also. I was frustrated when I knew the whole story, yet the characters were too thick to figure it out. I enjoyed the story and I would definitely recommend it to my friends if they hadn't had recommended it to me first.

4 Stars

Rosie

Saturday, August 21, 2010

Island Of The Blue Dolphins by Scott O'Dell

I liked this book a lot and I hope you think the same thing. I think this is a great book for girls and boys of ages 9-14. If you like survival books such as My Side Of The Mountain or Robinson Crusoe you will like this. Read the book for action, adventure, and much more.

4 Stars

Noah

Annie Oakley Young Markswoman by Ellen Wilson

Young Annie Oakley starts her living by shooting quail in her backyard. She later becomes allied with Buffalo Bill and becomes a professional sharpshooter. I really enjoyed this book and hope anyone else would think the same.

4 Stars

Noah

The Invisible Man by H.G. Wells

This book is about a scientist who turns himself invisible. He hides it by clothing himself from head to toe, but people discover his secret. They try to capture him which makes him murderously insane. When he tries to kill people they kill him instead.

2 Stars

Samuel

Esperanza Rising by Pam Munoz

I liked this book a lot and I think anyone would think the same thing. in this book Esperanza and her family are sent to America as immigrants. There they work on a farm for their masters. They stay there for three years then there grandmother comes to work along side for the next decade. I would recommend this book to anyone over age 10.

4 Stars

Noah

Prince Caspian by C.S. Lewis

When four siblings get teleported from England to Narnia, a mystical land somewhere else in the universe, they help battle the people who are living there. After the battle, the survivors come back to earth to live a happy life. I liked this book a lot and I think you will like it as well.

4 Stars

Noah

The Count Of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas

When Edmond Dantes is betrayed by his best friend and sent to prison, he doesn't know what to do until he meets a mad priest who soon dies of too much excitement. Edmond took the place of this dead man and in the coffin of the priest gets thrown into the sea. he cuts out of the coffin and swims to the island of Monte Cristo, where he discovers a fortune of treasure. When he gets Back to England he takes revenge on all who took part in his arrest. I enjoyed this book just as much as anyone who reads it.

4 Stars

Noah

Dragon Rider by Cornelia Funke

When the dragons hear that the humans are coming they have to think of something, quick. They will send someone on a quest to find the legendary Himalayan Mountain range. They select Firedrake the strongest of the dragons for this quest. When he finally finds them, the rest of the dragons celebrate. I really liked this book and I would recommend it to children of all ages.

4 Stars

Noah

The Swiss Family Robinson by Johann David Wyss

The Swiss Family Robinson by Johann David Wyss is full of action and adventure. When a ship is wrecked in the jagged rocks of a nearby island, the lucky family that survived finds things on the ship to keep them alive. They swim to shore and create a natural habitat there. They have many adventures trying to survive by the land's great supply of things needed to keep them alive. I would recommend this book to children of all ages who like action-adventure books. I liked this book a lot and I hope everyone who reads the book thinks the same thing.

5 Stars

Noah

Thursday, August 19, 2010

When You Reach Me by Rebecca Stead

This is a really good story where sixth graders Miranda and Sal are best friends at the beginning, but Sal gets punched by someone else and stops being her friend. Miranda starts getting mysterious notes and doesn't know who is sending them. Soon she realizes that whoever is sending them knows more than she thought anyone could about the world.

5 Stars

David