Independence Hall by Roland Smith

Reviewed by Jake L.
Grade 8

Q and his mysterious new stepsister, Angela are leaving from San Francisco to tour with their mom and dad, who are the popular music group, Blaze and Roger. Things get very interesting when Angela's birth mother's past comes to haunt them.
Q, Angela, and a weird roadie travel across America with international spies close on their tail. Meanwhile they have to stop their parents from noticing anything funny and cancel the tour. They have to give these spies the slip soon or else.

This book has a thrilling conflict. Roland Smith keeps you turning the pages with anticipation. Every confrontation with the spies is narrated flawlessly.

I would recommend Independence Hall to anyone who enjoys adventure books. The author does a great job developing the plot and describing the setting: two key elements of a good read. It is a great book.

The Maze Runner by James Dashner

Reviewed by Carter F.
Grade 6

After a while, your imagination plays tricks on you. You think you know which direction is the way out, but do you really? Being stuck in a maze, where everything looks the same for weeks, messes with your mind. This is the predicament in which Thomas finds himself in The Maze Runner.

It begins when Thomas awakens in the lift, and he can only remember his own name. Suddenly, the lift begins to move. When it opens, he is welcomed by a group of boys (Gladers) that aren't too surprised to see him. As the weeks pass and Thomas adjusts to the Glade, he learns that the only way out is through the maze. Everyone is shocked when a girl, the first one ever, arrives in the lift. She delivers a terrifying message that helps one member of the group solve the maze. But the question is whether they can survive the solution.

This book's suspenseful plot, entertaining characters and vivid setting paint an interesting, yet horrifying story in a futuristic world. Imagine being stuck in between walls so high that you know no one can see you or the way out. It's up to you to make the correct choices so you will survive. No pressure, right? There are many twists and turns the reader will not expect. From start to finish, the action never dies down.

I would recommend The Maze Runner to readers who enjoy science fiction books. The author creates a world inside the maze that is entirely believable, even though we know such a place is really just a metaphor for segments of our society who believe they are oppressed. This plot is a familiar one for young readers because it also plays out in The Hunger Games trilogy and the Divergent series. Readers who like those books will like The Maze Runner.

Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins

Reviewed by Jake L.
Grade 8

District 13... a place no one even knew existed. Now, Katniss, a few tributes, Gale, and what is left of the people of District 12 all live there, and they all have a mission: to overthrow Panem. But will Katniss get onboard with 13's plan or be the rebel she is known to be? Katniss wants to help the war effort against Panem, but she can't do it alone. She is forced to become the mascot of the war effort but with some stipulations. Meanwhile she is fighting with her heart...Peeta or Gale?

I think this books plot was thrilling. I have never read a book with so many twists and turns. The author also does very well to describe the setting. You will feel like you have been to District 13 by the end of the book.

I would recommend Mockingjay to anyone, but be sure that you have read the first two books in the series before this one. The way Suzanne Collins tells the tale of Katniss Everdeen is absolutely thrilling. But readers beware, it might be a bit of a heartbreaker.

Insurgent by Veronica Roth

Reviewed by Katie M.
Grade 8

The book Insurgent by Veronica Roth is a romantic and dramatic novel with a very upbeat plot. It certainly lived up to the high standards Roth created in the first book of the trilogy, Divergent. The plot has created a constant feeling of excitement in the reader.

In Insurgent, Tris, the main girl character, and her boyfriend Tobias, the main boy character, have escaped the confines of the factions. They are constantly running from the Erudite faction leader, Jeanine and have joined the factionless to help kill Jeanine and create a new government. Tobias and his mother, Evelyn unite the factionless to create an army and overthrow Jeanine. Tris, however, is convinced that they should not kill Jeanine.

I personally found Insurgent to be an intense, action-packed book with bits of romance weaved through. I found it hard to put the book down and was surprised when I realized I read half the book in the first day I rented it. I was pleasantly surprised how enjoyable I found the book. This book created an exciting mode inside the reader. Roth used a lot of sensory language which causes you to feel like you are actually in the book. Roth also used first person point of view so you felt as if you were having a conversation with Tris in real life. It was a fantastic novel and I highly recommend it.

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

Reviewed by Gillen M.
Grade 6

EXPECTO-PATRONUM!!! When Harry and his cousin are attacked by dementors one night, the Order of the Phoenix decides it is time to bring Harry back to the magical world. Harry finds that
not all is calm. Dumbledore has restarted the secret society known as the Order of the Phoenix to fight "he who must not be named." Meanwhile Harry must attend a hearing at the Ministry of Magic for his use of magic in the muggle world. Later when he returns to Hogwarts, Harry finds that the Ministry of Magic has been exercising its control. From appointing a Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher to the half dozen "educational decrees," Hogwarts is not what it once was. To deal with the inadequacy of the ministry appointed defense against the dark arts teacher Harry, Ron, and Hermione start Dumbledore's Army, a club designed to teach real defensive magic to anyone (with the exception of the Slytherins) who wants it. But a questionable clue leads Harry into a trap and a battle in the heart of the most secret part of the Ministry of Magic. Will Harry and Sirius survive? Will "He who must not be named" gain a prophecy about Harry? Find out in this explosive novel in the Harry Potter series.

This book's engaging characters, spectacular style and amazing plot ensure that kids of all ages will find this one of the best Harry Potter books yet. Rowling ads engaging twists that nobody would see coming. The end of the story packs a wallop nobody sees coming as well as plenty of action throughout.

I would recommend Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix to lovers of the previous four books in the series as well as lovers of fantasy and action. Although action filled, this book is inappropriate for younger readers. This book would be best for older readers such as fifth and sixth graders and is more violent than the other books.

Zach's Lie by Roland Smith

Reviewed by Jake L.
Grade 8

Do you ever think about what would happen if you had to live a lie? If you had to stop your current life, pick up everything and go live someplace else? This has happened to Zach Granger, and his life depends on it. Zach always thought of his father as a good man--not greedy, not mean, or harsh, but his Dad actually helped smuggle drugs as an airplane pilot. While on a trip to South America, a man approached him about making some easy money smuggling drugs across the border in airplanes. Money was tight, and the temptation overcame him. He was a drug smuggler and everything was going well… until it went completely wrong, and turns Zach's life completely upside down.

The author does a great job of developing the plot and the story. He gives you a very clear understanding of what is happening, but doesn't tell you everything which leaves you hanging on the edge of your seat throughout the book. It is very well written.

I would recommend Zach's Lie to anyone who asked for a book. It has it all: a great plot, humor, irony, and a touch of romance. All these elements combine for a very compelling read.

No More Dead Dogs by Gordon Korman

Reviewed by Gillan M
Grade 6

"Rewrite!" When school football star Wallace Wallace is drafted from football to the school drama clubs's production of "Old Shep, My Pal," due to a rather negative review of the book, nothing goes as planned. Mr. Fogelman intends to convince Wallace that "Old Shep, My Pal" is one of the best books ever written, but instead of rewriting his review, Wallace ends up rewriting most of the play into a modernistic version of the "timeless classic." In attempting to change Wallace's view of the book, Mr. Fogleman ends up mixing up Wallace's whole year. From mopeds to RC cars this will be a play the school won't soon forget!


This book is great because of many things: its amusing plot twists, its interesting characters, and its surprise ending. One thing is for sure, you will be hooked by page two. The plot twists and turns in surprising ways by showing the evolution of the play through the eyes of half of a dozen different people.


I recommend this book to lovers of realistic fiction, humor, and wacky middle school adventures. Further reason to recommend this book lies in the amusing style of the author. He throws in plot twists and unexpected surprises every other chapter. The characters change throughout the story, in some ways evolving with the play as well as the story. NO MORE DEAD DOGS!!!

The Selection by Kiera Cass

Reviewed by Jessica G.
Grade 7

"When I grow up, I'm gonna be a princess!” Raise your hand if you've said that before. I know I have. In the book The Selection this dream little girls have can come true. Far into the future the United States has fallen and in its place is Illea. Democracy is out and the Monarchy as well as the Caste system are in. And when the Prince comes of age, The Selection begins.

America Singer lives in Illea, with her mother, her father, her sister May, and her brother Gerad. Her family consisted of 5’s, meaning they’re artists and classical musicians. Considering that there are 8 castes (8 being homeless and poor, and 1 being royalty) it's no surprise that her family has very little money. America's Mother is what you would call, a “Caste Climber.” She has high hopes of her children marrying up to higher castes so the rest of the family may live more comfortably. What she doesn’t know, is that America is already in love with Aspen, the 6. America's mother has no clue of this, so when the letter comes in for her to enter to be picked for the Selection, she is completely baffled by America's lack of interest in entering. America simply refuses to enter no matter how beneficial it could be to her family. Until one day, America finds out that Aspen is saving up to marry her, but he also insists that she enter because of how great of an opportunity it is! Of course America listens to Aspen and enters…looking as beautiful as can be in the picture sent to the Prince, and she gets picked! Great news right?! Not so much, America doesn’t want to become the Prince's wife! She doesn’t even want to have an opportunity to win the prince's heart! But, alas, she must go. Before she does, she and Aspen get in an argument, and she sees him with another girl! How could he betray her like that? When she gets to the castle she is the underdog, but also a crowd favorite, and her charisma and independence also make her one of prince Maxon's favorites--she doesn’t know what to do or who she loves and is all caught up in a crazy love mess! What does she do? Read the book to find out!

I found this book to be an amazing read! The way the author puts a new spin on a girl's opinion on wanting to become royalty is creative and heart dropping. It's a book you can’t put down because of the many twists and turns
and how the author has a new and refreshing way of writing. America is such an independent and stubborn girl, but still flawed, and I feel that I can relate to her. She isn’t perfect so rather than making you feel bad about yourself you read her experience and can go through it with her and feel like you're living in this beautiful castle and being treated like royalty with her, but also see the issues she has and somewhat learn from her mistakes and/or triumphs! She’s so charismatic and fun to read about you have no choice but to love her and the book!

I would definitely recommend this book, but only to females. It's a bit of a girly book due to the princess-y side of it, which makes it enjoyable, but more to girls rather than boys. Reading this book makes you feel like you're in America's shoes and it's really enjoyable. Any girl would want to be treated like a princess right? But she’s not just some girly girl who sits around brushing her hair and putting on makeup. She’s witty and hard working and it's so amusing to see her take on the world around her, and how her experiences affect the way she lives life! So read The Selection by Kiera Cass!

Spoiler Alert Mini Review: parched by Georgia Clark

parched by Georgia Clark (release date May 1)
Spoiler Alert reviewer: Delaney

1=No. Just, no. 2=It's OK. 3=I liked it. 4=I really liked it. 5=It was EPIC!

The Book Itself
How well designed was the plot? 3
How vivid was the setting? 4
How believable were the characters and the dialog? 4
How well did the book hold your interest? 3
How well did the author's language add to the book? 3
How well did the writing match the books intended audience? 2

Worldwide
Rank this book's mass appeal. 2
How readable was this book? 4
How pleasurable will reading this book be to most teens? 2

Personal
How highly would you recommend this book? 3
How likely are you to read something else by this author? 2
How memorable was this book? 4
How did you feel about the ending? 4
If you did not finish, how did you feel about the beginning?
How creative was this book? 3

Marketing
Rank the cover (only if the final cover version has been released). 2
How well does the cover match the story? 4
Rank the jacket blurb. 3
Rank the title. 2
How well does the title match the story? 4
Stopping point in the book? Finished

Tell us what you thought of the book overall:

In one word: Retro

Tell us what you really did not like about this book: Dialogue could drag at points.

Pick 5 words to describe this book: Old-fashioned, slow, refreshing, cultured, descriptive

Spoiler Alert Mini Review: Acid by Emma Pass

Acid by Emma Pass (release date April 8, 2014)
Spoiler Alert reviewer: Delaney

1=No. Just, no. 2=It's OK. 3=I liked it. 4=I really liked it. 5=It was EPIC!

The Book Itself
How well designed was the plot? 2
How vivid was the setting? 4
How believable were the characters and the dialog? 2
How well did the book hold your interest? 5
How well did the author's language add to the book? 4
How well did the writing match the books intended audience? 3

Worldwide
Rank this book's mass appeal. 2
How readable was this book? 2
How pleasurable will reading this book be to most teens? 3

Personal
How highly would you recommend this book? 2
How likely are you to read something else by this author? 2
How memorable was this book? 2
How did you feel about the ending? 3
If you did not finish, how did you feel about the beginning?
How creative was this book? 1

Marketing
Rank the cover (only if the final cover version has been released).
How well does the cover match the story? 4
Rank the jacket blurb. 4
Rank the title. 3
How well does the title match the story? 5
Stopping point in the book? Finished

Tell us what you thought of the book overall:

In one word: Mediocre

Tell us what you really did not like about this book: Cliched, had potential, plot rushed, characters not developed

Pick 5 words to describe this book: Cliched, dystopian, rushed, unoriginal, meandering