Spoiler Alert Mini Review: An Ember in the Ashes by Sabaa Tahir

An Ember in the Ashes by Sabaa Tahir (release date April 28, 2015)

Laia is a Scholar living under the iron-fisted rule of the Martial Empire. When her brother is arrested for treason, Laia goes undercover as a slave at the empire's greatest military academy in exchange for assistance from rebel Scholars who claim that they will help to save her brother from execution

Spoiler Alert reviewer: Kyra

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? 5
How vivid was the setting? 5
How believable were the characters and the dialog? 5
How well did the book hold your interest? 5
How well did the author's language add to the book? 5
How well did the writing match the books intended audience? 5

Worldwide
Rank this book's mass appeal. 5
How readable was this book? 5
How pleasurable will reading this book be to most teens? 4

Personal
How highly would you recommend this book? 5
How likely are you to read something else by this author? 5
How memorable was this book? 5
How did you feel about the ending? 5
If you did not finish, how did you feel about the beginning?
How creative was this book? 5

Marketing
Rank the cover (only if the final cover version has been released). 5
How well does the cover match the story? 5
Rank the jacket blurb. 3
Rank the title. 5
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: Jaw-dropping

Tell us what you really did not like about this book: Nothing

Pick 5 words to describe this book: Sadness, Love, Sacrifice, Promises, Wow!

Spoiler Alert Mini Review: A Thousand Pieces of You by Claudia Gray

A Thousand Pieces of You by Claudia Gray

When eighteen-year-old Marguerite Caine's father is killed, she must leap into different dimensions and versions of herself to catch her father's killer and avenge his murder.

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? 2
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? 4

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

Personal
How highly would you recommend this book? 3
How likely are you to read something else by this author? 3
How memorable was this book? 3
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? 3

Marketing
Rank the cover (only if the final cover version has been released). 5
How well does the cover match the story? 5
Rank the jacket blurb. 2
Rank the title. 2
How well does the title match the story? 3
Stopping point in the book? Finished

Tell us what you thought of the book overall:

In one word: Romantic

Tell us what you really did not like about this book: There was a twist too close to the end that I thought ruined the book.

Pick 5 words to describe this book: Adventurous, Enjoyable, Fast-paced, Interesting, Happy

The Scorch Trials by James Dashner

Reviewed by Carter F.
Grade 6

You'd think escaping the life-threatening maze in the first book would mean that the danger is over. You'd be wrong. In The Scorch Trials, Thomas wakes on the first day of his freedom to dreadful news--one of his friends, Teresa has gone missing. And, what's even worse, his group of friends, otherwise known as test subjects, are being examined again. Phase Two will take place in the Scorch. This desert-like location has been damaged severely by solar flares. Just like the first time, the companions are on their own. They must trek across the Scorch in order to get to the safe heaven within two weeks. If not, they're goners. To their surprise, Teresa, the only girl from their group, has been assigned to another group of test subjects competing to get to the desired destination. What really matters, though, is whether the teams can make it out alive.

Thomas and Teresa, the main characters, are relatable because they express emotions that anyone in their improbable situation would be feeling. Although they cannot believe they are being forced into another life-threatening challenge, their will to survive overrides their fear. Thomas must rely on other people that he would not trust outside of the Scorch. I think most readers understand the compromises Thomas must make to get out alive.

The Scorch Trials is a book that readers who enjoy science fiction will not want to stop reading until they have finished. If you enjoyed The Maze Runner, you will love The Scorch Trials because it is equally as suspenseful. Author James Dashner keeps readers interested in the story with surprises in the plot and the developing relationship between Thomas and Teresa. Will the pair remain just friends -- or become something more?

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!!!