The House of the Scorpion by Nancy Farmer

Reviewed by Zoey H.
Grade 8

Mateo Alacran (Matt) is just your typical fourteen-year-old boy, growing up in a land called Opium (once present day Mexico). He plays piano and enjoys school. There’s just one thing that sets him apart from the other children. Matt Alacran is a clone.

Matt Alacran is a clone of the powerful drug lord of the land, El Patron. El Patron rules the land of Opium. Matt was harvested in a lab and sent as an infant to live with the kitchen maid of the Big House, Celia. Six years later children of high officials in the Big House, Amelia, Steven and Maria, stumble upon Matt’s home. Matt is curious to see other kids and follows them. But once realizing Matt is a clone, the children treat him like an animal and lock him up. Matt lives in a sawdust-filled room for six months till Celia finds him again. When El Patron learns about Matt’s condition, he becomes outraged. The rule around the Big House is NO ONE ticks off El Patron. With Matt’s standard of living increased he now begins to live a fairly normal life. But one burning question in Matt still remains. Why does the all-powerful El Patron need Matt so desperately?

The setting of the book is very interesting. In the land of Opium the workers of the fields and Big House are very different from normal people. They are called eejits. The eejits are almost like mindless zombies who do a certain job for the rest of their lives. They can’t stop working until someone tells them to stop. Imagine doing the same boring job for the rest of your life without any breaks over and over again.

The House of the Scorpion is a very interesting book. I highly recommend it for anyone who likes science fiction or fantasy. It was extremely interesting to enter a world so different from what we know today! I couldn’t put it down!

Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins

Reviewed by Zoey H.
Grade 8

If it were up to Katniss Everdeen, she would try and forget The Hunger Games completely. But the head government has a different idea. In Katniss's world, kids from different districts are forced to fight to the death to prove that they will always be at the mercy of the government. Pretty gruesome, huh? Well imagine actually having to take part in such an event. Katniss has beaten the odds and survived the Games, but life won't be returning to normal for her.

After winning the Hunger Games with fellow tribute Peeta Mellark, all Katniss wants are things to go back to normal. As an annual reminder to the districts that the government is in control, the victor of the Games, well in this case victors, must make an appearance in each of the twelve districts. Before the Victory Tour starts, President Snow gives Katniss a one-on-one visit stating that there have been rumors of rebellion amongst the districts because of something she did in the arena. It's her job to fix it, or the government will kill everyone she holds dear to her. Katniss must persuade the districts she is madly in love with Peeta and had no control over her actions in the arena. Katniss must battle against impossible odds to protect the ones she loves from the government’s wrath. And let's not forget the 75th Hunger Games lurks just around the corner with a surprising twist to add to the fun!

My favorite character in the book is Peeta Mellark. His kind, loving personality make him different from the other character in the series. Throughout the book and series as a whole, he always finds a way to stay true to himself and to what he believes in no matter what situation he’s thrown into. He sees good in people no matter who they are. Peeta’s undying love for Katniss gives him the strength to fight for her survival even if means his life. Don’t we all wish we had someone like that? Peeta’s quote, “My nightmares are usually about losing you,” just shows how much he cares for Katniss. The most amazing thing about Peeta’s character is that he loves before anything else.

I highly recommend Catching Fire! There was never a boring moment! I just couldn’t put it down! It has important lessons that we could all benefit from. The characters have very strong emotional depth that makes them seem like they could be real! It’s interesting seeing them develop through the book and getting to know them better. From a drunken middle-aged man to a young baker's son, each character has a burning fire within them kindled with the need to survive.

Twilight by Stephenie Meyer

Reviewed by Alexandra M.
Grade 9

Vampires, werewolves, and humans oh my! These characters may sound like a very strange combination of personalities, but they all fit together nicely in Stephanie Meyer's novel, creatively named Twilight. The book contains many different elements. Twilight has a central theme of a love story between a vampire and a human; it also has many smaller themes, morals, and stories. Each of these themes has a unique never before seen twist to it. This made for a very interesting book.

Bella Swan sounds like an average name for an average girl. Bella Swan is anything but average. She was never one to be pulled into the crowds or into peer pressure. She was fine being on her own and doing what she wanted to do, unlike some of the girls at her Arizona high school. She decides to move to a much cloudier place ( Forks, Washington ) to live with her father. Her parents are separated. She thinks she would prefer the quiet life rather than a more demanding one in Arizona. Though she does like Forks better, she could have never imagined why. She meets a boy, Edward, and they are instantly attractive to each other. Though this is no average teenage romance. He is a vampire. While he loves Bella, he must resist killing her for her blood. A huge problem comes up when another vampire vows to kill Bella. Edward must stop this other vampire, if he can't, then the love of his life will die.

The characters in this book were very well planned out and defined. Each one had such a unique personality. Each member of the Cullen "clan", Edward's family, had their own unique, and sometimes surprising, traits. For example Alice was described as shy at first, but then surprisingly outgoing! This made for a little humor every now and then. The setting was described well, mostly in the way Meyer describes the mood of each different setting, for example when she describes how the mood of Forks differs from the mood of Arizona. The conflict and the author's style were both very good. The style really kept you reading, and the conflict even more so, such as when Edward and Bella first meet, there is a lot of tension.

This book is definitely something to be recommended. The author's style itself made the book hard to put down; this style combined with the theme made the book impossible to put down. Every teenager or young adult can probably make some sort of connection with this book because it discusses what everyone goes through in high school, but with a big twist of course. This book is suitable for almost all ages.

The Warrior Heir by Cinda Williams Chima

Reviewed by Kady D.
Grade 8

Everyone knows that tryouts are one of the worst things in the world. You keep thinking to yourself “Am I going to make the team?” Sixteen-year-old Jack faces this same dilemma. He goes to soccer tryouts at his high school and hopes to make the team. However, Jack gets the biggest surprise of his life. As he prepares to shoot the ball into the goal the school bully, Garett Lobeck, comes up by him. Garett Lobeck looks like a giant human wall. Suddenly, without realizing it, Jack suddenly fends off Lobeck’s attack and sends Lobeck into the net right after the ball. And, he wasn’t even touching him! All of this is possible because Jack is a Weirlind, a magical race of human beings with extraordinary powers. I guess Jack won’t have to worry about making the soccer team after all.

Jack is a Weir. There are hundreds of thousands of people around the world like this (in fact, one could be your neighbor). There are many types of Weirs, all of them having a significant population to represent them. However, Jack is special. He is a Warrior Weir, and his kind of people are dying out. Warrior Weirlind are very strong, agile and very difficult to beat in a fight. Jack is the last of a dying breed, and people are looking for him. The two Wizard Houses, the Red Rose and the White Rose, are looking for a Warrior Weirlind to add to their team. Every year, they hold a magical tournament to decide who will rule all the Weir of the world. Soon, Jack is on an adventure of a lifetime. With help from his aunt Linda, and a fellow Wizard Weirlind named Leander Hastings, he learns how to fight and protect himself from the Roses. Jack doesn’t know who to trust or what to think of his own life anymore. Will Jack escape the treachery of the Roses, or will he be sucked into the evil world of human battling?

The author’s style of this book is one I enjoyed very much. She didn’t stay on one topic too long, which I feel that many authors do. Instead, she kept the pace going and kept me guessing till the very last word of the last page. Also, the main plot of the book is one I have never seen before. I don’t think I’ve read a book where the character is running away and has absolutely no safe haven to go to. This keeps the pace extremely fast, and many scenes of the book are filled with action.

I would recommend The Warrior Heir to anyone who likes action, suspense, drama and a bit of sadness. The author’s style and basic plot of the book kept me reading this book without stopping. A lot of people might think this book is only for guys, but it is not! I can honestly say it is one of the greatest books I’ve read (Why else would I be reviewing it?).

The Name of This Book is Secret by Pseudonymous Bosch

Reviewed by Kady D.
Grade 8

When you think of a book, you expect it to have some reference to what it is going to be about in the title. The Name of This Book is Secret gives you no clue whatsoever. When I first saw this book on the shelf of the bookstore, I immediately grabbed it. Why? Because I wanted to know what was so special about this book that it couldn’t have a normal title. Oh, and before I forgot, the author’s name is Pseudonymous Bosch. We don't even know if he is a he, she or animal!

The two protagonists of this book are Cass and Max-Ernest. Both go to school in a secret location that the reader doesn’t know. We don’t even know if these are their real names! The two of them meet at lunch time when Max-Ernest randomly comes up to Cass and starts talking to her about how people meet (He is a bit of a blabber-mouth). Cass accepts him as a friend because he knows so much about toxic waste. A little later, the two discover a box of smelling vials that will allow them to smell anything in the world. This then leads them to a mysterious house where we meet the antagonists of the book, Ms. Mauvis and Dr. L. These two are out to discover a secret that could change that course of history in a bad way. Cass and Max-Ernest must find some way to stop the two villains before time runs out. Will they succeed? Or will humanity as we know it be destroyed forever?

The author wrote this book so that he (or she) is writing from his (or her) perspective. The author narrates the book throughout, and there are even entire chapters devoted to him (or her?) and only him. I really thought that it was creative and different from any book I ever read. In fact, the author says, in one of his chapters, “You try wrapping up a story.” This chapter allows you to write your own ending!! It is amazing!!!!!!

I would supercalifragilisticespialodociously recommend this book to anyone who wants a book filled with laughter, tears, and hours of awesome reading. The main characters of the book are so much like me (especially Max-Ernest), that I could relate to everything that they were doing and why they were doing it. I also LOVED the way the author narrated the book. I thought it was one of the most creative writing styles I have seen in a long time.

Seriously, you need to read this book.

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

Reviewed by Alexandra M.
Grade 9


Hunting to put food on the table is not what most kids think of when they think of their chores, but for Katniss Everdeen it's a part of everyday life. She lives in a very different society where she must provide for her family because her father is dead and the government isn't exactly helpful.

Every year, the treacherous Capital of Katniss's country chooses a boy and a girl tribute from each district to compete in a gruesome event called the Hunger Games. The Hunger Games takes all the tributes, puts them in a large and complex arena complete with miles of forest and rivers; the tributes must fight to the death. The Hunger Games are to remind the citizens that the Capital owns them and controls every aspect of their lives!

Katniss and her family anxiously attend the drawing of the tributes. Even with the odds on their side, Kantiss's little sister Primrose or Prim is chosen to compete. Katniss is completely overcome with emotion and volunteers to take her sister's place. Peeta who Katniss shows some interest in is also chosen for the Hunger Games. Peeta and Katniss are prepped to become what we would call "celebrities." There is a grand opening ceremony where Katniss looks like she is literally lit on fire! It is quite a show. Then, the Games begin. Katniss befriends Rue who reminds her of Prim. Rue gets into a scuffle with another tribute and Katniss uses her archery skills for help... but does it save Rue? Peeta and Katniss then find each other and try to work together. Then, because of a strange twist of rules and fate they must both find a way to survive, but the rules state that only one comes out alive.

The characters in The Hunger Games were described excellently. After reading, the personality of each character was clear. It was possible to tell who said something in the book with no "he said, she said." For example, “I am not pretty. I am not beautiful. I am as radiant as the sun.”-Katniss Everdeen. After reading the book, anyone would know that Katniss was saying this because of her personality. The setting was absolutely amazing as well! The way the author described where Katniss lived was great: coal mines, smoke, and even a description of the booming sounds from the Capital. The idea of that alternate society was intriguing to say the very least. The author's style was very good. “Only I keep wishing I could think of a way to…to show the Capitol they don’t own me. That I’m more than just a piece in their Games.” -Peeta Mellark. This quote is a perfect example of Collins style—foreshadowing; it makes you want to read more and more.

The answer to whether this book should be recommended is absolutely yes. This book was amazing. The author's style was flawless. It kept you wanting more. Not only did her style make this book good, the theme itself made every sentence a cliffhanger. There are dozens of moral lessons in the book, such as when Katniss must sacrifice some of her own belongings to save someone. Personally, my favorite part of this book was Katniss; she was a natural leader who lived to do the right thing and never backed down. She is a great role model for people everywhere.

The Enemy by Charlie Higson

Reviewed by Kady D.
Grade 8


When most kids think of disaster, they imagine their best friend moving away, getting a failing grade on a test or even just having a bad hair day. Not for these kids who live in central England in a post-apocalypse world. Their daily life consists of killing zombie adults and making sure they don't get eaten alive. Sounds like fun doesn't it?

Can you imagine what life would be like without parents? For these kids, their families have either died or been turned into zombies. A terrifying disease has struck anyone over the age of 16, and these children are scared. They live in an old grocery store called Waitrose. Every day, the kids must venture off into their old neighborhoods to gather food and supplies for themselves and the smaller children. A dangerous fate awaits though who take too much however. In abandoned town shops and subway stations, adults turned zombie wait to strike the Waitrose kids. If they can manage to fend off the adults, they live to see another day. If not, the pain and misery of having no food and barely any water ends. At least for a little while. On an ordinary night like any other, a huge horde of zombies crash into the front doors of the building, clawing and scratching. The teens inside Waitrose manage to kill the zombies. In the ruins they find a teen much like themselves. This teen offers them a chance to live in the once grand Buckingham Palace, where no adults ever venture to. Excited at leaving the terrible live conditions, they venture off with this teen, who is called The Joker, and another group of kids. These kids are from another grocery store called Morrisons. . The teens encounter many problems along the way to Buckingham Palace and many of the die. After a long six mile walk to the palace, they finally arrive. Is the Buckingham Palace the sanctuary and nirvana they all dreamed of? Or is it worse than their old home?

I very much enjoyed the setting of this book .I thought the author did a very nice job describing the way the city looked after the Disease had struck. In some scenes, I felt I was actually standing next to the Waitrose kids, hoping that zombies wouldn’t come out and attack me. For instance, the author says, “On his next strike the ax head sunk deep into a big father’s ribs and stuck there. The father twisted and writhed, churning the water and tearing the ax from Freak’s grasp.” At that moment, I felt as if I was a mouse watching the scene from a little hole in the wall.

I would DEFINITELY recommend The Enemy to anyone who enjoys horror, suspense, and humor. The author writes in alternate chapters. He writes from the viewpoint of the Waitrose/Morrison’s kids, a child who was captured at the beginning of the book and a kid they left at Waitrose. Therefore, you get the full experience of what it was like to live during this time period. I really enjoyed this book and plan to get the sequel when it comes out.

Michael Vey: Prisoner of Cell 25 by Richard Paul Evans

reviewed by Jonathan K.
Grade 8

"My name is Michael Vey, and there's something you don't know about me; something that scares people more than you would believe. It's my secret......" There is something special about Michael Vey, something that nobody knows.

Michael Vey lives an average life with his mother in Idaho. He goes to school, does his work, and overall does all right. Michael's journey truly explains the term, "self-confidence." That "special" thing about Michael leads him down a treacherous road. In the end, Michael finds his inner self, and that treacherous road becomes more treacherous.

I like the setting of this book because it is in a secluded location. It makes you think that not much would happen in a small town. An example of this is how Michael is able to hide his "special abilty" from everbody else.

I would 100% recommend this book to anyone. It is an exciting read because of the author's word choice. The words that he used triggered something in my brain that made me want to keep reading. It was very interesting.

A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens

Reviewed by Alex G.
Grade 7


Isn’t Christmas a time for joy and celebration? Not to Ebenezer Scrooge, its not. Scrooge is an old man who cares for nothing but money. He is lonely and miserly and always has been since his business partner, Jacob Marley, died 17 years ago. However his view of Christmas will be turned around when he is visited by the ghost of his dead friend.

Seventeen years after Marley's death, Scrooge is a grumpy old man in charge of a “counting house” in Victorian England. It is Christmas Eve, yet he is still running the counting house like any normal day. When he gets home he sees the face of Jacob Marley in his door knocker. He blinks, and the face disappears. However, when he gets to bed, he hears noises downstairs. Moments later, Marley’s ghost bursts in the door, and explains to Scrooge that if he does not learn to be kinder, he will be condemned to walk the Earth as a ghost. He tells Scrooge that he will be visited by three more spirits, and that will show him the error of his ways. When he disappears, he is replaced by the Ghost of Christmas Past, who shows him visions of his past miserable Christmases. These visions humble Scrooge, and by the time the Spirit leaves he has almost learned his lesson. The next spirit is the Ghost of Christmas Present, which shows him how the people he knows are celebrating Christmas happily. After he leaves, the Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come arrives and shows him how is death is mourned by no one. When he leaves Scrooge is incredibly humbled, but has he learned his lesson?

The plot is very interesting, yet depressing at times. There are many parts in the book that are very sad. However, this is to be expected, as Dickens has a very depressing style.

There is no specific audience of people I would recommend A Christmas Carol to. I would recommend this to just about everyone because it is a very good book. Also, it is a classic written by one of the greatest English authors of the Victorian era.

The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton

Reviewed by Alex G.
Grade 7

The Greasers are the poor, uneducated, violent, kids from the south side of town. Or so the stereotype goes. But the Greasers aren’t the only violent ones. In the north side of town, the rich, biased Socs are equally horrible. In fact, there is only one thing that splits them apart...money.

The Outsiders takes place in 1960s Kansas. There, an on-going war rages between the two social classes, the Socs and the Greasers. Ponyboy Curtis and his brothers Darry and Sodapop are living by themselves, because their parents are both dead. They're Greasers and hang out with other Greasers, but never Socs. Their "gang" consists of them, Johnny--an abused, jumpy kid, Dally--a juvenile delinquent, Two-Bit--a joker, and Steve--Sodapop's best friend. But one night, their already sideways life gets turned completely upside down when a gang of Socs try to kill Pony, and in self-defense, Johnny kills one of them with his switchblade. The two run away with a gun, $50, and the location of an old abandoned church, all courtesy of Dally. What happens next takes a heavy toll on Pony, and he decides to write his semester theme on the never-ending conflict between the Socs and the Greasers.

I very much enjoyed the timing of this story and the setting. When I first picked it up for a school project, quite frankly, I thought it would not be interesting at all. However, the intricate story pulled me in. Personally, I would've liked to live in the 60's, so this story was really very interesting for me.

I would recommend this to anyone interested in reading a multi-faceted story. There are some touching moments, some suspenseful cliff-hangers, and some down-right exciting action. This is, in fact, a book based on the real life of the author, S.E. Hinton. So this is a great book for those interested in reading something with some history behind it.

Also available in CD audio book format!