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!

The Adventures of Tom Sawyer by Mark Twain

Reviewed by Lalee I.
Grade 7

Have you ever dreamed about mischief? Well, for Tom that topic was always on his mind. Have you ever dreamed about running away or faking your death to see if your family loved you or not? Tom Sawyer didn’t just dream about these things; he did them.

Tom Sawyer is not your average kid; he is the kid that will do whatever he wants whenever he wants. From getting engaged, getting trapped in a cave and trying to catch a murderer, Tom does this in a comical, bad boy way that won’t make you want to put this book down. Tom does have a little help though. His allies Huckleberry Finn and Joe Harper lead him through a path of calmness and teach him how to be a good boy. NOT! If anything they lead him through a path of pranks and make a bad boy into a worse boy. If you would like to know more about this fun-filled, action packed book then stop at your local library and check The Adventures of Tom Sawyer out.

I find the author’s style a bit confusing at some points, for this book was written in 1876. This book has Old English, so make sure you have a dictionary next to you. One example of Old English in the story is when Aunt Polly (Tom’s guardian) is talking to herself, “Spare the rod and spile the child, as the Good Book says. I’m a-laying up sin and suffering for us both, I know. He’s full of the Old Scratch, but laws-a-me! He’s my own dead sister’s boy, poor thing, and I ain’t got the heart to lash him, somehow.” I feel Mark Twain did an excellent job with the characters, especially Tom. I love how Tom has this lazy lifestyle that you just fall in love with, or his comical behavior. One example of this comical behavior is when Aunt Polly is making Tom paint the fence, and Tom finds a way to get boys passing by to do it for him while he just relaxes and sleeps.

I would recommend this book to people who like reading and like challenging books. The author’s style can be a bit challenging. This book would be for you if you like the bad boys that are always getting in trouble and into situations that hurt more than themselves. I know you will enjoy this book as much as I do.

Also available in CD audio book and eBook formats!

Maximum Ride: the Final Warning by James Patterson

Reviewed by Alexander G.
Grade 7

Have you ever dreamed of flying? For some of us it is just a fantasy, but for Max and her friends it's a unique reality that comes at a grim cost. Years ago, a group of scientists started experimenting with genetic hybrids. One group of creations were avian-human hybrids, or half-human, half-bird. These test subjects were Max and her "flock." Ever since escaping from their horrible incarceration, the flock has been chased by the elites of the hybrid creations.

In The Final Warning, the flock mourns the loss of their dead new ally, Ari, who had been an Eraser (half-human, half-wolf) bent on their capture and distruction. Once Ari realized he was lied to and doomed, he joined the flock. After the funeral, Dr. Martinez and Jeb take the flock to Washington DC, to negotiate with the government on the building of a school for them. However, Max, distrusting the officials, declined. Instead, Dr. Martinez told them about a research group heading to Antarctica. They take up the offer and go with the team. Weeks later, the flock is captured by a horrible creation of Itex, Gozen. They are taken to a building in Miami, where they meet the Uber-Director of Itex.

Compared to the previous books, this part of the series is relatively short. Also, there is a lot less action/fighting and more relationships, internal conflict, and a highly stressed moral that polluting is bad.

I would recommend this book to readers that enjoy books about the environment, like Flush by Carl Hiaasen. However, I would not recommend this book to people who want an extremly exciting and action-packed plot, unless you are an avid reader of the Maximum Ride series.

Also available in CD audio book format!

Dash and Lily's Book of Dares by Rachel Cohn and David Levithan

Reviewed by Tanuj B.
Grade 10

What do you enjoy doing at Christmastime? Opening presents? Visiting family members? Catching up with your friends? How about a scavenger hunt, conducted through a red notebook? Because when Dash finds a red notebook full of dares, he is drawn to the challenges it lists and the prospect of love it offers. As Dash and Lily trade their book of dares back and forth, both of them get the other to do things that he or she would never do.

Alone at Christmastime, Dash decides to spend his days at the Strand, a rather large bookstore, looking for, you guessed it, a nice book. But when he finds a red notebook lodged next to Salinger’s Franny and Zooey, filled with dares such as finding books titled Fat Hoochie Prom Queen, The Joys of Gay Sex, and other lesser known works, well, who could resist? He agrees to the challenge, and leaves a note with the cashier for the owner of the red notebook to find. In the meantime, Lily, also alone, is spending her Christmas cooped up at home, her parents in Fiji and her brother with his boyfriend. So she agrees when her brother makes up a way to get her a friend of the opposite sex and leaves the notebook at the Strand. She’s quite surprised when she finds someone takes her up on the dare and leaves one of their own. And so Dash and Lily start to trade their dares and their memories back and forth. Throughout the book, they visit places such as a wax museum, a mall, the movie theater, and a nightclub, and leave their comfort zones to make Muppets, break grandma’s boots out, and feel up a stranger at the mall.

The difference in the authors' style of writing each chapter is great to characterize Dash and Lily. Because the two authors wrote each chapter of the book independently and then sent the finished sample to the other author so that he or she could write the next one, Dash and Lily’s characters develop extremely well. Dash’s chapters seem to be filled with sarcasm and witty retorts, while Lily’s are filled with unreal threats, for the most part. Both of the authors seem to be going for humor to make the book interesting but do so in different ways, using irony and wit. For example, when Dash first finds the red notebook, and has to find Fat Hoochie Prom Queen, he resolves to ask the man behind the counter. He says something along the lines of, “I’m looking for Fat Hoochie Prom Queen.” Pause. “It’s a book, not a person.” When Lily is faced with a problem, while trying to find a solution, she sometimes threatens to do things that the reader would never imagine her to do. For example, she seems to want to use her parents’ guilt at making her do something she doesn’t want to do to get a puppy, or perhaps a bunny. It just makes her look ridiculous. These not only make the reader like the characters, it makes the characters like each other. To Lily, through his writings and her family’s descriptions, Dash seems like a snarling hipster that might wear purple often (which he is), while Lily is conveniently described as “the weird girl” by Dash (which she is).

I definitely, positively recommend this book. Not only does it illustrate an important theme (one that I and many other people too, I suspect, often have problems with), the characters are rich and funny, as is the conflict, the plot, and anything else about it. Will Dash and Lily’s Book of Dares result in two good friends, disappointment, or love? One thing’s for sure: I know I loved this book, and I’m quite sure you will too!

Also available in downloadable eBook form!

Eldest by Christopher Paolini

Reviewed by: Angela W.
Grade 9

Soar with Eragon and Saphira over the Hadarac desert. Hike through a deadly mountain chain with the villagers of Carvahall and Roran, Eragon’s cousin. Dance with the elves of Ellesmera. To get there, all you need to do is jump into Eldest, the second book in the Inheritance Cycle, and then join Eragon and Saphira, two unlikely partners that are out to save Alagaesia from the evil King Galbatorix.

Eragon, a sixteen year-old Rider who grew up on a farm, and Saphira, a young dragon that, as an egg, was rescued from the king, are sent to train with the elves in the forest of Du Weldenvarden. Eragon begins to show his affection for Arya, a century old elf-maiden who works with the Varden. Can they ever be together? Meanwhile, Saphira’s hopes of finding a mate are renewed when they make a sudden discovery at the edge of Ellesmera, the elven city where they are staying. Will anything come of it? Back in Carvahall, Eragon and Roran’s hometown, the village has just been attacked by the king’s soldiers. Several people have died, and Katrina, the one Roran holds most dear, has just been stolen from him. Is it at all possible the she is still alive? Roran manages to convince the village to leave their homes in search of safety, with an underlying mission of avenging Katrina’s death or rescuing her if she is still alive. Throughout the story, you receive many surprises, both pleasant and unpleasant, with one final twist that will totally surprise you.

I found that although Eragon has such a high stature and is revered all over Alagaesia because he is a Rider, he is still just a normal, sixteen-year-old boy on the inside. One example of this is when Eragon was sparring with another elf. The elf was chiding him about how he was inferior to the elves, who were much more agile, and Eragon lost his temper and bound the elf with magic. I commend Mr. Paolini on creating a whole new language (called the Ancient Language), and a different, new kind of magic that seems so versatile and diverse in how the characters use it.

I enjoyed reading this book, but it sometimes seemed a little bit slow. The descriptions were very good though, and I could clearly picture the places they went to. I think I would probably recommend this book to people that like fantasy and action, especially if they always think to themselves, “The thicker the book, the better!” I would also recommend that you read Eragon, the first book, before you read this one, but if you don’t, Mr. Paolini has kindly placed a detailed summary in the beginning of this volume.

Around the World in 80 Days by Jules Verne

Reviewed by Eve B.
Grade 8

"From London to Suez via Mont Cenis and Brindisi, by rail and steamboats...7 days. From Suez to Bombay, by steamer...13. From Bombay to Calcutta, by rail...3. From Calcutta to Hong Kong, by steamer...13. From Hong Kong to Yolohame (Japan), by steamer...6. From Yokohama to San Francisco, by steamer.http://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gif..22. From San Francisco to New York, by rail...7. From New York to London by steamer and rail...9. Total...80 days." Is it possible to travel around the world in 80 days? In the twenty-first century, definitely. But in 1872, maybe not.

Around the World in 80 Days, written in 1873, begins in England where the reader is introduced to Phileas Fogg. Mr. Fogg goes to the Reform Club to play cards and finds himself in the middle of a bet. The bet takes him and his friends on exciting adventures around the world. Due to a recent robbery, Fogg is secretly followed, and obstacles are placed in this way to end his travels. Fogg races to win the bet. Will he make the deadline or be foiled by the secret follower?

Jules Verne creates unique and interesting characters. He gives the reader a clear picture of who the characters are but leaves some suspicion to keep the reader reading. For example Jules Verne describes Phileas Fogg in the first chapter. "He was not lavish, no, on the contrary, avaricious; for, whenever he knew that money was needed for a noble, useful, or benevolent purpose, he supplied it quietly and sometime anonymously. He was, in short, the least communicative of men. He talked very little, and seemed all the more mysterious for his taciturn manner." This is just one example which leads the reader to assume by Mr. Foggs actions that he is wealthy and generous man. The author uses descriptive words to create interesting settings of the places Mr. Fogg travels.

The book was certainly interesting and worth the reader's time to read. It is available in hard cover, paperback, online, and in downloadable format. The vocabulary seemed more advanced than books written more recently. Will Phileas Fogg win the bet? I recommend teens read this book and follow Phileas Fogg, and those who follow him, on his adventures to cities around the world.

Theodore Boone: Kid Lawyer by John Grisham

Reviewed by Lucas Najera
Grade 5

Do you like mysteries and realistic fiction plus adventure and a little law? Then I have the book for you! It is Theodore Boone: Kid Lawyer by John Grisham . John Grisham mainly writes adult books, but he has started writing a series for young adults. This is the first book in the series.

Theodore Boone is a kid who goes to school like any other kid. Both of his parents are lawyers, so Theodore loves law. After school he spends his afternoons at either the courthouse or his parents’ law firm. Naturally, he gets involved in a big trial that is going on. He is the only person that can help the prosecution who is doing rather poorly. What Theodore knows can change the whole outcome of the trial. It’s risky, but only he knows the whole truth. But he’s only 13 years old. Will anyone even believe him?

My evaluation of the book is that the author did a great job. I liked the conflict between a normal kid and how the truth enslaves him. Also, the author has other mysteries and crimes throughout the book in addition to the big trial, so Theodore can solve more than just one problem or crime. The author's writing of the Theodore character is just brilliant. I am actually learning more about law and becoming very interested. The author puts it together piece by piece just like a puzzle.

I highly recommend this book to everyone. It is one that you truly will not be able to put down. But good news when you finish this book...the next book in the series is now available.

No Talking by Andrew Clements

Reviewed by Lucas Najera
Grade 5

So, who is going to lose first? Will it be the boys or the girls? Something strange is happening in the class, and the principal wants to know what.

No Talking by Andrew Clements is a fictional story about two kids in fifth grade at Lake Elementary. The characters are known for a name given to them by the teachers, the “un-hushables”. They just never stop talking. The principal would try to get them to be quiet by using a big bull horn in the cafeteria and say “QUIET!” But even that didn't work. In the story you will find out why they actually stopped talking all of a sudden. Yes, it was a miracle! No one could believe it.

I believe the author did a bad job by not having these children not get into trouble during the story. If children actually behaved the way the characters did in school they would definitely be in trouble. The children were disrespectful to the teachers and principal. In real life this would not be acceptable behavior. It truly sets a bad example for children who read this book. I would like to see more positive role models in books.

The competition is only a part of the book, but it is a major component to the story and where most of the disrespect was shown. Therefore, unfortunately I cannot recommend that other kids read this book. It just sets such a bad role model for the reader.

Safe at Home by Mike Lupica

Reviewed by Lucas Najera
Grade 5

Will Nick ever be adopted? Will he ever get the family he wished for? Will he ever get a Dad that loves baseball as much as he does? Read along to find the answers to these questions in Safe at Home, a Come Back Kids Novel by Mike Lupica.

This book was a sports book. It was about a kid named Nick who is an orphan. He visits many families that are looking to adopt a child. He only spends one day with each family. Each time he would get his hopes up, but the family would choose another child to adopt. One of the potential families took him to a baseball game. From that day on Nick loved baseball and could not stop thinking about it. This was the family that he really wanted to be his family. But sadly, they did not adopt him. Nick thought it was a perfect match because the dad loved baseball. But Nick’s love for baseball didn’t cease. He loved the crack of the bat, the food vendors and seeing the players run around the diamond.

The main character in the book, Nick, seemed very distracted. He spent all of his time playing baseball. When he returned home from baseball practice, he would read comic books instead of doing his homework. While in school he would not pay attention but instead think of baseball. He fell behind in school, and did not catch back up. His teachers talked to him about doing better in school. He said that he would do better, although he did not. I thought he was just lazy.

I am not really a big sports fan, but I would still recommend reading this book. If you do happen to be a sports fan then I would highly recommend this book. The author did an outstanding job in writing this book. He really knows sports and even included a little mystery along the way. It seems very realistic. The only thing to consider in determining whether you would want to read this book is that it is very sad. So, if you do not like sad stories you should pass on this book. If not, it is a great book to read.

The Westing Game by Ellen Raskin

Reviewed by Lucas Najera
Grade 5

“I Samuel W. Westing did not die of natural causes.” This mystery begins with the reading of the will of Samuel W. Westing. Ellen Raskin is the author of The Westing Game, a suspenseful, mysterious book that attracts the reader. Which one of the heirs will win the Westing Game?

Only sixteen lucky people were given an invitation to live in a luxurious apartment building. Why? We find out they were picked by Samuel W. Westing to play a game. The game was a clue hunt. Each team received some clues. But all the clues were needed to figure out the puzzle. Who will be able to survive and win the fortune?

The author did an outstanding job on the plot all the way until the very end. At the very end it started to get confusing. It was difficult to understand because the author introduced many characters at the end of the story. Given that none of the characters previously existed, it was perplexing to understand the story.

I would recommend this book to someone who likes mysteries. The author of the book makes you guess what each character will do next. I could not stop reading this book because it was so good. Also, I like that it is realistic fiction. This is why I would recommend this Newbery Award winning book.

Indigo's Star by Hilary McKay

Reviewed by Stacia M.
Grade 6

Indigo Casson missed a whole term of school due to him having mononucleosis. When he finally recovers, he's forced to face his fears and go back to school. Only his younger sister, Rose, knows why he's dreading going back so much.

On his first Monday back, things were as if he'd never left. The school gang was still out to get him. When a boy named Tom came from America to just get away from things going on at home, he ends up getting caught up with Indigo in the fight against the gang leader.

My favorite character in this book is Rose. I like that she's very resolute and has a lot of perseverance. I know this because she was very determined to have her father come home and to get the black guitar that Tom wanted so badly.

I would recommend Indigo's Star based on the theme. A boy has to stand up to what he's afraid of and go through challenges that he conquers. Also, I think that the gang, Tom and Indigo have an interesting connection. I also enjoyed the relationship between Rose and Tom.

The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes by Arthur Conan Doyle

Reviewed by Sue Y.
Grade 8

"Give me a problem, throw the most obscure passwords, and the most complex analytical question that challenges me. I abominate a day without a interesting case." Holmes says in The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle.

In every case, clients come to Holmes. First, he always observes these clients and always amazes them. He thought they were just quite interesting casesm, then it turns out they were full of complexity. Also he figured out that someone was actually using these criminals for himself, whoever he is. And Holmes always knew if the Scotland Yard take cases and find a criminal, this clever leader always vanishes. He knows how to use people and tell them plans. Holmes almost ends up dying because of him. Holmes said if he is gone, then the half of mysterious cases will not be in London. But the thing is.... who is he?

This adventurous book is all about logic, knowledge, and observation. All things happen in London. Sherlock Holmes is no ordinary person. With one single glimpse, he knows every single detail about a person. So when the client comes to him, he can tell what is going on in the client's life and why did that person came to him. Holmes can solve most mysterious cases that even Scotland Yard couldn't solve by using his observation and logic. He never accepts a case if the case will be a piece of cake to him. Dr. Watson is the one who tells us about cases. He is a doctor, Holmes best friend and an assistant.

I would highly recommend this book if you love mystery novels. And you will definitely love this book if you like to guess things and solve some interesting cases. Also if you want to know how was the life in 1860s, London, I would recommend this novel.

Island of the Blue Dolphins by Scott O'Dell

Reviewed by Danielle D.
Grade 5

Have you ever wondered if you could make your on clothes, hunt, and fend for yourself on a deserted island when you're not even a teenager? In Island of the Blue Dolphins by Scott O'Dell, 12-year-old Karana finds herself doing just that.

One spring day, Karana is picking roots, and looks out to see that a red ship is sailing toward her island. Her six-year-old brother Ramo is also looking out to sea and sees the ship too. "It's a canoe! A big canoe!" he cried, and with that he ran off. Once she had finished picking roots, she went to spy on them. The chief of the village, her dad, lets the strangers stay there because they want to kill the otters for the fur. A few months later the strangers start to leave, but they haven't given Karana's people the goods yet. When they refuse to give the rest of the goods, the chief puts his foot down, but the white men kill him. The white men finally go and the tribe elects a new chief who says he remembers an island the strangers will not know. He says he must go alone, but later sends them a ship to take them to the island. The captain tells them that they should get packed. Karana is walking to the ship with Ramo, and he remembers that he forgot his spear. He runs back to get it, but Karana doesn't know that. She thinks he's on the ship. They start to sail away, and running up the path is Ramo. She begs the captain to turn the boat around, but he won't, so she dives into the water. She swims to Ramo and hugs him and he asks, "Will it come back?" I don't know.

I really liked Karana because shes smart and caring. And I think she's caring because when an otter was injured she helped it back to health. And I think she's smart because she built a house and made a whale-bone fence that only humans could get through. That came in handy when the wild dogs came.


I would recommend this book to my friends because I like the lesson it gives you: have faith, have hope, never give up even when it looks impossible don't ever ever give up.

Anne's House of Dreams by L. M. Montgomery

Reviewed by Patricia A.
Grade 7

Join Anne and Gilbert Blythe as they discover their little “house ‘o dreams”, soon full of the laughter and love of past and present generations, the shared joys of new camaraderie, the bitterness of tragedy and the mystery which life at the mystic, seafaring town of Four Winds offers so abundantly. Read Anne’s House of Dreams for this continued story of red-haired, fanciful Anne, who brings her gift of winning friendships, however improbable, to the new life, full of surprises, that she embarks upon with her husband, Gilbert. Meet Captain Jim, Cornelia Bryant, Leslie Moore, and Owen Ford, friends of the Blythes’, whose unique life stories are woven together in this captivating novel. Altogether, Lucy Maud Montgomery’s tale teaches us an important lesson, and is flavored with remarkable descriptions complimented by the complexity of the characters.

Shortly after arriving at Four Winds, Anne and Gilbert befriend Captain Jim, a lovable old sailor with a past full of perilous adventures and a knack for storytelling, and Cornelia Bryant, a kind, yet strong willed woman with a tongue for gossip. Next, Anne tries to reach out to poor, gorgeous Leslie Moore, whose tragic past and nearly forced marriage keeps her soul imprisoned. Sometimes at gatherings in the “house ‘o dreams”, Leslie would appear her clever, merry self, only to disappear behind bars of cold, contemptness again. Anne knew that Leslie was torn between love for Anne and hatred for her happiness, and it was only when Anne’s beloved baby, Joyce, dies that Leslie is reconciled. Soon afterward, Owen Ford, a novelist boarding at Leslie’s house, and grandson of Captain Jim’s friend, was welcomed into the group often gathered at the “house ‘o dreams”, and promptly agreed to write Captain Jim’s life book. Owen Ford later confided miserably in Anne that he loved Leslie, and Leslie told Anne confidentially that she loved Owen, but felt ashamed if he suspected as she, married to Dick Moore, was not free to do so. Meanwhile, Gilbert wanted to inform Leslie that if her husband was taken to an expensive hospital and given medical treatment, his mental illness might be cured, but Anne argued that he shouldn’t, for Leslie was happier with her husband mentally challenged than drunk and violent. Leslie was informed, for Gilbert believed that “the truth would set Leslie free”, and Leslie, poor as she was, consented to the treatment. The results of the treatment explained that Dick Moore had died on a voyage and that Captain Jim had accidentally brought back George Moore instead because the brothers were almost identical. So everyone was delighted to know that Leslie was free at last, but you’ll have to read Anne’s House of Dreams for the concluding events of Anne’s story and to discover what Leslie’s unexpected new life brings.

I especially loved the diversity, uniqueness, and admirable traits of the characters. For example, beautiful, but distant and miserable Leslie Moore makes quite a contrast with homely–looking yet joyous and friendly Captain Jim. In addition, each character has used their different life experiences to accomplish various things, in Leslie’s case, to isolate herself from the world, but in Captain’s Jim’s case to build and improve his character. Some exemplary traits from the characters include Gilbert’s hospitality, shown as he welcomed many into his home, as well as his honesty, demonstrated when choosing to inform Leslie of the possible cure to her husband’s illness. Anne shows empathy and cleverness as she, from the first, determinedly sees beyond Leslie’s hostility, and never ceases struggling to befriend and understand her. Captain Jim proves his generosity when giving genially of both his financial resources to Leslie and his words to all of his friends, compliments bestowed so fondly and received as riches. Leslie reveals hidden vivaciousness when joining and adding laughter and clever remarks into the lively discussions at the little “house ‘o dreams.” Lastly, it was wonderful to “meet” all of the awesome characters throughout this book.

I would recommend Anne’s House of Dreams to anyone who loves books with inspiring morals and would appreciate and enjoy the author’s style of creating meaning with breathtaking descriptions. Montgomery quoted poetry, used many similes and metaphors, and drew from her expansive knowledge of vocabulary and that of the actual setting of the story to further emphasize and produce wonder at the beauty of Anne’s surroundings and to bring other aspects of the story to more vivid focus, so that you become part of the story. For instance, Montgomery describes the view from Anne’s window with the beautiful, somewhat mysterious words, “A magic casement opening on the foam of the perilous seas in fairy lands forlorn.” Furthermore, the lesson that I learned from Anne’s House of Dreams is that everyone has a different life story, and to understand someone you must first understand the situations in their life that have probably shaped their personality. If Anne had not known Leslie’s tragic childhood and current predicament, she might have always thought of Leslie as overly conceited and miserable, but since she understood Leslie’s past, she was able to eventually become her first true friend. In conclusion, this book is extremely well written, with amazing descriptions and a wonderful moral behind it all; I really would like to encourage more people to read it, and be rewarded.

Eight Cousins by Louisa May Alcott

reviewed by Eve B.
Grade 8


"But I don't! I'm afraid of horses, and boats make me ill, and I hate boys!" Orphaned, teen-aged Rose meets another challenge in her life, seven male cousins. Eight Cousins, written by Louisa May Alcott, is a classic story set in nineteenth- century Boston.

This story describes the life of Rose, an orphaned thirteen year old girl. Rose, who is weak and in poor health, lives a quiet life with her two aunts until seven mischievous cousins come to stay. Uncle Alec comes to her rescue, agreeing to care for her. He puts her on a good diet, makes sure she gets exercise and gives her her own room. Uncle Alec takes her on a trip and makes a library in the home to encourage her to read. Some people say she is being spoiled. Uncle Alec and Rose develop a deep relationship. He really loves her. But, the time comes when the girl has a decision to make. Will she continue to live with her uncle?

This book is well-written and keeps the reader's attention. The relationship between the uncle and Rose is heart-warming and the actions of the seven cousins are entertaining. Louisa May Alcott develops the characters well using descriptive words, giving them personality and allowing the reader to feel like he or she knows the characters. For example, the author describes the seven cousins when they come to the the aunt's home. "Seven boys stood in a row all ages, all sizes, all yellow-haired and blue-eyed, all in full Scotch costume, and all smiling, nodding, and saying as with one voice, 'How are you, cousin?' " The author's choice of words grabs the reader's attention and helps bring the characters and setting to life.

I would highly recommend reading this book. It is full of action and the plot moves quickly. As the plot unravels, Rose changes from a weak orphan to a strong young lady with determination.

The Prophet of Yonwood by Jeanne Duprau

reviewed by Kathryn A.

Blinding flashes of light shown, billows of fire rose, and hot wind whipped around a lady who was flung into the sky. She looked down on the earth which was engulfed in flames and smoke which were accompanied by a terrible noise, crashing, crackling of fire and a howling of the wind. Then ... silence, even more horrible than the previous sight. Could this possibly be a vision of war from God? Could this lady have seen into the future?

Jeanne Duprau’s third Book of Ember, The Prophet of Yonwood, begins when Althea Tower sees a sort of vision and then falls into shock, only being able to mumble a few barely coherent words. The city of Yonwood became full of tension, the talk of conflicts, terrorists and the end of the world were always on people’s lips. But amidst all this, a girl of eleven, Nickie Randolph, was determined to move into her deceased great-grandfather’s house which was located in Yonwood. Her aunt and mother had a very different view of the matter. As soon as it was cleaned up enough, they thought it should be sold straight away and taken off of their hands! When Nickie finally convinced her aunt to take her to the ancient mansion she set herself three goals:
1. To keep Greenhaven, her great grandfather’s house from being sold.
2. To fall in love.
3. To do something helpful for the world.
Little did she know all of these goals would be fulfilled, but not exactly in the ways she had imagined. Much worry, pain and hardship would present itself as she faced the secrecy and fright the house and city would so willingly provide!

The setting is very well developed and detailed. Even before you reach the heart of the story, events such as the mysterious smashing of a window with only a bloodstained cloth as a clue to the unwelcome intruder arrive. This really paints the picture of the type of city Yonwood had become due to the prophecy. The characters, too, are well thought out and quite complex. Constantly, the author is giving hints to what type of person each character is, and even before their true colors come out, the reader is able to guess the intentions of that person.

I would most definitely recommend this awesome book to anyone who enjoys books with unexpected occurrences and vivid detail intertwined to make a super plot! The main character, Nickie, is swayed between loyalty to her new friend and the urge to report him because she believed that he was doing wrong. Reporting him would cause him much anguish and grief, but, as she had goal three to fulfill, she believed it was her duty to report him. I feel that if I was in her place, I too would be torn between the two alternatives, but unlike her, in the end I feel that my decision would be to stay loyal to my friend, under the circumstances. To me a lesson was taught: go by what you think is right and don’t be influenced by other people’s opinions!

Dealing With Dragons by Patricia C. Wrede

reviewed by Grace C.

Cimorene is not a normal princess, not even CLOSE. No princesses take magic, fencing, Latin, cooking, and economics. Except Princess Cimorene, that is. She gives a whole new meaning to "improper."

Dealing With Dragons starts with Cimorene getting in trouble for taking lessons improper to being a princess. It keeps going from there with her running away from marrying Prince Therandil. She ends up finding some dragons and becomes one's princess. She sends princes and knights away, fights wizards and cooks and cleans for the dragons. It all goes well until the wizards think up a scam involving Tokoz, King of the Dragons.

I enjoyed the wonderful characters such as Morwen the witch, Kazul the dragon, and of course, Cimorene. The book has a funny twist of the wizards being the bad guys. I laughed out loud at the way they portrayed princesses.

The overall plot of this book was great. I would recommend this book based on humor and being improper. It has moral as well, discouraging peer pressure and teaching you to be yourself, not what others think you should be.

The Ruins of Gorlan by John Flanagan

reviewed by Kathryn A.

Many lives lay in a fifteen year-old orphan's hands, and guided by a skilled mentor, he must live up to the challenges that a Ranger's Apprentice's life would throw at him. In John Flanagan's first book in the Ranger's Apprentice series, The Ruins of Gorlan, questions are continuously going through both the young apprentice's mind and that of the reader. Why did the Ranger, Halt, choose Will to become his apprentice? Was this choice made out of pity? Is the young boy really suited for the job?

It all started on the day of the choosing, which was a day greatly anticipated by the castle wards, who were the orphans raised by the generosity of Baron Arald. On this day, craft masters would come to the castle and possibly select a fifteen year-old to become their apprentice. Once you were chosen, your fate was sealed; this day was feared more than any other. So, after much discussion and testing, a mysterious man, a Ranger, took Will as his apprentice. And during the numerous long months of training to shoot a bow and arrow, blend in with his surroundings, and become acquainted with his unusual horse, Tug, Will learned many lessons, not only on how to become a Ranger, but also a good friend to his childhood rival and a few others. His courage and devotion were tested as he risked his life to save his friends, track and hunt a huge boar and strive to kill the most feared beasts, the Kalkara.

The plot of this story took many unexpected twists and turns. One moment Will felt that he was doomed to the boring life of a farmhand, and then the next, a vibrant spark of hope was kindled and he realized that he would play a huge role in the safekeeping of his kingdom and those surrounding it. The Ruins of Gorlan is lightning-paced with never a dull moment interfering with the spectacular story line!

I would highly recommend this awesome book, because the author's style of writing is intricate yet quite easy to follow. The character's thoughts are clearly presented with great detail supporting their main ideas. Will is endlessly trying to prove himself to his master and companions, and I know that I can certainly relate to that! I found that I would be thinking identically to Will in most of the situations, and that made the humorous, likable character even more easy to relate to as well. All in all, The Ruins of Gorlan and the rest of the series are some of my favorite books that I have read this summer!

The Lying Game by Sara Shepard

Reviewed by Shanara R.
Grade 7

"Let the lying game begin" as said by Emma in the book The Lying Game, written by Sara Shepard, writer of the book series Pretty Little Liars. If you read and loved the series Pretty Little Liars you might have your eye on The Lying Game. This book has twists and turns and nothing you expect that will happen with a writer like Sara Shepard; everything is not what it seems in this book.

Sutton has a perfect life: popular, friends, and dating the hottest guy at school. Unlike Sutton, her long lost sister Emma's life is a disaster--passed from foster family to family. She was left alone in the world by her mother at age five, only leaving the memories behind. One day, Emma finds a video of someone who looks surprisingly like her getting strangled to death with a necklace, which seems a little out of the ordinary to her. Wondering who this is she finds out who Sutton is. Emma finds her on Facebook and decides to send her a message. She gets a reply, not knowing her long lost sister is dead before she even gets meet her. Suddenly Emma is put in Sutton's shoes and has to live her life before she's next. Having the life she never had, Emma's trying to put the puzzle pieces together and figure out who killed her sister Sutton.

While reading the book The Lying Game, I have made some opinions about the characters. I have decided that my favorite character is Emma. She starts out as the girl that everyone wants to be. While being in Sutton's shoes she finds out what her personality is. Emma is determined, hardworking, and she never gives up. She will not give up until she finds out who her sister's killer is.

I do recommend this book to teens everywhere. The author writing style is suitable to tweens and teens. It is a mystery fiction book, and I feel like who ever reads this will enjoy it. Make sure to read, the next book coming out August 15th, Never Have I Ever.

Chasing Vermeer by Blue Balliett

Reviewed by Stacia M.
Grade 6

Petra and Calder are after one of the world's most famous paintings--A Lady in Waiting. Many people are after this priceless painting, but with Petra's dreams and Calder's pentominoes, they're one step ahead of everyone else!

The famous Vermeer painting, A Lady in Waiting, is in trouble and Petra Andalee and Calder Pillay are going to save it. The only way to save it is to find it first. Petra has weird dreams about the painting that give them clues. Calder has puzzle letters called pentominoes that do the same. A few people along the way like Ms. Hussey and Mrs. Sharpe help them too. Will they beat the real thieves to the painting?

I like the book's setting because it has a lot more than one. The book ends up taking place wherever the mystery takes them.

I wouldn't necessarily recommend Chasing Vermeer. The author's style is slow moving. However, it does get better towards the end. It's a little bit hard to follow too.

I So Don't Do Spooky by Barrie Summy

Reviewed by Stacia M.
Grade 6

Sherry has another mystery! Her stepmom, AKA The Ruler, has a stalker. Sherry and her ghost mom try to solve the mystery, but when the stalker starts leaving clues that just don't seem to fit together, they both start wondering--will we ever catch him?

Sherry's mom is a ghost. Her mom was a cop and got killed on the job the year before. But they she came back to talk to Sherry and help with the mystery of The Ruler's stalker. If Sherry and her mom solve the mystery, her mom can come back into human form for five minutes.

My favorite character in the book is Sherry. She's very curious and determined. For example, every time a clue was set and discovered, she wondered about it and tried harder and harder [to figure it out]. She wouldn't rest until the mystery was solved. She wanted her mom to return for five minutes so badly.

I would definitely recommend I So Don't Do Spooky. The author's style in this book is a mix of a kid-friendly ghost story, some fiction, and some non-fiction.

City of Fallen Angels by Cassandra Clare

reviewed by Lisa B.

Jace and Clary should have had their happy ending. City of Fallen Angels marks the fourth book in The Mortal Instruments series by Cassandra Clare, a series that was originally planned as a trilogy. Fans of the series wanted it. Publishers were salivating over it. Clare was willing to write it. But was it really necessary to put these two lovebirds through fresh hell?

In this latest entry readers learn of how Simon is adjusting to life as a vampire while still trying desperately to cling to his humanity and the world he’s always known. Meanwhile, something sinister is brewing with Jace, something that threatens his one-of-a-kind love for Clary. And to top it all off, something or someone is killing Shadowhunters in New York. Each new body is found in different Downworlder territory, be it werewolf, fey or vampire. Is someone attempting to break the fragile peace between Downworlders and Shadowhunters? And what, if anything, does all this have to do with Jace’s increasingly violent dreams about harming Clary?

Jace has always been what the cool kids are calling “emo.” And in this book, he manages to crank it up a notch to UBER emo. Instead of discussing his disturbing dreams with Clary, for example, he decides that a better solution would be to distance himself entirely from her—a perfectly healthy choice in a loving relationship, right? There is, however, an intriguing addition to the ensemble cast of characters. Kyle is the newest member of Simon’s band, but it becomes clear that there’s more to him that meets the eye, and he’s not entirely unknown to one of the characters we already know. There is promise in this character, his relationship with someone from his past, and the mission to which he’s committed.

Fangirls (and boys) of the first three books in the series will clamor for this new entry, but those satisfied with the ending of City of Glass should probably stop with that one. This new volume seems more financially motivated than story inspired. And the “I desperately love you, now go away” riff that sets the tone for Jace and Clary’s relationship seems like a complete rehash of what we’ve already read in the first three books. Sometimes too much of a good thing turns the good thing into a bad thing. Quality over quantity is the key. Jace and Clary should have had their happy ending.

Also available in CD audiobook form!